Document Document Title
US09946027B2 Device and method for post-fabrication trimming of an optical ring resonator using a dopant-based heater
A device and method for post-fabrication trimming of an optical ring resonator using a dopant-based heater is provided. An optical ring resonator at the device can be heated using heaters in an optical slab from which the optical ring resonator extends, the heater including a non-uniform doping profile. A controller determines an initial resonance frequency and a target resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator. The controller applies predetermined electrical parameters to the heater using electrical connections to shift a resonance frequency of the optical ring resonator from the initial resonance frequency to the target resonance frequency by causing the dopant in the heater to migrate.
US09946023B2 Optical attenuator and fabrication method thereof
An optical attenuator and/or optical terminator is provided. The device includes an optical channel having two regions with different optical properties, such as an undoped silicon region which is less optically absorptive and a doped silicon region which is more optically absorptive. Other materials may also be used. A facet at the interface between the two regions is oriented at a non-perpendicular angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the channel. The angle can be configured to mitigate back reflection. Multiple facets may be included between different pairs of regions. The device may further include curved and/or tapers to further facilitate attenuation and/or optical termination.
US09946014B2 Techniques and devices for low-loss coupling to a multicore fiber
An optical pedestal fiber is configured to be taperable to form a tapered fiber having a mode field diameter at the tapered end that differs from the mode field diameter at the untapered end in correspondence with the difference between the cladding diameter at the tapered end and the cladding diameter at the untapered end. A plurality of such pedestal fibers can be used to construct a tapered fiber bundle coupler that provides matching of both core pitch and mode field diameter between a plurality of input fibers and individual cores of a multicore fiber. Further, the tapered fiber bundle coupler can be constructed using a plurality of fibers, in which individual fibers are configured to have different effective refractive indices, thereby suppressing crosstalk therebetween.
US09945997B2 Virtual image display apparatus with curved surface having both positive and negative curvature and functioning as both reflection surface and refraction surface
An intermediate image is formed inside a light guide member by a projection lens or the like, whereby a small optical system having a wide viewing angle and high performance is provided. At least one curved surface among curved surfaces forming an optical system is an opposite-sign curvature curved surface having an opposite-sign curvature point different in curvature depending on direction, whereby the optical system is placed in a satisfactory aberration correction state.
US09945975B2 Active dampening for a wellbore logging tool using iterative learning techniques
In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of vibration control for a wellbore logging tool is disclosed. The wellbore logging tool includes an acoustic transmitter. The method may include providing a braking signal to the acoustic transmitter. The braking signal may be based, at least in part, on at least one prior vibration in the acoustic transmitter. The method may include determining a present vibration in the acoustic transmitter after the braking signal has been provided to the acoustic transmitter. The method may include determining whether to update the braking signal and, if so, updating the braking signal based, at least in part, on the present vibration in the acoustic transmitter.
US09945973B2 Marine seismic survey pre-plot design
Method and system for generating a full acquisition path for a marine seismic acquisition system. The method includes receiving survey area information about a survey area to be seismically surveyed; selecting a radius (R) and a length (L) of a lace; selecting an overlap distance (OL) between first and second lanes; generating the full acquisition path by repeating the lace along a first lead line inside the first lane and along a second lead line inside the second lane and replicating the first and second lanes until the entire survey area is covered with laces; and sending the full acquisition path to a streamer vessel for performing the seismic survey.
US09945964B2 Evaluation logic of an X-ray detector with multi-level multiplexer
An X-ray detector includes an arrangement of detector elements and an evaluation logic of the arrangement of detector elements. The evaluation logic includes a multi-level first multiplexer. A plurality of detector elements are assigned to a first group and each detector element of the first group is assigned to an input of a first level of the multi-level first multiplexer. The respective total number of the inputs of the levels of the multi-level first multiplexer is greater than the total number of outputs of the levels of the multi-level first multiplexer. A serial output is assigned to an output of a last level of the multi-level first multiplexer.
US09945960B2 Luminaire associate
A street lighting fixture and street lamp used in street lighting containing an accelerometer that is used to detect and characterize acceleration events on a street lighting fixture. The accelerometer readings may be combined with GPS technology to determine a relocation of the street lighting fixture.
US09945949B2 Long-range, small target rangefinding
A device for measuring a distance of a target by means of a telemeter comprises: a laser pulse emitter; a receiver of the laser echoes backscattered by the target, comprising, a spatial detection device which comprises at least one photodiode set up as integrator and is able to provide a spatial signal, and a temporal detection device which comprises at least one photodiode coupled to a transimpedance circuit and is able to provide a so-called temporal signal, means of processing of the spatial signal and of the temporal signal, comprising a unit for calculating the distance of the target, the temporal signal being in the form of a data frame which is the recording of data detected over a predetermined duration. The means of processing comprise: means of post-integration of temporal signals, linked at output to the unit for calculating the distance of the target, linked to the spatial detection device and to the temporal detection device, means for selecting the temporal signals to be transmitted to the post-integration means, as a function of the spatial signal.
US09945940B2 Systems and methods of wireless position tracking
Position and orientation tracking systems and methods include a transmitting antenna transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal. At least one receiving antenna acquires the RF signal. One of the at least one receiving antenna and the transmitting antenna is designated a reference antenna. A processing unit determines a phase difference between the RF signal received by each receiving antenna and the reference antenna. The processing unit computes a position of the transmitting antenna with respect to the at least one receiving antenna in response to the phase difference determined for each receiving antenna.
US09945933B2 Apparatus and method for mitigating interference in a frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) automotive radar system
In a frequency-modulated continuous-wave radar processing system and method, a linear frequency ramp signal is defined. The linear ramp signal is divided into a plurality of time sections. The sections of the linear ramp signal are rearranged in time such that the plurality of sections define a transmit control signal different than the linear ramp signal. A radar transmission signal is generated having a frequency varying with time according to the transmit control signal, and the radar transmission signal is transmitted into the region of interest. An intermediate frequency (IF) signal is generated using the radar transmission signal and radar receive signals received from the region of interest, a frequency of the IF signal being a difference between the frequency of the radar transmission signal and a frequency of the radar receive signals. The IF signal is low-pass filtered. Radar processing is performed on the low-pass-filtered IF signal.
US09945932B2 Real-time multi-array sum power spectrum control
Power control for a radar system issues power draw commands to each array in the radar system. Each power draw command controls direct current (DC) power draw by the respective radar array on a dwell-by-dwell basis, based on total energy resources (including stored energy) available to the respective array at the start of a dwell period, a power spend rate expected for the respective array during the dwell period, and a rate of “waste” power set to be dispersed to reduce excess power at the respective array during the dwell period. In determining power draw for an array, the power control takes into account a predetermined number of future dwell periods and any transmit and/or receive tasks scheduled for such periods. If necessary to maintain less than a predetermined ripple on total DC power drawn from a source of the DC power by the radar system, the power control adjusts a duration of empty dwell periods within the dwell schedule for one or more of the arrays.
US09945931B2 Techniques for navigating UAVs using ground-based transmitters
Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer-readable storage media for navigating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) using signals of opportunity are disclosed. The UAV may include a receiver for detecting a plurality of signals at two or more receiver elements. The UAV may estimate an angle of arrival (AoA) for at least two signals of the plurality of signals, and may estimate a position of the receiver based, at least in part, on the AoA for each of the at least two signals. Known locations of the transmitters that are transmitting the at least two signals may be used in conjunction with the AoAs to determine the estimate of the position of the receiver. More than two signals may be used to localize the estimated position of the receiver.
US09945926B2 Method of designing bandwidth efficient ranging waveforms
A method of designing bandwidth-efficient ranging waveforms provides waveforms usable in non-contiguous spectral bands that have low SNR thresholds and are usable at low and moderate SNR's. A set of allowed frequencies in the desired spectral region is divided into bands. A first group of band combinations is selected having a required accuracy at high SNR. Those band combinations in the first group that have the smallest autocorrelation secondary peaks are selected as a second group. Finally, waveforms are selected that occupy band combinations from the second group and have desired factors such as simultaneous or sequential transmission, a desired order of sequential transmission, and/or a desired modulation of the individual bands. Multiple simultaneous transmissions can share a set of bands, and individual transmitters can employ different modulating waveforms with good cross-correlation. In embodiments, waveforms having 4-6 bands provide a SNR threshold only 6-9 dB lower than conventional waveforms.
US09945925B2 Method for detecting a malfunction of a battery control system
A method for detecting a malfunction of a battery control system including a plurality of sensors intended to measure separate physical quantities of the battery, the method including the following steps: a) reading output values of the sensors; and b) determining, by means of a processing unit, whether the read values are consistent with a physical phenomenon conditioning relationships between at least two of the quantities.
US09945913B2 Magnetic sensor, method for manufacturing magnetic sensor, and current sensor
A magnetic sensor includes: a magnetoresistive effect element having a sensitivity axis in a specific direction in which a fixed magnetic layer, a nonmagnetic material layer, and a free magnetic layer are laminated in this order; an antiferromagnetic layer which generates an exchange coupling bias with the free magnetic layer and which aligns the magnetization direction thereof in a predetermined direction provided on the free magnetic layer; and a ferromagnetic layer which generates an exchange coupling bias with the antiferromagnetic layer and which aligns the magnetization direction thereof in a predetermined direction provided on the antiferromagnetic layer. The magnetization direction on the exchange coupling bias in the free magnetic layer is the same direction as that on the exchange coupling bias in the ferromagnetic layer, and the ferromagnetic layer is able to impart a reflux magnetic field having a component along a sensitivity axis to the free magnetic layer.
US09945911B2 Apparatus and method for measuring impedance for fuel cell diagnosis
An apparatus for measuring impedance for fuel cell diagnosis may include: a current measurement unit configured to measure a current flowing to a load from a fuel cell stack; a voltage measurement unit configured to measure a voltage of the fuel cell stack; and a calculation unit configured to monitor a variation of the current measured through the current measurement unit, perform a frequency analysis operation at each sampling while sampling the current and voltage of the fuel cell stack, and calculate impedance based on the analyzed voltage and current of the fuel cell stack.
US09945904B1 Apparatus, method, and system for testing IC chip
An apparatus for performing a scan test of IC chip includes a shift-frequency searching unit that executes first scan test for first scan pattern whole or part of which constituting first scan section and second scan test for second scan pattern whole or part of which constituting second scan section, and searches usable shift frequency for the second scan section. The first scan pattern is scan pattern inputted to scan path right before the second scan pattern. The shift-frequency searching unit shifts the first scan section to the scan path with first shift frequency in the first scan test, shifts the second scan section to the scan path with second shift frequency in the second scan test, and determines, when both results of the first scan test and the second scan test indicate pass, the second shift frequency as the usable shift frequency for the second scan section.
US09945902B2 Manufacturing method and program of semiconductor device
A burn-in test process is omitted for some or all lots. In burn-in necessity determination processing, whether each semiconductor chip requires a burn-in test to be performed is determined based on measurement data obtained in a probe test process. In an assembly process, based on the results of determination made in the burn-in necessity determination processing, the assembled packages are sorted into a first lot which includes packages each including a semiconductor chip determined to require a burn-in test to be performed and a second lot which includes packages each including a semiconductor chip determined to require no burn-in test to be performed. In a burn-in test process, only the packages of the first lot are subjected to a burn-in test.
US09945897B2 Monitoring of insulation conditions during electrical system events using differential current sensor
Systems and methods are disclosed for on-line monitoring of the condition of insulation in electrical devices employing a differential current sensor. In certain embodiments a monitor that can be fitted to existing electrical devices by attachment of the sensor to a pair of phase cables is provided. In other embodiments, an electrical device configured with an insulation monitor is provided.
US09945894B2 Arc fault detection
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting arc faults. For some embodiments, arc faults are detected from waveforms that are acquired and processed, preferably using an Average Magnitude Difference Function (AMDF). The characteristics of the waveform provide an indication of whether or not an arcing fault occurred.
US09945869B2 Method for the detection of a binding partner of a multispecific binder
Herein is reported a method for the detection of free antigen of a multispecific antibody in a sample, whereby the antigen to be detected can be specifically bound by a first binding site of the multispecific antibody, comprising the step of incubating a sample comprising free antigen and multispecific antibody with an anti-idiotypic antibody, which specifically binds to a second binding specificity of the bispecific antibody, which is different from the first binding specificity, whereby the anti-idiotypic antibody is bound to a solid phase.
US09945866B2 Protein standard
Disclosed herein is a protein standard for gel electrophoresis. The standard may be detected using multiple modalities. These modalities include, for example, observation of color or fluorescence arising from dyes, porphyrins, or haloalkylated tryptophan residues covalently linked to proteins of the standard; or detection of fluorescence or chemiluminescence arising from antibodies or other binding partners bound to proteins of the standard through polypeptide epitopes or affinity tags. The protein standard comprises multiple protein sets, each set corresponding to a different gel band, and proteins within a set may be detectable with one or more modalities.
US09945853B2 Extracellular mitochondrial components for detecting inflammatory reactions and conditions
The present disclosure highlights the relationship between extracellular mitochondrial components, optionally in combination with the secreted phospholipase A2-IIA and/or an auto-antibody, and in vivo as well as in vitro and inflammatory reactions/conditions, especially those released as a result of the degradation of a platelet. The present disclosure provides methods for determining the presence of inflammatory mediators, for limiting inflammatory reactions/conditions, for the diagnosis inflammatory reactions/conditions, for screening therapeutics for the treatment and/or the alleviation of symptoms of inflammatory reactions/conditions based on the detection or modulation of the level of these extracellular mitochondrial components.
US09945848B2 Reagent calibration system and method
One aspect relates to a method of calibrating event data. The method includes obtaining, via an electronic device including a processor, event data for an assay including a reagent. The reagent is associated with one of a plurality of manufacturing lots of the reagent. The method includes receiving one or more calibration factors for the reagent based on an identifier associated with the one of the plurality of manufacturing lots. The method further includes generating calibrated event data based on an application of the one or more calibration factors to the event data.
US09945847B2 Immunoassays using over-labeled fluorescent probes
The present disclosure provides immunoassays using one or more over-labeled fluorescent probes, which provides for rapid, accurate and quantitative detection of one or more target analytes in sample, reading fluorescent intensity. The disclosed immunoassays provide multiplexing capability with low cross-reactivity.
US09945841B2 Cell cycle measuring method based on an electrochemical method
A method for measuring cell cycles includes immobilizing a capture specifically binding to a cell membrane protein to a substrate, wherein the cell membrane protein is a counterpartner binding to the capture, binding a cell having the cell membrane protein as the counterpartner to the capture, and measuring a redox potential of the cell. A method for screening a substance affecting cell cycles includes immobilizing a capture specifically binding to a cell membrane protein to a substrate; wherein the cell membrane protein is a counterpartner binding to the capture, binding a cell having the cell membrane protein as the counterpartner to the capture, treating a test substance of interest for analysis to a cell, and measuring a redox potential of the cell.
US09945839B2 Apparatus, system, and method for collecting a target material
This disclosure is directed to an apparatus, system and method for retrieving a target material from a suspension. A system includes a displacement fluid, a collector, and a primary vessel. In another implementation, the system includes a processing vessel, a displacement fluid, a collector, and a primary vessel.
US09945832B2 Apparatus and method to determine ground properties by traction anchors and sensors
A system and apparatus for determining soil properties and managing the ground can include a platform equipped with traction anchors, wherein at least one anchor is configured to provide a point of traction on the ground and to pull the platform. The system also includes one or more sensors positioned and configured to detect ground properties near the anchor, and a computer subsystem configured to receive and process data on ground properties measured by the sensor, to process this information, and capable of transmitting information about the ground soil to a remote receiver.
US09945830B2 Standard solution with cleaning reagent for wet chemistry analyzer
A calibration solution for a wet chemistry analyzer is provided. The solution comprises a calibration agent. The solution also comprises a cleaning agent. The cleaning agent is selected such that the wet chemistry analyzer is simultaneously cleaned and calibrated.
US09945829B2 Deep-frying device, portable deep-frying oil measuring device, deep-frying device set and method for monitoring a deep-frying device
According to the invention for a deep-frying device (2) including a stationary deep-frying oil sensor (5) which immerses into deep-frying oil (4) of a deep-frying oil basin (3), in order to monitor the stationary deep-frying oil sensor (5), a receiving unit (17) having a receiving data interface (8) is provided, via which interface a reference value obtained beforehand by a portable deep-frying oil measuring device (14), the portable deep-frying oil sensor (15) of which is immersed into the deep-frying oil (4) in the deep-frying oil basin (3) for measuring, can be transmitted in order to adapt a characteristic curve stored in the stationary evaluation unit (6) of the deep-frying device (2) such that the stationary evaluation unit (6) calculates a value for an evaluation variable for characterizing the deep-frying oil (4), this value being consistent with the reference value of the portable deep-frying oil measuring device (14).
US09945828B1 Airborne multispectral imaging system with integrated navigation sensors and automatic image stitching
A self-contained UAV sensor payload and on-board or off-board hardware and software for precision agriculture. The invention combines multiple cameras and navigation sensors to create a system for automatically collecting, geo-referencing, and stitching red, green, blue, and near infrared imagery and derived vegetation indices. The invention is able to produce all of these quantities in a single flight. The tight integration with integrated navigation sensors eliminates the need for integration with external sensors or avionics hardware and enables innovative solutions to image processing and analysis which greatly improve accuracy, processing speed, and reliability over alternative approaches.
US09945819B2 Acoustic transducer assembly for a pressure vessel
A transducer assembly includes an acoustic sensor element and an acoustic waveguide. The acoustic waveguide includes a rotatable acoustic coupler, a tube, and a foot. The foot has a mounting surface that is mountable on a fluid conduit. A circuit assembly couples to acoustic sensor element and provides a diagnostic output.
US09945811B2 Electrochemical probe for detection of chlorate explosives
A method of detecting chlorate in soil includes contacting soil wetted with a solvent containing an electrically conductive salt with an electrode comprising layers of vanadium-substituted phosphomolybdate alternating with layers of para-rosaniline, and performing voltammetry with the electrode, wherein a catalytic reduction current indicates a likelihood of the presence or absence of chlorate in the soil. A system includes a potentiostat operably connected to the electrode and in communication with hardware and software sufficient to produce an output indicating a chlorate level in soil.
US09945809B2 Dry protein transfer
Kits, systems, and methods are provided for transferring biological macromolecules from an electrophoresis slab gel to a blotting membrane using conductive polymer electrodes.
US09945800B2 Fuel gas composition sensing system
A fuel gas composition sensing system may include a remotely controllable valve, with the valve including a gas inlet port, a gas outlet port, an internal chamber, and at least one actuating mechanism configured for successively opening the inlet port to allow gas to enter the internal chamber, closing the inlet port and the outlet port to retain the gas in the internal chamber for a period of time, and opening the outlet port to release the gas from the internal chamber. One or more micro-sensors may be mounted in the internal chamber of the valve, with each of the micro-sensors being configured to sense a characteristic of a gas introduced into the internal chamber of the valve. One or more heating elements may be mounted in the internal chamber, with each of the heating elements being associated with one of the one or more micro-sensors, and the one or more heating elements may be configured to implement a different temperature level at each of the micro-sensors in order to enable detection of a resulting change in the characteristic of the gas corresponding to a thermodynamic property of the gas that correlates to a composition of the gas.
US09945798B2 Method for determining degree of modified potency of a medicament
The invention comprises a method for determining degree of modified potency of a medicament. A medicine is a medicament comprising a therapeutic component and a homeopathic, i.e., activated-potentiated, component, wherein the activated-potentiated component has some physical, chemical or biological affect on the therapeutic component and/or the pharmacological efficacy thereof. The therapeutic component is biologically related to the starting substance of the homeopathic component. An analytical measurement of at least one characteristic parameter of the therapeutic form is made prior to its interaction with the activated-potentiated form. The same analytical measurement(s) are made and after interaction between the therapeutic and activated-potentiated forms. This data is used to confirm the presence of any modified potency is caused by the presence of molecular form in the activated-potentiated form. Further, the claimed analytical measurement of at least one characteristic parameter of the therapeutic form prior to its interaction with the activated-potentiated form and again after such interaction serves to quantify the degree of modifying potency associated with the activated-potentiated form in relative dimensionless activity units (release activity).
US09945792B2 Generating an array of spots on inclined surfaces
A system which may be used to generate a plurality of spots on a surface is provided. The spots may be aligned with the incident plane of oblique illumination. The system may include a diffractive optical element configured to split a beam into a plurality of beams by generating a plurality of diffraction orders. The system may also include a focusing lens configured to focus at least some of the plurality of beams on the surface in the plurality of spots. At least some of the plurality of beams may be focused on the surface at an oblique illumination angle. The system may also include an illumination source positioned off-axis relative to an optical axis of the diffractive optical element. Using the system, a plurality of spots may be generated on an inclined surface.
US09945790B2 In-situ spectral process monitoring
Increasing the precision of process monitoring may be improved if the sensors take the form of travelling probes riding along with the flowing materials in the manufacturing process rather than sample only when the process moves passed the sensors fixed location. The probe includes an outer housing hermetically sealed from the flowing materials, and a light source for transmitting light through a window in the housing onto the flowing materials. A spatially variable optical filter (SVF) captures light returning from the flowing materials, and separates the captured light into a spectrum of constituent wavelength signals for transmission to a detector array, which provides a power reading for each constituent wavelength signal.
US09945786B2 Immobilised-bead immunomultiplex assay
Embodiments of this invention include image-based systems and methods for detection of one or more analytes. A surface has identifiable analyte-specific capture particle(s) immobilised thereto at any point of an assay, to which different analytes attach due to the affinity of analyte-specific capture molecule(s) linked to the surface of the capture particle(s) for the analyte. Analyte-specific detector molecules with conjugated detection moieties are then attached to the analyte, and a computer assisted, image-based detection system captures images of the capture particles with or without attached analytes and detector molecules. By using different subsets of analyte-specific capture molecules, each subset having a characteristic identifiable feature; it is now possible to perform capture particle-based, rapid multiplex assays of biological and non-biological analytes without flow. These image-based systems can be used to aid in diagnosis of disease, evaluation of therapy for disease, or laboratory investigation.
US09945781B2 Analytical devices having dichroic prism arrays
Apparatus, systems and methods for use in analyzing discrete reactions are provided. The analytical devices of the invention use an array of nanoscale regions (a chip) that has discrete patches, for example, patches of nanoscale regions. In some embodiments an analytical system is provided that has an analysis chip with an array of patches, each of the patches comprising nanoscale regions that emit fluorescent light when illuminated. The system has a two-dimensional (x, y) array of dichroic prisms, each prism comprising a dichroic element that diverts illumination light up in the z dimension of the array to a patch on the analysis chip above it. Each dichroic element transmits fluorescent light emitted by the patch that it illuminates, whereby the emitted light from each patch passes down through each dichroic prism. The analytical system also has a detector below the array of dichroic prisms that detects the transmitted fluorescent light. Such systems are useful for monitoring many analytical reactions at one time including single molecule sequencing reactions.
US09945775B2 Active chemical sensing using optical microcavity
A sensor comprises a pair of mirrors (11, 12) opposed along an optical axis and shaped to provide an optical cavity with stable resonance in at least one mode and having a cavity length of at most 50 μm. An actuator system is arranged to move the mirrors relative to each other along the length of the optical cavity for tuning the wavelength of the mode of said cavity. A chemical sample is introduced inside the optical cavity using a sample introduction system (21). An EM radiation source (20) illuminates the cavity and a detector (25) detects the EM radiation emitted from, transmitted through, or reflected from the optical cavity.
US09945774B2 Channel light measurement apparatus having reduced signal-to-noise ratio
Disclosed is a multi-channel light measurement system adapted to illuminate and measure a test sample in a vessel. The multi-channel light measurement system has at least one photodetector per channel and a variable integrate and hold circuit coupled to each photodetector, the variable integrate and hold circuit allows adjustment of a sampling factor selected from a group of an integration time, a value of capacitance, an area of a discrete photodetector array, or any combination thereof. The system may readily equilibrate reference intensity output for multiple channels. Methods and apparatus are disclosed, as are other aspects.
US09945770B2 Fluorescence flow cytometry device and method
A flow cytometer including a laser, indexing structure, adjustment structure, and sensor structure. The cytometer is conventionally used with a removable microfluidic cassette, which is installed at a first position that is enforced by the indexing structure. The adjustment structure changes a relative position between an interrogation aperture of the cassette and the laser beam. Feedback from the sensor structure is used to optimize propagation of the laser through the interrogation aperture to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) autofluorescence caused by beam impingement onto the cassette.
US09945767B2 Apparatus and methods for determining surface wetting of material under subterranean wellbore conditions
Methods and apparatuses for determining surface wetting of metallic materials at downhole wellbore condition with fixed or changing well fluids are disclosed. In general, the methods according to the disclosure include carrying out an electrical impedance spectroscopy (“EIS”) for a system simulating downhole conditions for the wetting of a surface by simultaneously dynamically moving electrodes exposed to the well fluid while measuring the changes in electrical characteristics between the electrodes.
US09945763B1 Methods and systems for immunohistochemistry heat retrieval of biological samples
Heat induced antigen retrieval systems for biological specimens may include a sealable heating pressure chamber, a programmable process controller, a nonpareil operating element, and perhaps even a substantially user-disencumbering autonomous processing component of a plurality of biological samples perhaps using various user selected protocols, and the like.
US09945762B2 Apparatus and method for introducing sample into a separation unit of a chromatography system without disrupting a mobile phase
A method and a system for introducing a sample into a mobile phase of a chromatography system is provided. The method includes initially directing the mobile phase directly into a separation unit of the chromatography system, bypassing a sample loop, the mobile phase including a combined solvent, metered from a pressurized first solvent and a second solvent; loading the sample into the sample loop, while the mobile phase continues to be directed directly into the separation unit; pressurizing the sample in the sample loop with the pressurized first solvent, while the mobile phase continues to be directed directly into the separation unit; and switching the sample loop into the mobile phase, thereby introducing the pressurized sample to the separation unit.
US09945755B2 Methods for using digitized sound patterns to monitor operation of automated machinery
In an operating machine, one example of a method for monitoring operation of operating machinery includes converting an actual sound pattern generated by the machine into an audio signal and digitizing the audio signal to create a real-time acoustic fingerprint unique to the actual sound pattern. A reference database contains a plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints, each stored acoustic fingerprint in the plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints representing a unique sound pattern associated with a particular operating condition. A controller compares the real-time acoustic fingerprint to the stored acoustic fingerprints in the reference database and generates an output in response to detection of a match between the real-time acoustic fingerprint and one of the plurality of stored acoustic fingerprints. One example of the machine is a corruptor machine that converts paper webs into corrugated paperboard sheets.
US09945750B2 Pressure detection device
A processing circuit is provided which includes at least an integrator circuit which uses a reference voltage set to have a predetermined magnitude as an operation reference and which integrates a detection signal so as to convert the detection signal into a voltage waveform and a base voltage adjustment circuit which is connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the integrator circuit and which adjusts the magnitude of a base voltage that is a potential when the detection signal in an output signal output from the integrator circuit is not present. As another form, a processing circuit can be adopted which includes at least one or more amplifier circuits which amplify an output signal from an integrator circuit and a base voltage adjustment circuit which is connected between a supply portion of a reference voltage fed to the amplifier circuit and an input terminal of at least one of the amplifier circuits and which adjusts the magnitude of a base voltage that is a potential when a detection signal in an output signal output from the amplifier circuit is not present.
US09945733B2 Temperature measurement at high-voltage potential
An arrangement for temperature measurement at high-voltage potential is disclosed. The energy for measuring the temperature of an optical current transformer is provided by a single photodiode. The photodiode is supplied by light emitted by a light source and guided to the photodiode via an optical waveguide.
US09945731B1 Optical detector for measuring respective phases of multiple beams apparatus and method
A system includes a source of laser beams forming an array, a source of a reference laser beam, and an optical detector for measuring respective phase differences between the array laser beams and the reference laser beam. The system includes a mask, having apertures with a shape, size and position identical to a shape, size and position of the array laser beams, and positioned in the reference laser beam to form respective beams of the reference laser beam corresponding to the beams from the array laser beams. A phase modulator phase modulates respective beams of one of (a) the array laser beams and (b) the beams of the reference laser from the mask. A photodetector receives the respective array laser beams and the corresponding reference laser beams from the mask to generate a composite signal. Processing circuitry is responsive to the composite signal for generating respective signals representing the phase differences of the individual laser beams from the reference laser beam.
US09945730B2 Adjusting an amount of coherence of a light beam
Techniques for controlling an optical system include accessing a measured value of a property of a particular pulse of a pulsed light beam emitted from the optical system, the property being related to an amount of coherence of the light beam; comparing the measured value of the property of the light beam to a target value of the property; determining whether to generate a control signal based on the comparison; and if a control signal is generated based on the comparison, adjusting the amount of coherence in the light beam by modifying an aspect of the optical system based on the control signal to reduce an amount of coherence of a pulse that is subsequent to the particular pulse.
US09945723B2 Interferometer, spectrophotometer using interferometer and control method for interferometer
The present invention provides an interferometer and the like, that is capable of ensuring the speed stability of the movable mirror while achieving the speed up of the reciprocal movement of the moving mirror and suppressing the increment of the maximum instantaneous thrust force required for the turning back as much as possible. The interferometer includes a moving mirror, a movement mechanism for reciprocating the moving mirror, a movement control part for controlling the movement mechanism and allowing the moving mirror to be reciprocated at a constant speed, and a measurement part for measuring a position of the moving mirror. The movement control part is adapted to receive target position data indicating a target position of the moving mirror, and control the movement mechanism to bring the measurement position of the moving mirror measured by the measurement part close to the target position indicated by the target position data.
US09945717B2 Fibre optic distributed sensing
The application describes methods and apparatus for distributed fiber sensing, especially distributed acoustic/strain sensing. The method involves launching interrogating radiation in to an optical fiber and sampling radiation backscattered from within said fiber at a rate so as to acquire a plurality of samples corresponding to each sensing portion of interest. The plurality of samples are divided into separate processing channels and processed to determine a phase value for that channel. A quality metric is then applied to the processed phase data and the data combined to provide an overall phase value for the sensing portion based on the quality metric. The quality metric may be a measure of the degree of similarity of the processed data from the channels. The interrogating radiation may comprise two relatively narrow pulses separated by a relatively wide gap and the sampling rate may be set such that a plurality of substantially independent diversity samples are acquired.
US09945714B1 Method of determining the mass of objects from a plurality of X-ray images taken at different energy level
A method of determining the mass of an object by scanning the object in a radiographic inspection system, specifically in an X-ray scanner with the capability to take scan images at a plural number J of energy leves, has three modes or parts, namely: an initial learning mode, a normal operating mode, and a learning improvement mode. An inintial learning mode in which refernce object are scanned and their actual masses weighed and stored as reference values. A normal operating mode wherein smaple objects with unknown mass m are scanned and analyzed for compatibility with the reference values, and if found incompatible, the method switches to the learning improvement mode. A learning improvement mode in which the actual mass of the sample object found incompatible is determined by weighing and updates the stored reference values.
US09945710B2 High liquid-level alarm device
A high liquid-level alarm device is configured such that one casing includes a plurality of liquid-level alarm units, the liquid-level alarm units are directed for monitoring one liquid level, issue an alarm for a different height of the liquid level, have radio wave detection units for detecting a radio wave, respectively, each of the liquid-level alarm units has a radio wave detection unit for detecting a radio wave, transmits a radio wave when not detecting a radio wave, and performs a determination operation as to whether a predetermined liquid level is reached, and when one of the liquid-level alarm units is performing the determination operation, the rest of the liquid-level alarm units do not perform the determination operation.
US09945702B2 Reconfigurable indicating device
A pointer is rotational relative to a screen. A driver unit is equipped with the pointer and configured to rotate the pointer. A controller sends an output signal to the driver unit to rotate the pointer at a rotational position in a rotational range. The controller is configured to modify the rotational range. The controller is configured to modify the graphic according to the rotational range, which is modified.
US09945699B2 Sensor node package
Provided is a sensor node package where the breakage of a package member and/or a lid member due to thermal stress is reduced.The Young's modulus (220 GPa or less) of the package member, the thermal expansion coefficient (2 to 12 ppm/° C.) of the package member, the difference (5 ppm/° C. or less) in thermal expansion coefficient between the package member and the lid member, and the thickness (3 mm or less) of the lid member are adapted respectively to fall within predetermined ranges, thereby making it possible for the breakage of the package member and/or lid member due to thermal stress to be reduced effectively.
US09945698B2 Macro-micro composite grating ruler measuring system and measuring method using same comprising a macro-scale reading module, a micro-scale reading module and a measuring reference line
The present disclosure relates to a macro-micro composite grating ruler measuring system based on conversion and amplification in vertical and horizontal directions. The macro-micro composite grating ruler includes a grating ruler, a macro-micro reading system moving with respect to the grating ruler, and a counting and image processing module. The macro-micro reading system faces grating strip datum and is parallel to the grating ruler. The system further includes a measuring reference line. The measuring reference line obtained by the image sensor together with grating strips forms an image overlap in the counting and image processing module. The measuring reference line and the grating strip jointly include an angle θ. With the foregoing configuration, the present invention is compatible with the existing incremental grating rulers and absolute grating rulers, so is highly applicable.
US09945689B2 Location referencing for roadway feature data
A method and apparatus for location referencing roadway data. A server determines a roadway event; the roadway event including a roadway description and a roadway location. The server then generates a roadway message. The roadway message includes the roadway description and a roadway path. The roadway path includes a LinkID set, a length of the roadway event, and an offset from a reference node of a starting link. The LinkID set includes at least the starting link. The server then broadcasts the roadway message. A device receives the data. The device decodes and displays the data.
US09945683B1 Transport communication
Transport communication comprising, associating a wireless device and a user, associating a transport and the wireless device, determining a characteristic of the user based on at least one of a user search history and a user preference selection, determining a probable route the transport based on at least one of a route history and an input destination and ranking at least one suggestion of a route deviation based at least one of the determined probable route and determined characteristic.
US09945680B1 Location-based meeting system
A method or apparatus to provide a display of friends in a local area to a user, receive a request to meet, and calculate an optimal location for a meeting is described. In one embodiment, the system provides guidance to the user to the optimal location.
US09945677B1 Automated lane and route network discovery for robotic actors
Systems and methods are provided for automated route discovery. A computing device can receive location data for designated actor(s) of a plurality of actors operating within an environment. The plurality of actors can also include a robotic device. The computing device can determine a route network of paths taken by the designated actor(s) within the environment, where the route network includes information about frequencies of paths taken by the designated actor(s) based on the location data. The computing device can receive a starting location and a destination location for the robotic device. The computing device can select a selected path from the starting location to the destination location based on the route network taken by the designated actor(s). The computing device can provide an instruction to the robotic device to use the selected path to travel from the starting location to the destination location.
US09945669B2 Rotation rate sensor and a method for operating a rotation rate sensor
A rotation rate sensor for detecting a rotational movement of the rotation rate sensor about a rotational axis extending within a drive plane of the rotation rate sensor include: a first rotational element, a second rotational element and a drive structure moveable in parallel to the drive plane, the first rotational element being drivable about a first center of rotation to achieve a first rotational vibration in parallel to the drive plane, the second rotational element being drivable about a second center of rotation to achieve a second rotational vibration in parallel to the drive plane, the drive structure being (i) coupled to the first and second rotational elements, and (ii) configured to generate a drive mode in phase opposition of the first and second rotational vibrations.
US09945664B2 Method and device for automatically estimating parameters relating to a flight of an aircraft
The estimation device comprises an estimation assembly for determining a corrected estimated incidence, with the aid of an estimated incidence which is computed on the basis of aerodynamic parameters and of inertial parameters related to the aircraft and of a measured incidence which is determined on the basis of measurements carried out on the aircraft by at least one incidence probe. This estimation device thus makes it possible to obtain estimations of the speed of the aircraft, of its incidence and of the total temperature, on the basis of aerodynamic and inertial parameters.
US09945663B2 Antenna attitude measurement sensor and antenna attitude measurement method
The invention relates to an antenna attitude measurement sensor as well as an attitude measurement method based on this sensor, wherein the antenna attitude measurement sensor is composed of a solar position sensor, a three axial gravity acceleration sensor, a GPS module, a CPU, a power supply module and a memory output module. Antenna attitude measurement method includes the following steps: A. installing antenna attitude measurement sensor; B. acquiring antenna geographic location, antenna hanging height, antenna pitch angle γ and rolling angle θ as well as the incident sunlight azimuth angle φ related to the solar position sensor and the corresponding standard time to form the azimuth angle; C. calculating the vertical incident angle α and level incident angle β; D calculating the antenna azimuth δ; E. memory output.
US09945647B2 Self locking broadhead blade
Designs and methods are provided for a retractable broadhead blade. In one exemplary embodiment the broadhead blade is configured to be received in a slot in a broadhead body, and moveable between a retracted or in-flight position, and a deployed or target penetrating position. The broadhead blade includes a front end that faces substantially forward when the blade is in the retracted position, a distal end opposite the front end, an outward facing sharpened leading edge between the front end of the blade and the distal end, and an inward facing trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The blade further includes an integral spring member with a contact surface configured to bear against a blade locating portion of a broadhead body when the blade is in the retracted, or in-flight position.
US09945645B2 Igniter assembly, airbag system, and detection system and detection method for same
An igniter assembly for which an igniter and a conductive igniter collar are integrated via an insulating layer, wherein the igniter comprises a metal eyelet, a metal cover that retains the eyelet therein, an ignition charge that is disposed in the cover and in a space in contact with an end face of the eyelet, a heating body that is connected to the end face of the eyelet, and a conductive pin that passes through the insulating layer and is electrically connected to the heating body. The other end of the conductive pin is exposed from the insulating layer so that a current supplying circuit is connected. An IC tag is disposed in the insulating layer and near the conductive pin. The IC tag has an IC chip and a coil antenna that is wound around the IC chip.
US09945643B2 Ballistic resistant vehicle tray
The present invention relates to a device and method for providing immediate additional ballistic resistant portable personal protection for first responders, such as Police, Fire, EMS, and military personnel, during an emergency event. The device, configured for insertion into either the driver or passenger interior floor of an emergency vehicle is comprised of a molded shell with layers comprising a ballistic resistant layer that both provides vehicle floor matting and fits seamlessly into the contours of the emergency vehicle foot well and interior floor. For easy removal and immediate use as a directional portable personal protection device, handles are provided on the shell such that the handles do not interfere with driving.
US09945632B1 Bolt capture and release mechanism and method for an imitation machine gun
Electromagnetic force holds a reciprocatively movable bolt in a charged position in resistance to compressive force from a bolt actuating spring, while generating recoil impacts that simulate firing rounds of ammunition from an ammunition belt in imitation machine gun. Terminating the electromagnetic force allows the compressive force from the actuating spring to move the bolt from the charged position after simulating the firing of the last round from the ammunition belt.
US09945631B2 Tool and method for modifying a magazine lock
A firearm and a jig for modifying or constructing a firearm with a locking magazine release button is provided. The firearm has a lower receiver including a magazine locking pin aperture disposed in an upper surface thereof where the magazine locking aperture intersects with a magazine release button aperture in a side surface of the lower receiver. The firearm also has an upper receiver attached to the lower receiver via a pivot pin, a magazine attachable to the lower receiver, a magazine locking pin inserted into the magazine locking pin aperture, and a magazine release button comprising a recessed locking catch. The magazine release button releases the magazine when the upper receiver is away from the lower and the pin is not in the magazine locking aperture. The button is inoperable when the upper receiver is next to the lower receiver and the pin engages the locking catch.
US09945629B2 Collapsible pistol
A collapsible pistol features enhanced safety, ease of use, and improved performance as compared to prior designs. The pistol is easily reconfigured from an open, ready-to-fire position to a closed or collapsed position that makes the pistol quite compact, safe, and readily concealable. The overall design of the pistol is such that the manipulation of the pistol into and out of the open, ready-to-fire position can be accomplished with a user having relatively small hands and/or relatively low grip strength.
US09945623B2 Heat exchanger assemblies with integrated valve
The invention relates to various ways in which to integrate control valves into the structure of a heat exchanger. Accordingly, there is provided a heat exchanger assembly comprising a heat exchanger and a valve integration unit. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of alternating first and second fluid passages in heat exchange relation, and at least one inlet manifold and one outlet manifold interconnected by one of the plurality of first or second fluid passages, the valve integration unit being fixedly attached to heat exchanger and comprising a fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the inlet and outlet manifolds. A valve mechanism is mounted within the valve integration unit in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the valve mechanism controlling the flow of a heat exchange fluid through said fluid passage.
US09945606B2 Method and system for the production of pressurized air gas by cryogenic distillation of air
Methods and apparatus for cryogenic distillation of air. In a system of air separation columns, all the air is taken to a high pressure which is 5 to 10 bar greater than a medium pressure. A portion of air, between 10% and 50% of the high pressure air stream, is boosted in a cold booster. This boosted air is then sent to an exchanger and a portion of it liquefies at the cold end of the exchanger. Part of the air is sent to one column of the column system, and another fraction is partly expanded in a Claude turbine. After expansion in the turbine, the air is sent to a medium pressure column, and a liquid stream is withdrawn for one of the columns of the system. The withdrawn stream is pressurized and vaporizes in the exchange line. The cold booster is coupled to either an expansion turbine, an electric motor, or a combination of the two.
US09945598B2 Self-demolding ice mold and methods of use and automation
Systems and methods for making ice utilize self-demolding ice molds. Responsive to freezing of water in the mold into ice, an ejection apparatus is compressed. Via a force arising from the compression, the ejection apparatus ejects the ice from the mold. Ice machines may utilize multiple molds, and water filling a first mold may be utilized to at least partially melt ice in a second mold to facilitate ejection of the ice from the second mold.
US09945597B2 Refrigeration system for cooling a container
The present disclosure relates to a refrigeration system for cooling the interior of a mobile refrigerated space, for example a refrigerated container, comprising two speed-controlled compressors, which can be operated in parallel as a single stage or one after the other as two stages by one controllable bypass line per compressor and a controllable valve device between the pressure side and the suction side of each compressor. The valve devices receive signals from a controller having algorithms, into which the usage temperature and ambient temperature are fed as a target value or measured value. The most energy-efficient operating modes and the rotational speeds of the compressors result from the requirements profile of the container refrigeration.
US09945592B2 Throttle device
Provided is a throttle device to decompress a refrigerant cooled by a condenser in a refrigerating cycle and to deliver the refrigerant to an evaporator, where a minimum space between a needle valve and a valve port can be accurately set. Inside a cylindrical main body case including a primary chamber connected to the condenser and a secondary chamber connected to the evaporator, a valve seat member formed with a valve port and a cylindrical guide member integral to the valve seat member are provided. A coil spring to energize the needle valve toward the valve port side is provided inside the guide member. A needle portion of the needle valve protrudes from the valve port toward the primary chamber. A tip portion of the needle portion abuts against a stopper member and the tip portion is thereby positioned.
US09945585B2 Systems and methods for direct thermal receivers using near blackbody configurations
An aspect of the present disclosure is a receiver for receiving radiation from a heliostat array that includes at least one external panel configured to form an internal cavity and an open face. The open face is positioned substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis and forms an entrance to the internal cavity. The receiver also includes at least one internal panel positioned within the cavity and aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the at least one internal panel includes at least one channel configured to distribute a heat transfer medium.
US09945580B2 Ventilation system
Embodiments of the invention provide a ventilation assembly comprising a main housing adapted for installation into standard 2′×4′ wall or ceiling construction within a building or space. The main housing can include a fluid inlet through which fluid is received within the main housing, and a fluid outlet through which fluid exits the main housing. The ventilation assembly can be installed in place of an existing ventilation exhaust fan assembly, or can be installed in a space where no ventilation assembly has previously existed. The main housing can provide support to a blower assembly, including a scroll and a blower wheel positioned within the scroll. A motor may be nestled within the scroll and coupled to the blower wheel. Electrical power can be supplied to the motor to cause the motor to rotate the blower wheel to generate a flow of fluid out of the fluid outlet.
US09945578B2 Monitored heat exchanger system
A monitored heat exchanger system that includes a heat exchanger unit in operable engagement with a heat generating device, with an at least one service fluid being transferable therebetween, and a monitoring module coupled to the heat exchanger unit. The monitoring module includes a primary microcontroller in operable communication with an at least one sensor assembly. The at least one sensor assembly includes a mounting frame; a support platform; a circuit board; an inner sensor housing configured to extend out and around the circuit board and the support platform; a first magnet coupled to an underside of the inner sensor housing; and a rotating member comprising a plurality of blades, the rotating member being disposed on top of the inner sensor housing.
US09945573B2 Air conditioner system with air treatment integration
An air conditioning system which includes a controller having processing circuitry connected to a database and a dispenser is disclosed. The controller includes at least one memory, at least one processor, and at least one timer. The timer may be programmable to trigger the dispenser via the controller to dispense an air treatment or scent based on the time of day, morning or evening/night. The air conditioning system also includes a facial recognition camera or a sensor array each configured to cause the dispenser to dispense an air treatment or scent. The facial recognition camera is coupled to the controller to dispense an air treatment or scent based on the majority preference of the recognized faces. The sensor array includes a motion detector and a light detector configured to trigger the dispenser via the controller to dispense an air treatment or scent in an air stream of the air conditioner.
US09945571B2 Room pressure control system and room pressure control method
A room pressure control system includes an air supply valve, an exhaust valve, and controller circuits. One of the controller circuits includes a room pressure correction control circuit that controls the valve operating as a room pressure control valve, between the air supply valve and the exhaust valve, so that the room pressure coincides with a set room pressure value; and processing circuitry that determines whether the room pressure easily fluctuates, determines whether the room pressure is stable, and sets parameters. In particular, the processing circuitry sets a dead zone parameter with which responsiveness of room pressure control is valued when it is determined that the room pressure easily fluctuates and otherwise sets a dead zone parameter with which reduction in the number of operations of the room pressure control valve is valued above the responsiveness of the room pressure control.
US09945562B2 Staged fuel and air injection in combustion systems of gas turbines
A gas turbine that includes: a combustor coupled to a turbine that define a working fluid flowpath; a compressor discharge cavity; a staged injection system that includes the forward injector and a staged injector; a stator blade positioned extending across the working fluid flowpath between an inboard sidewall and an outboard sidewall. A one-way continuous coolant flowpath that includes: an intake section that comprises an upstream port connected to the compressor discharge cavity and a downstream port formed through one of the inboard and outboard sidewalls; an outtake section that comprises a downstream port connected to the staged injector and an upstream port formed through the same one of the inboard and outboard sidewalls; and a cooling circuit extending through an interior of the airfoil of the stator blade and connecting to the downstream port of the intake section and the upstream port of the outtake section.
US09945559B2 Fire starter
A fire starter includes a casing made from a first material a first material having a first time associated therewith that defines a length of time that the casing burns after being ignited. A second material disposed in the casing has a second time associated therewith that defines a length of time that the second material burns after being ignited. An igniter, disposed in the casing and adjacent to the second material, generates a first thermal event to ignite the second material wherein the second material combusts to define a second thermal event that ignites the first material. An actuator is coupled to the igniter and is positioned outside of the casing for activating the igniter to generate the first thermal event.
US09945553B2 Aqueous working fluid steam generation system
Aqueous working fluid (WF) steam generation system including: pressure vessel containing heat exchanger; enclosed combustion air (CA) chamber; burner; another heat exchanger outside pressure vessel; and WF conduit. Heat exchanger includes first: enclosed WF chamber having WF input and output apertures (IOA); and enclosed CA passageway communicating with CAIOA and passing through enclosed WF chamber. Enclosed CA chamber includes second: enclosed WF chamber having WFIOA; and enclosed CA passageway communicating with CAIOA. Burner is connected to second CA input aperture. Another heat exchanger includes third: enclosed WF chamber having WFIOA; and enclosed CA passageway communicating with CAIOA. WF conduit connects third WF output aperture to second WF input aperture. Second WF output aperture is connected to first WF input aperture; and second CA output aperture is connected to first CA input aperture; and first CA output aperture is connected to third CA input aperture.
US09945547B2 Illuminant with plug-type connection
An illuminant may include at least one light-emitting element unit, which has a carrier, at least one light-emitting element arranged on the carrier and is surrounded by an encapsulating material, at least one contact area formed on the carrier, and at least one contact element arranged on the contact area, wherein the light-emitting element surrounded by the encapsulating material is electrically connected to the contact element via the contact area, and at least one mating contact element, wherein electrical contact can be made between the mating contact element and the contact element via a plug-type connection, wherein the contact element is a female connector element, and the mating contact element is a male connector element and having a plurality of pin contact elements, or the contact element is a male connector element and having a plurality of pin contact elements, and the mating contact element is a female connector element.
US09945546B2 Optical signaling device
The invention proposes an optical signaling device, in particular a signaling lamp or a modular signaling column (1) or the like, having at least one luminous unit (2) comprising at least one luminous element (20) for optically indicating one or more different operating states of a technical device such as a machine, an installation or the like, at least one electrical and/or electronic connection unit (27) being provided for the purpose of connecting or making contact with at least the technical device, at least one electrical and/or electronic linking unit (12) being provided between the connection unit (27) and the luminous unit (2) for the purpose of electrically and/or electronically linking the connection unit (27) to the luminous unit (2), thus implementing additional technical possibilities or functionalities. This is achieved according to the invention by virtue of the fact that the linking unit (12) has at least one electrical and/or electronic switching element (21, 22) for establishing and/or disconnecting the electrical and/or electronic link between the luminous unit (2) and the connection unit (27), the electrical and/or electronic switching element (21, 22) also being in the form of an actuator switch (21, 22) for switching at least one actuating element (28) of a first actuator (8) of the technical device and/or a second actuator (8) which is separate from the technical device.
US09945542B2 Lighting device
A lighting device (1) that includes a light transmissive tube (2), a support (4) to which a series of light emitting elements (7) are mounted and a connector (5) for connecting the light emitting elements to a power source. The support (4) is formed of a planar resilient material twisted or wound into a spiral or helix and received within and constrained by an inner circumferential surface of the tube (2) such that it is mounted directly to and/or in interference fit with the tube (2).
US09945528B2 Headlight module and headlight device
A headlight module includes a light source, a light guide element, and a projection optical element. The light source emits light. The light guide element has a reflecting surface for reflecting light emitted from the light source and an emitting surface for emitting light reflected by the reflecting surface. The projection optical element projects light emitted from the emitting surface. In a direction of an optical axis of the projection optical element, an end portion on the emitting surface side of the reflecting surface includes a point located at a focal position of the projection optical element.
US09945520B2 LED tube lamp
An LED tube lamp includes a glass tube, a plurality of LED light sources, two end caps respectively sleeving two end portions of the glass tube, a power supply in one of the end caps or separately in both of the end caps, and an LED light strip in the glass tube. The plurality of LED light sources is on the LED light strip. Each of the end caps comprises a plurality of openings formed thereon. The plurality of openings dissipating heat resulted from the power supply are divided into two sets. The two sets of the plurality of openings are symmetric to each other with respect to a virtual central axis of the end cap.
US09945510B1 Flashlight mount
A flashlight mount is provided comprising a suction cup base, a modular, flexible mast attached to the suction cup base at a first end wherein the modular, flexible mast is capable of being positioned in any orientation, a clamp adaptor attached to an elbow joint at a second end of the flexible mast wherein a plurality of inner grooves are formed vertically on an inside surface wherein the elbow joint is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the flexible mast and wherein the clamp adaptor is rotatable 360 degrees relative to the elbow joint, and an inner ring having a plurality of outer grooves formed vertically on an outside surface of the inner ring wherein the inner grooves and outer grooves interlock wherein the inner ring is rotatable 360 degrees with respect to the clamp adaptor and an opening in the inner ring is configured to hold a flashlight.
US09945503B2 Rotate-to-press inflation adaptor for English valves
A rotate-to-press inflation adaptor is provided for use with an English valve and includes a valve connector having a side surface recessed inwardly to form a positioning cavity having an inside surface in which slide channels are formed and two opposite ends respectively forming a valve opening and a coupler opening in communication with the positioning cavity. The coupler includes an air charging hole extending axially therethrough and an outer surface on which an external thread and two slide blocks are formed for being slidably received in the slide channels for reciprocal movement. The rotary knob has a through hole in which an internal thread is formed and the knob body is fit over and combinable with the valve connector in a rotatable manner with the internal and external threads engaging each other. An air tube is connected to the coupler.
US09945500B2 Flexible pipe for transporting fresh water, set for the storage thereof and assembly of a plurality of pipes
A flexible pipe suitable for transporting fresh water is described. The pipe has a circular cross-section when it is pressurized and which can collapse in on itself. The pipe has an outer diameter of between 1 and 7 meters and a length of between 200 and 3000 meters and includes an envelope which is sealed from the transported liquid, and at least two peripheral reinforcing elements increasing the mechanical resistance of the pipe to a positive differential pressure so that the pipe can support a positive differential pressure of between 1 and at least 10×105 Pa without bursting or cracking.
US09945494B2 Pneumatic directional valve and method of operation
A pneumatic system for operating a hydraulic valve is provided. The system may include: a first piston set; a first connector attached to the first piston operably connecting the first piston; a first spring biasing the first piston to move in an axial direction; a second port in the first housing; a second piston set with in a second cavity defined by a second housing; a second connector attached to the second piston, a second spring biasing the second piston to move in an axial direction; a first port in the second housing; and a second port in the second housing configured to provide fluid communication with in the second cavity at a second end of the second piston.
US09945492B2 Normally high solenoid assembly
A solenoid assembly for providing control over fluid pressure distribution in a transmission, where the solenoid assembly includes a sleeve, a valve portion substantially contained within the sleeve, an armature located within the sleeve, a plunger connected to the armature and in contact with the valve, and a housing located within the sleeve in proximity to the armature. The armature is moveable relative to the sleeve and the housing, and the valve portion includes a valve, where the movement of the valve is controlled by the movement of the armature. The valve is biased towards an open position to provide a fluid pressure balance between multiple ports.
US09945491B2 Drive unit with optical waveguide
A device for actuating a valve, comprising a casing, said casing exhibiting a transparent region and said casing preferentially having been formed from an upper part and a lower part, a transmission assembly, an electric motor and a base board for attaching electrical components, wherein LEDs or a multicolor LED and an optical waveguide have been arranged in the casing, preferentially on the base board, the position or another function of the valve being indicated by the LEDs lighting up, and the optical waveguide collimating and focusing the light of the LEDs for the purpose of indicating the position or malfunction.
US09945488B2 Mechanically-activated inflation valve actuation apparatus
A valve actuation apparatus is provided. The apparatus may comprise a mechanical activation device, a primer, an explosive cord, and a gas-generating device. The valve actuation apparatus may actuate a valve system, which opens a valve and allows airflow to inflate an inflatable emergency evacuation slide for an aircraft.
US09945482B2 Low load dual flap seal assembly
A seal for sealing between a first member and a second member, including a first annular insert and a second annular insert axially spaced from the first annular insert. An elastomeric body includes a first portion over-molded on the first annular insert and a second portion over-molded on the second annular insert and an intermediate web extending between the first and second portions. The first and second portions including an annular flap extending from the first and second annular inserts that in an un-installed condition, extend radially relative to the first and second annular inserts and in an installed position are adapted to be compressed between the annular inserts and a surface of the first and second members.
US09945473B2 Kick-down element for a vehicle
A kick-down element for a vehicle, complete with a housing, an actuator that is fastened in the housing such that it can be moved axially and a force surge element that can be moved axially in the actuator and which is axially loaded by an elastic element. There is a plate-shaped protruding part on at least one housing panel, which runs perpendicular to the movement direction and the upper end of which runs diagonally downward. The force step element interacts with at least one roller, which is located between the protruding part and a wedgeshaped (9) of the force surge element in a resting position. The kick-down element is intended to allow for a relatively long travel path for the actuator in the most compact design possible. This is achieved by keeping the roller attached to a lower end of the actuator.
US09945472B2 Lubricating structure for transmission
A lubricating structure for a transmission includes: a case that includes a center support fixation portion that extends from the inner peripheral surface toward the radially inner side, and that houses the transmission on the first side of the center support fixation portion in the axial direction of the transmission; a center support that is press-fitted into the center support fixation portion, that rotatably supports an input shaft of the transmission, and that rotatably supports a clutch drum of the transmission; a bearing provided between the clutch drum and the center support in the axial direction; an oil reservoir portion formed on the center support on the second side of the center support fixation portion in the axial direction to open on the upper side in the vertical direction, the second side being opposite to the first side; and an oil passage formed in the center support, one end of the oil passage opening in the oil reservoir portion, and the other end of the oil passage opening in a space between the clutch drum and the center support in the axial direction.
US09945465B2 Differential gear for a drive axle of a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a differential gear for a drive axle of a motor vehicle, having a driven differential case (12), which has effect on a carrier (24), particularly on a driving pin, via a coupling block (26) that is guided in a rotationally fixed but axially movable manner, on which carrier (24) planetary wheels (22) are mounted which interlock with outputting output wheels (20), wherein the output wheels (20) output on output shafts (16, 18) on both sides, and having a torque-dependent locking device for shifting the driving torque by means of at least one coupling device (28) integrated in the differential case (12), which coupling device (28) can additionally be actuated via at least one actuator (34; 44), independently of the driving torque. According to the invention, the at least one actuator (34; 44) is arranged in the region of at least one of the output shafts (16, 18) and has effect on the coupling device (28) by means of at least one transfer means (38, 40).
US09945463B2 Torque converter with an embossed cover for receiving a carrier plate
A torque converter, including: an axis of rotation; a cover arranged to receive torque from an engine and including a first indentation; an impeller shell fixedly secured to the cover; at least one impeller blade fixedly secured to the impeller shell; a turbine including a turbine shell and at least one turbine blade fixedly secured to the turbine shell; and a lock-up clutch including a first carrier plate fixedly secured to the cover and including a first protrusion disposed in the first indentation and a clutch plate non-rotatably connected to the first carrier plate.
US09945452B2 Planetary gear train of automatic transmission for vehicles
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission for a vehicle is provided. The planetary gear train includes an input shaft receiving power of an engine and an output shaft outputting the power. Additionally, four planetary gear sets are provided. Various shafts the connect the elements of the gear sets either selectively or directly. The planetary gear set maximizes driving efficiency of the engine and improves power delivery performance and fuel consumption through the achievement of the more shift-stages of the automatic transmission.
US09945441B2 Cylinder device
A cylinder device includes a recess provided on either one of the piston and the cylinder, the recess facing the other one of the piston and the cylinder; an extension-side discharge passage configured to permit only a flow of liquid from the extension-side chamber toward the recess; a compression-side discharge passage configured to permit only a flow of liquid from the compression-side chamber toward the recess; a tank-side discharge passage configured to allow the extension-side discharge passage and the compression-side discharge passage to communicate with the tank through the recess; an extension-side damping force generation passage configured to apply a resistance to a flow of liquid passing therethrough so as to exert a damping force during extension; and a compression-side damping force generation passage configured to apply a resistance to a flow of liquid passing therethrough so as to exert a damping force during contraction.
US09945440B2 Device for damping the movement of a movably mounted component
A device for damping the movement of a movably mounted component includes a first, mechanically acting braking device with at least one friction pair, wherein, in order to generate a braking force, a driven friction surface can be rotated about an axis of the first braking device relative to a secured friction surface resting thereon, and a second braking device which is coupled to the first braking device, wherein the friction surfaces of the friction pair, or of at least one of the friction pairs, are pressed against each other in response to a braking force exerted by the second braking device. The second braking device has at least one driven damper surface that can be rotated about an axis of the second braking device and cooperates with at least one secured damper surface to enclose at least one gap in which a viscous damping medium is present that causes a braking force of the second braking device when the at least one driven damper surface is rotated with respect to the at least one secured damper surface.
US09945439B2 Elastomer strip design for torsional vibration dampers and torsional vibration dampers having same
Elastomer members for a torsional vibration damper, methods of making the same, and torsional vibration dampers having the elastomer members are disclosed. The elastomer members have a first major surface and an opposing second major surface with opposing side joining the first major surface to the second major surface, have a median sagittal plane extending parallel to the first major surface and the second major surface, and a transverse plane perpendicular to the median sagittal plane. In a cross-sectional geometry in a plane bisecting the median sagittal plane and the transverse plane, a thickness of the elastomer member changes along the median sagittal plane in a direction parallel to the transverse plane with a first thickness at both opposing sides and a second thickness at the transverse plane, where the second thickness is greater than the first thicknesses.
US09945434B2 Brake assembly with anchor pin retention
A brake assembly having a brake spider that may receive an anchor pin or a sleeve that receives an anchor pin. Features such as splines may be provided with the anchor pin to help secure the anchor pin to the brake spider or the sleeve. Engagement features may be provided with the sleeve to help secure the sleeve to the brake spider.
US09945429B2 Clutch having a tuning element for influencing the acoustic behaviour of the clutch
The present disclosure relates to a clutch, in particular a multiple disc clutch, having an outer clutch part, and an inner clutch part and a tuning element encasing the outer clutch part and influencing the acoustic behavior of the clutch.
US09945422B2 Rolling bearing apparatus
A rolling bearing apparatus includes: a bearing including an inner ring, an outer ring, a plurality of balls, and a cage; and an oil supply unit provided axially adjacent to the bearing. The oil supply unit includes a tank in which to accumulate lubricant, and a pump that receives the lubricant in the tank and supplies the lubricant to the bearing. The tank is provided with a holding material for the lubricant, the holding material having minute pores. The holding material includes a first holding portion provided in a region on an outlet-side of the tank, and a second holding portion provided in a part other than the region and having a porosity higher than that of the first holding portion.
US09945417B2 Method for correcting variations of parameters of components and/or of assembly of active magnetic bearing and active magnetic bearing for bearing rotating working means
A method for correcting variations of parameters of components of an active magnetic bearing and/or assembly of active magnetic bearing as a whole, the active magnetic bearing includes a memory (M) to store values of production and/or electrical and/or installation variations of at least one component of the active magnetic bearing and/or variations of the whole active magnetic bearing assembly and/or correction values formed from the variations, the memory (M), a control system and/or detectors (D) of output signal of sensors (A) of the position and/or the evaluation circuits being interconnected or interconnectable.
US09945409B2 Corner member, corner assembly, construction kit and rectangular structure
An extruded corner bracket is provided, the corner bracket comprising a length; a body extending the length; a pair of wings extending the length and extending outward from the body to define, with the body, an outer right angle and a pair of inner right angles, the inner right angles being normal to each other, each inner right angle having a first face and a second face; and a slot within the body and extending the length, the slot for slidably, non-rotatably retaining a nut and for housing a distal end of a bolt, the slot including an elongate opening defined by a distal edge of each first face. A corner bracket assembly, rectangular structures using the corner bracket assembly and a kit are also provided.
US09945398B2 Power transmission assembly for a vehicle
A power transmission assembly for a vehicle with prime mover, prime mover output shaft, and right and left traveling devices, comprises a power distribution unit that receives rotary power from the prime mover output shaft and distributes it between right and left transmission units, which each include: a center section with a closed fluid circuit, a lateral first portion, and a second portion perpendicular thereto; a hydraulic pump mounted on the first portion such that a pump shaft is parallel to the prime mover output shaft; a hydraulic motor on the second portion fluidly connected to the hydraulic pump via the closed fluid circuit, having a lateral motor shaft; and a speed reduction device on a distal side of the hydraulic motor that transmits power from the hydraulic motor to the right or left traveling device.
US09945393B2 Pressure accumulator
A pressure accumulator has at least one accumulator housing (103) with at least one connection (111; 113) for a pressure medium (149), especially in the form of a fluid that can be accumulated in the accumulator housing (103). A filling material (119) that has hollow chambers or that forms at least one hollow chamber for accommodating at least part of the pressure medium (149) introduced into at least sections of the accumulator housing (103). An interior (117) of the accumulator housing (103) is completely filled with the filling material (119) to such an extent that the filling material (119) contacts the entire surface of a wall (120) of the accumulator housing (103).
US09945390B2 Centrifugal blower and method of assembling the same
In one aspect, a centrifugal blower assembly is provided. The centrifugal blower assembly includes a housing defining an interior space and an impeller configured to channel an airflow within the interior space. A motor is coupled to the impeller and configured to rotate the impeller about an axis. The centrifugal blower also includes a plurality of mounting arms. Each mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms includes a first end coupled to the housing and a second end coupled to the motor. Each mounting arm of the plurality of mounting arms has a cross-sectional profile that comprises a portion of an airfoil shape.
US09945380B2 Refrigerant scroll compressor for motor vehicle air conditioning system including at least one sealing means for bottom surface sealing of orbiting scroll
A refrigerant scroll compressor for a motor vehicle air conditioning system having a fixed scroll, a orbiting scroll engaging with the fixed scroll, wherein the fixed scroll and the orbiting scroll cooperate to compress a refrigerant gas. An intermediate pressure chamber is disposed adjacent the orbiting scroll, an oil return duct provides fluid communication between the intermediate pressure chamber and a high pressure area of the refrigerant scroll compressor, and at least one intermediate pressure duct is formed in one of the orbiting scroll and fixed scroll and is in fluid communication with the intermediate pressure chamber.
US09945374B2 System and method for changing proppant concentration
Disclosed are systems and methods utilizing multiple parallel pumps to deliver a mixture of the proppant and clean fluid via a manifold trailer. One method of providing a step-change in proppant concentration includes selecting a first flow rate for a first pump connected between a first input node and first output node, calculating a first transit time for a flow of a fluid at the first flow rate through a first flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the first pump, and to the first outlet node, and calculating a second flow rate for a second pump connected between the first input node and the first output node such that a second transit time for a flow of the fluid through a second flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the second pump, and to the first outlet node is equal to the first transit time.
US09945370B2 Gas compression system and method of compressing gas using the gas compression system
A gas compression system is provided. The gas compression system includes a compressor, an adsorption device, and a fluid control device. The compressor includes a first port and a second port. The adsorption device is adapted to output the high pressure hydrogen gas to the first port and absorb the low pressure hydrogen gas from the second port. The adsportion includes a first container connected to the first port or the second port, and a second container connected to the first port or the second port. The first container and the second container includes a hydrogen adsorption material adapted to release the high pressure hydrogen gas when heated, and absorb the low pressure hydrogen gas when cooled. A method of using the gas compression system is also provided.
US09945366B1 Wheeled pumping station
The wheeled pumping station includes a front axle and a rear axle with wheels that mobilize a pumping station supported via a chassis. The pumping station is enclosed within a housing. The housing supports a pump from which an intake hose descends down. The pump is wired to a powering member. The powering member is also wired to at least one solar panel provided on a top surface of the housing. The powering member is wired to a computer, GPS unit, and transceiver. The computer is able to track location and maneuver the wheeled pumping station to different locations as needed. The pump is connected to both the intake hose and an irrigation pipe such that water collected via the pump is removed from the land, and transferred via the irrigation pipe to another location.
US09945364B2 Hydraulic distributor for pump
A pump has a pump body and at least first and second pumping elements, each pumping element including a piston defining a head-end and a rod-end. The pump receives a pressurized fluid at an inlet, and returns fluid through a drain outlet. A hydraulic distributor operates to fluidly connect the head end of an extending piston to the pressurized fluid, and the rod end of the extending piston to the drain outlet. The hydraulic distributor further connects the rod-end of a retracting piston to the drain outlet, and the rod-end of one or more retracting pistons to the drain or to a return pressure, which is lower than an extending pressure.
US09945360B2 Radial piston pump and wind power generator
To provide a radial piston pump capable of displacement control without using an electronic control valve. For achieving the above object, the radial piston pump includes: a first cam circumferentially varying in radius on an inner circumferential side or outer circumferential side of the cam in a continuous manner; a second cam circumferentially varying in radius on an inner circumferential side or outer circumferential side of the cam in a continuous manner; a first operation member operating along a side of the first cam on which the radius of the cam continuously varies; a second operation member operating along a side of the second cam on which the radius of the cam continuously varies; a first piston connected to the first operation member; a second piston connected to the second operation member; a cylinder connecting with the first piston and the second piston and varied in volume by motion of at least one of the first piston and the second piston; and an adjustment unit for rotating at least one of the first cam and the second cam.
US09945346B2 Method and apparatus to control an ignition system
A method is provided for controlling an ignition system which includes a spark plug control unit adapted to control at least one coil stage, the at least one coil stage adapted to successively energize and de-energize to provide a current to a spark plug, each coil stage includes a primary winding inductively coupled to a secondary winding. The method includes measuring low side voltages at one or more of each coil stage and controlling a duty cycle or a pulse width of a PWM-signal of a step-down converter stage dependent on a battery voltage, a maximum primary current threshold, and the measured voltages.
US09945343B2 Engine control device and engine control method
A control device for an engine including an EGR system, the control device includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to forcedly open and close an EGR valve and make a malfunction diagnosis of the EGR system, during fuel cutoff, perform ignition timing retard control when the engine returns from the fuel cutoff, and set the ignition timing at a start point of the ignition timing retard control to a more advanced value when an elapsed period from the malfunction diagnosis of the EGR system to a return from the fuel cutoff is short, as compared with the case where the elapsed period is long, so as to reduce a retard amount of the ignition timing at the start point of the ignition timing retard control, relative to the ignition timing immediately before the start of the ignition timing retard control.
US09945339B2 Method for determining quantities of fuel during a direct injection of a motor vehicle
In the method provided herein, quantities of fuel are determined during a direct injection of a motor vehicle. In this connection, within one work cycle, test injections are carried out in two cylinders of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle during overrun phases, speed oscillations of moved masses of the cylinders are measured and a relative difference in quantity of the fuel quantity of the test injections within one work cycle is determined from the speed oscillations. By evaluating a relative signal between the test injections within one work cycle in the two cylinders, an intrinsic dependence of the drive train of the quantity of fuel signal is compensated.
US09945337B2 Piezoelectric injector for direct fuel injection
A piezo injector for direct fuel injection may comprise an injector body, an actuator unit having a piezoelectric actuator with a head plate and a base plate, a hydraulic coupler having a coupler piston, a coupler cylinder, and a coupler spring, and a nozzle unit having a nozzle needle arranged in a nozzle body. The piezoelectric actuator is surrounded by a corrugated tube braced between the head plate and the base plate such that the piezoelectric actuator has a preload imparted to it. The coupler spring forces the coupler piston against a face side, facing toward the coupler piston, of the nozzle needle.
US09945335B2 Motor vehicle hydrocarbon trap and method
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for damping or attenuating acoustic vibrations in an air induction system of a motor vehicle, the apparatus defining a passageway through which induction air may be drawn to an engine of the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: damping means, the damping means being provided around the passageway for damping or attenuating acoustic vibrations in the induction air; and hydrocarbon trapping means, the hydrocarbon trapping means comprising a sheet of trapping material provided around at least a portion of the passageway, the trapping means being arranged to provide a flow-past hydrocarbon trap for trapping hydrocarbon vapors entering the passageway from the engine.
US09945332B2 Controlling exhaust gas flow to the EGR system through a scavenger valve
One variation may include a method of controlling exhaust gas flow in an internal combustion engine system, and products and systems using same.
US09945329B2 Engine with cylinder deactivation and multi-stage turbocharging system
An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block defining first and second cylinders, and a cylinder head coupled to the block. The engine also includes a passage having a first outlet and a second outlet for exhausting post-combustion gasses from the cylinder head. The engine additionally includes a mechanism for selectively activating and deactivating the first cylinder and a turbocharging system having a low-flow turbocharger and a high-flow turbocharger. The low-flow turbocharger is driven by gasses from the first outlet and the high-flow turbocharger is driven by gasses from the second outlet. The turbocharging system also includes a first flow-control device that directs the gasses via the first and second outlets to the turbochargers when the first and second cylinders are activated. The first flow-control device also directs the gasses via the first outlet only to the low-flow turbocharger and blocks the second outlet when the first cylinder is deactivated.
US09945318B2 Cylinder block
A cylinder block made of aluminum includes an inner wall defining an inner space wherein a piston moves, an insulating coating layer partially disposed along an inside surface of the inner wall, and an Fe, or iron, sprayed layer coating an inner surface of the inner wall and the insulating coating layer, the Fe sprayed layer being formed by a thermal spaying process.
US09945317B2 Fuel injection device
When a main injection is performed, a first timing that is a time earlier than a second timing is selected as the valve opening starting timing, and a first period that is the period of time shorter than a second period is selected as the control period. Also, when a pilot injection is performed, the second timing that is the time later than the first timing is selected as the valve opening starting timing, and the second period that is the time longer than the first period is selected as the control period. Thus, in an injector with increased valve opening responsiveness, the valve opening behavior of a control valve of the injector in fuel injection with a minute injection quantity can be stabilized without replacing a control device, particularly an EDU with that of a large current specification.
US09945314B2 Apparatus and method for controlling oxygen sensor
An apparatus for controlling an oxygen sensor may include an oxygen sensor configured to measure the exhaust gas which is generated by the combustion of the engine to generate an oxygen signal, and a controller configured to detect, through the oxygen sensor, a lag of the oxygen signal having responsiveness which is reduced depending on an oxygen amount of the exhaust gas, store information on occurrence factors which cause the lag of the oxygen signal, and increase a current heating quantity of a corresponding specific region about the occurrence factors to reconfirm whether the oxygen signal lags and determine the oxygen sensor as a failure or release a failure detection for the oxygen sensor.
US09945304B2 Pressuring system for a vehicle engine components for water protection
A pressuring system for a vehicle engine includes an intake manifold into which ambient gases flows. A control valve connects to the intake manifold. An engine block connects to the intake manifold and connected to a gases outlet. A timing belt cover connects to the engine block. A gases pipe connects between the control valve and the timing belt cover.
US09945302B2 Characterizing vehicle mass
Aspects of the disclosure are directed to characterizing vehicle mass. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, one or more operating parameters of the vehicle are obtained, and at least one qualifying period of time is identified in which the operating parameter or parameters are within a range of values associated with the parameter. A value that provides an estimate of the mass is then generated based on the one or more operating parameters.
US09945296B2 Six-stroke engine and method of operating six-stroke engine
A six-stroke engine includes a cylinder, a piston, a cylinder head, a combustion chamber, an intake port, an exhaust port, an intake valve, an exhaust valve, a fuel injector, and an ignition plug. The six-stroke engine includes a valve gear that operates the intake valve and the exhaust valve to execute an intake stroke, a compression stroke with ignition, an expansion stroke with combustion, an exhaust stroke, an expansion stroke without combustion, and a compression stroke without ignition. The valve gear opens, only for a predetermined period of time while the piston is located at top dead center, at least one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve within a period from the exhaust stroke to the intake stroke. A valve overlap state is produced at least once within the period from the exhaust stroke to the intake stroke.
US09945294B2 Staged fuel and air injection in combustion systems of gas turbines
A gas turbine that includes a working fluid flowpath extending aftward from a forward injector in a combustor. The combustor may include an inner radial wall, an outer radial wall, and, therebetween, a flow annulus. A staged injector may intersect the flow annulus so to attain an injection point within the working fluid flowpath by which aftward and forward annulus sections are defined. Air directing structure may include an aftward intake section that corresponds to the aftward annulus section and a forward intake section that corresponds to the forward annulus section. The air directing structure may be configured to: direct air entering through the aftward intake section through the aftward annulus section in a forward direction to the staged injector; and direct air entering through the forward intake section through the forward annulus section in a forward direction to the forward injector.
US09945286B2 Variable geometry turbine
A variable geometry turbine has annular inlet passageway defined between a first surface of a radial wall of a movable wall mounted within a cavity and a facing wall of the turbine housing. The radial wall defines a second surface that opposes the first surface. The moveable wall member comprises an annular flange that extends axially into the cavity and supports a radial flange defining opposing third and fourth surfaces. The radial flange seals against an annular sleeve in the cavity to define a first area within the cavity which includes the radial second and third surfaces and a second area within the cavity which includes the radial fourth surface. The first and second areas are in fluid communication with regions of the annular inlet passageway which are respectively upstream and downstream of a radial vane passage.
US09945274B2 Multi-link piston-crank mechanism for internal combustion engine
When the compression ratio of a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine (10) is set at a low compression ratio, a lubricating oil ejected from a lower link oil passage (25) is reflected by an upper link (11) at the piston top dead center, and supplied to a cylinder inside wall surface on the side on which a control link (15) is located in a view as viewed in the axial direction of the crank shaft. When the compression ratio of the variable compression ratio internal combustion engine (10) is set at a high compression ratio, the lubricating oil ejected from lower link oil passage (25) is reflected by upper link (11) at the piston top dead center, and supplied to the back side of the piston crown.
US09945271B2 Valve opening/closing timing control device
Provided is a valve opening/closing timing control device that can speedily achieve a stable operation at the time of starting an engine. The device includes a drive-side rotating body that is rotated in synchronism with a crankshaft and has a plurality of projecting portions, a driven-side rotating body that has a partition portion which forms an advance angle chamber and a retard angle chamber and that is rotated together with a camshaft for valve opening/closing, an intermediate lock mechanism switchable between a locked state and an unlocked state, a pump for supplying fluid to the advance angle chamber, the retard angle chamber or the intermediate lock mechanism, and a communication passage configured to establish communication between the advance angle chamber and the retard angle chamber disposed adjacent in a circumferential direction when the intermediate lock mechanism is under the locked state.
US09945267B2 Heat-collecting-type power generation system
Provided is a heat-collecting-type power generation system capable of maintaining a stable power generation efficiency even if supplied heat varies. The system includes an evaporator that heats and vaporizes a working medium; a displacement-type expander driven by the vaporized working medium; a power generator driven together with the expander; a condenser that cools and condenses the gas-phase working medium sent from the expander; and a circulation pump that draws the condensed liquid-phase working medium, raises pressure and transports the same to the evaporator, wherein the expander includes a plurality of expansion parts that expand the working medium stepwise, and internal volume ratios of the expansion parts are adjusted in a design phase, so that if at least one of a suction pressure and a discharge pressure of the expander varies, an overall thermal insulation efficiency is 70 percent or more, in a range of the variation.
US09945264B2 Methods and systems for enhancing control of power plant generating units
A control method for optimizing or enhancing an operation of a power plant that includes thermal generating units for generating electricity. The power plant may include multiple possible operating modes differentiated by characteristics of operating parameters. The method may include tuning a power plant model so to configure a tuned power plant model. The method may further include simulating proposed operating modes of the power plant with the tuned power plant model. The simulating may include a simulation procedure that includes: defining a second operating period; selecting the proposed operating modes from the possible operating modes; with the tuned power plant model, performing a simulation run for each of the proposed operating modes whereby the operation of the power plant during the second operating period is simulated; and obtaining simulation results from each of the simulation runs.
US09945259B2 Integrated flex support and front center body
A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine may include a geared architecture, a central body support and a bearing package. The geared architecture may interconnect a spool and a fan rotatable about an axis. The central body support may provide an annular wall for a core flow path and an integral flex support inwardly extending therefrom. The integral flex support may couple the geared architecture to the central body support. The bearing package may include a bearing support removably coupled to the integral flex support.
US09945258B2 Sheet metal turbine housing with cellular structure reinforcement
Systems are provided for a reinforcement element coupled to a sheet metal turbine housing that imparts desirable thermal-protective and structurally strengthening characteristics to the housing layers. In one example, a system may include a turbine comprising a housing surrounding a turbine rotor, the housing having an outer layer surrounding an inner layer at a distance to form an intermediate space between the inner and outer layers. Moreover, disposed in the intermediate space is a reinforcement element coupled to the inner and outer layers, providing strength and consistent rigidity without a significant increase in weight to the housing.
US09945255B2 Structural member for a wind turbine
It comprises a body that has an inertial asymmetrical and/or the body is asymmetrical in terms of geometry and/or mass of with respect to a XZ plane passing substantially through the centre of a wind turbine rotor for withstanding asymmetrical loads acting on the wind turbine. The inertia in sections of the structural member body at one side of the XZ plane may be 50% greater than the inertia in sections of the structural member body at another side of the XZ plane. The structural member may connect the wind turbine tower with the wind turbine rotor and may comprise at least two asymmetrical portions defined on both sides of the XZ plane which may be mutually asymmetrical reinforcing elements.
US09945250B2 Aircraft gas turbine
An aircraft gas turbine is constituted by accommodating a compressor (14), a combustor (15), and a turbine (16) in a cylindrical main unit casing (12). A thick wall part (52) is provided on an outer periphery side of rotor blades (34) in the main unit casing. A cooling passage (53), for cooling the thick wall part (52) by circulating compressed air compressed by the compressor, is provided in the thick wall part. Also provided is a discharge passage (55) for discharging compressed air having circulated in the cooling passage to a combustion gas passage A. The structural strength of the thick wall part is ensured by appropriately cooling the thick wall part of the casing, while simplifying the structure and preventing a decrease in efficiency, thereby ensuring effective containment performance and an appropriate clearance between the casing and the rotor blades.
US09945247B2 Gas turbine engine anti-icing system
An anti-icing system for an engine section stator of a gas turbine engine. The system includes an environmental control system pre-cooler heat exchange system and a conduit. The environmental control system pre-cooler heat exchange system is configured to exchange heat between air bled from a compressor of the engine and bypass duct air. The conduit is configured to exchange heat from the pre-cooler heat exchange system to a heat transfer medium. The conduit is also configured to transfer the heat from the heat transfer medium to the engine section stator.
US09945246B2 Monitoring of a degree of coking at dynamic seals by a starter
The invention relates to a method (1000) for monitoring a degree of coking at the dynamic seals of a turbine engine comprising: a gas generator, comprising a rotary shaft and an injection wheel mounted on said shaft, an injection manifold, dynamic seals for ensuring a seal between the injection wheel and the injection manifold, and a starter, the method comprising the steps: measuring (1500), during a phase for initiating rotation of the shaft of the gas generator by the starter, a current flowing through the starter and a voltage on the terminals of the starter, determining (1600), from the measured current and voltage, a degree of coking at the dynamic seals. The invention also relates to a turbine engine comprising a system for monitoring a degree of coking.
US09945236B2 Gas turbine hub
A unitary one-piece hub has first and second rings and a midsection arranged between the first and second rings. The midsection includes a plurality of windows configured to receive a plurality of cross members. The windows include a lip configured to surround the cross members. A gas turbine engine and a method of providing a hub for a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.
US09945235B2 Coning resistant rotor for a seal assembly
A coning-resistant rotor and a seal assembly including a coning-resistant rotor are disclosed. An embodiment of the rotor includes a rotor base, a rotor head, and an axially-extending web interposed between the rotor base and rotor head, wherein the web includes axial and radial web regions defined by at least one circumferential groove provided in the web. In another embodiment, a rotor base includes a sealing surface and an inner diameter surface, and the inner diameter surface includes a channel with a taper.
US09945223B2 Fatigue calculator generation system
Aspects of the disclosure can relate to a system for tracking fatigue damage experienced by a tool in real-time. The system can include a processor operably coupled to a memory and operable to execute one or more modules to generate master curve fitting coefficients for a connection type associated with a tool component (e.g., a component of a bottom hole assembly). The master curve fitting coefficients can be for a threaded connection master curve, a port hole master curve, and so forth. The processor can also be operable to execute the one or more modules to generate a fatigue calculator for the tool component. The system may receive a real-time trajectory for the tool, determine a curvature from the trajectory of the tool, determine a bending moment based upon the curvature, and determine fatigue damage for the tool component based upon the bending moment using the fatigue calculator.
US09945216B2 Frac system with hydraulic energy transfer system
A frac system that includes a hydraulic energy transfer system configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and a second fluid.
US09945204B2 Safety mechanism for a well, a well comprising the safety mechanism, and related methods
A safety mechanism comprising: an obstructing member moveable between a first position where fluid flow is permitted, and a second position where fluid flow is restricted preferably blocked; a movement mechanism; and a wireless receiver, often an acoustic transceiver, adapted to receive a wireless signal; wherein the movement mechanism is operable to move the obstructing member from one of the first and second positions to the other of the first and second positions in response to a change in the signal being received by the wireless receiver. Embodiments of the invention thus provide a safety mechanism for a well such as a valve, packer, plug or sleeve, which can be operated wirelessly and so may allow operation of safety mechanisms in a well even when emergency situations have occurred.
US09945193B1 Drill floor mountable automated pipe racking system
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in subterranean exploration, and provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down pipe racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig. In particular, the invention relates to a pipe drill floor mounted pipe racking system that is capable of controlled movement of pipe in three dimensions, and most importantly, capable of rapid and precise movement of multiple connected sections of pipe. The invention is capable of moving stands of connected pipe from a racked position on the drill floor to an accurate stabbing position directly above a drill string component held in a rotary table.
US09945185B2 Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond
A method of forming polycrystalline diamond includes encapsulating diamond particles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide in a container. The encapsulated diamond particles, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are subjected to a pressure of at least 4.5 GPa and a temperature of at least 1400° C. to form inter-granular bonds between the diamond particles. A cutting element includes polycrystalline diamond material comprising inter-bonded grains of diamond. The polycrystalline diamond material is substantially free of graphitic carbon and metallic compounds. The polycrystalline diamond material exhibits a density of at least about 3.49 g/cm3 and a modulus of at least about 1000 GPa. An earth-boring tool may include such a cutting element secured to a body.
US09945184B2 Downhole under-reamer and associated methods
A downhole under-reamer for use in reaming a downhole bore. The under-reamer comprises a body and a plurality of cutters mounted on the body. The cutters are mounted on the body so as to be extendable from a retracted position to at least two extended positions. The at least two extended positions comprise reaming positions at respective first and second reaming diameters.
US09945181B2 System and method for detecting drilling events using an opto-analytical device
In one embodiment, a method includes drilling a wellbore in a formation with a drilling tool. The method further includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at an opto-analytical device coupled to the drilling tool. The method also includes determining a drilling characteristic based on the received electromagnetic radiation, and detecting an event associated with drilling the wellbore based on the determined drilling characteristic.
US09945176B2 Quickly slideable and incrementally adjustable barrier
A barrier for the inside of a home. The barrier includes two partitions that slide relative to each other to increase and decrease a distance between ends of the barrier. The partitions slide into and out of confronting relationships with each other. The partitions engage each other at upper and lower locations and further at a medial location where an elongate member of one partition is received in a tube engaged to the other partition. A threaded piece upon being turned brings pressure to bear upon an end of the tube such that the partitions can be incrementally expanded apart and thereby pressurized between two locations within the home so as to block off one portion of the home. The threaded piece is slideable along the elongate member.
US09945168B2 Closure panel counterbalance mechanism with friction device
A friction based counterbalance mechanism for coupling with a closure panel to assist in opening and closing of the closure panel for at least a portion of a path between a fully closed position and a fully open position of the closure panel, the counterbalance mechanism including: an elongate member positioned on a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends of the counterbalance mechanism, the elongate member having a peripheral surface, the elongate member having a proximal end for coupling to one of the closure panel and a body of a vehicle; a travel member having a body and at least one friction member mounted on the body, the travel member positioned on the longitudinal axis for reciprocation there along and for providing contact between the at least one friction member and the peripheral surface, said contact for generating a friction force in a first region along the longitudinal axis and in a second region along the longitudinal axis; and a support member coupled to the travel element at a proximal end and for coupling at a distal end to the other of the closure panel and a body of a vehicle, the support member for guiding said reciprocation. The friction based counterbalance mechanism can be incorporated as part of a biasing strut such as a spring configured strut.
US09945166B2 Device for moving a movable furniture part, and item of furniture
A device for moving a movable furniture part, the device including a basic component on which a force accumulator is present such that the movable furniture part under the action of the force accumulator is capable of being put in the opening direction of the movable furniture part. A separate cover component, configured so as to match the basic component, of the device is present, which cover component covers the basic component, wherein connection means on the cover component are configured in such a manner that integration of the device on a counter portion on the item of furniture and/or the guide means is arrangeable using the connection means which are present on the cover component.
US09945157B2 Dual-ring tubular lock assembly
A dual-ring tubular lock assembly is provided. Inner and outer walls of a key are formed with inner-ring and outer-ring notches. A lock cylinder is inserted in a central through hole of a lock housing. A front end of the lock cylinder is formed with a tubular keyhole. The tubular keyhole is formed with inner-ring and outer-ring grooves corresponding to the inner-ring and outer-ring notches and mounted with inner-ring and outer-ring key pins. A rear end of the lock cylinder passes through a central perforation of a lower bead seat and extends out of the lock housing. The lower bead seat is fixed in the center through hole. The lower bead seat is formed with inner-ring and outer-ring holes corresponding to the inner-ring and outer-ring grooves and mounted with inner-ring and outer-ring driver pins and springs. The latch is fixed to the rear end of the lock cylinder.
US09945150B2 High visibility latch handle
A latch handle is disclosed. The latch handle may comprise a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may comprise a high aspect ratio. The second portion may have a width greater than the second portion.A nacelle is disclosed. The nacelle may comprise a first panel and a latch assembly. The latch assembly may include a latch housing and a latch handle. The latch handle may include a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may comprise an aspect ratio greater than one. The second portion may have a width greater than the width of the first portion. A cut-out configured to accommodate the latch assembly may be disposed on the first panel. The first panel may be a fan cowl panel.
US09945146B2 Cylinder alignment monitoring system for a mast or derrick
A cylinder alignment monitoring system for a mast or derrick hingedly connected to a substructure wherein at least a pair of extending cylinders move the mast or derrick between a storage position and an upright use position. The monitoring system includes a distance measurement device to determine the extension distance of each of the extending cylinders. A comparison device compares the extension distances measured for each of the extending cylinders.
US09945145B2 Embedded poles for utility poles and structures
An embedded pole installation method including applying a rotational force to a leading pole and an intermediate pole. The leading pole comprises a first helical plate disposed on a first portion of the leading pole. The intermediate pole is coupled to a second portion of the leading pole and comprises a second helical plate disposed on a first portion of the intermediate pole. The diameter of the intermediate pole is greater than a diameter of the leading pole. Applying the rotational force embeds the first helical plate and the second helical plate into a foundation such that a second portion of the intermediate pole does not penetrate the foundation. The method further includes coupling a utility pole to the second portion of the intermediate pole.
US09945143B2 Swivelling joint
A swiveling joint for use in a pole such as a light pole is disclosed. The swiveling joint connects a first member mounted to a lower leg of a pole with a second member mounted to an upper leg of the pole. The second leg has a skirt which sits around an annular portion of the first member, with a bearing member located between the first and second members. The bearing member can be moved from outside the second member between a locked position where the joint is fixed, and a released position where the joint can rotate.
US09945140B2 Floor and wall cleaner
A cleaner includes an external casing forming a suction hood, an upper suction mouth, the casing also being provided with a drive arranged on each side and equipped with independent motors and corresponding transmission mechanisms on each side, and cleaning rollers; sets of internal cleaning rollers disposed close to the center of the hollow interior of the casing and having a width approximately equal to the distance between the side elements of the casing; sets of external cleaning rollers located close to the front and rear edges of the casing of the cleaning device and having a total width slightly greater than the width of the casing; a resilient joint at the support for the external rollers; a pair of adhesion turbines; auxiliary drive wheels on the internal cleaning rollers; a flotation body connected to the casing and having a fixed and/or variable volume; and laterally mobile turbines.
US09945139B2 Floating weir basket for use in pool skimmers
A floating weir basket (40) that eliminates the need for hinged doors on conventional fixed pool skimmers (4).
US09945138B1 Vertical reversible one piece guard rail post
Disclosed is a safety barrier system for use at construction sites. An inventive, simple to use, reusable, efficient to assemble and disassemble safety guard rail system for use in construction of multistory structures, primarily multistory apartment complexes is described. The inventive system allows for common 2″×4″ or 2″×6″ wooden posts to be used for a railing system. The system includes a single reversible centerline safety rail, or guard rail post having apertures on its central region, and keyholes along the folded edges thereof. The post may be installed on any horizontal or vertical surface that is usually above the ground. In operation, the guard rail post is mounted on a flat surface, such that a keyhole engages with a fastener attached to the flat surface. Guard rails are received in the apertures formed on the support plate to create a safety rail arrangement.
US09945129B2 Method for making a covering
A method for making a covering is described. The covering includes a first layer made of a flexible material; a second and a third layers made of a preferably rigid material engaged on opposite sides to the first layer. The second and the third layers respectively have a plurality of V-shaped grooves defining respective adjacent rigid and corresponding structural portions. Each rigid structural portion can be oriented with respect to the adjacent rigid structural portion, by folding the first layer so as to model the covering according to three-dimensional configurations and/or a simple or double curvature. The method is preferably performed through a virtual designing of the shape desired to be obtained and a processing of the same for the obtainment of the grooves required to attain such shape.
US09945125B2 Roof drain cover
A cover for a drain is disclosed. The cover may be used with roof drains or other drains and allow for fluid collection into the drain even with buildup of debris around or on the cover. The cover may have a lower flange or portion with a large area and extending outwardly in an arcuate configuration and having openings for fluid flow. The lower portion may be oriented at a small angle with respect to the horizontal. An upper portion may be connected to the lower portion and may be more vertically-oriented than the lower portion and also extend arcuately and having openings. A top may be connected with the upper portion and may have a removable lid. An outer ring may be attached to an outer perimeter of the lower portion and have openings. The cover may include a mount with flex joints for securing the cover to contoured surfaces. The cover may include moveable parts for expansion/contraction of portions of the cover. The cover may be contoured to abut a structure such as a wall.
US09945118B2 Method and mold for manufacturing an interlocking concrete retaining wall block
A mold for manufacturing interlocking, dry-cast concrete retaining wall blocks in an upright orientation comprises a mold box comprising two side walls joined to end walls to define a mold cavity, a top face, and a substantially open bottom face. Partitions configured to define a space between adjacent blocks or a space between a block and a side of the mold box extend parallel to the side walls of the mold box substantially from the top face into the mold cavity, to form first transverse portions of the profile of the top and bottom surfaces the blocks which do not include any undercut portion that would impede removal of the mold box in a substantially vertical direction. At least one removable insert comprises insert members which, when positioned in the mold box beneath the partitions, form remaining transverse portions of the profile of the top and bottom surfaces, the remaining transverse portions including at least one undercut portion. The insert members, when in position in the mold box for casting, are substantially in lateral alignment with respective bottom surfaces of at least some of the partitions and can be inserted and retracted through openings in an end wall of the mold box.
US09945112B2 Valve for use in a sewage line
In a first embodiment, the present invention is a valve insertable into a sewage line in order to prevent backflow into a structure. The valve includes a mouth formed therein which corresponds to the size of an inlet of the sewage line and means for rotating for rotating the valve within the sewage line. Rotation of the valve to an open position aligns the mouth with the inlet of the sewage line to permit flow through the sewage line and rotation of the valve body to a closed position rotates the mouth away from the inlet of the sewage line to prevent flow through the sewage line. In a second embodiment, the present invention further includes a conduit adapter that replaces a converging section of the sewage line in order to retrofit the valve into a sewage line where the valve would otherwise not fit therein. Additionally, in either the first or second embodiment, the present invention provides for the simultaneous purging of the sewage line by attaching means for purging to the valve.
US09945105B2 Drain plug linkage device
In the invention a drain plug linkage device (100) is provided, comprising: a drain plug (4) at least partially disposed in a pipe body (5); a pull rod assembly including a pull rod, a link rod (2) and a pull rod connector (9), wherein the link rod (2) at its upper end comprises a receiving portion, the pull rod connector (9) comprises a central hole and adapted to be snapped into the containing portion, and the pull rod at its bottom comprises a snap portion adapted to be snapped into the central hole; and a lever member (3) comprising a first end operatively connected to the link rod (2), and a second end extending into the pipe body (5) and configured to operate the drain plug (4); wherein the receiving portion comprises an expansion portion (22) for expanding the central hole, and the pull rod connector (9) is configured, when snapped into the receiving part, to be movable between a position where the central hole is unexpanded and a position where the central hole is expanded by the expansion portion (22).
US09945082B2 Bollard base
Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bollard base including a top plate, a plurality of spaced-apart anchors each integrally connected to and extending downwardly from the top plate, a plurality of adjustable leg assemblies at least partially connected to the top plate, and a tubular baffle connected to and extending downwardly from the bottom of the top plate, wherein the plurality of adjustable leg assemblies include a plurality of spaced-apart tubular legs integrally connected to and extending downwardly from the top plate, and a plurality of adjustable feet respectively partially insertable into the tubular legs. Various embodiments of the present disclosure also provide a bollard base including a top plate and a tubular baffle connected to and extending downwardly the top plate.
US09945080B2 Grounded modular heated cover
The grounded modular heated cover is disclosed with a first pliable outer layer and a second pliable outer layer, wherein the outer layers provide durable protection, an electrical heating element between the first and the second outer layers, the electrical heating element configured to convert electrical energy to heat energy, a heat spreading layer, and a thermal insulation layer positioned above the active electrical heating element. Beneficially, such a device provides radiant heat, weather isolation, temperature insulation, and solar heat absorption efficiently and cost effectively. The modular heated cover quickly and efficiently removes ice, snow, and frost from surfaces, and penetrates soil and other material to thaw the material to a suitable depth. A plurality of modular heated covers can be connected on a single 120 Volt circuit protected by a 20 Amp breaker. The modular heated covers are grounded for safety using the conductive heat spreading layer.
US09945076B2 Method of producing a creping paper and the creping paper thereof
The present invention provides for a method of producing a creped paper and the crepe paper products made using this method. The method includes treating the surface of a crepe fiber web and/or surface of a Yankee drum dryer or cylinder with compositions containing a combination of hydrophobes and surfactants and wherein these compositions have been subjected to physical treatments to reduce the mean particle size to about 1 micron (μm) or less.
US09945073B2 Methods of producing a paper product
An omnibus process of pulping and bleaching lignocellulosic materials in which a charge of a lignocellulosic material is biopulped and/or water extracted prior to pulping and bleaching. The lignocellulosic material may be mechanically pulped and bleached in the presence of an enzyme that breaks lignin-carbohydrate complexes.
US09945071B2 Methods and systems from recycling carpet and carpets manufactured from recycled material
The present invention pertains to carpet and methods of making and recycling carpet. In one aspect, the carpet includes: a primary backing which has a face and a back surface; a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing; an adhesive composition backing; and an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing. The method of making carpet includes extrusion coating the adhesive composition onto the back surface of a primary backing to form the adhesive composition backing. The method of recycling carpet can recover one or more polymeric carpet components.
US09945067B1 Airfoil apparatus for a system having a controlled internal environment
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an airfoil apparatus is provided which minimizes entry of entrained air into a system having a controlled internal environment, such as a corona treatment system, such entrained air resulting from a high-speed web moving into the system. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the airfoil apparatus is rotatable relative to the system so that the airfoil apparatus can be adjusted to changes in the web.
US09945065B2 Dryer
A dryer, including a cabinet with an entry hole formed on the front surface thereof, a door being installed in the entry hole, a drum disposed within the cabinet and rotatable therein, an evaporator disposed in the cabinet to remove moisture from air circulating through the drum by condensing the moisture, a drawer space disposed under the entry hole and depressed backward from the front surface of the cabinet, a drawer disposed in the drawer space to move with respect to the cabinet so that it is pulled out from the drawer space, a condensate discharge container to store condensate from the evaporator, the condensate discharge container being detachably held in the drawer, and exposed to a user when the drawer is pulled out, and a guide supporter to couple a cabinet-side structure and a drawer-side structure and to guide the pulling out of the drawer.
US09945063B2 Washing machine with heat pump system
A washing machine comprises a drum and a heat pump system for heating water to be fed to the drum in a washing program. The heat pump system has an evaporator in heat exchange relationship with a room air flow and a condenser in heat exchange relationship with water to be heated, an air deflector being configured to divert said room air flow downstream the evaporator away from the condenser in a water heating configuration and to convey said air towards the condenser in a room air dehumidifying configuration of the washing machine.
US09945061B2 Laundry treating appliance having a rotatable blade for liquid extraction
A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation, comprising a basket defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry to be washed. The basket has multiple perforations through which liquid may pass. A blade can be rotated about the exterior of the basket creating a suction force acting on the perforations to draw liquid from the treating chamber through the perforations.
US09945050B2 Semiconductor nanocrystals and methods of preparation
A method for preparing semiconductor nanocrystals comprises reacting cation precursors and anion precursors in a reaction mixture including one or more acids, one or more phenol compounds, and a solvent to produce semiconductor nanocrystals having a predetermined composition. A method for forming a coating on at least a portion of a population of semiconductor nanocrystals is also disclosed. The method comprises forming a first mixture including a population of semiconductor nanocrystals, one or more amine compounds, and a first solvent; adding cation precursors and anion precursors to the first mixture at a temperature sufficient for growing a semiconductor material on at least a portion of an outer surface of at least a portion of the population of semiconductor nanocrystals; and initiating addition of one or more acids to the first mixture after addition of the cation and anion precursors is initiated. Semiconductor nanocrystals and populations thereof are also disclosed.
US09945047B2 Method for growing silicon carbide crystal
In the present invention, a crucible formed of SiC as a main component is used as a container for a Si—C solution. The SiC crucible is heated such that, for example, an isothermal line representing a temperature distribution within the crucible draws an inverted convex shape; and Si and C, which are derived from a main component SiC of the crucible, are eluted from a high-temperature surface region of the crucible in contact with the Si—C solution, into the Si—C solution, thereby suppressing precipitation of a SiC polycrystal on a surface of the crucible in contact with the Si—C solution. To the Si—C solution of this state, a SiC seed crystal is moved down from the upper portion of the crucible closer to the Si—C solution and brought into contact with the Si—C solution to grow a SiC single crystal on the SiC seed crystal.
US09945039B2 Method for improving the efficiency and durability of electrical energy storage using solid oxide electrolysis cell
A method for improving the efficiency and durability of reversible solid oxide cells during electrical energy storage is disclosed. The method utilizes a specific set of operating conditions that produces a storage chemistry where approximately thermal-neutral operation can be achieved at low cell over-potentials. Also disclosed are reversible solid oxide cell energy storage system configurations, including one that utilizes storage in natural gas and water storage/distribution networks, thereby reducing storage cost.
US09945032B2 Systems and methods for enhancing mobility of atomic or molecular species on a substrate at reduced bulk temperature using acoustic waves, and structures formed using same
Under one aspect, a structure is provided that includes a substrate including a first material having a threshold temperature above which the first material is damaged and a layer consisting essentially of a second material molecularly bonded to the first material of the substrate. The second material is formed on the substrate at a reaction temperature that is higher than the threshold temperature of the first material. An interface between the substrate and the second material is a substantially defect-free surface.
US09945019B2 Nickel-based heat-resistant superalloy
Disclosed herein is a nickel-based heat-resistant superalloy produced by a casting and forging method, the nickel-based heat-resistant superalloy comprising 2.0 mass % or more but 25 mass % or less of chromium, 0.2 mass % or more but 7.0 mass % or less of aluminum, 19.5 mass % or more but 55.0 mass % or less of cobalt, [0.17×(mass % of cobalt content−23)+3] mass % or more but [0.17×(mass % of cobalt content−20)+7] mass % or less and 5.1 mass % or more of titanium, and the balance being nickel and inevitable impurities, and being subjected to solution heat treatment at 93% or more but less than 100% of a γ′ solvus temperature.
US09945014B2 High-manganese wear resistant steel having excellent weldability and method for manufacturing same
A high-manganese wear-resistant steel having excellent weldability comprises 5 to 15 wt % of Mn, 16≤33.5C+Mn≤30 of C, 0.05 to 1.0 wt % of Si, and a balance of Fe and other inevitable impurities. The microstructure thereof includes martensite as a major component, and 5% to 40% of residual austenite by area fraction.
US09945009B2 Processes for recovering rare earth elements from aluminum-bearing materials
The present disclosure relates to processes for recovering rare earth elements from an aluminum-bearing material. The processes can comprise leaching the aluminum-bearing material with an acid so as to obtain a leachate comprising at least one aluminum ion, at least one iron ion, at least one rare earth element, and a solid, and separating the leachate from the solid. The processes can also comprise substantially selectively removing at least one of the at least one aluminum ion and the at least one iron ion from the leachate and optionally obtaining a precipitate. The processes can also comprise substantially selectively removing the at least one rare earth element from the leachate and/or the precipitate.
US09945003B2 Impact resistant ductile iron castings
A highly impact resistant ductile iron casting is made from a specified high nickel content ductile iron composition and post-treated with a specified heating and cooling profile to achieve an elongation exceeding the ASTM A536 (“60-40-18”) standard, and meeting or exceeding Charpy V Notch impact resistance at −20° F. of greater than 11.0 ft.lbs.
US09945000B2 Method for recovering an acid from acid/sugar solutions
Acid hydrolysis of biomass is an important step for releasing the component sugars before converting them to fuels and/or biochemicals. During such a process, a significant amount of mineral acid, such as sulfuric acid, is used. In most cases, the residual acid is neutralized with lime before the sugar conversion step. By doing so, a waste calcium sulphate stream is generated and sent to disposal. The efficient separation of acid from the sugars would allow the recycle of the acid and make the entire process more economically viable. We found that a resin bed packed with an acid retardation resin can be used to achieve an efficient separation (i.e. 98.5% recovery of the acid) of the sulfuric acid from the sugars. The resin bed can be simply regenerated with water.
US09944984B2 High density DNA array
A high density DNA array comprising a patterned surface, said surface comprising a pattern of small DNA binding regions separated by a non-DNA binding surface, wherein the DNA binding regions comprise DNA capture chemistry and the non-DNA binding surface does not have the DNA capture chemistry wherein more than 50% of the DNA binding regions in the array have single informative DNA species.
US09944980B2 Articles having localized molecules disposed thereon and methods of producing same
Methods of producing substrates having selected active chemical regions by employing elements of the substrates in assisting the localization of active chemical groups in desired regions of the substrate. The methods may include optical, chemical and/or mechanical processes for the deposition, removal, activation and/or deactivation of chemical groups in selected regions of the substrate to provide selective active regions of the substrate.
US09944975B2 Hybridization buffers
Disclosed herein are hybridization buffer compositions and hybridization compositions, methods of making the compositions, and methods of using the compositions, such as the hybridization of DNA or RNA sequences by fluorescence in situ hybridization (“FISH”) and blot hybridization methodologies.
US09944974B2 Method for the specific isolation of nucleic acids of interest
A method and diagnostic kit for selective isolation of microorganisms of interest and/or nucleic acids of interest including: a) bringing a liquid biological sample into contact with a saponin formulation to destabilize untargeted elements within the liquid biological sample, b) inducing osmotic shock of the untargeted elements to specifically lyse the untargeted elements, c) adding a solution of at least one enzyme capable of lysing free nucleic acids derived from the untargeted elements lysed in solution in the sample, and d) selectively obtaining the microorganisms of interest or the nucleic acids of interest. A precipitant of the unlyzed microorganisms of interest may be optionally added in solution. The microorganisms of interest have cell membranes or capsids that do not contain cholesterol. The untargeted elements may include untargeted cells having cell membranes containing cholesterol, and optionally viruses with envelopes containing cholesterol, mycoplasmas containing cholesterol, and cell debris.
US09944966B2 Method for production of single-stranded macronucleotides
The invention relates to a method for production of single-stranded macronucleotides by amplifying and ligating an extended monomeric single-stranded target nucleic acid sequence (targetss) into a repetitive cluster of double-stranded target nucleic acid sequences (targetds), and subsequently cloning the construct into a vector (aptagene vector). The aptagene vector is transformed into host cells for replication of the aptagene and isolated in order to optain single-stranded target sequences (targetss). The invention also relates to single-stranded nucleic acids, produced by a method of the invention.
US09944963B2 Transaminase biocatalysts
The present disclosure relates to polypeptides having transaminase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.
US09944959B2 Production of fatty acids esters
A microbial cell is used for producing at least one fatty acid ester, wherein the cell is genetically modified to contain (i) at least one first genetic mutation that enables the cell to produce at least one fatty acid and/or acyl coenzyme A (CoA) thereof by increased enzymatic activity in the cell relative to the wild type cell of malonyl-CoA dependent and malonyl-ACP independent fatty acyl-CoA metabolic pathway, wherein the fatty acid contains at least 5 carbon atoms; and (ii) a second genetic mutation that increases the activity of at least one wax ester synthase in the cell relative to the wild type cell and the wax ester synthase has sequence identity of at least 50% to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1-8 and combinations thereof or to a functional fragment of any of the polypeptides for catalyzing the conversion of fatty acid and/or acyl coenzyme A thereof to the fatty acid ester.
US09944954B2 Glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase for butanol production
Provided herein are glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) enzymes with increased KM for NADH and GPD enzymes with substantially the same affinity for NADH and NADPH and/or are feedback inhibited by glycerol-3-phosphate. Also provided herein are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a deletion or disruption in an endogenous gene encoding GPD. Also provided are recombinant microorganisms comprising a heterologous gene encoding GPD and a butanol biosynthetic pathway. Further provided are methods of producing butanol comprising providing the recombinant microorganisms described herein and contacting the recombinant microorganism with at least one fermentable carbon substrate under conditions wherein butanol is produced.
US09944953B2 Method of expressing goldfish gfTP1 tranposase protein
An expression method of active goldfish gfTP1 transposase protein comprises: constructing an expression vector comprising a gfTP1 transposase reading frame of a goldfish Tgf2 transposon, after transferred into escherichia coli Rosetta 1 (DE3), culturing an expression strain until absorbance of a bacteria solution under OD600 reaches 0.3-0.4, adding IPTG, culturing under 21-22° C. in shaking of 150-200 rpm, inducing to express soluble recombinant protein, and purifying to obtain a functionally active transposase. Also provided are an expression plasmid and the expression strain of the goldfish gfTP1 transposase protein, and a use of the strain in transgenosis.
US09944935B2 Methods to improve vector expression and genetic stability
The present invention relates to methods of developing gene inserts that are more compatible with the host vectors by modifying a protein sequence to lessen potential interference with vector propagation while ensuring that the protein is expressed and processed efficiently and maintains desired structural features, and designing a gene with a nucleotide sequence that resembles the base composition of the host vector genome.
US09944923B2 Methods for obtaining information from single cells within populations using DNA origami nanostructures without the need for single cell sorting
Methods for construction of DNA origami nanostructures, as well as for binding, isolation, linking, and deep sequencing information, such as both of TCR alpha and beta CDR3 mRNA, from individual cells within a mixed population of cells without the need for single cell sorting.
US09944919B2 Tethering cysteine residues using cyclic disulfides
Described herein are compounds and methods for tethering proteins. For example, dimers of proteins, including SOD1 and DJ-1, are described, where the dimers are formed by the covalent bonding of a cysteine on the first monomer to a cysteine on the second monomer via a cyclic disulfide linker. The covalently attached dimers exhibit increased stabilization.
US09944915B2 Cellulase having improved thermostability
A cellulase having improved thermostability is disclosed. The cellulase comprises a modified amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the modification is adding a cysteine in N terminal and adding a glycine and a cysteine or adding a proline and a cysteine in C terminal.
US09944912B2 Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with altered PAM specificity
Engineered CRISPR-Cas9 nucleases with altered and improved PAM specificities and their use in genomic engineering, epigenomic engineering, and genome targeting.
US09944909B2 Polynucleotides encoding transaminase polypeptides
The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type transaminase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered transaminase enzymes to synthesize a variety of chiral compounds.
US09944907B2 Mutated LUX operon sequences
The present disclosure relates to mutated genes of the LUX operon and their use in producing autoluminescent plants and bacteria exhibiting improved light output.
US09944905B2 Fumarate reductases
The present invention relates to a variant polypeptide having fumarate reductase activity, which has modified NADP(H)-dependent and/or NAD(H)-dependent activity as compared with a reference polypeptide having fumarate reductase activity. Such a variant may be overexpressed in a host cell in order to improve production of a dicarboxylic acid.
US09944894B2 Pluripotent stem cell expansion and passage using a rocking platform bioreactor
Provided herein are novel methods for expansion and passaging of cell aggregates comprising stem cells and/or differentiated cells and comprising the use of closed systems on rocking platform bioreactors. The methods of the invention permit closed system serial passage expansion of pluripotent stem cells and/or progeny thereof with associated pluripotency markers and differentiation potential.
US09944891B2 Process for reducing ethanol loss while developing desirable organoleptics during wooden barrel aging of alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is aged in a wooden barrel after the barrel is covered by a film having an oxygen transmission rate of at least 50 cc/m2/day and an ethanol transmission rate of less than 30 g/m2/day. The beverage acquires one or more specific flavor components in an amount of 50%, 75%, or 100% relative to amounts of one or more of the same flavor components in a control alcoholic beverage aged in a wooden barrel without the film thereon. Covering the barrel with the film reduces the angels' share evaporative loss, while allowing the beverage to develop desirable flavor components during aging. In another embodiment, the process reduces angels' share evaporative loss while achieving organoleptics indistinguishable from a control.
US09944884B2 Lubricating coating composition and compressor including the same
A lubricating coating composition and a compressor including a sliding member coated with the lubricating coating composition. The lubricating coating composition includes a thermosetting or thermoplastic polyimide-based resin as a binder, a solid lubricant, various solvents, and other additives at a controlled ratio. The compressor includes a first member including a first sliding surface and a second member moving relative to the first member including a second sliding surface. The lubricating coating composition is applied to the first sliding surface or the second sliding surface.
US09944878B2 Lubricant system clean-up compositions and methods thereof
The present invention relates to a lubricant and/or clean-out composition comprising: (a) a dispersant component comprising a succinimide dispersant and/or a quaternary ammonium salt dispersant; (b) a carrier fluid component; and (c) an optional corrosion inhibitor, as well as methods of cleaning out deposits in a lubricant system, such as a hydraulic system, using such compositions.
US09944873B1 Add-on system for removing paraffin from a natural gas dehydration system
The add-on system for removing paraffin from a natural gas dehydration system is a method of removing paraffin from the dehydrated TEG. The add-on system for removing paraffin from a natural gas dehydration system processes the cooled and dehydrated TEG through a second heat exchanger, which raises the temperature of the dehydrated TEG to a previously determined temperature. Once the dehydrated TEG is at temperature, the TEG is processed through one or more separators, which separates the paraffin from the dehydrated TEG. The separated paraffin is collected in one or more collection apparatus for disposal while the processed TEG is released to further processing and delivery to the contactor for reuse. The add-on system for removing paraffin from a natural gas dehydration system comprises a second heat exchanger, one or more separators, one or more pumps, one or more collection apparatus, and a plurality of valves.
US09944857B2 Catalytic biomass pyrolysis process
Described herein are processes for converting a biomass starting material (such as lignocellulosic materials) into a low oxygen containing, stable liquid intermediate that can be refined to make liquid hydrocarbon fuels. More specifically, the process can be a catalytic biomass pyrolysis process wherein an oxygen removing catalyst is employed in the reactor while the biomass is subjected to pyrolysis conditions. The stream exiting the pyrolysis reactor comprises bio-oil having a low oxygen content, and such stream may be subjected to further steps, such as separation and/or condensation to isolate the bio-oil.
US09944854B2 Methods and compositions to reduce soil water repellency
The present disclosure describes methods and compositions for reducing and/or preventing soil water repellency. Embodiments of methods of reducing soil water repellency (SWR) of the present disclosure include applying to an area of groundcover a composition including an effective amount of at least one isolated enzyme capable of degrading or altering organic matter associated with SWR, where the SWR of the area of groundcover is reduced after treatment with the enzyme composition.
US09944851B2 Nitride fluorescent material, method for producing the same, and light emitting device
A method for producing a nitride fluorescent material having high emission luminance can be provided. The method includes heat-treating a raw material mixture containing silicon nitride, silicon, an aluminum compound, a calcium compound, and a europium compound.
US09944849B2 Light emitting diode device with luminescent material
The invention provides a light emitting diode device comprising a light emitting diode arranged on a substrate and a wavelength converting element. The wavelength converting element contains as a luminescent material a Mn4+-activated fluoride compound having a garnet-type crystal structure. The Mn4+-activated fluoride compound preferably answers the general formula {A3}[B2-x-yMnxMgy](Li3)F12-dOd, in which formula A stands for at least one element selected from the series consisting of Na+ and K+ and B stands for at least one element selected from the series consisting of Al3+, B3+, Sc3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, Ti4+ and In3+, and in which formula x ranges between 0.02 and 0.2, y ranges between 0.0 (and incl. 0.0) and 0.4 and d ranges between 0 (and incl. 0) and 1. Said compound is most preferably {Na3}[Al2-x-yMnxMgy](Li3)F12-dOd.
US09944845B2 Proppant
A proppant includes a particle present in an amount of from 90 to 99.5 percent by weight and a polymeric coating disposed about the particle and present in an amount of from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the proppant. The polymeric coating is formed from a curable composition comprising an isocyanate, an acrylate, and a polyol. A method of forming the proppant includes the steps of combining the isocyanate, the acrylate, and the polyol to form the curable composition, coating the particle with the curable composition, and curing the curable composition to form the polymeric coating.
US09944838B2 Polishing composition and method for producing same
Provided is a polishing composition with which haze and surface defects can be reduced. This invention provides a polishing composition comprising a synthetic water-soluble polymer ML-end that has a hydrophobic region at least at one end of its main chain. The hydrophobic region has at least one hydrophobic group derived from a polymerization initiator.
US09944835B2 Urea-based pressure sensitive adhesives
Non-silicone urea-based adhesives are disclosed which are prepared by the polymerization of reactive oligomers with the general formula X—B—X, where X is an ethylenically unsaturated group and B is a unit free of silicone and containing urea groups. The reactive oligomers can be prepared from polyamines through chain extension reactions using diaryl carbonates followed by capping reactions. Adhesive articles, including optical adhesive articles may be prepared using the disclosed non-silicone urea-based adhesives.
US09944822B2 Coating composition and method of making and using the same
The present application is directed to a method of making an article. The method comprises coating a composition to a surface of a substrate. The coating composition comprises an aqueous continuous liquid phase, a silica nano-particle dispersed in the aqueous continuous liquid phase, and a polymer latex dispersion. The coated substrate is then heated to at least 300° C.
US09944819B1 Eco-friendly lacquer compositions and methods for preparing the same
An eco-friendly lacquer composition and a method of preparing the eco-friendly lacquer composition are provided. The eco-friendly lacquer composition may include 43% by weight (wt %) to 55 wt % of an acrylic modified alkyd resin including a modified alkyd resin and dimethyl carbonate; 17 wt % to 23 wt % of acetone; and 28 wt % to 34 wt % of tert-butyl acetate, and may be an anti-corrosion lacquer applied onto a surface of a metal.
US09944812B2 Composition for ink and transparent electrode
Provided is an ink composition having excellent printing properties and capable of forming a thick transparent conductive film with low surface resistivity even when it is used in gravure offset printing or pad printing. The ink composition contains (A) a conductive polymer, (B) a binder, and (C) a conductivity enhancer, wherein the composition has a viscosity at 25° C. of 5 to 500 dPa·s and a solids content of 10% to 80% by weight, and the composition exhibits a surface resistivity of 2000 Ω/sq or lower and a total light transmittance of 70% or higher when applied at a wet film thickness of 15 μm.
US09944809B2 Ink for ink-jet recording, ink cartridge, and ink-jet recording process
The present invention provides an ink for ink-jet recording having high storage stability and high discharge stability and providing high abrasion resistance to the resulting image. The ink for ink-jet recording includes polymer particles. The polymer particles each include a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer from the inside to the outside in this order. The first layer is formed of an uncrosslinked first polymer, the second layer is formed of a crosslinked second polymer having ionizable groups, and the third layer is formed of units each having a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part.
US09944807B2 Ink composition and ink set
There is provided an ink composition, including: a dye (M-2); a dye (Y-1); an alkylene oxide adduct of acetylene glycol having a main chain of 12 or more carbon atoms; acetylene glycol having a main chain of 10 or more carbon atoms; and a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, in which the content ratio A of the dye (M-2) and the dye (Y-1) (the dye (M-2):the dye (Y-1)) is 1.25:1 to 4.75:1.
US09944801B2 Metal member having excellent corrosion resistance, method for producing the same, and material and method for repairing metal member
An object is to provide an environmentally benign metal member having excellent corrosion resistance which exhibits a long-lasting corrosion resistance effect even in a saltwater environment or the like in which a water current is present, without requiring an external factor such as ultraviolet light. Provided is a metal member having excellent corrosion resistance in which at least a surface is made of an aluminum-based metal, the metal member comprising a corrosion protection film containing a poorly water-soluble lithium compound on the surface or a solid material containing a poorly water-soluble lithium compound on the surface.
US09944793B2 Aerogel-containing polyurethane composite material
The present invention relates to a composite material comprising nanoporous particles and at least one binder constructed from at least one isocyanate and at least one polymer P selected from the group consisting of polyvinylamine, poly(meth)acrylic acid, poly(meth)acrylic ester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylthiol and mixtures thereof, wherein said at least one binder is used in an amount of 0.1 to 20 wt %, based on the amount of nanoporous particles, a composition for producing a composite material of this type, a process for producing a composite material of this type, shaped articles comprising said composite material and the use of said composite material for thermal and/or acoustical insulation.
US09944791B2 Polymer composition
A composition comprising a mixture of: (i) an aromatic polycarbonate; (ii) a graft copolymer including polyacrylonitrile; and, (iii) a non-crosslinked acrylic polymer having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of less than or equal to 65,000 Daltons (Da).
US09944787B2 Resin composition, prepreg and laminate
The present invention provides a resin composition which can simply provide, with good reproducibility, a laminate, a printed wiring board, and the like that not only have excellent heat dissipation properties but have good moldability, good mechanical drillability and excellent appearance, and a prepreg, a metal foil-clad laminate, and the like using the same. A resin composition having a cyanate ester compound (A), an epoxy resin (B), a first inorganic filler (C), a second inorganic filler (D), and a molybdenum compound (E), wherein an average particle diameter ratio of the first inorganic filler (C) to the second inorganic filler (D) is in a range of 1:0.02 to 1:0.2.
US09944779B2 Resin composition, toner for electrophotography, hot melt composition and ethylene/α-olefin copolymer
Provided is a resin composition containing: (A) an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer containing 91.0-99.9 parts by mole of (a) an ethylene-derived unit and 0.1-9.0 parts by mole of (b) a C3-C8 α-olefin-derived unit (wherein (a)+(b) is 100 parts by mole), while satisfying the requirements (i)-(iv) and (B) a thermoplastic resin and/or a thermosetting resin, wherein the mass ratio (A)/(B) is 0.1/99.9 to 50/50. This resin composition is useful for providing a toner which can be fixed by a relatively-low-temperature heating body and has good offset resistance, and which is suppressed in increase of particle diameters even if the toner is stored for a long time. (i) The Mw is 400 to 1,500. (ii) The Mw/Mn is 1.2 to 2.5. (iii) The penetration measured at 25° C. is 13 dmm or less. (iv) The melting temperature is 50° C. to 110° C.
US09944778B2 Microspheres
The present invention relates to microspheres and to their use, preferably as laser absorbing additive, and to a process for their production.
US09944774B2 Graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composites and methods for their preparation and use
Methods of forming graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composites are provided. The methods can include functionalizing a plurality of carbon nanotubes using conducting functional molecules to form a composite nanofiller and embedding the composite nanofiller within a polymer material to form the graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composite.
US09944767B2 Organic-inorganic composite, structural body, and method for producing organic-inorganic composite
The organic-inorganic composite of the present invention includes an organic compound having a carbonyl group, an inorganic compound containing a metal component, and a silver component. The ratio of the number of metal atoms in the inorganic compound to the number of carbon atoms in the organic compound is from 0.04 to 1.60, and the ratio of the number of silver atoms in the silver component to the number of carbon atoms in the organic compound is from 0.07 to 0.55. The organic-inorganic composite may include, for example, an inorganic compound having a metal matrix structure containing a metal M and oxygen, an organic compound having a carbonyl group, and silver ions. The carbonyl group is bonded to a side chain R1 of the organic compound and has an end group R2.
US09944765B2 Curable compositions and membranes
A method for preparing an ionically-charged membrane comprising the steps (1) applying a film of curable composition to a support; (2) curing the film of curable composition to give anionically-charged membrane; and (3) removing the ionically-charged membrane from the support; wherein the curable composition comprises a) 5 to 50 wt % of curable compound comprising one ethylenically unsaturated group and anionic group; b) 10 to 70 wt % of crosslinking agent comprising at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups and having a molecular weight of at least 500 dalton per ethylenically unsaturated group; and c) 5 to 60 wt % of inert solvent.
US09944762B2 Method for producing chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resin
The present invention relates to a method for producing chlorinated polyvinyl chloride resin in which polyvinyl chloride resin is chlorinated by radiating ultraviolet light in a reactor into which polyvinyl chloride resin and chlorine have been introduced, wherein the radiation of the ultraviolet light is performed by using at least one light source selected from the group consisting of an ultraviolet LED, an organic EL and an inorganic EL, the light source is disposed within the reactor, at least one radiation direction of the ultraviolet light is within a range of 30° or more and 115° or less with respect to a stirring direction of polyvinyl chloride resin, and an amount of ultraviolet light radiated within the range of 30° or more and 115° or less with respect to the stirring direction of polyvinyl chloride resin is 24% or more based on a total amount of ultraviolet light radiated from the light source taken as 100%.
US09944760B2 Silicone-modified epoxy resin, composition containing said epoxy resin, and cured product thereof
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a silicone-modified epoxy resin which produces a cured product having excellent low gas permeability and strength; a composition of the resin; and an epoxy resin cured product obtainable by curing the composition.Disclosed is an epoxy resin represented by the following Formula (1): wherein R1 independently represents a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; R2 independently represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms; R3 independently represents a monovalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms; R4 represents an oxygen atom or a divalent hydrocarbon group having an aliphatic cyclic structure; R5 represents silicone chain having a norbornane epoxy structure at either end; and X represents an organic group having a norbornane epoxy group.
US09944754B2 Block copolymers for stable micelles
The present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to multiblock copolymers and micelles comprising the same. Compositions herein are useful for drug-delivery applications.
US09944752B2 Block copolymers for stable micelles
The present invention relates to the field of polymer chemistry and more particularly to multiblock copolymers and micelles comprising the same. Compositions herein are useful for drug-delivery applications.
US09944747B2 Ladder polybenzodifurans
A polybenzodifuran ladder polymer is disclosed.
US09944745B2 Flame retardant and auto-catalytic polyesters for polyurethanes
Flame retardant polyesters obtainable by reacting an aromatic or aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and/or ester of anhydride thereof, with an aliphatic polyol or mixtures thereof and with melamine, are provided. Methods of making said polyesters are also provided.
US09944744B2 In-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resins
The invention relates to an in-situ process for preparing an alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The process comprises the step of providing a raw alkylphenol composition. The raw alkylphenol composition comprises one or more alkylphenol compounds and at least about 1 wt % phenol. Each alkylphenol compound has one or more alkyl substituents. The raw alkylphenol composition is reacted directly, without pre-purification, with one or more aldehydes to form an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin. The invention also relates to an in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin formed from the in-situ process, and its use in a tackifier composition and rubber composition. The tackifier composition and rubber composition containing the in-situ alkylphenol-aldehyde resin show, inter alia, improved tack performance.
US09944741B2 Modified conjugated diene polymer, method for preparing same, and rubber composition containing same
Disclosed is a method of preparing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, including (a) polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer, or a conjugated diene monomer and an aromatic vinyl monomer, using the compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 in the presence of a hydrocarbon solvent, thus forming an active polymer having an alkali metal end, and (b) coupling or reacting the active polymer with the compound represented by Chemical Formula 2.
US09944740B2 Sugar containing, amphiphilic copolymers
Disclosed herein are polymers made from at least one monomer of formulae (I), (II), (III), and (IV), in combination with a monomer of formula (V) that may be used in pharmaceutical formulations. These polymers comprise a hydrocarbon backbone and are made from monomers that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Methods of making these polymers are also disclosed.
US09944738B2 Polymer compound, positive resist composition, laminate, and resist patterning process
A polymer compound containing a repeating unit shown by the formula (1c) and one or more repeating units selected from a repeating unit shown by the formula (2) and a repeating unit shown by the formula (3), wherein Mb+ represents a sulfonium cation shown by the formula (a) or an iodonium cation shown by the formula (b), This polymer compound is suitable as a base resin of a resist composition capable of forming a resist film that allows pattern formation with extremely high resolution, small LER, and excellent rectangularity.
US09944737B2 Suspensions in aqueous media
Provided is a method of suspension polymerization comprising (i) providing a suspension of liquid droplets in an aqueous medium, wherein said droplets comprise (a) one or more water-insoluble vinyl monomers, and (b) a polyelectrolyte (PED) having a polarity, (c) one or more initiators, and wherein said aqueous medium comprises a polyelectrolyte (PEW) having a polarity that is opposite to the polarity of said polyelectrolyte (PED), (ii) polymerizing said vinyl monomer or allowing said vinyl monomer to polymerize.
US09944721B2 Polysialic acid and use for treatment of neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases
The present invention relates to a branched or unbranched free or glycosidically bound polysialic acid according to general formula (1) as given as follows poly-(α(2→8 or 2→9)Neu5Ac)n (1) wherein Neu5Ac is N-acetylneuraminic acid, and n is an integer in the range from 14 to 26 and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a polysaccharide composition comprising the polysialic acid (1), and the use as a medicament, particularly in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of degenerative, demyelinating and inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, and degenerative or inflammatory retinal diseases.
US09944718B2 ADAM22 for use as a prognostic variable, and target for therapy, of a metastatic breast cancer disease
A method of diagnosing metastatic potential of a breast cancer in an individual with breast cancer is described. The method comprises a step of assaying a breast cancer tumor sample from the patient for expression of A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase 22, (ADAM22), wherein expression of ADAM22 correlates with increased potential for metastasis compared with a patient who is ADAM22 negative. The invention also describes an agent for use in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in a patient, in which the agent is selected from leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) protein (SEQ ID NO:1) and an LGI1 peptide mimic capable of mimicking the ADAM22 binding activity of LGI1 by binding to the LGI1 binding domain of ADAM22 (SEQ ID NO: 4) and which is capable of inhibiting migration of endocrine resistant breast cancer cells.
US09944715B2 Anti-phospholipase D4 antibody
A monoclonal antibody that binds to a phospholipase D4 (PLD4) protein, or a fragment containing an antigen-binding region thereof.
US09944709B2 CD123 specific chimeric antigen receptors for cancer immunotherapy
The present invention relates to Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CAR) that are recombinant chimeric proteins able to redirect immune cell specificity and reactivity toward selected membrane antigens, and more particularly in which extracellular ligand binding is a scFV derived from a CD123 monoclonal antibody, conferring specific immunity against CD123 positive cells. The engineered immune cells endowed with such CARs are particularly suited for treating lymphomas and leukemia.
US09944708B2 Site-specific antibody-mediated activation of proapoptotic cytokines: AMAIZe (antibody-mediated apoptosis inducing cytokines)
Subject matter of the invention are antibody-cytokine fusion proteins having proapoptotic and immune modulating properties, but wherein the cytokine moiety a priori has a bioactivity which is very low or restricted to certain receptor subtypes. These reagent exert their full biological activity via the corresponding cytokine receptor(s) only after antibody-mediated binding of the fusion protein to a specific cell membrane-expressed target molecule. By suitable choice of the antibody specificity, the cytokine activity is directed to the tissue, e.g. tumour tissue, to be treated, and a therapeutic agent can be produced being specifically designed/optimised for the respective indication/tumour entity.
US09944704B2 Antibodies against canine PD-1
The present invention discloses antibodies to canine PD-1 that have specific sequences and a high binding affinity for canine PD-1. The invention also discloses the use of the antibodies of the present invention in the treatment of cancer in dogs.
US09944703B2 Humanized anti-CD22 antibody
Disclosed are humanized RFB4 antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. therapy of B-cell associated diseases, such as B-cell malignancies, autoimmune disease and immune dysfunction disease. Preferably, hRFB4 comprises the light and heavy chain RFB4 CDR sequences with human antibody FR and constant region sequences, along with heavy chain framework region (FR) amino acid residues Q1, F27, V48, A49, F68, R98, T117 and light chain residues L4, S22, K39, G100, V104, and K107. More preferably, the heavy and light chain variable region sequences of hRFB4 comprise SEQ ID NO:7 and SEQ ID NO:8, respectively. In certain embodiments, trogocytosis (antigen shaving) induced by hRFB4 plays a significant role in determining antibody efficacy and disease responsiveness for treatment of B-cell diseases, such as hematopoietic cancers, immune system dysfunction and/or autoimmune disease.
US09944697B2 Anti-CCL17 antibodies
The present invention relates to antibodies specifically binding CCL17, polynucleotides encoding the antibodies or fragments, and methods of making and using the foregoing.
US09944694B2 Antibodies against Staphylococcus aureus and uses therof
The invention relates to the field of immunology and vaccine development. In particular, it relates to antibodies and fragments thereof against Staphylococcus aureus and to therapeutic and diagnostic uses thereof. Provided is an isolated antibody or a functional fragment thereof, which binds to an epitope of the Immunodominant Staphylococcal antigen A (IsaA), wherein said antibody comprises at least four Isa A epitope-binding CDR sequences selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 1; SEQ ID NO: 2; SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5; SEQ ID NO: 6, and functional equivalents thereof having an amino acid sequence that is at least 85% identical to an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1-6.
US09944691B2 Albumin variants
The present invention relates to variants of a parent albumin, the variants having altered plasma half-life compared with the parent albumin. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
US09944684B2 CETP antigenic peptide and fusion protein and their composition and applications
The disclosure provides an antigenic peptide targeting the extracellular, but not the intracellular, form of CETP to reduce the level of LDL (including oxLDL and other derivatives of LDL) and increase the level of HDL. Accordingly, the disclosure provides a CETP vaccine to overcome the low immunogenicity of CETP and for long-term inhibition of CETP activity to prevent or treat oxLDL or other LDL derivative-related diseases/symptoms.
US09944682B2 Nanobody-flourescent protein fusion
We describe the rational structure-based design of monomeric and dimeric forms of a nanobody-enhanced GFP (termed vsfGFP) that demonstrates ˜1.3-fold higher brightness than sfGFP in a monomeric form and ˜2.5-fold higher brightness in a dimeric form. These new vsfGFP variants demonstrate high stability and brightness in both bacterial and eukaryotic cells and are thus ideal for in vivo imaging applications. The combination of higher brightness, facile folding, stable expression, and tunable dimerization makes them ideal partners in essentially all in vitro applications already described for fluorescent proteins, including antibody fusion-based molecular probes, for which the higher brightness and tunable dimerization provide distinct advantages. Furthermore, the vsfGFP variants retain folding properties of sfGFP that enable bright fluorescence in oxidizing environments such as the bacterial periplasm. In particular, periplasmic expression enables the general construction of functional, fluorescent single domain antibody fusions, markedly enhancing the breadth and utility and reducing the cost of these molecular probes. Generalization of the vGFP strategy should provide similar improvements to other fluorescent proteins and may be extendable to higher order (and thus higher brightness) complexes.
US09944671B2 Compositions and methods directed to treating liver fibrosis
The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the COL1A1, TGF-β, and SMAD2/3 genes, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of COL1A1, TGF-β, and SMAD2/3.
US09944666B2 Compounds that are S1P modulating agents and/or ATX modulating agents
Compounds of formula (I) can modulate the activity of one or more SIP receptors and/or the activity of autotaxin (ATX).
US09944655B2 ACC inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), compositions thereof, and methods of using the same.
US09944650B2 [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-B]pyridazines for use in the treatment of proliferative diseases
The invention concerns compounds of Formula (I) (Formula (I)) or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2 and n have any of the meanings defined herein before in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as anti-proliferative and/or cell-killing agents.
US09944646B2 Bicyclic azaheterocyclobenzylamines as PI3K inhibitors
The present invention provides bicyclic azaheterocyclobenzylamines of Formula I: wherein the variables are defined herein, that modulate the activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) and are useful in the treatment of diseases related to the activity of PI3Ks including, for example, inflammatory disorders, immune-based disorders, cancer, and other diseases.
US09944645B2 Imidazotriazines and imidazopyrimidines as kinase inhibitors
The present invention is directed to imidazo[1,2-b][1,2,4]triazines and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are inhibitors of kinases such as c-Met and are useful in the treatment of cancer and other diseases related to the dysregulation of kinase pathways.
US09944640B2 Pyrimidine-2,4-diamine derivatives for treatment of cancer
A compound of formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof. The compound is useful in the treatment of cancer or other diseases that may benefit from inhibition of MTH1.
US09944628B2 Inhibitors of cellular necrosis and related methods
A compound having the following structure (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, stereoisomer or tautomer thereof, is provided. Related compounds, methods for preparation of the same and uses of the compounds for treatment of various indications, including treatment of necrotic cell diseases and/or inflammation, are also provided.
US09944620B2 Indolizine compounds, a process for their preparation and pharmaceutical compositions containing them
Compounds of formula (I) wherein Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, T, R3, R4, R5, X, Y and Het are as defined in the description. Medicinal products containing the same which are useful in treating pathologies involving a deficit in apoptosis, such as cancer, auto-immune diseases, and diseases of the immune system.
US09944618B2 Inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake
This document relates to compounds as well as methods and materials involved in modulating neurotransmitter reuptake. For example, compounds, methods for synthesizing compounds, and methods for inhibiting neurotransmitter reuptake are provided. Specifically gamma-amino alcohol derivatives that inhibit the reuptake of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine or norepinephrine are provided as therapeutic agents for the treatment of depression or anxiety in a mammalian subject.
US09944614B2 Production of furfural from xylose
Described is a method for producing furfural from one or more substances selected from the group consisting of xylose, oligosaccharides comprising xylose units and polysaccha-rides comprising xylose units.
US09944605B2 Farnesoid X receptor antagonists
Provided herein are Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) antagonists having the structure of formula (I), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Also provided are methods of antagonizing FXR, and methods of treating metabolic disease in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of the FXR antagonists of formula (I) to a subject.
US09944600B2 Piperidine derivatives for GPR119 agonist
The present invention relates to novel piperidine derivatives, stereoisomers thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; methods for preparing the compound; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound. The novel piperidine derivatives, according to the present invention, having an effect as GPR119 agonist can be used for treatment of metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus (especially type II) and related disorders.
US09944590B2 Crystalline solid forms of the acetate salt of (1S,3S,4R)-4-((3aS,4R,5S,7aS)-4-(aminomethyl)-7a-methyl-1-methyleneoctahydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylcyclohexanol
The present invention is generally directed to novel crystalline forms of the acetate salt of (1S,3S,4R)-4-((3aS,4R,5S,7aS)-4-(aminomethyl)-7a-methyl-1-methyleneoctahydro-1H-inden-5-yl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-4-methylcyclohexanol and processes for their preparation.
US09944582B2 Method for the purification of acetic acid and acrylic acid
The present disclosure relates to a method for purifying an acid, wherein the method comprises: a) producing a crude product mixture by a partial oxidation reaction, wherein the crude product mixture comprises acrylic acid and acetic acid; b) purifying the crude product mixture by distillation using a high-boiling solvent to purify the acrylic acid; and c) purifying the crude product mixture by distillation using a low-boiling solvent to purify the acetic acid.
US09944580B2 Stabilization of crude polyols from biomass
A solubilizer is used to stabilize crude polyol produced from biomass.
US09944577B2 Hydroquinone compounds for inhibiting monomer polymerization
The polymerization of monomers may be at least partially reduced or inhibited by introducing an effective amount of an additive. The additive may be or include at least one hydroquinone, such as but not limited to, 2,6-di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, 2,5 di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, 3,5 di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, 3,5 di-methyl hydroquinone, 3,6 di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, and combinations thereof. The polymerizable monomers may be or include, but are not limited to styrene, butadiene, isoprene, acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.
US09944575B2 Methane gas concentration method
Adsorption towers are filled with adsorbents that adsorb methane gas in coal mine gas and perform a PSA cycle. For each of adsorption towers, a plurality of different pressure states of the internal pressure of the adsorption tower are set as an intermediate pressure state. As a pressure equalization step, an initial pressure equalization step of transferring the gas in one of the adsorption towers that is in a high pressure state to another one of the adsorption towers that is in an intermediate pressure state, and a final pressure equalization step of transferring the gas in one of the adsorption towers that is in the high pressure-side intermediate pressure state to another one of the adsorption towers that is in the low pressure state are performed.
US09944572B2 Tandem transfer hydrogenation and oligomerization for hydrocarbon production
A method for coupling an alkane with an alkene using a hydrogen transfer catalyst and an alkene dimerization catalyst to form one or more higher molecular weight hydrocarbons.
US09944561B2 Dielectric material and electrostatic chucking device
A dielectric material includes a composite sintered body in which conductive particles are dispersed in an insulating material, in which a dielectric constant at a frequency of 40 Hz is 10 or higher, and a difference between a maximum dielectric loss value and a minimum dielectric loss value at a frequency of 1 MHz in a surface of the composite sintered body is 0.002 or less.
US09944550B2 Tempered glass plate
There is provided a tempered glass plate, wherein a thickness of the tempered glass plate is less than or equal to 2.7 mm, wherein on a surface of the tempered glass plate, a plurality of stress marks are formed, wherein a distance between closest stress marks of the plurality of stress marks is less than or equal to 20 mm, wherein the surface of the tempered glass plate includes a first virtual circle that is formed by connecting points that are separated from a center of one of the plurality of stress marks by 2.5 mm, wherein the tempered glass plate includes a non elastic-wave region that is not affected by an elastic-wave generated during fracturing, and wherein, in the non elastic-wave region, an average number of cracks that exist in the first virtual circle is greater than or equal to 3.4.
US09944546B2 Anion exchange membranes and process for making
Embodiments of the present invention provide for anion exchange membranes and processes for their manufacture. The anion exchange membranes described herein are made the polymerization product of at least one functional monomer comprising a tertiary amine which is reacted with a quaternizing agent in the polymerization process.
US09944542B2 Water generation process in supercritical state with lower energy consumption through ultrasound
WATER GENERATION PROCESS IN SUPERCRITICAL STATE WITH LOWER ENERGY CONSUMPTION THROUGH ULTRASOUND composed by the formation of cavitation bubbles using ultrasound transducers to generate a mechanical pressure. These bubbles will grow up until reaching a size where they collapse. In conventional methods these bubbles collapse randomly, generating effects in a punctual form. In this new process the frequency applied to the fluid varies within a specific range, causing the bubbles to change its size instead of collapsing, delaying the process and allowing for new bubbles to be created. In this way the fluid will have more bubbles than in the conventional form. Another condition required to generate a layer of supercritical water is the uniform collapse of the bubbles. This is made by interposing an equal sign of average frequency making the bubbles to reach a size in which they will collapse all together.
US09944541B2 System for cleansing organisms from water
Techniques for depleting target organisms in water include a waterproof transducer configured for ensonifying a container of water with low intensity sound at one or more ultrasound frequencies for a duration sufficient to prevent maturation of at least 90% of the target organism. In some cases the target organism is mosquito larvae. For example, a portable system for depleting target organisms in water includes a control system and a plurality of waterproof transducers. The system is configured for ensonifying a surface layer of water in an acoustic frequency range from about 40 kilohertz to about 100 kilohertz and in a power concentration range from about 35 milliwatts per milliliter to 100 milliwatts per milliliter for a duration in a range from about 1 to about 100 seconds.
US09944539B2 Fabrics for oil sheen removal and items made therefrom
Strong fabrics are provided that can be used for items that can be moved or gathered while maintaining their integrity. The added strength of the fabric and the performance of the fabric make these fabrics and these items more effective in responding to oil spills. These fabrics and items will remove oil sheen from the surface of water and can absorb more than their dry weight in oil from water. Non-linting socks (e.g., sediment socks or absorbent socks) are also provided.
US09944534B2 Reducing aluminosilicate scale in the Bayer process
The invention provides a method of inhibiting the accumulation of DSP scale in the liquor circuit of Bayer process equipment. The method includes adding one or more particular silane based small molecules to the liquor fluid circuit. These scale inhibitors reduce DSP scale formation and thereby increase fluid throughput, increase the amount of time Bayer process equipment can be operational and reduce the need for expensive and dangerous acid washes of Bayer process equipment. As a result, the invention provides a significant reduction in the total cost of operating a Bayer process.
US09944522B2 Hydrogen separation from synthesis gas near STP
A hydrogen separation system and membrane is described for extracting hydrogen from gasifier streams at near atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature conditions. The system can be inserted between a small gasifier and an internal combustion engine which runs a genset to optionally co-produce hydrogen and electricity. The hydrogen is used in a number of important industrial processes.
US09944520B2 Syndrome of degraded quantum redundancy coded states
An apparatus includes a device having n input ports and n output ports. The n input ports are configured to receive n corresponding physical objects of a physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state. The n output ports are configured to output the n physical objects in the physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state. The device is configured to measure bits of a syndrome of the physically processed, quantum redundancy coded state by passing the n physical objects through the device. The device is configured to measure a parity check bit for the measured bits of the syndrome by the passing the n physical objects through the device.
US09944519B2 LED-based light bulb
A light source (10) comprises a light engine (16), a base (24), a power conversion circuit (30) and an enclosure (22). The light engine (16) comprises at least one LED (12) disposed on a platform (14). The platform (14) is adapted to directly mate with the base (24) which a standard incandescent bulb light base. Phosphor (44) receives the light generated by the at least one LED (12) and converts it to visible light. The enclosure (22) has a shape of a standard incandescent lamp.
US09944515B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, in which a vacuum-pressure airtight chamber is defined by a space between a first substrate and a recessed portion of a second substrate, includes preparing the first substrate and the second substrate both of which contain silicon, joining the two substrates together, performing a heat treatment to emit hydrogen gas from the airtight chamber, and generating OH groups on the substrates before the joining. In the joining of the substrates together, the OH groups are bonded together to generate covalent bonds, and in the heat treatment, a part on which the OH groups are generated is heated at a temperature rise rate of 1° C./sec or smaller until a temperature of the substrate increases to 700° C. or higher, and a heating temperature and heating time are adjusted to emit hydrogen gas from the airtight chamber.
US09944513B2 Micro-electro-mechanical device having low thermal expansion difference
The invention provides a micro-electro-mechanical device which is manufactured by a CMOS manufacturing process. The micro-electro-mechanical device includes a stationary unit, a movable unit, and a connecting member. The stationary unit includes a first capacitive sensing region and a fixed structure region. The movable unit includes a second capacitive sensing region and a proof mass, wherein the first capacitive sensing region and the second capacitive sensing region form a capacitor, and the proof mass region consists of a single material. The connecting member is for connecting the movable unit in a way to allow a relative movement of the movable unit with respect to the stationary unit.
US09944509B2 Dispensing device for a drink based on one fluid and/or a second fluid
Dispensing device for a drink based on a first fluid to which a second fluid can be added selectively, including a support containing a chamber having a first port communicating with a reservoir of said first fluid, a second port communicating with a reservoir of the second fluid, and an outlet port, further including a dispensing assembly mounted movably relative to the support following: a first displacement arranged to selectively open and close the outlet port and/or the first port by a first actuating element for the first displacement; and a second displacement arranged to open and close the second port selectively by a second element to enable the actuation of the second displacement; the second element being arranged to be actuated after the first element and following a type of motion different to the type of motion necessary for the actuation of the first element.
US09944508B2 Dispenser with openable door
The invention concerns a dispenser (1) comprising: —a housing (2) defining an internal space (3), —a beverage preparation unit housed in the internal space, said beverage preparation unit being connected to an electric supply, —a door (4) to get access to the internal space of the housing, said door being assembled to the housing (2) by means of at least one hinge (5), said door comprising one element erecting from the internal surface of the door, said door being configured for switching off the electric supply of the beverage preparation unit when it opens, the switching off being due to the release of a mechanical and electric contact by the at least one erecting element, wherein the dispenser comprises a slider (6), said slider comprising: —a first part (61) configured for switching on the electric supply of the beverage preparation unit when the slider is translated from a first rest position to a second operative position, and —a second part (62) configured for engaging with a locking device (7) when the slider (6) is translated to the second operative position so that the slider is retained in said second operative position by the locking device, and wherein the element erecting from the internal surface of the door is configured for disengaging the second part of the slider from the locking device (7) when the door is closed.
US09944502B2 Cylinder retraction system, boom device and crawler crane
A cylinder retraction system causes a crawler side frame hoisting hydraulic cylinder, swingably suspended on a ventral surface side of a lower boom, to swing between a retracted attitude, in which the hydraulic cylinder is set along a ventral surface of the lower boom, and an operating attitude, in which the hydraulic cylinder is oriented along a vertical direction. As the rod of the hydraulic cylinder, currently having the operating attitude, is contracted by a predetermined extent, the rod front end of the hydraulic cylinder is guided by the guiding portion until the hydraulic cylinder takes on the retracted attitude. As the hydraulic cylinder, currently having the retracted attitude, is extended by a predetermined extent, engagement between the rod front end of the hydraulic cylinder and the guiding portion is released so as to allow the hydraulic cylinder to take on the operating attitude.
US09944501B2 Wireless communications with a payload handling apparatus
There is provided a computer program product, a mobile device capable of wireless communications and method for a mobile device capable of wireless communications with a payload handling apparatus for handling payload in a payload handling area. A message from the payload handling apparatus is received and on the basis of the received message it is determined when the mobile device is within the payload handling area of the payload handling apparatus.
US09944500B2 Material lifting system and method
An improved material handling system (15, 115) comprising a material lifting device (16), the material lifting device having a sensor (23) for sensing an operational parameter associated with the material lifting device, a load attachment device (18) configured and arranged to attach a load to the material lifting device, the load attachment device having a data tag (20) containing data regarding one or more parameters associated with the load attachment device, a reader (21) configured and arranged to read the data tag, a processing unit (22) communicating with the reader and the sensor, the processing unit configured and arranged to receive data from the reader and the sensor, and a material handling control device (19) configured and arranged to control operation of the material handling device.
US09944499B2 Crane maneuvering assistance
A computing system (CS) calculates a three-dimensional (3D) position of an origin of a 3D upperworks coordinate system for a crane based on local coordinates of the crane. The origin is located along an axis of rotation between an upperworks of the crane and a lowerworks of the crane that is rotatably coupled with the upperworks. The CS transforms the 3D position of the origin from the local coordinates to global 3D coordinates using absolute position sensing data from first and second positioning sensors attached to the crane and using global 3D coordinates specific to the jobsite where the crane is located. The CS computes positions of at least one movable component of the crane with respect to a tracked object on the jobsite. The CS utilizes the computed positions to provide assistance in maneuvering the crane with respect to the tracked object.
US09944498B2 Crane and related method of operation
The present invention relates to a crane (101). The crane (101) has a hoist (113), movable in at least one lateral direction (X, Y), for performing a lifting operation. A controller (125) is provided for controlling lateral movement of the hoist (113). An imaging sensor (127) is provided for detecting a person in a defined safety region (145, 147). The controller (125) is configured to inhibit operation of the crane (101) when the imaging sensor (127) detects a person in said safety region (145, 147). The invention also relates to a control system for a crane (101) and a related method.
US09944496B2 Track system for an escalator or a moving walkway
An escalator with a step belt or a moving walkway with a plate belt has a first deflecting region and a second deflecting region, wherein the plate belt or the step belt is arranged to circulate between the first deflecting region and the second deflecting region. The escalator or the moving walkway includes at least one guide rail arranged between the deflecting regions for guidance of the step belt or the plate belt, as well as at least one support, which is arranged between the deflecting regions for supporting the at least one guide rail. The at least one support includes a plurality of plug parts that in an assembled state can be plugged together by plug connections to form a box-shaped support base body.
US09944490B2 Apparatus and method for sheet folding and sheet bending
A sheet is nipped and held by first and second bend forming rollers of which rotation axes are in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction, the conveying speed of the held portion is made lower than a sheet conveying speed on the upstream side so that a bend is formed on the sheet, the sheet is conveyed toward the bend forming rollers such that the sheet conveying direction to the bend forming rollers passes through a line segment from the rotation axis of the first bend forming roller to a predetermined position on a surface of the first bend forming roller, and the bend formed on the conveyed sheet is pressed from the surface of the sheet in a position on the opposite side of the second bend forming roller with respect to the position where the sheet is in contact with the first bend forming roller.
US09944486B2 Sheet material take-in apparatus, sheet material conveying apparatus, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus
User labor relating to determining on an alignment condition is reduced and a stable conveying operation is realized by aligning a sheet bundle also when a sheet bundle is added. A sheet bundle composed of multiple sheet materials is placed on a loading platform. An encoder pulse unit detects the amount of the sheet bundle placed on the loading platform based on the opening amount of a pressure plate. A control unit determines on an alignment condition according to the amount of the sheet bundle. Rotating members align the sheet bundle in accordance with the alignment condition. When it is determined that another sheet bundle has been added to the loading platform, the control unit updates the alignment condition according to the total amount of the other sheet bundle and the sheet bundle remaining on the loading platform.
US09944480B2 Image forming apparatus and feeding device
An image forming apparatus includes an accommodation unit, feeding, conveying, and separating members, and detecting, control, image forming, and regulating units. The conveying member conveys a fed recording material. The separating member forms a nip and separates recording materials. The detecting unit detects that the recording material has been fed to the nip. The feeding member starts feeding an accommodated recording material and, where a recording material is fed to the nip, causes the feeding to be finished. An image is formed on a fed recording material. The regulating unit regulates an end on an upstream side. The control unit measures a period from a recording material feeding to detection that a recording material is fed to the nip. Based on the measured period, information is output indicating that a position of the regulating unit is deviated from a position according to a size of the accommodated recording materials.
US09944472B2 Beverage dispensing apparatus
A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing structure, a transportation mechanism linked with the dispensing structure and a staging structure linked with the transportation mechanism. A control system is linked with the dispensing structure, staging structure and the transportation mechanism. A sensor mechanism is linked with the control system. The sensor mechanism provides signals indicating the position of a cup. A cup identification system having an interactive display is connected to the control system. The display has visual characteristics indicating the position and characteristics of a cup.
US09944464B2 Article transport facility
A stacker crane is provided with: a travelling carriage that is configured to be able to travel along the rack width direction; a first mast that is provided so as to stand on the travelling carriage; a second mast that is provided so as to stand on the same travelling carriage on which the first mast is provided; a first elevator body that is configured to be guided along the first mast; a second elevator body that is configured to be guided along the second mast so as to be able to move up/down independently of the first elevator body, and that is aligned with the first elevator body in the rack width direction in plan view; a first transferring device that is supported by the first elevator body; and a second transferring device that is supported by the second elevator body.
US09944463B2 Multitrack storage system with central terminus
A multitrack storage system, includes: a plurality of different sets of tracks having a base and opposing sidewalls wherein each of the tracks constitute a single groove having a predetermined width and having connections for removably connecting the tracks to one another; an adjustable tilting mechanism in contact with the tracks; a bumper at the distal end of each of the sets of tracks; at least two separate storage trains on different tracks with a plurality of wheeled storage containers, with the storage containers nested in the tracks; a train movement mechanism; a proximal end for the plurality of different sets of tracks wherein all of the plurality of different sets of tracks converge at the proximal end at a central terminus. Users may store items in the wheeled storage containers at the central terminus and then move the storage train away for storage.
US09944461B2 Products storage racks and methods of storing products
Some embodiments provide a product storage racking system, comprising: a frame comprising frame beams secured together with support surfaces aligned along a first plane; feet posts fixed to the frame beams; feet cooperated with the feet posts, wherein each of the feet is configured to stackably cooperate with a post of a set of posts that are cooperated with another product storage racking system enabling stacking; at least two rack support systems each secured with the frame and configured to support the weight of the product storage racking system and products stored on the product storage racking system independent of the three or more feet.
US09944454B2 Spray control device for aerosol cans
A spray control apparatus for aerosol cans has a can coupling cap with a segmented and discontinuous aerosol can engaging ring. The cap top lip has a locking ledge having a bearing surface facing away from the can engaging ring, a cam track having a bearing surface facing toward the can engaging ring, and a guide slot therebetween. A plurality of generally planar reinforcing ribs radiate inwardly from the cap side wall. An actuator is concentrically within the cap, and has at least one cam protruding radially into the cap top lip. The cam engages the locking ledge bearing surface in a first rotary position and is thereby blocked from axial movement, and engages the cam track bearing surface in a second rotary position and is thereby driven axially toward the can engaging ring, and passes though the guide slot when rotated between the first and second rotary positions.
US09944449B2 Thermally insulated package
A thermally insulating package comprises an outer shell (6) formed from a foam insulating material, a plurality of vacuum insulated panels (12) removably received on the walls of the outer shell (6) and a plurality of phase change material panels (18) arranged within the vacuum insulated panels (12) to define a payload space.
US09944448B2 Container
A container (1) for transportation and/or storage of items is provided with under-slung lifting formations (8, 9) for aiding lifting of the container, rotatable support members (10, 11) upon which the container may be moved, and/or means (17) for securing like containers positioned in side by side relationship to be releasably secured to one another. The invention enables securing together containers in side by side relationship and moving/lifting the containers together between picking or loading locations. Following loading of the containers with at least some material at the distributed picking/loading locations, the containers may be disengaged and separated for onward transportation in separation.
US09944447B2 Valve device for a packaging configured to hold a product releasing a gas
A valve device for a packaging configured to hold a product releasing a gas. The valve device comprises, in an embodiment, a first inner film provided with a first opening and a second outer film covering the first opening. Between the first inner and the second outer film a first chamber is provided. The first opening provides a gas communication between the first chamber and the interior of the packaging. The first and second films define a channel being in fluid communication with the first chamber. Further, the valve device comprises a second chamber, and the channel connects the first and second chamber. The second chamber comprises a second opening being in fluid communication with the exterior of the packaging. At least one of the first and second chambers comprises a liquid and at least one spacer.
US09944436B2 Tamper-evident container and method
A tamper-evident container and method is disclosed. The tamper-evident container includes a base portion and a lid (or cover). In an untampered with state, one edge of the lid is removably connected to one edge of the base portion. Namely, the lid includes a tamper-evident tab, wherein the tamper-evident tab includes a grasping overhanging portion that is flanked by at least one breakable joint and wherein the lid is removably connected to the base portion via the breakable joint of the tamper-evident tab. Further, the tamper-evident container comprises an interlocking interface between the base portion and the lid. A method of using the tamper-evident container is provided.
US09944428B2 Cap with a tamper evidence and a spout
A cap arranged to interact with a spout. The cap comprises a top section, a side wall section attached to the top section and a tamper element attached to the side wall section in a tearing interface. The tearing interface may be provided with a weakening line that is arranged to break when the cap is unscrewed such that the tamper element is separated from the side wall section. The cap further comprises at least one resilient cutting element arranged to the side wall. The at least one resilient cutting element is arranged to cut off a membrane of the spout when the cap is unscrewed. The cap is arranged such that the weakening line is arranged to break before the membrane of the spout is cut off when the cap is being unscrewed from the spout.
US09944426B2 Paper-based composite container for off-gassing products, and method for making same
A substantially paper-based composite container for an off-gassing product includes a paperboard can body having a substantially gas-impervious liner attached to an inner surface thereof, and a pair of substantially paper-based end closures attached to the opposite ends of the can body, each end closure defining a generally cylindrical sealing panel in contact with an inner surface of the can body. Heat-sealable materials are disposed on opposing surfaces of the sealing panel and can body. The sealing panels of the end closures are attached to the can body by heat seals. The heat seal for at least one of the end closures is discontinuous such that at least one vent channel extends through the heat seal so as to establish fluid communication between an interior of the composite container and the environment outside the composite container. The at least one vent channel is operable to vent excess gas pressure from the interior of the container.
US09944420B2 Apparatus and method for orienting a tubular heat-shrinkable sleeve relative to a container
An apparatus and method for orienting a tubular heat-shrinkable sleeve relative to a container. The apparatus includes a sleeve orientation unit that uses a moveable support surface to hold and rotate the sleeve relative to the container. To that end, the apparatus further includes a determining unit for determining an angular position difference between the container and the sleeve relative to an axis perpendicular to the conveyor belt on which the container is transported. The angular position difference is used to control the movement of the support surface.
US09944416B2 Filling device and use thereof for dispensing a fluid
The invention relates to a filling device (1) for dispensing a fluid into at least one container, where the filling device (1) has a weighing system (2) and a filling-needle system (3). The weighing system (2) has a positioning device (4) which can be adapted to a container diameter and which may have an annular design. The weighing system (2) is arranged on an accommodation platform (7) which can be moved vertically by means of a linear unit. The filling-needle system (3) is arranged on a displacement unit in a position at a distance in the axial direction above the positioning device (4).
US09944408B2 Systems and methods for recovering and controlling post-recovery motion of unmanned aircraft
Systems and methods for recovering unmanned aircraft and controlling post-recovery motion of the aircraft are disclosed herein. An aircraft recovery system for handling an unmanned aircraft in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a base portion and an elongated aircraft capture member having a first end movably coupled to the base portion and a second, free end opposite the first end. The aircraft capture member includes a first portion and a second portion at a distal end of the first portion and positioned to intercept an unmanned aircraft in flight. The first and/or second portions are generally flexible. The system further includes an energy capture and dissipation assembly operably coupled to the aircraft capture member and positioned to receive at least a portion of the landing forces from the aircraft.
US09944405B2 Method and a device for marking the ground for an aircraft in flight, and an aircraft including the device
A method of marking a landing zone on ground for an aircraft in flight. The aircraft projects on the ground a light shape referred to as a “projected light shape” comprising at least one line of light defining a geometrical surface, the aircraft tending to place at least a portion of landing gear of the aircraft on the geometrical surface, the projected light shape being identical regardless of the position of the projector in air space.
US09944404B1 Prognostic failure detection system
A prognostic failure detection system may be implemented for an unmanned aerial vehicle(s) (UAV). A prognostic failure detection system may include a process of predicting failure conditions that may affect an UAV physical system or structure before they occur. By predicting failure conditions before they occur, the prognostic system allows maintenance centers to perform corrective actions in a timely and cost-effective manner. The prognostic system is intended to monitor and support the functionality of several physical systems and physical structures associated with an UAV. A physical system includes, but is not limited to, the electrical system, power system including the power supply, motor and propeller assemblies including motor controllers, navigation system, and flight controller system.
US09944396B2 Aircraft seat with segmented seatback for achieving in-bed lounge sitting position
An adjustable aircraft passenger seat including a seat bottom, a legrest adjustable in angle relative to the seat bottom, a seatback adjustable in angle relative to the seat bottom, the seatback segmented into a lower seatback and an upper seatback, the lower seatback adjustable in angle relative to the seat bottom and the upper seatback adjustable in angle relative to the lower seatback, and a headrest adjustable in height relative to the upper seatback.
US09944391B2 System and method for establishing a wireless connection using a self-positionable wireless device
A system and method for a providing a dynamic backhaul. In one example, the system includes a self-positionable wireless device (for example, a drone) including a dual-band radio configured to establish a wireless connection between the self-positionable wireless device and a wireless system. The dual-band radio initiates a narrowband wireless link with the wireless system via a first narrowband antenna of the self-positionable wireless device and a second narrowband antenna of the wireless system. A navigation system generates location, velocity and error estimate of the self-positionable wireless device. The location is transmitted to the wireless system using the narrowband wireless link. The self-positionable wireless device receives via the narrowband wireless link location, velocity and error estimate of the wireless system. The self-positionable wireless device establishes a directional broadband wireless link with the wireless system using the location, velocity and error estimate of the self-positionable wireless system and the wireless system.
US09944385B2 Dual locking hydraulic actuator for structural brace
A lockable actuator has lock segments that move into recesses inside a piston to enable the piston to move. The lock segments may also move radially outwardly from the recesses in the piston to engage a bevel edge of a cylinder housing assembly to lock the piston. Lock rams having ramps force the lock segments radially outwardly into engagement with the bevel edge of the cylinder housing assembly.
US09944383B2 Pneumatic yaw control effector for aircraft
An apparatus and method for controlling a yaw moment of a flight vehicle, such as an aircraft. A wing structure of the flight vehicle has a first opening or actuator positioned by a first apex section of a first side of the wing, and has a second opening or actuator positioned away from or at a distance from a second apex section of a second side of the wing. The first side and the second side can each be positioned or located opposite a centerline of the wing or wing structure. A pressure source or other pressure supply device is in communication with the first opening or actuator and the second opening or actuator to which a pressurized fluid, such as air, is controlled and delivered to control or vary the yaw moment of the flight vehicle.
US09944382B2 Tightening and oil discharging nut, and a turbine engine
A device for controlling the pitch of the blades of a rotor is provided. The device includes a radial shaft, the rotation of which controls the pitch of the blades; a guiding bearing for guiding the radial shaft; a nut which tightens the guiding bearing along the radial axis; and a circumferential rib extending as a protrusion towards the outside of the nut, for guiding a lubrication oil towards the outside of the nut.
US09944377B2 Electric actuator for a marine steering system
An electric actuator comprises a housing and an output shaft reciprocatingly received by the housing. There is a screw assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to the output shaft. The screw assembly includes a plurality of annular rollers and a central screw received by the annular rollers. The annular rollers are rotatable about the central screw. There is a motor which includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor has an inner bore which engages the annular rollers. Rotation of the rotor causes the central screw to translate axially relative to the rotor and the output shaft to reciprocate relative to the housing.
US09944369B2 Packaged inflatable pillow for multiple uses for body support and water device accessory including formation into a raft or mat
A stretchable pillowcase with an inflatable pillow or bladder having an attached pouch that can be folded onto itself and enclose the pillow and cover therein during non-usage. But, the pillow and case can be removed from the pouch, the pillow inflated, to provide a cushion use of the pillow for comfort, and to use as a flotation device, for recreational purposes. The pillow is made of a water-proof and inflatable material, such as polymer and rubber, and the case may be formed of a resilient fabric material. Its pouch likewise, is fabricated from an expandable material, to allow it to fold onto itself, and enclose the pillow and case therein, once the former has been deflated. The pillow in this case may contain a bladder, internally thereof, and which can be inflated with air under pressure to add to its comfortable usage. And, a series of the cases may be interlinked together into the formation for multiple shapes and sizes such as a raft, to provide full body support.
US09944368B1 Inflatable life raft assembly
An inflatable life raft assembly is disclosed, including a deployable and inflatable life raft that a user can voluntarily and repeatedly deploy from a storage carrier, inflate for use, and fold back into the container after use. The carrier is integrally formed with or permanently attached to the inflatable life raft. A compressed gas cylinder and/or manual inflator or pump can assist the user in inflating the life raft. The storage carrier can automatically open when the life raft inflates, by pressure exerted from within the carrier by the expanding life raft. The inflatable life raft can include one or more gas impervious chambers, such as two or more communicated or isolated air chambers.
US09944367B2 Personal Life rafts
A personal life raft includes a rigid compartment, a first flexible arm member in sealed engagement with a first port on a first side of the rigid compartment, a second flexible arm member in sealed engagement with a second port on a second side of the rigid compartment. Each of the first flexible arm member and the second flexible arm member are impervious to water or waterproof such that water does not pass therethrough. The rigid compartment has a body chamber therein having a volume to encompass at least an upper torso of a user of the personal life raft. The rigid compartment displaces sufficient water so that the personal life raft is buoyant while in use by the user.
US09944366B2 Unmanned aerial vehicle system and methods for use
A drone equipped with a camera, a wireless communication module, an acoustic sensor, a GPS receiver, software and collapsible floatation device patrols above swimmers. The camera and acoustic sensor capture the video and audio of the swimmers. The information is either streamed to a command center or processed by the onboard software. With audio and video analysis capabilities, software is used to detect a swimmer in distress (SID). Alternatively the information is streamed to lifeguard or volunteers all over the world to spot SID. Another detection method is to let swimmer wear a wearable emergency notification device, which sends wireless signals comprising GPS location data. A SID presses a button to indicate rescue request and the drones fly over by GPS signal guidance. Solar power is used as the optional power source of the drones, which would allow the to sustain operation for a prolonged period of time. Once a SID is identified, the drone or drones fly over the SID and drops the collapsible floatation device.
US09944362B2 Surfboard bag with release tab
A surfboard bag includes a body having first and second sides, a closed end, and an open end. The body is formed from upper and lower exterior surfaces of a first material and upper and lower interior surfaces of a second, different material. The surfaces of the body are joined to one another along the first and second sides of the body and the closed end of the body so as to define an interior cavity. The open end of the body defines a mouth providing access to the interior cavity. One or more release tabs are disposed on the upper exterior surface of the body and/or the lower exterior surface of the body. The release tab(s) are spaced-apart from the first and second sides of the body and spaced-apart from the open and closed ends of the body. The release tab(s) are configured to facilitate breaking a seal created by board sticking between a surfboard disposed within the interior cavity and the upper exterior surface of the body and/or the lower exterior surface of the body.
US09944361B2 Motorized board for use on water
A motorized board similar to a surf board is presented for use on a water surface. The motorized board includes a base board having a front end and a back end, a foot pedal on the base board, wherein the foot pedal is rotatable on the base board, and a motor coupled to the base board and connected to a propeller at the back end, the motor being controlled by the foot pedal. A user can stand on the board and turn the motor on with his foot, as well as control the speed with his foot to ride on a water surface with or without waves.
US09944360B2 Swim lift
Disclosed herein is an apparatus with a remotely controlled hydraulically actuated platform, upon which a swimmer may stand in order to be raised out of the water or lower into the water. One version comprises a scissor mechanism assembly bolted underneath the swim deck of a boat, a hydraulic cylinder that extends the scissor mechanism, a retracting stand platform attached to the scissor mechanism that can slide inward and under the deck of the boat for storage, a hydraulic power unit, and a wireless remote control. The most preferred embodiment comprises a hydraulic cylinder that extends above the swim deck of a boat, an anchor assembly that is bolted underneath the swim deck of the boat, a stand platform with a handle, a hydraulic power unit, and a wireless remote control that operates the hydraulic unit and lifts a single swimmer into and out of the water.
US09944349B2 Wheel spoking systems and methods of manufacturing and installing wheel spokes
Embodiments of wheel spoking systems and methods of manufacturing and installing. An electrically motorized wheel can include a wheel rim, a wheel hub, and a plurality of wheel spokes connecting the wheel rim to the wheel hub wherein first and second ends of each of the plurality of wheel spokes are connected to the wheel rim and a curved portion of each of the plurality of wheel spokes interface with curved spoke pockets of the wheel hub.
US09944345B2 Bicycle control device
A bicycle control device is basically provided with a mounting part, a first actuating unit, a second actuating unit and a first operating member. The first actuating unit includes a first actuating member that is connected to a first component part and a first positioning mechanism that selectively maintains a position of the first actuating member with respect to the mounting member. The second actuating unit includes a second actuating member that is connected to a second component part and a second positioning mechanism that selectively maintains a position of the second actuating member with respect to the mounting member. The first operating member is operatively coupled to the first and second actuating units to operate the first actuating unit when the first operating member is moved in a first direction and to operate the second actuating unit when the first operating member is moved in a second direction.
US09944338B2 Device and method for a collapsible electric scooter
A collapsible electric scooter, including a base frame enclosing an electric power source, a front assembly rotatably secured to the base frame, where the front assembly includes at least one motorized wheel secured to a front riser with a handle bar, a seat assembly removably secured to the base frame; and a rear assembly rotatably secured to at least one axle of the base frame, where the rear assembly includes at least one rear wheel and at least one rear axle support.
US09944336B2 Part installation machine
A part installation machine, when having entered a part installation work area, operates a separation/coupling device to bring a drive carriage section and a part mounting carriage section from a coupled state into a separated state. The part installation machine also operates an engagement device such that the part mounting carriage section is engaged with a transfer system and transported by the transfer system. In this state, the part installation machine controls a travelling speed of the drive carriage section such that a relative position detected by a relative position detection device is maintained within a predetermined range.
US09944335B2 Single form multi-airfoil element rear aerodynamic wing
A multi-airfoil element wing includes a central single-airfoil element and an outer dual-airfoil element positioned outboard of each side of the central single-airfoil element. The single-piece member defines aerodynamic surfaces of the central airfoil element and both of the outer dual-airfoil elements. The single-piece member includes a carbon fiber resin hollow body forming at least a portion of the central single-airfoil element and of both outer dual-airfoil elements.
US09944309B2 Steering column device
A steering column device has a downward U-shaped attachment bracket, an upward U-shaped lower jacket, a polygonal cylindrical mid jacket 3, a polygonal cylindrical upper jacket 4 inserted into the polygonal cylindrical mid jacket 3 and a shock energy absorbing mechanism 26 to absorb a shock energy at the time of a secondary collision. The shock energy absorbing mechanism 26 has a contracting guide part 27 to perform sliding and contracting operation of the upper jacket 4 to the mid jacket 3 separately from an energy absorbing part 28. The contracting guide part 27 is formed by interposing a plurality of linear guides 29 at an overlapping part between the mid jacket 3 and the upper jacket 4, linear guides 29 in which a plurality of bolls 29b arranged in the sliding direction of the mid jacket 3 and the upper jacket 4 are connected to each other through holders 29a.
US09944308B2 Steering column for a motor vehicle
A steering column for a motor vehicle may include a guide box that accommodates a steering spindle, a bracket for holding the guide box in adjustable fashion on a chassis of the motor vehicle, and a thrust piece through which a clamping shaft extends to fix the guide box relative to the bracket. The thrust piece may be arranged on an outer side of a first side web of the bracket, and the thrust piece may include a dome that extends through a slot of the first side web and serves to generate a force-fitting connection to the guide box.
US09944303B2 Equipment trolley
A support device for releasable connection to an equipment carrier, and for supporting a medical appliance, a medical instrument or another payload, includes an engagement hook for engaging in an opening on an equipment carrier and a bolt for locking a connection between the engagement hook and an opening in which the engagement hook engages.
US09944301B2 Railcar deck channel pivoting side wall apparatus and methods of making and using the same
A railcar deck channel pivoting side wall apparatus and methods of making and using the same are provided. Specifically, the railcar deck channel pivoting side wall apparatus comprises a pivoting side wall arranged within a railcar deck channel to allow for the easy installation and/or removal of chain assemblies on railcar decks for the transport of heavy items thereon.
US09944298B2 Driving support device, driving support system and driving support method
A driver can intuitively and conveniently perform an operation for instructing a traffic lane change to a vehicle. In a driving support device 10, an image output unit 14a outputs, to a display unit 31, an image containing an own vehicle object representing an own vehicle and a plurality of traffic lanes. An operation signal input unit 14b receives an operation of a user for moving the own vehicle object in the image displayed on the display unit 31 from a first traffic lane to a second traffic lane. A command output unit 14c outputs, to an automatic driving control unit 20 that controls automatic driving, a command for instructing the change of a traveling traffic lane of the own vehicle from the first traffic lane to the second traffic lane when the operation is received.
US09944297B2 System and method for estimating the driving style of a vehicle
A system (1) and method estimates the driving style of a vehicle. The system includes; a device for measuring the longitudinal acceleration (ax) and lateral acceleration (ay) of a vehicle along a measuring path; a memory module (7) in which pairs of the admissible limit values of the longitudinal and lateral accelerations are stored. Such values implement an admissible acceleration curve, closed in a longitudinal acceleration-lateral acceleration plane; an elaboration module (6) configured for: associating to each measured longitudinal acceleration-lateral acceleration pair of the vehicle a corresponding longitudinal acceleration-lateral acceleration pair on said admissible acceleration curve; and providing an indication of the driving style on the basis of the trend of position of the measured longitudinal acceleration-lateral acceleration pair with respect to the corresponding longitudinal acceleration-lateral acceleration pair on the admissible acceleration curve along the measuring path.
US09944289B2 System and method for controlling a transmission gear shift
A system and method for controlling a transmission gear shift during a braking event in a vehicle having an electric motor and friction brakes both operable to brake the vehicle includes the step of reducing friction braking to increase wheel torque during the braking event. The braking event includes both friction braking and regenerative braking. The reduction in friction braking to increase the wheel torque is based at least in part on a reduction in the wheel torque resulting from a change in gear ratio of a step-ratio transmission during the transmission gear shift.
US09944282B1 Autonomous vehicle automatic parking
A computer-implemented method of enhancing safe vehicle operation may include, one or more processors, (1) determining a preferred parking spot for an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle; (2) determining a route to the preferred parking spot from a driver drop off point; and (3) causing the autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle to travel from the driver drop off point to the preferred parking spot following the route controlled by one or more autonomous operation features. The preferred parking spot may be a covered parking spot, a parking spot in a parking structure, or a parking spot in a residential garage. An autonomous vehicle owner may remotely direct the autonomous vehicle to autonomously return to the driver drop off point, such as via their mobile device. Insurance discounts may be provided to autonomous vehicle owners having the self-parking functionality that mitigates or prevents risk of damage to, or theft of, the vehicle.
US09944278B2 Vehicle
A vehicle includes an engine, a first motor generator, a second motor generator, a transmission, a differential device, and an electronic control unit. The transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and a clutch. The electronic control unit is configured to detect a rotation speed difference between the input shaft and the output shaft when the clutch is controlled so as to be brought into a power transmission shut-off state. The electronic control unit is configured to, when the rotation speed difference detected by the electronic control unit is smaller than a target rotation speed difference between the input shaft and the output shaft that occurs in a case where the power transmission shut-off state of the clutch is established, suppress cranking of the engine by the first motor generator.
US09944277B2 Method for learning engine clutch kiss point of hybrid vehicle
A method for learning an engine clutch kiss point of a hybrid vehicle includes: controlling, by a controller, an engine clutch which connects an engine with a motor or disconnects the engine from the motor so that the engine clutch is engaged after the controller checks stop of the engine and of the motor and stabilization operation for a hydraulic pressure line of the engine clutch is performed; controlling the motor to have a certain speed after the stabilization operation; controlling the engine clutch to be engaged after speed of the motor is stabilized; determining whether torque variation of the motor when the engine clutch is engaged is equal to or greater than a threshold value; and determining a hydraulic pressure at which the torque variation is the threshold value as the kiss point of the engine clutch.
US09944274B2 Hybrid vehicle and control method for hybrid vehicle
On simultaneous shifts in which shift control of virtual gear positions overlaps shift control of mechanical gear positions, an electronic control unit is configured to delay output of a shift command on the virtual gear position such that shifts of the virtual gear position and the mechanical gear position are performed in synchronization. Therefore, the virtual gear position and the mechanical gear position are shifted in synchronization, irrespective of a difference between the shift response times, and the feeling of strangeness given to the driver due to shift shock, or the like, is suppressed.
US09944269B2 Input torque trim for transmission shift control during regenerative braking
A system and method for controlling a step-ratio transmission gearshift during a regenerative braking event for a hybrid vehicle having an engine selectively coupled to an electric machine and an automatic transmission control transmission input torque based on a measured shift profile and a target shift profile. A torque trim term may be added to the transmission input torque or electric machine output torque in response to a difference between the measured and target shift profiles. The torque trim term may be used to modify the transmission input torque to speed the shift up or shorten the shift time if the measured shift is progressing too slowly. Likewise, the torque trim term may be used to reduce the transmission input torque or electric machine output torque if the shift is progressing too quickly relative to the target shift profile.
US09944267B2 Systems and methods for fault isolation for an electric motor assisted brake system
A method of isolating fault in an electric motor assisted braking system of a vehicle includes calculating a value for each of a plurality of fault signature components and comparing each of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components to a respective threshold value for each fault signature component. The method also includes automatically executing a control action to indicate a detected fault of the electric motor assisted braking system in response to at least one of the calculated values of the plurality of fault signature components exceeding a respective threshold value.
US09944264B2 Balance valve and vacuum booster
The subject disclosure provides a balance valve and a vacuum booster. The balance valve includes a valve seat (11), a connecting cylinder (16) and a conic cylinder (17) orderly connected from left to right, wherein the valve seat (11) is annular, a sealing flange (12) is provided on an outer periphery of the conic cylinder (17), a protruded lip (13) for sealing is provided on an outer periphery of the valve seat (11), and the valve seat (11) is provided therein with a via hole (14) for communicating a left surface of the valve seat (11) with a right surface of the valve seat (11) outside the connecting cylinder (16). The vacuum booster having the balance valve can reduce a difference between the starting force and the restoring force, thereby increasing the restoring force while keeping the starting force of the same level.
US09944257B1 Washing system to clean a surface with enhanced efficiency
A washing system to clean a surface with enhanced efficiency and reduced water usage includes a housing member having a first cleaning fluid compartment and a second rinsing fluid compartment separated by a dividing wall, a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to the housing member, and a sponge assembly having a first sponge and a second sponge. The sponge assembly contacts the housing member to permit the first sponge to soak the cleaning fluid in the first compartment and the second sponge to soak the rinsing fluid in the second compartment simultaneously. The sponge assembly is maneuvered to simultaneously permit the first sponge to contact the first roller and dividing wall to remove excess cleaning fluid stored therein and the second sponge to contact the second roller and dividing wall to remove excess rinsing fluid stored therein.
US09944251B2 Engine cover grommets and methods
A vehicle comprises an engine compartment and a hood extending over the engine compartment. An engine is situated within the engine and a pin extends from a top side of the engine toward an interior surface of the hood. An engine cover extends between the top side of the engine and the interior surface of the hood. The engine cover includes an engine cover connection and a grommet coupled to the engine cover connection. The grommet has an entrance, a stop, and an internal cavity 143 extending through the grommet from the entrance toward the stop. The internal cavity 143 is divided into a passive cavity portion and an active cavity portion. The pin rests within the passive cavity portion without passing into the active cavity portion under normal operating conditions.
US09944249B2 Gas generator
A gas generator includes, inside a housing, an ignition device chamber accommodating a transfer charge and an igniter in which an igniter main body is surrounded by an igniter collar. The ignition device chamber is formed such that an inner circumferential wall surface on an opening side of an ignition device chamber cup, which is charged with the transfer charge, is press-fitted to and in close contact with an outer circumferential wall surface of the igniter collar of the igniter. The ratio (Vh2/Vh1) of an average Vickers hardness (Vh1) of the igniter collar, which is measured by a method described in Examples, and an average Vickers hardness (Vh2) of the ignition device chamber cup, which is measured by a method described in Examples, is within a range of 0.25 to 0.65.
US09944239B1 Fluid and dust resistant split grommet
A grommet assembly to support a wiring harness passing through an opening in a panel, the assembly including two rotationally symmetrical components coupled together along a primary coupling face to form a harness-receiving passage therethrough. Each rotationally symmetrical component including a first, thermoplastic structural portion integrated with a second, resilient sealing portion. The structural portions including a plurality of interlocking elements cooperating to couple the components together, and a plurality of retention arms engageable against the panel to retain the assembly and panel together. The sealing portion forming an outer sealing lip having a lip distal edge engageable against a surface of the panel adjacent the opening. The outer sealing lip including lap joints adjacent opposite sides of the primary coupling face. The structural portions including reinforcement tabs extending over each lap joint and designed to resist separation of the lap joints.
US09944238B2 Wiring protection device in a vehicle
A wiring protection device in a vehicle comprises a support base and a support branch. The support base includes a fixed end and a free end opposite the fixed end and extending away from the fixed end, and a guide rail. The support branch is slidably connected to the support base and includes a first end, a second end and a main body. The first end is adjacent to the free end of the support base at a retracted position, and at least a portion of the main body extends outside the support base at a use position. The extended portion of the support branch and the support base at least partially encloses wiring disposed between a first part and a vehicle part at the use position.
US09944235B2 Stowable computer workstation
A stowable computer workstation (“SCW”) for a workplace within a vehicle is described, where the workplace has an inner sidewall of the vehicle. The SCW may include a video display mount assembly and a deployment support attached to the video display mount assembly. The deployment support is configured to deploy and stow the video display mount assembly against the inner sidewall and the deployment support is secured to the inner sidewall.
US09944230B2 Composite running board
A composite running board for use with an automotive vehicle. The running board includes a step portion formed by a top deck and an aerodynamic bottom cover. A mounting portion is formed integrally with the step portion and includes a vertical mounting plate and a horizontal mounting plate for attaching the running board to the vehicle. A plurality of support ribs are sandwiched between the top deck and the bottom cover and connected to the mounting portion to provide structural rigidity to the running board.
US09944229B2 Axle assembly having a bowl cover
An axle assembly having an axle housing and a bowl cover. The axle housing may have a center portion that may define a bowl opening and a differential carrier opening that may receive a differential. The bowl cover may be mounted to the axle housing and may cover the bowl opening.
US09944224B2 Luminescent planar sheet
A luminescent planar sheet is constructed to provide illuminated alphanumeric characters particularly suitable for mounting upon the planar surfaces of a vehicle. Preferably the luminescent planar sheet can produce visible light, infrared light, or both. A switching system is connected to the luminescent planar panels for selectively controlling power to produce visible light and/or infrared light. The luminescent planar sheet includes a protective coating which permits the passage of both visible light and infrared light, but substantially blocks most or all ultraviolet light.
US09944221B2 Actuator and vehicle lighting device
A motor causes a shaft of an actuator to be displaced in an axis direction thereof, at least part of a circuit for driving the motor being mounted on a circuit board. A notch is formed in an end edge of the circuit board. A protrusion is formed inside a case. The protrusion is fitted into the notch, whereby the circuit board is independently supported inside the case.
US09944217B2 Equipment mounting system
An equipment mounting system may include a quick mount track having a backing plate with a center slot, a first outer slot, and a second outer slot, the first outer slot and the second outer slot comprise a plurality of diamond contour target regions, and a plurality of locking pin apertures along the center slot in the backing plate, the locking pin apertures are in horizontal alignment with the plurality of diamond contoured target regions. The equipment mounting system also may include a mount removably coupled to the quick mount track wherein the plurality of diamond contour target regions allow for a round head of a t-shaped stud of the mount to engage the first outer slot and the second outer slot at an angle to the backing plate.
US09944216B2 Automated soft tonneau cover
A retractable cover system includes a frame that provides an opening and includes laterally spaced apart guide rails and includes a drive system. A flexible cover has laterally opposing edge portions with intermittent retainers received in the guide rails. The retainers are configured to slide relative to the guide rails between first and second positions within the opening in response to actuation of the drive system. Multiple spaced apart bows extend laterally between guide rails. The bows provide a laterally and outwardly extending arc that maintains tension on the flexible cover laterally between the retainers.
US09944211B2 Seed carrier with pivoting conveyor
A seed carrier includes a frame and a main hopper mounted to the frame. The seed carrier also includes a support arm extending upwardly in relation to the frame, the support arm having a first end and a second end. The seed conveyor also includes a conveyor coupled to the support arm, the conveyor having an intake end and a discharge end and being pivotable relative to the support arm between a self-loading position and an unloading position. The conveyor also includes a main conveyor having a lower end and an upper end and an intake conveyor pivotally connected to the lower end of the main conveyor. The conveyor also includes a lift-assist assembly coupled between the main conveyor and the intake conveyor, the lift-assist assembly applying a force with an upward component to the intake conveyor at a position spaced from the pivot, whereby the weight of the intake conveyor is counterbalanced so as to render the intake conveyor manually pivotable. The conveyor also includes a latch mechanism coupled to at least one of the intake conveyor and the main conveyor.
US09944208B2 Leg rest device of power vehicle
A leg rest device of a power vehicle includes: a supporting unit; a first lifting unit pivotally provided at the supporting unit and pivotable with respect to the supporting unit; a second lifting unit mounted to the first lifting unit and movable in a telescoping manner; an actuation unit connected to the supporting unit and configured to drive the first lifting unit; and a linkage unit having a first connecting member, a second connecting member, and a third connecting member, wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are separately and pivotally connected to the supporting unit while the third connecting member is separately and pivotally connected to the first connecting member, the second connecting member, and the second lifting unit.
US09944206B2 Controlling active isolation platform in a moving vehicle
Systems and methods for actively isolating a payload from a disturbance. In one example, a seat system for a vehicle includes a seat, a support structure that allows the seat to move about an axis of a pivot, a first sensor positioned to detect movement of the vehicle, a second sensor positioned to detect lateral acceleration of the pivot, an actuator configured to move the seat, and a controller configured to receive a first signal from the first sensor and a second signal from the second sensor, generate a command signal based at least on the first and the second signal to instruct the actuator to position the seat at a desired command angle, wherein the controller is configured to correct the command signal for lateral accelerations caused by steering the vehicle, and provide a force command to the actuator to move the seat at the desired command angle.
US09944205B2 Cushion and method of use
A cushion for inserting in the legwell between individual seats in rows of seats, for example in a vehicle, is disclosed. The top of the cushion can act as a surface for a user to lie down. The cushion can be inflatable and can be deflated for easy transport. The cushion can have multiple reservoirs so the internal pressure can be separately adjusted for the base and for the mattress of the cushion, similar to a box spring and a mattress in a common bed.
US09944201B2 Quick adjust power adjuster with tubular lead screw
A quick adjust power adjuster for adjusting the position of an upper track relative to a lower track of a seat track assembly comprises an elongated guide rod extending axially between opposite first and second ends and fixedly secured to the lower track. A tubular lead screw is slidably coupled to the guide rod. A driven assembly is operatively coupled to the tubular lead screw for axial travel along the tubular lead screw in response to rotation of the driven assembly. A drive assembly is fixedly coupled to the upper track and operatively coupled to the driven assembly for selectively rotating the driven assembly in opposite first and second directions for axial travel along the tubular lead screw. A release mechanism is coupled to the lower track and operable between a locked condition coupled to the tubular lead screw to prevent sliding movement of the tubular lead screw along the guide rod wherein the driven assembly and the drive assembly move axially along the tubular lead screw to slide the upper track relative to the lower track in a power operation mode and an unlocked condition decoupled from the tubular lead screw to allow sliding movement of the tubular lead screw along the guide rod while the driven assembly and the drive assembly remain axially fixed to the tubular lead screw to slide the upper track relative to the lower track in a manual operation mode.
US09944200B2 Variable creep torque
An exemplary creep torque selection method includes selecting an amount of reverse creep torque for a vehicle. The selecting is independent from an amount of forward creep torque for the vehicle.
US09944199B2 Electric circuit
An electric circuit used in a vehicle having an idling stop function of automatically stopping and automatically restarting an engine includes an electric generator, a first electricity storage capable of charging and discharging electric power generated by the electric generator, a second electricity storage connected in parallel to the first electricity storage, capable of charging and discharging the generated electric power, and having high durability against repetitive charge and discharge compared to the first electricity storage, an engine restarter, which is connected to the first electricity storage and the second electricity storage, configured to crank the engine at a time of the automatic restart, and a switch, which is connected between the engine restarter and the first electricity storage, configured to block a flow of current between the engine restarter and the first electricity storage. The switch includes at least a semiconductor switch.
US09944194B1 Smarter charging of plug-in vehicles
A system is described to enable charging of electric vehicles. A scheduler determines charging profiles for electric vehicles based on a time period within a day that is beneficial to an electric grid while still meeting the needs of drivers of the electric vehicles. A service provider charges the electric vehicles according to the charging profiles.
US09944185B2 Vehicle control device
Appropriate collision avoidance support control is enabled in a vehicle configured to carry out regeneration enhancement control. A predictive deceleration support control unit is configured to set a position at which the vehicle is predicted to finish deceleration as a target deceleration end position, and guide a driver to release an accelerator pedal so that the deceleration of the vehicle is finished at the target deceleration end position, to thereby carry out regeneration enhancement control under a state in which the accelerator pedal is released so as to generate a larger deceleration than in a normal state. The predictive deceleration support control unit is configured to read a collision avoidance support control flag from a collision avoidance support ECU, and stop the regeneration enhancement control when the collision avoidance support control is being carried out.
US09944175B2 Fuel tank system
A fuel tank system has a fuel tank and a storage element. In monitoring the fuel tank system, to check the sealing action of the fuel tank system at regular intervals during driving of the motor vehicle, a first valve is arranged in the first line upstream of the storage element as viewed in the direction of the fresh-air flow, an air pump is arranged between the first valve and the storage element, and a second valve is arranged in the second line between the storage element and the intake line. A mass flow sensor is arranged in the first line between the first valve and the storage element.
US09944171B2 Capless automotive fueling system with miss-fuel inhibitor
A fuel inlet assembly for an automotive vehicle having an elongated tubular and cylindrical housing open at each end and defining a port in between the ends of the housing. A flapper valve is associated with the fluid port and is movable between an open and a closed position. At least two latches are pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the fluid port and movable between a latch position and a release position. The latches engage the flapper valve to prevent the flapper valve from moving to its open position. A flexible bump is attached to each latch so that the bump pivots with its associated latch and each bump protrudes radially inwardly from its associated latch. Each bump has a cam surface which, when engaged by a fuel nozzle, pivots the bump and its associated latch to the release position. However, the latch is collapsible in a radially outward direction towards its associated latch when that latch is in its release position thus enabling a fuel nozzle to pass past the collapsed bumps and engage the flapper valve. As such, only a fuel nozzle with a predetermined size range will engage the bumps and pivot the latches to an open position and also allow the fuel nozzle to pass the bumps and extend through the fluid port.
US09944166B2 Axle assembly for hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle axle includes two separate pinion gears meshing with a single beveled ring gear. One pinion gear conveys power from the internal combustion powertrain while the other pinion conveys power from an electric motor. Power from the electric motor is conditioned by a two-speed gearbox between the electric motor and the second pinion gear. The gearbox may utilize layshaft gearing or planetary gearing such as a Ravgneaux gear set.
US09944159B2 Holding structure of glass run for automobile
A holding structure of a glass run for an automobile is capable of holding the glass run with a lower channel with excellent insertion workability to hold a door glass securely. In the holding structure of the glass run with the lower channel, the glass run has a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall and a fourth side wall, and has a generally rectangular cross section. One part of the side walls is composed of a material with rigidity higher than those of remaining parts of the side walls. A glass slider is attached to an end edge of the door glass below the belt line, and a tip end part of the glass slider, which is continuous with a main part of the glass slider via an opening part of the glass run, is held with the glass run.
US09944158B2 Plastic channel assembly-below belt bracket for glassrun system
A below belt bracket assembly includes a weatherstrip or glassrun having first and second sidewalls interconnected along a base member that form a cavity configured to receive an associated window edge. A support member has a cavity configured to at least partially receive the weatherstrip. A first end of the support member includes first and second retention members that each operatively engage an end region of the weatherstrip. A recess/opening formed between the first and second retention members is dimensioned to receive the end region of the base member such that the end region of the weatherstrip base member ramps downwardly from the support member base wall through the recess/opening.
US09944150B2 HVAC systems for electrically-powered vehicles
A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system for an electrically-powered vehicle (EV) having an electric motor powered by at least one battery is described. The HVAC system may comprise a blower, a conduit configured to carry air from the blower to vents leading to a passenger cabin of the EV, and an electric heater positioned in the conduit and configured to heat the air. The HVAC system may further comprise a thermal reservoir heater positioned in the conduit and including a thermal storage component configured to heat the air without using power from the battery.
US09944144B2 Spring and damper systems for attenuating the transmission of energy
A vibration attenuation system for attenuating a transmission of an input signal is disclosed. The system includes a helical spring, a first terminal, and a first damping element. The helical spring includes a plurality of helical coils, a first end, and a second end. The plurality of helical coils define an inner volume of the helical spring intermediate the first and second ends. The first terminal includes a first inner member. The first terminal is coupled to the first end of the helical spring. The first inner member extends into the inner volume of the helical spring. The first damping element is positioned on the first inner member. The first damping element is within the inner volume of the helical spring. When the input signal is provided to the helical spring, the first damping element engages the helical coils and attenuates the transmission the input signal.
US09944143B2 Spring pad for vehicle suspension
A spring pad arranged between a terminal winding of a helical spring of a vehicle wheel suspension. The winding defines a rolled spring end. A spring plate supports the helical spring. The spring pad having a layered structure having two layers different in their rigidity. The first layer has a higher rigidity than the second layer. The first layer is an outer layer of the layered structure that may engage the terminal winding of the helical spring.
US09944140B2 Tow retrieval system for mining machine
A mining machine frame having a primary tow plate is disclosed, as well as a tow retrieval system for mounting to the primary tow plate of a mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may include a brake release mounting plate configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The tow retrieval system may also include a towing attachment also configured for attachment to the primary tow plate of the mining machine frame. The towing attachment may be further configured to receive a retrieval instrument during a towing operation.
US09944139B2 Indirect magnetic interlock
A latch arrangement for a tow bar is disclosed, the tow bar being attached to a vehicle via a hinge, and pivotable about an axis from a towing position to a stowed position, the latch mechanism comprises a primary latch for holding the tow bar in the stowed position and a secondary latch for holding the primary latch in the latched position. A tow bar arrangement for use with the latch arrangement and a mobile power unit to which the tow bar arrangement may be connected, are disclosed. Safety interlock arrangements for creating an interlock between the function of the latch arrangement and the function of the mobile power unit are described.
US09944124B1 Automobile traction track system and device
Disclosed herein a system and device for providing traction for car wheels in situations in which a vehicle may be stuck or immobilized. The device or system, or Flexible Traction Track, is designed to assist a motor vehicle operator to successfully recover from being stranded off paved road surfaces such as sand, dirt, mud, gravel, ice or snow. The basic elements and features of the preferred embodiment include two tracks providing traction, connected by cables to enable proper place around or under the tire. During use, section one (1) is positioned against the front (leading) edge of a (spinning) tire mounted on any of the powered wheel (axel), between the tire and the ground cover or surface. Once section one (1) and three (3) have been bridged by section two (2) around a tire, the operator may then successfully drive over the terrain.
US09944123B2 Axle housing assembly for vehicle and vehicle
An axle housing assembly for a vehicle is provided. The axle housing assembly for a vehicle includes a first axle housing, a second axle housing spaced apart from the first axle housing in a front-rear direction, an upper connector and a lower connector. The upper connector defines a front end connected to the first axle housing and a rear end connected to the second axle housing, and the lower connector is disposed below the upper connector and defines a front end connected the first axle housing and a rear end connected to the second axle housing. A vehicle including the axle housing assembly is also provided.
US09944116B1 Wheel trim alignment system with an embossment
A wheel trim system for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel typically has a wheel flange and a plurality of studs with each stud shaped to engage at least one lug nut. The wheel trim system preferably comprises a wheel trim member and a fastener shaped to attach to the stud for releaseably attaching the wheel trim member to the wheel. The wheel trim member includes a trim flange, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an embossment spaced from the trim flange. The embossment surrounds a hole shaped to receive one of the studs. The embossment is of a larger size than the lug nut and is positioned to space the wheel trim member from the lug nut when the lug nut is positioned on the stud.
US09944115B2 Rim for a mountain bike
A rim for a mountain bike is provided, including a rim body having a rim well, a rim base and two lateral rim flanks and a hollow space device with a hollow space. A width of the rim body is larger than 30 mm. The hollow space device of the rim body is radially outwardly limited by the rim well and laterally and radially inwardly, by an inner enclosing wall including the rim base and the rim flanks. The radially inwardly enclosing wall forms an internal wall that is substantially closed, apart from the nipple accommodations. The rim well includes a plurality of recesses having a surface proportion of at least 10% of a surface of the rim well.
US09944113B2 Paint brush storage and protection device
A paint brush storage and protection device includes a base having an upstanding wall, the upstanding wall being continuous from a first side of an open stem area to a second side of the open stem area, the first side and second side of the open stem area being generally parallel to one another along a longitudinal length of said device. The device also includes a top adapted to close against said upstanding wall and at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism can be two latching mechanisms associated with either side of the open stem area.
US09944103B2 Image forming apparatus with improved visibility for a print test pattern
An image forming apparatus includes a recording head in which a plurality of nozzles for discharging liquid droplets; and a pattern forming unit configured to form a test pattern used for positional deviation adjustment including a first pattern serving as a reference pattern and a second pattern serving as an adjustment pattern. The first pattern and the second pattern each are a linear pattern that is parallel to a nozzle arrangement direction and has a disconnected portion. The disconnected portion of the first pattern and the disconnected portion of the second pattern are shifted from each other in the nozzle arrangement direction.
US09944091B2 Printer control section, method and printer
A printer control section arranged to control a printhead, is operable to cause the printhead to: perform a plurality of passes over a swath of a print medium, the plurality of passes including first and second treatment passes; apply treatment to the print medium in each of the treatment passes, the treatment in each treatment pass being applied according to a respective treatment mask, wherein each treatment mask indicates a corresponding set of pixels to which the treatment may be applied in a pass to which the treatment mask is applied, the treatment mask having a weight indicative of the proportion of pixels in the corresponding set of pixels, and the treatment masks of the first and second passes are such that a weight of the first treatment mask is different from a weight of the second treatment mask.
US09944088B2 Static eliminator performing static elimination with light and image forming apparatus including same
A static eliminator of the present disclosure includes a light source and a rod-shaped light guide member. The light guide member includes one end surface which light from the light source enters, and emits the light which has entered the one end surface toward an image carrying member. The light guide member includes a reflection portion which reflects light and a light emission surface which emits the light toward the image carrying member. In the one end surface, a concave portion is formed that includes a concave curved surface which is formed in the shape of an arc in a first direction along a direction of light emission extending from the reflection portion toward the image carrying member.
US09944080B2 Molded fluid flow structure
In one example, a fluid flow structure includes a micro device embedded in a molding having a channel therein through which fluid may flow directly into the device and/or onto the device.
US09944079B2 Print bar structure
In one example, a print bar structure includes a beam having two flanges connected by a web and a planar surface along a longitudinal edge of each flange, a printhead mounting structure attached to the beam along the planar surfaces to mount a printhead, and a fluid flow structure positioned between the flanges to carry printing fluid to the printhead mounting structure.
US09944060B2 Adhesive sheet material application arc squeegee and method
A method of using an adhesive sheet material application squeegee and method of applying an adhesive sheet material are disclosed. The method includes securing a portion of adhesive sheet material to a surface and applying the adhesive sheet material to the surface with the adhesive sheet material application squeegee.
US09944058B2 Method of making an airdam
A method of making an airdam to be placed along the edge of a composite work piece during a curing process is disclosed. The method comprises forming a strip of peel ply, forming a strip of tacky putty, and automatically affixing the strip of tacky putty to the strip of peel ply without human assistance to form a laminate comprising at least one layer of peel ply and at least one layer of tacky putty.
US09944047B2 Enhanced co-formed/meltblown fibrous web structure
An enhanced, co-formed fibrous web structure is disclosed. The web structure may have a co-formed core layer sandwiched between two scrim layers. The core layer may be formed of a blend of cellulose pulp fibers and melt spun filaments. The scrim layers may be formed of melt spun filaments. Filaments of one or both of the scrim layers, and optionally the core layer, may also be meltblown filaments. The fibrous web structure may have a Consumer Preference Indication (governing allocation of melt spun filaments between core layer and scrim layers) greater than 0. Alternatively, the filaments forming the scrim layers may constitute from 1 to 13 percent of the weight of the structure. Alternatively, the scrim layers may have a combined basis weight of from 0.1 gsm to less than 3.0 gsm. A method for forming the structure, including direct formation of layers, is also disclosed.
US09944042B2 Waterproof breathable composite materials for fabrication of flexible membranes and other articles
A waterproof breathable material has a higher strength-to-weight ratio and higher tear resistance-to-weight ratio than traditional materials, and may be applied in a wide field of potential uses. A non-woven composite material comprises at least one waterproof breathable (W/B) membrane, a first unidirectional non-woven composite layer having multiple fibers enclosed by adhesive in parallel to each other, a second unidirectional non-woven composite layer having multiple fibers enclosed in adhesive in parallel to each other. The first unidirectional non-woven composite layer is positioned such that the fibers are oriented 90° relative to the fibers of the second unidirectional non-woven composite layer, and a space is formed between the first and second multiple fibers. No adhesive is present in the space.
US09944041B1 System, method and article of manufacture for ballistic shielding
A composite ballistic shielding material is formed utilizing ribbons of randomly-oriented film, laid up or woven in bias plies. The sheet plies are made narrow strips of PVC films are held side-by-side and rigidly framed as a square, into a thin layer, and then trimmed. The strips may be approximately 0.010″ wide. The formed up layer is then immersed in a low-hardness thermosetting liquid glue and laid down as a first ply. Subsequent plies are made by repeating the same process, and adding the step of rotating the frame to a pre-determined angle before laying down the ply onto the previous ply. When a pre-determined number of layers or a desired thickness is achieved, the lay-up is transferred to a press for curing into panels. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US09944024B2 Improvements relating to the manufacture of wind turbines
A production system for a wind turbine component is described. The system includes an elongate mold assembly extending in a longitudinal direction, the mold assembly comprising a mold surface and having a width that varies in the longitudinal direction. First and second tracks are defined respectively on opposite longitudinal sides of the mold surface. The perpendicular distance between the respective tracks varies along the length of the track. A transport assembly is moveable relative the mold assembly in the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly includes a pair of side supports arranged to move along the respective tracks, and a gantry supported above the mold assembly by the side supports. The gantry extends transverse to the longitudinal direction. The transport assembly is configured such that the side supports move relative to one another in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction in accordance with the varying distance between the tracks as the transport assembly moves in the longitudinal direction.
US09944017B2 Ultrasonically welded mat unit and system thereof
A mat unit is formed from at least two layers ultrasonically welded together. Each layer is individually formed from non-vinyl nontoxic thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material. In ultrasonically joining the two layers together, there is no need to use additional materials, such as adhesive (i.e., chemical attachment) or stitched thread (i.e., mechanical attachment) to form the joint/weld point. Once formed from the two layers, the mat unit has four quadrants and a plurality of longitudinal ribs integrally formed in the first layer positioned in the first and third quadrants, and a plurality of transverse ribs integrally formed in the first layer positioned in the second and fourth quadrants. Additionally, there are a plurality of longitudinal ribs integrally formed in the second layer positioned in the second and fourth quadrants, and a plurality of transverse ribs integrally formed in the second layer positioned in the first and third quadrants.
US09944016B2 High performance, rapid thermal/UV curing epoxy resin for additive manufacturing of short and continuous carbon fiber epoxy composites
An additive manufacturing resin system including an additive manufacturing print head; a continuous carbon fiber or short carbon fibers operatively connected to the additive manufacturing print head; and a tailored resin operatively connected to the print head, wherein the tailored resin has a resin mass and wherein the tailored resin includes an epoxy component, a filler component, a catalyst component, and a chain extender component; wherein the epoxy component is 70-95% of the resin mass, wherein the filler component is 1-20% of the resin mass, wherein the catalyst component is 0.1-10% of the resin mass, and wherein the chain extender component is 0-50% of the resin mass.
US09944008B2 Method for extruding plastic materials
The invention relates to a process for extruding plastic compositions, in particular polymer melts and mixtures of polymer melts, above all thermoplastics and elastomers, particularly preferably polycarbonate and polycarbonate blends, also with the incorporation of other substances such as for example solids, liquids, gases or other polymers or other polymer blends with improved optical characteristics, with the assistance of a multi-screw extruder with specific screw geometries.
US09944006B2 Valve pin position adjuster
An apparatus and method for adjusting the axial position of a valve pin in an injection molding system, the apparatus comprising: an actuator comprising a housing having a chamber enclosing a drive member for driving a valve pin along an axial path of travel, the actuator housing slidably mounted and adapted for controlled upstream and downstream movement of the drive member along a path complementary to the axial path of travel of the valve pin, a mounting plate and an axial position adjustment screw screwably mounted within the mounting plate upstream of the housing of the actuator for controllably moving the valve pin to selectable starting or ending injection cycle axial positions.
US09943998B2 Method for molding a bi-material cap
The disclosure includes a cap having a first portion made of a plastic material and forming a bottom for covering a container neck and a protective side wall for surrounding the container neck, and a second portion made of a flexible material that is compatible with the plastic material of the first portion and separate from the plastic material of the first portion, the second portion being annular and consisting of a flexible seal, which projects from the bottom toward the interior of the side wall and which is welded to the first portion. Thus, the manufacture of the stopper by molding includes injecting a flexible material to produce the flexible annular seal and then the movable portions of the mold are placed such that the flexible material is in a groove that is set back from the planar surface of the mold.
US09943997B2 Recycled plastic composite composition
A formulation for a recycled plastic composite composition, and a method of making the composite composition, is provided. The composite composition includes recycled EVA plastic from 30% to 80%, a stone powder from 20% to 70%; percentages by weight.
US09943995B1 Thin-walled elastic products and methods and systems for manufacturing same
One method for creating barrier products (for example, condoms and gloves) includes: (a) dipping a former into a tank of elastic compound. The former has an indentation extending inwardly from an outer surface for creating a first protrusion on a first face of the barrier product. The method further includes: (b) removing the former from the tank of elastic compound, whereby some of the elastic compound removably adheres to the former and fills the indentation; (c) applying supplemental material to the elastic compound, whereby creating a second protrusion on a second face of the barrier product; and (d) fully drying the supplemental material. One barrier product includes an elastic wall having opposed faces, and first and second protrusions respectively extend from the opposed faces. The first and second protrusions are in cross-sectional alignment whereby rotational input forces on the first protrusion create rotational output forces on the second protrusion.
US09943992B2 Controlling temperature in exothermic reactions with a phase change material
An apparatus may comprise a tool capable of holding a part during curing of the part, and a passive temperature control system. The passive temperature control system may have a phase change material selected as having a phase change temperature that may be capable of controlling heat generated by the part during curing of the part held by the tool.
US09943982B2 Concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system
A concrete mixing transport truck chute washout system with a container unit with an upper region located above and fluidly communicating with a lower region, the upper region having a container unit sealing and seating feature, the upper region having a container unit open mouth, and a rack unit that receives the container portion and which can have a stationary portion and a movable portion.
US09943981B2 3D infiltration method
The invention relates to a method for producing three-dimensional molded parts in two method steps and infiltrating the molded part, as well as a material system.
US09943979B2 3-D diamond printing using a pre-ceramic polymer with a nanoparticle filler
According to some embodiments, a method includes depositing alternating layers of a ceramic powder and a pre-ceramic polymer dissolved in a solvent. Each layer of the pre-ceramic polymer is deposited in a shape corresponding to a cross section of an object. The alternating layers of the ceramic powder and the pre-ceramic polymer are deposited until the layers of the pre-ceramic polymer form the shape of the object. The method includes heating the deposited ceramic powder and pre-ceramic polymer to at least a decomposition temperature of the pre-ceramic polymer. The decomposition temperature of the pre-ceramic polymer is less than a sintering temperature of the ceramic powder. The method further includes removing excess ceramic powder that the pre-ceramic polymer was not deposited onto.
US09943971B2 Cutting tool
A cutting tool is described. The cutting tool can provide increased safety in residential, commercial, and/or medical applications. The cutting tool includes a container that can catch and/or hold material that is cut by use of the tool. This can prevent the cut material from flying indiscriminately away from the cutting tool at high velocity and can also prevent the cut material from falling to the floor/ground after cutting. The cutting tool can be sterilized for medical use, such as fish hook or jewelry removal.
US09943968B2 Method and system for stopping of axes of an industrial robot
The invention relates to a method or a system for the dependable stopping of axes of an industrial robot. The industrial robot comprises a control device (501, 502), power electronics (201, 202, 203) and a DC source (300), as well as at least one axis (700), which is assigned to an electric motor (100) and to a mechanical brake (600). In order to stop the axis a direct current is supplied by the DC source in at least one motor phase of the motor, which generates a braking torque.
US09943957B2 Method for controlling medical manipulator
The method for controlling a medical manipulator is a method for controlling a medical manipulator which drives a driven part by rotating a motor in accordance with an operation input from an operation part. The method includes: a first step of performing a trial driving when the operation input occurs, and evaluating changes in winding resistance based on a temperature rise of the motor, and setting a driving condition of the motor based on the evaluated changes winding resistance; and a second step of performing driving which corresponds to the operation input based on the driving condition of the motor set in the first step.
US09943956B1 Canvas tool caddy
A canvas tool caddy designed to removably fit over the handle of a rolling tool chest with telescopic handle. The canvas tool caddy is meant to supplement the tool storage of the rolling tool chest. The canvas caddy is removable from the rolling tool chest telescopic handle. The tool caddy optionally has one or more flexible, bendable spines, to bend the flat tool supporting base wall surface substrate into an open planar flat display configuration which retains its shape while supported on the handle of the rolling tool chest. The rolling tool chest's telescopic handles provide upward load forces counteracting downward load forces of the handle, and the equilibrium is spread equally along an internal horizontal spine, to keep the tool caddy open when opened from a close transport state to an open viewable, tool accessible state.
US09943948B2 Fortified plastic disposable torque devices
A fortified plastic disposable driver having a plastic generally conical nose with a top and bottom, the bottom formed as part of or affixed to the flat top of a body and the top of the nose having a square channel guide with corners, is disclosed. The channel accepts a tool or shaft. At 90 degree orientation from each other are four pairs of force buttressing ribs wherein they have a bottom affixed at said flat top, and each has a support edge affixed to an annular outer wall of the nose. The four pairs of ribs, each pair being positioned along one of the four sides of the square channel. In some instances, each rib further comprises an interior edge and an outer edge, and each outer edge is aligned with a corner. A body and/or handle are used therewith to impart torque for use.
US09943946B2 Tool bits with floating magnet sleeves
A tool bit assembly includes a tool bit having a shaft with a first working region disposed at a first end of the shaft and a first reduced diameter portion proximate the working region and disposed between a first shoulder and a second shoulder. A floating sleeve has a rear portion with a pair of opposed window openings, a front portion supporting a magnet, and a pair of balls, with each ball disposed in one of the window openings. The floating sleeve is receivable over the tool bit with the magnet proximate the first working regions and the balls received in the first reduced diameter portion to allow the floating sleeve to move between a first position in which the balls abut the first shoulder and a second position in which the balls abut the second shoulder.
US09943945B2 Water pipe wrench structure
A water pipe wrench structure consisting of a first wrench body and a second wrench body pin jointed by a control component. The first wrench body includes an actuating piece. A tooth space is positioned on this actuating piece. This actuating piece and a tooth piece extend with a uniform curvature. The second wrench body includes a perforation to pass the control component through this perforation and the tooth space. This control component includes a column piece and a grinding tooth piece, and the grinding tooth piece can be moved by pressure, so that the grinding tooth piece can be engaged to or separated from the tooth space and thus end the movement of the control component.
US09943937B2 System and method for manufacturing a wing panel
A system and method are provided to automate the assembly of a wing panel, such as utilized by commercial aircraft. In the context of a system, a tacking cell is provided that is configured to tack one or more stringers to a skin plank. The system also includes a riveting cell configured to receive a tacked plank from the tacking cell and to rivet the one or more stringers to the skin plank. The system also includes a splicing cell configured to receive a plurality of riveted planks from the riveting cell and to attach one or more splice stringers to the plurality of riveted planks. Further, the system includes a side of body cell configured to receive a spliced panel from the splicing cell and to attach a side of body chord thereto to produce a wing panel.
US09943917B2 Gear edge cut-off tool and gear edge cut-off device
An object is to provide a gear edge cut-off tool and a gear edge cut-off device capable of suppressing variation in the amount to cut off side edges of a gear. A gear edge cut-off tool of the present invention has a shape, in a first main plane (rake face) of a first cutting blade portion capable of cutting off a side edge of a gear wheel, that is curved or bent in a concave shape in an edge line direction.
US09943914B2 Drilling system for deep holes
The invention is directed to a drill system that better uses the power curve of modern machine tools. The drill system uses IC inserts to perform the major hole diameter cutting, and a central drilling system that cuts the remaining minor diameter portion of the hole, and is configured to see less cutting surface footage, due to its position from the rotating center of the tool. A connection between the drill head and a holder body secures the drill head in a manner to effectively absorb lateral drilling forces. The drill system allows for a large diameter deep hole that remains straight throughout to be drilled at higher speed and lighter feed rates thus offering a more productive tool that takes advantage of the power curves and lower thrust capabilities of modern machine tools.
US09943907B2 Apparatus and method for generative production of a component
An apparatus and method for the generative production of a component includes a movably dispensing structure for the disposal of a starting material layer; a bonding device, such as a laser, for the local bonding of this starting material layer to a cross section of the component being produced; a platform for supporting the component being produced, which can be displaced counter to a direction of layer buildup in a motor-driven manner; a position sensing device for sensing a position or change in position, such as vibration, of the platform in the direction of layer buildup with the capability of sensing interference as to whether the movement of the dispensing structure is not free of interference on the basis of the sensed position or change in position.
US09943905B2 Heat-exchanging mold assemblies for infiltrated downhole tools
An example system for fabricating an infiltrated downhole tool includes a mold assembly having one or more component parts and defining an infiltration chamber to receive and contain matrix reinforcement materials and a binder material used to form the infiltrated downhole tool. One or more thermal conduits are positioned within the one or more component parts for circulating a thermal fluid through at least one of the one or more component parts and thereby placing the thermal fluid in thermal communication with the infiltration chamber.
US09943901B2 Adjustable stamping die
A stamping die is provided. The stamping die includes a die block, a punch, and a trap wall. The punch is configured to engage the die block in order to form a part from a sheet metal blank. The trap wall is secured to the punch and configured to restrict the flow of sheet metal into the die block during punch and die block engagement. The trap wall is adjustable with respect to the punch such that a trap wall adjustment alters the flow of sheet metal into the die block.
US09943889B2 Hole cleaning apparatus and method
A hole cleaning apparatus includes a member, a brush, and a vacuum source. The brush rotates around a longitudinal axis of the member, or translates in a direction which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member. The vacuum source provides vacuum suction within the member.
US09943888B2 Method for removing solidified ink or varnish using adhesive strips
A method for removing solidified ink or varnish from a surface includes applying a cleaning agent to the ink on the surface. The cleaning agent applied to the ink on the surface is substantially solvent-free and water-based and reduces adhesion between the ink and the surface without dissolving the ink. An adhesive side or face of a single-sided or single face adhesive element is applied to the surface. As the adhesive element is removed from the surface, the ink that has been treated with the cleaning agent but is undissolved adheres to the adhesive element and is thus removed from the surface together with the adhesive element without splitting.
US09943882B2 Mechanism and method for sorting components, component feeding system
A component sorting mechanism is disclosed. The component sorting mechanism includes a vibrating plate, a feeding tray having a plurality of grooves in an inner bottom surface thereof, the feeding tray mounted on the vibrating plate, and a first driving device connected to the feeding tray. The first driving device drives the feeding tray to swing within a predetermined angle range.
US09943879B2 Method of shaping a surface coating on a razor blade
A method for shaping a coating on a razor blade, and a razor blade produced using the aforesaid method, are provided. The method includes the steps of a) providing a razor blade having a tip end defined by at least one tip surface and a cutting edge; b) applying a surface coating having a first thickness on at least one tip surface; and c) shaping the surface coating on the at least one tip surface to have a second thickness using a fluid stream, which second thickness is less than the first thickness.
US09943860B2 Mineral recovery in tailings using functionalized polymers
An apparatus and method for collecting mineral particles in the tailings is disclosed. The apparatus may take the form of a filter, a conveyor belt, a collection plate or an impeller configured to contact with tailings of a flotation process, before and/or after the tailings are discharged into a pond. The filter, conveyor belt, collection plate or impeller has a collection area or surface made of, or coated with, a synthetic material having a functional group, e.g., having an ionizing bond to attract the mineral particles of interest. Alternatively, the synthetic material has hydrophobic molecules to render the collection area hydrophobic. When the mineral particles of interest in the tailings are combined with collector molecules, the mineral particles of interest may also become hydrophobic. The hydrophobic mineral particles of interest are attracted to the hydrophobic collection area or surface. The filter, conveyor belt, collection plate and impeller may have a plurality of passage ways or synthetic beads in order to increase the contacting surfaces.
US09943844B2 Microfluidic evaluation system for evaluating the efficacy of an antiperspirant product and associated method
This applicator comprises a base (22) and a product applicator tongue (25) that projects from the base (22) along an axis (A-A′), said tongue (25) defining a central cavity (30). It comprises a massage element (32) disposed in the central cavity (30), with the massage (32) element and the tongue (25) defining therebetween in the cavity (30) an intermediary product retaining space (33). The massage element (32) and the tongue (25) can move in relation to one another transversally in relation to the axis (A-A′).
US09943833B2 Bismuth oxyhalide compounds useful as photocatalysts
Mixed chloride-bromide bismuth oxyhalide compounds, with the molar ratio chloride:bromide being equal to or greater than 1:1, in the form of microspheres exhibiting flower-like surface morphology, are disclosed. Processes for preparing the compounds, formulations of the compounds and a method for purifying water using said compounds are also disclosed.
US09943828B2 Heat exchange process for adsorber regeneration
The invention relates to a process for regeneration of an adsorber (A) by contact with a stream (S1), wherein the stream (S1) is heated in advance by at least two heat exchange units (HEU1) and (HEU2). As outflow of the adsorber (A) a stream (S2) is obtained, which is passed through at least two heat exchange units (HEU1) and (HEU2) traversed by stream (S1), wherein the temperature of stream (S2) fed into each heat exchange unit is higher than the temperature of stream (S1) fed into the heat exchange units (HEU1) and (HEU2), in order to directly transfer heat from stream (S2) to stream (S1).
US09943826B2 Porous silica having high pore volume and methods of making and using same
Silica particles, and methods of making and using silica particles are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the silica particles are hollow, include an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure, and have a pore volume of at least 4 cm3/g. In some embodiments, the silica particles include an outer shell portion having a mesoporous structure forming a cavity, the silica particles have an average pore diameter of 3 to 100 nm, and at least a portion of the silica particles include one or more core nanoparticles within the cavity. Silica particles as disclosed herein can be useful in a wide variety of applications such as selective separations (e.g., gas separations or purifications) based on structure.
US09943824B2 Polymerisation device and method for the production of thermoplastic polymers
The present invention relates to a polymerization device for the production of melts of thermoplastic polymers in which the heat of the discharged product can be recovered and used for preheating of the usable raw materials. In addition, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for the production of thermoplastic polymers.
US09943823B2 Pressure stepped microwave assisted digestion
An instrument and method for high pressure microwave assisted chemistry are disclosed. The method includes the steps of applying microwave radiation to a sample in a sealed vessel while measuring the temperature of the sample and measuring the pressure generated inside the vessel and until the measured pressure reaches a designated set point, opening the vessel to release gases until the pressure inside the vessel reaches a lower designated set point, closing the vessel, and repeating the steps of opening the vessel at designated pressure set points and closing the vessel at designated pressure set points to the sample until the sample reaction reaches a designated high temperature. The designated set points can controllably differ from one another as the reaction proceeds. Microwave energy can be applied continuously or intermittently during the opening and closing steps. The apparatus includes a microwave cavity, a microwave transparent pressure resistant reaction vessel in the cavity, a cap on the reaction vessel, a pressure sensor for measuring pressure in the vessel, a temperature sensor, and means for opening and closing the cap at predetermined pressure set points measured by the pressure sensor to release pressure from the vessel.
US09943819B2 Small-scale reactor having improved mixing
a reactor for conducting laboratory reactions comprises includes reaction vessel, a catalyst holder in the reaction vessel, and a drive system configured to drive reciprocating linear movement of the catalyst basket. The catalyst holder can be configured to hold a plurality of catalyst particles so the catalyst particles remain spaced apart from one another. A reactor for conducting laboratory reactions can also include a reaction vessel, an impeller in the reaction vessel, and a drive system configured to drive reciprocating linear movement of the impeller.
US09943813B2 Dynamic mixer and use thereof
A dynamic mixer, useful for mixing components of viscous compounds, in particular for components of dental impression compounds, and use thereof, the mixer having a mixing tube that contains a drivable rotor and that has on one end an end wall having at least two inlet openings for components, and at the other end an outlet opening for the mixture thereof. The rotor has a rotor disk having at least one entraining element that faces the end wall, and at least one rotor disk opening for the components to pass through to the side of the rotor disk that is remote from the end wall. At least one mixing element is arranged on the rotor hub between the rotor disk and the outlet opening. At least one projecting pin is arranged on the end wall toward the rotor disk, and the at least one entraining element has at least one recess for the at least one pin.
US09943790B2 Filtering assembly comprising a filter cartridge
The present invention relates to a filtering assembly for filtering at least one fluid flowing in particular in a hydraulic motor or device, comprising: —a filter body which comprises a vessel and a cover which are configured to engage with one another in order to enable the filter body to close, —a tube, in particular a central tube, inside the filter body extending along a longitudinal axis (X), —a removable filter cartridge which is housed in the filter body and includes an upper end plate, a lower end plate and a filter medium which extends between the upper end plate and the lower end plate, the filter cartridge having a tubular opening for surrounding the tube, characterized in that the cover has a circular rib which is formed such as to project into an inner space of the filter body, and in that the upper end plate has a circular edge which is designed to sealingly engage radially and inwardly with said circular rib of the cover.
US09943785B2 Water purifier
Disclosed is a water purifier including a first storage cistern in which an inlet for flowing in water is formed, a second storage cistern for storing the purified water and having a nozzle at the outside thereof, and a filter constituted by a ceramic filter, a cartridge filter, and a mineral filter and installed to the inside of the first storage cistern and the second storage cistern to filter the water flown in the first storage cistern and make the purified water flow in the second storage cistern, the water purifier comprises a ceramic filter formed as a mixture by mixing the conventional used silicon dioxide with its particle size of 1˜100 micrometer with additionally one or two or more selected among silicon dioxide, tungsten, alumina (Al2O3), silver, zinc (Zn), white gold (PT), gold (Au), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) with nano particle size.
US09943781B2 Parallel assembly of chromatography column modules
A parallel assembly (2; 11; 51) of chromatography column modules (3a,b,c; 13a,b,c; 53a,b,c, 90a, b) connected in a rigid housing (21; 61), the assembly having one common assembly inlet (15; 55) and one common assembly outlet (17; 57), each column module comprising a bed space (29) filled with chromatography medium and each column module comprises integrated fluid conduits which when the column module is connected with other column modules in the rigid housing are adapted to connect the bed space (29) of the column module with the assembly inlet (15; 55) and the assembly outlet (17; 57), wherein the total length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the assembly inlet to one bed space together with the length and/or volume of the fluid conduit from the same bed space to the assembly outlet is substantially the same for all bed spaces and modules installed in the parallel assembly.
US09943778B1 Air conditioning condensate treatment system
A condensate treatment system includes a housing attached to an A/C condensate drain line having a biocide received within an interior chamber. A load cell continuously measures the weight of biocide in the interior chamber in order to calculate a remaining amount. A control unit is in communication with the load cell and various sensors for monitoring operational variables associated with the condensate system. The control unit has Wi-Fi capability to allow the sensor readings and the remaining amount of biocide to be accessed wirelessly from a supervisor's remote computer or smart phone. If the control unit detects rising condensate levels in the drip pan or the housing, it disables the air conditioner to prevent an overflow.
US09943772B2 Mobile action sports ramp
One example embodiment includes a mobile action sports ramp. The mobile action sports ramp includes an incline portion connected to a vehicle portion by a hinge. The incline portion includes a lower incline portion connected to an upper incline portion by a hinge. The lower incline portion folds onto the upper incline portion and the incline portion then rests upon the vehicle portion when the mobile action sports ramp is collapsed and capable of transportation. The lower incline portion unfolds into alignment with the upper incline portion and the incline portion then raises up when the mobile action sports ramp is erected and capable of use in various action sports. Methods for erecting and collapsing a mobile action sports ramp are also provided.
US09943762B2 Game rewards based on device characteristics
A reward associated with a game may be provided based at least partly on a characteristic associated with a user device used to play the game. A threshold or level associated with the device characteristic may be determined. A current level of the characteristic while a user is playing the game via the user device may be determined. Based at least partly on a determination that the current level of the characteristic satisfies the threshold or the level during play of the game, a reward associated with the game may be provided to the user device and/or the user.
US09943761B2 Promotion generation engine for a money transfer system
A money transfer system is promoted by providing a user access to a game or contest generated by a promotions engine computer. The user is directed to a customer relations portal accessible via an access device to participate in the game or contest. The customer relations portal comprising a server configured to manage the game or contest and associated with the promotions engine computer. A response is received from the user at the server related to the user's participation in the game or contest. The server determines whether the user is to receive a reward or prize based on the response from the user, and an output is provided to the user on the access device indicating whether the user is to receive the reward or prize.
US09943757B2 Adjustable tension thumbstick
A thumbstick for a user input device comprises an adjustable tensioning mechanism configured to modify a tilt tension of a tiltable post. The tiltable post is operable to output a control signal based on a position of the tiltable post relative to a default position. The thumbstick comprises a cap with a cylindrical stem that defines a cavity. An engagement body is located within the cavity and contacts an engagement surface of the adjustable tensioning mechanism. The engagement body includes a cam surface disposed around an axis of the tiltable post. An adjustment body within the cavity of the stem comprises a follower that contacts the cam surface. The follower is configured to traverse the cam surface when the cap is rotated to thereby translate the engagement body along the axis of the tiltable post and adjust the tilt tension of the tiltable post.
US09943748B2 Skate blade system with dynamic movement
The disclosure is directed at a skate blade system including a boot portion; a blade housing, mounted to a bottom of the boot portion; and a blade portion having a heel and a toe end; wherein the blade portion is fastened at the heel end to the blade housing in a fixed relationship and is unattached from the blade portion blade housing at the toe end.
US09943747B2 Liner assembly for a protective helmet
A liner assembly for a protective helmet has a wrap-around pad inside the helmet with plural circular cells spaced along a curved line, at least one additional cell at each end of the line and one additional cell located off the line. A crown pad removably engageable in a crown of the helmet and two L-shaped jaw pads removably engageable to jaw flaps of the helmet. Each cell includes an outer sheet welded around its perimeter to the perimeter of an inner sheet, each inner sheet engaging a player's head and defining one enclosure for each cell. Each cell containing a foam cushion and multiple spaced apart hollow protrusions contacting the inside of the helmet. Each protrusion has an open large diameter base near the cushion and flat smaller diameter peak engaging the helmet. Each protrusions also having a conical side wall tapering from base to peak.
US09943746B2 Protective headgear with impact diffusion
A protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of the wearer having a top slot in a top portion of the headgear body, wherein the top slot runs from a front portion of the headgear body that covers a forehead of the wearer to a back portion of the headgear body that covers a back of the head of the wearer. A top piece slidably attaches to the headgear body to cover the top slot, wherein the top piece diffuses energy from an impact to the protective headgear by sliding within the top slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US09943745B2 Digital video ramp
A digital video ramp assembly incorporates process-formed structural LED tiles with modular components that join in a system of scalable structural LED tiles forming a complete LED display structure with integrated LED embedded tiles with interlocking and inter-trans-positioning features sometimes requiring additional structural framing.
US09943741B2 Practice hockey goaltenders
Practice hockey goaltenders, positionable on a playing surface in front of a hockey goal, include a generally three-dimensional representation of a life-size hockey goaltender disposed in a playing position having a front side and a rear side. The generally rigid three-dimensional representation represents a padded left leg, a padded right leg, a hockey stick, a blocker, a catcher, a torso, and a mask. The practice hockey goaltender includes rearwardly-extending supports, releasably attachable spikes, a weight distribution so that it is supportable in an angled forward orientation on a forwardly and upwardly-extending bottom surface portion, an appearance of being formed from plate-like components, and/or a hollow monolithic structure.
US09943730B2 Multi-layer core golf ball
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core has a very high positive hardness gradient and comprises at least three layers, including at least one thermoset layer and at least one thermoplastic layer.
US09943713B2 Method for storing a respiratory mask and respiratory equipment including a respiratory mask and a storage element
Embodiments provide methods for storing a respiratory mask. In one embodiment, the respiratory equipment may include a respiratory mask having a front side and a rear side and a cavity having an opening in the rear side. There may also be provided an inflatable harness adapted to maintain the respiratory mask against the user face, and a storage element comprising a housing In one embodiment, the method may include pulling on the harness on the front side of the respiratory mask in order to place the harness on the respiratory mask in an storage position outside said cavity, and maintaining the harness on the respiratory mask in the storage position and inserting the respiratory mask into the housing of the storage element.
US09943704B1 Method and system for fiducials contained in removable device for radiation therapy
Method and system fiducials contained in removable a device for use in guided radiation therapy treatment. One embodiment includes an active marker configured to be pre-loaded into a catheter for removeably implanting in the tissue of a patient. Another embodiment of the implantable device includes a stability element coupled to the marker and further coupled to an explant line. In some embodiments, the stability element is configured to hold the marker at a fixed location within the catheter (e.g., known location) with respect to a target in the tissue. In other embodiments, the explant line has a first portion coupled to the marker and/or the stability element and a second portion configured to be at least proximate to the dermis of the patient.
US09943697B2 Power generation for implantable devices
This application includes systems and techniques relating to wirelessly rechargeable medical apparatus, such as a wirelessly powered medical system including: a wireless power transmitter; and a medical apparatus including a wireless energy harvesting device configured to receive at least one type of wireless power from the wireless power transmitter and be mounted on an exterior surface of a human body, a medical device configured to be implanted in the human body, and one or more electrical conduits configured to couple the wireless energy harvesting device on the exterior surface of the human body with the medical device implanted in the human body, wherein the one or more electrical conduits provide harvested electric power from the wireless energy harvesting device to the medical device.
US09943695B2 Lead connector with glass insulators
A medical device lead connector includes two or more electrically conducting contact rings spaced apart by electrically insulating glass material. The electrically insulating glass material fixes the two or more electrically conducting contact rings in axial alignment.
US09943684B2 Nanosecond pulsed electric fields cause melanomas to self-destruct
Methods for a new, drug-free therapy for treating solid skin tumors through the application of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (“nsPEFs”) are provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the cells are melanoma cells, and the applied nsPEFs penetrate into the interior of tumor cells and cause tumor cell nuclei to rapidly shrink and tumor blood flow to stop. This new technique provides a highly localized targeting of tumor cells with only minor effects on overlying skin.
US09943677B2 Securing a medical device to a valve instrument
Apparatus and techniques for securing a medical device with hemostasis valve are described.
US09943673B2 Patch applying apparatus
Apparatus for applying a patch to a subject, the patch having a number of projections thereon, the apparatus including opposable jaws movable between open and engaging positions, wherein in the open position the jaws can receive at least part of the subject, and in the engaging position the jaws can engage the at least part of the subject and a patch support for supporting a patch, and wherein the patch support is for urging the patch against the at least part of the subject.
US09943659B2 Lever adjustment assembly for mask
A respiratory interface device is provided that includes a mask (10) and a brace (40) assembly. The mask has a faceplate (12) and a cushion (15), and the brace assembly has a brace body (42) and a lever assembly (44). The brace body is coupled to the mask faceplate, and the lever assembly has at least one lever arm (70) and at least one actuator assembly (72) for each lever arm. The at least one lever arm has a body (76) and a pivot assembly (90). The lever arm body is pivotally coupled to the brace body at the pivot assembly. The lever arm body is structured to move between two positions, a first position, where the lever arm body does not effectively engage a portion of the mask, and a second position, wherein the lever arm body effectively engages a portion of the mask.
US09943650B2 Retractable self-destructing safety syringe with pre-attached needle
A retractable self-destructing safety syringe with pre-attached needle including a barrel, an inner needle base disposed in a barrel neck at an end of the barrel body, and an elastic engagement mechanism formed between the barrel neck and the inner needle base is provided. An asymmetric elastic locking member having an elastic function is disposed at the end of the plunger, with which a sleeve-type retractable locking member on the needle base can be interlocked by the elastic function. After being retracted into the barrel body, the needle base together with the needle will be forced to deflect to one side under an asymmetric force, and the needle therefore will be forced to incline in a direction nearly a 45 degree angle toward to one side of the inner wall of the barrel and is blocked by the barrel neck, so that the needle and the needle base could not be pushed out the barrel neck again and self-destruction of the syringe is truly achieved. The asymmetric elastic locking member is a plastic hook which is formed with the plunger body by one-time molding process.
US09943647B2 Pharmaceutical injection device, method for controlling pharmaceutical injection device, and recording medium
A pharmaceutical injection device comprises a main body case (2); a pharmaceutical syringe mounting component (3) that is provided inside the main body case (2) and onto which a pharmaceutical syringe (4) is mounted; a piston (5) provided movably with respect to the pharmaceutical syringe (4) mounted onto the pharmaceutical syringe mounting component (3); a drive mechanism (6) for driving the piston (5); a memory (46) that stores a preset pharmaceutical injection schedule; and a controller (7) that resets a current pharmaceutical dose by comparing a planned cumulative pharmaceutical dose, which is a planned cumulative amount of pharmaceutical injected up to the last time on the basis of the pharmaceutical injection schedule stored in the memory, and an actual cumulative pharmaceutical dose, which is a cumulative amount of pharmaceutical actually injected up to the last time.
US09943640B2 Rectal drain appliance
A rectal drainage appliance is disclosed comprising a tubular element having an inflatable balloon at a distal end for anchoring the appliance in the rectum. The appliance includes one or more of: (i) first and second auxiliary lumens communicating with the inflatable balloon to provide independent inflation and pressure monitoring paths coupled to the balloon; (ii) a pressure state indicator defined by a mechanical element configured to flip between first and second states or shapes responsive to sensed pressure; and (iii) a collapsible auxiliary lumen larger than the inflation lumen, and configured to permit admission of irrigation fluid. The pressure state indicator may also be used in intestinal drains.
US09943636B2 Apparatus for determining a parameter indicative of the progress of an extracorporeal blood treatment
An apparatus for extracorporeal treatment of blood (1) comprising a treatment unit, a blood withdrawal line, a blood return line, a preparation line and a spent dialysate line. A control unit (10) is configured to calculate values of a parameter relating to treatment effectiveness based on measures of the conductivity in the spent dialysate line. The value of the effectiveness parameter is calculated using one or more values representative of the conductivity in the spent dialysate line obtained relying on a mathematical model.
US09943625B2 Magnesium alloy
The present invention relates to a magnesium alloy having controlled corrosion resistance properties, which comprises magnesium (Mg) and an alloying element and includes a magnesium phase and a phase composed of magnesium and the alloying element, wherein the difference in electrical potential between the magnesium phase and the phase composed of magnesium and the alloying element is greater than 0 V but not greater than 0.2 V.
US09943610B2 Hydrophilic self-immolative linkers and conjugates thereof
The present disclosure provides compounds with a hydrophilic self-immolative linker, which is cleavable under appropriate conditions and incorporates a hydrophilic group to provide better solubility of the compound. The compounds of the present disclosure comprise a drug moiety, a targeting moiety capable of targeting a selected cell population, and a linker which contains an acyl unit, an optional spacer unit for providing distance between the drug moiety and the targeting moiety, a peptide linker which can be cleavable under appropriate conditions, a hydrophilic self-immolative linker, and an optional second self-immolative spacer or cyclization self-elimination linker.
US09943609B2 Protein-polymer-drug conjugates
Auristatin compounds and conjugates thereof are provided herein. The conjugate comprises a protein based recognition-molecule (PBRM) and a polymeric carrier substituted with one or more -LD-D, the protein based recognition-molecule being connected to the polymeric carrier by LP. Each occurrence of D is independently an Auristatin compound. LD and LP are linkers connecting the therapeutic agent and PBRM to the polymeric carrier respectively. Also disclosed are polymeric scaffolds useful for conjugating with a PBRM to form a polymer-drug-PBRM conjugate described herein, compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.
US09943606B2 Dendritic polypeptide-based nanocarriers for the delivery of therapeutic agents
Dendritic polypeptides useful for the delivery of therapeutic agents into cells are disclosed, together with their methods of preparation. These dendritic polypeptides serve as carriers of drugs, siRNA, aptamers and plasmid DNA in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer.
US09943603B2 Coferons and methods of making and using them
The present invention is directed to a monomer useful in preparing therapeutic compounds. The monomer includes a diversity element which potentially binds to a target molecule with a dissociation constant of less than 300 μM and a linker element connected to the diversity element. The linker element has a molecular weight less than 500 daltons, is connected, directly or indirectly through a connector, to said diversity element, and is capable of forming a reversible covalent bond or non-covalent interaction with a binding partner of the linker element. The monomers can be covalently or non-covalently linked together to form a therapeutic multimer or a precursor thereof. Also disclosed is a method of screening for therapeutic multimer precursors which bind to a target molecule associated with a condition and a method of screening for linker elements capable of binding to one another. The present invention additionally relates to a therapeutic multimer, which includes a plurality of covalently or non-covalently linked monomers, therapeutic monomers, and uses of such dimers and monomers.
US09943600B2 Stabilizing agent for pharmaceutical proteins
A method for stabilising a human blood protein or human blood plasma protein with a molecular weight of >10 KDa by adding melezitose to a solution comprising the human blood protein or human blood plasma protein with a molecular weight of >10 KDa.
US09943599B2 Therapeutic applications of calcium electroporation to effectively induce tumor necrosis
The present inventors have shown that electroporation with calcium ions are efficient on cutaneous and subcutaneous nodules. In particular the present inventors here disclose that a solution comprising calcium ions (Ca2+) with a concentration of at least 0.1 M is extremely useful in a method of treating a neoplasm, such as cancer with means for causing transient permeabilization of the cell membranes of at least part of the neoplasm before, during and/or after administration of said solution, wherein said solution is administered with a ratio of 0.2 to 0.8 of the volume of said part of the neoplasm.
US09943597B2 Anti-LPS enriched immunoglobulin preparation for use in treatment and/or prophylaxis of a pathologic disorder
Methods and compositions for treating conditions including liver dysfunction, e.g., associated with fatty liver; glucose intolerance; and others, by administering compositions comprising anti-LPS immunoglobulin enriched colostrum preparations.
US09943594B2 Methods for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
The present invention provides compositions and methods of treating and improving the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis using an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds human interleukin-6 receptor (hIL-6R).
US09943589B2 Immunopotentiator-linked oligomeric influenza immunogenic compositions
Disclosed herein are immunogenic compositions for preventing infection with influenza viruses wherein the immunogenic compositions comprises an immunogen such as a hemagglutinin of an influenza virus, and an immunopotentiator such as an Fc fragment of human IgG and optionally a stabilization sequence. The immunogen is linked to the stabilization sequence which in turn is linked to the immunopotentiator.
US09943588B2 Influenza vaccine
The present invention relates to monovalent influenza vaccine formulations and vaccination regimes for immunising against influenza disease, their use in medicine, in particular their use in augmenting immune responses to various antigens, and to methods of preparation. In particular, the invention relates to monovalent influenza immunogenic compositions comprising an influenza antigen or antigenic preparation thereof from an influenza virus strain being associated with a pandemic outbreak or having the potential to be associated with a pandemic outbreak, in combination with an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant comprising a metabolisable oil, a sterol and/or a tocopherol such as alpha tocopherol, and an emulsifying agent.
US09943584B2 Non-typeable haemophilus influenzae vaccines and their uses
Provided are non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae vaccines useful for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma in a patient. In certain aspects, the vaccine is a monobacterial vaccine. Bacterial strains for use in the vaccines of the present application are also provided.
US09943581B2 Compositions produced using enteric pathogens and methods of use
The present invention provides compositions including polypeptides having the characteristics of polypeptides expressed by a reference microbe such E. coli or Salmonella. Examples of Salmonella strains that can be used include, for instance, S. enterica serovar Newport, S. enterica serovar Enteritidis, S. enterica serovar Typhimurium, and S. enterica serovar Dublin. Also provided are compositions including polypeptides having a particular molecular weight and a mass fingerprint that includes polypeptide fragments having a particular set of masses, or polypeptides having an amino acid sequence with at least about 95% identity with an amino acid sequence, wherein the polypeptide has seroreactive activity. The present invention also provides methods of making and methods of using such compositions.
US09943580B2 Malaria vaccine
Embodiments are directed to malaria vaccines comprising a bacteriophage VLP displaying a heterologous peptide identified by affinity selection as an anti-malaria mimotope.
US09943577B2 Aminoacyl tRNA synthetases for modulating inflammation
Inflammatory and other cellular response-modulating compositions are provided comprising aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides, including active fragments and/or variants thereof. Also provided are methods of using such compositions in the treatment of conditions that benefit from the modulation of inflammation, such as inflammatory diseases or conditions.
US09943563B2 Compositions and methods for treating vitiligo
The present technology provides methods of preventing or treating vitiligo. The methods provide administering aromatic-cationic peptides in effective amounts to treat or ameliorate melanocyte degeneration such as that found in a subject suffering from, or predisposed to vitiligo. In some embodiments, the methods comprise administering to a subject suffering from, or at risk for vitiligo, an effective amount of an aromatic-cationic peptide to subjects in need thereof. The present technology relates to the treatment, amelioration or prevention of vitiligo in mammals or mammalian cells, through administration of therapeutically effective amounts of aromatic-cationic peptides, such as D-Arg-2′,6′-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2.
US09943558B2 Compositions and methods for treating multi-drug resistant malaria
A method is provided for treating an individual for a malarial infection, in particular drug-resistant species of Plasmodium, including administering to the individual in need of such treatment a composition comprising an extract containing an effective amount of one or more anti-malarial di- or tri-terpene compounds. Potent and effective extracts containing the anti-malarial compounds can be derived from Luo Han fruit and Stevia leaves, including combinations of the same, for the purpose of treating and preventing malaria in an inexpensive manner from readily available commodities. In one embodiment, the composition is administered orally in a solid or liquid ingestible form.
US09943546B2 Viral inactivated platelet extract, use and preparation thereof
The invention relates to a viral-safe platelet extract, to its preparation and use. The extract comprises a mixture of biologically active platelet derived factors.Advantageously, the extract comprises a balanced proportion of the factors and is non-clottable.
US09943538B1 2′-methoxy substituted oligomeric compounds and compositions for use in gene modulations
Compositions comprising first and second oligomers are provided wherein at least a portion of the first oligomer is capable of hybridizing with at least a portion of the second oligomer, at least a portion of the first oligomer is complementary to and capable of hybridizing to a selected target nucleic acid, and at least one of the first or second oligomers includes a modified sugar and/or backbone modification. In some embodiments the modification is a 2′-OCH3 substituent group on a sugar moiety. Oligomer/protein compositions are also provided comprising an oligomer complementary to and capable of hybridizing to a selected target nucleic acid and at least one protein comprising at least a portion of an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), wherein at least one nucleotide of the oligomer has a modified sugar and/or backbone modification.
US09943537B2 Antitumor agent and antitumor effect enhancer
Provided is a novel method for treating a cancer using an FTD/TPI combination drug, which shows remarkably excellent antitumor effect and small adverse effects.An antitumor agent, in which a combination drug containing trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride at a molar ratio of 1:0.5 and an anti-VEGF antibody or anti-EGFR antibody are administered in combination.
US09943534B2 Composition for preventing or treating liver cancer containing ginsenoside F2
The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating liver cancer containing ginsenoside F2 as an active ingredient. Specifically, the composition according to the present invention kills liver cancer cells, specifically inhibits the formation of liver cancer, and reduces the expression of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST), without affecting normal hepatocytes, and thus can be usefully used as a therapeutic agent for liver cancer.
US09943530B2 Treating vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency with 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3
Methods and compositions for treating 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in a patient are described herein. The method includes orally administering to the patient a delayed, sustained release formulation including a first ingredient selected from the group consisting of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or a combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or it includes gradually administering to the patient a sterile intravenous formulation including a first ingredient selected from the group consisting of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, or a combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.
US09943522B2 Use of cathepsin K inhibition for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of pulmonary hypertension and/or heart failure
The present invention relates to the use of cathepsin K and/or cathepsin S inhibitors in a method for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of pulmonary hypertension and/or heart failure.
US09943520B2 Oral formulation and suspension of an oncology drug
Dry powder formulations for inhalation and their use in the treatment diseases and conditions. The formulation contains a uniform blend of a first spray-dried powder and a second spray-dried powder. The first spray-dried powder contains spray-dried particles of a therapeutically active ingredient dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophobic excipient. The second spray-dried powder contains spray-dried particles formed from a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophobic excipient but are substantially free of any therapeutically active ingredient. The active ingredient in the first spray-dried powder is loaded sufficiently high to compensate for the second spray-dried powder being substantially free of any active ingredient. A process for preparing such formulations is also described.
US09943519B2 Pharmaceutical compounds
Compounds of Formulae Ia, and stereoisomers, geometric isomers, tautomers, solvates, metabolites and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for inhibiting lipid kinases including PI3K, and for treating disorders such as cancer mediated by lipid kinases. Methods of using compounds of Formula Ia for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US09943516B2 Inhibitors of IRAK4 activity
The present invention relates to inhibitors of IRAK4 of Formula I and provides compositions comprising such inhibitors, as well as methods therewith for treating IRAK4-mediated or -associated conditions or diseases.
US09943515B2 Compositions and methods for treating centrally mediated nausea and vomiting
Provided are compositions and methods for treating or preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
US09943513B1 Opioid abuse deterrent dosage forms
Described herein are oral abuse deterrent pharmaceutical compositions, methods for making the same, and methods for treating pain by administering the pharmaceutical composition to a subject in need thereof. In particular, an oral abuse deterrent pharmaceutical composition comprising a soft capsule and a controlled release matrix comprising oxycodone are described.
US09943505B2 Glucocorticoid receptor modulators to treat pancreatic cancer
Methods and compositions for treating a subject hosting a non-ACTH-secreting pancreatic tumor are disclosed. The methods include administering to the subject a chemotherapeutic agent and a glucocorticoid receptor modulator (GRM), preferably a selective glucocorticoid receptor modulator (SGRM), to reduce the tumor load in the subject. The GRM may be a nonsteroidal GRM, and may be a nonsteroidal SGRM. The non-ACTH-secreting pancreatic tumor may be an exocrine pancreatic tumor.The nonsteroidal SGRM may be a nonsteroidal compound comprising: a fused azadecalin structure; a heteroaryl ketone fused azadecalin structure; or an octahydro fused azadecalin structure. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a chemotherapeutic agent and a GRM are disclosed. The GRM in such pharmaceutical compositions may be a nonsteroidal GRM, and may be a SGRM, such as a nonsteroidal SGRM. The nonsteroidal SGRM may comprise: a fused azadecalin structure; a heteroaryl ketone fused azadecalin structure; or an octahydro fused azadecalin structure.
US09943504B2 Arginine methyltransferase inhibitors and uses thereof
Described herein are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful for inhibiting arginine methyltransferase activity. Methods of using the compounds for treating arginine methyltransferase-mediated disorders are also described.
US09943500B2 Methods of treating topical microbial infections
The invention is a method and composition for treating a topical microbial infection in a subject. The method includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a polyether ionophore, or a therapeutically acceptable salt thereof, to the subject.
US09943499B2 Lipase inhibitors for the treatment of pancreatitis and organ failure
The present invention relates to methods for treating pancreatitis and/or organ failure comprising administering, to a subject in need of such treatment, an effective amount of a lipase inhibitor. It is based, at least in part, on the discoveries that lipotoxicity contributes to inflammation, multisystem organ failure, necrotic pancreatic acinar cell death and in acute pancreatitis, and that inhibition of lipolysis was able to reduce indices associated with these conditions. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides for methods and compositions for limiting lipotoxicity and thereby reducing the likelihood of poor outcomes associated with acute pancreatitis and other severe systemic conditions, especially in obese individuals.
US09943497B2 Pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating pulmonary fibrosis
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating pulmonary fibrosis comprising an isothiocyanate-based compound and a biguanide agent as active ingredients, a method for preventing or treating pulmonary fibrosis using the composition, and use of the isothiocyanate-based compound and the biguanide agent for the preparation of the prophylactic or therapeutic agent for preventing or treating pulmonary fibrosis. The pharmaceutical composition comprising the isothiocyanate-based compound and the biguanide agent as active ingredients of the present invention can be used to stably prevent or treat pulmonary fibrosis for which specific therapeutic agents have not yet been known, and thus it can be widely used for health and welfare improvement through treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
US09943496B2 Dietary supplement based on ethyl ferulate
Nutritional supplement, feed formulation and methods to improve the efficiency of meat production of a bovine animal, using ethyl ferulate as a nutritional supplement; where the administration of ethyl ferulate at bovine animal, is premixed with an excipient food grade, feed formulation, balanced food, concentrated food, and the like. The ethyl ferulate administration is daily during the final stage of fattening bovine animal, wherein the final stage of fattening is 20 to 40 last days.
US09943495B2 Composition containing dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) as the active ingredient
The present invention provides a composition, such as a food and pharmaceutical agent, which comprises dihomo-γ-linolenic acid, and which has the effect of preventing or treating skin diseases; a composition such as a food and pharmaceutical agent which comprises dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and which has the effect of preventing or treating skin diseases; and a composition which comprises dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and which has the effect of preventing or treating diseases related to increased mast cell count.
US09943494B2 Methods and compositions for treatment for coronary and arterial aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Methods and compositions for treating a complication associated with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the method comprising administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide precursor to a subject in need thereof. Methods and compositions for treating vasospasm, the method comprising administering an effective amount of a nitric oxide precursor to a subject in need thereof.
US09943471B2 Beta-2-adrenergic receptor agonist for improving skin scar colour matching
A method for improving skin scar color matching, for example reducing scar hyperpigmentation, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an agent, which positively modulates β2-adrenergic receptor conformation, or receptor activity, or activation thereof, to a subject in need thereof. The subject typically is in need of improving skin scar color matching, for example reducing scar hyperpigmentation, because the subject has or is at risk of hyperpigmentation. The subject typically is selected as being at risk of hyperpigmentation on the basis of one or more of the following factors: ⋅ the subject has previously developed hyperpigmentation of a scar ⋅ the subject tans readily on exposure to sunshine or ultraviolet (UV) radiation, rather than burning ⋅ the subject has a non-Caucasian racial origin ⋅ the subject's skin color (for example in an area that is not tanned) is considered to be darker than that typical of a naturally fair-haired Caucasian person. The subject may be selected as being at risk of hyperpigmentation because they are at least predominantly of Chinese, black African, Asian or Southern European racial origin, and/or if their skin type can be assessed under the Fitzpatrick Scale as Type III, IV, V or VI.
US09943468B2 Cleansing compositions with improved dispensing and suspension properties
A fluid cleaning composition comprising: (a) a surfactant combination comprising: (i) a synthetic surfactant; and (ii) a glycolipid biosurfactant which is present at a level in the range 10-9 wt % of the total surfactant in said surfactant combination, and (b) a benefit agent suspended in said fluid cleaning composition characterized in that the benefit agent comprises an encapsulate.
US09943467B2 Coated dental articles and related methods of manufacture
Provided are dental articles, and methods of making articles, having an aesthetic inorganic coating based on zirconia at least partially stabilized with yttrium oxide, calcium oxide, cerium oxide, or magnesium oxide. Stabilized zirconia coatings were found to provide a smooth, low friction surface having high abrasion resistance. These coatings are particularly applicable to orthodontic appliances. While virgin stabilized zirconia coatings can often have an undesirable color cast, it was discovered that this color cast can be substantially eliminated by heat treating the coated appliance in an oxygenated environment. The combination of depositing a stabilized zirconia coating and subsequently heat treating to decolorize the coating provides a surprisingly robust, stable, low-friction coating that is also aesthetic.
US09943452B1 Absorbent pad and related methods
An absorbent pad. A first side of the absorbent pad is configured to abut a patient at a fluid discharging area or other location. Discharging fluid passes through a fluid-permeable liner of the absorbent pad into absorbent material. Liquid may be placed in the absorbent material prior to placing it on a patient and heated or cooled. An overwrap may be wrapped around the patient to hold the hot or cold compress in place while absorbing discharging fluid from the patient. A fluid barrier at a second side of the absorbent pad, parallel with the first side, prevents liquid from passing out of the absorbent pad at the second side. A coupler having hooks is disposed on the second side of the absorbent pad and is configured to engage with fibers of the overwrap in order to secure the absorbent pad in place with respect to the patient and overwrap.
US09943446B2 Method of manufacturing unbonded, absorbent fibrous structures
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an unbonded, absorbent, fibrous structure, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing of a first fibrous material in the form of a fibrous sheet (10); b) defiberizing the sheet (10) of first fibrous material to form a roughly graded material (16); c) mixing the roughly graded material (16) with a second material (26) to form a mixture; and d) air-laying the mixture on a foraminous carrier (50) to form the unbonded, absorbent, fibrous structure.
US09943444B2 Goggle system and method
A pair of goggles includes a flexible body, a lens assembly, and a quick release system configured to removably couple the lens assembly to the flexible body.
US09943443B2 Pair of eye goggles
A pair of eye goggles is described. The eye googles include a three axial adjustable nosepiece that can be fit over a wearer's nose including a plurality of unequal length strands on each side of the nosepiece with the strands comprising resilient properties different from the resilient properties included in the other strands in the plurality of strands on that side. The eye goggles also include a strap that can be fit removably around the wearer's head, and a pair of eyepieces. Each eyepiece includes a transparent lens that can be fit over one of the wearer's eyes, and a frame that surrounds the transparent lens to which the nosepiece and the strap are attached. The eye goggles also include a sealing pad formed on an inside-facing edge of the frame.
US09943441B2 Apparatus and method for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye for correction of ametropia
A method for generating cut surfaces in the cornea of an eye in order to correct ametropia using an apparatus. The method includes providing the apparatus including a laser unit, which focuses pulsed laser radiation into the cornea and moves the focused radiation in the cornea to generate cut surfaces, and a control unit, which controls the laser unit for generating cut surfaces. The method includes forming at least two mutually spaced apart cut surfaces as opening cuts by application of the pulsed laser radiation from the laser unit, each opening cut extending from an anterior corneal surface into the cornea and forming a further cut surface as a relieving cut by application of the pulsed laser radiation from the laser unit, which relieving cut extends from the anterior corneal surface into the cornea. The position and shape of the relieving cut is selected such that the relieving cut contributes to the correction of the ametropia of the eye.
US09943440B2 Device for holding folding and injecting an intraocular lens
An injector (1) for folding and injecting into the eye of a patient a flexible intraocular lens, the injector comprising an assembly of an injection nozzle (202), a lens compartment that holds an unfolded flexible intraocular lens (400) and is in communication with the injection nozzle, an injector body (3) communicating with the lens compartment and a plunger (2) that is inserted in the free end of the injector body, wherein lens compartment and injector body comprise a mechanism whereby the lens is first folded by forces compressing the lens in a non-axial direction in response to an axial movement of the plunger over a first distance and is subsequently expelled from the injector through the injection nozzle in response to an axial movement of the plunger over a second distance.
US09943432B1 Energy return orthotic systems
A plurality of orthotic systems are provided. One bi-layer system is constructed from a single sheet of fabric that is molded into two layers. One tri-layer system includes a base layer; a mid-layer; and an upper layer. The upper layer is joined to the mid-layer and the mid-layer is joined to the base layer. The coupling of the base layer, the mid-layer and the upper layer create a rear spring section, a mid-spring section and a front spring section in which the upper layer is suspended over the mid-layer and the heel portion is suspended on the proximal heel end of the base layer.