最新美国发明专利
Document Document Title
US09946765B2 Building a domain knowledge and term identity using crowd sourcing
An approach is provided in which a QA system ingests traditional sources, which includes traditional terms, into a domain dictionary. Next, the QA system ingests crowd-based sources that include crowd-based terms and corresponding crowd-based metadata. In turn, the QA system calculates weightings pertaining to the traditional terms based upon the crowd-based metadata. When the QA system receives a question from a requestor that includes question terms, the QA system identifies an answer to the question based on the calculated weightings pertaining to the traditional terms that are relevant to the question terms.
US09946759B2 Visual importance indication enhancement for collaboration environments
A system and method for visual importance indication enhancement for collaborative environments comprises a processor for establishing a set of attributes for a primary participant based on attributes obtained from data sources accessible by the primary participant, generating a dynamic rule in accordance with the set of attributes, applying the dynamic rule to an activity stream comprising one or more messages to obtain points of commonality between a participant and the primary participant and determining an importance level of at least one of the one or more messages, and visually indicating the points of commonality and the importance level of the at least one message as a display on a display device. The system can further comprise computer readable storage medium for storing data including the set of attributes.
US09946748B2 Efficient join-filters for parallel processing
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of transferring filters for operations in a distributed system comprises generating at each source node a first filter of a first size. The first filter indicates elements of objects that need not be processed for an operation. Each source node generates one more second filters of a second size less than the first size. Each generated second filter is based on a prior generated filter with each location representing a plurality of locations from the prior generated filter. A second filter is transferred from each source node to each of destination node. The elements of the objects to remove for the operation are determined based on the transferred second filters. Embodiments of the present invention further include a system and computer program product for transferring filters in a distributed system in substantially the same manners described above.
US09946729B1 Sparse recall and writes for archived and transformed data objects
This invention is a system and a method for operating a storage server in a data network using a new architecture. The system of operating a storage server includes a secondary storage that archives or stores a data object in transformed form such that the clients of the storage server can no longer access the data directly. The method of accessing the data object that is archived or transformed in a different form to the secondary storage includes recalling only those data blocks that are required for read or write operation.
US09946722B2 Generating file usage information
Embodiments relate to tracking local and remote file usage, and aggregating the resulting file usage statistics for presentation to a user. The operating system of a computer can track and generate local file usage statistics, such as most recently used files and editing time. A Web application or service, such as an email or word processing application or service, can record the file usage data for a user's remote stored or served files. A file usage aggregator module, which can be located for resident in the operating system of the local computer or hosted at a Web site, can receive and combine the local and remote file usage statistics. The file usage aggregator module can generate a display of the aggregated file usage statistics, so that local and remote files are listed in a most-recently used order, on a combined basis.
US09946721B1 Systems and methods for managing a network by generating files in a virtual file system
Systems and methods for generating files in a virtual file system in the memory of a network system are discussed. The network system receives a filename including at least one file metadata. The file metadata includes a file size of the file, a random seed for generating content of the file, and modification information of the file. File content for the file may be generated based on the filename. The file content may then be provided to the network system.
US09946701B2 Selectively pinning sections of displayed content
A method, system, and/or computer program product pins an area on a user interface. One or more processors receive a pinning signal from a user. The pinning signal defines a pinned area on a user interface. The pinned area is an unrestricted freeform area that is defined by the user. One or more processors then receive a scrolling input, which causes an unpinned area on the user interface to move on the user interface, while the pinned area is displayed z-indexed above the unpinned area that has moved, and while the pinned area remains in a fixed position on the user interface.
US09946689B2 Generating a moving display image having a native image plane and a web image plane appearing continuously on a same plane
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including: a native processing section adapted to perform processing based on a program stored therein so as to generate a native image as a processing result; a web processing section adapted to generate a web image based on data requested to a server; and a display image generation section adapted to generate a display image and output the display image to a display device, the display image including an element image making up at least part of the native image and an element image making up at least part of the web image, in which the native processing section and the web processing section move the element images in the same direction when the target to be operated by a user is switched between the native image and the web image to change the configuration of the display image.
US09946682B2 Detecting device installation and removal on a port
One example provides a system. The system includes a serial port and a circuit coupled to the serial port. The circuit is to detect an installation or removal of a device to the serial port and to remove power provided to the serial port in response to the detection.
US09946677B2 Managing single-wire communications
Systems, methods, circuits and computer-readable mediums for managing single-wire communications. In one aspect, a method includes starting a transmission cycle by transmitting a clock pulse to a single-wire bus, sampling a data bit transmitted from a single-wire device through the single-wire bus within the transmission cycle after the transmission of the clock pulse, and determining whether a sampling period of the sampling is smaller than a sampling threshold for the data bit. In response to determining that the sampling period is not smaller than the sampling threshold, the method further includes determining that the transmitted data bit is an invalid data bit, and in response: transmitting a high logic voltage level pulse to the single-wire bus for timeout and restarting the transmission cycle for retransmission of the data bit.
US09946665B2 Fetch less instruction processing (FLIP) computer architecture for central processing units (CPU)
Fetch Less Instruction Processing (FLIP) Computer Architecture for Central Processing Units (CPU). This embodiment relates to computing systems, and more particularly to central processing units in computing systems. The principal object of this embodiment is to provide a Fetch Less Instruction Processing (FLIP) computer architecture using FLIP elements as building blocks for computer program processing. Another object of the embodiment is to use a protocol to interconnect FLIP elements, which makes the current operating systems, program execution models, compilers, libraries and so on to be easily transitioned to the FLIP computer architecture with minimal changes.
US09946663B2 HDMI extender with bidirectional power over twisted pair
Disclosed are various embodiments of transmit and receive connectivity devices that include signal processing circuitry, an HDMI port, and a multi-position multi-contact port. The signal processing circuitry can transmit and receive signals over the multi-position multi-contact port. The signals can include a first signal corresponding to a first frequency and a second signal corresponding to a second frequency. A power and ground can be send over a cable attached to the multi-position multi-contact port.
US09946657B1 Spilling small cache entries to a solid state device
Systems for managing a multi-level cache in high-performance computing. A method is practiced over a multi-tier caching subsystem that comprises a first cache tier of random access memory, and a second cache tier that comprises a block-oriented device. The solid-state drive device is a block-oriented device comprising a plurality of blocks having a minimum block size. Cache entries are initially stored in the first cache, including cache entries that are smaller than the minimum block size of the block-oriented device. During cache operations such as first tier eviction, a plurality smaller entries are packed into blocks of the minimum block size before being spilled into the second tier. If an entry in the packed block is accessed again, the entire packed block is brought into the first tier. A key structure is maintained to track individual invalidated entries in a packed block without invalidating other entries in the packed block.
US09946648B1 Cache coherency protocol-based prefetching methods and systems
A method includes linking together a set of cache lines, tracking historical changes to the cache coherency protocol states of the set of cache lines, and prefetching to a cache the set of cache lines based at least on the historical changes to the set of cache lines. A cache circuit includes one or more random access memories (RAMs) to store cache lines and cache coherency protocol states of the cache lines and a prefetch logic unit to link together a set of cache lines, to track historical changes to cache coherency protocol states of the set of cache lines, and to prefetch to the cache circuit the set of cache lines based at least on the historical changes to the set of cache lines.
US09946643B2 Memory system and method for controlling nonvolatile memory
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a nonvolatile memory including a plurality of blocks and a controller. The controller manages a garbage collection count for each of blocks containing data written by a host, the garbage collection count indicating the number of times the data in said each of the blocks has been copied by a garbage collection operation of the nonvolatile memory. The controller selects, as garbage collection target blocks, first blocks associated with a same garbage collection count. The controller copies valid data in the first blocks to a copy destination free block. The controller sets, as a garbage collection count of the copy destination free block, a value obtained by adding one to a garbage collection count of the first blocks.
US09946641B2 Memory management model and interface for new applications
A memory management system is described herein that receives information from applications describing how memory is being used and that allows an application host to exert more control over application requests for using memory. The system provides an application memory management application-programming interface (API) that allows the application to specify more information about memory allocations that is helpful for managing memory later. The system also provides an ability to statically and/or dynamically analyze legacy applications to give applications that are not modified to work with the system some ability to participate in more effective memory management. The system provides application host changes to leverage the information provided by applications and to manage memory more effectively using the information and hooks into the application's use of memory. Thus, the system provides a new model for managing memory that improves application host behavior and allows applications to use computing resources more efficiently.
US09946640B2 Method and apparatus for securing sufficient memory in a device
A method of managing a memory of a device is provided. The method includes acquiring amount of memory use information of the device, estimating a memory use pattern, based on the amount of memory use information of the device, and acquiring an amount of memory of the device, based on the estimated memory use pattern.
US09946633B2 Assessing risk of software commits to prioritize verification resources
A computer-implemented method and system for assessing risk of a software program and software updates to a program to prioritize verification resources, which includes receiving code for a software product for a testing assessment. The code is analyzed according to a risk assessment criteria, and the risk assessment criteria includes risk assessment factors. The risk assessment factors for the code are weighted as part of the criteria. A risk assessment score of the code is determined based on the criteria. Testing resources are allocated in response to the risk assessment score.
US09946629B2 System, method and apparatus for deriving root cause for software test failure
For a program of interest represented as a sequence of states comprising variables and flags wherein controls transition the program from state to state, and wherein the program includes tests at prescribed locations in the program that are applied upon specific states and generate observables, a method includes inserting at different points in the program hooks that capture program runtime behaviors constituting classification features. The method further includes flattening the program states, commands and tests along a program run-time timeline, and identifying a root cause of a program failure by backtrack analyzing a stream of input states and commands and output consequent states, commands and test results to detect causal correlations between variables, states and commands. The step of backtrack analyzing includes determining joint conditional probabilities and identifying candidate failure root causes that maximize conditional probabilities.
US09946627B2 Managing logger source code segments
A computer-implemented method includes identifying a primary code segment, determining a confidence score associated with said primary code segment, and determining whether the confidence score exceeds a confidence threshold. The computer-implemented method further includes responsive to the confidence score exceeding the confidence threshold, determining a logger code segment associated with the primary code segment. A corresponding computer program product and computer system are also disclosed.
US09946625B2 Diagnostic tool and method for efficient software development
Disclosed is a computer-implemented software development diagnostic tool for improving the efficiency of software development. The computer-implemented software development diagnostic tool implements a state machine including learning, troubleshooting, and reworking states, records time elapsed in each state, and produces annotated timeline data. Also disclosed is a method of collecting software development diagnostic data, in which a computer-implemented software development diagnostic tool is used to select and track time spent in learning, troubleshooting, and reworking states of software development activity. Also disclosed is a method of detecting inefficiencies in software development, comprising producing diagnostic data using a computer-implemented software development diagnostic tool, displaying the diagnostic data, and detecting in the diagnostic data a problem pattern of developer activity.
US09946619B1 Simulating service disruptions for an operational production system
The techniques described herein provide evaluations of a production system's ability to recover from a service disruption without actually disrupting service to the production system. In some examples, a live production system is at least partly duplicated to create a shadow production system that is a quarantined copy of the production system. Traffic between the production system, client devices, and possibly dependency services may be replicated onto the shadow production system while a recovery simulation service induces a specified type of service disruption onto the shadow production system. Behavior of the shadow production system during service disruption is used to identify performance differences and to evaluate expected recovery characteristics of the live production system.
US09946616B2 Storage apparatus
A storage apparatus includes: a plurality of flash memory devices each including: a plurality of flash memory chips each including a plurality of physical blocks being data erasure units; and a flash controller configured to provide logical storage areas by associating at least one of the plurality of physical blocks with the logical storage areas; and a RAID controller configured to: manage a plurality of virtual drives each including a part of the logical storage areas provided by each of the plurality of flash memory devices; and control the plurality of virtual drives as a RAID group.
US09946603B1 Mountable container for incremental file backups
Information identifying a set of changed blocks on a volume of a client are received. The changed blocks are blocks of the volume that have changed since a previous backup of the client. The set of changed blocks are filtered to identify a subset of changed blocks that are associated with a particular file. The subset of changed blocks is streamed to a backup storage server for storage as an incremental virtual hard disk file. The incremental virtual hard disk file is associated to a full backup virtual hard disk file, where the full backup virtual hard disk file is a full backup of a previous version of the particular file.
US09946601B2 User interface state saving and restoration
Methods, systems, and computer program products are included to persist a state of an application to a memory and to restore the state of the application from the memory. The method includes leveraging two-way binding between a model and a view of the application in order to persist at least a portion of the model to the memory as a state. The persisting of the model to the memory may be performed automatically. This state may later be restored and applied to the model. Updates to the model based on the state restoration are propagated to the view, thereby restoring at least a portion of the view to its appearance at the time the model was persisted to the memory.
US09946595B2 Reducing uncorrectable errors based on a history of correctable errors
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes maintaining two or more error indicators for correctable errors occurring at two or more memory components. Each of the error indicators may be associated with a corresponding memory component. A correctable error may be detected as occurring during a first memory fetch operation at a first memory component. A first error indicator corresponding to the first memory component may be set, responsive to the correctable error at the first memory component. An uncorrectable error may be detected during a second memory fetch operation. It may be detected that the first error indicator is set. The first memory component may be marked, responsive to the uncorrectable error and to detecting that the first error indicator is set. The two or more error indicators for correctable errors may thus determine which memory component to mark due to the uncorrectable error.
US09946591B2 Tape volume overwrite protection during error recovery
An apparatus-implemented method according to one embodiment includes detecting an error while writing data to a tape volume, and repositioning the tape in response to detecting the error. Further, the method includes determining, after the repositioning, a current position of the tape, and determining, based on the current position, whether a rewrite of data associated with the error to the tape volume is allowed. A system according to one embodiment includes a processor and logic integrated with and/or executable by the processor. The logic is configured to cause the foregoing method to occur. A computer program product according to one embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions readable and/or executable by a controller to cause the controller to perform the foregoing method.
US09946583B2 Media player framework
Systems and methods for managing media playback are described. In one embodiment, a third party media request is received from a third party application. A native media request is sent to a native media player in response to the third party media request. The native media request causes the native media player to access content or metadata. Metadata is returned to the third party application if the third party media request requested data. The native media player performs a content operation on the content if the third party media request requested a content operation.
US09946577B1 Systems and methods for distributed resource management
Methods, nontransitory computer readable media, and systems are disclosed for servicing a job queue. Each job has node resource requirements. Composite job memory and processor requirements is determined from these requirements. Nodes that satisfy these requirements are identified by obtaining, for each class of a plurality of node classes: an availability score, a number of processors, and a memory capability. A request for nodes of a class is made when a demand score for the class satisfies the class availability score. An acknowledgement and updated availability score is received upon request acceptance. A declination is received upon request rejection. The submitting and receiving is performing multiple times, if needed, until each class has been considered for a request or sufficient acknowledgements are received to satisfy the composite requirements of the jobs. Each node in the cluster draws jobs from the queue subject to the collective requirements of the drawn jobs.
US09946574B2 System for adaptive determination of computing resources and method therefor
A system and method for adaptive determination of computing resources is presented. Sometimes, computing jobs are to be allocated among a set of computers. Historical information regarding input data size and output data size is retrieved. Capacity information about each machine is retrieved. A weighted function is used to calculate a desired allocation of computing resources based on historical input data size and output data size. Computing resources are allocated based on the calculated allocation. The computing job can be performed on the allocated computing resources. Other embodiments also are disclosed.
US09946570B2 Technology for dynamic resource pool master
For managing a pool of virtual computer systems, master status and a rebasing task are assigned to at least one virtual computer system of the pool. A non-reserved status is assigned to virtual computer systems of the pool that are not assigned tasks. A virtual computer system of the pool is selected to respond to a rebasing request. The selecting includes selecting one of the at least one virtual computer system that currently has a master status and that currently has a processing load less than a predetermined threshold and, when no virtual computer system of the pool currently has a master status and a processing load less than the predetermined threshold, selecting a non-reserved one of the virtual computer systems to perform rebasing for the request and changing the non-reserved status of the selected, non-reserved one of the virtual computer systems to master status.
US09946554B2 System, method, and apparatus for configuring a streamed operating system with associated peripheral information
A computer-implemented method for configuring an operating system to associate a peripheral is described. The method includes loading the operating system on a client computer based on an operating system image, determining an identifier of the client computer, retrieving peripheral information to identify a peripheral associated with the client computer, and writing a configuration setting of the client computer to a storage medium of the client computer based on the peripheral information. The identifier identifies the client computer. The peripheral information is associated with the client computer based on an association between the peripheral information and the identifier.
US09946547B2 Load/store unit for a processor, and applications thereof
A load/store unit for a processor, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the load/store unit includes a load/store queue configured to store information and data associated with a particular class of instructions. Data stored in the load/store queue can be bypassed to dependent instructions. When an instruction belonging to the particular class of instructions graduates and the instruction is associated with a cache miss, control logic causes a pointer to be stored in a load/store graduation buffer that points to an entry in the load/store queue associated with the instruction. The load/store graduation buffer ensures that graduated instructions access a shared resource of the load/store unit in program order.
US09946543B2 Processor efficiency by combining working and architectural register files
A processor includes an execution pipeline configured to execute instructions for threads, wherein the architectural state of a thread includes a set of register windows for the thread. The processor also includes a physical register file (PRF) containing both speculative and architectural versions of registers for each thread. When an instruction that writes to a destination register enters a rename stage, the rename stage allocates an entry for the destination register in the PRF. When an instruction that has written to a speculative version of a destination register enters a commit stage, the commit stage converts the speculative version into an architectural version. It also deallocates an entry for a previous version of the destination register from the PRF. When a register-window-restore instruction that deallocates a register window enters the commit stage, the commit stage deallocates local and output registers for the deallocated register window from the PRF.
US09946539B1 Accessing data in multi-dimensional tensors using adders
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including an apparatus for accessing a N-dimensional tensor, the apparatus including, for each dimension of the N-dimensional tensor, a partial address offset value element that stores a partial address offset value for the dimension based at least on an initial value for the dimension, a step value for the dimension, and a number of iterations of a loop for the dimension. The apparatus includes a hardware adder and a processor. The processor obtains an instruction to access a particular element of the N-dimensional tensor. The N-dimensional tensor has multiple elements arranged across each of the N dimensions, where N is an integer that is equal to or greater than one. The processor determines, using the partial address offset value elements and the hardware adder, an address of the particular element and outputs data indicating the determined address for accessing the particular element of the N-dimensional tensor.
US09946536B2 Automatic refactoring of javascript code for multi-thread execution
Computer implemented method of refactoring JavaScript code for multi-threading concurrent execution, comprising: 1) Designating a source code which includes background code entries indicated by a user as executed in background. 2) Analyzing the source code entries to create a dependency record. 3) Creating a background process comprising the background code entries and removing code entries which read or write from DOM(s). 4) Creating a handler code comprising the write code entries. 5) Creating main code which includes: (a) Remaining code entries not included in the background process and the handler code. (b) Process initiation code initiating the background process. The process initiation code is placed at a process initiation point identified based on the dependency record which follows the read code entries in the source code execution path and precedes the write code entries. 6) Outputting refactored code file(s) which include the background process, handler code and main code.
US09946533B2 Software updating
A novel software updating method is provided. A target file is divided into segments, where some segments are updated by patching, while other segments are updated by archiving. The segmentation of the update allows very large files such as DYLD shared caches to be patched in-place, i.e., by using free space available within the file to perform patching rather than requiring enough free space on disk to store both the new version and the old version of the file. The segmentation of the update also allows each segment to be updated individually by the most optimal update method (copy, patch, or archive) so that the size of the update file can be minimized.
US09946528B2 System and method for automated customization of applications
The method includes receiving, at a commercial app store system, an application including embedded customization code, publishing, by the commercial app store system, the application to a commercial app store, associating the application with a license to a private app store, the private app store being associated with the end-user computing device, installing the application on the end-user computing device, receiving an indication from the end-user computing device that the application has launched, and communicating customization data to the end-user computing device.
US09946522B1 Generating code for real-time stream processing
A computer-implemented method for generating code for real-time stream processing, where data is streamed in tuples, and where each tuple has a timestamp and a value. One or more processors receive source code. The source code includes: code to be applied in a sequential series to one or more tuples; a definition of a size of a sequence of tuples to be processed as a processing window; and a size of a sequence of earlier tuples that a current tuple depends upon as a dependence window. Processor(s) generate the code for real-time stream processing by: buffering received time sequence tuples in a buffer in accordance with the processing window and the dependence window; and converting the code to be sequentially applied to the one or more tuples into code for buffered tuples with a loop construct.
US09946515B2 Methods and apparatus for designing device-to-device configurations suitable to be used in a power system
Graphical tool and method for designing device-to-device configurations used in power systems. The tool comprises software program instructions configured to allow a user to graphically associate on a monitor an intelligent electronic device (IED) selected from an available list to a corresponding switching device of the power system. For a first IED associated to corresponding switching device, the user graphically configures on the monitor a related logic by selecting one or more logical inputs/outputs and one or more target IEDs from/to which said logical inputs/outputs are to be received/sent, respectively.
US09946514B1 Systems and methods for generating functional application designs
A method and apparatus for generating functional application designs is described. The method may include receiving one or more natural language utterances corresponding to natural language design commands for editing an application being designed. The method may also include editing one or more components of the application being designed based on each of the natural language utterances. Furthermore, the method may include generating a functional instance of the application being designed.
US09946506B2 Dual screen point-of-sale system
A dual screen point-of-sale system includes a point-of-sale device and a tablet computer. The point-of-sale device includes a first display screen and a first connection part. A first picture of the point-of-sale device is shown on the first display screen in response to a first device signal. The first connection part receives the first device signal. The tablet computer includes a second connection part and a second display screen. When the first connection part and the first connection part are in communication with each other, the first device signal is transmitted from the point-of-sale device to the tablet computer. Consequently, a picture corresponding to the first device signal is shown on the second display screen. When the first connection part and the first connection part are not in communication with each other, a second picture is shown on the second display screen.
US09946505B2 Beveled handheld communication device edge
A handheld computing device can include a substantially rectangular first screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a beveled edge extending between the front and rear surfaces of the first screen and a substantially rectangular second screen rotatably connected to the first screen so that the device is foldable between an open position and a closed position, the second screen having a front surface, a rear surface, and a beveled edge extending between the front and rear surfaces of the second screen. When the device is in the closed position, the first and second screens are positioned back-to-back and the beveled edges of the first and second screens angle inwardly toward the other respective screen to provide an angled surface configured to facilitate opening the device.
US09946502B2 Using device identification information for payment via a printer
A technique performed by a printer includes receiving identification information from a computing device. The identification information may be sent to a server, such as a content management server. The identification information can be used for payment. Payment confirmation, authorization to provide content, or content itself may be received from the server.
US09946501B2 Print controller, print control method and non-transitory computer readable recording medium for executing a test print
Provided is a print controller including a receiving unit that receives a print job in a job ticket format from a print work flow system, a test print instruction unit that instructs a printing device to execute a test print using a portion of print data included in the print job when an effect that the test print according to the print job is to be executed is included in the print job, as a result of interpretation of the print job, an option change unit that changes a job option included in the print job, and a notification unit that notifies the print work flow system of test print-related information when the test print instructed to be executed by the test print instruction unit is ended.
US09946500B2 Method for two-sided printing of digital images from a roll in a roll-to-roll printing system
A method for two-sided printing of digital images on a roll of media by means of a roll-to-roll system is provided. The roll-to-roll system includes a digital image queue including entries for digital images to be printed on the roll. For each digital image to be printed on a first side of the roll, a first entry is registered in the digital image queue, which entry includes at least one digital item identifying the digital image and digital items of print properties of the digital image. For each digital image to be printed on a second side of the roll, a second entry is registered in the digital image queue, which entry includes at least one digital item identifying the digital image and digital items of print properties of the digital image. For each first digital image to be printed on the first side of the roll, a first location on the first side of the roll is established at which first location the first digital image is intended to be printed, a second digital image is established which is intended to be printed at a second location on the second side of the roll, the second location being the backside of the first location. The first entry of the first digital image in the digital image queue is then linked to the second entry of the second digital image in the digital image queue by means of a linking digital item in the digital image queue. The first digital images are printed on the first side of the roll according to the digital image queue, the one-sided printed roll is received in the input holder, and the second digital images are printed on the second side of the roll according to the corresponding linking digital items in the digital image queue.
US09946488B2 Automated migration of file recalled by specific application
In a hierarchical storage memory (HSM), a file recalled by a specific application is migrated as soon as possible after completion of the application process. Specifically, the effective UID of a specific process is preregistered on an HSM client. After a recall operation is performed on a certain file from the user ID, when there is no access from the UID to the file for a given length of time, the file is migrated. This prevents files premigrated by access from any application other than the specific one from being handled in the same way, resolving a disadvantageous problem caused when these (premigrated) files are not desired to be migrated preferentially.
US09946486B1 Duplication between disparate deduplication systems
Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and processes to improve the duplication of data between disparate deduplication systems. Source fingerprints are generated for data blocks using a source fingerprint algorithm at a source deduplication system. The source fingerprints and previously-generated source fingerprints are used to determine whether the data blocks are new or modified. If the data blocks are new or modified, target fingerprints are generated for the data blocks using a target fingerprint algorithm associated with a target deduplication system. The target fingerprints are sent to the target deduplication system.
US09946481B2 Dynamic power throttling in solid state drives
An apparatus, system, and method is provided to dynamically throttle a solid state drive based on measured local temperature and power measurements. The solid state drive includes a monitoring system to monitor temperature and power. A controller in the solid state drive determines a throttle setting. The controller may be implemented as proportional integral differential (PID) control loop. The throttling may include adjusting the rate of concurrent non-volatile memory operations between a minimum value and a maximum value.
US09946473B2 Efficiently managing unmapped blocks to extend life of solid state drive
Systems and methods disclosed herein allow for efficiently managing unmapped blocks to extend life of solid-state drives. In one aspect, a method includes: determining a quantity of unmapped storage units in the storage device and operating the storage device in a first mode of operation while the quantity satisfies a first threshold. The method also includes: changing to a second mode of operation if the quantity of unmapped storage units doesn't satisfy the first threshold. While operating in the second mode of operation, the method includes: determining whether processing a write command would reduce the quantity of unmapped storage units to a quantity less than a second threshold. If processing the write command wouldn't reduce the quantity of unmapped storage units to a quantity less than the second threshold, the method includes: accepting and processing the write command. Else, the method includes: forgoing acceptance and processing of the write command.
US09946470B2 High-throughput low-latency hybrid memory module
Disclosed herein are techniques for implementing high-throughput low-latency hybrid memory modules with improved data backup and restore throughput, enhanced non-volatile memory controller (NVC) resource access, and enhanced mode register setting programmability. Embodiments comprise a command replicator to generate sequences of one or more DRAM read and/or write and/or other commands to be executed in response to certain local commands from a non-volatile memory controller (NVC) during data backup and data restore operations. Other embodiments comprise an access engine to enable an NVC in a host control mode to trigger entry into a special mode and issue commands to access a protected register space. Some embodiments comprise a mode register controller to capture and store the data comprising mode register setting commands issued during a host control mode, such that an NVC can program the DRAM mode registers in an NVC control mode.
US09946466B2 Mobile electronic device including embedded memory
An electronic device may include first and second semiconductor chips. The first semiconductor chip may include a processor and a first memory. The second semiconductor chip may include a second memory. The first memory and second memory may be configured to exchange first data and second data with the processor, respectively. The processor may be configured to exchange target data processed or to be processed with the first and second memories. The processor may be configured to determine the target data as the first data if the number of accesses of the target data is equal to or greater than a first reference value. The processor may be configured to determine the target data as the second data if the number of accesses of the target data is less than the first reference value.
US09946449B2 Display mode based media player switching
A media item is presented via a media player, the media player configured to receive the media item, the media item being associated with a format and including an audio component. Responsive to a change in a display mode associated with the media player, a second media player is identified that is configured to receive a corresponding media item, the corresponding media item being associated with a second format and including a second audio component that matches the audio component. A particular location is determined in the media item to cease presentation of the media item via the media player and a corresponding location in the corresponding media item to begin presentation of the corresponding media item using the second media player. Responsive to reaching the particular location, concurrently, presentation of the media item is ceased and presentation of the corresponding media item at the corresponding location is begun.
US09946445B2 Navigating to failures in drilling system displays
A plurality of data records is stored in a memory. The data records include data about a drill string in a well. Each data record includes a depth zone, wherein the depth zone includes a range of depths in the well, a description of a component in the drill string in the depth zone for this data record, and a failure flag that, when set, represents a failure in the drill string at the depth zone for this data record. A processor with access to the memory generates and transmits for display on a graphical user interface a schematic of a portion of the drill string. The processor emphasizes on the schematic of the portion of the drill string on the graphical user interface a representation of an emphasized depth zone, wherein a failure flag in a data record for the emphasized depth zone is set.
US09946444B2 Interactive comparative display of information
A system for a computer implemented interactive comparative display of information organizes a visual screen display to a user in such a way that the user is able to efficiently select information content, be presented with topical associations relating to that content, and readily compare different information content from a single display. The information content represented by each selectable result indicator is comparable with the information content represented by other selectable result indicators, wherein the information content is of a same type of information content but from a different perspective, vantage point, or provides a different alternative. A user may navigate to a particular segment of information content, and then be presented with a string of topically related segments, as well as with one or more connecting categories of information, which may otherwise not have been readily apparent to the particular selected segment, but for the display system and method.
US09946440B2 Method of providing flash card and apparatuses performing the same
A method of providing a flash card and apparatuses for performing the method are disclosed. A method of providing a flash card in a learning system including a first terminal and second terminals may include creating, by the first terminal, a first flash card associated with a corresponding page of an electronic book (e-book) currently being displayed on a display of the first terminal, and transmitting, by the first terminal, the first flash card to the second terminals.
US09946439B2 Display device and non-transitory computer readable recording medium
A display device includes a storage storing a plurality of rules including first and second rules, a designator that designates one rule of the plurality of rules, and a controller that causes a screen to transition from one screen to another screen in accordance with the one rule. The first rule includes a rule that causes a screen to transition from a first screen to a second screen in response to a user's first action, and a rule that causes a screen to transition from the first screen to a third screen in response to a user's second action. The second rule includes a rule that causes a screen to transition from the first screen to the second screen in response to a user's third action, and a rule that causes a screen to transition from the second screen to the third screen in response to the user's third action.
US09946437B2 Modifying an appearance of a GUI to improve GUI usability
A method, system, and/or computer program product modifies a graphical user interface (GUI) for an application to improve usability of the current GUI. One or more processors build a graphical user interface (GUI) neural knowledge base to capture GUIs used by multiple software applications based on a function, semantics, and context of captured GUIs. The processor(s) identify a current GUI that is utilized by a current software application, and match the current GUI to captured GUIs that have a same function, semantics, and context as the current GUI. The processor(s) identify a top-k active field used by the captured GUIs, and match a function of a current active field to a function of the top-k active field. If the visual appearance of the current active field does not match the visual appearance of the top-k active field, the processor(s) replace the current active field with the top-k active field.
US09946433B2 User interface designing
A method for designing a user interface (UI) for an application includes receiving, from a user, a first response comprising user selected first answers and a second response comprising user selected second answers, to pre-defined questions. The method includes assigning significance to interface (STI) weightage to each user selected first answer with respect to pre-defined user experience parameters and assigning a significance to business (STB) weightage to each user selected second answer. Also, the method includes computing total actual effective weightage for each pre-defined user experience parameter based on STI weightages of user selected first answers and STB weightages of user selected second answers. The method further includes calculating total maximum effective weightage for each pre-defined user experience parameter based on maximum STI weightage and maximum STB weightage for each pre-defined question. Furthermore, the method includes determining applicability index for each pre-defined user experience parameter for designing the UI.
US09946430B2 Displaying social networking system user information via a timeline interface
The invention provides a display interface in a social networking system that enables the presentation of information related to a user in a timeline or map view. The system accesses information about a user of a social networking system, including both data about the user and social network activities related to the user. The system then selects one or more of these pieces of data and/or activities from a certain time period and gathers them into timeline units based on their relatedness and their relevance to users. These timeline units are ranked by relevance to the user, and are used to generate a timeline or map view for the user containing visual representations of the timeline units organized by location or time. The timeline or map view is then provided to other users of the social networking system that wish to view information about the user.
US09946428B2 Managing a web-based application's display
Content of a web-based application is displayed in a window of a web browser application. A selection of the display region is received from a user or a computer implemented system. A locked region is defined based on the selection. When instructions to modify the content of web-based application is received, the instructions are executed except those to modify the locked region.
US09946427B1 Dynamic home screen
Various aspects of the subject technology relate to systems, methods, and machine-readable media for providing a set of objects for display in a dynamic user interface such as a home screen. A system is configured to receive usage data for a plurality of objects available to a computing device, the usage data comprising a time and date that each object was most recently selected by a user and a number of times each object was selected by the user for a period of time and calculate a priority score for each object in the plurality of objects based on the usage data. The system is further configured to select a set of objects from the plurality of objects based on the priority score for each object in the plurality of objects and provide the set of objects for display in a dynamic user interface of the computing device.
US09946424B2 Force-sensing capacitor elements, deformable membranes and electronic devices fabricated therefrom
The present disclosure relates to deformable membranes and force-sensing capacitor elements useful, for example, in electronic devices that include, for example touch screen displays or other touch sensors. The deformable membranes, generally, include a first, second and third layers, with a first arrangement of a plurality of first structures interposed between the first and third layers and a second arrangement of a plurality of second structures interposed between the second and third layers. At least a portion, but not all, of the plurality of first structures have first and/or second surfaces that each overlap through the thickness of the deformable membrane with one or more of the first surfaces or with one or more of the second surfaces of the plurality of second structures. Electrodes or one or more electrode pairs are incorporated into the deformable membrane layer(s) to form force-sensing capacitors. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making deformable membranes and force-sensing capacitor elements, and electronic devices, e.g. touch screen displays that include the deformable membranes and force-sensing capacitor elements.
US09946423B2 Capacitive sensing during non-display update times
Embodiments of the invention generally provide an input device with display screens that periodically update (refresh) the screen by selectively driving common electrodes corresponding to pixels in a display line. In general, the input devices drive each electrode until each display line (and each pixel) of a display frame is updated. In addition to updating the display, the input device may perform capacitive sensing using the display screen as a proximity sensing area. To do this, the input device may interleave periods of capacitive sensing between periods of updating the display based on a display frame. For example, the input device may update the first half of display lines of the display screen, pause display updating, perform capacitive sensing, and finish updating the rest of the display lines. Further still, the input device may use common electrodes for both updating the display and performing capacitive sensing.
US09946421B2 Mobile terminal with multiple driving modes and control method for the mobile terminal
The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal according to the present disclosure may include a display unit provided with an electrode layer having a plurality of nodes, and a display layer configured to receive power from the electrode layer and display visual information, a touch sensor disposed to overlap with the display layer to sense a touch input using the electrode layer, and a controller configured to control power supplied to the electrode layer to control the display unit and the touch sensor, wherein the driving mode of the touch sensor includes a first driving mode in which the plurality of nodes are simultaneously turned on to sense the touch input, and a second driving mode in which the plurality of nodes are sequentially turned on to detect the coordinate of the touch input when the touch input is sensed.
US09946404B1 LED screen noise sensing for discreet capacitive sensors
Embodiments herein provide input devices that include an LED display panel on which a discreet capacitive sensor is disposed to form a capacitive sensing region. The capacitive sensor includes a plurality of sensor electrodes that are used to generate capacitive sensing signals indicating user interaction with the input device. In one embodiment, the sensor electrodes are disposed on a cathode layer in the LED display panel such that the sensor electrodes are capacitively coupled to the LED display panel. Currents in the cathode layer can cause interference or noise when performing capacitive sensing. The input devices include an analog front end channel for measuring interference resulting from the cathode layer at the same time receivers measure capacitive sensing signals using the sensor electrodes. The input device may process the capacitive sensing signals differently depending on the measured interference.
US09946393B2 Method of controlling display of electronic device and electronic device
A method of controlling a display of an electronic device and the electronic device thereof are provided. The method includes measuring an amount of movement of a user, when the movement of the user is detected while a Virtual Reality (VR) operation is provided to the user; comparing the amount of the movement with a threshold value corresponding to a type of content being used by the user; and changing the VR operation into a see-through operation, when the amount of the movement is greater than the threshold value corresponding to the type of the content.
US09946392B2 Pixel circuit, organic electroluminescent display panel and display apparatus
The present disclosure provides a pixel circuit, an organic electroluminescence display panel and a display apparatus. The pixel circuit initializes a first node during an initialization period of a touch control phase and a display phase; adjusts a voltage at the first node during a touch sensing period of the touch control phase; causes a driver module to output a touch control signal under the control of the voltage at the first node during a touch reading period of the touch control phase, so as to achieve a touch control function; writes data into the first node during a compensating period and a data writing period of the display phase; and causes the driver module to drive a light emitting device in a light emitting module to emit light during a light emitting period of the display phase, so as to allow the light emitting device to achieve its light emitting function normally. Compared with the conventional pixel circuit, the pixel circuit according to the embodiment of the present disclosure has integrated touch control and display functions. In this way, the manufacture cost can be saved when compared with the separated provided display driver circuit and touch control circuit, so as to simplify the circuit structure and to reduce the thickness of the display panel.
US09946385B2 Display device with touch detecting function and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device with a touch detecting function includes: a substrate; a display area; a touch detection electrode provided with a plurality of conductive thin wires, each of the conductive thin wires including a plurality of thin wire pieces each having a linear shape and including a first end and a second end; a drive electrode; and a display functional layer. The adjacent thin wire pieces are arranged so as to be bent at a bent portion serving as a portion at which the second end of the one thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces is connected to the first end of the other thin wire piece of the adjacent thin wire pieces, and the conductive thin wires include a bent portion having an angle formed by the adjacent thin wire pieces different from angles of the other bent portions.
US09946384B2 Method of controlling touch panel
A method of controlling a touch screen which includes electrode pads provided in response to a display is provided, the method includes: performing a pre-scan of scanning the electrode pads under a deactivation mode of the display; confirming a first touch input during the pre-scan; performing a high-speed fine scan of scanning the electrode pads with a fine high frequency that is higher than a frequency for the pre-scan; evaluating a touch validity of the first touch input of the pre-scan via the high-speed fine scan; performing a fine scan of scanning the electrode pads that is higher than the frequency for the pre-scan and lower than the frequency of the high-speed fine scan, when the touch validity of the first touch input is satisfied; sensing a second touch input during the fine scan; and changing the display into an activation mode in response to the second touch input.
US09946378B2 Noise reduction method and system for touch detection device
Noise reduction method and system for a touch detection device are disclosed. The noise reduction method includes: step A, performing a synchronous sampling on the touch detection nodes in one same group and storing the sampling data; step B, comparing each sampling data against a corresponding reference data to calculate a differential data which, as a detection data, replaces a corresponding original sampling data; step C, calculating statistics of the replacing detection data to screen out valid data to calculate a DC offset component indicative of a noise ingredient; and step D, obtaining noise-filtered detection data by subtracting the DC offset component from each detection data.
US09946376B2 Display panel and electronic device
A display panel and an electronic device are provided. The display panel includes: a first substrate; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate; a high resistance shielding layer arranged on a side of the first substrate farther away from the second substrate; a conductive film sandwiched between the first substrate and the high resistance shielding layer, the conductive film includes a contact portion contacted with the high resistance shielding layer and an extension portion; a ground pad arranged on a side of the second substrate closer to the first substrate; and a conductive connection portion for electrically connecting the extension portion of the conductive film and the ground pad. The high resistance shielding layer may be contacted closely with the conductive film, and static electricity on the high resistance shielding layer may be conducted to the ground pad via the conductive film and the conductive connection portion.
US09946367B2 Input device for touch-sensitive capacitive displays
An input device for capacitive, touch-sensitive displays, wherein the device is a simple pen, wherein the simple pen can be sharpened, wherein the device is present as a core, or wherein the device is present as a core with a coating, or wherein the device is present as core with a casing, or wherein the device includes a core, a casing and a coating, and wherein the core, the casing and/or the coating are configured so as to be electrically conductive.
US09946364B2 Matching method of wireless charging mouse
Disclosed is a matching method for a wireless charging mouse, comprising: receiving an electromagnetic energy; building a matching transmission channel at a matching address predetermined, and transmitting a first matching signal to an electric device through the matching transmission channel; receiving the first matching signal and transmitting a first response signal through the matching transmission channel, and generating a first communication address by the electric device; receiving the first response signal and again transmitting the first matching signal to the electric device through the matching transmission channel; again receiving the first matching signal and transmitting a second response signal and the first communication address by the electric device through the matching transmission channel; and storing the first communication address and the wireless charging mouse and the electric device entering a data transmission mode.
US09946361B2 Management for wearable display
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for managing a display device are provided. The apparatus may be a wearable device. The apparatus acquires data associated with a foreground corresponding to an image displayed on a display of the wearable device. The apparatus determines an image characteristic of the foreground based on the acquired data. The apparatus detects a change in the image displayed on the display. The apparatus adjusts, upon the detection of the change in the image, a display characteristic of the image based on the image characteristic of the foreground and the change in the image.
US09946355B2 System and method for operating a mobile device using motion gestures
A mobile device responsive to hand gestures or hand motions detected by a camera. The mobile device comprises: i) transmit path circuitry and receive path circuitry configured to communicate with a wireless network; ii) a memory configured to store a plurality of application programs; iii) a digital camera configured to record an image and to generate a live video stream; and iv) processing circuitry configured to analyze the live video stream and to detect therein a gesture made by a person in the recorded image. In response to detection of the gesture, the processing circuitry performs an operation associated with the detected gesture, such as taking a picture of the image or playing music.
US09946354B2 Gesture processing using a domain-specific gesture language
The claimed subject matter includes techniques for processing gestures. An example method includes receiving a gesture from an application. The gesture includes one or more primitives from a language that is domain-specific to gestures. The method also further includes receiving skeletal data from a motion detection system. The method also includes comparing the skeletal data with the gesture from the application in a runtime module. The method also further includes sending a gesture event to the application.
US09946352B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and recording medium
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a data acquiring unit configured to acquire content to which metadata is attached and the metadata attached to the content, the metadata being generated from data obtained from a sensor mounted on a subject, and a display control unit configured to reflect contents of the metadata acquired by the data acquiring unit in display of the content to which the metadata acquired by the data acquiring unit is attached.
US09946347B2 Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program
There is provided an information processing apparatus including an acquisition unit configured to acquire a vibration signal that indicates a detected vibration of a prescribed real object and a sound signal that indicates a collected sound from the real object, a control unit configured to synchronize the acquired vibration signal with the acquired sound signal, and associate the vibration signal and the sound signal with each other, the vibration signal and the sound signal having been synchronized, and a recoding unit configured to record the vibration signal and the sound signal which have been associated with each other.
US09946338B2 Information processing to vary screen display based on a gaze point of the user
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a detection unit configured to detect a gaze point of a user in a display image displayed on a display unit, an estimation unit configured to estimate an intention of the user based on the gaze point detected by the detection unit, an image generation unit configured to generates a varying image that subtly varies from the display image to a final display image according to the intention estimated by the estimation unit, and a display control unit configured to control the display unit in a manner that the varying image generated by the image generation unit is displayed.
US09946337B2 Utilizing inertial measurement unit data of a head mounted display device to generate inferred comfort data
A method and apparatus for utilizing an inertial measurement unit and one or more additional sensors on a head mounted display is provided. In an embodiment, a head mounted display system sends inertial measurement unit data and head mounted display removal data to a tracking computing device. The tracking computing device identifies a time of removal of the head mounted display from the head of the user and stores a portion of the inertial measurement unit data corresponding to the time of removal of the head mounted display from the head of the user. Based on the stored portion of the inertial measurement unit data, the tracking computing device determines a state of the user of the head mounted display system at the time of removal.
US09946326B2 User interface device and electronic device including the same
A user interface device includes: a proximity sensor configured to detect proximity of a user; an electrostatic switch configured to detect capacitance changes of a plurality of electrodes; an acceleration sensor configured to detect an acceleration; and a microcomputer configured to control supply of electric current to the electrostatic switch and the acceleration sensor based on a detection result of the proximity sensor, and recognize a plurality of user operations based on detection results of the electrostatic switch and the acceleration sensor.
US09946323B1 Encrypted wakeup controller apparatus and method for ultra low power wireless communications
A wake-up processor for a communications processor has a receive signal amplifier for amplifying the signal level of received RF which has been transmitted as wireless local area network WLAN packets, an amplitude detector for indicating the envelope of the RF energy in the packets, a threshold detector which thresholds the detected RF envelope, and a correlator which compares the detected and thresholded RF envelope with a private pseudo-random number to determine the level of correlation between the received value and the private value. When the correlation exceeds a required threshold, a wake-up signal is asserted which is used to bring a WLAN processor into an active state for processing of subsequently sent packets.
US09946319B2 Setting power-state limits based on performance coupling and thermal coupling between entities in a computing device
The described embodiments include a computing device with a first entity and a second entity. In the computing device, a management controller dynamically sets a power-state limit for the first entity based on a performance coupling and a thermal coupling between the first entity and the second entity.
US09946316B2 Gaskets for thermal ducting around heat pipes
The disclosed embodiments provide a component for a portable electronic device. The component includes a gasket containing a rigid portion disposed around a bottom of a heat pipe, wherein the rigid portion forms a duct between a fan and an exhaust vent of the electronic device. The gasket also includes a first flexible portion bonded to the rigid portion, wherein the first flexible portion comprises a flap that is open during assembly of the heat pipe in the electronic device and closed over the heat pipe and the rigid portion to seal the duct around the heat pipe after the assembly.
US09946315B2 Desktop consumer electronic device
An internal component and external interface arrangement for a cylindrical compact computing system is described that includes at least a structural heat sink having triangular shape disposed within a cylindrical volume defined by a cylindrical housing. A computing engine having a generally triangular shape is described having internal components that include a graphics processing unit (GPU) board, a central processing unit (CPU) board, an input/output (I/O) interface board, an interconnect board, and a power supply unit (PSU).
US09946298B2 Wearable device interactive system
A wearable device interactive system and techniques, methods and apparatuses thereof are described. A wearable device may sense a user input by a hand of the user, analyze the user input, and perform one or more operations responsive to a result of the analysis. For example, the wearable device may launch an application corresponding to the user input. As another example, the wearable device may recognize a text at a fingertip of the user and determine a location of the wearable device to determine a context, and launch an application corresponding to the context.
US09946297B2 Auxiliary electronic device attachable to a wearable electronic device
An auxiliary electronic device attachable to a wearable electronic device. The auxiliary device includes a housing, electronic circuitry within the housing, and an attachment mechanism configured to attach the auxiliary electronic device to the wearable device while the device is being worn by a user. In some embodiments the electronic circuitry includes a power transmitting unit that can wirelessly transmit power to charge a rechargeable battery within the wearable electronic device. In some embodiments the attachment mechanism includes a pair of lugs that extend, from opposite ends of the housing, above the housing towards a center of the auxiliary device and are adapted to fit within corresponding recesses of the wearable electronic device.
US09946284B1 Single event effects immune linear voltage regulator
A single event effects (SEE) immune linear voltage regulator includes an input node, an output node, a first transistor control logic, a second transistor control logic, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The regulator is configured such that when the first transistor is operating in linear regulation mode, the second transistor automatically operates in saturation mode, and the voltage at the output node is controlled by the first transistor and the first transistor control logic to be substantially equal to the first reference voltage. Conversely, when the second transistor is operating in linear regulation mode, the first transistor automatically operates in saturation mode, and the voltage at the output node is controlled by the second transistor and the second transistor control logic to be substantially equal to the second reference voltage.
US09946265B2 Bot having high speed stability
An autonomous transport vehicle for transporting items in a storage and retrieval system is provided. The autonomous transport vehicle includes at least two drive wheels and a controller, where each drive wheel is independently driven and a drive wheel encoder is disposed adjacent each drive wheel. The controller, in communication with the drive wheel encoders, is configured to determine a kinematic state of the autonomous transport vehicle within the storage and retrieval system based on incremental data from the drive wheel encoders only and independent of drive wheel slippage.
US09946262B2 Smart vehicle
A vehicular gesture control system includes sensors such as IoT (internet of things) sensors that can share data with other vehicles and that can communicate with the cloud to provide intelligent handling of the vehicle.
US09946259B2 Negative obstacle detector
An obstacle detector configured to identify negative obstacles in a vehicle's path responsive to steering a laser beam to scan high priority areas in the vehicle's path is provided. The high priority areas can be identified dynamically in response to the terrain, speed, and/or acceleration of the vehicle. In some examples, the high priority areas are identified based on a projected position of the vehicles tires. A scan path for the laser, scan rate, and/or a scan location can be dynamically generated to cover the high priority areas.
US09946246B2 Control method of a machine tool
A control method of a machine tool includes the steps of: determining a raised height, and determining a maneuvering height; causing the tool to move horizontally to a machining position; causing the tool to move vertically to a machining height to machine the workpiece; causing the tool to move vertically to the raised height, and when the tool is at the maneuvering height, causing the tool to move horizontally to a next machining position while the tool is moving vertically; causing the tool to move vertically to the maneuvering height while the tool is moving horizontally to the next machining position; and causing the tool to move vertically to the machining height to machine the workpiece.
US09946244B2 Intelligent programmable logic controller
A method of operating an intelligent programmable logic controller over a plurality of scan cycles includes creating, by the intelligent programmable logic controller, a process image area in a volatile computer-readable storage medium operably coupled to the intelligent programmable logic controller. The intelligent programmable logic controller then updates the process image area during each scan cycle with contents comprising data associated with a production unit. The contents of the process image area are stored by the intelligent programmable logic controller during each scan cycle on a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium operably coupled to the intelligent programmable logic controller. The intelligent programmable logic controller annotates the contents of the process image area with automation system context information to generate contextualized data.
US09946243B2 EEFIT-based electromagnetic wave energy conducting equipment
The utility model discloses an EEFIT-based electromagnetic wave energy conducting equipment, having an enclosure, a skeleton, main emission sources, conveying devices and a PLC. The skeleton is arranged in the enclosure, the main emission sources are arranged on the skeleton, the conveying devices are arranged beside the main emission sources, and the conveying devices are electrically connected with the PLC. Each conveying device has a conveyor belt and limit rods. Two limit rods are arranged on each conveyor belt. The limit rods are respectively driven by two independent stepping motors. The EEFIT-based electromagnetic wave energy conducting equipment has the advantages of wider application range, more functions and lower cost, can be applicable to the irradiation of common or fragile materials, and can handle the materials on the same equipment according to different references. The manufacturing and maintenance costs are lower, and the failure rate is smaller as well.
US09946240B2 Apparatus to communicatively couple three-wire field devices to controllers in a process control system
Example apparatus to communicatively couple three-wire field devices to controllers in a process control system are disclosed. An example terminal block is disclosed that includes a first interface having three termination points to terminate each of three wires from a three-wire field device. The example, terminal block further includes a second interface to removably receive a first termination module that is to communicate with the three-wire field device using a first communication protocol and to communicate with a controller via a shared bus of a termination panel using a second communication protocol different than the first communication protocol.
US09946230B2 Automated load control system and method
A system for controlling electrical loads in a house, apartment, office or any other living environment, comprising the following units: Smart load control unit (LCU), Remote control unit (RCU), Sensors unit (SU), Computer interface unit (CIU), Infrared control unit (IRU) and Keypad unit (KU). Each LCU is so devised as to replace a wall switch or other electrical load power control device and comprises means for controlling an electric power delivered to the load responsive to a user's commands. Each RCU comprises means for activating LCU units, and each SU comprises sensor means. Each unit further includes means for connecting by wireless to the other units to exchange data or commands therebetween.
US09946226B2 Display mechanism
A platform for displaying several mutually different horometric items of information, includes as many crowns as the horometric items of information to be displayed on the platform. Each of the crowns is arranged to receive an associated information support and is movable in rotation at a speed selected according to a horometric item of information displayed on the associated information support.
US09946216B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; a developing device; a transfer member; a contact member provided downstream of the transfer member and upstream of the developing device with respect to a movement direction of a surface of the image bearing member and contacting the image bearing member at a contact portion, wherein the surface of the image bearing member passed through a transfer portion reaches the contact portion without being cleaned, a detecting portion for detecting a size of the sheet; and a controller for executing an operation in a cleaning mode for cleaning the contact member. The controller executes the operation in the cleaning mode when the controller discriminates that the size of the sheet detected by the detecting portion is smaller than a size of the toner image.
US09946215B2 Image forming apparatus that switches between a first supply mode and a second supply mode
An image forming apparatus having a power saving mode includes a first power supply configured to operate in the power saving mode, a second power supply configured to operate in a mode other than the power saving mode, a heater configured to generate heat when power is fed from the first power supply or the second power supply, and a control circuit configured to control power feeding from the first power supply to the heater and activation or stopping of the second power supply. The control circuit is configured to control, based on an instruction to shift from the power saving mode to another mode, so that power feeding from the first power supply to the heater is cut off, and the second power supply is activated to start power feeding from the second power supply to the heater.
US09946213B2 Image forming apparatus that prevents sheet from falling at time of jam processing
An image forming apparatus capable of preventing a sheet from falling during jam handling without adding a special mechanism. The apparatus has an openable door forming a guide wall of a first path in a closed state. A first pair of rollers are disposed on the first path for nipping and conveying a sheet in a door closed state, and separated from each other when the door is opened. A second path is connected to the first path, for conveying downstream a sheet from the first path. A second pair of rollers disposed on the second path can keep nipping a sheet even when the door is opened. If a jam occurs, a sheet remaining in the first path is conveyed into the second path using the first roller pair, and is nipped by the second roller pair.
US09946210B2 Sheet transport device and image forming apparatus
A sheet transport device includes a sheet transport path along which a sheet is transported in one direction, plural abutting portions on which a leading end of the sheet transported along the sheet transport path abuts, the plural abutting portions being arranged in a direction intersecting the one direction, and a moving unit that moves the plural abutting portions and/or moves the sheet in the direction intersecting the one direction so that a preceding corner portion of two corner portions located at the leading end of the transported sheet abuts on any of the plural abutting portions.
US09946209B2 Image forming apparatus
A density correction unit (a1) obtains density measurement values of a surface in a measurement section of an image carrier at a first round, (a2) calculates as section background data at the first round respective differences between the density measurement values at the first round and an average value thereof, (a3) obtains density measurement values of a surface at least in the measurement section at a second round, (a4) calculates as section background data at the second round respective differences between the density measurement values at the second round and an average value thereof in a specific section with the same length as the measurement section, and (a5) determines the rotation period on the basis of a correlation between the section background data at the first round and at the second round. Here the measurement section is a part in a circulating direction of the image carrier.
US09946207B2 Image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes a conversion unit, an image forming unit, a controller, a conveyance unit, a measurement unit, a determination unit, an adjustment unit, and a generation unit. The conversion unit converts image data based on conversion condition. The image forming unit forms and fixes an image to a sheet. The controller controls to create first and second test sheets having respective reference and measurement images. The first and second test sheets are conveyed. The test images are measured. The determination unit determines first and second information regarding positions. The adjustment unit adjusts an image forming condition based the measured test images. The conversion condition is generated based on a second measurement result. A first reference image length in a direction in which the first test sheet is conveyed is longer than a second reference image length in a direction in which the second test sheet is conveyed.
US09946206B2 Image defect predictive diagnostic apparatus, image defect predictive diagnostic system, and non-transitory computer readable medium
An image defect predictive diagnostic apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires first characteristic values and second characteristic values from an image forming apparatus that forms an image by using an electrophotographic process. The first characteristic values include at least one of (i) toner concentrations and (ii) developing potentials. The first characteristic values have an influence on developability. The second characteristic values are different from the first characteristic values. The notification unit predicts occurrence of a dot image which has no relationship with the image by using the first characteristic values and the second characteristic values which are acquired by the acquisition unit, and that makes notification.
US09946205B2 Image forming apparatus with creaser control, control method thereof, printing system, and non-transitory computer-readable medium
An image forming apparatus determines whether crease processing at a plurality of portions set on the sheet includes crease processing on two, front and back surfaces of the sheet; determines, if it is determined that crease processing includes crease processing on the two surfaces of the sheet, whether a connected post-processing apparatus that performs crease processing on a sheet can perform crease processing on the two, front and back surfaces of the sheet by one feeding; and controls, if it is determined that the connected post-processing apparatus cannot perform crease processing on the two surfaces by one feeding, to change, to one of the front and back surfaces of the sheet based on attribute information of the sheet, a surface to be processed in crease processing at the plurality of portions.
US09946190B2 Developing cartridge
A developing cartridge may include: a casing for accommodating developer therein; a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction and positioned at one side of the casing in a second direction; a storage medium having an electric contact surface; and a holder movable relative to the casing in the second direction with the electric contact surface between a first position and a second position, the holder having an outer surface at which the electric contact surface is positioned.
US09946184B2 Image forming apparatus using flat toner to obtain a gloss
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming portion that uses toner containing flat pigment; a second image forming portion that uses toner not containing the flat pigment; and a toner image carrier that carries a first toner image that is formed in the first image forming portion and a second toner image that is formed in the second image forming portion. The image forming apparatus has a mode in which a relationship Am
US09946181B2 Toner
A toner comprises toner particles, each of which contains a binder resin, a colorant, a wax and a crystalline polyester. The melting point P(t) of the crystalline polyester is at least 65.0° C. and not more than 80.0° C., and regarding a storage elastic modulus G′ obtained in dynamic viscoelasticity measurement of the toner, where G′ at 50° C. is denoted by G′(50), G′ at 80° C. is denoted by G′(80), G′ at 120° C. is denoted by G′(120), and G′ at the melting point P(t) of the crystalline polyester is denoted by G′(t), the following formulas are satisfied: 4.2×108 Pa≤G′(50), 3.0×102≤G′(50)/G′(80), and G′(t)/G′(120)≤7.0×102.
US09946177B2 Carrier, two-component developer, image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming method
A carrier is provided. The carrier includes a magnetic core particle and a resin layer coating a surface of the magnetic core particle. The resin layer includes a resin, a conductive particle including tungsten tin oxide, and a chargeable filler.
US09946174B2 Conductive support for electrophotographic photoreceptor, electrophotographic photoreceptor, and process cartridge
A conductive support for an electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a cylindrical member containing aluminum, wherein the cylindrical member has an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of 1.3 μm or less, a maximum height of roughness profile Rz of 5.0 μm or less, and a mean width of roughness profile elements RSm in an axial direction of 80 μm to 400 μm.
US09946171B2 Movable body apparatus, exposure apparatus, exposure method, and device manufacturing method
One pair each of a Y linear motor (a total of four) on the +X side and the −X side that drive a reticle stage include one pair each of a stator section (a total of four) and three each of a mover section (a total of six) on the +X side and the −X side. In this case, the three each of the mover sections on the +X side and the −X side configure one each of a mover. The mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers is used in common by each pair of the Y linear motors. Therefore, the weight of the mover section (reticle stage) of the reticle stage device is reduced, which allows a higher acceleration. Further, the mover section located in the center in the Z-axis direction of each of the movers coincides with a neutral plane of the reticle stage.
US09946168B2 Lithographic apparatus
A lithographic apparatus includes a patterning device support to support a patterning device to form a patterned radiation beam, the patterning device support including a moveable structure movably arranged with respect to an object, a patterning device holder movably arranged relative to the movable structure and holding the patterning device, an actuator to move the movable structure relative to the object, and an ultra short stroke actuator to move the patterning device holder relative to the movable structure; a substrate support to hold a substrate; and a projection system to project the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate, a position measurement system for measuring a substrate positional error which is a difference between a desired position and an actual position of the substrate relative to a reference object; and a controller to move the actuator and the ultra short stroke actuator based on the substrate positional error.
US09946159B2 Lithographic fragmentation technology
A fragmentation pattern is formed on a surface of a warhead using a lithographic process. A photoresistant material is coated on an interior surface of the warhead casing. A portion of the photoresistant material is selectively cured by projecting an image of the fragmentation pattern onto the photoresistant material. The uncured portion of the photoresistant material is removed and an etchant is applied to the exposed portion of the warhead casing surface thereby etching the fragmentation pattern. Alternatively, a protective coating is applied over the entire surface thereby creating the fragmentation pattern.
US09946156B2 Imprint apparatus, method of manufacturing article and alignment apparatus
The present invention provides an imprint apparatus comprising at least one first detector configured to detect a first number of first marks among a plurality of marks formed in the plurality of shot regions, a second detector having a field of view wider than that of the first detector, and configured to detect a second number of second marks different from the first marks among the plurality of marks, the second number being larger than the first number, and a controller configured to align the plurality of shot regions and the mold by using a detection result from the second detector.
US09946148B2 Image projection unit and image projection apparatus
An image projection unit includes: a light source unit; a plurality of reflection-type image display elements; a plurality of total reflection prisms configured to guide lights of multiple colors emitted from the light source unit to the reflection-type image display elements and to emit the lights reflected from the reflection-type image display elements; a color synthesis prism configured to receive the lights emitted from the total reflection prisms, synthesize the lights, and emit the synthesized lights; a holding member fixed to the color synthesis prism and holding the reflection-type image display elements; and a base member supporting the color synthesis prism and the plurality of total reflection prisms
US09946140B2 Projector capable of projection in different positions in the depth direction
A projector capable of simultaneous or concurrent projection in different positions in the depth direction. The projector includes a plurality of display sections each of which forms a collimated image light ray, a superimposing optical system that superimposes the image light rays having exited out of the plurality of display sections on one another with the image light rays unfocused, a projection optical system that projects an image corresponding to the image light rays superimposed by the superimposing optical system, and a circuit apparatus that causes the image light rays to exit out of local image source areas set in the plurality of display sections to shift a position where the image light rays are superimposed on one another to a plurality of superimposition positions different from one another along an optical axis.
US09946138B2 Onboard controller for multistate windows
Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations.
US09946132B2 Array substrate and liquid crystal display panel
An array substrate and a liquid crystal display panel including the array substrate are provided. The array substrate includes: multiple pixel units; at least one additional functional area located in each row of a matrix formed by the multiple pixel units, where the additional functional area is provided with a gate signal detecting transistor; and a detection signal output line and a preset signal line connected with each other. By detecting whether a drive signal on a gate line is normal using the gate signal detecting transistor, the problem of manually detecting one-by one whether a signal on a gate line is normal can be avoided, thereby improving the detection efficiency and accuracy.
US09946126B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
According to an aspect, a display device has a first electrode, a second electrode and liquid crystal layer. When a voltage is not applied to the first and second electrodes, the major axes of the liquid crystal molecules are oriented in a third direction. When a voltage is applied between the first and second electrodes, the major axes are oriented so as to rise in a direction perpendicular to a first substrate while rotating clockwise in a vicinity of one of long sides of comb tooth portion that face each other and counterclockwise in a vicinity of the other of the long sides. An angle between an electrode base-side portion of a long side of each comb tooth portions and the third direction is larger than an angle between a distal end-side portion of the long side of each comb tooth portions and the third direction.
US09946124B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display includes substrates facing each other, plural pixels, a liquid crystal layer between the substrates, and a pixel electrode in each pixel. The pixel electrode defines: a first stem extending in a first direction, a second stem extending in a second direction, first edge bars extending in the first direction and connected to the second stem, second edge bars extending in the second direction and connected to the first stem, and plural branches extending from the first or second stem and inclined with respect to the first or second directions and terminating spaced apart from the first and second edge bars. Distal ends of each of the first edge bars are spaced apart from distal ends of each of second edge bars, and in the second direction, each of the first edge bars overlaps lines along which the second edge bars respectively lengthwise extend.
US09946122B2 Liquid crystal display device and method for manufacturing a same
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate spaced from a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, a gate line, a data line, a first sub-pixel electrode, and a second sub-pixel electrode on the first substrate. The display device also includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is connected to the gate line, the data line, and the first sub-pixel electrode. The second switch is connected to the gate line, the data line, and the second sub-pixel electrode. The second switch includes a first gate electrode connected to the gate line and a second gate electrode not connected to the gate line.
US09946121B2 Display apparatus with improved color sensing and method of manufacture
A display apparatus includes: a first substrate including a first sub-pixel region, a second sub-pixel region, and a white sub-pixel region; a first color filter disposed on the first substrate in the first sub-pixel region; a second color filter disposed on the first substrate in the second sub-pixel region; an organic layer disposed on the first substrate, the organic layer covering the first color filter, the second color filter, and the white sub-pixel region; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a compensation pattern disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, the compensation pattern being further disposed in the white sub-pixel region. A height of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the white sub-pixel region is smaller than heights of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the first sub-pixel region and the second sub-pixel region.
US09946115B2 Liquid crystal display panel and method for manufacturing the same, display device
A liquid crystal display panel and a method for manufacturing the same, and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal display panel includes: an array substrate, a color film substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer and a second alignment layer. The first alignment layer includes a first alignment region corresponding to an opening region and a second alignment region corresponding to a light shielding region. An alignment direction of the first alignment region is different from an alignment direction of the second alignment region, and an alignment direction of a region in the second alignment layer is parallel to an alignment direction of a region in the first alignment layer corresponding to the region in the second alignment layer. According to the present disclosure, a color mixing and color cast phenomenon in the liquid crystal display panel is alleviated.
US09946114B2 Display device and manufacturing method thereof
A display device includes: a display substrate including a display area including a plurality of pixel areas and a non-display area at edge sides of the display area; and an aligning agent-accommodating structure including a capping layer disposed in the non-display area to be opened inward of the display substrate. The aligning agent-accommodating structure accommodates an aligning agent applied to the display area.
US09946113B2 Liquid crystal display module and display device
A liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal panel and a backlight source; the liquid crystal panel includes an array substrate, the backlight source includes a plurality of scattering lenses, a plurality of optical pipes, and a light source; one side of each scattering lens is provided with a scatter surface, an end of each scattering lens away from the scatter surface is connected to an end of an optical pipe, the other end of the optical pipe is connected to the light source, and the scattering lens is used to scatter light passing through the optical pipe. A display device including the liquid crystal display module is further disclosed. The liquid crystal display module can improve the utilization ratio of light and reduce the power consumption.
US09946110B2 Liquid crystal display
There is provided a liquid crystal display including: a liquid crystal cell in which a liquid crystal layer is installed between two glass substrates; polarizing plates on both surfaces of the liquid crystal cell; and a backlight at a rear side of the liquid crystal cell, which is a non-visual side, wherein in a polarizing plate at a front side of the liquid crystal cell, which is a visual side, a difference in a moisture content of the polarizing plate at the front side under a specific condition in elapse of time is 0.01% or more and 3.0% or less.
US09946103B2 Display apparatus
A display apparatus includes a display panel and a top chassis. The top chassis includes a first cover portion disposed above a top surface of the display panel and a second cover portion which is bent and extended from the first cover portion. The first cover portion defines a first region thereof overlapping the top surface of the display panel, a second region thereof disposed around the first region and a surface thereof which is disposed in the first and second regions and faces the top surface of the display panel. A surface roughness of the surface in the first region is greater than that of the surface in the second region.
US09946100B2 Waveguide type optical element
To effectively prevent the acceleration of the drift phenomenon generated by the application of a high electric field to a substrate through a bias electrode in a waveguide type optical element. A waveguide type optical element includes a substrate (100) having an electro-optic effect, two optical waveguides (104 and 106) disposed on a surface of the substrate, a non-conductive layer (120) which is disposed on the substrate and is made of a material having a lower dielectric constant than the substrate, and a control electrode (150) which is disposed on the non-conductive layer and is intended to generate a refractive index difference between the two optical waveguides by respectively applying electric fields to the two optical waveguides, and the non-conductive layer is constituted of a material which includes silicon oxide, an oxide of indium, and an oxide of titanium and has a ratio between a molar concentration of the titanium oxide and a molar concentration of indium oxide of 1.2 or more, and a voltage generating an electric field of 1 V/μm or more in the substrate is applied to the control electrode.
US09946093B2 Ophthalmic lens with a base of polymeric material and a coating having an interferential, anti-reflective, anti-iridescent and infrared filter multiple layer structure coating
Ophthalmic lens including a base of polymeric material with a coating having an interferential, anti-reflective, anti-iridescent and infrared filter multiple layer structure. An interphase, a first layer (of 91-169 nm) with a refraction index higher than 1.8, a second layer (of 128-248 nm) with a refraction index lower than 1.65, a third layer (of 73-159 nm) with a refraction index higher than 1.8 and a fourth layer (of 40-138 nm) with a refraction index lower than 1.8. A total thickness of the multiple layer structure is less than 600 nm. The structure can have intermediate layers with intermediate refraction indices, in which case a doublet of two adjacent layers that fulfill the thicknesses above is replaced by a triplet so that the thickness and an optical thickness of the triplet differ from those of the doublet by less than 5%, respectively.
US09946089B2 Generation of coded structured light patterns using VCSEL arrays
A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has electrical outputs, each of the electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generates electrical drive signals that produce a coded stripe pattern.
US09946088B2 Stereoscopic liquid crystal display systems
Stereoscopic display system assemblies may be configured to have optimal performance with passive, circular analyzing, cinema eyewear. They may comprise non-twisted electrically controlled birefringent liquid crystal modulators oriented at ±45° to the polarizer orientation of the eyewear. Exemplary embodiments may include single half-wave modulators with a crossing (i.e. negating) quarter wave films. The natural polarization state of the LCD may be rotated and cleaned-up when necessary to cross with the horizontal eyewear polarizer orientation. In an embodiment, the LC modulator substrate is positioned outermost for anti-reflection coating tolerance, durability and touch sensitivity.
US09946082B2 Handheld, low-level laser apparatuses and methods for low-level laser beam production
A handheld, low-level laser apparatus includes a laser diode configured to generate a laser emission having an astigmatism. The apparatus further includes one or more corrective lens configured alone or in combination to correct the astigmatism and to collimate the laser emission, a divergence lens configured to diverge the laser emission after the laser emission passes through the one or more corrective lens, and a front lens configured to collimate the laser emission after the laser emission passes through the divergence lens. A low-level laser beam producing method includes repeatedly directing an IR laser emission through a series of lenses during a first set of time periods and repeatedly directing a visible laser emission through the series of lenses during a second set of time periods, each time period of the first set of time periods being distinct from each time period of the second set of time periods.
US09946060B2 Super-resolution microscopy
The present invention relates to a method of processing images captured following structured illumination of a sample, the method comprising the steps of: identifying emission spots within each captured image; verifying the emission spots; and reconstructing an enhanced image of the sample from the emission spots. The method may comprise identifying only in focus emission spots. By identifying and processing only in focus spots, whether or not they are centered on expected illumination positions, improvements in resolution can be achieved compared to known SIM methods. In particular, by suitable selection of in focus spots, significant improvements in lateral and axial resolution can be achieved.
US09946058B2 Microscope apparatus and observation method
A microscope apparatus comprises: a distribution measurement apparatus which—with respect to an observation region wherein a sample is arranged which comprises a fluorescent material that is activated when irradiated with an activating light of a prescribed wavelength, and that emits fluorescence when irradiated in an activated condition with an exciting light of a wavelength that differs from that of the activating light—obtains a fluorescent picture image by conducting irradiation with the exciting light, and measures a fluorescent intensity distribution of the observation region; an irradiation intensity setting apparatus which sets irradiation intensities of the activating light for respective portions of the observation region based on the fluorescent intensity distribution; and a picture image formation apparatus which obtains a plurality of the fluorescent picture images by multiply repeating operations comprising an operation wherein the observation region is irradiated with the activating light at the irradiation intensities that have been set in the respective portions, and an operation wherein a fluorescent picture image is obtained by irradiating the observation region with the exciting light after the activating light irradiation, and which generates a sample picture image from the plurality of the fluorescent picture images.
US09946056B2 Illumination optical system, exposure apparatus, and method of manufacturing article
Provided is an illumination optical system that illuminates a target illumination region by using light emitted from a discharge lamp. The system includes a condensing mirror that condenses the light from the discharge lamp, an optical integrator which has a polygonal cross-sectional shape and is arranged on an optical path from the condensing mirror to the target illumination region, an imaging optical system that forms an image on the target illumination region with respect to an exit end face of the optical integrator as an object plane, and a power supply cable connecting to an electrode of the discharge lamp across the optical path directed from the condensing mirror to the optical integrator. The cable is arranged so that a shadow of the cable is neither parallel nor perpendicular to each side of the polygon of an entrance surface of the optical integrator.
US09946054B2 Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same
A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power, a third lens unit having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group including a lens unit having negative refractive power arranged along an optical axis thereof. A focal length fw of the zoom lens at a wide-angle end, a focal length ft of the zoom lens at a telephoto end, an amount of movement M1 of the first lens unit on the optical axis in zooming from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, and a focal length frn of a lens unit Lrn that is a lens unit having a shortest focal length among lens units having negative refractive power included in the rear lens group are appropriately set based on predetermined mathematical conditions.
US09946051B2 Imaging apparatus and image sensor including the same
An imaging apparatus and an image sensor including the same are provided. The imaging apparatus includes first, second, and third optical devices. At least one of the first, second, and third optical devices is a thin-lens including nanostructures.
US09946044B1 Equipment cabinet with movable stile
An equipment cabinet with a movable stile is disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the equipment cabinet comprises a housing body defining a front opening, independently operable first and second doors, and a movable stile positioned within the front opening and between the first and second doors. First and second sealing pads are positioned between the movable stile and the housing body when the movable stile is in a closed position. First and second sealing gaskets, respectively, are attached to interiors of the first and second doors, where at least a portion of each of the first and second sealing gaskets are positioned between the movable stile and the first or second doors when the first and second doors are closed. Thus, the equipment cabinet has independently operable doors and facilitates increased access to an interior of the equipment cabinet while maintaining an environmental seal.
US09946033B2 Fiber optic connector with adhesive management
A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule configured to receive and support one or more optical fibers and at least one component coupled to a surface of the ferrule by an adhesive. The at least one component overlays a footprint area defined on the surface to which the adhesive is applied, and the surface has a plurality of recessed formations within the footprint area to accommodate the adhesive.
US09946028B2 Wafer assembly including a guide pin wafer
A guide pin wafer may include a base wafer that includes multiple dies. Each die may include a corresponding lens cutout. The guide pin wafer may also include multiple guide pins mounted on the base wafer. Each die of the base wafer may be mounted with two or more corresponding guide pins that may be configured to engage a parallel fiber connector to the corresponding die.
US09946018B1 Surface-guiding photonic device with tempered glass
A surface-guiding photonic device includes a planar, tempered glass, comprising a bulk layer and a tempered superficial layer contiguous with the bulk layer. The superficial layer is at least partly exposed to air and has an intrinsic gradient refractive index in a direction z perpendicular to a main plane of the glass, whereas the bulk layer has a refractive index that is essentially constant along direction z. The average refractive index of the superficial layer is larger than each of: (i) the average refractive index of the bulk layer; and (ii) the refractive index of air. The glass can include lateral structures, e.g., trenches, extending parallel to the propagation direction y, so as for the device to have a rib waveguide-like configuration. The lateral structures form recesses in the superficial layer, so as to laterally confine radiation propagating in the tempered superficial layer, by total internal reflection.
US09946016B2 Waveguide with shaped assistant layer
An apparatus includes a waveguide extending along a light-propagation direction between a light source and a media-facing surface. The waveguide comprises an assistant layer configured to receive light from a light source, truncated with an intermediate bottom cladding layer. A core layer comprises a coupling end configured to receive light from the assistant layer. The coupling end comprises a taper that widens toward the media-facing surface. A near field transducer is disposed proximate the media-facing surface and is configured to receive the light from the core layer.
US09946009B2 Light guide, light source device, and image reading device
A light guide includes a first exit portion emitting first exiting light, a second exit portion emitting second exiting light in a different direction than the first exiting light, and a reflecting portion reflecting light entering the light guide to each of the first and second exit portions. The first and second exit portions respectively have first and second curved surfaces each having a convex cross section perpendicular to the long axis direction. The second exit portion is connected to the first exit portion in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction. The reflecting portion is provided, in a plane facing the first exit portion and the second exit portion, at a position shifted in the direction perpendicular to the long axis direction from a position where a normal to the plane passes through a connection portion between the first and second exit portions.
US09946007B2 Light guide and lighting assembly with array of rotated micro-optical elements
A light guide includes opposed major surfaces and a light input edge extending therebetween. An array of micro-optical elements of well-defined shape at at least one of the opposed major surfaces corresponds to the light input edge. Each of the micro-optical elements in the array includes a longitudinal axis arranged within the range of angles relative to the light input edge. A path linearly extending along the light guide from the light input edge intersects at least a portion of the micro-optical elements in the array, at least one of the micro-optical elements along the path arranged with its longitudinal axis at a positive angle relative to the light input edge, and at least another one of the micro-optical elements along the path arranged with its longitudinal axis at a negative angle relative to the light input edge.
US09945996B2 Substrate transferred monocrystalline bragg mirrors
A mirror assembly comprising a carrier substrate; a stack comprising a plurality of alternating monocrystalline semiconductor layers of a first and a second type, wherein the layers of the first type have an index of refraction higher than the layers of the second type thereby forming a Bragg mirror; wherein the carrier substrate is curved having a radius of curvature between 0.1 m and 10 km; wherein the stack is attached to the curved carrier substrate.
US09945995B2 Optical filter and sensor system
An optical filter having a passband at least partially overlapping with a wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm is provided. The optical filter includes a filter stack formed of hydrogenated silicon layers and lower-refractive index layers stacked in alternation. The hydrogenated silicon layers each have a refractive index of greater than 3 over the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm and an extinction coefficient of less than 0.0005 over the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1100 nm.
US09945990B2 Light diffusion film and light diffusion film manufacturing method
A light diffusion film in which the angle of aperture of diffused light has been expanded effectively by forming, within the film, a predetermined columnar structure composed of pillar-shaped objects having a bent part and a region having a relatively low refractive index, and a method for manufacturing the light diffusion film are provided. Disclosed is a light diffusion film having a columnar structure in which plural pillar-shaped objects having a relatively high refractive index are arranged to stand close together in the film thickness direction in a region having a relatively low refractive index, and the plural pillar-shaped objects having a relatively high refractive index have a bent part in the middle of the pillar-shaped objects.
US09945984B2 Optical element, optical system, imaging apparatus, optical instrument, and stamper
An optical system includes an optical element and an imaging device. The optical element has a surface on which a plurality of sub-wavelength structure bodies are formed. The imaging device has an imaging region which senses light via the optical element. The surface of the optical element has one or two or more sections that scatter incident light and generate scattered light. A sum total of components of the scattered light reaching the imaging region is smaller than a sum total of components thereof reaching regions other than the imaging region.
US09945978B2 Light curtain component
A light curtain component comprising a housing which extends essentially along a longitudinal direction, and having a plurality of optoelectronic emission or reception elements which are arranged in the housing and are oriented toward an upper side of the housing, and which are separated from one another along the longitudinal direction. The housing comprises, on a front side, a first planar front surface which is arranged at an angle (α) of less than 90°, preferably equal to 45°, with respect to the longitudinal direction. This first planar front surface allows joining two such light curtain components flush with one another in a corner, without undesired formation of dead or blind zones taking place.
US09945971B2 Method of using a parabolic equation model for range-dependent seismo-acoustic problems
A method of modeling an aquatic environment or locating an acoustic source in the aquatic environment. A range-dependent medium is approximated in terms of a series of range-independent regions and obtaining single-scattering solutions across the vertical interfaces between regions. One or more acoustic waves are propagated from a known acoustic source through the range-dependent medium to one or more known seismoacoustic receivers to model iteratively the various solid and liquid layers of the range-dependent medium. Alternatively, one or more acoustic waves are reverse-propagated from one or more known seismoacoustic receivers through the range-dependent medium to determine whether an acoustic source is present within a user-defined range.
US09945963B1 Dynamic control of event dumping
System includes a signal processing system to receive a digital signal associated with first scintillation events and to determine a value associated with each of the events, a backend processing system to receive the values, determine an event rate based on the received values, determine whether the event rate is greater than a first threshold, and, if the event rate is greater, transmit a first instruction to increase a consecutive event dump level, and an event management control to receive the first instruction to increase the consecutive event dump level, increase the consecutive event dump level in response to the received instruction, determine a number of consecutive scintillation events of detected second scintillation events, determine to dump the consecutive scintillation events based on a comparison between the number of consecutive scintillation events and the consecutive event dump level, and transmit a second instruction to dump the consecutive scintillation events.
US09945959B2 Global navigation satellite system receiver system with radio frequency hardware component
A stand-alone radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. A wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, from the radio frequency hardware component to a separate communication device.
US09945958B1 Hybrid civilian and military positioning system
Hybrid systems capable of performing both civilian and military GPS functions with hardware-enforced separation of data boundaries are disclosed. A hybrid system may include a first position data processor configured to generate a first set of position data based on signals received from a satellite navigation system and signals received from a digital antenna. The hybrid system may also include a second position data processor configured to generate a second set of position data based on signals received from the satellite navigation system and signals received from the digital antenna. The hybrid system may further provide a communication interface established between the first position data processor and the second position data processor.
US09945947B2 Method and apparatus for generating depth value corresponding to subject using depth camera
A method and apparatus for generating a depth value corresponding to a subject by using a depth camera includes dividing a predetermined time section into n sub-time sections in order to measure the depth value, acquiring a voltage value corresponding to the amount of light reflected from the subject in each sub-time section, by using at least one photodiode included in the depth camera, quantizing the voltage value to any one level among predetermined levels, on the basis of the acquired n voltage values, and outputting the quantized value.
US09945934B2 Radar integration with handheld electronic devices
A device comprising: a housing mountable on a back surface of a handheld electronic device; a radar coupled with the housing, the radar comprising: (a) a receiver unit comprising at least one receiving antenna element; (b) a transmitter unit comprising at least one transmitting antenna element; an integrated circuit (IC) module; and an interface unit configured to operatively couple the radar with the handheld electronic device.
US09945930B2 System and method for determining an orientation or position of a receiver relative to an emission device
A method, device, system and use for determining a distance, location and/or orientation including the at least relative determination of a position of at least one object using at least two active anchors. A first signal is emitted by a first of the two anchors and is received at the object and by a second of said two anchors. A phase measurement is performed at said second anchor and wherein a distance determination with respect to said first anchor is performed and/or the distance from said first anchor to said second anchor is known. A second, particularly electromagnetic, signal is emitted from said second anchor, and information on phase measurement and distance between said first and second anchors is made available to a computation unit and at least one phase measurement respectively of said first and second signal is performed at said object and made available to said computation unit.
US09945928B2 Computational signal processing architectures for electromagnetic signature analysis
Systems and methods can support a computational signal processing architecture for electromagnetic signature analysis and threat detection. A plurality of sensor antennas can couple a radio frequency signal into a radio receiver. The radio receiver can generate digital samples of the signal. A raw signal analysis engine can identify signal features within the digital samples, generate signal feature vectors from the identified signal features, decode signal content from the signal feature vectors, and transmit the signal feature vectors into a signal feature network. The signal feature vectors may be aggregated from the signal feature network into a signal aggregation and analysis engine. The signal aggregation and analysis engine can refine feature vectors through processing such as identifying wireless attacks according to the signal features within the signal feature vectors. One or more operator interfaces and one or more analysis databases may support these operations.
US09945917B2 Enhanced nuclear quadrupole resonance and ground penetrating radar using metamaterial antenna
A method and system for enhanced NQR or GPR include a metamaterial antenna configured to both transmit and receive a magnetic field focused at a near-field distance separated from the antenna at a corresponding antenna frequency corresponding to a nuclear quadrupole resonance frequency of an atom in a target material.
US09945914B2 Systems, apparatus, and methods of nonlinear terahertz (THz) magnetic resonance measurement
A nonlinear terahertz (THz) spectroscopy technique uses a sample illuminated by two THz pulses separately. The illumination generates two signals BA and BB, corresponding to the first and second THz pulse, respectively, after interaction with the sample. The interaction includes excitation of at least one ESR transition in the sample. The sample is also illuminated by the two THz pulses together, with an inter-pulse delay τ, generating a third signal BAB. A nonlinear signal BNL is then derived via BNL=BAB−BA−BB. This nonlinear signal BNL can be then processed (e.g., Fourier transform) to study the properties of the sample.
US09945908B2 Actuator fault detection device, controlling device and control method
An actuator fault detection device that detects a fault of an actuator driven according to a manipulation variable MV output from a controlling device, including: a position acquiring portion that acquires a value of a motor position MP from a detector that detects a position of an actuator corresponding to a manipulation variable MV; a follow-up difference calculating portion that calculates a follow-up difference DM=MV−MP; and an allowable range determining portion that determines whether or not high speed operation or low speed operation of the actuator departs from an allowable range based on a manipulation variable change rate ΔMV, an actuator position change rate ΔMP, and the follow-up difference DM.
US09945905B2 Test apparatus determining threshold signal using history of judgment value
A reception circuit receives, via a cable, a transmission signal STX generated by a DUT. A comparator circuit compares a reception signal SRX after signal transmission with at least one threshold signal VTH, and generates a judgment value DOUT that represents a comparison result for every sampling timing. A threshold generation circuit generates at least one threshold signal VTH. A threshold control circuit adjusts each level of at least one threshold signal VTH at a given sampling timing based on the history of the judgment value DOUT acquired at a past sampling timing.
US09945901B1 Measuring and correcting non-idealities of a system
Many systems implement calibration schemes to measure and correct for the non-idealities. Such systems can be complex, which makes them impractical to implement since the cost can potentially outweigh the benefits of the calibration scheme. To implement efficient and effective calibration, non-idealities or errors of a system are detected, in foreground or in background, in a piecewise fashion based on, e.g., correlations of an output signal with an uncorrelated random signal, where the correlation results are processed separately for different open intervals of an error signal. Second order and third order correction terms can be easily determined based on three open intervals. In various embodiments, the calibration scheme can detect and correct for linear errors, (linear and non-linear) memory/frequency dependent errors, static nonlinearity errors, Hammerstein-style non-linearity errors, and Wiener-style non-linearity errors (cross-terms).
US09945899B2 Testing of semiconductor devices and devices, and designs thereof
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of testing a plurality of semiconductor devices includes applying a stress voltage having a peak voltage on a shield line disposed over a substrate. The substrate has functional circuitry of a semiconductor device. A fixed voltage is applied to a first metal line disposed above the substrate adjacent the shield line. The first metal line is coupled to the functional circuitry and is configured to be coupled to a high voltage node during operation. The peak voltage is greater than a maximum fixed voltage. The shield line separates the first metal line from an adjacent second metal line configured to be coupled to a low voltage node during operation. The method further includes measuring a current through the shield line in response to the stress voltage, determining the current through the shield line of the semiconductor device, and based on the determination, identifying the semiconductor device as passing the test.
US09945898B2 Method and device for measuring internal quantum efficiency of an optical element
A method for measuring the efficiency of an optical element is disclosed. The intensity of the light emitted from the optical element is measured by applying an injection current to the optical element, a relative radiative efficiency is calculated from a ratio of the intensity of the emitted light to the injection current, the maximum relative radiative efficiency and the maximum injection current corresponding to the maximum relative radiative efficiency are obtained, a reference injection current for minimizing an amount of change of a recombination coefficient in an active layer of the optical element in correspondence with a carrier density change in the active layer of the optical element is extracted from data of injection currents that are equal to or less than the maximum injection current and data of relative radiative efficiencies that are equal to or less than the maximum relative radiative efficiency, a reference internal quantum efficiency of the optical element is calculated from the reference injection current, and internal quantum efficiencies of the optical element in various injection currents are calculated from the reference internal quantum efficiency.
US09945896B2 Active monitoring systems for high voltage bushings and methods related thereto
Systems and methods for measuring the integrity of insulation components in electrical systems. In preferred embodiments, an active sensor is coupled to a test tap of a bushing, the active sensor having an electrical circuit electrically coupled to the test tap, and wherein the electrical circuit includes a high pass filter that divides the electrical circuit into a high frequency bus and a power frequency bus. A grounded high frequency voltage is injected into the test tap via the frequency bus circuit. Resulting voltages and currents may be measured and compared to a reference voltage to determine capacitances and power factors for both the inner and outer sections of the bushing. Once the capacitances and power factors of the bushings are known, grounded and ungrounded high frequency voltages may be injected to determine capacitances and power factors of a connected transformer or reactor.
US09945890B2 Method for monitoring power and power monitoring apparatus
In a method for monitoring power, preset information that defines periods in which one or more preset electric devices are scheduled to operate is received, an amount of power available, which is an estimated amount of power available in the building in each period, is calculated, estimated power consumption, which is estimated power consumption in the building in each period, is calculated using power consumption information, to which power consumption of the electric devices to be preset is registered in advance, and the preset information, an alternative instruction with which the estimated power consumption becomes lower than or equal to the amount of power available is generated, and the alternative instruction is displayed on a terminal apparatus. And at least one of the receiving, the calculating the amount of power available, the calculating the estimated power consumption, the generating and the displaying is performed by a processor.
US09945887B2 Measuring apparatus and measuring method
A measuring apparatus has a physical amount transformer that transforms a physical amount into a current, a measuring circuit that measures an output current of the physical amount transformer, a power supply circuit that inputs an output of the measuring circuit, a circuit switching unit that switches between a first state and a second state, the first state constituting a circuit inputting the output of the measuring circuit into the power supply circuit, the second state constituting a circuit directly inputting the output of the measuring circuit into the physical amount transformer, and a switching controller driven by the power supply circuit to control the circuit switching unit.
US09945875B2 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) biomarkers and uses thereof
Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatosis are also provided. Methods, compositions, and kits for determining whether a subject has non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are also provided.
US09945871B2 Method for measuring the level of circulating inhibitory factor 1 protein in a subject measuring the level of circulating inhibitory factor 1 (IF1) protein in a subject
The present invention relates to a method for assessing a subject's risk of having a cardiovascular disease comprising the step of measuring the level of IF1 in a body fluid sample obtained from said subject wherein the level of EF1 is negatively correlated with the risk of said subject of having cardiovascular disease.
US09945870B2 Methods for determining responsiveness to an anti-CD47 agent
Methods and kits are provided for determining whether an individual is responsive to an anti-CD47 agent and for determining whether an individual is maintaining responsiveness to an anti-CD47 agent by assaying biological samples for the level of at least one biomarker in a biological sample.
US09945867B2 Analyte mass spectrometry quantitation using a universal reporter
Quantitation of analytes, including but not limited to peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, in mass spectrometry using a labeled peptide coupled to a reporter, and a universal reporter.
US09945863B2 Coiled coil helix cristae morphology 1 (CHCM1) tumor marker and cancer therapeutic target
Methods for diagnosing and treating a cancer or a tumor in a patient are provided. The methods can comprise the steps of obtaining a biological sample from the patient and analyzing the sample for the presence or absence of Coiled Coil Helix Cristae Morphology 1 protein (CHCM1). A patient is diagnosed with cancer or a tumor provided that CHCM1 is overexpressed. The diagnosed patient is treated by administering a cancer or tumor treatment. The methods can also comprise the steps of obtaining a sample of cancer or tumor cells from the patient, determining a level of CHCM1 expression in the sample of cancer or tumor cells, and administering to the patient a compound for reducing the expression of CHCM1 or for blocking or inhibiting function of CHCM1.
US09945858B2 Compositions and methods for detecting and quantifying host cells protein in cell lines and recombinant polypeptide products
Monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that bind hamster phospholipase B-like 2 are provided. Also provided are methods for detecting and quantifying hamster phospholipase B-like 2, for example, in recombinant polypeptide preparations, as well as kits for carrying out such methods. Methods of screening or selecting host cell lines or recombinant polypeptide-expressing cell lines that express low levels of hamster phospholipase B-like 2 are also provided.
US09945854B2 Methods of measuring potential for therapeutic potency and defining dosages for autologous cell therapies
Autologous bone marrow cells (BMC) are transplanted to a heterologous site in a patient after a sample of the patient's BMC has been tested and found to have a phenotypic profile which meets minimum criteria for transplantation. The phenotypic profile may be obtained by screening a sample of bone marrow cells (BMC) from the patient for the phenotypic profile, such as a CD profile, the phenotype profile may be assessed to determine the likelihood that the BMC will be suitable for transplantation to the heterologous tissue site without enriching particular phenotypic population(s) of the BMC.
US09945852B2 Method for determining the presence or absence of a biomarker
A method of determining the presence or absence in a sample of a biomarker, the method comprising: (a) linking an antigen to colloidal gold to provide a gold-antigen species; (b) contacting the gold-antigen species with the sample; (c) adding a diagnosis agent to the sample; and (d) observing the color of the sample.
US09945849B2 Methods for producing surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment
A method is disclosed herein for treating a polymeric surface to resist non-specific binding of biomolecules and attachment of cells. The method includes the steps of: imparting a charge to the polymeric surface to produce a charged surface; exposing the charged surface to a nitrogen-rich polymer to form a polymerized surface; exposing the polymerized surface to an oxidized polysaccharide to form an aldehyde surface; and exposing the aldehyde surface to a reducing agent. Advantageously, a method is provided which produces surfaces that resist non-specific protein binding and cell attachment and that avoids the use of photochemical reactions or prior art specially designed compounds.
US09945840B2 Non-invasive, in vitro functional tissue assay systems
Provided are functional cell and tissue assay systems based on substrate-integrated multifunctional microelectrode arrays implementing stem cell technology. The system covers normal and pathogenic characteristics.
US09945838B2 Extracorporeal circuit blood chamber having an integrated deaeration device
A deaeration device includes a vent structure with a porous material capable of swelling when moistened such that the vent structure can inhibit liquid from escaping while allowing for the removal of gases from liquids. The deaeration device is integrated into a blood chamber of an extracorporeal circuit. The blood chamber may further include sensor components for actively performing measurements on the blood while the deaeration device passively removes air from the blood. In an embodiment, the blood chamber may be an optical blood chamber including an optical measurement sensor that performs measurements used in a determination of a hematocrit level in the blood.
US09945837B2 Single-use handheld diagnostic test device, and an associated system and method for testing biological and environmental test samples
In a single-use handheld diagnostic test device and an associated system and method, a biological and/or environmental test sample is received and reacted with reagents. The test device tests a single sample and includes a sensor to detect test data. The test device mates with, and transmits the test data to, an electronic device. A processor of the electronic device applies algorithms to the test data to generate highly sensitive and accurate quantitative test results. A presentation element of the electronic device presents the test results to a user. The test device is adapted for disposal, or for sterilization and re-use, after the electronic device receives the test data. The electronic device may be, for example, a mobile communications device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a navigation device, a digital audio player, a camera, or a gaming device.
US09945833B2 Facility for processing a multiphase fluid and method for characterizing said fluid online
A plant (1) for the treatment of a multiphasic fluid and method for line-characterization of the fluid wherein the plant (1) comprises a circuit (4) within which the fluid is intended to circulate and being characterized in that it comprises a characterization tool (3) comprising at least an analysis settler (6) adapted to separate the phases to obtain so-called separated phases and a means (9) for combining the separated phases. The plant (1) is designed so that a fraction of the fluid circulating within the circuit (4) circulates within the tool (3) to pass through the analysis settler (6) so that the phases of the fluid are separated then discharged into the circuit (4). The combining means (9) is designed so as to combine the separated phases.
US09945827B2 Method for testing a gas sensor in a gas-measuring system
A method for testing a gas sensor is based on a gas-measuring system with a test gas source and with a pumping device. A predefined quantity of a gas or of a gas mixture is fed in, from the test gas source, to the gas sensor over a predefined time and metered. The response of a measured signal of the gas sensor is determined as a sensor response. Characteristic variables, from which an indicator of the ability of the gas sensor to operate is determined, are determined from the sensor response.
US09945820B2 Mixer bypass sample injection for liquid chromatography
In a liquid chromatography system, a sample is injected into a column by flowing a solvent mixture from a mixer into the column along a solvent mixture flow path; and injecting a sample into the solvent mixture flow path downstream of the mixer. In another liquid chromatography system, a sample is injected into a column by loading an isolator fluid into a sample loop, loading a sample into the sample loop, and flowing the sample into the column as a plug in front of the isolator fluid.
US09945814B2 Total integrated tube analysis
The invention relates to improved systems and methods for inspecting the tubes of a steam generator of a nuclear reactor that involves modeling the steam generator, comparing signals of a tube from an eddy current sensor with aspects of the model to determine whether further analysis is required, employing primary and secondary analysis processes, and producing a combined report of the primary and secondary analysis results.
US09945808B2 Instrument for independent electrotransfer in multiple cassettes
Electrotransfer is performed in an instrument that receives electroblotting cassettes and that contains an integrated power supply, controls, and a display that allows the user to monitor and control each of a plurality of cassettes individually through electrical contacts within the housing that mate with corresponding electrical contacts on the cassettes.
US09945805B2 Fuel cell for use in an alcohol breath tester
An improved alcohol fuel cell sensor and alcohol breath tester assembly where wires for connection to the electrodes are bent to have a generally planar base portion which may be positioned toward the center of the electrodes and an upright that then extends to the outside of the case. The uprights are generally perpendicular to the base allowing the wires to exit the housing toward the center, as opposed to toward an edge.
US09945803B2 Gas detecting device and method thereof
A gas detecting method includes heating a gas detector, formed of a gas sensing layer and an adsorption layer, for an oxygen adsorption period t0 at an oxygen adsorption temperature T0; heating the gas detector for a target gas adsorption period t1 at a target gas adsorption temperature T1 at which a target gas is adsorbed to the adsorption layer, heating the gas detector for a target gas desorption period t2 at a target gas desorption temperature T2 at which the target gas adsorbed to the adsorption layer is desorbed to move to the gas sensing layer; and calculating a gas concentration of the target gas from a sensor resistance of the gas sensing layer. A gas detecting device includes the gas detector and a drive processing unit configured to carry out the method.
US09945801B1 Monitoring the activity of reforming catalyst
A method and system for determining changes in the catalytic activity of reforming catalyst where an outlet temperature of the catalytic reactor is measured and a temperature approach to equilibrium calculated based on the measured outlet temperature. The temperature approach to equilibrium is compared to an empirical model-based temperature approach to equilibrium calculated for the same operating conditions, the comparison showing changes in the catalytic activity of the reforming catalyst.
US09945795B2 Crystals for krypton helium-alpha line emission microscopy
A system for reflecting and recording x-ray radiation from an x-ray emitting event to characterize the event. A crystal is aligned to receive radiation along a first path from an x-ray emitting event. Upon striking the crystal, the x-ray reflects from the crystal along a second path due to a reflection plane of the crystal defined by one of the following Miller indices: (9,7,3) or (11,3,3). Exemplary crystalline material is germanium. The x-rays are reflected to a detector aligned to receive reflected x-rays that are reflected from the crystal along the second path and the detector generates a detector signal in response to x-rays impacting the detector. The detector may include a CCD electronic detector, film plates, or any other detector type. A processor receives and processes the detector signal to generate reflection data representing the x-rays emitted from the x-ray emitting event.
US09945794B2 Inspection systems and methods for synchronously positioning radioactive material
A scanning and imaging apparatus comprises a ray source configured to generate an X-ray and a detection device configured to receive an X-ray transmitted through an inspected object, wherein the ray source is configured to image the inspected object by emitting the X-ray to the inspected object. A radioactivity detector is configured to detect whether the inspected object comprises radioactive material synchronously with the process of scanning implemented by the scanning and imaging apparatus. In a case that the radioactivity detector detects radioactive material, an actual position of the radioactive material in an X-ray image of the inspected object obtained by the scanning and imaging apparatus is marked in the image. The above solutions improve the accuracy of displaying the position of the radioactive source in the X-ray image. Further, inspection of radioactive material can be implemented while scanning an image.
US09945791B2 Methods of spectroscopic analysis of diamonds and apparatuses thereof
A method of spectroscopic analysis of a diamond for determining whether the diamond has been artificially treated to change its colour may include: generating light emission from a diamond upon optical excitation at a wavelength equal to or smaller than 680 nm; optically producing a dispersed light emission; detecting the dispersed light emission across a collected spectral region including emission wavelengths of from 670 nm to 735 nm; processing the output signals to produce a spectral intensity distribution as a function of emission wavelengths; analysing the spectral intensity distribution to determine the presence or absence of a spectral pattern including either an intensity peak at 681 nm or a combination of intensity peaks at respective wavelengths 705 nm and 725 nm; if a spectral pattern is present, establishing that the diamond has been treated; and if a spectral pattern is absent, establishing that the diamond has not been treated.
US09945787B2 Increasing the usable dynamic range in photometry
An optical device for determining the presence and/or concentration of analytes in a sample is presented. The optical device comprises a detector and a detection unit comprising optical path components. The detection unit has wavelength-dependent responsivity. The optical device further comprises a light source for emitting light of different respective usable wavelength ranges. The light is guidable through the optical path to the detector to generate baseline signals and response signals relative to the baseline signal indicative of the presence and/or concentration of analytes in the optical path. The intensity of the light reaching the detector is adjusted inverse to the wavelength-dependent responsivity with respect to at least two respective usable wavelength ranges so that a reduction of the ratio between the maximum baseline signal at one of the selected usable wavelength ranges and the minimum baseline signal at another of the selected usable wavelength ranges is obtained.
US09945773B2 Flow cell and liquid feed system
A flow cell (2) includes a plate-shaped body 21 that is almost rectangular in a plan view, an introduction portion (22) that is made of a concave portion formed in the upper surface of the body (21), a channel (23) that is formed inside the body (21) and has one end connected to the lower end of the introduction portion (22), and a delivery portion (24) that is made of a concave portion formed in the body (21) and has the lower end connected to the other end of the channel (23). The introduction portion (22) is formed to cause the meniscus of a liquid introduced from an opening to apply, to the liquid, a positive pressure or a negative pressure whose absolute value is smaller than that of a negative pressure applied to the liquid introduced into the channel (23) by the meniscus of the liquid. The channel (23) is formed to cause the meniscus of the liquid introduced into the channel (23) to apply a negative pressure to the liquid. This invention provides a flow cell and a liquid feed system capable of more easily controlling feed of a trace amount of liquid.
US09945772B2 Method of measuring an adhesive force of interlayer adhesive layer in tensile mode for stacked semiconductor device and apparatus for measuring the same
A method includes providing a device under test, which includes a lower test layer and an upper test layer that is stacked on the lower test layer and includes an overhang protruding past an edge of the lower test layer by a predetermined length, fixing the lower test layer onto a mounting stage, and measuring adhesive force of an interlayer adhesive layer in a tensile mode by applying a load to a bottom surface of the overhang of the upper test layer in a first direction. An apparatus includes a mounting stage fixing the device under test, a load applying tip applying the load to the bottom surface of the overhang, a location adjuster adjusting a distance between the device under test and the load carrying tip, a load cell detecting a magnitude of the applied load, and a controller controlling the location adjuster and the load cell.
US09945769B2 Disposable chip-type flow cell and flow cytometer using same
The present invention provides an apparatus for analyzing particles in a solution including a unit configured to place a flow cell having a flow path for flowing a sample solution containing the particles; a unit configured to illuminate the sample solution flowing through the flow path of the flow cell; a photodetector that detects a scattered light and/or fluorescence generated from the particles in the sample solution; and a unit configured to analyze the particles based on their signal intensities detected by the photodetector, wherein the flow cell has the flow path formed in a substrate, a reflection plane is formed on the side surface of the flow path, the reflection plane leads the lights generated in the flow path of the flow cell and advancing in the substrate in-plane direction to a specified region of the surface of the flow cell, and the photodetector detects the light exiting from the specified region to the outside.
US09945751B2 Engine management using knock data
A computer-implemented platform may comprise hardware and software configured to manage an engine using knock intensity data. Knock intensities from a plurality of combustion cycles may be used to estimate a statistical distribution of knock intensities. The distribution of knock intensities may be used to determine a Descriptive Statistic, which may represent a state of tune of the engine. A calculated Descriptive Statistic may be compared to a desired Descriptive Statistic (e.g., that is representative of operation during a desired tune state of the engine). A deviation between the calculated and desired knock intensity distributions (e.g., between the calculated DS and desired DS) may be used to adjust a control parameter of the engine. Adjustment may be engine-wide. Adjustment may be cylinder-by-cylinder.
US09945747B1 Gel filled port pressure sensor for robust media sealing
Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for detecting pressure. A pressure sensor assembly may comprise a sensor unit having a pressure input port on one side, the sensor unit comprising a printed circuit board; a pressure sensor secured to a side of the printed circuit board; a support secured to the side of the printed circuit board, the support circumferentially surrounding the pressure sensor and defining the pressure input port; and a media isolation layer comprising a first media isolation layer applied adjacent to the pressure sensor, and a second media isolation layer comprising a material different from the first media isolation layer located between the first media isolation layer and the pressure input port, wherein the media isolation layer is configured to transfer a pressure caused by a sense media to the pressure sensor.
US09945744B2 Safety system for an electric power line for interconnecting a tractor and a respective trailer
A safety system for an electric power line for interconnecting a tractor and a respective trailer, the safety system comprising a traction-detection element designed to identify a reciprocal departing movement between the tractor and the respective trailer, the traction-detection element being connected to means for de-energizing the electric power line when the reciprocal departing movement exceeds a predefined threshold.
US09945728B2 Graphene-based infrared single photon detector
A detector for detecting single photons of infrared radiation. In one embodiment a waveguide configured to transmit infrared radiation is arranged to be adjacent a graphene sheet and configured so that evanescent waves from the waveguide overlap the graphene sheet. The graphene sheet has two contacts connected to an amplifier, a power detector, and a pulse detector. An infrared photon absorbed by the graphene sheet from the evanescent waves heats the graphene sheet, which increases the Johnson noise generated at the contacts. The Johnson noise is amplified and the absorption of a photon is detected by the power detector and pulse detector.
US09945727B2 Resistive switching for MEMS devices
A MEMS device includes a bolometer attached to a silicon wafer by a base portion of at least one anchor structure. The base portion comprises a layer stack having a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) configuration such that the base portion acts as a resistive switch such that, when the first DC voltage is applied to the patterned conductive layer, the base portion transitions from a high resistive state to a low resistive state, and, when the second DC voltage is applied to the patterned conductive layer, the base portion transitions from a high resistive state to a low resistive state.
US09945722B2 Ultra low power solid state spectral radiometer
A spectral radiometer system, measures incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands. An additional data storage device allows recording of the measured data. The inclusive sensor system yields very high sensitivity to incoming light. Furthermore, outstanding linearity of the detector response over several orders of magnitude of incoming light is achieved. Additional benefits are ultra low power consumption and minimum size. The sensor system can be used in remote solar radiation monitoring applications like mobile solar power units as well as in long-term environmental monitoring systems where high precision and low power consumption is a necessity.
US09945719B2 High resolution thermo-electric nanowire and graphene coupled detector system
A frequency selective electromagnetic apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include at least one nanowire comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, at least one 2-dimensional contact disposed adjacent to the first end or the second end and in thermal communication, electrical communication, or both thermal and electrical communication with the at least one nanowire, and at least one nanoscale-sized-diameter thermoelectric junction disposed between the at least one 2-dimensional contact and the at least one nanowire.
US09945715B2 Weight loader for moving at least two loads
Apparatus and method for simultaneously lifting and placing weights. The apparatus includes a support with a first arm and a second arm extending from the support. Weight supports are arranged at distal ends of the arms. The arms are movable to position weights supported by the weight supports. The apparatus also includes a lifting apparatus operable to selectively raise and lower the support. An operator can articulate the arms to storage locations of weights. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to raise the support and lift the weights. The operator can then articulate the arms to move the lifted weights to weight placement locations. The operator can then operate the lifting apparatus to lower the support and place the weights on the weight placement locations.
US09945712B2 Method and apparatus for detection of phase separation in storage tanks
A system and method for detecting phase separation in storage tanks is provided. At least one float has a density calibrated to detect a density differential among surrounding fluids. The float is buoyant on a relatively more dense lower layer of fluid such as phase separated fuel or pure water, while remaining submerged in a relatively less dense upper layer of fluid such as a gasoline/ethanol blend. A detection device sends a signal when the float rises or falls above or below a preset acceptable level.
US09945709B2 Determining a distance and a flow speed of a medium
A fill level measurement device is specified for determining distance of the measurement device and flow speed of a medium, which comprises a frequency-modulated transmission signal having a rising and a falling frequency ramp. The flow speed of the medium can be determined by the Doppler effect arising from the flow speed of the medium.
US09945700B2 Illuminated indicator structures for electronic devices
A composite laminate assembly for an electronic device provides integrated backlighting for one or more indicator shapes defined by the assembly. The assembly includes a substantially opaque cover member to obscure at least parts of the electronic device. Translucent indicator structures in the cover member define respective indicator shapes to allow backlighting to pass through the cover member. An optical matrix layer of an optically conductive material is attached to an inner face of the cover member, with a plurality of lighting devices embedded in the optical matrix layer and laterally offset from associated indicator structures. The plurality of lighting devices may be connected to an electric circuit carried on the inner face of the cover member.
US09945697B2 Measurement scale with periodic nanostructure
A measurement scale device includes at least one scale marking, wherein the or each scale marking includes at least one periodic nanostructure that represents scale device information.
US09945694B2 Rotary angle sensor
A rotary angle sensor used to determine a relative angular position as compared to a reference position, comprising a housing (1), at least one rotor (3, 4) that is rotatably mounted inside said housing (1), one circuit board (2) containing electrical and/or electronic components as well as one or multiple stators corresponding to the number of used rotors (3, 4). The rotary angle sensor is supposed to be improved in such a manner that a particularly precise alignment of the first rotor (3) in relation to the stator is ensured and that it is inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by a first rotor (3) that is interlocked with the housing (1) without any play while a pre-loaded spring washer (14) is positioned on the latching arms (11).
US09945692B2 Non-intrusive monitoring
Methods and apparatus for non-intrusive monitoring by sensing physical parameters such as electric and/or magnetic fields. Such apparatus and techniques may find application in a variety of fields, such as monitoring consumption of electricity, water, etc., in homes or businesses, for example, or industrial process monitoring.
US09945691B2 Magnetic angular sensing system with side-shaft mounted sensor and the method thereof
A magnetic angular sensing system has a magnet magnetized radially and a magnetic angular sensor for sensing the angular position of the magnet. The magnetic angular sensor is mounted in parallel to the axis of the magnet and is non-coplanar with the magnet. The magnetic angular sensor senses an angular position of the magnet based on a detected axial magnetic field component and a tangential magnetic field component of the magnetic field vector where the sensor mounted. This invention provides a flexible sensing system.
US09945687B2 Travel route display device, travel route display method and travel route display program
A travel route display device (1) includes a display unit (130), a topographical data storage unit (110b) that stores three-dimensional topographical data, a travel data storage unit (110c) that stores travel data relating to a travel route of a vehicle and a driving status of the vehicle on the travel route, and a control unit (120) that, when displaying the topographical data stored in the topographical data storage unit (110b) on the display unit (130), simultaneously displays, on the display unit (130), the travel route indicated by the travel data stored in the travel data storage unit (110c) in a display mode that corresponds to the driving status.
US09945675B2 Guiding users in an area
A user can use a portable electronic device to read destination information at a starting location. The portable electronic device can be, for example, a smartphone. The destination information can be read from a tag located at the starting location. The user can then present the portable electronic device to a reader, which reads the destination information from the device. In response to reading the destination information from the device, various actions can be performed to aid the user. For example, an elevator call can be placed, trip information can be provided to the user, and/or another action can be performed.
US09945671B2 Navigation aid method for making multiple time constraints
A method assisting in navigation of aircraft following a flight plan subject to time constraints comprises: determining a minimum speed profile, a maximum speed profile, and minimum and maximum times of passage; determining, for each constraint of index i, a restricted interval and a required interval; the determination made by a first iterative computation, i being decremented from n−1 to 1 and comprising: determining a required interval of index i enabling the aircraft to observe a restricted interval of index i+1 by flying at a speed profile between the minimum and maximum speed profiles, the restricted interval of index i+1 determined on the preceding iteration for an iteration of index between 1 and n−2, or from the time constraint of index n for the iteration of index n−1; and determining a restricted interval of index i from the intersection of the time constraint and the required interval of index i.
US09945665B2 Surveying instrument
The invention provides a surveying instrument comprising a frame unit rotatable in a horizontal direction, a telescope unit as mounted rotatably in a vertical direction on the frame unit, a driving unit for rotating and driving the frame unit and the telescope unit, a horizontal angle measuring unit for detecting a horizontal angle of the frame unit, a vertical angle measuring unit for detecting a vertical angle of the telescope unit and a control device, wherein the telescope unit has a telescope for sighting an object to be measured and a wide angle camera having a wider field angle than the telescope and for acquiring an image in a sighting direction, wherein the wide angle camera is set so that a sighting position of the sun is on a photodetection element and the sighting position of the sun is at a known position deviated from a field of view of the telescope, wherein the control device detects an image of the sun and a center of the image of the sun from an image acquired by the wide angle camera and controls the driving unit so that the center of the sun coincides with the sighting position of the sun, and is adapted to determine a true north based on a time moment, a horizontal angle, a vertical angle, a deviation between an optical axis of the telescope and the sighting position of the sun, and a latitude and a longitude of a position where the surveying instrument is installed, when the center of the image of the sun coincides with the sighting position of the sun.
US09945661B2 Method for measuring height, non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for measuring height, and height measuring apparatus
There are provided a method for measuring a height by a height measuring apparatus including: obtaining, in advance, a height correction value depending on an inclination angle of a surface of the object as an angle correction data; obtaining, from the height value of each pixel of the imaging device, the inclination angle of the surface of the object which corresponds to each pixel position of the imaging device; obtaining the height correction value, which corresponds to the inclination angle obtained, from the angle correction data; and correcting the height value of the surface of the object, which corresponds to each pixel of the imaging device, by using the height correction value obtained.
US09945658B2 Wavelength tunable surface emitting laser and optical coherence tomography apparatus including the same
A surface emitting laser includes a lower reflector, an active layer, a gap portion, an upper reflector, and a driving unit. The lower reflector, the active layer, the gap portion, and the upper reflector are arranged in that order. The surface emitting laser is capable of varying a wavelength of emitted light by changing a distance between the upper and lower reflectors. The driving unit moves one of the upper and lower reflectors in an optical axis direction of the emitted light. At least one of the upper and lower reflectors includes a stacked body in which first layers and second layers are alternately stacked, the second layers having a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the first layers, outermost layers of the stacked body being the first layers, and a third layer provided on at least one end of the stacked body.
US09945646B2 Crossbow discharge bolt and method
A crossbow discharge bolt for preventing damage to a crossbow associated with dry firing. The crossbow discharge bolt has a length of 10 inches or less and a weight of at least 330 grains. The length may be in the range of 6 to 10 inches. The weight may be in the range of 330 to 600 grains.
US09945640B2 Firearm system that tracks points of aim of a firearm
A firearm system includes a firearm and a computer. Electronics in the firearm determine data that includes a pathway between different points of aim of the firearm as the firearm moves. The computer receives this data and builds an image of the pathway between the different points of aim of the firearm.
US09945637B1 Scope and method for sighting-in a firearm
A scope having a plurality of range-dependent, point-of-impact indicators (aim points), and methods for use of that scope. Such aim points are superimposed on the user's field of view of a conventional scope. A preferred embodiment may be coupled to a conventional scope. Embodiments include an auxiliary light projector that presents at least one aim point disposed in a user's field of view, and the aim point(s) is/are adjustable for elevation and windage. Aim points may also be adjusted in size, color, shape, and intensity.
US09945633B2 Extractor pin tool
Apparatus, systems, and methods for the maintenance, repair, modification, cleaning, disassembly, and reassembly of firearms and firearm components are disclosed. Particular embodiments include tools to aid in the removal and insertion of an extractor pin from the bolt assembly of an AR-15 or M-16 rifle. Preferred embodiments are directed to bolt assemblies for .223 and .308 imperial caliber firearms, as well as 5.56 and 7.62 metric caliber firearms. The tools include a housing with a channel to receive the bolt, a channel to insert a locking rod to orient and secure the bolt in the housing, a channel for inserting a removal rod to remove the extractor pin from the bolt or an inserting rod to insert the extractor pin into the bolt.
US09945630B2 Firearm monitoring and notification apparatus and method of use
The present disclosure provides a firearm monitoring and notification apparatus to allow users to monitor a firearm without interfering with the accessibility to the firearm. The firearm monitoring and notification apparatus mitigates common risks surrounding unauthorized access and tampering through deterrence and notification strategies.
US09945626B2 Universal firearm mounted receiving apparatus for casings
A universal firearm-mounted receiving apparatus adapted to receive an ejected casing from a firearm (FIG. 1). The apparatus has an arm with a mounting piece disposed at one end and a receptacle for shell casings disposed at the other end (opposite to) mounting piece. The arm further contains one or more hinges that allow(s) at least a portion of the arm to move independently of another portion, thereby making the arm and receptacle positionable for a variety of different firearms.
US09945618B1 Heat transfer surface
A method for forming features in an exterior surface of a heat transfer tube includes forming a plurality of channels into the surface, where the channels are substantially parallel to one another and extend at a first angle to a longitudinal axis to the tube. A plurality of cuts are then made into the surface substantially parallel to one another and extend at a second angle to a longitudinal axis to the tube different from the first angle. Individual fin segments extend from the surface and are separated from one another by the channels and the cuts. The fin segments have a first channel-adjacent edge adjacent substantially parallel to the channel, a first cut-adjacent edge substantially parallel to the cut, and a corner formed by a second channel-adjacent edge and a second cut-adjacent edge. A tube formed using this method can be used as a condenser tube.
US09945610B2 Energy efficient infrared oven
An oven may facilitate heating, curing, and/or drying processes for manufactured items, such as shoe parts, using multiple groups of infrared sources. Each group of infrared sources may comprise a plurality of sources having heating parameters, such as a peak wavelength, power, distance from items to be cured, number of infrared sources, etc. By staging different types of sources throughout an oven, different aspects of the curing process may be performed in an efficient fashion. Further, conditions within the oven such as temperature and relative humidity may be monitored and adjusted to optimize curing conditions.
US09945591B2 Cooling system with integrated subcooling
A system includes a high side heat exchanger, a flash tank, a vessel, a load, and a compressor. The high side heat exchanger removes heat from a refrigerant. The flash tank stores the refrigerant from the high side heat exchanger. The vessel includes a chamber defined by an exterior housing and a tube positioned within the chamber. Heat is removed from the liquid refrigerant circulating through this tube and coming from the flash tank. The load uses the refrigerant from the tube to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load sends the refrigerant into the chamber between the exterior housing and the tube. The compressor receives the refrigerant from the chamber between the exterior housing and the tube and compresses the refrigerant.
US09945579B2 Icing protection for a heat pump
A protective housing is provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit having a fan therein. The fan comprises a plurality of blades, each blade having a proximal and distal end. The housing comprises a plurality of side panels, each side panel comprising openings enabling airflow into the housing. The housing further comprises an access panel that is coupled between two of the plurality of side panels wherein the access panel and the plurality of side panels form an enclosure. An orifice ring is mounted within the housing, wherein a running clearance between the distal end of the fan blades and the orifice ring has a first spacing. A cover fastens atop the enclosure, the cover comprising a grill having a plurality of grill members, wherein the grill members are separated by a second spacing, the second spacing being smaller than the first spacing.
US09945575B2 Method and apparatus for controlling temperature
The present disclosure relates to a sensor network, Machine Type Communication (MTC), Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, and technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the above technologies, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method for controlling temperature in a temperature controlling system is provided. The method includes determining occupancy or non-occupancy of a user in a space subject to setback control; when the user's non-occupancy is determined, determining whether to start the setback control based on probability distribution of a non-occupancy period that are predetermined; when it is determined to start the setback control, determining the user's target temperature based on previously collected data; calculating a setback temperature based on the target temperature; and performing the setback control according to the calculated setback temperature.
US09945570B2 Unit and method for cooling, and apparatus and method for treating substrate
Provided is a substrate treating apparatus. The substrate treating apparatus includes an equipment front end module, a loadlock chamber, a transfer chamber, and a plurality of process chambers. The loadlock chamber includes a cooling unit for cooling a substrate treated in the process chambers, and the cooling unit includes a cooling chamber having an inner space, the cooling chamber having a gas inflow hole in one surface thereof, wherein support pins on which the substrate is placed are disposed around a circumference of the gas injection hole, a cooling gas injection part supplying a cooling gas toward the gas inflow hole, and a gas exhaust part exhausting the cooling gas supplied into the cooling chamber and fumes generated from the substrate to the outside of the cooling chamber.
US09945569B2 Water minimizing method and apparatus for use with evaporative cooling devices
An evaporative cooling system includes a primary cooling unit that utilizes a cooling fluid flowing through a primary heat exchange medium to cool supply air flowing past the primary heat exchange medium, a bleed line and a secondary cooling unit disposed upstream of the primary cooling unit with respect to a flow direction of the supply air. The primary cooling unit includes a supply line for supplying the cooling fluid to the primary heat exchange medium, a reservoir for collecting the cooling fluid supplied to the primary heat exchange medium, and a pump for recirculating the cooling fluid collected in the reservoir back to the supply line. The bleed line bleeds a portion of the recirculating cooling fluid from the primary cooling unit. The secondary cooling unit includes a secondary heat exchange medium that receives the cooling fluid bled from the primary cooling unit through the bleed line.
US09945568B2 Air conditioning apparatus
An air conditioning apparatus includes a casing having intake and blow-out ports, a partition member dividing an interior of the casing, a heat exchanger, a centrifugal fan, a heater and a fan heat shield. The centrifugal fan includes a bladed wheel mounted in the fan compartment such that a rotary shaft of the bladed wheel is oriented along an opening direction of the fan entrance and an opening direction of the blow-out port, and the bladed wheel being made of resin. The heater is mounted in a blow-out port opposed space opposed to the blow-out port within a fan downwind space located on a downwind side of the bladed wheel within the fan compartment. The fan heat shield member is mounted in the fan downwind space in order to cover a part of the bladed wheel that is opposed to the heater.
US09945548B2 Recessed lighting unit with wire connector
A recessed lighting unit for mounting to a ceiling or a wall is provided. The recessed lighting unit includes an interface module having a through-duct. The through-duct may be coupled to a wire connector assembly to secure an electrical wire to the interface module and allow the electrical wire to reach a light source module. The wire connector assembly may be twisted and locked to the interface module without the use of tools. The lighting trim may be snapped on to an interface module through the use of a flexible retainer ring. The lighting trim may also be twisted and locked to an interface module without the use of tools. The present invention provides for a reduced set of components while ensuring adaptability and easy installation of lighting units. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US09945543B2 Power delivery system for HID, LED, or fluorescent track lighting
A system according to an embodiment of the invention may include a track and a power supply substantially contained within the track. One or more lamps may be electrically connected to the power supply. The lamp may be an HID lamp, an LED lamp, or a fluorescent lamp. The power supply may be a ballast or a transformer, and may comprise a printed circuit board with electrical power handling components on one side. The system may also include a housing which may surround the power supply.
US09945541B1 Light-emitting diode module holder
A light-emitting diode (LED) module holder includes a base, a connection portion and two terminals. The base has an accommodation space formed through the base and two rear rests formed inside the accommodation space. The connection portion is formed on a rear portion of the base and has a socket formed in a rear of the connection portion. The two terminals are securely mounted in the socket. Each terminal has an insertion segment mounted inside the socket of the connection portion, an electrical contact segment formed on a front end of the insertion segment and extending forwards into the accommodation space, and a limiting piece formed on the terminal and located above a corresponding rear rest. The LED module is mounted into the accommodation space and is held between the rear rests and the limiting pieces to avoid escaping from the base.
US09945538B2 Landscape lighting systems having interchangeable light diverting elements and light intensity controllers
A landscape lighting system includes a light fixture having an LED, a first light diverting element having a first light diversion angle associated therewith, a second light diverting element having a second light diversion angle associated therewith that is different than the first light diversion angle, and a light intensity controller for communicating with the light fixture to selectively control the intensity of the light generated by the LED. The light intensity controller is in wireless communication with the light fixture. The fixture has a first configuration in which the first light diverting element overlies the LED for emitting light having the first light diversion angle, and a second configuration in which the second light diverting element overlies the LED for emitting light having the second light diversion angle.
US09945532B2 Light-emitting diode light source and lamp
A light-emitting diode (LED) light source includes a plurality of electricity-conducting holding elements, and each electricity-conducting holding element is made of a thin metal sheet. The bendable LED light source increases installation of sufficient number of LED dies by lengthening the length of the LED light source. The LED light source is bent to form a spring-like helical structure and then is placed inside a lamp cover. The helical LED light source is fastened on a T-shaped element by a plurality of fastening elements and the T-shaped element is fixed on an insulated holder. Accordingly, a bulb-type LED lamp is implemented.
US09945527B2 LED light unit and method of replacing an LED light unit
An LED light unit, in particular for a passenger transportation vehicle, such as an aircraft, a road vehicle, a ship or a rail car, has a support portion a light source having at least one LED, the light source being arranged on the support portion, and a refractive optical element having an inner surface and an outer surface the refractive optical element being attached to the support portion and being arranged over the light source. The refractive optical element has a chamfer portion adjacent the support portion, wherein at least one of the inner surface and the outer surface has at least one chamfer surface in the chamfer portion.
US09945526B2 Optoelectronic lighting module, optoelectronic lighting apparatus and vehicle headlamp
An optoelectronic lighting module (100) is provided having at least two optoelectronic semiconductor chips (10) with a radiation outlet surface (11) and an electrically non-conductive back side (12) facing away from the radiation outlet surface,—a cooling body (20) with a cooling body top side (21) and a cooling body bottom side (22) facing away from the cooling body top side (21),—two contact strips (30) with a contact top side (31) and a contact bottom side (32) facing away from the contact top side (31), wherein—the optoelectronic semiconductor chips (10) are arranged with the electrically non-conductive back side (12) on the cooling body top side (21),—each optoelectronic semiconductor chip (10) comprises two electric contact points (13) formed in the direction of the radiation outlet surface (11), and—the optoelectronic semiconductor chips (10) are connected in series via the electric contact points (13).
US09945525B2 Hybrid light redirecting and light diffusing constructions
Solar light redirecting glazing units include light redirecting and light diffusing constructions. The solar light redirecting glazing units may include a glazing substrate, a visible light diffusing layer, and a light redirecting layer oriented such that incoming solar light contacts the visible light diffusing layer before contacting the light redirecting layer. The solar light redirecting glazing units may include a glazing substrate, a patterned visible light diffusing layer, and a light redirecting layer. The solar light redirecting glazing units may include two glazing substrates separated by an intervening space with a solar light redirecting layer disposed on one glazing substrate, and a visible light diffusing layer disposed on the other glazing substrate.
US09945522B1 Adjustable light module
A light module can comprise a light emitting diode that generates light and an optic that manipulates or manages the resulting light. The optic can direct the generated light off axis, resulting in an illumination pattern that is biased towards one side of the light module, for example in a desired direction. Thus, the optic can transform the emission pattern of the light emitting diode to create an illumination pattern that is aimed in a desired direction. The optic can comprise a light-blocking shield to suppress, manage, or redirect light that would otherwise emanate from the light module in an unintended direction, for example opposite the desired direction.
US09945518B2 Method and arrangement for transferring heat in a gaseous fuel system
A fuel storage and distribution system for a gas-fueled sea-going vessel includes a thermally insulated gas tank for storing liquefied gas fuel. A local heat transfer circuit is configured to extract heat from an external heat source circuit. As a part of said local heat transfer circuit a heating arrangement is configured to heat gas fuel for increasing pressure inside the gas tank. As a part of said local heat transfer circuit is a main gas evaporator for evaporating liquefied gas fuel drawn from the gas tank for delivery to an engine of the sea-going vessel.
US09945512B2 Structure for mounting engine mount
A structure for mounting an engine mount, may include bracket which is coupled to the engine mount, and may have at least one mounting hole; an insulator which may have a pipe shape having a center hole, includes a material having elasticity, and is fitted into the at least one mounting hole; and a fixing pipe which is fitted into the center hole, and mounted in the at least one mounting hole together with the insulator, in which a recessed portion having a partially cut out shape or a recessed shape is formed along a circumference of the insulator at a first side of the insulator.
US09945511B2 Adjustable panel mount
A panel mount including a base, a first jaw, and a second jaw is provided. The panel mount includes a first and second threaded hole in the first jaw having fasteners received therein. The first threaded hole is nearer to the base than the second threaded hole. The panel mount includes a first and a second protrusion when fasteners are adjusted to protrude from the first jaw towards the second jaw. The panel mount includes a pivot protrusion on the second jaw. A panel is to be fastened between the pivot protrusion and at least one of the first protrusion or the second protrusion. Further, when one of the threaded fasteners protrudes from the first jaw at a greater distance than the other of the threaded fasteners, the panel may pivot about an axis centered on the pivot protrusion.
US09945506B2 Seismic slip joint, seismic-mitigating piping system, and method of mitigating seismic effects on a piping system
A seismic slip joint may include a fixed sealing surface, a moveable sealing surface, and a solenoid device. The moveable sealing surface is configured to engage the fixed sealing surface to form a sealing interface during a deactivated state. The sealing interface may be a juncture that precludes passage of a fluid therethrough. The solenoid device is configured to switch between the deactivated state and an activated state. The solenoid device may include a piston and a spring structure. The piston is connected to the moveable sealing surface. The spring structure exerts a force on the piston so as to press the moveable sealing surface against the fixed sealing surface to form the sealing interface during the deactivated state. The piston may be configured to compress the spring structure and retract during the activated state so as to separate the moveable sealing surface from the fixed sealing surface.
US09945504B2 Lining element for the rehabilitation of a pipeline
The invention relates to a lining element (10) for the rehabilitation of a pipeline, having a carrier layer (16) consisting of an expandable, resin-absorbent material which, in the longitudinal direction (L1, L2) of the carrier layer (16), has a first expansion rigidity, and a stiffening structure (24) which, in the longitudinal direction (L1, L2) of the carrier layer (16), has a second expansion rigidity, wherein the first expansion rigidity is lower than the second expansion rigidity and wherein the stiffening structure (24) is incorporated into the carrier layer (16).
US09945496B2 Automatic transmission control valve body structure
Structure of control valve body of automatic transmission has valve body enclosures having channels on opposing surfaces thereof; a separate plate sandwiched between the valve body enclosures for defining oil passages on both sides of the separate plate; and an orifice provided at the separate plate. The oil passages on both sides of the separate plate, which are upstream and downstream side oil passages located on upstream and downstream sides of the separate plate, communicate with each other through the orifice. Depth h, in a part facing to the orifice, of the channel corresponding to the downstream side oil passage is set to be shallower than depth of the channel corresponding to the upstream side oil passage, and the depth h of the channel in the part facing to the orifice and a diameter d of the orifice are set so as to satisfy relationship of h≤3d.
US09945490B2 SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in a vehicle seat
SMA valve for controlling pressurized air supply to an air cell in comprising: a valve housing; a valve element (4) which is moveably suspended with respect to a mounting plate (30) in the housing between a closed position and an open position of the valve; a spring element adapted to exert a bias force on the valve element (4) to the closed position; a SMA wire (1) arranged such that shortening of the SMA wire upon exceeding its threshold temperature pulls the valve element to the closed position; a conductor (20) arranged on the valve element (4) in contact with the SMA wire (1) and arranged such that it comes into contact with a conducting surface (34) on the mounting plate (30) to close an electrical circuit when the valve element reaches its open position; a control unit arranged to supply electrical power to the SMA wire and to detect closure of the electrical circuit, and arranged to reduce the electrical power supply to the SMA wire when detecting closure of the electrical circuit, characterized in that the suspension (8, 10, 10′, 12, 12′, 14, 14′) of the valve element (4) is arranged such that the valve element moves parallel to the mounting plate (30) between the closed and open positions, and the conductor (20) is arranged to extend along a first portion (22) parallel to the longitudinal and moving direction of the valve element (4) and along a second portion (24) towards the mounting plate (30) and into a slot (32) formed therein, the conducting surface (34) being located in the slot such that an exposed end of the conductor (20) comes into contact with the conducting surface (34) in the slot (32) when the valve element (4) reaches its open position.
US09945489B2 Safety valve
A safety valve mounted on a container and configured to release gas in a container in the case where the temperature rises, in which the safety is secured and a cost reduction is achieved. A movable body 12 includes a shaft portion 21 on which a compression coil spring 13 is fitted and a flange portion 22 configured to come into contact with a fusible alloy 11 by being urged by the compression coil spring 13. The flange portion 22 of the movable body 12 is provided with through holes 35 configured to discharge the fused fusible alloy 11 into a compression coil spring arrangement space 30.
US09945487B2 Check valve with accelerated closure
A check valve including a valve body and a flapper assembly, the valve body defining an inlet, an outlet, an interior cavity, and a port in the interior cavity; the flapper assembly movable between an open position, providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, and a closed position, isolating the inlet from the outlet, the flapper assembly including a resilient body and a spring assembly, the spring assembly configured to bias the flap portion of the resilient body towards the closed position, the spring assembly including a spring and a backing plate mounted on opposite surfaces of the resilient body and configured to increase the stiffness of the intermediate portion of the resilient body.
US09945480B2 Piston assembly including a polymer coating with hard particles applied to sliding surfaces
A piston assembly comprises a piston body, a connecting rod, and a wrist pin. The piston body includes a pair of first cross bores presenting a piston sliding surface. The connecting rod includes a second cross bore presenting a rod sliding surface which is axially aligned with the first cross bores of the piston body. A wrist pin is disposed in the aligned cross bores and couples the piston body to the connecting rod. The wrist pin also presents a pin sliding surface facing the rod sliding surface and the piston sliding surfaces. A coating is applied to at least one of the sliding surfaces, such as by dipping, brushing, atomizing, spraying, printing, or screen printing. The coating includes a polymer matrix, such as polyamide imide (PAI), and hard particles, such as Fe2O3, disposed throughout the polymer matrix. The hard particles have a hardness of at least 600 HV/0.5.
US09945479B2 Method of operating a vehicle and a vehicle
A method of operating a vehicle at different altitudes. The vehicle has an engine, a throttle valve and a throttle operator. A continuously variable transmission has a driving pulley connected to the engine, a driven pulley, and a belt operatively connecting therebetween. A ground engaging member is operatively connected to the driven pulley. A piston is connected to the driving pulley. A control unit controls actuation of the piston and the piston force. The method includes determining an altitude and/or an atmospheric pressure, a driven pulley speed, and at least one of the throttle operator position and the throttle valve position. The piston is selectively actuated based on the altitude and/or the atmospheric pressure. The piston force is controlled based on the driven pulley speed, and at least one of: the throttle operator position and the throttle valve position. Vehicles and other methods of operation thereof are also disclosed.
US09945471B2 Lubricating apparatus for rotating shaft
A lubricating apparatus of the present invention is applied to a transmission having a plurality of rotating shafts, and includes a first rotating shaft having a first oil passage, a second rotating shaft, and an impeller fixed to an axial end of the first rotating shaft. The impeller is arranged in a first oil storage chamber communicated with an outlet of the first oil passage. The impeller rotates with the first rotating shaft to scatter oil, and supplies the oil to the second rotating shaft.
US09945460B2 Torque limiter
A torque limiter comprising: a ramp roller, said ramp roller comprising: an input ramp roller element arranged to be driven by an input torque and having a first ramp surface; an output ramp roller element arranged to drive an output torque shaft and having a second ramp surface; ramp roller balls disposed between the first ramp surface and the second ramp surface; wherein said output ramp roller element is axially and resiliently compressible and wherein an overtorque condition causes axial compression of said output ramp roller element. This arrangement removes all axially sliding friction surfaces from the torque limiter so that the torque bandwidth is reduced, allowing manufacturers to design structures more optimally.
US09945459B2 Switch structure
A switch structure includes a lever operable by a user, a body coupled to the lever, a support formed in the lever, a pusher supported by the support, a detent surface formed in the body to produce a click when the lever is operated, and a spring that pushes the pusher against the detent surface. The pusher includes two slide surfaces, which slide on the lever and the body, and a groove, which draws grease from one of the two slide surfaces where the grease is applied to another one of the two slide surfaces.
US09945458B2 Actuator using expansion or contraction to produce linear or rotary motion
A motion producing device comprising an output member with a contact surface and a reference member. An actuator member is attached to the reference member, the actuator member having a traction surface and comprising actuator zones, each actuator zone being energizable to move a corresponding portion of the traction surface to change a contact state of the traction surface with the contact surface depending on an energized state of the actuator zone. An energy source is operatively coupled to the actuator zones for sequentially changing the energized state of the actuator zones. The actuator member provides a torque transmission path between the reference member and the output member.
US09945450B2 Multi-speed transmission
The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least nine forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms.
US09945438B2 Bicycle front derailleur body and device for adjustable rest of such derailleur body on a tube of a bicycle frame
A device for connecting a front derailleur to the front tube of a bicycle. The device is fixed to the derailleur and the front tube at a predetermined position and includes an adjustable rest for contacting the front tube and positioning the derailleur.
US09945437B2 Systems and methods for detecting wear of brake pads
A system can be used to indicate wear of a brake pad. The system can include a brake housing, a brake pad mechanically coupled to the brake housing, and a sensor mechanically coupled to the brake pad. The sensor can determine when the brake pad has been worn to a predetermined location by a rotating portion of a wheel. The system can also include an electronic module electrically coupled to the sensor and mechanically coupled to the brake housing. The electronic module can include a radio frequency antenna configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency energy from an external radio frequency transmitter, and an energy converter electrically coupled to the radio frequency antenna. As well, the electronic module can include an internal transmitter electrically coupled to the energy converter and the radio frequency antenna.
US09945431B2 Electromagnetic clutch
An inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an outer peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a rotor are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner cylindrical tubular portion at a counter-armature side location is larger than that of an armature side location in the rotor. An outer peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical tubular portion and an inner peripheral surface of an inner cylindrical tubular portion of a stator are respectively shaped into a stepped form. A radial distance between the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical tubular portion and the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical tubular portion at the counter-armature side location is larger than that of the armature side location in the stator.
US09945421B2 Bearing retainer, bearing and associated method
A bearing retainer for use in a bearing is provided. The bearing includes an inner ring, rolling elements and an outer ring. The bearing retainer includes a body. The body defines an inner periphery and an outer periphery of the body. The body further defines a plurality of inner walls. Each inner wall defines an opening extending from the inner periphery to the outer periphery of the body. The plurality of openings are adapted to receive one of the rolling elements. The inner walls are adapted to keep the rolling elements in a spaced apart relationship. At least one of the inner walls defines a aperture through the body. The aperture is adapted for storing lubrication therein.
US09945420B2 Bearing assembly for steering column
A radial support bearing assembly for use within a steering column assembly having an outer tube and a shaft 50, including at least one inner ring 70 defining an inner raceway, the inner ring 70 being axially fixed relative to the shaft 50, at least one outer ring 30 defining an outer raceway, and a plurality of roller elements 60 disposed between the at least one inner ring 70 and the at least one outer ring 30 in rolling contact with the inner raceway and the outer raceway. The inner ring 70 is in direct contact with the shaft 50 and has a circular cross-section as taken in a plane parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the shaft 50.
US09945416B2 Three-sectional hidden sliding rail mechanism
A three-sectional hidden sliding rail includes a pair of sliding rail sub-mechanisms symmetrically mounted at a left and a right side of a movable object. Each sliding rail sub-mechanism includes a fixed guide rail, a middle rail, and a movable guide rail. The fixed guide rail is mounted on a fixed object. The movable guide rail is mounted on a side surface of the movable object. The fixed guide rail and the movable guide rail (3) have a sliding guide groove. An upper and a lower end of the middle rail are mounted in the sliding guide grooves of the movable guide rail and the fixed guide rail. The middle rail is able to slide along the sliding guide groove of the fixed guide rail (1), and the movable guide rail is able to slide along the middle rail (2). The sliding rail sub-mechanisms are connected through a synchronous mechanism.
US09945415B2 Torque transmitting shaft
A torque transmitting shaft includes a first member and a second member. The first member extends along an axis and has an inner surface extending between a first end and a second end. The inner surface defines a plurality of first engagement elements disposed proximate the first end. The second member extends along the second axis and has a first end portion and an intermediate portion extending from the first end portion. An end of the intermediate portion is fixedly attached to the second end. The first end portion has a first spline portion and each member of the first spline portion is received within corresponding engagement elements of the plurality of first engagement elements.
US09945413B2 Locking fastener
The present disclosure provides a multiple use threaded fastener having a plurality of redundant locking features. The fastener includes a threaded hollow lock bolt having a tapered internal wall constructed to threadingly engage a threaded aperture in a housing. A threaded lock stud having a tapered external wall is constructed to fit at least partially within the hollow lock bolt and threadingly engage the threaded aperture of the housing and engage the tapered wall of the hollow lock bolt.
US09945410B2 Chemical wall plug
Wall plug, in particular chemical, comprising (i) a holed tubular jacket, this jacket defining an internal housing which emerges at each of the longitudinal ends of the jacket, and (ii) an outer sock which surrounds the jacket and covers the holes of the jacket, characterized in that said sock covers a first longitudinal end of the jacket so as to close said internal housing on the side of this first end.
US09945408B2 Coupling system
A coupling system comprising at least one male component and one female component, in which system the male component is inserted into the female component along a longitudinal axis that is common to the male and female components and is retained removably by the female component:—the male component comprising an elongate body of substantially cylindrical shape;—the female component comprising an elongate body of substantially cylindrical shape and having a longitudinal internal bore of dimensions suited to the insertion and retention of the male component and an open top end;—the male component being inserted into the female component through a movement of longitudinal displacement combined at the same time with a rotation by a quarter of a turn;—the male component comprising notches for blocking rotation and displacement along a longitudinal axis, these notches collaborating with complementary stops in the female component.
US09945403B2 Rigid foam board installation clip
A clip for facilitating installation of foam insulation boards in a building structure. The clip comprises a body, a spacer and a foot for holding the insulation board, and a connection region for attachment of the clip to a building structural member. The clip is designed to ensure proper ventilation and greatly easy the proper installation of rigid foam insulation.
US09945396B2 Fluid systems for machines with integrated energy recovery circuit
A fluid system for a machine that includes a linkage. The fluid system includes an actuator, an accumulator, a pilot circuit, and a pressure reducing valve. The actuator is configured to manipulate the linkage. The accumulator is configured to store a fluid discharged by the actuator under pressure. The pilot circuit is fluidly coupled to the accumulator and is configured to receive the fluid from the accumulator. Further, the pressure reducing valve is positioned between the accumulator and the pilot circuit to regulate the pressure of the fluid delivered to the pilot circuit from the accumulator.
US09945395B2 Control device for a hydraulic cylinder unit with an individual valve controller
A control device controls a hydraulic cylinder unit having a piston. The device receives a setpoint variable and an actual variable and determines, based on a difference between the setpoint variable and the actual variable, a preliminary manipulated variable for valves of the hydraulic cylinder unit. The setpoint variable and the actual variable relate to a position of the piston or a force applied by the piston. Linearization factors are determined dynamically as a function of the actual position of the piston and working pressures on both sides of the piston and a hydraulic fluid tank/pump. Definitive manipulated variables to control the valves are determined from the preliminary manipulated variable and the linearization factors. With the linearization factors, a ratio of the piston adjustment speed to the difference between the setpoint variable and the actual variable is independent of the actual position of the piston and the working pressures.
US09945383B2 Fan damping device for adjusting magnetic resistance
A fan damping device for adjusting magnetic resistance includes: a support frame, a fan wheel, a ring-shaped magnetic core, a magnetic control unit, and a control unit. The fan blades of the fan wheel can provide air resistance, and the magnetic control unit and the control unit provide adjustable magnetic resistance. By such arrangements, resistance can be increased without increasing the size and weight of the present invention. Besides, the resistance is adjustable as desired to improve convenience of use.
US09945378B2 Scroll compressor
Provided is a scroll compressor capable of ensuring reliability of a release valve device. The scroll compressor is provided with: an orbiting scroll having an orbiting scroll wrap; a fixed roll having a fixed scroll wrap intermeshing with the orbiting scroll wrap; a release hole formed in the fixed scroll; a housing hole communicating with the release hole and having larger diameter than that of the release hole; a valve seat member which is housed in the housing hole and has a valve seat surface; a valve plate contacting with or separating from the valve seat surface by a pressure difference; a spring for pressing the valve plate against the valve seat surface; a stopper which is equipped with the spring and secures the valve seat member; and a retainer for securing the stopper.
US09945376B2 Gear pump
An embodiment of a gear pump arrangement includes a first gear defining a first set of teeth; and a second gear defining a second set of teeth, the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth being in meshed communication such that fluid is pumped in response to rotation of the first gear and the second gear, at least one of the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth having at least one gear tooth passageway through each tooth thereby fluidically connecting opposing faces of the tooth.
US09945373B2 Direct injection pump control strategy for noise reduction
A pump may have a first chamber and a solenoid coil to control movement of a first valve member. A second chamber may have a second valve member to control fluid moving into a third chamber. A first fluid passageway may link the first and second chambers, a second passageway may link second and third chambers and a third passageway may link third and fourth chambers. After pressurizing the third chamber causing fluid to flow into and leave a fourth chamber, the third chamber depressurizes due to downward movement of a plunger. Upon depressurization with a solenoid coil energized, second valve member floats and then moves against a valve seat. While the second valve member is moving toward the valve seat, the solenoid coil is de-energized causing the first valve member to move and strike the second valve member when the second valve member is moving at maximum velocity.
US09945372B2 Compressing diaphragm pump with multiple effects
A compressing diaphragm pump with multiple effects includes an eccentric roundel mount with three cylindrical eccentric roundels, a pump head body with three operating holes, and a diaphragm membrane with three annular positioning protrusions. A basic curved groove or other positioning structure is circumferentially disposed around each operating hole while a basic curved protrusion or other mating positioning structure is provided in the diaphragm membrane for suitably coupling with the corresponding groove or positioning structure in the pump head body upon assembly, resulting in a shortened length of moment arm from the basic curved protrusions or other positioning structures and an annular positioning protrusion, and a reduction in vibration-caused noise and resonant shaking in comparison with a conventional compressing diaphragm pump. The cylindrical eccentric roundels each includes a sloped top ring extending between an annular positioning groove and a vertical or inverted frustoconical flank of the eccentric roundel mount resulting in an extended service lifespan of the compressing diaphragm pump.
US09945359B2 DC output wind turbine with power dissipation
A wind turbine is disclosed having a generator and rectifier and structured to provide direct current power that in one form is medium voltage direct current (MVDC). The wind turbine includes a crowbar circuit arranged to protect from a condition such as an overvoltage. The crowbar can be activated based on a voltage measurement or rate of change of voltage. A resistor can be coupled to the crowbar to absorb excess power provided by the generator during the overvoltage condition. Individual wind turbines in a wind farm can each have individual crow bars that can be activated based on local measurement of a voltage condition. In some forms the crowbar can be coupled with a transformer, for example coupled with a tertiary winding of a three winding transformer.
US09945349B2 Hydraulic apparatus
A closed-loop hydraulic apparatus 200 for converting wave energy comprises a pump 201 for pumping a fluid through the apparatus 200. The pump 201 includes a body 202 defining a chamber 203, and a piston 207 that partitions the chamber 203 into a working side 208 and a blind side 209. A buoyant actuator is connected to the piston 207. An inlet 64 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the inlet 64 and into the working side 208 of the chamber 203. An outlet 63 is connected to the working side 208 of the chamber 203 so that the fluid is able to flow from the working side 208 of the chamber 203 to the outlet 63. A hydraulic controller 102 is operable to control the pump 201 by controlling the pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 so as to optimise the output of the pump 201 in response to tidal variations and/or sea state. The pressure of the fluid at the inlet 64 and the outlet 63 is controlled in accordance with a control algorithm.
US09945328B2 Low-pressure-loop exhaust recirculation apparatus of engine
A low-pressure-loop EGR apparatus of an engine includes an EGR passage to allow part of exhaust gas discharged from a combustion chamber to return as EGR gas to the combustion chamber, and an EGR valve to regulate a flow of EGR gas in the EGR passage. This passage has an inlet connected to an exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to an intake passage upstream of a compressor. In the intake passage, an intake bypass passage is provided to connect an upstream portion and a downstream part from the compressor. An ABV is provided in the passage. To remove EGR gas remaining in the ABV, one end of a residual gas removal passage is connected to the intake passage downstream of a throttle valve and the other end of the same passage is connected to the ABV.
US09945327B2 Method and apparatus for controlling turbine efficiency
A method of controlling turbine efficiency in a turbo unit provided on an internal combustion engine includes providing a flow of gas in an area upstream a turbine at a direction different to the flow of exhaust gases in the same area, regulating the flow by a valve, and controlling the valve from a control unit having at least boost pressure and/or EGR flow as input parameters.
US09945325B2 Integrated heat exchangers for low fan pressure ratio geared turbofan
An oil cooling system and method are provided for use with respect to a lubricated mechanical system within a bypass configured gas turbine engine. A surface cooler is fluidly linked to the lubricated mechanical system to receive oil from the lubricated mechanical system for cooling and reuse. In an embodiment, the surface cooler is mounted on an existing surface within the bypass airflow path of the bypass configured gas turbine engine to provide effective cooling while avoiding the introduction of additional aerodynamic disturbances in the bypass path. In an embodiment, the surface cooler is mounted on the fan casing or on a fan exit guide vane.
US09945322B2 Stirling engine or cooler heat exchanger
A free piston Stirling engine with a heat exchanger that has an inner component part assembled within an outer component part. The outer component part has a tubular outer wall and circumferentially spaced ridges that extend radially inward from the tubular outer wall and are separated from each other by inward opening slots. The inner component part has a tubular inner wall and circumferentially spaced ridges that extend outward from the inner tubular wall and are separated from each other by outward opening slots. The ridge widths of the outer and inner component parts are less than the slot widths of the corresponding slots into which they fit. The two component parts are assembled with the ridges of each component part extending into the slots of the other component part to form gas passages between interfacing sidewall surfaces of the ridges.
US09945312B2 Abnormality diagnosis device for exhaust gas sensor
An abnormality diagnosis device is for an exhaust gas sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio, or a rich or lean state of exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine and that includes a sensor element having a catalyst layer. The device includes an abnormality diagnosis unit that makes a sensor abnormality diagnosis whereby to change the air-fuel ratio alternately between a rich side and a lean side and to determine whether the exhaust gas sensor is abnormal or not based on response characteristics of the exhaust gas sensor in response to the change of the air-fuel ratio. When making the sensor abnormality diagnosis, the abnormality diagnosis unit calculates the response characteristics of the exhaust gas sensor with exclusion of a sensor output plateau region, which is a region in which an output of the exhaust gas sensor is stagnant due to the catalyst layer.
US09945310B1 Methods and system for adjusting engine water injection
Methods and systems are provided for water injection into an engine and adjusting engine operation based on engine dilution demand and engine knock. In one example, a method may include injecting water into an intake manifold via a port water injector or a manifold water injector and adjusting engine operation. Further, the method may include adjusting engine operation based on a change in engine dilution or knock.
US09945309B2 Vehicle method for barometric pressure identification
A vehicle method for barometric pressure identification, including adjusting engine operation responsive to barometric pressure, the barometric pressure based on a pressure change at a sector of the fuel system when the sector is sealed with the vehicle travelling. The method may utilize a pressure change at the sealed sector of the fuel system, such as a sealed fuel tank, to identify barometric pressure, even with the engine off for extended durations of vehicle travel. As such, in a hybrid-vehicle application, including during hill descents in which the engine is maintained off, barometric pressure can still be updated.
US09945308B2 Automatic calibration system and method for a dual fuel internal combustion engine
A system and method for automatically calibrating an engine operating with a first fuel and a second fuel includes comparing each of a plurality of engine operating parameters with a corresponding limit, determining whether any of the plurality of engine operating parameters has exceeded its corresponding limit and, while none of the plurality of engine operating parameters has exceeded its corresponding limit, automatically and incrementally advance start of injection timing.
US09945307B2 Method and system for improving change of fuel in bi-fuel vehicle
A method for improving a change of fuel in a bi-fuel vehicle includes: a step of measuring an LPG level in an LPG fuel tank; a pressure reference driving step of continuing the driving of the vehicle using the LPG fuel; a pressure change rate reference driving step of continuing the driving of the vehicle using the LPG fuel when it is determined that the vehicle may be driven by the LPG fuel by comparing an LPG rail pressure change quantity and a pressure change quantity in the LPG fuel tank with a set reference value; and a fuel expanding step of continuing the driving of the vehicle using the LPG fuel when it is determined that the vehicle may be driven by the LPG fuel by comparing an injection quantity of LPG fuel and an accumulated value of mileage with a set reference value.
US09945288B2 Rotary unit of supercharger for engine and balance adjustment method thereof
A rotary unit is rotatably accommodated within a supercharger casing of a supercharger for pressurizing an intake air of an engine. The rotary unit includes a supercharger rotary shaft, an impeller fixed to a tip end portion of the supercharger rotary shaft, a rotating component rotatable together with the supercharger rotary shaft independently of the impeller, and a nut member for pressing the impeller and the rotating component in a direction axially of the supercharger rotary shaft to thereby fix them to the supercharger rotary shaft. The nut member is formed with an adjustment portion for the rotational balance adjustment.
US09945284B2 Thermostatic valve with a restriction element and bypass port arranged between a first inlet connection and a first outlet connection
A thermostatic valve to connect a heat source, in particular a gear drive, with a heat exchanger, particularly a motor vehicle. The thermostatic valve having a thermostatic valve housing with a first inlet connection for a first inlet port and a second inlet connection for a second inlet port, as well as a first outlet connection for a first outlet port and a second outlet connection for a second outlet port. The thermostatic valve further including a moveable working element in an intake opening of the thermostatic valve housing to open and close the inlet and outlet ports and a separate restriction element provided in the thermostatic valve housing between the first inlet connection and the first outlet connection.
US09945281B2 Cooling system for air-cooled engines
A cooling system for an air-cooled engine includes a plurality of electric fans, a plurality of ducts, each duct configured to receive one of the plurality of electric fans, a housing, the housing configured to be coupled to the engine and to include at least one opening, each opening is configured to be coupled to receive one of the plurality of ducts to direct air from the electric fans to a plurality of target locations, a sensor, the sensor is configured to acquire sensor data regarding the operation of the engine, and a processing circuit, the processing circuit is configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to control operation of the plurality of electric fans in accordance with the sensor data.
US09945277B2 Exhaust gas purification apparatus for internal combustion engine
A three-way catalyst, an NSR catalyst, and an SCR catalyst are provided in this order for an exhaust gas passage, wherein the air-fuel ratio (AFR) is set to a first AFR which is a rich AFR before the AFR is switched from a theoretical AFR to a lean AFR, and then the AFR is set to a second AFR which is higher than the first AFR and lower than the theoretical AFR if a NOx occlusion amount is less than a threshold value during a period until an NH3 adsorption amount of the SCR catalyst becomes a predetermined adsorption amount, while the AFR is set to a third AFR which is higher than the first AFR and lower than the second AFR if the NOx occlusion amount is not less than the threshold value.
US09945272B2 Variable valve actuation apparatus for internal combustion engine
In a variable valve actuation apparatus for an internal combustion engine, a rotor of a variable valve timing mechanism is fixed to one end of a camshaft by a plurality of bolts. An oil control valve configured to control hydraulic pressure that acts on the rotor is fixed to the rotor by one or some of the plurality of bolts. For this reason, by releasing fastening of the bolt that fixes the oil control valve to the rotor among the plurality of bolts that fix the rotor to the one end of the camshaft, the oil control valve is allowed to be removed from the rotor while the rotor is fixed to the camshaft. Therefore, it is not required to perform positioning for fixing the rotor to the camshaft at the time of replacement of the oil control valve.
US09945269B2 Switchable valve train rocker shaft
A switchable valve train assembly including a rocker shaft is provided. The rocker shaft includes a first chamber extending between a first axial end and a second axial end of the rocker shaft and a second chamber extending between the first axial end and the second axial end of the rocker shaft. A seepage orifice is defined between the first chamber and the second chamber and provides a fluid connection between the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber includes a first actuator port in fluid connection with a first intake port for a hydraulic lash adjuster. The second chamber includes a second actuator port in fluid connection with a second intake port for a locking assembly.
US09945268B2 Variable valve apparatus for internal combustion engine
A variable valve apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention comprises a cam base member rotating with rotation of a camshaft and a cam lobe member. The cam lobe member is movable to the cam base member, between a projecting position where the cam part radially projects and a retreat position where the cam part is retreated. A resilient member urges the cam lobe member toward the projecting position. A movement control apparatus includes a drive member provided for driving the cam lobe member, and the drive member is fixed to the cam lobe member. When the cam lobe member is in a non-fixing state to the cam base member, the cam lobe member is moved from the projecting position to the retreat position with the drive member being pressed.
US09945266B2 Combined cycle power plant thermal energy conservation
A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbine having a primary flow passage, a heat recovery steam generator having a heat exchanger disposed downstream from the primary flow passage, an exhaust stack in fluid communication with the primary flow passage and disposed downstream from the heat recovery steam generator and a reversible turning gear coupled to a rotor shaft of the gas turbine. The reversible turning gear counter rotates the rotor shaft during turning gear counter rotation operation of the gas turbine and reverses flow of combustion exhaust gas from the exhaust stack through the heat exchanger and back into the primary flow passage of the gas turbine, thereby conserving thermal energy stored in the heat recovery steam generator. A method for conserving thermal energy of a combined cycle power plant during counter rotation turning gear operation of the gas turbine is also disclosed.
US09945263B2 Steam power cycle system
There is provided a steam power cycle system in which steam power cycles using pure materials as a working fluid is used in a multiple stage to reduce pressure loss in the flow channels in the respective heat exchanger so that the fluid serving as heat sources has been caused to make an effective heat exchange with the working fluid. More specifically, not only that the respective flow channels for the fluid serving as heat sources in the evaporator and the condenser in the respective steam power cycle units are connected in series to each other, but the evaporator and the condenser comprise a cross-flow type heat exchanger and are arranged respectively in a flowing direction of the fluid serving as heat source. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the length of the flow channels to the minimum necessary, simplify the flow channel structure, and reduce the pressure loss.
US09945243B2 Turbine shroud with biased blade track
A turbine shroud for a gas turbine engine is adapted to extend around a bladed turbine wheel and prevent gasses from passing over the blades without interacting with the blades. The turbine shroud includes a carrier, a blade track, and a plurality of biasing members. The biasing members locate the blade track relative to the carrier.
US09945240B2 Power turbine heat shield architecture
A power turbine section for a gas turbine engine includes a heat shield assembly mounted to a bearing support, the heat shield assembly forms an outer diameter directed toward an inner vane platform of the power turbine vane array.
US09945232B2 Gas turbine blade configuration
A gas turbine engine blade (22), including an airfoil substrate (10) having an exterior surface, wherein: a base (14) of the airfoil substrate is located at a 0% radial on an inner platform surface (20) and a tip (16) of the airfoil substrate is located at a 100% radial; wherein at the 0% radial a cross-sectional profile of the exterior surface is substantially characterized by nominal X and Y coordinates present in Table 1; and wherein at a 50% radial location a cross-sectional profile of the exterior surface is characterized by nominal X and Y coordinates present in Table 6.
US09945227B2 Mixed-mode telemetry systems and methods
A telemetry method transmits data by MP telemetry to a telemetry relay system which retransmits the data by EM telemetry. The method avoids the need to incorporate MP telemetry pressure transducers into rig equipment and permits telemetry from regions unfavorable for EM telemetry because of depth and/or characteristics surrounding formations.
US09945225B2 System for measuring downhole parameters and a method of using same
The present invention provides a system and method for measuring downhole parameters within a SAGD system. The system includes one or more downhole sensors that are positioned at least within a heel portion of a long production tubing string. Positioning the system within the long production tubing string avoids pulling the sensors to surface each time that the short production tubing string is worked over. The system comprises a ported sub that is threadably connected as part of the long production tubing string. When the tubing string is in a desired position, the ported sub is near the heel portion of the production well. The system further comprises a pumpable sleeve that carries the instrument line downhole into the ported sub. When the pumpable sleeve lands in the ported sub, the instrument line detects information regarding downhole parameters at the heel portion of the production well.
US09945218B2 Sytems and methods for re-completing multi-zone wells
The well includes a wellbore with a casing string that extends within the wellbore, defining a casing conduit including existing perforations. A re-completion liner extends within the casing conduit and defines a liner conduit therein, and an annular space extends between the re-completion liner and the casing string. Systems and methods include perforating the re-completion liner to create liner perforations and perforating the casing string to create re-completion perforations that are generally aligned with respective liner perforations, stimulating the subterranean formation by flowing a completing fluid through the plurality of liner perforations and re-completion perforations, controlling flow of a fluid within the annular space, and/or producing a reservoir fluid from the subterranean formation and through both the existing perforations and the re-completion perforations.
US09945217B2 System and method for fluid injection
A fluid injection system includes a water injection assembly having a choke valve configured to receive water from a water injection line and to provide the water to a main bore of a well head. The system also includes a polymer injection assembly having a dedicated polymer connection configured to receive a polymer from a polymer injection line and to direct the polymer toward the main bore of the well head to facilitate mixing of the water and the polymer within the main bore.
US09945215B2 Determining perforation orientation
A method and apparatus for determining the relative orientation of objects downwell, and especially to determining perforator orientation, involves varying the orientation of an object, such as a perforator gun (302) in the wellbore (202) and activating at least one directional acoustic source (402a-c). Each directional acoustic source is fixed in a predetermined location to the object and transmits an acoustic signal preferentially in a known direction. The directional acoustic sources are activated so as to generate sound in a plurality of different orientations of said object. An optical fiber (104) is interrogated to provide distributed acoustic sensing in the vicinity of the object; and the acoustic signals detected by the optical fiber are analyzed to determine the orientation of the at least one directional acoustic source relative to the optical fiber, for instance by looking at the relative intensity in the different orientations.
US09945214B2 Firing mechanism for a perforating gun or other downhole tool
A firing assembly for a wellbore perforating gun or other downhole tool includes: one or more casings connected together to form a firing head containment body, the firing head containment body is in fluid communication with a firing assembly that includes a click pressure firing module that allows the wellbore to be pressurized to high pressures required for pressure testing the well casing one or more times without firing the gun or actuating a certain downhole tool, and after a predetermined number of pressure increase events, allows the subsequent high pressure activation to reach the firing pin or actuation device and fire the gun or activate the tool without further activity from the surface other than applying the pressure.
US09945209B2 Plunger assembly with expandable seal
The present application includes and assembly having a hollowed body configured to traverse the length of a well bore and remove contaminants. The hollowed body having an upper seal body and a lower seal body. Each body including a seat for securing and sealing by a dart. The dart is configured to transition between the seats by passing through a central channel of the hollowed body. The assembly further includes an expandable seal configured to expand in diameter from the increase in pressure in the well bore. The expandable seal contacts the walls of the well bore. The expandable seal cleans the walls of the well bore and prevents leakage of working fluid between the walls and the assembly.
US09945194B2 Top drive pipe spinner
The present invention relates generally to a Top Drive Pipe Spinner (TDPS). The TDPS is a tool that allows for the setting of casing without a specialized crew or any additional power source. By employing the weight of the existing top drive to set slips below the casing collar and on the pipe, the TDPS allows one casing to be threaded onto the next in a timely and efficient manner. The casing tongs of the TDPS use passive release weight to release the casing collar from the casing to allow for the successive insertion of another casing section. The top drive spins the TDPS and compresses the unit onto the casing, then lifts the unit and releases the casing when desired.
US09945189B2 Travel joint release devices and methods
A travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel slidingly disposed within the outer housing, and a release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the release device from a flowbore of the outer housing or a flowbore of the inner mandrel.
US09945188B2 Enhanced interconnect for downhole tools
A system and method for an enhanced interconnect for downhole tools along a drill string used in subterranean operations is described herein. The system (300) may include a first drill string segment (302) comprising a first conductive element (306) and a second drill string segment (304) coupled to the first drill string segment. The system may also include a tool connect assembly (310) disposed within an internal bore of the second drill string segment. The tool connect assembly may comprise a second conductive element (312) electrically connected to the downhole tool, and the second conductive element may be electrically coupled to the first conductive element through at most two electrical interfaces.
US09945186B2 Polycrystalline diamond compact, and related methods and applications
Polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) include a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table in which cobalt is alloyed with phosphorous to improve the thermal stability of the PCD table. For example, a PDC includes a substrate and a PCD table including an upper surface spaced from an interfacial surface that is bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes an alloy comprising at least one Group VIII metal and phosphorous. The alloy is disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions.
US09945183B2 Downhole force generating tool
The disclosure of this application is directed to a downhole tool comprising a central element/member and a sleeve that is rotatably and orbitally disposed around the central element/member. The sleeve rotates and orbits around the central element/member responsive to fluid flowing through the downhole too. The disclosure is also related to a method of advancing the downhole tool in a well by flowing fluid through the tool.
US09945180B2 Drilling machine and method
The present disclosure provides a machine capable of drilling into the ground at a wide range of angles relative to the ground surface. The present disclosure also provides novel drilling methods.
US09945179B1 Removable step ladder for recreational vehicle
In one embodiment of the invention, a ladder and method for removably mounting the ladder on a recreational vehicle is disclosed. The ladder may be removed and used as a standard step ladder. The ladder includes a top end and two pairs of legs extending downward from the top end. At least one of the pairs of legs is pivotally mounted to the top end, and a pivoting limiting mechanism is provided to allow the pairs of legs to fold adjacent one another or unfold to a use position as a step ladder. An upper mounting arrangement is attached to the recreational vehicle. The arrangement includes two free ends extending downwardly therefrom; and the top end of the ladder includes receivers for receiving free ends of the upper mounting arrangement.
US09945174B2 Anchor for laminated glass and method for setting of the anchor in laminated glass
An anchor for laminated glass includes an expansion dowel that has expansion appendices situated circumferentially, and is preferably made of a flexible material and having a conical cross-section with thickness increasing in the direction of insertion. Above the line of the expansion appendices is a circumferential groove, situated at the height of the edge of transition of the cylindrical hole into the conical hole, forming an empty space.
US09945164B2 Vehicle door latch
A vehicle door latch assembly is disclosed herein, having: a fork bolt movably secured to the latch assembly; a detent lever movably secured to the latch assembly, the detent lever being capable of movement between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the detent lever retains the fork bolt in a latched position when the detent lever is in the engaged position and an engagement surface of the detent lever contacts an engagement surface of the fork bolt; an inertia block out assembly for preventing the detent lever from moving into the disengaged position when the inertia block out assembly is in a blocking position; and a manual override mechanism for the inertia block out assembly, wherein the manual override mechanism requires at least three independent actions to be performed to move the inertia block out assembly from the blocking position to an unblocking position.
US09945160B2 Vehicle door locking system
A vehicle door locking system includes: a sensor device that is mounted in a door handle or a vehicle door of a vehicle, detects presence or absence of an object approaching or being in contact with the sensor device, and outputs a signal for locking or unlocking the vehicle door; and a sensor controller that controls the sensor device, wherein the sensor controller changes a control state of the sensor device or changes a processing state of the signal output from the sensor device on the basis of new information which includes at least one of information output from the sensor device and information output from a device other than the sensor device.
US09945156B2 Antenna and wireless deadbolt sensor
An antenna for reception and transmission of signals within an enclosure. The antenna includes a first lead for connection to a printed circuit board and a second lead. A plurality of vertical members extend in parallel to one another and spaced a predetermined distance apart. Each vertical member has a first end and a second end. A plurality of horizontal members is provided. Each horizontal member extends alternately between first ends of a pair of adjacent vertical members and second ends of a next pair of adjacent vertical members forming a connection between said first lead and said second lead.
US09945155B2 Cylinder lock device
A cylinder lock device includes a body, a rotor rotatably arranged inside the body, a holder lever rotationally driven according to a rotation of the rotor, an engagement lever that is link-connected to the holder lever so as to be angularly adjustable and rotationally driven according to a rotation of the rotor, and a retention mechanism to hold the engagement lever into a predetermined direction relative to the body. The retention mechanism is configured to force a protrusion on the engagement lever to contact the holder lever by an elastic force thereof.
US09945153B2 Electric door strike having a dead latch release platform actuated by a spring latch keeper and a spring latch lifter feature
An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a chamber for receiving a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-type lockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to restrain the spring latch. A pivotable spring latch lifter is positively driven by the keeper, and a pivotable dead latch release platform is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is locked within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and then may be rotated which causes rotation of the dead latch release platform, allowing the dead latch to enter the chamber. The keeper positively drives the spring latch lifter to lift the spring latch onto the external ramp of the strike. In an alternate embodiment, an internal ramp feature may be used instead of the spring latch lifter to positively lift the spring latch out of the chamber.
US09945136B2 Spring loaded waler bracket assembly
A waler bracket for use with a concrete wall form includes a main frame portion connecting arm attached to a framing wall stud projecting from the wall form, a spring including a first and second end, a handle attached the connecting arm and to a cam-lock. The handle moves between non clamping and clamping configurations thereof, and rotates the cam-lock, which in turn engages the spring such that the first and second ends act in torsion, such that the first end engages the second end in compression, which in turn causes an abutment against a waler.
US09945131B2 Slidable snap-in trim system
Snap-in trim systems include a mounting element securable to or integrated with a structural component of a building. Structural components include modular wall components suitable for having decorative or structural trim attached thereto. The mounting element extends longitudinally along a length of the structural component. A longitudinal connection element is secured to the mounting element along the length thereof. The connection element attaches to the mounting element at an attachment interface either anterior-perpendicularly, lateral-parallelly, or anterior-lateral-diagonally. A trim element is connected to or integrated with the connection element. Connected trim elements include an alignment element for ensuring proper positioning of the trim element relative to the connection element. Trim elements include baseboard, crown molding, window casing, door casing and door stops.
US09945126B2 Gutter leaf slide bridge
A gutter protecting apparatus includes a plurality of substantially parallel rods extending in a downward slope from near a roof edge to and beyond the far side of the gutter. The rods extend substantially perpendicular to the gutter's length and to a frame to which the rods connect at the upper edge. Preferably, the lower rod ends are spaced above and slightly beyond the far edge of the gutter to allow debris to pass the gutter without catching. Legs can extend down from some rods to the gutter's far edge to provide support. The apparatus can be pivotably mounted to the roof, the fascia or the gutter, permitting access beneath. The apparatus forms a cage-like covering over the gutter to exclude matter and small creatures, while allowing the liquid to flow past. Sunlight bypassing the rods and movement of air through the gutter make the water exiting the downspout cleaner.
US09945120B1 Plastic form and manufacturing method thereof
The plastic form is made from a plastic material mixed with a number of glass fiber particles, is formed by melting the plastic material and particles, and then by injection molding through distributing the melted material into a mold via a grid forming machine. The plastic form has a first piece, a second piece, an intermediate layer with a number of connection ribs and through channels. The through channel leads to light weight for convenient transportation and installation. The smooth first and second pieces lead to convenient stripping and well-finished concrete surfaces. The connection ribs enhance the plastic form's strength in withstanding deformation, contributing to the plastic form's reusability and environmental friendliness.
US09945114B2 System and method for the rapid installation of a portable building in a confined vertically inaccessible location
A device comprising a weldment having an upper beam, a vertical beam, and a lower beam, wherein the upper beam further comprises at least two lifting eyes and at least one crane hook, and the lower beam further comprises a plurality of swivel-hoist rings and a plurality of forklift pockets, and wherein the lower beam is a length minimally required to locate a structure laterally underneath an upper level of a platform having an upper level and a lower level.
US09945113B1 Method of marketing an elevated prefabricated building
A method of marketing an elevated prefabricated building includes the steps of: 1) offering to a customer for a quoted price, a building that has a precast concrete chain wall foundation and a prefabricated building that is to be supported by the precast concrete chain wall foundation; 2) the offer in step “a” including an offer to install the building at the site within a span of construction time on site of a week or less; 3) the precast concrete chain wall foundation offered for shipment to a selected site after it has been cast; and 4) the precast concrete chain wall foundation and prefabricated building being offered to be installed at the selected site with a lifting device that lifts each from the transport vehicle to the site.
US09945110B2 Double-flush light-touch drain valve and double-flush control method
A double-flush light-touch drain valve and double-flush control method. The valve includes a base, a buoy component and a starting component, a valve body installed on the base, the base provided with an outfall, the buoy component capable of moving relatively to the base and capable of opening or closing the outfall. The starting component includes a first starting switch and a second starting switch, and the buoy component is provided with a flowing channel communicated with the inside and outside of a buoy cavity of the buoy component; and the first starting switch is operable to drive the buoy component to rise, and close the flowing channel to implement a first flush; and the second starting switch is operable to drive the buoy component to rise, and the flowing channel is opened by the starting component, to implement a second flush.
US09945103B2 Systems and methods for programming and controlling water delivery devices
A control system includes a water delivery device and a communications bridge. The water delivery device includes a mixing valve, a controller configured to control the mixing valve, and a first optical communications interface coupled to the controller. The communications bridge includes a second optical communications interface and a separate data communications interface. The communications bridge is configured to exchange information with the water delivery device using optical communications via the first and second optical communications interfaces, and to exchange information with a user device using electronic data communications between the user via and the data communications interface.
US09945096B2 Force-based work vehicle blade pitch control
A system and method for automatically adjusting blade pitch in crawler dozers, motor graders, and other bladed work vehicles includes estimating a current tractive force of the work vehicle utilizing one or more controllers that establish whether the current tractive force of the work vehicle can be reduced by rotating the blade to an optimized pitch angle. A command is transmitted from the one or more controllers to a blade actuation system to rotate the blade to the optimized pitch angle. The method may be performed iteratively to repeatedly adjust the blade pitch to optimized angles as the work vehicle operates and conditions affecting the optimal blade pitch angle vary.
US09945091B1 Portable cofferdam system
A portable cofferdam system for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The portable cofferdam system generally includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge. A middle wall is connected to the sidewalls opposite of the rear edges of the sidewalls forming a substantially U-shaped structure. An opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow for positioning about or near the inlet of an object or area to be kept dry such as the inlet of a culvert.
US09945088B2 Steel pipe pile with spiral blades, composite pile, and construction method of composite pile
There is disclosed a steel pipe pile with spiral blades which is capable of effectively improving comparatively soft ground in which a clay layer and the like are present at deep positions of several ten meters beneath the surface of the ground. A steel pipe pile 1 with spiral blades comprises a steel pipe pile main body 10 and one or more spiral blades 20 attached to the steel pipe pile main body 10, and a diameter D of the spiral blade 20 is set to three times or more as large as a diameter d of the steel pipe pile main body 10.
US09945086B2 Snow melting device
A snow melting device is provided that is suitable for residential or commercial use. The device comprises a wheeled hand cart having a housing that is partitioned into a first portion and a second portion. Snow to be cleared is deposited into the first portion and melted using hot water dispensed from a water circulating system and spray nozzles disposed about the housing periphery. The snow is melted and circulated through the water circulating system, which includes a hot water heater, a water pump, fuel supply reservoirs, a motor to drive the pump, and a water line that communicates heated water from the hot water heater to the nozzles. Snow is melted as it is shoveled into the device, and overflow water exits the housing through drain tubes at a given water level. The device eliminates having to transport or carry snow from an area being cleared.
US09945083B2 Unidirectional bend drive chain and lift mechanism and boom barrier including same
A unidirectionally bendable transmission chain. At a first side thereof, an inner stop plate is fixed between a pair of inner chain plates at both ends of pin shafts, and an outer stop plate is fixed between a pair of outer chain plates at both ends of the pin shafts. Both ends of the inner stop plate are flush with axes of pin holes provided at both ends of the inner chain plates, and both ends of the outer stop plate are respectively provided with extensions beyond the outer chain plates; the extensions of the outer stop plate form a one-sided support for the inner stop plate to prevent the transmission chain from bending toward the first side, thus the transmission chain bends unidirectionally toward a second side opposite to the first side. A hoisting mechanism and a liftable roadblock having the above transmission chain.
US09945075B2 Method of applying a photocatalytic dispersion
A method of applying a photocatalytic dispersion (10) on a paper (2), including impregnating a paper (2) with a thermosetting resin, drying the resin impregnated paper (2), applying a photocatalytic dispersion (10) comprising photocatalytic nanoparticles on the dried, resin impregnated paper (2), and drying the resin impregnated paper (2) having the photocatalytic dispersion applied thereon. Also, to such a photocatalytic dispersion.
US09945060B2 Method to determine fabric type in a laundry treating appliance using motor current signature during agitation
Disclosed is a method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a treating chamber that receives a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of operation. The method includes determining the size of the laundry load in the treating chamber; supplying a predetermined amount of liquid to the treating chamber based on the determined load size; applying mechanical energy to the laundry treating chamber by driving a clothes mover with an electric motor; determining a difference between an in-rush current to the electric motor and a steady-state current of the electric motor during the applying of the mechanical energy; and determining a laundry load type of the laundry load based on the determined difference.
US09945048B2 Semiconductor structure and method
A system and method for providing support to semiconductor wafer is provided. An embodiment comprises introducing a vacancy enhancing material during the formation of a semiconductor ingot prior to the semiconductor wafer being separated from the semiconductor ingot. The vacancy enhancing material forms vacancies at a high density within the semiconductor ingot, and the vacancies form bulk micro defects within the semiconductor wafer during high temperature processes such as annealing. These bulk micro defects help to provide support and strengthen the semiconductor wafer during subsequent processing and helps to reduce or eliminate a fingerprint overlay that may otherwise occur.
US09945043B2 Electro chemical deposition apparatus
This invention relates to apparatus for electrochemical deposition onto the surface of a substrate. The apparatus includes an anode electrode 13 a support 12 for supporting the substrate 11 with its one surface 21 exposed at a location, the support 12 and the anode electrode 13 being relatively movable to alter the gap between the anode 13 and the location to define a chamber 23 between them and an electrical power source 18 with an ohmic contact to the seed layer 20 for creating a potential difference across the gap. The apparatus further includes a seal 14 for sealing with the seed layer 20 to define the fluid chamber 23; and the fluid inlet 16 and a fluid outlet 17 to the chamber 13.
US09945042B2 Chip electronic component and manufacturing method thereof
There are provided a chip electronic component and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, a chip electronic component having an internal coil structure capable of preventing the occurrence of short-circuits between coil portions and having a high aspect ratio (AR) by increasing a thickness of a coil as compared to a width of the coil, and a manufacturing method thereof.
US09945036B2 Hot corrosion-resistant coatings and components protected therewith
A coating system on a superalloy or silicon-containing substrate of an article exposed to high temperatures. The coating system includes a coating layer that overlies the substrate and is susceptible to hot corrosion promoted by molten salt impurities. A corrosion barrier coating overlies the coating layer and contains at least one rare-earth oxide-containing compound that reacts with the molten salt impurities to form a dense, protective byproduct barrier layer.
US09945033B2 High efficiency inductively coupled plasma source with customized RF shield for plasma profile control
Apparatus for processing substrates are provided herein. In some embodiments, plasma processing apparatus may include a process chamber having a dielectric lid and an interior processing volume beneath the dielectric lid, a first RF coil to couple RF energy into the processing volume, and an RF shielded lid heater coupled to a top surface of the dielectric lid. The RF shielded lid heater may include an annular member, and a plurality of spokes, wherein each of the plurality of spokes includes one of (a) a first portion that extends downward from the annular and couples the annular member to a second portion of the spoke that extends radially inward, or (b) a first portion that extends radially outward from the annular member.
US09945030B2 Free-standing silicon oxide membranes and methods of making and using same
Provided is a free-standing silicon oxide film that is under tensile stress. Also, provided are methods of making a free-standing silicon oxide film that is under tensile stress. The methods use low-power PECVD deposition of silicon oxide. Methods of imaging one or more objects (e.g., cells) using a free-standing silicon oxide film that is under tensile stress is also provided.
US09945029B2 Coated cutting tool and method of manufacturing the same
A coated cutting tool includes a substrate and a surface coating, wherein the coating is a Ti(C,N,O) layer comprising at least one columnar fine-grained MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer with an average grain width of 0.05-0.4 μm and an atomic ratio of carbon to the sum of carbon and nitrogen (C/(C+N)) contained in the MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer being on average 0.50-0.65. A method for manufacturing the coated cutting tool includes depositing the MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer.
US09945027B2 High conductivity graphene-metal composite and methods of manufacture
Embodiments of the present technology include graphene-metal composites. An example graphene-metal composite comprises a porous metal foam substrate, a graphene layer deposited to the porous metal foam substrate, a metal layer applied to the graphene layer, and another graphene layer deposited to the metal layer; the multilayered porous metal foam substrate being compressed to form a graphene-metal composite.
US09945024B2 Method for producing cubic zirconia layers
In order to produce zirconia-based layers on a deposition substrate, wherein reactive spark deposition using pulsed spark current and/or the application of a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the spark target are employed, a mixed target comprising elemental zircon and at least one stabilizer is used, or a zirconium target comprising elemental zirconium is used, wherein in addition to oxygen, nitrogen is used as the reactive gas. As an alternative, combined with the use of the mixed target, nitrogen can also be used as the reactive gas in addition to oxygen.
US09945022B2 Method for making oxide semiconductor film
A method for making a oxide semiconductor film includes a step of forming an oxide film on a substrate by using a sputtering method and a sputtering target comprising In2CexZnO4+2x, wherein x=0.5˜2.
US09945018B2 Aluminum iron based alloys and methods of producing the same
Aluminum iron based alloys and methods for producing the same are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for producing an aluminum iron based alloy includes melting an aluminum iron based alloy to form a melt. The aluminum iron based alloy includes iron at about 2.0 to about 7.5 weight percent, silicon at about 0.5 to about 3.0 weight percent, aluminum at about 86 to about 97.5 weight percent, and one or more of manganese, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, zirconium, cerium, erbium, magnesium, calcium, scandium, ytterbium, yttrium, or tantalum at about 0.05 to about 3.5 weight percent. The melt is solidified at about 105 degrees centigrade per second of faster to form particulates. The particulates are degassed at a degassing temperature of about 400 to about 500 degrees centigrade.
US09945017B2 Tamper resistant amorphous alloy joining
A method to form an enclosure or assembly which is fitted together and joined via a thermoplastic forming operation in order to seal the enclosure and hinder attempts to tamper with the contents.
US09945015B2 High-tensile steel plate giving welding heat-affected zone with excellent low-temperature toughness, and process for producing same
A high-tensile steel plate has a chemical composition containing, by mass, specific amounts of C, Mn, Si, P, S, Al, Ni, B, N, one or more elements selected from Cr, Mo, V, Cu, Ti, and Ca as needed, Ceq≤0.80, and a center-segregation zone hardness index HCS satisfying 5.5[C]4/3+15[P]+0.90[Mn]+0.12[Ni]+0.53[Mo]≤2.5. The hardness of a center-segregation zone satisfies HVmax/HVave≤1.35+0.006/C−t/750. A steel having the above-described chemical composition is subjected to hot rolling at a specific slab-heating temperature at a specific rolling reduction ratio, subsequently reheated, cooled at a cooling rate of 0.3° C./s or more until the temperature of a central portion in a plate-thickness direction reaches 350° C. or less, and tempered to a specific temperature range.
US09945013B2 Hot stamped steel and method for producing hot stamped steel
A hot stamped steel according to the present invention satisfies an expression of (5×[Si]+[Mn])/[C]>11 when [C] represents an amount of C by mass %, [Si] represents an amount of Si by mass %, and [Mn] represents an amount of Mn by mass %, a metallographic structure after hot stamping includes 40% to 90% of a ferrite and 10% to 60% of a martensite in an area fraction, a total of an area fraction of the ferrite and an area fraction of the martensite is 60% or more, a hardness of the martensite measured with a nanoindenter satisfies an H2/H1<1.10 and σHM<20, and TS×λ, which is a product of a tensile strength TS and a hole expansion ratio λ is 50000 MPa·% or more.
US09945012B2 Metal matrix composite and method of forming
Use of Ca in metal matrix composites (MMC) allows for incorporation of small and large amounts of ceramic (e.g. rutile TiO2) into the metal (Al, or its alloys). Calcium remains principally out of the matrix and is part of a boundary layer system that has advantages for integrity of the MMC. Between 0.005 and 10 wt. % calcium (Ca) may be included, and more than 50 wt. % of rutile has been shown to be integrated. Rutile may therefore be used to reduce melt loss due to calcium from an aluminum or aluminum alloy melt.
US09945010B2 Aluminum-copper-lithium alloy with improved impact resistance
An extruded product made of an alloy containing aluminum comprising 4.2 wt % to 4.8 wt % of Cu, 0.9 wt % to 1.1 wt % of Li, 0.15 wt % to 0.25 wt % of Ag, 0.2 wt % to 0.6 wt % of Mg, 0.07 wt % to 0.15 wt % of Zr, 0.2 wt % to 0.6 wt % of Mn, 0.01 wt % to 0.15 wt % of Ti, a quantity of Zn less than 0.2 wt %, a quantity of Fe and Si less than or equal to 0.1 wt % each, and unavoidable impurities with a content less than or equal to 0.05 wt % each and 0.15 wt % in total is disclosed. The profiles according to the invention are particularly useful as fuselage stiffeners or stringers, circumferential frames, wing stiffeners, floor beams or profiles, or seat tracks, notably owing to their improved properties in relation to those of known products, in particular in terms of energy absorption during an impact, static mechanical strength and corrosion resistance properties and their low density.
US09945008B2 Treatment method of chlorine-containing zinc oxide secondary material
The invention discloses a treatment method of a chlorine-containing zinc oxide secondary material, which comprises the following steps: 1) leaching the chlorine-containing zinc oxide secondary material I through an acid solution; 2) selectively extracting zinc through di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (P204)-kerosene solvent; 3) implementing stripping-electrolysis zinc recovery; 4) repeating steps 1)-4); 5) taking out the raffinate obtained from the Step (4), mixing the residual taken out raffinate with chlorine-containing zinc oxide secondary material II when balance on chlorine ion input and taking out is achieved; carrying out liquid-solid separation; leaching the separated deposit through acid raffinate of the step 1); 6) after separated solution achieves preset conditions, purifying the chlorine-containing aqueous phase; 7) evaporating and concentrating to crystallize out KCl and NaCl products. The invention is environment-friendly and energy-saving, and free from process wastewater emission; production cost is greatly reduced and secondary pollution of the current dechloridation process is eliminated thoroughly.
US09944997B2 Metapneumovirus strains and their use in vaccine formulations and as vectors for expression of antigenic sequences
Provided is an isolated mammalian negative strand RNA virus, metapneumovirus (MPV), within the sub-family Pneumoviridae, of the family Paramyxoviridae. Also provided are isolated mammalian negative strand RNA viruses identifiable as phylogenetically corresponding or relating to the genus Metapneumovirus and components thereof. In particular, provided is a mammalian MPV, subgroups and variants thereof. Also provided are genomic nucleotide sequences of different isolates of mammalian MPV, in particular, human MPV. Disclosed is the use of the sequence information of different isolates of mammalian MPV for diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Provided are nucleotide sequences encoding the genome of an MPV or a portion thereof, including both mammalian and avian MPV. Further described are chimeric or recombinant viruses encoded by the nucleotide sequences and chimeric and recombinant mammalian MPV that comprise one or more non-native or heterologous sequences. Also provided are vaccine formulations comprising mammalian or avian MPV, including recombinant and chimeric forms thereof. The vaccine preparations encompass multivalent vaccines, including bivalent and trivalent vaccine preparations.
US09944996B2 eIF2γ gene as a diagnostic target for the identification of fungal and yeast species
The current invention relates to a diagnostic kit for a yeast or fungal species comprising at least one oligonucleotide probe capable of binding to at least a portion of the eIF2y gene or its corresponding mRNA.
US09944993B2 Method for enrichment of circulating tumor DNA and reagent for enrichment of circulating tumor DNA
The present invention provides a method and a reagent for enrichment of circulating tumor DNA, the method comprising the steps of mixing a water phase and an oil phase and shaking the mixture to prepare an emulsion PCR reaction system, and performing emulsion PCR amplification, wherein the water phase comprises peripheral blood plasma DNA as template DNA, a forward primer and a reverse primer, dNTPs, a PCR buffer and a DNA polymerase, the peripheral blood plasma DNA having adapter sequences connected to both ends thereof, and the forward primer and the reverse primer being complementary to the adapter sequences at the two ends respectively; separating the water phase from the oil phase following the emulsion PCR amplification to obtain a PCR amplification product in the water phase; and capturing circulating tumor DNA in the PCR amplification product in the water phase by using a probe sequence that specifically binds to the circulating tumor DNA. The method of the present invention is capable of performing single-molecule high-fidelity ultramicro parallel amplification and effectively capturing peripheral blood plasma ctDNA to provide adequate amount of ctDNA to be used for subsequent sequencing detection.
US09944990B2 Gene expression markers for breast cancer prognosis
The present invention provides gene sets the expression of which is important in the diagnosis and/or prognosis of breast cancer.
US09944989B2 Micrornas as new therapeutic targets for the prevention and/or treatment of retinopathy
Methods and compositions are disclosed to identify plasma and vitreous microRNA (miRNA) signatures of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and then as diagnostic biomarkers for the onset and progression of DR.
US09944988B2 Modulation of NLGn4 expression, NK cell activity in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
The present invention provides a method of diagnosing and/or monitoring a liver disorder in a subject. The method calls for isolating an immune cell population from a biological sample of the subject; and detecting expression level of an NLGn4 gene product in the immune cell population using NLGn4 specific primers or NLGn4 specific probes.
US09944985B2 Personalized pain management and anesthesia: preemptive risk identification and therapeutic decision support
Methods and compositions disclosed herein generally relate to methods of improving clinical and economic outcomes to address adverse effects related to anesthesia, analgesics, opioids, and inadequate pain relief. Embodiments of the invention relate to the association between genes, specific polymorphisms of genes, and non-genetic factors with inadequate pain relief and anesthesia-, analgesic, and/or opioid-related adverse effects. Embodiments of the invention can be used to determine and manage patient risk factors for development of adverse perioperative effects and can allow for personalized anesthesia and pain management for improvement of pain control and reduction of anesthesia-, analgesic-, and opioid-related adverse outcomes. These methods and compositions apply to non-surgical pain management with opioids. Therefore, patients who are genetically predisposed to risk of inadequate pain relief and/or serious side effects from anesthesia, analgesics, and/or opioids can be identified and individualized treatment plans developed for implementation by the clinician to improve clinical and economic outcomes.
US09944982B2 Surface chemistry and deposition techniques
Surface chemistries for the visualization of labeled single molecules (analytes) with improved signal-to-noise properties are provided. To be observed, analyte molecules are bound to surface attachment features that are spaced apart on the surface such that when the analytes are labeled adjacent analytes are optically resolvable from each other. One way to express this concept is that binding elements should be spaced apart such that the Guassian point spread functions of adjacent labels do not overlap. Another way of expressing this concept is that the surface binding elements should be spaced apart by a distance equal to at least the diffraction limit for an optical label attached to the bound analytes.
US09944970B2 Glycated hexapeptide oxidase and use thereof
The present invention provides a protein comprising an amino acid sequence in which arginine at position 61 of a protein comprising the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted to an amino acid selected from the group consisting of glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, serine, threonine, proline, cysteine, methionine, asparagine, glutamine, and aspartic acid; and a method for measuring a glycated hemoglobin in a sample, wherein the method comprises reacting a glycated hemoglobin in a sample with a protease to produce a glycated hexapeptide, then reacting the produced glycated hexapeptide with the aforementioned protein, and measuring a substance produced or consumed by the reaction.
US09944969B2 Devices, systems and methods for detecting viable infectious agents in a fluid sample
Various devices, systems and methods for detecting a susceptibility of an infectious agent to an anti-infective are described herein. A method comprises introducing a fluid sample to a first surface and a second surface; exposing the first surface to a first solution; exposing the second surface to a second solution, wherein the second surface comprises an anti-infective; sampling the first solution after exposing the first solution to the first surface; sampling the second solution after exposing the second solution to the second surface; monitoring a first electrical characteristic of a first sensor exposed to the first solution sampled; monitoring a second electrical characteristic of a second sensor exposed to the second solution sampled; and comparing the first electrical characteristic and the second electrical characteristic to assess the susceptibility of the infectious agent to the anti-infective.
US09944964B2 Processes for increasing bioalcohol yield from biomass
A process for increasing alcohol yield from biomass (the form or agro- or forest residue, grains, hops, etc.), involving multiple hydrodynamic cavitation treatments of biomass filtrate—both before and after fermentation. Carbohydrates extracted from biomass are subjected to a first cavitation treatment to promote additional conversion into carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are then combined with bacterial species and nutrients, and allowed to ferment. The fermentation product is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to promote further conversion of carbohydrates into bioalcohol. After distillation, the bioalcohol is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to increase its purity.
US09944958B2 Method for preparing triacylglycerol high-productivity algae
The purpose of the present invention is to effectively accumulate triacylglycerol in algae cells, the present invention providing a method for introducing a triacylglycerol synthetase gene, a phosphorus starvation-inducible promoter, and a 3′ untranslated region into algae.
US09944956B2 Methods and microbial cultures for improved conversion of lignocellulosic biomass
The present technology pertains to methods and microbial co-cultures for converting lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals. Aspects of the present disclosure relate to novel consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) methods by which the efficiency of the production of biofuels and/or other carbon-based chemicals from cellulosic biomass-containing materials can be increased. In particular, the present disclosure provides numerous microbiological co-cultures for increasing the efficiency of ethanol and/or lactic acid production from biomass.
US09944952B2 Replication-defective arenavirus vectors
The invention relates to an infectious arenavirus particle that is engineered to contain a genome with the ability to amplify and express its genetic information in infected cells but unable to produce further infectious progeny particles in normal, not genetically engineered cells. One or more of the four arenavirus open reading frames glycoprotein (GP), nucleoprotein (NP), matrix protein Z and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase L are removed or mutated to prevent replication in normal cells but still allowing gene expression in arenavirus vector-infected cells, and foreign genes coding for an antigen or other protein of interest or nucleic acids modulating host gene expression are expressed under control of the arenavirus promoters, internal ribosome entry sites or under control of regulatory elements that can be read by the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, cellular RNA polymerase I, RNA polymerase II or RNA polymerase III. The modified arenaviruses are useful as vaccines and therapeutic agents for a variety of diseases.
US09944951B2 Chromosome 3p21.3 genes are tumor suppressors
Tumor suppressor genes play a major role in the pathogenesis of human lung cancer and other cancers. Cytogenetic and allelotyping studies of fresh tumor and tumor-derived cell lines showed that cytogenetic changes and allele loss on the short arm of chromosome 3 (3p) are most frequently involved in about 90% of small cell lung cancers and greater than 50% of non-small cell lung cancers. A group of recessive oncogenes, Fus1, 101F6, Gene 21 (NPRL2), Gene 26 (CACNA2D2), Luca 1 (HYAL1), Luca 2 (HYAL2), PL6, 123F2 (RaSSFI), SEM A3 and Beta* (BLU), as defined by homozygous deletions in lung cancers, have been located and isolated at 3p21.3.
US09944949B2 Compositions and methods conferring resistance of maize to corn rootworm 1
Methods and compositions for increasing a plant's resistance to an insect pest such as the corn rootworm are provided. Methods are provided for overexpression of Crw1, or variants thereof, in a host plant or plant cell to increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize. Moreover, methods are provided for identifying variants of Crw1 that when incorporated into a plant via transgenic or traditional breeding means increase resistance to an insect pest in a plant such as maize.
US09944947B2 Methods and compositions for selecting soybean plants resistant to phytophthora root rot
The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and disease resistance. More specifically, the invention includes a method for breeding soybean plants containing quantitative trail loci (QTL) for resistance the Phytophthora root rot (PRR) caused by Phytophthora sojae. The invention further includes the use of molecular markers in the introgression of PRR resistance QTL into soybean plants.
US09944945B2 Soybean event MON89788 and methods for detection thereof
The present invention provides for soybean plant and seed comprising transformation event MON89788 and DNA molecules unique to these events. The invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of these DNA molecules in a sample.
US09944942B2 Methods and compositions for enhanced resistance to abiotic stress in plants
The present invention provides transgenic plants having increased tolerance to abiotic stress comprising a recombinant nucleic acid molecule, said recombinant nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding miR319 operatively associated with a promoter, a nucleotide sequence that is antisense to a portion of consecutive nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence encoding PCF5, and/or a nucleotide sequence that encodes a portion of consecutive nucleotides of a nucleotide sequence encoding PCF5, which when expressed produces an antisense nucleotide sequence, wherein expression of the nucleotide sequence confers increased tolerance to abiotic stress. Also provided are methods and compositions for making said transgenic plants.
US09944938B2 Constitutive soybean promoters
The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include two novel promoter nucleotide sequences for the genes encoding gamma tonoplast intrinsic protein and plasma membrane intrinsic protein in soybean, as well as vectors, microorganisms, plants and plant cells comprising the promoter nucleotide sequences, or variants and fragments thereof. Methods for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein are also provided. The methods comprise stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to the promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.
US09944936B2 Agrobacterium having highly efficient gene transfer ability to plant imparted thereto
The present invention relates to an Agrobacterium having improved gene transfer efficiency. The present invention provides a transformed Agrobacterium which harbors a foreign GABA transaminase gene and exhibits improved gene transfer efficiency, and a method for producing a transformed plant using the same.
US09944930B2 Albumin production and cell proliferation
The present invention provides short activating RNA molecules which up-regulate albumin production. The present invention also provides methods of up-regulating albumin production, such methods involving the use of short activating RNA molecules capable of increasing the expression of albumin. The present invention also provides the use of the short activating RNA molecules in therapy, such as treating or preventing a hyperproliferative disorder and/or a disorder characterised by hypoalbuminemia.
US09944928B2 Construction of pool of interfering nucleic acids covering entire RNA target sequence and related compositions
The present invention provides a PCR based high-throughput method for preparing full-sites siRNA polynucleotide pool, comprising: DNase I random digestion; Loop-1 phosphate linker ligation; single PCR amplification; a type III restriction/modification enzyme digestion; blunt ending; Loop-2 phosphate linker ligation; double primer PCR; FokI digestion and cloning into an siRNA expression vector. The present invention enables the use of a type III restriction/modification enzyme linkers mediated PCR method for high-throughput preparing an siRINA polynucleotide pool, in which the functional length of siRNAs can be controllably distributed from 19-23 bp, thus completely mimic the natural siRNA length diversity, specially suitable for RNAi therapeutic targets screening. The present invention overcomes the bottlenecks and drawbacks of conventional siRNA polynucleotide pool construction technologies.
US09944926B2 Induced exon inclusion in spinal muscle atrophy
The invention relates to the use of an antisense compound for inducing exon inclusion as a treatment for Spinal Muscle Atrophy (SMA). More particularly it relates to inducing inclusion of exon 7 to restore levels of Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein encoded by the Survival Motor Neuron (SMN) gene.
US09944913B2 Glucoamylase variants with altered properties
The present invention relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity). In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases, including starch hydrolyzing compositions, animal feed compositions and cleaning compositions. The invention also relates to DNA constructs encoding the variants and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells.
US09944903B2 Modified vaccinia virus strains for use in diagnostic and therapeutic methods
Modified viruses and methods for preparing the modified viruses are provided. Vaccines that contain the viruses are provided. The viruses can be used in methods of treatment of diseases, such as proliferative and inflammatory disorders, including cancer, and as anti-tumor and/or antiangiogenic agents. The viruses also can be used in diagnostic methods.
US09944901B2 Fusion protein for inducing pluripotent stem cells and application method thereof
Provided is a protein coded by a gene related to cell totipotency and a transcriptional activation domain of a mammalian YAP protein or a fusion protein of a segment with a transcriptional control activity, a coding nucleotide sequence, an expression vector and a composition thereof, as well as a method for inducing the pluripotent stem cells by using the fusion protein.
US09944898B2 Method of generating tumor-specific T cells
A method for the expansion of tumor-specific T-cells includes obtaining an enriched population of T-cells from a subject with cancer; and contacting the enriched population of T-cells ex-vivo with: (i) an anti-CD3 antibody, an anti-CD28 antibody, and/or functional fragments thereof, and (ii) a VEGF inhibitor, to activate and expand the T-cells.
US09944897B2 Methods and compositions for promoting survival and proliferation of endothelial cells and stimulating angiogenesis
The present invention relates to adenovirus E4ORF1 gene and to endothelial cells engineered to express the E4ORF1 gene. The present invention also relates to uses of the E4ORF1 gene, and cells expressing the E4ORF1 gene, and to compositions comprising the E4ORF1 gene, or comprising cells expressing the E4ORF1 gene.
US09944883B2 Lubricant composition, and preparation method and use thereof
The present invention relates to the field of lubricant, and specifically provides a lubricant composition and its preparation method and use. The lubricant composition comprises a base oil and rubber particles having radiation crosslinked structure dispersed therein, wherein the base oil is continuous phase and the rubber particles are dispersed phase. The viscosity of the lubricant composition of the present invention can be effectively adjusted as temperature changes. As compared with the lubricant composition comprising chemically crosslinked rubber particles, it has a lower viscosity at low temperatures and a higher viscosity at high temperatures, and has a relatively high viscosity index, which can meet the application requirements at the temperature above 200° C. In addition, the lubricant composition of the present invention also has excellent antiwear and friction-reducing properties.
US09944880B2 Oil-free screw compressor coated with a base resin, a solid lubricant and a heat-resistant additive
In order to prevent deterioration in performance of an oil-free screw compressor and scuffing caused by rust, surfaces of both male and female rotors are coated with heat-resistance coatings containing a solid lubricant. A coating contains Polyimide resin to which Molybdenum disulfide, as a solid lubricant, and Aluminum oxide and Titanium oxide, as additives, are added. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a coating that is higher in heat resistance and longer in lifetime than a conventional one.
US09944876B2 System for producing biochar and method for producing biochar
The present invention relates to a bio-char producing system comprising: a preheating-warming tank for preheating a water-containing organic raw material including food waste; a carbonization reactor for carbonizing, by a hydrothermal carbonization method, the water-containing organic raw material heated at the preheating-warming tank; and an indirect heater provided inside and outside the carbonization reactor to indirectly heat the carbonization reactor through a heating pipe where a heated insulating oil flows inside.
US09944871B2 Method and system for production of biodiesel utilizing ultrasonic shear mixing to reduce the amount of energy needed by 45 to 50% and eliminate the use of water
The instant invention describes a method and system for producing biodiesel which increases energy efficiency by reducing the overall amount of energy associated with producing the biodiesel. Unlike most systems which use a batch procedure, the instant method and system utilize a continuous flow sonification procedure which provides for reactions to take place in tubes as the biodiesel moves along through the process. The continuous flow sonification procedure is performed in two main stages, utilizing the steps of acid esterification, transesterification, and a waterless washing.
US09944869B2 Synthesis of liquid fuels and chemicals from oxygenated hydrocarbons
Processes and reactor systems are provided for the conversion of oxygenated hydrocarbons to hydrocarbons, ketones and alcohols useful as liquid fuels, such as gasoline, jet fuel or diesel fuel, and industrial chemicals. The process involves the conversion of mono-oxygenated hydrocarbons to aromatics and gasoline range hydrocarbons where the oxygenated hydrocarbons are derived from biomass.
US09944865B2 Dewaxing catalyst with improved aromatic saturation activity
Methods are provided for dewaxing distillate feeds using a dewaxing catalyst with improved aromatic saturation activity. The dewaxing can be performed using a catalyst including a zeolitic molecular sieve with a beneficial ratio of zeolitic molecular sieve to binder and/or using a catalyst including a zeolitic molecular sieve with a reduced ratio of silica to alumina.
US09944861B2 Catalytic conversion of alcohols having at least three carbon atoms to hydrocarbon blendstock
A method for producing a hydrocarbon blendstock, the method comprising contacting at least one saturated acyclic alcohol having at least three and up to ten carbon atoms with a metal-loaded zeolite catalyst at a temperature of at least 100° C. and up to 550° C., wherein the metal is a positively-charged metal ion, and the metal-loaded zeolite catalyst is catalytically active for converting the alcohol to the hydrocarbon blendstock, wherein the method directly produces a hydrocarbon blendstock having less than 1 vol % ethylene and at least 35 vol % of hydrocarbon compounds containing at least eight carbon atoms.
US09944855B2 Soil stabilization and improvement method using biopolymer
The present disclosure described herein pertain generally to a method for stabilizing and improving a soil by using a high-molecular viscous biopolymer, a soil composition for promoting germination or growth of vegetation, a composition for preventing soil erosion, and a soil construction material and member.
US09944848B2 Fluoride fluorescent material, method for producing the same, and light emitting device
A method for producing a fluoride fluorescent material including: preparing a first solution containing manganese, a second solution containing at least one cation selected from the group consisting of K+, Li+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+, and NH4+, and a third solution containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of the elements from Groups 4 and 14 of the periodic table, and adding the first and third solutions dropwise, each at a rate of 0.3% or less of the total volume of the solution per minute to the second solution to obtain particles having a composition represented by formula (I): A2[M1-aMn4+aF6] (I) wherein A denotes at least one cation selected from the group consisting of K+, Li+, Na+, Rb+, Cs+, and NH4+; M denotes at least one element selected from the group consisting of the elements from Groups 4 and 14 of the periodic table; and a satisfies 0.04
US09944840B2 Method of producing heat conductive sheet
A method of producing a heat conductive sheet includes: a step (A) of dispersing a fibrous filler and a spherical filler in a binder resin to prepare a heat conductive sheet-forming composition; a step (B) of forming a molded block using the prepared heat conductive sheet-forming composition; a step (C) of slicing the formed molded block to a desired thickness to form a sheet; and a step (D) of pressing the sliced surface of the formed sheet, the sliced surface being pressed such that the thermal resistance value of the sheet after pressing becomes lower than the thermal resistance value of the sheet before pressing.
US09944836B2 Amine composition
The present invention provides novel polymeric amine compositions employing amine compounds having multiple tertiary amine groups. Methods of making these new compositions are also disclosed. Amine compositions and amine-epoxy compositions employing the polymeric amine compositions of the present invention are also provided.
US09944833B2 Energy curable bonding resin
An energy curable bonding resin composition that prevents corrosion in metallic optical structures including DVDs includes at least one monomer, acrylated epoxidized soya bean oil, and a photoinitiator of among 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO); Phosphine oxide, phenylbis 2,4,6-trimethyl benzoyl; oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone]; alpha-hydroxy ketone, difunctional; or combinations thereof.
US09944824B2 Gas-emission-reduced silicone gel
The invention relates to compositions which contain polyorganosiloxanes, a hydrosilylation catalyst, an inhibitor or moderator and doped pyrogenic titanium dioxide, to the use thereof for applying protective coatings to an electrical or electronic component or device and to the protective coatings as such.
US09944816B2 Crosslinkable binders for solvent based intumescent coatings
Self-crosslinkable binder compositions which include a copolymer obtained by reacting a mixture of monomers in the presence of an organic solvent, wherein the monomer mixture includes a carboxylic acid monomer, a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and a crosslinkable acrylamide monomer. Intumescent coatings containing the self-crosslinkable binder, and substrates coated with the intumescent coatings are also disclosed.
US09944814B2 Pretreatment agent for dye printing and uses of the pretreatment agent
Provided is a pretreatment agent for dye printing applicable to printing using various types of dye-containing inks. The pretreatment agent for dye printing according to the disclosure contains a chain transfer agent and a photo-curable compound with water solubility.
US09944813B2 Metal nanoplate, a method for preparing the same, a conductive ink composition, and a conductive film comprising the same
The present invention relates to a metal nanoplate, a method for manufacturing same, and a conductive ink composition and a conductive film comprising metal nanoplate. The metal nanoplate does not require application of a high temperature and high pressure and thus can be easily manufactured at a low temperature and at normal pressure, and a conductive film or a conductive pattern, among others, having excellent conductivity can be formed even when the conductive ink composition comprising the metal nanoplate is printed on a substrate and then heat-treated or dried at a low temperature. As a result, the metal nanoplate and the conductive ink composition comprising same can be very appropriately applied to various semiconductor elements, display devices, or when forming a conductive pattern or a conductive film for a solar cell in an environment requiring low-temperature firing.
US09944811B2 Interactive coating for end printing
Thermochromic coatings are improved by mixing thermochromic capsules with polymer resins in a manner that imparts shelf stability to flowable precursors that may be cured quickly using dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and/or other acid catalysts to form relatively hard coatings that are capable of withstanding machine operations, such as the operations needed to make beverage can lids, bottle caps, pull tabs and the like.
US09944806B2 Urethane compounds
This disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I), as well as related ink compositions and printing methods: In formula (I), L, X, R1, and R2 are defined in the specification.
US09944802B2 Composition for forming solar cell electrode and electrode produced from same
The present invention relates to a composition for forming a solar cell electrode, comprising: silver (Ag) powder; a glass frit comprising silver (Ag) and tellurium (Te) elements; and an organic vehicle, wherein the glass frit has a mole ratio of 1:01 to 1:25 of Ag to Te. The solar cell electrode produced from the composition has excellent fill factor and conversion efficiency as contact resistance (Rc) and series resistance (Rs) are minimized.
US09944794B2 Composition made from polyamide MXD.10
The invention concerns a composition comprising a first polyamide, a second polyamide, different from the first polyamide, and 0.1 to 5% by weight of carbonaceous nanofillers, in which: a) the first polyamide comprises a unit derived from the condensation of meta-xylylene diamine or from a mixture of meta-xylylene diamine and para-xylylene diamine with sebacic acid, said first polyamide having a melting temperature Tf1; and b) the second polyamide has a melting temperature Tf2 higher than or equal to Tf1−40° C. The invention also relates to a method for producing said composition and the use thereof for producing various items.
US09944788B2 Sheet molding composition containing surface modified glass filler
A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers are crossed linked to the resin matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with the matrix. A molded article is provided that has a resin matrix having a surface, the resin matrix formed from cross-linked polyester resin or vinyl-ester resin. Glass fibers each covalently bonded to at least one microspheroid matrix via a silane coupling agent reactive with a surface of the at least one microspheroids are present in increase the fiber pull strength. A sizing composition for treating glass fibers is also provided for use in such articles.
US09944786B2 Method to lower the dynamic surface tension of a composition
The present invention relates to a composition, comprising a binder resin, a block copolymer which comprises at least a block A and a block B, wherein the block A comprises monomer units derived from a compound selected from (meth)acrylic acid, a (meth)acrylic acid ester, a (meth)acrylamide, a vinyl aromatic compound, or any mixture thereof, the block B comprises monomer units derived from a compound selected from a fluorinated (meth)acrylic ester having the following formula (I): H2C═C(R1)(C(O)ORF-1)  (I) wherein R1 is H or methyl; and RF-1 is an organic residue containing a perfluorinated C4-6 alkyl group, a fluorinated alpha-olefin having the following formula (II): H2C═CH(RF-2)  (II) wherein RF-2 is an organic residue containing a perfluorinated C4-6 alkyl group, i.e., —(CF2)3-5—CF3 or any mixture thereof.
US09944783B2 Polymer dispersions
A polymer dispersion is produced by polymerization of at least two different ethylenically unsaturated monomers in at least first and second stages. The polymer produced in the first stage comprises 25 to 60% by weight of the total monomer composition and has a uniform glass transition temperature from −30° C. to 0° C. The polymer produced in the second stage comprises 40 to 75% by weight of the total monomer composition and has a variable monomer composition such that the second stage polymer has a non-uniform glass transition temperature which varies between a first value from −30° to +10° C. and second value of at least +70° C. Any polymer produced in further polymerization stages comprises no more than 10% by weight of the total monomer composition and the glass transition temperature of the hypothetical uniform copolymer produced by the total monomer composition is in the range from 0° C. to 25° C.
US09944780B2 Heterophasic propylene copolymer with low extractables
Heterophasic propylene copolymer comprising a propylene-C4 to C12 α-olefin copolymer as a matrix in which an ethylene-propylene rubber is dispersed, said heterophasic propylene copolymer has good mechanical properties and low extractables.
US09944776B2 Transparent, tough and heatproof rubber composition comprising neodymium-catalyzed isoprene component, and manufacturing process for the same
In order to provide a rubber composition having high transparency, toughness and heat-resisting property, the present invention can provide a composition comprising a neodymium-catalyzed isoprene rubber (IR) component; and a rubber polymer (RB) component selected from the group consisting of BR, 1,2-polybutadiene rubber, and SBR, wherein the amount of IR is from about 5 to 95 mass parts with the proviso that the total amount of IR and RB is 100 mass parts, wherein the composition is substantially free of silica, wherein the composition has haze of less than about 20%, and wherein the composition has Type A Durometer hardness (0 sec) of about 30 or more.
US09944768B2 High modulus laser direct structuring polycarbonate composites with enhanced plating performance and broad laser window and methods for the manufacture and use thereof
The present disclosure relates to a polymer composition. The disclosed composition comprises a polycarbonate polymer, a laser direct structuring additive capable of being activated by electromagnetic radiation and thereby forming elemental metal nuclei, reinforcing filler, and a laser direct structuring synergist. Also disclosed is a method for making the disclosed polymer composition and an article of manufacture comprising the disclosed polymer composition.
US09944764B2 Reticulated thermoplastic film and method of making the same
A reticulated thermoplastic film includes a backing with openings and discrete elements protruding from the first major surface. There are two discrete elements aligned in a first direction abutting opposite ends of any given opening. In a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, there is one discrete element between the given opening and an adjacent opening aligned in the second direction. Each portion of the backing around the given opening is plastically deformed in its lengthwise direction and typically has higher stretch-induced molecular orientation at its edge adjacent the given opening than at its midpoint. The openings are often retractable. A method of making a reticulated thermoplastic film is also disclosed. The method includes stretching a thermoplastic backing with a plurality of discrete elements in the first direction. Subsequently stretching the backing in the second direction forms a tear in the backing between two adjacent discrete elements.
US09944758B2 Clustered functional polyorganosiloxanes, processes for forming same and methods for their use
A hydrosilylation process is used to prepare a clustered functional polyorganosiloxane. The clustered functional polyorganosiloxane comprises a reaction product of a reaction of a) a polyorganosiloxane having an average, per molecule, of at least 2 aliphatically unsaturated organic groups; b) a polyorganohydrogensiloxane having an average of 4 to 15 silicon atoms per molecule; and c) a reactive species having, per molecule at least 1 aliphatically unsaturated organic group and 1 or more radical curable groups selected from an acrylate group and a methacrylate group; in the presence of d) a hydrosilylation catalyst, and e) an isomer reducing agent. The weight percent of silicon bonded hydrogen atoms in component b) divided by the weight percent of aliphatically unsaturated organic groups in component a) (the SiHb/Via ratio) ranges from 4/1 to 20/1. The resulting clustered functional polyorganosiloxane is useful in a curable silicone composition for electronics applications.
US09944756B1 Graft copolymer based on carbazole capable of controlling self-assembled structure and method of synthesizing the same
A carbazole-based graft copolymer capable of controlling a self-assembled structure and a method of synthesizing the same are provided. Specifically, the copolymer is capable of controlling a self-assembled structure which can control the morphology of a polymer structure and the size of pores by controlling the molecular weights of polylactic acid (PLA) functioning as a coil and of a carbazole copolymer to prepare a poly(carbazole)-coil graft copolymer of Formula 1 below and the method of synthesizing the same is provided. In Formula 1, X represents 0.05 to 0.1, m represents an integer of 7 to 8, and n represents an integer of 56 to 84.
US09944753B2 Continuous polyamidation process—I
A continuous process for the manufacture of a polyamide, the process comprising the steps of: (i) flowing a stream A comprising a molten dicarboxylic acid, or a molten dicarboxylic acid-rich mixture comprising a dicarboxylic acid and a diamine, through a first stage and at least one more reaction stage of a vertical multistage reactor, wherein the first stage is at the top of the reactor; (ii) counter-currently flowing a stream B comprising a diamine as either a vapor or a diamine-rich liquid through at least one of the stages below the first reaction stage of said vertical multistage reactor; (iii) accumulating a liquid phase material P comprising polyamide at and/or below the final stage of said reactor; wherein said reactor is equipped with internal features suitable for effecting contact between counter-currently flowing streams A and B; and wherein said process further comprises the step of agitating said liquid phase material P by injecting a gaseous stream C comprising steam, or at least one inert gas, or a mixture of steam and at least one inert gas into the reactor at or below the final stage of the reactor. The invention further provides a vertical multistage reactor configured to implement said process.
US09944746B2 Process for making organic-inorganic hybrid materials
A process for forming an organic-inorganic hybrid material that can undergo a property change when exposed to an external stimulus, the process comprising providing a prepolymer; and attaching a functional organometal material to the prepolymer, where the functional organometal material comprises a functional moiety that is responsive to an external stimulus such that the organic-inorganic hybrid material exhibits a change in a property of the organic-inorganic hybrid material. The process can further include forming hydrogel particles from the organic-inorganic hybrid material.
US09944743B2 Waterborne hybrid polymer dispersion
The process for the manufacture of an auto-oxidatively cross-linking hybrid polymer, in particular an aqueous hybrid polymer dispersion, comprises the step of reacting in a mini-emulsion process one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers to form an addition polymer in the presence of a modified auto-oxidatively crosslinkable (AOC) polymer which has been modified with terminal unsaturated groups of the formula —C(R1)═CH2 wherein R1 is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl and wherein the AOC polymer is a hydrophobic polymer having an acid number between 5 to 30. The resulting aqueous hybrid polymer dispersion can be used for the manufacture of coating compositions, ink compositions or adhesives and coating compositions comprising the hybrid polymer dispersion as a binder.
US09944742B2 Organo-modified silicone polymers
A linear silicone polymer suitable for use in producing homopolymers, copolymers, polymerized emulsions, latex compositions, and hydrogel polymer films. In one aspect, a hydrophilic silicone monomer is of the Formula 1: WAmBnW  (1) Where, A is a divalent block comprising a silicone-containing pendant group. In one embodiment, the silicone-containing pendant group comprises polyalkylene oxide groups. The structure of the polymer can be controlled and tuned to provide a material with excellent wettability and oxygen permeability. The polymers are suitable for use in a variety of applications including in providing a film for forming contact lenses.
US09944736B2 Processes for preparing metallocene-based catalyst systems
Methods for preparing single and dual metallocene catalyst systems containing an activator-support are disclosed. These methods can include precontacting of the activator-support and an organoaluminum compound, as well as sequential contacting of two different metallocene compounds to form a dual metallocene catalyst system.
US09944732B2 Radical polymerization initiator, multi-branched polymer, varnish, adhesive agent, coating material, sealing material, semiconductor, and electronic device
This invention is intended to synthesize a multi-branched polymer, which has an uniform molecular chain lengths and is free from branch defects, without the need for purification. This invention is also intended to synthesize a polyfunctional radical polymerization initiator represented by Formula 1: wherein n is an integer of 1 or larger; Y is a polyfunctional unsaturated compound; R1 is a hydrocarbon group; R2 is a structure in which one molecule of a radically polymerizable unsaturated hydrocarbon compound is bound to R1 and the oxygen atom; X1 of B—X1 (boron-X1) bond is an alkoxy or phenyl group; and X2 of B—X2 (boron-X2) bond is an alkoxy or phenyl group.
US09944722B2 Chelator and use thereof
The present invention relates to dimeric pentadentate chelators with exceptionally strong binding of metal ions, for detection, immobilization and purification of biomolecules. Dimeric chelators offer a cooperativity of binding of two adjacent immobilized metal ions simultaneously to a histidine-tagged biomolecule, which gives advantageous properties regarding strength of binding compared to a corresponding monomer chelator. In addition, a dimer increases the selectivity (ease of separation) against non-tagged biomolecules with low metal-ion affinity.The dimeric pentadentate chelator according to the invention has the following general formula: wherein Sc is a scaffold or a connecting structure that contains at least two functional groups enabling coupling of two pentadentate chelators (PD), and PD is a pentadentate chelator having the formula:
US09944719B2 Dual targeting
The present invention relates to antibody-based dual targeting molecules, and to methods for generating such dual targeting molecules, including a library-based approach.
US09944713B2 Antibody specific to the AIMP2-DX2
Described herein are an antibody specifically binding to AIMP2-DX2 protein, and a diagnostic kit for detecting cancer which comprises the antibody specific to the AIMP2-DX2.
US09944701B2 Methods of treating cancer with antibodies that bind P2X7 receptors
The invention relates to purinergic (P2X) receptors, to generation of antibodies and to use of antibodies and immunogens for detection and treatment of a disease or condition, especially cancer.
US09944692B2 Method for producing human monoclonal immunoglobuling antibodies
The present invention a method for producing a human immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody using a prime-boost regime in a Bone Marrow Liver Thymic (BLT) mouse.
US09944690B2 Methods for controlling T cell proliferation
The technology relates generally to the field of immunology and relates in part to compositions and methods for controlling the proliferation of T cells, for example, therapeutic T cells. The methods further relate to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response in a subject.
US09944680B2 Composition for immunization against Streptococcus pneumoniae
This disclosure relates to a method of preventing or treating a recurrence of acute otitis media in a subject at risk comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition, at least once to the subject. The composition administered comprises at least one immunogenic polypeptide selected from the group consisting of Streptococcus pneumoniae PhtD, PhtE, PcpA, LytB and detoxified pneumolysin.
US09944676B2 Cationic lipid formulations for regressing established tumor
The present invention discloses an integrin receptor targeting novel cationic CGKRK-lipopeptide. The present invention further discloses a liposomal formulation comprising the cationic CGKRK-lipopeptide, at least two co-lipids, at least one chemotherapeutic agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also provides a method for regressing established tumors comprising administering therapeutically effective amount of the liposomal formulation comprising the chemotherapeutic agent.
US09944674B2 Selective cysteine protease inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, II, IA-VA, IVA1-IVA5, IIIA1-IIIA5 and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more cysteine proteases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, II, IA-VA, IVA1-IVA5, IIIA1-IIIA5 are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including cysteine protease-mediated diseases and/or caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, cancer, tissue atrophy, ischemia, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.
US09944669B2 Fumarate-CO-releasing molecule hybrids, their use in the treatment of inflammatory or cardiovascular diseases and their process of preparation
The present invention relates to hybrid fumarate-CO-releasing molecules capable of increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) activity and HO-1 protein expression and simultaneously releasing CO, their synthesis and their use in therapeutic applications, in particular their use in the treatment of inflammatory or cardiovascular diseases.
US09944667B2 Metal utilization in supported, metal-containing catalysts
Generally, the present invention relates to improvements in metal utilization in supported, metal-containing catalysts. For example, the present invention relates to methods for directing and/or controlling metal deposition onto surfaces of porous substrates. The present invention also relates to methods for preparing catalysts in which a first metal is deposited onto a support (e.g., a porous carbon support) to provide one or more regions of a first metal at the surface of the support, and a second metal is deposited at the surface of the one or more regions of the first metal. Generally, the electropositivity of the first metal (e.g., copper or iron) is greater than the electropositivity of the second metal (e.g., a noble metal such as platinum) and the second metal is deposited at the surface of the one or more regions of the first metal by displacement of the first metal. The present invention further relates to treated substrates, catalyst precursor structures and catalysts prepared by these methods. The invention further relates to use of catalysts prepared as detailed herein in catalytic oxidation reactions, such as oxidation of a substrate selected from the group consisting of N-(phosphonomethyl) iminodiacetic acid or a salt thereof, formaldehyde, and/or formic acid.
US09944659B2 Boron-containing diacylhydrazine compounds
The present disclosure provides boron-containing diacylhydrazines having Formula I: and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein A, R4, and R5 are defined as set forth in the specification. The present disclosure also provides the use of boron-containing diacylhydrazines is ecdysone receptor-based inducible gene expression systems. Thus, the present disclosure is useful for applications such as gene therapy, treatment of disease, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based screening assays, functional genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms, where control of gene expression levels is desirable.
US09944658B2 Beta-lactamase inhibitors
Described herein are compounds and compositions that modulate the activity of beta-lactamases. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein inhibit beta-lactamase. In certain embodiments, the compounds described herein are useful in the treatment of bacterial infections.
US09944653B2 Pharmacologically active compounds
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I shown below: wherein Q is as defined herein. The compounds of formula I act as selective positive allosteric modulators of strychnine-sensitive alpha 1-glycine receptors. The present invention further relates to the use of these compounds as therapeutic agents for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases or conditions in which strychnine-sensitive alpha 1-glycine receptor activity is implicated (such as, for example, chronic pain. The present invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these compounds and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09944652B2 Deuterated amlexanox
Provided herein is technology relating to deuterated amlexanox and particularly, but not exclusively, to compositions comprising deuterated amlexanox, methods of producing deuterated amlexanox, and uses of deuterated amlexanox.
US09944649B2 Compounds and compositions as toll-like receptor 7 agonists
The invention provides a compounds, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat diseases or disorders associated with Toll-Like Receptor 7 activity.
US09944644B2 Octahydropyrrolopyrroles their preparation and use
The present invention provides compounds comprising variously substituted octahydropyrrolopyrroles, their synthesis, methods of making, methods of using, compositions and formulations thereof.
US09944643B2 Factor XIa inhibitors
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more said compounds, and methods for using said compounds for treating or preventing thromboses, embolisms, hypercoagulability or fibrotic changes. The compounds are selective Factor XIa inhibitors or dual inhibitors of Factor XIa and plasma kallikrein.
US09944639B2 Quinolizinone derivatives as PI3K inhibitors
Disclosed are compounds of formula (I), their tautomeric forms, stereoisomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R4, and n are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutical compositions including a compound, tautomer, stereoisomer, or salt thereof, and methods of treating or preventing diseases or disorders, for example, cancer, that are amenable to treatment or prevention by inhibiting the PI3K enzyme of a subject.
US09944637B2 P2X3 and/or P2X2/3 compounds and methods
The present application provides novel compounds and methods for preparing and using these compounds. In one embodiment, the compounds are of the structure of formula (I), wherein R1-R4 are defined herein. In a further embodiment, these compounds are useful in method for regulating one or both of the P2X3 or P2X2/3 receptors. In another embodiment, these compounds are useful for treating pain in patients by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient.
US09944636B2 Inhibitors of lysine specific demethylase-1
The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and neoplastic disease. Provided herein are substituted heterocyclic derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition of lysine specific demethylase-1. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US09944633B2 Compounds and methods for the treatment of isocitrate dehydrogenase related diseases
The invention relates to compounds of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof:
US09944632B2 Compounds having estrogen receptor alpha degradation activity and uses thereof
The present disclosure relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, and their use in prevention and treatment of estrogen-related diseases and conditions.
US09944624B2 Substituted amino triazoles useful as human chitinase inhibitors
Disclosed are amino triazole compounds substituted with a piperidinyl ring that is itself substituted with a heterocyclic ring. These compounds are inhibitors of acidic mammalian chitinase and chitotriosidase. Also disclosed are methods of using the compounds to treat asthma reactions caused by allergens, as well as acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, dental diseases, neurologic diseases, metabolic diseases, liver diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, and cancer.
US09944622B2 Pyrimidinyl tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds and compositions thereof which are useful as inhibitors of Bruton's tyrosine kinase and which exhibit desirable characteristics for the same.
US09944616B2 Processes for the preparation of Tasimelteon and intermediates thereof
The present invention provides processes for the preparation of Tasimelteon (1), as well as processes for the preparation of intermediates of Formulas (2), (3) and (4) useful in the preparation of Tasimelteon (1).
US09944615B2 Purifying crude furan 2,5-dicarboxylic acid by hydrogenation and a purge zone
A process for purifying a crude furan 2,5-dicarboxylic acid composition (cFDCA) by hydrogenation of a FDCA composition dissolved in a hydrogenation solvent such as water, and hydrogenating under mild conditions, such as at a temperature within a range of 130° C. to 225° C. by contacting the solvated FDCA composition with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst under a hydrogen partial pressure within a range of 10 psi to 900 psi. A product FDCA composition is produced having a low amount of tetrahydrofuran dicarboxylic acid, a low b*, and a low amount of 5-formyl furan-2-carboxylic acid (FFCA).
US09944613B2 Fumagillol spirocyclic compounds and fused bicyclic compounds and methods of making and using same
Disclosed herein, in part, are fumagillol compounds and methods of use in treating medical disorders, such as obesity. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of making fumagillol compounds are provided. The compounds are contemplated to have activity against methionyl aminopeptidase 2.
US09944611B2 Polymerizable resins containing a 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine moiety, methods of making, and dental compositions containing the same
Disclosed herein are methods of making polymerizable resins containing a 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine moiety and dental compositions comprising such novel hydrolytically-stable, polymerizable resins derived from a 1,3,5-hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine.
US09944574B2 Continuous preparation method of high-purity quadricyclane
The invention discloses a continuous process for producing high-pure quadricyclane, in which “a reaction-rectification integral process” or “a reaction followed by rectification process” may be employed. The two processes both use a novel composite catalyst which is obtained by loading an organic photo-sensitizer on a solid photocatalyst, and the composite catalyst has a high activity and a good stability. In the reaction-rectification integral process, the composite catalyst is used by being blended with rectification fillers or covering the rectification fillers, so as to achieve the integration of the reaction and the rectification. In the reaction followed by rectification process, the composite catalyst and the rectification fillers are placed separately from each other. The two processes achieve a relatively short residence time of reactants, produce highly-pure quadricyclane, and reduce the formation of cokes.
US09944573B2 Oxidative coupling of methane for olefin production
The present disclosure provides natural gas and petrochemical processing systems, including oxidative coupling of methane reactor systems that may integrate process inputs and outputs to cooperatively utilize different inputs and outputs in the production of higher hydrocarbons from natural gas and other hydrocarbon feedstocks. The present disclosure also provides apparatuses and methods for heat exchange, such as an apparatus that can perform boiling and steam super-heating in separate chambers in order to reach a target outlet temperature that is relatively constant as the apparatus becomes fouled. A system of the present disclosure may include an oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) subsystem that generates a product stream comprising compounds with two or more carbon atoms, and a dual compartment heat exchanger downstream of, and fluidically coupled to, the OCM subsystem.
US09944571B2 One-pot process using heterogeneous catalyst
The present invention relates to a process for the one-pot hydrogenation and dehydration or isomerization of an organic compound, and to a catalyst composition for this process comprising transition metal particles having particle size below 50 nm supported on a material comprising at least one fluorinated polymer (P), wherein polymer (P) bears —SO2X functional groups, X being selected from X′ and OM, X′ being selected from the groups consisting of F, Cl, Br and I; and M being selected from the group consisting of H, and alkaline metal and NH4.
US09944567B2 Method of inhibiting irregular aggregation of nanosized powder
A method of inhibiting an irregular aggregation of a nanosized powder includes (A) providing a nanosized ceramic powder to perform thereon a thermal analysis and thereby attain an endothermic peak temperature; (B) performing an impurity-removal heat treatment on the nanosized ceramic powder at a temperature higher than the endothermic peak temperature; (C) switching the nanosized ceramic powder from a temperature environment of the impurity-removal heat treatment to an environment of a temperature higher than a phase change temperature of the nanosized ceramic powder, followed by performing a calcination heat treatment on the nanosized ceramic powder in the environment of the temperature higher than the phase change temperature of the nanosized ceramic powder, wherein the nanosized ceramic powder skips the temperature environment between impurity-removal heat treatment and calcination heat treatment to shun generating a vermicular structure, avoid crystalline irregularity and abnormal growth, reduce particle aggregation, and achieve satisfactory distribution.
US09944562B2 Ceramic granules having high reflectivity and preperation method for the same
Ceramic granules having high reflectivity and a preparation method for the same comprise sand core particulates and at least one coating thereon, wherein said sand core particulates contain calcined tobelite that is obtained by calcining the tobelite ore at 700-1200° C.; and said sand core particulates are coated with an inorganic coating, and then calcined at 800-1200° C. to obtain ceramic granules. Said ceramic granules have a particle size of 0.1-3.5 mm, and have a solar reflectivity SR of not lower than 80% and a staining index DL* of lower than 6%. Said ceramic granules produce a solar reflectivity of not lower than 70% when being applied to the asphalt roll/sheet and a solar reflectivity of not lower than 72% when being applied to the polyurethane foam sheet.
US09944554B2 Perforated mother sheet for partial edge chemical strengthening and method therefor
Methods for chemically strengthening the edges of glass sheets are provided. Voids can be formed in a mother sheet. The edges of these voids may correspond to a portion of the new edges that would normally be created during separation and free shaping of the mother sheet. The mother sheet can then be immersed in a chemical strengthener. The edges of the voids can be chemically strengthened in addition to the front and back sides of the mother sheet. After thin film processing and separation, each of the resulting individual sheets has been chemically strengthened on both sides and on a portion of its edges.
US09944543B2 Power control device and control method for power control device
A power control device supplies electrolysis voltage and electrolysis current, based on input direct-current power, to an electrolytic cell for manufacturing electrolysis water by electrolysis on a raw material solution by means of electric current applied between an anode and a cathode. The power control device includes: a voltage-current control circuit that, in a constant current control mode, supplies the electrolysis current to the electrolytic cell while the voltage-current control circuit controls the electrolysis current not to exceed a current value of a reference current, the current value of the reference current being preliminarily set according to a rated current of unit cells constituting the electrolytic cell, the voltage-current control circuit, in a constant voltage control mode, supplying the electrolysis voltage to the electrolytic cell while the voltage-current control circuit controls the electrolysis voltage not to exceed a voltage value of a reference voltage, the voltage value of the reference voltage being preliminarily set according to a rated voltage and the number of the unit cells constituting the electrolytic cell. The voltage-current control circuit switches between the constant current control mode and the constant voltage control mode, according to a concentration of electrolyte solution within the electrolytic cell.
US09944538B2 System and method for purifying process water
In accordance with one embodiment, a process is described for a water treatment process in which process water is treated with recycled biochar. In accordance with one aspect, process water is passed through activated carbon generated by the biomass pyrolysis and gasification. In accordance with another aspect, the process water is treated to expel gaseous compounds within the process water. In this manner both inorganics, light organics and heavy organics can be removed from the process water. No fermentation is involved.
US09944537B2 Positive electrode composition for non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery and method of manufacturing thereof
The present invention provides a positive electrode composition for a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, wherein the composition includes a lithium-transition metal composite oxide represented by the following compositional formula: LiaNi1-x-yCoxM1yM2zMoαNbβO2 wherein 1.00≤a≤1.50, 0.00≤x≤0.50, 0.00≤y≤0.50, 0.000≤z≤0.020, 0.002≤α≤0.020, 0.002≤β≤0.020, and 0.00≤x+y≤0.70, M1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mn and Al, and M2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Ti, Mg, Ta, and V, and a boron compound including at least boron and oxygen.
US09944535B2 Precipitated calcium carbonate from pulp mill waste having an improved brightness, method for the production and use thereof
The present invention relates to a process for the production of a precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate product from a divalent metal ion carbonate which was recovered from waste, the precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate product having an improved brightness, the process comprising the steps of: providing a low-purity divalent metal ion carbonate material, the divalent metal ion carbonate material being recovered from waste; calcining the divalent metal ion carbonate material in order to obtain a divalent metal ion oxide; slaking the divalent metal ion oxide in order to obtain an aqueous suspension of a divalent metal ion hydroxide; carbonating the aqueous suspension of the divalent metal ion hydroxide with a carbon dioxide containing compound in order to obtain fine precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate particles; post-treating the fine precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate particles to obtain fine discrete precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate particles; adding the fine discrete precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate particles to an aqueous suspension of divalent metal ion hydroxide that was obtained by slaking high-purity divalent metal ion hydroxide in order to obtain a resulting reaction mixture; and carbonating the resulting reaction mixture in order to obtain the precipitated divalent metal ion carbonate product having an improved brightness.
US09944530B2 Graphene platelet fabrication method and graphene platelet fabricated thereby
The present invention discloses a graphene platelet fabrication method, which comprises Step (A): providing a highly-graphitized graphene having a graphitization degree of 0.8-1.0; and Step (B): providing a shear force acting on the highly-graphitized graphene to separate the highly-graphitized graphene into graphene platelets, wherein the graphene platelets have a length of 10-500 μm and a width of 10-500 μm and have a single-layer or multi-layer structure. The present invention also discloses a graphene platelet fabricated according to the abovementioned method.
US09944518B2 Method of manufacture MEMS switches with reduced voltage
An approach includes a method of fabricating a switch. The approach includes forming a first fixed electrode and a second fixed electrode, forming a first cantilevered electrode aligned vertically over the first fixed electrode, forming a second cantilevered electrode aligned vertically over the first fixed electrode and which has an end that overlaps the first cantilevered electrode, forming a third cantilevered electrode aligned vertically over the second fixed electrode and operable to directly contact the first cantilevered electrode upon an application of a voltage to the second fixed electrode, and forming a hermetically sealed volume encapsulating the first fixed electrode, the second fixed electrode, the first cantilevered electrode, and the second cantilevered electrode.
US09944510B2 Conduit terminus and related fluid transport system and method
A fluid transport system is provided. The fluid transport system may include a vessel closure assembly including one or more conduits, a vessel, and a container. A conduit terminus may be engaged with the conduit and received in the vessel. The conduit terminus may include a body with a head portion and an engagement portion, wherein an aperture extends therethrough. The engagement portion may be configured to engage the conduit. The head portion may taper to a tip defining a first opening to the aperture having a contour that is non-planar.
US09944507B2 Bottle opener
The invention is directed to a push opener for bottles. The push opener includes a mechanism configured to remove a bottle cap when the opener is introduced over a bottle and pushed downwardly, and trigger a promotional or entertainment action.
US09944494B2 Travelling cable of an elevator, and an elevator
A travelling cable of an elevator, more particularly of a passenger transport elevator and/or freight transport elevator, includes a protective envelope, conductors for transmitting electrical energy and data between the elevator car and the elevator hoistway, and one or more load-bearing bearer parts of essentially the length of the travelling cable for fixing the travelling cable at its first end to the elevator car and at its second end to the elevator hoistway, and which bearer part includes glass-fiber reinforcements and/or aramid-fiber reinforcements and/or carbon-fiber reinforcements and/or polybenzoxazole-fiber reinforcements and/or polyethylene-fiber reinforcements and/or nylon-fiber reinforcements in a polymer matrix material. An elevator includes the travelling cable.
US09944487B2 Single transfer insert placement method and apparatus
A web cutting system is provided for use with a single transfer insert placement mechanism having at least one puck for transferring a discrete web and a continuous web feeding mechanism for feeding a continuous web wherein first and second rollers having substantially parallel axes and being aligned with one another form a nip at their juncture, an anvil is attached to one roller, a die is attached to the other roller, a vacuum source is coupled to one of the rollers, a plurality of vacuum apertures is formed in the same roller. One of the rollers is positioned adjacent to the single transfer insert placement mechanism and to the continuous web feeding mechanism. The continuous web is applied to one roller and at least one discrete web is transferred from the puck to the same roller after which a die cutting process of the webs occurs at the nip.
US09944479B2 Sheet feeding apparatus and image forming apparatus
A sheet feeding apparatus includes an apparatus body, and an opening/closing member openable/closable with respect to the apparatus body and including a support portion supporting a sheet in a condition in which the opening/closing member is opened. The sheet supported by the support portion is fed by a feed portion. The opening/closing member is provided with a detection portion configured to detect the sheet on the support portion. The detection portion is disposed at a position where a detection wave emitted from the detection portion is not detected in a condition in which the opening/closing member is closed.
US09944469B2 Systems, methods, and apparatus for improved conveyor system
The invention relates generally to conveying systems, for moving work pieces from work station to work station including conveyors which generally move at a constant speed and include load carrying units which can be coupled for movement therewith between work stations and uncoupled from the conveyor so that they will be stationary at the work stations while work is done on a work piece carried by the load carrying units. More particularly, the present invention pertains to improved systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing locomotion and control to a conveyor system including surface-mounted drive system and adjustable, automatic take-up system with floating drive chassis. The present invention also pertains to elevated conveyor systems comprising many of the same components as the surface-mounted conveyor systems.
US09944452B1 Multi-layer insulation
A multilayer insulation is provided. The multilayer insulation includes a plurality of layers of material separated from one another by post elements. The interior of the integrated multilayer insulation can be filled with a selected gas. Moreover, the gas can be held in an interior volume of the integrated multilayer insulation at a pressure greater than ambient pressure, or flowed through the interior volume of the integrated multilayer insulation. The integrated multilayer insulation can be placed directly over an object to be insulated, or over a cellular insulation structure that is placed directly on the object to be insulated.
US09944442B2 Preservation device
A preservation device, configured to form an air tight seal when disposed on a bottle and/or a vessel, is used to preserve liquids and other items, such as foodstuffs, which spoil when exposed to oxygen for a period of time. The device comprises at least a container which contains an oxygen absorber to remove oxygen remaining in the bottle or vessel after it is sealed by the preservation device. The container or the oxygen absorber has a gas permeable, liquid impermeable membrane. The preservation device may include an air channel system to control the flow of the liquid to be dispensed from the bottle without requiring the removal of the entire stopper device from the bottle, to enable the liquid to be dispensed while only allowing a minimal amount of oxygen to enter the bottle, thus improving preservation.
US09944441B2 Can comprising a first, dispense opening and second, vent opening and a single pull tab
A can for containing a liquid having a top end is disclosed. The top end has a dispense area defined by a first score line and a pull tab coupled to the top end by a rivet. The pull tab has a puncturing end for breaking the first score line and pushing into the interior of the can without detaching the dispense area to open a dispense aperture. A vent area is defined by a second score line and positioned on the opposite side of the rivet. The first and second score lines are separated by at least one torsion stripe of the can top material for acting as a hinge by torsion upon lifting the actuating end of the pull tab. As the dispense aperture is opened by pushing the dispense area into the interior of the can, a vent aperture is opened by pulling the vent area outwards.
US09944439B2 Container lid
A container lid assembly includes a cover, a pivoting lid connected with the cover, and a lid gasket connected with the pivoting lid. The cover is configured to fit with an associated container and defines an opening through the cover. The pivoting lid is positioned in the opening in the cover. The pivoting lid is movable between an open position and a closed position.
US09944437B2 Cover structure of container
A cover structure of a container is provided. The cover structure has a bottom cover assembled on an opening of the container's body, a top cover openably and pivotally connected with the bottom cover to simultaneously cover the bottom cover and an outlet of a watering seat assembled on the opening of the container's body, and a latch mechanism disposed between the top cover and the bottom cover. The latch mechanism has a first latch seat assembled on the top cover, a second latch seat elastically, horizontally and movably assembled between a first position and a second position of the bottom cover, and a sliding latch bolt vertically and slidably assembled between a third position and a fourth position of the second latch seat.
US09944432B2 Recipient for storing a fluid intended to interact with a user
A vessel for storing an object, comprising an electrically insulating container, intended to contain the object and an electrically conductive layer, arranged on a surface of the container. There is a control circuit including an electrically conductive detection element, electrically insulated from the conductive layer and capacitively coupled to the conductive layer. The control circuit is configured to measure the capacitance formed between the conductive layer and an electrically charged object brought close to the conductive layer and to generate a control signal dependent on the measured capacitance.
US09944431B2 Ventilated container apparatus
A container apparatus having at least one containment member is disclosed that may include a bottom and at least one sidewall, an interior and an open end. The container may also include a flange that extends around a free end of the at least one side wall, and a plurality of wall members (or castellations) connected to/formed with/that extend from the flange. The plurality of wall members may be separated by ventilation apertures, with the plurality of wall members and the ventilation apertures extending around the perimeter of the free end. A sealing material, such as a removable film, may extend over the open end to enclose the containment member.
US09944425B2 Packaging board, its use and products made thereof
The invention relates to a packaging board comprising a fibrous base and one or more polymer coating layers on one or both sides of the fibrous base. According to the invention the fibrous base contains the combination of an alkyl ketene dimer size, stearic acid anhydride, a wet-strength size and an aluminium compound, which give the board resistance to aggressive liquids as well as thermal treatment, particularly an improved resistance to raw edge penetration in such circumstances. The invention further relates to containers and packages made of the board, for instance disposable drinking cups, dairy product cartons and auto-clave packages, as well as use of the board for such purposes.
US09944424B2 Method and apparatus for applying heat transfer label
A system and a method for applying a heat transfer label to a substrate to minimize dye migration are provided. The system and the method are configured such that a substrate is arranged between a heated plate and the label, such that heat is applied through the substrate.
US09944417B2 Apparatuses for wrapping a load and supplying film for wrapping a load and associated methods
A wrapping apparatus, its components, and corresponding methods for wrapping a load in packaging material are described herein. The apparatus has a packaging material dispenser having a frame and a plurality of packaging material supplies. The apparatus also has a load press for wrapping an upper surface of the load, where the load press has a central press section and a peripheral press section which can disengage the upper surface to allow wrapping of at least a part thereof. The apparatus also has an enclosure to prevent access during operation, as well as a packaging material seeking assembly which seeks out the packaging material to be wrapped. The apparatus and methods described allow for an automatic wrapping of a load which minimizes operator intervention, and further allow for the automatic resupply of packaging material.
US09944415B2 Filling container
The present invention relates to a filling container including a joint, where a side of the joint is provided with an inlet, another side of the joint is provided with a tube insertion cavity, and an inner end of the tube insertion cavity is connected to the inlet; a hollow tube bundle, including several hollow tubes, where an upper part of the hollow tube bundle is entirely inserted into the tube insertion cavity; a container, mounted at a lower end portion of a hollow tube by using an elastic fastener, where an inner cavity of the container is in communication with an inner passage of the hollow tube; and a holding mechanism, mounted on the joint at the tube insertion cavity, where the holding mechanism enables the tube insertion cavity to contract and hold the hollow tube bundle.
US09944400B2 Adaptive engine acceleration for accessory loads
A method of adaptive engine acceleration for accessory loads includes receiving an accessory load indicator corresponding to an accessory load of an engine. The accessory load indicator is compared to an adjustment threshold. An acceleration rate of the engine is increased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is below the adjustment threshold. The acceleration rate of the engine is decreased based on determining that the accessory load indicator is above the adjustment threshold.
US09944380B2 Access device provided with independent mobile walls enabling secure communication between at least two zones of an enclosure
An access device enables controlled or secure communication between different areas of an enclosure and, in the example illustrated in the present application of an aircraft, while providing reduced size. The access device includes at least three mobile walls able to move, independently from one another, to form a closed cylinder, the walls thus being in a so-called security vestibule position, and to overlap at least in twos in order to close off access to one or more areas while concealing the security vestibule, the walls thus being in a so-called retracted position. By overlapping at the access level of said areas that the walls allow to close, the device frees up the adjoining cabin space.
US09944379B2 Moisture path close-out and thermal control system and methods of assembling same
A moisture control assembly for use with a support beam extending through an insulation layer is provided. The insulation layer is positioned between an outer wall and an inner wall. The assembly includes: a moisture path close-out structure coupled to the insulation layer at an aperture defined through the insulation layer, the moisture path close-out structure including an opening substantially aligned with the aperture and configured to receive the support beam therethrough; and a coupling mechanism configured to secure the moisture path close-out structure to the support beam such that the moisture path close-out structure is partially pulled away from the insulation layer, the coupling mechanism and the moisture path close-out structure configured to direct liquid flow down and away from the support beam and along the insulation layer.
US09944376B1 Actively tunable exhaust systems for outboard marine engines
Exhaust systems are for outboard marine engines that are configured to propel a marine vessel in a body of water. An intermediate exhaust conduit is configured to receive the exhaust gas from the primary exhaust conduit. A primary muffler receives the exhaust gas from a intermediate exhaust conduit. A secondary muffler receives the exhaust gas from the primary muffler. An idle relief outlet discharges the exhaust gas from the secondary muffler to atmosphere. A bypass valve is positionable into an open position wherein the exhaust gas is permitted to bypass the secondary muffler and flow from the primary muffler to the idle relief outlet and into a closed position wherein the exhaust gas is not permitted to bypass the secondary muffler and instead flows from the primary muffler to the idle relief outlet via the secondary muffler.
US09944374B1 Outboard motors and oil pickup devices for outboard motors
An outboard motor has an internal combustion engine and a sump with an interior for holding oil for the internal combustion engine. The interior is defined by a top, a bottom, and sidewalls that extend from the top to the bottom. At least a portion of the sidewalls tapers radially inwardly towards the bottom. An oil pickup conduit extends into the interior and is configured to convey oil from the sump to the internal combustion engine. A bumper is disposed on the oil pickup conduit and separates the oil pickup conduit from the sidewall.
US09944373B1 Arrangements for lubricating outboard marine engines
An outboard marine engine comprises a vertically aligned bank of piston-cylinders; a camshaft that operates a plurality of valves for controlling flow of air with respect to the vertically aligned bank of piston-cylinders, the camshaft vertically extending between a lower camshaft end and an upper camshaft end; and a cam lobe at the upper camshaft end. Rotation of the camshaft causes the cam lobe to cam open an uppermost valve in the plurality of valves. A lubricant circuit extends through the camshaft and has a lubricant outlet located at the upper camshaft end. The lubricant outlet is configured to disperse lubricant onto the uppermost valve, which is located above an uppermost cam bearing bulkhead for the upper camshaft end.
US09944371B2 Positively buoyant, vertical thrust, manned submersible
The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.
US09944364B2 Attachable lighting device for a boat
In some aspects of the disclosure, an attachable lighting device has a lighting assembly which includes a light housing, an attaching base, and one or more optical sources. The light housing is attached to the top of the attaching base and contains the one or more optical sources. The attachable lighting device has a receiving base which is attachable to an attachment surface of a boat. The attaching base is attachable to the receiving base.
US09944356B1 Shape shifting foils
A shape shifting foil alters the shape of a fluid foil contour by rotating a leading edge structure. A skin that forms the fluid foil contour is at least partially attached to the leading edge structure, and is wrapped around the leading edge structure so two edges of the skin form the trailing edge of the fluid foil. The two edges forming the trailing edge slide with respect to one another, thereby permitting the skin to shift when the leading edge structure is rotated.
US09944352B2 Remotely adjustable degrees of freedom for suspension coupling
Apparatus and associated methods relate to remote control over a number of degrees of freedom of coupling between a first suspension member and a second suspension member. In an illustrative embodiment, when in an uncoupled state, the first suspension member may move substantially independently of any motion of the second suspension member. When in a coupled state, for example, the first suspension member may move in response to movement of the second suspension member. In some embodiments, the coupling between members may be altered by selectively permitting at least one degree of freedom of motion of the suspension system. For example, in some systems, a variable shock absorber may be selectively set to a fixed length in response to a control system signal. A remotely coupled suspension system may advantageously provide dynamically controllable suspension configurations for various riding conditions.
US09944351B2 Device for shifting the chain on a front chain wheel for a bicycle
A shifting assembly for shifting a roller chain between a plurality of front chain wheels for a bicycle that includes a smaller chain wheel, a larger chain wheel and a chain derailleur having a channel on an inner guide plate. The channel has an elevation that comes into contact with a chain rise rivet on the larger chain wheel in the state of starting to shift the roller chain from the smaller chain wheel to the adjacent larger chain wheel, viewed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the chain wheels.
US09944348B2 Bicycle control apparatus for bicycle assist device and bicycle assist device
A bicycle control apparatus is provided for controlling a bicycle assist device. The bicycle control apparatus includes a controller that is configured to control an assist motor for assisting a manual drive force of a transmission with a plurality of sprockets. The controller is configured to control an output of the assist motor based on a rotational position of a sprocket of the plurality of sprockets when the transmission performs a shifting operation to switch a chain between two of the plurality of sprockets.
US09944347B2 Pivoting chainring assembly
A pivotable chainring assembly for a bicycle includes a chainring and a carrier. The carrier includes an annular bearing and a pivot attachment portion. The annular bearing includes an inner race and an outer race. The outer race of the annular bearing is rotatable about a crank axis. The chainring is physically connected to and rotatably fixed relative to the outer race of the annular bearing. The inner race of the annular bearing is physically connected to and rotationally fixed relative to the pivot attachment portion. The pivot attachment portion has a pivot axis disposed a distance from the crank axis. The chainring is rotatable about the crank axis and rotatable about the pivot axis.
US09944346B2 Bicycle brake
A bicycle brake including a pre-assembled assembly intended to be mounted on a bicycle frame through two fastening pins is disclosed. The brake includes a first lever and a second lever each having an actuation arm and a braking arm. A support element of the first lever and second lever includes a through hole coaxial to a first rotation axis (X1) of the first lever and a through hole coaxial to a second rotation axis (X2) of the second lever. A first hollow pin is provided with a longitudinal cavity for passage of a first fastening pin of the pre-assembled assembly to the bicycle frame. A second hollow pin is provided with a longitudinal cavity for passage of a second fastening pin of said pre-assembled assembly to the bicycle frame.
US09944342B2 Straddle-type vehicle
A straddle-type vehicle capable of restricting input of a load from a fastening member, which joins multiple tank covers to each other, to the surface of a fuel tank. A fastening member designed to join a first tank cover and a second tank cover together is disposed to face the surface of a fuel tank and at least one of the first tank cover. The second tank cover has a convex portion facing the surface of the fuel tank at a position near the fastening member.
US09944334B1 Inner wall system for cargo container
A wall system for a cargo container is provided. The wall system includes a plurality of panels that are configured to be fixed to logistics posts in a cargo compartment. Each panel includes a central portion and right and left end portions that are disposed on respective outboard sides of the central portion, the central portion includes a planar wall surface, the right and left end portions each include a planar wall surface. The central portion comprises two or more recessed portions that extend inwardly from the planar wall surface to define an elongate void that is configured to receive an elongate track therein, such that an outer surface of the elongate track, when disposed within the recessed portion, is co-planar with the planar wall surface of the central portion or disposed within the recessed portion and recessed behind the planar wall surface of the central portion.
US09944330B2 Suspension tower portion structure of vehicle
An upper face portion of a suspension tower portion of a vehicle comprises an fastening face portion where plural fastening portions to which an upper-side attached portion of a suspension is fixedly fastened are provided and a top face portion which is provided at a higher level than the fastening face portion so as to face the upper-side attached portion of the suspension, the top face portion being connected to a central portion of the fastening face portion via a vertical wall portion. An inner-peripheral-side rib is provided on an inner-peripheral side of the vertical wall portion.
US09944329B2 Structural reinforcement for vehicle body
A structural reinforcement member for a vehicle body includes a bracket sized for mounting to a roof rail, spanning along the roof rail from a first pillar past a second pillar, and including a first support member extending inboard at a first roof bow. The bracket and the first roof bow are arranged such that the first support member transfers a load applied to the vehicle body to the first roof bow. The first support member may be shaped to conform to a shape of an end of the first roof bow that the first support member is secured thereto. A second roof bow may extend from the roof rail and the bracket may further include a second support member extending inboard at the second roof bow.
US09944324B2 Vehicle frame structure
The present invention provides a vehicle frame structure including: a pair of right and left side rails; a cross member that bridges the side rails in the vehicle width direction; a bumper reinforcement that is placed on the front side of the side rails; load bearing portions that are disposed at vehicle width direction outer side surfaces of the side rails; curved portions that are disposed in the bumper reinforcement, curve toward the vehicle rear side heading outward in the vehicle width direction in sections of the bumper reinforcement at the vehicle width direction outer sides of the side rails; and projecting portions that are secured to rear surfaces of the curved portions of the bumper reinforcement, that project toward the vehicle rear side, that are placed with gaps between them and the load bearing portions.
US09944322B2 Composite subframe detachment
A subframe for a vehicle includes a subframe structure and a rear end joint. The rear end joint is formed on the subframe structure for attachment to a floor via a bolt. The rear end joint defines a notch, having a collar surrounding the bolt. The rear end joint is configured such that, upon impact, the rear end joint interacts with the bolt to break the collar, split the notch, and detach the subframe structure from the floor.
US09944319B2 Motor vehicle system and method
Embodiments of the invention provide a motor vehicle system, the system being operable to provide that provides a visual indication of the position relative to the vehicle of one or more obstacles that lie in the vicinity of the vehicle, predicts a path of a vehicle by reference to a position of a steering wheel or steerable road wheel of the vehicle, and determines whether any obstacles in the vicinity of the vehicle lie in the predicted path by reference to data regarding the location of such obstacles. If the system determines that one or more obstacles lie in the predicted path the system provides an audible indication of a distance any such obstacles from the vehicle according to a distance from the vehicle.
US09944313B2 Wheel unit and steering unit for conveying devices on wheels such as beds, stretchers or trolleys
A steering unit for conveying devices on wheels such as beds, stretchers or trolleys includes a wheel unit and a motor unit. The wheel unit includes a base structure and a wheel mounted on a supporting element to rotate about an axis. The supporting element is mounted on the base structure to rotate about an orientation axis. A transmission includes an inlet unit and outlet shaft. The inlet unit includes an engagement device to reversibly engage the inlet unit on a transmission unit of the motor unit. The outlet shaft is integral with the supporting element and defines the orientation axis. The transmission transforms an inlet motion of the inlet unit into an outlet rotation of the outlet shaft about the orientation axis. A motor includes a complementary engagement device operating with the engagement device for reversibly engaging the inlet unit on the transmission unit.
US09944311B2 Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus includes a steering shaft; a column jacket including an outer jacket including a slit and a pair of fastened portions, and an inner jacket; a fastening mechanism; an engaged tooth formation member including at least one engaged tooth and fixed to the inner jacket; a support shaft including end portions supported by support holes of the fastened portions; a tubular reinforcing member fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the support shaft at a prescribed area between the pair of end portions; and an engaging tooth formation member including an engaging tooth that engages with the engaged tooth.
US09944306B2 Snowmobile ski runner
A snowmobile ski runner has a flat ski runner body. The flat ski runner body has a generally uniform width, a front flat wall at a front thereof, and a rear flat wall at a rear thereof. The front and rear flat walls are parallel to each other. A snowmobile ski assembly having the ski runner and a snowmobile having the snowmobile ski assembly are also disclosed.
US09944305B2 Removable seat attachment for a stroller
A stroller is provided with the ability to removably couple and decouple a seat from the stroller as needed. The stroller can include a stroller frame. The stroller can also include one or more front wheels attached to the stroller frame and one or more rear wheels attached to the stroller frame. The stroller can also include a first seat couple to the stroller frame. The stroller can include first and second seat attachment housings. Each of the seat attachment housings can include a cavity for receiving a corresponding one of the first and second seat attachment adapters. Each of the seat attachment housings can also include a door or cover to prevent access to the respective cavity when not in use. The seat attachment adapters can be coupled to the respective seat attachment housings and a second seat can be coupled to the seat attachment adapters.
US09944295B2 Vehicle with wearable for identifying role of one or more users and adjustment of user settings
A system includes a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a control system and a wireless transceiver operatively connected to the control system. The control system is configured to wirelessly communicate with a wearable device worn by a user using the wireless transceiver and the control system is configured to receive input from one or more sensors of the wearable device.
US09944293B2 Object detection apparatus, moving body device control system and program thereof
An object detection apparatus includes a light illumination unit that emits illuminating light; an imaging unit that captures a first image of distant photographic subjects by detecting lights from the photographic subjects, captures a second image of foreign matter attached to a monitoring area by detecting the illuminating light reflected from the foreign matter, and generates an image frame; a target detection unit that detects a detection target among the distant photographic subjects based on the first image; a foreign matter detection unit that detects the foreign matter based on the second image; and an exposure amount change unit that changes an exposure amount of the imaging unit. The target detection unit detects the detection target using plural imaging frames with different exposure amounts. The foreign matter detection unit detects the foreign matter using the imaging frame other than the imaging frame with the greatest exposure amount.
US09944291B2 Controlling driving modes of self-driving vehicles
A method and/or computer program product controls an operational mode of a self-driving vehicle (SDV) that is initially being operated in a nominal autonomous mode. Detectors on an SDV detect an erratically driven vehicle (EDV) that is being operated in an unsafe manner within a predetermined distance of an SDV. In response to detecting the EDV, a driving mode device in the SDV changes an operational mode of the SDV from the nominal autonomous mode to an evasive autonomous mode.
US09944286B2 Lock-up-clutch control device for vehicle
A vehicle lock-up clutch control device includes a torque converter, a fuel cutoff control unit and a lock-up release/transmission cooperative control unit. The torque converter is disposed between an engine and a continuously variable transmission. The fuel cutoff control unit is configured to prevent fuel injection to the engine while in a coasting state with the driver's foot away from the accelerator, and configured to restart the fuel injection based on a fuel recovery permission. The lock-up release/transmission cooperative control unit is configured to carry out a cooperative control of a lock-up release control for reducing the clutch engagement capacity of the lock-up clutch and a transmission control for shifting the transmission. Then, if there is an accelerator depression operation while coasting with the lock-up clutch in an engaged state, the lock-up release timing and the shift timing are offset from one another.
US09944280B2 Vehicle control system
A vehicle control system includes: multiple control units which controls operation of a vehicle including an internal combustion engine, a first electric motor connected to the internal combustion engine, and a second electric motor; and a network connected to the control units such that the control units perform communication with each other. The control units include a first control unit which controls the internal combustion engine, a second control unit which controls the first motor, and a third control unit which controls the second motor, and each detect abnormality in communication via the network among the control units. Upon detection of abnormality in communication between the second control unit and the other control units via the network, the first control unit stops operation of the internal combustion engine, and the third control unit performs control such that the second motor outputs power for the vehicle to travel.