US09046766B2

An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition comprises (A) a resin that exhibits an increased solubility in an alkali developer when acted on by an acid, and (B) at least two types of sulfonic acid generators that generate a sulfonic acid when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, wherein the two types of sulfonic acid generators (B) consist of sulfonic acid generators (B1) and (B2) satisfying the following requirements, namely the sulfonic acid generator (B1) generates a sulfonic acid composed of 9 to 20 elements with an acid strength (pKa) satisfying the relationship pKa<−3.50, and the sulfonic acid generator (B2) generates an acid composed of 17 or more elements with an acid strength (pKa) satisfying the relationship −2.00>pKa≧−3.50, provided that no hydrogen atom is included in the number of elements of the generated acids.
US09046765B2

A resist pattern-forming method includes providing a resist film having a surface free energy of 30 to 40 mN/m on a substrate using a radiation-sensitive resin composition. The resist film is exposed by applying radiation via a mask. The exposed resist film is developed. It is preferable that the exposing of the resist film includes exposing the resist film via an immersion liquid that is provided over the resist film.
US09046760B2

An imaging system intended for imaging fast-moving objects, comprising an X-ray source, a scintillating screen, a shutter and a detector of the beam emitted by the shutter, and a processing unit connected to the detector, where the shutter is positioned between the scintillator screen and the detector, and a support for the object to be observed is positioned downstream from the X-ray source and upstream from the scintillator screen, where the shutter is a shutter which can be controlled at high frequencies, for example higher than approximately 1 kHz, where the shutter is fixed and the transmission of the signal originating from the scintillator screen towards the detector is controlled by electrical polarization means controlled by a control unit.
US09046758B2

An omnidirectional-view three-dimensional display apparatus comprises a high-frame-rate projector (21), a rotatable reflector device and a cylindrical transmissive selective-diffusing screen (24). The optical axis of the high-frame-rate projector (21) is coincident with the rotating axis of the reflector device and the axis of the cylindrical selective-diffusing screen (24). The images projected by the high-frame-rate projector (21) are reflected by the reflector device to form images on the cylindrical transmissive selective-diffusing screen (24). The cylindrical transmissive selective-diffusing screen (24) can control the diffusing angle of the emergence ray, so that the left eye and the right eye of an observer can see a three-dimensional object's images in different view angles to achieve an omnidirectional-view three-dimensional display. The omnidirectional-view three-dimensional display apparatus based on the high-frame-rate projector (21) enables the eyes of observers to watch images with binocular parallax at different positions, so as to achieve three-dimensional display.
US09046754B2

Disclosed are apparatuses, methods, and lithographic systems for EUV mask inspection. An EUV mask inspection system can include an EUV illumination source, an optical system, and an image sensor. The EUV illumination source can be a standalone illumination system or integrated into the lithographic system, where the EUV illumination source can be configured to illuminate an EUV radiation beam onto a target portion of a mask. The optical system can be configured to receive at least a portion of a reflected EUV radiation beam from the target portion of the mask. Further, the image sensor can be configured to detect an aerial image corresponding to the portion of the reflected EUV radiation beam. The EUV mask inspection system can also include a data analysis device configured to analyze the aerial image for mask defects.
US09046743B2

A slider support member (S) according to the present invention providing a movable connection between a camera and a support member secured to the ground comprises two tracks (1); a member (2) connecting the tracks (1) to each other from one of their ends; movable connection members (3a, 3b), each thereof comprising a connection part (7a, 7b) to be connected to the camera or to the support member, and one (3a) thereof comprising a movable member (4a) and being connected to the tracks (1) in a movable manner so as to leave the tracks (1) between the movable members (4a), and the other (3b) thereof being connected to the tracks (1) in a movable manner so as to stay between the tracks (1); and a control unit (9) comprising a motor providing the drive of a belt (5), a controller controlling the operation of the motor, an adjustment switch (10) to transfer the operation parameter of the motor to the controller, and at least one sensor detecting the presence of the hand of the respective user and controlling the displacement of the motor by transmitting a trigger signal to the controller.
US09046728B2

The present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device which hardly causes image sticking even when there is a difference in the pixel areas. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates, and is configured such that a pixel is formed by picture elements of a plurality of colors. The liquid crystal display device of the present invention is featured in that one of the pair of substrates includes scanning lines, signal lines, and storage capacitor lines, a thin film transistor connected to each of the scanning line and the signal line, and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor, in that the other of the pair of substrates includes an opposed electrode, in that the pixel electrode is arranged for each of the picture elements, and in that the pixel electrode having a larger area among the plurality of pixel electrodes arranged in one pixel is connected to the thin film transistor having a larger channel width among the plurality of the thin film transistors arranged in the one pixel.
US09046723B2

A liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method are provided. A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and including liquid crystal molecules; a first electrode positioned on the first substrate; an insulating layer positioned on the first electrode; a second electrode positioned on the insulating layer; and a third electrode positioned on the second substrate, wherein the second electrode includes a plurality of branches and a slit between neighboring ones of the branches, and a width of the slit is more than about two times to less than about five times a width of its corresponding branches.
US09046716B2

Disclosed are a substrate support apparatus and an apparatus for examining the seal pattern of an LCD cell. The substrate support apparatus includes a movable stage provided with drawing nozzles for attaching a substrate to an upper surface and adapted to rotate by a predetermined angle; a fixed stage spaced from the movable stage and provided with floating nozzles for ejecting air upward and drawing nozzles for drawing air downward; and a driving device coupled to the movable stage to rotate the movable stage. The apparatus for examining the seal pattern of an LCD cell includes the substrate support apparatus; and a gantry unit including support platforms positioned on both sides of the substrate support apparatus, a bridge positioned above the substrate support apparatus to connect the support platforms, and a correction device coupled to the bridge to examine and repair a seal pattern of a substrate.
US09046710B2

In a stereoscopic image conversion panel and a stereoscopic image display apparatus, the stereoscopic display panel includes a first lens substrate, a second lens substrate, a stereoscopic image lens part and a lens liquid crystal layer. The stereoscopic image lens part is disposed between the first and second substrates, and includes a main lens and sub-lenses with a concave shape. At least one sub-lens is disposed at opposite edge portions of the main lens. The lens liquid crystal layer is received by the main lens and the sub-lenses, is disposed between the first and second lens substrates, and includes liquid crystal molecules having an anisotropic refractive index. The lens liquid crystal layer refracts a polarized light at an interface between the lens liquid crystal layer and the stereoscopic lens part, to convert a flat image into a stereoscopic image. Therefore, the thickness of the stereoscopic image panel can be reduced.
US09046708B2

A display device includes a display panel, a protective plate which is provided opposed to the display panel, a member having touch sensor function, and a transparent organic layer which is provided between the display panel and the protective plate. The transparent organic layer includes an outer organic layer which is shaped like a frame to enclose at least a portion of an effective display area of the display panel, and an inner organic layer which is formed from the same material as the frame to fill a space enclosed by the frame. At least a part of the outer organic layer overlaps the effective display area of the display panel; and at least one of the display panel and the protective plate forms a portion of the member having touch sensor function.
US09046703B2

A semiconductor optical modulator includes optical input and output portions; a plurality of Mach-Zehnder modulators, each including first and second waveguide arms having first and second modulation electrodes, respectively; an optical demultiplexer coupled between the optical input portion and the Mach-Zehnder modulators through an optical waveguide; an optical multiplexer coupled between the optical output portion and the Mach-Zehnder modulators; a plurality of electrical inputs; and a plurality of differential transmission lines electrically connecting the electrical inputs to the Mach-Zehnder modulators. The first modulation electrode and the second modulation electrode of at least one of the Mach-Zehnder modulators, one of the electrical inputs, and one of the differential transmission lines that connects such one electrical input to such one Mach-Zehnder modulator form an electrical circuit having a differential impedance in a range of 80Ω to 95Ω.
US09046695B2

An image display device includes a display panel which includes a plurality of pixels and operates in a 2D mode and a 3D mode, a patterned retarder for dividing light from the display panel into first polarized light and second polarized light, and a control voltage generator which generates a first DC control voltage of an off-level and a second DC control voltage of a slight-on level, which is higher than the off-level and is lower than a full-on level, and selectively outputs the first DC control voltage and the second DC control voltage depending on a driving mode. Each of the plurality of pixels includes an upper display unit and a lower display unit, which are vertically disposed in a mirror form.
US09046694B2

The endoscope cooling device is to cool an insertion portion having an observation portion at the distal end. The device is provided with an inner sheath into which the distal end portion of the insertion portion including the observation portion is inserted to form a first flow path of a cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the insertion portion and the inner circumferential face of the inner sheath, an outer sheath into which the inner sheath is inserted to form a second flow path of the cooling fluid between the outer circumferential face of the inner sheath and the inner circumferential face of the outer sheath, a regulating means for regulating the distal end portion in moving at least either through the inner sheath or the outer sheath, and a fluid supply means for supplying the cooling fluid to the first flow path and the second flow path.
US09046693B2

An illumination optical system unit 26A includes an optical fiber 39A, a fluorescent body 40, a ferrule 60 as a holding member that holds the fluorescent, body 40 and the optical fiber 39A, a cylindrical first sleeve member 61 that covers the outer periphery of the fluorescent body 40, and a protective cover 38 that seals the tip side of the fluorescent body 40. The ferrule 60 holds the optical fiber 39A and the fluorescent body 40, and is inserted into the first sleeve member 61. A magnetic metal film 67 is provided on the surface of a fluorescent body-holding portion 69 of the ferrule 60. The tip of the protective cover 38 and a magnet 75 are allowed to come into contact wife each other to generate magnetic force between those two, so that the fluorescent body 40 comes into close contact with the protective cover 38.
US09046692B2

A display device includes a display panel for displaying an image. The display device further includes a lens configured to refract at least a portion of a collimated light having a center ray, a first outermost ray, a second outermost ray, a first plurality of rays between the first outermost ray and the center ray, and a second plurality of rays between the second outermost ray and the center ray. The lens may concentrate the first plurality of rays such that a first position on the display panel has a first light intensity. The lens may concentrate the second plurality of rays such that a second position on the display panel has a second light intensity. Each of the first light intensity and the second light intensity is substantially greater than a center light intensity on the display panel corresponding to at least the center ray.
US09046687B2

A light guide section is directly fixed to a frame via an attachment portion that is part of a peripheral portion of the light guide section, whereby not only can the light guide section be readily fixed and the weight of a virtual image display apparatus can be readily reduced but also the strength at which the frame supports the light guide section is improved. Further, except the attachment portion, the remaining peripheral portion of the light guide section is not fixed to the frame. Therefore, when the light guide section and the frame differ from each other in terms of the coefficient of thermal expansion, the light guide section is allowed to expand with respect to the frame, whereby no distortion, deformation, or breakage of the light guide section will occur.
US09046680B2

A microscopy method and configuration provides the ability to achieve wide field view and high resolution simultaneously. A beam array generator generates an M×N light beam array that illuminates a sample and an M×N sensor array. The sensor array obtains a whole microscopy image of the sample based on the light beam array. Each light beam of the array corresponds to one unique pixel sensor in the sensor array. A scanning of all light beams of the light beam array covers a whole area of the sample.
US09046678B2

In a camera module (51), a lid glass (15) protrudes from a sensor cover (14) toward an image pickup lens (1), and a base section (9) includes an overhanging part (9b) overhanging in such a manner as to cover part of the lid glass (15).
US09046675B2

In a zoom lens in which a first lens group having a negative refractive power and a second lens group having a positive refractive power are disposed in order from the object side and zooming is performed by moving the first lens group and the second lens group, the first lens group is formed of a first lens having a negative refractive power, a second lens having a positive refractive power, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power, disposed in order from the object side. Then, when the focal length of the entire system at the wide angle end is taken as fw and the focal length of the second lens group are taken as f2, the zoom lens is configured to satisfy a conditional expression give below: 0.00
US09046655B2

A method of manufacturing a polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: stretching and dyeing a laminate having a resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on at least one side of the resin substrate to produce a polarizing film on the resin substrate; laminating an optically functional film on the laminate on a polarizing film side to produce an optically functional film laminate; and peeling the resin substrate from the optically functional film laminate. The peeling is performed so that an angle α formed between a surface of the optically functional film laminate immediately before the peeling and a peeling direction of the resin substrate is smaller than an angle β formed between the surface of the optically functional film laminate immediately before the peeling and a peeling direction of the polarizing film.
US09046652B2

A vehicle includes a body structure, a mirror assembly, a controller, and a position sensor. The mirror assembly includes a mirror housing, housing motor, and mirror. The housing motor is operably coupled with the mirror housing and the body structure and is configured to facilitate movement of the mirror housing relative to the body structure. The controller is in electrical communication with the housing motor. The position sensor is in electrical communication with the controller. The controller is configured to detect a position of a rider of the vehicle and to facilitate selective operation of the housing motor to result in movement of the mirror housing to correspond with the detected position of the rider.
US09046646B2

An opto-electric hybrid board includes an electric circuit board, an optical waveguide, and a metal layer. The electric circuit board includes an insulative layer having front and back surfaces, and electrical interconnect lines formed on the front surface of the insulative layer. The optical waveguide includes a first cladding layer and cores, and the optical waveguide is formed on the back surface of the insulative layer of the electric circuit board. The metal layer is formed between the first cladding layer of the optical waveguide and the back surface of the insulative layer of the electric circuit board. Part of the opto-electric hybrid board is formed as a to-be-bent portion. The metal layer is partially removed in a portion corresponding to the to-be-bent portion. A first cladding layer of the optical waveguide fills a site where the metal layer is removed.
US09046639B2

A slim lens assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, a third lens, a fourth lens and a fifth lens, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens is a convex-concave lens with negative refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side and a concave surface facing the image side. The second lens is with positive refractive power. The third lens is a biconcave lens with negative refractive power. The fourth lens is a biconvex lens with positive refractive power. The fifth lens is a convex-concave lens with negative refractive power and includes a convex surface facing the object side and a concave surface facing the image side.
US09046635B2

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) module includes a backlight assembly emitting light, a LCD panel overlapping the backlight assembly, and an upper cover. The backlight includes a light source module emitting the light, a light guide plate (“LGP”) including edges and a middle portion, and a LGP support overlapping the edges of the LGP. The LGP support includes a plurality of LGP supporting pieces connected to each other so as to form a polygonal shape, each of the LGP supporting pieces including a LGP supporting portion including a LGP supporting surface overlapping the edges of the LGP, and the LGP supporting surfaces of each of the LGP supporting pieces of the LGP support are placed on a same plane. Opposing LGP supporting pieces are interconnected by an LCD module mounting member.
US09046629B2

A frame for a backlight module includes a first strip, a second strip, a third strip, and a fourth strip connected end to end in sequence to cooperatively enclose an interior of the frame. The first strip, the second strip, the third strip, and the fourth strip each include an inner surface facing the interior of the frame. A number of microdots are formed on the inner surface.
US09046625B2

A system, method and device may be used to evaluate stacked seismic trace data. A portion of each of a number of seismic traces is isolated and an un-tuned biased volume and a tuned biased volume are produced for each trace. The un-tuned biased volume and tuned biased volume are combined to determine zones having a high probability of containing hydrocarbon resources.
US09046621B2

In connection with a locate operation to detect a presence or absence of an underground facility, a magnetic field from an underground facility is detected, and one or more signals also are obtained that are indicative of one or more environmental conditions in an environment in which the underground facility is detected. The signal(s) indicative of the environmental condition(s) are compared to a target value or range of values to determine if an out-of-tolerance condition exists.
US09046618B2

The present invention provides system, devices, and methods for scanning an object while avoiding radiation exposure. For example, the present invention provides systems comprising a scanning device with input and output openings, and a safety sensor adjacent to the input or output opening that sends a signal that turns off or physically blocks electromagnetic radiation if the presence of an invading element (e.g., human hand) is detected by the safety sensor.
US09046612B2

A double-helix Boron-10 powder detector having intrinsic thermal neutron detection efficiency comparable to 36″ long, 2-in diameter, 2-bar Helium-3 detectors, and which can be used to replace such detectors for use in portal monitoring, is described. An embodiment of the detector includes a metallic plate coated with Boron-10 powder for generating alpha and Lithium-7 particles responsive to neutrons impinging thereon supported by insulators affixed to at least two opposing edges; a grounded first wire wound in a helical manner around two opposing insulators; and a second wire having a smaller diameter than that of the first wire, wound in a helical manner around the same insulators and spaced apart from the first wire, the second wire being positively biased. A gas, disposed within a gas-tight container enclosing the plate, insulators and wires, and capable of stopping alpha and Lithium-7 particles and generating electrons produces a signal on the second wire which is detected and subsequently related to the number of neutrons impinging on the plate.
US09046611B2

A self-powered gamma detector which can hold the influence of neutron rays to the minimum, and can measure the dose of gamma rays accurately under a high neutron environment in the reactor is disclosed. The self-powered gamma detector has a columnar emitter member; a collector member arranged in surroundings of the emitter member through an insulating member, and the strength of gamma rays is measured by detecting the value of a current which flows between the emitter member and an MI cable connected with the emitter member, and the collector member. Especially, the emitter member consists of pure tungsten (W), whose inevitable impurities is in 0.03 percent by weight or less.
US09046600B2

A method of multi-beam Lidar intensity measurement calibration including determining, by a positioning device, position information of a moving platform within a global reference frame, collecting a plurality of data points, each data point including the position information and intensity information from a plurality of beams, segmenting the plurality of data points into a plurality of voxels, based on the position information associated with each data point, finding a subset of voxels in the plurality of voxels that include a point corresponding to a certain beam in the plurality of beams and an intensity value in a predetermined neighborhood of a certain intensity value, estimating a probability density based on the subset of voxels, and generating a calibration map that maps the certain intensity value of the certain beam to a calibrated intensity value for the certain beam, based on the probability density and a prior density.
US09046599B2

An object detection apparatus includes: a first radar configured to measure first positional information regarding a first object existing in a first scan range; a second radar configured to measure second positional information regarding a second object existing in a second scan range on the basis of second reflected wave of second wave radiated onto the second scan range including the first region and a second region, the second wave being radiated in such a way as to scan the first region in a direction opposite a direction in which the first radar radiates the first wave; and a processor configured to detect a third object existing in the first region on the basis of the first positional information and the second positional information.
US09046579B2

Electric arc discharges between bearing rings in a roller bearing are analyzed by setting a defined operating state based on rotational speed of the roller bearing, temperature of the roller bearing, an imbalance of the roller bearing causing vibrations, lubricants, axial/radial/tilt loads, tilting of the bearing rings relative to each other, pulse shape and pulse repetition rate of an applied electrical voltage, bearing play, and pre-existing damage to the roller bearing. A pulse-shaped electrical voltage between inner and outer bearing ring generates electric arc discharges, wherein for each electric arc discharge a characteristic value representative of energy, power, voltage and/or current and duration of the electric arc discharge is determined. Only those electric arc discharges are evaluated that have a qualifying value determined in accordance with at least one of the characteristic values greater than a predefined limit value.
US09046576B2

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to simultaneously, wirelessly test semiconductor components formed on a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor components transmit respective outcomes of a self-contained testing operation to wireless automatic test equipment via a common communication channel. Multiple receiving antennas observe the outcomes from multiple directions in three dimensional space. The wireless automatic test equipment determines whether one or more of the semiconductor components operate as expected and, optionally, may use properties of the three dimensional space to determine a location of one or more of the semiconductor components. The wireless testing equipment may additionally determine performance of the semiconductor components by detecting infrared energy emitted, transmitted, and/or reflected by the semiconductor wafer before, during, and/or after a self-contained testing operation.
US09046569B2

Embodiments of an apparatus and method for providing cooling of probes for testing of integrated circuits are generally described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a probe head assembly configured to hold one or more probes that are adapted to provide electrical contact with an integrated circuit device under test (DUT), a DUT chuck adapted to hold the DUT for contact with the probes, a seal arranged between the probe head assembly and the DUT chuck to form a chamber when the seal is in contact with the probe head assembly and the DUT chuck, and a first port and a second port arranged to provide fluid flow into and fluid flow out of the chamber.
US09046568B2

A universal spring contact pin for use in an IC test Socket includes a depressible probe member at one end and a fixed probe member at the other end. The fixed probe member preferably has a projection length chosen to allow z-axis loading of different surface mount package types within the same test socket. It also can have a relatively large tip angle which preferably terminates at a relatively sharp termination point. Preferably, the tip angle is about 90 degrees and the radius of the termination point of the tip is about 0.001 inches (0.0254 millimeters) or less.
US09046562B2

Presented is a sensor that includes a magnetoresistive (MR) sensing device to sense a magnetic field and to produce an AC signal voltage proportional to the sensed magnetic field. The sensor also includes circuitry, coupled to the MR sensing device, to remove DC offset from the AC signal voltage. The DC offset may be related to the hysteresis characteristics of the MR sensing device. To remove DC offset, the circuitry may obtain an averaged DC offset and subtract the averaged DC offset from the AC signal voltage to produce a sensor output signal.
US09046558B2

A probe uses a small diameter insulated needle to accurately penetrate the jacket and thin outer semiconductor sheath of URD cable so as to capacitive couple to the high voltage center conductor and determine its energized status (live or dead) and phase attribute. A precision needle depth gauge, mechanical hard stop, and digital display ensures that the needle does not penetrate the thick center conductor insulation material and provides an indication of the center conductor voltage. The probe can be combined with either internal or external phase identification circuitry to determine the phase attribute of the URD cable.
US09046544B2

A system for determining motor speed of a brush DC motor, including a first filter for receiving a substantially low frequency portion of a sensed current of the motor and parameters corresponding thereto, for calculating a speed estimate of the motor; an adaptive bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the speed estimate of the first filter, for receiving the sensed current and substantially isolating a first periodic current fluctuation thereof. A detected frequency of the first periodic current fluctuation corresponds to the speed of the brush DC motor. The system may include a tracking frequency selection block for selecting a frequency component of the sensed current and providing same to the first filter, wherein the speed estimate is based in part upon the selected frequency component.
US09046542B2

A bearing assembly for an anemometer configured to provide thrust and axial load protection and reduce exposure to potentially degradative debris and/or contaminants. The bearing assembly includes a first shaft and a second shaft and bearings, wherein the bearings are configured to rotate about at least the first shaft while enclosed within a portion of the second shaft. The second shaft is configured to isolate the bearings from any air flow through the anemometer and debris and/or contaminants carried therewith. The bearing assembly further includes a damping member configured to reduce forces imparted upon the bearings, thereby providing protection and preventing premature damage to the bearings from loads.
US09046534B2

Methods and systems for identifying and treating a patient suspected of having a tumor susceptible to growth inhibition by anti-progestins are provided. The degree of focal distribution of the progesterone receptor can be used to identify tumors susceptible to treatment with anti-progestin therapy.
US09046527B2

Disclosed herein are substantially pure nucleic acids encoding mutated SUMO isoforms, polypeptides, vectors, cells and methods of their use to identify and quantify protein SUMOylation in mammalian cells. Also disclosed is a dual affinity method for detecting a mutated SUMOylated protein substrate fragment.
US09046517B2

Disclosed is a method by which the adsorption of cystatin C to a container can be inhibited in a simple manner to improve the accuracy of the measurement of cystatin C. Provided are: a cystatin C adsorption inhibitor comprising a non-ionic surfactant; a cystatin C measurement reagent comprising the adsorption inhibitor; and a cystatin C measurement kit. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the adsorption of cystatin C, the method comprising bringing a cystatin C-containing sample into contact with a measurement instrument in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant. The aforementioned non-ionic surfactant is preferably a polyoxyethylene-type surfactant. Alternatively, the aforementioned non-ionic surfactant has preferably a phenoxy structure, more preferably a benzylphenoxy structure.
US09046515B2

A main object of the invention is to provide a polymer compound for medicine which has an excellent capability of fixing a biologically active substance and has such chemical/physical stability that the compound is less dissolved or deteriorated in a washing step, in particular, which can be suitably applied to a plastic substrate surface.The invention provides a polymer compound for medical material which is a polymer comprising repeating units derived from an ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomer (a) having a functional group for fixing a biologically active substance, wherein the polymer has a reactive functional group on at least one terminal side thereof, and a biochip substrate wherein a layer containing the polymer compound is formed on a substrate surface, thereby attaining the object.
US09046513B2

Engineered multivalent and multispecific binding proteins, methods of making, and their uses in the prevention, diagnosis, and/or treatment of disease are provided.
US09046495B2

The present invention relates to a non-toxic dipolar solvent for chromogenic substrate for detecting presence of lacZ gene and/or gene activity, which comprises a stabilizing amount of a solubilizing agent. The present invention also relates to a method for inducing lac operon in screening assay, comprising the step of contacting an agar plate with at least one essential oil in a concentration sufficient to induce the lac operon. The present invention further relates to a method for detecting the presence of bacteria, comprising the step of contacting an agar plate with at least one essential oil in a concentration sufficient to induce detection of the bacteria.
US09046492B1

A method for achieving measurable sample heating in the vicinity of a probe microscope tip using Stimulated Raman Spectroscopy. Two laser sources, preferably in the UV visible or near IR illuminate the sample, preferably in overlapping diffraction limited spots. At least one of the sources is swept through a frequency range such that the difference frequency corresponds to IR spectral regions of interest. Selective Absorption by differing sample materials at the difference frequency causes measurable sample heating detectable by the probe tip related to IR spectral absorption bands. Thus very high spatial resolution IR spectroscopy may be achieved.
US09046488B2

Provided is a nonlinear optical device capable of alleviating, without the need for a complicated compensation mechanism, temporal broadening and the waveform distortion resulting from a group-velocity dispersion slope, to thereby irradiate an object with short optical pulses having high peak power. The nonlinear optical device includes a short optical pulse source (10) for generating short optical pulses and a short optical pulse delivery system (20) for delivering the short optical pulses generated from the short optical pulse source to an object, in which there is generated substantially no nonlinear optical effect and there is substantially no amount of group-velocity dispersion, the short optical pulse source generates short optical pulses, and the short optical pulses have a spectral width (full width at half maximum) λFWHM satisfying λ1<λFWHM<λ2.
US09046487B2

A device for lighting an object, with light source provided with a member for sampling a portion of the light, application to the measurement of flux variations of the source. The device includes at least one light source emitting an illuminating light around an illumination axis, for lighting the object, and a photodetector.
US09046476B2

The present invention provides a method for identifying biological objects on a substrate; the method comprises: (i) illuminating the substrate carrying the biological objects with a light beam; (ii) acquiring at least one optical image of the illuminated substrate; the light beam comprises a wavelength band, the wavelength band is selected to induce at least one optical aberration in the optical image of the illuminated substrate; the optical aberration is predetermined as characterizing the biological objects; and (iii) processing said at least one optical image to provide a value or a combination of values indicative of presence or absence of said at least one optical aberration; said value or combination of values permitting detection or identification of the biological objects on said substrate. The invention also provides a processing unit, a system and a database for use in connection with the method of the invention.
US09046473B2

An apparatus and method for determining the presence of an intraerythrocytic organism within a sample of liquid whole blood is provided. The method includes the steps of a) creating an image of the sample quiescently residing within a sample chamber; b) evaluating the image for the presence of at least one red blood cell within the image containing at least one first region of decreased hemoglobin content and/or hemoglobin concentration within the red blood cell, which red blood cell has an otherwise homogenous distribution of hemoglobin; and c) determining the presence of an intraerythrocytic organism within the sample using the evaluation of the image.
US09046458B2

A flow-through device for use on-line in a conduit and capable of determining real-time characteristics of particles dispersed in a medium is disclosed. The device uses a sensor and a flow-through cell. The sensor has a stationary transducer positioned in a wall of the flow-through conduit to emit sound waves into the medium and a reflector or a second stationary transducer positioned opposite the transducer. The sensor provides a plurality of different acoustic path lengths through the medium between the transducer and reflector, thereby providing a plurality of different acoustic path lengths in the sensor and no moving parts for the transducer and reflectors. A method for determining the characteristics of particles dispersed in a medium in real time for an industrial process using the flow-through device also is disclosed. Further, a method of controlling particle size distribution in real time in a process using the flow-through device is disclosed.
US09046456B2

Indentation tester capable of adjusting vertical-direction positioning drift due to individual differences of an indenter when indenters are switched includes an adjustment mechanism. The adjustment mechanism adjusts relative vertical-direction positions of a displacement sensor movable portion and a displacement sensor fixed portion. The adjustment mechanism includes a first hollow disk having a spiraling surface formed on a bottom surface; and a second hollow disk having a spiraling surface formed on a top surface. The spiraling surface of the second hollow disk has a thread equal to that of the spiraling surface of the first hollow disk. The first hollow disk rests on the second hollow disk such that the bottom surface of the first hollow disk is overlaid on the top surface of the second hollow disk. The first hollow disk and the second hollow disk are capable of rotation on a center axis of an indenter column.
US09046453B2

A system for tracking one or more subjects for collecting airborne contaminants. The system includes one or more subjects configured to collect air contaminants. Each of the one or more subjects includes an identification tag encoded with identification information identifying the each subject. The system further includes an identification reader configured to decode the identification information encoded within the identification tag of a scanned one of the one or more identification tags. A computer receives and stores the decoded identification information in a record in a database. The computer may also receive and stored an identification code for a user who scanned the scanned identification tag in the record in the database. Additional records in the database are created each time the identification tag of one of the one or more subjects is scanned. The one or more subjects are thereby tracked as they collect airborne contaminants and are incubated.
US09046436B2

A sensor unit has at least one measuring cell and a circuit mount arranged in a protective sleeve. The measuring cell detects a pressure of a hydraulic block. The circuit mount has a printed circuit board, which is positioned perpendicularly relative to the measuring cell. The printed circuit board has an electronic circuit with at least one electronic and/or electrical component. The measuring cell has at least one connection point configured to tap off at least one electrical output signal from the measuring cell. The circuit mount forms an internal interface which taps off the at least one electrical output signal from the measuring cell and applies it to the electronic circuit. An output signal from the electronic circuit can be tapped off by an external interface. The internal interface is formed at a first end and the external interface is formed at a second end of the protective sleeve.
US09046426B1

A modular apparatus for attaching sensors and electronics is disclosed. The modular apparatus includes a square recess including a plurality of cavities and a reference cavity such that a pressure sensor can be connected to the modular apparatus. The modular apparatus also includes at least one voltage input hole and at least one voltage output hole operably connected to each of the plurality of cavities such that voltage can be applied to the pressure sensor and received from the pressure sensor.
US09046415B2

A proximity and light sensing device including a light emitting compartment having a light emitter positioned on a substrate and an optical element positioned along a side of the light emitter opposite the substrate. The device further including a light receiving compartment including a light detector positioned on the substrate and an optical element positioned along a side of the light detector opposite the substrate. A mid wall extends in a direction substantially normal to the substrate and is positioned between the light emitting compartment and the light receiving compartment. The device further includes a reflective element positioned at a side of the mid wall facing the light receiving compartment, the reflective element capable of reflecting an off-axis light beam onto the light detector so as to form a real image on the light detector of an otherwise virtual image formed behind the reflector. Other embodiments are also described.
US09046395B2

The present invention relates in general to vortex shedding flow meters with enhanced sensitivity for sensing and measuring vortex frequencies.
US09046383B2

A system and an associated method provide an ability to sense, with a magnetic field sensor, a position of a plurality of gears (and neutral) selected by a gear shift lever of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system and method use a ferromagnetic target having features, positions of which can be sensed by the magnetic field sensor. In other embodiments, the system and method use a magnet having features and characteristics that can be sensed by the magnetic field sensor.
US09046382B2

Power control circuits and methods are disclosed, suitable for a power supplier. A power control circuit has a clock generator, a phase controller and a power limiter. The clock generator provides a clock signal, substantially determining switching cycles of a power supply. The phase controller outputs a burst signal based on a group reference signal and a burst initiation signal, and makes a burst period corresponding to a burst signal not less than a group reference period corresponding to the group reference signal. The burst signal is capable of switching the power supplier between a switching state and a non-switching state. The power limiter limits the power transferred by the power supply in every switching cycle, during a burst-up duration after the power supply is switched from the non-switching state to the switching state. The burst initiation signal correlates to an output voltage of the power supplier.
US09046369B2

Methods and systems are provided for presenting information on a display device associated with an aircraft. A method comprises displaying a navigational map in a viewing area on the display device with initial display settings, identifying selection of a first category of information, and identifying content associated with the first category resulting in a first set of content. The method further comprises automatically updating display settings for the navigational map in response to identifying selection of the first category, wherein the display settings are updated based on the first set of content. The method further comprises displaying the first set of content on the navigational map based on the updated display settings.
US09046367B2

A micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) device comprising two proof masses disposed in the first frame, such that the MEMS device with oscillating assemblies senses the angular velocity in the two axes, respectively. The MEMS device with oscillating assemblies further comprises a lever structure and two oscillating assemblies connecting at two opposite ends of the lever structure, such that the oscillating assemblies move in opposite directions synchronously. The MEMS device with oscillating assemblies further comprises a spring assembly connected between the proof mass and a movable electrode, restricting the proof mass to drive the movable electrode to only move in a specific direction.
US09046359B2

An array of laser diode emitters is used as an illumination source for a range imaging system. The laser diode emitters are disposed on a common substrate. When one of the emitters fails, the remaining emitters emit enough light to meet the output optical power specification. The emitters can be disposed with a tight spacing. The tight spacing facilitates packaging of the entire array into a compact single package on a common heat sink.
US09046357B1

Some embodiments of the invention provide a novel parallel line level accessory configured to produce a straight line marking on a surface, where the produced straight line marking is adjacent to a level and parallel to the long axis of the level. In some embodiments, the parallel line level accessory comprises a set of bracket fasteners, a container with a surface marking substance and a line, a rotating wheel, a line alignment guide, and a pulley. The set of bracket fasteners of some embodiments attach the parallel line level accessory to the level. In some embodiments, the parallel line level accessory is adjustable for attaching to a level of any size.
US09046356B2

A system and method for computer automated optimal lateral alignment of a spectrophotometer over a region of consistent color on a moving media or web for maintaining consistent color and or tonal qualities of a color application production process. The system consisting of a computer operated lateral traverse mechanism affixed to the press or color application equipment that is able to move the sensor laterally in small increments across the band of the color patches on the moving web or media, marking the lateral position each time it makes a light measurement, and therefrom calculating the optimal lateral alignment or position of the sensor for maintaining consistent color or density control during the color application process.
US09046354B2

An apparatus, system and method for measuring straightness of components of rotating assemblies are described. A digital mapping system for measuring the straightness of a shaft of an electric submersible pump comprises a light emitting micrometer. A method for measuring the straightness of components of rotating assemblies comprises providing a controller with acceptable deviation parameters for a component to be measured, surface mapping the component using a light emitting micrometer, electronically identifying bent locations on the component that exceed the acceptable deviation parameters, and measuring circumferentially at the bent locations with the light emitting micrometer to determine the magnitude of the bend. An apparatus for measuring a component of a rotating assembly comprises a light emitting micrometer configured to map the surface of a component and a range finder coupled to the micrometer for determining the location of the micrometer during measurement.
US09046348B2

The invention relates to a heat transfer method that uses a composition containing from 60 to 95 wt % of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and from 5 to 40 wt % of at least one hydrocarbon selected from n-pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane. The invention more particularly relates to a heat transfer method that successively includes the step of evaporating a refrigerant fluid, a compression step, the step of condensing said fluid at a temperature higher than or equal to 35° C., and preferably between 70° C. and 140° C., and the step of expanding said fluid, characterized in that the refrigerant fluid includes from 60 to 95 wt % of 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane and from 5 to 40 wt % of at least one hydrocarbon selected from n-pentane, isopentane and cyclopentane.
US09046347B2

The overall field of the invention is that of systems for detecting the posture of a moving object in space. The device according to the invention comprises: a fixed electrooptical device comprising a point emission source, a telecentric lens comprising a projection lens, a reception lens and a semireflective optical element and a photosensitive matrix-type sensor, the point emission source being arranged at the common focal point of the projection lens and of the reception lens by reflection or transmission through the semireflective optical element, and; an assembly comprising at least three corner cube retroreflectors which are arranged on the moving object. The main application of this device is the detection of the orientation of an aircraft pilot helmet.
US09046339B2

Methods for determining improving quantitative and qualitative motion contrast information collected with optical coherence tomography (OCT) data are presented. In one embodiment, flow within a cross-sectional area of a sample is calculated independent of the Doppler and en face angles using a bidirectional OCT system. In another embodiment, motion contrast images are improved by averaging motion contrast information collected from a bidirectional OCT system.
US09046338B2

The present invention relates to a full-field optical coherence tomography system (300) for imaging an object (319), comprising a light source (301), a first interferometric device having means for splitting an input light beam and comprising at least a reflecting surface (307), a second interferometric device having means for splitting the spectrally modulated output beam and comprising at least a reflecting surface, a multichannel acquisition device (321), the system (300) being characterized in that at least one of the interferometric devices includes at least a focusing optical element arranged to focus at least one of the input beams or at least one of the output beams onto the corresponding reflecting surface of the corresponding interferometric device.
US09046336B2

A device for inspecting rings and necks of containers includes a movable element with an outer gauge for checking the outside of the ring of the containers, and an inner gauge for checking the inside of the ring and neck of the containers. The movable element includes a system for measuring the position of the movable element relative to the frame, a system for detecting contact between the inner gauge and the container, a system for detecting contact between the outer gauge and the container, and a processing unit for determining, on the basis of the measurements of the position of the movable element and of the instances of contact between the gauges and the container, whether or not the size of the rings and/or necks of the containers are acceptable, and the types of defects for the containers whereof the sizes of the rings and/or necks are not acceptable.
US09046332B2

A projectile assembly comprises a base portion for receiving projectiles such as slugs and has an associated pusher plate at a rear end thereof for minimizing or controlling deformation of the rear end of the base portion during firing. The pusher plate has a disc with one or more axially extending projections that extend axially into the rearward end of the base portion thereby reinforcing the base portion and upon firing providing uniform axial deformation and/or obturation of the base portion with respect to a firearm barrel. The projectile assembly may be, for example, part of a shotgun shell slug cartridge, and provides enhanced accuracy over the prior art.
US09046328B2

Shot shells with enhanced performance due to inclusion of an absorber between the shot wad and the shot payload. The absorber reduces the pressure within a shot gun's chamber during firing of the shell, such as by absorbing energy generated during the firing process, and may thereafter return some of the energy to the pellets as the absorber and pellets are propelled along the firearm's barrel. Accordingly, the absorber enables a shot shell to generate shot payload velocities that are greater than would be achieved without the absorber, typically at a lower internal chamber pressure. In some embodiments, the absorber has (1) a Young's Modulus of less than 2,000 psi (137.9 bar), (2) a compressive strength of at least 100 psi (6.9 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar), and/or (3) a tensile strength of at least 145 psi (10 bar) and/or less than 10,000 psi (689.5 bar).
US09046327B2

A gas generator is provided, the gas generator having a propellant cushion that prevents movement of propellant tablets or grains by providing a bias thereagainst. Furthermore, the cushion is formed from a desiccating material thereby removing moisture and inhibiting moisture uptake by the propellant during manufacture of the gas generator. The elastomeric cushion is also able to manage the presence of chlorine-containing products during periods of inactivation of the gas generator. Accordingly, variables such as fractured propellant and/or moisture retained within the propellant are mitigated or eliminated, thereby enhancing repeatability of inflator performance.
US09046326B1

A ballistic laminate structure in sheet form includes first and second pre-annealed nonwoven fabric layers. Each fabric layer is constructed of a loosely assembled array of unidirectionally-oriented, untwisted, high performance fibers. The layers are joined together at an angle to form a dimensionally stable cross-plied fabric.
US09046318B2

An archery finger tab (10) for a bowstring is taught, which consists of a tab face (20) having an index finger portion (26), a middle and ring finger portion (28) and a U-shaped slot (30). A backing member (36) is juxtaposed beneath the tab face and has the same configuration as the tab face. A mounting plate (38) is attached jointly to a rear edge of the tab face and the backing member, with the mounting plate having plurality of strap receiving slots (32). The mounting plate has a finger spacer (44) attached beneath the U-shaped slots in the tab face and backing member, and includes a snap buckle (56) attached on top of the mounting plate. A finger retaining strap (64) is attached to the mounting plate adjacent to the mounting plate forward edge and forms an index finger loop (66), a middle finger loop (68) and a ring finger loop (70). The strap (64) ends when attached to the snap buckle (56).
US09046316B1

A suppressor for a firearm having dynamic baffles that move together during the discharge of a firearm. A dynamic baffle assembly may be positioned within a housing that may be connected to a barrel of a firearm. A projectile path passes between dynamic baffles of positioned within the housing. The dynamic baffles include engaging faces that are adapted to permit the passage of the projectile through the dynamic baffles. The gas created from the discharge of ammunition impinges upon the engaging faces causing the movement of the dynamic baffles towards each other. The movement of the dynamic baffles may slow the flow of gases created by the discharge of ammunition and reduce the noise created during the discharge of a firearm.
US09046315B2

The present disclosure provides a device for supporting and displaying a handgun. In various embodiments, the device comprises a moisture barrier back plate, a pair of opposing looped fingers extending from the back plate, and at least one retention hook extending from a top portion of the back plate. Each looped finger comprises an upper support arm and a lower support arm, and each retention hook is structured and operable to be disposed within a hole in a display panel to connect and retain the device on the display panel. The device is fabricated of a non-marring material, e.g., a polymer or synthetic material such as Acrylic, Nylon 6, Carbon Fiber, etc., that will not scratch, abrade or mar any portion of the firearm.
US09046313B1

Applicants have disclosed an adjustable modular trigger assembly, and a related method, to avoid an unexpected firing of a long gun after an unintentional trigger pull. Applicants' preferred assembly comprises: a modular trigger housing, containing every trigger component, designed to be removably mounted within a lower firearm receiver; a trigger pull adjustment screw in a housing wall; and a sear force adjustment screw in another housing wall. During an intentional trigger pull, the shooter's finger pushes against a secondary trigger until it nestles within a slot of a non-coaxial primary trigger. Continued pulling on both triggers causes a sear to fall off a hammer notch and the firearm to discharge. In an unintentional trigger pull or jostling of the primary trigger, hooked protrusions (within the housing) of the second trigger and hammer engage to block the hammer from fully rotating, thereby avoiding discharge of the firearm.
US09046305B2

A phase change type heat dissipating device for dissipating heat from a heat generating component includes a casing, a working medium received in the casing and a heat pipe connected to the casing. The heat pipe includes an evaporator section and a condenser section. The working medium is electrically insulated and phase change material, and represents solid state at normal temperature. The heat generating component is received in the casing, and the evaporator section of the heat pipe extends into the casing and contacts the working medium.
US09046297B2

The present invention relates to a refrigerator/freezer having doors in turn having seals, with the seals in the closed state of the doors sealing the region between the doors, the seal of at least one door movable into a position at least regionally having larger spacing from the seal of the other door than in the closed position, at least one cam moving on opening and closing the door, and the cam contacting both the door and the seal to move the seal from the first to second position when the door is opened.
US09046282B2

This invention relates to photovoltaic modules and arrays, methods of assembling photovoltaic arrays, and methods for shipping components of photovoltaic arrays.
US09046277B2

An air vent for conducting air flows, particularly for heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems in motor vehicles, has at least one housing, a shaft having air deflecting disks attached thereto, and a rotary drive for adjusting the shaft. In order to enable a high degree of design freedom, the housing of the air vent has an air outlet channel having a longitudinally curved structure, or such an air outlet channel is attached to a housing, and the shaft is a flexible shaft or a universal shaft, and the air deflection disks are attached to the shaft in a fixed or loose but rotationally secured manner and rotate with the shaft.
US09046275B2

An air conditioner includes a refrigerant circuit, an electromagnetic induction heating unit, and a control unit. The refrigerant circuit has a compressing mechanism with an adjustable operating capacity, a heat source side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, and a utilization side heat exchanger. The electromagnetic induction heating unit heats a refrigerant piping and/or a member that is in thermal contact with a refrigerant that flows through the refrigerant piping. The control unit sets the electromagnetic induction heating unit to a forced inhibit state if any one of a condition in which the electromagnetic induction heating unit has been manually set to operation inhibited; a condition in which an air conditioning load is small; and a condition in which an amount of circulating refrigerant is small is satisfied.
US09046265B2

A reheat burner includes a channel with a lance projecting thereinto to inject a fuel over an injection plane perpendicular to a channel longitudinal axis. The channel and lance define a vortex generation zone upstream of the injection plane and a mixing zone downstream of the injection plane in the hot gas direction. The mixing zone has a cross section with diverging side walls in the hot gas direction. The diverging side walls define curved surfaces in the hot gas direction having a constant radius.
US09046262B2

In an embodiment, a system includes a turbine fuel nozzle having a hub with an axis, a shroud surrounding the hub along the axis, an air flow path between the hub and the shroud, and a fuel flow path. The turbine fuel nozzle also includes a swirl vane extending between the hub and the shroud in a radial direction relative to the axis. The swirl vane includes a fuel inlet coupled to the fuel flow path, a fuel chamber extending from the fuel inlet, and a plurality of fuel outlets extending from the fuel chamber to the air flow path. The plurality of fuel outlets is positioned at an axial distance of at least approximately ⅔ of an axial length of the fuel chamber downstream from an upstream point along an upstream edge of the fuel chamber.
US09046260B2

A wand for visual communication comprising an elongated handle having an interior region, an elongated optical element having an interior region composed of light transparent material configured for joinder to the handle, and lighting disposed in the interior region and in communication with a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a controller configured to energize said lighting in response to user input and sensor input.
US09046256B2

The connector for connecting the LED tube to the electrical supply holder has a pair of metal connector pins each of which has a pair of electrical contact in two bores of a circumferential array of bore to allow the LED tube to be inserted into the electrical supply holder in each of several positions 90° apart. In a second embodiment, the connector has a pair of metal connector pins each of which has a semi-cylindrical wall against which a pin of the LED tube contacts. In this embodiment, the LED tube may be turned up to 360°.
US09046247B2

A niche for a pool or spa light includes a back wall having an aperture for a power cable, a side wall, a plurality of mounting ribs, and a groove formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs for receiving a locking mechanism of a pool or a spa light for locking the pool or spa light in position with respect to the niche. In another embodiment, a niche for a pool or spa light includes a body and a rotatable hub with a plurality of mounting ribs for attaching a pool or spa light to the hub. The body includes a back wall having a power cable aperture and a threaded aperture for receiving a screw, and a side wall. The hub includes a back wall having an aperture for receiving the screw and a plurality of mounting ribs, the hub being rotatable about the screw. A groove is formed in at least one of the plurality of mounting ribs for receiving a locking mechanism of a pool or a spa light for locking the pool or spa light in position with respect to the niche.
US09046244B2

A lighting apparatus includes a lamp fixture; a bar-shaped lamp provided on the lamp fixture; a reflector, provided above the lamp fixture and below the bar-shaped lamp, including a first reflecting element, a second reflecting element opposite to the first reflecting element, and a reflector bottom connected to lower ends of the first and the second reflecting elements, so as to define a semi-closed internal space for containing the bar-shaped lamp, wherein the first and the second reflecting elements respectively have at least an outwardly-bent reflecting part for reflecting possibly much light out; a light sensor, clipping on the bar-shaped lamp, for detecting a change of ambient illuminance (LUX) and outputting a change signal; an electric power adjusting element, connected to the light sensor and the bar-shaped lamp, for receiving the change signal and accordingly adjusting the electric power of the bar-shaped lamp; and power connectors and emergency power connectors.
US09046243B2

A backlight module includes at least one light source, a light reflecting member, and a frame. The light reflecting member includes a center reflecting part, two first peripheral reflecting parts, two second peripheral reflecting parts, and two extension parts. The extension parts extend from either first upper bases of the first peripheral reflecting parts or second upper bases of the second peripheral reflecting parts, respectively. The center reflecting part, the first peripheral reflecting parts, the second peripheral reflecting parts and the extension parts are integrally formed as a one-piece, unitary member. The extension parts of the light reflecting member are disposed on either first side parts of the frame or second side parts of the frame, respectively.
US09046241B2

At least one embodiment in the disclosure describes a high efficiency directional light engine. The light engine comprises a light emitter emitting light and a collimation lens. The collimation lens has a cone-shaped sidewall, a base surface and a curved top surface. The height of the cone-shaped sidewall is at least three times more than the diameter of the base surface. The light emitter is optically coupled to and disposed in close proximity to the base surface. One or more first reflection images of the light emitter result from first reflection of the light off a surface of the cone-shaped sidewall. The diameter of the light emitter is substantially close to the diameter of the base surface so that the light emitter and the first reflection images form a virtual point light source with minimal gap(s) or without any gap between the light emitter and the first reflection images.
US09046239B2

An illumination device includes: a light source including a plurality of light emission elements disposed adjacent to one another and phosphors; and a lens sheet including a plurality of first prisms disposed on an optical axis of the light source and disposed concentrically around the optical axis of the light source, wherein a plurality of second prisms reaching up to an outer peripheral portion of the lens sheet is radially formed around the optical axis of the light source on a surface of the lens sheet where the first prisms are formed.
US09046238B2

An illumination device including a base, at least one LED light source and a first diffusing element is provided. The base has a supporting plane. The LED light source disposed on the supporting plane has a light emitting surface substantially parallel to the supporting plane. The first diffusing element disposed on the supporting plane is a hollow column surrounding the LED light source. An inner diameter width of the first diffusing element is gradually reduced outward from the base. The first diffusing element has a rough surface comprising a plurality of surface structures.
US09046235B2

The present invention discloses an improved renewable energy and rechargeable LED lighting unit having a roadway/street light pole with a polygonal frame member configuration disposed there about. A plurality of solar panels affixed to the polygonal configuration. The solar panels include a plurality of electrical modules that are affixed directly to an interior wall of at least one of the solar panels without interfering with the polygonal frame member when attached. A two-part closure plate arrangement are attached directly to the polygonal frame member and completely enclose and seal the plurality of electrical modules between the frame member and the at least one of the solar panels.
US09046234B2

In a simulated sunlight irradiation apparatus (100), at least one of at least one optical filter (4) and at least one optical filter (6) is provided so as to be switchable with another optical filter (14 or 16) having a transmittance characteristic that is different from a transmittance characteristic of the at least one of the at least one optical filter (4) and the at least one optical filter (6).
US09046228B2

A light-emitting unit includes a mounting substrate, and a first light-emitting portion disposed on the mounting substrate and emits light of a first color temperature to irradiate a first irradiation area, and second light-emitting portions each disposed on the mounting substrate and emits light of a second color temperature to irradiate a second irradiation area. The second irradiation area overlaps part of the first irradiation area and includes a region surrounding the first irradiation area.
US09046225B2

Optically patterned waveguides and systems employing optically pattered waveguides are provided. The optically patterned waveguide is configured for use in a lighting system and arranged perpendicular to an overhead structure, such as a ceiling. The optically patterned waveguide includes major surfaces that are patterned with a plurality of elongated facets formed into the major surfaces and extending in a direction parallel to the length of the waveguide. The optically patterned waveguide provides illumination patterns having increased uniformity.
US09046218B2

Methods and apparatus for offloading CNG from high-pressure storage vessels (22) are provided. The methods and apparatus are operable to warm the offloaded CNG either before or after a letdown in pressure to ensure that the delivered product is gaseous and that delivery of condensed products to downstream equipment is avoided. Particularly, a heating assembly (32) configured to warm a stream offloaded from a vessel (22) and flowing through a coil-shaped conduit (84) by infrared energy emitted by one or more heating elements (70) is provided upstream or downstream of a pressure reduction device (50).
US09046216B2

A monitor stand for supporting a screen unit is provided. The monitor comprises a supporting unit, a mounting unit, at least one contact wall and at least one brake unit. The brake unit includes a resisting block capable of moving between a first position and a second position. A lower frictional threshold force is generated between the resisting block and the contact wall if the resisting block is at the first position; an upper frictional threshold force is generated between the resisting block and the contact wall if the resisting block is at the second position. The mounting unit moves against the supporting unit and toward a first direction or a second direction, and the resisting block is at the first position if the mounting unit moves toward the first direction, and the resisting block is at the second position if the mounting unit moves toward the second direction.
US09046215B2

A support device, applicable for holding up an electronic device in different directions, the support device includes a base and a curved sliding bracket. The base includes a fixing part. The curved sliding bracket is slidably assembled on the base in a curve direction. The electronic device is adapted for being fixed on the curved sliding bracket. The base includes a sliding rail, where the curved sliding bracket is assembled.
US09046214B2

The present invention relates to a lift support device, which comprises a vertical frame, a support seat, an elastic mechanism and at least a friction compensating mechanism. A substrate of the vertical frame is installed with a pair of slide rails at two sides opposite to the support seat, the elastic mechanism includes at least a constant-force spring installed between the vertical frame and the support seat; and the friction compensating mechanism includes an adjusting unit installed on the support seat, and the distal end of the adjusting unit faced towards the substrate is connected with an elastic member and a wearing resistant sleeve; when the support seat longitudinally slides between two sides of the vertical frame, the friction between the wearing resistant sleeve and the substrate is additionally increased for compensating the insufficient elastic force or overly-large elastic force provided by the constant-force spring.
US09046197B2

A para-seismic support for a pipe comprising a support member configured to receive the pipe, the support member having means of supporting the para-seismic support from a ceiling structure and at least one axial side plate extending in a generally vertical plane perpendicular to the axis of the pipe when resting on the support member, the side plate having a pair of attachment holes extending therethrough configured for attaching to a support element.
US09046196B2

Pipe articles and methods of forming the same are described herein. The methods generally include providing an ethylene based polymer; contacting the ethylene based polymer with a secondary stabilizer including a diphosphite to form a modified polyethylene; and forming the modified polyethylene into a pipe.
US09046188B2

The present disclosure relates to an electromagnetic actuator. The actuator comprises a casing, a sleeve, coils, a permanent magnet, cores and a movable plunger. The present disclosure is unusual in that the sleeve is made of magnetic material. The sleeve enables a single component to mechanically and hydraulically isolate the plunger from the coils. The sleeve is also made of a material having a lower saturation induction than that of the materials used in other parts of the magnetic circuit. The actuator is also suitable for incorporation into a submerged cryogenic valve.
US09046170B2

A device for the pulsed release of an amount of fluid stored in a storage housing (2) has a locking device (7) formed by a piston-cylinder arrangement (8). The arrangement has a cylinder housing (9) subdivided into a first working chamber (11) and a second working chamber (12) by a working piston (10). An electrorheological or magnetorheological valve (14) in the form of a gap (15) or an opening is arranged between the working chambers (11, 12) in the circumference (13) of the working piston (10) or in the working piston (10).
US09046168B2

An improved device, for actuating a valve, comprises a housing and a gear train accommodated in the housing. The gear train includes a center gearset, a planet-pinion carrier, and an output internal gear. The center gearset includes a first external gear and a second external gear being coaxially fixed to the first external gear. The planet-pinion carrier is mounted around the first external gear of the center gearset, wherein a first bearing is provided between the center gearset and the planet-pinion carrier; at least three pinions are mounted at a bottom or inside of the planet-pinion carrier, the pinions being meshed with the first external gear of the center gearset. The output internal gear is mounted in mesh with the pinions, wherein a second bearing is provided between the output internal gear and the housing. The present invention is durable in structure and has a high transmission efficiency.
US09046163B2

A transmission device includes a rotatable shaft, a first transmission member, and a second transmission member. The first transmission member includes a first fitting portion fitted coaxially to an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft, and is attached to the rotatable shaft to transmit torque. The second transmission member is rotatably driven by a driving device and includes a second fitting portion fitted coaxially to the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft. The second transmission member is connected coaxially to the first transmission member while the first and the second fitting portions are fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the rotatable shaft.
US09046157B2

The present invention includes a bar having a maximum cross section region smaller than a minimum cross section region of a hollow portion of a pipe P, and projected portions mounted along an axial direction of the bar and including a projected portion with maximum extent Hb, extent Ha of the projected portion positioned at a leading end side of the bar is set to be smaller than extent Hb of the projected portion positioned at a center side in the axial direction, and extent Hc of the projected portion positioned at a base end side of the bar is set to be less than or equal to extent Hb of the projected portion.
US09046131B2

Including a synthetic resin-made bearing base 2 having a base portion 4, an annular protruding portion 6 provided integrally on and protruding from one surface 5 of the base portion 4, and an air supply passage 11 which is provided in the annular protruding portion 6 and the base portion 4 and which has one end 7 open at a protruding end face 8 of the annular protruding portion 6 and another end 9 open at a outer peripheral surface 10 of the base portion 4; and a synthetic resin-made bearing body 3 having an annular recessed portion 42 which is formed in one surface 41 opposing the one surface 5 of the base portion 4 and which receives the annular protruding portion 6 of the bearing base 2, an annular recessed groove 44 which is open at another surface 43, and a plurality of air outlet holes 47 serving as inherent restrictors each of which communicates with the annular recessed groove 44 at one end 45 and opens to the annular recessed portion 42 at another end 46.
US09046130B2

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique gas turbine engine. Another embodiment is a unique gas turbine engine high speed rolling element bearing system. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for gas turbine engines and high speed rolling element bearing systems for gas turbine engines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
US09046129B1

A circulation module of a linear guideway for being installed on a sliding block, comprises two circulation tubes each having a fill-in opening, two rolling units respectively arranged into the circulation tubes via the fill-in openings, and two separating sheets respectively installed on the circulation tubes to shield the fill-in openings. When the circulation tubes coupling through the sliding block, the fill-in openings respectively expose from two opposite ends of the sliding block, and part of each rolling unit arrange out of the corresponding circulation tube is disposed on the sliding block. Thus, the instant disclosure provides the circulation module for receiving the rolling units quickly and simplifying the construction of an end cap module mating thereto. Moreover, the instant disclosure also provides a linear guideway.
US09046126B2

A connecting rod for an engine may include a sleeve portion having a distal end including a distal aperture configured to be coupled to a piston, and a rod portion having a proximal end including a proximal aperture configured to be coupled to a crankshaft. The rod portion may be configured to reciprocate in the sleeve portion, such that a distance between a center of the proximal aperture and a center of the distal aperture is variable. An engine may include the connecting rod, a power train may include the engine, and a vehicle may include the power train.
US09046120B2

A threaded fastener having a threaded portion with a ratio of pitch diameter to minor diameter less than 1.28, and the threaded portion with a major diameter portion, a leading flank having a normal angle between 10° and 60°, a trailing flank having a normal angle between 1° and 30°, and a shank portion extending between the trailing flank and the leading flank of adjacent threads of a arcuate surface having a radius greater than the thread height. The arcuate surface forming the shank portion may have a radius between 1.2 and 1.8 times the thread height.
US09046116B2

A connection arrangement (10) for connecting perpendicular first and second tubular members (12, 14). The arrangement (10) including coaxial circular and larger square openings (20, 22) provided on opposite faces of the tubular member (12). A circular opening (24) is provided in the second tubular member (14) alignable with the openings (26, 28) further openings are provided in the member 14 on either side of the opening to receive a face of the first member (12) when abutting against the second member (14). A nut (36) is trapped behind the opening (24), and a bolt (38) can extend through the two openings (20, 22) in the first member to engage with the bolt (38) to retain the members (12, 14) together.
US09046115B1

An eddy-current-minimizing flow plug has open flow channels formed between the plug's inlet and outlet. Each open flow channel includes (i) a first portion that originates at the inlet face and converges to a location within the plug that is downstream of the inlet, and (ii) a second portion that originates within the plug and diverges to the outlet. The diverging second portion is approximately twice the length of the converging first portion. The plug is devoid of planar surface regions at its inlet and outlet, and in fluid flow planes of the plug that are perpendicular to the given direction of a fluid flowing therethrough.
US09046109B2

A centrifugal blower in a cooling system of an electronic device having asymmetrical blade spacing with acceptable balance. The asymmetrical blade spacing is determined according to a set of desired acoustic artifacts that are favorable and balance that is similar to that found with equal fan blade spacing. In one embodiment, the fan impeller can include sixty one fan blades.
US09046103B2

A vacuum pump (50) comprises a casing and a rotor located in the casing, the rotor comprising a shaft (52) supported by a bearing arrangement (64, 66) for rotation relative to the casing. A lubricant reservoir (82) is provided for storing lubricant for lubricating a rolling bearing (64) of the bearing arrangement, and a brush (84) comprising a set of bristles (86) held by the reservoir transfers lubricant from the reservoir to the rotor.
US09046091B2

A cryopump includes a second-stage cryopanel, a radiation shield that surrounds the second-stage cryopanel and has a shield opening, and a first-stage cryopanel provided in the shield opening. The first-stage cryopanel includes a first panel provided with opening regions thereon in a first distribution, and a second panel arranged closer to the second-stage cryopanel than the first panel and provided with opening regions thereon in a second distribution different from the first distribution when viewed in an arrangement direction of the first and second panels.
US09046090B2

An impeller vane includes at least one groove on a high pressure or working surface of the impeller vane to increase pump efficiency and reduce pump power requirements. The impeller vane includes a groove or a plurality of grooves formed on the high pressure surface of the vane. The grooves extend from a leading end of the vane to a trailing end of the vane. The grooves define ridges on either side of each groove that extend the length of the groove.
US09046074B2

A split collar mountable turbine that can be assembled in two separate halves and adapted to be attached circumferentially around existing structures. Top and bottom attachment rings each comprise first and second arcuate elements adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form two rings. A fan blade housing ring comprising first and second arcuate elements, adapted to interface into complimentary slots within the top and bottom rings, and also adapted to interconnect circumferentially about an axis to form a fan blade housing ring and is received in complimentary slots. The fan blade housing ring moves in tracks located in the top and bottom rings. Located within the fan blade housing are two pair of off-axis electrical generators driven by rotation of said fan blade housing to produce electricity.
US09046063B2

The present disclosure relates to air intake systems and methods for manufacturing the same. Systems include an air inlet that defines a slope equal to a vertical distance between a surface of a fascia shield and a surface of the engine intake channel, divided by a longitudinal distance between the shield and engine intake channel. Unwanted moisture and debris is filtered from the engine intake channel.
US09046062B2

A system and method for capturing emissions including a first vent configured to capture a first combustible fluid and an inlet configured to filter a noncombustible, wherein the combustible fluid and the noncombustible fluid are combined to form a diluted stream. A first valve may be in fluid communication with the first vent and the inlet, and the first valve may be configured to receive and control flow of the diluted stream. An engine may be in fluid communication with the first valve and configured to receive and combust the diluted stream.
US09046046B2

A brake ECU executes a program including: the step of executing a first brake hydraulic pressure control for preventing decrease of brake hydraulic pressure regardless of decrease in an amount of operation of a brake pedal, if position is at a P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is determined to be decreasing; and the step of executing a normal, second hydraulic pressure control if the position is not the P position and the amount of operation of the brake pedal is not determined to be decreasing.
US09046045B2

The present invention concerns an output control device for an internal combustion engine for generating a drive force of a vehicle. The output control device includes a braking request detection sensor for detecting whether or not a braking request operation has been performed, and a controller programmed to calculate a braking operation time from the start of the braking request operation, and limit an output of the internal combustion engine when the braking operation time becomes longer than a predetermined time.
US09046043B2

A process for performing energy conversion that converts pressure energy to produce expansive work in one or more devices selected from the group including a reversible fuel cell, expansion motor, and heat releasing combustor.
US09046036B2

A turbocharger bearing cartridge can include a bearing with an inner race, an outer race and rolling elements disposed between the inner race and the outer race; a journal bearing; and a shell that includes an interior, compressor side annular surface configured to seat the outer race of the bearing and an interior, turbine side annular surface configured to seat the journal bearing.
US09046035B2

An inlet for removal of a boundary layer from an incoming air flow of an engine is disclosed. The inlet includes at least one compression element proximate to an inlet aperture of the engine. The compression element is selectably moveable between a first position and a second position along an axis. A boundary layer removal aperture is open when the compression element is in the first position and the boundary layer removal aperture is closed when the compression element is in the second position.
US09046033B2

A combustion engine can include an engine block having interior and exterior block surfaces and a combustion generating system connected thereto, with the inner block surface defining a cavity therein; an exhaust port between the inner and exterior block surfaces; a crankshaft rotatably fixed within the cavity and configured to rotate around an axis; and leading and trailing blades connected to the crankshaft. During a combustion event, the inner block surface is complementarily shaped to the leading and trailing blades, such that the inner block surface is outside the blades' ranges of travel. A combustion generating system can supply and ignite an air fuel composition to create a combustion force positioned closer to one of the blades, forcing the one of the blades to rotate away from the combustion force, which rotates the crankshaft around the axis.
US09046031B2

A mask portion is provided at a partial area of an intake port at a side opposite to an exhaust port. The mask portion prevents a part of the intake port from being opened when the intake valve is in a low lift state. A top surface of a piston includes a smooth surface. An ECU sets the maximum lift of the intake valve for a variable valve mechanism to an intermediate lift and sets a fuel injection timing for an injector to a compression stroke when an operating range of the engine is a fast idle range. The intermediate lift is an amount of lift at which the intake valve is moved beyond the mask portion and a flow rate of intake air in the partial area is limited relative to a flow rate of the intake air in other areas owing to the mask portion.
US09046026B2

A method and system for treating exhaust emitted via an exhaust line from a diesel engine. A POC system is installed on the exhaust line, and has at least one diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), a set of two or more particulate oxidation catalyst (POC) elements, a first differential pressure sensor (ΔP1) to measure the pressure difference across the first and all but the last POC elements, and a second differential pressure sensor (ΔP2) to measure pressure differences across the last POC element. During operation of the engine, ΔP1 is monitored to determine whether its POC elements require active regeneration, and ΔP2 is separately monitored to determine whether its (the last) POC element requires active regeneration.
US09046024B2

The electricity is suppressed from flowing through a case (5) of an electric heating catalyst (1). The electric heating catalyst (1) comprises a heat generating element (3) which generates heat by applying electricity; a case (5) which accommodates the heat generating element (3); an inner tube (4) which is provided between the heat generating element (3) and the case (5); a mat (6) which is provided between the heat generating element (3) and the inner tube (4) and between the inner tube (4) and the case (5) and which insulates the electricity; and an electrode (7) which is connected to the heat generating element (3) and which supplies an electric power to the heat generating element (3); wherein an insulating layer (41), which insulates the electricity, is formed on a surface of the inner tube (4); and the insulating layer (41) is formed so that a portion, which is disposed on an inner circumferential surface side (403), is thinner than a portion which is disposed on an outer circumferential surface side (402) of the inner tube.
US09046020B2

In an electrically heated catalyst, an electrode is connected to a heat generating element while passing through a through-hole which is formed through a case and an electrode chamber which is formed between an inner wall surface of the case and an outer circumferential surface of the heat generating element. Further, a support member, which is formed of an electric insulator material and which supports the electrode in the through-hole formed through the case, extends along the electrode to the inside of the electrode chamber.
US09046019B2

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of regenerating a particulate filter includes flowing an exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine into a particulate filter and determining a particulate level in the particulate filter. The method also includes performing a primary regeneration when the particulate level is below a first value, the primary regeneration including flowing exhaust gas with a selected amount of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas into the particulate filter, and performing a secondary regeneration when the particulate level is above the first value, the secondary regeneration including flowing exhaust gas with an increased amount of nitrogen oxide into the particulate filter.
US09046016B2

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling regeneration for an exhaust system including a particulate filter is provided, where the method includes determining a mass flow rate of oxygen, determining a particulate mass, providing information describing desired set point temperatures corresponding to oxygen mass flow rates and particulate mass values and determining a temperature set point for exhaust gas entering the particulate filter based on the mass flow rate of oxygen, the particulate mass and the information describing desired set point temperatures corresponding to oxygen mass flow rates and particulate mass values. The method further includes communicating a signal to control a parameter for at least one selected from the group consisting of: a hydrocarbon injector, a heating device and a fuel injector configured to provide hydrocarbon post-injection to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the controlling based on the determined temperature set point.
US09046013B2

A camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an internal combustion engine includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor is coaxially disposed within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining alternating advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is disposed within the rotor for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing a change in phase relationship between the rotor and the stator. A lock pin oil control valve is located within the camshaft phaser for 1) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the advance chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin and 2) selectively receiving the pressurized oil from one of the retard chambers and directing the pressurized oil to the lock pin for disengaging the lock pin from the lock pin.
US09045994B2

A seal assembly for a rotary machine is provided. The seal assembly includes multiple sealing device segments disposed circumferentially intermediate to a stationary housing and a rotor. Each of the sealing device segments includes a stator interface element. The sealing device segment also includes a shoe plate having one or more labyrinth teeth facing the rotor and a load-bearing surface region, wherein the shoe plate allows a high pressure fluid to an upstream portion of the forwardmost labyrinth tooth and a low pressure fluid to a downstream portion of the aftmost labyrinth tooth. The sealing device segment further includes a secondary seal in contact with the stator interface element at a radially outer end and in contact with an elevated nose of the shoe plate on a radially inner end; and multiple bellow springs or flexures attached to the shoe plate and to the stator interface element.
US09045993B2

A steam turbine 10 of an embodiment has seal rings 60 between an inlet sleeve 40 for introducing steam and an inner casing 20 and an outer casing 21 into which the inlet sleeve 40 is inserted. The seal rings 60 have high-temperature side seal rings 70 which are disposed their inner circumferences contacted to the outer circumference of the inlet sleeve 40, and low-temperature side seal rings 80 which are formed to have inner and outer diameters larger than those of the high-temperature side seal rings 70 and disposed with their outer circumferences contacted to the inner casing 20 or the outer casing 21. A thermal barrier layer 90 is disposed between the inner circumferences of the high-temperature side seal rings 70 and the outer circumference of the inlet sleeve 40 and between the high-temperature side seal rings 70 and the low-temperature side seal rings 80.
US09045990B2

A CMC disk for a gas turbine engine includes a CMC hub defined about an axis and a multiple of CMC airfoils integrated with the CMC hub.
US09045988B2

A turbine bucket having an airfoil is disclosed. The airfoil may include a pressure side wall and a suction side wall extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. In addition, the airfoil may include a base and a tip disposed opposite the base. The tip may include a tip floor and pressure and suction side tip walls extending outwardly from the tip floor. Moreover, the tip may include an intermediate tip wall extending outwardly from the tip floor between the pressure and suction side tip walls. The intermediate tip wall may define a height that is less than a height of the pressure and/or suction side tip walls.
US09045985B2

An assembly for use in a gas turbine engine includes an inner diameter (ID) shroud having a plurality of ID slots and an outer diameter (OD) shroud having a plurality of OD slots and positioned radially outward from the ID shroud. A plurality of stator airfoils extend from the ID shroud to the OD shroud. Each of the stator airfoils is positioned at least partially in one of the ID slots and is positioned at least partially in one of the OD slots. A bumper is positioned proximate a first end of each of the stator airfoils so as to limit movement of the stator airfoils in a radial direction.
US09045978B2

For increasing productivity of oil, gas and water wells, a horizontal or inclined well is excavated, a plurality of cavities are formed transversely to the direction of elongation of the well so as to provide partitions between them, and hydrocracking is carried out to act on the partitions between the cavities.
US09045976B2

The present invention relates to a wellbore pumping system submerged into a wellbore for unloading liquid from a wellbore comprising well fluid, such as gas, having a wellbore pressure, comprising a pump having an inlet and an outlet, a tubing fluidly connected with the outlet of the pump, and a driving unit connected with and powered by a cable, such as a wireline, and having a rotatable drive shaft for driving the pump, wherein the pump is a reciprocating pump comprising at least one pumping unit having a first moving member displaceable in a housing for sucking well fluid into and out of a first chamber. Furthermore, the invention relates to a wellbore pumping method.
US09045974B2

The present invention relates to a logging tool for detecting an element present in a fluid surrounding the tool downhole. The element is at least one bubble, particle or debris in the fluid, and the tool has a longitudinal axis and comprising an emitting device for emitting radiation, a lens for transmitting the radiation in a predetermined pattern of radiation, and a receiving device.
US09045973B2

In one aspect the present invention provides a down-hole monitoring system, comprising one or more pieces of down-hole equipment, for example a down-hole logging tool, and at least one resonant sensor for obtaining physical and chemical parameters of a down-hole fluid in proximity to the sensor. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for detecting material properties of a down-hole fluid, the method comprising placing a resonant LCR sensor within a piece of down-hole equipment, taking sensor readings down-hole, transmitting the sensor readings to a reader device, and analyzing the sensor readings.
US09045968B2

A method facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The method utilizes well components which are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. The method also involves coupling portions of the bearing to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
US09045967B2

During a drilling operation, measured data from the drilling operation may be received with a panistic inversion and risk estimate module. The panistic inversion and risk estimate module may generate a plurality of mathematical solutions from a panistic inversion that uses the measured data and one or more earth models. The one or more earth models having various parameters may be selected prior to drilling and/or while the drilling operation occurs. For each solution of the plurality of mathematical solutions generated from the panistic inversion, the panistic inversion and risk estimate module may determine if the measured data exceeds one or more probability risk thresholds associated with the drilling operation. If the measured data exceeds the probability risk threshold associated with the drilling operation, then the panistic inversion and risk estimate module may generate an alert.
US09045965B2

A method of treating a treatment zone in a well to reduce the permeability of the treatment zone including the steps of: introducing into the treatment zone a water-based treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous silica sol; and a water-soluble chemical activator for gelling the silica sol, wherein the chemical activator is selected from the group consisting of: phytic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, a water-soluble polyepoxysuccinic acid, salicylic acid, ascorbic acid, tannic acid, and an alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of any of the foregoing; and shutting in treatment zone for at least a sufficient time to allow the treatment fluid to in-situ form a solid gel at a design temperature for the method. Alternatively, a first treatment fluid including the aqueous silica sol and a second treatment fluid including the chemical activator can be introduced into the treatment zone separately, in any order.
US09045964B2

A fill up and circulation tool having an elongate body with an insertion section adapted for insertion into a tubular member, a base section adapted for engagement with a top drive, and a gauge section having a diameter less than that of the base section. A packer cup assembly and at least one spacer can be adjustably associated with the gauge section, the packer cup assembly being positionable at a plurality of locations along the gauge section by placing the packer cup assembly and one or more spacers relative to one another in a desired configuration, such that the packer cup assembly and one or more spacers occupy substantially all of the gauge section. The spacing and configuration of the packer cup assembly along the gauge section can be selected depending on the dimensions or type of top drive, elevator, bails, or other equipment at a worksite.
US09045961B2

A blowout preventer (BOP) seal and method are provided. The seal includes a tubular body comprising a plurality of segments that form a continuous loop. The tubular body has a plurality of inner projections extending from opposite sides of a first end thereof and a plurality of outer projections extending from opposite sides of a second end thereof. Each of the plurality of projections tapers away from the tubular body. A cross-sectional area along at least a portion of the plurality of segments is varied whereby the plurality of segments are selectively reinforced.
US09045960B2

An adjustable mudline suspension system, including a tubing hanger having an exterior profile, a clamp having an inner profile to mate with the exterior profile of the tubing hanger, a biasing element to bias the clamp radially inward into an engaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are mated, and a piston to bias the clamp radially outward into a disengaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are not mated when hydraulically actuated. The weight of the tubing hanger is supported by the adjustable mudline suspension system when the interior profile of the clamp mates with the exterior profile of the hanger.
US09045957B2

A resonant extractor system configured to use rotational energy provided by a top drive system to apply vertical oscillating motion to attached tubular or drilling equipment. The extractor includes a rotational component, an oscillation component, and an assembly of engagement features. The top drive system may rotate the rotational component about a vertical axis. In certain embodiments, the rotational component is a housing, the oscillation component is a quill, and the engagement features include a cam disposed on a shaft. The shaft is coupled to and extends radially into the housing, and the cam disposed on the shaft, which features an eccentric geometry relative the shaft, maintains contact with a lip extending from the quill in the housing. As the housing rotates, the eccentric cam rotates, raising and lowering the quill, which is configured to couple with tubular or drilling equipment.
US09045955B2

Rock detritus created by a drag bit cutter shearing subterranean formation material may flow under the cutter and attach itself to the side surface of the cutter barrel by differential pressure-induced sticking, and dilate. This attached material, confined by hydrostatic pressure, can create and strengthen a barrier between the cutter and the virgin rock being cut. The detritus barrier absorbs bit weight and reduces cutter efficiency by impairing contact of the cutter with the virgin rock formation. Increasing friction between the rock detritus and a side surface of the cutter barrel inhibits detritus flow, reduces build up, and allows hydrostatic pressure to contribute to, rather than inhibit, the cutting process. Similar beneficial results may be obtained when hydrostatic pressure drilling fluid is permitted to communicate through holes in the side surface of the cutter, or through an otherwise permeable side surface alleviating detritus sticking due to differential pressure effects.
US09045951B2

Sucker rods include end fittings having an outer wedge portion proximate to an open end, an inner wedge portion proximate to a closed end, and an intermediate wedge portion between the outer and inner wedges. Each wedge includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, and an angle between the leading and trailing edges. The triangular configuration, length of the leading edge, the length of the trailing edge, and size of the angle in each wedge portion cause distribution of force, such that compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the closed end exceed compressive forces distributed to the rod proximate the open end.
US09045944B2

A drilling rig having a top drive has a pipe gripper with a mandrel having an upper end for connection to and rotation with a drive string extending downward from the top drive. The pipe gripper has gripping elements that move radially into engagement with a string of pipe. A pull-down mechanism is mounted to the rig and secured to a non-rotating portion of the pipe gripper for exerting a downward force on the mandrel. A sensor is operatively coupled to the top drive to sense weight being supported by the top drive. A controller is linked to the sensor and the pull-down mechanism for controlling the downward force exerted on the mandrel by the pull-down mechanism in response to the weight sensed by the sensor.
US09045935B2

A vertically folding wall partition with a set of foldable panel assemblies serially and pivotally connected through a series of vertically spaced apart supports, and a moving mechanism varying a distance between opposed ends of each panel assembly following a downwardly progressing sequence starting with the uppermost panel assembly as the panel assemblies are moved from the deployed position to the folded position, and the moving mechanism varying the distance between the opposed ends of each panel assembly following an upwardly progressing sequence starting with the lowermost of the panel assemblies as the panel assemblies are moved from the folded position to the deployed position.
US09045920B2

A vehicle door handle device is provided with a handle base, an escutcheon member, and a plurality of connection portions which connect the handle base and the escutcheon member to each other. The plurality of connecting portions include: a first connecting portion including an inclined surface which causes a motion component force toward a frame exterior to be generated in the escutcheon member by a horizontal operating force applied to the escutcheon member, thereby unlocking the first connecting portion; a second connection portion which is unlocked by deforming the escutcheon member using a moveable region in a vicinity of the first connection portion generated by the unlocking in the first connecting portion; and an n-th connection portion which is unlocked by deforming the escutcheon member using the moveable region due to the unlocking in the preceding connection portions.
US09045915B2

A key with one or more movable elements that slide within the blade of a substantially flat key for operating a lock includes a blade configured to be inserted into a keyway of a lock and including contour features formed on an outer surface of the blade that mate with corresponding contour features of the keyway. The key includes at least one movable element disposed within a recess formed in the blade and including a contour surface exposed to the exterior of the key blade. The contour surface may include external contour features that correspond in shape to at least a portion of the contour features of the keyway. The movable element may be movable within the recess, when it engages a blocking member within the keyway, and after such movement, the element will engage a locking element within the lock.
US09045908B1

An operable ramp is moveable between a lowered stowed position and a raised deployed position. The operable ramp has a ramp panel rotatable about a first axis located at a first end. A support element is slidingly coupled to the ramp panel. The operable ramp further includes a drive assembly comprising an endless loop coupled to an end of the support element. The endless loop has a linear portion and an arcuate portion. During a first phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves upward along the linear portion. During a second phase of deployment, the end of the support element moves along the arcuate portion of the endless loop.
US09045907B2

A heated roof panel system which may be configured to control snow or ice build-up on a roof. The system may include heated elements and cladding elements configured to surround the heated elements. Further, the system may incorporate a snap-fit design configured to cover any points where portions of the system are pierced by fasteners.
US09045906B1

A collapsible safety railing system to be used with a roof-top hatch opening, the hatch opening having a hatch cover to open and close the hatch opening, the system including a plurality of post members configured such that each of the respective post members is pivotally coupled to a point proximate each respective perimeter corner of a base portion of the hatch opening, and such that the post members pivot between a substantially upright position and a closed position, one or more safety rails extending between adjacent ones of the post members on at least two sides of the hatch opening, a gate member provided at a side of the hatch opening at which the safety rails are not provided, and a linkage member to link the hatch cover to the collapsible safety railing system to move the post members to the substantially upright position when the hatch cover is in the open position, and to move the post members to the substantially collapsed position when the hatch cover is in the closed position.
US09045904B2

A multi-layered membrane comprising a first thermoplastic first layer and a second thermoplastic layer, where the second layer includes expandable graphite.
US09045903B2

A sealing arrangement for a pole assembly having a tubular base, a tubular upper mast of smaller diameter, and a cladding. An end of the upper mast is inserted within an end of the base and a portion of the base overlaps the upper mast and is fastened thereto, with the cladding surrounding the base. The sealing arrangement comprises a transition ring and a seal assembly. The transition ring surrounds a portion of the base, upper mast and cladding. The transition ring having an internal downwardly facing surface, and the seal assembly is disposed within said transition ring to seal between the external surface of the upper mast and the transition ring. The seal assembly comprising a sealing plate and a seal disposed between the downwardly facing surface and the sealing plate, and the sealing action of the seal assembly is actuated by the sealing plate squeezing said seal.
US09045893B2

The cut stone construction and masonry method is a wall construction technique using the Flemish bond pattern and utilizing natural stone cut in blocks. The technique employs only vertically oriented semi-dry mortar layers between the stones. No horizontal mortar layers are used in the construction, except at the foundation level. Use is made of the dry-stacking, horizontal surface bonding techniques developed by the ancient Egyptians.
US09045892B2

A header bracket for connecting a deck ledger board to the side of a house and thus connecting the deck to the house, especially a brick veneer house. The bracket is first connected to a house rim board or the concrete foundation. The bracket is configured to extend through the outside covering of the house, whether the covering be siding, stucco, brick veneer or some other covering. The deck ledger board is attached to the end of the bracket opposite of the end which is connected to the house. The deck is now built as normal by first connecting deck joists which are supported at one end by the ledger board and at the opposite end by posts. The length of the bracket is adjustable to provide for different thicknesses of siding or brick. The header bracket is capable of being assembled in either a U-shaped or a Z-shaped configuration.
US09045891B2

A stormwater treatment system includes water treatment media that defines a helical flow path within a conduit. The water treatment media may include a plurality of helical water treatment media components that are constructed and arranged to seal against an inside surface of the conduit. The individual helical water treatment media components may be installed in situ within the conduit when the conduit is positioned within a chamber having an access opening, and periodically removed and replaced by passing the components to the access opening. The components further may have a flexible frame, which allows the water treatment media to dynamically adjust to swelling of the filtration media and other forces that may occur during use. The performance of the system may be adjusted by adjusting the helical pitch of the helical water treatment media components.
US09045886B2

An overflow plate concealing device for bathtubs that is associated with a plate of an overflow system of the bathtub. This aspect of the invention allows the overflow plate to be concealed to allow the user to alter the aesthetic appearance of their bathtub or repair the same.
US09045881B1

A deployable safety apparatus attached to a vehicle frame includes two or more support components that are coupled to the vehicle frame, extend outwardly from the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is deployed, and retract inwardly toward the vehicle frame when the safety apparatus is not deployed, or retracted. Barrier components coupled to one or more corresponding support components form a safety barrier surrounding at least a portion of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is deployed and remain in a retracted position near the side of the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in a retracted position (i.e., not deployed). In some embodiments, at least some barrier components are additionally configured to form a fall-prevention barrier extending upward from the vehicle when the safety apparatus is in the retracted position.
US09045867B2

Process and device for heating a material constituted at least in part by worn road coatings to be recycled, particularly from milled materials or crushed agglomerates, characterized in that: heating worn road coatings to a first temperature with the help of first radiant heating elements disposed adjacent the worn road coatings to be recycled, mechanically moving these worn road coatings to be recycled during this heating step, and heating the worn road coatings to a second temperature with the help of second radiant heating elements, disposed adjacent the worn road coatings to be recycled, so as to bring the coatings to a working temperature, between 160 to 220° C.
US09045857B2

A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibrating unit configured to defibrate a defibration object, a measuring unit configured to acquire information relating to the moisture contained in the defibration object, and a controller configured to modify an operating condition of the defibrating unit based on the information.
US09045847B2

A foaming porous pad suitable for coupling to a hand-held device and for application to human skin includes a porous pad substrate and a foaming composition disposed on the porous pad substrate. The porous pad substrate includes a nonwoven pile fabric having a nonwoven backing layer and a pile comprising individual fibers extending from the backing layer. The nonwoven pile fabric has fibers having a denier of less than about 9. Other aspects of the disclosure include a kit including a foaming porous pad and a motorized handheld device, methods of making the foaming porous pad, and methods of using the foaming porous pad.
US09045839B2

The present techniques provide electrochemical devices having enhanced electrodes with surfaces that facilitate operation, such as by formation of a porous nickel layer on an operative surface, particularly of the cathode. The porous metal layer increases the surface area of the electrode, which may result in increasing the efficiency of the electrochemical devices. The formation of the porous metal layer is performed in situ, that is, after the assembly of the electrodes into an electrochemical device. The in situ process offers a number of advantages, including the ability to protect the porous metal layer on the electrode surface from damage during assembly of the electrochemical device. The enhanced electrode and the method for its processing may be used in any number of electrochemical devices, and is particularly well suited for electrodes in an electrolyzer useful for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.
US09045829B2

A process produces a coated metal strip from a semi-finished strip, in which the semi-finished strip is reeled off a coil. A corrosion protection layer is then applied to the semi-finished strip and the coated semi-finished strip is then reeled up to form a coil. The semi-finished strip is a cold-rolled strip obtained by cold rolling, cooling and recrystallization annealing. A medium containing metallic particles is applied to form the corrosion protection layer. The medium is a wet-chemical solution which is applied by spraying, dipping, squirting, flooding or rolling. The corrosion protection layer is dried on the cold-rolled strip by supplying heat at a temperature below the recrystallization annealing temperature of the cold-rolled strip after application of the medium and before reeling-up.
US09045816B2

It is an object of the invention to provide a magnesium welding wire excellent in surface cleanliness and a method for manufacturing the same.A welding wire according to the invention can be manufactured by drawing a base material such as an extruded material made of pure magnesium or a magnesium-based alloy and, after then, by shaving the surface of the thus drawn wire. Execution of the shaving operation makes it possible not only to effectively remove a lubricant and a coating used in the drawing operation but also to effectively remove an oxide generated during the drawing operation. Thanks to this, the thus obtained welding wire is excellent in surface cleanliness. As a lubricant to be used in the drawing operation, preferably, there may be used an oil lubricant or a wet-type lubricant which can be removed easily by a cleaning operation or by a grease removing treatment.
US09045814B2

The instant invention discloses a method for the valorization of spent catalyst from hydrocarbon processing slurry reactors as well as slurry flakes.
US09045813B2

The present invention relates to a process for selectively removing molybdenum from a solution which contains molybdenum, said process comprising the following steps: bringing the solution to an acid pH lower than or equal to 3, preferably lower than or equal to 2, even more preferably lower than or equal to 0.5, by the addition of an inorganic acid; adding at least one organic solvent, preferably toluene or xylene, to the solution and stirring continuously so as to create a water-organic emulsion; adding to the water-organic emulsion at least one alkaline metal xanthate having the general formula MeRX, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group having a number of carbon atoms higher than or equal to 2, Me is an alkaline metal selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr, and X is the xanthate group, so as to form a complex with molybdenum wherein the molar ratio molybdenum/alkaline metal xanthate ranges from 1/6 to 1/2, keeping the emulsion at an acid pH by the addition of an inorganic acid, and interrupting the stirring so as to allow the separation of the aqueous phase from the organic phase. The linear or branched alkyl group R preferably has a number of carbon atoms higher than or equal to 2 and lower than or equal to 12. A reductant is optionally added to the starting solution which comprises Mo and V.
US09045808B2

This invention relates to bio synthesis of novel nano gold through environment friendly process with the aid of plant materials classified under the taxonomical genus Dalbergia, Citrus, Ferula and Dolichos or Macrotyloma. The present inventive product novel nano gold finds utility in, the treatment of humans and animals, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and herbal composition, the field of technology including but not limited to nano technology, green technology and bio technology. The invention also relates to the use of plant materials in the purification and particle size reduction of metals.
US09045807B1

An apparatus includes rails for supporting sides of a circumferential peripheral edge of a carrier. A movable ram engages a rearward portion of the carrier. A movable restrainer restrains movement of the ram. A wheel engages a forward portion of the carrier. A controller is operable to control the movable restrainer to restrain movement of the ram with the carrier and at least one metal object disposed adjacent an induction heating device, the wheel to rotate the carrier and the metal object, the induction heating device to induction heat the rotating metal object, and the movable restrainer to disengage the ram so that the wheel pivots away to allow passage of the carrier and the heated metal object into a quench bath. A plurality of metal objects may be arranged in a circular array in the carrier about a diameter generally equal to the diameter of an induction coil.
US09045799B2

Provided in the present disclosure is a probe for detecting polymorphism that enables a simple detection of polymorphism in the CYP3A gene with high sensitivity.
US09045796B2

This invention provides methods of amplifying genomic DNA to obtain an amplified representative population of genome fragments. Methods are further provided for obtaining amplified genomic DNA representations of a desired complexity. The invention further provides methods for simultaneously detecting large numbers of typable loci for an amplified representative population of genome fragments. Accordingly the methods can be used to genotype individuals on a genome-wide scale.
US09045793B2

The present invention relates to a method of regulating the expression level of survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1) comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) regulator and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention also relates to a method of detecting enzyme activity of ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in human fibroblasts comprising detecting protein expression level of survival of motor neuron 1 (SMN1).
US09045791B2

Methods and compositions for identifying antigens of human lymphocytes are provided herein.
US09045789B2

A target substance can be produced by culturing a bacterium having an ability to produce 2-ketoglutaric acid or a derivative thereof, and an ability to produce xylonic acid from xylose, which is imparted with xylonate dehydratase activity, 2-keto-3-deoxyxylonate dehydratase activity and 2-ketoglutaric semialdehyde dehydrogenase activity, or in which these activities are enhanced, in a medium containing xylose as a carbon source to produce and accumulate the target substance in the medium, and collecting the target substance from the medium.
US09045788B2

Process for the enzymatic synthesis of the compound of formula (I), (7S)-1-(3,4-dimethoxybicyclo[4.2.0]octa-1,3,5-trien-7-yl)N-methyl methanamine: and application in the synthesis of ivabradine and addition salts thereof with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid.
US09045784B2

Provided is a method for producing a euglena highly containing a wax ester, comprising aerobically culturing a microalga euglena by photosynthesis using carbon dioxide as a carbon source, then further culturing the microalga euglena under nitrogen-starvation conditions to increase paramylon accumulation per cell, and subsequently putting the microalga euglena under anaerobic conditions, so that a euglena highly containing a wax ester can be produced; and a method for producing a wax ester.The present invention relates to a method for producing a euglena highly containing a wax ester. The method comprises a first step of aerobically culturing a microalga euglena, a second step of further culturing a medium under nitrogen-starvation conditions, and a third step of retaining the cells under anaerobic conditions.
US09045783B2

A process for treating a mixture of R,R- and S,S-lactide is provided. The process involves contacting the lactide mixture with an aliphatic alcohol and/or an alkoxide to produce a mixture of R,R- and S,S-aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid, subsequently contacting the mixture of R,R- and S,S-aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid with an enzyme to produce a mixture comprising aliphatic ester of lactic acid corresponding to one lactide enantiomer and the aliphatic ester of lactyllactic acid corresponding to the other lactide enantiomer, and recovering the product. Also provided are processes for the production of S-lactic acid, S,S-lactide, poly-S-lactic acid, R-lactic acid, R,R-lactide, poly-R-lactic acid and stereocomplex polylactic acid.
US09045772B1

A novel sorghum variety designated PHAO8ZVKT and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a plant that comprise crossing sorghum variety PHAO8ZVKT with another plant. Methods for producing a plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHAO8ZVKT through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the sorghum seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid sorghum seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the sorghum variety PHAO8ZVKT or a locus conversion of PHAO8ZVKT with another sorghum variety.
US09045767B2

A grapevine cultivar designated JB05-22-3-27 is disclosed. The invention relates to the plants of grapevine cultivar JB05-22-3-27, to the plant parts of grapevine cultivar JB05-22-3-27 and to methods for producing a grapevine plant produced by crossing grapevine cultivar JB05-22-3-27 with itself or with another grapevine variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a grapevine plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic grapevine plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to grapevine cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from grapevine variety JB05-22-3-27, to methods for producing other grapevine cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from grapevine cultivar JB05-22-3-27 and to the grapevine plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid grapevine fruits, seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing grapevine cultivar JB05-22-3-27 with another grapevine cultivar.
US09045763B2

Disclosed herein are linear donor molecules comprising homology arms of 50-750 base pairs (e.g., 50-100 base pairs) flanking one or more sequences of interest. The donor molecules and/or compositions comprising these molecules can be used in methods for integration of an exogenous sequence into a specified region of interest in the genome of a cell.
US09045755B2

The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same, methods of use thereof and kits for the down-regulation of RhoA gene. The compounds, compositions, methods and kits are useful in the treatment of subjects suffering from diseases or conditions and or symptoms associated with diseases or conditions in which RhoA expression has adverse consequences and for conferring neuroprotection.
US09045750B2

According to some embodiments, methods for covalently or non-covalently conjugating an antibody (e.g., hu3S193 or other humanized antibody) or functional fragment thereof with an siRNA molecule (e.g., anti-STAT3 siRNA) is provided. Such methods may include (1) modifying an antibody or functional fragment thereof with a linker to provide a linker-modified antibody, combining a target siRNA with a disulfide containing aldehyde linker to provide a linker-modified target siRNA and combining the linker-modified target siRNA with linker-modified antibody to form an antibody-siRNA complex; or (2) modifying an antibody or functional fragment thereof with a (Arginine)9 peptide to form an antibody-9R complex and associating an siRNA molecule with the antibody-9R complex to form an electrostatic antibody-9R:siRNA complex. In another embodiment, an antibody-siRNA conjugate may be used in methods for suppressing or silencing STAT3 protein expression in a cancer cell.
US09045744B2

At least at least one embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for using a high pressure-resistant enzyme in a high pressure condition; a method for promoting the activity of the high pressure-resistant enzyme by means of a high pressure treatment; a composition, which contains the high pressure-resistant enzyme, for decomposing proteins under a high pressure condition; a composition, which contains the composition for decomposing proteins, for preparing natural flavoring substances; a container for high pressure treatment, which contains the composition for decomposing proteins; and a method for measuring the activity of the high pressure-resistant enzyme, which comprises a step of decomposing an azocasein solution serving as a substrate by using the high pressure-resistant enzyme treated under a high pressure condition.
US09045738B2

Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced from human somatic cells by co-culturing human somatic cells having a reprogrammed nucleus with human cells as feeder cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are produced from somatic cells by co-culturing somatic cells having a reprogrammed nucleus with autologous cells as feeder cells. Induced pluripotent stem cells are cultured with culture supernatant of somatic cells.
US09045734B2

Populations enriched for smooth muscle progenitors are obtained by selection on the basis of expression of specific cell surface markers.
US09045723B2

The disclosure relates to a device for dispensing a prescribed material into a Petri dish, each Petri dish including a removable lid capable of being arranged on a bottom that is not as broad as the latter, bringing the Petri dish to a material-dispensing station. According to the disclosure, the device includes a piston comprising a plate for supporting the bottom at the material-dispensing station and a device for rotating the plate on itself relative to the dispensing head, arranged so as to rotate the bottom relative to dispensing head in the position for dispensing the material into the bottom, in which the material outlet tip is arranged relative to plate in order to dispense the material into the rotated bottom.
US09045700B2

A method for upgrading a synthesis oil synthesized by the Fisher-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method includes: a hydroisomerization step of hydroisomerizing the synthesis oil to remove alcohols and olefins, and converting at least a portion of normal paraffins with a carbon number of 5 or more into isoparaffins to obtain a hydroisomerized synthesis oil; a crude oil mixing step of mixing the hydroisomerized synthesis oil with a crude oil to obtain a mixed crude oil; a mixed crude oil transferring step of transferring the mixed crude oil to a crude oil distillation unit of a refinery; and a mixed crude oil refining step of processing the transferred mixed crude oil in petroleum refining facilities of the refinery including at least the crude oil distillation unit.
US09045699B2

A hydrocarbonaceous material upgrading method may involve a novel combination of heating, vaporizing and chemically reacting hydrocarbonaceous feedstock that is substantially unpumpable at pipeline conditions, and condensation of vapors yielded thereby, in order to upgrade that feedstock to a hydrocarbonaceous material condensate that meets crude oil pipeline specification.
US09045692B2

One or more aspects of the present invention relate to a linear shaped charge comprising an explosive element, a liner, a face for application to a target object and a space between the liner and the face, the liner being arranged for projection through the space, towards the face, when the explosive element is detonated, and the explosive element and the liner having a V-shaped cross section, the liner lying in a groove of the V-shaped cross section of the explosive element, the liner having a length L of a side furthest from the face and the liner having a thickness T taken perpendicular to said length L, wherein an angle α of an apex of the liner nearest the face is 101.5 to 106.5 degrees, and a stand-off distance SD between the face and a point of the liner nearest the face is 0.99 S to 1.21 S, S being a distance, parallel the stand-off distance SD, between the point of the liner nearest the face and the apex of the liner nearest the face.
US09045691B2

The present invention relates to a ceramics composite including: a matrix phase including Al2O3 or a substance in which one selected from Sc2O3 and Ga2O3 is incorporated into Al2O3; a main phosphor phase formed in the matrix phase and including a substance represented by a general formula A3B5O12:Ce in which A is at least one selected from Y, Gd, Tb, Yb and Lu and B is at least one selected from Al, Ga and Sc; and a CeAl11O18 phase mixed in the matrix phase and the main phosphor phase.
US09045680B2

There is provided a novel iridium complex having a small half-width of an emission spectrum and an organic light-emitting device that contains the iridium complex. There is provided a novel iridium complex that has a phenyl ring and a pyrazole ring as ligands and that has a basic skeleton in which the phenyl ring is bonded to a triazine ring.
US09045675B2

Disclosed herein is a method comprising displacing a first oil-based fluid present in an open hole interval of a wellbore with a second fluid; and contacting the second fluid with an acidic indigenous formation fluid to produce a third fluid wherein the second fluid an aqueous fluid dispersed as a discontinuous phase within an oleaginous fluid, and an amine surfactant, wherein the amine surfactant is selected such that contacting the second fluid with indigenous fluid protonates at least a portion of the amine surfactant in the second fluid to produce the third fluid comprising an emulsion comprising the oleaginous fluid reversibly dispersed as a discontinuous phase within the aqueous fluid. A system for treating a subterranean well and a fluid are also disclosed.
US09045662B2

A non-aqueous pigment ink is provided, wherein the non-aqueous pigment ink comprises an alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer containing an alkyl (meth)acrylate unit having an alkyl group of 12 or more carbon atoms and a (meth)acrylate unit having a pyridyl group, a pigment, and a non-aqueous solvent.
US09045659B2

An inkjet recording ink, which contains: carbon black; a surfactant; water; a water-soluble organic solvent; and particles formed of an anionic self-emulsifying poly(ether urethane) resin, wherein the carbon black contains first carbon black whose surface has been treated with an anionic surfactant and second carbon black which has been coated with a resinous polymer, where a mass ratio of the first carbon black to the second carbon black is 10/90 to 90/10, and wherein the anionic surfactant is a naphthalenesulfonic acid-formaldehyde condensate.
US09045636B2

Thermoplastic compositions comprising polyamide, polyimide, an organo phosphorus compound and an optional reinforcing filler are described. The subject compositions are useful in blow molding methods. A method of blow molding is also described as well as articles made by the method.
US09045629B2

A polypropylene composition comprising 65-77 wt % of a crystalline propylene polymer, 8 to less than 13 wt % of an elastomeric copolymer and 10-23 wt % of polyethylene. The said composition exhibits a flexural modulus value higher than 1300 MPa, stress-whitening resistance values corresponding to a diameter of the whitened area of at most 1.7 cm caused by a ram falling from a 76 cm height and a diameter of the whitened area of at most 1.2 cm caused by a ram falling from a 20 cm height, and a value of Izod impact resistance at 23° C. more than 14 kJ/m2 and the one at −20° C. at least 5 kJ/m2.
US09045622B2

Disclosed are a modified conjugated diene-based polymer capable of providing a polymer composition improved in tan δ balance, a polymer composition containing the modified conjugated diene-based polymer and silica, and a process for producing the modified conjugated diene-based polymer. The modified conjugated diene-based polymer is obtained by melt-kneading a conjugated diene-based polymer and 0.01 to 2 parts by weight of a Bunte salt per 100 parts by weight of the conjugated diene-based polymer, in the presence of water whose amount is from 0.1 to 1,000 parts by weight per one part by weight of the Bunte salt.
US09045619B2

The present invention provides a laser-sensitive coating composition comprising titanium dioxide in the anatase form or polymeric particles comprising a polymeric matrix comprising one or more water-insoluble polymers and titanium dioxide in the anatase form encapsulated in the polymeric matrix, and a polymeric binder. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the compositions, processes for preparing substrates coated with the coating compositions, substrates coated with the compositions, processes for marking the substrates coated with the compositions, and marked substrates obtainable by the latter processes.
US09045615B2

A thermoplastic composition includes a polyolefin having a polymeric backbone and, associated therewith, one or more ionic compounds having a central metal element and one or more carboxylic acid functional moieties. The thermoplastic composition may be, for example, polyethylene or polypropylene. A method of improving the mechanical properties of thermoplastics includes adding, to a thermoplastic composition having a polymeric backbone, an additive including one or more ionic compounds having a central metal element and one or more carboxylic acid functional moieties, wherein the additive is added to the thermoplastic composition at conditions suitable to associate the one or more ionic compounds to the polymeric backbone. The ionic compounds may be, for example, zinc cinnamate, zinc hydrocinnamate, zinc naphthoate, zinc naphthalene acetate, isophthalic acid zinc salt, and phthalic acid zinc salt, and their equivalents substituting calcium or magnesium instead of zinc as the central metal element, and mixtures thereof.
US09045614B2

The present invention provides a fluororubber composition that has excellent heat resistance and excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. The fluororubber composition comprises a peroxide cross-linkable fluororubber (A); a carbon black (B); a peroxide cross-linking agent (C); and a low-self-polymerizing cross-linking accelerator (D), wherein to 100 parts by mass of the fluororubber (A), the amount of the carbon black (B) is 5 to 50 parts by mass, the amount of the cross-linking agent (C) is 0.01 to 10 parts by mass, and the amount of the cross-linking accelerator (D) is 2.5 parts by mass or smaller.
US09045608B2

The rigid polyurethane foam includes thermally expandable fine particles disposed between two or more adjacent cells, so as to be exposed to the inside and/or the outside of a unit cell, and a filler which is dispersed on the surface of the thermally expandable fine particles and/or on the inner and/or outer surfaces of the unit cell. The cells of the rigid polyurethane foam can be small and uniform in size and can be highly insulating.
US09045604B2

The disclosure provides a polyester composition and a polyester article. According to an embodiment, the polyester composition includes a polyester and a branched monomer. The branched monomer has a structure represented by formula (I) or formula (II): wherein R is independently hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or C1-6 alkyl.
US09045601B2

The present invention provides a method for producing stereo complex crystals of polylactic acid, with which a polylactic acid having excellent heat resistance and containing stereo complex crystals at a high ratio can be efficiently produced, the method including: a step of dissolving in a solvent a block copolymer, which includes polylactic acid containing an L-lactic acid unit or poly lactic acid containing a D-lactic acid unit together with at least one kind of an organic polymer having a different structure from that of polylactic acid, and a polylactic acid homopolymer containing a D-lactic acid unit or a polylactic acid homopolymer containing an L-lactic acid unit, the lactic acid unit being an optical isomer that is not contained in the block copolymer, to prepare a polymer mixture solution; and a step of removing the solvent from the polymer mixture solution.
US09045596B2

A method of first dissolving a conjugated polymer in a fluid followed by adding an agent to the fluid and evaporating the fluid to produce a solid sample. The solid sample is then ground to produce a fragmented solid sample. This is followed by performing solvent extraction on the fragmented solid sample at elevated temperature and pressure to produce a purified conjugated polymer in a solvent.
US09045594B2

A method for preparing high shrinkage PTT copolyester, includes adding starting raw materials into a reaction kettle and adding an esterification catalyst to carry out esterification reaction at 220° C.-260° C. under 0.05-0.30 MPa and completing the reaction when there being no water produced; and adding polymerization catalyst into the reaction system and carrying out the polymerization reaction at 240° C.-280° C. to get polytrimethylene terephthalate. The starting raw materials consists of 1,3-propylene glycol, terephtalic acid, a third monomer, a forth monomer and a fifth monomer. Polytrimethylene terephthalate prepared by the invention shows good spinning behaviour, of which the crystallization speed is noticeably lower than that of conventional polytrimethylene terephthalate, thus, fibers made of them has high boiling water shrinkage rate and ideal shrink property.
US09045590B2

Different interfacial processes for producing photoactive additives are disclosed. Generally, the photoactive additives are formed from a photoactive moiety, a first linker moiety, and a diol chain extender. The resulting additives can be crosslinked with other polymers upon exposure to UV radiation.
US09045585B2

A low viscosity toughened epoxy resin formulation including a divinylbenzene dioxide as a component in the formulation; wherein the formulation is useful for the manufacture of thermoset polymers.
US09045584B2

A process comprising contacting a) an epoxy resin; b) an adduct comprising at least one oxazolidone ring prepared from a multifunctional epoxy resin and an isocyanate compound; and c) an unsaturated acid to form a vinyl ester, is disclosed.
US09045583B2

A pigment that exhibits excellent image density, dispersibility, storage stability, and resolubility, and forms an ink film that exhibits marker resistance and rubfastness is provided. A polyurethane resin-bonded pigment is produced by bringing (I) a pigment having a surface acidic group into contact with (II) a water-dispersible polyurethane resin having a tertiary amino group and an anionic polar group or a nonionic polar chain in an aqueous medium. The pigment (I) is preferably self-dispersible carbon black having a surface acidic group.
US09045578B2

The invention provides a polymer composition comprising a polyolefin or a diene elastomer, and an unsaturated compound (A) containing at least two groups each comprising an olefinic —C═C— bond or acetylenic —C≡C— bond, characterized in that each group comprising an olefinic —C═C— bond or acetylenic —C≡C— bond in the unsaturated compound (A) contains an aromatic ring or a further olefinic double bond or acetylenic unsaturation, the aromatic ring or the further olefinic double bond or acetylenic unsaturation being conjugated with the olefinic —C═C— or acetylenic —C≡C— unsaturation. The use of a multifunctional unsaturated compound (A) containing an aromatic ring or a further olefinic bond conjugated with the olefinic —C═C— or acetylenic —C≡C— unsaturation of the multifunctional unsaturated compound gives enhanced crosslinking and/or branching yield and/or less degradation of the polymer compared to crosslinking with a multifunctional unsaturated compound not containing an aromatic ring or a further olefinic bond.
US09045565B2

The invention relates to modified polysaccharide ethers having a weight-averaged molecular weight of 40,000 to 500,000 g/mole, zero shear viscosity of more than 10 Pa·s, and pseudo-plasticity of more than 20. These modified polysaccharide ethers are obtainable by reacting cellulose-based polysaccharide ether(s) with at least one mesogenic modification agent or modified polysaccharide ethers, obtainable by reacting polysaccharide ether(s) selected from hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose (HEMC), methyl cellulose, and cellulose ethers with methyl and/or ethyl and/or propyl groups and mixtures thereof, with at least one mesogenic modification agent. These substances can be used to produce gel-like to stable aqueous preparations having viscoelastic flow properties, which are suited for use in the human body, particularly within the scope of ophthalmologic procedures.
US09045552B2

A conjugate comprises: (a) a mitochondrial membrane-permeant peptide; (b) an active agent or compound of interest such as a detectable group or mitochondrial protein or peptide; and (c) a mitochondrial targeting sequence linking said mitochondrial membrane-permeant peptide and said active mitochondrial protein or peptide. The targeting sequence is one which is cleaved within the mitochondrial matrix, and not cleaved within the cellular cytoplasm, of a target cell into which said compound is delivered. Methods of use of such compounds are also described.
US09045550B2

Compositions comprising an isolated peptide, which may for example optionally comprise a sequence comprising FNFDWY (SEQ ID NO: 5), or any cyclized version thereof, and methods of using same, including for treatment of or prevention of formation of microbial biofilms and against adhesion of a cell to a surface.
US09045547B2

Antigen binding proteins that interact with Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) are described. Methods of treating hypercholesterolemia and other disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described. Methods of detecting the amount of PCSK9 in a sample using an antigen binding protein to PCSK9 are described.
US09045542B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for enhancing Th1/Th17 cell responses and decreasing Th2 cell responses. In various embodiments the present invention describes activation of human dendritic cells and enhancement of antigen-specific T cell responses in a Dectin-1-expressing human dendritic cells comprising an anti-Dectin-1-specific antibody or fragment thereof fused with one or more antigens. TLR2 ligands may also be included to enhance the activation and for enhancement of T-cell responses. Further, the invention also includes methods based on the compositions described herein for the treatment of allergy, and asthma.
US09045524B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, II, IVC, VIIIC, IXC, or XC and their pharmaceutical uses. Particular aspects of the invention relate to the use of those compounds for the selective inhibition of one or more caspases. Also described are methods where the compounds of Formula I, II, IVC, VIIIC, IXC, or XC are used in the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases and conditions in subjects, including caspase-mediated diseases such as sepsis, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI) and neurodegenerative disease (e.g. multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases). Processes for synthesizing tripeptides are provided.
US09045521B2

The present invention is directed towards the synthesis of high purity deuterated sugars, deuterated phosphoramidites, deuterated nucleobases, deuterated nucleosides, deuterated oligonucleotides, and deuterated RNA's of defined sequences which can exhibit biochemically useful and biologically valuable properties, thus having potential for therapeutic uses.
US09045516B2

Synthetic ligand compounds and methods of differentiating between Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2 are disclosed herein. Another embodiment includes a kit for differentiating between Shiga toxin 1 and Shiga toxin 2. Assay systems and methods for providing an assay are also provided for herein.
US09045511B2

The invention relates to compounds, in particular phosphinic ligands of metal complexes, as well as to metal complexes including said ligands and to supported catalysts including said metal complexes or said compounds. The invention also relates to methods for synthesizing said compounds, to complexes, and to supported catalysts, as well as to intermediate products used in said synthesis methods. The invention further relates to the uses of said compounds. The compounds of the invention are ferrocene compounds which have been functionalized so as to be capable of being heterogenized. The invention can be used in particular in the field of heterogeneous catalysis.
US09045508B2

A phosphorus-containing oligomer is represented by formula (1): (R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a phenyl group; n is the number of repeating units and an integer of 1 or more; X is a structural unit represented by structural formula (x1) or (x2) below; Y is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, or a structural unit represented by the formula (x1) or (x2); and, in the formula (x1) or (x2), R2, R3, R4, and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, or an aralkyl group), wherein the content of components whose n is 2 or more in the formula (1) is in the range of 5% to 90% in peak area in GPC measurement.
US09045507B2

The design, synthesis, and utilization of a novel coumarin-based amino acid and its fluorinated derivatives for use in enzyme activity and substrate specificity assays are described. The synthesis is both facile and high-yielding and allows for the production of a highly fluorescent phosphorylated amino acid that can be incorporated into peptides using standard SPPS techniques. The resultant substrates are efficiently hydrolyzed by PTPs and exhibit a large increase in fluorescence upon hydrolysis. Fluorinated CAP derivatives have utility as fluorogenic enzyme substrates. CAP and its derivatives can be incorporated into combinatorial peptide libraries for assaying enzyme substrate specificities.
US09045503B2

The present invention relates to a method for producing monosilane and tetraalkoxysilane comprising subjecting alkoxysilane represented by formula (1) HnSi(OR)4−n  (1) wherein R represents alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and n represents an integer of from 1 to 3, to disproportionation reaction in a gaseous phase in the presence of an inorganic phosphate or a catalyst having a specific chemical structure based on a heteropolyacid salt structure. In the production method of the present invention, separation from the solvent can be carried out easily, the reaction proceeds quickly and the conversion rate of the starting materials is high.
US09045493B2

Compounds of the formula I are inhibitors of TBK1 and IKKε and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.
US09045490B2

The present invention provides compounds of the formula (I) wherein: X1, X2 and X3 are heteroatoms; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are independently selected from H, halo, —OH, —NO2, —CN and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; and Z is optionally substituted C1-8 straight-chained or branched aliphatic, optionally containing 1 or more double or triple bonds, wherein one or more carbons are optionally replaced by R* wherein R* is optionally substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; an amino acid residue, H, —CN, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —C(O)NR1NR2—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —NR1CO2—, —O—, —NR1C(O)NR2—, —OC(O)NR1—, —NR1NR2—, —NR1C(O)—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR1—, —SO2NR1—, —NR1R2, or —NR1SO2—, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or where R* is NR1R2, R1 and R2 optionally together with the nitrogen atom form an optionally substituted 5-12 membered ring, said ring optionally comprising 1 or more heteroatoms or a group selected from —CO—, —SO—, —SO2— and —PO—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof.
US09045485B2

This invention relates to pyrrolopyrimidine derivatives of formula (I): where R1, X, p, R4, R2 and R3 are as defined herein, and their use as pharmaceuticals.
US09045481B2

This invention relates noribogaine derivatives, compositions and methods of use thereof.
US09045470B2

The invention provides a novel class of compounds, immunogenic compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds to treat or prevent diseases or disorders associated with Toll-Like Receptors 7. In one aspect, the compounds are useful as adjuvants for enhancing the effectiveness of a vaccine.
US09045466B2

An amidine compound represented by formula (I) (wherein A1 represents a nitrogen atom or a group represented by formula CR6; A2 and A3 are the same as or different from each other and independently represent a nitrogen atom or a group represented by formula CH; R1 represents an aryl group which may be substituted by 1 to 5 substituents independently selected from a substituent group (2) or the like; R2 and R3 are the same as or different from each other and independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, a C1-6 haloalkyl group or a C1-6 alkoxy group; and R4 and R5 are the same as or different from each other and independently represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 haloalkyl group, a C1-6 alkyl group or the like) or a salt thereof. The compound is useful as an anti-fungal agent.
US09045457B2

The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.
US09045448B1

Methods for efficiently converting carbohydrates into various oxygen-containing hydrocarbon derivatives, including straight-chain and cyclic aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, and heteroaromatic compounds, are described and provided. In some embodiments, the methods include combining a carbohydrate with a material having a high affinity for carbon dioxide in stoichiometric amounts and heating said combination at temperature effective to cause de-carbonation of the carbohydrate and the formation of the products. In more specific embodiments, the material is calcium oxide (CaO) and the carbohydrate is sucrose, and the reaction is performed at temperatures between about 150° C. and about 450° C.
US09045445B2

The compounds of the present invention are represented by the following formula (I): wherein the substituents R1, R2, R3, R4, (R5)m, R6, A, X, and Y are as defined herein. The compounds are useful in methods of treating a disorder which is created by or is dependent upon inhibiting GlyT-1.
US09045442B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide novel antibacterials that target penicillin-binding proteins or other important cellular targets. Methods for inhibiting growth (reproduction, etc.) of bacteria using compounds described herein are also provided. Various embodiments exhibit activity against gram positive bacteria, such as certain strains of Entercoccus and Staphylococcus aureus.
US09045441B2

The present disclosure relates to (thio)morpholine derivatives of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate or hydrate thereof; with the proviso that the derivative of formula (I) is not 2-(4-ethylphenyl)-4-morpholinoethanol or 4-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-morpholinyl]benzeneacetonitrile or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate or hydrate thereof. The compounds of the disclosure have affinity to S1P receptors and may be used in the treatment, alleviation or prevention of S1P receptor mediated diseases and conditions.
US09045422B2

An insecticidal acaricidal and nematicidal composition of formula I Y is a single bond, C═O, C═S or S(O)m where m is 0, 1 or 2; the ring  is a 6 membered aromatic ring or is a 5 or 6 membered heteroaromatic ring; Z and  provided that both are not N; R1, R2, R3, R3a, R4, R8 and Ra are specified organic groups and n and p are independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; or salts or N-oxides thereof or compositions containing them in controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs. Novel compounds are also provided.
US09045420B2

Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL proteins, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which are expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein.
US09045417B2

Provided herein are isoindole derivatives, which is enriched with isotopes such as deuterium. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the isotopes-enriched compounds, and methods of using such compounds are also provided.
US09045411B2

To provide a method for recovering an anionic fluorinated emulsifier, whereby an anionic fluorinated emulsifier adsorbed on a basic ion exchange resin can be simply and efficiently recovered. A mixed liquid of an aqueous inorganic acid solution, a fluorinated medium and a non-fluorinated medium, is contacted to a basic ion exchange resin having an anionic fluorinated emulsifier adsorbed thereon, to recover a liquid phase containing the fluorinated medium, or an aqueous inorganic acid solution is contacted to a basic ion exchange resin having an anionic fluorinated emulsifier adsorbed thereon, then a mixed liquid of a fluorinated medium and a non-fluorinated medium is contacted thereto, and thereafter the basic ion exchange resin and a liquid phase are separated to recover the liquid phase, whereupon from each liquid phase, an acid of the anionic fluorinated emulsifier is recovered.
US09045393B2

The invention relates to compounds of formula (I): where X+Y=keto, or X=OH and Y=H, or X+Y=oxime or methyloxime, B=OH and C+D=H, or C+D=C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, or C=H and D=C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl, or B+C=keto and D=methyl, hydroxyl, or methylamino, or B and C=H and D=methylamino, or B+C=oxime and D=methyl and R=C1-C10 linear or branched alkyl, the salts, esters, or salts of esters thereof as medicament, in particular as neuroprotectors, novel compounds of formula (I) and pharmaceutical compositions.
US09045382B2

The present invention relates to a process for separating off solvents from solvent-comprising hydrogenation outputs from a catalytic hydrogenation process, which comprise at least one water-soluble hydrogenation product having at least one alcohol, lactone, ether, lactam or amino group in a solvent which is immiscible or not completely miscible with water and has a boiling point below 100° C., wherein water is added to the hydrogenation output, the solvent-comprising phase is separated off and recirculated to the hydrogenation.
US09045381B2

The present invention relates to novel Ruthenium catalysts and related borohydride complexes, and the use of such catalysts, inter alia, for (1) hydrogenation of amides (including polyamides) to alcohols and amines; (2) preparing amides from alcohols with amines (including the preparation of polyamides (e.g., polypeptides) by reacting dialcohols and diamines and/or by polymerization of amino alcohols); (3) hydrogenation of esters to alcohols (including hydrogenation of cyclic esters (lactones) or cyclic di-esters (di-lactones) or polyesters); (4) hydrogenation of organic carbonates (including polycarbonates) to alcohols and hydrogenation of carbamates (including polycarbamates) or urea derivatives to alcohols and amines; (5) dehydrogenative coupling of alcohols to esters; (6) hydrogenation of secondary alcohols to ketones; (7) amidation of esters (i.e., synthesis of amides from esters and amines); (8) acylation of alcohols using esters; (9) coupling of alcohols with water to form carboxylic acids; and (10) dehydrogenation of beta-amino alcohols to form pyrazines. The present invention further relates to the novel uses of certain pyridine Ruthenium catalysts.
US09045378B2

The invention relates to a dental application body, comprising an oxide ceramic, containing a bulk material containing an oxide ceramic, preferably a zirconium oxide, and at least one coating containing an yttrium oxide and/or cerium oxide stabilized zirconium oxide, wherein the content of the stabilizing compound (c[yttrium oxide], C[cerium oxide]) within the coating with respect to the zirconium oxide (in mol-%) satisfies the formula c[yttrium oxide]+0.6×c[cerium oxide]≧4. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing such a dental application body comprising the steps of providing a bulk material containing an oxide ceramic, preferably a zirconium oxide having a tetragonal microstructure as a main phase, and applying at least one coating containing an yttrium oxide and/or cerium oxide stabilized zirconium oxide, wherein the content of the stabilizing compound (C[yttrium oxide], C[cerium oxide]) within the coating with respect to the zirconium oxide (in mol-%) satisfies the formula c[yttrium oxide]+0.6 ×c[cerium oxide]≧4.
US09045372B2

A honeycomb structure body having joining material layers of a stress relaxing function and joining strength equivalent to those of joining material layers of a conventional honeycomb structure body, and having an excellent heat shock resistance. A honeycomb structure body includes a plurality of honeycomb segments and joining material layers having a plurality of pores and joining the plurality of honeycomb segments in a state where the honeycomb segments are arranged adjacent to each other so that side surfaces of the honeycomb segments face each other. A ratio of the number of pores having a value of 1.2 or less which is obtained by dividing a maximum diameter of each of the pores by a minimum diameter of the each of the pores is 60% or more of the number of all the pores of each of the joining material layers.
US09045368B1

A composition that sets to produce a concrete includes Portland cement; a polymerizable material having bubbles dispersed in the polymerizable material; an aggregate; and water in a sufficient amount such that the composition sets to a concrete. A method for making a concrete article uses a paste that includes Portland cement and a polymerizable material having bubbles dispersed in the polymerizable material. The paste is added to an aggregate to create a settable composition, and the settable composition is allowed to set to a concrete article.
US09045366B2

Disclosed is a process for diminishing the adsorption capacity of coal ash comprising inter alia admixing a quantity of coal ash with a quantity of latex polymer, ultimately to form a cementitious mixture. The invention is useful inter alia for relieving an environmental burden of coal ash disposal and for imparting favorable properties to the cementitious mixture.
US09045365B2

When melting a glass layer 3 by irradiating a region to be fused R therealong with a laser beam L1, the region to be fused R is irradiated therealong with the laser beam L1 having a first heat input, so as to melt the glass layer 3, the heat input is switched when the melting ratio of the glass layer 3 in a direction substantially orthogonal to a moving direction of the laser beam L1 exceeds a predetermined level, and the region to be fused R is irradiated therealong with the laser beam L1 having a second heat input smaller than the first heat input, so as to fix the glass layer 3 to a glass member 4. This inhibits the glass layer 3 from falling into an excessive heat input state and thus deters the glass layer 3 from crystallizing during burning. The glass member 4 is fused to a glass member 5 through the glass layer 3 thus deterred from crystallizing, so as to yield a glass fusing structure 1.
US09045354B2

Enhanced contaminant degradation systems via rapid transfer of electrons in an environment or matrix through bioelectrochemical electron transfer circuitry, electron transfer conduit and conductive materials. Specialized circuitry may be used with respect to the anode, cathode, and transmission line design including floating cathodes, anchored anodes, and the like.
US09045346B2

A method for producing colloidal graphene dispersions comprises the steps of: (i) dispersing graphite oxide in a dispersion medium to form a colloidal graphene oxide or multi-graphene oxide dispersion, and (ii) thermally reducing the graphene oxide or multi-graphene oxide in dispersion. Depending on the method used for the preparation of the starting dispersion, a graphene or a multi-graphene dispersion is obtained that can be further processed to multi-graphene with larger inter-planar distances than graphite. Such dispersions and multi-graphenes are, for example, suitable materials in the manufacturing of rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
US09045342B2

The invention relates to a process for oxidation of SO2 to SO3 comprising the steps of (a) directing a stream of feed gas comprising SO2 and O2 to a catalytically active material, (b) oxidizing an amount of said SO2 in said process gas to SO3 in the presence of the catalytically active material, providing a first oxidized process gas, (c) reacting SO3 with water, (d) condensing H2SO4, (e) withdrawing a first desulphurized process gas and a first stream of sulphuric acid, (f) from the desulphurized process gas withdrawing a recycle stream of desulphurized process gas, wherein the recycle stream is added to said stream of feed gas or said first oxidized process gas with the associated benefit of reducing the molar flow of process gas downstream withdrawal of the recycle stream and upstream the mixing point.
US09045333B2

The invention relates to a method of fabricating a composite micromechanical component, particularly for timepiece movements, including steps: a) providing a substrate including a horizontal top layer and a horizontal bottom layer made of electrically conductive, micromachinable material, and secured to each other by an electrically insulating, horizontal, intermediate layer; b) etching a pattern in the top layer through to the intermediate layer, thereby forming at least one cavity in the substrate; c) coating the top part of the substrate with an electrically insulating coating; d) directionally etching the coating and the intermediate layer to limit the presence thereof exclusively at each vertical wall; e) performing an electrodeposition by connecting the electrode to the conductive bottom layer of the substrate to form at least one metal part of the component; g) releasing the composite component from the substrate.
US09045329B2

The invention relates to deflectable micromechanical elements which can preferably be deflected in translation and optionally also in an oscillatory manner. With respect to known solutions, it is the object of the invention to enable larger deflections with a simultaneously improved resistance toward lateral forces and torques. In this connection, a suspension having at least one spring system is present at elements in accordance with the invention. Levers pivotally connected to torsion spring elements are present at spring systems. Torsion spring elements of a spring system are aligned in a common axis and/or a plurality of axes arranged parallel to one another and at least one torsion spring element is fixedly clamped.
US09045321B2

A motorized means of transporting loads includes a fork lift mechanism that features a set of anchored chains fitted to a set of lifting forks for lifting and lowering a load. With a combination electrical/hydraulic system, the lifting and lowering functions can be efficiently obtained. Two load supporting outriggers are provided which can be extended or retracted while transporting a load to aid in navigating constricted spaces. A tilting mast and fork assembly allows for a manipulation of the center of gravity while transporting loads. A joystick function controls the forward, turning, reverse, lifting, and extending and retracting the outriggers. A battery enabled transport provides for flash charging of the onboard batteries to extend useful life.
US09045317B2

The present invention discloses a method of rotating a metallic structure for construction in an X axis. The method of present invention allows rotating structures such as rebar or metallic structures like containers to create habitable structures such that each of the walls of the container or the rebar structure, are all at some point facing the floor. That is, each of the walls have a downwardly facing direction at some point of the rotation.The structures disclosed are mated to a bar with an arm, the bar being fastened to the container from an upper end of a first corner of the container to a lower end of a second corner opposite to the first corner.
US09045310B2

A sheet processing apparatus includes: a folding unit that folds a sheet bundle; a pressing unit that presses a fold part of the sheet bundle, which has been folded by the folding unit, in a thickness direction of the sheet bundle to enhance folding of the fold part; and a moving unit that advances and returns the pressing unit in a width direction of the sheet bundle. The pressing unit starts pressing from a predetermined position in the width direction of the sheet bundle during advancing movement, and releases pressing after going past one end of the sheet bundle. The pressing unit starts pressing from the predetermined position during return movement and goes past the other end of the sheet bundle.
US09045307B2

According to an embodiment, a first discharging unit and a second discharging unit discharge a sheet. A first conveying path extends from a scanning unit to the first discharging unit. A second conveying path branches off from the first conveying path at a branch point of the first conveying path and extends to the second discharging unit. A conveying member discharges the sheet to the first discharging unit when a discharging destination of the sheet is the first discharging unit, and the conveying member makes part of the sheet project from the first conveying path to the first discharging unit, locates an upstream tip end of the sheet in a sheet conveying direction, at a position downstream in the sheet conveying direction from the branch point, and conveys the sheet to switchback to the second conveying path, when the discharging destination of the sheet is the second discharging unit.
US09045304B2

A suction-type transmission apparatus includes at least one suction region allocation member and a suction wheel member. The suction region allocation member has a chamber and through holes communicating with the chamber. The suction wheel member is pivoted to the suction region allocation member, and includes an inner lining body with gas flow channels disposed in parallel, and an outer ring sleeve. The inner lining body has gas holes corresponding to the through holes and being in communication with the gas flow channels. The outer ring sleeve with micro-pores in communication with the gas flow channels is sleeved on the inner lining body, and wraps the gas flow channels. The chamber is connected to a gas extraction port, and at least one sealing element is selectively disposed in the chamber to seal at least one of the through holes for forming a suction region of the suction wheel member.
US09045300B2

An image forming apparatus includes a housing including a first wall portion extending in a vertical direction, a second wall portion extending in the vertical direction on a side opposite from the first wall portion, and an internal space formed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion. In a first state in which a sheet cassette is not attached to the housing, a cover member seals an opening portion formed in the second wall portion and through which the sheet cassette passes through, and forms part of the second wall portion. In a second state in which the sheet cassette is attached to the housing, the cover member is pivoted by being abutted by part of the sheet cassette and covers a top of a portion of the sheet cassette that is exposed to the outside of the housing.
US09045294B2

According to one embodiment, a sheet feeding device for image forming apparatus has a first storing unit configured to store sheets therein, a second storing unit configured to store sheets therein and disposed farther from an image forming section of the image forming apparatus than the first storing unit, a feeding unit configured to feed sheets from the first and second storing units to the image forming section, and a control unit configured to control the feeding unit to feed a first sheet from the first storing unit and then to start feeding a second sheet from the second storing unit while the first sheet is being conveyed from the first storing unit.
US09045290B2

The present invention relates to a holder, device or method for sorting and/or transporting products, the holder comprises: a product carrier (4) movable in a transport direction for receiving and transporting the product to be transported; a first shaft (6) operatively connected to the product carrier (4) for rotating the product carrier in order to discharge the product transported with the product carrier; tilting means (14) for tilting the product carrier (4) about the first shaft (6) at a discharge position; and a second shaft (8) which is operatively connected to the product carrier (4) and to which a flexible member (10) can be releasably attached for discharging the product from the product carrier (4) in controlled manner.
US09045285B2

An apparatus for the heating of plastics material pre-forms comprises a movable carrier on which is arranged at least one heating device, the heating device including a holding element for holding and conveying the plastics material pre-forms. A heating cavity is included, into which individual plastics material pre-forms can be inserted. A moving device is suitable for inserting the plastics material pre-forms into the heating cavity. A clean room, inside which the plastics material pre-forms are capable of being heated by the heating cavity is included, wherein the clean room is isolated from an external environment by at least one first wall and at least one second wall, the second wall being constructed and arranged to be movable with respect to the first wall.
US09045281B2

A waste bag dispenser system is described which is comprised of track guides known as rails, and a replaceable waste bag cartridge attached to the bottom of the rails, which are preferably surrounded by screen walls. The waste bag cartridge stores a plurality of waste bags stacked on top of each other, connected temporarily in sequence. Each waste bag has multiple connecting tabs (T-bar tabs) affixed to the bag which align with and insert into a slot in the rails such that the tabs may only exit the slot from the top of the rails. The rails and waste bag cartridge are held in an aligned arrangement via either a clasping mechanism or a surrounding structure which inhibits the movement of both elements. Waste bags are pulled up from the waste bag cartridge to the top of the rails and held in place via at least one hook.
US09045278B2

Insulated shipping container and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the insulated shipping container includes an outer box, an insulated insert, an insulated cover, a payload container and a plurality of coolant members. The insulated insert is snugly, but removably, disposed within the outer box and is shaped to include a plurality of sides and a top. The top includes a raised peripheral edge and a recessed shelf. A large rectangular prismatic cavity surrounded by a plurality of smaller cavities extends downwardly from the recessed shelf. The large cavity of the insulated insert is adapted to receive a payload container. Each of the smaller cavities of the insulated insert has a “top hat” shape when viewed from above that includes a crown portion and a brim portion.
US09045261B2

A detergent dispensing cap for pre-treating a stained fabric. The cap can have a pour volume sized and dimensioned to provide for a unit dose of the detergent composition. A portion of the cap can be provided with surface irregularities for scrubbing a stain.
US09045257B2

A grab bar comprising a body with open opposite ends and diametrically opposed apertures close to the open ends; and a cap supporting a central leg supporting flexible side legs, each side leg comprising a protrusion at a free extremity thereof and being adapted to flex inwards toward the central leg as the central leg is inserted within the body from the open end thereof until the protrusions engage a respective the apertures in the body and emerge out of the outer surface of the body, and the cap is generally flush with an edge of the open end of the body; and the side legs being adapted to flex inwards toward the central leg as the protrusions are pushed toward the central leg thereby disengaging the protrusions from the apertures in the body and allowing the cap to be pulled out from the open end of the body.
US09045249B2

A synthetic resin container with a bottom structure in which forms, in the bottom portion thereof, an outer circumferential wall that is continuing from the body portion, an annular leg portion inclusive of a grounding portion and an inner circumferential wall, and a raised bottom portion positioned over the grounding portion on the inside of the inner circumferential wall of the leg portion. The raised bottom portion protrudes downward beyond the root portion where the leg portion is continues to the inner circumferential wall, a plurality of arcuate protuberances are formed in a spiral shape heading from the outer edge of the central portion of the raised bottom portion toward the outer circumferential side, and arcuate dents are formed among the arcuate protuberances that neighbor each other.
US09045239B2

Spacecraft payload orientation steering is provided for an orbiting spacecraft in motion along an orbit track around a celestial body, the orbit track having a nominal inclination with respect to an equatorial orbit, a substantial eccentricity, and a drift angle with respect to the nominal inclination. Coordinates of an optimal payload target location as a function of a spacecraft position along the orbit track are determined, the target location being on the surface of the celestial body and having a substantial motion with respect to the surface and with respect to a spacecraft nadir. A payload of the spacecraft is substantially aligned with the determined coordinates by steering the satellite body to correct for at least one of the inclination drift angle, and the eccentricity, thereby adjusting the spacecraft orientation as a function of the spacecraft position along the orbit track.
US09045227B1

A two-stage fan provides efficient aerodynamic lift by concentrating and directing a generated high velocity airstream through channels and over sets of airfoils and wings which are contained within a cylindrical housing. Horizontal and vertical control is achieved by manipulating angle-of-attack of the airfoils.
US09045226B2

An unmanned air module includes one or more rotors, engines, a transmission and avionics. Any of several different ground modules may be attached to the air module. The air module may fly with and without the ground module attached. The ground module may be a vehicle ground module and may be manned. The vehicle ground module may transport the attached air module across the ground. The air module may have two rotors, which may be ducted fans, and three different configurations: a tandem rotor configuration, a side-by-side configuration, and a tilted-rotor configuration.
US09045223B2

A method of assisting a pilot of a single-engined rotary wing aircraft (1) during a stage of flight in autorotation, said aircraft (1) including a hybrid power plant having an engine (13), an electric machine (12), and a main gearbox (11). Said aircraft (1) also includes electrical energy storage means (14) and a main rotor (2) mechanically connected to said hybrid power plant (5). According to said method, while in flight, the operation of said engine (13) is monitored in order to detect a failure thereof, in particular by monitoring for a drop of power on said main rotor (2), and then in the event of a failure of said engine (13) being detected, said electric machine (12) is controlled to deliver auxiliary power We to said main rotor (2), thereby enabling the pilot of said aircraft (1) to be assisted in maneuvering said aircraft (1) during said stage of flight in autorotation following said failure.
US09045218B2

Systems and methods to launch an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises an electrically powered buoyant aircraft, a control system to maneuver the aircraft and a tether adapted to couple to the aircraft and to a ground-based power supply to provide power to the aircraft while the aircraft is coupled to the tether. The aircraft can disconnect autonomously from the tether in response to a command signal.
US09045205B2

A floatable boat ramp is disclosed including a plurality of hollow planks arranged parallel to one another such that the upper surfaces thereof define a drivable surface. A plurality of flexible channels couple cavities defined by adjacent planks of the plurality of hollow planks to one another a first end plank defines one or more openings to allow inlet and outlet of air and water in order to cause the boat ramp to sink or float. The interior cavity of the planks may be divided into right and left hand portions. Left and right hand channels coupled the right and left hand portions, respectively, of adjacent planks to one another. A second end plank includes a continuous cavity and allows fluid communication between left and right hand portions of the other planks. The planks may be coupled together by cables extending through sleeves rotatably mounted to the ends thereof.
US09045192B2

A quick release hub assembly, comprising a stationary axle element with a first outer face and an axially opposed second outer face and an opening that extends axially between the first outer face and the second outer face, a rotatable hub shell element that is rotatable about the axle element and a quick release skewer assembly that includes a first skewer element with a first gripping face and a first collar portion extending axially inboard of the gripping face and a second skewer element with a second gripping face and a skewer shaft connecting the first skewer element and the second skewer element. The first gripping face is axially opposed and facing the second gripping face and the axial distance between the first gripping face and the second gripping face is selectively variable. The first gripping face is axially outboard the first outer face and the second gripping face is axially outboard the second outer face and the quick release skewer assembly extends through the opening. The first skewer element is connected to the skewer shaft by means of a connection at a location that is axially inboard of the first gripping face. Preferably including a frame with a frame element with first and second mounting portions, where the first collar portion includes locating geometry to provide radially positioning alignment with the first mounting portion.
US09045189B2

In some embodiments, a scooter comprises a deck configured to support a rider, a front wheel and a rear wheel, a steering column, and a foot brake. The steering column can include a steering tube and a handlebar assembly, and the steering column can be used to steer the scooter by controlling a direction of the front wheel. The foot brake can be configured to apply a braking force to the rear wheel when the foot brake is pressed down. For example, the foot brake can be configured to rotate about a pivot axis when the foot brake is pressed down. The foot brake also can be configured to return to an un-pivoted position when the foot brake is no longer pressed down.
US09045188B2

A lower part structure of a motorcycle is provided which enables air having flowed past a radiator to be guided to transversely outer sides more efficiently. In a motorcycle, a radiator is disposed forwardly of an engine and rearwardly of a front wheel, and an air guide port opening forward is provided forwardly of the radiator. A body frame and the radiator are covered with a cowling. The cowling includes side cowls covering lateral sides of the radiator, and an undercover covering a lower portion of the body frame rearwardly of the radiator. The undercover includes a V-shaped part, and air guide surfaces extending obliquely from the V-shaped part toward transversely outer rear sides.
US09045181B2

A position-securing mechanism and a device unit equipped therewith for securing a working device to a trailer is designed to the working device is attachable to a working machine via a coupling device. The position-securing mechanism is formed with a sensor designed to detect a coupled state and a decoupled state of the coupling device, a receiving device having first and second functional sections provided on a first longitudinal side of the trailer or the working device, a locking device that is brought into a locked state in which this locking device prevents the release of the engagement of the functional sections and into an unlocked state in which this locking device permits the release of this engagement and a drive device connected to the sensor and driven thereby.
US09045180B2

A ground-engaging track system for a machine includes a track extending about a rotatable track engaging element, and having a track chain with a plurality of elongate links each including an upper rail surface formed of a sacrificial wear material and having a convex longitudinal profile configured to delay scallop formation therein. A link for a track chain and related methodology are also disclosed.
US09045176B1

An under trailer aerodynamic control system that increases air mass, organization and velocity with forward mounted airflow modifying directional panels and a rear airflow modifier mounted in a firm and movable manner for location near the underneath side of a truck trailer forward of the trailer tires and axles to better manage airflow around the trailer tire and axle assembly. In operation, the rear mounted airflow modifier collects the airflow from the forward mounted modifiers and routs impinging air to exit between the trailer tires and well past the end of the trailer for controlled road spray and splash while keeping tires and brakes running cooler and decreasing parasitic drag of the trailer as it moves along the highway while reducing driver fatigue due to improved handling characteristics.
US09045175B2

A vehicle body rocker structure includes a plate-like inner member and a plate-like outer member that extend in a vehicle backward-forward direction and join with each other in a vehicle width direction as a structure member for constituting a rocker, wherein respective cross-sections of the inner member and the outer member include upper joint portions, lower joint portions, at least one convex portion caused to project to opposite sides joining therebetween, and concave portions disposed between the upper and lower joint portions as well as on a vehicle body upper and lower side of the convex portions, respectively, and the upper joint portions, the lower joint portions, and the convex portions of the inner member and the outer member are joined with each other, respectively and plural closed cross-sections are formed in the vehicle body up-down direction.
US09045171B2

A work vehicle includes a fixed hood covering a rear area of an engine compartment housing an engine and an engine accessory, a swing axis extending through the rear area of the engine compartment in a transverse direction of the vehicle, and a swing hood swinging around the swing axis between a closed position and an open position. The swing hood tucks the fixed hood inside the swing hood and thus covers the fixed hood in the open position, and covers a front area and a middle area of the engine compartment and overlaps with a front end portion of the fixed hood in the closed position.
US09045167B2

A vehicle body (12) includes: a coupling recess (35) that couples an outer bottom member (42) with an outer top member (41) of an outer panel (37) of a vehicle body pillar (21); and a door seal cover (34) that covers the coupling recess (35). The door seal cover (34) comprises: a U-shaped body part (43) that has a U-shaped cross section and serves as a central portion; a U-shaped top lip (44) that extends upward from the body part (43); and a U-shaped bottom lip (45) that extends downward from the body part (43). A front top leading end (57), a front bottom leading end (58), a back top leading end (61), and a back bottom leading end (62 ) of seal contact surface sections (51, 54), which are firmly attached to door-side seal members (48, 49), are formed at step-free thicknesses.
US09045165B2

There is provided a vehicle side portion joining portion structure capable of promoting a reduction in weight of a vehicle body and of effectively suppressing vibrations and deformations of a pillar, regardless of structures of the pillar and a rocker and the like. A pillar reinforcement member is joined to an interior of a foot portion of a pillar outer that is formed with an open cross section in which a vehicle width direction inner side is opened. At a vehicle forward side of the foot portion, a front side closed cross section is formed at a vehicle front side portion of the foot portion. At a vehicle rearward side of the foot portion, a rear side closed cross section is formed at a vehicle rear side portion of the foot portion.
US09045161B2

An automatic injecting type paste form heat-blowing injection composition comprising a partially crosslinked rubber, an unvulcanized rubber, a crosslinking agent, a plasticizer, a thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin and a latent curing agent thereof, and a blowing agent. This composition can be used in a injecting and soundproofing method comprising forming an insulation wall by heating and foaming of a injection composition in a closed section of an automobile body part having a closed section frame which is produced by press molding in a body welding step of an automobile manufacturing line, and it has a good anti-stringy property and suffers form less sagging during heating and foaming.
US09045158B2

A deformable heating element for a steering wheel comprises at least one heating conductor, one side of which is laid on, and fastened to, a front-side layer of a flat base material. The base material, in area of the front-side layer on which the heating conductor is laid and fastened, has a lower compression hardness and/or a volume density than does this base material in the area of its opposite, rear-side layer.
US09045154B2

A load transporting device comprising: a central axle portion having at least one wheel, a first construction equipment engagement portion operably connected to the central axle portion, the first construction engagement portion accommodating a curvilinear portion of a construction equipment having a curvature, wherein the first construction engagement portion matches the curvature of the curvilinear portion of the construction equipment, and a second construction equipment engagement portion operably connected to the central axle portion, the second construction engagement portion accommodating an operation component of the construction equipment is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US09045143B2

An electronic brake control device for a vehicle includes one or more output connections for activating one or more vehicle components that are not part of the vehicle brake system. The electronic brake control device includes a memory which has at least one memory location for storing operational data of a vehicle component that is connected to a respective output connection. The electronic brake control device is configured to detect data characterizing the operation of the connected vehicle component, collect the data as an overall operating value of the vehicle component, and store the data in the assigned memory location.
US09045142B2

A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, arbitrating velocity signals derived from information from a first sensor and a second sensor, estimating a ratio between an actual tire radius and an expected tire radius, and generating a fused velocity estimate based on an arbitrated signal calculated during the arbitrating step and an estimated ratio calculated during the estimating step.
US09045132B1

A system and method for controlling engine idle stop in a hybrid vehicle that uses predictive information to schedule engine stops with relatively longer stop duration time to gain more fuel savings and extend life of starter motor. More specifically, predictive information may be used to determine potential vehicle stop events, along with corresponding stop duration times, within a time window. An engine stop scheduler and/or controller may be configured to schedule stops of longer duration for optimal total engine stop time. Similarly, taking into account constraints imposed by the thermal limits of the motor, engine stop may be inhibited for predicted short events to allow engine stop at later longer stop events.
US09045119B2

A method is described for automatically keeping a motor vehicle at a standstill. The motor vehicle includes a braking system having a valve for limiting the brake pressure to a predefinable pressure threshold value. Gradient information and a pressure threshold value dependent on the gradient information are ascertained. The pressure threshold value is set at the valve as soon as the motor vehicle is at a standstill and the service brake is applied.
US09045118B2

A travel control device which controls vehicle travel by feedback control so that the vehicle travels according to a travel plan is characterized by including: a control item determining unit that determines a prioritized control item for every position of a target locus in the travel plan; a control gain determining unit that sets a control gain of the determined prioritized control item to be higher than those of other control items; and a travel plan correction unit that includes the determined control gain in the travel plan.
US09045115B2

A rotation of a right wheel (3RR) and a rotation of a left wheel (3RL) of a vehicle are locked respectively by independent parking lock mechanisms (6). Each parking lock mechanism (6) comprises a locking operation prevention mechanism (63c,63d) which mechanically prevents the locking operation of the parking lock mechanism (6) when a wheel rotation speed exceeds a predetermined parking lock prevention wheel rotation speed. The controller (CU, 10) is programmed to prevent the locking operation of the parking lock mechanisms (6) of the right and left wheels (3RR, 3RL) when a predetermined parking lock permitting condition based on wheel rotation speeds of the right wheel (3RR) and the left wheel (3RL) is not satisfied, thereby preventing a state in which one of the right and left wheels (3RR, 3RL) is prevented from rotating while the other is not prevented from rotating.
US09045114B2

A beam blade windshield wiper assembly including a wiping element that contacts the surface of the vehicle to be wiped. An elongated beam is operatively attached to the wiping element and has a pair of longitudinal ends. An airfoil assembly is operatively supported on the elongated beam. The assembly also includes a fluid manifold for distributing fluid across the surface to be wiped. The manifold has an inlet in fluid communication with a source of fluid, a plurality of outlets disposed along the longitudinal length of the manifold and an internal passage extending between the inlet and the outlets. A fluid manifold mounting system is adapted to support the fluid manifold on the elongated beam.
US09045095B2

A secure wireless vehicle control system includes a power source installed in a vehicle and a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) operative to control the operation of components of the vehicle, where each of the ECUs is connected to the power source via electrical wiring, configured with at least a communications unit for receiving security information via the electrical wiring, and also configured with a wireless transceiver operative to use the security information to secure wireless transmission. An ECU includes a wired connection to a vehicle's power source, a communications unit operative to at least receive security information via the wired connection, and a wireless transceiver operative to communicate with at least one other ECU, where the wireless transceiver is configured to use the security information to secure communications with the at least one other ECU. A method for securing wireless communications for an ECU includes receiving security information on a communications unit via a wired connection to a vehicle's power source, and using the security information to secure the wireless communications.
US09045090B2

A portable water sport board rack includes a pair of generally parallel forks each including a plurality of elongated prongs that define channels for receiving and storing water-sport boards. The forks are transversely connected via a support cross member, and an extension member connects the cross member to a rotational unit. An elongated rod is secured to the bottom of the rotational unit at an angle, and the device is secured to a boat through insertion of the angled rod into a rod holder.
US09045071B2

A mobile infill reclamation system comprising a mobile platform configured to be readily moved from a first location to a second location in relatively close proximity to an existing synthetic turf surface, a support structure mounted on the mobile platform, multiple processing components supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to process used infill material from the existing synthetic turf surface, an infill intake supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to receive the used infill material, and an infill output supported by the support structure and configured and arranged to discharge infill material processed by the processing components.
US09045069B2

A tonneau cover apparatus for securing a flexible cover about a cargo box of a pickup truck. The apparatus comprises the cover and a support frame for attachment to the cargo box. The frame has two opposing side rails, each of which has a lock engaging surface. The support frame further includes a pair of securing plate engagement members, each of which is secured to one of the respective opposing side rails. The apparatus further comprises a flexible cover securing plate attached to the cover. The flexible cover securing plate includes a channel and least one locking member. Each locking member is secured within the channel and each respective locking member is engagable with the lock engaging surface of the respective side rail such that the flexible cover securing plate is prevented from disengaging with respect to the respective side rail when it is in a first position.
US09045066B2

A heater control unit controls electric power supplied to a heater provided in a seat. The heater control unit includes an outside air temperature measuring portion that measures an outside air temperature, a seat surface temperature measuring portion that measures a surface temperature of the seat, and a control portion. The control portion controls a time for which an initial electric power larger than an electric power in a steady state after the initial state is output to the heater, according to the measured outside air temperature and the measured seat surface temperature in an initial state immediately after the heater is activated.
US09045064B2

The invention relates to neck cushions for vehicle seats, in particular for complete seats, for the support of the head and neck area of a person sitting on the seat, with a cushion, a counterweight and a fastening strap which connects the cushion to the counterweight, wherein the cushion rests on an upper region of the backrest in the longitudinal direction of the backrest so as to be adjustable at least in the longitudinal direction of the backrest, and the counterweight is arranged on at least one limiting element in order to limit the movement of the cushion.
US09045058B2

A vehicle seat apparatus includes a seat unit supporting mechanism rotatably supporting a seat unit about a rotation axis in a roll direction of a vehicle and a yaw direction of the vehicle. The rotation axis is set so that a rear side is higher than a front side in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat apparatus, and so as to pass near a waist of a driver sitting on the vehicle seat apparatus.
US09045051B2

A system for identifying an electric vehicle connected to electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) and which involves RF communication exploits the OBDM of the electric vehicle as well as the auto-CAM system. Power is applied from the EVSE to supply electric power and the flow of current to the battery charger is detected. The VIN and a power-on signal is then transmitted by RF to the EVSE transceiver. Power is removed from the EVSE to the electric vehicle. A VIN and a power-off signal is transmitted to the EVSE and processed to confirm the identity of the connected electric vehicle. Power is then re-applied to the EVSE to charge the battery power supply.
US09045050B2

An inductive charging system for vehicles includes a power receiving (PR) device disposed in a vehicle, and a power sourcing (PS) device disposed in a charging equipment separated from the vehicle.
US09045043B2

A vehicle glass heating system may include a vehicle glass having two or more electrically heated zones. The system may also have a controller, which determines an output based on an input signal and selectively actuates at least a portion of the heated zones to heat the vehicle glass according to the output.
US09045040B2

A vehicle PTO driveline (10) in which a PTO input shaft (11) drives a PTO wet clutch (12) which when engaged drives a PTO output shaft (13). The driveline has an eccentric formation (34) on the input shaft (11) which oscillates a pumping piston (31) when the input shaft rotates, which piston pumps cooling/lubricating fluid from a reservoir (25c) to the wet clutch (12). The piston is connected with the eccentric formation by a ring (33) which surrounds the eccentric formation (34) and a hollow tube (32) which is attached to the ring and which carries the piston at a lower end, the piston oscillating inside a chamber (31a) when the input shaft rotates. The chamber (31a) is connected with the fluid reservoir (25c) and the oscillating piston pumps the fluid along the hollow tube (32) into the ring (33) which then delivers the fluid into internal passages (38) in the input shaft from where the fluid flows to the wet clutch.
US09045039B2

A crop sprayer includes a main frame. A product tank is supported by the main frame that is configured to contain a first quantity of fluid therein. A cab is supported by the main frame that includes a trailing wall structure positioned in relation to the product tank so as to define a reservoir space therebetween A hydraulic reservoir assembly is positioned in the reservoir space.
US09045030B2

An energy absorbing and distributing side impact system for use with a vehicle is provided, the system utilizing a battery pack enclosure that includes a plurality of cross-members that transverse the battery pack enclosure and absorb and distribute at least a portion of the load received when either the first or second side of the vehicle receives a side impact. The battery pack enclosure is positioned between the front and rear vehicle suspension assemblies and mounted between, and mechanically coupled to, vehicle structural members (e.g., rocker panels) located on either side of the vehicle. In addition to providing rigidity, strength and impact resistance, the battery pack cross-members segregate the batteries contained within the battery pack enclosure into battery groups.
US09045028B2

A work vehicle comprising, a power unit, an electric motor activated by electric power from the power unit, a propelling transmission system for receiving drive power from the electric motor, a cabin including a roof portion the driver rides, an air conditioner for adjusting air temperature in the interior of the cabin. the power unit and the air conditioner are provided in the roof portion of the cabin.
US09045020B2

A system and method for reducing a buffeting condition in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is disclosed herein. The system includes, but is not limited to, a blocking member disposed between the passenger compartment and an adjacent space that is configured to move between an open position and a closed position to respectively open and close an opening between the passenger compartment and the adjacent space. The system further includes a motor operatively coupled with the blocking member and configured to move the blocking member between the open position and the closed position. The system still further includes a controller operatively coupled to the motor and configured to control the motor to move the blocking member to alternate between the open position and the closed position at a predetermined rate in response to a triggering event, whereby a buffeting condition experienced in the passenger compartment is diminished.
US09045018B2

A control system for a vehicle that includes a cabin and a primary engine. The control system includes an auxiliary power unit and a microprocessor in communication with the primary engine, the cabin, and the auxiliary power unit. The control system selectively activates the auxiliary power unit to control an engine parameter and a cabin parameter when the primary engine is shutdown.
US09045011B2

A landing gear tire traction control system and methods are presented. An outer tire of an aircraft wheel is depressurized to a depressurized state in response to a non-optimal aircraft landing condition. An inner rotor of the aircraft wheel contacts the outer tire in response to the depressurized state, and a plurality of traction studs are deployed to protrude from the outer tire in response to the inner rotor contacting the outer tire.
US09045007B2

A heavy-load radial tire comprises a tread portion, wherein in a tire meridian section including a tire axis under a normally inflated unloaded condition in which the tire is mounted on a standard wheel rim and inflate to a standard pressure but loaded with no tire load, the tread portion comprises a crown portion and a pair of shoulder portions each disposed axially outside the crown portion and including a tread edge, the crown portion has a crown profile being a circular arc of a radius of curvature TR1 of which the center is on a tire equatorial plane, the shoulder portion has a shoulder profile being a circular arc of a radius of curvature TR2 which crosses the crown profile at an intersection point P so that a tangent line on the shoulder profile at the intersection point P inclines at angle of not more than 7 degrees with respect to a tire axial direction, wherein the radius of curvature TR2 is 0.60 to 0.95 times the radius of curvature TR1, a plurality of sipes are provided in the shoulder portion, and each sipe extends from the tread edge toward the tire equatorial plane without going beyond the shoulder portion.
US09044993B2

A binder comprising a detachable article holder is described. The article holder comprises hangers that may be extended to detach the article holder from the binder and/or configure the article holder for hanging on support rails. Also described is a method of extending hangers of the article holder to both detach the article holder from the binder shell and configure the article holder for hanging.
US09044992B1

Decorative clip assemblies described herein are configured to clamp onto gift bags and other items a user desires to decorate. The assemblies herein include a decorative element operably coupled to the top of a binder clip, wherein the binder clip includes folding arms that allow the clip to open and close. Advantageously sleeves are used to cover the binder clip arms to provide many advantages to the assemblies herein, non-exclusively including support, aesthetic, messaging, and protective functions.
US09044991B2

A greeting bag is described that is includes a gift bag and a greeting card. The gift bag and greeting card connect together to form the integrated assembly of the greeting bag that has a purposefully coordinated single decorative style. The gift bag and greeting card have individual decors that define alternative aspects of that particular theme of a decorative style. An attachment mechanism can also be included in the greeting bag that further fixes the greeting card to the gift bag. The attachment mechanism can have a third decor as well as a size and dimensions that can include an image or sentiment. A method is described wherein a greeting bag is selected by selecting a gift bag from a set of one or more gift bags that share a common decorative style. A greeting card is selected from a set of one or more greeting cards that share the same common decorative style with the gift bag. The optional attachment mechanism is selected from a set of one or more attachment mechanisms that share the same common decorative style with the gift bag and greeting card. The gift bags, greeting cards and attachment mechanisms can be selectively mixed and matched from different sets within the decorative style.
US09044985B2

A printing device may include a medium conveying passage along which the printing medium is conveyed; a printing thermal head structured to heat an ink ribbon; a ribbon supplying part; a ribbon winding part; an erasing thermal head disposed between the printing thermal head and the ribbon winding part in a feed direction of the ink ribbon, the erasing thermal head heating the ink ribbon after ink is transferred by the printing thermal head; a transferred roller oppositely disposed to the erasing thermal head and is transferred with ink of the ink ribbon heated by the erasing thermal head; and a roller holding part which holds the transferred roller. The transferred roller may be capable of being attached to and detached from the roller holding part.
US09044979B2

An inkjet recording apparatus allows a recording head to be mounted or removed in or from a carriage at a replacement position in a region above a platen. The platen includes a short rib disposed at a position that faces an ejection port portion when the carriage moves to the replacement position and a long rib disposed at a position that faces a portion of the recording head other than the ejection port portion.
US09044975B2

A supporting mechanism applied to a printer is disclosed in the present invention. The supporting mechanism includes a base, a holder slidably disposed on the base for holding a web, a door pivotably disposed on the casing, and a linkage set for moving the holder relative to the base. The linkage set includes a first rod connected between the holder and the door for moving the holder relative to the base when the door rotates, an arm rod pivoted to the casing, and a second rod pivoted to the door and the arm rod for driving the arm rod to press the holder, so as to move the holder relative to the base when the door rotates.
US09044974B1

A tandem printing system for imaging a media web includes a first and second print engines. A controller identifies a change in a position over time of a bottom of the media web in a loop box that is placed in the media path between the first and second print engines. The controller identifies an effective diameter of a drive roller in one of the print engines with reference to the change in position of the bottom of the media web. The controller modifies a rotational velocity of the drive roller with reference to the effective diameter to maintain velocity of the media web at a predetermined level and control a position of the bottom of the media web in the loop box.
US09044971B2

Provided is an ink-jet printer including a printer head which ejects ink onto a medium while moving relative to the medium in a main-scanning direction, an LED module which exposes the ink ejected onto the medium to light while moving in the main-scanning direction together with the printer head so as to cure the ink, and LED light sources which are provided to the LED module at a position near the medium, which are plurally arranged at least in the main-scanning direction, and which are divided into a plurality of areas in accordance with an arrangement position with respect to the LED module to adjust an amount of light during light emission for each area.
US09044968B2

In accordance with one embodiment, a printer apparatus comprises a first paper conveyance path configured to convey a first paper which has printing surfaces on both sides, that is, a first surface and a second surface serving as a back surface of the first surface; a first printing section configured to carry out printing on the first surface; a second printing section configured at the downstream side of the first printing section in a paper conveyance direction to carry out printing on the second surface; and a second paper conveyance path configured to merge with the first paper conveyance path between the first printing section and the second printing section, and convey a second paper which has a printing surface on either of a first surface and a second surface serving as a back surface of the first surface.
US09044957B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid in a manifold as liquid droplets from a nozzle opening; a supply path that supplies the liquid to the manifold; a pump unit that is disposed in the supply path and pumps the liquid; and a discharge path that discharges the liquid from the manifold, wherein a flow path resistance of the discharge path from the manifold is smaller than a flow path resistance of the supply path from the pump unit to the manifold.
US09044955B2

A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a liquid jetting section having a liquid jetting surface in which a plurality of nozzles are formed, and configured to jet a liquid from the plurality of nozzles; and a liquid supply section provided on the liquid jetting section on a side opposite to the liquid jetting surface with respect to a direction intersecting the liquid jetting surface, and configured to supply the liquid to the liquid jetting section. The liquid jetting section includes: two nozzle groups arranged apart in a predetermined scanning direction, each nozzle group including a plurality of nozzles aligned in a nozzle arrangement direction which intersects the scanning direction; and two common liquid chambers arranged apart in the scanning direction, each common liquid chamber extending in the nozzle arrangement direction and communicating with one of the two nozzle groups.
US09044953B2

Hard imaging devices, print devices, and hard imaging methods are described. According to one arrangement, a hard imaging device includes a media transport system configured to move media along a media path and a print device adjacent to the media path. The print device may include an image forming device configured to eject a plurality of droplets of a liquid marking agent in a direction towards the media moving along the media path to form hard images using the media, wherein the ejection of the droplets of the liquid marking agent from the image forming device creates puddles of the liquid marking agent on the image forming device and a puddle removal system configured to remove the puddles of the liquid marking agent from the image forming device.
US09044948B2

A liquid discharge head substrate includes a base; a pair of wiring lines; a heat-generating resistive layer, which is in contact with the wiring lines, and which has a portion corresponding to a space between the wiring lines, the portion forming an electrothermal transducer; an insulating layer which covers the heat-generating resistive layer and the wiring lines and which contains Si; a protective layer which covers at least one region of the insulating layer which contains Ir; and an intermediate layer which is placed between the insulating layer and the protective layer. The intermediate layer contains a material represented by the formula TaxSiyNz, where x is 5 atomic percent to 80 atomic percent, y is 3 atomic percent to 60 atomic percent, z is 10 atomic percent to 60 atomic percent.
US09044946B2

A droplet discharge head includes a nozzle substrate containing a plurality of nozzles to discharge droplets; a channel substrate to form a plurality of individual liquid chambers to which the plurality of nozzles communicate; a common liquid chamber member, comprising a wall, to form a common liquid chamber to supply liquid to the plurality of individual liquid chambers; a wall member to form a deformable damper area on a part of the wall of the common liquid chamber member, in which the channel substrate and the common liquid chamber member are laminated together with the wall member sandwiched in between, and the channel substrate includes a concave-shaped damper chamber corresponding to the damper area; and a plurality of support pillars disposed on a concave-shaped bottom of the damper chamber, the support pillar connecting to the wall.
US09044936B2

Determining an issue in an inkjet nozzle may include activating a drive bubble formation mechanism in an ink chamber to eject an ink droplet through the inkjet nozzle and measuring the drive bubble in the ink chamber after the drive bubble formation mechanism is activated.
US09044935B2

An embodiment of this invention relates to an element substrate that implements size reduction of the element substrate and simplification of the arrangement as well as a highly-reliable print operation, a printhead using the same, and a printing apparatus including the printhead. In the element substrate according to this embodiment, the slope of a ramp wave is changed to generate a plurality of pulses using one reference voltage. The slope of the ramp wave can be changed by changing the mirror ratio or the capacitance of a comparator as well as by changing the resistance of a DAC.
US09044934B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge head having a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a first direction; a transport mechanism which transports a recording medium in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a platen which is provided opposingly to the plurality of discharge ports and which supports the recording medium, the platen having an opening and an auxiliary support portion; a liquid receiving member which is provided on a side opposite to the liquid discharge head with respect to the platen and which receives a liquid discharged from the plurality of discharge ports; a movement mechanism which moves the auxiliary support portion of the platen between a first position and a second position separated in the first direction from the first position; and a control unit which controls the liquid discharge head and the movement mechanism.
US09044923B2

The invention relates to a multi-layer film having at least one fluoropolymer layer, useful for high-purity contact applications. Preferably the fluoropolymer layer(s) are polyvinylidene fluoride polymers and copolymers.
US09044921B2

A roofing membrane with high solar heat reflectance includes a bituminous base sheet, a tie-layer with a reinforcement material, and a solar heat-reflective upper layer.
US09044912B2

An operation method of an electric press working machine including a frame body, a crown, and a plurality of support posts, a first slide that slides on the support posts, a second slide that slides on the support posts, a first-side drive source that drives the first slide, a second-side drive source that drives the second slide, and either a first upper die that is attached to correspond to the first slide or a second upper die that is attached to correspond to the second slide or both. The method includes: a step of moving the first and second slides to a first position; a step of moving the second slide to a second position while keeping the first slide at the first position; and a step of moving the second slide to a third position while keeping the first slide at the first position.
US09044910B2

To form a tire carcass, a body ply is wound about a drum, which has two half-drums movable axially in opposite directions to and from a center plane of the drum, and having respective turn-up bladders, on each of which is laid a respective annular lateral portion of the body ply; each annular lateral portion being turned up about a respective bead bundle and onto a sidewall of a toroidal-shaped annular central portion of the body ply by inflating the relative turn-up bladder and controlling distension of a given annular portion of the turn-up bladder so that, when inflation is completed, the annular portion assumes a given final position, in which an intermediate portion of the turn-up bladder rolls outwards along the relative sidewall of the annular central portion of the body ply.
US09044903B2

A puncture repair kit that reduces the difference between a pressure displayed on a manometer of a compressor device and an actual tire internal pressure. The compressor device (2) is connected with a bottle unit (3) directly. A cap 6 comprises a one-way valve (14) to prevent puncture-sealing agent from flowing back toward the compressor device. A cylinder (12) of the compressor device (2) comprises a branch chamber (21) receiving compressed air from a pump chamber (11). The branch chamber (21) is connected with an air feeding passage (39) extending toward a bottle unit (3), a manometer (22), a relief valve (23), and a surge chamber (70) to store the compressed air from the pump chamber (11) and to reduce the pressure fluctuation of the compressed air.
US09044888B2

An apparatus for shaping plastics material pre-forms into plastics material containers with a blow mold which has at least two blow mold parts which are arranged so as to be movable with respect to each other on first and second blow mold carrier parts. A pressure pad arrangement is arranged between at least one blow mold carrier part and the blow mold part. The pressure pad arrangement is designed in such a way that the force acting between the blow mold carrier part and the blow mold part has a first force component which acts in a first pre-set region in the peripheral direction of the blow mold part and a second force component which acts in a second pre-set region in the peripheral direction of the blow mold part.
US09044870B2

A dive knife with two elastic buckles at two lateral sides includes a handle having a long groove therein; a buckle; each of a right side and a left side of the buckle having an upward elastic key; each elastic key extending upwards and being biforked at an upper end thereof so as to form with two claws; one claw near the body being as a hooking claw and another claw far away from the body being as a press key; a knife; a retaining set installed to the inner side of the rear cover; a front end of each left and right side of the lower retainer is extended with an elastic hook; and wherein in assembly, the buckle is received into the groove of the handle, the elastic hook will hook with the hooking claw of the elastic key of the buckle.
US09044862B2

Disclosed herein are a path planning apparatus and a method for a robot to plan an optimal path along which a manipulator of a robot moves to a goal point from a start point. An obstacle within a prescribed angle on a straight line connecting a start point and a goal point is recognized as a middle point in a configuration space and arbitrary points separated from the middle point by a prescribed distance are selected. Among the selected points, arbitrary points which can directly connect the start point and the goal point without passing the obstacle are selected as waypoints to map a new middle node. A path is extended via the middle node and extension of a tree in a wrong direction is minimized so that the manipulator is not struck at local minima without depending greatly on a goal score, thereby improving the performance of path planning and rapidly searching for a path.
US09044860B2

A control method of a robot apparatus, the robot apparatus including a link and a pair of actuators, obtaining each driving force command value of each of the actuators, and controlling each of the actuators, the control method including: a torque command value computation step; a change computation step of computing a difference between the joint stiffness command value and a value and performing a computation of subtracting a value from the joint stiffness command value; an iterative step of iterating the computations of the torque command value computation step and the change computation step until the difference converges to a value equal to or smaller than a predetermined value; and a driving force command value computation step to compute each of the driving force command values when the difference is converged to a value equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.
US09044859B2

A control method that executes a numerical non-linear optimization procedure with forward simulation of the full dynamics of the bipedal robot (including ground collisions) to compute a foothold, which produces the desired center of mass velocity during the next step of the walking cycle. The controller includes a gait generator that outputs desired joint trajectories designed to track a desired foothold provided by the foot placement algorithm. A torque calculator is included to output desired joint torques designed to track the desired joint trajectories provided by the gait generator. Additionally, the controller includes an actuator controller that produces the desired joint torques determined by the torque calculator at each joint on the physical robot, which may be a legged robot with torque-controlled joints. The foot placement algorithm may use nonlinear optimization that is solvable using a mathematical model of the dynamics of the controlled robot.
US09044853B2

Embodiments are directed to a dental device holder for holding a dental device in place and a method of use of the dental device holder for providing dental care. The dental device holder can include a spherical outer wall with a plurality of holes in the wall, wherein a dental instrument can be inserted through the holes and frictionally retained in the dental device holder. The dental device holder can include attachment elements. A strap can be attached to the dental device holder using the attachment elements.
US09044851B2

A relief valve assembly limits the maximum torque of a gear motor of a hydraulically driven tool. The relief valve assembly dumps flow to a return channel to return hydraulic fluid to the supply when the relief valve assembly is activated. The relief valve assembly is placed in the channel of a directional valve spool, and varies its pressure setting depending upon spool position. This is useful to vary the pressure settings of a hydraulic motor in different directions.
US09044845B2

Apparatus to insert a spigot into a flexible tube comprises a support for holding and advancing a spigot, actuated by a motor, and a grip for holding a flexible tube, its opening and closing controlled by a motor. On operation of the apparatus, the support is advanced to urge the spigot into the flexible tube. To prevent catching or snagging of the tube on the spigot preventing insertion, after forward motion of the spigot, the jaws are opened, and the spigot is retreated a short distance, the jaws are closed and the spigot is advanced again. This cycle is then repeated until the spigot is fully within the tube. The jaws have a front section and a separate back section, mounted against a resistance, to hold the tube. The front section will be urged back against the resistance on insertion of the spigot, which will not reach the back section.
US09044836B2

A hand-held power tool guiding device is disclosed. The device includes a receptacle element for receiving the power tool, a remote control device for operating the power tool, and a guiding and support device, which is designed to be adjustable with an adjusting lever. The adjusting lever has a handle which is configured to be rotatable relative to the adjusting lever around an axis of rotation.
US09044826B2

A laser processing machine includes a workpiece support, a movement unit that is movable relative to the workpiece support, the movement unit being configured to move a laser processing head over the workpiece support, and a switch cabinet in which one or more control components of the laser processing machine are provided. An arrangement of the switch cabinet provides a free movement space disposed underneath at least a portion of the switch cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the movement unit is disposed within the free movement space.
US09044823B2

A plurality of short light metal billets obtained by pressing light metal pieces are stacked in a long container having an inside diameter D that is larger than an outside diameter d of each of the short light metal billets, are pressed in the long container at a temperature higher than room temperature, and are compressed until the outside diameter d of each of the short light metal billets becomes equal to the inside diameter D of the long container, thereby joining the short light metal billets together at an interface between each adjacent pair of the short light metal billets by friction.
US09044821B2

Provided is an antioxidant gas supply unit including: a base body (10) in a shape of a hollow plate having antioxidant gas flow paths (53) and (54) defined therein; an antioxidation gas inlet (20) for letting an antioxidant gas flow into the antioxidant gas flow paths (53) and (54); a through hole (30) penetrating through the base body (10) in a through-thickness direction so that a capillary (72) is allowed to be inserted into and removed from the hole, and communicating with the antioxidant gas flow paths (53) and (54) to let the antioxidant gas flow out; and a film heater (40) attached to an outer surface of the base body (10) around the through hole (30). The antioxidant gas supply unit has a compact structure and is capable of effectively heating a free air ball.
US09044815B2

A dovetail coupling arrangement is disclosed for securing two removable parts along a coupling axis. The dovetail coupling arrangement includes multiple opposing surfaces between the receiver of a first member and the projection of a second member to provide resistance to forces transmitted in a direction orthogonal to the coupling axis. Such an arrangement may be utilized for jaw sets associated with hydraulic construction, demolition, and scrap handling equipment.
US09044796B1

A method of encapsulating and safely transporting hazardous waste is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: first, providing a waste object at a first location; second, covering the waste object with a closed cell polymer foam; third, allowing a sufficient time for the closed cell polymer foam to cure; and fourth, transporting the covered waste object to a second location. In another embodiment the method comprises the steps of: first, providing a waste object at a first location; second, treating the waste object to decontaminate or neutralize the hazardous waste; third, covering the waste object with a closed cell polymer foam; fourth, allowing a sufficient time for the closed cell polymer foam to cure; and fifth, transporting the covered waste object to a second location.
US09044787B1

An automatic scratch-off material removing device for lottery tickets comprises an enclosure, a power source, a brush, and a retention tray. The enclosure comprises a durable housing for the various components of the device having a loading slot where a user may insert a lottery ticket. The power source comprises a replaceable battery which is housed inside the enclosure and accessed via a removable cover located within a bottom surface of the enclosure. The brush comprises an electric rotating brush system which removes the scratch-off material from the ticket via a brush assembly. The excess scratch-off material falls into the retention tray, which is slidably removable from a rear portion of the enclosure.
US09044785B2

A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side.
US09044784B2

A computerized method for intelligently distributing computer processing of mail piece scan images across a plurality of mail piece scan image processors. The method can include receiving a mail piece scan image from a mail piece scan image job requestor and selecting one of a plurality of scan mail piece scan image processors to process said mail piece scan image. The mail piece scan image can be transmitted to said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors and a mail piece scan image processing result can be received from said one of a plurality of plurality of mail piece scan image processors. Post-processing operations can be performed based on said mail piece scan image processing result. The mail piece scan image processing result can be transmitted to said mail piece scan image processing requestor.
US09044775B2

Coating systems and processes are disclosed for uniformly coating objects. The system comprises a pre-treatment unit, a first processing unit, a first post-treatment unit and one or more coating apparatus each configured to engage an object and rotate the object around or about two or more axes. The coating apparatus used in the system can comprise a first, second and/or third gimbals connected to rotational mechanisms to allow rotation of the gimbals around or about first, second and/or third axis. An object holder is connected to the third gimbal. When an object is present in the object holder, it can be immersed in a coating solution to form a coated object. The coated object is then rotated around or about two or three axes which produces a multidirectional centrifugal force which causes the coating solution to spread evenly over the surface of the object to produce a uniform thin film.
US09044774B2

A vented combinatorial processing cell is described, including a sleeve having an end forming a fluid seal with a region of a substrate, a flow head including a vent and disposed in the sleeve to dispense fluid onto the region, the flow head, the substrate, and the sleeve defining a chamber for processing the region, a fluid source attached to the flow head to deliver the fluid into the chamber, and a vacuum port attached to the flow head to remove fluid from the chamber.
US09044768B2

A fluid dispenser including a casing having a mounting mechanism (2), a connection mechanism (3), and a cylinder (4) with an insertion-and-removal opening (48) defining an axis X; a dispenser member (5) received in the mounting mechanism (2); and a fluid reservoir (6). The reservoir (6) includes a bottom wall (61) accessible at the insertion-and-removal opening (48). The connection mechanism (3) has a reception collar (7), the reception collar (7) guided in axial movement in the cylinder (4) along the axis X against the action of a spring (9). The connection mechanism (3) includes a ring (8) arranged between the reception collar (7) and the spring (9), the ring (8) engaging both the cylinder (4) and the reception collar (7) and responsive to pressure applied against the bottom wall (61) of the reservoir (6), by switching between a locked position and a free position.
US09044766B2

A spray head for a fluid distribution system may include first and second deflector inner surfaces defining a fluid outlet. A piston may define a variable orifice communicating with the fluid outlet to control fluid flow through the spray head. An inner surface of the second deflector may define a grooveless deflector central region disposed between first and second deflector lateral regions. Each of the first and second deflector lateral regions may include at least a first deflector groove extending along a first deflector groove path oriented substantially radially relative to the inlet passage, so that the spray head generates a spray pattern having more uniform fluid distribution across the spray pattern.
US09044756B2

An apparatus for reading identification information of a biosensor is provided, including a biosensor sensing unit detecting the biosensor, a light-emitting unit emitting light on an identification information recording unit when the biosensor sensing unit detects the biosensor, the identification information recording unit having the identification information of the biosensor recorded thereon, a light-receiving unit that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit, and reflected or refracted by or passing through the identification information recording section, and an identification information reading unit analyzing the light received by the light-receiving unit and reading the identification information of the biosensor.
US09044736B2

A metal substrate for flue gas-denitration catalyst that, like SUS304, can be used without corroding is provided by improving the corrosion resistance of SUS430 substrate that is inexpensive and can easily be supplied stably. A method for producing the metal substrate for flue gas-denitration catalyst, wherein the method comprising the steps of: lath-processing a band-shaped steel plate made of ferrite stainless steel into a band-shaped metal lath; (1) degreasing process oil adhering to the metal lath; (2) passing the metal lath through a solution containing phosphoric acid and surfactant to load the solution; (3) draining off the excess solution; and (4) drying and heating the solution-loaded metal lath to react the phosphoric acid with the substrate, in which respective steps are carried out sequentially to form a film of phosphate compound on a surface of the substrate.
US09044732B2

The present invention relates to a microcapsule particle composition that is composed of a sol-gel material. The microcapsule particle composition is well suited for personal care and cleaning products.
US09044725B2

In one aspect, the invention provides a system and method for spray drying a fluid. The system comprises a fluid reservoir (2), a spraying device (3) that comprises at least one outflow opening (4) for projecting droplets of fluid (5) from the reservoir (2) out of the at least one outflow opening (4) and at least one energy source (6) for at least partially drying the droplets. The spraying device (3) is arranged to project the droplets into a determinable droplet trajectory and the at least one energy source (6) is arranged for providing energy focused substantially on the droplet trajectory. It is an object of the invention to provide a system and method for reducing the amount of energy required for spray drying.
US09044724B2

A method for dispensing liquid for use in biological analysis may comprise positioning liquid to be dispensed via electrowetting. The positioning may comprise aligning the liquid with a plurality of predetermined locations. The method may further comprise dispensing the aligned liquid from the plurality of predetermined locations through a plurality of openings respectively aligned with the predetermined locations. The dispensing may be via electrowetting.
US09044708B2

An apparatus for treating headspace gas has a production water tank, a source of at least one of oxygen and ozone, a diffuser, and a reaction tank. The production water tank contains a headspace gas and a headspace gas outlet. At least a portion of the headspace gas is a sulfide gas. The diffuser diffuses a mixture of the at least one of oxygen and ozone and headspace gas from the production water tank via the headspace gas outlet into a liquid solvent. The at least one of oxygen and ozone oxidizes at least a portion of the sulfide gas as they pass through the diffuser. The reaction tank for receives the liquid solvent.
US09044703B2

There is provided a process for effecting permeation of at least an operative material component of an operative mixture from a higher pressure space, through a membrane, and into a lower pressure space, wherein the higher pressure space is disposed in mass transfer communication with the lower pressure space through the membrane.
US09044702B2

In one aspect of the invention, a method and related system efficiently and effectively recover a significant amount of valuable, useable oil from byproducts formed during a dry milling process used for producing ethanol. The method may include forming a concentrate from the byproduct and recovering oil from the concentrate. The step of forming the concentrate may comprise evaporating the byproduct using a multi-stage evaporator, as well as recovering the oil before the final stage of the evaporator. Further, the step of recovering oil from the concentrate may comprise using a centrifuge and, in particular, a disk stack centrifuge. Other aspects of the invention include related methods and subsystems for recovering oil.
US09044695B2

A filter device has a filter housing (1) receiving a filter element (11) defining a longitudinal axis and being in the form of a filter cartridge. An end cap (19) forms an enclosure for the relevant end rim of the filter material (23, 25). The end cap fixes the position of the filter element (11) in its functional position by being on an element receiver (13) that interacts with the bottom part (7) of the filter housing (1). The element receiver (13) and the assigned end cap (19) of the filter element (11), on their parts (17 and 15) coming into engagement with one another in the functional position of the filter element are provided with shaped irregularities matched to one another to enable the engagement in a positional relationship directed towards one another.
US09044693B2

An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.
US09044680B2

Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing an online game. One method includes an operation for executing a first game board for a first user and a second game board for a second user. The first game board is created when the first user plays the game for the first time and the second game board is created when the second user plays the game for the first time. The method further includes operations for detecting a visit by the second user to the first game board, and for detecting a request by the second user to place a game asset in the first game board. The game asset is installed in the first game board when the first user approves the request, and the second user obtains one or more game rewards when the first user interacts with the game asset while playing the online game.
US09044678B2

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive experience to game participants.
US09044676B2

Game players are connected to each other through comparisons of information associated with events in which the game players and their friends have competed. Competition information such as game play results, leader board positions, game attributes, and entitlements are used to compare players and players' friends to each other, and the comparison information is used to recommend additional events to the players in such a way as to enhance social networking and asynchronous game play among the game players and their friends in the game.
US09044668B2

An entertainment button device includes: an entertainment button that a player can push; a button-up-and-down mechanism configured to move the entertainment button up and down from a predetermined normal operation position to a protruding position in which the entertainment button protrudes upward from the normal operation position; a stopper plate configured to hold the entertainment button in the protruding position; and a protruding position detector configured to detect the entertainment button being held by the stopper plate.
US09044666B2

A cue ball deflection path training aid used by beginning pool or billiards players to help them optimally position the cue ball for the next shot. The aid includes cue ball deflection grid attached or imprinted on a cue stick's top surface. The grid includes a main neutral line, a transverse line, and two diagonally aligned lines that converge to designate a center intersection point. The two diagonal lines are aligned at approximately 60 degrees from the transverse line. The grid is oriented on the cue stick so that the main neutral line is aligned with the cue stick's longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the grid is printed on an adhesive label attached to or near the cue stick's midline axis. During use, the player holds the cue stick so that lines of the grid are aligned with the aiming line or over the object ball path line.
US09044661B2

The present invention provides a simulated golf putting device to improve a golfer's putting skill, comprising means to execute a simulated putt and to determine if the putt would be on target, and if not in which direction the simulated putt would miss the target. The device provides near-instantaneous signals to the user whether a simulated putt is good or a miss. The device is compact and self-contained, and can be readied for use in virtually any location in seconds.
US09044655B1

A golf putter includes a putter head, a shaft and hand grip. The putter head includes a lower curved striking face and a substantially straight upper striking face. The straight striking face extends upward vertically from an upper end of the curved striking face. A height as measured from a bottom surface to a junction of the straight striking face and the curved striking face is at least one half the outer diameter of a regulation golf ball. An alignment striking line is created on a top and middle of the putter head. The hand grip is attached to one end of the shaft. The other end of the shaft is inserted into a top of the putter head. An impact plate is attached to a bottom and front of the putter head. A plurality of horizontal grooves are formed in the impact plate.
US09044648B2

Golf balls having multi-layered covers are provided. The cover includes an inner cover layer made of an ionomer composition; an intermediate cover layer made of an aromatic polyurethane composition; and outer cover layer made of an aliphatic polyurethane composition, wherein the total thickness of the multi-layered cover is no greater than 0.110 inches. Preferably, the thickness of the inner cover layer is 0.010 to 0.050 inches; the thickness of the intermediate cover layer is 0.010 to 0.040 inches; and thickness of the outer cover layer is 0.004 to 0.020 inches. The invention also includes methods for making such multi-layered covers. The resulting ball has good light-stability, cut/shear-resistance, and impact durability.
US09044647B2

Multi-piece golf balls having a multi-layered solid core and cover of at least one layer are provided. In one preferred embodiment, a five-piece ball is formed. The center of the core is made of a thermoset rubber material. Three intermediate layers of thermoplastic material enclose the center. The outer cover layer is made of a composition comprising a polyurethane, polyurea, or copolymer or blend thereof. The finished ball has high resiliency and rebounding properties.
US09044646B2

A thermoplastic golf ball material is made by combining and reacting (a) an unneutralized copolymer of ethylene and at least one of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, which has from about 5 to about 12 percent by weight acid monomer; (b) a metallocene-catalyzed copolymer of ethylene and octene; (c) an unsaturated fatty acid; and (d) a metal cation in an amount sufficient to neutralize from about 65 to about 90% of the acid groups, to produce an ionomeric thermoplastic material. The ionomeric thermoplastic material may be used in a core, a cover, or a layer between a core and a cover of a golf ball.
US09044643B2

This disclosure provides a weight support assembly including a main support mountable to an upright frame member to define a coarse position and a secondary support movable relative to the main support to define a fine position.
US09044642B2

A weight-lifting bar includes a tubular member having a first end portion and a second end portion. The tubular member further includes an internal region. The weight-lifting bar further includes a plurality of balls disposed in the internal region of the tubular member that at least partially fills the internal region. The weight-lifting bar further includes a first endcap member configured to be coupled to the first end portion, and a second endcap member configured to be coupled to the second end portion.
US09044638B2

An embodiment of this invention discloses a foldable treadmill comprising a bracket, a platform, a lifting device, a folding frame, a motor, a linear actuator, and a control board, wherein the bracket comprises two supporting sticks, two tracks, and a rear linkage connected with the supporting sticks, the lifting device comprises a rod connected with the bracket, and two pull members respectively arranged at one end of the rod, the folding frame comprises two bars and a link bar, in which the link bar has two ends respectively connect with one bar, a middle portion of each bar connects with the pull member of the lifting device, a front end of each bar is used as a pivotal point to rotate, and a rear end of each bar has a wheel placed in the track, and the linear actuator is horizontally laid on the rear linkage.
US09044625B2

Embodiments relate generally to personal alert safety systems (PASS) as well as the use of piezoelectric sound generators which may be located within a PASS device operable to alert others when user is in danger. Some embodiments further relate to the use of a PASS device in an SCBA. Embodiments may also relate to the design of piezoelectric driver circuits operable to sound one or more piezoelectric sound generators, wherein the driver circuit design may be low cost and energy efficient.
US09044615B2

A method for use with an implantable system including a lead having multiple electrodes implantable proximate to a patient's left ventricular (LV) chamber includes simultaneously delivering pacing pulses over corresponding pacing vectors defined by electrodes proximate to the LV chamber. The method includes recording evoked responses responsive to the pacing pulses that are measured over separate corresponding sensing channels. The method also includes comparing the evoked responses to a template that represents local capture of a local LV tissue region along one or more of the corresponding pacing vectors. The comparison is used to determine whether the pacing pulses achieved local capture along the corresponding pacing vectors. At least one of the pacing pulses or pacing vectors are updated based on the comparison of the evoked responses to the template in order to determine a local capture threshold for the corresponding pacing vectors.
US09044608B2

An exemplary electro-acoustic stimulation (“EAS”) system (100) includes 1) an off-the-ear sound processor module (102), 2) a headpiece module (104) communicatively coupled directly to the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) and configured to be affixed to a head of a patient, the headpiece module (104) comprising a housing with communication circuitry disposed therein that is configured to facilitate communication by the off-the-ear sound processor module (102) with a cochlear implant (106) implanted within the patient, and 3) a loudspeaker (110) communicatively coupled directly to the headpiece module (104). The off-the-ear sound processor module (102) is configured to direct the cochlear implant (106) to apply electrical stimulation to the patient and direct the loudspeaker (110) to apply acoustic stimulation to the patient. Corresponding systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
US09044606B2

Methods and devices are provided for activating brown adipose tissue (BAT). Generally, the methods and devices can activate BAT to increase thermogenesis, e.g., increase heat production in the patient, which over time can lead to weight loss. In one embodiment, a medical device is provided that activates BAT by electrically stimulating nerves that activate the BAT and/or electrically stimulating brown adipocytes directly, thereby increasing thermogenesis in the BAT and inducing weight loss through energy expenditure.
US09044603B2

A photon-guiding device for a radiotherapy apparatus, consists of a central frustum, made up of a plurality of metal channels, and an outer casing that encloses the central frustum and consists of microchannels. The channels and microchannels have a frusto-conical shape and a common apex.
US09044593B2

A medical electrical lead having a conductor assembly covered by an insulating layer, and a shield covering positioned adjacent or proximate to at least a portion of the insulating layer in order to shield the conductor assembly from one or more electromagnetic fields. The shield covering is formed of a polymer-matrix composite. The polymer-matrix composite includes a polymeric resin having discontinuous conductive fillers provided therein. The discontinuous conductive fillers include one or more of nano-sized metal structures and nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can have a coating formed of one or more metals. The nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can be formed of carbon. In turn, the nano-sized non-metallic conductive structures can include one or more of carbon nanofibers, carbon filaments, carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanoflakes.
US09044592B2

A system includes a lead having a lead body and at least one electrode; and a retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in atraumatically anchoring the lead to nearby tissue when the lead is positioned in the body. A system includes a lead having a lead body and at least one electrode; and a coiled retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in anchoring the lead to nearby tissue when the lead is positioned in a body. A lead for stimulating a target neural tissue includes an elongate body; at least one electrode disposed along the elongate body; and a passive retention feature disposed along the lead body proximal to the at least one electrode and configured to assist in anchoring the elongate body to tissue near the target neural tissue.
US09044591B2

The present invention is a visual prosthesis for the restoration of sight in patients with lost or degraded visual function. The visual prosthesis includes a user interface which controls function of the visual prosthesis to optimize operation for each individual patient. The user interface controls functions such as brightness, contrast, magnification, frequency, pulse width, or amplitude. The user interface may also individually control points of neural stimulation.
US09044586B2

A valve system is provided that includes an electromechanical solenoid, a gas valve including a magnetic flapper, a power source in electrical communication with the electromechanical solenoid, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the power source to supply an intermediate voltage that causes the electromechanical solenoid to move to a neutral position between a default position and a fully-actuated position. In so doing, the magnetic flapper is maintained in a neutral position between two gas ports and a flow of gas between the ports can be used to clean foreign particles from the magnetic flapper. The controller can also provide a varying voltage to the electromechanical solenoid while in the neutral position to cause vibration of the magnetic flapper and further assist in removing foreign particles. A closed loop system including a feedback circuit can be used for adjusting the voltage applied to the solenoid based on pressure sensed.
US09044584B2

A connector apparatus for small-bore medical tubing includes a male connector (20) with a dome (22) which fits into a mating cavity (42) of a female connector (40) when the two connectors are coupled together. A fluid channel extends through the connectors, the dome, and into the cavity to form a continuous fluid passageway when the connectors are coupled together. The dome is compressed into the cavity to form a fluid-tight connection when the connectors are coupled together. Each connector has a coupling structure which mates with the other to compress the connectors together when fully engaged. The connectors are engaged by inserting the dome of one of the connectors into the cavity of the other connector, then rotating the connectors to fully couple them together.
US09044563B2

A patient interface that is comfortable for a user to wear is disclosed. The patient interface includes a forehead rest and cushion. In particular the cushion includes a deformable resilient member that when compressed creates a uniformly and gradually increasing force while evenly distributing the pressure on the forehead of the patient.
US09044558B2

Embodiments disclosed herein may include systems and methods for determining a patient's respiratory effort and blood oxygen saturation based on data acquired from a pulse oximetry sensor and analyzing the parameters in conjunction with each other. For example, the respiratory effort may be determined based on a photo-plethysmographic waveform generated from light attenuation detected by the sensor, and the blood oxygen saturation may be a pulse-based estimate of arterial blood oxygen saturation determined from the detected attenuation. Analysis of the parameters may enable detection and classification of apnea (e.g., obstructive or central) or another underlying cause for respiratory instability. Furthermore, the measured respiratory effort may be compared to respiratory effort supplied by a ventilator to ensure proper sensor placement before enabling automatic adjustment of ventilator settings.
US09044557B2

Various embodiments of an tracheal tube having a sensor coupled to a selectively permeable membrane are provided. In some embodiments, the membrane may be permeable to one or more blood gases and/or blood analytes. Certain embodiments of the endotracheal tube may be capable of deploying the sensor during intubation to sense one or more indicators of blood flow characteristics, such as a level of blood gases and/or blood analytes, in the respiratory tract. Embodiments of the present invention may include positioning of the sensor in a variety of suitable positions with respect to the permeable membrane, such as mounting the sensor to the underside of an inflatable permeable membrane.
US09044554B2

Drug delivery devices having non-luer connections and adapters and adaption connectors for providing non-luer connections to drug delivery devices are provided. An exemplary drug delivery device for use with a catheter connection includes a blunt needle component with a non-luer connection and a filter component with a non-luer connection, wherein the non-luer connections of the blunt needle component and filter component are incompatible with standard luer fitting and intravenous route-accessing devices. In one or more embodiments, an adapter having a non-luer connection at one end and a luer connector is provided for use with blunt needle components and filter components wherein one of the blunt needle component and the filter component includes a luer connection and the other of the blunt needle component and the filter component includes a non-luer connection. Methods of delivering liquid medication to a catheter are also provided.
US09044546B2

An article for use in manufacturing particle cassettes comprising one or more single pieces of membrane having a plurality of gas flow passages bonded thereto. The article allows convenient manufacture of particle cassettes. Two such articles may be employed to provide a finished particle cassette and a production line in which a plurality of gas flow passages are conveyed on a single membrane is disclosed.
US09044539B2

The present invention is an alternate IV line clasp for holding IV equipment securely to a patient's body without the use of tape. The clasp has a contoured recessed channel provided in an underside of a head of the clasp such that the channel receives and holds the IV equipment therein. The clasp has an adjustable, slightly elastic strap that extends over the head of the clasp by inserting through slits provided on either side of the head and then extending around the patient's body in the area of the body where the IV is installed. The two ends of the strap are provided, respectively, with hook and loop fasteners that allow the strap to be removably secured to itself and around the patient's body to hold the head and attached IV in place.
US09044526B2

A medical product containing either an active ingredient of propolis which is a natural antibiotic or a grapefruit seed extract, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The medical product is impregnated with a solution of CAPE (caffeic acid phenethyl ester) or pinocembrin, which is an active ingredient of propolis having antibacterial effects, to increase the antibacterial activity of the medical product due to antibacterial compounds contained in the active component, or the medical product is impregnated with a solution of a grapefruit seed extract such that the extract can exhibit antibacterial activity in the medical product.
US09044521B2

Provided herein are systems, devices, and methods for ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and sterilization, more specifically, systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container, and more particularly systems, devices, and methods for UV disinfection and sterilization of a container used in the process of fermentation for an alcoholic beverage. Provided are also systems, UV devices, and methods for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present in a container, preferably for inhibiting the growth of one or more species of microorganisms present on an interior surface of a container.
US09044510B2

The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for alleviating pruritis. The compositions may comprise an analgesic agent.
US09044506B2

The invention provides a nucleic acid construct comprising a promoter sequence derived from microRNA-21 (miR-21) linked to a nucleic acid sequence encoding an anti-cancer agent, an example of which is a toxin. The constructs of the invention are particularly useful for treating tumors expressing miR-21.
US09044504B1

Techniques are described for facilitating use of invocable services by applications in a configurable manner. In at least some situations, the invocable services are Web services or other network-accessible services that are made available by providers of the services for use by others in exchange for fees defined by the service providers. The described techniques facilitate use of such invocable services by applications in a manner configured by the application providers and the service providers, including to track use of third-party invocable services by applications on behalf of end users and to allocate fees that are charged end users between the applications and the services as configured by the providers of the applications and services. In some situations, the configured pricing terms for a service specify fees for end users that differ in one or more ways from the defined fees charged by the provider of that service.
US09044483B2

The present invention relates to an antioxidant response element (ARE) activator comprising a macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) or a modified form thereof, an ARE activator comprising a combination of MIF or a modified form thereof and a substance capable of binding to MIF, such as a 1,3-benzothiazinone, and so on. These ARE activators are useful.
US09044482B2

The present application provides methods of using the aminoindane compounds of formula (I) or (II) in treating an overactive bladder or interstitial cystitis by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient.
US09044478B2

Use of 1,4-bis(3-aminoalkyl)piperazine derivatives as defined in formula I or II for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition intended for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, related neurodegenerative diseases, developmental diseases or cancer. The instant invention is also directed to some specific 1,4-bis(3-aminoalkyl)piperazine derivatives and pharmaceutical composition including them.
US09044477B2

Botulinum neurotoxin formulated with a hyaluronic acid carrier with increased residency time of the botulinum toxin at a subdermal location and fewer botulinum toxin induced complications or side effects.
US09044473B2

The present invention relates to the intrathecal (IT) administration of recombinant enzyme to treat lysosomal storage disorders. In an exemplary embodiment, intrathecal administration of human α-L-iduronidase (rhIDU) injections in MPS I affected animals resulted in significant enzyme uptake, significant rh-iduronidase activity in brain and meninges and a decrease of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage in cells of MPS I subjects to that of normal subjects. Intrathecal administration proved more effective than intravenous treatment at alleviating MPS I symptoms, indicating it is a useful method of treating lysosomal storage disorders.
US09044463B2

The invention relates to FSH receptor antagonist according to general formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and to a pharmaceutical composition containing the same. The compounds can be used for the treatment and prevention of endometriosis, for the treatment and prevention of pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal hormone-dependent breast cancer, for contraception, and for the treatment of uterine fibroids and other menstrual-related disorders.
US09044462B2

Oxygen therapy for healthy or inflamed but intact skin involves placing an oxygen-generating dressing onto the skin to be treated, the oxygen-generating bandage being a one-time use dressing capable of generating oxygen for only a short period of time, not to exceed about 4 hours.
US09044454B2

The present invention provides compositions and methods to regulate embolic occlusion of the microvasculature. In particular, the present invention inhibits extravasation of emboli from microvasculature resulting in increased occlusion (e.g., by administering a MMP 2/9 inhibitor locally to a subject).
US09044450B2

An injectable depot formulation includes a biocompatible polymer, an organic solvent combined with the biocompatible polymer to form a viscous gel, and a small molecule drug incorporated in the viscous gel such that the formulation exhibits an in vivo release profile having Cmax to Cmin ratio less than 200 and lag time less than 0.2.
US09044448B2

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to improved X-ray contrast media compositions and methods of using the same for treating symptoms related to allergic reactions, inflammatory conditions, symptoms of the common cold and certain cancers.
US09044446B2

The invention relates to the use of triglycerides which an enhanced portion of the palmitic acid residues in the sn-2 position for an early in life diet for improving the development of a healthy body composition, in particular prevention of obesity, later in life.
US09044438B2

Provided are methods for the treatment of disease and promotion of healing that include providing a therapeutically effective amount of a mammalian antimicrobial peptide (AMP) or analog thereof, in particular a cathelicidin or cathelicidin fragment or cathelicidin analog, thereby treating the disease in the subject in need thereof. Also provided are specific analogs or fragments of cathelicidin that function as agonists, as do endogenous cathelicidins, or as either dominant negatives or as inhibitors to endogenous cathelicidin or to other endogenous AMPs or that compete with pro-inflammatory agents or fragments of AMPs on cognate receptors without inducing disease.
US09044430B2

Disclosed are products and methods for treating soft tissue injuries. The provided methods include the production of processed or cryopreserved microvascular tissue. Also provided are products and methods of using processed or cryopreserved microvascular tissue for the treatment of soft tissue injuries.
US09044429B2

A personal care composition comprising a methyl naphthalenyl ketone or a derivative thereof, such as 1-(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2naphthalenyl)-ethan-1-one, for down regulating at least one TRP receptor associated with a pain response, including but not limited to TRPV1 and TRPA1 receptors to reduce skin irritation associated with hair removal.
US09044422B2

The present invention relates to novel mycobacterial compositions containing RNA and cell walls, and methods for making and using these compositions. These compositions have immune stimulating and anti-cancer activity. The present invention also relates to a synthetic medium for the cultivation of mycobacteria.
US09044411B2

The present invention is an agent for treating keratinous fibers, particularly human hair, comprising: (a) at least one glyceryl acrylates/acrylates copolymer; (b) at least one film-forming and/or setting polymer; and (c) at least one ester oil. The agent may additionally comprise a polyol such as glycerin. The agent is best suited for temporarily deforming hairs into a desired shape or style and for the general caring of hair.
US09044399B2

The present application concerns plant extracts which have been fermented with kephir grains, methods of production of these extracts, a powder comprising these extracts and compositions comprising these extracts. Since these extracts have a high content of aglycone active principles, their biological activities are high and their applications are varied.
US09044393B2

The present invention relates to a composition for topical application in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion, wherein it contains: a lipophilic phase (A) an emulsifying system (B) an aqueous phase (C), one or more fillers having an oil uptake greater than or equal to 75 ml/100 g, the emulsifying system (B)/lipophilic phase (A) weight ratio ranging from 0.04 to 0.2. This composition is preferably obtained according to the phase inversion (PIT) emulsification technique and it can in particular constitute a cosmetic or dermatological composition.
US09044385B2

Methods for treating a vascular disease by delivering therapeutic compositions with enhanced endothelium targeting are disclosed.
US09044380B2

A method for making a customized nipple for a pacifier or baby bottle. The method provides for molding an exact non-toxic material replica of the mother's breast, nipple, and areola area from a mold so that when the replica is filled with a non-toxic gel-like substance and adhered to a backing, the pacifier so created has the firmness, color, rigidity, and texture of the mother's natural breast, nipple, and areola area. Further, the simple to use mold is sent to a core facility which stores the identifying information with the mold once a first pacifier is created therefrom. Moreover, the mother can re-order or re-make the pacifier as needed over time. The pacifier so provided is a safe and effective pacifying device which promotes good emotional, muscular, and bone structure development for the baby, and at the same time, provides the mother with confidence and independence.
US09044378B2

The present disclosure describes a needle guard device or system that can be used with drugs requiring reconstitution. The needle guard is preferably a passive needle guard that can be used during reconstitution without activating the safety mechanism. Following administration of the medication, the needle guard shields a user from inadvertent needle sticks by extending a protective shield over the needle.
US09044371B2

The present invention is a scalable and portable human remains cold storage system having a chiller unit for providing a chilled fluid to a remains chilling bag. A flow divider manifold fluidly communicates with the chiller unit for dispersing the chilled fluid to the remains chilling bag and then channeling warmed fluid back to the chiller unit for re-chilling through a series of supply lines. The fluid flows through a continuous cycle to maintain a desired temperature within the remains chilling bag.
US09044360B2

A nonwoven fabric with excellent feel on the skin, excellent air permeability and liquid permeability, and high deformability and superior recoverability. The nonwoven fabric comprises composite fibers that include a first component, and a second component having a lower melting point than the first component, wherein detached portions are created by detaching at least a portion of the second component from the first component and/or the residual portion of the second component, and at least some of the detached portions are tangled and/or fused with other composite fibers.
US09044354B2

A fluid management device for use in a mammalian body has at least one fluid transport element capable of interfacing with a mammalian body element to provide a substantially uninterrupted fluid conduit. The fluid conduit provides a fluid path between at least one fluid transport element and the storage element. A distal portion of the at least one fluid transport element is capable of extending away from the fluid storage element, and the at least one fluid transport element has a Wing Stiffness of less than about 10 gf.
US09044353B2

Processes for making micro-textured webs. The process comprises providing a precursor web; providing a pair of mated forming structures, including a first forming structure and a second forming structure, wherein at least the first forming structure comprises voids, and wherein at least the second forming structure comprises protrusions; and moving the web through a deformation zone of the mated forming structures, wherein the voids of the first forming structure engage with the protrusions of the second forming structure at an engagement position. Discrete three-dimensional elements are formed in the web as the protrusions on the second forming structure engage with the voids on the first mating structure. At least one protrusion has center-to-center spacings of less than about 800 microns with at least three of its adjacent protrusions.
US09044349B2

The invention relates to a prosthetic socket for a residual limb of the lower extremity or upper extremity of an individual person. The residual limb has particular dimensions and anatomical contours; the prosthetic socket has dimensions and contours that fit the dimensions and contours of the residual limb. The prosthetic socket may also fit in a manner that is biomechanically particularly appropriate for the individual. The prosthetic socket is an assembly of components from groups of components that include (a) struts arranged longitudinally with respect to the residual limb, (b) proximal brim members arranged proximally to the struts and connected thereto; and (c) distal socket members disposed at the distal base of the prosthetic socket. The socket components within these groups may be modular in that they can vary with respect to dimensions and/or contours, and yet have common connecting features that permit assembly of the components together to form the prosthetic socket.
US09044345B2

A method for placing a pelvic implant including a cup and a femoral stem includes planning at least one of a location of the cup within a pelvis and a location of the stem within a femur such that a combined anteversion between a predetermined cup component and a predetermined femoral stem component satisfies a predetermined combined anteversion.
US09044341B2

To change a spatial relationship between two or more bones in a patient's body, a wedge member is moved into a joint between the bones. As the wedge member enters the joint, pivotal movement occurs between the bones to change the orientation of the bones relative to each other. The wedge member may have a porous construction which enables bone to grow through the wedge member and immobilize the joint. The wedge member may be coated with and/or contain bone growth promoting material. The wedge member may be connected to only one of the bones or may be connected to two adjacent bones. If the wedge member is connected to only one bone, the joint may be capable of being flexed after the wedge member is inserted into the joint.
US09044338B2

Spinal tissue distraction devices that include a member which has a pre-deployed configuration for insertion between tissue layers and a deployed configuration in which the member, by change of configuration, forms a support structure for separating and supporting layers of spinal tissue.
US09044327B2

A structure improvement of orthopaedic implant for connecting a distal femur and a proximal tibia, and a stem was implanted into the proximal tibia, in which formed to allow inter-engagement between the stem of the tibia and the structure improvement of orthopaedic implant. The structure improvement of orthopaedic implant includes a tibial baseplate, a tibial insert, and a reinforcement. The tibial baseplate forms a recess having a bottom that has a central portion defining a through hole extending through the tibial baseplate. The tibial insert includes a support, a through region, and a projection, wherein an end of the tibial insert forming the projection corresponding to the recess of the tibial baseplate for press-fitting to the tibial baseplate. The reinforcement is inset in the tibial insert and includes a sleeve and a bolt. As such, the advantages of stable coupling includes force resistance, avoids insert loosening then extends prosthetic longevity.
US09044322B2

An implantable device includes a polymeric body and a metallic first mounting strip connected to a trailing end portion of the body. The body has a leading end portion, a first side surface, a second side surface, an upper surface, a lower surface and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces. The central opening has an internal surface with an internal leading surface, a first internal side surface and a second internal side surface. A first depth is defined between the leading end and the internal leading surface, a first spacing is defined between the first side surface and the first internal side surface and a second spacing is defined between the second side surface and the second internal side surface. The first spacing is substantially the same as the second spacing and the first depth is less than the first spacing.
US09044319B2

Anchored cardiovascular valves having a support member with at least one leaflet formed therein that is sized and configured to selectively restrict regurgitating blood through the valve, and at least one anchoring mechanism. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the anchored valves have two anchoring mechanisms, i.e. proximal and distal anchoring mechanisms.
US09044315B2

A soft tissue fixation device for use in ACL or CrCL reconstruction has a base member provided with a passageway extending perpendicularly from its top surface through its bottom surface. The passageway is sized to allow soft tissue to be inserted through the passageway. The fixation device also includes an affixing member attachable to the base member. The base member has a notched section in the top surface extending from the passageway to a first perimeter section of the base member sized to accommodate at least a portion of the graft. Either surgical grade tissue glue or at least one perpendicularly extending spike is used to secure the base member to the bone. The base member is also provided with a sleeve whose interior wall surfaces form a part of the passageway and is sized to be inserted into the bone opening. The affixing member is provided with a series of teeth members extending downward from its lower surface. The teeth members are positioned so that when the affixing member is attached to the base member the teeth members will extend across and into the notched section of the top surface of the base member. The opposite ends of the affixing member is shaped to fit into aligned notches positioned along perimeter sections of the base member bottom surface for attaching the clip member to the base member.
US09044307B2

An ankle walker including an ankle shell, an inner lining, at least one bladder and at least one strap is provided. The ankle shell includes a base, a lower foot portion, a first and second side panel and a back panel. The lower foot portion extends upward from the base. The first side panel and second side panel extend from respective first and second portions of the lower foot portion. The back panel extends from a third portion of the lower foot portion and is positioned between the first and second side panels. The ankle shell has a first slot separating the first side panel from the back panel and a second slot separating the second side panel from the back panel. At least one of the first and second slots has a height that is at least one half the height of the ankle walker.
US09044302B2

One embodiment is directed to a patient interface system for ophthalmic intervention on an eye of a patient, comprising: a housing; an optical lens coupled to the housing and having a focal axis; a eye surface engagement assembly coupled to the housing and comprising an inner seal having an inner seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, an outer seal having an outer seal diameter and being configured to circumferentially engage the eye, and a tissue migration bolster structure configured to be positioned circumferentially between the inner and outer circumferential seals and to prevent migration of tissue of the eye toward the eye surface engagement assembly when a vacuum load is applied within the assembly to cause vacuum engagement of the inner and outer seals against the eye.
US09044297B2

In certain embodiments, a method for estrus detection includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. The stored location information includes a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period. The method further includes determining, based on at least a portion of the stored location information, one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock. The method further includes determining, based on one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock, whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus.
US09044293B2

A disposable saliva ejector for connection with a slow-speed suction device has a suction end and a discharge end. The tapered ejector has an ovate shape. A retention orifice helps secure the ejector within the patient's mount, while a larger extraction orifice removes fluid and debris. Placement of the saliva ejector within the mouth lies along the interior of the patient's cheek, keeping the oral cavity clear of viewing obstructions. The discharge end connects to a discharge tube, wrapping around the oral commissure then hooking onto the patient's outer cheek. Once properly placed within the patient's mouth the dental assistant is relieved from providing suction during various procedures.
US09044291B2

An electric generator powered by the opening and closing of a user's jaw. In one embodiment, a portion of an electric generator is mechanically stressed by a user's teeth when the user opens or closes his jaw. The mechanical stress is converted to electric energy and may be stored in a battery or power an electric device. In another embodiment, a magnet is passed through a coil when the user opens or closes his jaw to generate electric energy.
US09044286B2

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for applying a controlled amount of torque during a surgical procedure. In one exemplary embodiment, after the amount of torque applied reaches a threshold amount, a modular driver tip can be deformed, for instance by breaking into pieces. A containment shield disposed around at least a portion of the tip is configured to receive at least a portion of the tip after it is deformed. In one aspect, multiple modular driver tips can be disposed in a cartridge, with a distal-most tip being held by a driver tip holder that has a holding force that is greater than a threshold torque value of the tip. Exemplary methods for operating surgical drivers and systems that include tips that deform at a threshold torque value, and a multitude of embodiments of tools and systems, are also provided.
US09044284B2

A system for delivering fluid to a space between two vertebrae is provided. The system includes a tool and an insert configured to be implanted in the space between two vertebrae. The tool includes a proximal end, a distal end and a structure at the distal end configured to be coupled to the insert. The tool further includes a first opening located near the proximal end of the tool, a second opening located near the distal end of the tool, and a passage extending between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening, the passage and the second opening provide a fluid delivery path from the proximal end to the exterior of the tool near the distal end. The second opening is positioned relative to the structure such that fluid is permitted to be delivered from the tool directly into the space between the two vertebrae.
US09044282B2

An intramedullary assembly for intraosseous bone fusion includes a lag screw member and a tapered screw member. The lag screw member includes a first elongated body, where the first elongated body includes a first threaded portion at a first end and a bulbous portion at a second end. The tapered screw member is coupled to the lag screw member, and the tapered screw member includes a second elongated body, where the second elongated body includes a second threaded portion at a third end, and an opening at a fourth end.
US09044280B1

A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site.
US09044277B2

Spinal implants and methods for spinal stabilization and/or fusion are provided. Exemplary implants described herein can be configured for delivery to a facet joint to stabilize and/or fuse the facet joint, and can optionally be anchored within the pedicle for added fixation. The implant can optionally include a fusion-promoting bioactive material thereby providing a single device capable of spinal stabilization and/or fusion. Furthermore, a method of placing such an implant within a facet joint is provided.
US09044274B2

A bone screw system is presented. The bone screw system has a fixation element, a receiving element, coupling element, and a compression element. In one aspect, the fixation element is adapted to engage a bone and has a head portion and a threaded shank portion.
US09044268B2

A method of identifying the orientation of a tissue sample is provided. The method includes the use of a single-use tissue marking system for use in marking a tissue sample. A first surface of the sample is marked with a first ink defined by a first color; a second surface of the tissue is marked with a second ink defined by a second color; and a third surface of the sample is marked with a third ink defined by a third color.
US09044265B2

A retractable safety knife has a hollow handle with an opening at an end thereof, a pusher that is movably disposed within the handle and is operable by a user, and a blade that is connected with an end of the pusher. When the pusher moves from a blade-retracted position to a blade-extended position, the blade extends outwardly from the handle opening and rotates from a nested position to an extended position.
US09044264B2

An endoluminal access system for accessing a body lumen, comprises a guide track which, when in an operative position, extends through a body lumen to a desired location therewithin and a modular device selectively coupleable to the guide track, the modular device including a drive mechanism for engaging the guide track to move the modular device along the guide track within the body lumen. A method of resecting tissue from a site within a body comprises the steps of inserting a guide track to a desired location within the body lumen, coupling a modular device to a proximal end of the guide track and actuating a motor mounted within the modular device to drive the modular device distally along the guide track to the site, drawing tissue at the site into the modular device in combination with the steps of coupling together a portion of tissue adjacent to the site, resecting the tissue from the site and actuating the motor to drive the modular device proximally to withdraw the modular device from the body lumen.
US09044257B2

Methods, devices, and systems for controlling movement of a slave manipulator by an operator controlling a master manipulator in a way that the motion of that slave manipulator can be presented via a display to the operator such that the displayed position of the slave manipulator is intuitive to the operator, regardless of the actual position and orientation of the slave manipulator. Methods, devices, and systems relating to force feedback associated with medical robotic procedures.
US09044255B2

An apparatus has a pump module providing pump energy, a resonator and a controller. The resonator includes a gain medium receiving the pump energy from the pump module and producing light; reflective surfaces reflecting light produced by the gain medium back toward the gain medium; and a variable light attenuator receiving light produced by the gain medium. The controller controls the amount of light attenuated by the variable light attenuator such that the apparatus emits windows of pulses of laser light at spaced time intervals, each window containing a plurality of pulses of laser light and each interval between windows being larger than an interval between pulses within a window. The emitted windows of pulses of laser light heat tissue to a temperature that causes coagulation without vaporization.
US09044248B2

A system and method for anchoring a round catheter pull wire within the distal end of a catheter. A steering deflection mechanism includes a pull ring having a plurality of apertures and one or more receiving slots. The method includes affixing one or more round pull wires to the one or more receiving slots of the pull ring. The shape of the round wire and manner of affixing the wire to the pull ring provide a steering assembly that can withstand greater pull forces while maintaining design integrity.
US09044237B2

A securement structure is positioned inside a channel of a first medical device to facilitate securement of the first medical device to a second medical device. The first medical device may be a ligation banding cap, and the second medical device may be an endoscope. The securement structure is adapted to be compressed between the second medical device and the first medical device to secure them together. This allows parts of different sizes to fit together.
US09044228B2

A surgical fastening instrument can comprise a handle and an end effector, wherein the end effector can comprise a first jaw comprising a first cartridge attachment portion and a second jaw comprising a second cartridge attachment portion, and wherein one of the first jaw and the second jaw is movable relative to the other of the first jaw and the second jaw. The surgical fastening instrument can further comprise a first cartridge that is insertable into the first jaw and attachable to the first cartridge attachment portion and, in addition, a second cartridge that is insertable into the second jaw and attachable to the second cartridge attachment portion. In various embodiments, the first cartridge can comprise first fastener portions which are engageable with second fastener portions in the second cartridge.
US09044225B1

A self-retaining suture comprises a composite filament. The filament has retainers on the surface such that the filament can engage and retain tissue without knots. The filament comprises at least two materials having different properties. A surface material of the filament has properties which enhance the formation, elevation and/or deployment of the retainers. A core material of the filament has properties which enhance the tensile strength of the filament. The surgical filament is thin and flexible and may be used for suturing. Methods for manufacturing the filament and retainers are also described.
US09044221B2

Improved methods and apparatuses for heart valve repair in a beating heart of a patient utilize an exchangeable heart valve repair system. Heart valve repair system can include a port adapted to be seated in the heart wall and an imaging catheter slidable within the port. The imaging catheter can be selectively locked relative to the port for insertion into the heart and unlocked once the port is seated to allow the imaging catheter to move distally towards target tissue. A deployment catheter slidably disposed in the imaging catheter and a repair cartridge slidably disposed in the deployment catheter can be used to capture the target tissue and deploy a repair device into the tissue after proper capture is confirmed. System elements can be selectively removed from and replaced within port to deploy additional repair devices while port maintains a seal while elements are and are not inserted.
US09044216B2

A needle assembly and delivery system for biopsying tissue of a patient includes a flexible biopsy needle, a cannula for receiving and supporting the biopsy needle, and a guide assembly which defines at least one guide assembly for receiving, guiding, and orienting the flexible biopsy needle and cannula through an angle of at least forty degrees through the needle guide assembly to a fixed orientation and position for biopsying tissue of the patient. The biopsy needle includes a sampling section which has smooth or rounded edges, a bending section which has a first circular cross-section, and a body portion proximal of the bending section which has a second circular cross-section larger than the first circular cross-section. The flexible biopsy needle, cannula, and guide assembly may be used with a biopsy ultrasound delivery system which includes an ultrasonic probe and a biopsy gun.
US09044212B2

A device and method for safely securing a multilumen device to a tissue, organ or solid tumor within the body of a human during a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure is described. The device is capable of securing the tumor by touching or piercing its surface and providing a coolant to the distal tip. Cooling the tip forms a cryogenically induced region that tightly binds the tip to the tumor, temporarily sealing the entry-track of the instrument. The device further provides at least one injecting/aspirating lumen that can dispense or aspirate a fluid within the tumor, and an outer sheath or guide. Such construction allows injecting part or whole volume of the tumor while the cryogenically induced bond prevents back-flow of the injected substances through the entry-track.
US09044211B2

The present invention is directed to a device which is capable of both locating a punctured blood vessel wall and sealing the puncture in the vessel and to the method of using the device as well. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongate deployment member having a sealing element releasably disposed within a distal end thereof, said deployment member being coupled to a first actuator configured to retract said deployment member relative to said sealing element, and an elongated indicator member having a proximal end and a distal end, said indicator member extending through a lumen in said deployment member such that the distal end of said indicator member extends distally of the distal end of the deployment member, and said indicator member being coupled to a second actuator configured to retract said indicator member relative to said deployment member.
US09044202B2

Sensor guide wire for intravascular measurements of physiological variables in a living body or of external signals, which sensor guide wire has a proximal region, a distal sensor region and a tip region, the sensor guide wire comprises a core wire having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sensor guide wire, and a sensor element arranged in the distal sensor region, the sensor element has a sensitive portion for measuring the physiological variable and to generate a sensor signal in response to said variable. The sensor element has an essentially planar main surface and has its maximal extension in the plane of the main surface, and a thickness perpendicular to the plane of the main surface, wherein the sensor element is arranged in an essentially perpendicular relation to said core wire with regard to the planar main surface of the sensor element.
US09044200B1

A method involving forming a sacrificial layer on a working substrate; forming a first bio-compatible layer on the sacrificial layer such that the first bio-compatible layer adheres to the sacrificial layer, wherein the first bio-compatible layer defines a first side of a bio-compatible device; forming a conductive pattern on the first bio-compatible layer, the conductive pattern comprising a metal; mounting an electronic component to the conductive pattern; forming a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the conductive pattern by contacting the conductive pattern with a functionalized sulfur compound or a functionalized selenium compound; forming an adhesion layer on the SAM by contacting the SAM with an adhesion promoter; forming a second bio-compatible layer over the first bio-compatible layer, the electronic component, and the conductive pattern having the adhesion layer, wherein the second bio-compatible layer defines a second side of the bio-compatible device; and removing the sacrificial layer to release the bio-compatible device from the working substrate. The first bio-compatible layer defines a first side of a bio-compatible device. The second bio-compatible layer defines a second side of the bio-compatible device.
US09044198B2

Systems and methods are provided for enhancing a presentation of an athletic event. Data is received at a sensor located at a first location on a first athlete. The data represents an impact applied to the first athlete by a second athlete. One of an acceleration and a force at a second location on the first athlete induced by the impact is determined. A representation of the determined one of the acceleration and the force at the second location on the first athlete is displayed to an audience of the athletic event.
US09044196B2

An ultrasound system and method provide a workflow to acquire 3D images of the fetal heart gated by a synthetic heart gating signal. An ROI is defined in an ultrasound image which delineates the fetal heart. The ultrasound system is controlled to automatically estimate the fetal heart rate from echo signals received from the ROI. When the system has acquired a stable synthetic heart rate signal, an indication thereof is given to the user and the user then commands the system to acquire 3D fetal heart images for a number of fetal heart cycles which are gated using the synthetic heart rate signal.
US09044187B2

An imaging system includes a radiation source (310) configured to rotate around an examination region about a z-axis and having a focal spot that emits a radiation beam that traverses the examination region. The system further includes a radiation sensitive detector array (314) with a plurality of detector pixels that detects radiation traversing the examination region and generates projection data indicative of the detected radiation. The system further includes a dynamic post-patient filter (316) including one or more filter segments (402, 802, 902, 1004, 1102). The filter is configured to selectively and dynamically move in front of the detector array between the detector array and the examination region and into and out of a path of the radiation beam illuminating the detector pixels during scanning an object or subject based on a shape of the object or subject, thereby filtering unattenuated radiation and radiation traversing a periphery of the object or subject.
US09044185B2

A method for examining an interior surface of a cavity includes the steps of capturing partial images of an interior surface of a cavity; joining the captured partial images to form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity; and providing an warning if the joined partial images does not form a complete image of said interior surface of the cavity.
US09044176B2

A dental x-ray unit comprising: an X-ray generator adapted to generate an X-ray beam in the direction of a patient's head, means of collimation adapted to confer given dimensions to the generated X-ray beam; a sensor placed facing the generator, receiving the radiologic projection of the collimated beam having irradiated the patient's head and supplying a cephalometric image of the patient's head, characterized in that the device includes: the means to acquire at least one photographic image of the patient's head, the means of automatic control for the means of collimation according to the at least one photographic image so that the dimensions of the collimated X-ray beam are adjusted to the dimensions of the patient's head.
US09044172B2

Methods, apparatuses and systems receive information, via at least one sensor, indicating an ergonomic characteristic of a user of a computing device. The information is user to determine if the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within a reference ergonomic boundary. In response to determining the ergonomic characteristic of the user is not within the reference ergonomic boundary, processing is executed to determine an adjustment for the user to make so that the ergonomic characteristic of the user is within the reference ergonomic boundary, the adjustment to include at least one of an adjustment to the ergonomic characteristic of the user and an adjustment to the computing device.
US09044164B2

A device for swept-source optical coherence domain reflectometry (SS OCDR) on moveable samples, particularly human eyes, for obtaining A-scans, having a measuring range according to the sample length and having a laser light source which can be adjusted by a main wave number k0 and at least one receiver for the light dissipated from the sample, wherein the sample is illuminated on the sample surface by a measurement beam having a diameter D by way of a coupling device. The light source has a spectral line width of δk<168 m−1 and the adjustment of the light source is carried out in τ<44 s/(D*k0).
US09044151B2

A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and a detector assembly. The detector assembly includes a plurality of detectors positioned to receive x-rays having passed through the object, and an arcuate structure positioned to support the plurality of detectors. A first support frame is attached to the rotatable base at a first axial location and supported at a second axial location, wherein the arcuate structure is attached to the first support frame between the first axial location and the second axial location.
US09044149B2

One innovative aspect is directed to heart rate data collection. In some implementations, a circuit includes a light detector for generating a first electrical signal based on received light. The circuit includes a switching circuit, having a first and a second configuration, configured to receive a first voltage signal based on the first electrical signal and to switch among the first and the second configurations. The circuit includes first and second sampling circuits for sampling a value of the first voltage signal when the switching circuit is in the first configuration and second configurations, respectively. The circuit includes an ambient light cancellation circuit for generating a current signal to counter a first component of the first electrical signal when the first switching circuit is in the first configuration.
US09044144B2

Each spectral slice array of a plurality is generated for each time segment of a plurality of time segments of a cardiovascular sound signal is convolved with a local spectral averaging window to generate a local spectral average array that is searched for bruit candidates responsive to associated time power or energy values, power levels, and skew values, so as to provide an indication of cardiovascular disease, that may also be responsive to skew-responsive and power-level-responsive probability terms and to a composite thereof. A probability indicator of cardiovascular disease is responsive to a second product of second terms, each second term responsive to a first product of first terms, each first term representative of a probability of no bruits for all time segments for each frequency segment of a two dimensional bruit candidate probability array, each second term representative of a probability of no repetitive bruits within each frequency segment.
US09044143B2

Heat sensors can be positioned within the esophagus of a patient so as to monitor temperature changes during ablation procedures in the heart. Some heat sensors can include one or more fluid passageways that define an extended heat sensing region capable of detecting a change in the local temperature. Some heat sensors can be conformable to an inner surface of the esophageal wall to maintain contact therewith or to be in close proximity thereto.
US09044128B1

A lower section has an open bottom, a closed top, and intermediate front and side panels defining a vacuum chamber there within. Each panel has a lower generally vertical leg with a horizontally disposed pivot pin couples each panel to the top. A bumper extending outwardly from each vertical leg moves into operative proximity with an edge of a floor and pivots a panel to increase the size of the vacuum chamber for overlying and vacuuming dust adjacent to the edge of the floor.
US09044112B2

The present invention relates to an easily portable wine glass, and more specifically, to an easily portable wine glass containing an accommodation portion into which wine is poured, and a supporting plate having a protruded handle, wherein the accommodation portion and the supporting plate are detachably coupled using a magnet. When carrying the wine glass, the supporting plate serves as a stopper covering the upper portion of the accommodation portion, thereby preventing infiltration of foreign matter. In addition, since there is no need for forming a hole at the bottom of the accommodation portion by coupling the accommodation portion and the handle using a magnet, it is unnecessary to worry about the leakage of wine when pouring wine into the accommodation portion of the wine glass.
US09044107B2

A modular rack system for displaying flat articles. In one aspect, the invention comprises: a plurality of racks, each rack comprising: a floor for supporting a flat article, the floor having a front, a rear and lateral sides; a front retaining portion extending upward from the floor at the front of the floor; first and second lateral retaining portions extending upward from the floor along the lateral sides of the floor; at least two support members extending from the rear of the floor that engage a vertical wall and support the rack in a cantilevered manner and oriented so that the floor slopes downward and away from the vertical wall; and the racks mounted to the vertical wall in a stacked assembly so that an upper rack in the stacked assembly rests atop the first and second lateral retaining portions of a lower adjacent rack in the stacked assembly.
US09044105B2

A product display apparatus, has a tray with at least one station for receiving one or more products to be displayed, a directed illumination source in the at least one station for projecting light from the tray at a product received at the station, a product adapted for stable holding in the at least one station, and at least one light display element associated with the product, optically coupled to receive the projected light and to perform operations on the light received from the group consisting of: reflection, refraction, highlighting, backlighting, diffusion, concentration or combinations of the foregoing.
US09044096B2

A center-foldable seat back has a seat back upper part that can be tilted forward relative to a seat back lower part. A trim cover is provided, sewn along the entire periphery at the mutual contact position of an upper and lower cover, the pulled-in state is modulated by cloth pieces, thereby preventing wrinkles. The seat back is provided with the trim cover in which one cloth piece one side edge of which is sewn to the ends of the lower and upper cover is provided at least in the central portion on the inside of the trim cover, the cloth piece is extended inward, the other side edge thereof is sewn to a fastener, the central portion on the back side is extended inward and sewn to the fastener, and the central portion on the inside of the trim cover is sewn to open and close by one fastener.
US09044092B1

Some embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for a novel hook attachment sling chair. The hook attachment sling chair simplifies the manufacture and assembly of sling chairs affording easier construction and assembly. The sling chair comprises a chair frame having two pairs of legs with a first cross member coupled to a first pair of legs and a second cross member coupled to a second pair of legs, the first cross member includes a pair of hooks fastened to an angular surface of the first cross member, the second pair of legs each includes an attachment point configured to receive a fastener bolt. A sling seat section has two frame rails each frame rail includes a pin protruding from an interior side of the frame rail configured to attach to the hooks fastened to the first cross member wherein each frame rail includes another attachment point having a threaded section configured to receive the fastener bolt and secure each frame rail at the another attachment point to the attachment point at each of the second pair of legs.
US09044091B2

A seating device for use in a liquid, the seating device including a body having a closed first end, an open second end and a wall running between the closed first end and the open second end, the closed first end and the wall defining a cavity that is accessible through the open second end, the closed first end defining a seating surface having one or more holes formed therethrough, the one or more holes enabling flow of a fluid therethrough as the seating device is submerged in the liquid.
US09044088B2

A pull-out guide for drawers includes a body rail to be fastened to a furniture body, a drawer rail to be fastened to the drawer, and a center rail movably mounted between the body rail and the drawer rail. The relative motion sequence of the rails is determined by a forced control unit, and the forced control unit has a synchronization wheel designed as a gear wheel, the synchronization wheel interacting with a running surface arranged or formed on the rails and/or with a running surface of a carriage, which is slidably mounted between the rails. An overload protection device is provided for reversibly lifting the forced control unit of the rails.
US09044079B2

Lip balm strip is a sheet of material that conveniently dispenses lip balm. A section of the lip balm strip is not covered in lip balm which provides a clean surface for the user to hold on to. The balm covered side of the strip is placed in the mouth. The user then presses their lips down and slides the strip through their lips to apply the lip balm. There is a smooth edge on this side of the strip provided to prevent injury to the mouth. The lip balm strip is individually wrapped to preserve the strip for re-use. Other variations and features are described.
US09044075B2

The present disclosure provides an apparatus including a first chamber containing an eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a second chamber containing an aqueous solution. The apparatus may also include a membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber. The membrane may be configured to rupture based on application of a force to the apparatus. The ruptured membrane may allow the aqueous solution to engage with the eye-mountable device. The apparatus may also include a lid to seal one or more of the first chamber and the second chamber.
US09044074B1

The bulletproof backpack system provides a rapidly deployable bulletproof vest and hood assembly, conveniently stored in a backpack. A deployment assembly provides rapid deployment and protection from flying projectiles, while the notification assembly allows notification, GPS positioning, and real time communication with proper authorities either through an activation button in a vest pouch or remotely through a hands-free headset device.
US09044069B2

A cleat member for an article of footwear is configured to associate with a raised base on a sole of the article of footwear. The raised base includes an angled face with a plurality of protruding portions extending outwards from the angled face. An underside of the cleat member has an indentation that corresponds to the angled face of the raised base. A plurality of recessed portions are disposed along the indentation on the underside of the cleat member and are configured to associate with the plurality of protruding portions on the angled face of the raised base. The plurality of recessed portions and the plurality of protruding portions have coincident shapes so that the protruding portions fit with the recessed portions. With this configuration, the cleat member and sole are configured with an interlocking arrangement that resists loosening when the article of footwear is used on a ground surface.
US09044068B2

A fastener assembly is provided including a fastener body having at least one aperture and a cavity formed at a top portion. A cap is provided configured to be removably inserted into the cavity. A method for fastening an article is provided including providing an article having holes in opposing edges of an article opening and a lace passed through said holes. At least one fastener body is provided having an attachment point, wherein the lace is secured to the attachment point, forming at least one slack portion. Each slack portion is pulled through a set of holes in the opposing edges of the article to form lace loop(s). Each lace loop is overlapped over the at least one fastener body.
US09044050B2

The present embodiments describe a magnetically assembled hookah. The magnetically assembled hookah can have one or more magnetic attachment means that removably couple the parts of the hookah together. The magnetic attachment means generally comprises a magnetic material or a magnet that connects with another magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnet, magnetic material, or ferromagnetic material can be incorporated into the components of the hookah or be a separate component of the hookah. As a non-limiting example, the magnetic attachment means can include a separate body member that is made of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material to connect with another hookah component at least partially comprised of a magnetic or ferromagnetic material.
US09044049B2

A pouched tobacco product includes a lined pouch material of a web and a water-soluble liner adjacent the web and a tobacco component at a moisture content of 10 to 15% contained within the lined pouch material. The water-soluble liner is interposed between the web and the tobacco component. The liner preferably reduces staining of the web by the tobacco component. Additionally, the liner may include a flavorant.
US09044048B2

Systems and methods for applying seasoning or flavoring to food items or products, for example, taco shells, are provided. A seasoning system can include a seasoning hopper or other storage container, a scarf plate, a scalping screen, a conveyor system, and a collection bin. The scalping screen can help reduce clumps in seasoning that falls onto the food items to allow for more even and consistent seasoning distribution. The conveyor system can include a mechanism for tilting or pivoting the food items to allow for application of seasoning to multiple surfaces of the food item as the food items are conveyed under the seasoning delivery system. A method for applying seasoning to food items can include adjusting process parameters such as presentation angle of the food items, throughput, seasoning flow rate, etc. to adapt to varying conditions such as temperature, humidity, and seasoning coverage.
US09044040B2

An animal feed such as a milk replacer includes a soluble fiber and a sugar alcohol. The milk replacer enhances weight gain, starter intake and reduces weaning time. The method of feeding the animal includes feeding a mixture of a soluble fiber and sugar alcohol. The animal feed may be used as a method of weaning young ruminants such as calves.
US09044033B2

This application relates to compositions and methods for inhibiting the growth of potato pathogens preventing disease during post-harvest storage and processing conditions.
US09044031B2

A method and a device for portioning a sausage string generated by a filling machine into individual sausage portions, having the following steps: transportation of the sausage string in the direction of transport, portioning the filled sausage string by means of opposing portioning elements, which engage in the sausage string, wherein the movement of the portioning elements is controlled, in each case, along a freely adjustable track.
US09044028B2

Animal processing devices and methods for processing animals with such devices are described. An animal processing device comprises a housing having a power source for driving a bolt for impacting a predetermined portion of the head of an animal, a trigger for activating the bolt, and a nosepiece. The nosepiece comprises a first portion that is non-moveably positioned relative to the housing. The first portion comprises an opening positioned along the driving direction so the end of the holt can move through the opening, and a contacting surface at an end of the first portion. The contacting surface may include a cutout region having a shape related to the shape of the predetermined portion of the head of the animal to be processed and can accommodate the predetermined portion of the head of the animal to be processed.
US09044022B2

The invention relates to a treatment device for treating food products using conditioned treatment fluid, comprising a housing (10), which defines a treatment space (18) and is provided with an inlet (12) for introducing products to be treated into the treatment space, and an outlet (14) for discharging treated products from the treatment space, with the treatment space (18) being in open communication with the environment, a conveying means (16, 20) for conveying the food products from the inlet through the treatment space to the outlet, with the conveying means (16; 20) between the inlet and outlet following a helical conveying path (26) comprising several turns one above the other, circulation means (40) for circulating treatment fluid through the treatment space, conditioning means (56; 57) for conditioning the treatment fluid.
US09044021B2

A method and system for preparing naan bread is provided. A conveyor oven is used to bake flattened and pre-shaped naan bread loaves. The conveyor oven uses high temperature gas heat to bake the naan, imparting traditional characteristics such as the slightly smoky or scorched appearance. The oven interior is preferably lined with stone, granite, clay or porcelain to enhance baking and provide traditional flavor.
US09044018B2

Described are compositions and methods to mitigate alternate bearing of perennial crops by use of a natural metabolite. In particular, the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in the presence or absence of an auxin transport inhibitor to increase floral intensity (flower number) of the return bloom in the spring following the setting of a heavy on-crop to increase the yield of the putative off-crop year and, thus, increase cumulative crop yield. Additionally the present disclosure provides a natural metabolite in combination with one or both of a growth promoting type of plant growth regulator, and a hormone biosynthesis, transport or function inhibiting type of plant growth regulator.
US09044014B2

The present invention relates to compositions for protecting crop of useful plants from the harmful effects of certain pyridine derivative herbicides as well as methods for protecting crops of useful plants from the harmful effects of these herbicides and methods for combating weeds in crops of useful plants.
US09044004B2

The foot snare triggering device of the present invention is designed to be used with a foot snare, and comprises a trigger plate assembly, having a tension adjustment means which allows the trigger plate assembly to pivotally yield to vertical pressure. A trigger mechanism has a trigger end set within said plate assembly and a mechanism end attached to an extension mechanism, and a snare attachment port located within the trigger mechanism for releasably securing a foot snare by moving longitudinally when the trigger mechanism is engaged by pressure to said plate assembly allowing a foot snare to be released from the snare attachment port after triggering said device. A pan is pivotally connected by a hinge to the plate underside distal to the pan tension adjustment means. The pan has a trigger mount located adjacent to the trigger assembly connection through which the trigger mount engagingly receives the trigger mechanism.
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