Document Document Title
US09495329B2 Calculating node centralities in large networks and graphs
Embodiments related to calculating node centralities in large and complex networks and graphs. An aspect includes approximating a product of a matrix exponential and a random probe vector of an adjacency matrix, wherein the adjacency matrix represents a graph. A diagonal of the adjacency matrix is computed based on the product of the matrix exponential and the random probe vector. The node centralities are then calculated based on the computed diagonal until a designated number of central nodes has been detected according to embodiments.
US09495327B2 Service configuration method, device and system
The present invention discloses a service configuration method, apparatus and system. The provided method includes steps as follows: configuring a VLAN ID of a port on an intermediate device according to preset configuration information, where the port is connected to a client; after a DHCP request message which is from the client through the intermediate device is received, obtaining a MAC address in the DHCP request message, and obtaining an IP address corresponding to the MAC address from the configuration information; and sending a response message carrying the IP address and the VLAN ID to the client through the intermediate device, so that the client sets a local virtual local area network identifier to the VLAN ID and sets a local IP address to the IP address after receiving the response message.
US09495324B2 Efficient distribution of subnet administration data over an RDMA network
One embodiment provides a method for receiving subnet administration (SA) data using a remote direct memory access (RDMA) transfer. The method includes formatting, by a network node element, an SA data query with an RDMA-capable flag; configuring, by the network node element, a reliably-connected queue pair (RCQP) to receive an RDMA transfer from a subnet manager in communication with the network node element on an RDMA-capable network; and allocating, by the network node element, an RDMA write target buffer to receive the SA data using an RDMA transfer from the subnet manager in response to the SA data query.
US09495319B2 Docking to support secure associations and flexible manufacturing
A portable terminal may dock to an industrial process controller through a wireless docking interface. The industrial process controller may communicate industrial node (e.g., process sensor) configuration information to the portable terminal. The portable terminal moves within an industrial process environment where processor sensors are located. The portable terminal also docks to the process sensors using the same or different wireless docking interface. Once docked, the portable terminal configures the process sensors with the sensor configuration information.
US09495318B2 Synchronizing transactions for a single master over multiple busses
Embodiments of a bridge unit and system are disclosed that may allow for processing fence commands send to multiple bridge units. Each bridge unit may process a respective portion of a plurality of transactions generated by a master unit. The master unit may be configured to send a fence command to each bridge unit, which may stall the processing of the command. Each bridge unit may be configured to determine if all transactions included in its respective portion of the plurality of transactions has completed. Once each bridge unit has determined that all other bridge units have received the fence command and that all other bridge units have completed their respective portions of the plurality of transactions that were received prior to receiving the fence command, all bridge units may execute the fence command.
US09495313B2 Apparatus and methods to communicatively couple field devices to controllers in a process control system system
A disclosed example apparatus includes a termination panel, a shared bus on the termination panel, and a plurality of bases on the termination panel along the shared bus. Each of the bases is to removably receive modules that are to communicate with field devices. Each of the bases includes first and second physical interfaces. The first physical interface is to be communicatively coupled to different types of the field devices and to exchange communications with one or more of the field devices via a plurality of different communication protocols. The second physical interface is to communicatively couple the removably receivable modules to the shared bus to communicate with a controller via the shared bus.
US09495310B2 Computing system with hardware bus management and method of operation thereof
A method of operation of a computing system includes: reconfigurable hardware devices having first application fragment and second application fragment; configuring virtual bus module having virtual bus for electrically coupling the reconfigurable hardware devices; allocating a physical port in the virtual bus, based on availability, for coupling the first application fragment and the second application fragment through the virtual bus; implementing an application through the virtual bus including transferring application data between the first application fragment and the second application fragment; activating a signal buffer interface by the virtual bus module: activating a pin buffer dispatch module for storing the application data from application input buffer, and activating memory request port by roll-back table module, storing the application data, in response to the pin buffer dispatch module; and alerting a roll-back detector including dismissing the application data exceeds a roll-back threshold or restoring memory interface module by the roll-back module.
US09495306B1 Dynamic management of a processor state with transient cache memory
According to some embodiments, a method for controlling a processor state with transient cache memory is described. The method may include identifying, via a processor, a memory section having a memory address, retrieving, via the processor, memory control information, and controlling the processor state by allowing a memory access to the transient cache memory based on the memory control information.
US09495304B2 Address compression method, address decompression method, compressor, and decompressor
An address compression method, an address decompression method, a compressor, and a decompressor are disclosed, wherein the address compression method includes after a compressor receives multiple operation request messages that are sent by a first processor, determining, according to an address feature formed by address information carried in all operation request messages that have a same stream number, a compression algorithm corresponding to the operation request messages that have a same stream number; and then compressing, according to the determined compression algorithm, addresses carried in the operation request messages that have a same stream number. The present invention is applicable to the computer field.
US09495303B2 Fine grained address remapping for virtualization
Address remapping technologies are described. A method can include receiving, at a paging device of a system memory, a first physical address of an input/output (IO) device from a sub-page translator, where a sub-page location indicator may be associated with the first physical address. The method can further include identifying a virtual address in a sub-page translation table based on the physical address when the sub-page location indicator may be set to a sub-page lookup mode. The method can further include determining when to look-up the physical address in a sub-page translation table based on the sub-page location indicator. The method can further include communicating, to a virtual machine, the virtual address.
US09495302B2 Virtualization of memory for programmable logic
A processing sub-system is configured to execute a program using a set of virtual memory addresses to reference memory locations for storage of variables of the program. A programmable logic sub-system is configured to implement a set of I/O circuits specified in a configuration data stream, each of the I/O circuits having a respective ID and configured to access one of the variables. A memory management circuit is configured to map the virtual memory addresses to physical memory addresses of a memory and map IDs to the physical address used to store the corresponding variables. A TLB is configured to receive a memory access request, from the I/O circuits, each request indicating an ID and provide, to the memory, a memory access request indicating the physical memory address that is mapped to the ID.
US09495301B2 System and method for utilizing non-volatile memory in a cache
In one embodiment, a computing system includes a cache having one or more memories, a cache journal operable to store data associated with one or more portions of the cache, and a configuration manager operable to access the cache and the cache journal. The configuration manager is operable to determine whether the cache journal includes data associated with a first portion of the cache, and to create, in the cache journal, data associated with the first portion of the cache if the cache journal does not yet comprise data associated with the first portion of the cache. The configuration manager is also operable to determine whether the first portion of the cache is valid for use, and to communicate with a memory manager associated with the first portion of the cache regarding whether the first portion of the cache is valid for use.
US09495300B2 Set selection of a set-associative storage container
A computer-implemented method includes generating a vector that is a random number. Two or more residue functions are applied to the vector to produce a state signal including a different number of states. A set status of a set-associative storage container in a computer system is determined. The set status identifies whether each set of the set-associative storage container is enabled or disabled. One of the state signals is selected that has a same number of states as a number of the sets that are enabled. The selected state signal is mapped to the sets that are enabled to assign each of the states of the selected state signal to a corresponding one of the sets that are enabled. A set selection of the set-associative storage container is output based on the mapping to randomly select one of the sets that are enabled from the set-associative storage container.
US09495295B1 Photonics-optimized processor system
A photonics-optimized multi-processor system may include a plurality of processor chips, each of the processor chips comprising at least one input/output (I/O) component. The multi-processor system may also include first and second photonic components. The at least one I/O component of at least one of the processor chips may be configured to directly drive the first photonic component and receive a signal from the second photonic component. A total latency from any one of the processor chips to data at any global memory location may not be dominated by a round trip speed-of-light propagation delay. A number of the processor chips may be at least 10,000, and the processor chips may be packaged into a total volume of no more than 8 m3. A density of the processor chips may be greater than 1,000 chips per cubic meter.
US09495291B2 Configurable spreading function for memory interleaving
A method of interleaving a memory by mapping address bits of the memory to a number N of memory channels iteratively in successive rounds, wherein in each round except the last round: selecting a unique subset of address bits, determining a maximum number (L) of unique combinations possible based on the selected subset of address bits, mapping combinations to the N memory channels a maximum number of times (F) possible where each of the N memory channels gets mapped to an equal number of combinations, and if and when a number of combinations remain (K, which is less than N) that cannot be mapped, one to each of the N memory channels, entering a next round. In the last round, mapping remaining most significant address bits, not used in the subsets in prior rounds, to each of the N memory channels.
US09495289B2 Solid state memory device logical and physical partitioning
Embodiments relate to solid state memory device including a storage array having a plurality of physical storage devices and the storage array includes a plurality of partitions. The solid state memory device also includes a controller comprising a plurality of mapping tables, wherein each of the plurality of mapping tables corresponds to one of the plurality of partitions. Each of the plurality of mapping tables is configured to store a physical location and a logical location of data stored in its corresponding partition.
US09495282B2 Method and systems for a dashboard testing framework in an online demand service environment
Testing a dashboard framework includes creating a model that captures the states of a GUI application and validates the states of the application by comparing it with benchmarks. The testing can include user interaction between the captured states of the GUI application. The ability to provide testing based upon recorded states of a web application can enable the test system to adapt to changes to the GUI software during product development or modification. Testing a dashboard framework is more efficient and flexible testing methods for GUI software.
US09495271B2 Statistical power indication monitor for purpose of measuring power consumption
A statistical power indication monitor including a random pattern generator that generates random sample assertions of a sample signal, a total counter that counts a total number of the random sample assertions within a sample time interval, detect logic that provides a detection signal for each power indication signal that is asserted coincident with the sample signal, and counter logic that counts a number of assertions of each detection signal during the sample time interval. The assertion count of each power indication signal divided by the total count provides a statistical indication of power consumption of a corresponding system. A user may use the statistical monitoring information to adjust system or application operation. The random pattern generator may be a pseudo-random pattern generator including a linear feedback shift register and may have programmable seed and sample rate.
US09495269B1 Mobility validation by trial boot using snap shot
An approach is provided for migrating a live instance of a virtual machine from a source computer system to a target computer system. The approach operates by creating a consistent snap shot image of an operating system environment that is running the live instance of the virtual machine on the source computer system. A test virtual machine container is created based on an actual virtual machine container that corresponds to the live instance of the virtual machine. Based on the snap shot image of the operating system environment, a test virtual machine is created in the test virtual machine container. The generated test virtual machine is tested with a migration of the live instance of the virtual machine being performed in response to a successful test of the test virtual machine. The migration is aborted in response to an unsuccessful test of the test virtual machine.
US09495268B2 Systems and methods for error simulation and code testing
A method for error simulation in a data storage subsystem providing abstractions of one or more storage devices. The method includes dividing the data storage subsystem into two or more hierarchically organized subsystems, wherein the subsystems interact using IO Request Packets (IORPs), such that relatively higher level subsystems create and populate IORPs and pass them to relatively lower level subsystems for corresponding processing. The method further includes defining an IORP modifier configured to attach to matching IORPs based on one or more attributes of the IORP modifier and to modify at least one of the processing and one or more attributes of the IORP in order to simulate errors in the data storage subsystem.
US09495265B2 Test executive system with processing of results data in chunks
Test executive system and method of use. The system includes a test executive engine, configured to execute at least one test executive sequence to test at least one unit under test (UUT), a process model that specifies one or more function sequences for pre-test or post-test functionality for the test executive sequences, and a plug-in framework, configured to selectively incorporate one or more process model plug-in instances in the process model. Each process model plug-in instance specifies at least one respective function sequence for pre-test or post-test functionality for the test executive sequences.
US09495255B2 Error recovery in a storage cluster
A plurality of storage nodes within a single chassis is provided. The plurality of storage nodes is configured to communicate together as a storage cluster. The plurality of storage nodes has a non-volatile solid-state storage for user data storage. The plurality of storage nodes is configured to distribute the user data and metadata associated with the user data throughout the plurality of storage nodes, with erasure coding of the user data. The plurality of storage nodes is configured to recover from failure of two of the plurality of storage nodes by applying the erasure coding to the user data from a remainder of the plurality of storage nodes. The plurality of storage nodes is configured to detect an error and engage in an error recovery via one of a processor of one of the plurality of storage nodes, a processor of the non-volatile solid state storage, or the flash memory.
US09495254B2 Synchronization and order detection in a memory system
Embodiments relate to out-of-synchronization detection and out-of-order detection in a memory system. One aspect is a system that includes a plurality of channels, each providing communication with a memory buffer chip and a plurality of memory devices. A memory control unit is coupled to the plurality of channels. The memory control unit is configured to perform a method that includes receiving frames on two or more of the channels. The memory control unit identifies alignment logic input in each of the received frames and generates a summarized input to alignment logic for each of the channels of the received frames based on the alignment logic input. The memory control unit adjusts a timing alignment based on a skew value per channel. Each of the timing adjusted summarized inputs is compared. Based on a mismatch between at least two of the timing adjusted summarized inputs, a miscompare signal is asserted.
US09495250B2 Providing code to a programmable device
According to one embodiment, providing a bitstream to one or more programmable devices of a service unit card includes receiving the bitstream at a snooper of the service unit card. The snooper determines whether the bitstream is current. If the bitstream is current, the bitstream is loaded onto the programmable devices. If the bitstream is not current, the received bitstream is discarded, and a substitute bitstream is identified. The substitute bitstream is loaded onto the programmable devices.
US09495248B2 Using spare capacity in solid state drives
An SSD has a plurality of dies, with each die having a storage capacity. The storage capacity of each die is divided into a primary capacity and a spare capacity. A primary die has a maximum primary capacity, and a sum of the spare capacities of the remaining dies is greater than the maximum primary capacity. Data stored on the SSD is distributed among the primary capacities of the dies. When a failure of a first die is detected, data stored on the failed first die is migrated to the spare capacity of at least one of the remaining dies.
US09495244B2 Dynamic per-decoder control of log likelihood ratio and decoding parameters
An apparatus includes one or more error-correction decoders, a buffer, and at least one processor. The buffer may be configured to store data to be decoded by the one or more error-correction decoders. The at least one processor is generally enabled to send messages to the one or more error-correction decoders. The messages may contain datapath control information corresponding to data in the buffer to be decoded by the one or more error-correction decoders. The one or more error-correction decoders are generally enabled to decode the data read from the buffer according to the corresponding datapath control information.
US09495243B2 Error correcting code encoder supporting multiple code rates and throughput speeds for data storage systems
Embodiments of ECC encoders supporting multiple code rates and throughput speeds for data storage systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, an encoder can provide for flexible and scalable encoding, particularly when quasi-cyclic low-density parity-check code (QC-LDPC) encoding is used. The encoder can be scaled in size based on, for example, the desired encoding throughput and/or computational cycle duration. The encoder can thus be used to support multiple code rates and throughput speeds. Accordingly, encoding speed and efficiency and system performance is improved.
US09495241B2 Systems and methods for adaptive data storage
A storage module is configured to store data segments, such as error-correcting code (ECC) codewords, within an array comprising two or more solid-state storage elements. The data segments may be arranged in a horizontal arrangement, a vertical arrangement, a hybrid channel arrangement, and/or vertical stripe arrangement within the array. The data arrangement may determine input/output performance characteristics. An optimal adaptive data storage configuration may be based on read and/or write patterns of storage clients, read time, stream time, and so on. Data of failed storage elements may be reconstructed by use of parity data and/or other ECC codewords stored within the array.
US09495235B2 Identifying a physical device in which a fault has occurred in a storage system
Each transfer route includes an FE I/F out of a plurality of FE I/Fs, a BE I/F out of a plurality of BE I/Fs, at least one memory out of one or more memories, and at least one processor out of one or more processors. I/O target data is transferred via a target transfer route including an FE I/F that has received an I/O request out of a plurality of transfer routes. A processor in the target transfer route generates routing information representing a physical device included in the target transfer route, and transmits a transfer indication including the routing information to at least one of the FE I/F and BE I/F in the target transfer route. In response to the transfer indication, at least one of the FE I/F and BE I/F in the target transfer route adds, to the I/O target data, a guarantee code.
US09495234B1 Detecting anomalous behavior by determining correlations
Systems and methods for detecting anomalies within a multi-tenant environment are described. Diagnostic tests are performed on one or more components, such as host computing devices. The one or more components send resulting diagnostic information to an electronic device such as a monitoring component that processes the diagnostic information. The electronic device determines whether one or more properties, such as errors, are comprised within the one or more components. Based at least in part on properties that may be found, a correlation may be made between at least two properties.
US09495223B2 Method and system for converting a single-threaded software program into an application-specific supercomputer
The invention comprises (i) a compilation method for automatically converting a single-threaded software program into an application-specific supercomputer, and (ii) the supercomputer system structure generated as a result of applying this method. The compilation method comprises: (a) Converting an arbitrary code fragment from the application into customized hardware whose execution is functionally equivalent to the software execution of the code fragment; and (b) Generating interfaces on the hardware and software parts of the application, which (i) Perform a software-to-hardware program state transfer at the entries of the code fragment; (ii) Perform a hardware-to-software program state transfer at the exits of the code fragment; and (iii) Maintain memory coherence between the software and hardware memories. If the resulting hardware design is large, it is divided into partitions such that each partition can fit into a single chip. Then, a single union chip is created which can realize any of the partitions.
US09495219B2 Dynamically migrating computer networks
Techniques are described for providing capabilities to dynamically migrate computing nodes between two or more computer networks while the computer networks are in use, such as to dynamically and incrementally migrate an entire originating first computer network to a destination second computer network at a remote location. For example, the first computer network may include one or more physically connected computer networks, while the second computer network may be a virtual computer network at a remote geographical location (e.g., under control of a network-accessible service available to remote users). The provided capabilities may further include facilitating the ongoing operations of the originating first computer network while a subset of the first computer network computing nodes have been migrated to the remote destination second computer network, such as by forwarding communications between the first and second computer networks in a manner that is transparent to the various computing nodes.
US09495217B2 Empirical determination of adapter affinity in high performance computing (HPC) environment
A method, apparatus and program product utilize an empirical approach to determine the locations of one or more IO adapters in an HPC environment. Performance tests may be run using a plurality of candidate mappings that map IO adapters to various locations in the HPC environment, and based upon the results of such testing, speculative adapter affinity information may be generated that assigns one or more IO adapters to one or more locations to optimize adapter affinity performance for subsequently-executed tasks.
US09495205B2 Constructing a logical tree topology in a parallel computer
Constructing a logical tree topology in a parallel computer that includes compute nodes, where each compute node includes a hardware acceleration unit and executes an identical number of tasks and the tasks of each node have a rank, includes: creating hardware acceleration groups, with each hardware acceleration group including one task from each node, where the one task from each node has the same rank; assigning one task of a root compute node as a global root of the logical tree topology; assigning tasks of the root compute node other than the global root as local children of the global root; and assigning each of the global root and local children of the root compute node as a root of a subtree of tasks, wherein each subtree comprises the tasks of a hardware acceleration group.
US09495202B2 Transaction digest generation during nested transactional execution
Generating a digest in a transactional memory environment for performing transactional executions, the transactional memory environment supporting transaction nesting is provided. Included is generating for a transaction, by a computer system, a computed digest based on the execution of at least one of a plurality of instructions of the transaction; based on beginning a nested transaction, executed within the transactional region of the transaction, saving a snapshot of the computed digest as a nesting level snapshot; beginning execution of the nested transaction: updating, by the computer system, the computed digest based on the execution of at least one of a plurality of instructions of the nested transaction; and based on an abort of the nested transaction, restoring the computed digest from the nesting level snapshot and restarting the nested transaction.
US09495201B2 Management of bottlenecks in database systems
Management is provided for threads of a database system that is subject to a plurality of disparate bottleneck conditions for resources. A monitor thread retrieves, from a first thread, first monitor data for first bottleneck condition of a first type. The monitor thread compares the first monitor data to a trigger level for the first bottleneck condition and then determines, in response to the comparison of the first monitor data to the trigger level, a potential source of the first bottleneck condition. A potential blocker thread is identified based upon the potential source of the first bottleneck condition. The monitor thread retrieves, from the potential blocker thread, second monitor data for a second type of bottleneck condition that is different from the first type of bottleneck condition. Based upon monitor data, a blocking thread is identified, and a particular blocking solution is applied to the blocking thread.
US09495192B2 NUMA I/O aware network queue assignments
Systems and methods for preferentially assigning virtual machines (VMs) on a particular NUMA node with network queues on the same NUMA node are described. A load balancer process on a host assigns multiple VMs to network queues. The assignment of the VMs to a network queues is performed with a bias toward assigning VMs using a particular NUMA node to network queues on the same NUMA node. A scheduler on the host assigns VMs to NUMA nodes. The scheduler is biased toward assigning VMs to the same NUMA node as the PNIC and/or the same NUMA node as a network queue assigned to the VM.
US09495179B1 Mobile user objective system ground base station emulation system and related method
A method and related system is disclosed for emulation of a Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) ground base station. A Software Defined Radio (SDR) based architecture with interpreted scripting languages interfaces with open source software running in an embedded environment to emulate entire MUOS ground transportation segment. The ground base station emulation resides on a server remote from the MUOS enabled terminals or embedded within MUOS enabled terminals. It is transparent to the MUOS enabled terminal whether the terminal is in communication with the emulation of or the actual MUOS ground base station.
US09495171B1 Baseboard management controller (BMC) provided with sensor list
A system for baseboard management controller (BMC) operation is provided. The system includes a computing system including hardware on which an operating system is operable and sensors disposed to sense various attributes of the hardware and a BMC. The BMC is disposed in signal communication with the computing system and is bootable and operative independent of an execution of the operating system. Upon boot initialization of the BMC, the BMC includes an empty reserved database, issues to the computing system a query for a list of the sensors and builds and populates in the reserved database a sensor attribute repository in accordance with sensor data received from the computing system in response to the query and sensor attribute data associated with the sensor data.
US09495165B2 Method and apparatus for performing a shift and exclusive or operation in a single instruction
Method and apparatus for performing a shift and XOR operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, said execution resources perform a shift and XOR on at least one value.
US09495163B2 Address generation in a data processing apparatus
A data processing apparatus is provided comprising processing circuitry and an instruction decoder responsive to program instructions to control processing circuitry to perform the data processing. The instruction decoder is responsive to an address calculating instruction to perform an address calculating operation for calculating a partial address result from a non-fixed reference address and a partial offset value such that a full address specifying a memory location of an information entity is calculable from said partial address result using at least one supplementary program instruction. The partial offset value has a bit-width greater than or equal to said instruction size and is encoded within at least one partial offset field of said address calculating instruction. A corresponding data processing method, virtual machine and computer program product are also provided.
US09495160B2 Instruction and logic for processing text strings
Method, apparatus, and program means for performing a string comparison operation. An apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, said execution resources store a result of a comparison between each data element of a first and second operand corresponding to a first and second text string, respectively.
US09495158B2 Multi-processor system having tripwire data merging and collision detection
An integrated circuit includes a pool of processors and a Tripwire Data Merging and Collision Detection Circuit (TDMCDC). Each processor has a special tripwire bus port. Execution of a novel tripwire instruction causes the processor to output a tripwire value onto its tripwire bus port. Each respective tripwire bus port is coupled to a corresponding respective one of a plurality of tripwire bus inputs of the TDMCDC. The TDMCDC receives tripwire values from the processors and communicates them onto a consolidated tripwire bus. From the consolidated bus the values are communicated out of the integrated circuit and to a debug station. If more than one processor outputs a valid tripwire value at a given time, then the TDMCDC asserts a collision bit signal that is communicated along with the tripwire value. Receiving tripwire values onto the debug station facilitates use of the debug station in monitoring and debugging processor code.
US09495155B2 Methods, apparatus, instructions and logic to provide population count functionality for genome sequencing and alignment
Instructions and logic provide SIMD vector population count functionality. Some embodiments store in each data field of a portion of n data fields of a vector register or memory vector, at least two bits of data. In a processor, a SIMD instruction for a vector population count is executed, such that for that portion of the n data fields in the vector register or memory vector, the occurrences of binary values equal to each of a first one or more predetermined binary values, are counted and the counted occurrences are stored, in a portion of a destination register corresponding to the portion of the n data fields in the vector register or memory vector, as a first one or more counts corresponding to the first one or more predetermined binary values.
US09495150B2 Information processing apparatus and method, and computer program product
According to an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a storage, an accepting unit, an analyzer, a determination unit, and an output controller. The storage stores therein one or more pieces of first feature information respectively representing features of one or more source codes, and one or more pieces of assistance information representing update situations of the source codes, in a corresponding manner. The accepting unit accepts input of second feature information representing a feature of a source code to be analyzed. The analyzer calculates similarity between the first feature information and the second feature information. The determination unit selects, based on the similarity, assistance information to be output, from the pieces of assistance information stored in the storage. The output controller outputs the selected assistance information.
US09495149B1 Identifying user managed software modules
A method for identifying user managed software modules includes: receiving a request for a directed load of a software module into memory, wherein the request includes an address for storing the software module; storing the software module at the address in the received request; adding a name and an address range of the stored software module to a data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads; receiving a query that includes an input module name or an input address range; and responsive to determining that the input module name or input address range of the received query is not stored in one or more data structures identifying one or more software modules that have been loaded into memory without directed loads, searching the data structure identifying software modules that have been loaded into memory via directed loads for the respective query.
US09495148B2 Calculating confidence values for source code based on availability of experts
Software that uses machine logic to identify expert(s) for functional components of source code, determining a confidence value for each functional component based on the availability of its respective expert(s), by performing the following steps: (i) receiving a first functional component of a set of source code; (ii) receiving a set of knowledgeable person(s) information including identifying information for at least one person and respectively associated availability information for each identified person, where each person identified in the set of knowledgeable person(s) information has knowledge of the first functional component; and (iii) calculating, based, at least in part, on the identified person(s) and their respectively associated availability information, a confidence value for the first functional component relating to the availability of person(s) with knowledge of the first functional component.
US09495145B1 Customized electronic product configuration
An electronic product can be configured by a method that includes attaching a machine-readable identification (ID) tag containing an ID code to a hardware unit of the electronic product. The ID code is associated with a particular configuration of the electronic product, and can be read or scanned with a mobile device configured to send the ID code to a provider server device. In response to receiving the ID code, the provider server device can send product configuration instructions and a product configuration application to the mobile device. The product configuration instructions can guide a user through a customized series of electronic product configuration operations. The product configuration application can assist the user in performing configuration operations, can provide customized configuration help, and can establish a wireless link between the mobile device and the electronic product, allowing the user to interact with the electronic product.
US09495144B2 Systems and methods for controlling application updates across a wireless interface
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, methods, and computer program products for managing connections between a mobile device and a network server over a network connection in a bandwidth-efficient manner. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a processor, and there are a plurality of services executed by the processor, each of the services receiving information updates over a network connection from a server. At least one update interval function executed by the processor assigns an update interval to each of the services, the update intervals governing when each of the respective services request updated information over the network connection.
US09495140B2 Optimizing if statements in computer programming
A method for optimizing if statements in a program includes obtaining, by a processing device, for each of conditional expressions of a plurality of if statements in the program, a set of conditional expressions having an inclusion relation; computing, for each of the set, a position with low execution frequency in the program as a move destination of a conditional expression having an inclusion relation, using information of the set in which the conditional expression is included; and moving the conditional expression to the computed move destination of the conditional expression.
US09495133B1 Template-based BIOS component creation
Methods and computer-readable media provide for the creation of basic input/output system (BIOS) components. Embodiments include a component creation wizard that guides a user through the component creation process. The component creation wizard utilizes a project template file that includes templates of the required files for any given component, organized into a folder-based file structure. The component creation wizard searches the folders within the project template file according to project type, component categories, and template categories, as determined by a user, to locate and copy the applicable template files to create a BIOS component template.
US09495130B2 Data transmitter apparatus and method for data communication using the same
Disclosed are a data transmission apparatus and a data communication method using the same. The data transmission apparatus includes a buffer manager configured to generate a transmission buffer pool including a plurality of buffers each having a size corresponding to a size of a transmission packet and manage buffer position information and buffer use status information of the plurality of buffers; a data processor configured to divide data into data blocks each having a predetermined size, and a data transmitter configured to convert each of the data blocks received from the data processor into a plurality of transmission packets and request the buffer manager to allocate a number of buffers corresponding to the number of transmission packets.
US09495127B2 Language model selection for speech-to-text conversion
Methods, computer program products and systems are described for converting speech to text. Sound information is received at a computer server system from an electronic device, where the sound information is from a user of the electronic device. A context identifier indicates a context within which the user provided the sound information. The context identifier is used to select, from among multiple language models, a language model appropriate for the context. Speech in the sound information is converted to text using the selected language model. The text is provided for use by the electronic device.
US09495124B1 Device for displaying a remote display according to a monitor geometry
A computing device that is configured to coordinate a remote display is described. The computing device includes a processor and instructions stored in memory. The computing device establishes a remote session corresponding to a node. The computing device also obtains a monitor geometry corresponding to two or more remote display devices. The computing device further maps the monitor geometry to a virtual display space. The computing device further displays at least a part of the virtual display space.
US09495119B1 Static load balancing for file systems in a multipath I/O environment
A data processing system includes a file server and a storage controller linking the file server to a storage array. There are alternative data paths between the file server and the storage controller for accessing logical units of storage (LUNs) in the storage array. A file system is striped across the LUNs. For load balancing, the file server is programmed with a facility for selecting mappings between the LUNs and the data paths. Upon mounting the file system, the facility is invoked to get a next mapping between the LUNs and the data paths, and this next mapping is used during read and write access to the mounted file system. The facility can also be invoked to get another mapping when another file system is mounted on the LUNs.
US09495118B2 Storing data in a directory-less dispersed storage network
A method begins by a dispersed storage (DS) processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) sending a plurality of sets of encoded data slices to DSN memory for storage in accordance with a plurality of sets of DSN data addresses. The method continues with the DS processing module generating retrieval data that is based on a data object number and data storage information. The method continues with the DS processing module dispersed storage error encoding the retrieval data to produce a set of encoded retrieval data slices and generating a set of DSN retrieval data addresses based on the data name and on retrieval data storage information. The method continues with the DS processing module sending the set of encoded retrieval data slices to the DSN memory for storage in accordance with the set of DSN retrieval data addresses.
US09495117B2 Storing data in a dispersed storage network
A method begins by a processing module of a dispersed storage network (DSN) sending a set of write commands to storage units of the DSN regarding storage of a set of current revision level encoded data slices and receiving a write acknowledgement in response to a write command. The method continues with the processing module determining whether a write threshold number of write acknowledgements have been received. When the write threshold number of write acknowledgements have been received, the method continues with the processing module issuing a set of commit commands to the storage units. The method continues with the processing module determining whether to issue a set of finalize commands, where a finalize command instructs a storage unit regarding storage of a corresponding current revision level encoded data slice and storage of a previous revision level encoded data.
US09495108B2 Transactional memory operations with write-only atomicity
Execution of a transaction mode setting instruction causes a computer processor to be in an atomic write-only mode ignoring conflicts to certain read-sets of a transaction during transactional execution. Write-set conflicts may still cause a transactional abort. Absent any aborting, the transaction's execution may complete, by committing transactional stores to memory and updating architecture states.
US09495099B2 Space-time-node engine signal structure
Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed that may be implemented using one or more computing devices or platforms to facilitate or otherwise support one or more processes or operations associated with a space-time-node engine signal structure.
US09495079B2 Persistent feeder component for displaying feed items received from information feeds of online social networks
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, systems, and computer readable storage media for providing a persistent feeder component in a user interface to display in near real-time feed items when received in information feeds of online social networks. The feed items can come from feeds of multiple online social networks to be displayed in a single feeder component, and the feeder component may be configured to display proximate to each feed item a graphical indicator identifying the information feed of the feed item. The feeder component can be displayed in one of multiple display formats. The feeder component may also be configured to track activity on an online social network and display a notification when activity on the online social network has met one or more milestones determined by the user.
US09495071B2 Wireless communication apparatus and method of adding a widget therefor
A method of adding a widget in a wireless communication apparatus is provided. The method comprises: listing an application icon comprising the widget to be an editable mode according to a preset operation of a user; zooming in or out the application icon according to an editing operation of the user on the application icon; adding a corresponding widget type to a desktop when monitoring that the application icon comprising the widget is zoomed in or out to the corresponding widget type. A wireless communication apparatus is further provided. In this way, the present disclosure can improve the efficiency of adding the widget and the user's experiences.
US09495068B2 Three-dimensional user interface apparatus and three-dimensional operation method
A three-dimensional user interface apparatus includes a three-dimensional information acquisition unit acquiring three-dimensional information from a three-dimensional sensor; a position calculation unit calculating three-dimensional position information on a three-dimensional coordinate space regarding a specific part of a target person by using the three-dimensional information; a virtual data generation unit generating virtual three-dimensional space data indicating a virtual three-dimensional space which is disposed in the three-dimensional coordinate space and at least part of which is set in a display region; a space processing unit performing a predetermined process corresponding to a change in the three-dimensional position information regarding the specific part of the target person, on the three-dimensional coordinate space or the virtual three-dimensional space data; and a display processing unit displaying the virtual three-dimensional space within the display region on a display unit on the basis of virtual three-dimensional space data obtained through the predetermined process.
US09495045B2 Coordinate indicating apparatus and coordinate measurement apparatus for measuring input position of coordinate indicating apparatus
A coordinate measurement system including a coordinate indicating apparatus and a coordinate measurement apparatus for determining a position of a contact object including the coordinate indicating apparatus. The coordinate measurement apparatus includes a channel electrode unit including one or more electrodes, wherein capacitance of each of the one or more electrodes or capacitance between the one or more electrodes is changed based on a change in the position of the contact object, and a controller for applying an electrical signal to the channel electrode unit or measuring a reception signal input to the channel electrode unit. The coordinate indicating apparatus includes a conductive tip for forming capacitance with the one or more electrodes of the channel electrode unit, and a resonant circuit unit for generating identification information of the coordinate indicating apparatus, wherein the resonant circuit unit is connected to the conductive tip.
US09495043B2 Touch panel and operation method thereof
The present invention relates to a touch panel. The touch panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first traces, a plurality of second traces, and a plurality of sensing pads. The first traces are disposed on the substrate and are parallel to each other along a first direction. The second traces are disposed on the substrate and are parallel to each other along a second direction. The first traces and the second traces interlace with each other to form a plurality of sensing pad areas. Each sensing pad is disposed in each sensing pad area, and is electrically connected to each first trace and each second trace. The present invention further provides a method of operating the same. In the present invention, the thickness of the touch panel is decreased, and the material for the electrodes is economized. Consequently, the costs of the touch panel can be reduced.
US09495033B2 Display device with touch panel
A touch panel (20) is attached, via a reflection-prevention layer (31) or an adhesive layer, to the polarizing plate (2) side of a display device (10) having the polarizing plate (2) laminated upon a display panel (1). The polarizing plate (2) has: a polarizer (3); and a film (4) having a film thickness of no more than 35 μm and laminated on the touch panel (20) side of the polarizer (3). The contact angle for the surface of the touch panel (20) side in the film is less than 60°.
US09495029B2 Head mount display and display control method
Disclosed is a head mount display including: a user operation section configured to determine one or more coordinates based on a first operation performed by a user via the user operation section while receiving content via the head-mount device; and a controller configured to: superpose, in response to detection of the first operation by the user, upon at least one of one or more display sections of the head-mount device, a screen including one or more items, each of the one or more items of the superposed screen being selectable by the user to control the content being received by the user; and highlight, based on the one or more coordinates determined upon detection of the first operation, at least one of the one or more selectable items of the superposed screen in comparison to other selectable items of the superposed screen.
US09495027B2 Data processing device and data processing method
A data processing device includes a processor that executes a procedure. The procedure includes: (a) detecting contact with an operation face and outputting contact position data expressing a contact position at the operation face; (b) predicting a contact operation based on a number of contact positions identified based on the contact position data output at (a) prior to the contact operation to the operation face being identified based on a time series of the contact positions expressed by the contact position data output at (a); and (c) executing processing according to the contact operation predicted at (b).
US09495024B2 Active capacitive stylus, sensor controller, related system and method
A method may be executed by one or more active capacitive styluses and a sensor controller connected to sensor electrodes. The method includes: a discovery step, executed by the sensor controller, of repeatedly sending out a discovery packet for detecting any of the active capacitive styluses; a discovery response step, executed by a first active capacitive stylus among the one or more active capacitive styluses, by which the discovery packet is detected, of returning a response packet to the discovery packet; a configuration step, executed by the sensor controller, of transmitting a configuration packet including time slot designation information that designates a first time slot to the first active capacitive stylus; and a data transmission step, executed by the first active capacitive stylus, of transmitting operation state data indicative of an operation state of the first active capacitive stylus using the designated first time slot.
US09495020B2 Handwriting input system, input contents management server and tangible computer-readable recording medium
Disclosed is an handwriting input system including: a plurality of handwriting input devices which are adjacently arranged, each handwriting input device comprising an input surface to receive a handwriting input; and an information management unit which is connected with the handwriting input devices so as to be communicate with the handwriting input devices, wherein each of the handwriting input devices transmits draw data indicating draw contents of the handwriting input received by the input surface, to the information management unit, and the information management unit obtains relative position information of the plurality of handwriting input devices which are adjacently arranged, and joins the draw data received from the plurality of handwriting input devices so as to arrange the draw data in relative positions indicated by the relative position information.
US09495016B2 Typing input systems, methods, and devices
Systems, devices, and techniques are disclosed relating to typing input devices. For example a ten-key input device can be provided for receiving input via ten input elements from the ten fingers on a right hand and a left hand. All of the letters of the alphabet can by typed with the ten input elements according to a translation map that maps the ten input elements or combinations of the ten input elements to the letters of the alphabet.
US09495015B1 Method and apparatus for utilizing motion user interface to determine command availability
A method and apparatus for utilizing gestures to interact with a mobile device is described. In one embodiment, the system includes a mobile device including motion controls comprising a motion sensor and a processor including a motion navigation system. The motion navigation system comprises, in one embodiment a gesture library including a plurality of gesture commands available to the motion navigation system, and an intelligent signal interpretation engine (ISIE) to receive data from the motion sensor and identify a gesture based in data in the gesture library. The motion navigation system further comprises in one embodiment, an adjustment logic to determine whether the gesture is usable as a gesture command, based on current circumstances, and a translator to generate one or more commands to execute the action associated with the gesture.
US09495014B2 Portable playback device, and control method for portable playback device, program, and information storage medium capable of facilitating an operation for changing a reproduction of content data
In a case where an inclination state of the portable reproduction device is changed from a reference state to another state in which a difference from the reference state in inclination is equal to or larger than a reference value and thereafter returns from the other state to the reference state, a determination unit determines whether or not the period of time elapsed after the inclination state starts changing from the reference state to the other state until the inclination state returns to the reference state is within a reference period of time. In a case where the determination unit determines that the period of time elapsed is within the reference period of time, a production control unit changes the reproduction position of the content data, based on a direction of inclination of the portable reproduction device in the other state relative to the reference state.
US09495013B2 Multi-modal gestural interface
Systems and methods for detecting, representing, and interpreting three-space input are described. Embodiments of the system, in the context of an SOE, process low-level data from a plurality of sources of spatial tracking data and analyze these semantically uncorrelated spatiotemporal data and generate high-level gestural events according to dynamically configurable implicit and explicit gesture descriptions. The events produced are suitable for consumption by interactive systems, and the embodiments provide one or more mechanisms for controlling and effecting event distribution to these consumers. The embodiments further provide to the consumers of its events a facility for transforming gestural events among arbitrary spatial and semantic frames of reference.
US09494998B2 Rescheduling workloads to enforce and maintain a duty cycle
In an embodiment, a processor includes a plurality of cores to independently execute instructions, at least one graphics engine to independently execute graphics instructions, and a power controller including an alignment logic to cause at least one workload to be executed on a first core to be rescheduled to a different time to enable the plurality of cores to be active during an active time window and to be in a low power state during an idle time window. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09494990B2 Device, method, and computer program product for computing electric power consumption
A disclosed electric power consumption computation device includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire apparatus information from an apparatus connected to the electric power consumption computation device via a predetermined data communication path, and a computation unit configured to compute electric power consumption of the apparatus based on information on a number of output sheets output by the apparatus contained in the apparatus information acquired by the acquisition unit and a TEC value of the apparatus.
US09494989B2 Power distribution inside cable
Circuits, methods, and apparatus that provide for the powering of active components in connector inserts at each end of a cable may in various ways. For example, where a host is coupled to a device that is not self-powered, the host may provide power for circuitry at each end of the cable. In various embodiments of the present invention, the device may request higher voltage from the host, such that more power can be delivered. In these cases, the device may regulate the voltage received from the host to a lower voltage, and then provide the lower voltage to circuitry at one or both ends of the cable. Where the host is connected to a device that is self-powered, the host and the self-powered device may power their respective connector insert circuits.
US09494983B2 Fixing apparatus of expansion card
A fixing apparatus of expansion board includes a supporting printed circuit board (PCB), a securing shelf, and a motherboard expansion slot. The supporting PCB is fixed on the securing shelf and is inserted into the motherboard expansion slot. The supporting PCB defines at least one slot to connect at least one expansion card.
US09494978B2 Power line docking station apparatus
A docking station apparatus for portable devices adapted to network with other apparatus such as climate control docking stations, temperature sensors, electrical power switches, etc., over the power line. The docking station has a connector adapted to accept a plurality of portable devices as well as a wireless connection for remote access. The docking station is also adapted to turn off the wireless interface under certain conditions in order to free up the wireless bandwidth for higher data rate applications.
US09494972B2 Displays and information input devices
An integrated display and input device including a first pixel array operative to provide a visually sensible output, a second pixel array operative to sense at least a position of an object with respect to the first pixel array and circuitry receiving an output from the second pixel array and providing a non-imagewise input to utilization circuitry.
US09494967B2 Trigger circuits and event counters for an IC
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (“IC”). The IC includes multiple configurable circuits that configurably perform operations of a user design based on configuration data. The IC also includes a configurable trigger circuit that receives a set of configuration data that specifies an operational event. The configurable trigger circuit also determines whether the operational event has occurred during implementation of the user design of the IC. Additionally, the operational trigger event outputs a trigger signal upon determining that the operational trigger event has occurred.
US09494965B2 Organ type accelerator pedal apparatus
An organ type accelerator pedal apparatus may include a pedal housing having a lower mount fixed to a panel of a vehicle body located below a driver seat and an upper mount to which a pedal arm pivotally mounted, a pad pivotally mounted with respect to the pedal housing such that the pad is connected to the pedal arm via a carrier, and an articulated hinge fixedly coupled, at both ends thereof, between the pedal housing and the pad such that the articulated hinge is covered by the pedal housing and the pad so that the articulated hinge is not exposed to the outside.
US09494953B2 Control system and method for multi-stage heating and cooling system with minimum on time and off time
A system and method are provided for activating and deactivating heating or cooling stages of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit, which includes activating a heating or cooling stage of the HVAC unit based on a determined need for heating or cooling. A monitored temperature is compared with a first temperature setpoint and a monitored on-time of the heating or cooling stage is compared with a first time period setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is deactivated based on the comparison of the monitored temperature with the first temperature setpoint, when the monitored on-time is greater than the first time period setpoint. The monitored temperature is then compared with a second temperature setpoint. The heating or cooling stage is reactivated based on a comparison of the monitored temperature with the second temperature setpoint, when a monitored off-time is greater than the second time period setpoint.
US09494952B2 Systems and methods for controlling multiple HVAC systems
An HVAC control system has a first system controller associated with a first HVAC system and configured to control the first HVAC system and a second system controller associated with a HVAC system and configured to control the second HVAC system wherein the first system controller is selectively operable to control the second HVAC system. A method of controlling multiple HVAC systems includes providing a first HVAC system which may include a required first system controller, providing a second HVAC system which may include a required second system controller, and enabling wireless communication between the first system controller and the second system controller.
US09494943B2 Methods to operate autonomous vehicles to pilot vehicles in groups or convoys
A method of controlling autonomous or driverless vehicles in a specific control zone or in a convoy is disclosed. The vehicles enter the zone or form a convoy and come under the control of a zone authority or escort vehicle that coordinates the movements of the vehicles until they leave the zone or convoy. Escort vehicle communicate with central control facilities, each other or escorted vehicles. The behavior of the escorted or controlled vehicles is modified to insure that it matches a set of rules established by the zone authority. Possible zones include parking areas, indoor passages and areas with security concerns. The zone authority or escort vehicle may simultaneously control multiple autonomous vehicles and possible additional driver operated vehicles. Messages establishing control or providing continuing administration of rules or movements of escorted or controlled vehicles may be delivered by any type of communications link.
US09494934B2 Robotic communication with fiber-optics
A system for managing inventory items includes a portable inventory holder and an unmanned drive unit configured to move the inventory holder between locations in an inventory facility. The inventory facility includes a plurality of light emitting elements. The drive unit captures an image of a subset of the light emitting elements. The captured image is processed to determine the location of the drive unit within the facility. A path is determined along which the drive unit moves to an inventory holder and moves the inventory holder to another location. The light emitting elements can be provided by optical fibers embedded in the floor of the inventory facility.
US09494932B2 Monitoring device, monitoring method, and recording medium
A monitoring device includes: a physical quantity acquisition section for acquiring physical quantities indicative of a state of a device; an abnormality determination section for determining, in accordance with whether or not the acquired physical quantities fall within a predetermined range, whether or not there is an abnormality; an abnormal waveform data generation section for, in a case where the abnormality determination section determines that there is an abnormality, generating abnormal waveform data indicative of a change over time in the physical quantities acquired during an abnormal waveform period containing at least a period from a point in time at which the abnormality determination section determines that there is an abnormality to a point in time at which a predetermined accumulation time elapsed; and a reporting section for causing a display section to display an abnormal waveform indicated by the abnormal waveform data.
US09494929B2 Numerical controller having program restart function
The numerical controller has a program restart function and acquires program restart block data for resuming and ending suspended machining of a workpiece. The numerical controller analyzes a block of a machining program, and upon determining that a moving path of a tool, which is determined by the block, passes a boundary of a predetermined machining area of each controlled axis of a machine tool, the numerical controller acquires the program restart block data of that block and performs partial machining of the workpiece based on the acquired program restart block data.
US09494928B2 Numerical control apparatus
A numerical control apparatus includes a program analyzing unit configured to pre-fetch a tool replacement command and a post-replacement positioning command from a machining program and output these commands, a tool-replacement-command output unit configured to cause, based on the tool replacement command, a machine tool to execute a tool replacing operation, and a movement-command determining unit and an interpolating unit configured to start, when the post-replacement positioning command is an axis component command for positioning an axis related to the tool replacing operation, control of the axis based on the axis component command, after waiting for completion of the tool replacing operation, and start, when the post-replacement positioning command is an axis component command for positioning an axis unrelated to the tool replacing operation, control of the axis based on the axis component command, without waiting for the same.
US09494923B2 Electro-mechanical interface
An embodiment of the invention extends to an interface for converting rotational motion to electrical signals comprising a mechanical actuator which is rotationally moveable in a first direction and in a second direction, and a first and a second electrical component connected to the actuator and arranged so that rotation of the actuator in the first direction causes changes in electrical properties of the first electrical component and rotation of the actuator in the second direction causes changes in electrical properties of the second electrical component. The first and the second electrical components are connected to one or more electrical circuits so that rotation of the actuator in the first and the second directions causes changes in the one or more electrical circuits.
US09494918B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a restricting member configured to prevent a cartridge, which is inserted through an opening portion of an apparatus main body, from being inserted to an image forming position, the opening portion being formed by opening of a door, a pressing member configured to press the cartridge in a direction in which the cartridge is mounted at the image forming position, and a driving unit configured to move the restricting member. The cartridge is fixed at a transportation position by the restricting member and the pressing member when the image forming apparatus is transported, and the restricting member is moved to a retracted position by the driving unit and the cartridge is movable to the image forming position when the image forming apparatus is used.
US09494913B2 Developing cartridge including developing gear cover
A developing cartridge includes: a housing having first and second sidewalls through which respective end portions of a developing roller shaft are rotatably inserted; a developing gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which is fixed to the end portion of the developing roller shaft; a transmission gear, which is arranged outside of the first sidewall, and which transmits driving force to the developing gear; a first cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the transmission gear; and a second cover member, which is attached to the first sidewall, and which covers the developing gear from an outer side in the axis line direction. The second cover member is formed separately from the first cover member and is arranged side by side with the first cover member outside of the first sidewall.
US09494909B1 Toner micro-container
Printing devices have, among other components, a cartridge positioned within the interior of a device body to receive print media from a sheet feeder. A photoreceptor and marking material are maintained within the cartridge. The photoreceptor transfers marking material from within the cartridge in a pattern to the print media. The printing apparatus also includes a receptacle, that is potentially on the exterior of the device body, which is connected to a supply conduit. A storage container can be positioned in the receptacle. The storage container generally holds only marking material, and the storage container easily and conveniently resupplies the marking material to the cartridge through the supply conduit when the storage container is positioned in the receptacle (e.g., after the cartridge has consumed the original supply of marking material) so as to extend a useful life of the cartridge.
US09494907B2 Waste toner storing container, and image forming apparatus including waste toner storing container
A waste toner storing container includes a container main body, a first conveyance portion, and a second conveyance portion. The container main body stores waste toner discharged from a plurality of image-carrying members provided in an image forming apparatus. The first conveyance portion is rotatably provided in the container main body and configured to, by being rotated, convey the waste toner toward one side in a direction along a rotation axis line. The second conveyance portion is rotatably provided below and parallel to the first conveyance portion in the container main body and configured to, by being rotated, convey the waste toner toward another side that is opposite to the one side.
US09494904B2 Separation device, fixing device, and image forming apparatus
A separation device separates a recording medium ejected from a fixing nip formed between a first rotator and a second rotator from the first rotator. The separation device includes a separator including a front end disposed opposite the fixing nip and the recording medium and a plurality of recesses disposed on the front end of the separator at least in a conveyance span on the separator where the recording medium is conveyed. The plurality of recesses includes a first recess extending in a first extension line that is oblique relative to a recording medium conveyance direction and a second recess adjacent to the first recess and extending in a second extension line that is oblique relative to the recording medium conveyance direction. The second extension line overlaps the first extension line in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium conveyance direction to define an overlap span.
US09494903B2 Image forming apparatus with cleaning mode
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming device configured to form a toner image on a sheet; a fixing device configured to fix the toner image formed on the sheet by the image forming device at a nip; an executing portion configured to execute an operation in a cleaning mode for cleaning the fixing device by forming a predetermined toner image on a sheet using the image forming device and then by introducing the sheet into the nip; and a notifying device for notifying an operator that a maximum-width sheet usable in the image forming device is to be used in the operation in the cleaning mode.
US09494895B2 Image forming apparatus including with opposite first and second walls and with first and second drive and transfer systems mounted respectively to the first and second walls
An image forming apparatus includes: a driving source including only a first driving motor and a second driving motor; a first transfer system that transfers a first driving force generated by the first driving motor; and a second transfer system that transfers a second driving force generated by the second driving motor. The first transfer system transfers the first driving force only to each image carrier and each developing roller. The second transfer system transfers the second driving force to at least a belt driving roller of an intermediate transfer unit, a fixing roller, and a sheet conveyance roller.
US09494879B2 Contamination trap for a lithographic apparatus
Disclosed is a contamination trap arrangement (300) configured to trap debris particles that are generated with the formation of a plasma within a radiation source configured to generate extreme ultraviolet radiation. The contamination trap comprises a vane structure (310) for trapping the debris particles; a heating arrangement (330) for heating the vane structure, the heating arrangement being in thermal communication with the vane structure; a cooling arrangement (350) for transporting heat generated as a result of the plasma formation, away from the vane structure, and a gap (370) between the heating arrangement and the cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement is in thermal communication with the vane structure via the heating arrangement and the gap and the contamination trap also comprises a heat transfer adjustment arrangement operable to adjust the heat transfer characteristics of a fluid inside of the gap by providing for controllable relative movement between the surfaces defining the gap.
US09494870B2 Exposure apparatus, exposing method, device manufacturing method, program, and recording medium
An exposure apparatus exposes a substrate by exposure light via liquid between an emitting surface of an optical member and the substrate. The exposure apparatus includes: a liquid immersion member configured to form an immersion liquid space on an object and including a first and second member, the first being disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of the optical member, the second being disposed at at least a portion of surrounding of an optical path of the exposure light below the first member, being movable with respect to the first member and including a second upper and lower surface, the second upper surface being opposite a first lower surface of the first member via a gap, the second lower surface being capable of being opposite to the object, which is movable below the optical member; and a vibration isolator configured to suppress a vibration of the first member.
US09494865B2 Microscopically structured polymer monoliths and fabrication methods
Novel polymer monolith structures and methods for fabrication of the same are disclosed in a variety of embodiments. In an illustrative embodiment, a method includes forming a pattern of features on a wafer, thereby forming a patterned wafer; forming a polymer layer on the patterned wafer; using a first plasma to remove at least a portion of the polymer layer; and using a second plasma to etch off at least a portion of the pattern of features, thereby providing a structured polymer monolith. The pattern of features may include an array of pillars. Providing the structured polymer monolith may include providing a structured polymer monolith filter having an array of channels formed by the pillars. The structured polymer monolith may be composed of polypropylene.
US09494862B2 Resist underlayer film forming composition containing silicon having sulfone structure and amine structure
A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography, including: as a silane, at least one among a hydrolyzable organosilane, a hydrolysis product thereof, and a hydrolysis-condensation product thereof, wherein the silane includes the silane compound of Formula (1-a) or Formula (1-b): A method for producing a semiconductor device, including: applying the resist underlayer film forming composition onto a semiconductor substrate and baking the composition to form a resist underlayer film; applying a composition for a resist onto the film to form a resist film; exposing the resist film to light; developing the resist film after exposure to obtain a patterned resist film; etching the resist underlayer film according to a pattern of the patterned resist film; and processing the semiconductor substrate according to a pattern of the resist film and the resist underlayer film.
US09494861B2 Positive photosensitive composition, thin film transistor, and compound
The present invention aims to provide positive photosensitive compositions that have excellent patterning properties and can exhibit excellent electrical insulation reliability when cured (as thin films). The positive photosensitive composition according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by including (A) a compound that contains an alkenyl group or a SiH group within a molecule and has a structure that decomposes in the presence of acid to generate an acidic group or a hydroxyl group; (B) a compound that contains a SiH group or an alkenyl group within a molecule; (C) a hydrosilylation catalyst; and (D) a photoacid generator.
US09494857B2 Method for producing product having uneven microstructure on surface thereof
A method for producing a product having an uneven microstructure on a surface thereof includes: a step (I) which treats a surface of a roll mold (20) having an uneven microstructure thereon with an external release agent containing a fluorine and not containing a functional group (B) which reacts with a functional group (A) existing on the surface of the product; and a step (II) which obtains the product having the uneven microstructure on the surface thereof (40) by inserting an active energy ray curable resin composition (38) including an internal release agent between the roll mold (20) and a film (substrate) (42) after the step (I). Then, the composition is hardened by being irradiated with an active energy ray and a cured resin layer (44) having a surface, onto which the uneven microstructure is transferred, is formed on the surface of the film (42).
US09494855B2 Lithography-oriented photomask repair
Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for repairing a photomask pattern, comprising receiving a photomask with a first translucent material formed on a transparent substrate, which forms an incomplete version of the photomask pattern. Missing portions of the photomask pattern are detected by comparing the incomplete version of the photomask pattern to a complete version of the photomask pattern. After detecting the missing portions, the photomask pattern is completed by using a second translucent material, which is different than the first translucent material, to form the missing portions. The second translucent exhibits the same transmissive property as the first translucent material. Consequently, both the repaired and unrepaired portions of the pattern have the same transmissive properties with respect to attenuation and phase shifting of incident radiation to enhance pattern resolution in the repaired portion of the photomask pattern.
US09494851B2 Mask blank substrate, substrate with multilayer reflection film, transmissive mask blank, reflective mask, and semiconductor device fabrication method
Disclosed is a mask blank substrate for use in lithography, wherein the main surface on which the transfer pattern of the substrate is formed has a root mean square roughness (Rms) of not more than 0.15 nm obtained by measuring an area of 1 μm×1 μm with an atomic force microscope, and has a power spectrum density of not more than 10 nm4 at a spatial frequency of not less than 1 μm−1.
US09494850B2 Projection system with a plurality of light-emitting elements
A projection system for illuminating a projection surface may include at least one light source formed from a plurality of light-emitting elements and an optical integrator having an entrance opening and an exit opening, into the entrance opening of which the light of each light-emitting element is coupled such that the mixed light of all the light-emitting elements emerges from its exit opening, and an imaging optical unit, which projects the light emerging from the exit opening of each integrator onto the projection surface, wherein an optical element is in each case arranged between the exit opening of each integrator and the imaging optical unit, said optical element shifting the virtual image of the entrance opening along an optical axis of the projection system such that its image generated by the imaging optical unit is not visible on the projection surface.
US09494848B2 Projector
A projector includes: an external housing that includes a projection opening and an exhaust port arranged on the same side as the projection opening; an axial-flow fan that causes air to flow therein with the rotation of blades and delivers the air flowing therein; and a plurality of slats that are arranged at the exhaust port and guide the air delivered from the axial-flow fan to an outside. The plurality of slats include an elongated slat that is disposed in, among four exhaust areas arranged side by side in the exhaust port, one of the two exhaust areas on the side close to the projection opening and whose length in a direction in which the air is guided corresponding to a rotational direction of the blade is longer than that of the slats disposed in the other areas.
US09494821B2 Display device having polarized light source
A display device includes a reflective base member, a first light polarizing film disposed on the surface of the base member, a light source, a second light polarizing medium receiving light from the light source and emitting polarized light towards the first light polarizing film, a birefringence medium positioned between the second light polarizing medium and the first light polarizing film, and means for changing the direction of polarization of the second light polarizing means.
US09494818B2 Display with low reflectivity alignment structures
A display may have a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between a thin-film transistor layer and a color filter layer. An upper polarizer may be placed on top of the thin-film transistor layer. A lower polarizer may be placed under the color filter layer. Components may be bonded to bond pads on the inner surface of the thin-film transistor layer using anisotropic conductive film. Bond quality may be assessed by probing probe pads that are coupled to the bond pads or by visually inspecting the bond pads through the thin-film transistor layer. Opaque masking material in the inactive area may be provided with openings to accommodate the bond pads. Additional opaque masking material may be placed on the underside of the upper polarizer and on the upper surface of the thin-film transistor layer to block the openings from view following visual inspection.
US09494814B2 Multi panel display device
The present invention provides a display device including: a plurality of display panels including display areas, and non-display areas positioned alongside the display areas; an optical member having one side connected to a part of one of the display areas and an opposing side extending over an adjacent non-display area, the optical member configured to magnify an image from the part of one of the display areas and to project the magnified image over the adjacent non-display area. A multi panel display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may prevent the phenomena of image discontinuity and image distortion at edges between the display panels, and adjust a polarization characteristic to provide a high-quality large screen capable of implementing a 3D image and the like.
US09494812B1 Mounting structure of liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a mounting structure of a liquid crystal display device, in which a first side board (213) of a backplane (21) includes an outward-raised first connection section (215) formed thereon so that the first side board (213) forms an insertion space with respect to the first connection section (215). A second side board (83) of the front bezel (8) includes an inward-recessed second connection section (85) formed thereon to correspond to the first connection section (15) so that the second side board (83) forms a channel (87) with respect to the second connection section (85). The second connection section (85) is inserted into the insertion space and is positioned against the first connection section (215). The first connection section (215) is received in the channel (87). The first connection section (215) includes a through hole (216) formed therein. The second connection section (85) includes a threaded hole (851) formed therein to correspond to the through hole (216). A bolt (10) is received through the through hole (216) to be screwed to the threaded hole (851) so as to fix the second side board (83) in such as way as to be mounted on the first side board (213).
US09494809B2 Ultrasensitive magnetic sensor with magneto-optically active material with high verdet constant
A high-resolution sensor of magnetic field sensor system and materials for use in such a system are described. The sensor systems measure a magnetic field using inorganic and/or organic magneto-optically active materials, e.g. polymer material and have an interferometer based on Faraday rotation. The polymer material is preferably in the form of a film. The polymer material has an optical property that is sensitive to the magnetic field, e g the Faraday rotation effect. The present invention also provides a sensor head structure comprising the above polymer material. The sensor head may be designed for use with an optical fiber or with mirrors In particular the present invention provides a fiber Sagnac interferometer to measure the rotation of polarized plane of light. The present invention provides a fiber or mirror based Sagnac interferometer with passive phase bias applied to magnetic field sensing.
US09494805B2 Stereoscopic light recycling device
A stereoscopic device for recapturing light is provided. A chassis is open on front and back sides and forms a rectangular housing with top, bottom, and two sides that frame the front and back openings. A polarizing beam splitter is angled away from the back opening of the chassis and captively held by the chassis. The beam splitter is constructed of substantially orthogonally polarizing material. A phase shifting optic having a reflective surface coated by a phase shifting film is angled toward the front opening, wherein the beam splitter and phase shifting optic are in optical alignment with each other within the chassis. A modulator sized to cover the front opening is positioned in front of the chassis.
US09494804B2 Active-shutter 3D glasses and operating method thereof
An active-shutter 3D glasses and an operating method thereof, the active-shutter 3D glasses comprises: a frame comprising temples; left and right magneto-optical eyeglasses, supported by the frame, and comprising left and right transparent mediums and left and right rear polarizers, respectively; a magnetic field apparatus, located outside the left and right magneto-optical eyeglasses, and providing the left and right magneto-optical eyeglasses with a magnetic field which causes polarization planes of polarized light entering the left and right magneto-optical eyeglasses to rotate; and a signal module, connected with the magnetic field apparatus, and providing a electric-current signal to the magnetic field apparatus so that the magnetic field corresponds to the electric-current signal.
US09494803B2 Display apparatus and illumination unit
An illumination unit capable of obtaining high luminance and a display apparatus including it are provided. The illumination unit includes an illumination optical system generating the illumination light, and a lens sheet narrowing a divergence angle of the illumination light. The illumination optical system includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate that are separated from each other and are arranged to face each other, and a light source applying light to an end face of the first transparent substrate or of the second transparent substrate. The illumination optical system is provided in a gap between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, and includes a light modulation layer exhibiting scattering characteristics or transparent characteristics with respect to the light from the light source in accordance with a magnitude of an electric field. The illumination optical system includes an electrode generating an electric field that generates a plurality of linear scattering regions in the light modulation layer in a three-dimensional display mode, and generating an electric filed that generates a planar scattering region in the light modulation layer in a two-dimensional display mode.
US09494792B2 Local seal for encapsulation of electro-optical element on a flexible substrate
An electroluminescent display or lighting product incorporates a panel including a collection of distinct light-emitting elements formed on a substrate. A plurality of distinct local seals are formed below respective individual light-emitting elements or groups of light-emitting elements. Some embodiments combine a metal foil substrate and glass local seals in a flexible bottom-emitting product. The local seal may be used in conjunction with a continuous thin film encapsulation structure. Optical functions can be provided by each local seal, including refraction, filtering, color shifting, and scattering. Each local seal is formed by depositing a low melting temperature glass powder suspension or paste using inkjet technology, and fusing the glass powder using a scanning laser beam having a tailored beam profile. In other embodiments, a lower encapsulation substrate incorporating local window seals is wholly or partially pre-formed.
US09494791B1 Fluids for an electrowetting device
An electrowetting device comprises a first support plate and a second support plate, pixel regions between the first support plate and the second support plate, pixel walls on the first support plate that delineate the pixel regions from one another, and an electrolyte solution between the first support plate and the second support plate. The electrolyte solution includes an adsorbent.
US09494783B2 Compact, high-resolution fluorescence and brightfield microscope and methods of use
The present invention provides a compact, inexpensive fluorescence microscope capable of high-resolution imaging with high light throughput suitable for use in both laboratory and field environments, and methods of use. A simple and inexpensive fluorescence microscope allows health care workers to perform various medical assays at the point of care instead of having to collect and transport biological samples to distant labs, and subsequently return the results to the patient. The microscope of the present invention is also useful for educational use and field use, and other uses as well.
US09494770B2 Imaging lens and imaging apparatus equipped with the same
An imaging lens consists of a front group and a rear group. The front group is composed of a lens having a negative meniscus shape with a convex surface on the object side, a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens in order from the object side. The rear group is composed of a positive lens, a negative lens, a positive lens, and a positive lens in order from the object side. The imaging lens satisfies given conditional expressions.
US09494769B2 Multi-lens imaging module and actuator with auto-focus adjustment
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to an optical module that includes a plurality of lenses and an electromagnetic actuator to adjust a zoom level or focus of the optical module.
US09494767B2 Optical system
Disclosed is an optical system. The optical system includes first to fourth lenses sequentially arranged from an object side to an image surface, and satisfies Equation 1, 1.5
US09494761B2 Bracket for securing multiple fiber optic cables to a termination box
A bracket for mounting multiple fiber optic cables to a termination box includes a first substantially planar portion having one or more fastener perforations, a second substantially planar portion forming a first corner with the first substantially planar portion, and a third substantially planar portion forming a second corner with the second substantially planar portion, a protrusion of the first and second planar portions at the first corner, and a notch in the second planar portion between the first and second corners. The bracket includes a first tether attachment point having first and second recessed edges of the first and second planar portions and a second tether attachment point having a third recessed edge in the notch and a fourth recessed edge of the third planar portion. The first and second tether attachment points are configured to receive first and second tethers wrapped around the first and second corners, respectively.
US09494757B2 Fiber optic cable packaging arrangement
A fiber optic enclosure assembly is disclosed herein. The assembly includes a fiber optic enclosure defining connection locations, a fiber optic cable extending from the connection locations of the fiber optic enclosure, and a covering defining a first axial end and a second axial end, the covering defining a throughhole extending from the first axial end to the second axial end, the throughhole extending along a central longitudinal axis of the covering, the covering defining a first cavity for receiving the fiber optic enclosure. A port extends from the first cavity to an outer surface of the covering, wherein the fiber optic cable extending from the connection locations can extend from the first cavity to the outer surface of the covering for wrapping around the outer surface of the covering.
US09494756B2 Hole seal for an enclosure
Hole seals for enclosures that are located in a hazardous locations where flammable gases or vapors may exist and methods for installing hole seals. In an embodiment, a hole seal includes a first retaining plate, a gasket, and a second retaining plate. The hole seal further includes a fastener to tighten the first retaining plate and gasket against the second retaining plate.
US09494741B2 Apparatus comprising at least one optical device optically coupled to at least one waveguide on an optical chip
Apparatus comprising at least one optical device (106) optically coupled to at least one waveguide (111) on an optical chip (100), characterized in that: (i) the optical device (106) is optically aligned with the waveguide (111) by aligning means (114, 116); (ii) the aligning means (114, 116) comprises at least one male member (114) and at least one female (116) member which locate together; (iii) one of the male member (114) and the female member (116) is positioned on the optical chip (100); (iv) the other one of the male member (114) and the female member (116) is positioned on a capping chip (102); and (v) the apparatus includes a mirror (108) for reflecting light from the optical device (106) to the waveguide (111).
US09494739B2 Cladding mode spatial filter
A laser system can include an optical fiber having a spatial filter defined as a core extension coupled to or integrally formed in an optical fiber so as to reduce the coupling of optical radiation into a fiber cladding. Such a core extension can be formed by removing a length of the cladding from the optical fiber, leaving a portion of the core exposed at the end of the fiber. Alternatively, a core extension can be formed by coupling an end cap to the core of the optical fiber at a fiber end surface. By selecting a length of the core extension based on a beam divergence and beam diameter, radiation coupling into the fiber core can be reduced.
US09494727B2 Light-condensing film having superior anti-adhesion performance and superior moiré prevention effects, backlight unit comprising same, and display device comprising the backlight unit
Provided are a condensing film, a backlight unit including the condensing film, and a display device including the backlight unit. The condensing film includes a plurality of lens structures extending in an extension direction on a surface thereof, a first protrusion part disposed on the lens structures and comprising a plurality of protrusions arrayed in the extension direction of the lens structure, and a second protrusion part disposed on the lens structures and comprising a plurality of protrusions arrayed in an array direction forming a certain angle with the extension direction of the lens structure.
US09494720B2 Polarizing film, laminated film, and liquid crystal display
A method for producing a laminated film includes continuous roll to roll production steps of: providing a first long polymer film and having an absorption axis in the transverse direction; providing a second long polymer film and having a slow axis in the machine direction (MD direction); and laminating the polarizing film on the retardation film by adhering the polarizing film to the retardation film with an adhesive layer so that an MD direction of the first long polymer film corresponds to the MD direction of the second long polymer film.
US09494719B2 Color filter and method of making the same
A color filter and a method of making the same are disclosed. The method for fabricating a color filter has the steps of: providing a substrate; forming a black matrix layer on the substrate; using a mask to form at least one first light-filtering pattern on the substrate provided with the black matrix layer; using the mask to form at least one second light-filtering pattern on the substrate provided with the black matrix layer and the first light-filtering pattern; using the mask to form at least one third light-filtering pattern on the substrate provided with the black matrix layer, the first light-filtering pattern and the second light-filtering pattern, wherein the mask has different transmission spectra corresponding to the first light-filtering pattern, the second light-filtering pattern and the third light-filtering pattern, respectively.
US09494714B2 Silicone hydrogels comprising N-vinyl amides and hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates or (meth)acrylamides
The present invention relates to a process comprising the steps of reacting a reactive mixture comprising at least one silicone-containing component, at least one hydrophilic component, and at least one diluent to form an ophthalmic device having an advancing contact angle of less than about 80°; and contacting the ophthalmic device with an aqueous extraction solution at an elevated extraction temperature, wherein said at least one diluent has a boiling point at least about 10° higher than said extraction temperature.
US09494709B2 Sequential fully implicit well model for reservoir simulation
A subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir with wells is simulated by sequential solution of reservoir and well equations to simulate fluid flow inside the reservoir and well production rates. Sequential solution of reservoir and well equations treats wells as specified bottom hole pressure wells. This avoids solving large matrices resulting from the simultaneous solution of the reservoir and well equations which can be computationally very expensive for large number of unknowns and require special sparse matrix solvers. Such sequential solution involves regular reservoir system solvers complemented by a small matrix for the numerical solution of the well bottom hole pressures.
US09494708B2 Streamer cleaning device and method
Method and cleaning device for cleaning a seismic streamer. The cleaning device includes a flexible body having a shape that wraps around a longitudinal axis; a movement-generating device attached to an end portion of the flexible body; and first cleaning elements provided on a first portion of the flexible body and configured to clean the seismic streamer. The flexible body is configured to wrap around the seismic streamer.
US09494705B2 Cased-hole radial profiling of shear parameters from sonic measurements
Cased-hole radial profiling of shear parameters from sonic measurements is disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include determining a variation of a first shear modulus at a first radial position from a cased borehole in a formation based on a first weighted average of fractional variations of Stoneley wave velocities for different wavenumbers, the first weighted average based on first weights determined using a perturbation model including parameters to model the borehole casing, and determining variations of second and third shear moduli at respective second and third radial positions from the borehole based on second and third weighted averages of fractional variations of respective first and second flexural wave velocities for different wavenumbers, the first and second flexural wave velocities associated with respective first and second orthogonal borehole axial planes of the formation, the second and third weighted averages based on respective second and third weights determined using the perturbation model.
US09494693B2 Method, apparatus, and system for determining a position of an object having a global navigation satellite system receiver by processing undifferenced data like carrier-phase measurements and external products like ionosphere data
A method for determining a position of an object having a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver comprises receiving signals that are transmitted by GNSS transmitters positioned on board satellites positioned in view of the object; updating service data in the object, the service data including satellite clock data, satellite orbit data, satellite delay code bias data relating to delay code biases of the GNSS transmitters, and ionospheric model data indicating a state of an ionosphere; determining, based on the ionospheric model data, ionospheric delay data indicating corrections relating to delays of the signals, the delays of the signals resulting from passage of the signals through the ionosphere, and reception of the signals by the GNSS receiver; and determining a position of the object based on the signals, the satellite clock data, the satellite orbit data, the satellite delay code bias data, and the determined ionospheric delay data.
US09494689B2 Mobile station locating method and device and location information uploading method and device for cluster system
The present invention relates to the technical field of communications, and disclosed are a mobile station locating method and device for a cluster system. The method includes: through a control channel, activating a location information uploading function of a mobile station which needs location tracking; over a location tracking data service channel, sending a location information request message to the mobile station, the location tracking data service channel being a service channel with the same frequency as and a different time slot from the control channel; over the location tracking data service channel, receiving a location information response message sent by the mobile station, the location information about the mobile station being carried in the location information response message; and according to the location information about the mobile station, determining the current location of the mobile station.
US09494683B1 Audio-based gesture detection
An audio device may be configured to detect proximity of a user hand based on analysis of audio signals captured by the audio device. For example, the audio device may be configured to perform acoustic echo cancellation based on dynamically calculated filter coefficients. The coefficients may be analyzed to determine proximity of the user hand. The proximity of the hand may be evaluated over time to detect user hand gestures.
US09494682B2 Radar weather data signal processing method and signal processing module
Disclosed is a radar weather data signal processing module comprising: a pulse compression unit for pulse-compressing a received weather signal; a correlation coefficient calculation unit for calculating a correlation coefficient on the basis of the pulse-compressed weather signal; and a weather variable calculation unit for calculating a weather variable on the basis of the calculated correlation coefficient.
US09494675B2 System and method for nonlinear radar
A non-linear radar is disclosed that is able to detect non-linear target responses that are below the harmonic-noise floor of the radar. To accomplish this below-the-noise-floor sensitivity feature the proposal specifically addresses all of the problems commonly faced by non-linear radar such as linearity of the transmitter path, receiver path, and size, weight, and power, and cost (SWaP-C). The radar operates in both standard and nonlinear modes with signal processing that allows display of nonlinear alone, linear alone, or both types of backscatter. Different combinations of six methodologies allow customization to fit different application needs, from low-cost modest performance, to higher cost and extremely high performance.
US09494670B2 Method for improving robustness of 3D magnetic resonance imaging to involuntary motion
A method of MRI for reduction of motion artifacts in 3D MR data acquisition with multiple segments comprises: the complete acquisition being divided into two parts: basic acquisition and complementary acquisition. Basic acquisition is performed at the beginning. Complementary acquisition is performed after the basic acquisition is finished. View Reordering is prepared for basic acquisition and complementary acquisition separately. Motion monitoring is performed regularly during the data acquisition. Whenever motion is detected, data acquisition stops. Image reconstruction is performed when motion occurs in the phase of complementary acquisition. The final reconstructed image is free of motion artifacts.
US09494659B2 Method for checking a separation point of a photovoltaic inverter, and photovoltaic inverter
The invention relates to a method for checking a photovoltaic inverter separator (14) between the photovoltaic inverter (1) and a power supply network (7), comprising multiple phases (L1, L2, L3) and a neutral conductor (N), wherein multiple switching contacts of the separator (14) are controlled by the photovoltaic inverter (1), and the invention also relates to a photovoltaic inverter (1). The aim of the invention is to allow a simple and quick check of the functionality of the separator (14). This is achieved in that the switching contacts of the separator (14) are connected and checked in steps according to a switching pattern. In each step, each voltage (30, 31, 32 and 33, 34, 35) is measured at at least one phase (L1, L2, L3) upstream and downstream of the separator (14) in relation to the neutral conductor (N), and the voltages are compared to one another.
US09494652B2 Voltage and temperature sensing of battery cell groups
The embodiments described herein include a system and a method. One embodiment provides a sensing apparatus for a battery system having a plurality of cells. The sensing apparatus includes an elongated substrate configured to extend along one side of the plurality of cells and a plurality of sensors, each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of cells, and each configured to contact its respective cell.
US09494650B2 Efficient method of retesting integrated circuits
Efficient production testing of integrated circuits. A first production test is implemented on a group of integrated circuits and failures among the test group are assessed. Specifically, the results of the first test are analyzed such that integrated circuits having a recoverable fail and integrated circuits having a non-recoverable fail are differentiated. The integrated circuits are integrated based on the analyzed results and a second production test is implemented. The second production test tests the integrated circuits responsive to the segregation, such that the second production test is limited only to integrated circuits with a recoverable fail. The next succeeding production test will then use the new test program in the second production test with the handler bin designated as having integrated circuits not to be re-tested.
US09494640B2 Parallel scan distributors and collectors and process of testing integrated circuits
An integrated circuit (70) having parallel scan paths (824-842, 924-942) includes a pair or pairs of scan distributor (800,900) and scan collector (844,944) circuits. The scan paths apply stimulus test data to functional circuits (702) on the integrated circuit and receive response test data from the functional circuits. A scan distributor circuit (800) receives serial test data from a peripheral bond pad (802) and distributes it to each parallel scan path. A scan collector circuit (844) collects test data from the parallel scan paths and applies it to a peripheral bond pad (866). This enables more parallel scan paths of shorter length to connect to the functional circuits. The scan distributor and collector circuits can be respectively connected in series to provide parallel connections to more parallel scan paths. Additionally multiplexer circuits (886,890) can selectively connect pairs of scan distributor and collector circuits together. The scan distributor and collector circuits can be formed in core circuits (704). The core circuits then can be connected to other core circuits and functional circuits with simple connections to the parallel scan circuits through the scan distributor and collector circuits.
US09494635B2 Islanding detection in electricity distribution network
A device is disclosed for detecting an islanding condition in an electricity distribution network, by receiving a signal of the electricity distribution network, and determining an islanding condition based on the received signal. The device determines a voltage total harmonic distortion change parameter for each phase component in the received signal, determines a voltage unbalance change parameter in the received signal, compares each of the voltage total harmonic distortion change parameters and the voltage unbalance change parameter to respective triggering conditions, and concludes an islanding condition to have been detected when the voltage total harmonic distortion change parameter for each phase component of the signal and the voltage unbalance change parameter fulfill their respective triggering conditions.
US09494631B2 Intelligent current analysis for resonant converters
A new method of extracting information from a current waveform for the purpose of controlling a resonant converter is presented. The method comprises the step of sampling the converter waveform exactly three times in half a period of the converter waveform or sampling the converter waveform exactly at three different positions in a sequence on different periods of the converter waveform and the step of extracting waveform information to produce a fundamental component and a triangular component of the converter waveform. The information could also be used for the purpose of predicting the inductance and load of a circuit to indicate alignment in a inductive charging system.
US09494617B2 Image sensor testing probe card
A probe card for use in testing a wafer and a method of making the probe card include a printed circuit board (PCB) formed with a conductor pattern and a probe head in proximity to the PCB, the probe head defining at least one hole through the probe head, and the probe head being made of an electrically insulating material. At least one conductive pogo pin is disposed respectively in the at least one hole, the pogo pin having a first end electrically connected to the conductor pattern on the PCB. At least one conductive probe pin includes a cantilever portion and a tip portion. The cantilever portion is in contact with and electrically connected to a second end of the pogo pin, and the tip portion is electrically connectable to the wafer to electrically connect the wafer to the conductor pattern on the PCB. The cantilever portion of the probe pin is fixedly attached to the probe head.
US09494614B2 Method for estimating the rotational speed of a tool mounted on a rotating spindle of a machine tool and such a machine tool
In a machine tool (1) comprising a rotating spindle (2) and a vision system (7) for acquiring images of a tool (3) mounted on the spindle, for each value (VC) of an interval (ICN) of preselected rotational speed values centered on a nominal rotational speed value (VN) of the spindle, an image acquisition period (TA) is determined, that is a multiple of the rotational period (TR) of the spindle calculated for that preselected speed value and compatible with the vision system, and, while the spindle is rotating at the nominal rotational speed, a representative couple of tool images that are temporally spaced apart from one another of the image acquisition period is obtained, in order to obtain an estimated speed value (VS), associated to the nominal speed value, by selecting that preselected speed value to which the representative couple of images that are the most similar to each other on the basis of a similarity rule corresponds.
US09494611B2 Immunological analyzing apparatus
An automatic analyzer comprises selection means for selecting whether a preparatory operation, specified from a plurality of analysis preparation processes of the automatic analyzer, should be executed in an initial process at the powering on of the analyzer or after the start of the actual analysis (i.e., in parallel with the sample analysis operation). For example, the automatic analyzer is equipped with means which allows the analyzer to execute a “system liquid replacement operation”, a “sample nozzle pressure sensor checking operation”, a “reaction vessel discarding operation” and a “pre-cleaning liquid replacement operation” which among various operations that are executed in the preparation process in conventional immunological analyzing apparatus in processes other than the preparation process.
US09494609B2 Status displaying sample carriers
An automation system for an in vitro diagnostics environment includes a plurality of intelligent carriers that include onboard processing and navigation capabilities. To aid in operator handling of payloads and carriers, carriers include an electronically rewritable display on a surface visible to an operator. The display can include an LCD, E-ink, or other rewritable display and can utilize color, pattern, or text to convey status information of the payloads to the operator.
US09494601B2 Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (AHUS) biomarker proteins
The disclosure provides biomarker proteins, a change in the concentration or activity level of which are associated with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) or clinically meaningful treatment of aHUS with a complement inhibitor. Also provided are compositions and methods for interrogating the concentration and/or activity of one or more of the biomarker proteins in a biological fluid. The compositions and methods are useful for, among other things, evaluating risk for developing aHUS, diagnosing aHUS, determining whether a subject is experiencing the first acute presentation of aHUS, monitoring progression or abatement of aHUS, and/or monitoring response to treatment with a complement inhibitor or optimizing such treatment.
US09494599B2 Methods and kits for determining whether a patient with cirrhosis is at risk of having clinically significant portal hypertension
The present invention relates to a method for determining whether a patient with cirrhosis is at risk of having clinically significant portal hypertension comprising the steps consisting of i) quantifying the levels of leuko-endothelial (CD31+/41−), pan-leukocyte (CD11a+), lymphocyte (CD4+), erythrocyte (CD235a+) and hepatocyte-derived (cytokeratin-18+) microparticles in a blood sample obtained from the patient and ii) comparing said levels with predetermined reference values wherein a difference between the levels quantified at step i) and the predetermined reference values is indicative whether the patient is at risk of having clinically significant portal hypertension.
US09494593B2 Method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups
The present invention discloses a method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups is disclosed. First, a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, wherein the surface of the nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups. Next, a plurality of functional ligands are provided, wherein the functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group. Then, a binding process is performed to bind the nanoparticle with the functional ligand, wherein the first active group connects with the second active group. After the binding process, a separation process is performed to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of the third active groups. The controlled number is integers from 0 to 10.
US09494588B2 Gene coded for a MHC class I molecule, plasmid, expression system protein, multimer, reagent and kit to analyze a T cell frequency
A protein produced by an expression system that includes a nucleic acid sequence that encodes an MHC class I heavy chain. The MHC class I heavy chain comprises an alpha-1 helix and an alpha-2 helix. The nucleic acid sequence has a disulfide bridge formed between the alpha-1 helix and the alpha-2 helix in the MHC class I heavy chain. Amino acid 139 is substituted by a cysteine so as to provide Cys-139. Amino acid 84 is substituted by the cysteine so as to provide Cys-84 or amino acid 85 is substituted by the cysteine so as to provide Cys-85. The disulfide bridge is formed between the alpha-1 helix and the alpha-2 helix in the MHC class I heavy chain between Cys-139 and Cys-84 or between Cys-139 and Cys-85. The protein comprises an anchor element selected from a natural biotinylation sequence, a polyhistidine sequence, or a polyarginine sequence.
US09494585B2 Tools for the identification of Lingo-1, Lingo-2, Lingo-3 and Lingo-4 ligands, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a system comprising coupling products formed by a monomer of a protein chosen from Lingo-1, Lingo-2, Lingo-3 and Lingo-4 and by a probe emitting a signal when said monomer undergoes conformational changes, and to a screening method using said system, enabling ligands of a protein chosen from Lingo-1, Lingo-2, Lingo-3 and Lingo-4 to be identified. The present invention is industrially applicable in the field of methods for detecting molecules, for detecting interaction between molecules and for molecular screening, and also in the medical field.
US09494582B2 Aptamers for detection and measurement of analytes
Sensors for target entities having functionalized thereon, at least one aptamer specific to the target entity, and methods of making and using the same are described for use in glycated protein monitoring and/or biomarkers.
US09494566B2 Systems and methods for evaluation of wine characteristics
A method comprises: receiving wine evaluations of wines from wine panelists, each wine evaluation including intensity values describing a plurality of wine characteristics for each of a set of wines, each wine evaluation generated by a wine panelist; generating a global intensity value from particular intensity values describing a particular wine characteristic of a particular wine, the particular intensity values being from the wine evaluations; comparing a selected intensity value generated by a selected wine panelist describing the particular wine characteristic for the particular wine against the global intensity value to determine an accuracy deviation; comparing the accuracy deviation against an accuracy deviation threshold to determine whether the selected intensity value is deemed inaccurate based on the comparison; updating the global intensity value for the particular wine characteristic for the particular wine based on the accuracy determination; and storing the updated global intensity value in a wine database.
US09494559B2 System and method for RFID-based remote material analysis
This application generally relates to systems and methods of using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices to remotely analyze objects and structures, and more particularly, this application relates to systems and methods of using RFID devices to remotely analyze properties and conditions of a surface of objects and structures.
US09494557B2 Micro-fluidic system using micro-apertures for high throughput detection of cells
A microfluidic detection system for micrometer-sized entities, such as biological cells, includes a detector component incorporating a plate with a plurality of opening, the plate separating two chambers, one in communication with a fluid source containing target cells bound to magnetic beads. The openings are sized to always permit passage of the magnetic beads therethrough into a lower one of the chambers and are further sized to always prevent passage of the target cells from the upper one of the chambers. The detector component further includes a magnet positioned to pull unbound magnetic beads through the openings and to capture target cells bound to magnetic beads on the surface of the plate. The microfluidic detection system includes a pump flowing the fluid through the detector component at high flow rates of milliliters per minute for high throughput detection of target cells.
US09494552B2 Method and system for documenting an electrophoresis gel
Disclosed in this specification is a high capacity compact gel documentation system for documenting different types of electrophoresis gels or other translucent objects using ultraviolet light. The system includes a base with a scanning surface having a transparent bottom surface. A light source is connected to a conveying mechanism, disposed below the transparent bottom surface, to move the light source over the length of the transparent bottom surface. An image capture device receives a reflected image and provides it to a microprocessor. Moreover, separate interchangeable filters allow for documentation of UV and white light gel captures, alleviating the need for separate transilluminators and hoods with filters and cameras.
US09494545B2 Heterocyclic nitrogen containing polymer coated analyte monitoring device and methods of use
The present invention is directed to membranes composed of heterocyclic nitrogen groups, such as vinylpyridine and to electrochemical sensors equipped with such membranes. The membranes are useful in limiting the diffusion of an analyte to a working electrode in an electrochemical sensor so that the sensor does not saturate and/or remains linearly responsive over a large range of analyte concentrations. Electrochemical sensors equipped with membranes described herein demonstrate considerable sensitivity and stability, and a large signal-to-noise ratio, in a variety of conditions.
US09494544B2 Hybrid sensor
A hybrid sensor includes a proximity sensor section and a load sensor section. The proximity sensor section includes a first base material, a plurality of first front-side electrodes, a plurality of first back-side electrodes, and a protective layer. Each of these members is made of an elastomer. The proximity sensor section detects the approach and coordinates of an object to be detected, based on a change in capacitance between the first front-side electrode and the first back-side electrode which is caused by the approach of the object to be detected. The load sensor section detects pressing and coordinates of the object to be detected, based on a load that is applied from the object to be detected via the proximity sensor section.
US09494540B2 System and method for a nondestructive on-line testing of samples
An MRI-free non-destructive on-line system for detecting a presence of a material in a sample. The system includes: a flow conduit encompassed by a tunable RF coil and having an input duct and an output duct; a flow of the sample through the flow conduit; a signal detector that detects frequency-dependent output signals as a function of a frequency variation of the RF tunable coil within a frequency range of an RF resonant frequency of a standard sample of the substance; and a processing unit.
US09494538B2 Agricultural moisture sensor with co-planar electrodes
A moisture sensor that has a drive electrode and a separate sense electrode is described. Both electrodes have surfaces that face the sensed material and the surfaces are co-planar. The drive electrode receives an excitation signal and generates an electric field that produces a current in the sense electrode. The current is indicative of moisture in the sensed material.
US09494531B2 Multi-spot illumination for improved detection sensitivity
Methods and systems for minimizing interference among multiple illumination beams generated from a non-uniform illumination source to provide an effectively uniform illumination profile over the field of view of an inspection system are presented. In some examples, a pulsed beam of light is split into multiple illumination beams such that each of the beams are temporally separated at the surface of the specimen under inspection. In some examples, multiple illumination beams generated from a non-uniform illumination source are projected onto spatially separated areas on the surface of the specimen. A point object of interest illuminated by each area is imaged onto the surface of a time-delay integration (TDI) detector. The images are integrated such that the relative position of the illumination areas along the direction of motion of the point object of interest has no impact on the illumination efficiency distribution over the field of view.
US09494527B2 Optical reader optic cleaning systems having motion deployed cleaning elements
Cleaning systems for optics of optical readers to periodically clean one or more surfaces of the optics of matter that may deposit on surface(s) and that might interfere with the performance of the reader. In an example, the cleaning system is used on a chemical indicator apparatus that includes one or more chemical indicators that are read by an optical reader having an optic. During use, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved relative optic during a reading mode. A cleaning element is engaged with the chemical indicator apparatus so as to have a neutral position in which it cannot contact the optic during the reading mode. When it is desired to clean the optic, the chemical indicator apparatus is moved in a manner that causes the cleaning element to move from the neutral position to a deployed position in which it contacts the optic in a manner that cleans the optic as the apparatus continues to be moved.
US09494521B2 Image analysis and measurement of biological samples
Methods, devices, systems, and apparatuses are provided for the image analysis of measurement of biological samples.
US09494519B2 Methods for rapid multiplexed amplification of target nucleic acids
A fast, multiplexed PCR system is described that can rapidly generate amplified nucleic acid products, for example, a full STR profile, from a target nucleic acid. Such systems include, for example, microfluidic biochips and a custom built thermal cycler, which are also described. The resulting STR profiles can satisfy forensic guidelines for signal strength, inter-loci peak height balance, heterozygous peak height ratio, incomplete non-template nucleotide addition, and stutter.
US09494511B2 System and apparatus for measurement and mapping of pollutants
Apparatus and systems, preferably using UV spectroscopy, for the dynamic and continuous detection and quantification of a range of chemicals, particularly pollutants, in the environment, and to the production of a real-time display or map to display chemical levels in the environment are provided. By providing data packets which combine details of pollutants in the atmosphere with very accurate position and temporal information, and real-time map of pollution is provided.
US09494510B2 Cuvette system
A cuvette system may comprise a disposable cuvette element for holding a sample for analysis, with the cuvette element comprising an elongated strip having opposite faces and a well for receiving the sample to be analyzed. The well may be formed on the strip to hold a sample on the strip, and a hole may form at least a portion of the well and may extend through the strip. The well may be configured to hold a defined volume of the sample to be held therein. The system may comprise a reusable holder for removably receiving the cuvette element, with the holder having a substantially hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of the cuvette element. The holder may have a perimeter wall including a front wall and a rear wall of the holder, and a window may be formed in each of the front and rear walls and may be generally positioned in alignment with each other. The windows may be alignable with the well in the cuvette element when the cuvette element is inserted into the holder such that a straight line passes through the windows and the well simultaneously.
US09494503B2 Inline rheology/viscosity, density, and flow rate measurement
A system of performing inline measurements of flow rate, density, and rheology of a flowing fluid. The system includes a rheology measurement subsystem, a density measurement subsystem, and a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the test fluid within the vertical tube at a location y2 downstream from y1 and displaced vertically from y1 by a distance Δh.
US09494501B2 Microfluidic device adapted for post-centrifugation use with selective sample extraction and methods for its use
The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices adapted for post-centrifugation use with selective sample extraction, and methods for their use. Certain embodiments make use of a dye-selective sample extraction. Other embodiments make use of a geographically-selective sample extraction. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09494496B2 Solid-phase extraction apparatus and viscosity measurement apparatus
A solid-phase extraction apparatus capable of carrying out highly accurate solid-phase extraction by automatically controlling liquid-permeation speeds in an adsorbing step, a cleaning step, and an eluting step of the solid-phase extraction in order to improve the accuracy of the collection rate of a measurement component(s) also in measurement of each of sample solutions respectively having different viscosities and to ensure a certain processing ability. The solid-phase extraction apparatus includes a sample dispensing unit that dispenses a sample solution, a solid-phase extraction unit that carries out a solid-phase extraction process of applying a pressure to the sample solution dispensed by the sample dispensing unit and extracting the measurement component from the sample solution, and a converting unit that measures the viscosity of the sample solution and determines the pressure to be applied to a solid-phase extraction cartridge based on the information of the measured viscosity of the sample solution.
US09494495B2 Breath analysis system
A breath analysis system that includes a handle assembly with an analysis cartridge on an upper end thereof. The handle includes a main body portion with a pressure opening and a pressure transducer therein. The analysis cartridge includes a main body portion with an upper portion that defines a breath chamber, a lower portion that defines a fluid chamber and a filter assembly that is movable between a breath capture position and an analysis position. The filter assembly has an opening defined therethrough. In the breath capture position, the opening partially defines the breath chamber and in the analysis position the opening partially defines the fluid chamber. The system also includes an analysis device with a case, a door, a controller that controls the motor and a fluorescence detection assembly and a rotation assembly positioned in the case interior. The rotation assembly includes a shroud with a funnel portion for receiving the analysis cartridge.
US09494488B2 Method and apparatus to determine rotational position of a phaser in a variable phasing system
A method to determine a rotational position of a phaser for variable phasing system including a low-resolution rotational position sensing system includes estimating a rotational position of the phaser based upon a time interval between occurrence of a measured position of the phaser and a present periodic timepoint, a commanded position of the phaser, said measured position of the phaser, and a time constant of the variable phasing system when the occurrence of the measured position of the phaser is subsequent to a preceding periodic timepoint occurring at a set time interval prior to the present periodic timepoint.
US09494480B2 Water use monitoring apparatus
The present invention is a water use and/or a water energy use monitoring apparatus that is affixed to the hot and cold water supply piping for continuously (or on demand) monitoring displaying the water and water energy (hot vs. ambient) use within a residential or commercial building. A first wire or wireless means is incorporated to communicate with a remote display for viewing by the owner of a commercial building or occupier/resident of a home. A second optional wire or wireless means can be incorporated that can be monitored by civil, commercial, governmental or municipal operators or agencies, using a remote display and/or recorder means or by a secure wire or wireless communication network (e.g. cell phone, smart phone or other similar technology communication means). A third wireless means communicates water parameter data utilizing typical cell tower technology and/or mesh network technology. The water use monitor apparatus includes a power generation, a microprocessor, temperature and water flow sensors, optional water quality sensors, timing circuits, wireless circuitry, and a display means. A wired or wireless means is designed to electronically communicate water use, water energy use and/or water quality information to a remotely located display apparatus or typical cell phone, smart phones, or similar apparatus for convenient observation by a commercial, operator or occupier, resident, municipal or government agency.
US09494478B2 Carbon nanotube temperature and pressure sensors
The present invention, in one embodiment, provides a method of measuring pressure or temperature using a sensor including a sensor element composed of a plurality of carbon nanotubes. In one example, the resistance of the plurality of carbon nanotubes is measured in response to the application of temperature or pressure. The changes in resistance are then recorded and correlated to temperature or pressure. In one embodiment, the present invention provides for independent measurement of pressure or temperature using the sensors disclosed herein.
US09494471B2 Fast response thermopile power sensor
A power measuring sensor for an optical beam which utilizes the temperature difference across a thin layer of heat insulating material, generated by the axial flow of the absorbed beam, from an absorber layer on which the beam impinges, to a cooled heat sink which dissipates the heat after passage through the sensor. The axial heat flow is measured by means of a continuous matrix of adjacent thermocouple junctions over the heat flow region of the sensor disc, with the thermal insulating layer, which generates the temperature drop, having thicker and thinner regions at alternate junctions. The junctions on the thicker regions of the insulator thus become the hot junctions, and those on the thinner regions of the insulating layer become the cold junctions, and the sum of the voltages generated by the thermocouples is proportional to the flow of heat, and thus to the incident optical power.
US09494464B2 Terahertz imaging devices and systems, and related methods, for detection of materials
Terahertz imaging devices may comprise a focal plane array including a substrate and a plurality of resonance elements. The plurality of resonance elements may comprise a conductive material coupled to the substrate. Each resonance element of the plurality of resonance elements may be configured to resonate and produce an output signal responsive to incident radiation having a frequency between about a 0.1 THz and 4 THz range. A method of detecting a hazardous material may comprise receiving incident radiation by a focal plane array having a plurality of discrete pixels including a resonance element configured to absorb the incident radiation at a resonant frequency in the THz, generating an output signal from each of the discrete pixels, and determining a presence of a hazardous material by interpreting spectral information from the output signal.
US09494463B2 Optical emission spectroscopic (OES) instrument with automatic top and bottom slit curtains
An optical emission spectroscopic (OES) instrument includes a spectrometer, a processor and an adjustable mask controlled by the processor. The adjustable mask defines a portion of an analytical gap imaged by the spectrometer. The instrument automatically adjusts the size and position of an opening in the mask, so the spectrometer images an optimal portion of plasma formed in the analytical gap, thereby improving signal and noise characteristics of the instrument, without requiring tedious and time-consuming manual adjustment of the mask during manufacture or use.
US09494460B2 Food product scale
A scale includes a weigh station for receiving items to be weighed, an operator interface configured to display information associated with scale operations and a controller operably coupled to the operator interface to effect display of information. The operator interface may be in the form of a touch-screen display that is used to facilitate ease of use and scale adjustment.
US09494455B1 Apparatus for delivery of a metered dose of granular material
An apparatus is provided for delivering a metered dose of a granular material. The apparatus holds the granular material captive at any angle until use. In use, the apparatus is typically inverted and the plunger rod is plunged on a surface and released. During the release the metered dose of material is transferred to a holding area. While still inverted, the apparatus is shaken/agitated/oscillated to release the metered dose of material from the holding area out the exit holes while the bulk of granular material is once again sealed at any angle. The granular material is evenly spread to the desired surface through perforations in the cap portion of the apparatus. It should also be noted that the apparatus can also have its rod plunged in an upright position then inverted and shaken/agitated/oscillated to release the metered dose of material. The apparatus is normally sealed; it can be carried on ones' person or in a pocket or purse. The intent of the design of this apparatus is to lower the salt intake for humans for consumer and retail use.
US09494454B2 Phase controlled variable angle ultrasonic flow meter
An ultrasonic transducer includes: a plurality of segment electrodes located on a surface of a single piezoelectric element; a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal having pulses of a certain frequency; and a control circuit that sequentially activates the segment electrodes using the pulse signal to cause the element to emit a sonic signal, where a controlled delay time between activation of each segment electrode varies the emission angle of the sonic signal so as to compensate for angle changes caused by either changes in Beam refraction or due to Beam Blowing caused by high flow velocity.
US09494444B2 Data acquisition apparatus, data acquisition system and method of acquiring data
A data acquisition apparatus includes a processing resource operably coupled to an input unit and an output unit. The processing resource is arranged to provide an execution environment for supporting a user interface. An enquiry module is provided and supported by the execution environment. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a communications unit operably coupled to the processing resource for supporting communications over a communications network. The enquiry module is arranged to generate a search query relating to a point of interest and receive search results in response thereto via the communications unit, the enquiry module also being arranged to use the search results to derive data associated with the point of interest.
US09494441B2 Personalized route calculation system for a vehicle
The personalized route planning system modifies a time or distance efficient route to a destination in response to a multiple of datasets to determine one or more personalized routes to the destination.
US09494428B2 Attitude determination method, position calculation method, and attitude determination device
A new method for determining an attitude of a sensor with respect to a moving body is proposed. A movement vector is measured by a sensor mounted in the moving body. In addition, the attitude of the sensor with respect to the moving body is determined using the movement vector measured by the sensor when the moving body starts to move.
US09494421B2 Method for measuring trailer axle alignment
A procedure for measuring and adjusting an alignment of each axle of a trailer or semi-trailer while the trailer or semi-trailer is coupled to a tow vehicle by a hitch, tow bar, kingpin, or fifth wheel hitch. Measurements of the alignment of each axle of the trailer or semi-trailer are acquired from wheel-mounted sensor means utilizing either directly or indirectly a reference line of the trailer and an established reference point on the tow vehicle. A thrust angle of a first trailer or semi-trailer axle is referenced directly to the established reference line, while scrub angles associated with additional trailer or semi-trailer axles are referenced either directly or indirectly to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle, and indirectly to the established reference point. Any necessary adjustments are made to the first trailer or semi-trailer axle to bring the axle thrust angle to within a specification tolerance, and then to the scrub angle of each additional axle.
US09494420B2 Optical alignment device using UV pulse
An optical alignment device using pulse UV irradiates an alignment film with pulse UV to perform optical alignment of liquid crystal. The optical alignment device using pulse UV may include a chamber, a lamp which is installed at an upper portion of the chamber and emits pulse UV light, a stage which is provided at a lower portion of the chamber and on which a substrate having an alignment film formed on a surface thereof is placed, and a polarizer which is installed detachably between the stage and the lamp.
US09494419B2 Beam direction sensor
A direction sensor (200) includes sensor cells (215) that respectively correspond to different directions. Each of the sensor cells (215) includes a light sensor (130, 140) and a grating (120) that couples incident light into the light sensor (130, 140) when the incident light has a specific wavelength and is incident on the grating (120) along the direction corresponding to the sensor cell (215).
US09494411B2 Three-dimensional shape measuring device, method for acquiring hologram image, and method for measuring three-dimensional shape
[Problem] To provide a low-cost, high-precision three-dimensional shape measuring device using vibration-resistant phase shift digital holography.[Solution] A three-dimensional shape measuring device, wherein an object-light optical system allows object light to be incident on a polarization element for detecting relative phase differences in a first circularly polarized light state, a reference-light optical system allows a reference light to be incident on a polarization element for detecting relative phase differences in a second circularly polarized light state in the direction opposite from the first circularly polarized light, and the polarization element for detecting relative phase differences transmits a component of the object light, which is the first circularly polarized light, in the polarization direction of the polarization element for detecting relative phase differences, and a component of the reference light, which is the second circularly polarized light, in the polarization direction of the polarization element for detecting relative phase differences. The polarization direction of the polarization element for detecting relative phase differences is rotated to thereby vary the relative phase difference between the object light and the reference light transmitted through the polarization element for detecting relative phase differences and to acquire a plurality of hologram images having different relative phase differences.
US09494408B2 Hardware-only contactless position sensor system
A hardware-only contactless position sensor system is provided that includes a contactless position sensor and hardware-only sensor system electronics. The sensor includes excitation, sine, and cosine coils. The electronics are coupled to the sensor and detect a position of a target relative to the sensor. The electronics include a phase shift and summation circuit that applies a phase shift at a frequency of the excitation coil to one of a sine signal from the sine coil or a cosine signal from the cosine coil as a phase shifted signal and add the phase shifted signal with an unshifted instance of the cosine or sine signal to produce a phase shifted output. The electronics also include a phase detector circuit that detects a phase of the phase shifted output and generate an output voltage corresponding to the phase and proportional to the position of the target.
US09494406B1 Measurement tool for server rack
A structure for measuring server rack dimensions. The structure may include; a center spacer having a slider opening; a top panel fixed to a top surface of the center spacer; a bottom panel fixed to a bottom surface of the center spacer; and a slider in the slider opening of the center spacer, wherein a portion of the slider is between the top panel and the bottom panel, and the slider is horizontally movable between a starting position and an extended position, the starting position is where the slider is closest to the center of the center spacer and the extended position is where the slider is farthest from the center of the center spacer.
US09494405B1 Measurement tool for server rack
A structure for measuring server rack dimensions. The structure may include; a center spacer having a slider opening; a top panel fixed to a top surface of the center spacer; a bottom panel fixed to a bottom surface of the center spacer; and a slider in the slider opening of the center spacer, wherein a portion of the slider is between the top panel and the bottom panel, and the slider is horizontally movable between a starting position and an extended position, the starting position is where the slider is closest to the center of the center spacer and the extended position is where the slider is farthest from the center of the center spacer.
US09494402B2 Welding gauge
A gauge for measuring a weld between two abutted pipe sections has a unitary body including a reference edge for abut an outer surface of the pipe sections, a first gauge portion at a prescribed first distance from the reference edge corresponding to a minimum cap height of the weld, and a second gauge portion at a prescribed second distance from the reference edge corresponding to a maximum cap height of the weld. One or both ends of the body includes an end surface and a bevel surface at an obtuse angle to the end surface so as to be arranged to abut a bevel cut end of a pipe section when the end surface abuts the outer side of the pipe section to gauge an inclination of the bevel cut end. A measurement scale with an advance cut line extends along the body opposite from the reference edge.
US09494395B1 Reconfigurable mine emulation system
A mine emulation system includes a standard electronics section. The system can be reconfigured into several different mine shapes by the use of different end sections attached to the electronics section. The electronics sections can include an array of sensors, including magnetic, seismic, pressure and passive acoustic sensors. The electronics can be programmable such that the sensors can emulate the various mine types as well as differing mines within each type. An active acoustic communication system allows surface ships or RF buoy systems to communicate with the mine emulator. An operator can provide a release command to an acoustically operated release system via the acoustic communication system.
US09494394B1 Modular adjustable weight arrow tip
A modular, adjustable weight arrow tip is disclosed. The arrow tip has a body and one or more blades in various configurations. The arrow tip utilizes one more modular weights, preferably seated between the body rear end and the arrow shaft, to allow the user to be able to selectably adjust an incrementally stepped array of weights to achieve the desired flight and “front of center” for their application. The modular weights can be threaded or unthreaded, can utilize a modular weight seating collar, can have varying weights, and may be utilized with any type of archery tip.
US09494391B1 Shooting target and method of making same
A multiple blister, dye-containing unit for attachment to the back face of a shooting target sheet is formed into a suitable shape corresponding to a predetermined portion of an image on the front face of the target sheet by removal of a portion of a larger array of blisters arranged in rows and columns. The multiple blister unit is than secured by adhesive to the back face of the target sheet.
US09494383B2 Tactical gun sling
A tactical gun sling includes a length-adjustable sling in a form of a loop, a front sling mount, a quick-release element for fixing to the gun barrel unit and an element for fixing to the gun butt, or an element for fixing to the rear sling mount on the receiver, a sling adjustment unit, and an adjustment strap which passes through the sling adjustment unit. One end of the sling is fixed through the quick-release element to the front sling mount and the other end is left free. The sling additionally includes a quick adjustment unit through which the sling passes in a form of a loop. The gun sling enables adjustment of the length of the sling quickly and provides a large adjustment margin of the basic loop, which makes it possible to transform and use the sling on nearly any type of personal small arms.
US09494381B1 Crossbow de-cocking device and method
Apparatus and method for de-cocking a crossbow. The apparatus includes: (a) a body adapted to attach to a crossbow, the body having a channel therethrough and a threaded bore therethrough intersecting with the channel; (b) a notched wedge adapted to slide through the channel; and (c) a threaded stud so that when the wedge is slid through the channel and the threaded stud is threaded into the threaded bore, the stud can contact the wedge and halt further travel of the wedge through said body. When the body is attached to a cocked crossbow with the bowstring of the bow positioned in the notch of the wedge, the trigger of the crossbow can be pulled to release the bowstring against the wedge and the crossbow de-cocked by unscrewing the stud.
US09494379B2 Crossbow
A crossbow including first and second cams are mounted to first and second bow limbs, respectively. Each of the cams includes a string guide journal, an upper power cable take-up journal, and a lower power cable take-up journal. The draw string is arranged in a reverse draw configuration. The upper and lower power cables are received in each of the respective upper and lower power cable take-up journals and are displaced away from the respective draw string journals as the bow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration. In one embodiment, the upper and lower power cable take-up journals are helical in configuration. As a result of this configuration the cams can rotate more than 270 degrees, and preferably more than 300 degrees, as the crossbow is drawn from the released configuration to the drawn configuration.
US09494378B2 Ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly
An ambidextrously operated bolt catch assembly for a firearm facilitates ease of use by either right handed or left handed shooters. The ambidextrous bolt catch assembly includes two levers, one on each side of the firearm, that interact with each other. Each lever has a primary contact surface and a secondary contact surface. By depressing the primary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a displaced position to a static position. Conversely, by depressing the secondary contact surface of either lever, both levers rotate to move the bolt catch assembly from a static position to a displaced position.
US09494370B2 Homogeneous liquid cooling of LED array
A liquid-cooled heat sink includes a top plate having an array of circuitous liquid channels, each channel having a separate channel inlet and a common central outlet channel. The heat sink further includes a bottom plate having an inlet port and an outlet port. The heat sink further includes an intermediate plate having inlet guide channels providing fluid communication between the inlet port of the bottom plate and channel inlets of the top plate, said intermediate plate further including an outlet guide channel providing fluid communication between the common central outlet channel of the top plate and the outlet port of the bottom plate.
US09494363B2 Air-conditioning apparatus
An air-conditioning apparatus uses a zeotropic refrigerant mixture, in which its saturated liquid refrigerant temperature is lower than the saturated gas refrigerant temperature under the same pressure condition, as the heat source side refrigerant. When one or some of a plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium functions as an evaporator, the air-conditioning apparatus executes an anti-freezing control that prevents the heat medium from freezing by estimating occurrence of freezing of the heat medium on the basis of a value obtained by subtracting a freezing temperature correction value that is set as a positive value larger than zero from an evaporating temperature of the refrigerant in the heat exchanger related to heat medium.
US09494362B2 Refrigerator
Disclosed herein is a refrigerator. In the refrigerator, a water purifying unit including a filter unit to purify water supplied from a water supply source is arranged adjacent to a drawer type storage container in an otherwise useless space of a storage compartment.
US09494360B2 Air conditioner for vehicle
An air conditioner for a vehicle is provided with: a compressor that compresses a heat exchange medium; an external heat exchanger that receives the heat exchange medium and that exchanges heat with the outside of a vehicle compartment; and an evaporator that receives the heat exchange medium and exchanges heat with the inside of a vehicle compartment, and the air conditioner for a vehicle is able to perform: a defrosting cooling operation in which the heat exchange medium that has been compressed by the compressor is made to flow into the evaporator and absorb heat, and to then flow into the external heat exchanger and release heat; and a hot gas operation in which the heat exchange medium that has been compressed by the compressor is made to flow into the external heat exchanger and release heat without being made to absorb heat in the evaporator, and, by switching between performing the defrosting cooling operation and performing the hot gas operation, the air conditioner for a vehicle performs a defrosting operation in which the external heat exchanger is defrosted.
US09494357B2 Ice maker, refrigerator having the same, and method for supplying ice thereof
Disclosed are an ice maker, a refrigerator having the ice maker, and a method for supplying ice of the refrigerator. An ice making container long in a vertical direction is installed on a side wall surface of a refrigerator door, makes ice, and pushes up the ice by screws to release the ice, whereby the size of the ice maker can be reduced, the area occupied by the ice maker can be reduced, and a refrigerator having the ice maker can become slimmer. Also, because an installation height of the ice maker is lowered to shorten a cold air supply path and prevent a loss in the process of supplying cold air to the ice making chamber. Also, because a cutting operation is performed simultaneously when the ice is lifted, a fabrication cost can be reduced and a defective state due to malfunction can be prevented.
US09494344B2 Method for reconfiguring a cryostat configuration for recirculation cooling
A method for converting a cryostat configuration (1) having a first container (2) with a liquid helium bath (3) and a second container (6) which is filled with liquid nitrogen (7) is characterized in that a cooling medium (12) which is in a gaseous state at a temperature of 60K and a pressure of 1 bar, is introduced into the second container and is cooled by a refrigerator (16) by means of a cooling circuit (11), the coolant lines of which are guided into the second container, to an operating temperature of ≦60K. With this retrofit for existing cryostat configurations that utilize both liquid helium and also liquid nitrogen for cooling a superconducting coil, use of liquid nitrogen can be completely avoided and the evaporation rate of the liquid helium can also be considerably reduced without having to re-liquefy the cryogens used.
US09494343B2 Solar capture mounting systems and methods
A partially non-rigid solar capture mounting system which reduces the risk of damage due to wind is disclosed. The solar capture mounting system includes at least one pole, a horizontal beam mounted to the pole, and at least one backing plate hanging from the horizontal beam via a pivotal connection. Examples of pivotal connection are bushings with ball bearings, hinges, steel rings and spring clips. Each of the backing plates supports at least one solar cell. Wind pressure against a backing plate pivots the backing plate about the horizontal beam such that the system experiences reduced stress and reduced risk of damage due to wind and wind carried objects.
US09494342B2 Methods and devices for coupling solar panel support structures and/or securing solar panel support structures to a roof
A mounting unit for mounting a solar panel on a roof includes a base having a first flange and a second flange that extend laterally from the base and a mounting surface positioned above the base via walls that connect the mounting surface and the base. The mounting surface is couplable with the solar panel to elevate and orient the solar panel above a surface of the roof. The mounting unit also includes a flexible membrane material that is coupled with the first flange of the base and that extends laterally therefrom. The mounting unit further includes an adhesive or tape that is applied to an underside of the second flange so that the second flange is free of the flexible membrane material. The flexible membrane material is couplable with the roof and the adhesive or tape is adherable to the roof to secure the mounting unit to the roof.
US09494334B2 Method of advanced digital economization
A system and method for advanced digital economization for an HVAC system having an economizer. A digital processing unit is configured to open a damper of an economizer within a dead-band range that allows for preemptive cooling prior to a call for cooling. This economization strategy allows for free cooling (outside air) without having to pay energy costs for cooled (air-conditioned) air. The system and method can be used with or without demand control ventilation (DCV). The method also includes a “self-learning” strategy with outside air and return air sensor to regularly sense past economizer damper modifications and average out recent readings to help set the dead-band range. The method can include the ability to work in conjunction with a variable supply fan speed control, provide fault detection, self-correct, auto-configure, and report system status.
US09494331B2 Ventilation system with a rotatable air flow generator and one or more movable registers and method for obtaining ventilation through the ventilation system
A ventilation system (1) for air ventilation is disclosed, comprising a continuous duct (5) having openings at both ends, an air flow generator (2) arranged inside the duct to be rotatable around an axis of rotation so that, positioned in different rotational positions, the air flow generator is capable of producing a substantially axial air flow in each of the two directions through the duct, respectively, one or more registers arranged to be moveable between different positions, in at least one of which positions the one or more registers (6) leave the duct (5) open for air passage, whereas in another of the positions the one or more registers (6) substantially block the air passage through the duct (5), means for rotating the air flow generator (2), and means for moving the one or more registers. Furthermore, methods for controlled active and passive ventilation, respectively, through the duct of such a ventilation system (1) are disclosed.
US09494325B2 Fuel tank structure
A fuel tank structure comprising a fuel tank; a canister that adsorbs evaporated fuel within the fuel tank, and that releases vapor after adsorption of evaporated fuel; a full tank regulating valve within the fuel tank that becomes a closed state due to a float floating in fuel when a fuel liquid surface reaches a full tank liquid level that is set in advance; a communication pipe that communicates the fuel tank and the canister via the full tank regulating valve, a cross-sectional area varying valve that, when tank internal pressure that is applied from inside of the fuel tank increases, reduces a cross-sectional area of a flow path of vapor that flows toward the float; and a suppressing member that is positioned between the cross-sectional area varying valve and the float, and that suppresses airflow from the cross-sectional area varying valve from directly abutting the float.
US09494322B2 Oven and method of operating the same
The invention in particular relates to an oven (1) for baking food products (3). In order to improve automated heating procedures, the oven (1) comprises a camera (7) and a distance sensor (8), for example, which are used in concert to enable precise extraction of product-features that are relevant and used with automated heating procedures.
US09494320B2 Method and system for starting an intermittent flame-powered pilot combustion system
A flame powered intermittent pilot combustion controller may include a first power source and a second power source separate from the first power source, a thermal electric and/or photoelectric device, an igniter and a controller. The thermal electric and/or photoelectric device may charge the first power source when exposed to a flame. The controller and the igniter may receive power from the first power source when the first power source has sufficient available power, and may receive power from the second power source when the first power source does not have sufficient available power.
US09494315B2 Chemical-looping combustion method with ashes and fines removal at the oxidation zone outlet and plant using same
The invention relates to a method for chemical-looping combustion of a solid hydrocarbon-containing feedstock, wherein the ashes and fines are removed at the outlet of reactive oxidation zone R1 by sending transported phase (5) coming from reactive zone R1, comprising gas and solid, to a gas-solid separation zone S2, then by sending solid stream (7) coming from gas-solid separation zone S2 to a dense phase elutriation separation zone S3 fluidized by a non-reducing gas (8) allowing the fines and the fly ashes to be separated from the oxygen-carrying material particles. Optionally, deeper separation is carried out in a dedusting zone S5 arranged downstream from dense phase elutriation separation zone S3. The invention also relates to a chemical-looping combustion plant allowing the method according to the invention to be implemented.
US09494307B2 Repositionable junction box
A repositionable junction box is disclosed. The repositionable junction box can include a base comprising at least one wall that forms a cavity. The repositionable junction box can also include a coupling portion extending from the at least one wall, where the coupling portion can include at least one first coupling feature disposed at a distal end of the coupling portion, where the at least one first coupling feature is configured to mechanically couple to a first complementary coupling feature of a plurality of first complementary coupling features disposed on a frame.
US09494303B2 LED module and holder with terminal well
A holder is disclosed that is configured to secure an LED array in position. An LED module is disclosed that includes an LED array that can be mounted to a suitable substrate and includes the holder the retain the LED array. The holder includes a housing that supports terminals that provide an electrical path to the LED array from an electrical power source. The housing and terminal provide a wire trap so that a conductor can be electrically connected to the LED array without the need for solder attach. The holder can be a one-piece or two-piece design.
US09494302B2 High-definition LED display screen and surface-mounted LED composite lamp with ultra-small point distance thereof
A high-definition LED display screen and a surface-mounted LED composite lamp with an ultra-small point distance thereof are provided. The high-definition LED display screen includes a plurality of the surface-mounted LED composite lamps with an ultra-small point distance. The surface-mounted LED composite lamp with an ultra-small point distance includes a lamp body, a plurality of pins arranged on a surface of one side of the lamp body, and a plurality of groups of LED pixel lamps arranged in an array on a surface of the other side of the lamp body, of which a periphery wrapped with transparent packages, each group of LED pixel lamps being electrically connected with the pins.
US09494301B2 Lighting housing having self-adjusting hinge mechanism
A lighting fixture including alighting housing having a reflector member having that is attached to the bottom of the lighting housing, lights positioned beneath the reflector, first and second brackets positioned on the top surface the reflector member, wherein the reflector member is hingedly mounted to the lighting housing using a first fastener extending through the first bracket, and using a second fastener extending through the second bracket of the reflector member.
US09494300B2 Illuminating apparatus
An illuminating apparatus includes a light source and an optical member that is disposed in front of the light source and controls light distribution of light emitted from the light source. The optical member has a pair of principal surfaces, and a plurality of prisms extending in one direction are provided on at least one among the pair of principal surfaces. The plurality of prisms include a plurality of reflecting prisms that are provided in a first region A among two regions divided at a virtual plane including a reference axis and emit light entered upon reflecting it at a reflecting surface and a plurality of refracting prisms that are provided in a second region among the two regions and emit light entered upon refracting it at a refracting surface.
US09494299B2 High-efficiency LED illuminator with improved beam quality and ventilated housing
An improved illuminator with an adjustable beam pattern to be worn by medical and dental professionals includes a housing, a light-emitting diode (LED) disposed in the housing outputting light through a distal opening in the housing, an achromatic doublet lens mounted in the opening in the housing, and a singlet lens disposed between the LED and the achromatic lens. The distance between the singlet lens and the doublet lens may be adjustable, and/or distance between the LED and the singlet lens may be adjustable, through a threaded connections, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the achromatic doublet lens, the singlet lens, or both the singlet and the doublet lens have a planar surface. A conical mirror may be disposed between the LED and the singlet lens to increase the light collection efficiency of the LED.
US09494292B2 Light fixture
The invention shows and describes, among others, a light fixture (10) for illuminating building surfaces, comprising a circuit board (11) on which a plurality of LEDs (12a, 12b, 12c) are mounted, secondary optics (14) that bundle the light emitted by the LEDs, and tertiary optics (16) formed by a planar, translucent element that has light-directing microstructures.
US09494288B2 Automotive headlamp apparatus
An automotive headlamp apparatus includes a light source, in which a plurality of LED chips are arranged at intervals from each other, and a projection lens for projecting the light, emitted from the light source, toward a front area of a vehicle as a light source image. The semiconductor light-emitting elements may be located within than a focal point of the projection lens. The LED chip is arranged such that the light emitting surface of the LED chip faces the front area of the vehicle. The light emitting surface of the LED chip may be of a rectangular shape and the LED chip may be arranged such that a side of the light emitting surface is at a slant with respect to the vehicle width direction.
US09494279B2 Vehicle oil pan with active noise reduction control
A vibration and noise reduction method and apparatus for a fluid reservoir containing an automotive fluid and having a bottom wall. At least a portion of the fluid reservoir is formed of or carries a shape changing material undergoing shape change at a threshold temperature. A controller detects a match between a vehicle operating vibration frequency at a measured vehicle operating characteristic and the resonant vibration frequency of the fluid reservoir and varies the resonant vibration frequency of the fluid reservoir by changing the stiffness of at least a portion of the fluid reservoir through the supply of heat to the fluid reservoir resulting in a change in the shape of at least the shape changing material in the fluid reservoir. The heat is supplied from an electrical conductor in heat transfer relation with the fluid reservoir or an elevated temperature of the automotive fluid in the fluid reservoir.
US09494278B2 Holster rest
The purpose of the Holster Rest is to provide a secure mounting location for a holster and hand gun when the holster is not attached to a belt or clothing. The design and function allows the user to easily install and remove and relocate quickly to another location. The Holster Rest was designed to be lightweight, strong and portable The Injection Mold process for manufacture will use a plastic composite material which gives it strength and flexibility.
US09494266B2 Aircraft ventilation system
A ventilation system for an aircraft having a structure bearing an exterior wall and an interior covering. At least one duct intended to be installed between the interior covering and the exterior wall. The duct includes one first pipe and at least one second pipe which is able to slide telescopically in relation to the first pipe between a retracted position and an extended position.
US09494264B2 Coded drug reservoir connection element with hinge
A cap for a cartridge having a bead at the distal end is disclosed. The cap comprises:a main body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a bore that receives the cartridge, the main body further comprising a first segment and a second segment; and a retention feature on the main body suitable for snapping under the bead of the cartridge for securing the cap to the cartridge.
US09494261B2 Chemical dispense system with reduced contamination
An apparatus includes a production tool and a pipe connected to the production tool. The pipe includes an inner pipe formed of a metal-free material, an outer pipe encircling the inner pipe, and an inlet connected to a channel between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. The apparatus further includes a chemical supply system connected to the pipe. The chemical supply system is configured to supply a chemical through a channel encircled by the inner pipe to the production tool.
US09494259B2 Rigid disposable flow path
A disposable flow path having a manifold system that provides pressure resistance for the disposable device. The disposable device is comprised of a first rigid plastic sheet and a second rigid plastic sheet. Each sheet has two major surfaces and a thickness between them. At least one sheet surface has flow channels formed in it. The flow channels extend away from a first major surface and beyond the normal plane of a second major surface of the sheet. The sheets are liquid tightly sealed to each other at their adjoining first major surfaces. When each sheet contains a flow channel, the flow channels are aligned and in register with each other. One or more fittings can be secured in the flow channel(s) at an edge of the two liquid tightly sealed sheets. Alternatively, tubing is placed in the channels before the sheets are secured to one another.
US09494257B2 Device of the tensioner type for the controlled clamping and moving of an elongated element
Disclosed is a laying device (1) of the tensioner type for the controlled clamping and moving of an elongated body, intended to be carried by a laying tower. The laying device (1) includes an annular frame (10) including two mobile frame parts (101) that each include at least one guiding box (11) and that are assembled to an element (13) for the fastening of the laying device (1) to the tower (2), through a main pivot element (14). The main pivot element (14) defines a single main rotation axis (14′), around which the mobile frame parts (101) are rotationally operable between the closed/open configurations.
US09494253B2 Flow control valve with pressure balancing
A flow control valve (1) for a refrigeration system is disclosed. The valve (1) comprises a valve port (14) having a substantially cylindrical inner circumference arranged to receive a protruding portion of a valve member (5). The valve member (5) comprises a protruding portion having a substantially cylindrical outer circumference corresponding to the inner circumference of the valve port (14), said protruding portion also having at least one fluted part (16), said at least one fluted part (16) defining fluid passage along the at least one fluted part (16) when the valve member (5) is in the open position. The valve member (5) is provided with at least one first fluid passage (6) extending through the valve member (5) between a second valve chamber (15) and a pressure balancing chamber (8), and at least one second fluid passage (7) establishing a fluid connection between a first valve chamber (12) and the first fluid passage (6). The second fluid passage (7) has an opening arranged on the substantially cylindrical part of the protruding portion of the valve member (5). The invention allows the pressure of the balancing chamber (8) to be adjusted independently of the primary flow through the valve (1), via the fluted parts(s) (16).
US09494243B2 Temperature control valve actuator assembly
A control valve actuator assembly having internally configured pressure transducers and associated pressure channels internally integrated within the yoke of the actuator assembly.
US09494242B2 Connecting structure for vacuum system
A connecting structure includes housing, a first fixing member, a second fixing member, a sealing member, and an elastic member. A stepped hole is defined on the housing, and includes a first vent, a second vent, and a third vent communicating with each other. A diameter of the second vent is gradually decreased from the first vent toward the third vent, thereby forming a resisting surface on a periphery of the second vent. The first fixing member and the second fixing member are mounted on opposite ends of the housing. The sealing member includes a sealing portion with an exhaust opening. The sealing member is received in the first and second vents, and resisting against the first fixing member. The exhaust opening communicates with the first and second vents. The elastic member is received in the third vent, and resisting between the second fixing member and the sealing member.
US09494235B2 Hollow, elastic expansion-joint seal
An elastic seal for a building joint which includes internal walls or dividers which change orientation when the seal is compressed for placement into the building joint. The change in orientation allow for the seal to apply a relatively uniform force against the joint walls extending from the bottom wall to the top wall of the seal. Additionally, the change in orientation reduces the deflection of the top wall of the seal upwardly when compressed in the building joint. The walls also become more vertically oriented when the seal in compressed. This vertical orientation provides increased load support for the top wall when the seal is compressed into a joint.
US09494233B2 Low tension piston rings and method for manufacturing the same
The invention provides a low tension piston ring having a finished outer diameter and negligible tangential tension. The method includes the steps of machining a stock bar to an initial outer diameter slightly greater than the finished outer diameter of the piston ring, finishing the initial outer diameter of the stock bar to a rounded profile having a nominal diameter equal to the finished outer diameter, and machining the stock bar to the preferred cross-section. Dykes-type piston rings can have keystone or semi-keystone shaped cross-sections. The method continues by detaching the piston ring from the stock bar using a parting tool in response to completing all tension inducing operations including the steps recited above. The method continues with the steps of lapping the piston ring to a final longitudinal thickness and cutting the piston ring longitudinally to form a final gap.
US09494231B2 Hydraulic pressure supply system of automatic transmission
A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission may include a low-pressure oil pump generating low hydraulic pressure while being driven by an engine to exhaust the low hydraulic pressure to a first low-pressure channel, a high-pressure oil pump raising a portion of the hydraulic pressure in the first low-pressure channel to a high pressure while being driven by an electric motor to exhaust the hydraulic pressure to a first high-pressure channel, a low-pressure regulator valve controlling the hydraulic pressure while exhausting a portion of the hydraulic pressure to supply the controlled hydraulic pressure to a low-pressure part through a second low-pressure channel, and a high-pressure regulator valve controlling the hydraulic pressure while re-circulating a portion of the hydraulic pressure to the low-pressure part through single or two re-circulation channels according to the pressure to supply the controlled hydraulic pressure to a high-pressure part through the second high-pressure channel.
US09494220B2 Apparatus for controlling operation of a torque converter
An apparatus for controlling an operation of a torque converter having a turbine and an impeller includes a drive member, a first clutch member, and a second clutch member. The drive member is configured to rotate in unison with an output shaft of a prime mover. The first clutch member is associated with the impeller and disposed in selective engagement with the drive member. The first clutch member is configured to allow rotation of the impeller and cause torque multiplication to occur in the torque converter upon engagement with the drive member. The second clutch member is associated with the turbine and disposed in selective engagement with the drive member. The second clutch member is configured to allow rotation of the output shaft of the prime mover and the turbine in unison upon engagement with the drive member.
US09494211B2 Fuel tank shock-absorbing member
A fuel tank shock-absorbing member is provided that can be easily assembled and hardly comes off from a fuel tank. A fuel tank shock-absorbing member that is attached in a recess of a fuel tank includes a main body, a stem that extends vertically downward from the main body, and an engaging part that is formed at a distal end of the stem to have a larger diameter than that of the stem and engages in the recess. A plurality of ribs extending radially are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the engaging part.
US09494209B1 Regressive hydraulic damper
A damper of shock and vibration. In one embodiment there is a hydraulic damper with a regressive damping characteristic in both compression and extension, such that damping forces decrease with increased stroking velocity within a predetermined range of stroking velocity. Outside of this range, damping forces are progressive, such that the damping force increases with increased stroking velocity. In another embodiment, there is a hydraulic damper with a second, slidable piston within one of the internal chambers defined by the main piston. This secondary piston is spring loaded and hydraulically latchable at either a first position or a second position based on the pressure differential across the main piston.
US09494193B2 Sliding member and sliding bearing
A sliding member includes a base layer including soft particles made of a soft material softer than a matrix and deposited in the matrix, and a soft layer made of the soft material formed on a surface of the base layer. A boundary portion is formed between crystal grains that have a unique crystal grain structure of the soft particles and crystal grains that have a unique crystal grain structure of the soft layer. An anodic oxidation film of the soft material is formed on the boundary portion.
US09494191B2 Grommet
When an attachment circular-cylinder section coupled to one axial line direction end portion of a mainbody circular-cylinder section of a grommet is inserted into an opening portion in an upper frame, engagement claws formed at an outer periphery of the attachment circular-cylinder section engage with a peripheral edge portion of the opening portion by elastically deforming, enabling the grommet to be attached to the upper frame. When a seatback spring is passed through the grommet, a retaining section formed at an inner peripheral portion of a boundary between the mainbody circular-cylinder section and the attachment circular-cylinder section retains the seatback spring. An internal-diameter of the retaining section is smaller than internal-diameters of the mainbody circular-cylinder section and the attachment circular-cylinder section, and both inner peripheral faces of the mainbody circular-cylinder section and the attachment circular-cylinder section have cone shape with a decreasing diameter on progression toward the retaining section.
US09494189B2 Turbocharger bearing housing oil groove
A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes a bearing housing and a bearing bore defined by the bearing housing. The bearing bore has an annular bearing groove configured to receive a fluid. A journal bearing is disposed within the bore such that the annular bearing groove encircles the journal bearing and feeds the fluid thereto. The turbocharger also includes a rotating assembly having a shaft with a turbine wheel and a compressor wheel. The shaft has a longitudinal axis and is supported by the journal bearing for rotation within the bore about the axis. The annular bearing groove is characterized by a trapezoidal shape in a cross-sectional view of the bearing bore taken along and through the longitudinal axis. The trapezoidal shape is configured to generate Taylor vortices in the fluid for capturing debris carried by the fluid and keeping the debris from being fed to the journal bearing.
US09494188B2 Compliant fluid-film riding taper bearing
A compliant fluid-film riding taper bearing is configured to include a rotor and a stator for supporting a rotating shaft. The rotor is configured as a rotating monotonously tapering body of revolution having an axis of symmetry and an external tapering surface. The stator has a longitudinal axis and an internal surface disposed in coaxial and conformal alignment with the external tapering surface. The stator is preloaded against the external tapering surface, and is pliantly supported to respond to a distribution of biasing forces and to permit matching elastic and resilient adaptation thereof conformal to deformation of the tapering rotor.
US09494174B2 Fluidic buffer volume device with reduced mixedness
A system includes an inlet pipe configured to convey a fluid and a buffer volume configured to buffer the fluid. The buffer volume includes a smallest diameter tube having a smallest diameter, a first inlet end, and a first outlet end. The first inlet end is configured to receive the fluid from the inlet pipe. The buffer volume also includes an intermediate tube surrounding the smallest diameter tube having a first capped end and a second outlet end. The first capped end is positioned next to the outlet end of the smallest diameter tube. The buffer volume also includes a largest diameter tube surrounding the intermediate tube second capped end and a third outlet end. The second capped end is positioned next to the second outlet end of the intermediate tube. The system also includes an outlet pipe configured to convey the fluid from the buffer volume.
US09494159B2 Water pumping system for rooftop applications and the like
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a water pumping system. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a solar electric powered, siphon-capable water pumping systems specifically configured for use in rooftop and other applications having similar need and conditions. Advantageously, a water pumping system configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is configured to prevent pooling of water in low-lying areas of a roof and thereby limits the potential for damage to the roof and underlying structure that could otherwise result from such pooling of the water.
US09494158B2 Variable speed compressor protection system and method
A system and method for a compressor includes a compressor connected to a condenser, a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor, and a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module increases a speed of the compressor or decreases an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.
US09494155B2 Scroll compression device
A scroll compression device that prevents scattering of lubrication oil to a discharge pipe side is provided. A cup 48 which is opened at the lower portion thereof and prevents scattering of lubrication oil is disposed on the lower surface of the main frame 21, and an annular insulator 19 having a double wall structure which surrounds windings is disposed on the upper surface of a stator 37. The peripheral wall of the cup 48 is hung between the double walls 19A, 19B of the insulator.
US09494152B2 Variable vane displacement pump utilizing a control valve and a switching valve
A variable displacement pump includes: a control mechanism arranged to be actuated based on a hydraulic pressure introduced into the introduction passage before the eccentric amount is minimized, and arranged to introduce the hydraulic pressure through a throttling to the second control hydraulic chamber when the hydraulic pressure introduced from the introduction passage is equal to or smaller than a predetermined pressure, and to discharge the hydraulic fluid within the second control hydraulic chamber in accordance with the hydraulic pressure when the hydraulic pressure introduced from the introduction passage becomes greater than the predetermined pressure; and a switching mechanism arranged to switch between a state in which the hydraulic fluid introduced into the introduction passage is introduced to the control mechanism, and a state in which the hydraulic fluid introduced into the introduction passage is discharged from the control mechanism.
US09494146B2 Fluid pressure amplifier
A housing 10 defining a duct 11 for fluid flow contains a cylinder arrangement 18-20 mounted in or at an outlet end of the duct. An input piston 30 is exposed to the fluid flow through the duct and an obturator member 21 is mounted in the duct 11 and arranged to periodically close the duct downstream of the input piston 30 such that the body of fluid flowing through the duct applies an increased pressure to the input piston. Resulting movement of the input piston can be used to directly provide mechanical power, generate electricity, or provide compression of a volatile fluid which, when ignited, provides thrust through rapid exit of combustion products.
US09494145B2 Electric motor
An electric motor with a casing in which a stator in coaxial arrangement with the motor shaft and a rotor are disposed, and a terminal box which is attached to a casing peripheral wall and in which electronic components are arranged. Between the terminal box and the casing a breakthrough is provided on the one hand and an auxiliary impeller firmly connected to the motor shaft is mounted inside the motor casing on the other hand such that an air stream can flow from the interior of the casing into the interior of the terminal box and/or vice versa when the electric motor is operating.
US09494141B2 Solar thermal power system
A solar thermal power system includes a solar receiver and a thermal energy storage arrangement including thermal energy storage fluid to be circulated through the solar receiver to store thermal energy. The system includes a multistage steam turbine operable on variable pressure steam generated by primary and secondary arrangements, by utilizing the fluid. The primary arrangement generates and supplies a high pressure steam to a high pressure turbine inlet, and exits from a high pressure turbine outlet. The secondary arrangement having a reheat assembly, to generate an intermediate pressure steam from the fluid, received from the storage arrangement through the reheat assembly. The intermediate pressure steam and released steam from a high pressure turbine outlet are mixed and reheated in the reheat assembly to be supplied to an intermediate pressure turbine inlet.
US09494139B2 System and method for controlling a power output of a wind turbine generator
A method for controlling the power output of a wind turbine, which includes a transformer with multiple taps, is provided. The method includes sensing a voltage of the transformer during operation of the wind turbine, determining the reactive power, and automatically maintaining a set value of the reactive power by controlling the output voltage of the transformer.
US09494133B2 Method for lowering and raising a wind turbine blade
A method of lowering a wind turbine blade after removal from a wind turbine lowers the blade in a vertical position to a point near the ground, and rotates it to a horizontal position for emplacement on a cradle. A winch is situated in the nacelle of the wind turbine. A cable extends downward from the winch to the blade root where it may be secured to a load cell. A tip end shoe is placed around the lower portion of the blade, and includes a crane hook receiving component that is used when the blade orientation is being changed. Tag lines are attached to the root and the tip end shoe, and extend to points on the ground where technicians manipulate them to prevent the blade from being blown into the tower.
US09494130B2 Yaw control-by-rudder type tidal stream power generation apparatus and yaw control method of the same
A yaw control-by-rudder type tidal stream power generation apparatus includes: a nacelle used in a tidal stream power generator that converts flowing energy of a tidal stream to generate electric power, and located in the tidal stream to be rotatable about a first rotating shaft; a rotor provided at one side of the nacelle with reference to the first rotating shaft, and configured to be rotated by the flowing energy of the tidal stream; a rudder unit provided at the other side of the nacelle with reference to the first rotating shaft, and including a rudder fixed to the nacelle and a variable rudder rotatably connected to the nacelle; and a control unit configured to control the rotation of the variable rudder. When the flow direction of the tidal stream is changed, the rotation of the variable rudder is controlled by the control unit.
US09494125B2 System and method of ignition coil testing
An ignition coil tester for testing an ignition coil having primary and secondary circuits. The tester includes a cable connector including a primary circuit connector and a secondary circuit connector electrically connectable to the ignition coil. The tester further includes an electronic ignition control module electrically coupled to the primary and secondary circuit connectors and configured to generate ignition coil testing signals for communication to the ignition coil via the primary and secondary circuit connectors The electronic ignition control module is further configured to monitor the connection between the primary circuit connector and the primary circuit of the ignition coil and the connection between the secondary circuit connector and the secondary circuit of the ignition coil, and cease communication of the ignition coil testing signals when the primary circuit connector or secondary circuit connector are not connected to the respective ones of the primary and secondary circuits.
US09494114B2 Water discharge device
A water discharge device may include a water collection chamber including a water drainage valve. At least one water sensor may be arranged in a region of the water collection chamber for determining a water level in the water collection chamber and for controlling the water drainage valve. A device may be configured to maintain the water sensor in contact with the water by keeping a water level artificially high in the region of the water collection chamber at the water sensor.
US09494113B2 Flexible turbocharger air duct with constricting rings
A turbocharger system includes a flexible duct having an elongated elastomeric body extending longitudinally between first and second ends configured to attach to respective turbocharger devices. A plurality of constricting rings are spaced longitudinally between the ends. Each constricting ring applies a radial compression force around a respective circumference of the duct. Each ring is comprised of a molded thermoplastic retained in a concentric shape by a clasp. The spacing of the constricting rings has a density sufficient to limit a volume increase of the duct under turbocharger operating pressure to less than 20%.
US09494111B2 Quad layer passage variable geometry turbine for turbochargers in exhaust gas recirculation engines
A variable geometry turbine for turbochargers in exhaust gas recirculation engines incorporates a turbine housing having an exhaust inlet with a first side receiving exhaust from cylinders having exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a second side receiving exhaust from non-EGR cylinders. The first side has a first EGR-driving passage and a second EGR-driving passage and the second side having a first non-EGR-driving passage and a second non-EGR-driving passage. A first control valve is associated with the second EGR-driving passage and a second control valve is associated with the second non-EGR-driving passage. A controller is adapted to control the first and second control valves.
US09494110B2 System for reducing the dynamic behavior of the movable segment of a deployable nozzle for a rocket engine
A deployable nozzle for a rocket engine, the nozzle including at least a stationary divergent segment and a movable divergent segment that is coaxial about the stationary divergent segment and configured to move along the stationary divergent segment from a retracted position towards a deployed position. The deployable nozzle further includes a transverse stiffener that is prestressed in tension and that extends transversely relative to the movable divergent segment in a vicinity of a downstream end of the movable divergent segment between at least two points at a periphery of an inside wall of the movable divergent segment.
US09494102B2 Method for operating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine
A method for operating a fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine is described in which pressurized fuel is provided in a pressure storage device and a fuel pressure prevailing in pressure storage device is regulated with the aid of a pressure regulation, during a first measuring interval at least one fuel withdrawal from the pressure storage device taking place, and during a second measuring interval no fuel withdrawal from the pressure storage device of this type taking place, and during the first and the second measuring intervals a performance quantity of the pressure regulation being ascertained in each case, and the fuel quantity withdrawn during the first measuring interval being ascertained for the at least one withdrawal from a difference of the ascertained performance quantities of the pressure regulation.
US09494097B2 Exhaust purification system of spark ignition type internal combustion engine
The NOx storage catalyst and the NOx selective reduction catalyst are arranged in the engine exhaust passage. In the engine low load operating region, a combustion is performed in the combustion chamber under a lean base air-fuel ratio and the air-fuel ratio in the combustion chamber is made rich when NOx should be released from the NOx storage catalyst. In the engine medium load operating region, the base air-fuel ratio is made smaller, a degree of richness of the air-fuel ratio is made smaller, and a period in which the air-fuel ratio is made rich is made shorter so that an amount of ammonia which is produced per unit time when the air-fuel ratio is made rich falls compared with the time of engine low load operation.
US09494094B2 Engine rotational speed control device
An engine rotational speed control device (4) includes a noise removal processing unit (6) which corrects a command value, wherein the noise removal processing unit (6) is configured to set a current first output value (B(i)) to be identical to a previous first output value (B(i−1)) in a case where, in a latest step group, the number of successive increase steps is smaller than a first predetermined number (n) and the number of successive decrease steps is smaller than the first predetermined number (n), the increase step is a step in which a current first input value (A(i)) is greater than the previous first output value (B(i−1)) by a first set width (n) or more, and the decrease step is a step in which the current first input value (A(i)) is smaller than the previous first output value (B(i)) by the first set width (n) or more.
US09494089B1 Hydraulic servo gas regulator for multi-fuel engine
A bi-fuel and dual-fuel engine variable pressure fuel system is presented facilitating individual or simultaneous use of liquid and gaseous fuels including natural gas, hydrogen and gasoline, through employment of a variable output pressure gaseous fuel regulator incorporating an attached hydraulic amplifying structure communicating with a relatively low pressure fluid servo circuit that may in turn communicate with a variable pressure automotive liquid fuel system to facilitate relatively high pressure gaseous fuel injection.
US09494088B1 Averaging filter for skip fire engine operation
A variety of methods, devices and filters are described that are suitable for averaging measured power train operating parameters over a period that varies as a function of an engine cylinder firing characteristic such as a current operational firing fraction or firing sequence. The averaged measured operating parameter may be used in a variety of different engine control related functions, calculations and/or operations. The described techniques and devices are particularly well suited for use during skip fire operation of an engine.
US09494087B2 Stick-resistant engine over-speed shut-down valve
An engine shutoff valve is provided which includes a valve body having an air passageway in which a disc assembly and a valve seat assembly are located. The disc assembly includes a disc member which is arranged to be rotated and moved toward the valve seat assembly upon the occurrence of an engine runaway condition to close the valve. The valve seat assembly includes an anti-friction ring which is arranged to be engaged by the disc member when the valve is closed. The anti-friction ring is rotatable with respect to the valve body and the disc member to prevent the disc member from sticking thereto after closure of the valve, whereupon the valve can be readily reopened.
US09494079B2 Turbine engine fuel injector with permanent leakage flow
A fuel injector for a turbine engine, the injector including a body including a mechanism for admitting fuel under pressure, a stop valve for feeding a primary fuel circuit, and a metering valve mounted downstream from the stop valve for feeding a secondary fuel circuit. The injector further includes at least one leakage channel, that can be formed by a thread, that extends from a zone situated downstream from the stop valve and upstream from the metering valve to a zone situated downstream from the metering valve to generate a permanent leakage flow in the secondary circuit.
US09494076B2 Engine system
An engine system may include a first intake line configured to supply external air to an intake manifold mounted in a cylinder block of an engine, an intake bypass valve disposed on the first intake line, a second intake line configured to bypass the intake bypass valve, a first exhaust line, through which exhaust gas discharged from an exhaust manifold mounted in the cylinder block flows, an exhaust bypass valve disposed on the first exhaust line, a second exhaust line configured to bypass the exhaust bypass valve, a turbo charger operated by exhaust gas passing through the second exhaust line, and configured to pump intake air flowing in the second intake line, a controller configured to control the intake bypass valve and the exhaust bypass valve, and a turbine housing configured to surround a turbine of the turbo charger. The turbine housing may be made of a material the same as that of a cylinder head of the engine.
US09494073B2 Method and device for monitoring the function of an exhaust-gas sensor
A method for monitoring the function of an exhaust-gas sensor in the exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine. A first function control of the exhaust-gas sensor takes place in a first operating point of the internal combustion engine, and in the case of an intact exhaust-gas sensor, the output signal of the exhaust gas sensor or a characteristic quantity derived therefrom is determined in at least one second operating point of the internal combustion engine in the case of an intact exhaust-gas sensor and stored as learned value, and the monitoring of the function of the exhaust-gas sensor during a subsequent operation of the internal combustion engine in the second operating point takes place by comparing the output signal of the exhaust-gas sensor or the characteristic quantity derived therefrom, with the learned value. A corresponding device for implementing the method is also described.
US09494070B2 Method of controlling ammonia amount absorbed in selective catalytic reduction catalyst and exhaust system using the same
A method of controlling ammonia (NH3) amount absorbed in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst may include determining a target NH3 absorption amount considering a safety factor on a basis of NH3 absorption characteristics according to a temperature of the SCR catalyst, determining a predicted NH3 reaction amount according to a current driving condition, and controlling injection of urea according to the target NH3 absorption amount and the predicted NH3 reaction amount.
US09494061B2 Variable valve system
A control device controls a valve timing changer to retard a phase of an exhaust valve camshaft with respect to a crankshaft such that the time of opening of an intake valve is earlier than the time of closing the exhaust valve after a top dead center, when a determiner determines that an engine is not in a warm-up stage in a low-load operation. The control device controls the valve timing changer to advance the phase of the exhaust valve camshaft with respect to the crankshaft such that the time of closing the exhaust valve is earlier than the time of opening of the intake valve after the top dead center, when the determiner determines that the engine is at the warm-up stage in the low-load operation.
US09494059B2 Valve train layout structure including return spring and camshaft-in-camshaft
A valve train layout structure may include a non-control camshaft adapted to not vary opening/closing timing of a valve, a control camshaft including an outer shaft, a first cam, an inner shaft rotatably inserted in the outer shaft, and a second cam fixed to the inner shaft and adapted to vary opening/closing timing of at least one of a valve activated by the first cam and a valve activated by the second cam by varying a phase between the first cam and the second cam, and a cam phaser including a rotor and a stator n which one of the rotor or the stator may be operatively connected to the outer shaft and the other of the rotor or the stator may be operatively connected to the inner shaft such that the cam phaser can vary the phase between the first cam and the second cam.
US09494056B2 Apparatus and process for generation of energy by organic rankine cycle
An apparatus for generation of energy through organic Rankine cycle comprises a heat exchanger (3) to exchange heat between a high temperature source and an organic working fluid, so as to heat and evaporate said working fluid, an expansion turbine (4) of the radial-outflow type, fed with the vaporized working fluid outflowing from the heat exchanger (3), to make a conversion of the thermal energy present in the working fluid into mechanical energy according to a Rankine cycle, a condenser (6) where the working fluid outflowing from the turbine (4) is condensed and sent to a pump (2) and then fed to the heat exchanger (3).
US09494034B2 Method and apparatus for acoustic noise isolation in a subterranean well
The disclosure provides a well system component configured to reduce excessive acoustic noise that would otherwise interfere with acoustic telemetry systems. Specifically, the well system component includes a body configured to be coupled to a pipe string, at least one lobe extending radially from the body, and a pad disposed on the at least one lobe and extending radially from an outer radial extent of the at least one lobe. The well system component can be installed at critical acoustic transmission locations, such as at the location of a hanger, at or near a flex joint in a wellhead installation, and/or at or near a rig floor or deck of an offshore rig.
US09494031B2 Data transmission during drilling
A technique facilitates efficient data transfer during a drilling operation. The drilling operation involves deploying a drill string downhole and rotating a drill bit to cut a borehole into a subterranean formation. While the drill bit is on bottom, real-time sensor data is transmitted to a surface location or other suitable location via a data transmission system. The transmission of current or real-time sensor data is stopped when the drill bit is moved off bottom. While the drill bit is off bottom, previously recorded data is sent uphole.
US09494027B2 Sensor-based control of vibrations in slender continua, specifically torsional vibrations in deep-hole drill strings
Control device (100) controlling a drilling operation and methods by which the dynamics of the continuum in question can be divided into superimposed waves, of which the wave traveling in the direction of the actuator and/or drive (10) is compensated by the actuator. This prevents reflection of the energy on the actuator. By using two sensors (30, 40) the wave traveling towards the actuator (10) and the wave traveling away from the actuator (10) can be calculated separately from one another, so that both the parameters of the wave traveling toward the actuator and the parameters of the wave traveling away from the actuator can be determined in order to be able to perform a control of the driving device of the drill string (20) on this basis.
US09494026B2 Methods and compositions of treating subterranean formations with a novel resin system
Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing an aqueous treatment fluid comprising a liquid resin agent, wherein the liquid resin agent comprises the reaction product of a multifunctional electrophilic compound and at least one nucleophilic compound selected from the group consisting of a dimer acid; a dimer amine; any derivative thereof; and any combination thereof, and wherein the multifunctional electrophilic compound comprises least two electrophilic reactive groups; introducing the aqueous treatment fluid into the wellbore in the subterranean formation; and, curing the liquid resin agent.
US09494025B2 Control fracturing in unconventional reservoirs
The application is related to improving recovery of fracturing fluids from subterranean target earth intervals. The application is also related to improving hydrocarbon productivity of subterranean target earth intervals. The application is also related to controlling the development of fractures in subterranean target earth intervals.
US09494023B2 Nano-sensors for oil and gas reservoir characterization
Enhanced oil recovery becomes increasingly important in satisfying the growing demand for fossil fuel. The efficiency of secondary recovery processes like water flooding is however largely influenced by the rock characteristics, fluid characteristics, chemistry and physics. For development of the full potential of secondary oil recovery, it remains a challenge to obtain sufficient knowledge about the reservoir conditions. The present invention provides a novel water-dispersed, nano-sensor composition based on. InP/ZnS quantum dots (“QDs”) and atomic silver clusters, which exhibit a bright visible fluorescence combined with dedicated sensor functionalities. The QD and silver nano-sensors were tested in simulated reservoir conditions to determine their selected functionality to these reservoir conditions. The developed nano-sensors showed improved sensor functionalities towards pH, temperature, and subterranean reservoir rock, such, as clay or limestone.
US09494021B2 Perforation gun components and system
A perforation gun system is provided including combinations of components including a top connector, a self-centralizing charge holder system and a bottom connector that can double as a spacer. Any number of spacers can be used with any number of holders for any desired specific metric or imperial shot density, phase and length gun system. A perforation gun system kit and a method of assembling a perforation gun system are also provided.
US09494015B2 Dual closure system for well system
Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dual closure system disposed within a wellbore and capable of preventing the production of fluids from a fluid-producing formation to the surface. The dual closure system can include a passive closure mechanism and a subsurface safety valve coupled to an electric submersible pump positioned within a passageway defined by the tubing string. The passive closure mechanism and the subsurface safety valve can prevent production of fluid in the absence of the subsurface safety valve. The subsurface safety valve can be positioned within a passageway defined by a tubing string such that the subsurface safety valve can apply force to the passive closure mechanism. The force applied to the passive closure mechanism can maintain the passive closure mechanism in an open position, allowing movement of fluid to the surface in the presence of the active closure mechanism.
US09494009B2 Interlocking segmented seat for downhole wellbore tools
Disclosed herein is a segmented seat for use in wellbore servicing systems, comprising an annular-shaped seat with an upward facing surface for receiving an obturator, the seat defining a central passageway. The segments are locked together at their faces by protrusions and matching recesses.
US09494007B2 Subsea energy storage for blow out preventers (BOP)
A subsea energy storage for well control equipment, wherein stored energy near a well on the sea floor monitors and activates well control equipment independently of, or in conjunction with, hydraulic energy. Energy to the subsea energy storage can be supplied by surface umbilical, remotely-operated vehicle, or by subsea electrical generation from stored hydraulic energy. Stored electrical energy may also recharge stored hydraulic energy. A subsea control system is configured to record data, compare the data to predetermined event signatures, and operate the well control equipment with stored electrical energy.
US09494001B2 Service panel
The present invention relates to a downhole tool comprising a tool housing for accommodating components of the downhole tool, the tool housing comprising; a first tool housing part having a first end face and a second end face, and an activation unit removably connected with the first tool housing part, the activation unit comprising: a second tool housing part, and a closing member removably connected with the second tool housing part, wherein the second tool housing part and the closing member together constitute a fluid-tight chamber wherein a fluid is retained, the fluid-tight chamber housing mechanical and/or hydraulic and/or electrical components, and wherein the activation unit may be separated from the first tool housing part while the closing member is connected with the second tool housing part. The invention further relates to a downhole system and to a method of performing services of a downhole tool.
US09494000B2 Methods of maintaining sufficient hydrostatic pressure in multiple intervals of a wellbore in a soft formation
This Application addresses maintaining a hydrostatic pressure exerted on a wall of a wellbore in different intervals of the wellbore. This is done by flowing a liquid through at least a pressure regulator in each interval, and wherein each pressure regulators regulates the amount of pressure exerted by the liquid on the wall of the wellbore. The amount of pressure may be maintained for a specific period of time. The wellbore is part of a soft subterranean formation.
US09493994B2 Composite bow centralizer
A centralizer comprises a first collar, a second collar, a plurality of bow springs coupling the first collar to the second collar, and a plurality of particulates disposed on an outer surface of at least one bow spring. One or more of the first collar, the second collar, and the bow springs comprises a composite material. In some embodiments, the centralizer comprises a third collar, wherein the plurality of bow springs comprise a first portion of bow springs and a second portion of bow springs, and wherein the first portion of the bow springs couple the first collar to the third collar and the second portion of the bow springs couple the second collar to the third collar.
US09493984B2 Systems and methods to retain and refeed door curtains
An example door includes a track and a curtain that includes a leading section. The curtain is to be in a breakaway state associated with a folded condition when the lateral section in an area proximate the leading section is dislodged from the track and folded over onto a main section to define an enfolded space. The curtain is to be in the breakaway state associated with an unfolded condition when the lateral section in the area proximate the leading section is dislodged from the track but not folded over onto the main section. The example door also includes an unfolder to extend into the enfolded space as the leading section moves toward an open position while the curtain is in the folded condition.
US09493983B2 Louver roller system with cam pin turning mechanism
The invention discloses a louver roller system with a cam pin turning mechanism, including a base and a top cover, wherein a roller mechanism and a cam pin turning mechanism are mounted on the base, the roller mechanism is wound with ladder tapes, the roller mechanism is in axial connection with the cam pin turning mechanism, and the roller mechanism and the cam pin turning mechanism are driven to rotate by a square shaft. The roller mechanism controls horizontal rising and falling of secondary louver blades, and the roller within the roller mechanism rotates to wind or unwind the ladder tapes thereon and sequentially drives various secondary louver blades to rise and fall horizontally. When various secondary louver blades rise to a predetermined position, the roller drives the cam pin turning mechanism to bring a turning cylinder to rotate, so as to achieve turning of all louver blades.
US09493979B1 Hollow core door with internal air flow
Hollow core door apparatus for preventing the build up of pressure in a room having a register through which air flows into the room and the door includes an inside door skin and an outer door skin, and the door skins includes openings in which a box is disposed. The box includes a center panel and at least a single opening in or through the center panel; the box also includes an inside panel and an outside panel, both of which panels are secured to and spaced apart from the center panel. The inside and outside panels have peripheral openings and which peripheral openings define areas at least as great as the area of the opening in the center panel and are offset from the opening in the center panel to provide for a non-linear flow of air through the door to prevent the build up of pressure in the room. An embodiment combining a noxious gas absorbent material with the pressure build up prevention capability is also illustrated.
US09493970B2 Tilt latch for window
A sash latch for retractable engagement with a side jamb of a window includes a lower member, which is fixed to a sash of the window, and an upper member with an extension. The upper member and extension slide relative to the lower member so that the extension can extend beyond the sash and can retract into the sash. In use, the extension extends beyond the sash and into the side jamb. A planar surface of the extension locks the sash to the side jamb. The extension also has a notch located opposite the planar surface. The notch prevents the extension from retracting into the sash when a heavy wind load is placed on the sash. Advantageously, this inhibits the sash from swinging dangerously inward under such a condition and reduces the possibility of damage or death.
US09493957B2 Catwalk for a grain bin or the like and a plank used in the construction thereof
A plank (10) used to construct a platform such as a catwalk (C3, C4) extending about the exterior or interior of a building (B) includes first and second generally horizontal sections (12, 22). The second generally horizontal section of the plank extends from one side of the first section. During construction of the platform, the first section of one plank overlaps the second section of an adjacent plank. A third generally vertical section (52) of the plank extends generally perpendicularly from one side of the second section and includes lips (58, 60) at its inner and outer ends for attaching the plank to toe boards (40, 44) to secure the plank to the frames. When installed, the planks extend from a side of the building. The resulting catwalk extends either in a straight line, or is curved, depending upon the amount of overlap the first and second sections of the respective planks.
US09493955B1 Snow guard assembly for standing seam metal roof
A snow guard assembly for a standing seam metal roof includes a first snow support bracket including a first bracket body secured to a first standing seam on the metal roof, and a second snow support bracket including a second bracket body secured to a second standing seam. The first and second snow support brackets are substantially aligned on the roof and removably receive an elongated snow support having a snow support surface extending upwardly relative to the panel of a roofing segment over which it is mounted such that the snow support surface will support snow accumulating on the standing seam metal roof and reduce its ability to slide off the standing seam metal roof.
US09493932B2 Configurable modular sleeve valve
A modular sleeve valve apparatus can include a valve body including a first port and a second port on a first and second sidewall of the valve body. The apparatus can include a first and second valve core sleeved within the valve body. The first valve core can be a cylinder including a first aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a second aperture in a top base-wall. The second valve core can be a cylinder including a third aperture in a cylindrical sidewall and a fourth aperture in a bottom base-wall. The first and second valve cores can be removable from the valve body and radially rotatable within the valve body. The second valve core can be positioned stacked upon the first valve core to align the second aperture and the fourth aperture.
US09493928B2 Method and apparatus for controlling engine of wheel loader
The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling an engine of a wheel loader, and the apparatus includes: a sensor unit, configured to sense vehicle information and working machine information; a vehicle control unit configured to select a working condition according to a priority of the vehicle information and the working machine information, select an engine mode corresponding to the selected working condition, and output an engine mode signal representing the selected engine mode; and an engine control unit configured to control the engine output according to the engine mode signal output from the vehicle control unit. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides the method and the apparatus for controlling an engine according to a working condition of a wheel loader, thereby smoothly maintaining performance of equipment without requiring a separate manipulation by a worker, and thus achieving an effect of improving fuel efficiency.
US09493922B2 Floating device and method of using the same
A floating device is disclosed. The device comprises a first cup member and a second cup member, each having a base and an open end, the first cup member being formed with an opening at a center of a respective base. In some embodiments of the present invention the device comprises a connector member having a peripheral wall fittingly connected to the open ends and enclosing a barrier. The peripheral wall is preferably formed with openings arranged between the barrier and the first cup member such that, when the floating device contacts a liquid, the liquid enters through the openings into the first cup member to submerge the first cup member and to impart a restorable upright orientation to the device.
US09493917B2 Slide hammer tamper with interchangeable tamper head
A slide hammer tamper has a slide hammer positioned within a tamper sleeve. The slide hammer is a solid metal component or has a cavity containing a plurality of metal shot. A connector secures the slide hammer to the tamper sleeve, while allowing vertical, slideable motion between the slide hammer and tamper sleeve. The connector also limits the vertical movement of the slide hammer in relation to the tamper sleeve. Rotation between the slide hammer and tamper sleeve is restricted by a tamper bushing/connector configuration within the tamper sleeve. The tamper is adapted for use with different tamper heads, interchangeably connected to the tool. An adjustable handle secured around the tamper sleeve allows the position of the handle to be varied along the tamper sleeve. The tamper tip can be replaced with a new, unworn tip, when necessary.
US09493910B2 Corrugated paper forming machine with numerical motor speed control
A corrugated paper forming machine includes ramming rollers for ramming a paper material into a corrugated paper having flute design, each ramming roller including longitudinal teeth equiangularly spaced around the periphery thereof, a plurality of air suction grooves located in the periphery, a ventilation unit formed of a plurality of air outlets and located in one end thereof and air suction holes located in the air suction grooves in communication with the air outlets, a motor operated suction device for drawing air out of the ramming rollers to cause generation of a suction force in the air suction grooves, a control module, a sensor circuit for sensing operation conditions of the supplied paper material providing detected numerical data to the control module to regulate the speed of the suction motor in changing the level of suction force.
US09493906B2 Thin-film heating element
A heating element and a method of manufacturing the heating element including an aluminum substrate, an electrically insulating layer based on a sol-gel precursor, and an electrically resistive layer with a thickness smaller than 2 μm. The features of this heating element solve the problem of the crack formation due to a mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient of the aluminum substrate and the resistive layer. Also an electrical domestic appliance including the heating element.
US09493904B2 Laundry treatment device having a steam generator and method for treating items to be washed
A laundry treatment device includes a treatment chamber for receiving items to be washed and a steam generator supplied with water from a water source by a pump. A first line connects the steam generator to the treatment chamber, and an inlet is provided for introducing steam into the treatment chamber. Arranged between the steam generator and the treatment chamber is a nebulizer facility arranged which is connected by way of a switching valve via second lines to the treatment chamber. The nebulizer facility is constructed to mix treatment agents in the form of an aerosol with the steam.
US09493902B2 Household appliance for wall mounting
A household appliance (100) has an external casing (110) housing a rotatable drum assembly (320) and adapted to be mounted to a wall (105). At least one support bracket (505;1105;1305) is intended to engage a corresponding counter-bracket (530;1005) attached to the wall so that the household appliance can be hung-up on the wall. The at least one support bracket is associated with a hub (705,710,730;705,710,730,1210,1205;705,710,730,1305) for rotatably supporting the rotatable drum assembly.
US09493897B2 Method of operation for a laundry treating appliance having a ball balance ring
A method operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to an automatic cycle of operation and a ball balance ring mounted to the rotatable drum and defining an internal raceway in which a plurality of balls are located, where the method includes rotating the drum at or above a satellizing speed, determining positions of the plurality of balls, and accelerating the rotational speed of the drum based on the determined positions of the plurality of balls.
US09493896B2 Methods and systems for bleaching textiles
Embodiments of the invention described herein provide systems and methods for bleaching textiles that are more reliable and reproducible. This disclosure provides for process control that allows a particular dosage rate or concentration of ozone to be held throughout the process. This disclosure also provides a hybrid washing machine that includes a blowing system for recirculating ozonated air during the bleaching process. The hybrid washing machine may incorporate features of a sealed vessel, a washing machine, and the air circulation volume typically associated with commercial dryers.
US09493895B2 Device for treating a fiber web
A device for treating a fiber web, especially a device for applying treatment substance for treating a moving fiber web, has at least one nozzle (10) comprising a channel (11) for the treatment substance, a frame part (12), a tip or end (13) of the nozzle (10) and a treatment substance opening (14) providing a treatment substance spray, which nozzle (10) has a tip groove area (20) adjacent to the treatment substance opening (14). The nozzle (10) has at least one opening next to or at the tip groove area (20) for providing a cleaning fluid flow comprising gas and/or liquid to the tip groove area.
US09493885B2 Lithium-ion batteries with nanostructured electrodes and associated methods of making
Several embodiments related to lithium-ion batteries having electrodes with nanostructures, compositions of such nanostructures, and associated methods of making such electrodes are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for producing an anode suitable for a lithium-ion battery comprising preparing a surface of a substrate material and forming a plurality of conductive nanostructures on the surface of the substrate material via electrodeposition without using a template.
US09493883B2 Corrosion resistant and electrically conductive surface of metal
Methods for coating a metal substrate or a metal alloy with electrically conductive titania-based material. The methods produce metal components for electrochemical devices that need high electrical conductance, corrosion resistance and electrode reaction activities for long term operation at a low cost.
US09493877B1 Etching technique for microfabrication substrates
A method for creating small features in an Al/Ag/Ti multilayer stack is disclosed. The method uses a combination of wet and dry etching techniques to anisotropically etch the layers.
US09493876B2 Changing colors of materials
The described embodiments relate generally to cosmetic surfaces and associated treatments to alter a color of cosmetic surfaces. According to one embodiment, cosmetic ink configured to be applied to a cosmetic surface can include a suspension matrix configured to suspend a number of small particles in the suspension matrix. Each of the small particles of the is within a desired overall diameter to cause a user to perceive a desired color due to plasmon resonance of the small particles.
US09493873B2 Method for preparing a coating for protecting a part against oxidation
A method is disclosed for coating, by means of a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique, a part with a coating (PAO) for protecting against oxidation. The method enables the preparation of a refractory coating for protecting against oxidation, having a three-dimensional microstructure, which ensures the protection against oxidation at a high temperature, generally at a temperature above 1200° C., for materials that are sensitive to oxidation, such as composite materials, and in particular carbon/carbon composite materials.
US09493870B2 Radio wave-transmitting decorative film and decorative member using same
Disclosed are a low-cost radio wave-transmitting decorative film which has excellent stretch moldability, radio wave transmissibility, and mirror-like metallic gloss that does not easily disappear, and a decorative member employing the radio wave-transmitting decorative film. Specifically disclosed are a decorative film which includes a first polymer film, a second polymer film, and a light-reflecting layer which is arranged between the polymer films and formed by the physical vapor deposition of an alloy of silicon and a metal, and a decorative member in which the decorative film is provided on the surface of a base.
US09493860B2 Chromium-containing austenitic alloy
There is provided a chromium-containing austenitic alloy wherein at least one surface of the surfaces of the alloy has a continuous chromium oxide film with a thickness of 5 nm or more and less than 50 nm. A maximum current density determined by a critical passivation current density method is 0.1 μA/cm2 or less when the chromium oxide film is continuous. A chemical composition of a base metal preferably consists of, by mass percent, C: 0.15% or less, Si: 1.00% or less, Mn: 2.0% or less, P: 0.030% or less, S: 0.030% or less, Cr: 10.0 to 40.0%, Ni: 8.0 to 80.0%, Ti: 0.5% or less, Cu: 0.6% or less, Al: 0.5% or less, and N: 0.20% or less, the balance being Fe and impurities.
US09493858B2 Copper alloy
A copper alloy subjected to a thermo-mechanical treatment and composed of (in wt %) 15.5 to 36.0% Zn, 0.3 to 3.0% Sn, 0.1 to 1.5% Fe, optionally 0.001 to 0.4% P, optionally 0.01 to 0.1% Al, optionally 0.01 to 0.03% Ag, Mg, Zr, In, Co, Cr, Ti, Mn, optionally 0.05 to 0.5% Ni, the remainder being copper and unavoidable contaminants, wherein the microstructure of the alloy is characterized in that the proportions of the main texture orientations are at least 10 vl % copper orientation, at least 10 vl % S/R orientation, at least 5 vl % brass orientation, at least 2 vl % Goss orientation, at least 2 vl % 22RD-cube orientation, at least 0.5 vl % cube orientation, and finely distributed iron-containing particles are contained in the alloy matrix.
US09493855B2 Class of warm forming advanced high strength steel
Metallic alloys are disclosed containing Fe at 48.0 to 81.0 atomic percent, B at 2.0 to 8.0 atomic percent, Si at 4.0 to 14.0 atomic percent, and at least one or more of Cu, Mn or Ni, wherein the Cu is present at 0.1 to 6.0 atomic percent, Mn is present at 0.1 to 21.0 atomic percent and Ni is present at 0.1 to 16.0 atomic percent. The alloys may be heated at temperatures of 200° C. to 850° C. for a time period of up to 1 hour and upon cooling there is no eutectoid transformation. The alloys may then be formed into a selected shape.
US09493852B2 Hair controller for a pelt stretching machine
The present invention is a hair controller for mounting on a stretching machine used for stretching a pelt on a pelt board. The stretching machine has at least one holder for engaging the pelt. The hair controller includes a device for moving hair aside to expose a selected area of leather on the pelt, in particular the area of leather engaged by the holder. Also disclosed is a method for moving the hair of a pelt aside before the pelt is fixed by a holder in a stretching machine.
US09493851B2 Methods for treating lignocellulosic materials
The present invention relates to methods of processing lignocellulosic material to obtain hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose and other high-value products. Also provided are hemicellulose sugars, cellulose sugars, lignin, cellulose, and other high-value products.
US09493850B2 Process for extraction of pentose from ligno-cellulosic substrate
A process for the hydrolysis of xylose/arabinose-containing polymers, present in biomass material. The hydrolysis is performed by acid which is generated via salts present in the substrate, and whereby acid is constantly recycled, thereby strongly reducing salt discharge.
US09493847B2 Molecular determinants in the HIV-1 envelope associated with enhanced ability to enter CXCR4-expressing cells
The invention provides a method for determining whether a human immunodeficiency virus is likely to be have enhanced ability to enter a cell expressing CD4 and CXCR4 relative to a reference HIV. In certain aspects, the methods comprise detecting one or more amino acids in an envelope protein of the HIV associated with enhanced ability to enter CD4- and CXCR4-expressing cells and determining that the HIV's ability to enter such cells is enhanced relative to a reference HIV, e.g., an HIV that does not comprise such amino acid(s).
US09493828B2 Methods for determining fraction of fetal nucleic acids in maternal samples
The invention provides compositions and methods for determining the fraction of fetal nucleic acids in a maternal sample comprising a mixture of fetal and maternal nucleic acids. The fraction of fetal nucleic acids can be used in determining the presence or absence of fetal aneuploidy.
US09493825B2 Materials and methods for profiling microRNAs
The present invention provides materials and methods for detecting, quantifying, and/or high-throughput-profiling microRNAs. Advantageously, the present invention is more sensitive and specific than other currently-available miRNA qPCR assays. In addition, the present invention is convenient, easy-to-perform, and cost-effective. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a universal primer for reverse transcription of all miRNAs, a universal reverse primer for PCR amplification reaction, and universal probes. In another embodiment, the present invention provides assays that allow simultaneous detection and/or quantification of a plurality of target miRNAs using a single reverse transcription reaction.
US09493816B2 Composite liquid cells
A sample handling method may include drawing an encapsulating liquid from an encapsulating-liquid input; discharging the drawn encapsulating liquid (a) onto a free surface of a carrier liquid in a carrier-liquid conduit having a stabilization feature and (b) proximate to the stabilization feature, the encapsulating liquid being immiscible with the carrier liquid, so that the discharged encapsulating liquid does not mix with the carrier liquid, floats on top of the carrier liquid, and is immobilized by the stabilization feature; drawing a sample liquid from a sample-liquid input; and discharging the drawn sample liquid, the sample liquid being immiscible with the encapsulating liquid and with the carrier liquid, so that the sample liquid does not mix with the encapsulating liquid or with the carrier liquid.
US09493814B2 Flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase having improved substrate specificity
A flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase having high substrate specificity for D-glucose and decreased reactivity to D-xylose and/or maltose. More specifically, a flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase having one or more amino acid substitutions at a position corresponding to position 78, position 79, position 81, position 121, position 122, position 123, position 569 and position 612 of Mucor-derived flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase. The flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase enables D-glucose to be measured accurately without being susceptible to the effects of the presence of D-xylose and/or maltose, even under conditions of mounting a large amount of an enzyme such as in glucose sensors.
US09493806B2 Enzymatic biosensing systems
Biosensors and methods of producing biosensors for use in detecting one or more analytes in a solution are disclosed herein.
US09493804B2 Agents and methods for the expression and secretion of peptides and proteins
The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule for recombinant expression and secretion of a peptide or protein of interest comprising a hemolysin A and/or hemolysin C-derived nucleotide sequence, fragments thereof, homologs thereof, or the complements thereof, and a nucleotide sequence encoding the peptide or protein of interest.
US09493799B2 In vivo and in vitro olefin cyclopropanation catalyzed by heme enzymes
The present invention provides methods for catalyzing the conversion of an olefin to any compound containing one or more cyclopropane functional groups using heme enzymes. In certain aspects, the present invention provides a method for producing a cyclopropanation product comprising providing an olefinic substrate, a diazo reagent, and a heme enzyme; and admixing the components in a reaction for a time sufficient to produce a cyclopropanation product. In other aspects, the present invention provides heme enzymes including variants and fragments thereof that are capable of carrying out in vivo and in vitro olefin cyclopropanation reactions. Expression vectors and host cells expressing the heme enzymes are also provided by the present invention.
US09493797B2 Method and apparatus for accelerating biotechnical reaction and production
The present invention is related to a method of using an apparatus for biotechnical production. The method includes the receiving a flow of an amount of a raw material into a basin. The basin has a radius, and a circular or sectorial configuration. A speed of the flow is increased towards a center of the basin. Followed by, introducing a gas to the flow of the raw material at an active site of the basin to create predetermined conditions that take place in the active site. The location is adjacent the center. A reaction broth is created at the location by reacting the flow with the gas. The reaction broth is moved to and past the active site using a belt located in the basin. The belt has a first section angled upwardly toward the center of the basin.
US09493789B2 Automated generation of genetically modified stem cells
The invention relates to a process for generation of genetically modified stem cells comprising the steps a) providing a cell sample in suspension comprising stem cells in a centrifugation chamber comprising a base plate and cover plate connected by a cylinder b) adjusting the volumetric concentration of stem cells in the cell sample to at least 1×105 stem cells per mL cell sample by centrifugation c) introducing viral and/or non-viral vectors to the centrifugation chamber for genetically modifying the stem cells d) adjusting the spatial concentration of stem cells in the centrifugation chamber by rotating the centrifugation chamber at a speed where the cell sample is located at the outermost 35% of the radius of the base plate of the centrifugation chamber, thereby inducing gene modification of the stem cells.
US09493779B2 FAD2 performance loci and corresponding target site specific binding proteins capable of inducing targeted breaks
Methods and compositions for gene disruption, gene editing or gene stacking within a FAD2 loci by cleaving, in a site directed manner, a location in a FAD2 gene in a soybean cell, to generate a break in the FAD2 gene and then optionally integrating into the break a nucleic acid molecule of interest is disclosed.
US09493775B2 Inhibition of the glycine cleavage system for treatment of cancer
In some aspects, methods of inhibiting survival or proliferation of a tumor cell are provided, the methods comprising inhibiting the glycine cleavage system (GCS) of the tumor cell. In some aspects, methods of treating a subject in need of treatment for a tumor, the method comprising inhibiting the GCS in the tumor. In some embodiments, the methods comprise contacting a tumor cell or tumor with a GCS inhibitor. In some embodiments, the tumor cell or tumor has elevated expression of serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SH1VIT2). In some aspects, methods of identifying a tumor cell or tumor that is sensitive to inhibiting the GCS are provided, the methods comprising determining whether the tumor cell or tumor overexpresses SHMT2. In some aspects, methods of identifying a candidate anti-cancer agent are provided, the methods comprising identifying or modifying a GCS inhibitor.
US09493766B2 PCR reaction cleanup buffers
The present disclosure relates to buffers containing polyols for use with affinity-binding and/or magnetically susceptible thermoplastic particles and methods of making and use thereof.
US09493761B2 Procoagulant molecular decoy for treating hemophilia A or B with or without inhibitor
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition including a modified factor Xa (GDXa), said modified GDXa being nonthrombogenic, able to bind to TFPI but not able to bind to phospholipids, for preventing or treating a hemorrhagic accident in a patient with hemophilia A or B with or without inhibitor.
US09493757B2 Modified factor VII or factor VIIa polypeptides
The invention provides vitamin K-dependent polypeptides with enhanced membrane binding affinity. These polypeptides can be used to modulate clot formation in mammals. Methods of modulating clot formation in mammals are also described.
US09493755B2 Bacillus, hyaluronidase, and uses thereof
The present invention provides a bacillus sp. having a deposit access number of CGMCC NO. 5744 and a hyaluronidase produced by the bacillus and the amino acid sequence of the hyaluronidase is shown in SEQ ID NO: 2. The present invention further relates to a process for preparing oligomeric hyaluronic acid or salts thereof or low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid or salts thereof by using the bacillus or the hyaluronidase produced thereby. The produced oligomeric hyaluronates or low-molecular-weight hyaluronates have advantages such as good transdermal absorption ability, high purity, no cytotoxicity, potent antioxidant ability. The present invention also provides use of the bacillus having a deposit access number of CGMCC NO. 5744, or the hyaluronidase, oligomeric hyaluronates or salts thereof, low-molecular-weight hyaluronates or salts thereof produced by the bacillus in the fields of osmetics, food products and medicines.
US09493748B2 Method for treating pyropheophytin-containing compositions
The present invention provides methods and uses for treating pyropheophytin-containing compositions, particularly in order to remove pyropheophytin therefrom. The compositions are typically plant, algal, or bacterial derived products such as vegetable oils. The method comprises a step of contacting the compositions with an enzyme having pyropheophytinase activity. Also provided are related apparatus and products for performing such methods and uses.
US09493744B2 Methods for viral inactivation and other adventitious agents
The invention provides for methods of viral inactivation using high temperature short time (HTST) treatment and adjustment of various parameters such that generation of precipitate and depositions of precipitate are reduced and/or minimized.
US09493743B2 Production of a human beta cell line from an early post natal pancreas
The present invention relates to a method for preparing commercial scale quantities of human functional beta cells and to the establishment of cell lines from non-foetal pancreatic tissues. It also relates to a method of diagnosis using beta cell tumors or cells derived thereof. The method comprises sub-transplantation procedure to enrich the graft in proliferating beta cells, allowing to generate human Beta cell lines. Such lines express, produce and secrete insulin upon glucose stimulation. They have a gene expression profile that resembles to adult beta cells. In addition, the human beta cell lines are able to normalize glycemia of diabetic mice when transplanted, demonstrating their insulin secretion capabilities.
US09493739B2 Composition for proliferating stem cells by activating notch signaling
The present invention relates to stem cells in which a gene that activates signaling is introduced and to a method for proliferating the stem cells. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of significantly increasing the ability of stem cells to proliferate, either by transfecting stem cells with the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to activate the Notch signaling pathway, or by transfecting stem cells with the c-MET gene and treating the transfected stem cells with the HGF ligand protein to activate the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway. According to the present invention, as a result of activating the Notch signaling pathway or the c-MET/HGF signaling pathway, stem cells having an excellent ability to proliferate can be produced in large amounts. Particularly, since neural stem cells which have been difficult to culture in vitro can be proliferated in large amounts, thus the neural stem cells will be more useful for the preparation of cell therapeutic agents for treating cranial nerve diseases.
US09493738B2 Method for producing high yield attenuated Salmonella strains
This invention relates to a novel method for growing attenuated mutant Salmonella typhi strains lacking galactose epimerase activity and harboring a recombinant DNA molecule. The method comprises the step of culturing said Salmonella typhi strain without adding glucose to the medium during the fermentation with a starting glucose amount that is depleted before reaching the stationary phase. The invention further relates to attenuated mutant Salmonella typhi strains obtainable by said method and to an attenuated mutant Salmonella typhi strain harboring a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a VEGF receptor protein for use as a vaccine.
US09493734B2 Cell culture tube and multiple roller tube cell culture apparatus including the same
Disclosed is a cell culture tube, having in opposite end walls two respective eccentric openings which communicate with each other through an inner straight passage formed in the cell culture tube, in which the inner straight passage is tilted at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the cell culture tube to allow a culture medium to smoothly flow into and out of the inner passage through the openings. Also, provided is a multiple cell culture system using a plurality of the culture tubes.
US09493730B2 Cleaning composition comprising amylase variants with high stability in the presence of a chelating agent
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions comprising variants of an alpha-amylase having improved stability to chelating agents relative to its parent enzyme and cleaning processes comprising such compositions.
US09493718B2 Liquid phase distillate dewaxing
Hydrocarbon feeds can be hydrotreated in a continuous gas-phase environment and then dewaxed in a liquid-continuous reactor. The liquid-continuous reactor can advantageously be operated in a manner that avoids the need for a hydrogen recycle loop. A contaminant gas can be added to the hydrogen input for the liquid-continuous reactor to modify the hydrogen consumption in the reactor.
US09493717B2 High density cyclic fuels derived from linear sesquiterpenes
A method to generate cyclic hydrocarbons from farnesene to increase both the density and net heat of combustion of the product fuels. The high density hydrocarbons produced by this method have applications for missile, UAV, jet, and diesel propulsion.
US09493712B2 Separator for desalting petroleum crude oils having rag layer withdrawal
An improved separator for desalting petroleum crude oils which may be operated in a continuous manner under automatic control; the improved desalter is therefore well suited to modern refinery operation with minimal downtime. A portion of the emulsion layer is withdrawn from the desalter through external withdrawal ports according to the thickness and position of the emulsion layer with the selected withdrawal header(s) being controlled by sensors monitoring the position and thickness of the emulsion layer. The withdrawn emulsion layer can be routed as such or with the desalter water effluent to a settling tank or directly to another unit for separation and reprocessing.
US09493704B2 Cycloheptane derivative and preparation method and use thereof
A cycloheptane derivative as represented by formula (I), and preparation method and use thereof; the compound has photostability and thermostability, wide nematic phase and liquid crystalline state temperature range, and good low-temperature intersolubility, and particularly has low rotary viscosity γ1 and good dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈>0).
US09493701B2 Red phosphor, method for producing red phosphor, white light source, illuminating device, and liquid crystal display device
A red phosphor of high efficiency and a method for producing it are provided. A white light source and an illumination device that allow illumination with the pure white color using the red phosphor are also provided. In addition, a liquid crystal display device using the red phosphor and exhibiting good color reproducing performance is provided. The red phosphor contains an element A, europium (Eu), silicon (Si), carbon (C), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) in the ratios of the numbers of atoms of the following compositional formula (1): [Chemical Formula 1] [A(m-x)Eux][Si(9-y)Cy]OnN[12-2(n-m)/3]   compositional formula (1) where the element A is at least one of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba), and where m, x and n in the compositional formula (1) satisfy the relationships of 3
US09493700B2 Carbon-based fluorescent tracers as oil reservoir nano-agents
The present invention relates to carbon-based fluorescent nano-agent tracers for analysis of oil reservoirs. The carbon-based fluorescent nano-agents may be used in the analysis of the porosity of a formation. The nanoagents are suitable for injection into a petroleum reservoir and may be recovered from the reservoir for the determination of hydrocarbon flow rates and retention times.
US09493692B2 Self-adhesive article with foam support
The present invention relates to a self-adhesive article comprising a support layer of foam or similar type and an adhesive layer obtained by cross-linking an adhesive composition. The present invention also relates to a mixture of at least two polymers suitable for use for the manufacture of the self-adhesive article as well as an adhesive composition comprising said mixture of at least two polymers according to the invention.
US09493690B2 Self-adhesive article with foam support
The present invention relates to a self-adhesive article comprising a support layer of foam or similar type and an adhesive layer obtained by cross-linking an adhesive composition. The present invention also relates to a mixture of at least two polymers suitable for use for the manufacture of the self-adhesive article as well as an adhesive composition comprising said mixture of at least two polymers according to the invention.
US09493685B2 Pre-treatment composition
Pre-treatment composition and printing method for printing durable images using such pre-treatment composition are disclosed. A disclosed example of the pre-treatment composition includes a liquid vehicle, a polyvalent metal salt, a latex resin and thickener. Moreover, a printing method is also disclosed with an ink composition comprising of an aqueous liquid vehicle and a colorant after pre-treatment with said pre-treatment composition.
US09493683B2 Method of producing a chloroprene-based polymer, polychloroprene latex and adhesive composition
Provided is a polychloroprene latex extremely superior in adhesion properties.According to the present invention, chloroprene or a mixture of chloroprene and a monomer copolymerizable with chloroprene is polymerized in the presence of a surfactant in an aqueous medium, in which the surfactant's concentration is lower than its critical micelle concentration (CMC) to obtain a polychloroprene latex. The polychloroprene latex produced according to the present invention is extremely superior in adhesion properties and others and give a smaller amount of deposits during production.
US09493679B2 Methods of manufacturing abrasive particle and polishing slurry
Provided is a method of manufacturing an abrasive particle including a mother particle and a plurality of auxiliary particles formed on a surface of the mother particle, and a method of manufacturing a polishing slurry in which the abrasive particle is mixed with a polishing accelerating agent and a pH adjusting agent.
US09493660B2 Use of bismuth subnitrate in electro-dipping paints
Cathodically depositable electrocoat materials comprising basic bismuth nitrate, further comprising at least one binder having reactive functional groups and at least one crosslinker containing the complementary reactive functional groups which are able to enter into thermal crosslinking reactions.
US09493657B2 AOX-free navy and black disperse dyes
This invention relates to disperse azo dye mixtures, which have Navy or Black color and are AOX-free.
US09493656B2 Phenyl xanthene dyes
Fluorescent phenyl xanthene dyes are described that comprise any fluorescein, rhodamine or rhodol comprising a particular C9 phenyl ring. One or both of the ortho groups on the lower C9 phenyl ring is ortho substituted with a group selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In one embodiment, halo and/or hydroxy groups are used. Optimal dyes contain a lower C9 phenyl ring in which both ortho groups are the same and the lower ring exhibits some form a symmetry relative to an imaginary axis running from the phenyl rings point of attachment to the remainder of the xanthene dye through a point para to the point of attachment. The phenyl xanthene dyes may be activated. Furthermore, the phenyl xanthene dyes may be conjugated to one or more substances including other dyes. The phenyl xanthene dyes are useful for a number of purposes, including labels for use in automated DNA sequencing as well the formation of fluorescent “bar codes” for polymeric particles used in the multiplexed analysis of analytes.
US09493649B2 Polycarbonate resin composition
A polycarbonate resin composition including 35 to 49% by weight of a polycarbonate resin; 41 to 55% by weight of a glass fiber having a rectangular or oval cross-sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in which its aspect ratio is 50 to 200; 1 to 10% by weight of an impact modifier having a core-shell structure; 1 to 10% by weight of an ethylene-(meth)acrylate-based copolymer; and 1 to 10% by weight of a rheology modifier containing a thermoplastic polyester-based polymer or a phosphate ester-based compound.
US09493640B2 Wood plastic and thermoplastic composites
Described herein are a wood plastic composite including an oleaginous microbial biomass, a thermoplastic composite including a heterotrophically cultivated microalgal biomass, and related articles and methods.
US09493637B2 Tire rubber composition and studless tire
An object of the present invention is to provide a tire rubber composition capable of producing a studless tire that has excellent performance on ice and wear resistance, and to provide a studless tire using the composition. The tire rubber composition of the present invention is composed of 100 parts by mass of a diene type rubber (A), from 30 to 100 parts by mass of a carbon black and/or a white filler (B), from 0.3 to 30 parts by mass of a cross-linkable oligomer or polymer (C) that is not phase-soluble with the diene type rubber (A); and from 0.1 to 12 parts by mass of three dimensionally crosslinked fine particles (D) of 1 to 200 μm average particle diameter.
US09493635B2 Nanocomposites from stable dispersions of carbon nanotubes in polymeric matrices using dispersion interaction
Stable dispersions of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in polymeric matrices include CNTs dispersed in a host polymer or copolymer whose monomers have delocalized electron orbitals, so that a dispersion interaction results between the host polymer or copolymer and the CNTs dispersed therein. Nanocomposite products, which are presented in bulk, or when fabricated as a film, fiber, foam, coating, adhesive, paste, or molding, are prepared by standard means from the present stable dispersions of CNTs in polymeric matrices, employing dispersion interactions, as presented hereinabove.
US09493612B2 Fiber-reinforced composites made with thermoplastic resin compositions and reactive coupling fibers
Methods of making fiber-resin compositions are described. The methods may include the providing of a thermoplastic resin to an extruder, where the thermoplastic resin may include at least one reactive moiety capable of forming a covalent bond with a coupling agent on a plurality of reactive fibers. The methods may further include combining the thermoplastic resin with the plurality of reactive fibers also supplied to the extruder. The reactive fibers are sized with the coupling agent that reacts with the thermoplastic resin to form the fiber-resin composition, which may be extruded from the extruder. Methods of making fiber-reinforced composite articles from the fiber-resin composition are also described.
US09493610B2 Low molecular weight polyphenylene ether prepared without solvents
Low molecular weight polyphenylene ether (PPE) is made from higher molecular weight PPE without using solvents by extruding the higher molecular weight PPE with a phenolic modifier and a redistribution catalyst. The low molecular weight PPE has a Mw/Mn polydispersity greater than about 2 and a Mn ranging from about 10,000 to about 20,000.
US09493609B2 N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives
The invention is directed to multi-functional N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives comprising a water soluble and non-peptidic polymer backbone having a terminal carbon, such as a poly(alkylene glycol), the terminal carbon of the polymer backbone being directly bonded to the nitrogen atom of a N-maleimidyl moiety without a linking group therebetween. The invention also provides two methods of preparing such linkerless N-maleimidyl polymer derivatives.
US09493600B2 Polymer, surface hydrophilizing agent containing said polymer, and manufacturing method for substrate having hydrophilic surface
To provide a novel polymer having an excellent non-specific adsorption inhibitory effect, a surface-hydrophilizing agent comprising the polymer, and a method for producing a substrate having a hydrophilic surface.The polymer comprises a hydrophilic repeating unit having a sulfinyl group in a side chain thereof.
US09493599B2 Modified polymer
The present technology provides a modified polymer which is modified with two or more types of nitrones that include a nitrone having at least one carboxy group and a nitrone having no carboxy group.
US09493591B2 Ethylene based polymers and articles made therefrom
An ethylene-based polymer comprising about 80.0 to 99.0 wt. % of polymer units derived from ethylene and about 1.0 to about 20.0 wt. % of polymer units derived from one or more C3 to C20 α-olefin comonomers; the ethylene-based polymer having: a CDBI of 60% to 80%; a melt index, I2.16, of about 4.0 to about 12.0 g/10 min.; a high-load melt index, I21.6, of 80.0 to about 160.0 g/10 min.; a melt index ratio (I21.6/I2.16) of 9.0 to 40.0; and a density of from about 0.910 to about 0.930 g/cm3. Articles, such as films, particularly suitable for use in pre-stretch applications, produced from such polymers and methods of making such articles are also provided.
US09493581B2 Process for the manufacture of viscose
A process for the manufacture of viscose comprises the steps of: a) providing a non-dissolving pulp as a raw material; b) steeping the pulp in caustic solution; c) processing the steeped pulp; d) steeping the processed steeped pulp for a second time in caustic solution; and e) further processing the pulp from step d) to form a viscose solution.
US09493580B2 Multivalent glycopeptide constructs and uses thereof
Glycopeptide conjugates comprising GM2 and/or Gb5 carbohydrate determinants, and methods of making and using such conjugates are disclosed. The immunogenicity of select glycopeptide conjugates is demonstrated.
US09493579B2 Multivalent antibodies and uses therefor
The present application describes engineered antibodies, with three or more functional antigen binding sites, and uses, such as therapeutic applications, for such engineered antibodies.
US09493576B2 Antigen binding proteins to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9)
Antigen binding proteins that interact with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) are described. Methods of treating hypercholesterolemia and other disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of PCSK9 in a sample using an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described.
US09493569B2 Structural isomers of sc(Fv)2
Structural isomers in sc(Fv)2 compositions of anti-human Mpl antibody and humanized anti-human Mpl antibody were separated, and the obtained structural isomers were cleaved at their linkers to confirm that the structural isomers are of single chain diabody type and bivalent scFv type. In addition, the agonistic activities of these structural isomers were revealed to be significantly different. Furthermore, the present inventors discovered that the content ratio of the structural isomers in sc(Fv)2 compositions could be regulated by altering temperature, modifying lengths of the linkers of sc(Fv)2, or amino acids in their variable regions.
US09493546B2 Fibronectin based scaffold domain proteins that bind to myostatin
The present invention relates to fibronectin-based scaffold domain proteins that bind to myostatin. The invention also relates to the use of these proteins in therapeutic applications to treat muscular dystrophy, cachexia, sarcopenia, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, COPD, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and fibrosis. The invention further relates to cells comprising such proteins, polynucleotides encoding such proteins or fragments thereof, and to vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the proteins.
US09493545B2 Albumin variants and conjugates
Based on the three-dimensional structure of albumin, the inventors have designed variant polypeptides (muteins) which have one or more cysteine residues with a free thiol group (hereinafter referred to as “thio-albumin”). The variant polypeptide may be conjugated through the sulphur atom of the cysteine residue to a conjugation partner such as a bioactive compound.
US09493544B2 Von willebrand factor- and factor VIII-polymer conjugates having a releasable linkage
The present invention provides von Willebrand Factor-polymer conjugates and Factor VIII-polymer conjugates, each having a releasable linkage. Methods of making conjugates, methods for administering conjugates, are also provided.
US09493542B2 Methods of using ERBB2 conjugate peptides
Compositions that inhibit or block the interaction between Erbin and ErbB2 and methods of their use are provided. Preferred compositions include peptides that inhibit or block Erbin and ErbB2 interaction under physiologic conditions in a subject. One embodiment provides an isolated peptide fragment of ErbB2 including the C-terminal 15 amino acids of ErbB2. The peptide fragment can be about 15 to 27 amino acids in length.
US09493537B2 Compounds with reduced ring size for use in diagnosing and treating melanoma, including metastatic melanoma and methods related to same
The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools/compounds to image cancers, especially, melanoma, including metastatic melanoma in vivo. The present compounds exhibit enhanced uptake in cancerous cells and tissue and decreased renal uptake in kidney, evidencing favorable pharmacokinetics of compounds of the present invention. The compounds according to the present invention represent an advance in the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma, including metastatic melanoma using non-invasive molecular imaging techniques. The novel probes of the present invention are also useful for initiating therapy for melanoma as well as monitor patients' response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of melanoma/metastatic melanoma. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states.
US09493521B2 Fluorescent and colored proteins and methods for using them
The field of this invention relates to methods for combining genetic elements such that the activity of one of the elements provides a means for identifying, enriching, selecting for, or enhancing the activity of a second element. The invention also includes specific elements and combinations of elements.
US09493512B2 Solution phase processes for the manufacture of macrocyclic depsipeptides and new intermediates
The invention relates to a method or process for solution phase chemical manufacture of depsipeptides of the formula I, wherein the symbols have the meaning defined in the description, to new intermediates and their manufacture, as well as related invention embodiments.
US09493509B2 Triazole macrocycle systems
The present invention provides novel peptidomimetic macrocycles and methods for their preparation and use, as well as amino acid analogs and macrocycle-forming linkers, and kits useful in their production. Macrocycles of the invention include triazole moieties that crosslink amino acid side chains. The cross links can stabilize a secondary structure of a peptidomimetic macrocycle, such as an α-helix.
US09493506B2 Macrocyclic hepatitis C serine protease inhibitors
The present invention relates to novel macrocyclic compounds and methods of treating a hepatitis C infection in a subject in need of such therapy with said macrocyclic compounds. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the present invention, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
US09493501B2 Methyltransferase inhibitors for treating cancer
Compounds having methyltransferase inhibitory activity are disclosed. The compounds have the structure and are useful in the treatment of cancer and similar diseases associated with inappropriate methyltransferase activity.
US09493500B2 Fluorinated pyrimidine analogs and methods of use thereof
The present invention provides fluorinated 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine compounds, such as 2′,2′-difluoro-5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, compositions that include the compounds, methods for making the compounds, and methods for inhibiting DNA methyltransferase, treating solid tumors, and treating hematologic cancers by administering the compounds.
US09493498B2 Oligosaccharide-protein conjugates
Provided herein are conjugates comprising a protein and an oligosaccharide of one of Formulae I-VI. Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising such conjugates. Further provided herein are methods of treating a lysosomal storage disorder in a mammal by administration of an oligosaccharide-glycoprotein conjugate.
US09493491B2 Method of separating acids from chemical reaction mixtures by means of apolar amines
A process for the removal of acids from reaction mixtures, comprising at least one product of value which is sparingly soluble in water, by at least one unpolar amine as an auxiliary base, which includes: a) reacting the auxiliary base with the acid with formation of a salt; b) reacting the salt formed in step a) with a further base which accepts the acid with liberation of the auxiliary base and combines with the acid to be accepted from the auxiliary base to form a salt which is very readily soluble in water; c) extraction of the mixture obtained in step b) with water or an aqueous medium, wherein the salt of the further base dissolves in the aqueous phase and the product of value, or the solution of the product of value, in a suitable solvent and the auxiliary base form at least one separate nonaqueous phase; and d) removal by distillation of at least part of any solvent present from the at least one nonaqueous phase obtained in step c), to form two nonmiscible liquid phases.
US09493482B2 Compounds and methods for preventing or treating sensory hair cell death
Disclosed herein are compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions that include such compounds, for preventing or treating hearing loss. The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein prevent or treat hair cell death. In addition, the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein protect against kidney damage in an individual receiving an aminoglycoside antibiotic. Methods of using the compounds, alone or in combination with other therapeutic agents, are also disclosed.
US09493481B2 Substituted 5-aminothieno[2,3—C]pyridazine-6-carboxamide analogs as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4
In one aspect, the invention relates to substituted 5-aminothieno[2,3-c]pyridazine-6 -carboxamide analogs, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M4 (mAChR M4); synthesis methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US09493471B2 Pyrimidine derivatives as protein kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to pyrimidine derivatives capable of inhibiting one or more protein kinases. Further aspects relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the pyrimidine derivatives and the use thereof in the treatment of proliferative disorders.
US09493464B2 Wee1 degradation inhibitors
The invention provides compounds that inhibit the degradation of Wee1. The compounds of the present invention are generally N-((1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methyl)-9H-purin-6-amines. Compounds of the invention can be used for treatment of malconditions in patients for which inhibition of Wee1 is medically indicated, for example cancer, Alzheimer's, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, or inflammation-related disorders.
US09493460B2 Diimide compounds
The invention relates to novel compounds which are naphthalene diimides of general formula (I): The compounds are used in therapy, particularly in cancer treatment.
US09493453B2 Piperazinyl pyrimidine derivatives, preparation method and use thereof
Provided are piperazinyl pyrimidine derivatives of formula I having CCR4 antagonism, and the preparation method, pharmaceutical composition and use thereof in the preparation of a medicament. The medicament is useful for the treatment and prevention of CCR4-related diseases.
US09493451B2 Amine derivatives as potassium channel blockers
The present invention relates to compounds useful in the modulation of potassium channel activity in cells, in particular the activity of Kv1.3 channels found in T cells. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in the treatment or prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods for their preparation.
US09493448B2 Cycloalkane derivatives
Disclosed herein are therapeutic agents and/or preventive agents for pain or therapeutic agents and/or preventive agents for a sodium channel associated disease. The present invention provides compounds represented by the following formula (I) or pharmacologically acceptable salts thereof:
US09493440B2 Compounds inhibiting leucine-rich repeat kinase enzyme activity
The present invention is directed to indazole compounds which are potent inhibitors of LRRK2 kinase and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the LRRK2 kinase is involved, such as Parkinson's Disease. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which LRRK-2 kinase is involved.
US09493434B2 Substituted indenes as medicaments
The present invention relates to new indene derivatives of formula (I) having a great affinity for sigma receptors, especially sigma-1 receptors, as well as to the process for the preparation thereof, to compositions comprising them, and to their use as medicaments.
US09493430B2 Biaryl- or heterocyclic biaryl-substituted cyclohexene derivative compounds as CETP inhibitors
The present invention provides biaryl- or heterocyclic biaryl-substituted cyclohexene derivative compounds, isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The compounds of the invention show a CETP inhibitory effect that increases HDL-cholesterol levels and reduces LDL-cholesterol levels. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds are useful for the prevention or treatment of dyslipidemia or dyslipidemia-related diseases.
US09493422B2 Quinoid rylenedicarboximides as IR absorbers
Compounds of the general formula (I) and compounds of the general formula (II) Use of compounds (I) or (II) as visible or invisible markers, for staining materials, in the laser welding of materials, for detecting bases, acids or pH changes, as a dispersing assistant, pigment additive for organic pigments and intermediates for the production of pigment additives, in heat management or energy management, in photovoltaics or in optical data storage.
US09493412B2 Pyrrolinone carboxamide compounds useful as endothelial lipase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): (I), as defined in the specification and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are endothelial lipase inhibitors which may be used as medicaments.
US09493405B2 Method for producing linear pentenenitrile
A process is described for preparing 3-pentenenitrile, characterized by the following process steps: (a) isomerizing a reactant stream which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile over at least one dissolved or dispersed isomerization catalyst to give a stream 1 which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, (b) distilling stream 1 to obtain a stream 2 as the top product which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, 3-pentenenitrile and (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, and a stream 3 as the bottom product which comprises the at least one isomerization catalyst, (c) distilling stream 2 to obtain a stream 4 as the top product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in (Z)-2-methyl-2-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, and a stream 5 as the bottom product which, compared to stream 2, is enriched in 3-pentenenitrile and 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile, based on the sum of all pentenenitriles in stream 2, (d) distilling stream 5 to obtain a stream 6 as the bottom product which comprises 3-pentenenitrile and a stream 7 as the top product which comprises 2-methyl-3-butenenitrile.
US09493403B2 Treating androgen decline in aging male (ADAM)-associated conditions with SARMs
This invention provides methods for treatment and inhibition of a male subject having an Androgen Decline in Aging Male (ADAM)-associated condition, for example sexual dysfunction, decreased sexual libido, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, sarcopenia, osteopenia, osteoporosis, an alteration in cognition and mood, depression, anemia, hair loss, obesity, muscle loss, dry eye, memory loss, benign prostate hyperplasia and/or prostate cancer, by administering to the subject a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) compound and/or its analog, derivative, isomer, metabolite, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, pharmaceutical product, hydrate, N-oxide, pro-drug, polymorph, crystal, or any combination thereof.
US09493400B2 Process for preparing fluoroleucine alkyl esters
This invention relates to a resolution process for the preparation of fluoroleucine alkyl esters.
US09493398B2 Ether dye fixative agents and methods
Described are dye fixative agents, comprising an ether compound, including salts, of Formula I: wherein, R1 is, independently at each occurrence, C1-C6 alkyl; R2 and R3, are, independently at each occurrence, optionally substituted C6 alkyl; and X is, independently at each occurrence, CI, Br, or I.
US09493395B2 Production of two esters using homogeneous catalyst
Disclosed is a process for preparing two esters by reacting an aldehyde with an alcohol in the presence of a ruthenium complex compound as a catalyst. The process is particularly useful for preparing ethyl acetate and n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, or 2-ethylhexyl acetate in high yield by coupling acetaldehyde with n-butanol, i-butanol, or 2-ethylhexanol.
US09493394B2 Photoaligning materials
The present invention relates to polymer, homo- or copolymer or oligomer for the photoalignment of liquid crystals, especially for the planar orientation of liquid crystals, comprising a main chain and a side chain, wherein the side chain and/or main chain comprises a polar group, compositions thereof, and its use for optical and electro optical devices, especially liquid crystal devices (LCDs).
US09493388B2 Dicarboxylic acid production with direct fired off-gas heating
The invention provides improved energy content in and shaft power recovery from off-gas from xylene oxidation reactions while at the same time minimizing wastewater treatment cost. More shaft power is produced using off-gas than is required to drive the main air compressor, even with preferred, relatively low oxidation temperatures. Simultaneously, an amount of wastewater greater than byproduct water from oxidation of xylene is kept in vapor form and treated along with off-gas pollutants in a self-sustaining (self-fueling) gas-phase thermal oxidative destruction unit. Optionally, off-gas is combined from multiple xylene oxidation reactors, comprising primary and/or secondary oxidation reactors and forming TPA and/or IPA. Optionally, air compressor condensate and caustic scrubber blowdown are used in a TPA process or as utility water, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a TPA plant. Optionally, PET off-gas containing the water of PET formation is treated in a shared thermal oxidative destruction unit, effectively eliminating normal flow of liquid wastewater effluent from a combined pX-to-TPA-to-PET plant.
US09493374B2 Glass base material elongating method
A glass base material elongating method of elongating a glass base material to make a diameter of the glass base material smaller by connecting a pulling dummy at an end of the glass base material and then gripping and pulling the pulling dummy with a pair of rollers that grip or release the pulling dummy is provided. The method includes forming a rough surface part on the pulling dummy before elongating the glass base material.The rough surface part may be formed by grinding the pulling dummy. Also, the rough surface part of the pulling dummy may have a roughness of 5 μm or more.
US09493372B2 Installation and method for melting glass
A plant for melting glass or rock including: a first melting tank including a batch material inlet, a heater that makes it possible to heat the batch materials until a liquid glass is obtained; a liquid glass outlet; and downstream of the melting tank, a second heating tank including metallic walls that are not covered with refractory insulating materials and that include a system of internal ducts allowing circulation of a coolant, a plurality of injectors of submerged burners, and a liquid glass outlet, in a form of an overflow, which limits a height of the glass bath in the heating tank to a value between 50 mm and 300 mm. A process for melting glass or rock uses such a melting plant.
US09493371B1 Barge with aeration system
Method and apparatus for a barge having an aeration system incorporated therein. A floatatable barge unit containing multiple built-in aerators wherein the barge has a ballast system which makes its draft variable. The unit is designed to draw fluid water from virtually any depth below the barge. Incorporated at various locations in the barge is an aeration system that includes aerators having a concave surface at the top of a fluid intake chamber for diverting aerated fluid away from the enclosure of the aerator.
US09493369B2 Drop-in chlorinator for portable spas
An oxidizer generating apparatus comprising a cylindrical housing and an electrode assembly attached at one end of the housing comprising at least three vertically disposed electrodes, the electrodes being spaced apart so as to define a water flow path between them, the electrodes comprising titanium outer electrodes and at least one inner diamond electrode.
US09493362B2 DDR-type zeolite powder, and process for the production of DDR-type zeolite powder
There is provided a DDR-type zeolite powder composed of fine particles and exhibits a particle size distribution where the majority of the particles have particle diameters converging in the vicinity of the mean particle diameter, and a process for the production of the same. Specifically provided is a process for the production of a DDR-type zeolite powder, which comprises a step of heat-treating a raw material solution at 100 to 180° C., and thereby growing crystals until the mean particle diameter reaches to a level of 0.1 μm or more and below 2.5 μm.
US09493360B2 Processes and systems for non-equilibrium trichlorosilane production
A catalytic process for converting silicon tetrachloride (STC) into trichlorosilane (TCS) utilizes a metal catalyst such as metal silicide at a low temperature such as 500 C, where the STC is reacted with hydrogen gas in the presence of catalyst and under non-thermal equilibrium conditions, to provide for a product gas stream that includes TCS at levels exceeding those obtained at thermal equilibrium, as well as optionally including HCl and unreacted STC.
US09493359B2 Apparatus for producing trichlorosilane
An apparatus for producing trichlorosilane, including: a reaction vessel in which a supply gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is supplied to an internal reaction passageway to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride; a heating mechanism that heats the interior of the reaction vessel; a gas supply section that supplies the supply gas in the reaction vessel; and a gas discharge section that discharges the reaction product gas from the reaction vessel to the outside, wherein the reaction passageway includes: a supply side passageway which is connected to the gas supply section at a central portion of the reaction vessel and flows the supply gas toward the outside while meandering in the reaction vessel; a return passageway which is connected to a downstream end of the supply side passageway and extends to the central portion of the reaction vessel; and a discharge side passageway that is disposed so as to be connected to a downstream end of the return passageway and to adjoin the supply side passageway of the central portion of the reaction vessel, the discharge side passageway being connected to the gas discharge section.
US09493353B2 Process for producing pyrophosphate
A process for producing a pyrophosphate, particularly melamine pyrophosphate useful as a flame retardant, efficiently in high yield is provided. The process includes firing an orthophosphate, preferably melamine orthophosphate, in the presence of a silicone oil, preferably methylphenyl silicone oil preferably at 120° to 350° C. Examples of useful firing equipment include a hot air dryer, a kneader, a Henschel mixture, a fluidized bed dryer, a rotary kiln, a paddle dryer, an extruder, a vibrating dryer, a far-infrared conveyor furnace, and a microwave firing furnace.
US09493350B2 Method and system for the production of hydrogen
Disclosed is a process for the production of hydrogen in a reactor system comprising a steam reforming reaction zone comprising a reforming catalyst and a membrane separation zone comprising a hydrogen-selective membrane. The process involves a reaction system of so-called open architecture, wherein the reforming zone and the membrane separation zone operate independently of each other. The invention provides the heat for the reforming reaction through heat exchange from liquid molten salts, preferably heated by solar energy.
US09493347B2 Method of forming a semiconductor device
A method of forming a semiconductor device includes depositing a light reflecting layer over a substrate. The method also includes forming a protection layer over the light reflecting layer. The method further includes forming an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer over the protection layer. The method additionally includes forming an opening in the ARC layer, the protection layer and the light reflecting layer exposing the substrate. The method also includes removing the ARC layer in a wet solution comprising H2O2, the ARC layer being exposed to the H2O2 at a flow rate greater than about 10 standard cubic centimeters per minute (sccm).
US09493346B2 Capacitor with planarized bonding for CMOS-MEMS integration
An integrated circuit (IC) structure is provided. The IC structure includes an IC substrate including active devices which are coupled together through a conductive interconnect structure arranged thereover. The conductive interconnect structure includes a series of horizontal conductive layers and dielectric regions arranged between neighboring horizontal conductive layers. The conductive interconnect structure includes an uppermost conductive horizontal region with a planar top surface region. A MEMS substrate is arranged over the IC substrate and includes a flexible or moveable structure that flexes or moves commensurate with a force applied to the flexible or moveable structure. The active devices of the IC substrate are arranged to establish analysis circuitry to facilitate electrical measurement of a capacitance between the uppermost conductive horizontal region and the flexible or moveable structure.
US09493345B2 Method for manufacturing slanted copper nanorods
The present invention provides a method for fabricating slanted copper nanorods. The method includes manufacturing a workpiece configured to include an etch stop layer on a wafer, placing the workpiece in a slanted position, and etching the slanted workpiece, forming a copper (Cu) layer on the slanted workpiece by plating, removing an over-plated portion from the copper layer, and removing a polysilicon (poly Si) excluding copper from the surface of the workpiece. According to the invention, copper nanorod structures having a uniform array can be fabricated in a large area at a high process yield compared to conventional methods. In addition, the angle and diameter of copper nanorods can be controlled as desired so that the applicability thereof can be greatly increased. Moreover, the present invention can be applied to processes for fabricating various devices, including semiconductor devices, MEMSs (microelectromechanical systems), optical devices, gas sensors, display devices, etc.
US09493341B2 Planar cavity MEMS and related structures, methods of manufacture and design structures
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes patterning a wiring layer to form at least one fixed plate and forming a sacrificial material on the wiring layer. The method further includes forming an insulator layer of one or more films over the at least one fixed plate and exposed portions of an underlying substrate to prevent formation of a reaction product between the wiring layer and a sacrificial material. The method further includes forming at least one MEMS beam that is moveable over the at least one fixed plate. The method further includes venting or stripping of the sacrificial material to form at least a first cavity.
US09493337B2 Reinforced microcapillary films and foams
The instant invention provides reinforced microcapillary films and/or foams. The inventive reinforced film and/or foam have a first end and a second end, wherein the film and/or foam comprises: (a) a matrix comprising a first thermoplastic material, (b) at least one or more channels disposed in parallel in said matrix from the first end to the second end of the film or foam, wherein said one or more channels are at least 1 μm apart from each other, and wherein each said one or more channels have a diameter in the range of at least 1 μm; and (c) a second thermoplastic material disposed in said one or more channels, wherein said second thermoplastic material is different than the first thermoplastic material; wherein said film has a thickness in the range of from 2 μm to 2000 μm.
US09493336B2 Portable saddle stand apparatus
A portable saddle stand apparatus that can be secured to an existing structure allows a saddle to be securely placed upon the saddle stand apparatus when the respective saddle is not fastened to an animals back by a girth. The saddle stand apparatus includes a saddle supporting structure, a front mount, a rear mount, a front strap fastener, and a rear strap fastener. The front mount attaches with a front mount receiving bracket of the saddle supporting structure, and the rear mount attaches with a rear mount receiving bracket of the saddle supporting structure. The front strap fastener secures the front mount to the saddle supporting structure while securing a front end of the saddle stand apparatus to the existing structure. Similarly, the rear strap fastener secures the rear mount to the saddle supporting structure while securing a rear end of the saddle stand apparatus to the existing structure.
US09493334B2 Container having device for preventing foaming and method for producing the device
A container has an outflow arranged in the vicinity of the bottom and a vortex breaker mounted upstream from the outflow for preventing foaming. The vortex breaker has a vertical main wall and two vertical side wings oriented away from one another to define a T-shape. The main wall merges into a fixing arm. A method also is provided for producing the vortex breaker. The method includes a) cutting a flat plate to define a main wall, two side wings, and a fixing arm connected to the main wall; and b) folding out the side wings in opposing directions in each case into a final position arranged transverse to the main wall. The vortex breaker is applicable in chemistry, biotechnology, and filtration technology.
US09493330B2 Multi-purpose wrecking tool
A multi-purpose wrecking tool in which a dual prying elements are coupled to a crossbar. Each of the dual prying elements having a pair of pry arms. Each of the pry arms extending at the same length from the crossbar. A handle coupled to a center portion of the crossbar. A slight curvature at the end of the handle connecting to the crossbar providing a predetermined angle between the handle and the crossbar. Each of the pry arms and the end of the handle including V shaped notches. The crossbar and pry arms provide controlled movement of the tool and improved leverage for removing of housing materials with reduced damage to the materials.
US09493320B2 Feeding device
A feeding device in manufacturing which is configured to feed a carrier tape includes a transmission mechanism and a buffering mechanism. The transmission mechanism is configured to receive the carrier tape and transfer the carrier tape to the buffering mechanism. The buffering mechanism includes a slide assembly, a feeder assembly, and an inductor. The slidable feeder assembly is mounted to the slide assembly, and is configured to receive the carrier tape transferred from the transmission mechanism. The slide assembly moves the feeder assembly. The inductor is mounted to one side of the slide assembly, and senses distances from the feeder assembly, to control a feeding speed of the transmission mechanism.
US09493318B2 Conveying device
A conveying device includes: a housing having a conveyance path; a first roller disposed on the conveyance path; a second roller which is opposed to the first roller; a guide member whose state is changeable between a first state in which the guide member partly defines the conveyance path and a second state in which the guide member exposes the conveyance path; a roller holder supporting the second roller; an urging force applier configured to apply, to the second roller, an urging force in a first direction directed from the second roller toward the first roller; and an urging force adjuster configured to adjust the urging force to a first value when the guide member is in the first state and adjust the urging force to a second value when the guide member is in the second state, the second value being less than the first value.
US09493310B2 Sync motor with reduced noise level
Disclosed is a conveyor having an axle extending along a longitudinal axis, a drum body mounted rotatably on the axle, a drive unit having a motor which is disposed inside the drum body and which includes a rotor and a stator, wherein either one of the rotor or the stator is coupled torque-resistantly with a drive output shaft which is mounted rotatably about a drive axle and the other one of said rotor and stator is a torque support and is coupled torque-resistantly with the axle, and a connector member which is disposed inside the drum body and torque-resistantly coupled with the drum body and the drive output shaft of the drive motor, wherein a first flexible elastic coupling is disposed between the torque support and the axle, and that a second flexible elastic coupling is disposed between the drive output shaft and the drum body.
US09493308B2 Cross-belt system and automated item diversion
A sorting method, cross-belt system, and computer-storage media are provided for conveying and sorting items. The cross-belt system includes a plurality of interlocking palettes that form a conveyor belt. Each palette may be engaged by a series of rollers that are triggered to discharge items on the palettes to appropriate loading areas. The rollers are configured to move a belt of the palettes in one of at least two directions to a selected loading area that is positioned on either side of the cross-belt system.
US09493298B2 Juicing systems and methods
Juicing methods and apparatuses for extracting juice from food matter using juicer cartridges are described. In one instance, a juicer cartridge may include one or more separate internal compartments. Food matter loaded into the juicer cartridge may be compressed by a corresponding juicer and expelled through an outlet that may be sealed until activation. Food matter may be pre-sized according to various physical characteristics, and the juicer cartridge may be injected with a gas to enhance shelf life and reduce nutrient loss. The juicer may also be provided with “smart” functionality to provide safety features, track usage, and enhance the operator experience. Several possible packing systems for preparing juicer cartridges are also described.
US09493297B2 Capsule for beverages
A capsule, including: a deformable casing defining a cavity containing an initial product joined to a fluid for making a final product; a nozzle associated with the casing to inject the fluid of a brewing machine, the nozzle having a longitudinal side wall being provided with at least one outflow opening to the cavity, and the nozzle having an end wall provided with a second opening enabling the final product to exit from the cavity.
US09493294B2 Vapor barrier for electrode packaging
A container is constructed for storing bulk material, and more specifically welding electrode, that incorporates layers of substantially dissimilar materials. A first layer of material provides rigidity to the container, while a second layer of material provides a vapor barrier for restricting moisture from entering the container. The container walls may be configured such that a vapor barrier is disposed between the rigid container walls.
US09493289B2 Self-supporting cartridge, dispensing apparatus for such as well as method for using the cartridge
A self-supporting cartridge is proposed having at least one reception chamber for a medium to be dispensed extending in a longitudinal direction, having a cartridge base and having a cartridge wall all of which define the reception chamber, wherein the cartridge is made by a thermoforming process or by a blow molding process and the cartridge is adapted to be collapsible in a controlled manner. Further a dispensing apparatus for at least one cartridge in accordance with the invention is provided having a support cartridge for the reception of at least one cartridge having a closure device provided at a first axial end of the support cartridge as well as a dispensing plunger provided at the second axial end of the support cartridge for the controlled collapse of the at least one cartridge.
US09493284B2 Capped spout
A capped spout of the present invention has a spout (1) and a cap (30) that engages with the spout. Spout (1) has a cylindrical body (3) and a welding part (4). Cylindrical body (2) has an interior that serves as a discharge passage (2) for discharging liquid content in a bag-shaped package, wherein the cap (30) is attached to the cylindrical body (2) in order to close an opening of an outlet end of the discharge passage. The welding part (4) is formed outside the cylindrical body (3) and is welded to an opening of the package. The capped spout of the present invention further has a thin film part (11) that is formed inside the cylindrical body (2) in order to close an opening of an inlet end of the discharge passage. Thin film part (11) has a first surface that faces an interior of the cylindrical body, the interior being closed by the cap (30) and the thin film part (11). A circular groove (12) that is concentric with the thin film part is formed on the first surface. The circular groove (12) is formed of an arc-shaped first groove (12a) and an arc-shaped second groove (12b) that is longer than the first groove (12a). Third linear grooves (13a, 13b) extend on the first surface outwardly from each of both ends of the second groove (12b) in a radial direction of the cylindrical body (2). The first groove (12a) is unbreakable and the second (12b) and third grooves (13a, 13b) are breakable. An arc-shaped fourth groove (14) is further formed on the first surface, wherein the fourth groove is located radially outward of the first groove (12a) between a pair of the third grooves (13a, 13b). The fourth groove (14) is unbreakable.
US09493281B2 Sealing barrier arrangement
The present invention relates to a barrier membrane arrangement for a medical device for providing a substantially liquid tight seal between a piercing member and a barrier member and a method for manufacturing such a barrier member arrangement. The present invention also relates to a method for connecting a first and a second medical device at the barrier member arrangement. The barrier member arrangement comprises a first member, a second member and a barrier member. The second member can be interlocked to the first member by means of a connection arrangement at an optional stage by a user. After interlocking the second member to the first member, the barrier member has been compressed to provide for an increased leakage security. The barrier member arrangement also provides for a prolonged working life of the barrier member and any medical device which comprises such a barrier member arrangement.
US09493275B2 Resealable containers and methods for their preparation and use
Disclosed are compositions directed to resealable containers and methods directed to making and using resealable containers. Also disclosed are methods of containing an article. The resealable containers can include a thermotropic adhesive sealing composition to aid in opening and sealing the containers.
US09493269B2 Non-symmetric multiple layer injection molded products and methods
A mold for molding an injection molded article comprises a mold cavity with a non-symmetrical portion. At least one flow leader in the non-symmetrical portion of the cavity produces a symmetrical flow boundary in a multilayer flow downstream of the non-symmetrical portion of the mold cavity. The at least one flow leader may be a variable thickness flow leader or may alternatively be a plurality of flow leaders having a flow path length that differs from the flow path length of an adjacent flow leader by no more than about 15%. The multilayer flow comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interior layer. Co-injection molding apparatus and methods that may use the foregoing mold are disclosed. Similarly, co-injection molded articles and containers that may result from the foregoing mold, apparatus, and methods are disclosed.
US09493268B2 Package with strap handle
A carton (8) has a top wall (120), end walls and a strap carrying handle (16). The carrying handle (16) includes a strap section (72, 74) that is formed at least partially in a top wall (120) of the carton (8). The strap section (72, 74) is deployable above the top wall (120) and is attached to each end of the carton (8). The carrying handle (16) further includes a handle structure (6) affixed to the underside of the strap section (72, 74). The handle structure (6) includes a series of foldably interconnected panels that is foldable into a substantially tubular structure having three or more sides disposed at least partially beneath the strap section (72, 74) of the carrying handle (16).
US09493264B1 Coin roll opening device
A coin roll opening device includes a support surface and a knife having an elongate cutting edge extending along the support surface. The cutting edge defines a depth of cut that increases from essentially zero at a front end of the cutting edge to a maximum depth of cut away from the front end. A coin roll drive rolls the coin rolls on the support surface over the knife to cut open the coin rolls.
US09493254B2 Machine and method for filling pharmaceutical product containers
A process for filling pharmaceutical product containers in a container filling machine with the stages of: filling the container with the corresponding pharmaceutical substance through filling means in a filling station of the filling machine, weighing the filled container in a filled container weighing station to confirm that the quantity of pharmaceutical substance with which the container has been filled lies within the desired range, in which when the quantity of pharmaceutical substance with which the container has been filled lies outside the desired range the filling means are moved to the filled container weighing station and the container is topped up with a quantity such that the total substance placed in the container in the two stages lies within the desired range.
US09493249B2 System and method for providing an aircraft noise advisory during departure and arrival of an aircraft
A system and method for providing an aircraft noise advisory during departure and/or arrival of an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, predefined allowable aircraft noise level information associated with a plurality of aircraft noise sensors located in the vicinity of airports are obtained. Further, predefined allowable aircraft noise level information associated with one or more of the plurality of aircraft noise sensors is presented on a display device in the aircraft, based on a current location of the aircraft, upon receiving noise data request from a pilot. Furthermore, current aircraft noise level information is obtained from one of the one or more aircraft noise sensors. In addition, the current aircraft noise level information is compared with predefined allowable aircraft noise level information associated with the one of the one or more aircraft noise sensors. Also, the aircraft noise advisory is displayed based on an outcome of the comparison.
US09493247B2 Component arrangement on an aircraft structure, and a method for the installation of a component into an aircraft structure
A component arrangement on an aircraft structure, in particular on a fuselage structure of an aircraft, with at least one mounting structure connected with the aircraft structure, and at least one component to be assigned to the aircraft structure, in particular a measuring device. At least one component carrier is provided to receive the component to be mounted, wherein the component carrier is connected with the mounting structure, and an outer surface of the component carrier, facing away from the component, extends approximately flush with an outer surface of the aircraft structure. Also a method for the installation of a component into an aircraft structure with a mounting structure including the step of connecting the component with the mounting structure via a component carrier, so that an outer surface of the component carrier, facing away from the component, extends approximately flush with an outer surface of the aircraft structure.
US09493246B2 Cryogenic fuel tanks for use in aircraft structures
Cryogenic fuels tanks for use in aircraft structures are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein an airfoil-shaped structure disposed outboard of a fuselage of an aircraft. The example apparatus also includes a first cryogenic fuel tank disposed inside the airfoil-shaped structure.
US09493244B2 Structural element of an air vehicle air intake composed of an array of passages with a hexagonal cross section
An air vehicle powered by a gas turbine engine, particularly, but not exclusively, an air vehicle having a blended wing body includes a gas turbine engine disposed in the body of the vehicle including an inlet face. An inlet channel having a convoluted geometry is configured such that air flow incident on the inlet face during operation is disordered. A structural element associated with the inlet channel and locate upstream of the inlet face is provided. The element is configured to modulate air flow, at least partially, to improve flow ordering in the incident air.
US09493234B2 Method and a system for determining an angular velocity in turning for a rotary wing aircraft
A method and a system for determining an angular velocity in turning for a rotary wing aircraft in order to make turns that are coordinated relative to the ground or else relative to the air and in order to manage the transition between ground coordination and air coordination while taking account of the wind to which the aircraft is subjected. The method serving to determine an angular velocity in yaw using an anticipation value and a correction value on the basis in particular of speeds of advance of the aircraft relative to the ground and relative to the air of its lateral acceleration and of its lateral load factor.
US09493218B2 Body surfing suit
Apparatus and methods for body surfing which provide the body surfer a means to stabilize his ride and control his direction/position on a wave are described herein. According to one aspect, a body surfing apparatus includes a body suit having a torso, arms, and legs; a plurality of fins located on the torso; a plurality of fins located on the arms; and one or more fins located laterally on the legs. The fins are preferably attached to the body suit via an adhesive or mechanical means and the fins and suit may include a buoyant layer. In one embodiment, the body surfing apparatus includes a body suit with multiple segmentations and/or fins with multiple sliced cuts.
US09493214B2 Cable support system
A cable support system for supporting a cable over water includes a base constructed to float on the surface of the water. A cable support is connected to and disposed at least in part above the base. A coupling mechanism couples the cable to the support such that the cable is held by the support above the base.
US09493210B2 Electric power storage holder
An electric power storage holder is inserted in a seat tube of a bicycle frame and holds an electric power storage member. The electric power storage holder includes a restricting section and a holding section. The restricting section contacts an end edge of an open end section of a seat tube to restrict axial movement of the holder in one of axial directions of the seat tube, the one of the axial directions being a direction in which the seat tithe extends. The holding section holds the electric power storage member.
US09493207B2 Motorcycle
A motorcycle comprises a front wheel; a rear wheel; a seat; a vehicle body frame; a swing arm which supports the rear wheel such that the swing arm is vertically pivotable around a location at which the swing arm is connected to a front frame; and a rear suspension which connects the vehicle body frame to the swing arm via a link mechanism, wherein a seat frame includes a pair of rail sections having rear end portions which are placed to be spaced apart from each other on both sides in a vehicle width direction relative to the rear wheel and located above an axle of the rear wheel, and wherein the rear suspension is placed on one side in the vehicle width direction relative to a vehicle body center line extending in a forward and rearward direction and extends in the forward and rearward direction.
US09493202B2 Overhead conveying device having a self-supporting supporting framework
The invention relates to an overhead conveying device (01) for integration in an assembly plant for transporting vehicle components, having a supporting framework (03) and at least one conveying device, wherein the supporting framework (03) has a length of more than 5 m and a width of more than 2 m and comprises longitudinally and/or transversely oriented and/or diagonal interconnected supporting beam elements (04, 05, 07), wherein the conveying device is mounted on the supporting framework (03) and can implement transport of vehicle components, wherein the supporting framework (03) has bearing means (08.5, 08.6) for bearing the overhead conveying device (01) in the assembly plant, wherein the supporting framework (03) is designed to be self-supporting and can be transported in preassembled form from the place of manufacture to the place of use.
US09493198B2 Sealing assembly and hinge of a track having the sealing assembly
A sealing assembly is disposed so as to provide a sealing function between two parts of a track that are movable relative to each other. The sealing assembly includes an elastic ring having a radially-encircling sealing lip that fixedly and sealingly abuts on a first part of the track. The sealing assembly also includes a support ring that is rotatable relative to a sealing ring having a sealing edge. The support ring has a slip surface, on which the sealing edge sealingly abuts.
US09493195B1 Systems, devices, and methods for extending a floor
A system, machine, device, and/or manufacture that is configured for, relates to, and/or results from, and/or a method for activities that can comprise and/or relate to, extending a floor, such as a floor of deck, patio, platform, and/or a vehicle, such as a trailer and/or truck from a compressed arrangement to an extended arrangement.
US09493187B2 Control for trailer backup assist system
In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a trailer backup assist system includes a sensor that senses a measured hitch angle between a vehicle and a trailer. The system also provides an input module that receives a desired curvature of the trailer. A controller of the system includes a curvature regulator determining a desired hitch angle based on the desired curvature and a steering angle of the vehicle. In addition, the controller of the system includes a hitch angle regulator generating a steering angle command based on the desired hitch angle and the measured hitch angle. In this embodiment, the controller is configured to operate the trailer backup assist system irrespective of the attached trailer having a conventional tongue or a gooseneck tongue.
US09493182B2 System and method for compensating friction according to rack bending of MDPS
Disclosed are a system and a method for compensating friction due to rack bending in a motor driven power steering system. The system for compensating friction may include a rack bending signal processor and a friction compensation controller. The rack bending signal processor may determine whether a rack bar bends when a lateral force is transmitted to the rack bar in turn of a vehicle. The friction compensation controller may calculates a friction compensation torque by adding a counter-rack bending torque according to a bending displacement of the rack bar to a basic steering torque of a motor and control a current supplied to the motor to apply the friction compensation torque if it is determined that the rack bar bends.
US09493179B2 Trolley
The invention comprises a trolley with an frame (1) with wheels (10, 11) and at least one handle (5), which is characterized in that the frame (1) comprises: a main supporting rod (2), equipped with the handle (5) at the upper end, and at least one wheel (11) at the lower end; a sub-supporting rod (7), fastened at its upper end to the main supporting rod (2) between the extreme ends of the main supporting rod, and equipped with at least one wheel (10) at the lower end; and wherein the wheels (11) are fastened to the main supporting rod via a first crosspiece (4) and/or where the wheels (10) are fastened to the sub-supporting rod via a second crosspiece (9).
US09493170B2 Method for reducing false activations in reverse collision avoidance systems
A collision avoidance system for a vehicle is disclosed that includes at least one sensor mounted to a vehicle to measure the vehicle's environment in the reverse driving direction, a controller which creates a feature vector based on relationships among data provided by at least one sensor, and a non-volatile memory which stores feature vectors and related object configurations for a number of different environments. The system utilizes a comparison between the current feature vector and previously stored feature vectors to match the current environment with a previously observed environment, and then loads a previously stored object configuration which can improve collision detection performance to reduce the number of unnecessary system interventions.
US09493158B2 Methods and devices for safe operation of undersize autonomous vehicles on public roads
A miniature autonomous vehicle for operation on the public roads is disclosed. The small size allows efficiency for small payloads, but produces a danger of being overlooked by other vehicles. The size of the vehicle is less than driver operated vehicles and may be restricted to less than 200 pounds. Sensors determine the vehicles speed and the presence of environmental vehicles and use a processor to calculate the need for additional visibility. A visibility structure and support structure with lights or markers is controlled by the processor. The markers are controlled in their operation or position by the processor on the basis of the sensor data. Extending or raising and retracting or lowering the structure affects the air resistance and stability of the vehicle. The structure can be raised when the vehicle stops or is in traffic and lowered at road speeds in light or absent traffic.
US09493153B2 Vehicle and control method of vehicle
A vehicle includes an engine, an electrically heated catalyst configured to purify exhaust gas of the engine, and a controller configured to control energizing power to the electrically heated catalyst. The controller is configured to determine the energizing power based on a vehicle speed of the vehicle and an acceleration of the vehicle, when energizing the electrically heated catalyst before the engine is started.
US09493152B2 Methods and systems for adjusting driveline disconnect clutch operation
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, torque transferred via a driveline disconnect clutch is estimated based on characteristics of a torque converter to improve driveline operation.
US09493147B1 Automated smear making apparatus
An automated smear making apparatus used to prepare and smear samples on glass slides. In one embodiment, there is provided a smearing subsystem that generally includes a smear cartridge having: an input reel; at least one roll bar; a take-up reel; and a smearing tape. The smearing tape is initially wound within the input reel and coupled to the take-up reel such that the smearing tape can be drawn from the input reel and into the take-up reel. The smearing tape may include a plurality of perforations formed therein. The smearing tape may then be wrapped around the roll bar such that each of the plurality of perforations forms a blade that extends from the smearing tape to expose a smear surface as the smearing tape is drawn into the take-up reel. Alternatively, the smearing tape may be bent such that an edge of the smearing tape forms a smear surface between two roll bars. A slide transport surface is also provided to move a slide across the smear surface.
US09493140B2 Coupler assembly for wiper assembly
A coupler assembly for a wiper assembly includes a coupler adapted to be attached to at least one support member of the wiper assembly and a retention clip cooperating with the coupler and adapted to engage the at least one support member to retain the at least one support member and the coupler together and prevent longitudinal movement therebetween.
US09493139B2 Wiper apparatus
A wiper apparatus is provided with: a wiper arm (14) which is swung about a rotation shaft (18); and a wiper motor (13) for generating drive power to be transmitted to the rotation shaft (18), the wiper apparatus is provided with a power transmission mechanism (19) for transmitting the drive power from the rotation shaft (18) to the wiper arm (14), the power transmission mechanism (19) is provided with: a link member (19a) fixed to the rotation shaft (18); and a support shaft (19b) fixed at a position on the link member (19a), which deviates from the rotation shaft (18), and configured to support the wiper arm (14), a coupling section between the support shaft (19b) and the wiper arm (14) is positioned in front of the front end of the front glass (11), and at least one part of the wiper motor (13) is located within the projection region of the front glass (11), thereby suppressing the increase in the number of parts.
US09493132B2 Vehicle communication device
A communication system performs emergency communication for a vehicle in accordance with a communication scheme in which multiple antennas are used for receiving on the vehicle side data that is wirelessly transmitted through multiple channels of a same frequency band from a base station to the vehicle and one antenna on the vehicle is used for wireless data transmission from the vehicle to the base station. The vehicle is provided a first transmitting and receiving antenna that performs transmission and reception at normal times, and a second transmitting and receiving antenna that performs reception at normal times. The first transmitting and receiving antenna is disposed at the rear of the roof on the vehicle exterior, and the second transmitting and receiving antenna is disposed in the front position in the vehicle interior.
US09493129B2 Drive control apparatus and method for providing a drive control to a hybrid electric vehicle, and hybrid electric vehicle
An arrangement which prevents excessive engine speed, satisfies a driver's requested torque and protects a battery from overvoltage. A control apparatus provides a torque control to a hybrid electric vehicle, and calculates an engine speed final target so that an engine speed temporary target does not exceed an upper limit. In addition, the control recalculates an engine operating point target based on the calculated engine speed final target, and calculates an engine power final target based on the recalculated engine operating point target. An electrical power target is calculated and may not exceed an upper limit for battery charging and an upper limit for battery discharging. Engine torque is controlled based on the calculated engine operating point target (especially the engine torque final target). Motor generators are controlled to operate based on the calculated engine operating point target and electrical power target.
US09493124B2 Method for manufacturing an interior trim component
The invention pertains to a method for manufacturing an interior trim component that features a special injection molding process and a selective back-foaming process.
US09493091B2 Driving circuit for hybrid electric vehicle and controlling method thereof
There is provided a driving circuit for a hybrid electric vehicle, including a first battery and a second battery, an inverter for converting an applied voltage to the form of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) according to the operating mode of the motor, a converter operating in a boost mode or a buck mode according to the operating mode of the motor, and a processor for comparing a voltage (VB1) of the first battery and a voltage of a DC-link capacitor and controls electrical connection between the first battery, and the inverter and the converter during start-up, wherein the DC-link capacitor is connected in parallel to the first battery, the inverter, and the converter.
US09493083B1 Electrical plug adapter
An electrical adapter device includes an electrical receptacle defined by a first technical standard, e.g. NEMA 6-15R, NEMA 5-20R, or NEMA 6-20R, disposed within a first face of the electrical adapter device and configured to receive a first electrical plug defined by the same first technical standard. The adapter also includes a second electrical plug, e.g. NEMA 5-15P defined by a second technical standard projecting from a second face of the electrical adapter device. The adapter further includes a moveable locking tang projecting from the first face of the electrical adapter device and configured to be received within a complementary aperture defined by a first plug housing containing the first electrical plug. The locking tang is removable from the aperture when in a disengaged position and the locking tang is secured within the aperture when in an engaged position.
US09493079B2 Method and device for charging an energy store of a vehicle
When an energy store of a vehicle is charged via a charging device, a voltage (U) which is made available by the charging device, at a terminal of the vehicle, is measured. A charging current (I) which is made available by the charging device and which charges the energy store is regulated as a function of this voltage (U) in order to limit the power loss during charging.
US09493071B2 Driver assistance system for driver assistance for consumption controlled driving
A driver assistance system for driver assistance for consumption controlled driving combines tactile and visual feedback functions, especially in the form of a drive configuration, a display concept and/or a deceleration assistant, wherein the emphasis is, on the one hand, on a modified accelerator pedal characteristic and, on the other hand, on the ECO tips for interactive output of efficient driving instructions.
US09493069B2 Motor vehicle with disconnectable all-wheel drive system
A vehicle with a primary driveline that is configured to distribute rotary power to a first set of vehicle wheels and a power transmitting device that can be selectively operated to transmit rotary power to a secondary driveline. The power transmitting device has an input member, which is driven by the primary driveline, and an output member that is selectively coupled to the input member to receive rotary power therefrom. The secondary driveline comprises a differential, a pair of shafts, and a side shaft coupling that selectively interrupts power transmission between the differential and one of the shafts.
US09493064B2 Wheel unit
The present disclosure relates to a wheel unit which comprises: a motor; a pinion gear which is fixed to a rotating portion of the motor; a wheel which includes an annular ground surface and rotates about a final gear support shaft; a final gear made of a resin, which is fixed to the wheel directly or via another member and is disposed on one side in an axial direction with respect to the wheel; a speed reduction mechanism which decelerates rotation of the pinion gear and transmits the rotation to the final gear; and a gear case which accommodates the pinion gear, the speed reduction mechanism, and the final gear, wherein a rotation support portion which rotates along with the final gear and the wheel while being supported by the gear case directly or via another member is provided between the final gear and the wheel; and at least a portion of the final gear is positioned on an inside of a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical area surrounded by the ground surface; when viewed from one side in the axial direction, the final gear support shaft and a motor shaft are disposed in different positions; and the speed reduction mechanism has at least three composite gears each of which has a large diameter gear portion and a small diameter gear portion, and a first support shaft which supports a first composite gear, a second support shaft which supports a second composite gear engaging with the first composite gear, and a third support shaft which supports a third composite gear engaging with the second composite gear are arranged such that, when the first support shaft and the second support shaft define an angle θ1 relative to the final gear support shaft, and the second support shaft and the third support shaft define an angle θ2 relative to the final gear support shaft, each of the angles θ1 and θ2 is 90° or smaller.
US09493062B2 Vehicle drive device
A vehicle drive device comprising: an engine, a first electric motor, and a second electric motor disposed on a first axis; a first axis output portion outputting power of the first axis; a second axis input portion that is an input portion of a second axis to which power from the first axis output portion is input, the second axis being parallel to the first axis; a second axis output portion outputting power of the second axis; a transmission changing speed between the second axis input portion and the second axis output portion, the transmission being disposed on the second axis; and a third axis input portion that is an input portion of a third axis to which power from the second axis output portion is input, the third axis being parallel to the first axis, the first axis output portion, the second axis input portion, the second axis output portion, and the third axis input portion all being disposed between the first electric motor and the second electric motor in a direction of the first axis, the transmission including at least a first planetary gear device and a second planetary gear device, the second axis input portion and the second axis output portion being disposed between the first planetary gear device and the second planetary gear device in a direction of the second axis.
US09493058B2 Sunroof drain device
A sunroof drain device includes a drain portion that includes a bottom wall, a first side wall that rises up in the height direction of the vehicle from an edge end of the bottom wall that is positioned on a side near the opening, and a second side wall that rises up higher than the first side wall in the height direction of the vehicle from an edge end of the bottom wall that is positioned on a side away from the opening. The sunroof drain device also includes a sawtooth-shaped portion that is provided protruding upward in the height direction of the vehicle on the bottom wall so as to extend along the boundary portion, with a surface that is on the side away from the opening being more gradually inclined than a surface that is on the side near the opening.
US09493056B2 Front door device in vehicle
A front door device for a vehicle may include a front door, an upper rail mounted to the front door in a width direction, an upper slider inserted in the upper rail to support the upper rail, a lower rail mounted to a vehicle body, a lower slider inserted in the lower rail and movable along the lower rail, an upper support structure having one end connected to the upper slider and the other end mounted to the vehicle body for supporting the upper slider, and a connection structure for connecting the lower slider to the upper rail. The front door device permits the front door to be opened by sliding it forward in the length direction of the vehicle.
US09493053B2 Ventilation box for actuators
An air damper drive for adjusting at least one air damper, which is provided on a frame, between at least two different relative positions including an actuator having an actuator casing and a movement output member received therein, and further including a duct which is coupled in liquid-tight manner to the actuator and extends along a duct path (K) and has a duct sheath and a duct volume surrounded by the latter, wherein the duct sheath is coupled to the actuator casing in liquid-tight manner such that the duct volume communicates with an actuator inner volume that is surrounded by the actuator casing, and in that the air damper drive has an equalization casing to which the duct sheath is connected in liquid-tight manner such that the duct volume communicates with an equalization volume that is surrounded by the equalization casing.
US09493051B2 Chilled vehicle fuel storage tank
A method and system for cooling the fuel contained in the fuel storage tank of motor vehicles using internal combustion engines. The method and system uses tubing in intimate contact with the exterior of the fuel tank to cool the fuel tank. The method and system may optionally employ an insulating wrap or shell to improve thermal efficiency.
US09493049B2 Systems, devices, and methods including a stand-up wheel chair having automatic stability control
Systems, devices, and methods are described for providing, among other things, a stand-up wheel chair having automatic stability control.
US09493045B2 Method and apparatus for multilayer shear band reinforcement
A method is provided for reinforcement of a multiple layer shear band as may be used in a non-pneumatic tire. More particularly, a method of improving the performance characteristics (such as e.g., increasing the bending stiffness) of a shear band without increasing its thickness or to reducing the thickness of a shear band while maintaining its performance characteristics and to shear bands constructed according to such method is provided as well as shear bands constructed according to such method.
US09493037B2 Pneumatic tire
The present invention provides a pneumatic tire having a carcass as a skeleton extending in a toroidal shape over a pair of bead portions, a belt including at least one slant layer, and a tread, the belt and the tread being disposed on the outer side in the tire radial direction of a crown portion of the carcass in this order, characterized in that: a ratio BD/BW of radius difference BD between radius at the center portion and radius at an end portion in the tire widthwise direction of the outermost layer of the slant belt layer(s), to a width BW of the outermost layer, is in the range of 0.01 to 0.04 in a section of the tire in the widthwise direction in a state where the tire is assembled with an application rim. A pneumatic tire being excellent in wear resistance performance and having relatively low rolling resistance can be obtained accordingly.
US09493033B2 Aircraft wheel bearing arrangement
A bearing arrangement for an aircraft landing gear wheel is provided that effectively supports the wheel on an axle while maximizing internal wheel volume available for mounting a non-engine drive motor used to power the wheel and/or brakes or other structures within the maximized wheel volume. The bearing arrangement is preferably employed with a two-part aircraft wheel mounted on a landing gear axle and includes bearing structures located only on wheel sections adjacent to the axle. A specifically configured cantilevered joint portion of inboard and outboard wheel sections supports weight and loads bearing structures, eliminating the need for and space required by a high speed bearing. Stiffness necessary for strength and structural integrity is provided by the materials selected to form the wheel sections.
US09493032B2 Cycle wheel rim and method of manufacture
A cycle wheel having a U-shaped radial cross section, with two lateral sidewalls located on opposite sides of a median plane of the rim and each demarcated by an outer surface facing away from the median plane, on the one hand, and a bridge connecting the sidewalls and including an outer surface facing toward the axis of rotation of the wheel, on the other hand. At least one median zone of the outer surface of the bridge, which has a transverse width measured perpendicular to the median plane and greater than 4 mm, is machined over the entire circumference of the rim.
US09493030B2 Pen support rack having biometric access restriction
A pen support rack for securing pens and preventing unauthorized access comprises a support member defining a rack body having a base, a trunk, and a plurality of branches and an integrated fingerprint scanner. Each branch includes a locking loop for receiving the body of a conventional pen, with its clip secured over the loop so that the pen hangs from the locking loop. Each locking loop is operative to selectively lock a pen inside through operation of an integrated electromagnet. Thus when an authorized user seeks to secure a pen to the pen support rack or remove one from the pen support rack, the user would place his finger on the fingerprint scanner. If the fingerprint is accepted by the fingerprint scanner, a signal is sent to the microcontroller causing it to toggle the provision of electricity to the electromagnets on the locking loops.
US09493026B2 Binder apparatus
Binder apparatus are disclosed. An example binder apparatus includes a housing, first and second carrier rails supported by the housing and a slider comprising slots or protrusions. The slider is movable between a first position and a second position, where (a) in the first position, the slider to secure the first and second carrier rails in a closed position, in the second position, and (b) the slider to enable pivotable movement of the first and second carrier rails. The binder apparatus also includes a lever including a groove and gear teeth. The groove is to receive ends of the first and second carrier rails to pivot the carrier rails between the closed position and an open position. The gear teeth are to matingly engage the slots or protrusions to transition the slider between the first position and the second position.
US09493024B2 System and method to derive structure from image
A method and system creates a printed substrate suitable for conversion into a three-dimensional object. A template generator identifies a printing template having die line data representing a cutting path and folding position data representing a folding path. Foreground image data representative of a first image is automatically applied the selected printing template to define a target location for the first image, and also to define a second die line around a portion of the target location to form a second cutting path based on the foreground image data. A printer prints the first image onto a substrate at the target location, a cutting device cuts the substrate along the first cutting path and the second cutting path, and a scoring device scores the substrate along the folding path to generate a printed substrate that will fold into a three-dimensional object.
US09493004B2 Liquid discharge apparatus and method for controlling the same
A liquid discharge apparatus comprises a head having a discharge port surface on which a discharge port is provided for discharging a liquid, and a liquid moving unit arranged apart from the discharge port surface and configured to be movable along the discharge port surface, wherein, the liquid moving unit moves a liquid on the discharge port surface to a collection position in which the discharge port is not provided, with a moving of the liquid moving unit.
US09492999B2 Drop detection methods and apparatus for use with drop dispensing apparatus
Drop detection are disclosed. An example liquid dispensing device includes a controller to control dispensing of a first drop from a first orifice and a second drop from a second orifice, a sensor to monitor the first orifice to detect at least one of a presence or an absence of a drop from the first orifice and, in response to the sensor detecting an absence of the first drop, the controller is to classify the first orifice as at least one of occluded or non-functioning.
US09492987B2 Polyester film and laminate using same
A polyester film suitable for use in battery packages, particularly for use in deep drawn packages of lithium ion secondary batteries that includes an electrolyte (in a solid state or in a liquid state), and which is also suitable for use in packages of pharmaceutical products that have various shapes. The polyester film is characterized in that the stresses at 5% elongation (F5 values) and the stresses at 10% elongation (F10 values) of the film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction at 25° C., respectively, satisfy (I) and (II): 1.5≧F10MD/F5MD≧1  (I) 1.5≧F10TD/F5TD≧1  (II).
US09492984B2 Systems and methods for treating and handling cardboard sheets
System and methods of treating or handling cardboard sheets.
US09492983B2 Frame for hydraulic apparatus
A frame for hydraulic apparatus includes at least three supporting pillars, a supporting assembly mounted on the supporting pillars and including a fixed die plate fixed to the supporting pillars, an adjustable die plate slidably fixed to the at least three supporting pillars and a core plate slidably fixed to the at least three supporting pillars and located between the fixed die plate and the adjustable die plate and a link mechanism mounted on the supporting assembly and coupling the core plate to the adjustable die plate. The fixed die plate, the core plate and the adjustable die plate each have a periphery sidewall, and include a first protrusion protruded from the periphery sidewall and extended along a circumferential direction thereof, and define an indentation adjacent to the first protrusion and further define a plurality of openings on the first protrusion interconnected with the indentation.
US09492981B2 Film for tire inner liner and method for manufacturing the same
This disclosure relates to a film for a tire inner liner including a base film layer including a copolymer or a mixture of 50 wt % to 95 wt % of a polyamide-based resin and 5 wt % to 50 wt % of a polyether-based resin, and an adhesive layer including a resorcinol-formalin-latex (RFL)-based adhesive formed on at least one side of the base film layer, wherein a difference between a maximum thickness and an average thickness of the base film layer and a difference between a minimum thickness and the average thickness of the base film layer are respectively 6% or less of the base film, and a method for manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, an excellent gas barrier property may be achieved with a thin thickness, and thus the weight of a tire may become light and the mileage of automobiles may be improved, and as the inner liner film may have a uniform thickness, excellent forming stability and a tire having excellent durability may be provided.
US09492979B2 Filament wound inflators
An apparatus for filament wrapping a composite material around an object includes a fixture onto which the object can be rotationally fixed at a selected angle from vertical designated α, where 90°>α>0°. The fixture is secured to a rotatable planar platform. The rotatable platform permits the fixture to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the planar platform. An eyelet is provided wherethrough a composite material filament can be released to wrap the object rotationally fixed onto the fixture. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for filament wrapping a composite material around an object and helically wrapping a composite material filament around an inflator device subassembly.
US09492966B2 Method for embossing a tip cover of a cigarette tip
A device (1) for embossing a predetermined pattern onto at least one flat material (4) introduced between at least two printing rollers of said device, the movements of the embossing rollers being synchronized and said rollers (2, 3) also comprise at least two embossing tracks (5, 6), wherein the movements of the embossing rollers (2, 3) are synchronized with each other by synchronization means (7, 8) associated with different embossing tracks (5, 6), which mesh with each other and are distributed over the lateral surfaces of the embossing rollers (2, 3) or are electronically and/or electromechanically synchronized together, the different embossing tracks (5, 6) of the associated synchronization means (7, 8) of the same embossing roller (2, 3) being offset in relation to each other.
US09492962B2 Biaxially oriented polylactic acid film with reduced noise level and improved moisture barrier
Described are metallized biaxially oriented polylactic acid (BOPLA) films with a novel formulation that exhibits a softer feel and quieter sound, without jeopardizing film making stability. It has been found that when these films are metallized, moisture barrier properties are surprisingly improved compared to conventional metallized BOPLA films. Specifically, the moisture barrier of the films may be 2.0 g/m2/day or less at 38° C. and 90% relative humidity. The films can be used, for example, in packaging applications. The films have characteristics that are beneficial to converting processes, are economical, and maintain bio-compostability similar to typical BOPLA films.
US09492961B2 Acoustic ceiling tiles with anti-sagging properties and methods of making same
An acoustic tile with excellent anti-sagging properties is provided. The tile comprises a soy-protein binder selected from the group consisting of soy flour, soy protein concentrate, soy protein isolate and any combination thereof. In further embodiments, the tile further comprises polyamide-epichlorohydrin. Other tiles include those made with a thermosetting binder selected from the group consisting of an acrylic binder, a polyester binder, an acrylo-polyester binder and any mixture thereof. Energy-efficient methods for making the tiles are also provided.
US09492940B2 Stationery punching device for creating a decorative craft
A stationery punching device for creating a decorative craft that includes a die support frame, a punch guiding frame aligned with the die support frame, a punch, a pivot seat connected to at least one of ends of the die support frame and the punch guiding frame, an operating lever pivoted to the pivot seat, and an urging member for urging the punch. The pivot seat is spaced apart from the punch guiding frame by first and second slits, so that when an upward pulling force acts on the pivot seat, the upward pulling force cannot be transmitted from the pivot seat directly to the two sides and one end of the punch guiding frame.
US09492935B2 Apparatus for grooving cardboard cuttings
The apparatus (1) includes a horizontally supported transport drum (11), spaced-apart endless belts (51) that revolve around rollers (54.1 to 54.8) and are partially wrapped around the transport drum (11) such that an infeed (14) and an outlet (15) are formed and the cardboard cuttings (2, 3) are pressed against and conveyed on the drum. Groove cutting tools (72) are arranged between the belts (51). In order to allow a visual inspection of the cut grooves (3a) from above during the operation of the apparatus, the outlet (15) is situated in the region of the upper vertex of the transport drum (11). The delivery of the grooved cardboard cuttings (3) at the upper vertex of the transport drum (11) also results in an ergonomically advantageous removal height.
US09492934B2 Cutting tool and method
A tool for cutting a tie wrap bound about a wire bundle. The tool includes a body portion having a generally disc-shaped cutter and cutting edge. A shield covers one side of the cutter and defines first and second shield slots in communication with the cutting edge. A housing pivotally connected to the body portion covers the other side of the cutter and defines first and second housing slots that communicate with the cutting edge. The housing pivots between first, second, and third positions. In the first position, the first housing slot communicates with the first shield slot to expose the cutting edge for cutting purposes. In the second position, the first housing slot is out of communication with the first shield slot, thereby covering the cutting edge. And, in the third position, the second housing slot communicates with the second shield slot to expose the cutting edge.
US09492927B2 Application of force feedback on an input device to urge its operator to command an articulated instrument to a preferred pose
A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulated instruments extending out of its distal end. A controller is configured to command manipulation an articulated instrument in response to operator manipulation of an associated input device while generating a force command to the input device that nudges the operator to command the instrument to a preferred pose. When a transition is to occur between first and second preferred poses, one is phased in while the other is phased out. Virtual barriers may be imposed to prevent the articulated instrument from being commanded to an undesirable pose.
US09492926B2 Apparatus for the automated handling of workpieces
An apparatus for the automated handling of workpieces comprising at least one gripper for picking the workpiece; a control for controlling the at least one gripper and an intermediate station for placing the workpiece, with the apparatus being configured such that the workpiece is placed in a defined position and/or defined orientation on the intermediate station and is picked up again with a changed orientation and/or with greater accuracy.
US09492923B2 Generating robotic grasping instructions for inventory items
Robotic arms may be utilized to grasp inventory items within an inventory system. Information about an inventory item to be grasped can be detected and used to determine a grasping strategy in conjunction with information from a database. Instructions for grasping an inventory item can be generated based on the detected information and the database.
US09492912B2 Hydraulic torque wrench system
A hydraulic torque wrench system has a power head and interchangeable link cartridge drives, insertable into the power head. A power head to cartridge drive connection system secures the cartridge drives into the power head forming a single unit having a torque line extending through the center line of the power head, in order to eliminate adverse reactive forces. A hydraulic hose coupler allows 360° by 360° coupler rotation. The link cartridge drives include a reaction pawl which controls the movement of the ratchet within the cartridge drive, a clam shell drive plate for an internal ratchet tooth cassette, a locking system to maintain a ratchet square drive in opposed lateral positions, and a reaction arm adjustment system for locking the reaction arm in a plurality of configurations in relation to the cartridge drive.
US09492905B2 Retaining ring with selected stiffness and thickness
A retaining ring for holding a substrate below a carrier head during chemical mechanical polishing includes an annular lower portion and an annular upper portion secured to the lower portion. The annular lower portion has a main body with a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing, and is a first material. A top surface of the upper portion is configured to be secured to the carrier head. The upper portion is a second material that is more rigid than the first material. A thickness and stiffness of the lower portion is selected for a particular polishing environment to improve polishing uniformity near an edge of the substrate.
US09492903B2 Automatic tool storing mechanism
An automatic tool storing mechanism has a plurality of main magazines, transporting apparatus, and a tool exchanging arm. Each main magazine holds a large number of pots with tools. The transporting apparatus transports the pots with tools one by one between the main magazine and the waiting position close to the main spindle. The tool exchanging arm takes out an unused or preused pot with tool which is waiting at the waiting position and attaches it to the main spindle and also removes the used tool from the main spindle and places it in the pot.
US09492899B2 Multi-rack, door-mounted heat exchanger
An air-cooling apparatus is provided which includes a securing mechanism for holding two or more separate electronics racks in fixed relation adjacent to each other, and a multi-rack door sized and configured to span the air inlet or air outlet sides of the racks. The securing mechanism holds the electronics racks in fixed relation with their air inlet sides facing a first direction, and air outlet sides facing a second direction. The door includes a door frame with an airflow opening. The airflow opening facilitates the ingress or egress of airflow through the electronics racks, and the door further includes an air-to-liquid heat exchanger supported by the door frame, and disposed so that air flowing through the airflow opening passes across the heat exchanger. In operation, the heat exchanger extracts heat from the air passing through the separate electronics racks.
US09492898B2 Refrigerator including a refrigerant pipe assembly and manufacturing method thereof
A refrigerator in which a refrigerant pipe assembly including a refrigerant pipe and a refrigerant pipe insulator coupled to the refrigerant pipe is inserted into an inner case in an inward direction from an outside of the inner case through an opening of the inner case. A portion of the refrigerant pipe insulator is disposed in the ice making chamber, and a remaining portion of the refrigerant pipe insulator is disposed between the inner case and the outer case. The refrigerant pipe insulator portion disposed between the inner case and the outer case is supported by a body insulator foamed between the inner case and the outer case. In accordance with this structure, it is possible not only to insulate the refrigerant pipe, but also to easily insert the refrigerant pipe into the ice making chamber and to keep the refrigerant pipe in a firmly-supported state.
US09492897B2 Blank and method of manufacturing rack shaft using the same
A blank is provided with a first shaft portion, a second shaft portion, and a machining target portion. The machining target portion is formed at a position closer to a shaft end portion of the first shaft portion than a shaft end portion of the second shaft portion. A first large-volume portion is formed at the first end portion of the machining target portion close to the first shaft portion, and a second large-volume portion is formed at the second end portion of the machining target portion close to the second shaft portion, respectively. The volumes per unit length of the first and second large-volume portions are greater than the volume per unit length of the intermediate portion in the axial direction of the machining target portion. Furthermore, the volume of the second large-volume portion is greater than the overall volume of the first large-volume portion.
US09492896B2 Device for positioning multiple function elements
A device for positioning multiple function elements having a recess for receiving a shaft in a predetermined angle position may include multiple mountings for receiving the function elements. The mountings may be equipped with a molding establishing the predetermined angle position of the respective function element corresponding to the angle position on the shaft. The mountings may be positioned such that the recesses of the function elements lie on a common straight line. The mountings may be arranged vertically on top of one another so that the common straight line runs in vertical direction. A vertically moveable guide carriage for the shaft may be provided for joining the shaft with the function elements in vertical direction.
US09492893B2 Method and arrangement for manufacturing a sample for microstructural materials diagnostics and corresponding sample
Method for manufacturing a sample for microstructural materials diagnostics, especially for transmission electron microscopy examinations, for scanning electron microscopy examinations for transmission electron-backscatter diffraction, for Rutheford backscatter diffraction, for elastic recoil detection analysis, for X-ray absorption spectroscopy or for X-ray diffraction, comprising detaching a basic structure from a preferably flat substrate by irradiating the substrate with a high energy beam, preferably with a laser beam, wherein the basic structure comprises a supported structure being supported by a supporting structure, preferably a cantilever beam which is supported at least at one of its both ends, preferably at both of its ends, by the supporting structure, the supporting structure being configured to be held by a jig, preferably to be clamped in the jig, and thinning the supported structure at least in sections by cutting, preferably by grazing, its surface, preferably at least at one of its lateral faces and/or of its front faces, preferably two opposing ones of its lateral faces, with the high energy beam.
US09492891B2 Parallel belt system for cut sheet transport in a laser cutter
A parallel belt system for a laser cutter module and a method or non-transitory computer readable medium for transporting a cut sheet of media through a laser cutter in a printer is disclosed. For example, the parallel belt system includes a rotating shaft, a plurality of pairs of o-rings movably coupled to the rotating shaft, a plurality of belts for receiving a cut sheet of media, a guide for each one of the plurality of belts for holding a respective one of the plurality of belts rigid, a laser cutter for cutting a portion of the cut sheet of media and a collection module coupled below the plurality of belts for collecting the portion of the cut sheet of media that is cut by the laser cutter.
US09492876B2 Coupling device and cutting tool
A coupling device couples a first member and a second member. The coupling device includes: two protruding portions provided on the first member; a through hole formed to pass through the second member; two reception holes provided in the second member and each formed to connect to the through hole; and a fixing member having a first pressing portion and a second pressing portion. The fixing member is configured to, when being disposed in the through hole, change a distance between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion due to application of a force to one end portion of the fixing member. The first pressing portion and the second pressing portion are formed to exert a fixing force on either corresponding one of the two protruding portions received in the two reception holes.
US09492874B2 Chuck
A chuck for a machine tool for supporting rotationally symmetrical components, the chuck being adapted to prevent contamination of a guide groove area, wedge rods and the chuck body, in any operational position of the clamping jaws of the chuck.