Document Document Title
US11150658B2 Hybrid aerial/underwater robotics system for scalable and adaptable maintenance of aquaculture fish farms
Systems and methods for operating a HAUCS sensing platform. The methods comprise: autonomous travel by a UAAV to a first location in proximity to a body of water (“BoW”) in accordance with a mission plan; actuating a mechanical device to transition a sensor from a retracted position in which the sensor is adjacent to a UAAV to an extended position in which the sensor resides a given distance from a UAAV; collect, by HAUCS sensing platform and sensor, sensor data concerning a water condition of BoW at different depths; actuating the mechanical device to transition the sensor from the extended position to the retracted position after the sensor data has been collected; causing the sensor data to be processed using a machine learning-based analytical engine to determine whether a water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur; and modifying the mission plan when the water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur.
US11150654B2 Dynamically adjusting UAV flight operations based on radio frequency signal data
In some implementations, a UAV flight system can dynamically adjust UAV flight operations based on radio frequency (RF) signal data. For example, the flight system can determine an initial flight plan for inspecting a RF transmitter and configure a UAV to perform an aerial inspection of the RF transmitter. Once airborne, the UAV can collect RF signal data and the flight system can automatically adjust the flight plan to avoid RF signal interference and/or damage to the UAV based on the collected RF signal data. In some implementations, the UAV can collect RF signal data and generate a three-dimensional received signal strength map that describes the received signal strength at various locations within a volumetric area around the RF transmitter. In some implementations, the UAV can collect RF signal data and determine whether a RF signal transmitter is properly aligned.
US11150651B2 Information processing apparatus
An information processing apparatus installed in a vehicle includes a driving control section and a preparation control section. The driving control section executes automated driving of the vehicle. The preparation control section executes, when the automated driving is being executed by the driving control section, preparation control which is control that stops at least a part of the automated driving and makes the driver perform a preparation switching to driving by the driver of the vehicle.
US11150643B2 Systems and methods for remote control by multiple operators
The systems and methods are generally directed to remote control of a vehicle by multiple operators. The vehicle is traveling on a roadway parsed into a plurality of segments including a first segment and a second segment. The method includes receiving vehicle data. The method includes assigning a set of one or more operators of the plurality of operators to each segment of the plurality of segments. The plurality of operators includes a first set of operators assigned to the first segment and second set of operators assigned to the second segment. The method includes identifying a control shift region having a first boundary and a second boundary. The method includes selectively shifting control from the first set of operators to the second set of operators upon reaching the first boundary such that the first set of operators and the second set of operators exert shared control in the control shift region.
US11150640B2 Systems and methods for managing alerts associated with devices of a process control system
Techniques for managing alerts associated with devices of a process control system in a process plant are described. According to certain aspects, a set of devices may generate and communicate a set of alerts to an asset management system, which can examine the set of alerts and determine whether a rule(s) is applicable. In embodiments, the rule may specify how the set of alerts should be stored as well as an action(s) to initiate in response to storing the set of alerts. The asset management system may further automatically generate new rules to be applied to alerts of the devices, to further refine the management of the alerts.
US11150636B2 State determination device and state determination method
A state determination device acquires data related to an injection molding machine, stores a learning model obtained by learning an operation state of the injection molding machine with respect to the data, and performs estimation using the learning model based on the data. Further, the state determination device acquires a correction coefficient, which is associated with a type of the injection molding machine and equipment attached to the injection molding machine and numerically converts and corrects the estimation result with a predetermined correction function to which the acquired correction coefficient is applied.
US11150622B2 Quality control isometric for inspection of field welds and flange bolt-up connections
In one embodiment, a modeling process adds unique numbers for field welds or flange bolt-up connections to a virtual construction model of an infrastructure construction project. Based on the virtual construction model and a fabrication data file that describes a portion of the infrastructure construction project, a QC drawing generation process generates a QC drawing for the portion of the infrastructure construction project that includes balloons linked to locations of field welds or flange bolt-up connections, each balloon including the unique number of a corresponding field weld or flange bolt-up connection. A copy of the QC drawing is provided to a field inspection worker. Subsequently, a marked-up copy of the QC drawing is received back that includes field inspection results associated with the unique number of each field weld or flange bolt-up connection. The marked-up copy may be maintained in a document control system.
US11150609B1 Trapped ion platform with optical input and output
In disclosed apparatus, a plurality of optical waveguides monolithically integrated on a surface ion trap substrate deliver light to the trapping sites. Electrical routing traces defined in one or more metallization levels deliver electrical signals to electrodes of the surface electrode ion trap. A plurality of photodetectors are integrated on the substrate and arranged to detect light from respective trapping sites.
US11150605B1 Systems and methods for generating holograms using deep learning
In one embodiment, a system may generate a hologram by processing a first image using a machine-learning model. The system may generate a second image based on at least a portion of the hologram using a processing model that is configured to simulate interactions between a light source and the hologram. The system may compare the second image to the first image to calculate a loss based on a loss function. The system may update the machine-learning model based on the loss between the first image and the second image. The updated machine-learning model is configured to process one or more input images to generate one or more corresponding holograms.
US11150590B2 Exposure device and image forming apparatus
An exposure device includes: a first lens array unit and a second lens array unit each including a plurality of optical elements formed in a formation surface with respective optical axes parallel to each other, the formation surface of the first lens array unit being not perpendicular to the optical axes; a first lens array holder and a second lens array holder that hold the first lens array unit and the second lens array unit with the respective optical axes of the plurality of optical elements parallel to each other; and a light source assembly in which optical element groups each including a plurality of light-emitting devices aligned in a direction perpendicular to the optical axes are disposed at different positions in a direction parallel to the optical axes, wherein the first lens array unit is provided with a first seating surface and a second seating surface.
US11150584B2 Image forming apparatus and board
An image forming apparatus includes: a board; a semiconductor integrated circuit that is provided on the board and has a real-time clock circuit; a radiator that is provided at a position for covering the semiconductor integrated circuit and receives heat from the semiconductor integrated circuit and radiates the heat; and an oscillator that is provided in a space sandwiched between the board and the radiator and vibrates to supply a clock signal to the real-time clock circuit.
US11150582B2 Image forming apparatus and image fixing method
An image forming apparatus according to one or more embodiments includes a fixing device and a controller. The fixing device includes a first heating source and a second heating source. The second heating source has a heating width greater than that of the first heating source. The first and second heating sources have different heating characteristics in response to temperature increases. The controller selects one of the first heating source and the second heating source according to a size of a sheet on which printing is to be performed.
US11150579B2 Gear assembly for a replaceable unit of an electrophotographic image forming device
A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a developer roll and a toner adder roll. First and second drive gears are rotatably connected to and coaxial with the developer roll and toner adder roll, respectively. The toner cartridge includes a drive coupler exposed to receive rotational motion when the toner cartridge is installed in an image forming device. Gear teeth of the first drive gear are directly meshed with gear teeth of the drive coupler of the toner cartridge. The second drive gear is rotatably connected to the drive coupler through a pair of idler gears.
US11150575B2 Digital printing apparatus and process using curable dry toner
A digital printing process for xerography printing with curable dry toner. The process includes: forming a latent image as a pattern of electric charge on a surface of an imaging member; transferring dry toner onto a development member; developing the latent image by transferring dry toner from the development member onto the imaging member in accordance with the pattern; transferring the dry toner from the imaging member to a first substrate; applying a second substrate on the transferred dry toner, fusing the transferred dry toner, and bonding the second substrate to the first substrate. The fusing is done before and/or during and/or after the applying of the second substrate. After application of the second substrate, the dry toner is irradiated with actinic radiation or particle beams to cure at least the fused transferred dry toner. The irradiating is done after and/or during the fusing.
US11150562B2 Optimizing an apparatus for multi-stage processing of product units
A method of optimizing an apparatus for multi-stage processing of product units such as wafers, the method includes: receiving object data representing one or more parameters measured across the product units and associated with different stages of processing of the product units; and determining fingerprints of variation of the object data across the product units, the fingerprints being associated with different respective stages of processing of the product units. The fingerprints may be determined by decomposing the object data into components using principal component analysis for each different respective stage; analyzing commonality of the fingerprints through the different stages to produce commonality results; and optimizing an apparatus for processing product units based on the commonality results.
US11150549B2 Magnet screen device
According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a magnet screen device, comprising a casing having an opening, a roll rotatably placed in the casing, and a magnet screen, the magnet screen being configured to be wound on the roll during a storage of the magnet screen and configured to be pulled out from the opening of the casing and to be attached to an installation surface upon an use of the magnet screen, wherein the magnet screen device further comprises a bar part at a region where the opening is provided, and wherein the bar part is configured to be capable of contacting the magnet screen at the region where the opening is provided.
US11150547B2 Light source system with beamsplitter, projection device of same, and lighting device thereof
A light source system includes an excitation light unit, a spectral filter unit, a scattering unit, and an excited-light unit. The excitation light unit is configured to emit excitation light. In an embodiment, the spectral filter unit reflects a portion of the excitation light to the scattering unit, the scattering unit scatters the same to generate a first light and a second light, and the spectral filter unit transmits the second light. The spectral filter unit also transmits another part of the excitation light to the excited-light unit, the excited-light unit emits excited light under the illumination thereof, and the spectral filter unit reflects the excited light, so that the spectral filter unit merges and emits the transmitted second light and the reflected excited light. The excitation light is thus split into two paths at the spectral filter unit, and finally emits light by combining excitation light and excited light.
US11150545B2 Projection apparatus with U-shaped printed circuit board
A projection apparatus including a housing, a light-transmissive cover, an optical engine module, a frame, and a projection apparatus and media player circuit module is provided. The light-transmissive cover is arranged on the housing to cover an opening of the housing. The optical engine module is configured to provide a projection light beam to be transmitted through the light-transmissive cover. The optical engine module is arranged in the housing. The frame is arranged on a top surface of the optical engine module. The frame includes extension arms extending in a direction away from the top surface. The projection apparatus and media player circuit module is configured to drive the optical engine module, and to play a pattern or an image, and is arranged on the extension arms to be distributed on at least two of side surfaces and a bottom surface of the optical engine module.
US11150539B2 Camera module for a vehicle and outside body part with camera module
The invention relates to a camera module (100) for a vehicle. The camera module (100) has a housing section (105) with a camera lens (110) and is characterized in that the camera module (100) contains a cylindrical front cover receiver (115) surrounding the housing section (105) that extends beyond the camera lens (110). A transparent front cover (120) for the camera lens (110) is received in the front cover receiver (115). The front cover (120) has an outer surface (125) that can be exposed to environmental effects.
US11150535B2 Apparatus and method for transmitting light in different directions by changing wavelength of the light
An optical signal transmitter includes a laser source configured to generate light with different wavelengths, respectively; a wavelength division (WD) demultiplexer configured to redirect the light in different directions based on the different wavelengths, respectively; and a lens array including an array of lenses configured to collimate the light from the WD demultiplexer for transmission in different directions, respectively. The optical signal transmitter may be implemented in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) apparatus. The optical signal transmitter may further include a 1×N splitter and a set of WD demultiplexers to increase the number of distinct optical signal transmissions.
US11150533B2 Capacitive optical modulator
A capacitive electro-optical modulator includes a silicon layer, a germanium or silicon-germanium strip overlying the silicon layer, and a silicon strip overlying the germanium or silicon-germanium strip. The silicon strip is wider than the germanium or silicon-germanium strip. An insulator is laterally adjacent the germanium or silicon-germanium strip and the silicon strip and has an upper surface that is flush with an upper surface of the silicon strip. An insulating layer overlies the insulator and the silicon strip. A layer of III-V material overlies the insulating layer. The layer of III-V material is formed as a third strip arranged facing the silicon strip and separated therefrom by a portion of the insulating layer.
US11150529B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a dual passivation layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The dual passivation layer includes a first passivation layer and a second passivation layer. A refractive index of the first passivation layer is different from a refractive index of the second passivation layer.
US11150526B2 Liquid crystal display device comprising a first light shielding unit having an opening that overlaps a contact hole and is entirely surrouned by the first light shielding unit
A display device includes a first substrate formed with a first gate line, a first source line, a first thin film transistor, and a first light shielding unit; a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate; and a first liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first light shielding unit is disposed between the first thin film transistor and the first liquid crystal layer, and overlaps at least a part of a first channel region of the first thin film transistor in planar view.
US11150521B2 Light control film, laminated glass and method for producing light control film
The reliability of a spacer is improved in comparison to conventional ones. A light control film which is obtained by sandwiching a liquid crystal layer between first and second laminates that are provided with at least alignment layers and which controls light transmitted therethrough by controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer by driving electrodes that are provided on the first and second laminates. With respect to the first laminate, a base that is formed of a transparent film material is provided with a spacer that maintains the thickness of the liquid crystal layer. With respect to the first and second laminates, the Vickers hardness of the spacer is from 16.9 to 40.2 inclusive, and the Vickers hardness of a part of the second laminate, the part being in contact with the front end of the spacer, is from 11.8 to 35.9 inclusive.
US11150520B2 Liquid crystal display device
Each pixel has a reflection region to produce a display in reflection mode. The first substrate includes: a pixel electrode for each pixel; and a first vertical alignment film. The second substrate includes: an opposite electrode opposite the pixel electrodes; and a second vertical alignment film. Of the first and second vertical alignment films, only the second vertical alignment film exerts an alignment-regulating force that determines a pretilt angle. Each pixel electrode includes a plurality of subpixel electrodes. The opposite electrode has an opening in an area corresponding to one of four corners of at least one of the plurality of subpixel electrodes. Liquid crystal molecules in a thickness-wise middle portion of the liquid crystal layer on the subpixel electrode are oriented toward the opening.
US11150508B2 Light emitting device
A light emitting device includes: a lightguide plate including a first surface on which a plurality of first recesses are provided; a light-reflective resin layer located on a bottom portion of each first recess; a plurality of light emitting elements each having an upper surface and a lateral surface, wherein each one of the plurality of light emitting elements is arranged in a corresponding one of the plurality of first recesses; and a plurality of wavelength conversion members, wherein: the upper surface of each light emitting element is attached to the light-reflective resin layer; and each of the plurality of wavelength conversion members covers the lateral surface of the light emitting element in the first recess.
US11150503B2 Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device including, sequentially in the following order: a light source unit, a rear side polarizer, a liquid crystal cell, a front side polarizer, and a viewing angle expansion film. Alternatively, a liquid crystal display device including, sequentially in the following order: a light source unit, a rear side polarizer, a liquid crystal cell, a viewing angle expansion film, and a front side polarizer. The liquid crystal display device optionally includes a rear side optical film provided between the rear side polarizer and the liquid crystal cell; and a front side optical film provided between the front side polarizer and the liquid crystal cell.
US11150500B2 Display device having functional component and support frame
A display device is provided. The display device includes: a housing, a display panel, a backlight module, and a functional component. The housing includes a receiving chamber having an opening and a front housing located at a side of the receiving chamber where the opening is located, the front housing includes a support frame extending into the receiving chamber; the display panel is located inside the receiving chamber; the backlight module is located at a side of the display panel away from the opening; the functional portion is located at a side of the display panel away from the backlight module. The support frame is configured to fix the functional component and to fix the backlight module, and at least one of the functional component or the support frame is bonded with the display panel to fix the display panel.
US11150499B2 Panel repairing apparatus and method of repairing display panel using the same
A panel repairing apparatus and a method of repairing a display panel using the same are disclosed. The panel repairing apparatus includes a panel loader for accommodating a display panel therein, a laser repair unit for repairing the display panel by irradiating laser onto the display panel, and a press repair unit for repairing the display panel by pressurizing the display panel.
US11150498B2 Detection method and device of display panel and automatic optic inspection apparatus
A detection method and device of a display panel are disclosed. The detection method includes: selecting at least two comparison points for a detection point with a set comparison pitch, the detection point corresponding to a separation cell or a pixel cell; detecting a first defect and a second defect of a display substrate according to gray scale values of the detection point and 2 comparison points, wherein the first defect includes a normal separation cell and a pixel defect and the second defect includes a pixel defect and a defected separation cell; and determining the defected separation cell according to the first defect and the second defect.
US11150496B2 Adjustable optical switch based on PLZST antiferroelectric photonic crystal, and adjusting and control method thereof
An adjustable optical switch based on a PLZST antiferroelectric photonic crystal, and an adjusting and control method thereof, which belongs to the technical field of micro and nano optoelectronic devices. The adjustable optical switch based on a PLZST antiferroelectric photonic crystal includes an air column type photonic crystal with a diameter of air columns of 420 nm, and a spacing of air columns of 200 nm. According to the present disclosure, a photonic crystal switch is designed by utilizing the coupling property between photonic crystals, and the central wavelength of optical waves is adjusted through the action of the electric field, so that an electro-optical switch with a central wavelength adjustable in a wide range is provided, and has a response speed of less than 1 nanosecond, and the central wavelength can be adjusted in a range of 1100 nm to 1750 nm.
US11150494B2 Waveguide modulator structures
A Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator. In some embodiments, the Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator includes a first arm including a first optical waveguide, and a second arm including a second optical waveguide. The first optical waveguide includes a junction, and the Mach-Zehnder waveguide modulator further includes a plurality of electrodes for providing a bias across the junction to enable control of the phase of light travelling through the junction.
US11150491B2 Distributed optical job and manufacturing computation systems and methods
Systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable storage media that execute, are configured to execute, or store instructions that enable modification of optical manufacturing data, including a computer-implemented method for modifying optical manufacturing data. The method includes receiving the optical manufacturing data associated with an optical job and modifying the optical manufacturing data using manufacturing logic to generate modified optical manufacturing data. The modified optical manufacturing data is then used in the manufacturing process of the optical job.
US11150488B2 Fixed depth display for vehicle instrument panel
A display system may include a display screen configured to display an image, a backlight configured to provide collimated or substantially collimated light to the display screen, and a transparent contoured projection screen. The transparent contoured projection screen may include portions at different elevations to display different elements to a viewer in a three dimensional manner.
US11150485B2 Multi-image display apparatus including polarization selective lens and screen
Provided is a multi-image display apparatus including an image forming device configured to form a first image, a first polarization plate configured to transmit a first polarization component of the first image provided from the image forming device, a second polarization plate configured to transmit a second polarization component of a second image that is provided from a path different from the first image, the second polarization component being different from the first polarization component, a screen configured to reflect and diffuse the first image, and transmit the second image, and a polarization selective lens configured to focus the first image having the first polarization component, and transmit the second image having the second polarization component without refraction.
US11150482B2 Augmented reality content creation
A system and method for generating a virtual content to a physical object is described. A processor includes an augmented reality application. The augmented reality application creates virtual content at the head mounted device, and associates the virtual content with predefined conditions based on data from sensors embedded in the head mounted device at a time of creation of the virtual content. The virtual content is displayed in a display of the head mounted device in response to sensor data satisfying the predefined conditions.
US11150479B2 Screen for an HMD
A screen (3) for an HMD (1) is provided, and may be designed as a display screen or as a projection screen. The screen (3) comprises a layer (19) of a material with a switchable degree of transparency and at least one further switchable layer (17, 21, 23) which, in dependence on the switching state, can assume at least two physical states, the physical states differently influencing at least one optical property of light passing through the switchable layer or reflected by it.
US11150477B2 Light-guiding device, virtual image display apparatus, and method for manufacturing light-guiding device
A light-guiding device includes a pair of light-guiding portions, a pair of light-incident portions that causes image light to be incident on the pair of light-guiding portions respectively, and a pair of light-emitting portions that emit image light, guided by the pair of light-guiding portions, to outside respectively, in which a pair of optical members including the pair of light-guiding portions are coupled by a central member having light transmissivity, and separate overcoat layers are provided at the optical member on one side and at the optical member on another side with respect to an approximate center of the central member.
US11150474B2 Adjustable electronic device system with facial mapping
A head-mounted device may have a display for displaying image content. Head-mounted support structures in the device may be used to support the display. The head-mounted device or external equipment may include a three-dimensional image sensor. The three-dimensional image sensor may capture a three-dimensional image of a user's face. Control circuitry may analyze the three-dimensional image to identify which of multiple versions of a customizing face-fit module should be used in the electronic device to fit the device to the user's face. An appropriate face-fit module may be identified based on facial features such as facial size and the shapes of a user's forehead, nose, and cheeks. After identifying which version of the face-fit module is to be used by the user, that version of the face-fit module may be coupled to a non-custom portion of a main unit for the head-mounted device using magnets or other coupling structures.
US11150469B2 Method and device for eye tracking using event camera data
In one implementation, a method includes emitting light with modulating intensity from a plurality of light sources towards an eye of a user. The method includes receiving light intensity data indicative of an intensity of the plurality of glints reflected by the eye of the user in the form of a plurality of glints and determining an eye tracking characteristic of the user based on the light intensity data. In one implementation, a method includes generating, using an event camera comprising a plurality of light sensors at a plurality of respective locations, a plurality of event messages, each of the plurality of event messages being generated in response to a particular light sensor detecting a change in intensity of light and indicating a particular location of the particular light sensor. The method includes determining an eye tracking characteristic of a user based on the plurality of event messages.
US11150466B2 Optical system and imaging apparatus including the same
An optical system includes a first lens unit having positive refractive power, a second lens unit, and a third lens unit having negative refractive power arranged in order from an object side to an image side. The second lens unit moves in focusing, thereby changing a distance between adjacent lens units. The first lens unit includes a positive lens, and the third lens unit includes a negative lens. A focal length of the positive lens, a focal length of the negative lens, a focal length of the third lens unit, and a back focus of the optical system are appropriately set.
US11150465B2 Lens module capable of reducing visibility of ghosts and electronic device using the same
A lens module includes a lens group and at least one coating film. The lens group includes a plurality of lenses arranged successively from an object side of the lens module to an image side of the lens module. Each lens has two effective surfaces. One effective surface is located on the object side of the lens module, and the other is located on the image side. The coating film formed on at least one of the effective surfaces. The coating film satisfies a first relationship: B1<0.5%; B2<0.35%. B1 refers to a maximum value of a reflectivity of incident light incident on the effective surfaces. B2 refers to an average value of the reflectivity of the incident light incident on the effective surfaces, a wavelength of the incident light being in a range of 490 nm to 620 nm.
US11150462B2 Objective optical system
An objective optical system consists of in order from an object side to an image side, a first group having a positive refractive power, an aperture stop, a second group having negative refractive power, and a third group having a positive refractive power. Focusing is carried out by moving the second group. The objective optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1′). −16.6
US11150456B2 Observation apparatus
An observation apparatus includes: a stage on which a container accommodating a specimen is mounted; a light source generating illumination light emitted in an upward direction from below the specimen on a specimen placement surface; a light-collecting lens disposed parallel to the surface and collecting the light; a diffusion plate disposed between the lens and the surface, parallel to the surface, and diffusing the light collected by the lens; an objective optical system disposed below the stage and collecting light passing through the stage from thereabove; and an image-capturing optical system capturing, below the specimen, transmitted light, which is the light emitted from the source, reflected above the specimen, transmitted through the specimen, and collected by the objective optical system, wherein the source is positioned so that an optical axis thereof is shifted from an optical axis of the lens in a direction away from the image-capturing optical system.
US11150455B2 Reduced dimensionality structured illumination microscopy with patterned arrays of nanowells
Techniques are described for reducing the number of angles needed in structured illumination imaging of biological samples through the use of patterned flowcells, where nanowells of the patterned flowcells are arranged in, e.g., a square array, or an asymmetrical array. Accordingly, the number of images needed to resolve details of the biological samples is reduced. Techniques are also described for combining structured illumination imaging with line scanning using the patterned flowcells.
US11150452B2 Magnification modes of operation for common axis FOV switching and image roll
A reflective afocal switching assembly permits variable fields of view while at the same time providing a common axis and mechanism to achieve an optical de-roll of the image. This complex arrangement provides a relatively large change in magnification for an all-reflective optical system than can image over 0.4-12.0 micron spectrum.
US11150449B2 Head-mounted projection display using reflective microdisplays
The present invention relates generally to a head-mounted projection display, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a polarized head-mounted projection display including a light engine and a compact, high-performance projection lens for use with reflective microdisplays.
US11150441B2 Electronic device
An electronic device includes at least one optical lens assembly. The optical lens assembly includes four lens elements, and the four lens elements are, in order from an outside to an inside, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element has an outside surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has an inside surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has an inside surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein at least one of an outside surface and the inside surface of the fourth lens element includes at least one critical point in an off-axis region thereof.
US11150439B2 Bi-metal optical mount
An optomechanical device having an interface that is mounted to another interface wherein the two interfaces are made of materials having the same or similar coefficients of thermal expansion and within the optomechanical device is an interface that is designed to compensate for the second mechanical component that is made of materials having the same or similar coefficients of thermal expansion as the optic or photonic device or instrument being held or controlled altogether with a fully constrained set of slip planes making for an optical mechanical device consisting of two or more materials that have coefficients of thermal expansion that are suitably matched to the materials it is being mounted to and the materials it is holding or controlling.
US11150435B2 Lens apparatus
The present invention includes a plurality of lenses that are disposed such that optical axes are aligned in an axial direction, a first lens frame that holds a first lens of the plurality of lenses, and a second lens frame that holds a second lens of the plurality of lenses. The first lens frame comes into contact with the second lens frame and is disposed on one side of the second lens frame in the axial direction. The second lens frame includes a penetration hole penetrating the second lens frame from the other side in the axial direction to the one side in the axial direction. Air is suctioned and discharged via the penetration hole such that the first lens frame and the second lens frame are temporarily fixed through vacuum adsorption.
US11150434B2 Lens breech locking device
The present application provides a lens breech locking device, which relates to a structure for locking a lens. It comprises a lens (1) and an adapter (2), a lens placement slot (3) for placing the lens (1) is arranged on the adapter (2), wherein, a plurality of vertical fork flanges (5) with claws (4) are mounted in the lens placement slot (3) for adjusting the position of the lens (1) on the adapter (2), the claw (4) is located between a chassis (13) of the vertical fork flange (5) and the bottom of the lens placement slot (3). The present application adds four vertical fork flanges to the lens placement slot of the adapter/camera, and limits the lens through the vertical fork flange, so that the lens can be better locked on the adapter.
US11150431B2 Fiber optic pigtail assembly
A fiber optic pigtail assembly that includes a plurality of optical fibers and at least one optical connector. The optical fibers each have a first end opposite a second end. The plurality of optical fibers are ribbonized together from the first end of each of the plurality of optical fibers partway toward the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers and form a ribbonized end portion. The at least one optical connector is connected to the second end of each of the plurality of optical fibers. A loose portion of the plurality of optical fibers is positioned between the at least one optical connector and the ribbonized end portion.
US11150428B2 Telecommunications system and methods
A cabinet having a framework for mounting telecommunications equipment includes a framework and telecommunications equipment mounted to the framework. The equipment may include splitter modules. Spools are mounted within the cabinet to manage overlength slack in fiber optic cables within the cabinet. A parking area is mounted within the cabinet and defines a plurality of cable connector storage locations for receiving at least some of the fiber optic cables. The plurality of spools are positioned intermediate the telecommunications equipment and the patch panel. A splice area is mounted within the cabinet or external to the cabinet. The splice area receives fiber optic cables for splicing to additional cables.
US11150424B2 Rollable optical fiber ribbon
The present disclosure provides a rollable optical fiber ribbon. The rollable optical fiber ribbon includes a plurality of optical fibers positioned along a longitudinal axis of the rollable optical fiber ribbon. In addition, the rollable optical fiber ribbon includes a matrix material covering the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the plurality of optical fibers is placed adjacent to other optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers. Each of the plurality of optical fibers with a diameter of about 210±5 micron is spaced at a pitch in a range of about 250 microns to 255 microns. The rollable optical fiber ribbon is corrugated from a first side and a second side to enable rolling of the rollable optical fiber ribbon in circular fashion.
US11150409B2 Saw assisted facet etch dicing
A dicing system and methods may include a novel way to separate die on a wafer in preparation for packaging that results in smooth diced edges. This is specifically advantageous, but not limited to, edge-coupled photonic chips. This method etches from the front side of the wafer and dices from the back side of the wafer to create a complete separation of die. It creates an optically smooth surface on the front side of the wafer at the location of the optical device (waveguides or other) which enables direct mounting of adjacent devices with low coupling loss and low optical scattering. The backside dicing may be wider than the front side etch, so as to recess this sawed surface and prevent it from protruding outward, resulting in rough surfaces inhibiting a direct joining of adjacent devices.
US11150408B2 Holographic waveguides incorporating birefringence control and methods for their fabrication
Many embodiments in accordance with the invention are directed towards waveguides implementing birefringence control. In some embodiments, the waveguide includes a birefringent grating layer and a birefringence control layer. In further embodiments, the birefringence control layer is compact and efficient. Such structures can be utilized for various applications, including but not limited to: compensating for polarization related losses in holographic waveguides; providing three-dimensional LC director alignment in waveguides based on Bragg gratings; and spatially varying angular/spectral bandwidth for homogenizing the output from a waveguide. In some embodiments, a polarization-maintaining, wide-angle, and high-reflection waveguide cladding with polarization compensation is implemented for grating birefringence. In several embodiments, a thin polarization control layer is implemented for providing either quarter wave or half wave retardation.
US11150407B2 Optical couplers with non-linear tapering
Structures for an optical coupler and methods of fabricating a structure for an optical coupler. A first waveguide core has a first tapered section and a second waveguide core has a second tapered section positioned adjacent to the first tapered section. The first tapered section has a first shape determined by a first non-linear function, and the second tapered section has a second shape determined by a second non-linear function.
US11150405B2 Apparatuses and methods for photonic communication and photonic addressing
Apparatuses and methods for photonic communication and photonic addressing are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a plurality of photonic sources, a plurality of memory die, a logic die. Each of the plurality of photonic sources provides a photonic signal of a different wavelength and are provided to a first photonic path. Each memory die of the plurality of memory die includes a photonic modulation circuit coupled to the first photonic path, and further includes a photonic detector circuit coupled to a second photonic path. Each memory die of the plurality of memory die is associated with and addressed by a respective wavelength of a photonic signal. The logic die is coupled to the first and second photonic paths, and includes a plurality of photonic circuits. Each of the photonic circuits of the plurality of photonic circuits is associated with a respective wavelength of a photonic signal.
US11150388B2 Optical diffuser and its method of manufacture
Methods of manufacture of an optical diffuser. In one embodiment, an optical diffuser is formed by providing a wafer including a silicon slice of which an upper face is covered with a first layer made of a first material itself covered with a second layer made of a second selectively etchable material with respect to the first material. The method further includes forming openings in the second layer extending up to the first layer and filling the openings in the second layer with a third material. The method yet further includes bonding a glass substrate to the wafer on the side of its upper face and removing the silicon slice.
US11150387B2 Planar metalens and cover glass including the same
The present disclosure provides a planar metalens and a cover glass including the planar metalens.
US11150384B2 Method of manufacturing silicone hydrogel contact lenses having reduced rates of evaporation
A wettable silicone hydrogel contact lens having a low ionoflux and low evaporation is manufactured by curing a silicone hydrogel polymerizable composition in a contact lens mold comprising front and back lens-forming surfaces, where one of the lens-forming surfaces has a higher polarity than the other lens-forming surface.
US11150379B2 Weather forecasting using satellite data and mobile-sensor data from mobile devices
Techniques and apparatuses for improved weather forecasting using satellite data are described in this publication. The conventional predictions that are utilized for the generation of weather forecasts are commonly based on large-scale weather formations. Such formations are typically directed to large geographical regions of a state, province, or country, and thus may not be accurate for smaller geographical regions. The disclosed techniques and apparatuses utilize satellite data for a macro-location, and mobile-sensor data from mobile devices within that macro-location, to provide improved macro-location weather forecasting.
US11150375B2 Phase-based electromagnetic surveys for geological formations
An electromagnetic (EM) data acquisition method for a geological formation may include operating EM measurement devices to determine phase and amplitude data from the geological formation. The EM measurement devices may include at least one first EM measurement device within a borehole in the geological formation, and at least one second EM measurement device at a surface of the geological formation. The method may further include processing the phase data independent from the amplitude data to generate a geological constituent map of the geological formation, and identifying different geological constituents in the geological constituent map based upon the measured amplitude data.
US11150370B2 Directional near wellbore imaging visualization
A system and a computer-implemented method of evaluating a formation. The system includes a plurality of acoustic transmitters and acoustic receivers and a processor. Acoustic data is obtained from the formation using the plurality of acoustic transmitters and acoustic receivers. The acoustic data is projected into a plurality of image planes and a feature in one of the image planes is selected. The plurality image planes are scrolled through in order to determine the three-dimensional structure of the feature. The formation is drilled based on the three-dimensional structure of the feature.
US11150369B2 Three-dimensional fracture radius model
Systems, methods, and computer-readable medium for generating a three-dimensional fracture network model are provided. The method can include receiving reflected acoustic signal measurements acquired in response to emission of acoustic waves by one or more sensors disposed in a wellbore formed within a target region. Each reflected acoustic signal measurement represents a strength of a reflected acoustic wave as a function of time measured in at least one predetermined direction oriented with respect to an axis of the wellbore. A fracture extension estimate is generated for each of the reflected acoustic signal measurements. A three-dimensional fracture network model is generated corresponding to the fracture extension estimates generated for each of the plurality of reflected acoustic measurements. The generated fracture network model is output for display or use in modeling environments.
US11150365B2 Method, seismic sensor and system for wireless seismic networking
The present invention disclosure is directed to a method, seismic sensor and system for wireless seismic networking. The system may comprise a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) including wireless seismic sensors, the LPWAN being established for wireless transmission of data from the wireless seismic sensors.
US11150364B2 Crystal array, detector, medical detection device and method of manufacturing crystal array
A crystal array, a detector, a medical detection device and a method for manufacturing a crystal array are provided. The crystal array includes a plurality of crystals arranged in an array, each of the crystals having a light incident surface, a light exit surface, and a connection surface connecting the light incident surface to the light exit surface, where the connection surface of at least one of two adjacent crystals includes a rough surface and a smooth surface connected to the rough surface, and the rough surface and the smooth surface are arranged along a length direction of the crystal.
US11150358B2 Radiation dosimetry sol or gel and radiation dosimeter comprising same as material for radiation dosimetry
A radiation dosimetry sol or gel, and a radiation dosimeter containing the sol or the gel as a material for radiation dosimetry. A radiation dosimetry sol or gel including a compound (A) having an excitation light-induced fluorescence property that is changed by a radiolysis product of water; and a silicate salt (B). A radiation dosimetry sol or gel including a compound (A) having an excitation light-induced fluorescence property that is changed by a radiolysis product of water; a silicate salt (B); a water-soluble organic polymer (C) having an organic acid salt structure or an organic acid anion structure; and a dispersant (D) for the silicate salt (B). A radiation dosimeter including, as a material for radiation dosimetry, the above-mentioned radiation dosimetry sol or gel.
US11150355B2 Multipath management in global navigation satellite systems
A device for handling multipath of a G.N.S.S. signal, is configured to: determine a spatial position, a clock time and measured multipath parameters comprising a relative delay and relative amplitude; communicate to a remote server the spatial position, clock time and multipath parameters; and receive processed multipath parameters as determined by the remote server. Systems comprising a plurality of such devices and their variants are described. Further aspects are described, in particular the exclusion of one or more satellites, the use of threshold schemes, pull/push modes, configurable refresh rates, quantization of positions, activation of additional sensors, filtering options, determination of merit factors for example as a function of the number of satellites in view and/or of signal-to-noise ratio, peer-to-peer schemes, as well as graphical display, audible sound or haptic feedbacks.
US11150352B2 Method and system for providing satellite correction signal with warm start
In one embodiment during a warm-start mode, an estimator estimates a satellite correction signal based on satellite orbit data, satellite clock data, and satellite bias correction data derived from stored received raw satellite signal measurements. A data source selector seamlessly switches a measurement data source from the stored received raw satellite signal measurements to live, real-time raw satellite signal measurements if or when a respective measurement time tag of a last-processed one of the stored received satellite signal measurements approaches or reaches the current time.
US11150348B2 Techniques for detecting cross-talk interferences in lidar imaging sensors
A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.
US11150345B2 Object detector, sensing device, and mobile object apparatus
First and second types of object detectors, a sensing device, and a mobile apparatus. The first and second types of object detectors include a light source configured to emit light, photoreceptor configured to receive the light reflected by an object, and a binarizing circuit configured to binarize a signal sent from the photoreceptor at a threshold Vth. In the first and second types of object detectors, object detection processes are performed in a same direction until a high-level signal is output M times from the signal binarized by the binarizing circuit. In the first type of object detector, a value of the M is determined based on an incidence of shot noise where peak intensity exceeds the threshold Vth in the photoreceptor. In the second type of object detector, a threshold Vth is set based on a value of the M.
US11150344B2 3D imaging using a bias-sensitive crossed-electrode array
A method and system for imaging a sample uses a 2D array of bias-sensitive, ultrasound transducers arranged in first and second strips, and a source of radiation to stimulate the sample to be imaged. The second electrode strips are sequentially biased according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix. For each biasing pattern, signals are measured from the first electrode strips to detect return signals from the sample that result from the sample being stimulated. A dataset is calculated based on the measured signals, the dataset comprising an effective signal for each of a plurality of transducer elements in the array. An image of the sample is generated based on the dataset.
US11150341B2 Continuous-wave radar system for detecting ferrous and non-ferrous metals in saltwater environments
The present invention includes systems and methods for a continuous-wave (CW) radar system for detecting, geolocating, identifying, discriminating between, and mapping ferrous and non-ferrous metals in brackish and saltwater environments. The CW radar system generates multiple extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves simultaneously and uses said waves to detect, locate, and classify objects of interest. These objects include all types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, as well as changing material boundary layers (e.g., soil to water, sand to mud, rock to organic materials, water to air, etc.). The CW radar system is operable to detect objects of interest in near real-time.
US11150334B2 Bistatic interferometric terrestrial radar with transponder
Bistatic interferometric terrestrial radar comprising: a main radar unit (2) provided with ground fixing means (6) and provided with at least one transmitting unit (3) and at least one receiving unit (4); at least one amplifier transponder (5, 50) placed far away from said main unit (2), provided with ground fixing means (9) and provided with a receiving antenna (7) and a transmitting antenna (11).
US11150326B2 Radar system with angle error determination function and method thereof
A radar system with angle error determination function and method thereof are provided. The system includes a camera device, a radar device, a calculation module, and an angle calibration module. The camera device captures a surveillance image of a surveillance area. The radar device sends a radar signal toward the surveillance area. The calculation module, according to the surveillance image, acquires an image angle of an object with respect to the vehicle in the surveillance area. Also, the calculation module acquires a radar angle of the object with respect to the vehicle which is produced according to a reflection signal generated when the radar signal meets the object. The angle calibration module, by referring to the image angle, correspondingly calibrates the radar angle. Therefore, the radar angle is immediately calibrated.
US11150325B2 Scalability of location in the cloud with angle of arrival (AOA) search on the edge
Determining a device's location in a space in real time is computing intensive. To offload some of the workload in conducting this hyperlocation, the access points in the network conduct some of process in determining the location of a device. The cloud determines a restricted AoA search area based on previous client locations. After this determination, a three-dimensional (3D) AoA search is conducted by each AP in the restricted area (restricted by a range of azimuth directions) for a device. Finally, each AP reports a location(s) for the device, which comprises weights for selected angular sectors. The cloud can then construct a probability heat map for location computation from the weights provided from each AP for the device.
US11150324B2 Displacement sensing to localize movement
A controller is formed as an array of transmitting antennas and receiving antennas that are placed on the skin of a user so that the underlying movement of the user's skin can be measured by the interaction of the transmitting antennas and the receiving antennas. In an embodiment, the transmitting antennas and receiving antennas are located in an area proximate to the wrist. The movement of the transmitting antennas and subsequent measurement of signals received by receiving antennas are used in order to determine position and pose of the hand and its digits.
US11150323B2 Method for geographically locating a signal-emitting device
A method for geolocating a signal-transmitting device, the geolocation method including: supplying first data of reception by a plurality of first reception stations of a first radio signal transmitted at a first frequency, calculating a first geographic position of the signal-transmitting device, detecting that the geographic position of the signal-transmitting device is included in a predefined second geographic zone, transmitting a signal instructing transmission of a second radio signal, supplying second data of reception of the second radio signal by a plurality of second reception stations according to a second frequency, and calculating a second geographic position of the signal-transmitting device.
US11150322B2 Dynamic, cognitive hybrid method and system for indoor sensing and positioning
According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for dynamic, cognitive hybrid positioning within an indoor environment includes: receiving fingerprinting training data corresponding to the indoor environment, trilateration data corresponding to the indoor environment, triangulation data corresponding to the indoor environment, or a combination of the fingerprinting training data, the trilateration data, and/or the triangulation data; estimating a layout of the indoor environment based at least in part on the fingerprinting training data; classifying at least some areas of the estimated layout according to one of a plurality of predetermined area types; and determining an optimum positioning technique to utilize for each area of the estimated layout, wherein the optimum positioning technique is determined based at least in part on the area type. Corresponding system and computer program product embodiments are also disclosed, as well as hybrid techniques for determining user position within an environment.
US11150315B2 Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same
An object of the present invention is to provide an MRI apparatus capable of optimally setting imaging conditions for map measurement depending on a target value and its required accuracy, and a method for controlling the MRI apparatus. An imaging unit of the MRI apparatus includes, as a pulse sequence, a pulse sequence for the T1 map measurement that includes a first signal acquisition sequence and a plurality of signal acquisition sequences executed after application of an inverted pulse and at different signal acquisition times from the inverted pulse. An imaging controller of the MRI apparatus controls the imaging conditions of each of the plurality of signal acquisition sequences, for example, the signal acquisition time from the inverted pulse and the number of signal acquisition sequences depending on the T1 value of an imaging target and the required accuracy.
US11150309B2 Degradation degree estimation apparatus and power source including the same
An apparatus for estimating a degradation degree of a secondary battery includes a pulse current applying unit that applies a pulse current; a voltage acquiring unit that acquires a charge voltage and a discharge voltage which are produced at the secondary battery by applying the pulse current; a relative value calculation unit that calculates a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage; a correlation storage unit that stores a correlation between a relative value between the charge voltage and the discharge voltage, and a degradation degree of the secondary battery; and a degradation degree estimation unit that obtains a degradation degree of the secondary battery from the correlation storage unit, based on the relative value calculated by the relative value calculation unit.
US11150304B2 Battery performance prediction
Examples described herein include examples of method for predicting battery performance of a battery comprising collecting battery data corresponding to a plurality of batteries with characteristics similar to the battery during a first time period, storing the collected battery data in a staging memory, generating a logarithmic regression based on the collected battery data, and predicting battery performance for the battery based on the logarithmic regression.
US11150303B2 Management device, energy storage module, management method, and computer program
A power storage element is provided that includes, in a positive electrode or a negative electrode, an active material which causes a plurality of electrochemical reactions in accordance with the process of change during charging and discharging and which exhibits hysteresis between a power storage amount-voltage charging (first) property and a power storage amount-voltage discharging (second) property. A BMU is provided with a first estimation unit which estimates a power storage amount-voltage charging property or/and a power storage amount-voltage discharging property referenced when estimating the power storage amount, on the basis of an upward voltage and a downward voltage which are respectively more than and less than a first threshold value, acquired from the first property, the second property, and the charging-discharging history.
US11150302B2 High voltage detection circuit and method
The present application provides a high voltage detection circuit and method. The high voltage detection circuit includes a current adjustment module configured to be turned on or off to adjust a current in a high voltage circuit, a first detection module configured to provide a detection signal and transmit the detection signal to a processor module and the processor module configured to determine whether a master positive switch or a master negative switch is in malfunction according to a desired operation state of the master positive switch, a desired operation state of the master negative switch and the detection signal.
US11150301B2 Battery pack
A battery pack including first and second battery contactors respectively having first ends electrically connected to positive and negative electrode terminals of a battery; first and second charging contactors respectively having first ends electrically connected to second ends of the first and second battery contactors; a second power connector of a charger having first and second output terminals respectively electrically connected to the first and second input terminals being connected to the first power connector; and a control unit configured to, when a second power connector of a charger is electrically connected to the first power connector, receive a charging end request signal from the charger, control changes of the first and second charging contactors between turn-on and turn-off states, and diagnose a fault of each of the first and second charging contactors based on first, second or third measured voltages across the first, second or third resistors, respectively.
US11150289B2 Insulation monitor
The presented invention relates to a method for monitoring an insulation state of a first high-voltage network and an insulation state of at least one further high-voltage network of a vehicle, wherein a single insulation monitor is connected to the first high-voltage network and to the at least one further high-voltage network, and wherein, by means of the insulation monitor, a first insulation measurement, initially, is carried out, in a periodically repeated sequence, on the first high-voltage network, and, then, a further insulation measurement is carried out in each case on the at least one further high-voltage network.
US11150287B2 Pump and probe type second harmonic generation metrology
Various approaches to can be used to interrogate a surface such as a surface of a layered semiconductor structure on a semiconductor wafer. Certain approaches employ Second Harmonic Generation and in some cases may utilize pump and probe radiation. Other approaches involve determining current flow from a sample illuminated with radiation.
US11150282B2 Meter arranged to open a switching member when the upstream voltage falls below a threshold voltage
A single-phase electric meter having a phase conductor intended to be connected to a phase of an electric line located upstream of the single-phase electric meter and to a phase of an electric installation located downstream of the single-phase electric meter, the single-phase electric meter further including a breaking unit mounted on the phase conductor, an upstream voltage sensor arranged to periodically measure an upstream voltage upstream of the breaking unit, and a processing device arranged to acquire upstream voltage measurements and to open the breaking unit when the upstream voltage drops below a first predetermined threshold voltage.
US11150274B2 Current sensor
A current sensor includes at least one bus bar through which a current to be measured flows and a casing integrated with part of the bus bar. A conductive portion is provided in the at least one bus bar, which is used to verify whether the current sensor functions normally. In the conductive portion, a front face of the bus bar is exposed from a casing main body to form an exposed face and a rear face of the bus bar opposite the exposed face is coated with synthetic resin to form coated face. Furthermore, the conductive portion has a trapezoidal shape in which the longer base is the exposed face and the shorter base is the coated face.
US11150269B2 Probe head for high frequency signal test and medium or low frequency signal test at the same time
A probe head includes a probe seat, a first spring probe penetrating through upper, middle and lower dies of the probe seat for transmitting a first test signal, and at least two shorter second spring probes penetrating through the lower die for transmitting a second test signal with higher frequency. Two second spring probes are electrically connected in a way that top ends thereof are abutted against two electrically conductive contacts on a bottom surface of the middle die electrically connected by a connecting circuit therein. The lower die has a communicating space and at least two lower installation holes communicating therewith and each accommodating a second spring probe partially located in the communicating space. The probe head is adapted for concurrent high and medium or low frequency signal tests, meets fine pitch and high frequency testing requirements and prevents probe cards from too complicated circuit design.
US11150264B2 Feedthrough rejection for optomechanical devices using elements
An optomechanical device comprising an assembly, one or more laser devices configured to generate a first optical signal and a second optical signal, and circuitry. The circuitry is configured to modulate the second optical signal and output the first optical signal and the second optical signal to the assembly. A first element of a first beam structure shifts the first spatial frequency of the assembly by approximately 180 degrees and a second element of a second beam structure shifts the second spatial frequency of the assembly by approximately 180 degrees such that a first optical resonance is generated, which is probed by the first optical signal interacting with the assembly, and a second optical resonance is generated, which is probed by the second optical signal interacting with the assembly, where the first optical resonance and the second optical resonance are spectrally separated by a minimum threshold.
US11150259B2 System and method for display control of gauge graphic
A display system and a method for display control of a gauge graphic is provided. The display system controls the display device to display the gauge graphic. The gauge graphic includes a scale and a needle movable on the scale. The scale includes a first region and a second region. The display system detects a first movement of the needle beyond a first threshold marking on the scale and towards an end of the first region and controls the display device to gradually unmask a first gradation pattern in the second region based on the detected first movement. The display system further detects a second movement of the needle over the second region and controls the display device to change the unmasked first gradation pattern so that the unmasked first gradation pattern flashes with a defined frequency in the second region based on the detected second movement.
US11150258B2 Automatic analyzing system for in vitro diagnostics
The automatic analysis system comprise a storage device configured to store a plurality of reaction cuvettes intended to contain biological liquids samples to analyze; at least one samples processing station, comprising at least one receiving cavity which is downwardly open and configured to receive and house at least partially one reaction cuvette; and a displacement device configured to displace a reaction cuvette, the displacement device being further configured to unload a reaction cuvette out of the storage device and to load and unload a reaction cuvette into and out of the at least one receiving cavity of the at least one samples processing station via the respective introduction opening.
US11150253B2 Method for analyzing blood specimen, reagent and reagent kit for analyzing blood specimen, and blood specimen analyzer
Disclosed is a method for analyzing a blood specimen, including the steps of: coagulating a blood specimen in the presence of an activating agent for fibrinolytic system to acquire a coagulation waveform; and acquiring information about fibrinolytic capacity of the blood specimen based on the acquired coagulation waveform.
US11150247B2 Method for serological detection of viral antigens
The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a core polypeptide of a hepatitis C virus (HCV) in a sample from a subject involving (a) contacting said sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent, and (b) detecting a core polypeptide of the HCV in the sample. The present invention further relates to a method for pre-processing a sample from a subject for detection of HCV, involving contacting the sample with a base and with a surfactant having a cationic detergent; and to a pre-processing reagent for detecting HCV in a sample, having a base and a surfactant including a cationic detergent, wherein the surfactant also has a nonionic detergent. Moreover, the present disclosure further relates to kits, uses, and devices related to the methods disclosed.
US11150234B2 Method for evaluating taxic behavior in response to odor substance based on olfactory sense in nematodes, and dish and behavior evaluation system used in evaluation method
The present invention provides a method for evaluating the taxic behavior of nematodes in response to an odor substance based on olfactory sense, and a dish and a behavior evaluation system to be used for the evaluation method. [Solution] Provided is a method for evaluating the taxic behavior of nematodes in response to odor of a test sample, the method including: a) providing a dish in which the test sample is arranged on the bottom surface, and nematodes are arranged in a region or a site of the bottom surface 1 cm to 3 cm away from the test sample; b) observing the arrangement of the nematodes on the bottom surface at 3 to 15 minutes after the later one of the test sample or the nematodes is arranged; and c) evaluating whether the nematodes show attraction behavior or avoidance behavior in response to the test sample, from the arrangement of the nematodes observed, and a dish or a taxic behavior evaluation system suitable for the method.
US11150233B2 Nanopore protein conjugates and uses thereof
Described herein are nanopore protein conjugates that can be used in DNA sequencing reactions. The nanopore protein conjugates includes a nanopore protein monomer that is joined to a DNA binding domain. The nanopore protein monomer is available to oligomerize with other nanopore protein monomers, while the DNA binding domain is available to bind to a template DNA strand. In certain examples, the nanopore protein monomer is an alpha-hemolysin monomer or variant thereof and the DNA binding domain is an Sso7d protein or variant thereof, such as an Sso7d-like protein. Also provided are nanopore protein assemblies incorporating the nanopore protein conjugates, along with methods of using the nanopore protein assemblies in sequencing reactions.
US11150225B2 Filters for liquid flow based devices and systems
A filter includes an inlet side, an outlet side, and a body. The body includes a first substrate that includes an array of inlet holes passing through the first substrate, and a second substrate that includes an array of outlet holes passing through the second substrate. The body further includes an intermediate region that includes a plurality of channels extending along a plane that is transverse or at an angle to a main axis of the filter. Each channel communicates directly or indirectly with at least one of the inlet holes and at least one of the outlet holes. The filter provides a plurality of fluid flow paths through the body from the inlet side to the outlet side.
US11150223B2 Sampling method for the chromatographic analysis of the headspace
The invention concerns a method for preparing a sample to be introduced in a chromatographic analysis system from the headspace of a vial, by introducing a pressurized inert gas in said headspace, controlling the pressure or flow, and subsequently by discharging said pressure from the headspace through a loop having constant volume and through a discharge duct provided with a valve, the discharge duct branching with respect to the feed duct. To eliminate the drawbacks of the known methods, during the step of discharging the pressure, the feed duct is kept open and the pressure in said loop is controlled by detecting the feed and/or discharge pressure.
US11150217B2 Method for directly measuring SO2 and other trace gases by electrochemical cell (ECC) sonde
A method of directly measuring SO2 and other trace gases by configuring an electrochemical cell (ECC) sonde; and an ECC sonde pump inlet filter to remove ozone and other trace gases. Further, calibration and operation procedures for the SO2 and other trace gas ECC sondes are disclosed.
US11150213B2 Biological oxygen demand sensors
Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) for use as Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) sensors, systems incorporating BES sensors for measuring BOD, and methods of using the sensors and systems for measuring BOD. The disclosed sensors are inexpensive to construct, long-lasting, have a fast response, and a large dynamic range. The invention includes biological oxygen demand (BOD) sensors which incorporate at least three working electrodes, at least one counter electrode, a reservoir for dilution fluid, and a sensor for measuring an electric current or a voltage which flows from the working electrodes to the counter electrode. The BOD sensors will typically also include at least one electrically active microbe disposed in proximity to the working electrode.
US11150211B2 Method for preparing graphene modified composite planar pH sensor
Provided is a fabrication method for a composite planar pH sensor modified by graphene film including: slotting into substrate, setting copper foil on both sides, and setting leads on the copper foil; coating graphene film on the copper foils using micro mechanical stripping method to form the first graphene film and the second graphene film; depositing Sb layer and Sb2O3 layer successively on the first graphene film by magnetron sputtering method, and coating Nafion™ perfluorinated sulfonic acid membrane on the Sb2O3 layer by spin-coating method to fabricate pH working electrode; depositing Ag layer on the second graphene film and dipping in FeCl3 solution to form AgCl layer; coating the third graphene film on the AgCl layer to fabricate reference electrode. The composite planar pH sensor modified by graphene film may be used in pH measurement for solid, semisolid, mash and solution samples.
US11150203B2 Dual-beam multiphase fluid analysis systems and methods
A method for analyzing flow of a multiphase fluid through a flowmeter is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting two beams of electromagnetic radiation along different paths through a multiphase fluid and detecting the two transmitted beams with detectors. The method also includes determining a gas fraction and a water-in-liquid ratio of the multiphase fluid. The gas fraction is determined based on the detected first beam of electromagnetic radiation and the water-in-liquid ratio of the multiphase fluid is determined based on the detected second beam of electromagnetic radiation. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US11150200B1 Workpiece inspection and defect detection system indicating number of defect images for training
A workpiece inspection and defect detection system includes a light source, a lens that inputs image light arising from a surface of a workpiece, and a camera that receives imaging light transmitted along an imaging optical path. The system utilizes images of workpieces acquired with the camera as training images to train a defect detection portion to detect defect images that include workpieces with defects, and determines a performance of the defect detection portion as trained with the training images. Based on the performance of the defect detection portion, an indication is provided as to whether additional defect images should be provided for training. After training is complete, the camera is utilized to acquire new images of workpieces which are analyzed to determine defect images that include workpieces with defects, and for which additional operations may be performed (e.g., metrology operations for measuring dimensions of the defects, etc.)
US11150199B2 Inspection system and method with variable-diameter traveling robot for inspection of natural gas pipeline
An inspection system and method with a variable-diameter traveling robot for inspection of a natural gas pipeline. The inspection system includes a pipeline inspection robot, a cable reel, a hydraulic pump and an information acquisition control terminal. The pipeline inspection robot includes an electronic cabin and a traveling mechanism. The electronic cabin includes a first digital camera, a second digital camera, a first digital camera mounting plate, a second digital camera mounting plate, a drum, a printed circuit board, a magnetic flux leakage probe, and a backup battery. The traveling mechanism includes a first traveling part, a second traveling part, an inner ratchet, an inner ratchet base, a slider, a long shaft, a hydraulic cylinder, and a hydraulic pipe. The cable reel includes a power line, a conversion module, and a communication line. The information acquisition control terminal is a mobile terminal having an analysis module and a control module.
US11150195B2 Sample surface polarization modification in interferometric defect inspection
Defects are detected using data acquired from an interference channel and a polarization modification channel in an interferometer. The interference objective splits a polarized illumination beam into a reference illumination that is reflected by a reference surface without modification to the polarization, and a sample beam that is reflected by a sample surface, that may modify the polarization. Light from the sample beam with no change in polarization is combined with the reference illumination and directed to the interference channel, which may measure the reflectivity and/or topography of the sample. Light from the sample beam with modified polarization is directed to the polarization modification channel. The intensity of the light detected at the polarization modification channel may be used, along with the reflectivity and topography data to identify defects or other characteristics of the sample.
US11150192B2 Liquid electrode tip
A liquid electrode tip has a housing with a top, a bottom and at least one peripheral side wall. The housing has a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The liquid outlet is located at the top of the housing. A solution reservoir is positioned within the housing. The solution reservoir has a solution inlet in fluid communication with the liquid inlet and a solution outlet in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. A conductor is positioned within the housing with at least a portion of the conductor being submerged by a liquid in the solution reservoir. A staging area at the top of the housing is provided into which the liquid from the solution reservoir flows from the liquid outlet.
US11150187B2 Portable and autonomous, IoT enabled, optical measurement system
A system is provided for performing metal trace analysis on a liquid sample. A sample holder holds an analysis substrate that includes a reference region and at least one test region. An ultraviolet (UV) light source emits ultraviolet light illuminating the liquid sample. An optical sensor detects radiation emanating from the liquid sample and converting the detected radiation into an electrical signal. A microcontroller processes the electrical signal. An external interface transmits the processed electrical signal to an external device. The analysis substrate is configured for manual movement by a user. A tracking system detects a sample scanning location for the metal trace analysis, and includes a light source, other than the UV light source, and another optical sensor. The other optical sensor detects light emitted by the light source.
US11150184B2 Plasmonic non-dispersive infrared gas sensors
Differential, plasmonic, non-dispersive infrared gas sensors are provided. In one aspect, a gas sensor includes: a plasmonic resonance detector including a differential plasmon resonator array that is resonant at different wavelengths of light; and a light source incident on the plasmonic resonance detector. The differential plasmon resonator array can include: at least one first set of plasmonic resonators interwoven with at least one second set of plasmonic resonators, wherein the at least one first set of plasmonic resonators is configured to be resonant with light at a first wavelength, and wherein the at least one second set of plasmonic resonators is configured to be resonant with light at a second wavelength. A method for analyzing a target gas and a method for forming a plasmonic resonance detector are also provided.
US11150181B2 Method for computing and comparing digital signatures of hydrocarbons
A system and method for encapsulating commercially significant attributes of a hydrocarbon product into a single digital signature are presented. The digital signature may be generated from a physical product sample using optical techniques such as NIR spectroscopy. Digital signatures may be expressed in the form of composition, principle components derived from the spectra, or other properties derived from the original spectra which characterize, and help visualize, the variation present within the signals. Other physical property measurements and contaminant measurements may also be included in the digital signature and may be derived from the same measurement device or separate measurement devices whose output is integrated into a single digital signature. Embodiments of the invention may be used to confirm the identity of a hydrocarbon product, or to verify the composition of a hydrocarbon product.
US11150180B1 Actuated multi-chamber cells for fluid analysis
A microfluidic analyzer includes optical sources and optical detectors, the sources generating optical beams, and a multi-chamber fluid cell mounted for relative movement of the fluid cell and the beams to selectively align fluid chambers with beam paths for obtaining optical-response measurements. The cell is configured to reduce differential optical-response measurement between fluid chambers not attributed to a differential analyte in chamber fluids. A controller (1) generates actuator control signals to produce the relative movement of the fluid cell and beams through a sequence of measurement positions, (2) for each measurement position, obtains a set of detector output values, and (3) applies processing to the detector output values to obtain differential optical-response measurements for characterizing a differential analyte between chamber fluids of the cell.
US11150179B2 Phasing correction
Memory efficient methods determine corrected color values from image data acquired by a nucleic acid sequencer during a base calling cycle. Such methods may: (a) obtain an image of a substrate (e.g., a portion of a flow cell) including a plurality of sites where nucleic acid bases are read; (b) measure color values of the plurality of sites from the image of the substrate; (c) store the color values in a processor buffer of the sequencer's one or more processors; (d) retrieve partially phase-corrected color values of the plurality of sites, where the partially phase-corrected color values were stored in the sequencer's memory during an immediately preceding base calling cycle; (e) determine a prephasing correction; and (f) determine the corrected color values. In various implementations, these operations are all performed during a single base calling cycle. In certain embodiments, the methods additionally include using the corrected color values to make base calls for the plurality of sites. Sequencers may be designed or configured to implement such methods.
US11150172B2 Ice nucleii counter technology
A method and system of measuring the size distribution of particles within dilute colloids, for example, through variation of the minimum ice-nucleation sizes of particles within the colloid. The system for measuring particles in fluids includes, a sample fluid inlet and an ice nuclei counter communicatively connected to the sample fluid inlet, the ice nuclei counter cooling the sample fluid and measuring particles which form crystals in the cooled fluid. The method for measuring particles in fluid includes the steps of providing a sample fluid, cooling the sample fluid, and measuring particles which form crystals in the cooled fluid.
US11150169B2 Analytical instruments, methods, and components
Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided. These methods can include maintaining a temperature within a conduit extending between two components of the instrument while each component is maintained at different pressures.
US11150162B1 Determination of pulley ratio of a belt-drive blower
An HVAC system includes a blower. The blower includes a driven pulley and a motor with a driver pulley. A motor drive supplies electrical power to the motor. A controller receives a benchmark rate of the flow of air provided by the blower and a corresponding benchmark output current of the motor drive associated with operation of the blower at a test condition. A benchmark input power corresponding to the benchmark output current is determined based on a predetermined relationship between input power and output current for the motor drive. A ratio of the benchmark rate of the flow of air provided by the blower to the benchmark input power is determined. The controller determines a pulley ratio for the blower based on this ratio. The pulley ratio corresponds to the ratio of a diameter of the driven pulley to a diameter of the driver pulley of the blower.
US11150158B2 Structural impact detection and classification systems and methods
A method for classifying accelerometer data of a structure includes obtaining acceleration data from an accelerometer positioned to monitor a structure and receive vibrations from the structure. The acceleration data includes a plurality of measurements. The method includes selecting a subset of the plurality of measurements as an event signal. The subset of the plurality of measurements have a magnitude that exceeds a noise floor and includes a first measurement, a second measurement, and a plurality of intermediate measurements between the first measurement and the second measurement. The plurality of intermediate measurements exceed an event threshold. The event threshold is greater than the noise floor. The method includes comparing the event signal to a set of historical events and classifying the event signal as an event type.
US11150157B2 Apparatus and method for locating a measurand anomaly along a waveguide
An apparatus for locating a measurand anomaly, such as a hot-spot, along an optical waveguide is provided having: an optical waveguide, a light source configured to transmit light along the waveguide and a plurality of sensors provided along the waveguide. Each sensor is configured to reflect a portion of light propagating along the waveguide at a respective sensor wavelength corresponding to a measurand. The plurality of sensors is configured into one or more sets according to their sensor wavelengths, each set comprising a plurality of sensors with respective sensor wavelengths, wherein the sensors are configured such that the sensor wavelength for each sensor in a respective set is substantially equal when the measurand experienced by each of the sensors in that set is equal. The apparatus further includes a detector configured to monitor the light reflected by the sensors, and a control system.
US11150150B2 Dynamometer control device
In the present invention, an input-side control device generates an input-side torque command signal Tr using an engine torque command signal, an input-side velocity detection signal ω, and an input-side shaft torque detection signal Tsh, and is provided with: a shaft torque controller that generates a torque command signal on the basis of the engine torque command signal and an input shaft torque detection signal; and an inertia compensator that feeds back an inertia compensation signal generated by multiplying a set inertia value Jset by the input-side velocity detection signal. The shaft torque controller is provided with a first low-pass filter that, from the engine torque command signal, allows a high-frequency component to decay; and the inertia compensator is provided with a second low-pass filter that, from the input-side velocity detection signal, allows a high-frequency component to decay.
US11150148B2 Optical fiber detecting device and method for detecting mechanical strain using optical fiber detecting device
An optical fiber detecting device includes: an optical fiber configured to extend in contact with a surface of an object to be measured; a metal covering configured to cover a part of the optical fiber in an extending direction of the optical fiber from an outside of the object to be measured; a fixing section configured to fix an inner surface of the metal covering and the optical fiber; and welding sections configured to fix the metal covering to the object to be measured at positions interposing the optical fiber in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the optical fiber.
US11150147B2 Woven fabric having a plurality of woven fabric layers
A woven fabric includes first and second woven fabric layers with an intermediate layer in between, which form a sensor with an electrical characteristic that changes while a force is acting on the woven fabric. The first layer includes electrically conductive strips and electrically non-conductive strips arranged adjacent to one another in an alternating manner. The second layer includes alternating conductive strips and non-conductive strips that extend transverse to the strips of the first layer. At least some of the threads in each of the conductive strips of the first layer are conductive weft threads. At least some of the threads in each of the conductive strips of the second layer are conductive weft threads. The non-conductive strips of the first and second layers are weft threads.
US11150141B2 Polaritonic fiber probe and method for nanoscale temperature mapping
The invention offers high resolution and accuracy for nanoscale temperature mapping. Instead of collecting light after emission in near-field that decays to far-field, the present invention directly couples the near-field waves to a polaritonic-coated infrared probe. The polaritonic coating can be formed on an IR-tuned optical fiber to receive the coupled IR radiation and form polaritons, including plasmons or phonons, using the IR polaritonic material. The IR polaritons propagate along the probe decay back into the fiber core without substantial losses to far-field and are transmitted to a detector, such as a spectroscope. The coupling of the near-field energy to emission detected through the tip apex of fiber can be expressed as emission spectra. Through mapping with other spatial points, multi-dimensional displays and other information can be provided. The resolution can be less than 100 nanometers, such as at least an order of magnitude less than 100 nanometers.
US11150132B2 Grating rotation method and apparatus for improving spectrograph wavelength accuracy
The present disclosure provides a grating rotation method and apparatus for improving spectrograph wavelength accuracy. The grating rotation method comprises: acquiring a start wavelength and an end wavelength of a scanning range; determining a start angle and an end angle of a grating rotation according to preset grating rotation angle series values, the start wavelength and the end wavelength, wherein a wavelength corresponding to the start angle is smaller than the start wavelength, and a wavelength corresponding to the end angle is larger than the end wavelength; and rotating the grating according to the start angle and the end angle to obtain required spectral information. According to the grating rotation scheme provided by the present disclosure, the problem that the obtained spectral accuracy is inconsistent due to different grating rotation angles can be avoided.
US11150129B2 Optical sensing module
An optical sensing module has a light source and an optical sensing integrated circuit device. The optical sensing integrated circuit device has an optical sensor and a grating. The optical sensor and the light source are arranged along a first direction. The grating is formed over the optical sensor and has multiple parallel wires. The multiple wires are perpendicular to the first direction.
US11150126B2 System and method for maintaining recipe ratios when measuring ingredients for culinary combinations
A system and method for assisting a user in assembling a culinary combination according to a recipe. The system comprises a scale and a computing device configured to communicate with the scale. The system displays information regarding ingredients of the recipe and displays a progress of assembling the culinary combination based on the information from the scale. In some embodiments, a bar graph is displayed with a bar proportional to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient. In some embodiments, the system displays a build column of one or more recipe blocks, representing actions or ingredients of the recipe. An active recipe block is displayed with a portion of the recipe block displayed in a different manner in proportion to the measured amount of an ingredient of the recipe compared to a target amount for the ingredient.
US11150123B2 System for measuring a filling level
A system for measuring a filling level in a container for liquids that can be installed in a vehicle, which comprises a sound conductor, a vibration sensor for measuring a natural frequency of the sound conductor, a sound transmitter, in particular an ultrasound transmitter, for subjecting the sound conductor to sound, a sound receiver for receiving sound from the sound conductor, and an evaluation unit, which has a data connection to the sound transmitter and the sound receiver, wherein the evaluation unit is configured to determine a distance between the sound transmitter and a boundary surface of the liquid, and to evaluate the distance with regard to a filling level of the container, and to evaluate the natural frequency of the sound conductor with regard to a density of the liquid.
US11150119B2 Method for measuring a speed of a fluid
A method for measuring a speed of a fluid, comprising measurement phases and detection phases each carried out between two measurement phases, each detection phase comprising the steps of; measuring a spurious ultrasonic signal level; comparing the spurious ultrasonic signal level with a detection threshold capable of assuming a plurality of predefined values; if the measured spurious ultrasonic signal level is less than the detection threshold, reducing the detection threshold, and repeating the measurement step and the comparison step; when the measured spurious ultrasonic signal level becomes greater than or equal to the detection threshold, detecting a disturbance and, depending on the value of the detection threshold, determining if the disturbance originates from an anomaly or from attempted fraudulent activity.
US11150118B2 Flow sensor devices and systems
A flow rate assembly can include a housing having a measurement channel extending along the housing axis and through a portion of the housing between the first and second ends of the housing, an outer cup portion positioned at least partly within the housing, and a transducer positioned within the outer cup portion and sealed from fluid flow past the outer cup portion, the transducer having a width perpendicular to the housing axis and greater than the width of the measurement channel, the transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic signal and to direct the ultrasonic signal through the measurement channel.
US11150116B2 Mounting device for holding a sensor, and method for mounting and adjusting a sensor
To enable fine adjustment of a sensor in a mounting device, a mounting device is provided for holding the sensor in an operating position. The mounting device comprises a base body having a first through-hole, a holding member having a second through-hole. The sensor is held in these through-holes by displacement of the holding member versus the base body and shifting the through-holes out of alignment. The holding member comprises an adjustment element, in particular a thread, which engages with an outer surface of the sensor in such a way that, when the sensor is rotated about a sensor central axis, the adjustment element causes the sensor to move along the central axis.
US11150112B2 Variable differential transformer for position monitoring
An electronic sensor includes a signal generator configured to output a first excitation signal and a second excitation signal and a variable differential transformer connected to the signal generator to receive the first excitation signal and the second excitation signal. The variable differential transformer may include a primary coil, a first secondary coil connected to the signal generator, a second secondary coil connected to the signal generator, and a core disposed at least partially in a magnetic field generated via the first secondary coil and the second secondary coil and the first excitation signal and the second excitation signal. A phase of an output signal of the primary coil corresponds to a position of the core.
US11150109B2 Displacement detecting device and continuously variable transmission device
A system includes a magnet for forming a magnetic field and a sensor between the magnet and an object having a circumferential surface. The object rotates around a rotation axis direction of the circumferential surface and displaces along the rotation axis direction, and an interaction between the magnet and a recess or projection portion of the circumferential surface of the object is configured to induce the magnetic field. The sensor outputs a first signal proportional to a first magnetic flux density in the rotation axis direction at a predetermined time, outputs a second signal proportional to a second magnetic flux density in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential surface of the object at the predetermined time, calculates an angle based on the first and the second magnetic flux density, and output a third signal proportional to the angle based on the first and the second magnetic flux density.
US11150104B2 Route management utilizing geolocation based clustering
A method for route management based on geolocation based clustering includes receiving data collected from a plurality of vehicles for a plurality of clusters. The method generates an initial set of rules for the plurality of vehicles operating in each cluster from the plurality of clusters based on the data collected from the plurality of vehicles. The method determines a first cluster out of the plurality of cluster based on a geolocation of a first vehicle traveling along a route. Responsive to identifying a set of cluster specific rules for the first cluster, the method determines a first hardware requirement out of the plurality of hardware requirements defined by the set of cluster specific rules is not present on the vehicle. The method identifies an alternative cluster based on the first hardware requirement being absent and instructs the vehicle to travel to the alternative cluster.
US11150103B2 Encoding parking search cruise routes using bloom filters
A parking cruise request is received. A network version starting segment is identified and a route determination algorithm is expended starting at the network version starting segment. When the route determination algorithm is expanded to a new segment, a cost value is determined for the new segment based at least on the likelihood of finding parking on the new segment. Responsive to determining that the likelihood of finding parking along the cruise route does satisfy the threshold probability requirement, map version agnostic identifiers for each segment of the cruise route are generated. Each of the map version agnostic identifiers are coded using at least one coding function to generate coded map version agnostic identifiers. A bloom filter having the coded map version agnostic identifiers as members is generated. A parking cruise route response comprising the bloom filter is provided such that a mobile apparatus receives the parking cruise route response.
US11150100B2 Safe routing for navigation systems
Examples provided herein describe a navigation system to identify routes that take safety considerations into account. The system accesses safety data from various sources and computes safety data for individual road segments of a map database at multiple times for each road segment. The road segment safety data is used when determining routes for requested trips, including estimating the times that the various road segments on the route will be traversed and determining the safety of each road segment at that time.
US11150096B2 Method and device for the localization of a vehicle based on a degree of robustness of the localization
A method for a vehicle localization system includes providing vehicle sensor data including information for an environment and/or an ego movement of the vehicle. A digital map of the environment of the vehicle is provided and a scenario based on the environment of the vehicle is ascertained based on the sensor data and/or based on the digital map. A degree of robustness for the localization system is derived from the ascertained scenario, a current degree of robustness of the localization system is derived, and a current degree of robustness of the localization system is adapted on that basis. Using an allocation module of the localization system, sensor data are allocated to the digital map based on the adapted degree of robustness. Using a position-determination module of the localization system, a position and/or an orientation of the vehicle is/are ascertained based on the sensor data allocated to the digital map.
US11150088B2 Depth sensing using line pattern generators
A distance measurement system includes two or more line pattern generators (LPGs), a camera, and a processor. Each LPG emits a line pattern having a first set of dark portions separated by a respective first set of bright portions. A first line pattern has a first angular distance between adjacent bright portions, and a second line pattern has a second angular distance between adjacent bright portions. The camera captures at least one image of the first line pattern and the second line pattern. The camera is a first distance from the first LPG and a second distance from the second LPG. The processor identifies a target object illuminated by the first and second line patterns and determines a distance to the target object based on the appearance of the target object as illuminated by the first and second line patterns.
US11150083B2 Real-time overhead power line sag monitoring
System and method for determining real-time sag and shape information of an electrical power line based on strain distribution along a length of an optical fiber associated with the power line. An embedded fiber coupled to an overhead transmission line measures strain using the backscatter of an optical signal, the optical signal is then interrogated using an interferometer.
US11150079B2 Distance measuring element
A distance measuring element including: at least one first subpattern having a nonrepeating structure of values in a defined first value range; and at least one second subpattern, which, in comparison with the first subpattern, has a non-repeating structure of values in a second value range, the second subpattern having no values in the defined first value range, the at least two subpatterns being superimposed by summing over a defined surface area to form a surface pattern; the minimum distance between the values of the second value range being greater than the maximum value of the first value range.
US11150078B1 High sensitivity image-based reflectometry
Methods for performing imaging reflectometry measurements include determining a representative reflectance intensity value using multiple images of a measurement area that includes a particular structure and/or using a plurality of pixels each associated with the particular structure within the measurement area. A parameter associated with the particular structure is determined using the representative reflectance intensity value.
US11150075B2 Angle detection device and electric power steering control device
An angle detection device including: an angle sensor AGSE outputting first and second sine wave signals SINWS1, SINWS2 having phases that are different from each other by 90 degrees in accordance with rotation of a detection target; an angle calculator calculating an angle signal corresponding to a rotation angle of the detection target based on SINWS1 and SINWS2; and an angle sensor AGSE abnormality determiner ASAD determining an abnormality of AGSE based on SINWS1 and SINWS2. The ASAD includes: an amplitude signal calculator calculating an amplitude signal MALS based on a square root of a sum of squares of SINWS1 and SINWS2; a first angle signal ANGS1 calculation processor calculating ANGS1 based on SINWS1 and MALS; a second angle signal ANGS2 calculation processor calculating ANGS2 based on SINWS2 and MALS; and an abnormality determination processor determining the abnormality of AGSE based on an error between ANGS1 and ANGS2.
US11150072B2 Displacement measuring device
There is provided a displacement measuring device that minimize unnecessary power consumption and improves power efficiency. A displacement measuring device includes a main scale and a detection head that is provided in such a manner as to be relatively displaceable to the main scale and outputs a periodic signal having a phase to be changed according to relative displacement to the main scale. The detection head outputs, as the periodic signal, a coarse scale signal having a coarse period and a fine scale signal having a fine period. A coarse phase detector calculates, from two pieces of phase information acquired from the coarse scale signal, the average phase of the coarse scale signal. A fine phase detector calculates, from four pieces of phase information acquired from the fine scale signal, the average phase of the fine scale signal. The coarse phase detector calculates the average phase of the coarse scale signal from the two pieces of phase information and, then, stops operating without the completion of the operation of the fine phase detector.
US11150071B2 Methods of determining performance information for individuals and sports objects
Methods for determining performance information for an object located within an area include obtaining magnetic field information for the area, measuring first magnetic field data when the object is located at a first position within the area, and determining performance information for the object within the area based on the magnetic field information for the area and the first magnetic field data.
US11150070B2 Method for estimating the external radius of a tyre fitted to a wheel of a motor vehicle
A method for estimating the external radius Re of a tire fitted to a wheel of a motor vehicle, the wheel including a radial acceleration sensor. The method includes: acquiring, by the sensor, a signal S when the vehicle is in motion under non-steady-state conditions, detecting local extrema of the signal S which are respectively associated with phase values and with detection instants, determining a variation in frequency F′ of rotation of the wheel as a function of said phase values and of said detection instants, determining, for at least one detection instant, a discrepancy between the local extremum associated with said detection instant and a reference signal obtained by eliminating the fluctuations in the signal S, determining a value for the longitudinal acceleration Val of the vehicle as a function of the at least one discrepancy, estimating the external radius Re as a function of Val and F′.
US11150052B2 Firearm optical sight, system and method
The disclosure is directed to an optical sight for a firearm comprising a reticle operationally configured to visually inform a user when the optical sight is misaligned from an intended target and operationally configured to visually inform the user as to the direction of misalignment.
US11150049B2 Tactical-gear-rails connector-adapter system apparatus and method
A tactical-gear-rail connector-adapter system apparatus and method utilizing the Picatinny-rail standard, allowing precise aligned removable interconnection of a variety of tactical gear or auxiliary equipment such as telescopic sights, night vision devices, reflex sights, laser aiming modules, rangefinders, tactical lights, cameras, fore-grips, bipods, and bayonets, in field-interchangeable configurations, to small-arms rifles and pistols and to non-firearm tactical gear, by providing a greater amount of interconnection options.
US11150039B2 Radiator tube insert
A tube stiffener for insertion into a plurality of radiator tubes includes a plurality of inserts and first and second connection strips. Each insert is configured to extend into at least one of the plurality of radiator tubes to strengthen the plurality of radiator tubes. The plurality of inserts include a first end and a second end and a tab projecting from each of the first end and the second end. The first connection strip is fixed to the tab on the first end and the second connection strip is fixed to the tab on the second end. Each of the connection strips connects the plurality of inserts to each other.
US11150028B2 Cooling device with superimposed fin groups and parallel heatpipes
A cooling device includes first heat pipes thermally connected to a first heat-generating element at one end and thermally connected to the superimposed first and second heat-radiating fin groups at another end; and second heat pipes thermally connected to a second heat-generating element at one end and thermally connected to the superimposed second and third heat-radiating fin groups at another end, wherein the respective another ends of the first heat pipes altogether span a substantially entirety of a planar area between the first and second heat-radiating fin groups, and the respective another ends of the second heat pipes altogether span a substantially entirety of a planar area between the second and third heat-radiating fin groups.
US11150019B2 Through air drying systems and methods with hot air injection
Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.
US11150016B2 Nitrogen production system for producing nitrogen with different purities and nitrogen production process thereof
A nitrogen production system that can produce high purity nitrogen containing a desired concentration of oxygen and ultrahigh purity nitrogen containing a desired concentration of argon in a single rectifying column while restraining increase in electric power consumption and a production process thereof are provided. The method can include the steps of rectifying a cooled and compressed air stream in the rectifying column; withdrawing the ultrahigh purity nitrogen stream from a top portion of the nitrogen rectifying column, warming the ultrahigh purity nitrogen stream in a heat exchanger, and then recovering the ultrahigh purity nitrogen stream from the heat exchanger; and withdrawing a high purity nitrogen stream from a rectification section of the nitrogen rectifying column, warming the high purity nitrogen stream in the heat exchanger, and then recovering the high purity nitrogen stream from the heat exchanger.
US11150014B2 Insulated chamber with packetized phase change material
An insulated chamber having an interior region for storing items therein includes a phase change material to facilitate controlling the temperature of the interior region and the items. A heating device or cooling device may be used to melt or freeze the phase change material. The phase change material (PCM) may be in various locations such as the walls of the chamber in the form of packets or in the form of containers that serve as shelves and may be removable from the interior region. The packets may have recesses for receiving the items. The phase change material may be within capsules that may be within a liquid or a solid matrix. Controls may be provided to control humidity, oxygen, and carbon dioxide within the interior chamber.
US11150010B2 Refrigerator tuck shelf with flush profile and co-injected fixed glass
A refrigerator shelf includes a frame having laterally spaced first and second side members, each with respective first ends. A first substrate is received between the first and second side members, defines a first edge, and is directly supported on the first and second side members so as to be moveable along the first and second side members between an extended position with the first edge adjacent to the first ends of the first and second side members and a tucked position with the front edge spaced away from the first ends.
US11150006B2 Refrigerator
A refrigerator comprises: a storage compartment, at least divided into a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment a first evaporator, arranged at a cooling compartment connected to the storage compartments through supply air ducts; a second evaporator, arranged inside the freezing compartment a switching valve, used to switch the flow of a refrigerant to a refrigerant channel connected to the second evaporator; a fan, used to enable cooled air in the first evaporator to flow from the cooling compartment to the storage compartments; a first air duct damper, inserted in the supply air duct connected to the refrigerating compartment and a second air duct damper, inserted in the supply air duct connected to the freezing compartment.
US11150004B1 Integrated ice chute with dispenser housing
A dispenser assembly for a refrigerator door. The dispenser assembly including a superjacent housing having an open front and an ice chute extending from a rear of the superjacent housing. The ice chute has a proximal end integrally attached to the rear of the superjacent housing and an open distal end. A subjacent housing has an upper end attachable to a lower end of the superjacent housing. The subjacent housing has an open front defining a cavity for receiving a container. The lower end of the superjacent housing is configured to sealingly engage with the upper end of the subjacent housing.
US11150003B2 Ice maker with specific position identifier, and household refrigeration apparatus
An ice maker for installation in a household refrigeration apparatus includes a housing with an opening, a storing bowl for ice, wherein the storing bowl is formed with an opening, which is accessible from the top. The storing bowl can be inserted into the housing through the opening of the housing and the storing bowl is arranged in a final position at the housing in the inserted state. A position identifier captures the position of the storing bowl, wherein the position identifier includes a capturing sensor. A control electronic, which is arranged in a front area in depth direction of the ice maker, includes a circuit board. The capturing sensor is arranged on the circuit board.
US11149995B2 Evaporator and refrigerator having the same
Disclosed is an evaporator including a case formed in an empty box type and having a storage chamber therein; a cooling tube formed on the case in a preset pattern and filled with refrigerant for cooling therein; a heating tube formed on the case in a preset pattern so as not to be overlapped with the cooling tube and filled with working fluid for defrosting therein; and a heating unit fixed to an external surface of the case corresponding to the heating tube and configured to heat the working fluid within the heating tube.
US11149989B2 High efficiency ejector cycle
A system has a compressor, a heat rejection heat exchanger, first and second ejectors, first and second heat absorption heat exchangers, and first and second separators. The heat rejection heat exchanger is coupled to the compressor to receive refrigerant compressed by the compressor. The first ejector has a primary inlet coupled to the heat rejection exchanger to receive refrigerant, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The first separator has an inlet coupled to the outlet of the first ejector to receive refrigerant from the first ejector. The first separator has a gas outlet coupled to the compressor to return refrigerant to the compressor. The first separator has a liquid outlet coupled to the secondary inlet of the ejector to deliver refrigerant to the first ejector. The first heat absorption heat exchanger is coupled to the liquid outlet of the first separator to receive refrigerant and to the secondary inlet of the first ejector to deliver refrigerant to the first ejector. The second ejector has a primary inlet coupled to the liquid outlet of the first separator to receive refrigerant, a secondary inlet, and an outlet. The second separator has an inlet coupled to an outlet of the second ejector to receive refrigerant from the second ejector, a gas outlet coupled to the compressor to return refrigerant to the compressor, and a liquid outlet. The second heat absorption heat exchanger is coupled to the liquid outlet of the second separator to receive refrigerant and to the secondary inlet of the second ejector to deliver refrigerant to the second ejector.
US11149974B2 Air conditioner selection system
An air conditioner selection system is a system for selecting an air conditioner including an indoor unit. The air conditioner selection system is provided with a floor area acquisition section, an allowable refrigerant amount acquisition section, and an air conditioner selection section. The floor area acquisition section acquires a floor area of a room where the indoor unit is to be installed. The allowable refrigerant amount acquisition section acquires an allowable refrigerant amount of a refrigerant allowed to remain in the room at least based on the floor area acquired by the floor area acquisition section. The air conditioner selection section selects the air conditioner including the indoor unit installable in the room at least based on the allowable refrigerant amount acquired by the allowable refrigerant amount acquisition section.
US11149970B2 Cooling systems having an integrated ionic liquid salt dehumidification system
A cooling systems utilizes an organic ionic salt composition for dehumidification of an airflow. The organic ionic salt composition absorbs moisture from an inlet airflow to produce an outlet airflow with a reduce moisture from that of the inlet airflow. The organic ionic salt composition may be regenerated, wherein the absorbed moisture is expelled by heating with a heating device. The heating device may be an electrochemical heating device, such as a fuel cell, an electrochemical metal hydride heating device, an electrochemical heat pump or compressor, or a condenser of a refrigerant cycle, which may utilize an electrochemical pump or compressor. The efficiency of the cooling system may be increased by utilization of the waste heat the cooling system. The organic ionic salt composition may circulate back and forth or in a loop between a conditioner, where it absorbs moisture, to a regenerator, where moisture is desorbed by heating.
US11149966B2 Indoor unit of air-conditioning apparatus
An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes a casing with air inlet and air outlet. A heat exchanger in the casing exchanges heat with air sucked through the air inlet, an air-sending fan blows the heat exchanged air through the air outlet, and a vertical air-directing plate in the air outlet sets a vertical air flow direction in which the heat exchanged air is blown. The casing has a front panel, a bottom panel, and a forward-facing panel connected to the bottom panel at an angle. The air outlet extends from the bottom panel to the forward-facing panel; a lower corner at which joins the bottom panel and an air-outlet side walk; and a forward-facing corner joins the forward-facing panel and the air-outlet side wall. The lower corner and the forward-facing corner each have an edge removed. A forward-facing corner edge-removal dimension smaller than a lower corner edge-removal dimension.
US11149965B2 Water heating system including multi-function heat source apparatus
When a hot water supply operation is started, a single mode is used in which hot water is output only from a second hot water supply circuit of a water heater, by cut-off of a flow path in a first hot water supply circuit of a space-heating water heater by a cut-off mechanism. When a load imposed by hot water supply by the second hot water supply circuit increases during the hot water supply operation in the single mode, the cut-off mechanism is opened to start hot water output from the first hot water supply circuit and a hot water supply operation in a parallel mode is performed in which hot water is output from both of the first hot water supply circuit and the second hot water supply circuit.
US11149964B2 Flow control module and method for controlling the flow in a hydronic system
A hydronic system (1) includes a side (3) with a first port (21) connected with a source element output (23), a second port (27) connected with a source element input (29), and a controllable primary side flow actuator (9) for providing a primary side flow (q1). Another side (5) has a third port (31) connected with a load element input (33), a fourth port (35) connected with a load element output (37), and a controllable secondary side flow actuator (13) providing a secondary side flow (q2). A transfer element (17) is connected with the first port, the second port, the third port and the fourth port. A flow control module (39) adapts a transfer element thermal power transfer by controlling the primary side flow actuator and/or the secondary side flow actuator by minimizing a signed deviation value (ΔΔv) that is correlated with the transfer element thermal power transfer.
US11149963B2 Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes
Systems and methods for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes are provided. In some embodiments, systems for preventing freeze damage to heating system pipes that carry a liquid used to heat a heated space and that are exposed to freezing temperatures outside of the heated space are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware controller that causes the liquid to be circulated through the heating system pipes irrespective of the air temperature in the heated space.
US11149961B1 Portable range hood systems and method of use
Embodiments are described for a portable range hood system. The portable range hood system can include a replaceable filter and is not connected to a duct. Alternatively, the portable range hood system can be coupled to a duct. The range hood system includes a support frame structure with wheels to make the system portable and capable of being moved to any desired spot. The range hood system includes an exhaust fan and range hood, as well as a filter container housing a filter to filter out any steam, heat, odors, and smoke, including cigarette smoke. The portable range hood system can include a lighting system and plantar box for planting plants, herbs, flowers, or anything that can grow. The portable range hood system can be moved to any location in one's home or business to filter out contaminants and cleanse the surrounding air.
US11149957B2 Cooking vessel support grate
According to one example, a cooking vessel support grate includes a grate with at least two downward extending legs, with each leg having a lower surface. The cooking vessel support grate further includes an upward extending cavity disposed on the lower surface of each of the legs, and an elastic member attached to each of the legs. The elastic member has an upper portion that at least partially fills the cavity of the respective leg. The elastic member further has a lower portion that projects downward from the lower surface of the respective leg and that covers the surface area of the lower surface of the respective leg.
US11149944B2 Burner for the combustion of material for combustion in the form of a comminuted wood product, in particular of fine material
The disclosure relates to a burner for burning combustible material in the form of a comminuted wood product, especially fine material, with (a) a combustible material feed for supplying the combustible material, (b) a screw conveyor for conveying the combustible material, (c) a combustion zone, wherein the screw conveyor is arranged to convey the combustible material (18) from the combustible material feed (20) to the combustion zone, (d) an air feed for supplying air to the combustion zone, and (e) a burner mouth for leading combustion gases out of the combustion zone. According to the disclosure, a compacting zone is provided, which is configured behind the combustible material feed and in front of the combustion zone in the direction of material flow (M) of the combustible material, wherein an auger of the screw conveyor and the compacting zone are preferably designed to compress the combustible material in the compacting zone.
US11149937B2 Functionally graded manifold microchannel heat sinks
Embodiments disclosed herein describe a manifold microchannel heat sink having a target surface, a microchannel structure and an insert disposed over the microchannel structure. The microchannel structure includes a plurality of fins extending in a normal direction from the target surface and defining a plurality of microchannels. The individual fins are shaped as rectangular plates and the individual microchannels comprise gaps between the individual fins. The plurality of fins are distributed on the target surface such that at least a thickness of the individual fins or a width of the gaps comprising the individual microchannels is varied along a plane of the target surface. The insert disposed over the microchannel structure has a plurality of inlet dividers and a plurality of outlet dividers. The individual inlet dividers define an inlet channel and the individual outlet dividers define an outlet channel.
US11149909B2 Portable lighting devices
A flashlight or portable light source has a battery power source, a light source, a circuit powered by the battery power source which causes the light source to emit light in an on state, a switch which causes the circuit to alternate between the on state and an off state in which the light source does not emit light when the switch is actuated by a user, a controller for causing light emitted from the light source to emit at two or more modes other than the off state, and an automatic dimmer residing within the flashlight which causes light emitted from the light source to dim without any activation of the switch after a first preselected amount of time.
US11149908B1 Light emitting filament device and method of manufacturing a light emitting filament device
A light emitting filament device comprising a carrier extending in a longitudinal direction and having a first main surface, a second main surface opposite to the first main surface, and two side surfaces interconnecting the two main surfaces. Optoelectronic components are disposed on the first main surface of the carrier. A first converter layer is arranged on the first main surface of the carrier and covers the optoelectronic components. A second converter layer is arranged on the second main surface of the carrier. The carrier is designed at at least one location along the longitudinal direction such that at least one of the two side surfaces includes an angle with the first main surface of greater than 90°. The carrier is trapezoidal in cross-section at the at least one location.
US11149906B2 Valve, pressurized fluid container, and filling and withdrawal methods
Valve including a body delimiting an internal fluid withdrawal and possibly fluid filling circuit, the said internal circuit extending between an upstream end configured to be placed in communication with the storage volume of a tank and a downstream end configured to be connected to a user member withdrawing or distributing the pressurized fluid via the internal circuit, the valve (having, placed in series from upstream to downstream in the internal circuit between the upstream end and the downstream end: an upstream valve shutter, an isolation valve shutter and a dust valve shutter.
US11149894B2 Gas venting
A vent arrangement for a flexible pipe body. The vent arrangement comprises a vent valve and an annular region flushing valve. The vent valve is arranged to couple to an annular region access port of a flexible pipe end fitting such that the vent valve can vent fluid from the pipe body annular region. The annular region flushing valve is in fluid communication with the vent valve and the annular region access port. The annular region flushing valve is arranged to inject fluid into the vent arrangement for flushing the vent valve, the annular region access port or the pipe body annular region. An end fitting incorporating the vent arrangement, a flexible pipe comprising the end fitting and a flexible pipe body coupled to the end fitting, and a method of manufacturing a flexible pipe are also disclosed.
US11149893B2 Process connection for connecting a flow measuring device to a pipeline, field device for automation technology and method for fastening a flow rectifier to a process connection
The present disclosure relates to a process connection for connecting a flow measuring device, to a pipeline, the process connection including a base body having an opening for conducting a medium and a flow rectifier, wherein the flow rectifier is inserted into a first recess of the base body and fixed in place by plastic deformation of an edge region of the base body surrounding the first recess, for example, by press fitting.
US11149884B2 Eccentric universal joint mechanism and eccentric universal joint
An eccentric universal joint mechanism, even when there is a lateral displacement between a first pipe and a second pipe, can absorb the displacement and connect the first pipe and the second pipe. The eccentric universal joint mechanism includes: a first sleeve; a second sleeve; and an eccentric universal joint connecting the first sleeve and the second sleeve. The eccentric universal joint includes a first eccentric pipe, and a second eccentric pipe rotatably joined to the first eccentric pipe. A displacement between the center line of the first eccentric pipe and the center line of the second eccentric pipe is determined by the rotational position of the second eccentric pipe.
US11149878B2 Cable management cage and chassis
The disclosure relates to a cable management cage including cage body and engagement and disengaging components. A fixed end of the elastic plate is fixed to an inner surface of the cage body, the elastic plate and the inner surface are spaced apart by a gap, the engaging structure is fixed on a free end of the elastic plate and movably disposed through a through hole of the cage body. The disengaging component is movably disposed on the cage body. When the disengaging component is in a non-disengaging status, the engaging structure protrudes from the outer surface of the cage body. When the disengaging component is in a disengaging status, part of the disengaging component enters the gap to cause the engaging structure to a position not protruding from the outer surface of the cage body.
US11149864B2 Smart monocontrol cartridge for taps, smart monocontrol taps, smart management system and method for monocontrol taps
The present invention provides a smart monocontrol cartridge for taps, a smart tap that incorporates said cartridge, and a smart system that incorporates said tap, the monocontrol cartridge comprising a based with a lower end, an upper end for coupling to ceramic discs and an intermediate portion in which a recess is defined in which an electronic module is coupled that is configured to house indirect temperature detection means configured to detect the temperature in the mixed water channel and electronic means configured to calculate the real temperature in the mixed water channel based on an indirect temperature detection, the indirect temperature detection means being in data communication with the electronic means; and wherein a flexible cable is coupled between the electronic module and the cam.
US11149856B2 Dynamic sealing device
Disclosed is a dynamic sealing device configured to provide sealing between at least a first part and at least a second part having a relative rotational movement in relation to the first part. The device includes a seal provided with a first lip and with a second lip extending from a body portion, the first lip facing the second lip, the seal being formed from a first predetermined material having a first coefficient of friction, and a ring formed from a second predetermined material different from the first predetermined material and having a second coefficient of friction different from the first coefficient of friction. The ring is securely connected with the seal at the location of the body portion and the first coefficient of friction of the first predetermined material forming the seal is greater than the second coefficient of friction of the second predetermined material forming the ring.
US11149855B2 Compression seal for use on reciprocating pump
The present invention is directed to use of a combined seal involving a compression seal coupled with a metal-to-metal seal for use on the suction and discharge side of the plunger portion of a reciprocating pump. This combined seal results in less vibratory movement and better pumping during use of the pump, and an overall more efficient pump based on the improved seal.
US11149854B2 High pressure compressor seal-ring with improved wear resistance
A compressor seal-ring assembly includes a seal formed of a nickel, cobalt or iron-based superalloy; a counterface positioned for sealing interaction with the seal; and a lubricant coating on the seal, the lubricant coating being formed of a CoCrAlY-containing material.
US11149846B2 Actuator assembly for a transmission shifter
In at least some implementations, a gear shift actuator assembly to cause gear changes in a vehicle transmission includes an electrically operated drive member, a drivetrain driven by the drive member and having a plurality of gears arranged in a plurality of stages to provide a torque increase and a direction change within the drivetrain and an output driven by the drivetrain for rotation to cause a gear change in the vehicle transmission. In some implementations, the torque increase from the motor to the output is between 150:1 and 300:1.
US11149845B2 Device and method for controlling continuously variable transmission
A continuously variable transmission (2) has a torque convertor (3) having a lock-up clutch (30) and a continuously variable transmission mechanism (5). A control unit (10) has a shift control unit (10C) configured to be able to perform a pseudo stepwise up-shift control that varies a transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission mechanism (5) stepwise, a lock-up control unit (10A) configured to control an engagement state of the lock-up clutch (30), and a torque control command unit (10D) configured to perform a torque-down control of a driving source (1). When the engagement control of the lock-up clutch (30) and the pseudo stepwise up-shift control are performed at the same time, the torque control command unit (10D) configured to perform the torque-down control with a greater torque reduction amount.
US11149842B2 Transmission ratio controller and method for determining transmission ratio
A transmission ratio controller includes circuitry including a transmission ratio calculator and a monitor. The transmission ratio calculator calculates a transmission ratio using a first transmission ratio map when a specified parameter satisfies a first condition, and using a second transmission ratio map when the specified parameter satisfies a second condition. When the specified parameter satisfies the first condition, the internal combustion engine is in a first state. When the specified parameter satisfies the second condition, the internal combustion engine is in a second state. In the first state, the monitor calculates a hypothetical transmission ratio using the second transmission ratio map based on the second state. On a condition that the transmission ratio calculated in the first state differs from the hypothetical transmission ratio by a predetermined reference value or greater, the monitor determines that the transmission ratio has a possibility of differing in accordance with the specified parameter.
US11149841B2 Planet carrier for an epicyclic speed reduction gear
A planet carrier for an epicyclic speed reduction gear, comprising a torque transmission member of longitudinal axis A and an annular cage extending around the axis A and connected to a longitudinal end of the member, said cage comprising two flanks extending essentially radially with respect to the axis A and connected by bridges, seats extending axially between the flanks and being intended for supporting planet gears mounted rotatably about the seats, characterized in that said bridges comprise bars which cross one another essentially in the shape of an X, and of which the ends located on the side of said member are connected to said member by a ring extending around said axis A and comprising a continuous internal annular channel.
US11149838B2 Lubricating device for components within casing structure of vehicular power transmitting system
A lubricating device for lubricating components includes first and second lubricant guide plates which have respective inclination angles with respect to a horizontal line such that the angle of inclination of the first lubricant guide plate is smaller than that of the second lubricant guide plate. The inclination angle of the first lubricant guide plate is determined to permit the lubricant oil guided by the first lubricant guide plate to be directed into the catcher reservoir, and to inhibit the lubricant oil from being supplied to component or components disposed above the gear, and the inclination angle of the second lubricant guide plate is determined to permit the lubricant oil guided by the second lubricant guide plate to be supplied to the component or components disposed above the gear.
US11149835B2 Balancer shaft
A balancer shaft includes a shaft body, a driven gear, a fixed member fixed to the shaft body, and an elastic member located between the driven gear and the fixed body. A projection projects from the driven gear. The fixed member includes an accommodation recess accommodating the projection. The elastic member is arranged in the accommodation recess adjacent to the projection. The projection includes an abutment side surface, which includes an outer end. The outer end and the elastic member are spaced apart in the circumferential direction by a first distance when the abutment side surface and the elastic member are in abutment without elastically deforming the elastic member. The first distance is greater than a maximum value of an elastic deformation amount of the elastic member in the circumferential direction when the elastic member is pressed between the projection and a wall of the accommodation recess.
US11149833B2 Electric drive module with independent drive units having friction brakes that are selectively engageable to one another
An electric drive module that includes a housing, a pair of drive units and a coupling unit. The drive units are disposed in the housing and each drive unit includes a motor unit and a friction brake. The motor unit has a stator, which is non-rotatably coupled to the housing, and a rotor that is rotatable about a motor axis and configured to drive a wheel of a vehicle. The friction brake has a first portion, which is non-rotatably coupled to the housing, and a second portion that is drivingly coupled to the rotor. The friction brake can be operated to create a rotational drag force that resists rotation of the second portion relative to the first portion. The coupling unit is configured to selectively rotatably couple the second portions of the friction brakes to one another.
US11149816B2 Vehicle seat element for a vehicle seat with a residual spring travel adjustment device
Vehicle seat element for a vehicle seat having a residual spring travel adjustment device, the vehicle seat element having a first fastening eye, it being possible to introduce the residual spring travel adjustment device into the first fastening eye and the residual spring travel adjustment device having a fastening eye insert having an eccentric hole.
US11149811B2 Brake clip for disc brake assembly and disc brake assembly including such a brake clip
A disc brake assembly includes a brake clip having a U-shaped section, at least one retention tang, and an abutment leg. The U-shaped section has a base leg and opposing upper and lower legs extending from the base leg. The upper leg has an inner face facing the lower leg. The at least one tang extends away from the U-shaped section and inner face. The abutment leg extends from the lower leg and has a midpoint between a top edge and a bottom edge. The midpoint is not planar with the top and bottom edges.
US11149798B2 Rotary clutch assembly with actuator having threadingly engaged two-component armature
A rotary clutch uses a wrap spring clutch. An actuator generates a drag force to control the wrap spring clutch to engage or disengage the clutch. The actuator includes an electromagnet, a two-component armature and an axial return spring. The two-component armature includes first and second components threadingly connected one another for relative axial translation as they rotate relative to one another, and an angular position biasing member connecting them. The second component translates axially under magnetic force from the electromagnet, and when stopped by the electromagnet the first armature component translates axially due to their threaded connection. Due to the previous axial movement of the floating component the translation of the first armature component occurs in conditions where the air gap and reluctance of a magnetic circuit is reduced compared to the prior art, and thus the overall strength of the applied magnetic field can be comparatively reduced.
US11149795B2 Turbine engine bearing used as a static electricity leak path
A gas turbine engine with a rotor having a shaft mounted to the engine with a plurality of electrically insulating bearings is provided. The electrically insulating bearings are coupled to the shaft to support the rotor in the engine. There is at least one electrically conductive bearing coupled to the shaft and that further support the rotor in the engine. An electrically conductive path is defined between the rotor and an electrical ground of the engine. The electrically conductive path is defined through the electrically conductive bearing to reach the electrical ground of the engine. A method for electrostatically discharging a rotor supported in the gas turbine engine is also provided.
US11149793B2 Bearing cage segment including alignment element
A bearing cage segment of a sheet metal cage includes first and second sheet metal ring sections and bridges therebetween defining a plurality of pockets for receiving rolling elements. A first circumferential joint edge of the segment is configured to connect to a second circumferential joint edge of the segment or to a second joint edge of another segment, and the first joint edge includes at least one alignment element, such as a projection or contour, that is configured to align the first joint edge radially, axially and/or circumferentially against the second joint edge which may include a complementary alignment element such as a recess or complementary contour.
US11149779B2 Nut fastening clip and nut fastening clip assembly
A nut fastening clip comprises a substrate, and a sleeve. The substrate has an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side. The substrate defines an upper opening. The first lateral side is opposite the second lateral side. The sleeve extends from the substrate. The sleeve defines a lower opening in communication with the upper opening. The sleeve has an outer face and a first anti-rotation plane disposed on the outer side face, adjacent to the first lateral side, and connected to the substrate.
US11149777B2 Intelligent bolts and methods of their use
An intelligent bolt includes a head region and a threaded region. The head region includes a bolt cavity. A distance between the head region and a bottom end of the cavity changes in operation as a function of longitudinal stress applied between the threaded region and the head region, and the bolt includes a sensor arrangement for measuring changes in the distance. A distal end of the sensor arrangement is disposed adjacent to the bottom end, wherein changes in spatial position of the bottom end relative to the distal end occur as a function of changes in the stress applied to the bolt to define a gap “G” whose size varies depending upon the stress. Interrogating radiation transmission in operation via the gap “G” from a source to a corresponding radiation sensor of the arrangement generates a stress measurement signal that is processed for wireless communication.
US11149776B2 Screw structure
A screw structure is disclosed herein. It comprises a head; a rod body integrally extended from the head and having a flat shank part and a tapered tip at a terminal of the flat shank part; a first screw thread disposed on the rod body and having a positioning tooth at a terminal thereof, a plurality of cutting units and a plurality of shaving collection spaces; a plurality of second screw threads disposed on the rod body; and a reamer thread disposed at an upper end of the rod body.
US11149774B2 Bathtub fastener assembly
A bathtub component includes a structural plastic part and a plurality of separate flexible seal parts integrated together. Each of two tub side walls of a structural plastic part can have an aperture retention tab extending exteriorly therefrom. Openings in the structural plastic part on lateral sides of the aperture retention tabs are each sealed with a separate flexible seal part. Another separate flexible seal part can form an umbrella seal. A U-base clip component includes a rib retention protrusion and can extend interiorly from clip side walls into a rib receiving cavity the U-base clip component. The U-base clip component is received in an interior clip receiving cavity of the bathtub component. Clip retention protrusions can extend from the structural plastic part into a clip receiving cavity to engage apertures in the clip side walls to releasably couple the bathtub and U-base clip components together.
US11149771B2 Lock
Provided is a lock, including a locking module and a driving module. The locking module includes a latch mounted on a first main body, an oblique pin ring gear mounted on a second main body and adapted to the latch. A radial thickness of the oblique pin ring gear changes continuously. A first slot is arranged on the latch. The driving module is used for driving the oblique pin ring gear to move in a circular motion, such that on the latch in a closed position the oblique pin ring gear clips to or separates from the first slot. The lock mechanism can realize inward or outward arcuate connection and planar connecting without finishing.
US11149765B2 Power units with manual override controls for hydraulic systems
A power unit with manual override control for a hydraulic system having an initial state and at least one operational state is provided, comprising: a tank for storing hydraulic fluid that moves between a first chamber and a second chamber of a hydraulic cylinder; a pump that routes the hydraulic fluid in and out of the tank; a first relief valve; a first solenoid valve configured to shift between a plurality of positions based on the at least one operational state of the hydraulic system; a first check valve connected to the first solenoid valve; a manual override control unit comprising: a second check valve; and a second solenoid valve configured to shift between a plurality of positions based on activation of a manual override control, wherein the activation of the manual override control returns the hydraulic system from the at least one operational state to the initial state.
US11149761B2 Fluid actuator
One object is to reduce a weight of a fluid actuator. The fluid actuator includes: a cylinder having an inner space and a first mounting portion, the inner space being partitioned into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber, the first mounting portion being disposed on an end portion of the cylinder on an axial direction A side; and a piston rod configured to reciprocate in accordance with pressures in the fluid chambers. A wall portion defining the first fluid chamber in the cylinder is made of an iron-based alloy. A wall portion defining the second fluid chamber in the cylinder is made of an aluminum alloy. The piston rod is made of an iron-based alloy.
US11149756B2 Method for determining closed-control parameters for a hydraulic system
In order to carry out largely automated parameterisation of the closed-loop control parameters for closed-loop control of a hydraulic system comprising a servo drive, a method and a device for determining the closed-loop parameters of a closed-loop control unit of the hydraulic system are specified, wherein an actual system pressure of a hydraulic consumer of the hydraulic system is closed-loop controlled by means of a predefined set point rotational speed of a servo drive, wherein an actual rotational speed of the servo drive follows the predefined set point rotational speed, wherein an excitation signal is applied to the setpoint rotational speed, and the actual system pressure which is set here is measured, the dynamics of the hydraulic system are acquired from the actual rotational speed and/or the setpoint rotational speed and the actual system pressure, and the closed-loop control parameters are calculated from the acquired dynamics.
US11149743B2 Propeller fan and outdoor unit for air-conditioning apparatus
A propeller fan includes a shaft part and a blade. The blade includes a basal part connected to the shaft part, a first part positioned either at the basal part or closer to an outer circumference of the propeller fan than is the basal part and away from the rotation axis by a distance r1, a second part positioned away from the rotation axis by a distance r2 that is longer than r1, a third part positioned away from the rotation axis by a distance r3 that is longer than or equal to r2, and a tip part positioned at an outer circumferential end of the blade and away from the rotation axis by a distance rt that is longer than r3. A relationship expressed as (θ2−θ1)/(r2−r1)>(θt−θ3)/(rt−r3)≥0 is satisfied.
US11149740B2 Blower
There is provided a blower capable of suppressing fluctuation of a flow path and suppressing occurrence of surging in a use rotation range of the blower by changing a shape without increasing the number of parts. A flow path is formed by a first housing-side shroud 3e connecting to an intake port 3a and an impeller-side shroud 2c connecting outer peripheral sides of blades 2b being adjacent to each other in a radial direction in a blowing passage 8a connecting the intake port 3a and a discharge port 8b, and a narrow part 16 where a cross-sectional area of the flow path becomes the minimum is provided on an outer side of outer peripheral end portions of the blades 2b in the radial direction.
US11149736B2 Turbo pump vent assembly and method
A turbo pump vent assembly and method are disclosed. The turbo pump vent assembly comprises: a primary manual actuator operable to deliver an initial volume of air to a turbo pump; and a secondary manual actuator operable to deliver a secondary volume of air to the turbo pump, wherein the secondary volume of air is greater than the initial volume of air. In this way, an uncomplex and reliable vent is provided which can deliver initial volumes of air to slow the turbo pump initially. Thereafter, the secondary volume of air may be delivered to slow the turbo pump more rapidly than is possible just using further initial volumes of air. Having an apparatus which can deliver differing volumes of air enables the turbo pump to be slowed safely and more quickly than is possible by delivering just the same sized volumes of air.
US11149733B2 Liquid-injected compressor or expander element and method for controlling the liquid injection of a compressor or expander device
Liquid-injected compressor element or expander element with a housing that comprises a rotor chamber in which at least on rotor is rotatably affixed, whereby the element is further provided with a connection for an injection circuit for the injection of liquid into the element, whereby the connection to the injection circuit is realised by means of an injection point in the housing that opens into the first compression chamber or expansion chamber. The connection to the injection circuit is additionally realised by means of an additional injection point in the housing that opens into a second or subsequent compression chamber or expansion chamber.
US11149731B2 Pump apparatus having axially moving shaft bearing disposed adjacent a pressure relief passage to facilitate a pressure relief function of same
A pump apparatus includes a housing, a shaft, a rotor, a plurality of vanes, a pressure relief passage, and a bearing. The housing includes suction ports and discharge ports. The rotor and the vanes transport hydraulic oil to the discharge ports. The hydraulic oil is sucked from the suction ports. The pressure relief passage is defined in a portion of the housing facing an outer peripheral surface of the shaft. The pressure relief passage brings the discharge ports into communication with a low pressure region where the hydraulic oil is low in pressure. When a pressure of the hydraulic oil in the discharge ports is lower than a first predetermined pressure, the bearing keeps the pressure relief passage out of communication with a passage. When the pressure of the hydraulic oil in the discharge ports has increased to reach or exceed the first predetermined pressure, the bearing brings the pressure relief passage into communication with the passage.
US11149730B2 Vane pump driven by an engine of an automobile
A vane pump includes a housing, a rotor rotatable about a rotation axis, and a vane that rotates together with the rotor and reciprocates in a radial direction with respect to the rotor, the vane dividing a pump chamber into a plurality of working chambers. At least one of opposite end surfaces of the vane in an axial direction is a sliding surface that slidably contacts an inner surface of the housing via an oil film, and an oil reservoir portion is provided in the sliding surface in a recessed manner.
US11149728B2 Pump plunger protective packaging
A system for installing replacement plungers in plunger pumps used in the hydrocarbon industry includes an elongated, cylindrical plunger body with an elongated circular tube disposed around the cylindrical plunger body. An end wall having an aperture encloses one end of the tube with an axially movable plate adjacent the end wall between the end wall and an end of the plunger body. A removable cap is mounted to the opposite end of the tube to enclose the plunger body within the tube. The outer diameter of the tube fits in the plunger bore of a pump. To install the replacement plunger, the cap is removed and the tube is inserted into the plunger bore until the tube abuts packing within the tube. Once positioned, an axial force is applied to the movable plate to urge the plunger body from the tube and into engagement with the packing.
US11149723B2 Diaphragm pump leak detection
In one general aspect, the present application relates to a leak detection device that includes a body, a liquid separator, and a liquid level detector. The body includes an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, and a liquid reservoir. The airflow outlet is arranged to substantially align with the airflow inlet. The liquid reservoir is formed in a bottom portion of the body. The liquid separator is positioned directly between the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet. The liquid separator divides an airflow path from the airflow inlet to the airflow outlet into at least two separate flow paths around the liquid separator. The liquid level detector is at least partially contained within a channel defined within a lower portion of the liquid separator, where the channel is in liquid communication with the liquid reservoir.
US11149699B2 Filter element for an engine air filter assembly having a nonwoven pre-filter and related method
A filter element for an air filter assembly of an engine includes a primary filter media and a secondary filter media. The primary filter media has a plurality of pleats having first fold edges on an inlet face of the primary filter media and second fold edges on an outlet face of the primary filter media. The first and second fold edges extend from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of the primary filter media. The secondary filter media is constructed of a non-woven material and includes a first portion arranged on the inlet face of the primary filter media, a second portion secured to the first lateral side of the primary filter media, and a third portion secured to the second lateral side of the primary filter media.
US11149697B2 Vehicle exhaust gas recirculation system utilizing an intake air pre-heater
An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system utilizes an intake air pre-heater to selectively heat the cool, dry intake air prior to the mixing point with the hot, humid EGR gases. This intake air pre-heater utilizes available heat from a high pressure (HP) EGR heat exchanger, circulating a cooling/heating fluid between the HP EGR heat exchanger and the intake air pre-heater. The intake air pre-heater is disposed in an intake air filter box, optionally on the dirty side of the air filter, and includes a heat exchanger conduit that is contacted with the intake air. The selective operation of the intake air pre-heater is controlled via an electronic control module (ECM) of the vehicle, based on the operating conditions of the vehicle and an appropriate temperature control model. Flow of the cooling/heating fluid is selectively enabled/disabled by a pump and/or valve assembly disposed along the associated high temperature (HT) cooling/heating circuit.
US11149694B2 Canister
Provided is a canister whose performance is enhanced while achieving the advantage of suppressing changes in temperature by using a heat storage material and overcoming the disadvantage of a reduction in the adsorption amount. A canister for treating evaporated fuel includes: a tank port that is in communication with an upper air chamber of a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine; a purge port that is in communication with an air intake path of the internal combustion engine; an atmospheric air port that is open to atmospheric air; and an adsorbent material chamber R that contains an activated carbon that adsorbs evaporated fuel that flows from the tank port to the atmospheric air port. A heat storage material is provided in a tank-side adjacent region T of the adsorbent material chamber R that is provided adjacent to the tank port, the heat storage material being a material obtained by encapsulating, into capsules, a phase change material that absorbs and releases latent heat according to changes in temperature.
US11149690B2 Pressure ratio distributions for a gas turbine engine
A gas turbine engine 10 is provided in a fan root to tip pressure ratio, defined as the ratio of the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the engine core (P102) to the mean total pressure of the flow at the fan exit that subsequently flows through the bypass duct (P104), is no greater than a certain value. The gas turbine engine 10 may provide improved efficiency when compared with conventional engines, whilst retaining an acceptable flutter margin.
US11149686B2 Thrust reverser assembly
A thrust reverser assembly for a gas turbine engine including a core engine, a nacelle surrounding at least a portion of the core engine defining a bypass duct between the nacelle and the core engine where an outer door movable between a stowed position and a deployed position extends outwards from the nacelle and a blocker door movable between a stowed position and a deployed position extends into an airflow conduit defined by the bypass duct to deflect air outwards.
US11149672B1 Real-time adaptable stochastic pre-ignition mitigation control
A control system includes a knock sensor and a controller. The knock sensor is configured to generate a notification signal by sensing a plurality of engine cylinder events in an engine. The controller is electrically coupled to the knock sensor and configured to detect a plurality of stochastic pre-ignition events in response to the plurality of engine cylinder events, calculate a real-time rate of the plurality of stochastic pre-ignition events, calculate a ratio of the real-time rate to an allowable rate of the engine, and adjust a current allowable torque of the engine in response to the ratio and a rotational speed of the engine.
US11149671B2 Vehicle system
A vehicle system includes an internal combustion engine including a fuel injection valve configured to inject fuel into an intake port and a throttle valve configured to control intake air amount for controlling engine torque, and being mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a control device configured to control the vehicle. The control device includes a fuel increment controlling component that executes a fuel increment control to make the air-fuel ratio richer than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio in a plurality of cycles started from a fuel injection start cycle at the time of engine start-up. Where a torque rate correlation value correlated with a torque rate that is a time rate of increase of the engine torque is lower, the fuel increment controlling component decreases a total fuel injection amount in the plurality of cycles.
US11149667B1 Sequential turbocharger diagnostic system and method
An internal combustion engine includes an inline turbocharger and at least a first inline turbocharger that has a first turbine air valve, and a first inline compressor that has a first compressor air valve. A control valve is responsive to commands from an electronic controller to move the air valves between open and closed positions. The electronic controller monitors operating parameters of the engine to diagnose a fault. determine whether an air valve is stuck open or closed, and adjust a priority schedule for activating or deactivating the first inline turbocharger based on the type of fault.
US11149666B2 Control method and control device for vehicular internal combustion engine
A vehicular internal combustion engine system includes an internal combustion engine and an electric intake air supply device. The internal combustion engine is shifted into a stoichiometric combustion mode, and a lean combustion mode. The electric intake air supply device is driven by an on-vehicle battery, and employed to contribute a part of intake air quantity at least under a specific operating condition when in the lean combustion mode. A control method includes: determining an electric energy of the electric intake air supply device that is required to maintain achievement of a target air fuel ratio of the lean combustion mode when in a lean combustion operation region; and causing a shift from the lean combustion mode into a stoichiometric combustion mode when the on-vehicle battery is in an insufficient state of charge with respect to the electric energy.
US11149664B2 Method for monitoring a cylinder pressure sensor
A method for monitoring a cylinder pressure sensor, in which method the sensor value is checked for admissibility and inadmissibility in a predefinable crankshaft angle range, when admissibility is detected the cylinder pressure sensor is used further and when inadmissibility is detected the cylinder pressure sensor is deactivated. A first sensor value of the cylinder pressure sensor is set as a start value, and a second sensor value is set as a stop value, a plateau range is determined from the number of sampling steps between the start value and the stop value, and the plateau range is set as decisive for the admissibility or inadmissibility of the sensor values.
US11149660B1 Cylinder deactivation to maximize kinetic to potential energy conversion in braking events
Systems and methods for providing charge to an energy storage system of a vehicle are provided. The method may include receiving, by a vehicle control system, an indication that a vehicle is coasting, slowing, and/or braking. Based on the received indication, engaging, by the vehicle control system, an electric motor coupled to an internal combustion engine to generate electric charge and provide the generated electric charge to the energy storage system, and while engaging the electric motor to generate electric charge, deactivating, by the vehicle control system, a cylinder of the internal combustion engine by maintaining an inlet valve of the cylinder and an exhaust valve the cylinder in a constant position, such as a closed position. In some instances, the inlet valve and exhaust valve may be maintained in an open state to further slow the vehicle.
US11149659B2 Self-contained compression brake control module for compression-release brake system of an internal combustion engine
A compression-release brake system for operating an exhaust valve of an engine during an engine braking operation. The compression-release brake system comprises a self-contained compression brake control module (CBCM) operatively coupled to the exhaust valve for controlling a lift and a phase angle thereof. The CBCM includes a casing defining an actuator cavity, a actuation piston disposed outside the casing so as to define an actuation piston cavity between the casing and the actuation piston, and a check valve provided between the actuation piston cavity and a compression brake actuator disposed in the actuator cavity. The actuation piston reciprocates relative to the casing. The compression brake actuator includes an actuator element and a biasing spring. The actuator element selectively engages the check valve when deactivated so as to unlock the actuation piston cavity and disengages from the check valve when activated so as to lock the actuation piston cavity.
US11149654B2 Systems, program products, and methods for adjusting operating limit (OL) threshold for compressors of gas turbine systems based on mass flow loss
Systems, program products, and methods for adjusting operating limit (OL) thresholds for compressors of gas turbine systems based on mass flow loss are disclosed herein. The systems may include at least one computing device in communication with the gas turbine system, sensor(s) measuring operational characteristic(s) of the gas turbine system, and a pressure sensor measuring an ambient fluid pressure surrounding the gas turbine system. The computing device(s) may be configured to adjust operational parameters of the gas turbine system by performing processes including determining a mass flow loss between an estimated, first mass flow rate and a calculated, second mass flow rate for the compressor of the gas turbine system, and adjusting an OL threshold for the compressor of the gas turbine system based on the mass flow loss. The OL threshold for the compressor may be below a predetermined surge threshold for the compressor.
US11149652B1 Gearboxes for aircraft gas turbine engines
Gearboxes for aircraft gas turbine engines, in particular to arrangements for journal bearings such gearboxes, and to related methods of operating such gearboxes and gas turbine engines. Example embodiments include a gearbox for an aircraft gas turbine engine, the gearbox including: a sun gear; a plurality of planet gears surrounding and engaged with the sun gear; and a ring gear surrounding and engaged with the plurality of planet gears, each of the plurality of planet gears being rotatably mounted around a pin of a planet gear carrier with a journal bearing having an internal sliding surface on the planet gear and an external sliding surface on the pin.
US11149646B2 Piston ring assembly for a turbine engine
A gas turbine engine is provided having a combustion section with a liner extending between a forward end and an aft end. A structural member is positioned in or around at least a portion of the combustion section. Additionally, a piston ring holder is provided attached to the structural member at a first end and positioned proximate to the aft end of the liner at a second end. The piston ring holder is a bimetallic member including a first portion formed of a first material and a second portion formed of a second material. A coefficient of thermal expansion of the first material is different than a coefficient of thermal expansion of the second material.
US11149645B2 Thermal management of a shaft
A gas turbine engine includes a fan, a compressor section, a combustor, and a turbine section where the turbine section is downstream of the combustor section. A shaft connects the turbine section to the compressor section. A bore tube is disposed within the shaft downstream of the compressor section. The bore tube includes an inlet connected to an air source for passing cooling air in an upstream direction of the shaft.
US11149642B2 System and method of reducing post-shutdown engine temperatures
A cooling system configured to reduce a temperature within a gas turbine engine in a shutdown mode of operation includes a first gas turbine engine including a compressor having a bleed port. In a first operating mode of the gas turbine engine, the compressor bleed port is configured to channel a high pressure flow of air from the compressor. During a shutdown mode of operation, the compressor bleed port is configured to channel an external flow of cooling air into the compressor. The cooling system also includes a source of cooling air and a conduit coupled in flow communication between the compressor bleed port and the source of cooling air. The source of cooling air configured to deliver a flow of cooling air into the compressor through the compressor bleed port.
US11149638B2 Particle separator
An air-inlet duct includes an outer wall, an inner wall, and a splitter. The splitter cooperates with the outer wall and the inner wall to establish a particle separator which separates particles entrained in an inlet flow moving through the air-inlet duct to provide a clean flow of air to a compressor section of a gas turbine engine.
US11149637B2 Nacelle for a turbofan engine
An engine nacelle for a turbofan engine, having a nacelle wall and an engine inlet, wherein the nacelle wall has a stationary downstream section and an upstream section that is displaceable in the axial direction, and the displaceable upstream section is displaceable between a first upstream position and a second downstream position. A ring-shaped seal is provided, formed between the stationary section and the displaceable section of the nacelle wall, wherein, in the first position of the displaceable section, the engine nacelle forms a ring-shaped additional flow channel that extends from the outer side of the nacelle wall to the engine inlet and via which ambient air can flow into the engine inlet, and the ring-shaped additional flow channel is closed in the second position of the displaceable section, wherein the stationary section, the ring-shaped seal and the displaceable section adjoin each other.
US11149632B1 Engine system with variable compression ratio mechanism and method for operation of said system
Methods and systems for damping an impact velocity in an engine system are provided. In one example, the engine system comprises a variable compression ratio (VCR) mechanism including a rod length adjustment assembly configured to adjust a distance between a crankshaft interface and a piston interface. The rod length adjustment assembly also includes a fluid control circuit including a damping cavity positioned between a first rod section and second rod section and configured to dampen a relative motion between the first and second rod sections during a compression ratio adjustment to reduce noise, vibration, and/or harshness (NVH).
US11149624B1 Mounting structure for engine coolant collector
An internal combustion engine system including a cylinder block, a cylinder head attached to the cylinder block, an EGR cooler, and a coolant collector bracket configured to vertically support the EGR cooler is provided. The cylinder head includes a lateral surface including a plurality of fasteners positioned along a bottom edge of the lateral surface. The cylinder head also includes a plurality of coolant passages. The coolant collector bracket is horizontally coupled to the cylinder head and perpendicularly coupled to the EGR cooler. The coolant collector bracket includes a plurality of mounting legs directly coupled to the lateral surface of the cylinder head. The plurality of mounting legs include a plurality of slots. The plurality of mounting legs are slidably inserted onto the plurality of fasteners of the cylinder head via the plurality of slots.
US11149622B2 Multiple bank exhaust system comprising reductant supply system arranged upstream of a turbine
Provided is an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine comprising: a first exhaust conduit leading from a first exhaust bank of the engine to a first turbocharger turbine inlet arranged downstream of the first exhaust bank in the direction of travel of a first exhaust stream; a second exhaust conduit leading from a second exhaust bank of the engine to a second turbocharger turbine inlet arranged downstream of the second exhaust bank in the direction of travel of a second exhaust stream; an SCR catalyst arranged downstream of the first turbocharger turbine inlet and/or second turbocharger turbine inlet; and a reductant supply system comprising a distributor pipe and a reductant injector. The distributor pipe is configured to fluidly connect the first exhaust conduit to the second exhaust conduit upstream of the first turbocharger turbine inlet and second turbocharger turbine inlet, and the reductant injector is configured to supply a reductant to the distributor pipe.
US11149621B2 Exhaust pipe assembly and engine
An exhaust pipe assembly includes: an exhaust cavity; an exhaust port (234) and at least two air inlets (115) communicating with the exhaust cavity, the exhaust port (234) being disposed at an end of the exhaust pipe assembly; and a water inlet (114), a first part of a water inlet cavity (111), a second part of a water inlet cavity, a water counterflow cavity, and a water outlet (311) that are provided in the exhaust pipe assembly. The water inlets (114) are provided in the same number as the air inlets (115). The first part of the water inlet cavity (111) communicates with the first water inlet portion (114). The second part of the water inlet cavity communicates with the second water inlet portion (114). The water counterflow cavity communicates with the end of the second part of the water inlet cavity located at the exhaust port (234) of the exhaust pipe assembly. The water outlet (311) is disposed at a second end of the exhaust pipe assembly. The first part of the water inlet cavity (111) and the water counterflow cavity each communicate with the water outlet (311).
US11149620B2 Exhaust device for engine
An exhaust device includes a first exhaust pipe, a second exhaust pipe, and a third exhaust pipe. The first exhaust pipe is comprised of a pipe member. The second exhaust pipe and the third exhaust pipe are comprised of a tubular member including a merging tubular portion and a downstream tubular portion. In the merging tubular portion, exhaust gas to be discharged from an exhaust port of the second cylinder and exhaust gas to be discharged from an exhaust port of the third cylinder are merged. The merging tubular portion is comprised of combining a plurality of plate members, at least a part of which is formed by press working. A distal end of the first exhaust pipe is disposed inside the downstream tubular portion. The downstream tubular portion is offset on the side of the first cylinder with respect to a center in a cylinder array direction.
US11149611B2 Exhaust purification unit
An exhaust purification unit includes: a connecting pipe transmitting exhaust gas to a selective reduction catalyst (SCR); a urea water injection valve arranged to face an exhaust upstream end of the connecting pipe and injecting urea water into the connecting pipe; a mixer chamber forming a flow path along which exhaust gas flows from an exhaust downstream end of a front stage casing and turns back to the exhaust upstream end of the connecting pipe; and a flow adjustment member provided in the mixer chamber, being a member having a truncated-cone shape which extends from a vicinity of the injection opening of the urea water injection valve towards the connecting pipe with a diameter thereof gradually increasing, in which a plurality of small holes is formed, and in which a claw that guides the exhaust gas towards the exhaust downstream-side is provided for each of the plurality of small holes.
US11149607B2 Exhaust system and features thereof
An exhaust system that includes a catalytic converter, selective catalytic reduction system, a muffler and, for certain applications, a diesel particulate filter that each include at least one filter that has an electric heating element, a metallic coating and a plurality of metal rods extending therethrough. The combination of elements are configured to heat the internal housings of the exhaust system and disrupt the direction of flow of exhaust gases which contain harmful toxic gases and pollutants and aid in removing and/or reducing said toxic gases and pollutants.
US11149604B2 Exhaust gas purification catalyst device
An exhaust gas purification catalyst device includes a honeycomb base material and an inlet-side coat layer, wherein: the honeycomb base material includes a plurality of cells partitioned by porous partition walls, the plurality of cells including inlet-side cells and outlet-side cells and being configured such that exhaust gas that has flowed into the inlet-side cells passes through the partition walls and is exhausted from the outlet-side cells; and the inlet-side coat layer is present on the surface sides of the partition walls of the inlet-side cells, with the proportion of 4-9 μm through-pores in the through-pore diameter distribution of the partition walls being at least 80 vol %, and the peak pore diameter measured using a mercury porosimeter being at least 3.0 μm greater than the peak through-pore diameter measured using a perm porometer.
US11149600B2 Oil lubrication structure of transmission device
In the oil lubrication structure that supplies lubricating oil to the transmission device, the oil lubrication structure includes an oil passage formed above a transmission device. The oil passage is formed by an oil groove portion and a plate member. The oil groove portion is integrally formed in a crankcase. The plate member is arranged in the crankcase so as to cover the oil groove portion. The plate member has oil dripping holes formed therein, and the oil dripping holes are opened at positions directly above the transmission device.
US11149595B2 Joining apparatus and method of joining
An electrode unit of a joining apparatus includes an abutting section provided with a tapered outer circumferential surface that contacts a tapered pressure-receiving surface by being inserted into an inside of a first metal member. The tapered outer circumferential surface inclines in a direction of getting closer to an axial center of the abutting section from one end side to another end side. At least part of the abutting section has a thickness elastically deformable in such a manner that the tapered outer circumferential surface aligns with the tapered pressure-receiving surface during application of a pressurizing force to the first metal member and a second metal member.
US11149585B2 Turbomachine assembly with a detuning device for different detuning of natural frequencies of the blades
The present invention relates to a turbomachine assembly with an annular flow cascade, which has a plurality of blades, which are arranged distributed in a peripheral direction, and a detuning device for different detuning of natural frequencies of the blades, wherein the detuning device has a ring that revolves in the peripheral direction, or wherein the detuning device has all detuning elements that are arranged at the blade, which follow one another in a row in the peripheral direction, and are designed in such a way that, during operation, first blades of the flow cascade each contact at most one, in particular, no movable detuning element of the detuning device.
US11149580B2 Self retained linkage and system including the self retained linkage for a gas turbine engine
A variable vane assembly for a gas turbine engine, the variable vane assembly including: a plurality of vanes arranged into a plurality of stages, each one of the plurality of vanes being configured for rotation about an axis through movement of a vane arm secured to each one of the plurality of vanes at one end and a sync ring of each one of the plurality of stages at another end; and a plurality of bell cranks operably coupling the sync ring of each one of the plurality of stages to a self-retained linkage via a stud of each one of the plurality of bell cranks, the stud of each one of the plurality of bell cranks being rotatably received in a corresponding opening of the self-retained linkage in an alternating fashion such that only a single shear interface is provided between each one of the plurality of bell cranks and the self-retained linkage.
US11149573B2 Airfoil with seal between end wall and airfoil section
An airfoil includes an endwall section and an airfoil section that defines, at least in part, an airfoil profile. The airfoil section includes an internal passage and a rib that sub-divides the internal passage. At least one of the rib or the endwall section includes a seal cavity. A seal is disposed in the seal cavity.
US11149570B2 Composite outlet guide vane with metal fastener for a turbomachine
An outlet guide vane for a fan of a turbomachine is provided. The outlet guide vane includes a blade made of composite material and having a radial inner end, a first metal fastener portion fastened to the radial inner end, a first platform extending transversely with respect to the blade in the vicinity of the radial inner end. The first metal fastener portion is to be mounted on and fastened to an upstream flange and to a downstream flange of a hub. The first platform is monolithic with the first metal fastener portion or with the blade. A rectifier wheel and a turbomachine including the outlet guide vane are also provided.
US11149562B2 Method for disassembling/assembling gas turbine, seal plate assembly, and gas turbine rotor
A method for disassembling/assembling a gas turbine including a seal plate disposed on a first side of a rotor disc in an axial direction of the rotor disc, and a seal plate restraint part for restricting movement of the seal plate relative to the rotor disc in a radial direction of the rotor disc includes a seal-plate-restraint-state switching step of moving the seal plate restraint part along the axial direction to switch between a seal plate non-restraint state where the seal plate restraint part does not restrict movement of the seal plate in the radial direction and a seal plate restraint state where at least a part of the seal plate restraint part protrudes in the axial direction from the seal plate and thereby restricts movement of the seal plate in the radial direction.
US11149560B2 Airfoil assembly with ceramic matrix composite parts and load-transfer features
An airfoil assembly includes a vane that includes an outer platform, an inner platform, and an airfoil. The outer platform defines an outer boundary of a gas path. The inner platform is spaced apart axially from the outer platform relative to an axis and defines an inner boundary of the gas path. The airfoil extends axially between and interconnects the outer platform and the inner platform.
US11149557B2 Turbine vane, ring segment, and gas turbine including the same
A turbine vane is provided. The turbine vane may include a sidewall configured to form an airfoil including a leading edge and a trailing edge, an insert configured to be inserted inside the sidewall such that a gap is formed between the insert and an inner surface of the sidewall and include a plurality of insert holes, and a plurality of guides extending from the sidewall and configured to guide a flow of cooling fluid through the gap, wherein the plurality of guides guide cooling fluid drawn through the insert holes to prevent the cooling fluid from interfering with a flow of cooling fluid drawn through a subsequent insert hole.
US11149556B2 Minicore cooling passage network having sloped impingement surface
A gas turbine engine article includes an article wall that defines leading and trailing ends and first and second sides that join the leading and trailing ends. The article wall defines a cavity. A cooling passage network is embedded in the article wall between inner and outer portions of the article wall. The network has an inlet orifice through the inner portion to receive cooling air from the cavity, a plurality of sub-passages, at least one outlet orifice that is connected to the sub-passage region, and a manifold region that has a plenum upstream of the sub-passages. The outer portion of the article wall has a sloped impingement surface located opposite the inlet orifice. The sloped impingement surface is angled to divert flow of cooling air from the inlet orifice toward the plenum.
US11149554B2 Structure for improving performance of cooling blade, and blade and gas turbine having the same
A structure for improving performance of cooling a blade of a gas turbine is provided in which interaction vortexes are generated between working fluid flowing along a surface of the blade and cooling fluid discharged onto the surface from an internal flow passage of the blade. The blade includes a surface structure formed by a gas hole having an outlet communicating with the surface of the blade to discharge the cooling fluid; and a vortex relief generator disposed so as to protrude from an inner periphery of the outlet and configured to generate counter vortexes having directionality opposite to the interaction vortexes so that the interaction vortexes are relieved by collision with the counter vortexes. The vortex relief generator includes a pair of opposing fins disposed in a path of the cooling fluid, each of which has a first surface to change a flow direction of the cooling fluid.
US11149543B2 Digital baseband communication on power line downhole
A communication system can include a first transceiver and a second transceiver that can communicate digital baseband data via a direct current (DC) power line bus in the wellbore. One or more of the transceivers includes a demodulator for demodulating the digital baseband data received from the DC power line bus into multiple digital data streams, and includes a digital processor for filtering and applying error correction to the digital data streams to produce a decoded digital data stream.
US11149538B2 Systems and methods for determining bending of a drilling tool, the drilling tool having electrical conduit
A system for determining bending of a drilling tool includes at least one element attached to the drilling tool and the at least one element includes a magnetic material, and at least one electrical conduit in the drilling tool and electro-magnetically coupled to the at least one element. The system also includes at least one signal source that feeds a signal into the electrical conduit and a measurement system that: measures at least one property of the signal in the electrical conduit as the signal source feeds the signal; and determines the bending of the drilling tool based on the measured property of the signal.
US11149529B2 Ballistic coupling of perforating arrays
A method of perforating a subterranean formation may comprise: inserting into a wellbore a perforating gun assembly comprising: a first gun assembly comprising a first perforating explosive and a first ballistic transfer element; a transfer assembly comprising a second ballistic transfer element; and a second gun assembly comprising a second perforating explosive, wherein the first gun assembly and the second gun assembly are separated from the transfer assembly by a discontinuity; detonating the first perforating explosive; propagating a ballistic signal from the first gun assembly, across the discontinuity, to the transfer assembly; propagating a ballistic signal though the transfer assembly to the second ballistic transfer element; propagating a ballistic signal from the transfer assembly, across the discontinuity, to the second gun assembly; and detonating the second perforating explosive.
US11149527B2 Steeply-inclined ultra-thick coal seam gas control method based on binary composite liquid
A steeply-inclined ultra-thick coal seam gas control method based on a binary composite liquid. The method includes taking a clean fracturing fluid system and a microemulsion as a binary composite liquid. The method includes injecting the binary composite liquid into a coal mass by means of a main hydraulic fracturing and permeability improvement method of hydraulic fracturing and water jet slotting to form a coal mass gas extraction system of binary composite liquid fracturing and permeability improvement. The method includes investigating and analyzing a gas control effect of the steeply-inclined ultra-thick coal seam according to change characteristics and analysis of gas extraction flow rate, change characteristics and analysis of permeability coefficient of coal seam, change characteristics and analysis of gas natural desorption speed of coal mass, change characteristics and analysis of gas concentration of return air flow of working face and theoretical analysis of drilling cuttings index.
US11149520B2 Mitigation of attenuation for fiber optic sensing during cementing
A cementing tool with a top seal and a bottom seal may be positionable within a casing string of a wellbore. A fiber optic line may be coupled to the top seal and to a second fiber optic line coupled to a bottom seal that is deployed within an annulus. An amplifier coupled to the cementing tool may amplify a source optical signal from a light source and a sensing measurement signal from the second fiber optic line and the first fiber optic line. One or more operational parameters, such as cementing parameters, may be adjusted based, at least in part, on the sensing measurement signal.
US11149515B1 Multiple down-hole tool injection system and method
Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for injecting down-hole tools into a fracturing line. A fracturing system may include a fracturing line of a respective wellbore and a launcher operationally coupled to the fracturing line though a respective supply line at a pressure lower than a pressure of the fracturing line. The fracturing system may further include a magazine containing a plurality of down-hole tools that is operationally coupled to the launcher for sending a down-hole tool of the plurality of down-hole tools to the launcher. The fracturing system may also include a launching chamber operationally coupled to the respective supply line for receiving the down-hole tool and having a pressure automatically adjustable to substantially equal the pressure of the fracturing line after the launching chamber is sealed from the respective supply line for disposing the down-hole tool into the fracturing line.
US11149510B1 Freeing a stuck pipe from a wellbore
A method of freeing a stuck pipe includes positioning a pipe freeing tool within the wellbore at a location proximate the stuck pipe, the pipe freeing tool including a downhole conveyance; and an arm coupled to the downhole conveyance, and activating the arm of the pipe freeing tool to apply a force to an external surface of the stuck pipe, wherein the force moves the stuck pipe away from a surface of the wellbore and towards a center of the wellbore. Another method of freeing a stuck pipe from a wellbore includes positioning a pipe freeing tool within the wellbore at a location proximate the stuck pipe, the pipe freeing tool including a jack device and a set of wheels coupled to the jack device, and activating the jack device of the pipe freeing tool to apply a force to an external surface of the stuck pipe.
US11149504B2 Drill fluid recovery apparatus
An apparatus (10) for handling drill water comprises a funnel (12) and a spillway (16) which act in concert to receive and then separate a slurry mixture into constituent drill cuttings and spent rinse water. The funnel (12) collects the falling slurry mixture, which is channelled via conduit (56) into a spillway (16). The spillway (16) is fitted with a dewatering grate (80) onto which the slurry mixture from the funnel (12) is channelled. The flow of slurry mixture is moderated by a baffle (78) which both catches and discharges slurry mixture delivered by the conduit (56). The slurry mixture is discharged over the dewatering grate (80), which drains the spend rinse water into a section of the spillway (16), and discharges the drill cuttings away from the grate (80).
US11149503B2 Compensation system for a tong assembly
A method of making a connection between a first tubular and a second tubular includes gripping the first tubular using a power tong; gripping the second tubular using a backup tong; applying a torque to the first tubular using a power tong; and moving the power tong at a predetermined speed to compensate for a weight of the power tong.
US11149493B2 Foldable stepladder
A foldable stepladder in accordance with the present disclosure may be changed by a user from an expanded use mode to a collapsed storage mode. The foldable stepladder includes a handrail that moves to reduce the overall height of the stepladder when in the collapsed storage mode.
US11149491B1 Screen frame and adapter for universal installation within different sized window/door sockets
A particularly formed frame and corresponding adapters permit installation of a screen assembly into different windows or doors having different socket widths, reducing the required number of SKUs that need to be stocked. The adapter includes: a base portion; a stem portion; and a bulb portion. The frame includes a plurality of recesses, each configured to slidably receive an adapter therein. The width of the frame is sized to be received in a first door/window socket having a first socket width. When a first sized adapter having a first bulb size is installed in each recess, the width of the frame and the protruding distance of the first bulb size are configured to be received in a second door/window socket having a second socket width. A second sized adapter having a second bulb size may instead be installed for use in a second door/window socket having a second socket width.
US11149487B2 Gasket and sealing system for a VIG unit production
The invention relates to a gasket for evacuation a void in a vacuum insulated glazing unit, a method for producing a vacuum insulated glazing unit, a gasket for use in the production of a vacuum insulated glazing unit and apparatus comprising an evacuation cup and a gasket. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of a gasket. The gasket is adapted for being positioned between the outer surface of the first pane and an evacuation cup, the evacuation cup comprising, a first cavity with a first cavity opening, an exhaust opening for evacuating the void via the first cavity opening, an evacuation cup body and one or more contact surfaces wherein the gasket is adapted to provide an air tight seal between the evacuation cup and the first glass pane during evacuation of the void, wherein the gasket comprises a gasket material which constitutes the majority of the gasket, is compressible between the evacuation cup and outer surface of the first pane with an out of plane module of elasticity below 50 GPa, such as below 30 GPa, such as below 25 GPa and has a melting temperature above 400 degrees Celsius.
US11149486B2 Nickel-aluminum blocker film multiple cavity controlled transmission coating
The invention provides a glazing sheet and a coating on the glazing sheet. The coating comprises, in sequence moving outwardly from the glazing sheet, a dielectric base coat comprising oxide film, nitride film, or oxynitride film, a first infrared-reflective layer, a first nickel-aluminum blocker layer in contact with the first infrared-reflective layer, a first dielectric spacer coat comprising an oxide film in contact with the first nickel-aluminum blocker layer, a second infrared-reflective layer, a second nickel-aluminum blocker layer in contact with the second infrared-reflective layer, a second dielectric spacer coat comprising an oxide film in contact with the second nickel-aluminum blocker layer, a third infrared-reflective layer, a third nickel-aluminum blocker layer in contact with the third infrared-reflective layer, and a dielectric top coat comprising an oxide film in contact with the third nickel-aluminum blocker layer. Also provided are methods of depositing such a coating.
US11149480B2 Refrigerator
The present invention provides a refrigerator, comprising a cabinet, a door and a hinge body, wherein a positioning shaft and a guiding shaft are provided on the hinge body, and a positioning groove and a guiding groove are provided on the door; the door of the refrigerator according to the present invention may be moved by a distance in a direction away from a pivoting side when being opened, thereby avoiding inconvenience of opening the door due to the protrusion of the side wall of the door.
US11149474B2 Articulating hood pin assembly and hood latch assembly incorporating that articulating hood pin assembly
An articulating hood pin assembly includes a double-ended ball stud, a receiver, a retention element holding the double-ended ball stud and a snap ring securing the retention element in the receiver. A hood latch assembly includes a latch mechanism and the articulating hood pin assembly.
US11149473B2 Door closing device
A door closing apparatus includes a latching mechanism including a latch, a closing mechanism configured to shift the latching mechanism from a half latching state to a fully latching state, and a driving source configured to operate the closing mechanism. The closing mechanism includes a closing lever that is rotated by power of the driving source, a closing arm that is translated in response to a rotation of the closing lever to be linked with the latch and a cancelling lever that rotates in response to an operation of a door opening operation source. The closing lever has a closing lever shaft that is supported by the cancelling lever, and the supporting of the closing lever shaft by the cancelling lever is cancelled by a rotation of the cancelling lever in response to an operation of the door opening operation source.
US11149471B2 Padlock
A padlock is disclosed comprising an electronic circuitry and such that the padlock may be opened via a near field communication network such as Bluetooth™ or via other electronic interfaces such as an integrated fingerprint scanner. In one embodiment the padlock is capable of receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals from nearby sensor nodes containing information regarding temperature, humidity, moisture, speed, vibration, liquid level, concentration of gases and other sensing devices for use in a system for monitoring, tracking, tracing, alarms, access management, access recording, authenticity and integrity of goods, documents or other valued objects in storage or transit.
US11149469B2 Electric strike with selectable channel location
An electric strike system including a housing, a keeper, an actuator, and a plurality of ramp members. The keeper is pivotally mounted to the housing, and is pivotable about a longitudinal axis between a closed position and an open position. The actuator is operable to selectively retain the keeper in the closed position. Each ramp member is operable to be mounted to the housing and includes a corresponding and respective channel. The plurality of ramp members includes a first ramp member and a second ramp member. With the first ramp member mounted to the housing, the channel of the first ramp member has a first longitudinal position relative to the housing. With the second ramp member mounted to the housing, the channel of the second ramp member has a second longitudinal position relative to the housing. The second longitudinal position is different from the first longitudinal position.
US11149454B1 Flexible net dome for outdoor pools
A dome shaped roof structure for outdoor pools, both above ground pools and with minimal modification inground pools, that does not interfere with the use of the pool consisting of a plurality of flexibility poles supported by the pool, with a flexible tension ring holding the pole ends together over the center of the pool and a net fabric material that covers the pole and tension ring frame which is secured around the top of the pool. The roof structure works for all shapes and many sizes of pools providing protection from bugs and debris while still maintaining the outdoor experience. The high flexibility of the frame and tension ring allows winds and rain to flow thru without damage to the roof during inclement weather. The low number of elements that make up the roof structure make it inexpensive as well as easy to assemble, dismantle and store.
US11149447B2 PVC-plastic panel
The present invention relates to a panel, in particular a wall, ceiling or floor panel, comprising a carrier plate (12) based on polyvinyl chloride with a density of, for example, 900 to 2,500 kg/m3 and a film (17) applied thereon. The film is a thin PVC-film and comprises a decorative pattern (18) directly printed thereon.
US11149440B2 Prefabricated tile strip
A prefabricated tile strip includes a backing board, a tile region having plural tiles and grout. The grout can be composed of a resin/polymer-based grout that allows for superior water resistance, stain resistance, crack resistance and is transportable without breaking. The strip includes an edge region or flange on either side of the tiles to allow for simple screw in and glue on assembly, not even a wall is necessary, the strip can be attached directly to the studs. A step over/under water resistant edges can go directly onto a bathtub or shower ledge or onto the wet area of a tile floor (not separate ledge), allowing it to go straight down to the bottom of a shower floor, or It can step right over a thin plastic flange on a tub or shower base.
US11149433B1 Modular building blocks and building system
Devices, structures, and methods for designing, constructing, and fitting modular structural building blocks together into a unified structure. Modular blocks are rapidly fit together into finished assemblies. Finished assemblies include reinforcing elements aligned in a structurally sound pattern. The unified structure includes walls, provisions for corners, and provisions for door/window spaces. The unified structure optionally includes raised floors or lowered ceilings, offset from ordinary associated height, using blocks disposed side-by-side with intermediate supports. The unified structure optionally includes one or more curved structures, such as vaulted ceilings, rounded walls or silos, tunnels, or otherwise.
US11149431B1 Adjustable brackets for installing building attachments
Roof brackets for attaching a structure such as a patio cover to a building, and methods for installing the brackets. The brackets have a saddle for receiving a support beam of the structure. The brackets can be attached to the building roof, but do not penetrate the roof substrate, thus preventing leakage and other structural problems. The roof brackets comprise a plate that is installed between the roof substrate and the shingles or tile on the roof. The brackets are available in different configurations compatible with standard roof pitches for easy installation. One roof bracket has a riser so that the saddle is lifted above the roof. Another roof bracket is configured so that when installed the saddle is located beyond the edge of the roof. Other brackets can be attached to the rafters under the roof, are available in different configurations depending on standard roof pitch, and they are configured to extend below and outward from the fascia. Any of these brackets are available in versions which are adjustable by the installer to provide a level saddle even in situations where the roof does not have a standard pitch, whether by design or due to inaccurate installation.
US11149413B2 Construction machine
A hydraulic excavator includes: a multijoint type front implement that is configured by coupling a plurality of driven members including a bucket; inertial measurement units that detect posture information about the plurality of driven members; and a calibration value computing section that computes calibration parameters used in calibration of detection results of the inertial measurement units; and a work position computing section that computes a relative position of the bucket to the machine body on the basis of the detection results of the inertial measurement units and the computation result of the calibration value computing section, and the calibration value computing section computes the calibration parameters on the basis of the detection results of the inertial measurement units in a plurality of postures of the front implement in which a reference point set on any of the plurality of driven members in advance matches a reference position.
US11149409B2 Construction machine
A main controller and a hybrid controller control an engine, an assist generator motor, a hydraulic pump and an electricity storage device. In this case, the hybrid controller is provided with a performance state recovery part that performs performance state recovery of the electricity storage device. In a case where a performance state amount varying with repetition of a discharge and a charge of the electricity storage device, specifically, a current integrated value ratio of the electricity storage device goes beyond a predetermined threshold value (L1%), the performance state recovery part limits power of the hydraulic pump. Thereby, the performance state recovery part performs the performance state recovery of the electricity storage device.
US11149406B2 Working machine
To provide a working machine including a lower travelling body and an upper slewing body disposed in a slewable manner with respect to the lower travelling body, the working machine being capable of more reliably preventing the upper slewing body from coming into contact with an obstacle existing around the working machine. The working machine includes a detection device, a position identification device, and a movement control device. The position identification device includes a calculation section, a conversion section, and an identification section. The movement control device controls the movement of the upper slewing body in such a way as to prevent the upper slewing body from coming into contact with the obstacle based on the position of the obstacle relative to the virtual boundary surface, the position being identified by the identification section.
US11149388B1 Slew drive control
A slew drive includes a bushing interfacing with a drive gear. The bushing resists a load from the drive gear. The bushing includes an aluminum bronze alloy with a high strength. A paving machine includes multiple of the slew drives. The slew drives control an angle of a pivot arm and steering of a track. A method of reducing component failure in the paving machine includes determining an angular position error of the slew drive of the track. If the angular position exceeds a tolerance, a rate-of-change of the angular position is found to determine whether the slew drive is rotating. Where the slew drive is not rotating, the slew drive is driven in a reverse direction to unseize the slew drive. A track drive and the slew drive of the pivot are controlled by a control loop. The slew drive may be dithered to steer a trailing pivot.
US11149380B2 Method for producing a knitted part having a coating thereon
A method for producing a knitted fabric part which is knitted from at least one thread and which in one or a plurality of regions on the knitted fabric external side and/or the knitted fabric internal side is equipped with a coating, wherein, for configuring the coating, a material comprising free-flowing particles is applied in the region to the knitted fabric, said material subsequently being melted or fused by heating, whereupon the material is cooled while forming the coating.
US11149377B2 Clothes treating apparatus
A clothes treating apparatus includes a cabinet defining an entrance, a drawer configured to be drawn out from the cabinet through the entrance, a tub provided in the drawer, a circular drum bottom provided in the tub, a cylindrical drum body fixed to the drum bottom, a drum positioned on an upper surface of the drum body, a driving part including a rotating shaft that rotates the drum and penetrates the tub so as to be coupled to the drum bottom, a hub that is fixed to the center-of-rotation of the drum bottom and protrudes towards a drum inlet, and a stirring part including an arm extending from the hub towards a circumferential surface of the drum body.
US11149366B2 Method and facility for manufacturing cross-linked fiberglass material
The invention relates to a method and facility for manufacturing a cross-linked fiberglass material, in which melted glass is produced in a melting furnace heated via combustion of a fuel with an oxygen-rich oxidant. The melted glass is converted into glass filaments, the filaments are bonded, a sheet is made from the bonded filaments, and the sheet is then cross-linked. The fumes from the melting furnace are used to preheat a combustion reagent in two steps: a first step in which air is heated via heat exchange with the fumes, and a second step in which the combustion reagent is preheated via heat exchange with the hot air. The air is then used in the cross-linking step of the method for converting the melted glass into a fiberglass material.
US11149362B2 Industrial two-layer fabric
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY PRESENT INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide the industrial two-layer fabric which can make papers to be made with a lateral strength higher than that of the fabric constituted by one kind of the conventional upper surface side yarns structure by overcoming the technical difficulty in the adjustment of the fiber orientation due to the complicated factors such as a turbulence generated in the jet stream, the control of the ration J/W, etc. MEANS TO SOLVE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS In the industrial two-layer fabric comprising an upper surface side fabric consisting of upper surface side warps and upper surface side wefts and a lower surface side fabric consisting of lower surface side warps and lower surface side wefts, the upper and lower surface side fabric being bound by foundation binding yarns, all structure portions of the upper surface side warps among a structure constituting said upper surface side fabric are the same, said upper surface side wefts comprises first upper surface side wefts and second upper surface side wefts, structures forming the first upper surface side wefts are different from those forming the second upper surface side wefts.
US11149351B2 Apparatus and method for chemical vapor deposition process for semiconductor substrates
A CVD reactor, including a deposition chamber housing a first susceptor and a second susceptor, the first susceptor having a cavity for receiving a first substrate, the first substrate having a front surface and a back surface, the second susceptor having a cavity for receiving a second substrate, the second substrate having a front surface and a back surface, and the first susceptor and the second susceptor are disposed so that the front surface of the first substrate is opposite to the front surface of the second substrate thereby forming a portion of a gas flow channel.
US11149348B2 Method for manufacturing fuel cell separator
The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator that ensures easy manufacture of the fuel cell separator having sufficiently excellent conductive property. The method for manufacturing the fuel cell separator according to the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a fuel cell separator where a conductive oxide film is formed on a surface of a metal substrate using a mist CVD method, and the method includes: preparing a raw material solution containing a precursor of the conductive oxide film and hydrochloric acid; atomizing the raw material solution to generate a mist; and supplying the mist to the surface of the metal substrate to form the conductive oxide film on the surface of the metal substrate through a reaction by heat.
US11149347B2 Process for etching, and chamber cleaning and a gas therefor
The present invention relates to a process for cleaning chambers of apparatus used for semiconductor manufacturing with a gas mixture comprising or consisting of fluorine, nitrogen and argon as well as said gas mixtures.
US11149343B2 Processes for refurbishing a spent sputtering target
Processes for refurbishing a spent sputtering target with a non-circular shape are disclosed. In one form, the processes include the steps of receiving one or more spent sputtering targets, inspecting and weighing the spent sputtering targets, removing any contaminants or other surface impurities from the spent sputtering target surfaces, preparing a hot press die with spacers, disposing the spent sputtering targets in the hot press die, the spacers used to center the spent sputtering targets therein, loading fresh metal refilling powder into the die to account for depleted regions of the spent sputtering targets to produce a powder-filled sputtering target, and applying sufficient heat and force to the filled sputtering target to produce a refurbished sputtering target with homogeneous composition and sufficient adhesion strength.
US11149342B2 Sputtering apparatus
A sputtering apparatus includes: a target disposed on a ceiling of a processing container capable of being depressurized; a gas inlet configured to supply a sputtering gas into the processing container; a first shield disposed around the target and configured to prevent deposition of a film around the target; and a second shield disposed in the processing container to cover an inner wall of the ceiling with a space from the ceiling, and including an opening in a portion corresponding to the target.
US11149329B2 Stabilizer material for superconductor
This stabilizer material for superconductor includes a copper material, wherein the copper material contains one kind or two kinds or more of additive elements selected from Ca, La, and Ce for a total amount of 3 ppm by mass or more and 400 ppm by mass or less, with the remainder being Cu and unavoidable impurities, and the total concentration of the unavoidable impurities other than O, H, C, N, and S, which are gas components, is 5 ppm by mass or more and 100 ppm by mass or less, and compounds including one kind or two kinds or more selected from CaS, CaSO4, LaS, La2SO2, CeS, and Ce2SO2 are present in the matrix.
US11149325B2 Method for manufacturing a high strength steel sheet and sheet obtained
A method for manufacturing a steel sheet having a yield strength YS of more than 1000 MPa, a tensile strength TS of more than 1150 MPa and a total elongation E of more than 8%, comprising the steps of: —preparing a steel sheet through rolling from a steel containing in percent by weight 0.19% to 0.22% C, 2% to 2.6% Mn, 1.45% to 1.55% Si, 0.15% to 0.4% Cr, less than 0.020% P, less than 0.05% S, less than 0.08% N, 0.015% to 0.070% Al, the reminder being Fe and unavoidable impurities, —soaking the sheet at an annealing temperature TA between 860° C. and 890° C. for a time between 100 s and 210 s, cooling the sheet to a quenching temperature QT between 220° C. and 330° C., from a temperature TC not less than 500° C. at a cooling speed not less than 15° C./s, heating the steel sheet during a time between 115 s and 240 s up to a first overaging temperature TOA1 higher than 380° C., then heating the sheet during a time between 300 s and 610 s up to a second overaging temperature TOA2 between 420° and 450° C., cooling the steel sheet to a temperature less than 100° C. at a cooling speed less than 5° C./s. The structure of the steel containing more than 80% of tempered martensite, more than 5% of retained austenite, less than 5% of ferrite, less than 5% of bainite and less than 6% of fresh martensite.
US11149321B2 Methods and compositions for targeted single-stranded cleavage and targeted integration
Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for generating a single-stranded break in a target sequence, which facilitates targeted integration of one or more exogenous sequences.
US11149319B2 Systems and methods for detecting cells using engineered transduction particles
Accurate measurements of the presence or absence of a target cell in a sample are provided. For example, the sample can be mixed with a plurality of transduction particles capable of binding to the target cells, the transduction particles being engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cells to produce a plurality of detectable reporter molecules once the particles bind to and deliver the nucleic acid molecules into the one or more target cells. A set of signal data points are received that are associated with a quantity of reporter molecules and the signal data points are analyzed to accurately detect target cells in the sample. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US11149318B2 Methods and devices for detection of pathogens
In one aspect, a method of detecting a pathogen, e.g., listeria bacterium, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and/or HPV, in a sample is disclosed, which comprises bringing a sample into contact with a graphene layer functionalized with an antibody exhibiting specific binding to the pathogen, monitoring electrical resistance of said antibody-functionalized graphene layer in response to interaction with said sample, and detecting presence of the pathogen in said sample by detecting a change in said electrical resistance indicative of interaction of the pathogen with said antibody-functionalized graphene layer. For example, a decrease of the electrical resistance of the graphene layer can indicate the presence of the pathogen in the sample under study. In some embodiments, a method according to the present teachings is capable of detecting pathogens, such as listeria bacteria, chlamydia bacteria, gonorrhea bacteria and HPV in a sample at a concentration as low as 4 cfu per 100 grams of a sample.
US11149313B2 Methods of using miRNAs from bodily fluids for detection and differentiation of neurodegenerative diseases
The invention is directed to methods for diagnosis and differentiation of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), by quantifying miRNAs in bodily fluids.
US11149310B2 Preserving genomic connectivity information in fragmented genomic DNA samples
A method of sequencing a target nucleic acid polymer by (a) modifying a target nucleic acid polymer to produce a modified nucleic acid polymer; (b) producing fragments of the modified nucleic acid polymer, wherein the fragments are attached to locations on a solid support surface (c) determining nucleotide sequences from the fragments at the locations; and (d) producing a representation of the nucleotide sequence for the target nucleic acid polymer based on the nucleotide sequences from the fragments and the relative distances between the locations on the solid support surface.
US11149308B2 Sequence assembly
The invention relates to assembly of sequence reads. The invention provides a method for identifying a mutation in a nucleic acid involving sequencing nucleic acid to generate a plurality of sequence reads. Reads are assembled to form a contig, which is aligned to a reference. Individual reads are aligned to the contig. Mutations are identified based on the alignments to the reference and to the contig.
US11149306B2 Methods and systems for detecting genetic variants
Disclosed herein in are methods and systems for determining genetic variants (e.g., copy number variation) in a polynucleotide sample. A method for determining copy number variations includes tagging double-stranded polynucleotides with duplex tags, sequencing polynucleotides from the sample and estimating total number of polynucleotides mapping to selected genetic loci. The estimate of total number of polynucleotides can involve estimating the number of double-stranded polynucleotides in the original sample for which no sequence reads are generated. This number can be generated using the number of polynucleotides for which reads for both complementary strands are detected and reads for which only one of the two complementary strands is detected.
US11149297B2 Methods for depleting RNA from nucleic acid samples
The invention relates to methods of depleting RNA from a nucleic acid sample. The RNA may be any RNA, including, but not limited to, rRNA, tRNA, and mRNA. The method is useful for depleting RNA from a nucleic acid sample obtained from a fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (FPET) sample. The method may also be used to prepare cDNA, in particular, a cDNA library for further analysis or manipulation.
US11149296B2 Methods for detecting agglutination and compositions for use in practicing the same
Methods are provided for detecting antigen binding agents in samples. Aspects of the methods include detection of the aggregation of antigen binding agents with polynucleotide-bound antigens by sensitive proximity-based association of the antigen-bound polynucleotides. Aspects of the methods also include methods for the detection of such proximity-based association through nucleic acid amplification. In addition, compositions, e.g., reagents, kits, and devices, useful in practicing various embodiments of the methods are provided.
US11149294B2 DNA constructs and biological devices for producing carbo sugars
Described herein are biological devices and methods for using the same to produce carbo sugars. The biological devices include microbial cells transformed with a DNA construct containing genes for producing a cellulose synthase and galactomannan galactosyltransferase. In some instances, the biological devices also include a gene for lipase. Methods for altering the viscosity of petroleum oil using the carbo sugars are also described herein. Finally, methods for degreasing or decontaminating water mixed with petroleum oil or other fatty substances or a surface coated with petroleum oil or other fatty substances using the carbo sugars are described herein.
US11149281B2 Method for producing genome-modified plants from plant protoplasts at high efficiency
The present invention relates to a method of increasing the production efficiency of gene-edited plants, regenerated from plant protoplasts, by use of a Cas protein-guide RNA ribonucleoprotein (RNP). According to the present invention, the method of increasing the production efficiency of gene-edited plants makes it possible to efficiently produce target gene-mutated plants and to minimize the introduction of foreign DNA into plants. Thus, the present invention can be very advantageously used in a wide variety of fields, including agriculture, food and biotechnology.
US11149278B2 Artificial nucleic acid molecules for improved protein expression
The invention relates to an artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising an open reading frame and a 3′-UTR comprising at least one poly(A) sequence or a polyadenylation signal. The invention further relates to a vector comprising the artificial nucleic acid molecule comprising an open reading frame and a 3′-UTR comprising at least one poly(A) sequence or a polyadenylation signal, to a cell comprising the artificial nucleic acid molecule or the vector, to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the artificial nucleic acid molecule or the vector and to a kit comprising the artificial nucleic acid molecule, the vector and/or the pharmaceutical composition. The invention also relates to a method for increasing protein production from an artificial nucleic acid molecule and to the use of a 3′-UTR for a method for increasing protein production from an artificial nucleic acid molecule. Moreover, the invention concerns the use of the artificial nucleic acid molecule, the vector, the kit or the pharmaceutical composition as a medicament, as a vaccine or in gene therapy.
US11149277B2 Method of producing enriched exosomes
A method of producing induced exosomes, the method comprising: contacting an isolated population of stem cells with an amount of a prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) antagonist effective for inducing release of exosomes, whereby induced exosomes are released from the stem cells, and isolating the induced exosomes.
US11149263B2 Method for purifying and quantifying thrombin and its degradation polypeptides
Provided is a method for purifying α-thrombin and for quantifying α-thrombin and its degradation polypeptides in a liquid proteinatious solution. The method employs a one-step anion exchange chromatography method. The method allows purification and/or quantification of a homogenous post-translationally modified α-thrombin. The method can also be used for purification and/or quantification of β-thrombin.
US11149258B2 Branched alpha glucans
The present invention relates to the field of poly- and oligosaccharides and their dietary effects. In particular it relates to a method of producing a branched α-glucan. Further aspects of the invention are a branched α-glucan comprising linear segments of (α1→4) linked D-glucose units interspersed with (α1→6) glucosidic linkages and having (α1∴4,6) branching points; a food composition; and the use of an α-glucanotransferase enzyme for reducing the digestible carbohydrates of a starch containing food material.
US11149250B2 Microglia derived from pluripotent stem cells and methods of making and using the same
The present invention provides methods and compositions for the generation of microglial progenitor cells and microglial cells from pluripotent stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. The present invention also provides cells produced using such methods, and both methods of treatment and methods of drug screening that use such cells. Also provided are various tissue culture media, tissue culture media supplements, and kits useful for the generation of human microglial progenitor cells and human microglial cells.
US11149247B2 Methods for culturing filamentous fungi in fermentation media
Methods for culturing filamentous fungi, in which the filamentous fungi are grown in a colloid of air and a fermentation medium, are provided. The methods result in more rapid and prolific growth of the filamentous fungus than has been achieved by previous methods. Biomats produced by the methods and air-medium colloids for use in the methods are also provided.
US11149246B2 Methods for cell lysis and preparation of high molecular weight DNA from modified cells
Disclosed are methods for lysis of cells that combine three lysis steps—(1) heat, (2) detergent and (3) base—into a single step and that can be completed in a short period of time, e.g., a few minutes. The methods combine a normally incompatible detergent and base lysis, allow for simplified removal of detergent after lysis, and importantly, limits damage to DNA, such as shearing, that typically results from separate application of conventional lysis methods, yielding improved quality and quantities of genomic DNA (gDNA).
US11149243B2 Electronic device, wearable device, and method of providing content-based somatic senses using ultrasound
Provided is an electronic device for providing somatic senses based on content. The electronic device includes: a processor configured to generate an ultrasound driving signal for evoking somatic senses corresponding to somatosensory data by stimulating a certain region of the brain of a user; and a communication interface configured to transmit the generated ultrasound driving signal to an external device, wherein the somatosensory data corresponds to the content.
US11149242B2 Methods and apparatus for perfusion and environment control of microplate lab ware
Systems, methods, and apparatuses of controlling fluid flow are disclosed. An apparatus includes a first microplate having a first open portion and defining one or more first wells therein, a second microplate having a second open portion and defining one or more second wells therein, and a pneumatic lid constructed of styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS). The pneumatic lid extends over the first open portion and the second open portion and includes one or more microfluidic channels that fluidly couple the one or more first wells to the one or more second wells. The pneumatic lid provides an airtight seal over the first microplate and the second microplate.
US11149241B2 Vitro culture model of anisotropic to isotropic transitions
Cell culture devices, and related methods and kits, for modeling isotropic-to-anisotropic cellular transitions are provided. The devices can include a substrate having an isotropic film surface with one or more regions of aligned fibers dispersed thereon.
US11149235B2 Cleaning composition with corrosion inhibitor
A cleaning composition and process for cleaning an in-process microelectronic device substrate, e.g., by post-chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) cleaning, to remove residue from a surface thereof, wherein the cleaning composition may be especially effective for cleaning a substrate surface that includes exposed metal such as cobalt, copper, or both, along with dielectric or low k dielectric material, and wherein the cleaning composition includes corrosion inhibitor to inhibit corrosion of the exposed metal.
US11149214B2 Method and process to maximize diesel yield
Hydrocarbon feeds suitable for use as gasoline blending components containing olefins and aromatic compounds are alkylated in the presence of a catalyst by the olefins present in the feedstream to produce middle distillates having higher boiling points suitable for use as aviation and diesel fuel blending components.
US11149211B2 Optimized reactor configuration for optimal performance of the aromax catalyst for aromatics synthesis
A naphtha reforming reactor system comprising a first reactor comprising a first inlet and a first outlet, wherein the first reactor is configured to operate as an adiabatic reactor, and wherein the first reactor comprises a first naphtha reforming catalyst; and a second reactor comprising a second inlet and a second outlet, wherein the second inlet is in fluid communication with the first outlet of the first reactor, wherein the second reactor is configured to operate as an isothermal reactor, and wherein the second reactor comprises a plurality of tubes disposed within a reactor furnace, a heat source configured to heat the interior of the reactor furnace; and a second naphtha reforming catalyst disposed within the plurality of tubes, wherein the first naphtha reforming catalyst and the second naphtha reforming catalyst are the same or different.
US11149206B2 Method for converting carboxylic acids and esters into base oil hydrocarbons
A number of different branched hydrocarbon compounds (formula I) having a star-like configuration (S) are prepared from renewable oils containing fatty acids or derivatives containing fatty acids. The branched hydrocarbon compounds may be isolated individually or in mixtures, and may be used as part of base oils, such as renewable base oils (RBOs). A process for preparing the branched hydrocarbon compounds of formula I involve conditions that favour a trimerisation reaction followed by hydrotreating conditions. The compounds of formula I may be made by catalytically treating renewable material in a process, and the compounds have desirable qualities relating to lubrication, cold flow as well as having a low Noack volatility.
US11149202B1 Tetracarboxylic acid combinations for corrosion inhibition
Corrosion inhibitors and methods for reducing or inhibiting corrosion of metals in aqueous systems are provided. Corrosion inhibitor compositions may include tetracarboxylic acids, such as butane tetracarboxylic acid. The compositions may include other components, such as zinc, molybdate, silicate, cerium, among others. The compositions may also include polymers or oligomers. The corrosion inhibitor compositions produced synergistic results and unexpectedly low corrosion rates.
US11149200B2 Composition for etching and method for manufacturing semiconductor device using same
A composition for etching and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including an etching process of using the composition for etching, are provided. The composition for etching includes a first inorganic acid; any one first additive selected from the group consisting of phosphorous acid, an organic phosphite, a hypophosphite, and mixtures thereof; and a solvent. The composition for etching is a high-selectivity composition for etching that can selectively remove a nitride film while minimizing the etch rate for an oxide film and does not have a problem such as particle generation, which adversely affects device characteristics.
US11149196B2 Pyrromethene-boron complex, color-changing composition, color-changing film, light source unit including same, display, and lighting
An organic luminescent material suitable for color conversion material used for a liquid crystal display or LED lighting, excellent in luminous efficiency and durability, to which a pyrromethene-boron complex or a color conversion composition containing the pyrromethene-boron complex contributes, is provided.
US11149183B2 Hydrocarbon based carrier fluid
Y-grade NGL or L-grade is used as a carrier fluid to transport one or more chemical additives into a hydrocarbon bearing reservoir to treat the hydrocarbon bearing reservoir. The Y-grade NGL or L-grade and the chemical additives may be chilled and/or foamed.
US11149172B2 Hot melt composition
The present technology provides a hot melt composition containing: styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer having a weight average molecular weight of 300000 or more; tackifier; a first paraffin oil having a weight average molecular weight of 1000 or more; and a second paraffin oil having a weight average molecular weight of less than 1000.
US11149171B2 Thermally-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet
A thermally-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet including a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer containing thermally-conductive particles. One side of the sheet is an adhesive face, and the other side is a non-adhesive face. The thermally-conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet may include a non-adhesive layer on or over only one side of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. In this case, the ratio of the thickness of the non-adhesive layer to the thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is preferably 0.04 to 0.6. The thermally-conductive pressure sensitive adhesive sheet preferably has a thermal resistance of 6 K·cm2/W or less. The thermally-conductive pressure sensitive adhesive sheet preferably has a total thickness of 50 to 500 μm.
US11149162B2 Aqueous dispersion, coating film, and laminate
The present invention provides an aqueous dispersion comprising, (A) a highly modified polyolefin of a polyolefin (a) having a structural unit derived from ethylene and a structural unit derived from propylene and having a melting peak observed by differential scanning calorimetric analysis, by an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid compound, (B) a polyolefin (B-1) having a structural unit derived from at least one olefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene and α-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and/or a lowly modified polyolefin (B-2) of the polyolefin (B-1) by an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid compound, and (C) a basic compound, wherein a mass ratio ((A)/(B)) of the component (A) and the component (B) is 60/40 to 97.5/2.5.
US11149161B2 Metal ink
A metal ink containing metal particles including silver, a protective agent A including an amine compound, and a protective agent B including a fatty acid. The metal ink is configured such that the protective agent A includes at least one C4-12 amine compound, and the protective agent B includes at least one C22-26 fatty acid. It is preferable that the amine compound content is 0.2 mmol/g or more and 1.5 mmol/g or less on a silver particle mass basis. In addition, it is preferable that the fatty acid content is 0.01 mmol/g or more and 0.06 mmol/g or less on a silver particle mass basis.
US11149157B2 Photocurable resin composition, ink and coating material
The present invention provides a photocurable resin composition containing a polymer (A) which has excellent adhesion to plastic substrates. The present invention relates to a photocurable resin composition that contains a polymer (A) produced by polymerization of a compound represented by the following formula [I]: wherein each R1 may be the same or different and represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C5 alkyl group, a glycidyl group, or the group —CH2—CR3═CHR2 wherein R2 and R3 each represent H or CH3, provided that at least one R1 is the group —CH2—CR3═CHR2.
US11149152B2 Durable hydrophilic-super-hydrophobic bipolar self-cleaning composite film, and preparation method therefor
The present invention belongs to the field of super-hydrophobic surface technology, and discloses a durable hydrophilic-super-hydrophobic bipolar self-cleaning composite film and a preparation method therefor. The preparation method is as follows: adding an epoxy silane coupling agent into an organic solvent; after stirring and mixing well, adding an amine curing agent and distilled water to the mixture; stirring and adding micron-sized solid particles and hydrophobic nano silicon dioxide particles; continuing stirring to obtain a hydrophilic layer solution; adding a hydrophobic modifier and a hydrophilic nano silicon dioxide particles into the solvent to obtain a hydrophobic layer solution; coating a pretreated substrate surface with the hydrophilic layer solution, and performing heating treatment at 60° C. to 80° C. for 10-50 min; then coating the surface with the hydrophobic layer solution, and performing heating treatment at 100° C. to 140° C. for 50-90 min to obtain the durable hydrophilic-super-hydrophobic bipolar self-cleaning composite film. The preparation method of the present invention is simple, and the super-hydrophobic surface of the obtained composite film has strong mechanical durability and a good industrial application prospect.
US11149146B2 Irreversible thermochromic molded article for prevention of overheating and method for preparing same
Provided are an irreversibly discoloring pigment for preventing overheating, a thermochromic molded article including the same, and a method of preparing the same, and more particularly, a discoloring pigment which becomes discolored when overheated, and then maintains the discoloration even after being cooled to room temperature, a thermochromic molded article including the discoloring pigment, and methods of preparing the discoloring pigment and the thermochromic molded article.
US11149143B2 Resin composition, method for producing same and multi-layered structure using same
A resin composition (E) includes from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass of an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (B), from 0.1 to 20 parts by mass of an acid-modified polyolefin (C), and from 0.1 to 10 parts by mass of an acid-modified polyolefin (D) based on 100 parts by mass of a polyolefin (A), wherein the polyolefin (A) has an MFR (190° C., under a load of 2.16 kg) from 0.01 to 10 g/10 min, the acid-modified polyolefin (C) has an acid value from 0.1 to 9 mg KOH/g, the acid-modified polyolefin (D) has an acid value of more than 10 mg KOH/g and 120 mg KOH/g or less, and a ratio (D/A) of an MFR (190° C., under a load of 2.16 kg) of the acid-modified polyolefin (D) to the MFR (190° C., under a load of 2.16 kg) of the polyolefin (A) is 50 or more. The resin composition (E) of the present invention causes reduction in the amount of deteriorated materials adhering to a screw and/or a die even when long-term continuous melt molding is conducted. Use of the resin composition (E) also allows production of a molded article exhibiting excellent impact resistance and appearance. The production method of the present invention allows long-term stable production of the resin composition (E).
US11149138B2 Foam compositions and uses thereof
Components for articles of footwear and athletic equipment are provided including a foam. A variety of foams and foam components and compositions for forming the foams are provided. In some aspects, the foams and components including the foams can have exceptionally high energy return while also having improved durability and softness. In particular, midsoles including the foams are provided for use in an article of footwear. Methods of making the compositions and foams are provided, as well as methods of making an article of footwear including one of the foam components. In some aspects, the foams and foam components can be made by injection molding or injection molding followed by compression molding.
US11149137B2 Polyethylene copolymer compositions and articles with barrier properties
A dual reactor solution polymerization process gives high density polyethylene compositions containing a first ethylene copolymer and a second ethylene copolymer. The polyethylene compositions can be used in the manufacture of injection molded closures or cast film having good barrier properties.
US11149135B2 Application of cyclodextrins (CDS) for remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASS)
A system for remediation of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) has a multiplicity of β-cyclodextrins (β-CDs) and/or modified β-CDs combined with a vehicle additive, and a delivery device. Modified β-CDs can contain a single amine functionality at a single primary carbon or single secondary carbon of the β-CD. The vehicle additive can be powdered activated carbon (PAC). The delivery device is a column, a pouch, a packet, or a sheet that can permit the contacting of a fluid environment with the β-CDs and vehicle additive. The system of remediation can be used for a fluid environment or for biological organisms. CD-based fluorescent sensors can detect PFASs in the environment.
US11149132B2 Composite for cellulose fiber dispersion and cellulose fiber composition
Provided are a composite for cellulose fiber dispersion that can inexpensively and sufficiently disperse cellulose fibers, particularly nanocellulose, in a hydrophobic resin and a cellulose fiber composition containing the composite. A composite for cellulose fiber dispersion according to the present invention has a structure in which a vinyl polymer is grafted to a cellulose derivative. A cellulose fiber composition according to the present invention contains the composite and cellulose fibers and more specifically also contains an organic solvent, a resin precursor, or a resin.
US11149120B2 Method for manufacturing thermoplastic polymer particles
Provided is a method for manufacturing thermoplastic polymer particles, the method comprising the steps of: supplying a thermoplastic polymer resin to an extruder and extruding the same; supplying the extruded thermoplastic polymer resin and air to a nozzle, bringing the thermoplastic polymer resin into contact with the air to granulate the thermoplastic polymer resin, and then discharging the granulated thermoplastic polymer resin; and supplying discharged thermoplastic polymer particles to a cooling unit to cool the thermoplastic polymer particles, and then collecting the cooled thermoplastic polymer particles.
US11149119B2 Gels derived from poly(ethylidene norbornene)-b-poly(cyclopentene) block copolymer nanocomposites for viscosity modifications and drilling fluid applications
The present application is directed to a nanocomposite organo gel having a continuous polymeric network structure, wherein polymer chains are held together by ionic interaction between polymer chain ends, interparticle chain entanglements, layered silicate surface modifier, ionic salt, and layered silicate. The present application is also directed to methods of making and using the nanocomposite organo gel.
US11149116B2 Process for producing a polycarbonate using an organic solvent based on chlorohydrocarbons
The present invention relates to a process for producing a polycarbonate from a diphenol or two or more different diphenols and a carbonyl halide by the interfacial process. It is a feature of the process according to the invention that it is carried out on the basis of a chlorohydrocarbon or a mixture of a mixture of two or more chlorohydrocarbons using an organic solvent. An organic solvent is also provided.
US11149115B2 Method for preparing polylactone by ring opening
Disclosed is a method for preparing polylactone by ring opening, belonging to the technical fields of organic catalysis and polymer materials. The invention proposes a new catalytic mechanism, wherein an organic alcohol is used as an initiator to initiate ring opening polymerization of a cyclic monomer under the catalysis of an organic catalyst to obtain a polylactone; and the catalyst is a pyridinium salt. The present invention has the advantages of non-toxic reaction, simple conditions and controllable process; further, the invention can obtain a narrow molecular weight distribution in the absence of solution polymerization, and can effectively inhibit the occurrence of the transesterification compared with the catalysis of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)pyridine.
US11149114B2 Biodegradable polymers, complexes thereof for gene therapeutics and drug delivery, and methods related thereto
A biodegradable cationic polymer is disclosed, comprising first repeat units derived from a first cyclic carbonyl monomer by ring-opening polymerization, wherein more than 0% of the first repeat units comprise a side chain moiety comprising a quaternary amine group; a subunit derived from a monomeric diol initiator for the ring-opening polymerization; and an optional endcap group. The biodegradable cationic polymers have low cytotoxicity and form complexes with biologically active materials useful in gene therapeutics and drug delivery.
US11149101B2 Propylene copolymers
A propylene 1-hexene copolymer containing from 5.7 to 7.7% by weight of 1-hexene derived units, based upon the total weight of the propylene 1-hexene copolymer, having: a) a solubility in xylene at 25° C. ranging from 7.0 wt % to 15.0 wt %, based upon the total weight of the propylene 1-hexene copolymer; b) a melting temperature, measured by DSC ranging from 143.0° C. to 148.0° C.; c) a Melt Flow Rate (MFR, measured according to ASTM D 1238, 230° C./2.16 kg) from 3.5 to 8.0 g/10 min.; and d) a content of 1-hexene derived units in the fraction soluble in xylene at 25° C. ranging from 13.5 wt % to 18.5 wt %, based upon the total weight of the soluble fraction.
US11149100B2 Propylene-based impact copolymers and process and apparatus for production
A process of polymerizing olefins comprising combining propylene with a polymerization catalyst, hydrogen, and at least one external electron donor, such as at least one amino-silane donor, to form polypropylene in a first polymerization medium under solution or slurry conditions at or below the bubble point; removing hydrogen from the first polymerization medium and providing a first olefin/polyolefin separation step to form a second polymerization medium; transferring the second polymerization medium to a gas phase reactor and further combining with ethylene; obtaining a propylene-based impact copolymer. The propylene-based impact copolymer desirably has a melt flow rate of at least 60 g/10 min and is useful in automotive components.
US11149098B2 Rapid activation process and activation treatments for chromium catalysts for producing high melt index polyethylenes
Processes for activating chromium polymerization catalysts, which can use lower maximum activation temperatures and shorter activation times than conventional activation methods, and provide polyethylenes with high melt indices, broader molecular weight distributions, and lower long chain branching content. The activation process can comprise heating a supported chromium catalyst in an inert atmosphere to a first temperature (T1) for a first hold time (tH1), followed by allowing the chromium catalyst to attain a second temperature (T2) in the inert atmosphere, then contacting the chromium catalyst with an oxidative atmosphere for a second hold time (tH2), in which T2 can be less than or equal to T1. Additional activation treatments and conditioning steps are disclosed which can be used to enhance the melt index potential of Phillips (Cr/silica) catalysts.
US11149095B2 Cellulose II nanocrystal particles and preparation method and use thereof
Cellulose II nanocrystal particles have a crystallinity ≥80%, a number-average molecular weight ranging from 1200 to 2500, and a molecular weight distribution coefficient Mw/Mn≤1.30. The cellulose II nanocrystal particles can be prepared by: subjecting a cellulose raw material to an amorphization reconstitution and then to a crystallization acidolysis. The crystallization acidolysis may be carried out under a low concentration acidic condition. The method enables high efficient and clean production and quality control of cellulose nanocrystal materials.
US11149094B2 Engineered multispecific antibodies and other multimeric proteins with asymmetrical CH2-CH3 region mutations
The present invention relates to engineered multispecific antibodies and other multimeric proteins with asymmetrical CH2-CH3 region mutations and methods of making and using them.
US11149089B2 Method for treating rheumatoid arthritis by administering IL-6 receptor antibodies
Polypeptides are provided directed against IL-6R at specific dose ranges and dosing schedules that result in a prolonged effect on IL-6 mediated signaling. In particular, the invention provides pharmacologically active agents, compositions, methods and/or dosing schedules that have certain advantages compared to the agents, compositions, methods and/or dosing schedules that are currently used and/or known in the art, including the ability to dose less frequently or to administer lower doses to obtain equivalent effects in inhibiting IL-6 mediated signaling.
US11149075B2 Single-chain glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) receptor agonist proteins
Provided herein are specific GITR receptor agonist proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, and methods of treating a subject having a GITRL-associated disease or disorder. The GITR receptor agonist proteins provided herein comprise three soluble GITRL domains and an Fc fragment. The GITR receptor agonist proteins are substantially non-aggregating and suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.
US11149067B2 Tailored cyclodepsipeptides as potent non-covalent serine protease inhibitors
The present invention pertains to an improved chemical synthesis method for Ahp-cyclodepsipeptides which allows straight forward and easy synthesis of tailor-made Ahp-cyclodepsipeptides. The invention further provides Ahp-cyclodepsipeptides for use as HTRA protease inhibitors and their medical use.
US11149065B2 One-bead-two-compound macrocyclic library and methods of preparation and use
A one-bead-two-compound combinatorial synthesis technique provides libraries of macrocyclic peptidomimetic compounds and compositions with use as ligands for the Ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2). The one-bead-two-compound technique and libraries of macrocyclic compounds are useful as research tools in drug discovery and/or to treat or prevent a range of diseases or disorders.
US11149064B2 Vasoactive polypeptides for smooth muscle relaxation
A polypeptide, a pharmaceutical composition including a polypeptide, and a method for treating a condition using a polypeptide are provided. The polypeptide includes an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3, wherein X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. The pharmaceutical composition includes a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3 and one or more components selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, a calcium channel blocker, and a combination thereof. X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. The method of treating a condition includes administering a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence according to the general formula X1-X2-X3 to a subject in need thereof, wherein X1 and X3 are independently absent or comprise a transduction domain, X2 includes Z3, and Z3 is selected from the group consisting of serine or phosphoserine analogs. Also provided is a biomedical device including a polypeptide.
US11149056B2 C7 substituted oxysterols and methods of use thereof
Compounds are provided according to Formula (A): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof; wherein R1A, R1b, n, R2A, R2b, R3, and R4 are as defined herein. Compounds of the present invention are contemplated useful for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions.
US11149055B2 Crystal form of lanosterol prodrug compound and application thereof
The present invention relates to a crystal form of a compound of formula (I) and an application thereof in preparing a drug for treating an ophthalmic disease.
US11149047B2 Aryl imidazoles for treatment of cancer
The present invention relates to a method of preventing, reducing, or treating cancer in a subject, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, free base, hydrate, complex, or chelate (including metal chelates, such as iron, zinc and others) thereof to the subject, wherein the subject has a mutation in a DNA repair gene.
US11149046B2 Antibacterial sideromycins
A compound, comprising: an Fe(III)-binding and/or Fe(III)-bound siderophore; one or more optional linker covalently bound to the siderophore; and daptomycin covalently bound to the linker, or, if no linker is present, then to the siderophore; or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.
US11149020B2 MAP kinase modulators and uses thereof
The invention provides for novel MAP kinase inhibitors and compositions comprising the same. In some embodiments, the MAP kinase inhibitors are p38α MAP kinase inhibitors. The invention further provides for methods for treatment of diseases comprising administration of MAP kinase inhibitors or compositions comprising MAP kinase inhibitors. In some embodiments, the disease is Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Huntington's Disease or Parkinson's Disease.
US11149017B2 Solid state forms of apalutamide
Disclosed are solid state forms of Apalutamide and salts thereof, processes for preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions thereof.
US11149016B2 S-substituted-2-amino-3-mercaptopropionate derivative, preparation method and application thereof
The present invention relates to a S-substituted-2-amino-3-mercaptopropionate derivative, a preparation method and an application thereof. The S-substituted-2-amino-3-mercaptopropionate derivative in the present invention has a structure of a formula (A). The present invention also includes an application of the S-substituted-2-amino-3-mercaptopropionate derivative serving as a medicine for treating and/or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
US11148994B2 Process for manufacture of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane
The invention relates to a new process for the manufacture of fluoroaryl compounds and derivatives thereof, in particular of fluorobenzenes and derivatives thereof, and especially wherein said manufacture relates to an environmentally friendly production of the said compounds. Thus, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art processes, and in a surprisingly simple and beneficial manner, and as compared to the prior art processes, in particular, the invention provides a more efficient and energy saving processes, and also provides a more environmentally friendly process, for the manufacture of nuclear fluorinated aromatics, and preferably of nuclear fluorinated fluorobenzenes. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention, an industrially beneficial process for preparing fluorobenzenes from halobenzene precursors using HF to form hydrogen halide is provided by the present invention. A beneficial and surprisingly simple use of chlorobenzene as an industrially interesting starting material in the manufacture of fluorobenzene is provided.
US11148987B2 Method of treating a neutralized aralkyl hydroperoxide cleavage stream
A method of reducing the salt content of a neutralized aralkyl hydroperoxide cleavage mass stream comprising passing the neutralized stream into a vessel, the vessel having an inlet, two outlets, an aqueous layer and a hydrocarbon layer wherein the neutralized stream enters the vessel through a first inlet and a hydrocarbon stream exits the vessel through a first outlet that is in fluid communication with the hydrocarbon layer.
US11148974B2 Enhancement of reinforcing fibers, their applications, and methods of making same
The invention relates to composite reinforcing fibers infused or compounded with pulp fibers and/or nano-fibers. The composite reinforcing fibers are composed of polymer, e.g., polymer resin. The pulp fibers and/or nano-fibers impart improved tensile strength to the composite reinforcing fibers, as well as a resulting product formed by the fibers. The composite reinforcing fibers may be used in a variety of cementitious applications, wherein traditional reinforcing fibers are typically used.
US11148973B2 Insulating, refractory molded body, especially plate, and process for its manufacture and its usage
An unfired, refractory molded body (1), especially a plate, especially for thermal insulation of molten metal and/or an ingot solidifying from molten metal, that includes a binding agent matrix (2) of a set binder and aggregate grains (3) of biogenic silicic acid, preferably of rice husk ash, which are incorporated into the binding agent matrix (2), wherein the binding agent matrix (2) consists of silica gel, as well as a process for its production and its usage.
US11148967B2 Method and system for manufacturing an optical fiber preform
A method is described for manufacturing an optical fiber preform, including a tube collapsing phase, and including monitoring the concentration of at least one fluid component of a fluid that is exhausted from the tube, to detect structural integrity of the tube. A system is also described for manufacturing optical fiber preforms. The system comprising a holder configured to hold a tube, a heater configured to heat at least part of the tube to a tube collapsing temperature, a fluid exhaust configured to discharge fluid from the tube, held by the holder. The system also includes a tube integrity monitor configured to monitor structural integrity of the tube, during a collapsing phase, by monitoring fluid that is discharged from the tube.
US11148965B2 Process for the biological purification of nutrient-contaminated wastewater
A method of purifying nutrient contaminated water for safe reuse or discharge, while recovering the fertilizer value of the contaminants. The system includes digestion tanks for the conversion by appropriate fauna and aerobic bacteria of dissolved or suspended organic contaminants into dissolved inorganic contaminants, which are flow connection with biofiltration tanks for the removal by plant root uptake of the dissolved inorganic contaminants. Generally, the digestion and biofiltration tanks are configured wherein contaminated water is conducted between one or more digestion tanks containing detritivorous or omnivorous fauna which feed on suspended contaminants and pathogens and aerobic bacteria which feed on the excreta of the fauna which will solubilize and decompose organic contaminants, oxidize nitrogen compounds into nitrates and competes with pathogens, and one or more biofiltration tanks containing pants potted in the water which uptakes dissolved inorganic contaminants.
US11148963B2 Ballast water management system
Techniques and systems for neutralizing discharge waters from ballast and/or cooling water biocidal treatment and disinfection systems are provided. The systems utilize, inter alia, oxidation reduction potential control to regulate the dechlorination of an electrocatalytically generated biocidal agent to allowable discharge levels in ship buoyancy systems and ship cooling water systems.
US11148958B2 Desalination device
Disclosed are a desalination device and processes of desalination using the device. The device is directly ocean-situated and fully nature-powered with on intake, no brine production, and no electricity consumption. The device contains a heating unit, configured to receive a dry air stream and heat the dry air stream with one or more renewable energy sources to produce a heated air stream; a humidifier, configured to receive the heated air stream, evaporate at least portion of water present in the humidifier and humidify the heated air stream to produce a wet air stream, a cooling unit, configured to receive the wet stream and cool the wet air stream resulting in condensation of at least a portion of the moisture to produce fresh water and a dehumidified air stream; and a fresh water collection tank, configured to collect at least a portion of the fresh water.
US11148956B2 Systems and methods to treat flue gas desulfurization waste to produce ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate products
Disclosed herein are system and methods for producing a high purity ammonium sulfate product as well as either a lower or a high purity calcium carbonate product by reacting flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum feedstock in batch or continuous mode using synthesized ammonium carbonate from ammonia and carbon dioxide gases. The high purity calcium carbonate is obtained by using a precipitation catalyst, filtering out the impurities, then precipitating a high purity calcium carbonate. Alternatively, the lower purity calcium carbonate may be dissolved in acid, impurities filtered out, then a high purity calcium carbonate is precipitated out using a soluble carbonate salt.
US11148948B2 Gasification of disulfide oil to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide (syngas)
A disulfide oil hydrocarbon stream or a mixture of a disulfide oil hydrocarbon stream and a residual oil is partially oxidized in a gasifier to produce a hot raw synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide which can be passed to a steam generating heat exchanger to cool the hot raw synthesis gas and to produce steam which can be used to generate electricity via a turbine and, optionally, subjecting the cooled synthesis gas to the water/gas shift reaction to produce additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
US11148944B2 Systems and methods for mechanosynthesis
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for performing mechanosynthesis, including those that involve bulk chemical preparation of tips, multiple tips for supplying feedstock, and use of sequential tips such as in a thermodynamic cascade; such features may simplify starting requirements, increase versatility, and/or reduce complexity in the mechanosynthesis equipment and/or process.
US11148939B2 Stress compensation for piezoelectric optical MEMS devices
An apparatus includes a lens material forming a lens. The apparatus also includes a piezoelectric capacitor over the lens material, where the piezoelectric capacitor is configured to change a shape of the lens material in response to a voltage across the piezoelectric capacitor to thereby change a focus of the lens. The apparatus further includes at least one stress compensation ring over a portion of the lens material and over at least a portion of the piezoelectric capacitor. The at least one stress compensation ring is configured to at least partially reduce bending of the lens material caused by stress on or in the lens material.
US11148938B2 Substrate bonding apparatus, substrate pairing apparatus, and semiconductor device manufacturing method
According to one embodiment, a controller is configured to calculate a matching rate of grid shapes between each semiconductor wafer of a first semiconductor wafer group and each semiconductor wafer of a second semiconductor wafer group, and generate pairing information, into which combinations of semiconductor wafers used in calculation of matching rates are registered when the matching rates fall within a predetermined range. Further, the controller is configured to select a first semiconductor wafer to be held by a first semiconductor wafer holder from the first semiconductor wafer group, and select a second semiconductor wafer from semiconductor wafers of the second semiconductor wafer group, which are paired with the first semiconductor wafer, with reference to the pairing information.
US11148935B2 Full symmetric multi-throw switch using conformal pinched through via
A hermetically sealed component may comprise a glass substrate, a device with at least one electrical port associated with the glass substrate, and a glass cap. The glass cap may have at least one side wall. The glass cap may have a shaped void extending therethrough, from top surface of the glass cap to bottom surface of glass pillar. An electrically conductive plug may be disposed within the void, the plug configured to hermetically seal the void. The electrically conductive plug may be electrically coupled to the electrical port. The glass cap may be disposed on the glass substrate, with the at least one side wall disposed therebetween, to form a cavity encompassing the device. The side wall may contact the glass substrate and the glass cap to provide a hermetic seal, such that a first environment within the cavity is isolated from a second environment external to the cavity.
US11148932B2 Liquid supply device, liquid discharge device, and liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid supply device includes a liquid discharge head, a main tank, a first sub-tank, a second sub-tank, a first channel, a degassing device, and a second channel. The liquid discharge head is configured to discharge liquid. The main tank is configured to store liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head. The first sub-tank is configured to store gas and liquid and connected to the main tank and the liquid discharge head. The second sub-tank is configured to store gas and liquid and connected to the first sub-tank and the liquid discharge head. The first channel connects between the main tank and the first sub-tank. The degassing device is configured to degas liquid in the first channel. The second channel connects between the second sub-tank and the first channel.
US11148931B1 Control device for a fuel dispensing nozzle
A control device for a fuel dispensing nozzle includes a main body having a handle extending upward from the top surface, and a pair of elongated hooks extending downward from the main body. Each of the hooks being oriented perpendicular to the main body and functioning to receive and engage a handle portion of a fuel dispensing nozzle. A controller having a control grip and a lever hook is slidingly and rotationally engaged with the main body.
US11148928B1 Hot water dispenser
The present invention discloses a hot water dispenser comprising a water tank, an expansion chamber, and a Venturi module. The expansion chamber comprises a top shell, a bottom shell connected to the top shell, and a flexible bladder. Wherein, the water tank is connected to a dedicated faucet, the Venturi module is connected to a water source through the faucet, so when the dedicated faucet is closed, the expansion chamber then immediately creates suction and removes a part of the hot water from the water tank and into the expansion chamber to avoid hot water residue dripping from the faucet. In addition, when the water in the water tank is heated to its boiling point, a part of the hot water will be sucked into the expansion chamber to reduce the pressure in the water tank and prevent the hot water from being ejected out of the faucet due to vapour.
US11148926B2 Cartridge receptacle, cartridge system, beverage preparation machine, and method for producing a beverage
The invention relates to a cartridge system (1) for producing a beverage in a beverage preparation machine, comprising a cartridge (2) that has a reservoir (6) filled with a beverage substance (7), and a cartridge receptacle (10) that can be reversibly connected to the cartridge, said cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a mixing chamber (8) and a cartridge discharge device (34) which causes at least partial transfer of the beverage substance (7) from the reservoir (6) into the mixing chamber (8), the cartridge receptacle (10) comprising a fluid supply (12) which opens into the mixing chamber (8). The invention also relates to the cartridge receptacle (10) of the cartridge system (1), the beverage preparation machine, and the corresponding method for producing a beverage (70).
US11148925B2 Refrigerator equipped with apparatus for producing carbonated water
A refrigerator includes a body, a storage chamber, a door, a water tank to store clean water, a carbonated water production module mounted to a back surface of the door while including a carbon dioxide gas cylinder stored with carbon dioxide gas, and a carbonated water tank to produce carbonated water through mixing of the clean water with the carbon dioxide gas, a dispenser including a dispensation space formed at the door, a carbonated discharge line to connect the carbonated water tank and the dispensation space, so as to retrieve the carbonated water in the dispensation space, and a clean water discharge line to connect the water tank and the dispensation space without passing through the carbonated water tank, so as to retrieve the clean water in the dispensation space, and a carbonated water regulator to maintain a discharge pressure of the carbonated water at a predetermined pressure.
US11148923B2 Device and method for filling a container with a filling product
A device for filling a container with a filling product, preferably for filling a glass container with a beverage in a bottling plant, comprising a filling valve for introducing the filling product into the container to be filled, a control device for controlling the filling valve, and a filling level sensor which communicates with the control device for detecting the presence of a target filling level (HS) of the filling product in the container, the control device being configured to close the filling valve upon detection of the target filling level (HS), the control device being configured to determine the presence of the target filling level (HS) by means of the filling level sensor again after the filling valve has been closed and to initiate an ejection process for the container if it is detected that the target filling level (HS) has been undershot.
US11148922B2 Actuator failure detection systems and methods
A lift device comprises a base, a retractable lift mechanism, a work platform, a linear actuator, and a lift controller. The base has a plurality of wheels. The retractable lift mechanism has a first end coupled to the base and is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The work platform is configured to support a load. The work platform is coupled to and supported by a second end of the retractable lift mechanism. The linear actuator is configured to selectively move the retractable lift mechanism between the extended position and the retracted position. The lift controller is configured to monitor at least one lift characteristic associated with the linear actuator and to determine whether an actuator failure has been detected based on the at least one lift characteristic associated with the linear actuator.
US11148921B2 Pothole protection mechanism for a lift machine
A pothole protection mechanism provides additional support for a lift vehicle in the event a wheel is driven into a hole while the platform is elevated. The mechanism includes a pair of extendible and retractable pothole protection bars. A mechanism serves to actuate the pothole protection mechanism based on a position of the vehicle lifting section. Components are included to provide support when deployed, to assist in deploying, and to enable platform lift down in the event that the pothole protection bars are stuck in the deployed position.
US11148918B2 Drum/ring gear assembly for winches with geared transmission
A drum and ring gear assembly for winches with geared transmission which comprises a substantially cylindrical drum adapted to be actuated rotationally about its own longitudinal axis and a ring gear accommodated substantially coaxially inside the drum, which are mutually associated so as to rotate integrally about the longitudinal axis by virtue of connecting means; the connecting means is of the positive and/or direct friction type.
US11148916B2 Construction machine
A construction machine improves ease of assembly of travelling body weights installed in a truck frame and allows a worker to easily move between one pair of side frames through the travelling body weights. The construction machine includes a lower travelling body of a crane includes a truck frame, a left side frame and a right side frame, and a front weight and a rear weight. The front weight and the rear weight each include a lower weight and an upper weight. An upper surface part of the upper weight extends continuously along a left and right direction, and a moving passage is formed between the one pair of side frames.
US11148911B2 Positive locking latch assembly for hook
A positive locking latch assembly for a hook having an open saddle. The latch assembly includes a latch body having a latch face and a pair of opposed sides. The latch body rotates between an open position and a closed position. A torsion spring urges the latch body toward the closed position. A lock plate retained within the latch body is movable between a locked and an unlocked position. A compression spring urges the lock plate toward the locked position. A tab extending from the lock plate extends into an opening in the latch face. A lip extending from the tab is manually movable to engage the latch face in order to retain the lock plate in an unlocked position.
US11148908B2 Elevator door with sensor for determining whether to reopen door
Disclosed is a system for an elevator door of an elevator car, wherein a controller controls the elevator door to travel in a proximate direction when closing and travel in a distal direction when opening, the system including: a panel that forms an exterior surface of an elevator door, the panel including a front surface extending in a widthwise direction between a proximate end and an opposing distal end to form a front surface of the elevator door, the panel including a proximate end surface extending in a depthwise direction to form a proximate end surface of the elevator door, the proximate end surface of the panel comprising a resilient portion that is capable of engaging a sensor in the panel when the elevator door is closing, and thereafter the controller instructs the elevator door to reopen.
US11148904B2 Expandable coil deployment system for drum assembly and method of using same
A coil deployment system and one or more methods of manipulating a coil deployment system, is provided. The coil deployment system has a trailer frame of one or more frame components including a pair of support brackets, a first pair of lower support arms, a second pair of lower support arms, a first pair of upper support arms, and a second pair of upper support arms. The trailer frame is adjustable such that the width and height of the trailer can be adjusted to manipulate and accommodate various sizes of coil drums of spoolable pipe deploy, collect, transport or store the spoolable pipe.
US11148902B2 Medium transporting device, image reading apparatus, and transporting control method
There is provided a medium transporting device including: a medium placement section on which a medium is placed, a feeding roller feeding a medium from the medium placement section, a motion detection sensor detects a motion of a medium, and a controller that stops feeding of a medium based on a detection value received from the motion detection sensor, in which the motion detection sensor is a two-dimensional sensor including a light emitting section and a light receiving section and detecting a motion of a medium, the medium placement section is provided with a placement detector that acquires information relating to a presence/absence of a medium on the medium placement section, and the controller sets a state of the light emitting section to a non-light emitting state when detection information of the placement detector indicates that a medium is absent on the medium placement section.
US11148901B2 Apparatus and method for application of discrete material segments to running web material
An apparatus and method for applying discrete segments to a continuous web includes feeding a first continuous web to a roller, the first continuous web comprising one or more layers, feeding a second continuous web to a vacuum anvil, cutting the first continuous web into a plurality of discrete segments via interaction of the roller with at least one cutting element selectively positionable adjacent the roller, transferring each of the plurality of discrete segments from the roller onto the second continuous web at a first location and via a vacuum pressure from the vacuum anvil, and bonding each of the plurality of discrete segments to the second continuous web at a second location downstream from the first location in a machine direction, each of the plurality of discrete segments bonded to the second continuous web via interaction of the vacuum anvil with a bonding device positioned at the second location.
US11148895B2 Rewinding machine and method of producing logs of web material
The rewinding machine includes a first winding cradle formed between a first winding roller, a second winding roller and a third winding roller. The first winding roller and the second winding roller define a nip through which there pass the winding cores with the web material being wound around them. The rewinding machine also includes a feed path of the winding cores that pass between the first winding roller and the third winding roller. A second winding cradle is formed between the first winding roller, the second winding roller and a fourth winding roller. The rewinding machine also includes a rolling surface extending around the first winding roller and defining a feed channel of the winding cores.
US11148887B2 Conveying and sorting apparatus
A conveying and sorting apparatus has a plurality of tilting conveyor units in a row in a conveying direction, and reflective photoelectric sensors. The tilting conveyor units are supported above a frame so as to be able to swing to the left and right about a support shaft which is parallel with the conveying direction, between a horizontal conveying orientation and a tilted orientation for ejecting the object being conveyed, by means of gravity, in the lateral direction with respect to the conveying direction. The reflecting photoelectric sensors detect objects being conveyed which pass between the tilting conveyor units by means of light beams which pass, in the vertical direction, between tilting conveyor units which adjoin one another in the conveying direction. The reflecting photoelectric sensors are attached to a support member which surrounds the periphery of the support shaft and which is supported by the frame.
US11148879B2 Waste basket liner securing apparatus
A waste-basket-liner-bag-retaining apparatus including a pair of liner bag retaining apertures formed on opposing sides of a waste basket to receive and secure a waste basket liner bag. Reusable aperture covers can be secured over the apertures to occlude the apertures. A waste-basket-liner-bag-retaining apparatus includes hook inserts secured to either side of a waste basket to provide hooks for retaining an end of a waste basket liner bag. In another embodiment, two sets of magnets, each set formed within, or secured to inner surfaces of, opposing waste basket container walls of a waste basket container that secured magnetized hooks. A waste-basket-liner-bag-retaining apparatus includes apertures formed on opposing sides of a waste basket container, each with a retractable cover to secure portions of a liner bag in the apertures. The retractable covers may include rotatable bag retaining tabs.
US11148866B2 Airbag with a hammock
Disclosed is an airbag having an upstanding wall defining an inner volume of a bag. The upstanding wall having an upper perimeter defining the opening of the bag. A web having a body and a perimeter around the body. The perimeter of the web bonded with the upper perimeter of the upstanding wall, wherein the body can be received into the inner volume of the bag forming an inner pouch, wherein the depth of the inner pouch inside the bag is less than the depth of the inner volume of the bag.
US11148856B2 Passivation, pH protective or lubricity coating for pharmaceutical package, coating process and apparatus
A method for providing a passivation layer or pH protective coating on a substrate surface by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising polymerizing gases. The lubricity, passivation, pH protective, hydrophobicity, and/or barrier properties of the passivation layer or pH protective coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the precursor feed, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a passivation layer or pH protective coating made by the method is provided. Pharmaceutical packages coated by the method and the use of such packages protecting composition contained in the vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the package without a passivation layer or pH protective coating material are also provided.
US11148854B2 Dispenser and process
A dispenser (10) for dispensing a flowable material M has a container (12) having an outer wall (20) and membrane (14) collectively defining a first chamber (22) configured to contain the flowable material M. The membrane (14) has a thickness and a weld seam (40) wherein the weld seam (40) has a thickness less than the thickness of the membrane (14). A fracturing mechanism (16) is operably connected to the container (12). The fracturing mechanism (16) has an extending member (64) projecting from the outer wall (20) of the container (12). The extending member (64) has a projection (66) positioned proximate the membrane (14), wherein in response to deflection of the extending member (64), the projection (66) deflects the outer wall (20) proximate the membrane (14) wherein the weld seam (40) fractures creating an opening (41) through the membrane (14) configured to allow the flowable material M to pass therethrough and from the dispenser (10).
US11148853B2 Container closure
An automatic opening and closing device for a container comprises a closure flap within the container and a pivot arm with a weighted portion. When the container is in a first position, the centre of mass of the weighted portion is offset horizontally and vertically from the pivot point of the pivot arm and acts to bias the closure flap to close an opening in the container. When the container is rotated in a first direction to a second position, the weighted portion causes the pivot arm and closure flap to rotate relative to the container in a second direction opposite to the first direction, to bias the closure flap away from the opening. In the first position, the weighted portion is offset vertically by a greater distance than it is offset horizontally. A locking mechanism may also be provided, which is operable to the user to keep the container closed even when tilted.
US11148841B2 Apparatus and method for vacuum packaging solid drilling fluid additives
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for vacuum packaging drilling fluid additives and is particularly effective for low bulk density material. Vacuum sealing technology is employed to decrease the volume of the additive, thereby enabling packaging of larger quantity of additive per bag, effective utilization of storage space and reduced transportation costs. The invention overcomes the drawback of conventional vacuum packing machines where the material being packaged drifts out of the packaging bag into the vacuum chamber on vacuum creation and further deposits on the sealable portion at the open end of the bag leading to ineffective sealing of the bag opening. The apparatus of the invention is modified to increase the headspace between the sealing element of the apparatus and drilling fluid additive being sealed, thereby eliminating the movement of the additive into the vacuuming chamber and deposit on the bag opening.
US11148837B2 Pouch forming mold configuration, and method
A mold configuration for forming a pocket in a film comprising: a film support surface; a perimeter edge at said film support surface; wall surfaces inward of the perimeter edge defining a mold cavity; the wall surfaces including transition wall surfaces extending to a bottom wall surface; and a plateau surface inward of the perimeter edge. In one form, the perimeter edge includes sharp corner profile perimeter edge portions defining at least one sharp corner profile. A method of forming a pouch, includes using the disclosed mold configuration.
US11148833B1 Spacecraft propellant management system
A spacecraft includes a propulsion system including an inert gas stored in a set of pressurant tanks, one or more electric thrusters operable with the inert gas, one or more cold gas thrusters operable with the inert gas; and a pneumatic arrangement including commandable valves.
US11148828B2 Tape elevation adjustment device for aircraft arresting systems
Embodiments relate to aircraft arresting systems that use a net or a cable that extends across a section of a runway. Ends of the net or cable are secured to an elongated tape, which is secured to and forms a part of an energy absorbing brake system. The elongated tape is secured around a tape reel and is allowed to reel out (or “pay out”) once the aircraft is engaged. Described is a system for adjusting the height of the tape such that its elevation can be altered between the point at which it leaves the energy absorbing brake system and when it reaches the aircraft runway.
US11148819B2 Battery module for electrically-driven aircraft
A battery module can include multiple cell tubes, a first conductive plate, and multiple first spacers. The multiple cell tubes can accommodate multiple battery cells within the multiple cell tubes so that individual of the multiple battery cells are positioned within individual of the multiple cell tubes. The first conductive plate can include multiple first holes and electrically connect first terminals of the multiple cells. The multiple first spacers can be mounted in the multiple first holes and support the multiple tubes and the multiple cells with respect to the first conductive plate, the multiple first spacers being configured to provide thermal and electrical isolation between the multiple battery cells and the first conductive plate.
US11148813B2 Liquid reheater heat exchanger in an air cycle system
An environmental control system includes an airflow source, and an air cycle machine in flow communication with the airflow source, and through which an airflow from the airflow source is directed. The air cycle machine includes a compressor and a turbine. A liquid load heat exchanger is located in flow communication with the turbine such that airflow downstream of the turbine exchanges thermal energy with a liquid flow at the liquid load heat exchanger to cool the liquid flow. A liquid load reheater is located upstream of the turbine and upstream of the liquid load heat exchanger. The liquid load reheater is configured such that a thermal energy exchange between the airflow prior to the airflow entering the turbine and the liquid flow prior to the liquid flow entering the liquid load heat exchanger occurs at the liquid load reheater.
US11148809B2 Systems and methods for preventing the stowage of ejection seat arm catcher members
The present disclosure provides an arm catcher system for an aircraft ejection seat. The arm catcher system may comprise a first support member configured to rotate in a first direction to be deployed in response to an ejection event and a first persistent locking mechanism coupled to the first support member, wherein the first persistent locking mechanism is configured to allow the support member to rotate in the first direction and configured to prevent the first support member from rotating in a second direction opposite the first direction.
US11148804B2 System and method for tracking targets
A method of tracking a movement of a target by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) includes determining a distance between the target and the UAV, acquiring image data of the target by a camera of the UAV, determining two-dimensional pixel coordinate data associated with a plurality of features of the target from the image data, determining a physical dimension based on the two-dimensional pixel coordinate data and the distance, and determining three-dimensional location coordinate data of the target with respect to the UAV based on the physical dimension and at least one of the two-dimensional pixel coordinate data or the distance.
US11148803B2 Take off and landing system for drone for use with an autonomous vehicle
An autonomous vehicle includes a retractable harness mounted within the vehicle and extendible through an opening in the vehicle body, such as a sun roof. The harness may include a retainer, such as an electromagnet, for engaging a docking structure on an aerial drone. On take-off, the vehicle may reach a desirable take-off speed of the aerial drone, activate the aerial drone, and release the retainer. On landing, the aerial drone and vehicle may synchronize their speeds and locations. The retractable harness may extend and align itself with the aerial drone, which descends and docks with the retractable harness.
US11148801B2 Configuration for vertical take-off and landing system for aerial vehicles
A vehicle, includes a main body. A fluid generator is coupled to the main body and produces a fluid stream. At least one tail conduit is fluidly coupled to the generator. First and second fore ejectors are coupled to the main body and respectively coupled to a starboard side and port side of the vehicle. The fore ejectors respectively comprise an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. At least one tail ejector is fluidly coupled to the tail conduit. The tail ejector comprises an outlet structure out of which fluid flows. A primary airfoil element includes a closed wing having a leading edge and a trailing edge. The leading and trailing edges of the closed wing define an interior region. The at least one propulsion device is at least partially disposed within the interior region.
US11148797B1 Low observable aircraft having trinary lift fans
An aircraft operable to transition between thrust-borne lift in a VTOL orientation and wing-borne lift in a forward flight orientation. The aircraft has a blended wing body and includes an engine, a trinary lift fan system, a forced air bypass system and an exhaust system. The engine has a turboshaft mode and a turbofan mode. The lift fan system includes a plurality of ducted fans in a tandem lateral and forward orientation. In the VTOL orientation of the aircraft, the engine is in the turboshaft mode coupled to the lift fan system such that the engine provides rotational energy to the ducted fans generating the thrust-borne lift. In the forward flight orientation of the aircraft, the engine is in the turbofan mode coupled to the forced air bypass system such that bypass air combines with engine exhaust in the exhaust system to provide forward thrust generating the wing-borne lift.
US11148796B2 Tail rotor assembly
Systems and methods include providing a helicopter, with a fuselage, a tail boom extending from the fuselage, a main rotor system, and a tail rotor assembly disposed on an aft end of the tail boom. The tail rotor assembly includes a tail rotor housing, at least one normal ducted fan that generate anti-torque thrust to prevent rotation of the fuselage, and at least one canted ducted fan configured to generate both anti-torque thrust to prevent of the fuselage and lift to the tail boom in order to control the pitch of the helicopter. The canted ducted fans generate sufficient lift to prevent a nose-up orientation of the helicopter when the center of gravity of the helicopter is shifted rearward behind the main rotor system, while the normal ducted fans maintain sufficient anti-torque thrust to prevent rotation of the fuselage when the main rotor is operated.
US11148794B2 Method of determining an initial leading edge circle of airfoils of a blade and of improving the blade in order to increase its negative stall angle of attack
A method of determining an initial leading edge circle for airfoils of a blade and of improving a blade, and also an improved blade and a advancement propeller including the improved blade. The radius of the initial leading edge circle of each airfoil of the blade is determined and then increased, and its leading edge is moved away from a pressure side half-airfoil towards a suction side half-airfoil, thereby modifying the airfoil of each cross-section of the blade and modifying the camber of each airfoil. Consequently, the absolute value of the negative stall angle of attack of the blade is increased, thus making it possible to increase the aerodynamic performance of the blade under a negative angle of attack compared with a blade that is not modified, and without significantly degrading its aerodynamic performance under a positive angle of attack.
US11148785B2 Parallel actuation control system providing dual mode operator control inputs for a compound aircraft
A flight control system having a plurality of dual mode operator control inputs is disclosed and includes a plurality of active parallel actuators, one or more processors, and memory coupled to the one or more processors. The memory stores data comprising a database and program code that, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the flight control system to receive a signal indicating an airspeed of the compound aircraft and select between rotary and fixed wing modes of operation based on the airspeed. In response to selecting a mode of operation, the flight control system sends either a rotary or a fixed wing force feel profile to the plurality of active parallel actuators, where the force feel profile defines the respective detent force gradient, where the fixed wing detent force gradient is at least about two times greater than a rotary wing detent force gradient.
US11148776B2 Tiller system for a marine outboard engine
A tiller system for a marine outboard engine having a tiller bracket is described. The tiller system comprises a tiller for mounting to the tiller bracket. A speed input control is mounted to the tiller and a speed input control position sensor detects a position of the speed input control. A control unit is mounted to the tiller and is operatively connected to the speed input control position sensor. The control unit converts the position of the speed input control into a speed input message. A digital communication port of the control unit transmits the speed input message to the marine outboard engine over a controller area network bus. A marine outboard engine having the tiller system and a marine outboard engine system for a watercraft are also described.
US11148775B2 Watercraft and associated pedal drive system
A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.
US11148773B2 Robotic fish with multiple torque reaction engines
A robotic fish comprises one or more torque reaction engines and a fish body, wherein the torque reaction engine cyclically oscillates and causes a wave to propagate across the fish body, including through a flexible wing, accelerating thrust fluid and propelling the robotic fish.
US11148769B2 Unmanned marine vehicle retrieval apparatus and methods
Methods and apparatus for retrieving an unmanned marine vehicle from water are disclosed. The unmanned marine vehicle includes a float and a glider connected by a tether. The apparatus includes a buoyant frame having spaced frame arms defining a receiving bay sized to receive the float, and the buoyant frame includes a front end defining an opening of the receiving bay. A glider recovery assembly is coupled to the buoyant frame and includes a first tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, and a second tether guide coupled to the buoyant frame, wherein the first tether guide and the second tether guide are cooperatively shaped to define a tether capture gap having a tether inlet adjacent the front end of the buoyant frame and a tether stop positioned rearward of the tether inlet.
US11148768B2 Active stabilizing device and method
An active stabilizing device for a primary damping of rolling movements of a ship or other watercraft including a hull including at least one positioning device having a drive journal and a stabilizing fin with a stabilizing surface and a root, the drive journal being attached to the stabilizing fin at the root, the stabilizing surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge and being configured to be disposed underwater. The positioning device is configured to set an angle of attack of the stabilizing fin by rotating the drive journal about a first axis of rotation and to pivot the drive journal about a second axis of rotation to move the stabilizing fin between a forward position and a rearward position relative to a bow of the watercraft.
US11148765B2 Inflatable platform
An inflatable platform that is utilized on the ocean or other bodies of water for relaxation, entertainment, or other recreational purposes includes two floating bodies. The larger floating body has a recess with a mesh panel so the user may access water filtered by the mesh panel while relaxing on the larger floating body. The user may place the smaller floating body next to the larger floating body to create more space for another user or may put the smaller floating body into the recess and use the present invention as a swim platform, tanning deck, or other recreational purpose.
US11148763B2 Floatable apparatus and a coupling assembly for a floatable apparatus
A floatable apparatus includes a floatable body defining a longitudinal axis parallel with the length of the floatable body, a supporting member positioned under the floatable body for exerting a lifting force onto the floatable apparatus and a coupling assembly coupling the floatable body to the supporting member. The coupling assembly includes a base adapted to secure to the floatable body and a joint adapted to secure to the supporting member. The joint is detachably attached to the base and movable from a first position at which the joint is pivotable about and detachable from the base and a second position at which the joint abuts and is secured to the base. A coupling assembly for a floatable apparatus with a floatable body under which a supporting member is positioned for exerting a lifting force onto the floatable apparatus is also provided.
US11148762B2 Water sports device
The invention relates to a water sports device comprising an inflatable body component (1) having a longitudinal direction (L) and inflatable arms (8a, 8b) on a rear end, the arms being distanced from one another and orientated in the longitudinal direction (L), between which arms a receptacle (2) having an inner contour is formed, and comprising a drive component (7) having a tread surface (4) and an underwater surface (3), which drive component is formed with a complimentary contour (10a, 10b, 11) on two longitudinal sides (10a, 10b) that are distanced from one another and which component can be inserted into the receptacle (2) from the rear end, wherein the inner contour and the complimentary outer contour (10a, 10b, 11) form a connection to one another and a position of the inserted drive component (7) in the receptacle (2) is secured in the direction of the tread surface.
US11148752B2 Torque sensor for an electric bicycle
An electric bicycle having an electric motor mounted to a frame of the bicycle and which includes a motor output shaft defining an output end engaging a drive chain of the bicycles drive train to transmit the drive of the electric motor thereto. A torque sensor includes a base mounted in fixed relation to the frame and/or the electric motor. The torque sensor has a flexible arm extending from the base and a sensing member mounted to an extremity of the flexible arm that is displaceable relative to the base. The sensing member engages the drive chain along a segment thereof and is displaceable thereby. The segment of the drive chain extends from the output end of the motor output shaft to the pedal crank of the drive train.
US11148751B2 Adjustable footrest for a vehicle
A footrest assembly for mounting to a vehicle rail. A position of the assembly along the rail is adjustable. A footrest is connected to a rail mount to be pivotable about a footrest pivot axis between an adjustment position allowing adjustment of the assembly along the rail and a locked position. A clamping member, movable by the footrest relative to the rail mount, is in a releasing position when the footrest is in the adjustment position and in a clamping position when the footrest is in the locked position. When the clamping member is in the clamping position and the assembly is mounted to the rail, a portion of the clamping member and a portion of the rail mount are disposed on opposite sides of the rail and the clamping member applies a clamping pressure to the rail. The locked position sets the position of the assembly along the rail.
US11148746B2 Foldable personal vehicle
A foldable personal such as a tricycle which can be convertible into a stroller, is configured for accommodating a child therein and for preventing, when desired, the child from being able to steer the vehicle, vehicle having an operational state and a storage state, in which it can take an extremely compact form. The vehicle has a longitudinal axis lying in its vertical plane of symmetry and having a horizontal reference plane perpendicular to the plane of symmetry, and it takes its compact form in the storage state both in the direction along its longitudinal axis and in the directions perpendicular to this axis both along the plane of symmetry and perpendicular to the plane of symmetry.
US11148743B1 Front fender fixing structure for dirt bike
A front fender fixing structure for a dirt bike includes a front fender and a fixing plate. The front fender includes a connecting portion and a plurality of first locking holes. The connecting portion includes a plurality of first engaging members arranged in an array. The fixing plate includes a plurality of second engaging members arranged in an array and a plurality of second locking holes. The second engaging members correspond to the first engaging members. The first locking holes correspond to the second locking holes. The fixing plate is fixed to the connecting portion by the first locking members and the second locking members that are arranged in an array. Because the first and second engaging members are arranged in an array, when the fixing plate is placed on the connecting portion, the fixing plate can be fixed at the adjustment position without moving because of locking screws.
US11148742B2 Storage case
A link mechanism includes a first link connected to an operation element, and a second link for connecting the first link and a hook member. The hook member includes a hook portion disposed on a distal end portion of the hook member and engaged with the vehicle body, and a link mechanism connecting portion disposed on a base end portion of the hook member and connected to a first connecting shaft on one end portion of the second link. The hook member is pivotably supported by a turning shaft disposed between the hook portion and the link mechanism connecting portion. When the hook portion is engaged with the vehicle body, a straight line L1 connecting the turning shaft and the first connecting shaft is substantially orthogonal to a straight line connecting the first connecting shaft and a second connecting shaft, which is connected to the first link.
US11148740B2 Scooter rack
A rack for scooters is disclosed. The rack generally includes a base portion and a rack plate mounted to the base portion. The rack plate may include a top plate that is generally parallel to the ground and a front plate extending downward from the top plate. The top plate may include a plurality of slots, each of which is configured to receive a neck portion of a scooter. Each of the slots may be configured to support a scooter in an upright position when the scooter is placed therein. The slots may be tapered, allowing for scooters of varying designs to be supported therein. The rack plate may also include one or more apertures configured to receive a portion of a locking mechanism, such that the locking mechanism can be used to secure a scooter within a slot to prevent theft.
US11148730B2 Vehicle frame construction and method
A vehicle frame construction and method includes an elongated hollow frame member having a plurality of interior sides and a reinforcement member. The reinforcement member is formed from a thermoplastic polymer and is installed so as to be arranged within the elongated hollow frame member to reinforce each interior side of the elongated hollow frame member in a plane orthogonally oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated hollow frame member.
US11148717B2 Fastening element
The invention relates to a fastening element (100) for fastening a first component (6) to a second component (4). The fastening element (100) comprises a body (102), which comprises a first engagement portion (104) on a first side (106), wherein the first engagement portion (104) comprises either a recess or a projection for mating with a complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component. The body (102) further comprises a first set of through holes (110) for receipt of fasteners, wherein the first set of through holes are positioned in such a way that the first engagement portion (104) of the body and the complimentary shaped engagement portion of the first component may be held against each other in an engaged state via the fasteners.
US11148710B2 Plunger assembly for a power steering system
A plunger assembly for a power steering system comprises a plunger and a tappet. The plunger is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a plunger passageway in a housing of the power steering system. The tappet is disposed within and longitudinally movable along a port defined by the housing. The port is disposed at an angle with respect to the plunger passageway within the housing. The port communicates with the plunger passageway and an area exterior of the power steering system. A power steering system and method of setting the same are also disclosed.
US11148705B2 Steering column device
A steering column device includes: a lower tube configured to be attached to a vehicle body; a upper tube provided to be movable relative to the lower tube in a vehicle body front-rear direction; and a cylindrical retainer interposed between the lower tube and the upper tube. In addition, the steering column device includes an energy absorption mechanism arranged between the lower tube and the upper tube. The energy absorption mechanism has: a long hole provided in the lower tube; a restriction portion provided on the retainer and arranged in the long hole; and a restriction projection provided on the upper tube, and arranged in the long hole while being positioned on a rear side of the vehicle body relative to the restriction portion.
US11148704B2 Steering column having an energy absorption device
A steering column for a motor vehicle, having an inner casing tube which rotatably supports a steering shaft, and an outer casing unit in which the inner casing tube is received movably in the axial direction and is fixable, also having an energy absorption device which is arranged functionally between the casing tube and the casing unit, in which a portion of the energy occurring in the event of a crash can be absorbed when the casing tube is moved telescopically relative to the casing unit, wherein the energy absorption device comprises at least one deformation strip, which is pulled through a brake element and thereby deformed, is improved according to the invention in order to reduce the installation space of the overall steering column in that the deformation strip is fastened on a carrier plate, which in turn is fastened to the casing tube and projects in the axial direction beyond the casing tube.
US11148703B2 Support bracket for steering apparatus and steering apparatus
Construction for reinforcing the strength of a pair of support plate sections is achieved. Upper end edges of the pair of support plate sections are fastened to a bottom surface of a bridge plate section of an installation plate section via lug sections for welding. A reinforcing member comprising a protrusion which is convex on the outside in the width direction and concave on the inside in the width direction is provided from the upper end section to the lower end section of the front-end section of each one of the pair of support plate sections.
US11148702B2 Damper structure provided in steering wheel of vehicle
A damper structure provided in a steering wheel of a vehicle to be able to achieve an improved effect of reducing vibration in a low frequency region and structurally prevent noise generation. The damper structure includes a plate member which faces the steering wheel and to which an airbag module is to be attached, an insulator attached to the plate member, a connector inserted into the insulator and having one end fixed to the steering wheel to be oscillated by vibration of the steering wheel, an elastic member surrounding the connector in the insulator, a ring provided with the elastic member to transmit the oscillation of the connector to the elastic member, a stopper provided around another end of the connector to face the elastic member, and a coil spring which brings the elastic member of the insulator into pressure contact with the stopper.
US11148698B2 Materials handling cart
Systems and methods for transporting objects using a cart that is driven by human action or self-driving vehicle is disclosed. The cart system and method comprises a chassis portion supporting a payload to be moved by the cart. The cart system further comprises of a first side rail and a second side rail. A first front wheel and first rear wheel is attached to the first side rail and a second front wheel and second rear wheel is attached to the second rail. The handle portion pushes the cart which comprises of a handle bar supported by vertical support members. The brake actuator is used to engage and release the brakes on the rear wheel. A horizontal engagement bar is used which comprises of a plurality of engagement pads. A payload-bearing surface bears payload such that the payload can be transported by the cart.
US11148690B2 Method, system, and software code for calibration of rail track circuits, and related rail track circuit
Method, system and software code for calibrating a rail track circuit comprising a plurality of rails coupled to form a track section having a predefined length, a transmit processing unit coupled to the track section at a first end of the track section, and a receive processing unit coupled at the second end of the track section. A transfer function between a transmit voltage applied by the transmit processing unit at the track section and a resulting receive current detected at the receive processing unit is first determined and then applied to the rail track circuit for automatic initial calibration or recalibration.
US11148688B2 Unattended railcar motion control system
A method and mechanism for initiating an emergency stop for an unattended railcar is disclosed. The method may include using a trip arm placed alongside the railway tracks at a designated stop point that may contact a portable trip-cock lever arm that extends out beyond the perimeter of the railcar if the railcar reaches the stop point as it moves along the track. The trip-cock lever arm may be attached to a valve that is connected to the pneumatic brake system of the unattended railcar. As the trip-cock lever arm rotates, the valve may open to release the air pressure in the pneumatic brake system causing the brakes to engage the wheels causing the railcar to stop.
US11148687B2 High voltage interconnection system
A high voltage interconnection system for electrically interconnecting a pair of objects that are movable relative to each other includes a flexible cable, a connection arrangement electrically contacting an end of the flexible cable, and a cable holder arrangement holding the flexible cable in a slidable manner. The cable holder arrangement may include a wear plate fixed to at least one of the objects and a sliding collar fixed on the flexible cable. The collar may be slidably supported to protect the flexible cable from damage as it moves.
US11148685B2 Pre-biased delayed emergency release
The manual release mechanism described herein enables a passenger to attempt to manually open the door but delays opening until the vehicle is no longer moving. A motion transfer device moves to an unlocking position of the door lock only when the manual release mechanism is activated to release store energy in a mechanical energy storage device and an electromechanical device is de-energized to release the motion transfer device.
US11148683B2 Vehicle control system, vehicle control method, and program
A vehicle control system includes an operation detector configured to detect that an operation element has been operated by an occupant, an automated driving controller configured to execute automated driving control, a switching controller configured to switch a driving mode to one of a plurality of driving modes including a first driving assistance mode and a second driving assistance mode, and an output controller configured to cause an information outputter to output prescribed information when the driving mode is switched from the second driving assistance mode to the first driving assistance mode. The switching controller continues the second driving assistance mode until it is detected that the operation element has been operated after the prescribed information is output and switches the driving mode to the first driving assistance mode by cancelling the second driving assistance mode when it is detected that the operation element has been operated.
US11148679B2 Method and control unit for operating a driver-assistance system of a vehicle
A method for operating a driver-assistance system of a vehicle includes switching from a distance controller of the driver-assistance system to an adaptive cruise control of the driver-assistance system as a function of a driver input by a driver of the vehicle expressed by an angular position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle.
US11148674B2 Method and apparatus for acquiring control amount for performance test of unmanned vehicle
Provided are a method and an apparatus for acquiring a control amount for a performance test of an unmanned vehicle, including: acquiring coordinates of y key points on a trajectory of a simulated obstacle vehicle and speeds at the y key points, where y≥2; acquiring trajectory equations of the obstacle vehicle between every two adjacent key points according to the coordinates of the y key points, where the trajectory equation is an nth degree polynomial equation, n≥2; acquiring accelerations of the obstacle vehicle between every two adjacent key points according to speeds at the y key points and a trajectory curve corresponding to the trajectory equation; for each running duration, according to the accelerations, acquiring a dynamic attribute and a coordinate when the obstacle vehicle has run for the running duration according to trajectories corresponding to the trajectory equations.
US11148665B2 Vehicular motion control device and method
Provided are a vehicular motion control device and method such that, even when a vehicle is turning, the target trajectory can be followed while maintaining traveling stability, with a reduced sense of incongruity felt by the driver. This vehicular motion control device is equipped with: a target trajectory acquisition unit that acquires a target trajectory for a vehicle to travel; and a speed control unit that increases or decreases the longitudinal acceleration generated in the vehicle, the longitudinal acceleration being positive in the vehicle travel direction. If the vehicle deviates from the target trajectory during turning, the speed control unit performs longitudinal acceleration control to increase or decrease the longitudinal acceleration.
US11148664B2 Navigation in vehicle crossing scenarios
Systems and methods are disclosed for navigating a host vehicle. In one implementation, at least one processor may be programmed to obtain images representative of an environment of a host vehicle; identify, from the images, a feature of a roadway used to navigate the host vehicle on a path, the identified feature of the roadway having an ambiguity along the path; obtain map data associated with the environment to resolve the ambiguity of the identified feature; and generate a trajectory to navigate the host vehicle on the roadway, using the map data associated with the environment.
US11148657B2 Method for heating an exhaust aftertreatment system and a hybrid vehicle adapted to heat an exhaust aftertreatment system
Method for heating an exhaust aftertreatment system in a hybrid vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, comprising the steps of measuring an exhaust condition for the function of the exhaust aftertreatment system, determining if the exhaust condition is below a predefined limit, applying a load from the electric machine on the internal combustion engine when the temperature is below the predefined limit, in order to increase the combustion engine torque, charging the battery system of the vehicle with power from the electric machine, and disconnecting the electric machine from the internal combustion engine when the exhaust condition for the function of the exhaust aftertreatment system is above the predefined limit. The advantage of the invention is that the heating of an exhaust aftertreatment system after a cold start of a hybrid vehicle can be improved, such that the exhaust emission of the vehicle can be minimized.
US11148643B2 Windshield wiper assembly
A windshield wiper assembly for an automobile, comprising a wiper arm, a wiper blade, a plurality of double claw fixtures pivotally mounted onto the wiper arm and adapted to support the wiper blade on the wiper arm, and an actuator adapted to selectively induce rotation of the wiper blade along a longitudinal axis of the wiper blade relative to the wiper arm, each of the double claw fixtures adapted to rotatably support the wiper blade.
US11148638B2 Dock management system
An apparatus manages a dock, a portion of which is disposed over a body of water, from a remote device. A control unit is disposed on the dock. A plurality of sensors is each in data communication with the control unit. Each of the plurality of sensors includes: an electric shock sensor; a water level sensor that senses a distance to the water from a predetermined location of the dock; and a theft detection circuit. A communication chipset is in data communication with the control unit. The control unit includes a processor that is programmed to transmit to the remote device via the communication chipset an indication of the following: a shock likelihood sensed by the electric shock sensor; a level detected by the water level sensor; and an alert when the theft detection circuit detects a likelihood of theft.
US11148637B2 Engine starting device
An engine starting device includes: a portable unit including a transmitting unit capable of transmitting an ID code inherent to a vehicle; a control unit having a substrate on which a receiving unit receiving the ID code, and a determination unit configured to determine whether the received ID code is a pre-registered legitimate ID are formed; a main body part including an operation knob rotationally operated between an off position and an on position, and fixed between a bar-shaped handle and a speed meter of the vehicle; and a regulation unit configured to regulate a rotational operation of the operation knob, and to release a rotation-regulated state of the operation knob on condition that the received ID code is determined as a legitimate ID. The main body part, the control unit and the regulation unit are integrally formed to configure an integral unit.
US11148628B1 System and method for occupant classification and the regulation of airbag deployment based thereon
One general aspect includes a system of restraint deployment regulation, the system includes: a memory configured to include a plurality of executable instructions and a processor configured to execute the executable instructions, where the executable instructions enable the processor to: (a) determine, based on a seat occupation sensor output, whether a non-adult occupant is occupying a vehicle seat; (b) determine, based on an in-cabin sensor output, whether a child restraint seat is mounted on the vehicle seat; and (c) based on steps (a) and (b), enable or suppress a deployment of an airbag module that corresponds with the vehicle seat.
US11148626B2 Method of controlling airbag inflator
A method of controlling an airbag inflator, may include determining, when an occupant is accommodated on a seat, whether the weight of the occupant is in which of first to fourth weight ranges sequentially allocated by a controller, performing a first logic for operating an inflator at the lowest one of three intensities by the controller when it is determined that the weight of the occupant is in the lightest first weight range, and performing a second logic for operating the inflator at the intermediate intensity or a third logic for operating the inflator at the highest intensity by the controller, according to conditions such as a position of a seat, a state of operation of a recliner, a collision condition, a collision pulse, and wearing of a belt, when it is determined that the weight of the occupant is in the third or fourth weight range.
US11148624B2 Bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle
The invention relates to a bumper arrangement for a motor vehicle, with a crossmember, a body element, a crash box arranged between crossmember and body element. The invention is distinguished in that a) a front axis of rotation is formed by a structural element, and a rear axis of rotation by a further structural element in the region of an inner wall of the crash box, and b) a tension relief element or a tension delay element is arranged in the region of an outer wall of the crash box.
US11148608B2 Windscreen and microphone device
A windscreen with good visibility of light from a light emitting part and a microphone device are provided. The windscreen 20 according to the present invention is a windscreen attached to a microphone 10 including a sound collecting part 111 and 114 configured to collect sound, and a light emitting display part 116 configured to indicate an operation state of the sound collecting part. The windscreen includes a windscreen body 21 that covers the sound collecting part, and a fixing member 22 that fixes the windscreen body to the microphone. The windscreen body includes an insertion hole 21h in which the sound collecting part is disposed. The fixing member includes a light guide part 221 that is disposed outside the insertion hole. The light guide part guides light from the light emitting part.
US11148603B2 Housing for a storage compartment, fixing system, and method for producing a housing for a storage compartment
A housing for a storage compartment of a vehicle, comprising a wall having a first surface region, which at least partly forms a first side of the wall, and a fixing opening which adjoins the first surface region, wherein a guide for guiding an opening and/or closing movement of a door of the storage compartment can be disposed in the fixing opening. The invention further relates to a fixing system for at least partially fixing a door of a storage compartment of a vehicle, and to a method for producing a housing for a storage compartment of a vehicle.
US11148596B2 Exterior rearview mirror assembly
An exterior rearview mirror assembly for mounting at a vehicle includes a mounting arm configured for attachment at an exterior portion of the vehicle, and a mirror head having a mirror casing, a mirror reflective element and a mirror actuator. The mounting arm is received through an aperture in the mirror casing and the mirror actuator is attached at the mounting arm inside the mirror casing. The mirror actuator is electrically operable to adjust the mirror reflective element and the mirror casing relative to the mounting arm. The aperture allows for movement of the mirror casing relative to the mounting arm during operation of the mirror actuator. A powerfold actuator may be operable to pivot the mirror head relative to the base portion between a folded or non-use position and an extended or use position.
US11148592B2 Motorcycle driving assistance device
A motorcycle driving assistance device includes: a curve traveling determination unit for determining whether or not an own vehicle is traveling on a curve; a radius-of-curvature calculation unit for, when it is determined that the own vehicle is traveling on a curve, calculating a radius of curvature of the curve; an other-vehicle lane estimation unit for comparing the radius of curvature and a distance between another vehicle and a center of curvature of the curve, and estimating a traveling lane of the other vehicle; and an alarm determination unit for determining whether or not output of an approach alarm is needed, on the basis of a distance between the own vehicle and the other vehicle, a relative velocity of the other vehicle, and a relationship between a traveling lane of the own vehicle and the traveling lane of the other vehicle.
US11148586B2 Wheel illumination apparatus
A wheel illumination apparatus is disclosed. The wheel illumination apparatus includes a diffuser ring set behind wheel of a motor vehicle with a lighting source disposed behind the diffuser to illuminate the wheel. The light source is carried in a channel ring that is positioned on an inboard side of the diffuser ring. The light source may be an LED lighting strip. The light strip may be electrically coupled to an electrical system of the motor vehicle or may have a rechargeable battery. The lighting system of the present invention creates a visual impression where the wheels themselves seem to glow, rather than the wheel well or other areas on a vehicle.
US11148585B2 Decorative component for a vehicle with light emitting finish
A decorative component with a light emitting finish includes a transmissive portion including a resin material configured to carry light through the transmissive portion. A plateable portion is attached to the transmissive portion and includes a resin material configured to receive a metal material via electroplating. The plateable portion overlays a portion of the transmissive portion. A metal finish portion is applied to the plateable portion, and the metal finish portion overlays the plateable portion. A plurality of openings are defined by gaps in the finish portion and the plateable portion. Light carried by the transmissive portion exits the component through the openings.
US11148583B2 Vehicular forward viewing image capture system
A vehicular forward viewing image capture system includes an accessory module configured for attachment at an in-cabin side of a windshield of a vehicle, whereby the imaging sensor views through the windshield forward of the equipped vehicle. With the accessory module attached at the in-cabin side of the windshield, and while the vehicle is traveling along a road, a control processes captured image data to determine (i) presence of an object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor and (ii) location and/or movement of the object of interest viewed by the imaging sensor. The control, responsive to the processing of captured image data and responsive to vehicle data received via a vehicle communication bus, at least in part provides at least one selected from the group consisting of (a) traffic sign recognition, (b) traffic light status detection, (c) adaptive cruise control and (d) pedestrian detection.
US11148575B2 Trailer system
A trailer system and method of using the same are described herein where the trailer system allows for storage in a compact space and reduction of weight of the trailer system. The trailer system in some embodiments may have a center rail with a hinge so that the trailer can fold in half and be positioned against a vertical wall for storage. The trailer system can also have a sliding basket system for receiving the wheels of a vehicle to allow for the storage of the trailer system in a compact space, to allow the trailer system to receive vehicles with different wheelbases, and to reduce the weight of the trailer system.
US11148570B2 Actuating rear center head restraint
A rear-center head restraint system of an automobile vehicle includes a rear seatback of the automobile vehicle. A head restraint assembly is rotatably mounted to the rear seatback and is moved between a stowed position and an in-use position. The head restraint assembly includes a rear head restraint body defining an L-shape and includes a forward-facing surface moved toward a head of an occupant at the in-use position. At least a first link and a second link are rotatably connected to the seatback. The first link and the second link are also rotatably connected to the rear head restraint body. A release system rotates the head restraint assembly selectively between the stowed position and the in-use position.
US11148563B2 Airbag and seat apparatus for vehicle
An airbag includes plural bag portions respectively including two sheet members which are attached to each other, the plural bag portions arranged to be overlapped with each other in a thickness direction of the sheet member, and a welded portion at which the sheet members being in contact with each other are attached to each other. The welded portion includes a communication hole penetrating the sheet members which are in contact with each other to communicate the bag portions which are arranged to be overlapped with each other, and a rib portion arranged radially outward of the communication hole, the rib portion protruding in the thickness direction from a welded surface of the welded portion. The rib portion includes an annular rib surrounding the communication hole, and a cutout portion provided at the annular rib.
US11148556B2 Vehicle seat hinge assembly
A vehicle seat hinge assembly including a base plate, a seat support assembly, and an off-center hinge. The base plate is configured to mount to a vehicle and the seat support assembly is configured to mount to the seat. The off-center hinge of the vehicle seat hinge assembly is positioned at one corner of the base plate and pivotally couples at least part of the seat support assembly to the base plate. The base plate has a base plate centerline and the off-center hinge has a hinge axis that is arranged at an oblique angle relative to the base plate centerline.
US11148545B2 Vehicle ground fault detection
A vehicle power system includes a traction battery, a non-isolated power converter, a current sensor that measures phase current input to the non-isolated power converter during charging of the traction battery with grid power, and a controller. The controller interrupts an electrical connection between the traction battery and a source of the grid power responsive to a magnitude of a 3rd harmonic component of the phase current exceeding a threshold value to prevent further charging of the traction battery.
US11148544B2 Vehicle backup device
A backup device includes: a charging unit that charges a second power source unit on the basis of the power supply from a first power source unit; a voltage detection unit detects the output voltage of the second power source unit; a vehicle speed information acquisition unit acquires vehicle speed information; and a control unit sets, on the basis of at least the vehicle speed information acquired by the vehicle speed information acquisition unit, a charging target voltage according to a setting method in which the voltage is set higher as the vehicle speed indicated by the vehicle speed information is greater, and causes, on the basis of the output voltage of the second power source unit detected by the voltage detection unit, the charging unit to perform the charging operation so as to bring the output voltage of the second power source unit close to the charging target voltage.
US11148543B2 Car windshield auxiliary battery apparatus
A car windshield auxiliary battery apparatus for storing reserve power to start a vehicle includes a pair of capacitor plates configured to be coupled within a windshield of a vehicle. The pair of capacitor plates lies in parallel planes and comprises a first plate and a second plate configured to be in operational communication with a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a vehicle battery, respectively. A dielectric material is coupled between the pair of capacitor plates. A switch is configured to be coupled within the vehicle and is in operational communication with the pair of capacitor plates and the vehicle battery to interrupt or allow power flow therebetween.
US11148541B2 Locating an electric vehicle at a charging station
A method of locating an electric vehicle at a charging station having multiple chargers is includes, receiving at multiple fixed transceivers positioned at different locations in the charging station, signals from the electric vehicle as the electric vehicle moves in the charging station, and determining, at a controller, a current location of the electric vehicle in the charging station using the signals received by the multiple fixed transceivers.
US11148530B2 Multi-purpose vehicle
A multi-purpose vehicle is disclosed that includes a mode change switch for operating a travel mode of a vehicle body and a mode control device for switching the travel mode of the vehicle body in response to an operation of the mode change switch. The mode control device switches the travel mode of the vehicle body between a two-wheel engine driving mode in which only an engine is driven, a two-wheel motor driving mode in which only a motor is driven, a four-wheel hybrid driving mode in which both of the engine and the motor are driven, and an OFF-mode in which none of the engine and the motor is driven.
US11148529B1 System and method for controlling traction of tandem axles
Methods and systems for improving traction and control of a tandem axle are described. In one example, a controller automatically locks an inter-axle differential so that traction of a vehicle may be improved. The approach may also include automatically locking one or more axle differentials in conjunction with locking of the inter-axle differential.
US11148528B2 Transfer gearbox device
A transfer gearbox device, comprising a differential gear with a crown wheel in a first oil chamber, and a friction clutch in a second oil chamber. The first oil chamber comprises a first oil sump and the second oil chamber comprises a second oil sump. A valve is between the first oil chamber and the second oil chamber. When the valve is open, oil can pass via the valve out of the first oil chamber into the second oil chamber. When the valve is closed, oil cannot pass via the valve out of the first oil chamber. When the valve is open, by rotating the crown wheel, oil is conveyed by the crown wheel from the first oil sump into a first oil collector and is guided therefrom via a first oil guide and via the valve to the friction clutch cool and/or to lubricate the friction clutch.
US11148522B2 Assembly for an urea tank system
Systems are provided for an assembly for a urea tank system. In one example, coaxial tubes including an inner tube and an outer tube are used to separate a urea passage from a gas passage. An angled tube, which extends from a urea tank to a portion of the outer tube downstream of a filler head relative to a direction of urea flow directs gases from the urea tank to the gas passage. This decreases a packaging size of the urea tank system.
US11148519B2 Vehicle chassis
A vehicle chassis including a vehicle frame defining an inner space and being operable to switch between a first expanded state and a collapsed state, and a loading device mounted to the inner space and removably connected to the vehicle frame. The loading device defines a first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the first expanded state, and the loading device defines a second loading surface that is smaller than the first loading surface when the vehicle frame is in the collapsed state.
US11148515B2 Driving device for electric truck
A driving device for an electric truck which can obtain good ride quality by decreasing the unsprung weight while achieving the adequate fuel efficiency performance by improving the power transmission efficiency and which can improve the mountability of a battery. The driving device includes a driving unit that accommodates therein a motor, a gearbox, and a differential device. The driving unit is supported by a first support part with respect to a ladder frame. Drive shafts coupled to the differential device are accommodated in hollow members. The hollow members are elastically supported by a second support part with respect to the ladder frame.
US11148514B2 Inflatable vehicle cover
An inflatable vehicle cover. The inflatable vehicle cover has a plurality of inflatable air chambers in fluid communication with each other. At least one valve is connected to the plurality of inflatable air chambers. A pump that inflates and deflates the inflatable air chambers is removably securable to the valve. A plurality of fastening straps that secure the inflatable vehicle cover over a vehicle is connected to the underside of the plurality of inflatable air chambers. The underside surface of the inflatable vehicle cover includes a material that covers the plurality of fastening straps to prevent the inflatable vehicle cover from damaging the exterior of the vehicle. The inflatable vehicle cover is removably securable to the exterior of a vehicle to protect the vehicle from inclement weather and debris.
US11148504B2 Fuel-operated vehicle heating device and method to operating a fuel-operated vehicle heating device
A method to operate a fuel-operated vehicle heater comprising the lowering of a combustion air ratio λ between supplied combustion air and supplied fuel to a combustion chamber of the fuel-operated vehicle heater from a starting value λstart>1 to a range λ<λstart for a time period Δt.
US11148501B2 Air flow device for vehicle
An air flow device for a vehicle including an instrument panel dashboard, and a blower, the air flow device comprising a first outlet on a front upper surface portion of the instrument panel dashboard from which an air is sent along the front upper surface to a first inlet on the instrument panel dashboard into which the air blown from the first outlet is drawn; and a second outlet on a back upper surface portion of instrument panel dashboard from which an air is sent along the back upper surface to a second inlet on the instrument panel. The blower outlets are installed so as to open parallel to the blower inlets along an upper surface portion of the instrument panel dashboard.
US11148498B2 Method for controlling wheel axle suspension of a vehicle
The present invention relates to a method for controlling wheel axle suspension of a vehicle (100), said vehicle (100) comprising a vehicle chassis (116), a prime mover (122) for propulsion of said vehicle (100), said prime mover (122) being connected to the vehicle chassis (116); and a front wheel axle (132) comprising an individually adjustable wheel axle suspension arrangement (104, 106) on a respective left and right hand side of the front wheel axle (132) as seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (100), said individually adjustable wheel axle suspension arrangement (104, 106) being connected between the front wheel axle (132) and the vehicle chassis (116); the method being comprising the steps of: determining (S1) an output torque from said prime mover (122); determining (S2) a rotation (302) of said vehicle chassis (116) caused by the determined output torque from the prime mover (122); comparing (S3) said rotation (302) with a predetermined threshold limit; and controlling (S4) the individually adjustable wheel axle suspension arrangement (104, 106) on at least one of the left and right hand sides of the front wheel axle (132) such that the rotation (302) of said vehicle chassis (116) is below said predetermined threshold limit.
US11148497B2 Damper stilt with two half-shells
A stilt part may be utilized for a suspension damper strut of the wheel suspension of a vehicle. The stilt part may comprise a shank portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the stilt part and a connecting portion adjoining an end of the shank portion. The connecting portion may be configured to connect a lower link of the wheel suspension. The shank portion may include a convex region that is bent away from the longitudinal axis. The convex region may provide clearance for a drive shaft of a wheel. The shank portion may be formed from at least two shell elements that are connected, in some cases welded, together along at least one longitudinal seam.
US11148495B2 Air spring system, vehicle having an air spring system, and method for mounting an air spring system
An air spring system for a vehicle axle includes a link element which can be pivotably arranged on a vehicle frame for mounting the vehicle axle, an air spring which can be arranged on the link element and has a piston, and an additional reservoir, the link element having an upper side which faces the vehicle frame and a lower side which faces away from the vehicle frame, the additional reservoir being configured to be mounted on the lower side of the link element, and the air spring being configured to be mounted on the upper side of the link element.
US11148488B2 System and method for positioning a vehicle with reduced variation
A vehicle system is configured to control a trailer alignment routine. The system comprises a hitch ball mounted on a vehicle and a controller configured to identify a coupler position of a trailer. The controller is further configured to control motion of the vehicle to an aligned position, wherein the hitch ball is aligned with the coupler position. In response to the aligned position, the controller activates a service brake holding the vehicle and while maintaining the service brake activation, the controller activates a parking brake.
US11148486B2 Method of improving pneumatic tire vibration characteristics
A method for designing a pneumatic tire to have improved vibration characteristics. Dynamic testing of the tire detects a) respective frequencies of a plurality of radial vibration modes of the tire, and b) respective frequencies of a plurality of torsional vibration modes of the tire. The testing may determine that a first interval between the frequency of an even-numbered radial vibration mode and the frequency of an even-numbered torsional vibration mode is less than a first threshold, and/or may determine that a second interval between the frequency of an odd-numbered radial vibration mode and the frequency of an odd-numbered torsional vibration mode is less than a second threshold. One or more design parameter of the tire is/are modified to increase at least one of first interval and the second interval to the respective first or second threshold.
US11148484B2 Valve stem made of thermoplastic material
The present invention relates to a tire valve, in particular a bicycle tire valve, comprising a tubular stem, where the stem consists of a composition (Z1) comprising a thermoplastic (P1) and comprising a filler (F1), and also to a valve stem for the production of a tire valve, where the valve stem is tubular and consists of a composition (Z1) comprising a thermoplastic (P1) and comprising a filler (F1). The present invention further relates to the use of the valve of the invention for the production of a molding comprising an inflatable tube section, in particular an inner tube for a tire, and also to the use of the valve of the invention for the production of a tubeless bicycle tire.
US11148480B2 Tire assembly, tire monitoring system, and tire monitoring method
Provided is a tire assembly includes a tire, a power generating body disposed inside the tire, and an electronic device that receives supply of power that is output from the power generating body. The power generating body includes a first insulating film, a second insulating film, a first electrode, and a second electrode. The first insulating film has a first surface. The second insulating film has a second surface. The first and second electrodes have conductivity. The power generating body is configured such that a true area of contact between the first surface and the second surface changes according to deformation of the tire.
US11148477B2 Heavy-duty pneumatic tire
A heavy-duty pneumatic tire includes a section width being equal to or less than 335 mm, an aspect ratio being equal to or less than 55%, and a toroidal carcass extending between axially spaced bead portions through a tread portion and sidewall portions, wherein the carcass includes a carcass ply which includes a main portion and a turn-up portion, a belt layer disposed radially outward of the carcass in the tread portion, a sidewall rubber defining an outer sidewall profile of each sidewall portion, and a chafer rubber defining an outer bead profile of each bead portion, wherein in each bead portion, on a straight line that is perpendicular to the main portion of the carcass ply and passes a radially inner end of the sidewall rubber, the chafer rubber has a thickness of from 40% to 60% of a thickness of the bead portion.
US11148462B2 Retractable nosecone writing instrument
The writing instrument includes a body, a nosecone, and an adapter. The body, nosecone, and adapter each include a generally hollow tubular shape and an inner surface, outer surface, first end, and second end. The first end of the adapter is coupled to the second end of the nosecone. The second end of the adapter is configured to slidably couple to the first end of the body. The writing instrument includes a writing element with a mounting end and a writing end. The mounting end of the writing element is removably coupled to a second end of the body. The adapter includes a track and the track includes a recessed channel in the outer surface of the adapter. The body includes at least one protrusion that extends inwards from the inner surface of the body. The protrusion slidably engages with the track of the adapter.
US11148461B2 Internal pressure regulating marker pen
A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.
US11148450B2 Thermal transfer sheet, coating liquid for release layer, and method for producing thermal transfer sheet
To provide a coating liquid for release layer with which a release layer having a small variation in the performance difference can be stably formed, to provide a method for producing a thermal transfer sheet using this coating liquid for release layer, and to provide a thermal transfer sheet having stable releasability. A thermal transfer sheet having a substrate 1, a release layer 2 provided on the substrate 1, and a transfer layer 10 provided on the release layer 2, wherein the transfer layer 10 is provided peelably from the release layer 2, and the release layer 2 contains a silsesquioxane.
US11148445B2 Self-driving system with RFID reader and built-in printer
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a self-driving system having an RFID reader and a built-in printer. In one embodiment, a self-driving system includes a mobile base having one or more motorized wheels, the mobile base having a first end and a second end opposing the first end, a console coupled in an upright position to the first end of the mobile base, and a tag reader integrated with the console, the tag reader having a sensor surface facing upwardly.
US11148432B2 Liquid ejection device
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head and a liquid supply unit configured to supply liquid to the liquid ejection head. The liquid ejection head includes a plurality of liquid discharge holes, individual passages configured to individually supply the liquid to the respective liquid discharge holes, and a common passage configured to supply the liquid to the individual passages. The liquid supply unit includes a pressure chamber capable of storing the liquid, a first supply passage allowing communication between the liquid storage container and the pressure chamber, a second supply passage allowing communication between an upstream side of the common passage and the pressure chamber, a return passage allowing communication between a downstream side of the common passage and the pressure chamber, and a pump mechanism capable of circulating the liquid at least through the second supply passage, the common passage and the return passage.
US11148424B2 Printing apparatus and ink replenishment method
A printing apparatus comprises a main tank, an intermediate tank, and a control unit controlling an amount of the ink stored in the intermediate tank by a normal replenishing operation for increasing an ink remaining amount to a normal amount more than a first reference amount by feeding the ink from the main tank to the intermediate tank if the ink remaining amount falls below the first reference amount. The control unit controls the amount of the ink stored in the intermediate tank by an extraordinary replenishing operation for increasing the ink remaining amount to a second reference amount by feeding the ink from the main tank to the intermediate tank if the ink remaining amount falls below the second reference amount less than the first reference amount when the main tank held is exchanged.
US11148420B2 Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus
A liquid discharge head includes a drive base, a flexible wiring substrate, and a mask plate. The drive base includes an array of nozzles on a surface of the drive base, a plurality of actuators corresponding to the array of nozzles, and a plurality of electrodes on the surface of the drive base and electrically connected to the plurality of actuators. The flexible wiring substrate is electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes. The mask plate covers a portion of the surface of the drive base, the plurality of electrodes, and an end portion of the flexible wiring substrate. The mask plate includes a recess portion facing the drive base.
US11148414B1 2-D image based correction of thermal ghosting in a digital printer
An image based correction system compensates for the image quality artifacts induced by thermal ghosting. With thermal ghosting directly tied to previous image content, a feed forward control system predicts the thermal ghosting artifact based on the images previous printed and generates an open loop, 2-D correction to the gray-level image that mitigates the undesirable ghosting artifacts. For example, the correction system compensates for the thermal ghosting by making the current digital image “lighter” in areas that will be imaged onto warmer blanket regions, thereby cancelling out TRC differences between different temperature regions.
US11148409B2 Three dimensional printing of composite reinforced structures
Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to drag the filament from the conduit nozzle.
US11148406B2 Multilayer films and sealed packages made from these films
Multilayer Films have a first skin layer that is prepared from a high density polyethylene and a second skin layer (also referred to as the sealant layer) that is prepared from a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) having a density of from 0.90 to 0.92 g/cc and a Dilution Index, Yd, of greater than 0°. Seals can be prepared by placing two pieces of this film against each other such that the sealant layers are in contact with each other, then applying heat to at least one high density skin layer such that heat is transmitted/conducted through the multilayer film in a sufficient amount to melt the sealant layer and form a seal. The use of LLDPE having a Dilution Index of greater than 0° has been found to improve the sealing performance of multilayer films in comparison to multilayer films where the sealant layer is a conventional LLDPE having a Dilution Index of less than 0°.
US11148404B2 Laminate, manufacturing method of laminate, and image display device
An object of the present invention is to provide a laminate in which an excellent alignment property of a dichroic substance is maintained and which is excellent in both high-temperature durability and moisture-heat resistance, a manufacturing method of the laminate, and an image display device using the laminate. A laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention is a laminate having a transparent support, a light absorption anisotropic film, and a transparent resin layer in this order, in which the light absorption anisotropic film is a film containing a dichroic substance represented by a predetermined formula, and the transparent resin layer is a layer containing a polymer which has a hydrophilic group and does not have a glass transition temperature in a temperature range of 95° C. or lower.
US11148402B2 Heat-resistant multilayer container and method for producing the same
A multilayer container including: an outermost layer (1) containing a propylene-based polymer A containing homopolypropylene as a main component having a melt flow rate in a range of 2.0 to 10.0 g/10 min; an inner layer (2) containing 50 to 99% by weight of a propylene-based polymer B containing homopolypropylene as a main component having a melt flow rate of not more than 5.0 g/10 min and an isotactic index of not less than 93%, and 1 to 50% by weight of an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer C; and a barrier layer (4) occupying 5 to 20% by weight of the whole container. The ratio (L/D) of container height (L) to diameter (D) is not less than 0.5, and a volume shrinkage based on volume measured before and after heat sterilization at 121° C. for 30 minutes is not more than 5%.
US11148398B2 Multilayer composite including metallic glass and polymer with reduced fatigue
A multilayer composite is provided. The composite may include a plurality of metallic glass layers interleaved with a plurality of polymer layers. The composite may have a thickness of up to 100 microns. The composite may have a fatigue strength of at least 1.5 times of the fatigue strength of a monolithic metallic glass having the same thickness as the composite and the same chemical composition as the metallic glass layer.
US11148395B2 High-strength hot-dipped steel sheet having excellent coating adhesion and method for manufacturing same
There is provided a high-strength hot-dipped steel sheet having excellent coating adhesion and a method for manufacturing the steel sheet. The steel sheet has a chemical composition, and a coating layer is disposed on the steel sheet. The chemical composition includes, by mass %, C: 0.02% or greater and 0.30% or less, Si: 0.01% or greater and 2.0% or less, Mn: 0.2% or greater and 3.0% or less, P: 0.08% or less, S: 0.02% or less, and Al: 0.001% or greater and 0.40% or less, with the balance being Fe and incidental impurities. The coating layer has a coating weight per side of 30 to 90 g/m2 and contains exfoliated base steel in an amount of 0.3 to 1.5 g/m2.
US11148394B2 Graphene heating device
The present invention relates to a transparent heating device using graphene. To accomplish the aforementioned purpose, the present invention provides a graphene heating device comprising: a transparent substrate; an adhesive layer formed on the transparent substrate; and a graphene layer formed on the adhesive layer, where the graphene layer is heated by a current flowing along the graphene layer. According to one embodiment of the present invention, fogging or icing occurs on the surface of an object that can be removed without deteriorating the light transmittance of the object, which requires the light transmittance.
US11148389B2 Hydrogel-elastomer hybrids
Hydrogel-elastomer hybrids with interfacial bonding tougher than epidermis-dermis interfaces and functional micro-channels and micro-patterns can be created by pre-shaping both elastomers and hydrogels before bonding to conserve their micro-structures, modifying cured elastomer surfaces with benzophenone for chemical bonding with hydrogels, and harnessing dissipative properties of tough hydrogels to achieve robust interfaces.
US11148386B2 Punching unit and manufacturing apparatus for bag having reclosable tape
Punched and incised portions can be formed properly, in which it is not necessary to replace an anvil depending on a type of a sheet material. A punching unit 51 comprises: a punching blade 50 for punching a first panel material 11, a second panel material 12, an open tape and a mounting base portion so as to form a punching portion; a incising portion 51 for incising the second panel material 12 and the mounting base portion disposed on the open tape so as to form a incising portion; and an adjusting portion 54 for adjusting a first gap 56 in a punching direction 5Z between edges 50A and 51A of the punching and incising blades 50 and 51.
US11148381B2 Methods for manufacturing a tread for agricultural tire using a dinitrile oxide cure system
A method of manufacturing a tread for agricultural tires, the method comprising providing an agricultural tire casing, providing a cured rubber component having first and second planar surfaces, providing a plurality of cushion gums, wherein the plurality of cushion gums contains a cure system comprising a stable dinitrile oxide compound, providing a plurality of lugs, and forming an agricultural tread composite by mating the lugs to a planar surface of the cured rubber component using the cushion gum.
US11148377B1 Casting with deformable molds
A curable liquid is provided to a mold having a rigid surface disposed opposite a deformable surface. The curable liquid contacts the rigid surface and the deformable surface. The deformable surface is shaped according to a surface profile by driving actuators configured to move the deformable surface. The curable liquid is cured while the deformable surface is shaped according to the surface profile.
US11148369B2 Method for wrapping edge of composite board
Disclosed is an edge wrapping method for a composite board, the top board of the composite board surrounds the bottom board of the composite board, a part or all of the side of the top board is disposed with a connecting portion extending beyond the bottom board and extending outwardly; the adjacent portion of the connecting portion and the bottom board are heated, and then the connecting portion is folded toward the inner side of the composite board and the connecting portion is welded to the side of the bottom board. The connecting portion and the bottom board are heated, and the root portion of the connecting portion near one end of the bottom board and the position of the bottom board close to the connecting portion are heated to a molten state, and then, the connecting portion is folded, and the connecting portion and the bottom board are welded together, the production efficiency of the present invention is high, the automatic production is realized, and the product qualification rate is effectively improved.
US11148366B2 Construction chamber for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects
The invention relates to a construction chamber (1) for an apparatus for additive manufacturing of three-dimensional objects, comprising a construction chamber base body (2) which limits a construction volume (4) forming a construction room (3), wherein the construction chamber base body (2) is formed segmented in several construction chamber base body segments (2a, 2b) that can be attached or are attached to each other forming the construction chamber base body (2).
US11148351B2 Manufacturing method for tank
A manufacturing method for a high-pressure tank is a manufacturing method for a high-pressure tank including a reinforced layer formed such that an electrically conductive fiber bundle impregnated with thermosetting resin is wound around a liner. The manufacturing method includes: a step of preparing the tank in which the uncured reinforced layer is formed on the liner; a first heating step of heating the uncured reinforced layer by low-frequency induction heating so the thermosetting resin is softened; and a second heating step of, after the first heating step, heating the softened reinforced layer by high-frequency induction heating so that the softened reinforced layer is hardened.
US11148343B2 Die unit for blow molding, and blow molding device
The present application provides: first base members that respectively hold split molds disposed at both ends in a second direction, and are fixed to a mold clamping plate; second base members disposed between the first base members and having the split molds other than the split molds fixed to the first base members fixed thereto; and coupling members that couple the first base members and the second base members in a state that allows each of the pair of split molds to come into contact or separate. The present invention is configured such that the plurality of second base members follow the movement of the first base members.
US11148337B2 Hot runner device having an overload protection device
The invention relates to a hot runner device comprising at least one needle valve nozzle and a shut-off needle which is movable in the needle valve nozzle by means of a movement means, and comprising an overload protection device for the shut-off needle, characterized in that the overload protection device is implemented as follows: the shut-off needle is connected in at least a first movement direction directly or indirectly to the movement means by at least one frictional connection that can be released when a threshold force is exceeded.
US11148325B2 Dust stop device for sealed kneader
Provided is a dust stop device for a sealed kneader, the device being capable of excellent supply of lubricating oil. The sealed kneader includes a pair of rotors and a supporting member. The dust stop device includes a rotating ring attached to each rotor and a stationary ring attached to the supporting member. Both the rings have respective contact surfaces which make surface contact with each other. The stationary ring has a lubricating-oil supply portion with a through-hole. A part of the through-hole, the part including a part opened in the contact surface, is a long hole extending along a circumferential direction of rotation of the rotating ring.
US11148319B2 Additive manufacturing, bond modifying system and method
An additive manufacturing system including a two-dimensional energy patterning system for imaging a powder bed is disclosed. The two-dimensional energy patterning system may be used to control a state of matter of each successive additive layer. Accordingly, the system may be used to alter the chemical bond arrangement of the material forming the various additive layers.
US11148317B2 Wood material board with reduced emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and method for the production thereof
A method for producing wood material boards with reduced emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including: a) producing woodchips from suitable timbers; b) heat-treating at least one portion of the woodchips at a temperature between 150° C. and 300° C. for a period of 1 to 5 hours; c) crushing the wood chips that are not heat-treated and at least one portion of the heat-treated woodchips by machining in order to obtain wood shavings or by solubilizing in order to obtain wood fibers; d) gluing the wood shavings or wood fibers with at least one binding agent; e) applying the glued wood shavings onto a transport belt while forming a multi-layered shavings cake or applying the glued wood fibers onto a transport belt while forming a single-layer fiber cake; and f) compressing the shavings cake or the fiber cake to form a wood material board.
US11148305B2 Shingle cutting knife blade
A novel cutting device useful for cutting asphalt shingles and other roofing products features a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge located on an opposite side of the blade relative to the top edge, and left and right edges; a lower cutting edge adjacent the left or right edge; an upper sharpened edge positioned above the lower cutting edge and adjacent the same edge as the lower cutting edge, wherein the upper sharpened edge and the lower cutting edge are configured for cutting; at least one inner edge emanating from the bottom edge and angled towards the top edge, wherein the inner edge is tangent to the upper sharpened edge; and at least on fin or nodule disposed between the lower cutting edge and the upper sharpened edge, wherein the bottom edge is parallel to and shorter than the top edge.
US11148302B2 Remote-center-of-motion mechanism
Provided is a fixed point mechanism. In the fixed point mechanism, when a drive torque acts on a first connecting rod member (100) or a slide block device (110), the fixed point mechanism can realize a rotation movement around a fixed point; when a drive torque acts on a fourth connecting rod member (103) or a sixth connecting rod member (105), the fixed point mechanism can realize a telescopic movement relative to the fixed point; and when a drive torque acts on the first connecting rod member (100) or the slide block device (110), and another drive torque acts on the fourth connecting rod member (103) or the sixth connecting rod member (105), the fixed point mechanism can realize a rotation movement around the fixed point and a telescopic movement relative to the fixed point. That is, the fixed point mechanism has two degrees of freedom of the rotation movement around the fixed point and the telescopic movement relative to the fixed point.
US11148301B2 Auto-release vacuum device
A vacuum device for a material handling system includes a vacuum device body and a sealing element. The vacuum device body has a vacuum passageway in which a vacuum is generated in response to activation of a pressurized air supply that forces pressurized air through a venturi device. The sealing element moves to a sealing position to substantially seal the vacuum passageway when the air supply is activated, and is urged toward the sealing position via pressurized air that is diverted from an inlet of the vacuum device to the sealing element. The sealing element moves to substantially vent the vacuum passageway when the air supply is deactivated. The vacuum passageway may be in fluid communication with a vacuum cup, which seals against the object when the sealing element is at the sealing position and the vacuum generating device generates at least a partial vacuum in the vacuum passageway.
US11148300B2 Robotic gripping device
A robotic gripping device includes a base part attached to a tip of a wrist of a robot; finger parts, at least one of which is movably supported on the base part so that the finger parts can move toward and away from each other; and a driving mechanism that drives the finger parts. In at least one of the finger parts, flexibility of at least a gripping surface is switchable.
US11148292B2 Controller for inspection robot traversing an obstacle
Controllers for inspection robots traversing an obstacle are described. In an embodiment a controller may include an obstacle sensory data circuit to interpret obstacle sensory data provided by an obstacle sensor of an inspection robot, an obstacle processing circuit to determine refined obstacle data, and an obstacle notification circuit to generate and provide obstacle notification data to a user interface device. The controller may further include a user interface circuit to interpret a user request value from the user interface device, and to determine an obstacle response command value in response to the user request value; and an obstacle configuration circuit to provide the obstacle response command value to the inspection robot during the interrogating of the inspection surface.
US11148291B2 Anti-collision detection method for sweeping robots
An anti-collision detection method for sweeping robots, which includes following steps. Step 1: preparing a sweeping robot provided with a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) device comprising an accelerometer and a gyroscope; skipping to step 2 when the sweeping robot is in a linear motion state and collides with an object; skipping to step 3 when the sweeping robot is on an external bumpy road; and skipping to step 4 when the sweeping robot is in a rotating motion state and blocked by an obstacle.
US11148285B2 Operating a hand-guided robot
A method for operating a hand-guided robot having a jointed arm and an end effector is provided. As part of the method, a moment is measured at each joint while the robot is being hand-guided or subjected to a mechanical tension due to contact with an external object. Based on the measured moment, an external moment affecting the robot is determined. Then, a correction factor for a position of the end effector is computed based on the external moment and an absolute accurate model of the robot. Then, a current position of the end effector is computed based on a correction model in dependence on the correction factor. A corresponding storage medium, data processing device, robotic system, and tracking system are also provided.
US11148281B2 Biomimetic humanoid robotic model, control system, and simulation process
A biomimetics based robot and process for simulation is disclosed. The robot may include filament driven and fluid pumped elastomer based artificial muscles coordinated for slow twitch/fast twitch contraction and movement of the robot by one or more microcontrollers. A process may provide physics based simulation for movement of a robot in a virtual setting. Successfully tested movement data may be stored and embedded into a robot at build and/or before a new movement in programmed into the robot. Some embodiments include an artificial skin system supporting the artificial muscles.
US11148277B2 Screwdriver bit accommodating seat retaining structure of screwdriver
A screwdriver bit accommodating seat retaining structure of a screwdriver includes a main body, a fixing unit, and an accommodating seat. The main body has an accommodating chamber therein and two ends defined as a fixing end and an open end. The fixing unit includes a shaft, a plug, an elastic member, and a fixing member. One end of the shaft has a plug hole. The plug is fixed in the plug hole. The elastic member is made of a metal material and has at least one elastic piece. The elastic member has a perforation. The fixing member is inserted through the perforation to fix the elastic member to the plug. The accommodating seat is fitted onto the fixing unit, and has at least one clamping groove, and is connected with a cap. An inner edge of the accommodating seat is annularly provided with an engaging portion.