US09052720B2
A mobile robot including a light emitting unit, a processing unit, an optical component, an image sensing unit, a control unit and a moving unit is provided. The light emitting unit emits a main beam. The processing unit diverges the main beam to a plurality of sub-beams. The sub-beams constitute a light covering an area. When a portion of the sub-beams irradiate a first object, the first object reflects the sub-beam and a plurality of reflected beams are reflected. The optical component receives the reflected beams and converges it to a first collected beam. The image sensing unit converts the first collected beam into a first detection result. The control unit calculates depth information according to the first detection result. The control unit activates the relevant behavior of the mobile robot according to the depth information and controls the mobile robot through the moving unit.
US09052715B2
A flow rate controller is disclosed that maintains constant flow rate with changes in pressure drop across the valve by maintaining a constant pressure drop across a restrictor with the aid of a spring balanced piston that mates a cone to a seat to dissipate the majority of pressure drop across the valve.
US09052714B2
A computer-implemented method and system for controlling operation of an autonomous driverless vehicle in response to detection of a hazard in the path of the vehicle.
US09052711B2
A method for processing a sequence of fault messages occurring in a device including many systems, makes it possible to discriminate between fault messages most likely originating from a real system fault and fault messages without any real fault in the associated system (no fault found), characterized in that the method combines: an “air-side” method (100) executed in real time for acquiring fault message data defining sequences stored in a fault database and for immediate diagnosis assistance using a diagnostics tool, and a “ground-side” method (200) for the subsequent analysis of fault sequence data and for improving the diagnostics tool.
US09052709B2
The present invention may include performing a first measurement process on a wafer of a lot of wafers, wherein the first measurement process includes measuring one or more characteristics of a plurality of targets distributed across one or more fields of the wafer, determining a set of process tool correctables for a residual larger than a selected threshold level utilizing a loss function, wherein the loss function is configured to fit a model for one or more process tools, as a function of field position, to one or more of the measured characteristics of the plurality of targets, wherein the set of process tool correctables includes one or more parameters of the model that act to minimize the difference between a norm of the residual and the selected threshold, and utilizing the determined process tool correctables to monitor or adjust one or more processes of the process tools.
US09052704B2
An automated computer-implemented method for generating commands for controlling a computer numerically controlled machine to fabricate an object from a workpiece, the method including the steps of selecting a maximum permitted engagement angle between a rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, selecting a minimum permitted engagement angle between the rotating cutting tool and the workpiece, and configuring a tool path for the tool relative to the workpiece in which the engagement angle gradually varies between the maximum permitted engagement angle and the minimum permitted engagement angle.
US09052703B2
A pressure and flow calculation technique can be used in a distributed process network simulation system that uses the sequential solving method to perform better or faster simulations of a process flow, especially with respect to process junction nodes at which flow either converges or diverges. The pressure and flow variable determination technique uses a grouped node identification technique that identifies a local set of nodes for each junction node of the process network to use when solving for the pressure at the junction node, a grouped node iteration technique that uses the grouped set of nodes at each junction node to perform iterative pressure calculations at the junction node, and a flow-based pressure calibration technique at each junction node to enable the system to perform highly accurate pressure and flow variable determination at each junction node in real-time.
US09052702B2
Systems and methods are provided for an appliance system. The system includes an appliance, and a processor connected to the appliance such that the processor places the appliance in one of an enabled state and a disabled state. The processor is configured to track usage of the appliance and to place the appliance in a disabled state when the usage of the appliance exceeds a threshold amount. The system also includes a data receiving device configured to receive a code, wherein upon receipt of a valid code, the processor is configured to adjust the threshold amount to allow additional usage of the appliance.
US09052690B2
An image forming apparatus includes a transfer unit configured to transfer a formed image that is formed by an image forming portion to sheet, a first carrying path configured to guide the sheet in a set direction, a fixing unit configured to fix the formed image to the sheet that is guided by the first carrying path, a second carrying path configured to guide the sheet that is fixed by the fixing unit in a set direction, a communicating unit configured to communicate between the first carrying path and the second carrying path, a first air flowing unit configured to flow air from the first carrying path to the second carrying path, an ejection unit configured to vent the air in the second carrying path to outside.
US09052684B2
A developer cartridge is described. The developer cartridge detachably mountable on a tandem type photosensitive unit slidable to a drawn-out position and a mounted position with respect to an image forming apparatus body may include a casing; a developer carrier rotatably supported on one end portion of the casing for carrying a developer; a pair of upright portions arranged on another end portion of the casing at an interval from each other in the axial direction of the developer carrier to extend from another end portion of the casing in a detaching direction for the developer cartridge; and an elastically deformable coupling portion extending in the axial direction of the developer carrier for coupling the upright portions with each other.
US09052669B2
A lubricant applicator includes a block of lubricant, a supply member contactable against the block of lubricant to scrape the block of lubricant, and a lubricant gauge including a first electrode and a second electrode. The lubricant gauge is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode to detect whether an amount of lubricant remaining is less than a threshold value based on establishment of electrical continuity between the first electrode and the second electrode. One of the first electrode and the second electrode includes a projection projecting toward the other one of the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09052663B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier; an image forming unit; a processor for controlling the image forming unit according to a predetermined image forming condition setting data; an image density sensor to detect an image density of the toner pattern formed on the image carrier; a reference rotary position detector; an image density fluctuation data acquisition unit to obtain an image density fluctuation data of more than one circumferential length of the photoreceptor drum with reference to the reference rotary position detected by the reference rotary position detector based on a result related to the toner pattern formed on the image carrier detected by the image density sensor; and a correction data generator to generate a correction data to correct a reference image forming condition setting data with a correction amount corresponding to each rotary position of the rotary member to thus reduce the image density fluctuation.
US09052657B2
An image heating apparatus includes a belt member for heating an image on a recording material; a heater heating the belt member; a supporting portion, provided on an inner surface of the belt member, for detachably supporting the belt member; a temperature detecting member contacted to the inner surface of the belt member and elastically supported by the supporting portion; a controller for controlling energization to the heater on the basis of an output of the temperature detecting member; and an inclined surface, provided to the temperature detecting member, for guiding the temperature detecting member toward an inside of the belt member in contact with the belt member during a mounting operation of the belt member to the supporting portion.
US09052644B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member, an intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer member having a plurality of protrusions which come into contact with the intermediate transfer member. A superficial layer of the intermediate transfer member includes a superficial layer and a plurality of insulating particles buried in the superficial layer so as to be partially exposed from she superficial layer. In the case where the insulating particles are present in a contact region in which the protrusions are brought into contact with the intermediate transfer member, a portion in which the protrusions are brought into direct contact with the superficial layer is present in the contact region.
US09052637B2
A toner supply device includes a toner cartridge, a cartridge driving source, a toner detection sensor, a conveyance member which conveys toner, and a rotating member driving source which drives the conveyance member. In addition, a driving controller controls the rotating member driving source, and a controller controls a series of replenishment operations of the toner cartridge based on a detection result of the toner detection sensor. The series of replenishment operations of the toner cartridge is controlled based on information about driving of the conveyance member, which is acquired at every predetermined period after starting the series of replenishment operations.
US09052634B2
A developing apparatus includes a developer carrying sleeve for carrying a developer to a position opposing an image bearing drum. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of groove portions extending in an axial direction of the sleeve, and a developing bias voltage applying device for applying a developing bias voltage to the sleeve. The bias voltage applying device is capable of outputting, as the bias voltage, a voltage of a waveform having a cyclic period including an AC bias portion having an AC component and a DC component superimposed thereto, and a blank portion following the AC bias portion and consisting of a DC component. A width L (m) of the groove, a peripheral speed Vs (m/s) of the sleeve, and a duration t1 (s) of the blank portion in one cyclic period of the bias voltage satisfy L/Vs
US09052625B2
A continuous process for making a pigment dispersion includes continuously feeding a pigment into a feed section of a screw extruder at a controlled rate, continuously feeding a surfactant into the feed section of the screw extruder at a controlled rate, continuously feeding water downstream of the feed section to emulsify the pigment and the surfactant, forming a water-in-pigment dispersion, continuously feeding additional water downstream of the previously fed water to cause a phase inversion of the water-in-pigment dispersion, forming a pigment-in-water dispersion, continuously homogenizing the pigment-in-water dispersion in the screw extruder to create a homogenous aqueous pigment dispersion and collecting the homogenous aqueous pigment dispersion from an exit section of the screw extruder.
US09052624B2
A fluorescing dry toner particle comprises a polymeric binder phase comprising a non-fluorescing binder polymer and a polymeric fluorescing colorant dispersed within the non-fluorescing binder polymer. The polymeric fluorescing colorant comprises a fluorescing moiety that is covalently attached to a colorant polymer that is the same or different than the non-fluorescing binder polymer, but the polymeric fluorescing colorant is blendable with the non-fluorescing binder polymer to form a homogeneous polymeric binder matrix, and is present in an amount of at least 1 weight % and up to and including 40 weight %, based on the total fluorescing dry toner particle weight. These fluorescing dry toner particles can be used in various dry developers to provide fluorescing toner images with or without non-fluorescing color toner images.
US09052615B2
An EUV light source apparatus by which detachment of a chamber or a part of the chamber, movement to a maintenance area, and highly accurate placement relative to projection optics can be performed easily for maintenance of the EUV light source apparatus. The EUV light source apparatus is an apparatus for generating plasma by applying a laser beam to a target material within a chamber and entering EUV light radiated from the plasma into projection optics of exposure equipment, and includes a positioning mechanism for positioning the chamber or a maintenance unit of the chamber in a predetermined location where an optical axis of the collected extreme ultraviolet light and an optical axis of the projection optics of the exposure equipment are aligned, and a movement mechanism for moving the chamber or the maintenance unit of the chamber between the predetermined location and a maintenance area.
US09052614B2
A vibration control apparatus includes a first spring mechanism to support a first object as part of a first system. To control vibration of the first object, a first actuator applies a force to the first object via a command value generated by a first computing based on an output of a detection system. The detection system includes a second spring mechanism to support a second object as part of a second system. A third spring mechanism supports a third object as part of a third system. The first displacement detector detects displacement of the third object relative to the second object. The third object is prevented from being displaced relative to the second object. A second natural frequency of the second system is higher than a first natural frequency of the first system, and a third natural frequency of a third system is higher than the first natural frequency.
US09052590B2
According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a resin (P) containing not only at least one repeating unit (A) that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, is decomposed to thereby generate an acid and is expressed by any of general formulae (I) to (III) below but also a repeating unit (B) containing at least an aromatic ring group provided that the repeating unit (B) does not include any of those of general formulae (I) to (III). (The characters used in general formulae (I) to (III) have the meanings mentioned in the description.)
US09052586B2
An arrangement includes a drawer housing and a drawer intended for an image-recording device of an x-ray-image device to be placed in the drawer. The arrangement includes a pull-out device, using which the drawer is moveable across a slanting plane while being withdrawn from or inserted into the drawer housing. A floor of the drawer remains parallel to a floor of the drawer housing.
US09052579B1
A device includes a projection and camera system to create an augmented reality environment in which images are projected onto a scene and user movement within the scene is captured. The projection and camera system have a camera to image scattered IR light from the scene and compute time of flight values used in depth mapping of objects in the room. The system also has a projector to project the images onto the scene. The system controls the camera and projector mounted in a moveable head of a lamp with a motor mounted elsewhere in the lamp. In one implementation, the motor is mounted in the base of a table lamp.
US09052577B2
A display device having a double image display function includes a base unit, a support unit, a first image display unit, a second image display unit and an image projecting unit. The base unit includes a base body. The support unit includes a support structure disposed on the base body. The first image display unit includes at least one image display screen movably disposed on the support structure for displaying a first predetermined image. The second image display unit includes at least one projection plate movably disposed on the base body. The image projecting unit includes an image projecting module movably disposed on the image display screen. An image light beam generated by the image projecting module is projected onto the projection plate to display a second predetermined image on the projection plate. Thus, the same or different displaying images can be respectively shown on different viewing planes.
US09052575B2
A method performed by a display system is provided. The method includes projecting a first infrared pattern from a first projection plane of a first projector into a scene, capturing the first infrared pattern from the scene in a capture plane of at least one image capture device, and determining a first correspondence mapping between the first projector and the image capture device from at least the first infrared pattern in the first projection plane and the first infrared pattern in the capture plane.
US09052571B1
A system for capturing aerial images, the system comprising at least one camera unit, the camera unit comprising at least one overview camera, a plurality of detail cameras, and a frame for holding the cameras, each detail camera having a longer focal length than the at least one overview camera, each detail camera mounted at a different angle laterally so that the fields of view of the detail cameras overlap to form an extended lateral field of view.
US09052568B2
The apparatus includes an upper substrate and a lower substrate, each of which has an optical aperture, at least one light control unit, a spacer arranged between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to provide a space in which the light control unit can move, and a drive unit arranged on the upper substrate to drive the light control unit. The drive unit includes a magnet arranged at a center of rotation of the light control unit and an electromagnetic drive source including a coil core and a winding coil, the coil core being arranged in such a way as to be opposed to the magnet. A positioning member is provided on the upper substrate. The distance between the coil core and the magnet is kept constant by the positioning member.
US09052566B2
An optical switch includes: an input-output port with three or more ports arranged along a direction; a modulator that includes an incident layer, a reflective layer, and a modulation layer disposed between these layers, spatially modulates light entering the incident layer from any port of the input-output port, and outputs the light spatially-modulated toward any of other ports of the input-output port; and a condensing lens that optically couples the input-output port and the modulator, wherein x2≠2x1+x0 holds where: a coordinate axis is along the direction of the input-output port and an optical axis of the lens is set as an origin of the coordinate axis; x0, x1, and x2 respectively are coordinates of a first port to/from which light is input/output, and a second port and a third port from/to which light input to or output from the first port is output/input; and x1,x2>0.
US09052562B2
A method of electrophoretic movement of particles through a liquid crystal utilizes a direct (DC) or alternating (AC) electric field that is applied along the liquid crystal director (for liquid crystals with a positive dielectric anisotropy) or perpendicular to the director (for liquid crystals with a negative dielectric anisotropy). A perpendicular or tilted orientation of the liquid crystal molecules at the surface of the particle causes distortions, such that the fore-aft (or left-right) symmetry of the particle is broken. The asymmetric orientation of the liquid crystal around the particle allows both charged and neutral particles to be transported, even when the particles themselves are perfectly symmetric (spherical).
US09052555B2
In one embodiment, a first substrate is provided with a pixel electrode including a contact portion, a pair of main pixel electrodes extending in a first direction from the contact portion, a sub-pixel electrode arranged between the contact portion and an end of the extending main pixel electrodes and extending in a second direction so as to connect the pair of main pixel electrodes. A second substrate is provided with a common electrode including first and second main common electrodes sandwiching the pair of the main pixel electrodes, a third main common electrode arranged substantially in the center between the pair of main pixel electrodes and extending in parallel with the first and second main common electrodes, and a sub-common electrode arranged between the contact portion and the sub-pixel electrode and connected with the first, second and third main common electrodes extending in the second direction.
US09052553B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate, a first gate line disposed on the first substrate, a second gate line disposed on the first substrate, a data line disposed on the first substrate, a reference voltage line disposed on the first substrate and extending substantially to be parallel to the data line, a first subpixel electrode disposed in a pixel area on the first substrate, a second subpixel electrode disposed in the pixel area on the first substrate, a first switching element connected to the first gate line, the data line and the first subpixel electrode, a second switching element connected to the first gate line, the data line and the second subpixel electrode, and a third switching element connected to the first subpixel electrode and the reference voltage line.
US09052549B2
A liquid crystal display including: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; an alignment layer disposed on one of the first substrate and the second substrate and including a vertical photo-alignment material which includes a first vertical functional group and a photo-reactive group, and a major alignment material which does not include the photo-reactive group; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a ratio of a molar concentration of the vertical photo-alignment material to the molar concentration of the major alignment material increases in a direction towards a surface of the alignment layer adjacent to the liquid crystal layer.
US09052547B2
A liquid crystal display panel is provided and includes a pair of substrates arranged face to face so as to sandwich a liquid crystal layer, a lower electrode formed on a lower substrate, an upper electrode formed on the lower substrate through an insulating layer, in which plural slits are formed in each sub-pixel, wherein each of the plural slits is formed as an aperture in which both ends thereof in the longitudinal direction are closed, and an alignment film formed so as to cover a surface of the upper electrode and the insulating layer. The plural slits have different widths at both ends of slits in a longitudinal direction, and a rubbing direction of the alignment film is a direction crossing longitudinal edges of each of the slits.
US09052546B2
There are provided an illumination unit and a display which are capable of further uniformizing chromaticity of illumination light in a plane while suppressing a reduction in light extraction efficiency. A light modulation device bonded to a light guide plate includes a light modulation layer exhibiting a scattering property or transparency with respect to light propagating through the light guide plate. The light modulation layer is sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates. While alignment films controlling alignment of the light modulation layer are disposed on surfaces of the transparent substrates, an electrode generating an electric field which changes the alignment of the light modulation layer is disposed on only the surface of the transparent substrate.
US09052539B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device, compensation circuit and TFT voltage shutdown method. The compensation circuit includes first capacitor, first resistor, second resistor and operational amplifier; wherein first terminal of first capacitor connected to receiving terminal of gate driver of LCD for receiving shutdown voltage to shutdown TFT; first terminal of first resistor connected to second terminal of first capacitor; first terminal of second resistor connected to second terminal of first resistor and second terminal of second resistor connected to output terminal of operational amplifier; positive input terminal of operational amplifier receiving an externally supplied shutdown voltage for gate driver, and negative input terminal of operational amplifier connected to second terminal of first resistor; wherein connection between first capacitor and receiving terminal of gate drive independent from connection between output terminal of operational amplifier and receiving terminal of gate driver.
US09052529B2
This invention relates to comfortable ophthalmic devices and methods of producing such devices. The ophthalmic devices are contacted with a polyamide wetting agent and heated to a temperature of at least about 50° C. to about 150° C.
US09052521B2
A laser-based display device includes a plurality of ultraviolet lasers configured to excite a phosphor-containing display screen in order to produce visible light. The laser-based display device also includes a reference laser used for calibration operations. A control system within the laser-based display device causes the reference laser beam to scan across one or more calibration features, and adjusts optical components of the laser-based display device, including activation timing of the ultraviolet lasers, based on feedback patterns generated by the calibration features, to compensate for drift effects. The calibration features may be disposed off-screen or on-screen.
US09052520B2
An illumination device capable of suppressing formation of a double image in three-dimensional display, and a display unit including the illumination device are provided. In a light modulation device bonded to a light guide plate, a scattering region that scatters light propagating within the light guide plate, and a transmissive region that allows light propagating within the light guide plate to pass therethrough are formed through control of an electric field. The scattering region scatters light to generate linear illumination light. A reflector is provided directly below the light modulation device. The reflector reflects light, which is part of the scattered light generated in the scattering region and is emitted to a reflector side, to generate reflected light to be focused directly below the scattering region.
US09052519B2
An image display device is discussed. The image display device includes a display panel configured to selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image and a patterned retarder disposed line by line. The patterned retarder includes a first retarder transmitting only a left eye image of the 3D image from the display panel and a second retarder transmitting only a right eye image of the 3D image. Pixels disposed on the display panel alternately display the 3D image and a black image every one horizontal line in an interlace manner through a time division.
US09052518B2
An optical product that includes a transparent lens sheet, which has a first side with a plurality of side-by-side sets of linearly arranged lenses. Each of the sets of lenses is at a slant angle in the range of 10 to 46 degrees from a vertical or a horizontal axis of the lens sheet. The product includes an image layer that includes pixels from a number of digital images. The pixels are arranged in a pattern of pixel locations providing non-orthogonal interlacing of the digital images relative to each of the sets of the linearly arranged lenses. The pattern of pixel locations aligns a number of the pixels from each of the digital images to be parallel to a line extending through a center of the linearly arranged lenses in each set. Each of the linearly arranged lenses may have a round base, a hexagonal base, or a square base.
US09052506B2
In a virtual image display device, direction adjustment of an image optical axis, i.e., angle adjustment of a direction of eyes of an observer can be performed by providing a cushion member or adjusting an amount of shift between an image display unit and a projection system, and thereby, strain on eyes of an observer in use may be reduced. Even when the virtual image display device is used over a long period, for example, stress on the observer may be suppressed.
US09052505B2
A display apparatus includes a planar waveguide optical element, a projection optical system, and a microdisplay device. By including free-form optics and waveguide technology, the volume and weight of the display apparatus can be reduced, and an optical system can be realized with improved image quality, structure, and performance parameters.
US09052503B2
The method outputs graphic driving indications for assisting a motor vehicle driver in a driving maneuver. The graphic driving indications are displayed by a head-up display. A first graphic driving indication is in the form of a traffic lane change indication pointing out to the driver the direction from a traffic lane traveled at the beginning of the maneuver to a desired traffic lane. A second graphic driving indication is output in the form of a contact-analog traffic lane marking graphically emphasizing the desired traffic lane relative to other traffic lanes. A third graphic driving indication is in the form of a contact-analog maneuvering impulse including a driving funnel originating from the desired traffic lane and corresponding to the driving maneuver. A fourth graphic driving indication is a symbolic maneuvering display indication which symbolically displays the beginning driving maneuver after the vehicle enters into the driving funnel.
US09052501B2
An electrowetting system includes an electrowetting element having a first fluid and a second, immiscible fluid. The configuration of the fluids is dependent on the voltage applied to the element, the voltage being appliable upon closing a switch. With the switch being open, the voltage on the element is substantially maintainable for a period of time which is shorter than or equal to a relaxation time period of the element due to backflow.
US09052499B2
A vibration apparatus includes a vibrating body that includes a piezoelectric material having a lead content of less than 1000 ppm, and has an electromechanical energy converting element having an electrode; and a control unit that applies at least two driving voltages to the electromechanical energy converting element, and generates a combined vibration by providing a time phase difference to the vibrating body and generating multiple stable waves having mutually different orders; wherein the control unit changes at least one of the voltage amplitude ratio and time phase difference of at least two driving voltages, so as to change the amplitude distribution of the combined vibration.
US09052495B2
Provided is a zoom lens in which a variation in aberration with respect to a temperature change is small and excellent optical characteristics can be easily obtained. The zoom lens includes multiple lens units in which a distance between adjacent ones of the multiple lens units changes for zooming. When an average value of a change in refractive index with respect to a temperature change within a temperature range of from 0° C. to 40° C. is ΔNav, at least one lens unit L of the multiple lens units includes multiple optical elements A made of materials satisfying a conditional expression: |ΔNav|>5.0×10−5. When an anomalous partial dispersion ratio for a g-line and an F-line is ΔθgFΔθ, at least one optical element Aθ of the multiple optical elements A satisfies a conditional expression: |ΔθgFΔθ|>0.0272.
US09052482B1
A portable, self-powered, interface converter for converting between Ethernet over twisted pair cables and Ethernet over optical fiber is described. In one implementation, the device may include a first interface to a power-over-Ethernet connection and a second interface to provide a connection to receive fiber optic cabling. A power-over-Ethernet (PoE) circuit may derive power from the PoE connection and output a corresponding power signal. A transcoder may perform physical layer conversion between Ethernet communications over twisted pair cabling connected to the first interface and Ethernet communications over the fiber optic cabling. The transcoder may be powered by the power signal output by the PoE circuit.
US09052481B2
A method of manufacturing an optical interconnect includes 3D printing a plurality of non-intersecting and spaced apart optical waveguides from a material that guides electromagnetic waves in the optical spectrum after being cross-linked or polymerized in a region activated by the 3D printing. At least some of the optical waveguides change direction at least once by about 90°. The method further includes encasing at least each end of the optical waveguides with a material having a lower index of refraction than the material from which the optical waveguides are formed by 3D printing, to secure the optical waveguides. A corresponding 3D printing apparatus is also described.
US09052480B2
An alignment pin for an optical communication system comprises: a first portion (31) extending along a direction in a receiving hole of a printed circuit board, a second portion (32) extending along this direction in a receiving through hole of an optical coupling device, a third portion (33) extending along this direction in a receiving hole of an external optical component. The pin comprises an abutting surface (35) placed in contact with a parallel complementary surface (36) of the optical coupling device.
US09052478B2
Fiber optic interface modules and assemblies using same are disclosed, wherein the module includes first and second lenses formed therein that utilize total-internal reflection within the module body. The first and second lenses define first and second optical paths of different lengths. The module may operably support first and second optical fibers so that they are optically coupled to surfaces of the first and second lenses. The first and second lenses are designed to provide predetermined tolerances for lateral offsets relative to first and second active photo-devices while maintaining respective first and second coupling efficiencies between the active photo-devices and the corresponding first and second optical fibers.
US09052475B2
Optical multifiber connectors with multiple termination ferrules and multilens arrays are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical fiber connector includes a multilens array and at least one alignment post. The lenses protrude from a first surface of a transparent plate, and the least one alignment post protrudes from a second surface of the transparent plate opposites the first surface. The connector includes a first standoff frame disposed on the first surface and a second standoff frame disposed on the second surface.
US09052462B2
A method for constructing an area array waveguide power splitter includes preparing a reflective layer on a substrate and forming a core of an area array waveguide layer and alignment features for an optical fiber input and a plurality of optical fiber outputs atop the reflective layer, wherein the core of the area array waveguide layer and the alignment features are formed concurrently. The method also includes applying a reflective layer to the top and side surfaces of the core of the area array waveguide layer and exposing an input and exposing a plurality of outputs in the reflective layer.
US09052461B2
A compound optical combiner for combining multiple optical signals includes a set of combiners. The set of combiners includes at least one polarization combiner optically connected to at least one non-polarization combiner. The non-polarization combiner combines a first set of input signals while preserving a polarization of each input signal in the first set of signals. The polarization combiner combines a second set of input signals while converting the polarization of at least one input signal in the second set of signals.
US09052452B2
A solar light distribution system includes a solar light concentrator that is affixed externally to a light transfer tube. Solar light waves are processed by the concentrator into a collimated beam of light, which is then transferred through a light receiving port and into the light transfer tube. A reflector directs the collimated beam of light through the tube to a light distribution port. The interior surface of the light transfer tube is highly reflective so that the light transfers through the tube with minimal losses. An interchangeable luminaire is attached to the light distribution port and distributes light inside of a structure. A sun tracking device rotates the concentrator and the light transfer tube to optimize the receiving of solar light by the concentrator throughout the day. The system provides interior lighting, uses only renewable energy sources, and releases no carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
US09052447B2
An optical de-MUX includes a sub-wavelength grating that magnifies an input optical signal. In particular, along a direction perpendicular to a propagation direction of the optical signal, the sub-wavelength grating has a spatially varying effective index of refraction that is larger at a center of the sub-wavelength grating than at an edge of the sub-wavelength grating. Moreover, the optical de-MUX includes an optical device that images and diffracts the optical signal using a reflective geometry, and which provides different diffraction orders to output ports. For example, the optical device may include an echelle grating.
US09052445B2
An opto-electronic assembly is provided comprising a substrate (generally of silicon or glass) for supporting a plurality of interconnected optical and electrical components. A layer of sealing material is disposed to outline a defined peripheral area of the substrate. A molded glass lid is disposed over and bonded to the substrate, where the molded glass lid is configured to create a footprint that matches the defined peripheral area of the substrate. The bottom surface of the molded glass lid includes a layer of bonding material that contacts the substrate's layer of sealing material upon contact, creating a bonded assembly. In one form, a wafer level assembly process is proposed where multiple opto-electronic assemblies are disposed on a silicon wafer and multiple glass lids are molded in a single sheet of glass that is thereafter bonded to the silicon wafer.
US09052442B2
The invention provides a cost-effective and in-situ method for applying an LbL coating onto a silicone hydrogel contact lens directly in a lens package. The resultant silicone hydrogel contact lens has a coating with good hydrophilicity, intactness and durability and also can be used directly from the lens package by a patient without washing and/or rising. In addition, the invention provides a packaging solution for in-situ coating of a silicone hydrogel contact lens in a lens package and an ophthalmic lens product.
US09052440B2
The invention provide a class of linear chain-extended polysiloxane crosslinkers which comprises two terminal ethylenically unsaturated groups, at least two polysiloxane segments, and dangling hydrophilic polymer chains each covalently attached to a divalent organic radical separating each pair of adjacent polysiloxane segments. The present invention is also related to a polymer comprising crosslinking units derived from chain-extended polysiloxane crosslinker of the invention and to ophthalmic lenses comprising such a polymer.
US09052428B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for thermally managing electronic devices using dynamic optical components are provided. At least one of the reflectance and the transmittance of incident electromagnetic radiation of a dynamic optical component on an electronic device may be adjusted based on a detected variable device characteristic of the device, such as a temperature of a device component. By adjusting the reflectance and/or the transmittance of the dynamic optical component, different portions of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be directed from the dynamic optical component for changing the variable device characteristic.
US09052427B2
A light modulation layer disposed between a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate generates a plurality of first strip-like illumination light beams extending in a direction intersecting with a first end surface of the first or second transparent substrate at a first angle with use of light from a light source, when an electric field for a first mode is applied from an electrode to the light modulation layer. The light modulation layer generates a plurality of second strip-like illumination light beams extending in a direction intersecting with the first end surface at an angle different from the first angle or a direction parallel to the first end surface with use of light from the light source, when an electric field for a second mode is applied from the electrode to the light modulation layer.
US09052426B2
A display module is provided. The display module includes a frame, a light guide plate, a light source device, a display panel and an optical film. The light guide plate is accommodated within the frame. The light guide plate has a recess. The light source device is disposed between the frame and the light guide plate. The display panel is disposed on the recess and attached to the light guide plate to seal the recess. The optical film is located within the recess. A handheld electronic device having said display module is also provided.
US09052407B2
Method for building a seismic imaging velocity model, particularly at the boundary of a geo-body, and to perform imaging, by taking into account the elastic reflection and scattering information in the seismic data. More illumination of the base and flanks (or in general, the boundary) of the geo-body is provided from (a) inside of the geo-body (502), with elastically converted waves at the geo-body boundary used (via elastic RTM flooding); and (b) from outside the geo-body (503), by utilizing prism waves with elastic RTM to handle the phase correctly in the model building step. The increased illumination and correct elastic phase are used for geo-body boundary determination. Elastic RTM is then applied (505), along with the elastically derived imaging velocity model, to maximize the use of elastic energy in the imaging step, and to obtain the correct image with the correct phase.
US09052404B2
A well-logging device may include a housing to be positioned within a borehole of a subterranean formation, and at least one radiation source carried by the housing to direct radiation into the subterranean formation. The well-logging device may also include noble gas-based radiation detectors carried by the housing in azimuthally spaced relation to detect radiation from the subterranean formation. A controller may determine at least one property of the subterranean formation based upon the detected radiation from the noble gas-based radiation detectors.
US09052391B2
A velocity estimation method and system is disclosed. The method may include receiving a location signal indicative of a location of the machine and estimating the velocity of the machine based on a change in the location of the machine over a period of time. The method may further include determining a loss of the location signal, detecting a traction device speed of the machine, and selectively estimating the velocity of the machine based on the traction device speed when the location signal is determined to be lost.
US09052382B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods to produce a high performance, feature rich TOF system, phase-based or otherwise using small TOF pixels, single-ended or preferably differential, as well as TOF systems so designed. IC chip area required for pixels is reduced by intelligently off-loading or removing from within the pixel certain components and/or functionality. In some embodiments during a single TOF system capture period, analog values from each pixel are repeatedly sampled and converted to digital values, which are combined and manipulated on the sensor chip. Combining this plurality of values enables appropriately compact data from the sensor chip. Embodiments of the present invention implement a TOF system with high ambient light resilience, high dynamic range, low motion blur and dealiasing support, while advantageously reducing pixel area size relative to prior art TOF pixels.
US09052374B2
A method and system for determining a geolocation of an object includes collecting a positioning signal including a predetermined message data segment. A time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined in the positioning signal. Information based on the time of arrival may be provided for determination of a geolocation of an object. The time of arrival of the predetermined message data segment may be determined based on a time search for the predetermined message data segment in the positioning signal.
US09052372B2
A method of generating 2D or 3D maps of MRI T1 and T2 relaxation times by acquiring 2D or 3D MRI gradient-echo images and extracting the T1 and T2 values from the images, wherein MRI images are acquired using a combination of gradient-echo sequences, including a first MRI image acquired using a SSFP-FID (Steady State Free Precession-Free Induction Decay) acquisition sequence; two further images acquired using a Dual-Echo SSFP acquisition sequence; and the T1 and T2 values are extracted for each image pixel or voxel from the corresponding MRI signals.
US09052371B1
A structure or method for detecting a substance using conductive surfaces. Segments of conductive wire are disposed adjacent each of the surfaces and multi-turn coils are also disposed between the two surfaces, typically such that the windings of the coils are disposed between the respective conductive wires and the surfaces. A linear chirp signal, is applied to the wire segments. With the coils deactivated, emissions from the wire induce the Nuclear Quadrupole Resonance (NQR). With the coils activated to generate a static magnetic field, emissions from the wire induce Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). As a result, the characteristics of a substance located between the conductive surfaces may be determined using either or both resonant modalties.
US09052370B2
A system that uses the nuclear quadrupole resonant effect to detect the presence of materials of interest, such as may be excited by radio frequency fields generated within a portal. Transmitted chirp signals may be processed using matching filtering and other signal processing to accurately detect the presence of such materials.
US09052365B2
According to the present invention, after a predetermined voltage is applied to a coil in a state in which the inside of an electric compressor is filled with dielectric liquid and the coil of a motor is immersed in the dielectric liquid, in a first test process, a test product in which a current value when a first predetermined time T1 elapses I1 is less than or equal to a first reference current value is determined as an acceptable product, in a second test process, among the test products in which the current value is greater than the first reference current value in the first test process, a test product in which a current value I2 when a second predetermined time T2 longer than the first predetermined time elapses is less than or equal to a second reference current value is determined as an acceptable product, a test product in which the current value is greater than the second reference current value is determined as a disqualified product, and the first reference current value is a predictive reference current value that allows a test product which is to be determined as a disqualified product in the second test process to be determined as a disqualified product in the first test process, and allows some test products which are to be determined as an acceptable product in the second test process to be determined as a disqualified product in the first test process.
US09052358B2
A method is provided for determining specifications that meet electronic system or integrated circuit product requirements at all stages of the product lifecycle. Early in the product lifecycle design features must be specified. Later in the lifecycle datasheet specifications must be determined and published to customers, and test specifications in manufacturing must be determined. The method includes acquiring data from a test vehicle, fitting the data to a copula-based statistical model using an appropriately programmed computer, and using the statistical model to compute producer- and customer-oriented figures of merit of a product, different from the test vehicle, using the appropriately programmed computer. Different size, fault tolerance schemes, test coverage, end-use (datasheet), and test condition specifications of the product may be modeled. The statistical model is a copula-based and so can take into account dependency among attributes of the product. The copula-based model has features, which enable significant computational efficiencies.
US09052355B2
Methods and apparatus for testing unsingulated integrated circuits on a wafer include adapting a wafer prober for use with full-wafer-contacter disposed on the wafer. Some embodiments include placing wafer on a chuck of the prober, aligning the wafer to a full-wafer contacter incorporated in the wafer prober, removably attaching the wafer to the full wafer contacter, separating the wafer from the chuck, and making electrical contact to one or more integrated circuits of the wafer by making physical contact with a surface of the full-wafer contacter that faces away from the wafer.
US09052353B2
The claimed invention relates to the power industry and can be used for locating short circuits in power transmission lines by measuring the instantaneous current and voltage values when unsynchronized measurements are taken at both ends of the line. It is a technological object of the invention to improve the accuracy of damage location. The technical result of the invention is achieved by accurately synchronizing the current and voltage values measured at the ends of the line and unsynchronized in time on measurement. Synchronization is effected by aligning the oscillograms at both ends of the line with the short circuit start section.
US09052346B2
A method of estimating response of a medical lead to an electromagnetic field includes providing a medical lead having a proximal end, a distal end, a plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end, a plurality of terminals disposed along the proximal end, and a plurality of conductors extending along the medical lead and electrically coupling the electrodes to the terminals; individually applying a test field at each of a plurality of test positions along the medical lead using at least one excitation probe; for each application of the test field, determining a response to the application of the test field at one or more of the electrodes or terminals; generating a transfer function using a combination of the responses determined for the applications of the test field; and using the transfer function to estimate a response of the medical lead to an electromagnetic field.
US09052344B2
A current detection circuit for detecting a maximum current value in a three-phase motor includes an identifier configured to identify a maximum current phase having the maximum current value among phases of the motor, and a detector configured to detects the maximum current value by summing current values of phases other than the maximum current phase when the current direction in the maximum current phase is a predetermined first direction.
US09052338B2
An apparatus for electrical inspection is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an inert gas delivery system that delivers inert gas near a microscope imaging element and electrical test probes. A gas supply provides an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. The inert gas displaces oxygen to prevent premature oxidation of the test probes. In one embodiment, one or more delivery tubes deliver inert gas to the measurement area.
US09052334B2
In an acceleration sensor, a sensor unit includes a weight portion having a recess section with one open surface and a solid section one-piece formed with the recess section, beam portions for rotatably supporting the weight portion such that the recess section and the solid section are arranged along a rotation direction, a movable electrode, fixed electrodes, detection electrodes electrically connected to the fixed electrodes to detect a capacitance between the movable electrode and the fixed electrodes. A fixed plate is arranged in a spaced-apart relationship with a surface of the weight portion on which the movable electrode is provided, and embedment electrodes are embedded in the fixed plate to extend along a thickness direction of the fixed plate, the embedment electrodes having one end portions facing the movable electrode to serve as the fixed electrodes and the other end portions configured to serve as the detection electrodes.
US09052333B2
Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor including: a membrane; a mass body provided under the membrane; a plurality of patterned magnets provided under the mass body; and a magnetoresistive element provided to be spaced apart from the mass body and measuring static DC acceleration acting on the mass body through resistance changed according to magnetic fields of the plurality of patterned magnets. The plurality of patterned magnets and the magnetoresistive element are included, thereby making it possible to measure static DC acceleration (particularly, gravity acceleration) that is difficult to measure using an existing to piezoelectric element.
US09052315B2
A device for detecting at least one analyte (and in some embodiments two, three, or four or more different analytes) in a liquid sample generally comprises (i) a support having a chamber for receiving a biological fluid therein, wherein said chamber is an elongate chamber having a length axis; (ii) a carrier or agitator in said elongate chamber, said carrier or agitator having opposite end portions and a side portion, the carrier or agitator dimensioned to travel in said chamber along said length axis and/or permit said liquid sample to flow in the chamber therearound, either (or both) thereby agitating the liquid sample; and (iii) at least one anti-analyte antibody coupled to either the carrier and/or the chamber side wall.
US09052306B2
A bio-measuring meter is provided. The bio-measuring meter includes a receptacle receiving a sample strip for the bio-measuring meter; and a figured piece identifying device comprising plural switches for receiving a figured piece, wherein at least one of the plural switches is switched by the figured piece to generate a current signal, and a datum of the sample strip is adjusted by a predefined respective parameter for the current signal.
US09052303B2
A device is provided for determining total chlorine in liquids, the device including an indicator carrier that is impregnated with a color indicator that contains Michler's thioketone, the indicator carrier additionally containing as a color indicator at least one azine as well as an iodide, in particular potassium iodide and/or sodium iodide.
US09052298B2
A filling apparatus for filling a microplate. The microplate can comprise a plurality of wells each sized to receive an assay. A substrate can comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, a first assay input port for receiving the assay disposed on the first surface, a plurality of staging capillaries extending through the substrate, and a first plurality of microfluidic channels fluidly coupling the first assay input port with at least one of the plurality of staging capillaries. Each of the plurality of staging capillaries can comprise an inlet and an outlet and be sized to receive the assay.
US09052291B2
An optical sensor based on a broadband light source and cascaded waveguide filters comprises a broadband light source, an input waveguide, a reference ring resonator coupled with the input waveguide, a common bus waveguide coupled with the reference ring resonator, a sensing ring resonator coupled with the common bus waveguide, an output waveguide coupled with the sensing ring resonator, and two optical power detectors. At least a portion of the sensing ring resonator is influenced by the physical parameter to be measured or in contact with an analyte. The variation of the physical parameter to be measured or the variation of the analyte induces a shift of the transmission spectrum of the sensing ring resonator. By using the cascaded filtering effect of the double resonators, the wavelength shift can be translated into a variation of the total output power. Consequently the physical parameter to be measured can be easily deduced.
US09052290B2
The present disclosure provides for a system and method for analyzing a sample comprising at least one unknown material. A first location may be scanned to generate a SWIR hyperspectral image. The SWIR hyperspectral image may be generated using dual polarization techniques. The SWIR hyperspectral image may be analyzed to target a second location comprising the unknown material. This second location may be further analyzed using Raman spectroscopic techniques and a Raman data set may be generated. The Raman data set may be further analyzed to associate the unknown material with a know material.
US09052259B2
Embodiments of a particle sensor are provided. In one example, a particle sensor for an exhaust system comprises at least two inlet openings for an exhaust-gas flow of the exhaust system, wherein the inlet openings are of different sizes, and at least two sensor elements, wherein in each case one sensor element is arranged downstream of one inlet opening. In this way, the relative proportion of different-sized particles within the exhaust-gas flow may be determined.
US09052230B2
Exemplary embodiments include an apparatus for imaging a volume of material contained inside a vessel. The apparatus includes a plurality of synchronized acoustic sensors positioned at a periphery of an inner volume of the vessel. A processor combines the outputs of the acoustic sensors to identify at least one ambient noise source of the industrial process generating a noise field that illuminates an internal volume of the vessel and to provide an image of the material by temporal and spatial coherent processing of the transmission and reflection of the noise field generated by the noise source.
US09052226B2
An autonomous sump (ASP) system is designed to remove water from a sump using a source of power other than commercial electrical power or battery power. The ASP system can be a stand-alone unit or, alternatively, can be used along with a preexisting sump pump system. In some embodiments, the ASP system can provide an alert to a building owner of the ASP system failure.
US09052224B2
A measuring transducer comprises: a housing, with an inlet-side flow divider having four flow openings, and an outlet-side end having four flow openings; a tube arrangement having four tubes connected to the flow dividers; and a first coupling element. An exciter mechanism for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the four measuring tubes. The first coupling element includes a deformation body and four connecting struts, of which connected with a first strut end and with the first measuring tube, a second connecting strut is connected with a first strut end and with a second strut end with the second measuring tube, a third connecting strut and with a second strut end with the first measuring tube, and a fourth connecting strut is connected with a first strut end and with a second strut end with the fourth measuring tube.
US09052222B2
A data processing system and a computer program product for monitoring water consumption. A set of locations in a fluid transport system in a structure is monitored for sounds generated by a fluid flowing at an endpoint of the fluid transport system. Current acoustic data is generated for the sounds detected from monitoring the set of locations. The current acoustic data is compared with historical acoustic data to form a difference. A determination is made as to whether the difference exceeds a threshold. An action is performed in response to determining that the difference exceeds the threshold.
US09052215B2
An apparatus for navigation control includes: a GPS configured to locate a current position of a vehicle and a speed bump ahead of the vehicle; a sensor configured to acquire detailed information of the speed bump and a current speed of the vehicle; a controller configured to locate the current position of the vehicle to divide a distance from the current position to the speed bump into one or more regions, to check the current speed of the vehicle, to calculate a recommended speed for passing over the speed bump based on the detailed information of the speed bump, and to generate a warning message if the current speed is above the recommended speed; and an outputter configured to output the warning message under control of the controller.
US09052212B2
A map display apparatus and method for a navigation changes a map scale dynamically to help the driver visualize the environment of the destination when the vehicle is approaching the destination. The map scale is changed dynamically to display the destination along with at least one map attribute near the destination to provide more information to the driver. The navigation system includes, among others, a searching unit and a scale changing unit to change the map scale to display the destination along with at least one map attribute when the vehicle is approaching the destination. The navigation system also includes a priority table to prioritize the map attributes and the searching unit searches the map attributes near the destination according to order in the priority table.
US09052208B2
An approach is provided for sensing based on route bias. The goal processor processes and/or facilitates a processing of one or more geo-routes, one or more location anchors, or a combination thereof associated with one or more devices to determine proximity information of the one or more devices to one or more sensing goals. The goal processor causes, at least in part, a selection of at least a subset of the one or more devices to participate in the one or more sensing goals based, at least in part, on the proximity information.
US09052205B2
A terminal device that includes a display that displays an image; a positioning unit that measures a current position; a memory that stores information corresponding to a plurality of positions measured by the positioning unit in association with a time at which each of the plurality of positions was measured; and a controller that controls the display to display a travel trace on a map based on the information stored in the memory and that variably sets a display scale of the map according to a travel speed or traveled distance per unit time corresponding to the travel trace.
US09052201B2
A calibration system for simultaneous calibration of multiple motion capture elements (MCEs) of at least one type (accelerometer and/or gyroscope). Includes motion and/or rotational element coupled to a base and configured to move and/or rotate multiple MCEs mounted on a mount in and/or about at least one axis. For one axis movement embodiments, after each motion and/or axial rotation, the motion and/or rotational mount itself is rotated for example manually, so the mount points in a different direction, i.e., the Z axis. In a single axis embodiment, this is performed twice so that each axis of the MCEs experience motion and/or rotation about three axes. The motion capture data is sampled and used in calculation of a 3×3 calibration matrix. The physical format of the motion capture sensors may be any format including chip, memory or SIM card format, PCB format, mobile computers/phones.
US09052200B1
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for automatically providing travel directions to users of a geographic information system client may generally include receiving, by one or more computing devices, a search request from a user associated with a geographic location, identifying at least one reference travel route between a current location of the user and the geographic location, monitoring an actual travel route taken by the user without actively providing travel directions to the user as the user travels along the actual travel route, comparing the actual travel route to the at least one reference travel route using a background software routine implemented by the one or more computing devices and automatically initiating, when the actual travel route differs from the at least one reference travel route, a navigation software routine for actively providing the user travel directions to the geographic location.
US09052189B2
A measurement apparatus includes: a vibration detection surface which has a set relative position with respect to a test surface, and is irradiated with a part of the measurement light; an image sensor configured to sense, together with a first interference fringe generated by interference between reference light from a reference surface and measurement light from the test surface, a second interference fringe generated by interference between light from the vibration detection surface and the reference light; and a processor configured to obtain a relative vibration between the reference surface and the test surface by using data of the sensed second interference fringe, and obtain the shape of the test surface by using the obtained relative vibration and data of the sensed first interference fringe.
US09052180B2
Methods and a computer readable medium for deriving a quantitative phase contrast tomographic image of a specimen. The specimen is illuminated and a focus of the illuminating light is scanned to a plurality of depths within the specimen. Light transmitted through the specimen is spatially Fourier transformed at each of the plurality of depths to form a spatially transformed image, and at least one of the phase and amplitude of a plurality of spatial frequency components of the spatially transformed image is spatially modulated. An intensity image of the specimen plane as modulated with respect to spatial frequency components is detected and deconvolved at a plurality of spatially modulated instances to obtain a three-dimensional phase representation of the specimen at each of the plurality of distances relative to a fiducial plane.
US09052179B2
An OCT apparatus includes, in addition to a first light source that changes a wavelength of light that is emitted, a second light source that emits light having a particular wavelength. The OCT apparatus is formed so that, when light having the particular wavelength is emitted from the first light source, the light emitted from the second light source is detected by a second optical detector.
US09052165B1
A remotely operated robotic platform comprises a base module mechanically coupled to a first wheel and a second wheel. A first motor is electrically coupled to a first motor controller and mechanically coupled to a first wheel. A second motor is electrically coupled to a second motor controller and mechanically coupled to a second wheel in order to provide zero-radius turning. An array of batteries is electrically coupled to a distribution bar and further electrically coupled to the motor controllers in order to provide power to the motors. A canopy is mechanically coupled to the base module where the canopy further comprises a nose section mechanically coupled to a tail section where the nose section and the tail section comprise protective plates in order to allow the remotely operated robotic platform to deflect radar.
US09052155B2
A firearm includes a cocking lever, a shoulder-stock receptacle and a shoulder support having a shoulder stock configured to be joined by a connector to the shoulder-stock receptacle. A shoulder-stock adjuster is configured to adjust a position of the shoulder stock relative to the shoulder-stock receptacle along an adjustment axis. A cheek rest is mounted via a bearing on the shoulder stock so as to be movable in a direction parallel to the adjustment axis. A stop is disposed on the shoulder-stock receptacle so as to limit a movement path of the cheek rest towards a front of the firearm. At a position of the cheek rest defined by the stop of the shoulder-stock receptacle, the cocking lever does not collide with the cheek rest, even in a completely retracted state.
US09052154B1
The projectile launcher with internal bow includes a riser base, an elongate barrel assembly attached to the riser base, a crank mechanism attached to the back of the barrel assembly, a trigger assembly, and an internal bow assembly mounted to the riser base. The crank assembly includes a rotatable crank for selective reciprocation of a cocking pawl carriage riding inside a rail system in the barrel assembly. A biased cocking pawl in the pawl carriage selectively engages a projectile stirrup carriage riding on top of the rail system to push the stirrup carriage into a cocked position. The internal bow assembly includes reversed and vertically spaced, upper and lower resilient bow arms and respective pulleys and cables interconnecting the bow arms and the stirrup carriage. Cocking of the stirrup carriage flexes the bow arms in preparation for placement and firing of a projectile.
US09052152B2
System and method for multi-stage bypass, low operating temperature suppressor for automatic weapons
The present disclosure relates to a suppressor for use with a weapon. The suppressor may be formed to have a body portion having a bore extending concentric with a bore axis of the weapon barrel. An opening in the bore extends at least substantially circumferentially around the bore. A flow path communicates with the opening and defines a channel for redirecting gasses flowing in the bore out from the bore, through the opening, into a rearward direction in the flow path. The flow path raises a pressure at the opening to generate a Mach disk within the bore at a location approximately coincident with the opening. The Mach disk forms as a virtual baffle to divert at least a portion of the gasses into the opening and into the flow path.
US09052150B2
A trigger mechanism for a firearm, the trigger mechanism having: a trigger for actuating a hammer of the trigger mechanism, wherein actuation of the trigger causes the hammer to advance to a firing position; and a release configured for movement between a first position and a second position, the release must be first actuated from the first position to the second position and thereafter from the second position to the first position in order to allow for the hammer to advance to the firing position.
US09052149B2
In some embodiments, a trigger comprises a finger portion comprising a plurality of detent locations and a shoe comprising a resiliently deformable detenting structure. The shoe is attachable to the finger portion at a plurality of predetermined positions via said resiliently deformable detenting structure occupying a detent location. The shoe is disengageble from a given position by resiliently deforming said resiliently deformable detenting structure.
US09052148B2
A power supply device for a motor vehicle, in particular a passenger vehicle, truck or motorcycle, comprises one or more storage cell modules, each of which includes one or more electrochemical storage cells and/or double layer capacitors that are arranged next to and/or on top of one another. The device includes a cooler block having a holder for the storage cell modules and a heat dissipating structure for dissipating heat emitted by the storage cell modules. The heat dissipating structure is provided on at least one side of the holder. The cooler block includes a clamping device operatively configured to generate a predefined force by which the heat dissipating structure can be pressed against a respective storage cell module.
US09052146B2
A heat exchanger that is useful for analyzing samples, such as condensate, and methods of cooling a sample for analysis are provided as embodiments of the present invention. The heat exchanger includes an inner tube for containing cooling water and an annulus for containing steam so that heat exchange occurs between the cooling water and the steam so that condensate forms in the annulus. An external shield is attached to the heat exchanger to provide additional natural cooling and to prevent users from contacting the steam contained within the annulus.
US09052145B2
A substrate firing device having an increased contact area between the substrate and substrate support portions, thereby preventing the substrate support portions from generating scratches on the substrate when the substrate expands and contracts due to heating and cooling. By increasing the contact area to the substrate and by using quartz on items that contact the substrate, it is possible to prevent scratches occurring on a substrate, even after an etching process of the substrate, thereby improving quality of the slimmer final product.
US09052143B2
An apparatus for drying dishes that comprises a rack, an air blower, an open drain trough, a sensor, and a system of tubules through which the air flows. The open drain trough has two vertical sides with perforations. The air flows from the air blower, through the system of tubules and into the open drain trough through the perforations in the sides of the open drain trough, so that when the sensor detects the presence of a dish in the open drain trough, the air blower is activated causing the air to dry the dish in the open drain trough.
US09052140B2
Embodiments provide a multi-pass kiln with two or more chambers, an entrance and an exit at a proximal end of the kiln, and a reciprocal flow path extending through the kiln from the entrance to the exit. Lumber charges traveling along the reciprocal flow path may travel in a first direction along one side of the heated second chamber before traveling in a substantially opposite second direction along the opposite side of the second chamber. The distal end of the kiln may be substantially sealed, and a pressure differential between the distal end and the proximal end may draw moist heated air from the heated chamber toward the exit and entry to preheat and/or condition lumber charges traveling through the first chamber.
US09052135B2
A refrigerator cooler comprises a cabinet comprising at least one storage compartment having an open front and a front face. Refrigerator cooler further has left and right door assemblies rotatably affixed to the cabinet to close and seal against the front face when the left and right door assemblies are in a closed position. The left and right door assemblies comprise left and right doors, perimeter gaskets affixed to the back faces of the left and right doors, magnetic French door gaskets affixed to the inner faces of the left and right doors, and one or more door stops affixed to the left and right doors. The left and right magnetic French door gaskets are magnetically attracted to one another when the left and right doors are closed and are magnetically opposed one another when either the left or right doors are opened.
US09052131B2
Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide a damper assembly for transport refrigeration systems. One embodiment can include a damper assembly including a damper door configured to operate in a first position (e.g., closed), a second position (e.g., open), and at least one intermediate position. In one embodiment, a plurality of intermediate positions can be used to controllably vary a capacity of the transport refrigeration unit, or at least one component thereof. Embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods can provide a damper assembly that can be accessed though an ambient portion of transport refrigeration systems or components.
US09052127B2
A refrigerator having an auxiliary cooling device is disclosed. The refrigerator may include a cabinet that includes a storage compartment to preserve food and a pipe for refrigerant arranged in the storage compartment to cool the storage compartment. a phase change material may provide auxiliary cooling for the storage compartment when the pipe is not operational. An enclosure for the phase change material may be provided around the pipe. The pipe may have a serpentine shape and the enclosure may be formed of a flexible material and shaped to corresponding to a shape of the pipe.
US09052113B1
A combustor nozzle includes a downstream surface having an axial centerline. A plurality of passages through the downstream surface provide fluid communication through the downstream surface, and a downstream section of each passage has at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical shape. A method for modifying a combustor nozzle includes machining a downstream side of a body to remove a recast surface in a plurality of passages that provide fluid communication through the body. The method may further include machining a downstream section in each passage to form at least one of a frusto-conical or frusto-spherical surface in each passage proximate to the downstream side of the body.
US09052109B1
A gas processor includes a burner chamber including a first end and a second end, a gas/fuel burner having an inlet receiving air and an inlet for receiving a first combustible gas including a nozzle providing a flame extending out from the nozzle. A syn-gas chamber including injection holes and a syn-gas feed line and a syn-gas nozzle plate is coupled between the second end of the burner chamber and the gas/fuel burner including over the nozzle, wherein syn-gas is directed by the injection holes into a path of the flame for combustion of the syn-gas. An air pipe having a plurality of air discharge ports extending from the first end to within the burner chamber having an air blower coupled thereto is configured to pump air into the burner chamber.
US09052108B2
In a premixing combustion device (1) for a heating boiler, comprising a blower (2) which delivers a combustion mixture composed of fuel and air from an outlet opening (8) of the blower (2) via a burner cylinder (9) to a combustion zone, wherein a mixing device (3) arranged upstream of the blower (2) prepares the combustion mixture, it is sought to provide a solution which, in a structurally simple manner, ensures reliable starting of the heating boiler and prevents failures. This is achieved by means of a throughflow reduction device (10) which is arranged between the outlet opening (8) of the blower (2) and the burner cylinder (9) and which has a throughflow reduction element (13) which can be adjusted between a position in which it opens the outlet opening (8) of the blower (2) and a position in which it reduces the size of the outlet opening (8) of the blower (2).
US09052107B2
A lean-rich burner is provided, in which an air-rich flame and a fuel-rich flame are formed by a simple structure, thereby reducing the emission of noxious gas and enabling stable combustion. The lean-rich burner includes: a main flame part (110) for burning a fuel-rich mixture in which primary air, which is some of air supplied by a blower, and fuel are mixed; auxiliary flame parts (120) installed on left and right sides of the main flame part (110) to burn an air-rich mixture; a main mixture channel (130) for supplying the fuel-rich mixture to the main flame part (110); a mixture distribution hole (140) formed along the main mixture channel (130) to supply some of the mixture flowing along the main mixture channel (130) to the auxiliary flame parts (120); and a Venturi part (150) having a Venturi structure in which secondary air inflow holes (151) are formed to mix secondary air, which is some of the air supplied by the blower, with the mixture introduced through the mixture distribution hole (140).
US09052106B2
A method and an arrangement for optimizing combustion conditions in a fluidized-bed boiler, in which combustion gas is fed at two or more height levels, the first of which is a primary level (P) which is located at the height of a furnace bottom and the second is a secondary level (S) which is located above fuel feed height (F), above which secondary level (S) there can be still other combustion gas feed levels (T, . . . ). At least one combustion gas feed level (P, S, T, . . . ) is fed at different points of the furnace (11) in its horizontal direction with combustion gases having different oxygen contents such that zones of different oxygen content can be formed in the horizontal direction of the furnace (11).
US09052105B2
A drinking vessel comprises a waterproof double-walled body member defining an enclosed hollow space therewithin, illumination means and a flexible substrate supporting the illumination means disposed in the enclosed hollow space, a source of electrical energy to the illumination means and a power switch mounted to the double-walled body member and including a mechanical switch pin extendable from and retractable into a bottom portion of the body member. The mechanical switch pin is operable between a first position when the drinking vessel is disposed on a supporting surface, in which the mechanical switch pin is retracted into the bottom portion and the power switch is in an electrically open state, and a second position when the drinking vessel is lifted from the supporting surface, in which the mechanical switch pin is extended from the bottom portion and the power switch is in an electrically closed state.
US09052097B2
Support clips and systems thereof are provided. Support clips include a web, a lower flange, and an upper flange. The lower flange extends from the web orthogonally. The upper flange extends from the web, towards the lower flange, at an angle. The lower flange includes an aperture for receiving a fastener. Systems include support clips of the present invention coupling a ballast housing to a mounting module. The lower flange is secured to the housing, and the upper flange engages the mounting module, such that the housing is supported by the support clip against the mounting module when in a latched position. A user is able to secure a fastener through the support clip aperture and openings in the housing and mounting module without having to use additional hands.
US09052090B1
A light fixture includes a housing that has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are opposite each other. The light fixture includes a circuit board that has a light emitting diode (LED). The circuit board is attached to a mounting bracket inside the housing. The light fixture further includes a first reflector insert positioned adjacent to the circuit board on a first side of the circuit board. The first reflector insert is configured to reflect light from the LED. The first reflector insert is removably attached to the first end of the housing and to the second end of the housing.
US09052082B2
This invention discloses an optical device for a semiconductor based lamp, the optical device comprising a base for mounting a semiconductor based light-emitting device, and a light-redirecting member having an opening and a reflective surface next to the opening, wherein the opening is aligned directly above the semiconductor based light-emitting device, and the reflective surface redirects light emitted from the semiconductor-based light-emitting device to lateral directions.
US09052080B2
A vehicular projector headlamp includes: a projection lens; a first LED element and a second LED element that are light sources and that are arranged on opposite sides of an optical axis of the projection lens so as to substantially face each other; a first reflector that has a first reflective surface having a first focal point located at the first LED element and a second focal point located in proximity to a rear focal point of the projection lens; and a second reflector that has a second reflective surface having a first focal point located at the second LED element and a second focal point located in proximity to the rear focal point of the projection lens, wherein the second reflective surface faces the first reflective surface.
US09052075B2
A direct troffer-style fixture for solid state light sources and pan structures for use in these fixtures. The fixture comprises a door frame assembly that is attached to the pan. The pan housing is defined by a base and two angled side walls. End caps are attached to the side walls. End reflectors extend at an angle away from the end caps and attach to the base. The end caps, the end reflectors, and the base define compartments at both ends of the housing in which components can be housed. A light board is attached to the base using alignment holes in the base and cutout portions of the end reflectors. The multifunctional end reflectors retain elements within the compartments, provide added structural stability to the pan, aid in aligning a light board, and they reflect light that impinges on them toward the open end of the fixture.
US09052073B2
An assembly structure of light-guiding cover is used in a lighting device. The lighting device comprises a light-emitting element. The assembly structure comprises a casing and a light-guiding cover. The casing has a receiving recess and a first engaging groove and a second engaging groove opposite to the first engaging groove, the light-emitting element is disposed within the receiving recess, and the first engaging groove and the second engaging groove are located at opposite two sides of the receiving recess. The light-guiding cover covers the receiving recess and has at least one aperture corresponding to the light-emitting element, wherein the light-guiding cover comprises a first engaging sheet and a second engaging sheet. The first engaging sheet is engaged with the first engaging groove. The second engaging sheet is disposed opposite to the first engaging sheet and engaged with the second engaging groove.
US09052069B2
A system is presented including a tube light mounted in a tube light socket. The tube light includes a printed wiring board, one or more LEDs mounted to the printed wiring board, and one or more sensors mounted to the printed wiring board. The tube light also includes a power supply mounted to the printed wiring board, such that the power supply is connected to the tube light socket to supply a direct current voltage signal to the printed wiring board. A method is also provided for forming the tube light and mounting the tube light into the tube light socket.
US09052067B2
An LED lamp with a high color rendering index (CRI) is disclosed. Example embodiments of the invention provide an LED lamp with a relatively high color rendering index (CRI). In some embodiments, the lamp has other advantageous characteristics, such as good angular uniformity. In some embodiments, the LED lamp is sized and shaped as a replacement for a standard incandescent bulb, and includes an LED assembly with at least first and second LEDs operable to emit light of two different colors. In some embodiments, the lamp can emit light with a color rendering index (CRI) of at least 90 without remote wavelength conversion. In some embodiments, the LED lamp conforms some, most, or all of the product requirements for a 60-watt incandescent replacement for the L prize.
US09052066B2
An LED lamp includes a lamp housing including an aluminum alloy substantially free of silicone. An electrical circuit trace is disposed on the lamp housing. An LED is attached directly to the lamp housing and electrically connected to the electrical circuit trace. LED driver circuitry is electrically connected to the electrical circuit trace. A housing contains the LED driver circuitry. A threaded incandescent light-type electrical plug may be configured for reception into a standard incandescent light-type socket. The LED driver circuitry is electrically disposed between the electrical plug and the LED. The lamp housing may include a generally frusto-conical shape. A solder mask may be affixed over at least a portion of the electrical circuit trace. The lamp housing may be press formed. The lamp housing is in direct thermal conductive relation to the LED such that heat energy is dissipated from the LED directly to the lamp housing.
US09052060B1
A tripod has a mounting seat, a mounting assembly, and a base. The mounting seat has two engaging protrusions disposed next to each other, two engaging recesses disposed next to each other, and two engaging members resiliently mounted respectively in the engaging recesses. The mounting assembly has a retractable rod mounted through the mounting seat. The base is connected to a lower end of the retractable rod. When combining multiple tripods, the engaging protrusion of the mounting seat of one tripod is mounted into the engaging recess of the mounting seat of another tripod. Thus, the tripods can be arranged as a cuboid to reduce space that the tripods occupy for the convenience of storage.
US09052059B2
Apparatus and method for elevating and supporting an air flow measuring device to enable hands-free air flow measurement.
US09052052B2
A segment for a rehabilitation pipe includes an inner surface plate having an inner circumferential surface, and side plates and end plates provided upright on a peripheral edge of the inner surface plate. The inner surface plate, the side plates, and the end plates are formed integrally from a plastic material. The segments are linked in a circumferential direction and in a pipe-length direction to install a segmental rehabilitation pipe inside an existing pipe. The end plates are provided with an insertion hole through which a linking member is inserted for linking the segments in the circumferential direction. Separately from the insertion hole, the end plates are further provided with an opening for passing therethrough a filler material injected into a space between the existing pipe and the rehabilitation pipe.
US09052048B2
A fluid joint having a first coupler includes a cylindrical first main body and an outer cylinder located at the outer circumferential side of the first main body, which protrudes to a distal end of the first main body, and is provided with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion at the distal end. The second coupler includes a second main body provided with a third engagement portion that can engage with the first engagement portion and a fourth engagement portion that can engage with the second engagement portion. The phases of the first engagement portion and the third engagement portion match in the process of engagement thereof, so that the second engagement portion and the fourth engagement portion engage with each other to join the outer cylinder and the second main body together.
US09052046B2
A coolant circuit includes a first pipe segment, a second pipe segment, and a seal between the pipe segments which are displaceable relative to each other. A resilient locking tang runs parallel to the first pipe segment and has a detent element. An elongated guide portion runs parallel to and is spaced from the locking tang between the pipe segment and the locking tang. Spaced-apart arms run parallel to the second pipe segment beyond the end of this second pipe segment. An axially parallel web is configured between the arms and is fitted at its end facing the second sub-assembly with a detent shoulder which is engaged from behind by the resilient detent element when the pipe segments are plugged into each other. The resilient tang is received at a closed fit between the arms, and the elongated guide portion is guided by the arms.
US09052040B2
An alignment tool for aligning a secondary elongate element with a primary elongate element for subsea laying of the elements in a piggybacked arrangement is disclosed. The alignment tool comprises a support structure arranged to embrace the primary element. The support structure has an opening for accommodating the primary element such that the primary element can move longitudinally through the opening in a launching direction. The alignment tool further comprises attachment points for supporting the tool to maintain or control its longitudinal and/or angular position with respect to the primary element as the primary element moves through the opening.
US09052035B2
The present application relates to a shaft locking device. The device has an locking element configured to be mounted on a shaft in a first position so that the locking element indicates the angular position of the shaft. The locking element is also configured to be mounted on a shaft in a second position so that the locking element is locatable against a stop to prevent rotation of the shaft. The present application also relates to a device for determining the angular position of a shaft, a valve assembly and an actuating unit for a valve.
US09052030B2
A thermostat device has a thermo element assembly (10) configured by a piston (3), a thermal expansion unit that changes volume with a change in temperature, to reciprocate a cylinder container (4) with respect to the piston, and a heating element (H) that is provided in a casing of the piston and heats the thermal expansion unit (W) when supplied with current. An assembling hole (11) is provided in the device housing to hold an outer end of the thermo element assembly by causing the outer end to pass therethrough toward the outside of the device. A piston guide (13) is provided at a section on the upper end side of the piston configuring the thermo element assembly. An outer end of the piston guide is integrally joined to the housing side while being inserted from the inside of the device housing (2) into the assembling hole to pass therethrough.
US09052027B2
A valve device for a fuel tank includes a float element accommodated vertically movably in a case. The float element has a seal member at an upper portion thereof. The fuel flowing into the case through the inflow portion rises the float element to seat the seal member on the vent valve port. A ventilation portion connecting between inside of the tank and inside of the case is formed at an upper face portion of the case positioned above a waterline of the float element when seated. The upper face portion of the float element positioned in close proximity to the upper face portion reduces the amount of ventilation through the ventilation portion when seated. The valve device for a fuel tank further includes a regulation portion at the upper face portion of the case in which the interval is constant between the upper face portion of the case and the upper face portion of the float element when seated.
US09052016B2
A seal for bridging an interface between an aircraft exhaust deck and a trailing edge of an aircraft exhaust system includes a sheet, a spacing element, and a tensioning element. The sheet has a fixed end, a cover portion, a movable portion, and a free end. The fixed end is anchored to the trailing edge. The cover portion extends upstream from the fixed end and across the interface. The movable portion is located adjacent the aircraft exhaust deck. The spacing element engages the movable portion and defines a gap for cooling air between the movable portion and the aircraft exhaust deck. The tensioning element is attached to the free end and provides tensioning force keep the cover portion taut.
US09052009B2
This lubrication system for a differential of a driven axle on an automotive vehicle includes a sump in which is located a crown wheel driven by a pinion, the crown wheel being fast in rotation with a carrier, and a main lubricant tank having an inlet port and at least one outlet port. Rotation of the crown wheel causes lubricant to be transferred from the sump to the main tank via the inlet port, and the outlet port allows the lubricant to pass from the main tank to the sump. The lubrication system includes an auxiliary lubricant tank located in the sump, adapted to be filled in with lubricant by rotation of the crown wheel, and an arrangement to convey lubricant from auxiliary tank to a lubricant needing portion of the differential.
US09052008B2
A drive apparatus which is compact in a height direction and a diametrical direction and with which a sufficient air breather function can be obtained, and a construction machine including the drive apparatus. The drive apparatus includes an electric motor and a speed reducer. An interior of a motor housing communicates with a speed reducer chamber such that a flow of air between the speed reducer chamber and the interior of the motor housing is permitted while limiting inflow of lubricating oil into the interior of the motor housing from the speed reducer chamber. An air breather passage and an air breather pipe for opening the interior of the motor housing to the atmosphere are provided in the motor housing.
US09052001B2
An epicycloid planet gear cam that converts rotational movement of a driveshaft into linear movement of an output device is disclosed. An epicycloid planet gear is assembled inside a stationary housing with an internal stationary ring gear. A driveshaft eccentric is connected to a driveshaft. The driveshaft eccentric rotates freely in a mounting hole of the epicycloid planet gear. When the driveshaft rotates, the driveshaft eccentric engages the epicycloid planet gear against the stationary ring gear and causes the epicycloid planet gear to rotate. A cam follower pin attached to an output device is held against a cam track of the epicycloid planet gear. As the epicycloid planet gear rotates, the raised cam track height or the slotted cam track distance from the center of the epicycloid planet gear causes the cam follower pin to move up, down, in, or out thereby moving the output device.
US09052000B2
Disclosed herein are power transmissions having one or more operational modes, for example, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) mode, an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) mode, and an IVT/CVT mode, that can be selected for by engaging different clutches and brakes. Disclosed herein are power transmissions comprising a power input shaft, one or more planetary gear sets, a variator (such as a CVT), and one or more clutches and brakes. In some embodiments, a first brake selects an IVT mode, a second brake selects a CVT mode, and a third brake selects an IVT/CVT mode.
US09051994B2
A dual clutch transmission is provided in which at a time of pre-shifting when, while one of first and second driving force transmission paths extending from first and second input shafts to an output shaft is transmitting the driving force, the selection device for the other driving force transmission path is operated, the driving force of an internal combustion engine is changed by a command from an electronic control unit. Even if a driving force or braking force due to inertia occurs as a result of a change in the rotational speed of the first and second input shafts accompanying the pre-shifting, it is possible to reduce the shift shock by compensating for the driving force or braking force due to the inertia by changing the driving force of the engine.
US09051991B2
Embodiments for mass balancing an engine are provided. In one example, an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder which is associated with a crank drive comprises at least one mechanically driven balancing unit for balancing the mass forces, the balancing unit including at least one balancing weight which serves as an unbalance by initially rotating a first mass about a rotational axis relative to a second mass when the balancing unit is operational, and an interrupter unit to disconnect the at least one balancing unit from the mechanical drive in a switched off state and connect it to the mechanical drive in a switched on state.
US09051987B2
Wear bands for heavy duty struts are disclosed. The wear bands include multiple layers such as a base metal layer sandwiched between an outer layer and an intermediate layer along with a solid lubricant layer disposed opposite the intermediate layer from the base metal layer. The outer layer engages an interior surface of the strut housing, which slidably accommodates a rod. The solid lubricant layer, which is the innermost layer, engages an outer surface of the rod so that the wear band is sandwiched between the rod and the housing and provides a solid lubricant layer for engaging the sliding rod.
US09051982B2
Disclosed herein is a electric caliper brake with a parking function. The electric caliper brake includes a caliper submodule to apply pressure to a piston to press the disc by converting rotational motion into rectilinear motion through the received rotation power, an actuator submodule to produce braking force to perform the braking function and parking function, and a self-locking module to transfer the braking force by connecting the caliper submodule to the actuator submodule.
US09051981B2
A power-off brake for stopping a rotating shaft comprises a solenoid including a coil and armature, an opposing plate axially spaced from the armature, and a ball carrier rotor between the armature and opposing plate. The ball carrier rotor rotates with the shaft and carries spherical balls in recesses angularly space about the shaft. The armature and opposing plate have respective braking surfaces. In one embodiment, at least one braking surface is ramped to urge the plurality of balls radially outward against an internal surface of a surrounding outer race as the armature is forced toward the opposing plate under spring loading when current to the solenoid coil is shut off. In another embodiment, the braking surfaces are not ramped, such that the balls are merely clamped between the braking surfaces upon solenoid deactivation. Increased rolling friction stops rotation of the ball carrier rotor and the shaft without problematic wear.
US09051980B2
A torque transmitting device for use in an automotive transmission is provided. The device includes an inner annular race and an outer annular race disposed concentrically around the inner annular race. A selector plate is disposed adjacent to the inner and outer annular races, the selector plate being movable with respect to the inner and outer races. Multiple control elements are pivotally connected to the selector plate. The control elements are disposed between the inner and outer races. A plurality of sprag elements is disposed between the inner and outer races. Each sprag element is disposed adjacent to a control element.
US09051976B2
A hybrid driving force transmission device includes a motor generator (9), a multi-plate dry clutch (7), a housing cover (60), a dust seal member (62), and a dust collection structure (63). The multi-plate dry clutch (7) is disposed at a position inner than the motor generator (9). The housing cover (60) is provided to cover the motor generator (9) and the multi-plate dry clutch (7), and divides the internal space into a clutch chamber (64) and a motor chamber (65). The dust seal member (62) is disposed at a position radially outside of a clutch chamber open surface (66) and seals between a rotor (92) and an inner wall (60a) of the housing cover (60). The dust collection structure (63) forms a dust collection space (69) in a region radially between the seal surface (68) formed by the dust seal member (62) and the clutch chamber open surface (66).
US09051971B2
An oil-mist-free and high-speed electric spindle of the present invention includes a shell, a stator and a rotator. Using a bearing provided on a bearing providing position of the shell, the stator and the rotor are separated by a gap and freely rotatably supported on the shell. A labyrinth sealing structure, which covers the bearing providing position, is provided on an outside of the bearing providing position. The labyrinth sealing structure has a channel which opens to an atmosphere. And a through-hole is provided on the shell, wherein one end of the through-hole opens to the shelter, and the other end of the through-hole is connected with the channel of the labyrinth sealing structure. And the bearing providing position is filled with a lubricating grease which is a total synthesis grease of polyurea that is mainly composed of a base oil and contains a nanometer anti-wear additive.
US09051970B2
A rotor bearing comprising at least one support disc pair, which is comprised of two support discs (40, 41, 42, 43), which are arranged in such a way that they form a wedge gap, and a spinning rotor (3) with a rotor shaft (4), which is mounted in the wedge gap. The invention is to provide a support disc bearing that is easy to produce. For this purpose, a rolling bearing (45) is arranged in the base body (44) of the support discs (40, 41, 42, 43) and the rolling bearings (45) are in each case applied on a fixed bearing bolt (50, 51, 52, 53). The invention furthermore relates to the support disc (40, 41, 42, 43) and a method for producing the support disc (40, 41, 42, 43).
US09051968B2
A bearing isolator assembly comprises an inner support member, an outer support member, a resilient member, an elastomeric ring, and a support cap disposed over a bearing surface defined by the inner support member or the outer support member. A path of travel is defined between the inner support member and the outer support member. The resilient member is disposed between the inner support member and the outer support member and is configured to resist compression between the inner support member and the outer support member within a first portion of the path of travel. The outer support member defines a ring envelope, in which the elastomeric ring is disposed. The inner support member defines a ring compression surface, and the elastomeric ring is configured to resist compression between the ring compression surface of the inner support member and the ring compression surface of the outer support member within a second portion of the path of travel.
US09051946B2
A method for connecting at least a first component and a second component together, wherein each said component comprises at least one keyway arrangement extending along the component and keyways of the keyway arrangement are spaced apart from one another. The method comprises the steps of: aligning the keyway arrangements of the first and second components such that the keyways intermesh to provide a continuous keyway passage extending longitudinally between the intermeshed keyways; and, extending a keyway connector comprising an arrangement of keys longitudinally within the continuous keyway passage such that the keys are retained by the keyways of the keyway arrangements. In the slip flange assembly 1001 embodiment shown, the first and second components are each in the form of a pipe (1002, 1003) or tube, the keyway arrangements are in the form of collars (1004, 1008) that extend around abutting ends of said pipes (1002, 1003) or tubes, and the keyway connector (1015) is annular.
US09051940B2
In a pump arrangement, each adjusting screw has first and second end portions, a third intermediate raised portion, and a fourth portion to allow each adjusting screw to be rotated clockwise/counterclockwise. Each first end portion passes through a suction liner aperture so left-handed threads couple to a respective left-handed seal ring aperture. Each second portion passes through a suction half casing aperture so the fourth portion can be accessed to allow clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of each adjusting screw. Each adjusting screw rotates clockwise and moves until the third portion pushes against the suction half casing, so the screw stops moving and the seal ring moves away from the suction liner as the screw is rotated clockwise, or rotates counterclockwise and moves until the third portion pushes against the suction liner, so the screw stops moving and the seal ring moves towards the suction liner as the screw is rotated counterclockwise.
US09051939B2
A recirculation fan includes a casing, a covering member, and a fan assembly. The casing has a base. The covering member is coupled with the casing to define an accommodation space. The fan assembly is disposed within the accommodation space, and includes a first impeller, a second impeller, a motor, and a plurality of magnetic elements. The second impeller is located beside the first impeller. The motor is fixed on the base of the casing and connected with the first impeller for driving rotation of the first impeller. The magnetic elements are arranged between the first impeller and the second impeller. A wind force generated by the first impeller and a magnetic torque resulted from a magnetic vortex of the magnetic elements cause contactless rotation of the second impeller.
US09051937B2
A refrigerant compressor comprises an electric element; a compression element; and a sealed container; wherein the compression element includes: a crankpin; a piston pin; and a connecting rod having a large hole portion into which the crankpin is inserted, a small hole portion in which the piston pin is rotatably disposed, and a coupling rod portion; wherein an oil guide hole is provided in the coupling rod portion of the connecting rod such that the large hole portion and the small hole portion are communicated with each other via the oil guide hole; a circular first groove is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the piston pin such that the first groove communicates with the oil guide hole; and a second groove extending in a center axis direction of the piston pin is provided in a first region of the small hole portion of the connecting rod.
US09051927B2
A water pump includes a base, a cam, a joint, and a piston. The base includes a PTO-attachment portion, a cam-attachment portion, a first contact surface, and a second contact surface. The cam includes a central opening, a first cam contact surface, and a second cam contact surface, wherein the cam-attachment portion of the base extends into the central opening. The joint pivotally couples the cam to the cam-attachment portion of the base. In a first operating position of the cam, the first contact surface engages the first cam contact surface so that the cam is positioned at a first angle relative to the axis of PTO rotation. In a second operating position of the cam, the second contact surface engages the second cam contact surface so that the cam is positioned at a second angle, greater than the first angle, relative to the axis of PTO rotation.
US09051923B2
A design of a dual energy solar thermal power plant is proposed. It can be built on a piece of land where sunshine is abundant and the moisture in the air is relatively low. The desert corridor starting at Las Vegas and to the south is the best in the whole U.S. The power plant design is simple, using the equipment and material commonly available at reasonable costs. No particularly complicated equipment and material are required. The optimized plant size will be one MVA up to 300 MVA depending on the available land size in acres. The transmission line voltage can be from 13.8 kV up to 230 kV, depending on the MVA capacity. The land for a plant can be up to 600 acres.
US09051919B2
A method of retrofitting flow-altering devices to an outer surface of a wind turbine blade is disclosed. The flow-guiding devices are of the type having a base comprising an inner side for attaching onto the surface of the wind turbine blade, and an outer side with protruding flow-altering device parts. The method comprises the steps of: a) inserting the protruding flow-altering device parts into a mounting plate so that the inner side of the flow-guiding devices are exposed from a first side of the mounting plate, b) adhering the inner side of the flow-altering devices to the surface of the wind turbine blade by applying the first side of the mounting plate onto an area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade, and c) removing the mounting plate from area of application on the surface of the wind turbine blade.
US09051918B1
A wind power harvesting system includes a turbine having a bottom disk and a top disk and a first and a second panel of collapsible material each attached at a first end thereof to the bottom disk and at a second end thereof to the top disk. The combination of attached panels of material results in the formation of a Savonius shape that rotates in response to the force of the wind. A non-cogging generator is attached to the turbine to produce power therefrom.
US09051907B2
In an upright state where a vehicle is supported by a main stand, or and a tilted state where the vehicle is supported by a side stand, an inflow port of a fuel filter unit is located at a position higher than an outflow port. The fuel filter unit and the upstream side filter pipe are installed in the vehicle so that the upstream side filter pipe is arranged at a higher position as it goes toward the upstream side.
US09051902B2
A mixer, for use with an internal combustion engine, for mixing EGR gas from an EGR loop with fresh air from the engine's fresh air intake. The mixer has an outer shell having the general shape of a thin-shelled hollow cylinder with a side entry port. One end of the cylinder provides a straight entry port and the other end of the cylinder provides a straight exit port. An inner sleeve fits inside the outer shell such that a space is provided between the inner sleeve and the outer shell, and a passageway is formed inside the inner sleeve through the length of the mixer. The inner sleeve has a series of flow ribs extending from its outer surface within the space, and has entry holes for providing fluid communication from the space into the passageway.
US09051901B2
Various systems and methods are described for an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, controlling an amount of EGR according to a minimum of a first EGR amount corresponding to a temperature of a first location and a second EGR amount corresponding to a condensate formation of a second location.
US09051900B2
A radial-mixing exhaust gas recirculation mixer is disclosed having an air supply passage having a convergent portion. An exhaust gas recirculation passage within the convergent portion includes a nozzle having a terminal end. A mixing tube is arranged downstream from the air supply passage and at least a portion of the exhaust gas recirculation passage. A mixing element is disposed in the mixing tube. In one example, a divergent portion is arranged downstream adjoining the mixing tube to increase the pressure of the mixture after the mixing tube. In one example, the exhaust gas recirculation mixer is arranged within an engine such that the air supply passage is in fluid communication with an intake manifold. The exhaust gas recirculation passage is in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold to recirculate a portion of exhaust gas to the intake manifold.
US09051898B2
The invention relates to a thrust reversal device comprising at least one cowl arranged in such a way that it can be moved between a closed position and an open position, said cowl being actuated by at least one actuator that can be driven by at least one electric engine. The invention is characterized in that at least one electric engine is connected to at least two separate power supplies (7a, 7b).
US09051877B2
A turbofan engine according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes a gas generator section for generating a gas stream flow with higher energy per unit mass flow than that contained in ambient air, a power turbine converting the gas stream flow into shaft power, the power turbine rotating at a first relative rotational speed, a speed reduction device driven by the power turbine, and a propulsor section including a fan driven by the power turbine through the speed reduction device at a second speed lower than the first speed for generating propulsive thrust as a mass flow rate of air through a bypass flow path, wherein an Engine Unit Thrust Parameter (“EUTP”) defined as net engine thrust divided by a product of the mass flow rate of air through the bypass flow path, a tip diameter of the fan and the first relative rotational speed of the power turbine is less than about 0.15 at a take-off condition.
US09051873B2
A metallic-ceramic joint for a turbo-compressor spool is disclosed. A temperature-limited joint is moved from outside the bearings to between the bearings and near the center of the shaft joining the turbine and compressor. This placement can lower the temperature at and around the joint and reduces the sharp gradient (and associated thermal stress) naturally occurring between the turbine rotor and the cooler joint. The bearing closest to the compressor can be an oil bearing and the bearing closest to the turbine an air bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an oil bearing. The bearing closest to the compressor and the bearing closest to the turbine can both be an air bearing. Moving the metallic-ceramic joint between the bearings can provide sufficient isolation to enable the all-air bearing solution.
US09051861B2
A regeneration method (10) for regenerating an adsorber (19), connected downstream of an internal combustion engine (13), of a motor vehicle (11) with a hybrid drive train is described. The internal combustion engine (13) is operated in a phase of rich combustion for regeneration of the adsorber (19). According to the description, an engine load (30) and/or an engine rotational speed (31) of the internal combustion engine (13) for the rich combustion is influenced by means of an electric machine (14) which can be coupled mechanically to the internal combustion engine (13).
US09051856B2
An oil-pressure supply device includes an oil-pressure control portion, a first filtration portion which traps foreign materials in oil before a mechanical pump, a second filtration portion which traps foreign materials in oil before an electric pump, a first branch passage provided between the mechanical pump and the first filtration portion, a second branch passage provided between the electric pump and the second filtration portion, a third branch passage provided between a discharge port of the electric pump and the oil-pressure control portion, a fourth branch passage through which surplus oil is discharged, a switching portion set at a first position where the first branch passage is connected to the third branch passage when the first filtration portion is recovered, or set at a second position where the second branch passage is connected to the fourth branch passage when the second filtration portion is recovered.
US09051844B2
A heat resistant super alloy suffices the following conditions: carbon0.01-0.2percent in weight chromium8-10percent in weight aluminum4-6percent in weight titanium2-4percent in weight molybdenum1.5-2.8percent in weight tungsten10-13.5percent in weight niobium1.5-2.5percent in weight boron0 < B ≦ 0.04percent in weight zircon0 < Zr ≦ 0.15percent in weight the contents of hafnium and lanthanum together amounts to 0 < Hf + La ≦ 1.5 percent in weight, optionally traces of tantalum, the remainder being nickel. Such an alloy is preferably used for turbine wheels and particularly for turbochargers.
US09051843B2
A turbine blade includes an airfoil portion including a suction side having a suction side contour, a pressure side having a pressure side contour, a leading edge, a trailing edge and a tip portion, and a squeeler pocket formed in the tip portion. The squeeler pocket includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first side wall includes a first internal surface having a first substantially continuous curvilinear profile and the second side wall includes a second internal surface having a second substantially continuous curvilinear profile. A bleed passage extends from the squeeler pocket towards the trailing edge. The first and second side walls are configured to deliver a substantially unobstructed fluid flow from the squeeler pocket to the bleed passage and limit the fluid flow spillage onto one of the pressure side and the suction side.
US09051840B2
The invention relates to wall of a turbo machine having a cascade of blades. The wall includes: a first platform facing a first passage between blades in the cascade of blades; and a second platform facing a second passage between adjacent cascade of blades on an upstream side and cascade of blades on a downstream side, and having a circumferential outline having a distribution of radial positions. According to the invention, loss due to disturbance of flow through the gap of axially adjacent walls can be reduced.
US09051837B2
An impeller is provided. The impeller includes a hub, a plurality of upper blades, and a plurality of lower blades. The hub has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper blades are disposed around the hub and connect to the upper surface. The lower blades are disposed around the hub and connect to the lower surface. The upper and lower blades are alternately disposed and outwardly extend from the hub.
US09051835B2
A compressor assembly includes a housing that is annular and surrounds a longitudinal central axis. The compressor also has a compressor housed in the housing, a terminal box, and a first stud coupling the terminal box with the housing. The first stud defines a first central axis. A second stud also couples the terminal box with the housing. The second stud defines a second central axis. Both the first and second central axes extend through the housing on the same side of the longitudinal central axis of the housing.
US09051830B2
A downhole hydraulic control system includes a hydraulic control module positioned in a well. First and second hydraulically controlled devices are positioned in the well. The first hydraulically controlled device has a first actuator and the second hydraulically controlled device has a second actuator. First and second hydraulic control lines extend uphole of the hydraulic control module in the well. In a first configuration of the hydraulic control module, pressure variations in the first and second hydraulic control lines are operable to independently shift the first and second actuators in respective first directions. In a second configuration of the hydraulic control module, pressure variations in the first and second hydraulic control lines are operable to shift the first and second actuators in respective second directions.
US09051825B2
In visualizing flow in subsurface reservoirs, a system partitions flow information according to source-sink pairs and streamlines in a reservoir. The system displays dynamic streamline flow indicators and flow animations, such as 3D pie charts, to dynamically show flow contributions and properties at each well. A pie chart displayed at a producer well may have pie wedges that dynamically update to show the percentage of fluid being received via streamlines from each of multiple injectors. Highlighting the chart highlights all wells contributing to the output. Radial sections of each pie wedge may be further mapped to show the flow rate of components, such as oil, water, and gas phases in a streamline. Each chart may show many other properties and may be stacked across time steps. The system also displays streamline properties with animations, which demonstrate flow velocity and model properties, such as phase components, rates, volumes, etc., through color and size codes.
US09051822B2
Measuring a parameter characteristic of a formation in an oil well with a device configured to generate a sensing field within a volume of the formation and cause a flow through the volume in the presence of the sensing field. The device also comprises sensors responsive to changes in the volume, which indicate existent amounts of fluid, such as hydrocarbon and water saturations and irreducible hydrocarbon and water saturations. Measurements may be made before the flow affects the measuring volume and after onset of the flow through the measuring volume.
US09051820B2
The present invention provides system, method and apparatus for creating an electric glow discharge that includes a first and second electrically conductive screens having substantially equidistant a gap between them, one or more insulators attached to the electrically conductive screens, and a non-conductive granular material disposed within the gap. The electric glow discharge is created whenever: (a) the first electrically conductive screen is connected to an electrical power source such that it is a cathode, the second electrically conductive screen is connected to the electrical power supply such that it is an anode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced into the gap, or (b) both electrically conductive screens are connected to the electrical power supply such they are the cathode, and the electrically conductive fluid is introduced between both electrically conductive screens and an external anode connected to the electrical power supply.
US09051811B2
A completion system including a barrier valve operatively arranged in a tubing string to selectively impede fluid flow through a lower completion. At least one control line is included for supplying a control line pressure for controlling operation of the barrier valve. The at least one control line is operatively arranged with the tubing string for enabling tubing pressure in the tubing string to determine the control line pressure. A method of operating a barrier valve is also included.
US09051802B2
The present invention relates to a downhole driving unit (11) for insertion into a well, comprising a driving unit housing (51), a hydraulic motor (23) comprising a hydraulic motor housing (93), a wheel assembly (90) comprising a stationary part (91) and a rotational part (92), the stationary part being connected with the driving unit housing and being rotatably connected with a rotational part, the wheel assembly comprising a wheel ring (99) for contacting an inner wall in the well and connected with or forming part of the rotations part. The wheel assembly further comprises the hydraulic motor (23) so that the stationary part and the rotational part constitute the hydraulic motor housing, the hydraulic motor comprising a rotatable section (84) connected with the rotational part for rotating part of the wheel assembly. Furthermore, the wheel assembly comprises a planetary gearing system (95) comprised in the hydraulic motor housing and the hydraulic motor comprises a rotatable section driving the wheel ring through the planetary gearing system. The invention furthermore relates to a downhole system comprising the driving unit and to use of such driving unit.
US09051801B1
A dual modality container for transporting either frac sand and proppant or frac liquids for temporary storage and delivery to a well site for fracking operations. In a first modality, a plurality of inlet ports disposed atop the container roof receives frac sand from a frac sand supply source into a funnel-hopper. In a second modality, frac liquid is received at the well site and stored in bilateral bladders within a central chamber. An in situ elongated longitudinal linear valve disposed within the hopper effectuates industry standard pressurized discharge of stored frac sand or discharge of frac liquid.
US09051800B2
A core holder comprises a plurality of fluid flow lines, a housing, a core sleeve disposed within the housing, an end cap coupled to a first end of the core sleeve and a first end of the housing, and an injector assembly disposed within the housing and coupled to a second end of the core sleeve. The injector assembly comprises a plurality of fluid passages coupled to the plurality of fluid flow lines, and a chamber in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid passages and an interior of the sleeve.
US09051791B2
The present invention is a tubing centralizer for use within casing within a wellbore. The tubing centralizer has a tubing centralizer cage comprising a top ring, a middle ring, and a bottom ring and a plurality of springs, where each spring connects the top ring to the middle ring and the middle ring to the bottom ring and where each spring has a double arcuate shape such that the springs arc radially outward between the top ring and the middle ring and again between the middle ring and the bottom ring. The springs may be sized such that they exert outward pressure against the inside wall of the casing such that the tubing centralizer resists movement along the casing. The tubing centralizer may further comprise a tubing centralizer mandrel, where the tubing centralizer mandrel is part of the tubing string and extends through the tubing centralizer cage.
US09051789B2
Composite tubular casing with hardened material between thin pipe-in-pipe increasing the bending capability of the casing wall delivers high collapse resistance. Solid Expandable technology allows substantial wellbore slimming at the expense of collapse resistance. By combining both technologies, cost effective high collapse resistance wellbore construction can be achieved.
US09051787B2
Devices and methods are described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a conduit to a port. A quick connect coupling is described for quickly connecting and disconnecting a cement supply conduit to the port of a top drive cement swivel.
US09051784B2
An apparatus for tensioning a marine riser comprising a support for a number of actuators, where the support is connected to a vessel's structure, and where each actuator is connected to the support and to a marine riser, and where elements of the riser tensioner apparatus are enclosed.
US09051778B2
A member is adapted to be used for forming at least one assembly opening in a first lineal, wherein the member provides a template for locating the at least one assembly opening. The members further adapted to be used to connect the first lineal to a second lineal using the member and the at least one assembly opening.
US09051773B2
A rollo assembly comprises a rollo screen with opposite longitudinal ends and opposite transverse ends, a winding shaft for winding and unwinding the rollo screen at one of said longitudinal ends, a pull beam connected to the other one of said longitudinal ends and two longitudinal guides for cooperation with the transverse ends of the rollo screen and for guiding the pull beam. At least one support member for the rollo screen extends underneath the rollo screen between two opposite longitudinal support member guides. The support member moves in said longitudinal direction along the support member guides when the rollo screen moves between its fully wound position and a partially wound off position, and is kept stationary in an end position when the rollo screen moves between its partially wound off position and its fully wound off position.
US09051752B1
A memorial structure includes a base, sidewalls, a rear wall and a top wall defining one or more compartments having an open front end. One or more divider walls may be incorporated between the left and right sidewalls to form multi-compartment configurations. Removable door panels cover the open ends of the compartments. The memorial structure includes a lock mechanism for each compartment keyed or coded to be locked or unlocked with a unique key that is not useable with any other lock.
US09051751B2
A portable wind screen is presented where the wind screen is composed of a collapsible metal frame with extendable legs and a fabric or plastic screen connected to said frame with Velcro® fasteners. The frame is fully collapsible and easily stored ion a bag or small box.
US09051749B2
A method of erecting a cold box that includes the steps of anchoring at least one column to a foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; anchoring a pipe rack module to the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation, wherein the pipe rack module is in close proximity to the at least one column; attaching interconnecting piping between the pipe rack module and the at least one column; anchoring at least four corner beams to the edge of the foundation in a substantially vertical orientation; attaching prefabricated panels with bracing to the corner beams, to form an enclosure around the column and piping; and attaching a roof to the enclose is provided.
US09051748B2
A portable container is provided which comprises a passing room(s) allowing entry into a second area into a first area, the passing room having at least two openings with a walkway in-between. Barrier device(s) can be located in the walkway but not connected to the first or second opening. A control room(s) can also be provided, the control room being connected to the passing room(s).
US09051743B1
The present invention is directed generally to building tools that are high quality, durable, and in some case lightweight and may include an output port assembly coupled to a mastic applicator container or housing. The output port assembly may have multiple sections that may be made separately and uniquely so as reduce tool weight, corrosion, and cost without degrading strength and durability. The output port assembly may be made bi-material and of different portions made by different processes. The bi-material may include, for example, a metal cone and a plastic mounting coupling portion. The output port assembly may be coupled to a mastic applicator housing or container, and sealed thereto using a preformed seal or a preformed geometric seal.
US09051740B1
A wall panel arrangement is designed for use in retrofitting a wall panel system provided with at least one pair of frame members having inwardly facing flat walls for retaining at least one existing glass panel therebetween. The wall panel arrangement includes an add-on glass wall panel and panel mounting structure configured with at least one receiving strip constructed with a planar body having an outer surface secured to one of the inwardly facing flat walls of the frame members in spaced relationship to the existing glass panel. The body also has an inner surface provided at opposite edges thereof with a pair of flexible resilient wall panel retaining elements extending therefrom and converging towards each other to define spaced apart retainer ends which are frictionally engageable with the opposed faces of the glass wall panel adjacent one of the opposed sidewalls thereof.
US09051737B2
A method for distributing granules may include transporting a hopper along a roof while releasing granules through a valve of the hopper, thereby depositing a line of granules on the roof. Another method for distributing granules may include adjusting a valve of a container mounted on a cart, depositing a predetermined width of the granules though the valve onto the roof while driving the cart along a roof, and covering a seam between adjacent sheets of roofing material with the granules. A device for depositing granules on a roof may include a hopper, and a valve, where granules stored in the hopper flow directly through the valve to the roof in response to gravity when the valve is at least partially opened, and where the flow of the granules is not assisted by an agitator, an auger, or air pressure.
US09051731B2
A door structure is provided having two outer dampening layers, each outer dampening layer having a base surface and a damping surface, and an inner compartmentalized layer adjacent to the damping surfaces of the two outer dampening layers, the inner compartmentalized layer includes at least two compartments, wherein the damping surfaces of the two outer dampening layers are substantially unconstrained relative to the inner compartmentalized layer such that the damping surfaces are deformable.
US09051726B2
A fastener including a chisel point that pre-bores a hole in a work piece to prevent damage to the work piece as the fastener advances. The fastener can include a head, a shaft and a chisel brake point formed at an end of the shaft. The chisel brake point can include first and second opposing inclined surfaces disposed at an angle of about 80° to about 150° relative to one another. A thread can begin adjacent the chisel brake point and form an extension of an inclined surface and/or a chisel edge. The chisel brake point can scrape material from a work piece while pre-boring a hole. The material can be transferred to the thread, and subsequently fed up the thread, out of the pre-bored hole. The chisel brake point can also selectively retard advancement of the fastener into the work piece. Methods of installing the fastener also are provided.
US09051721B2
An improved drain unclogging device of the type having a drain bladder for sealing in the drain and a water source interface in fluid communication with the drain bladder and fluidly interfacing with a water source to provide high pressure water to and exit from the drain bladder to unclog the drain. The improvement includes a sliding bladder restrictor that is movable over the drain bladder and restricts a portion of the drain bladder that remains outside the drain to prevent distortion of that portion of the drain bladder that would reduce pressure of the high pressure water that is exiting the drain bladder and unclogging the drain.
US09051711B2
An apparatus and method are provided for operating a motor grader having steerable front wheels and a front and rear frame pivotally connected at an articulation joint. The method includes selecting an automatic articulation mode, and commanding front wheel steering to turn the motor grader, providing a plurality of front wheel steering corrections to an electronic controller, filtering the plurality of front wheel steering corrections using a method for filtering steering corrections based on the constant curve mode, wherein the method generates filtered front wheel steering corrections, and automatically commanding articulation of the front frame relative to the rear frame about the articulation joint in response to the filtered front wheel steering corrections.
US09051708B2
A tower foundation (10) has a base slab (11), pillar slabs (12), and a crown stab (13), all of which are made of precast concrete structures. The slabs are all retained in position by steel guide rods (15) that extend upwardly from the base slab. The guide rods have externally threaded ends (16) configured to receive internally threaded mounting nuts (17). The crown slab has guide rod mounting holes (22) through which the guide rods extend. The crown slab also has compression washer assemblies (25) which include a pressure plate (26) and anchor legs (27). The pressure washer has a central mounting hole (28) coaxially aligned with the crown slab guide rod mounting holes. The pressure washer has a top surface (29) which is flush with the crown slab top surface (30). The mounting nuts bear against the pressure washer and not against the concrete.
US09051705B1
A ground rod driving tool and method of use is presently disclosed. The ground tool comprises a longitudinally extending first component part having a sleeve extending from a first longitudinal end configured to receive a portion of a ground rod, a ground rod stop, and a male coupler extending from a second longitudinal end. A longitudinally extending second component part has a female coupler in a first longitudinal end thereof configured to closely receive an end portion of a ground rod. The first component part and the second component part are configured to couple and uncouple with each other, with the male and female couplers, and have their longitudinal axes aligned upon coupling. A method of driving a ground rod into the ground is also provided herein.
US09051700B2
A V-blade snowplow having both full moldboard trip and trip edge capabilities. The V-blade has first and second moldboards that not only can pivot against a restoring force of one or more trip springs extending intermediate a pivot frame and a push frame of the snowplow, but the moldboard of each wing of the V-plow has associated therewith a respective cutting edge hingedly secured along a base thereof, the cutting edge biased toward an untripped position in substantial alignment with the base of the moldboard by one or more trip edge springs. The maximum angle of deflection of the cutting edges is preferably about 40°, which is lower than the maximum angle of deflection of cutting edges of V-plows only exhibiting trip edge capability.
US09051698B1
Apparatus for absorbing energy when impacted by a vehicle includes a backstop structure, a track extending to the backstop structure, a plurality of collapsible tubes supported by spaced independently movable supports on the track, and stabilizer structure stabilizing the supports in three planes during movement of the supports on the track and collapse of the tubes.
US09051690B2
The present invention provides tissue products having a high degree of stretch and low modulus at relatively high tensile strengths, such as geometric mean tensile strengths greater than about 1500 g/3″ and more preferably greater than about 2000 g/3″. The combination of a tough, yet relatively supple sheet is preferably achieved by subjecting the embryonic web to a speed differential as it is passed from one fabric in the papermaking process to another, commonly referred to as rush transfer.
US09051688B2
The present invention concerns aqueous polymer compositions comprising a water soluble hydrophilic polymer with poly(ethylene oxide) content higher than 50% by weight and a polyacrylic thickener containing sulfonic groups. The aqueous polymer compositions of the invention are useful as deflocculants, rheology modifiers and water retention agents for paper coating compositions.
US09051679B2
A laundry machine is disclosed. The laundry machine includes a tub comprising a front surface part (112) having an opening formed in a center thereof to introduce laundry therein, a drum rotatably provided in the tub, the drum having an opening formed therein to load the laundry therein, and a gasket (200) provided between an inner surface of the front surface of the tub and a front end of the opening of the drum. The gasket (200) comprises a plurality of ribs (205a, 205b, 205c) arranged along a radial direction.
US09051677B2
A washing machine capable of reducing the manufacturing cost of a circulation device installed to circulate water and capable of preventing water from being scattered when spraying circulating water into a spin basket is described. A tub cover of the washing machine includes a guide part provided with a connector, which is integrated with the tub cover, connected with a circulation passage, and inclined upward toward the tub cover, and an inclined surface inclined toward the spin basket at an inner edge of the tub cover, thereby reducing the manufacturing of the circulation device and preventing water from being scattered. The washing machine includes a circulation drain port formed at a side surface of a tub and a filtering duct connected with the circulation drain port, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the circulation device.
US09051675B2
A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine has a function of rotating a drum (130) at a low speed when a user pulls out laundry, enabling the user to easily search through the laundry. The washing machine includes a cabinet (100) defining an exterior appearance of the washing machine, a tub (120) mounted in the cabinet (100) and configured to receive wash water therein, a drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120) and configured to receive laundry therein, an independent drive input unit (200) to send a drum rotating signal, so as to allow a user to operate the drum (130) independently of a washing process, and a control unit to control rotation of the drum (130) in response to a signal received from the independent drive input unit (200).
US09051663B2
A manufacturing method of a SiC single crystal includes a first growth process and a re-growth process. In the first growth process, a first seed crystal made of SiC is used to grow a first SiC single crystal. In the re-growth process, a plurality of growth steps is performed for (n−1) times. In a k-th growth step, a k-th seed crystal is cut out from a grown (k−1)-th SiC single crystal, and the k-th seed crystal is used to grow a k-th SiC single crystal (n≧2 and 2≦k≦n). When an offset angle of a growth surface of the k-th seed crystal is defined as θk, at least in one of the plurality of growth steps, the offset angle θk is smaller than the offset angle θk-1.
US09051661B2
Silicon single crystals having suppressed deformation and dislocations and the successful omission of the tail section are produced by growing the straight-body section of the silicon single crystal under the influence of a horizontal magnetic field with a magnetic flux density at its magnetic center being ≧1000 Gauss, and ≦2000 Gauss, reducing the lifting speed of the silicon single crystal relative to the surface of the melt to 0 mm/minute, maintaining a static state until there is a decrease in the apparent weight of the silicon single crystal, then further maintaining the static state so that the entire growth front of the silicon single crystal forms a convex shape protruding in a direction opposite to the lifting direction of the silicon single crystal, and separating the silicon single crystal from the melt.
US09051655B2
Embodiments described herein generally provide a method for performing a semiconductor precleaning process. More specifically, embodiments provided herein relate to boron ionization for aluminum oxide etch enhancement. A process for removing native oxide from aluminum may utilize ionized boron alone or in combination with a halogen plasma. The ionized boron may provide improved aluminum oxide etching properties while being highly selective for native oxides more generally.
US09051651B2
A load bearing member (22) useful in an elevator system (10) includes at least one elongated tension member (36), a conversion coating (46) on the elongated tension member (36), and a polymer jacket (34) at least partially surrounding the coated elongated tension member (36). In one example, the conversion coating (46) includes at least one of an oxide, a phosphate, or a chromate.
US09051650B2
In-line metalizer assemblies can include an external rotating actuator exchange that can be operable to exchange one or more parts between a conveyor system and a vacuum chamber, and an internal rotating actuator exchange within the vacuum chamber that can be operable to receive the one or more parts from the external rotating actuator exchange, transition the one or more parts to a sputter coater integrated with the vacuum chamber for metallizing, and return metalized one or more parts to the external rotating actuator exchange such that the external rotating actuator exchange can return the metalized one or more parts to the conveyor system.
US09051647B2
A tunable multi-zone injection system for a plasma processing system for plasma processing of substrates such as semiconductor wafers. The system includes a plasma processing chamber, a substrate support for supporting a substrate within the processing chamber, a dielectric member having an interior surface facing the substrate support, the dielectric member forming a wall of the processing chamber, a gas injector fixed to part of or removably mounted in an opening in the dielectric window, the gas injector including a plurality of gas outlets supplying process gas at adjustable flow rates to multiple zones of the chamber, and an RF energy source such as a planar or non-planar spiral coil which inductively couples RF energy through the dielectric member and into the chamber to energize the process gas into a plasma state. The injector can include an on-axis outlet supplying process gas at a first flow rate to a central zone and off-axis outlets supplying the same process gas at a second flow rate to an annular zone surrounding the central zone. The arrangement permits modification of gas delivery to meet the needs of a particular processing regime by allowing independent adjustment of the gas flow to multiple zones in the chamber. In addition, compared to consumable showerhead arrangements, a removably mounted gas injector can be replaced more easily and economically.
US09051646B2
A sputtering target is provided which ensures the production of unvaryingly homogenous layers of the sputtering material during the lifespan of the sputtering target. The sputtering target includes a mixture of oxides of indium, zinc, and gallium, the mixture containing at least one ternary mixed oxide of indium, zinc, and gallium and at least one amorphous phase. The portion of ternary mixed oxides of indium, zinc, and gallium is at least 50 weight percent, relative to the total weight of the mixture, and the portion of amorphous phase is at least 20 weight percent, relative to the total weight of the mixture.
US09051642B2
A coating process for coating at least one side of a running substrate, by vacuum evaporation, with a layer of a sublimable metal or metal alloy, in which said metal or metal alloy is positioned so as to face said side of the substrate in the form of at least two ingots placed in contact with one another, that surface of said ingots facing said side of the substrate being kept parallel to the substrate and at a constant distance from the latter during coating, and also to a coating plant for implementing the process and to a feeder for supply.
US09051641B2
Embodiments of the invention provide processes for depositing a cobalt layer on a barrier layer and subsequently depositing a conductive material, such as copper or a copper alloy, thereon. In one embodiment, a method for depositing materials on a substrate surface is provided which includes forming a barrier layer on a substrate, exposing the substrate to dicobalt hexacarbonyl butylacetylene (CCTBA) and hydrogen to form a cobalt layer on the barrier layer during a vapor deposition process (e.g., CVD or ALD), and depositing a conductive material over the cobalt layer. In some examples, the barrier layer and/or the cobalt layer may be exposed to a gas or a reagent during a treatment process, such as a thermal process, an in situ plasma process, or a remote plasma process.
US09051637B2
Embodiments relate to a structure for securing a shadow mask and a susceptor where the top surface of the shadow mask mounted with the susceptor is flush with the top surface of the susceptor. When the susceptor is mounted with the shadow mask, the entire top surface of the susceptor and the shadow mask is substantially coplanar. A substrate onto which material is deposited is placed below the shadow mask. The susceptor moves below reactors for injecting materials or radicals. Since the entire top surface of the susceptor is substantially flat, the vertical distance between the reactors and the susceptor can be reduced, contributing to the overall quality of the layer formed on the substrate and reducing the materials wasted by leaking outside the gap between the susceptor and the reactors.
US09051636B2
An organic layer deposition apparatus including a deposition source for discharging a deposition material; a deposition source nozzle unit arranged at a side of the deposition source and including a plurality of deposition source nozzles; a patterning slit sheet arranged opposite to the deposition source nozzle unit and including a plurality of patterning slits; an electrostatic chuck, a substrate being attachable to and detachable from the electrostatic chuck; chuck moving members combined with the electrostatic chuck and configured to move the electrostatic chuck; and guide members to guide movement of the chuck moving members, the chuck moving members including first magnetic force generators, and the guide members including second magnetic force generators corresponding to the first magnetic force generators, the chuck moving members movable on the guide members by magnetic forces generated by the first magnetic force generators and the second magnetic force generators.
US09051632B2
A brake is disclosed which includes a disc plate is made of a first material, and an insert aperture is formed through the central portion of the disc plate. Coupling depressions are formed around the inner edge of the insert aperture, and a rivet aperture is formed in each of protrusion portions provided between the coupling depressions. A hat part is made of a second material and is inserted into the insert aperture. Coupling protrusions are provided around the outer edge of the hat part. A rivet aperture is formed in each of the coupling protrusions. Straps are disposed such that each strap passes over both the corresponding rivet aperture of the disc plate and the corresponding rivet aperture of the hat part. The rivets are inserted into the corresponding straps and the corresponding rivet apertures to fix the straps, the disc plate and the hat part together.
US09051627B2
A process for producing sodium bicarbonate from a sodium carbonate bearing stream (A) comprising at least 2% sodium chloride and/or sodium sulfate by weight, a part of such stream (A) being generated by a sodium carbonate crystallizer, comprising: a) mixing the stream (A) with part of a stream (B) to produce a stream (C); b) bicarbonating the stream (C) with a gas (D) comprising CO2 to produce an aqueous suspension (E) containing crystals (F) comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals; c) separating the aqueous suspension (E) to obtain crystals (F) comprising sodium bicarbonate crystals and an aqueous mother liquor (G); d) partly debicarbonating such liquor (G) and removing part of the water to obtain the stream (B) and an optional gas (H); e) recycling at least part of the stream (B) to step a); and f) removing the remainder of the stream (B) or part of the aqueous mother liquor (G) to be further processed.
US09051625B2
The present disclosure is directed to a process for recovering a precious metal from a pregnant leach solution using a resin extractant. The precious metal is eluted from the loaded resin using an eluant comprising trithionate. The barren resin is contacted with a sulfide, bisulfide, and/or polysulfide to convert sorbed trithionate to thiosulfate. The desorbed thiosulfate is contacted with an oxidant and converted to trithionate for eluant recycle.
US09051620B2
The present invention relates to an angiogenic composition, and more particularly, to a pharmaceutical angiogenic composition including a microRNA-382 activator. The inventors of the present invention have confirmed that microRNA-382, the expression of which is elevated in stomach cancer cells in a low oxygen environment, affects the promotion of angiogenesis. Therefore, provided in the present invention is the pharmaceutical angiogenic composition which includes the microRNA-382 activator, which is angiogenic and thus promotes cell proliferation, and can be valuably used in treating injuries, ischemic myocardial infarctions, or foot ischemia.
US09051617B2
Correlations between polymorphisms and breast cancer are provided. Methods of diagnosing, prognosing, and treating breast cancer are provided. Systems and kits for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of breast cancer are provided. Methods of identifying breast cancer modulators are also described.
US09051613B2
The present invention provides a novel method for identifying an olfactory receptor included in one olfactory cell. In the present invention, amplified is the cDNA derived from the mRNA of the one olfactory cell by a PCR method using a forward primer represented by SEQ ID: 01 and a reverse primer represented by SEQ ID: 02. Subsequently, determined is whether or not a gene sequence of the amplified cDNA corresponds with one gene sequence included in gene sequences coding for olfactory receptors included in the mouse olfactory receptor group A. Finally, determined is that the olfactory receptor included in the one olfactory cell is the olfactory receptor which corresponds to the one gene sequence which corresponds with the gene sequence of the cDNA in the previous step, if the gene sequence of the cDNA corresponds with the one gene sequence in the previous step.
US09051594B2
Microorganisms, particularly bacteria, are identified and characterized on the basis of a mass spectrometric measurement of their protein profiles with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption. In order to measure the microbial resistance to antibiotics, the protein profiles of microorganisms are measured after cultivation for a short time duration in nutrient media containing the antibiotics.
US09051575B2
Provided are an alga in which productivity of a photosynthate is increased, and use of the alga. The alga of the present invention has an increased glutathione concentration in its chloroplast. A method of the present invention for producing biomass is a method for producing biomass with the use of the alga of the present invention or an alga produced by a method of the present invention for producing an alga.
US09051572B2
The present invention relates to the identification of new drug targets for therapy of disorders including cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to inhibition of the E3 ubiquitin ligase, Itch, as a means for treating disorders. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the regulation of p63 and p73 stability in cells. In particular, the invention relates to the modulation of the regulation of p63 and p73 stability in cells through modulation of the expression or activity of Itch. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of Itch as a target for the development of agents capable of modulating p63 or p73 stability and especially agents capable of modulating the interaction of Itch and pq63 or p73. Such agents may be useful in therapeutic applications including cancer treatment and modulation of skin differentiation.
US09051569B2
The present invention is intended to provide means of pest control which achieve marked pest control effect. The pest control effect is achieved by the incorporation of an inhibitor (IAP inhibitor) against inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) into the body of the target pest. The expression of the IAP is preferably inhibited by RNAi.
US09051568B2
The present invention relates to an alternative strategy for expressing the antisense sequence of a miRNA. This system allows for continuous production of the antisense sequence and subsequently complete knockdown of the targeted miRNA.
US09051556B2
The present invention provides, among other things, improved methods for purifying I2S protein produced recombinantly for enzyme replacement therapy. The present invention is, in part, based on the surprising discovery that recombinant I2S protein can be purified from unprocessed biological materials, such as, I2S-containing cell culture medium, using a process involving as few as four chromatography columns.
US09051548B2
Described herein are methods for enhancing engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using farnesyl compounds identified using a zebrafish model of hematopoietic cell engraftment. The compounds can be used to treat hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo prior to transplantation of the cells. Alternatively, the compounds can be administered to an individual undergoing cell transplantation.
US09051531B2
The invention relates to a compound of general formula I represented below: wherein: R1, R2 and R3 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or saturated or unsaturated, branched or non-branched C1 to C5 alkyl group; m is an integer between 1 and 4; n is an integer between 2 and 4; characterized in that the ring is saturated and comprises from 5 to 8 carbons, that the total number of carbons of the ring and of the radicals R1, R2 and R3 is between 7 and 11 and it being understood that said compound of formula (I) is not: 6-cycloheptylidenehexanal 4-(4-methylcyclohexylidene)-butanal 4-(4-tert-butylcyclohexylidene)-butanal 4-(3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylidene)-butanal as well as a method of synthesizing said compounds, and their uses in perfumery.
US09051529B2
A lubricant composition suitable for lubricating an internal combustion engine comprises: (a) an oil of lubricating viscosity having a viscosity index of at least 105 and a kinematic viscosity at 100 C of less than 7 mm2s-1; (b) 0.01 to 2 weight percent of a friction modifier represented by the structure [I]; (c) 0.5 to 4 weight percent of a poly(meth)acrylate viscosity modifier polymer; (d) 0 to 500 parts per million by weight of molybdenum in the form of an oil-soluble molybdenum compound; and (e) 0 to 200 parts per million by weight of boron in the form of an oil-soluble boron compound.
US09051528B2
Substantially homogenous compositions in accordance with the present disclosure can exist in various forms, such as bulk materials, coatings, films, laminates, inserts, or overlays, and include at least one polymer such as SU-8, at least one liquid lubricant, and optionally at least one nanomaterial that serves as an inorganic filler material. Such compositions exhibit enhanced tribological and mechanical properties compared to the at least one polymer in isolation, for instance, a 50% or greater coefficient of friction reduction, a 100% or greater wear life increase, a 10% or greater elastic modulus increase, and/or a 10% or greater hardness increase. The at least one nanomaterial can include a first nanomaterial providing increased hardness, and a second nanomaterial providing increased elastic modulus. Compositions in accordance with the present disclosure are suitable for biological and non-biological applications.
US09051525B2
Emissions of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from diesel engines may be reduced by blending a renewable hydrocarbon distillate with a base diesel fuel. The base diesel may be a fossil diesel fuel, a Fischer-Tropsch diesel fuel as well as a hydroprocessed biodiesel fuel or a combination thereof. The renewable hydrocarbon distillate is a fraction from hydrotreated bio-oil having a boiling point between from about 320° F. to about 700° F.
US09051523B2
A process and apparatus are provided for gasification of a carbonaceous material. The process produces a raw syngas that can be further processed in a tar destruction zone to provide a hot syngas. The process includes contacting said carbonaceous material with molecular oxygen-containing gas in a gasification zone to gasify a portion of said carbonaceous material and to produce a first gaseous product. A remaining portion of the carbonaceous material is contacted with molecular oxygen-containing gas in a burn-up zone to gasify additional portion of the carbonaceous material and to produce a second gaseous product and a solid ash. The first gaseous product and said second gaseous product are combined to produce a raw syngas that includes carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and tar. The raw syngas is contacted with molecular oxygen containing gas in a tar destruction zone to produce said hot syngas.
US09051512B2
Non-spherical particulates are useful in the stimulation of subterranean formations. A proppant pack composed of the non-spherical particulates exhibits greater porosity than a corresponding proppant pack composed of spherical particulates. In addition, the non-spherical particulates exhibit higher conductivity at higher stresses than spherical shaped particulates.
US09051508B2
Of the many compositions and methods provided herein, one method includes a method of preventing emulsification of crude oil into an aqueous-based treatment fluid, comprising: contacting crude oil in a well bore with the aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising a styrene-acrylate copolymer, wherein the crude oil has an API gravity of about 10 or greater; and allowing the styrene-acrylate copolymer to interact with the crude oil in the well bore.
US09051500B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene that may be useful as heat transfer compositions, aerosol propellants, foaming agents, blowing agents, solvents, cleaning agents, carrier fluids, displacement drying agents, buffing abrasion agents, polymerization media, expansion agents for polyolefins and polyurethane, gaseous dielectrics, extinguishing agents, and fire suppression agents in liquid or gaseous form. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to compositions comprising 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene, 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, or 2-chloro-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoropropane, which may be useful in processes to produce 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene.
US09051494B2
A sizing composition for insulating products based on mineral wool, in particular of glass or of rock, includes at least one saccharide, at least one organic polycarboxylic acid, at least one esterification catalyst, and at least one agent capable of reducing the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) chosen from sulphates, sulphamates and carbonates.
US09051490B2
Hollow silicone fine particles have high productivity, low breakability, a narrow particle size distribution and a volume average particle diameter equal to or lower than 1 μm. The hollow particles are made by removing organic macromolecular particles and/or an organic solvent away form inside core-shell particles produced by coating particles made from the organic macromolecular particles and/or the organic solvent with silicone compound that is made from one or more units selected from the group consisting of SiO4/2 unit, RSiO3/2 unit, and R2SiO2/2 unit (wherein R is C1-4 alkyl groups, C6-24 aromatic groups, a vinyl group, a γ-(meth)acryloxypropyl group or organic groups having an SH group(s)), the silicone compound containing R2SiO2/2 unit by 20 mole % or less.
US09051485B2
Provided is an inkjet ink which can form high-quality images with high abrasion resistance and adhesiveness on a non-absorptive recording medium and which exhibits high ejection properties and excellent storage stability. Also provided is an inkjet recording method. An inkjet ink which comprises water, a pigment, a water-soluble resin, a water-soluble or Panic solvent and a surfactant, characterized in that: the water-soluble resin comprises a water-soluble resin consisting of a copolymer resin which has an acid value of 50 to 130 mgKOH/g, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 30 to 100° C., and a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of 20,000 to 80,000, said copolymer resin being a resin which is synthesized from a monomer component that comprises methyl methacrylate, an alkyl acrylate or methacrylate, and an acid monomer and in which the total mass of methyl methacrylate and the alkyl acrylate or methacrylate is 80 to 95% relative to the total mass of all of the monomers constituting the copolymer resin; and the surfactant comprises a fluorochemical surfactant and a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.
US09051483B2
A carbon nanotube composition that exhibits an excellent printability when use is made for a printing device, especially, exhibits an excellent prevention of drying on the printing apparatus. A carbon nanotube ink composition comprises carbon nanotubes, a solvent, an imidazolidinone compound represented by chemical formula (1) and a propylene urea compound represented by chemical formula (2).
US09051476B2
A powder containing a polyoxymethylene polymer for coating metallic substrates is described. The polymeric particles are made from a polymeric composition containing a polyoxymethylene polymer having functional terminal groups. The polyoxymethylene polymer is blended with at least one functional additive. The functional additive can decrease the stiffness of the polyoxymethylene polymer, can decrease the shrinkage properties of the polyoxymethylene polymer and/or increase adhesion of the polymer to metal surfaces.
US09051472B2
There are provided an exfoliated graphite oxide derivative excellent in dispersibility in a thermoplastic resin, a resin composite material of the exfoliated graphite oxide derivative and a thermoplastic resin, and a process for producing the resin composite material. The exfoliated graphite oxide derivative is obtained by reacting an exfoliated graphite oxide having a C/O ratio as determined by elemental analysis of 8 or less with a compound having a specific structure.
US09051471B2
The present invention relates to a weather-resistant pearlescent pigment which consists of a platelet-shaped substrate coated with one or more highly refractive metal oxides, the platelet-shaped substrate being selected from the group consisting of synthetic mica flakes, glass flakes, SiO2 flakes, Al2O3 flakes, synthetic boehmite flakes, BiOCl flakes and mixtures thereof, and a top layer, wherein the top layer consists of the following layers: a) a cerium-containing layer, selected from the group consisting of cerium oxide, cerium hydroxide, hydrated cerium oxide, and mixtures thereof, the cerium-containing layer being applied directly to the highly refractive metal oxide layer, and b) an organic-chemical compatibilizing layer, which comprises the reaction products of oligomeric silanes, wherein the oligomeric silanes have one or more amino groups, the organic-chemical compatibilizing layer being applied directly to the cerium-containing layer a).
US09051470B2
A method for producing thin films, particularly for coating surfaces includes a) adding surface-active substances to flowable compositions comprising nanoscale inorganic particulate solids having polymerizable and/or polycondensable organic surface groups; b) forming one or more thin films stabilized by the accumulation of the surface-active substances at the interface(s), the forming of one or more thin films taking place through the generation of bubbles, foam, through the formation of minimal surfaces and/or through the wetting of surfaces; and c) solidifying the films by polymerization and/or polycondensation.
US09051464B2
A flame-retardant rubber composition for vulcanization, comprising an epichlorohydrin based rubber (A), red phosphorus (B), and a vulcanizing agent (C), in which the content of the red phosphorus (B) is from 3 to 20 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the epichlorohydrin based rubber (A).
US09051461B2
Fluoropolymer compositions that include multiple fluoropolymer components and, in exemplary applications, may be applied as coatings to either rigid or flexible substrates. The compositions may themselves be applied as basecoats or overcoats, or may be combined with other components to formulate basecoats or overcoats. In one embodiment, the compositions include at least one low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene (LPTFE) and at least two chemically different melt processible fluoropolymers (MPF). In another embodiment, the compositions include at least one high molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene (HPTFE), at least one low molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene (LPTFE), and at least two chemically different melt processible fluoropolymers (MPF). After being applied to a substrate, optionally over a basecoat and/or a midcoat and then cured, the present compositions form coatings that demonstrate improved characteristics, such as improved release characteristics, abrasion resistance, translucency/transparency, and permeability, for example.
US09051460B2
Disclosed herein is a polyamide-filled curable hydrocarbon elastomer compositions having enhanced heat aging performance where the presence of conventional filler, such as carbon black or silica, does not detract from desired heat stability properties. Also disclosed are polyamide-filled curable hydrocarbon elastomer compositions where the use of compatibilzer is optional, for polyamides having an inherent viscosity of greater than 0.88 dL/g.
US09051457B2
A precursor batch composition that can be used to make porous ceramic articles is provided. The batch composition includes a cellulose-based polymer and, in particular, a methylcellulose showing a specified micro-calorimetry thermal response fingerprint that correlates to an increased Tonset.
US09051442B2
The invention provides polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to closed-celled, polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams and methods for their preparation. The foams are characterized by a fine uniform cell structure and little or no foam collapse. The foams are produced with a polyol premix composition which comprises a combination of a hydrohaloolefin blowing agent, a polyol, a silicone surfactant, and a non-amine catalyst used alone or in combination with an amine catalyst.
US09051439B2
Micronized polymers suitable for use in fuels and lubricants having a particle size distribution of less than 30 microns obtained from water-soluble solid organic polymers is provided. A water-soluble solid organic polymer having a number average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 200,000 is subjected to a molecular segmentation in a polar solvent in a polymer to solvent ratio in the range of 1:1 to 1:10 to produce a micronized polymer having a particle size distribution of less than 30 microns.
US09051436B2
Hot melt adhesive compositions are disclosed containing the reaction product of a resin linear organosiloxane block copolymer and an organosilane capping agent containing hydrolyzable groups.
US09051435B2
A silanol condensation catalyst including at least the zirconium metal salt expressed by Formula (I) below (wherein n is an integer from 1 to 3; each R1 is a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 16 carbons; and each R2 is a hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 18 carbons. A heat-curable silicone resin composition for sealing optical semiconductors includes 100 parts by mass of a polysiloxane containing two or more silanol groups in the molecule; from 0.1 to 2,000 parts by mass of a silane compound containing two or more alkoxy groups that are bonded to a silicon atom in the molecule; and a zirconium metal salt expressed by Formula (I). A sealed optical semiconductor is formed by sealing a LED chip by applying the heat-curable silicone resin composition to the LED chip, heating the LED chip, and curing the heat-curable silicone resin composition.
US09051434B2
Branched organopolysiloxanes of low molecular weight contain bonded arylalkyl groups. Si—C bonded surfactant groups, preferably polyoxyalkylene polyether groups, and long chain alkyl groups, exhibit a high refractive index, are completely or partially self-emulsifying, and are compatible with a variety of cosmetically acceptable oils and solvents.
US09051426B2
Provided is a polymerizable composition of (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a β-epithiopropyl functional group; (b) optionally, a compound having two or more β-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups; (c) an isourea functional polymerization initiator; and (d) a catalyst for reaction between the β-epithiopropyl functional groups. Also provided is a method of reducing the yellowness index of a sulfur-containing polymerizate prepared by addition polymerization, the method including reacting in the presence of an isourea functional polymerization initiator and a catalyst for reaction between β-epithiopropyl functional groups, a polymerizable composition of: (a) a monomer composition including ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a β-epithiopropyl functional group; and, optionally, (b) a compound having two or more β-epithiopropyl functional groups but no polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups.
US09051415B2
Epoxy resin compositions contain (i) a potyepoxide resin; (ii) a benzofuran diol component, a benzofuran di-epoxide component, or a mixture thereof; and (iii) a curing agent, which upon curing, provides a cured resin exhibiting improved chemical and physical characteristics. The epoxy resin composition may also contain a toughening agent to further enhance the cured resin's physical characteristics.
US09051412B2
The present invention provides long chain, active polyether polyols which are characterized by a functionality of 2 to 6 and an equivalent weight of 1000 to 2200 Da. These long chain polyethers comprise the alkoxylation product of (1) a starter composition having an equivalent weight of 350 Da or less, with (2) one or more alkylene oxides, in which up to 20% of ethylene oxide may be added as a cap, in the presence of (3) at least one basic catalyst. Suitable starter compositions (1) comprise the alkoxylation product of (a) a low molecular weight polyether having a functionality of 3 and an equivalent weight of less than 350 Da, (b) at least one low molecular weight starter compound comprising glycerin, and (c) propylene oxide or a mixture of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, in the presence of (d) at least one double metal cyanide catalyst. A process for preparing these long chain polyether polyols is also disclosed.
US09051401B1
A synthesis of a new pyrazole-containing monomer by means of an easily implemented two-step process. This monomer can be electropolymerized to yield a stable n-doping polymer that may easily be electrochemically characterized. It is demonstrated that the electrochemical behavior of the polymer films produced is dependent upon the conditions applied during electrodeposition. Films deposited by cycling only at relatively positive potentials (0 to 2000 mV) show less intense n-doping responses than those films obtained by scanning the applied potential throughout a wider range (−2000 mV to 2000 mV).
US09051396B2
The present invention discloses a method for partially hydrogenating polymer. The method comprises providing a polymer having at least one vinyl aromatic block; and hydrogenating the polymer in presence of a heterogeneous catalyst on a support selected from the group consisting of BaSO4, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, active carbon and any combination thereof to obtain a hydrogenated polymer. The hydrogenated polymer comprises at least one hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a carbon ring linking with a backbone of the hydrogenated polymer, wherein the average weight percent of the hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block(s) having only one and two double bonds on the carbon ring is between 1-30 wt % based on the total weight of the hydrogenated polymer.
US09051391B2
Disclosed is a cell which can express a non-natural oligomeric protein, which has, introduced therein, a gene encoding an exogenous polypeptide corresponding to at least one endogenous polypeptide constituting a natural oligomeric protein, and in which the expression of the endogenous polypeptide is inhibited.
US09051386B2
A method of treating inflammation by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a human immunosuppressant protein (HISP) to a subject is presented. The inventors have discovered a novel immunosuppressive protein purified from the supernatant of hNT cell culture. The immunosuppressant protein has a molecular weight of about 40-100 kDa, an isoelectric point of about 4.4, a net ionic charge and is capable of suppressing T-cell activation, T-cell proliferation and the production of IL-2. This protein can be used in treating inflammation, preventing graft rejection after transplantation, treating autoimmune diseases and suppressing allergic responses as well as other uses.
US09051381B1
Isolated disease-related genes from muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) and Florida hybrid bunch grape (Vitis spp.) grapes, and complementary DNA associated therewith. The cDNA can be utilized in small RNA technologies to promote expression of disease tolerance-related genes to induce production of disease-tolerance related gene products for resisting disease occurrence in Florida hybrid bunch and V. vinifera. The genes include, but are not limited to, stilbene synthase, chalcone synthase, chitinase, PR 4, PR 10, β-1, 3-glucanase, peroxidase, and a subunit of Oxygen-Evolving Enhancer Protein 1. These genes were found to enhance tolerance of Florida hybrid bunch and muscadine grape to a plurality of pathogenic diseases, including, for example, Pierce's disease and anthracnose.
US09051371B2
A human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of human CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) but does not react with a human blood platelet; a human CDR-grafted antibody or the antibody fragment thereof which specifically reacts with the extracellular region of CCR4 and has a cytotoxic activity against a CCR4-expressing cell; and a medicament, a therapeutic agent or a diagnostic agent comprising at least one of the antibodies and the antibody fragments thereof as an active ingredient.
US09051367B2
The present disclosure provides methods of treating a tauopathy, involving administering an anti-Tau antibody. The present disclosure also provides anti-Tau antibodies, and formulations comprising same, for use in the methods.
US09051346B2
The invention described herein pertains to processes for the preparation of macrolide antibacterial agents. In particular, the invention pertains to processes for preparing macrolides and ketolides from erythromycin A.
US09051343B2
Disclosed herein are phosphate esters of noribogaine and dihydronoribogaine, and esters and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the methods of their use, including in the treatment of addiction and/or pain.
US09051341B2
The present invention provides reactive surfactants of the formula R1O—(CH2CHR2O)x—(CH2CH2O)y—(CH2CHR3O)z—R4 where R1 is either alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or aralkylaryl of 8-30 carbon atoms, R2 is —CH2OCH2CH═CH2 (AGE); R3 is either H, CH3, or CH2CH3; R4 is H or —SO3M or —PO3M where M is H or K, Na, NH4, NR4, alkanolamine, or other cationic species and x=2-100; y=4-200 and z=0-50.
US09051337B2
The present invention is to provide a novel compound (I) shown below, having the anti-virus activity; particularly the HIV integrase inhibitory activity, and a drug containing the same, particularly an anti-HIV drug, as well as a process and an intermediate thereof. (wherein Z1 is NR4; R1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; X is a single bond, a hetero atom group selected from O, S, SO, SO2 and NH, or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene in which the hetero atom group may intervene; R2 is optionally substituted aryl; R3 is hydrogen, a halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl etc; and R4 and Z2 part taken together forms a ring, to form a polycyclic compound, including e.g., a tricyclic or tetracyclic compound.
US09051329B2
The present invention is directed to novel tricyclic heterocycles of structural formula (I) which are inhibitors of the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme and which are useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved, such as diabetes and particularly Type 2 diabetes. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which the dipeptidyl peptidase-IV enzyme is involved.
US09051322B2
A process of making a pemetrexed salt comprising: a) reacting a compound of formula II or an acid salt thereof, wherein each of R1 and R2 is independently a C1-C6 alkyl group, with an aqueous basic solution at a temperature of no more than 10° C. to obtain a first mixture comprising the pemetrexed salt; b) isolating the pemetrexed salt from the first mixture.
US09051321B2
The invention relates to novel heterocyclic acrylamide compounds (I), to the preparation of the compounds and intermediates used therein, to the use of the compounds as antibacterial medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds.
US09051311B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are inhibitors of voltage-gated sodium channels, in particular Nav 1.7. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of sodium channels such as pain disorders. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing compounds of the present invention.
US09051300B2
The invention relates to a compound of formula (I), which is suitable for use as a herbicide wherein G is hydrogen or an agriculturally acceptable metal, sulfonium, ammonium or latentiating group; Q is a unsubstituted or substituted C3-C8 saturated or mono-unsaturated heterocyclyl containing at least one heteroatom selected from O, N and S, or Q is heteroaryl or substituted heteroaryl; m is 1, 2 or 3; and Het is an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaromatic ring; and wherein the compound is optionally an agronomically acceptable salt thereof.
US09051295B2
A medicament for treating diseases associated with cholinergic properties in the central nervous system (CNS) and/or peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases associated with smooth muscle contraction, endocrine disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and the like, which comprises a compound of Formula (I): wherein A is CR1E or a nitrogen atom, X—Y—Z is N—CO—NR3AR3B and the like, R1A to R1E are each independently a hydrogen atom and the like, R2A to R2D are each independently a hydrogen atom and the like, R3A and R3B are each independently an optionally-substituted C3-10 cycloalkyl and the like, and n is 1 or 2 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which exhibits potent modulatory-effects on the activity of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR).
US09051294B2
The invention provides well-defined compounds that are either EP2 agonists, EP4 agonists, or mixed EP2/EP4 agonist. The compounds are useful for treating a variety of pathological conditions associated with activity of the EP2 and/or EP4 receptors.
US09051287B2
A method for producing an epoxide is provided. The method includes a step of performing a reaction of an olefine compound and an oxidant to form the epoxide by using a titanium-silicon molecular sieve as a catalyst, thereby increasing the conversion rate of the oxidant and the yield of the epoxide.
US09051277B2
The present invention relates to novel phenyl(oxy/thio)alkanol derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as biologically active compounds, in particular for controlling harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US09051272B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I), wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined in claim 1, which process comprises a) adding a compound of formula (II), in the presence of an inert organic solvent to a mixture comprising an organic nitrite of formula (III) (R4—O—N═O (III)), wherein R4 is C1-C8alkyl, a compound of formula (IV), and an inert organic solvent; b) reacting the resulting compound of formula (V), with H2N—O—CH3 to the compound of formula (VII), c) reducing the compound of formula (VII) to the compound of formula (VIII), d) and reacting the compound of formula VIII with a compound of formula (IX), in which R* is halogen, hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy, to the compound of formula (I).
US09051255B2
To find a therapeutic and/or prophylactic agent for gastrointestinal disorders and so on, the agent having excellent activity and high safety. A compound represented by the following general formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. In the formula, A represents an optionally substituted phenylene group; B represents an optionally substituted 4- to 10-membered heterocyclic group, an optionally substituted C6-C10 aryl group, or an optionally substituted C3-C10 cycloalkyl group; R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-C3 alkyl group; R3 represents a C1-C6 alkyl group, a C3-C10 cycloalkyl group, a C1-C3 alkoxy C1-C3 alkyl group, or a C1-C3 hydroxyalkyl group; R4 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-C6 alkyl group, or a halogen atom; n represents an integer of 1 to 4; and X represents methylene, —O—, —NH—, —N(C1-C3 alkyl)-, —C(═O)—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O2)—, or a single bond.
US09051253B2
The use of 3,4,3′,4′-tetrahydroxychalcone in the treatment of amyloid diseases, especially Aβ amyloidosis, such as observed in Alzheimer's disease, IAPP amyloidosis, such as observed in type 2 diabetes, and synucleinopathies, such as observed in Parkinson's disease.
US09051252B2
Provided is a process for preparing a diaryl ether compound through the dehydration of an aromatic alcohol compound in the presence of a dehydration catalyst. The dehydration catalyst is an oxide of a light rare earth element, wherein the light earth element is lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, or mixtures thereof.
US09051246B2
A compound represented by a formula 1 shown below. In the formula 1, each of R1 and R2 independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom and substituents composed of C, H and/or X (wherein X represents a hetero atom), and each of Z1 and Z2 independently represents a group selected from the group consisting of aromatic substituents composed of C and H, aromatic substituents composed of C, H and X (wherein X represents a hetero atom), groups containing an aromatic ring and a double-bonded and/or triple-bonded conjugated structure composed of C and H, and groups containing an aromatic ring and a double-bonded and/or triple-bonded conjugated structure composed of C, H and/or X (wherein X represents a hetero atom).
US09051244B2
The invention provides for a process for the depolymerization of lignin in an inert atmosphere to result in substituted phenolic monomer compounds. The process is catalyzed by heterogeneous solid acid catalysts and is carried out in batch or continuous mode.
US09051237B2
Described is a biogas to liquid fuel converter and method of use which includes a biogas cleaning system which can be obtained from a landfill of sewage digester which further includes a cargo container housing the syngas production system and methanol synthesis devices employed in converting biogas to methanol.
US09051236B2
A method for improving the quality of ethylene glycol products, which mainly solves the technical problem of low UV-light transmittance of the ethylene glycol products present in the prior art. The method successfully solves the problem by use of the technical solution wherein the ethylene glycol raw material and hydrogen are passed through a rotating packed bed reactor loaded with solid oxide catalyst at a temperature of about 20 to about 280° C., a pressure of about 0.1 to about 4.0 MPa, a space velocity of about 0.2 to about 100.0 hr−1 and a molar ratio of hydrogen to ethylene glycol of from about 0.01 to 40:1, and ethylene glycol is obtained after the reaction. The solid oxide catalyst is at least one of copper-based, nickel-based and palladium-based catalysts, and the rotation rate of the rotating packed bed reactor is about 300 to about 5000 rpm.
US09051233B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (1), to the use thereof in electronic devices, and to electronic devices, particularly organic electroluminescence devices, comprising said compounds according to the invention, particularly as blue emitting material in an emitting layer.
US09051224B2
A gas generating system is provided including a first housing formed from a polymeric material, and a pyrotechnic gas generant material contained in the first housing. The first housing forms a combustion chamber for the gas generant. An airbag system and a vehicle occupant protection system, each incorporating a gas generating system as described herein, are also disclosed.
US09051222B1
The present invention provides a slow and controlled release polymeric sulfur fertilizer containing multiple nutrient elements. The slow and controlled release polymeric sulfur fertilizer is represented by the following formula, in which m=1-4, and n=100-210. The element sulfur in the slow and controlled release polymeric sulfur fertilizer according to embodiments of the present invention has very high utilization rate.
US09051219B2
A solid solution-comprising ceramic article useful in semiconductor processing, which is resistant to erosion by halogen-containing plasmas. The solid solution-comprising ceramic article is formed from a combination of yttrium oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide. In a first embodiment, the solid solution-comprising ceramic article is a solid, sintered body of the solid solution ceramic material. In a second embodiment, the solid solution-comprising article comprises a substrate underlying a solid solution-comprising coating.
US09051218B2
Cellulose ethers, wherein at least a part of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose backbone are substituted by methoxy groups and hydroxyalkoxy groups, and optionally alkoxy groups being different from methoxy groups, having an unconventional distribution of methoxy substituents at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units are described. Such cellulose ethers exhibit significantly higher thermoreversible gel strengths than any known hydroxyalkyl methyl celluloses of comparable viscosity and kind and level of substitution rendering them useful as additives for building compositions such as cement based tile adhesives. In particular, such cellulose ethers can be used to improve the attainable adhesion strength after heat storage conditioning and the temporal setting characteristics of a building composition.
US09051217B2
A pre-mixed mortar, stucco or masonry composition includes from 30 percent to 72 percent masonry sand by weight, from 20 percent to 50 percent concrete sand by weight, from 15 percent to 20 percent slag cement by weight, from 1 percent to 4 percent acetic acid by weight, from 3 percent to 10 percent fly ash by weight, from 1 percent to 5 percent clay bentonite by weight, from 1 percent to 5 percent calcium oxide by weight, and from 3 percent to 10 percent sodium carbonate by weight.
US09051204B2
The invention relates to a nontoxic polysiloxane material and ripened polysiloxane material which has been formed using one or more different polysiloxane materials. According to the invention, such a ripened polysiloxane material can be spun, for example, into bioabsorbable and/or bioactive fibers and then be further processed into fibrous nonwoven webs.
US09051202B2
A disk roll includes a shaft, and a plurality of disks that are fitted to the shaft, the plurality of disks fitted having been fired, having a density of more than 1.20 g/cm3 and 1.50 g/cm3 or less, and including 20 to 50 wt % of ceramic wool, 5 to 30 wt % of kibushi clay, 2 to 20 wt % of bentonite, and 20 to 45 wt % of a filler, the filler being selected from mica, alumina, wollastonite, cordierite, and calcined kaolin.
US09051192B2
Certain embodiments of the invention provide systems that filter surface water runoff that enters sewer or storm drains. Some embodiments of such systems are composed of a top plate, a main filter chamber, and an enhanced media filter, and each of the top plate, the main chamber, and the enhanced media filter are shaped for mounting into a storm drain. In some embodiments, the top plate is shaped to overlap a perimeter of the sewer or storm drain hole and has a surface water intake opening. In some embodiments, the top plate, the main filter chamber, and the enhanced media filter are vertically arrayed, respectively, from top to bottom.
US09051185B2
Methods and apparatus to generate carbon nanostructures from organic materials are described. Certain embodiments provide solid waste materials into a furnace, that pyrolyzes the solid waste materials into gaseous decomposition products, which are then converted to carbon nanostructures. Methods and apparatuses described herein provide numerous advantages over conventional methods, such as cost savings, reduction of handling risks, optimization of process conditions, and the like.
US09051182B2
A method of storing hydrogen is provided, wherein the method comprises forming a first ionic liquid by inducing a borohydride into a second ionic liquid comprising cations and an anion comprising borate, in particular metaborate, and forming the second ionic liquid by releasing the hydrogen out of the first ionic liquid by using water and/or a catalyst.
US09051177B2
An optical switching system comprising an embodiment with a high pass filter operable to eliminate a portion of frequencies present in an image and an optical device operative to receive the spectrally modified image from the high pass filter, alternatively amplify the spectrally modified image, and propagate at least those frequency components in the spectrally modified image exhibiting a frequency less than an absorption frequency of the optical switching device when the optical switching device is active. Alternatively, the optical switching system may transmit an image only when the system is active. The optical switching system may, for example, comprise superluminescent light emitting diodes which may be, for example, formed in the shape of an inverted truncated prism. For human viewing purposes, the operative transmission ranges may closely coincide with the maximum sensitivity of the photopic response of the corresponding red, blue and green cones in human eyes.
US09051173B2
A treatment method for a getter material is provided, including forming a protective layer on the thin layer getter material by performing at least one oxidation and/or nitriding step of the thin layer getter material conducted under dry atmosphere of dioxygen and/or dinitrogen, wherein the protective layer is composed of oxide and/or nitride of the thin layer getter material, and wherein a thickness of the protective layer is between approximately 1 nm and 10 nm.
US09051169B2
Portable cushions include first and second portions that may be folded relative to one another between a folded state in which the cushion may be carried by a user and an unfolded state in which the cushion may be used to cushion the body of a person or another object. Each of the first and second portions of the cushion includes deformable wall members that are located and configured to define voids therebetween, such that the deformable wall members may be displaced into adjacent voids upon deformation of the deformable wall members during cushioning. Methods of manufacturing such portable cushions include the formation of such first and second portions of a cushion.
US09051159B2
A connector for a column segment, such as a boom segment, of a crane includes n extensions, where n is a positive integer. Each extension has a first base and an aperture extends through the extension from a first side to a second side. The first connector also includes at least (n+y) plates, where y is selected from the group consisting of (−1, +1) such that the sum of (n+y) is a positive integer. The plate or plates are positioned in and coupled to the extensions in an alternating arrangement. Each plate includes a plate base aligned substantially in a plane with the first base of the extension to form a first connector mounting surface. A plurality of welds couple the plates to the extensions and the fabricated connector is then welded to the column segment. At least one extension is formed of steel having a grain structure elongated in a direction of rolling that is substantially perpendicular to the first base.
US09051153B2
A spool including a barrel extending up from a bottom portion, a plurality of flanges extending from an outer circumferential surface of the barrel, a plurality of retaining arms extending up from an annular portion of the bottom portion, the annular portion extending radially away from the outer circumferential surface of the barrel, engagement mechanisms on at least one of the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms, wherein the engagement mechanisms cause the plurality of flanges and the plurality of retaining arms to become engaged, and a hinge on each of the plurality of retaining arms.
US09051149B2
A sheet ejection device includes a sheet receiving tray provided with a sheet stack plane, a detector for detecting ejected sheets at a reference position, and a controller. Both side end of the sheet stack plane is made higher than a center thereof when viewed along a sheet ejection direction. The reference position functions as a reference for a height level of a center of an uppermost surface of stacked sheets on the sheet stack plane. During a sheet ejection operation, the controller moves the tray downward by a preset height level every ejection of a preset number of sheets until the detector detects sheets, and then newly starts to move the tray downward by the preset height level every ejection of the preset number of sheets from a time when the detector detects sheets. According to the device, sheets can be prevented from being stacked on the tray erroneously.
US09051148B2
An image processing apparatus prints an image on a sheet and controls one of a plurality of binding units to bind the sheets on which the images are printed. The image processing apparatus further enables designation of a binding process to be used to bind the sheets, and provides notification of the number of sheets that can be bound by the designated binding process and the number of sheets that can be bound by a non-designated binding process.
US09051143B2
A sheet conveyer, including a first roller to rotate to convey a sheet in a conveying direction; a separator arranged to be opposed to the first roller and configured to nip the sheet and to separate the sheet from other sheets; a multiple sheet sensor arranged in a downstream position with respect to the first roller and configured to sense presence of multiple sheets, the multiple sheet sensor including an emitter and a receiver; and a second roller arranged in a downstream position with respect to the multiple sheet sensor and configured to convey the separated sheet, is provided. A component being at least one of the emitter and the receiver is arranged in an outer side position with respect to the separator, and at least a part of the component is arranged in an inner side position with respect to the second roller.
US09051140B2
A sheet conveying device includes: first, second and third rollers, a conveying member, a frame, a first pressing member, and a force-generating unit. The first and second rollers rotate while nipping the sheet therebetween. The third roller and the conveying member nip the sheet therebetween. The frame is elongated parallel to an axis about which the third roller rotates and supports the third roller. The first pressing member applies a first pressing force to an axial center of the first roller to press the first roller toward the second roller and applies a reaction force of the first pressing force to the frame to press the frame in a direction toward the conveying member. The force-generating unit generates a nipping force for nipping the sheet between the third roller and the conveying member and applies an urging force to the frame in a direction away from the conveying member.
US09051139B2
A compact sheet carrying device comprises a tray, a first supporting arm and a second supporting arm. The tray supports a first portion of a sheet. The first supporting arm is pivotally connected to the tray at one end having a first toothed portion. The second supporting arm is pivotally connected to the tray at one end having a second toothed portion. The two toothed portions mesh with each other. The two supporting arms are concurrently in a deployed state or a retracted state. In the deployed state, the two supporting arms support a second portion of the sheet. A document processing apparatus using such sheet carrying device is also provided.
US09051136B2
An adjustable leg assembly for a loading dock ramp member having an elongate, adjustable housing with incremental slots, a hydraulic system having a hydraulic pump with a cylinder fully contained within the housing and a handle for operation of the hydraulic system. The leg assembly also includes a lock bracket for insertion into the slots to contact the cylinder for even distribution of compression loads. A user pumps the handle to actuate the hydraulic system and thereby adjust the loading dock to the desired height.
US09051135B2
A conveying device for a mixture of free-flowing finely divided solid materials, in particular for powdered and/or granular (mixed) material, especially polymer granules with a liquid includes a telescopic pipe which is vertically arranged and can be flexibly fitted for conveying a mixture of preferably polymer granules with a liquid, for example for flushing a contaminated conveying device.
US09051123B2
A paper transport system includes a first conveyor, a second conveyor, and a drop chute assembly. The first conveyor has a belt for transporting paper disposed at a first elevation. The second conveyor has a belt for transporting paper disposed at a second elevation that is different from the first elevation. The drop chute assembly is positioned between the first conveyor and the second conveyor. The drop chute assembly is configured to receive paper from the first conveyor and output the paper to the second conveyor.
US09051121B2
The present invention may lower the cost, save space and simplify assembly in a medium conveyance mechanism that conveys a medium with a pair of conveyance rollers provided facing each other. Namely, the medium conveyance mechanism is disposed with a torsion spring including a coil portion and arms at both ends of the coil portion; a first fixing wall that fixes one arm of the torsion spring; and a second fixing wall that fixes the coil portion at an opposite side from the first fixing wall, wherein the other arm of the torsion spring is made to contact a following roller shaft at the first fixing wall side.
US09051120B2
A warehouse storage and retrieval system including an array of multilevel storage racks having at least one transfer deck, picking isles and storage areas disposed along picking isles, the storage areas being configured to hold differing loads, and a controller including a management module configured to variably size the storage areas of the array of multilevel storage rack modules and assign each of the variably sized storage areas to a corresponding one of the differing loads, wherein the storage and retrieval system is arranged to transport the differing loads for placement in the variably sized storage areas assigned by the controller.
US09051115B2
The invention relates to a fibrous product (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) for packaging, in particular food product packaging, comprising at least one first fiber layer (4.1, 4.1′, 4.1″, 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″, 4.3″, 4.4″, 4.5″, 4.6″, 14, 16, 18), a filter material (6) for binding mineral oil substances extending at least partly through said first fiber layer (4.1, 4.1′, 4.1″, 4.2, 4.2′, 4.2″, 4.3″, 4.4″, 4.5″, 4.6″, 14, 16, 18).
US09051107B1
A portable condiment holder system having a portable condiment holder assembly including, a lid; a receptacle having a top portion, a bottom portion, a first finger mount coupled to the bottom portion sized to accommodate a middle finger on a hand of a user-consumer, a second finger mount coupled to the bottom portion sized to accommodate an index finger on the hand of the user-consumer, an inner-volume to store at least one condiment and at least one finger food; and a base comprising at least one slit. The lid, the receptacle, and the base form the portable condiment holder assembly. The portable condiment holder assembly permits the user-consumer to coat at least one finger food in the at least one condiment, without risking spilling the condiment on the user-consumer and on belongings while in in-use condition.
US09051104B2
A composite container (10) comprising a rectangular cuboidal rigid outer-container (20) comprising a top and a bottom surface (21,22) connected by four side walls (23), and a single compressible, rigid inner-container (30) for containing a pourable product, said inner-container having a basis weight of from 150 g/m2 to 700 g/m2, and said inner container comprising a top (31), a bottom (32), and a closable opening (33) located at said top. The inner-container (30) comprises at least one zone (34) having a circular cross-section and at least two zones (35) having a non-circular cross-section, whereby said at least two zones (35) having a non-circular cross-section are in contact with the inner surface of said outer-container (20). The at least two zones (35) having a non-circular cross-section are separated by said at least one zone (34) having a circular cross-section.
US09051099B2
One-piece dispensing closure or lid molded in a single mold not requiring assembly of independent pieces, except for a seal after filling the closure with the additive. The closure has a round side skirt and security or tamper evident band, provided inside with threaded ribs, a flexible diaphragm with a tearing structure made up of a central stem and a tearing cylinder having a plurality of tearing tips to break the seal and release the additive.
US09051095B2
An overcap is provided for use in sealing a container of the type having an outer rim, an inside wall surface, and an inner rim spaced inwardly from the inside wall surface, with the inner rim forming a container opening. A flexing portion is formed within the body portion of the overcap and is moveable between a first sealing position and a second sealing position. The flexing portion includes a downwardly depending wall member positioned adjacent the inside wall surface of the container in the first sealing position. A sealing plug is provided and is moveable between the first sealing position and the second sealing position. The sealing plug includes a peripheral surface dimension for frictional engagement with the inner rim, releasably closing of the opening in the second sealing position. The sealing plug is separated from the inner rim in the first sealing position.
US09051087B1
A sanitary pocket that fits over the tray table on a commercial airplane flight having two parts wherein the first part slips over the tray when it is its horizontal position. When the tray is returned to its upright vertical position, the first pocket is held in place by the securing device that secures the tray in its upright position while a second pocket hangs down from the first pocket that allows the traveler to place his or her items therein, with the peace of mind of knowing that the pocket has not been previously used by an uncountable number of persons and that the pocket is as clean and sanitary as the user dictates. Furthermore, advertising could be displayed on the pocket when in the upright position. Additionally, graphics, including game boards could be used on the first pocket when the tray is in the in-use position allowing for games, as well as providing a clean tablecloth for the user.
US09051079B2
The present invention provides a pallet, which includes a base board and first secondary boards movably coupled to two opposite sides of the base board, and first coupling axles connecting between the base board and the first secondary boards. Each first coupling axle includes a first base from which a first extension section extends. The first extension section forms first flexible engagement keys. The base board forms first receiving sections corresponding to the first bases and also forming first track channels corresponding to the first extension sections. Each first track channel forms therein first retention slots corresponding to the first flexible engagement keys. The first bases are movably received in the first receiving slots. The first flexible engagement keys are receivable in the first retention slots to retain the first coupling axles in the base board. The first extension sections have ends fixed in the first secondary boards.
US09051074B2
A closure inner shell includes an annular skirt extending axially from a base wall and having an external thread segment. The base wall may have a central passage and the skirt may have circumferentially spaced petals. A closure outer shell may include a vented plug seal extending axially through the central passage of the inner shell, and an annular outer skirt to engage the petals of the inner shell and having an internal thread segment for threaded engagement with the external thread segment of the inner shell. A container may include a container neck bead for engagement with the petals, an inner annular sealing surface for engagement with the plug seal, and an inner annular relief to cooperate with the vented plug seal to establish a vent path.
US09051070B2
A preformed decorative wrapper for covering a flower pot and methods of production and use thereof are disclosed.
US09051064B2
Disclosed is a uniquely configured medicament vial assembly which includes a storage vial, a stopper member and a securing ring. The vial assembly is configured to improve healthcare worker safety by providing a shielded gripping location to aid in the reduction of accidental needle sticks. The storage vial has a body portion which defines an interior chamber for storing a predetermined medicament and a neck portion through which medicament is received into and withdrawn from the interior chamber. The stopper member is inserted into the mouth of the vial and establishes a first seal. The securing ring is engaged with the mouth of the vial and adapted and configured for retaining the stopper member within the vial mouth and effectuating a second seal. The securing ring is formed from a thermoplastic and/or elastic material. Preferably, the securing ring is formed by molding the thermoplastic and/or elastic material over a portion of the storage vial and stopper member when engaged within the vial mouth.
US09051063B1
A heat shield for a space vehicle comprises a plurality of phenolic impregnated carbon ablator (PICA) blocks secured to a surface of the space vehicle and arranged in a pattern with gaps therebetween. The heat shield further comprises a plurality of PICA strips disposed in the gaps between the PICA blocks. The PICA strips are mounted edgewise, such that the structural orientation of the PICA strips is substantially perpendicular to the structural orientation of the PICA blocks.
US09051056B2
A fuel heat management system including a fuel line for conveying fuel, and a fuel/oil heat exchanger which receives fuel flowing through the fuel line. The fuel heat management system further comprises an oil line for circulating oil from an engine oil system to the fuel/oil heat exchanger and back to the engine oil system. The fuel/oil heat exchanger brings the oil and the fuel into heat exchange relationship. The fuel heat management system further includes an air/oil heat exchanger which receives oil flowing through the oil line, the air/oil heat exchanger bringing the oil and air into heat exchange relationship. The fuel heat management system further includes an air/fuel heat exchanger which receives fuel flowing through the fuel line, the air/fuel heat exchanger bringing the fuel and air into heat exchange relationship.
US09051046B2
A vertical support system includes a first articulated leg assembly configured to carry a first load, the first articulated leg assembly being selectively movable between a first retracted configuration and a first loaded configuration and a second articulated leg assembly configured to carry a second load substantially kinematically identical to the first articulated leg assembly, the second articulated leg assembly being selectively movable between a second retracted configuration and a second loaded configuration. The arrangement of axis of rotations and offset angles of the first and/or second lees of each articulated leg assembly may produce a lateral width ratio. A first vertical footprint of the first articulated leg assembly overlaps a second vertical footprint of the second articulated leg assembly when the leg assemblies are retracted.
US09051045B2
An indirect drive active control column for an aircraft control system is provided. The indirect drive active control column provides both active and passive feedback to the control stick. The passive feedback relates to adjustments of the control stick relative to a feedback neutral position. The active feedback actively adjusts the position of the feedback neutral position to adjust a feedback profile of the passive feedback.
US09051044B2
A method of controlling a Counter-Rotating Open-Rotor (CROR) includes measuring a speed of a first rotor and deriving a speed of a second rotor and controlling a pitch of the first rotor and the second rotor.
US09051034B1
A frame system suitable for use on a boat and capable of supporting one or more tarpaulins to protect the boat from the elements, comprising one or more sets of couplers and hinged angle elements adapted to be used with off-the-shelf connecting members, such as PVC pipes, such that when assembled the frame system provides a canopy frame arching over the top side of the boat, with the lateral sides of the frame system sloping upward and meeting over the longitudinal midline of the boat.
US09051027B1
A vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, a motor, a belt transmission system, front left and right suspension assemblies, front left and right ground engaging members, a rear suspension assembly, a rear ground engaging member, a steering assembly operatively connected to the front left and right ground engaging members and having a handlebar, and an inertia wheel. The inertia wheel is operatively connected to the steering assembly. The inertia wheel pivots about a generally vertical axis when the handlebar is turned to steer the front left and right ground engaging members. The inertia wheel pivots about the vertical axis in a same direction as the front left and right ground engaging members when steered by the handlebar.
US09051019B2
The invention relates to a transport vehicle including a three-wheeled carriage, wherein the three-wheeled carriage includes two non-driven front wheels which are coupled to a steering, and a non-jointed rear wheel which is coupled to a drive. In order to provide a transport vehicle which can be used as a replacement for a motorized vehicle for simple transport journeys, it is envisaged that a transport platform be arranged between the axles of the front wheels and the axle of the rear wheel, and that a driver's area be arranged in front of the transport platform as viewed in the direction of travel.
US09051015B2
A vehicle body assemble system includes a moving unit loaded with a floor panel of a vehicle body that is configured to move the floor panel to a working place of a main buck process. A robot hanger clamps a side panel transferred to the working place from an inside of the side panel and rotates the side panel accordingly. An arranging jig is disposed on each side portion of the working place and is moveable up and down and arranges the side panel rotated by the robot hanger in an upright position. A side common jig is mounted to a handling robot and clamps the side panel on the arranging jig. Finally, a side post unit is disposed each side of the floor panel, clamps the side common jig, and moves the side common jig to each side of the floor panel.
US09051013B1
A drag reducing device for a commercial vehicle. The drag reducing device includes a rectangular frame having a pair of hinged sections. The frame is securable to the rear of the commercial vehicle and is sized so as to cover approximately half of the rear of the vehicle. The frame can be unfolded so that the hinged sections are arranged in the same plane and such that the frame covers the rear of the vehicle. The frame supports an inflatable member thereon, wherein the inflatable member is shaped such that it tapers towards a point at a rear portion thereof. The inflatable member substantially covers the rear of the tractor trailer when in use. Optionally, a control unit is provided for remotely inflating or deflating the inflatable member, wherein the control unit operates an air pump disposed within the frame.
US09051012B2
A trailer includes a chassis and a trailer body connected to the chassis. The trailer body includes left and right vertical side walls and a curved floor. The left and right side walls each include a plurality of extruded panels each including an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from the inner wall.
US09051009B2
A steerable track system for steering a vehicle with a main frame and a track includes an undercarriage with pivoting links connected to the main frame; a bendable flexible track to provide a vehicle-surface interface for propelling the vehicle; a plurality of idler wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage; and a plurality of bogie wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage.
US09050997B1
The rollover prevention apparatus defines an adaptive steering range limiting device comprising a control unit and a pair of opposing unidirectional brake assemblies mounted to a steering column position detection disc. The rollover prevention apparatus prevents the steering wheel of the vehicle from being turned beyond the threshold of vehicle rollover, but otherwise does not restrict the rotational range of motion of the steering wheel of a vehicle.
US09050993B2
A stroller has a frame reconfigurable between an in-use configuration and a folded configuration. A fold joint on the frame, when in a latched orientation, retains the frame in the in-use configuration. A seat is supported by the frame and a tray extends across and is spaced forward from the seat assembly. The fold joint is coupled to a portion of the tray and is configured to: a) move the tray to a deployed position relative to the seat when the frame is moved to the in-use configuration; b) retain the tray in the deployed position when in the in-use orientation; and c) release and allow the tray to move to a folded position when the frame is moved to the folded configuration. The fold joint is configured to hide and covers the various fold latch and tray fold components.
US09050979B2
A method for damping of a power train oscillation in a vehicle provided with a prime mover which delivers a torque related to a torque request M from a vehicle system and rotates at a speed ω. A cyclic variation S in the rotation speed ω of said prime mover is determined. The torque request M is then given an oscillation-damping characteristic by use of the cyclic variation S, making it possible for the power train oscillation to be effectively damped out.
US09050978B2
A drive and control system is provided for a towing vehicle pulling a towed implement, such as a tractor pulling a scraper. The drive system includes an engine which drives a generator for generating electric power. A towing vehicle electric drive motor is connected to driven wheels of the towing vehicle through a transmission. An assist or implement electric drive motor is drivingly connected to driven wheels of the implement. A power distribution unit controls distribution of electric power from the generator to the towing vehicle and implement drive motors. A control unit controls the power distribution unit as a function of an operator set power split, an operator set maximum wheel slip, sensed wheel slip and other sensed parameters.
US09050977B1
An autonomous vehicle detects a tailgating vehicle and uses various response mechanisms. For example, a vehicle is identified as a tailgater based on whether its characteristics meet a variable threshold. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at slower speeds, the threshold is defined in distance. When the autonomous vehicle is traveling at faster speeds, the threshold is defined in time. The autonomous vehicle may respond to the tailgater by modifying its driving behavior. In one example, the autonomous vehicle adjusts a headway buffer (defined in time) from another vehicle in front of the autonomous vehicle. For example, if the tailgater is T seconds too close to the autonomous vehicle, the autonomous vehicle increases the headway buffer to the vehicle in front of it by some amount relative to T.
US09050972B2
A hybrid vehicle comprises an internal combustion engine, a traction motor, a starter motor, and a battery bank, all controlled by a microprocessor in accordance with the vehicle's instantaneous torque demands so that the engine is run only under conditions of high efficiency, typically only when the load is at least equal to 30% of the engine's maximum torque output. In some embodiments, a turbocharger may be provided, activated only when the load exceeds the engine's maximum torque output for an extended period; a two-speed transmission may further be provided, to further broaden the vehicle's load range. A hybrid brake system provides regenerative braking, with mechanical braking available in the event the battery bank is fully charged, in emergencies, or at rest; a control mechanism is provided to control the brake system to provide linear brake feel under varying circumstances.
US09050969B2
An engine, electric machine and battery of a vehicle are operated such that a state of charge of the battery generally decreases and then achieves approximately a charge-depletion-to-charge-sustaining transition threshold after the vehicle has been driven a distance greater than the pure electrical range of the vehicle.
US09050964B2
An output power of the internal combustion engine (1) is transmitted to a drive wheel via a torque converter (2B) having a pump impeller and a turbine runner. A lockup clutch (2C) directly connects the pump impeller and the turbine runner during a coast running of a vehicle. When the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed during a coast running of a vehicle in a fuel cut-off state, the lockup clutch (2C) disengages. In addition, fuel recovery of the internal combustion engine (1) is suppressed until the engaging pressure of the lockup clutch (2C) decreases, thereby preventing a vehicle speed change caused by an output power increase of the internal combustion engine (1) before the lockup clutch (2C) substantially disengages.
US09050963B2
A map is provided that has an unlimited region where a take-off slip-engagement the next time is repeatedly executed indefinitely, a limited region where the take-off slip-engagement the next time is repeatedly executed only once, and a prohibited region where the take-off slip-engagement the next time is prohibited, and has a generated heat amount during the take-off slip-engagement and an elapsed time after the lock-up slip-engagement ends as variables. Therefore, a region in which the take-off slip-engagement the next time had been prohibited because the take-off slip-engagement the next time is unable to be repeatedly executed indefinitely even though it is able to be repeatedly executed only once is made the limited region, so the take-off slip-engagement the next time is allowed to be repeatedly executed only once.
US09050943B2
The invention relates to a handle unit (10) to trigger the function of a lock (19) for opening and/or for closing a moving part (42), in particular a door, a tailgate or similar of a motor vehicle (40), with one electronic unit (20, 20′) and one actuating element, wherein the electronic unit (20, 20′) is used for data communication with a vehicle part, in particular with a security system; the actuating element monitors an actuation zone (60) and a signal is triggered by means of the actuating element by a movement of an object (100) within the actuation zone (60). The invention provides that the actuating element optically monitors the actuation zone (60) so that the detection of a specified motion pattern (30) due to movement of the object (100) will cause a triggering of the signal.
US09050930B2
A vehicle collision avoidance signaling method and system are disclosed. The collision signal captures the attention of a distracted driver for the driver to brake appropriately. The vehicle collision warning signal and lighting system automatically alerts an approaching driver of a stopped or slowed vehicle via a strobe or flashing lighting system. An onboard driver is also alerted to the approaching vehicle. Rear vehicle sensors can sense vehicles approaching from the rear and determine the distance, velocity, and the deceleration of the approaching vehicle. A processor processes the signal and integrates with the onboard vehicle's speedometer signal and braking system. If the approaching car's rate of closure is determined to be extreme compared to the vehicle's location, a bright strobe signal along with the brake signal would be automatically given The intensity of the strobe warning can be determined by the rate and distance at which a vehicle is approaching.
US09050924B2
A truck with a multi-axle chassis for transporting, depositing and picking up an article, in particular, a working machine used particularly at selected track installations is disclosed. The chassis has in the rear region a loading platform which is rotatable relative to the chassis and has a swivelable telescopic boom. A loading surface located on the same level as the loading platform is arranged in front of the loading platform on the chassis and is outfitted with a loading system for transporting the article from the loading platform to the loading surface, and vice versa. The loading platform has the telescopic boom and a gear ring engaged with a drive motor for vertical rotation of the loading platform for enabling the telescopic boom to deposit and pick up the article in an area surrounding the truck.
US09050920B2
Improvements in a lowerable trailer that uses pneumatic cushions to provide both the cushioning of the trailer bed and raising and lower of the trailer bed. The air in the pneumatic cushions can be vented to allow the bed of the trailer to lay flat on the ground. Another pneumatic cushion changes the angle of the bed to the tongue to ensure that both the front and the back of the bed come in contact with the ground. The lowerable trailer is ideal for the transportation of custom vehicles to and from an auto show where the custom vehicles may have limited ground clearance. The pneumatic cushions can be filled with a standard hand pneumatic hand pump or with an air compressor that can be powered by a car battery or an electrical outlet.
US09050906B2
An abnormal torque evaluation apparatus is applied to an electrically driven vehicle configured to drive left and right driving wheels independently with respective electric motors and also configured to independently drive the left and right driving wheels by means of the electric motors driven responsively to respective torque commands. Also provided are a yaw jerk detection means for detecting a yaw jerk and an abnormal torque evaluator for evaluating, based on the yaw jerk, the presence or absence of the occurrence of abnormal motor torque at the electric motors.
US09050900B2
A non-contact charging device includes a power receiving device having at least a power receiving coil 1B which receives electric power from a power transmitting coil 1A in a non-contact manner by magnetic coupling; a battery 5 which is charged by the electric power; a state-of-charge detection unit for detecting the state of charge of the battery 5; and a permissible charging range setting unit for setting a permissible charging range indicating the range of the position of the power transmitting coil 1A relative to the position of the power receiving coil 1B, in which the charging of the battery 5 is permitted, according to the state of charge detected by the state-of-charge detection unit.
US09050897B1
A kit allows for replacement of an internal combustion engine with a traction motor, batteries and electric generator. A current controller can be provided for optimization of electrically interconnections of the generator and batteries to the traction motor. Various electric power generating accessories can be incorporated into the kit including ram air turbines and solar panels. Cooling for the equipment can be supplied by a radiator and fan which can also optionally function as a ram air turbine. Power output accessories can be incorporated into the kit including an inverter for supplying AC power to AC power utilizing tools and other equipment, as well as emergency power for stationary facilities.
US09050893B2
A driver circuit and a diagnostic method are provided. The driver circuit includes a first voltage driver, a second voltage driver, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor generates a first pulse width modulated signal to induce the first voltage driver to output a second pulse width modulated signal to energize a contactor coil. The microprocessor sets a first diagnostic flag equal to a first value if a first filtered voltage value is greater than a first threshold value. The microprocessor sets a second diagnostic flag equal to a second value if a first filtered current value is less than a threshold value. The microprocessor stops generating the first pulse width modulated signal to de-energize the contactor coil if the first and second diagnostic flags are set equal to the first and second values, respectively.
US09050888B2
A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.
US09050887B2
A vehicle includes at least: an engine; a transmission arranged on a rear side in a vehicle traveling direction relative to the engine; an exhaust pipe connected to the engine and discharging exhaust gas; and an exhaust muffler connected to a downstream end part of the exhaust pipe. The exhaust muffler is elastically supported on the transmission by an exhaust muffler support member arranged and located between the transmission and the exhaust muffler.
US09050881B2
Hybrid propulsion systems are provided which include an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, a primary shaft adapted to receive the rotary motion from the electric machine, a secondary shaft, a differential for transmitting the rotary motion to the wheels of an axle of the vehicle, a first transmission mechanism interposed between the primary shaft and the secondary shaft for transmitting the rotary motion between the primary shaft and the secondary shaft, a second transmission mechanism interposed between the secondary shaft and the differential for transmitting the rotary motion between the secondary shaft and the differential, and an overrunning clutch associated to the secondary shaft, whereby the secondary shaft receives the rotary motion from the internal combustion engine via the overrunning clutch.
US09050866B2
A sealant bottle for tire repair of gas pressure type which comprises a bottle body configured for containing sealant. The bottle body is provided with a sealant outlet and an air inlet, wherein a bottle cap is disposed at the sealant outlet and the air inlet is connected with a straight pipe assembly. An air-inlet end of the straight pipe assembly is connected with an air throat which is further provided with an explosion proof element. A sealant guiding pipe disposed within the bottle cap is comprised of a first pipe section arranging along the axial direction of the bottle body and a second pipe section perpendicular to the first pipe section. A second step is disposed between inlets of the first pipe section and the second pipe section, and a rubber plug is further disposed between the inlet of the first pipe section and the second step.
US09050856B2
The present invention is directed to a rubber composition comprising: a functionalized elastomer comprising a polymeric backbone chain derived from a monomer comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally at least one vinyl aromatic monomer; and a functional group bonded to the backbone chain, the functional group comprising a multidentate ligand capable of complexing with a metal ion; and an encapsulated metal salt.The invention is further directed to a pneumatic runflat tire comprising a sidewall insert, the insert comprising the rubber composition.
US09050851B2
A method is provided for reformulating a chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurry for use in conjunction with a CMP tool having an active cycle during which the tool is being used to planarize a substrate, and a rinse cycle during which the tool is being rinsed. The method comprises (a) receiving a feed stream from the CMP tool, at least a portion of the feed stream comprising abrasive particles disposed in a liquid medium; (b) during at least a portion of the rinse cycle, sending the feedstream received from the CMP tool to a first location; and (c) during at least a portion of the active cycle, sending the feedstream received from the CMP tool to a second location where the feedstream undergoes processing to reformulate the slurry.
US09050841B1
A portable stamp has a stamp box, an ink part and a stamping part. The stamp box has a first case and a second case pivotally connected to the first case. The ink part and the stamping part are mounted in the first case and the second case respectively. The first case has a peripheral wall and a positioning hole formed through the peripheral wall. The ink part is mounted in the peripheral wall and has a positioning plate mounted through the positioning hole. The ink part is located in the first case by the positioning plate. When replacing a dry ink part with a new one, a user just presses the positioning plate to loosen the dry ink part from the first case. Then the user can remove the dry ink part easily and mount the new ink part in the first case.
US09050834B2
A thermal printer configured for preventing fluttering of a sheet during its printing by a thermal head for preventing printing failure or a sheet jam. A thermal head (26) opposes a platen roller (28). A scale (60) is provided in a fixed guide portion (23) which is provided on an upstream side of the platen roller (28) and guides an entire width of a sheet (12). A pair of sheet width guides (18a) and (18b) on an upstream side of the fixed guide portion (23) guide a sheet width. Upper guide plates (20a) and (20b) provided in the sheet guides (18a) and (18b) are shaped and located to reach an upper portion of the fixed guide portion (23).
US09050833B2
An image recording apparatus includes an ejecting head which ejects photocurable liquid onto the recording medium; and a light irradiator which radiates the light to the liquid which is ejected onto the recording medium, in which the light irradiator includes a light source substrate which is arranged so as to face the recording medium, and includes a light source which radiates the light to the recording medium; a heat transport member which includes a portion to be connected which is in thermal contact with the light source substrate, and a portion to be cooled which is located at a position which is further separated from the light source substrate than the portion to be connected, and transports heat from the portion to be connected to the portion to be cooled; and a cooling fan which cools down the portion to be cooled.
US09050826B2
A thermal head includes: a substrate; a heat storage layer disposed on the substrate; a heat-generating section disposed on the heat storage layer; an electrode electrically connected to the heat-generating section; a protection layer which coats the heat-generating section and a part of the electrode; and a first coating layer which coats a part of the protection layer and is disposed downstream in a transportation direction of a recording medium, with respect to the heat-generating section, the first coating layer including a first protrusion protruding towards a recording medium side, an end on a heat-generating section side of the first coating layer being positioned between the first protrusion and the heat-generating section, and the end on the heat-generating section side of the first coating layer being positioned in a range of L/2 from the heat-generating section, in which L is a distance between the heat-generating section and the first protrusion.
US09050818B2
An inkjet printer (100) has an ink tank (113), an ink head (110), an ink supply tube (112) configured to supply ink from the ink tank (113) to the ink head (110), an ink return tube (115) one end of which is connected to an upstream side portion of the ink supply tube (112) and the other end of which is connected to a downstream side portion of the ink supply tube (112), and a pump (116) configured to circulate the ink in the ink supply tube (112) and the ink return tube (115).
US09050816B2
A liquid container according to an aspect of this invention is a liquid container which is packaged with a packaging body, in which the liquid container has a containing chamber in which liquid which temporarily generates gas by a chemical change of contained components is contained, the hydrogen penetration amount of a member partitioning the containing chamber is 0.0001 ml/cm2·day·atm or more and 0.01 ml/cm2·day·atm or lower per day, the hydrogen penetration amount of the packaging body is equal to or larger than the hydrogen penetration amount of the member partitioning the containing chamber, and the vapor penetration amount of the packaging body is lower than the vapor penetration amount of the member partitioning the containing chamber.
US09050814B2
This invention provides a liquid container capable of reducing a residual liquid inside a refill container coupled thereto in liquid-refilling events and an inkjet recording apparatus having the liquid container. This liquid container is coupled with the refill liquid container for refilling it with a liquid. The liquid container has a coupling part for engagement with the refill container. The coupling part has a pipe unit, which is inserted into the refill container for allowing the liquid to flow into the pipe unit. A slit is provided at a leading end of the pipe unit.
US09050803B2
A liquid ejection head includes nozzles, a channel member, a common liquid chamber member, a damper member, a damper chamber formation member, a first adhesive, and a second adhesive. The channel member includes individual liquid chambers communicated with the nozzles. The common liquid chamber member forms a common liquid chamber to supply liquid to the individual liquid chambers. The damper member has a deformable area forming a portion of a wall of the common liquid chamber. The damper chamber formation member forms a damper chamber disposed opposing the common liquid chamber via the deformable area. The first adhesive is disposed between the damper member and the common liquid chamber member. The second adhesive is disposed between the damper member and the damper chamber formation member. The deformable area of the damper member has a peripheral portion fringed with the first adhesive and the second adhesive.
US09050797B2
An inkjet nozzle device configured for venting a gas bubble during droplet ejection. The inkjet nozzle device includes: a firing chamber for containing ink, the firing chamber having a floor and a roof defining an elongate nozzle aperture having a perimeter; and an elongate heater element bonded to the floor of the firing chamber, the heater element and nozzle aperture having aligned longitudinal axes. The device is configured to satisfy the relationships A=swept volume/area of heater element=8 to 14 microns; and B=firing chamber volume/swept volume=2 to 6. The swept volume is defined as the volume of a shape defined by a projection from the perimeter of the nozzle aperture to the floor of the firing chamber, and includes a volume contained within the nozzle aperture.
US09050790B2
A printing apparatus includes: a mask formed with a pattern hole for printing; a printing mechanism having a squeegee that comes into contact with a front surface of the mask at a predetermined contact angle, the printing mechanism causing the squeegee to slide on the front surface of the mask with a predetermined printing pressure to move a solder on the front surface of the mask while scraping the solder by the squeegee, thereby printing the solder to a substrate via the pattern hole; a detection device executing detection operation for detecting a physical quantity that changes in accordance with an amount of solder on the front surface of the mask; and a control device adjusting at least one of the contact angle and the printing pressure of the squeegee on the basis of the physical quantity detected by the detection device.
US09050787B2
Methods and apparatuses discussed herein provide for localized speed changes of an advancing substrate. Embodiments of a localized speed varying apparatus may include first and second substrate guides positioned upstream and downstream of a processing station, respectively. The substrate guides may utilize orbital motion of guide members to change the length of the substrate within the substrate guides upstream and downstream of the processing station. The changes in substrate length within the substrate guides result in localized speed changes of the substrate between the substrate guides. Coordination between the substrate guides allows for localized speed changes of the substrate passing through the processing station without affecting the speed of the substrate upstream of the first substrate guide and downstream of the second substrate guide.
US09050786B2
A method of manufacturing an elongated composite structure having two separate longitudinal composite structure sections, where said method comprises the following steps: providing a rigid mold part 13 having a first forming surface 14 with a contour defining an outer surface of the elongated composite structure, arranging a first fiber lay-up 15 in a first longitudinal section 16 of the first mold part 13, arranging a first flexible foil 18 over a first crosswise edge area 17 of the first fiber lay-up 15, arranging a second fiber lay-up 20 in a second longitudinal section 21 of the mold part 13 so as to overlap the crosswise edge area 17 of the first lay-up 15 and thereby the first flexible foil 18 in an overlap area 22 forming an interface between the fiber lay-ups 15,20, providing polymer to the fiber lay-ups 15,20 and allowing the polymer to cure.
US09050777B2
The present invention is directed to a nonwoven fabric made from a composite of nonwoven and pulp where the nonwoven has a high loft derived from a heat set three-dimensional relief structure and/or hydroengorged fiber structure. A nonwoven web is hydraulically treated to create a hydroengorged material having an increased loft. Alternatively a nonwoven web is treated to have a heat set three-dimensional relief structure. The treated web is then hydroentangled with pulp to form a cotendered nonwoven/pulp composite fabric.
US09050770B1
A method of manufacturing a roll of bottom gusseted pouches serially connected in a top-to-bottom end orientation is provided. The method comprises unwinding a pouch webbing in a first flow direction, the pouch webbing defining front and back panels of a respective pouch; inserting a gusset webbing between the panels in a second flow direction; attaching the gusset webbing to the panels to form the bottom gusseted end of the pouch; inserting a closure mechanism between the panels in a third flow direction; attaching the closure mechanism to the panels to form the resealable top end of the pouch; sealing the side edges of the panels to complete the pouch; winding the completed pouch onto the roll; and repeating these steps to form the other bottom gusseted pouches in the roll. At least one of the pouch webbing and the gusset webbing is formed of a supported film.
US09050765B2
An intraocular lens comprises an optical element adapted to be implanted within the capsular bag of a human eye. The optical element includes one or more internal layers formed by one or more planes that are moveable relative to one another in order to effect the power of the optical element.
US09050756B2
This invention relates to a method of making a helmet using a preform subassembly with arms which have an area that matches a perimeter profile of a specified geometric shape. By use of the area matching perform with arms, the thickness of the helmet is more uniform, seams in the preform can be minimized, and the ballistic resistance of the resulting helmet can be increased.
US09050746B2
An IMD mold for producing a foil-decorated plastic part contains a half mold facing the foil and a half mold facing away from the foil. The two half molds can be placed on each other with corresponding mold dividing surfaces so as to form a cavity, which is substantially closed off from the outside, therebetween. At least the mold dividing surface of the half mold facing the foil is formed by an inner area surrounding the cavity and an outer area in turn surrounding the inner area.The mold dividing surface in the outer area lies in an at least substantially flat or one-dimensionally curved mold dividing plane, and the mold dividing surface in the inner area is or can be set back with respect to the mold dividing plane.
US09050744B2
At least one blow-molding station is arranged on a conveying device. The blow-molding station includes a blow-mold that forms a cavity into which plastics material pre-forms are expanded by a gaseous medium, supplied by a stressing device. A clean room at least partially surrounds the blow-molding station. A stretching unit stretches the plastics material pre-forms along their longitudinal direction with a stretch bar that is insertable into the plastics material pre-forms. The stretching unit includes a drive device for moving the stretch bar. The blow molding station includes a receiving space with at least one wall for receiving the stretch bar. In operation, the drive device is positioned outside the receiving space at least part of the time. A gaseous medium at a pressure higher than ambient pressure in a non-sterile environment of the receiving space is supplied to the receiving space.
US09050730B2
A saw sheath is provided which allows a saw to be inserted easily and smoothly, which prevents the inserted saw from easily falling out or rattling in the sheath, and which can suppress scraping-off of the inner wall by the blade tip of the saw blade caught by the inner wall. The saw sheath (1) includes a flat sheath opening section (10) and a flat main sheath body (20), and a saw blade (31) is inserted into the main sheath body (20) via the sheath opening section (10). The sheath opening section (10) has an opening width that is wider at the entrance and becomes narrower with depth. A pair of guide rollers (11a) are provided at the entrance of the sheath opening section (10), on the respective sides in the width direction of the entrance, and a pair of grip penetration preventing sections (15) are provided behind the pair of guide rollers (11a). Certain spacing between the grip penetration preventing section (15) and the corresponding guide roller (11a) constitutes an elastic grip-fitting space (16).
US09050723B1
Some embodiments provide a human and robot distributed operating system (HaRD-OS). The HaRD-OS efficiently and dynamically connects different human operators and algorithms to multiple remotely deployed robots based on the task(s) that the robots are to complete. Some embodiments facilitate an action/perception loop between the operators, algorithms and robots by routing tasks between human operators or algorithms based on various routing polices including operator familiarity, aptitude, access rights, end user preference, time zones, costs, efficiency, latency, privacy concerns, etc. In the event of a fault, some embodiments route to the best operator or algorithm that is able to handle the particular fault with the required privileges. Some embodiments secure task guarantees to be completed at particular times, priorities or costs.
US09050721B2
A robot controller includes a force control unit that outputs a correction value of a target track of a robot based on a detected sensor value acquired from a force sensor, a target value output unit that obtains a target value by performing correction processing on the target track based on the correction value and outputs the obtained target value, and a robot control unit that performs feedback control of the robot based on the target value. Further, the force control unit performs first force control when an external force direction indicated by the detected sensor value is a first direction, and performs second force control different from the first force control when the external force direction is a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US09050705B2
A clamping mechanism for surface blasting of workpieces includes a base seat, a following assembly and a linking assembly. The following assembly is mounted on the base seat. The linking assembly is mounted on the following assembly, in which the linking assembly includes a lower rod, an upper rod, at least two linking bars and a plurality of loading members; the lower rod, the upper rod and the at least two linking rods cooperatively forming a four-bar linkage mechanism. The plurality of loading members are fixed to the at least two linking bars, such that the plurality of loading members are capable of turning over workpieces for surface blasting without requiring any positional readjustment of the workpieces by hand.
US09050699B2
A method and apparatus for chemical mechanical polishing of substrates, and more particularly a method and apparatus related to a carrier had for use in chemical mechanical polishing is provided. In one embodiment the carrier head assembly comprises a base assembly for providing support to the substrate, a flexible membrane mounted on the base assembly having a generally circular central portion with a lower surface that provides a substrate mounting surface, and a plurality of independently pressurizable chambers formed between the base assembly and the flexible membrane, comprising an annular outer chamber and a non-circular inner chamber, is provided.
US09050695B2
A machine tool includes a lever arm extended from a column, a working spindle and a guiding member attached to the lever arm and having an upper guiding surface and a lower recess formed by an anchoring surface, the guiding surface is located farther away from the column as compared with the anchoring surface of the guiding member, a tool cartridge is attached to the lever arm for supplying tool elements to the working spindle, and includes a seat having a cam surface, a guiding roller attached to the seat for engaging with the guiding surface of the guiding member and for selectively separating the tool cartridge from the working spindle and the guiding member.
US09050694B2
The invention relates to a tool for clamping using sides of workpieces, in particular to a tool for clamping and processing workpieces like boxes using sides of the box workpieces, belonging to the technical field of tools for clamping used in the processing center to process workpieces. The tool for clamping using sides of workpieces comprises a soleplate, wherein one side of the soleplate is fixed with multiple elastic seats arranged at interval, the elastic seats are provided with vertical V-shaped grooves, the bottom of each vertical V-shaped groove is provided with a rectangle groove, the bottom of the rectangle groove is provided with a threaded hole, a V-shaped pressing block is fitted in the vertical V-shaped groove, a through hole which is coaxial with the threaded hole on the bottom of the rectangle groove is formed on the V-shaped pressing block, and a bolt passes through the through hole on the V-shaped pressing block to fit with the threaded hole on the bottom of the rectangle groove; and, the other side of the soleplate opposite to the elastic seats is provided with multiple V-shaped locating blocks arranged at interval, the gap between each two adjacent elastic seats corresponds to one V-shaped locating block, and each V-shaped locating block is provided with a horizontal V-shaped groove, the opening of which faces the gap between two adjacent elastic seats.
US09050684B2
Systems and methods are provided for a torch power system using a multi-stage compressor. In one embodiment, a system includes a torch power unit that includes a compressor having multiple compression stages. A method of operation is provided that includes compressing a gas via a multi-stage compressor in a torch power unit. A method of manufacturing a torch power unit is provided that includes providing a multi-stage compressor for a torch power unit and mounting the multi-stage compressor inside an enclosure of the torch power unit. Another system is provided that includes a plasma cutting circuit, a multi-stage compressor, a motor coupled to the compressor, and a compressor controller.
US09050683B2
A laser dicing method of a work piece on a surface of which a metal film is provided, includes: a first metal film removing of irradiating a pulse laser beam defocused from the metal film, along a first line, and removing the metal film; a second metal film removing of irradiating the pulse laser beam defocused from the metal film, along a second line orthogonal to the first line, and removing the metal film; and a crack forming of irradiating the pulse laser beam in an area from which the metal film of the work piece is removed, and forming the crack in the work piece, and, in an area in which the first line and the second line cross, irradiation of the pulse laser beam is interrupted in the first metal film removing or the second metal film removing.
US09050678B2
An arc welder including an integrated monitor is disclosed. The monitor is capable of monitoring variables during a welding process and weighting the variables accordingly, quantifying overall quality of a weld, obtaining and using data indicative of a good weld, improving production and quality control for an automated welding process, teaching proper welding techniques, identifying cost savings for a welding process, and deriving optimal welding settings to be used as pre-sets for different welding processes or applications.
US09050676B2
A system and method of starting a welding operation is provided where an electrode is advanced towards a work piece in a pulsed fashion and having a voltage level which will provide a first current when contact between the electrode and the work piece is made. After contact the electrode is retracted so that a welding arc is established and after the welding arc is established the current and wire feed speed is increased to a welding level.
US09050674B2
A system and method for edging a deposit layer in any of cladding, building up, and hard-facing applications is provided. The system includes a high intensity heat source that heats a workpiece and creates a molten puddle. The system also includes a wire feeder that feeds a wire to the molten puddle. The wire melts in the molten puddle and creates a bond with the molten puddle to form the deposit layer on the workpiece. The system further includes an edging system that has at least one laser that emits a laser beam that impinges on at least one of a surface area and an edge area of the deposit layer to modify the deposit layer. The laser modifies the deposit layer by at least one of melting and vaporizing at least a portion of the surface area and/or the edge area.
US09050671B2
An apparatus is configured for use with an electrode and a CNC machine tool. The apparatus includes a holder configured to hold the electrode in a position projecting outward from the holder, and a pull stud configured to mount the holder on the CNC machine tool. The apparatus further includes a driving mechanism that is operative to provide a motive force, and a coupling configured to couple the holder with the driving mechanism when the holder is not mounted on the CNC machine tool. The holder is configured to transmit the motive force from the coupling to the electrode in the holder to move the electrode outward of the holder.
US09050669B2
Pipe machining apparatuses, tool supports, and methods of operating pipe machining apparatuses are provided. In one aspect, a pipe machining apparatus includes a frame, a tool carrier coupled to and movable relative to the frame, and a tool support coupled to and movable with the tool carrier relative to the frame. The tool support is adapted to support a tool and move the tool in a first direction toward a pipe at a first increment and move the tool in a second direction away from the pipe at a second increment. The second increment is larger than the first increment.
US09050668B2
A method of cutting a slot using an apparatus comprising a carriage that is movable along an axis, a cutting tool, and a depth controller. The cutting tool may be removably attached to the carriage. The depth controller may be used to select a cutting depth of the cutting tool with respect to a surface of a workpiece closest to a part.
US09050667B2
A polygonal cutting insert for right angle machining has opposed upper and lower surfaces, a peripheral side surface interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces and having curved first and fourth side surfaces and plane second and third side surfaces, and main and secondary cutting edges alternately formed along the outer peripheries of the upper and lower surfaces. The adjacent main and secondary cutting edges form a right angle therebetween. The first side surface adjoins the main cutting edge of the upper surface. The second side surface adjoins the secondary cutting edge of the lower surface. The third side surface adjoins the secondary cutting edge of the upper surface. The fourth side surface adjoins the main cutting edge of the lower surface. The cutting insert can be mounted on a milling cutter at a positive axial rake angle.
US09050665B2
A template for use with an instrument to drill a hole in a surface at a desired location. The template includes a body which has a negative impression of the surface, and a guideway having a first end positioned to open onto the desired location when the body is placed in conforming contact with the surface and a second end positioned on an exterior surface of the body. The second end of the guideway is connected to the first end by a passage. The guideway is preferably positioned in a portion of the template which is removable from the remainder thereof. The template also includes a stop for limiting the depth of penetration of the drill bit into the hole, a first fastener for attaching the stop to the body and a second fastener for fastening the removable portion of the template to the remainder of the template.
US09050658B2
A cutting insert has an upper abutment portion at an upper surface thereof, and two bottom abutment portions and a stopper portion, at a bottom surface thereof. The two bottom abutment portions define bottom planes, parallel and spaced apart from one another. The upper abutment surface defines an upper plane, forming a first angle with the bottom planes. The cutting insert has a relief surface at a front surface thereof, forming a cutting edge with a rake surface formed at the upper surface. The stopper portion defines a stopper plane, which forms a second angle with a relief plane defined by the relief surface. A reference plane perpendicular to the upper plane, passing through the upper abutment portion, intersects the first and second bottom planes at first and second intersection lines, which are spaced apart from the first and second bottom abutment portions.
US09050652B2
A method for producing a solid layer material (42), comprising providing (70) a first layer (30); providing (72) a second liquid layer (32) on the first layer (30); providing (74) a third liquid layer (34) on the second liquid layer (32), wherein the third liquid layer has a melting point that is higher than a melting point of the second liquid layer, and wherein the second liquid layer is between the first and third layers; cooling (76) a surface of the third liquid layer to a temperature less than the melting point of the third liquid layer; forming (78) the solid layer from the third liquid layer while cooling the third layer liquid; and removing (80) the solid layer.
US09050646B2
An automobile chassis part which is excellent in low cycle fatigue characteristics, characterized by being formed by steel which contains, by mass %, C: 0.02 to 0.10%, Si: 0.05 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.3 to 2.5%, P: 0.03% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Ti: 0.005 to 0.1%, Al: 0.005 to 0.1%, N: 0.0005 to 0.006%, and B: 0.0001 to 0.01 and has a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, in which 80% or more of the part structure comprises a bainite structure and in which a portion where a ratio R/t of the thickness “t” and external surface curvature radius R is 5 or less has an X-ray half width of an (211) plane of 5 (deg) or less.
US09050643B2
In a method for connecting two at least partly metal components of a vehicle seat, which has a backrest that can be pivoted about an axis, wherein the two components are arranged relative to each other and are then connected, the two components are arranged at a distance from each other, at least in some regions, and connected by electromagnetic pulse technology. By a current pulse, electromagnetic fields are induced in the two components, the intense magnetic attraction force of which presses the two components together, producing an integral connection.
US09050642B2
Systems and methods for generating beneficial residual stresses in a target material by generating cavitation shock waves through the use of a cavitation intensification conditioner. Shock waves emanate through the target material from collapsing cavitation voids in a liquid jet to generate residual stresses without significantly deforming the surface of the target material. A high pressure liquid is accelerated through a submerged peening nozzle to generate a high-speed liquid cavitating jet that is further intensified and controlled by use of the cavitation intensification conditioner.
US09050641B2
Disclosed herein is a hot stamping device for forming, cooling and trimming a material heated to a set temperature including a lower stanchion having a lower mold steel formed to a shape corresponding to a bottom surface of the material and a blank holder vertically movable on an exterior of the lower mold steel; a lower trimming steel mounted on the blank holder, configured to support the edges of the material; an upper stanchion having an upper mold steel formed to a shape corresponding to an upper surface of the material, and configured to move the upper mold steel up and down; an upper trimming steel disposed on an exterior of the upper mold steel move downwardly with the lower trimming steel to trim the edges of the material; and a cooling unit disposed on to the lower and the upper mold steels and the lower and the upper trimming steels, and configured to circulate coolant.
US09050631B2
Disclosed may be an apparatus and related methods for simply and inexpensively extracting the psychoactive resins of cannabis skuff. Further disclosed may be apparatus and related methods of extracting cannabis resins without the drawbacks of heretoforknown apparatus. Yet still disclosed is apparatus and methods for using more of a harvested cannabis plant. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a tumble box with a door with a plurality of screened traps; and, a motor for rotating the box around an axis, and, shaking the tumble box along the axis. The more specific aspects of the disclosed apparatus are further described with reference to the drawings.
US09050613B2
An improved shower soap dispenser for use with liquid soap, gels and body washes. It consists of a soap storage reservoir, main body containing control valves that intersects and connects directly to a conventional shower pipe and shower head. It mixes an adjustable amount of liquid soap with air into the flowing water. Its improved main valve, through incorporation of a truncated cone, provides greater vacuum and water flow to make it compatible with a wider range of water pressure and soap density and viscosity. The improved main valve also provides the capability for the user to clean out water passages of the dispenser without disassembly or removing any parts.
US09050612B2
A shower device includes spray outlets and valves configured to control flow of a fluid to the spray outlets. At least one of the valves is configured to control, independently of other valves, flow of the fluid to at least one of the spray outlets.
US09050611B2
Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.
US09050605B2
A nanocomposite material for use as an electromagnetic wave or radio frequency absorber or as a filter to trap or remove heavy metals. The nanocomposite material may be made with a one-pot synthesis, or thermodecomposition process, of magnetic graphene nanocomposites decorated with core-double-shell nanoparticles, wherein the double shell iron nanoparticles may comprise a crystalline iron core, an inner iron oxide layer around the crystalline iron core, and an outermost amorphous Si—S—O compound shell around the iron oxide layer.
US09050600B2
The invention relates to a cone-shaped crusher including a frame having a cavity, a main shaft disposed eccentrically in the frame, and an eccentric drive making the main shaft perform a gyratory movement. The eccentric drive includes an upper eccentric shaft, a lower eccentric shaft, and an eccentric bearing. The upper eccentric shaft has an opening provided at its central portion to allow the lower end portion of the main shaft to pass through the opening, and an upper coupling part provided at its lower portion and fastened to the lower eccentric shaft. The lower eccentric shaft has a lower coupling part fastened to the upper eccentric shaft. The eccentric bearing accommodates the lower end portion of the main shaft and is disposed in a space defined by the upper eccentric shaft and the lower eccentric shaft.
US09050599B2
A portable crushing apparatus to crush and grind small rocks and ores that includes a plurality of support legs that raise and stabilize the apparatus, a pair of handles that are perpendicular to the apparatus and allow a user to grasp the apparatus while in use and a pair of arms that include a distal end on each arm and extend horizontally from the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a casing that houses a crushing assembly that includes an adjustable jaw, a movable jaw, a plurality of jaw teeth, a plurality of spacers, an adjustable jaw pin, a guide pin, a pivot pin, a movable jaw spacer, an adjuster bracket and an adjusting bolt that is housed within the casing and a cover to prevent flying debris.
US09050598B2
A device for dispensing directional objects is comprised of: a case for housing the objects in a horizontal direction; a shutter covering the case and capable of leaving a window; a pivot pivotally supporting the case to allow the case to swing around the pivot; a conveyor including a plurality of slots respectively holding the objects in the horizontal direction and being disposed to receive the objects dropped through the window into the slots; a guide including a bottom end and a slit opened upward to receive the objects dropped from the conveyor and gravitationally feed the objects toward the bottom; and a dropper coupled with the bottom end of the guide, where the objects are dispensed with the tip ends thereof directed downward.
US09050589B2
Disclosed are metal-bound tetracarbene catalysts, such as iron based aziridination catalyst, having the formula: wherein X is a group 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 metal and wherein Z is a hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or organic group, wherein the alkyl, aryl or organic group is optionally are independently substituted. In a specific example, a metal-bound tetracarbene catalyst has the formula: Also disclosed are methods of making (synthesizing), transmetallation reagents, these agents, metal-bound tetracarbene catalysts, and a method of catalytic alkene aziridination, using the disclosed metal-bound tetracarbene catalysts.
US09050588B2
A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst activation system including separation apparatus configured for separating a product gas comprising primarily hydrogen from a gas stream comprising hydrogen, an activation reactor fluidly connected with the separation apparatus via an activation gas inlet line whereby the product gas may be introduced into the activation reactor, and a circulation loop fluidly connecting a gas outlet of the activation reactor with the activation gas inlet line or with another gas inlet of the activation reactor and fluidly connecting the activation reactor with one or more apparatus configured for removal of H2O. A method of activating a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst is also provided.
US09050570B2
A device 10 for facilitating a chemical reaction includes an upper member 12 having a predetermined configuration, a lower member 14 having a predetermined configuration, and a dissolvable member 16 disposed between and ultimately enclosed by said upper and lower members 12 and 14 such that upper and lower chambers 18 and 20 are formed having substantially equal volumes. The upper chamber 18 ultimately receives a dry sodium chlorite 30 and the lower chamber 20 ultimately receives a dry acid mixture 32, whereupon, the upper and lower members 12 and 14 are joined, thereby sealing the upper and lower chambers 18 and 20 and enabling the joined upper and lower members 12 and 14 to be disposed in water such that said lower member 14 engages the water first. The joined upper and lower members 12 and 14 ultimately swell with absorbed water until all water has been absorbed.
US09050569B2
The present invention describes a thin layer fixed bed reactor intended for chemical treatments, in particular reduction of a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis catalyst. The reactor is designed in the form of similar, compact modules and operates with a ratio of linear pressure drop to outlet pressure which falls within certain limits.
US09050564B2
The invention relates to a filter module having one or more spirally wound flat filter elements comprising permeate outlet openings on one or two edges, a method for the production of the filter module, and a filtration system formed from one or more filter modules.
US09050544B2
A water and bubble toy includes a water projecting assembly and a bubble generating assembly. Water is stored in a water reservoir located in a rear handle of the toy while bubble solution is stored in a detachable reservoir. The water generating assembly is operated by a lever located toward an upper end of the toy. When the lever is pulled, the lever activates a first pump that expels water from the toy. The bubble generating assembly is operated by a finger trigger that activates an electric motor, which powers a second pump and a fan. The second pump pumps bubble solution to a ring and the bubble solution coats the ring. The fan blows air through the ring and helps generate and propel bubbles from the ring.
US09050542B2
A slotted rod for a construction toy is comprised of an elongated rod having a body portion with a length that is longer than the thickness. A conventional connector is located at each end of rod for connection to a hub or to another rod for constructing a structure utilizing the construction toy system. The rod includes a plurality of elongated slots arranged around the periphery with each slot extending axially along the length thereof. Each slot is capable of allowing a piece of sheet-like material to pass therethrough. The slots may be formed directly in the body of the rod or in a sleeve that slides over and covers the body portion. In one embodiment, the slot has an opening at one end whereby the sheet-like material can be inserted into the slot by moving it axially into position.
US09050541B2
An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
US09050527B2
A wand-shaped handheld device tethered to a fixed structure in a gaming system by one or more cables wound around reels. The handheld device includes a button on a top thereof as a secondary input means. Motors coupled to the reels wind the cables or apply an opposing force to a pulling force applied to the device. Sensors detect how far the cables are retracted or pulled relative to the fixed structure. Haptic feedback devices impart tactile vibrations that are transmitted along the cable(s) and to the handheld device as the motor is pulling the handheld device toward the fixed structure or a player grasping the device is pulling it away from the fixed structure. Wagering game graphics are coordinated with the movement of the device so that movements or selection of the graphics are affected by inputs made by moving the handheld device or pressing its button.
US09050511B2
A golf club (2) comprising a shaft (20), a head and a damping device (1, 100). The damping device (1, 100) includes an anchor element (3, 103) and a damping element (4, 104) interconnected by a rigid rod (5, 105). The anchor element (3, 103) is anchored within the lower section of the shaft (20) that has a substantially constant diameter such that the damping element (4, 104) is in contact with an internal surface of the shaft (20) to dampen vibrations therein.
US09050510B2
Embodiments of a putter-type golf club head with an increased moment of inertia about the X axis (MOIxx) and an increased moment of inertia about the Z axis (MOIzz) are disclosed. Generally, the MOIzz is increased by designing the putter such that the center of gravity (CG) of the putter head is located at or behind the geometric center of the putter head. Additionally, the mass of the putter head is concentrated at the outer edges of the putter head. To accomplish this, the ratio of the width of the front of the putter head to the width of the rear of the putter head is no greater than 0.55:1. The MOIxx is further increased by locating the CG relatively close to the bottom of the putter head.
US09050508B2
A golf club includes: a shaft; a head; and a shaft case, a hosel column, wherein: the shaft case includes a convex axis member provided at a top end of the shaft case; the hosel column includes a plurality of concave threads that are provided on the lower side of a step face on an inner periphery of the hosel column; a flange member is provided at a back end of the shaft case, and a spacer is provided insertable and removable between the flange member and an upper end of the hosel column; a bolt holder is arranged to connect with the step face when the spacer is inserted between the flange member of the shaft case and the hosel column; and the bolt holder is arranged to connect with the upper ends of the concave threads when the spacer is removed.
US09050504B2
A mesh pocket for a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The mesh pocket is defined by a plurality of strands, which are inter-engaged. A wax is impregnated into at least a portion of at least some of the strands. Additionally, a process for applying a wax to a mesh of a lacrosse stick is disclosed. The process comprises providing a wax-permeable layer having a first and second opposed sides, and positioning the first side in contact with the mesh. The process further comprises providing molten wax to the second opposed side of the wax-permeable layer. The molten wax passes through the wax-permeable layer to the mesh.
US09050501B2
Multi-layered golf ball core sub-assemblies and the resulting golf balls are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The intermediate core layer is preferably formed from a thermoplastic composition such as an ethylene acid copolymer ionomer resin; and the outer core layer is preferably formed from a thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
US09050498B2
An exercise assembly comprises a frame and elongated foot pedal members that are each movable along user-defined paths of differing dimensions. Each foot pedal member has a from portion and a rear portion. Footpads are disposed on the rear portion of one of the pair of foot pedal members. Elongated coupler arms have a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally connected to the frame. Crank members have a first portion that is pivotally connected to the front portion of one of the pan of foot pedal members and have a second portion that is pivotally connected to the lower portion of one of the pair of coupler arms, such that each crank member is rotatable in a circular path. Elongated rocker arms have a lower portion that is pivotally connected to one of the pair of foot pedal members in between the foot pad and the crank member and have an upper portion that is pivotally connected to the frame.
US09050489B2
An aquatic training device (150) including: a drag member (160) including an inlet (161), an outlet (162) and at least one side wall (163) extending between the inlet (161) and the outlet (162); and a link (170), for towing the drag member (160), coupled to the at least one side wall (163) adjacent the inlet (161); wherein the drag member (160) includes at least one drag inducer (164) formed in or attached to the at least one side wall (163).
US09050478B2
A supply valve for supplying air to a wearer of an air respirator is attached to a facepiece and includes an inflow port for medium-pressure air (S1), a supply port for the medium-pressure air (S1) with respect to the facepiece, and a diaphragm. The supply valve includes a cylindrical housing and a slider that is reciprocally slidable on the inner peripheral surface of the housing in an axial direction thereof. The housing includes a pilot valve seat urged toward a pilot valve on an outer side of the one end portion in the axial direction and a main valve seat on an inner side of an opposite end portion in the axial direction. The inflow port is formed between the one end portion and the opposite end portion. The slider includes the pilot valve contactable with the pilot valve seat and a main valve urged toward the main valve seat.
US09050469B1
A system and method for analyzing and logging changes in brain state of a subject for administering therapy to the subject based on the at least one cardiac signal wherein the system and method comprises the steps of receiving at least one cardiac signal of the subject into a processor, analyzing the cardiac signal to detect at least one cardiac signal change indicative of a brain state change, and logging at least one characteristic of the detected signal change or the brain state change.
US09050465B2
An exemplary method of facilitating adjustment of one or more fitting parameters by an auditory prosthesis patient includes 1) receiving, by a fitting subsystem communicatively coupled to a sound processor, user input representative of a selection of a fitting parameter, 2) associating, by the fitting subsystem in response to the user input, the fitting parameter with a physical input mechanism that is a part of the sound processor, and 3) dynamically adjusting, by the fitting subsystem, a value of the fitting parameter in response to actuation by a user of the physical input mechanism. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.
US09050462B2
A stimulation system and method for treating to a human subject having spasmodic dysphonia includes a sensing electrode configured to detect voice activity of a vocalizing muscle of the subject and to generate a first signal, and a processor configured to receive the first signal from the sensing electrode and to generate at least one stimulation parameter based on the first signal. The system further includes a mechanical actuator configured to receive the stimulation parameter from the processor and to activate a glottic closure reflex of the subject in response to the stimulation parameter and a stimulating electrode configured to receive the stimulation parameter from the processor and stimulate the recurrent laryngeal nerve or the vagus nerve of the subject based on the stimulation parameter.
US09050451B2
An electrode assembly that includes an electrode configured to provide electrical contact with a subject's skin through a subject contact surface. The electrode includes an electrode base pad having a first contact surface on a side of the electrode opposite the subject contact surface. The electrode also includes a connector assembly configured to electrically connect the electrode to an external electrical apparatus to transfer electrical signals between the subject's skin and the external electrical apparatus. The connector assembly includes a housing having a second contact surface. The second contact surface is configured to be magnetically and electrically coupled to the first contact surface of the electrode base pad. The connector assembly also includes an electrical connector configured to connect the second contact surface to the external electrical apparatus.
US09050450B2
An ultrasound therapy transducer head comprises an ultrasound source emitting ultrasonic radiation, the ultrasound source comprising a plurality of transducer elements, integrated driving electronics coupled to the transducer elements, the electronics generating at least one output ultrasound waveform and driving at least some of the transducer elements independently based on the at least one output ultrasound waveform and temperature control structure providing cooling for the electronics.
US09050449B2
A method for treating a desired volume of tissue using HIFU or other energy modality to ablate a pattern of elemental treatment volumes each having a volume that is greater than that of the focal zone of the HIFU transducer but smaller than the overall volume of the desired treatment volume. In one embodiment, the pattern of elemental treatment volumes are arranged to form a shell which partially or wholly encapsulates the desired volume of tissue, which then necroses in situ due to effects other than direct HIFU damage (including some combination of ischemia, thermal conduction, inflammation, apoptosis, etc.). The necrosed tissue remains in the body and is subsequently resorbed and/or healed via normal body mechanisms.
US09050446B2
An injection port includes a port body having a fluid reservoir and a connector in fluid communication with the reservoir. The injection port further includes a conduit protection feature that is configured to protect against kinking of the conduit, decoupling of the conduit from the connector, or penetration of the conduit by a needle. The protection feature may include an anchor for anchoring the conduit to tissue to reduce conduit movement. The protection feature may include a recess that is configured to receive part of the conduit. The protection feature may include a bend formed in the connector to reduce transverse stresses in the conduit. The protection feature may include a bell-shaped shroud encompassing the connector. A sleeve may further protect the conduit and/or the coupling between the connector and the conduit.
US09050445B2
The present invention relates generally to a tattoo needle stabilization device. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a device that is inserted through the sanitary cutout and engages the shaft of a tattoo needle near the point, biasing the point of the needle against the inside of the tip aperture and stabilizing the needle.
US09050436B2
An anti-siphon drainage device having a housing forming an internal chamber, an inlet and outlet ports part of the internal chamber and fluidly connected by a primary flow path. A valve seat is associated with the primary flow path, a sloped section extends from the valve seat, and a valve element disposed in the sloped section and can seat in the valve seat to restrict a fluid flow into the primary flow path from the inlet port. A secondary flow path can have an opening near the inlet port and an orifice near the outlet port. A regulator has an aperture to selectively open and close the opening of the secondary flow path. When the valve element is seated in the valve seat and restricting the fluid flow into the primary flow path, the fluid flows into the secondary flow path.
US09050427B2
Dry powder inhalers and methods are provided that facilitate deagglomeration of powdered medicament during inspiration. A dry powder inhaler includes a dry powder medicament container assembly, and an elongated dry powder delivery tube having an inlet at one end that communicates with a dose container, and an outlet or inhalation port that extends from the inhaler housing at an opposite end. The delivery tube includes one or more apertures adjacent the inlet that cause cyclonic or turbulent airflow through the delivery tube. The inner surface of the delivery tube has a polygonal configuration and the cyclonic air stream bounces off the polygonal inner surface numerous times as the air stream flows through the delivery tube. Another dry powder inhaler includes a deagglomeration chamber with a polygonal inner surface. An air stream containing dry powder medicament is directed into the deagglomeration chamber and impacts the polygonal inner surface numerous times.
US09050422B2
The invention includes compositions of stem and progenitor cells recovered from bone marrow or cord blood containing most of the viable CD34+ cells and substantially depleted of red blood cells resident in the original sample, without any xenobiotic additives to aid cell separation. The invention also includes a system and method for preparing the compositions. The system includes a bag set and a processing device, which utilizes an optical sensor, microcontroller, servo motor, accelerometer, load cell, and battery. The system and method utilize centrifugation to stratify the cells into layers and then separate and transfer the stem cells into a stem cell bag. The processing device's microcontroller receives input from the device's accelerometer, load cell and optical sensor to direct the metering valve in the bag set to open and close to permit the transfer of as many stems cells as possible with as few red cells as possible.
US09050417B2
A membrane for a pressure dome is configured to cooperate with a pressure sensor, and includes a resilient circular wall and a circular rim. The resilient circular wall is configured to close one side of the pressure dome so as to define a partition between the inside of the pressure dome and the outside. The circular rim is configured to be housed in a main body of the pressure dome. The membrane is configured such that the resilient circular wall, when there is no difference between the pressures acting respectively on the inner surface and on the outer surface, has an outwardly convex form.
US09050414B2
The invention provides systems and methods for mixing of therapeutic agents before and/or during the localized application of the therapeutic agents. Most preferably, the present invention provides systems and methods for mixing of therapeutic agents before and/or during administration of the agents within a biological lumen. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise systems and methods for inducing a mixing state in the therapeutic agents, thereby inducing and/or maintaining homogeneity of the agents before and/or during localized delivery.
US09050411B2
A dialysis system includes a dialysis fluid cassette-based membrane blood pump; a dialyzer in fluid communication with the blood pump; first and second dialysis fluid cassette-based balance chambers each having (i) a fresh dialysis fluid compartment in fluid communication with the dialyzer and (ii) a spent dialysis fluid compartment; a dialysis fluid cassette-based fresh dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the fresh dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; a dialysis fluid cassette-based spent dialysis fluid membrane pump in fluid communication with the dialyzer and the spent dialysis fluid compartments of the first and second balance chambers; and which is configured to receive a data transfer including a prescription entry for the system.
US09050404B2
The present invention provides a suction sequence which is considered to produce advantageous results, particularly for mothers with newborn infants. The sequence comprises a process of stimulation, expression, and pausing to closely mimic a newborn's sucking pattern.
US09050401B2
A system for controlled delivery of medical fluids to a patient includes an inlet conduit attached to a source of a medical fluid and an outlet conduit connected to the patient. The inlet and outlet conduits are interconnected by a multiple stage control valve assembly and a pair of syringes. The control valve assembly is alternated between a first state wherein the inlet conduit communicates with a first syringe for transmitting fluid from the source to the first syringe, a second state wherein the first syringe communicates with a second syringe and is isolated from the inlet conduit and the outlet for transmitting fluid from the first syringe to the second syringe, and a third state wherein the second syringe communicates with the outlet and is isolated from the inlet and the first syringe for transmitting fluid from the second syringe to the patient through the outlet.
US09050392B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing a cross-linked sterile and homogeneous hydrogel for injection, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (a) preparing an aqueous solution containing a polymer derived from cellulose and at least one water-soluble polymer, the total polymer content ranging from 0.5 and 5 wt %, preferably from 1 to 4 wt % and more preferably from 1.5 to 3 wt %; (b) optionally adding sold particles; (c) pouring the resulting liquid mixture with the optional solid particles into a vessel and closing dais vessel using a water-tight and gas-tight system; and (d) exposing said vessel containing the liquid and the optional solid particles to a radiation dose of between 5 and 50 kGy, preferably between 20 and 30 kGy, and more preferably of about 25 kGy. The invention also relates to a hydrogel obtained according to the above method and to the use thereof in medical applications.
US09050384B2
The present method relates to a novel means of safely applying peracetic acid (peroxyacetic acid or PAA) to inert solid surfaces and non-inert surfaces such as those found on various agricultural products including citrus fruit, pome fruit, potatoes, and vegetables to achieve an enhanced microbial effect. This is useful as a low cost means of sanitizing agricultural products in situ in the storage facility while simultaneously sanitizing the storage facility itself.
US09050381B2
Provided are a method and a device for sterilizing the surface of a space-to-be-sterilized which are safe to the human body, which are effective even for sterilizing spore-forming bacteria, which do not require the space-to-be-sterilized to be highly shielded, and which can sterilize the surface of the space efficiently with inexpensive equipment. The disclosed method involves: spraying a low-concentration sterilizing agent in the form of fine particles into the space-to-be-sterilized and making the sterilizing agent adhere to the surface thereof, the low-concentration sterilizing agent being any one of a 1-10 wt % aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide, a 0.1-1 wt % aqueous solution of peracetic acid, or a 0.01-0.1 wt % aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid; adjusting the humidity in the space-to-be-sterilized; and air-drying the sterilizing agent. Thus, a high level of sterilization can be achieved in a short time and at low cost.
US09050375B2
This invention relates to bispecific antibodies and antibody fragments against a target protein and a hapten, wherein the hapten is PEG or biotin, most preferably digoxigenin, methods for their production, their use as a delivery platform for therapeutic or diagnostic agents, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US09050366B2
Bioactive, hydroforming luminal liner compositions are formed of high molecular weight crystalline, absorbable copolyesters dissolved in a liquid derivative of a polyether glycol that undergoes transformation into a tissue-adhering, resilient interior cover or liner for the controlled release of its bioactive payload at clinically compromised conduits in humans as in the case of bacteria- and yeast-infected vaginal canals, esophagi, and arteries following angioplasty.
US09050359B2
Disclosed herein are herbal formulations for relief from symptoms of skin disease. The formulations can also be combined with an active or inactive pharmaceutical ingredient, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
US09050351B2
The present invention relates to topical compositions containing choline alfoscerate for use in maintaining and restoring the integrity of the mucous membranes.
US09050345B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein A, R1, R3, and R24 are described herein. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of potassium channel function and in the treatment of arrhythmia, maintaining normal sinus rhythm, IKur-associated disorders, and other disorders mediated by ion channel function.
US09050343B2
Combinations of 5-HT2A inverse agonists or antagonists such as pimavanserin with antipsychotics such as risperidone are shown to induce a rapid onset of antipsychotic action and increase the number of responders when compared to therapy with the antipsychotic alone. These effects can be achieved at a low dose of the antipsychotic, thereby reducing the incidence of side effects. The combinations are also effective at decreases the incidence of weight gain and increased glucose or prolactin levels caused by the antipsychotic.
US09050339B2
Compounds of Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, and R10 have the meanings as indicated in the specification, are useful for treating diseases mediated by blockade of the epithelial sodium channel. Pharmaceutical compositions that contain the compounds and processes for preparing the compounds are also described.
US09050333B2
The present invention relates, in general, to Glycogen Storage Disease and, in particular, to a method of treating Glycogen Storage Disease-type-III and to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such a method.
US09050329B1
The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain aryl-phenyl-sulfonamido-cycloalkyl compounds of the following formula (collectively referred to herein as “APSAC compounds”). The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, in treatment, for example, of inflammation and/or joint destruction and/or bone loss; of disorders mediated by excessive and/or inappropriate and/or prolonged activation of the immune system; of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and the like; of disorders associated with bone loss, such as bone loss associated with excessive osteoclast activity in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer-associated bone disease, Paget's disease and the like, etc.; and of cancer, such as a haematological malignancy, a solid tumor, etc.
US09050328B2
A pharmaceutical composition containing prasugrel and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and methods for preparing the same are disclosed. The pharmaceutical composition improves the dissolution rate of prasugrel and its salts at high pH by using solid dispersion technology, inclusion technology or adding surfactants.
US09050322B2
This invention relates generally to identifying peptide sequences involved in antibody binding to any protein for synthesis of vaccine treatments. This novel method allows for a more manageable vaccine peptide discovery and specific generation of unique immunogenic peptides from self-tumor associated proteins and/or foreign proteins from infectious organisms for specific and/or enhanced expression only in the presence of the antibody.
US09050311B2
This invention pertains generally to prostacyclin analogs and methods for their use in promoting vasodilation, inhibiting platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, stimulating thrombolysis, inhibiting cell proliferation (including vascular remodeling), providing cytoprotection, preventing atherogenesis and inducing angiogenesis. Generally, the compounds and methods of the present invention increase the oral bioavailability and circulating concentrations of treprostinil when administered orally. Compounds of the present invention have the following formula:
US09050299B2
A method and system that is directed to the local delivery of growth factors to the mammalian CNS to treat CNS disorders associated with neuronal death and/or dysfunction is described.
US09050297B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the preparation, manufacture and therapeutic use of polynucleotides, primary transcripts and mmRNA molecules.
US09050296B2
The present invention features compositions and methods for treating and preventing a metabolic syndrome featuring the collagen triple helix repeat containing-1 (Cthrc1) protein.
US09050295B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound preventing EthR from binding to the ethA promoter, for example a compound of formula 1 wherein R1 is optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl; R2 (CH2)n wherein n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R3 is CH3(CH2)m wherein m is 0, 1, 2 or 3; X1 is O, S, NH, N(CH3) or CH2; and X2 is O, S or NH; in particular 2-phenylethyl butyrate, and a thioamide or thiourea of formula 2 wherein R4 is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted pyridyl, optionally substituted indolyl, —NR7R8; or —NH—N═CH—R9; and substituents R5 to R9 have the meanings indicated in the description, in particular ethionamide. The pharmaceutical composition is useful, e.g., in the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
US09050290B2
The present invention discloses and claims virus like particles (VLPs) that express and/or contains seasonal influenza virus proteins, avian influenza virus proteins and/or influenza virus proteins from viruses with pandemic potential. The invention includes vector constructs comprising said proteins, cells comprising said constructs, formulations and vaccines comprising VLPs of the inventions. The invention also includes methods of making and administrating VLPs to vertebrates, including methods of inducing substantial immunity to either seasonal and avian influenza, or at least one symptom thereof.
US09050284B2
Disclosed is a novel sirtuin modulating composition comprising an orally bioavailable SIRT-1 enhancing compound 3,5-dimethoxy-3,4′-dihydroxystilbene represented by STR#I. Also disclosed is an anti-acne composition comprising 3,5-dimethoxy-3,4′-dihydroxystilbenes represented by STR#I. Further, a novel sirtuin modulating composition comprising an orally bioavailable SIRT-1 enhancing compound 2,3′,5′, 6-tetrahydroxy-trans-stilbene represented by STR#II is also disclosed.
US09050282B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for eliciting protective immunity in animals against Leptospira interrogans (LI) serovar copenhageni. The invention is based, in part, on the unexpected cross-protection against heterologous LI serovar, which resulted when canines were administered an effective amount of RECOMBITEK® 4 Lepto, then subsequently challenged with virulent L. copenhageni (Fiocruz L1-130).
US09050275B2
Disclosed are methods of screening for an autism spectrum disorder, compositions that inhibit the release of molecules that disrupt the blood-brain barrier, compositions for treating autism spectrum disorders, and methods of treating autism spectrum disorders.
US09050274B2
Effective compositions and methods for treating an intervertebral disc are provided. The compositions and methods comprise a bulking agent or sealing agent, the bulking agent or sealing agent adapted to be administered at or within the intervertebral disc, the bulking or sealing agent having a drug depot comprising an effective amount of a therapeutic agent disposed therein, wherein the drug depot is capable of releasing an effective amount of the therapeutic agent over a period of at least one day.
US09050267B2
Dry powder formulations for inhalation comprising spray-dried particles and their use in the treatment of an obstructive or inflammatory airways disease. Each particle has a core of a first active ingredient in substantially crystalline form that is coated with a layer of a second active ingredient in substantially amorphous form that is dispersed in a pharmaceutically acceptable hydrophobic excipient. A process for preparing such formulations is also described.
US09050266B2
The use of compounds in the treatment of skin disorders is described. In particular, use of a compound of formula (I): or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates or hydrates in the preparation of a medicament to treat skin pathologies is described.
US09050258B2
The present invention relates to bilayer tablet formulations comprising metformin extended release (XR) or reduced mass metformin XR formulation as the first layer, an SGLT2 inhibitor formulation as the second layer, and optionally a film coating. The present invention provides methods of preparing the bilayer tablet formulations and methods of treating diseases or disorders associated with SGLT2 activity employing the bilayer tablet formulations.
US09050246B2
The present invention concerns an injectable composition comprising a filler or a botulinum toxin and an adrenergic receptor agonist, and its use for diminishing, decreasing or avoiding skin reactions due to injection, specially redness, ecchymosis, bruising, bleeding, erythema, oedema, necrosis, ulceration, swelling and/or inflammation.
US09050241B2
A medicine container detachably disposed in an electronic medicine box includes an accommodating portion and a cover portion. The accommodating portion has a medicine containing space. The cover portion is movably connected to accommodating portion and has a barcode. When the medicine container is disposed in the electronic medicine box, the barcode is readable. A medication auxiliary device including a plurality of the above medicine containers and an electronic medicine box is also disclosed.
US09050230B2
Attachments for a manual wheelchair are provided for navigating a wheelchair over obstacles and uneven terrain, such as a typical curb on a street. The attachments provide for regulating the movement of the wheelchair as the wheelchair descends the curb and to prevent the wheelchair from flipping over during such movement. The attachments include a belt support frame, at least two rollers mounted on the belt support frame and a belt mounted around the at least two rollers. The belt support frame is adapted for mounting on the frame of the wheelchair such that as the wheelchair descends from the upper surface to the lower surface, the belt engages an edge of the upper surface and rolls around the at least two rollers slowing a descent of the wheelchair from the upper surface to the lower surface.
US09050227B1
The disclosure describes an improved apparatus for converting a manually-powered wheelchair into an electrically powered wheelchair. The apparatus comprises a frame, at least one powered drive wheel, at least one motor powering said drive wheel, and at least one power base axle receiver capable of connecting with an existing axle receiver of a manually powered wheelchair. The apparatus further includes an anti-tip/counterbalance mechanism to prevent a user from losing control and falling backward when the power base attachment is connected. The apparatus uses the existing axle receiver of a manual wheelchair as a universal connection point and to maintain the center of gravity for a user.
US09050226B2
A lightweight folding motorized chair with mechanical traction steering and braking. A folding frame supports the traction wheels and the drive system with hinged frame members configured to mechanically fold the control levers, wheels and periphery components into a substantially flat configuration for easy storage in small spaces. A mix of weight saving choices including: structural materials; mechanical traction control system; lithium ion battery; and overall lightweight design keeps the folding motorized chair at a size and weight that a person can lift into the trunk of a car.
US09050220B2
The present invention relates to a color printed liquid permeable laminated structure comprising a first liquid permeable layer and a second liquid permeable layer, the first layer is color printed on at least one of its surfaces prior to being laminated to the second layer and stabilizing the laminated structure with a bonding means. These color printed laminated structures are particularly suitable for use in disposable absorbent articles for feminine protection, typically as so called ‘secondary’ topsheet in face to face relation with so called ‘primary’ topsheet, through which they are visible.
US09050214B2
The invention relates to a disposable absorbent incontinence diaper (2) of the open type, having a main part (4), comprising a front region (6) having front lateral longitudinal edges (42), a rear region (8) having rear lateral longitudinal edges (41) and a crotch region (10) that is located in between in the longitudinal direction (28) and comes to lie between the legs of a user, wherein the main part (4) comprises an absorbent pad (12), and having rear side portions (20) that are attached to the rear region (8) on both sides and front side portions (22) that are attached to the front region (6) on both sides, said rear and front side portions extending in the transverse direction (30) beyond the lateral front and rear longitudinal edges (42, 41) of the main part (4), and wherein the rear side portions (20) have first closure means (32) which are close to the leg opening and have closure aids and wherein the closure means (32) can be secured in a detachable manner at least on the outer side of the front side portions (22), as a result of which the front region (6) and the rear region (8) can be connected together, wherein, in order to form side-portion leg-opening regions (51, 52), the side portions (20, 22) are formed, at least on the side facing the crotch region (10), in a manner extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (28) or in a curved manner, characterized in that the length-to-width ratio R of the side-portion leg-opening region of the rear side portions (20) is 0.1-0.4, in that the tear propagation resistance Fm of the material forming the side portions is at least 4.0 N in the longitudinal direction of the diaper, and in that the spacing C of the closure means (32) close to the leg opening from the lower edge of the rear side portions is at most 5 cm.
US09050213B2
The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for assembling diaper pants, each including a chassis connected with front and back elastic belts. Opposing end regions of the chassis may be connected with regions of the elastic belts where the elasticity of the elastic belts has been removed or deactivated. An elastic laminate may be formed by intermittently bonding elastic strands with a first continuous substrate, defining bonded regions and non-bonded regions intermittently spaced along the machine direction. A second continuous substrate may be cut into discrete lengths or patches intermittently spaced along the machine direction. The discrete lengths of the second substrate may then be bonded with the first continuous substrate and elastic strands in the bonded regions. The elastic strands are then intermittently deactivated by severing the strands in the non-bonded regions. And plurality of chassis may then be bonded with non-bonded regions of the elastic laminate.
US09050212B2
A system for providing binaural telepresence includes two communication devices, and two sets of active noise reducing headphones having an active noise-cancelling mode and an active hear-through mode, coupled to the respective communication devices and configured to provide left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the communication devices. The first communication device is configured to transmit the first left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the second communication device. The second communication device is configured to provide the first left and right feed-forward microphone signals to the second set of headphones. The second set of headphones are configured to activate their noise-cancelling mode while filtering the first left and right feed-forward microphone signals so that a user of the second set of headphones hears ambient noise from the environment of the first set of headphones, so that the user hears the ambient noise from the first set of headphones with ambient naturalness.
US09050208B2
Systems and methods for delivery of fluid to a wound therapy dressing. In exemplary embodiments, a pressure sensor measures the pressure at the wound therapy dressing and restricts fluid flow to the wound therapy dressing when a predetermined pressure is achieved.
US09050204B2
A system for removing an implanted stent or other object from a passageway in a patient includes a housing, an expansion element that operates between an enlarged mode in which the expansion element may radially expand to a diameter larger than the object diameter and a collapsed mode in which the expansion element radially contracts, and a plurality of radially contractible members configured to circumferentially engage the implanted object. A method for moving an implanted stent or other object from an initial location in a passageway includes positioning an expansion element proximate to the stent, expanding the expansion element thereby creating a tapered annular space between the stent and the passageway, advancing a plurality of members towards the tapered annular space, engaging the stent with the members, radially contracting the members to radially compress the stent, and moving the compressed stent from the initial location.
US09050194B2
A spinal implant apparatus that is an expandable spacer including features to minimize or eliminate spacer cant or offset during and after completing the expansion process. The spacer includes a top component, a base component in engagement with the top component, and an expansion mechanism arranged to change the top component's position with respect to the base component. The mechanism for causing expansion may be a screw, a cam, a wedge or other form of distracting device. In one embodiment, the expandable spacer includes a base component with a set of towers and a top component with a set of corresponding silos, where the towers and silos are configured to minimize or eliminate tilt of the top component as it extends upwardly from the base component. In another embodiment, the spacer may include a stepped arrangement around the perimeter of the top component and the base component for engagement during height expansion with minimal canting or slippage. In another embodiment, the spacer may include texturing modification at the opposite ends of the longitudinal axis of the spacer to prevent tilting, slipping, or canting. Additionally, a portion of one or more exterior surfaces of the spacer may be textured, sawtoothed, dovetailed or the like to increase frictional intervertebral contact. The spacer may contain one or more passageways of selectable shape/dimension for bone growth through the spacer.
US09050190B2
A device for regenerating a bone includes a sheathing and a swelling agent. At least a portion of the sheathing has the shape of a bellows, and/or the exterior of the sheathing bears at least one lamella. The swelling agent is enclosed by the sheathing. The sheathing is biocompatible, expandable, contractible, and/or deformable in a predefined and controlled manner as a function of a force effect induced by a change in volume of the swelling agent.
US09050186B2
The various embodiments of the present inventions provide stabilization devices and methods for use of the stabilization devices with minimally invasive gynecological procedures such as methods of preventing pregnancy by inserting intrafallopian contraceptive devices into the fallopian tubes.
US09050183B2
An intravaginal device has a working portion (e.g., intravaginal urinary incontinence device suppository, tampon) and an anchoring portion comprising at least one member extending beyond at least one end of the working portion to maintain the working portion in place during use.
US09050180B1
The invention provides compositions and methods for making and using microvascular stamps for stimulation and spatial organization of neovessels in tissue.
US09050170B2
An ophthalmic laser treatment apparatus for treating a patient's eye by irradiating a treatment laser beam thereto, comprises: an irradiation unit including a treatment laser source, and a scanner for scanning an irradiation spot of the treatment beam from the laser source onto a tissue of the patient's eye in two dimensions; a memory for storing a plurality of predetermined irradiation patterns in each of which a plurality of the irradiation spots of the treatment beam are arranged in a predetermined arrangement; an irradiation pattern selecting unit including a selection switch for inputting a signal to select a desired irradiation pattern from the irradiation patterns stored in the memory; an irradiation pattern changing unit including a change switch for inputting a signal to change a part of the arrangement of the irradiation pattern in which the irradiation spots are arranged on the basis of the selected irradiation pattern by the irradiation pattern selecting unit; and a control unit for controlling driving of the irradiation unit to sequentially irradiate the treatment beam based on the irradiation pattern changed by the irradiation pattern changing unit.
US09050169B2
A method of deploying an ocular implant into Schlemm's canal of a human eye including the following steps: inserting a distal tip of a delivery tool within an anterior chamber of the eye through trabecular meshwork of the eye into Schlemm's canal of the eye; and advancing an ocular implant through a curved portion and a distal opening of the delivery tool to place a body portion of the ocular implant in Schlemm's canal and an inlet portion of the ocular implant in the anterior chamber.
US09050167B2
An irrigation sleeve for a phacoemulsification needle has a collar to limit leakage of irrigating liquid in a direction forward of the sleeve when the sleeve is positioned on the needle. In one embodiment the sleeve and needle have mating grooves and ridges. In another embodiment an O-ring embedded in the sleeve forms a seal against the needle body.
US09050159B2
A periodontal probe is provided for measuring a depth of a periodontal pocket using a touch sensor. The periodontal probe includes a handle with a probe tip for insertion into the periodontal pocket. The probe tip includes a touch sensitive reader located on or near an exterior surface thereof for measuring contact between the exterior surface of the probe tip and the tissue of the periodontal pocket. A touch sensor and a microcontroller are connected to the touch sensitive reader to measure the amount of contact between the touch sensitive reader and the tissue of the periodontal pocket, which corresponds to the depth of the periodontal pocket.
US09050149B2
A compression transmission collar apparatus (20) for implantation into a bone (22) with a hole (28) having a hole wall (32) comprising an intramedullary nail (34) defining a bore (40) and a threaded fastener (42) and a compression transmission collar (58) including an exterior face (64) and a top edge (60) and a bottom edge (62) and a first end (70) intersecting the top edge (60) at an acute angle and the bottom edge (62) at an obtuse angle and a second end (72) intersecting the top edge (60) at an obtuse angle and the bottom edge (62) at an acute angle and the first end (70) partially overlapping and opposing the second end (72) to define a slit (74) such that applying a compressional load to the top edge (60) causes the first end (70) to slide relative to and along the second end (72) causing the compression transmission collar (58) to compress axially and expand radially pressing the exterior face (64) against the hole wall (32).
US09050147B2
Methods and instruments are provided to allow access to a surgical site through a small incision while optimizing visualization of the patient anatomy. The instrumentation provide for the retraction of soft tissue, creation of a working envelope below the skin, and access to intervertebral discs and/or the surrounding bony structures for the purpose of performing various operative procedures including discectomy, laminectomy, and other spinal fixations. One set of disclosed instrumentation provides for the targeting of placement and trajectory of spinal fixation devices while reducing the number of instruments necessary needed to pass through the surgical incision. Another instrument disclosed herein allows for the compression of the intervertebral space through a very small incision. The instrument profile is minimized by using the same instrument that is used for tightening of the pedicle screws as one of the active components of the compression instrument.
US09050144B2
A system includes an implant with an articulation surface, a fixation member which may be anchored in a bone, and a base portion which may receive the fixation member. The base member may comprise a bone-engaging portion and an attachment portion. The base member may receive the fixation member such that a threaded portion of the fixation member and the bone-engaging portion of the base member may be seated in the bone. The implant may be attached to the attachment portion of the base member. The base member may be configured in a variety of shapes and may include fins, teeth, pegs or other anti-rotation features, and may include a bone ingrowth surface. The attachment portion may be tapered and attachable to the implant through a taper-lock.
US09050143B2
An implant support comprises a first member including a first portion and a second portion configured to engage a bone fastener. The second portion extends in a transverse orientation from the first portion. The members define a longitudinal axis. The second member includes a first portion and a second portion configured to engage the bone fastener. The second portion of the second member extends in a transverse orientation from the first portion. At least one of the members is movable relative to the longitudinal axis between a first configuration and a second configuration such that the longitudinal axis is offset relative to an axis of the bone fastener. Systems and methods are disclosed.
US09050133B1
A distance between a surface of a treatment head and tip opening of a skin treatment hand piece is adjustable. In an implementation, the distance is adjusted by moving the tip opening relative to the treatment head surface. Different distances may be used to treat different skin types, problems, and conditions. In an implementation, the hand piece includes a fluid delivery and a vacuum or suction mechanism to provide various therapeutic benefits to the skin.
US09050128B2
Cannula inserter comprising a casing with a distal end, intended to be placed in proximity to the skin of a patient, and an opposite proximal end, a piston fixed at least temporarily by retaining means, drive means designed to exert a propulsion force of the piston in the direction counter to the trigger, and release means intended to release the piston; the inserter additionally comprising a needle fixed to a support; the piston being mounted in the casing in such a way that, once released, it reaches and remains temporarily in a first position, then a second position; the needle and its support also being arranged so as to be able to be driven by the piston in a direction corresponding to the main orientation of the casing, before the piston reaches said first position, and so as to be able to effect an automatic rotation about an axis perpendicular to said main orientation during the movement of the piston between said first position and said second position.
US09050116B2
A method and device for stimulating human dermal tissue retraction and collagen and elastin production is provided. One or more lasers or other electromagnetic radiation devices produce at least two output beams (split or independent beams) that can be directed to deliver electromagnetic energy to a desired subsurface depth of dermal tissue, thereby disrupting the same, without causing excessive damage to the adjacent epidermis, subcutaneous fatty tissue, or blood vessels of the skin.
US09050112B2
A tissue removal device for removing hard and/or soft tissue is disclosed. The device can have an elongated rigid shaft attached to an articulating broach. The device can be inserted through a transosseous delivery channel formed in a bone. The broach can articulate after passing through the transosseous delivery channel.
US09050110B2
A device (1) for connecting an instrument to a driver, the device comprising: a first connector (3) having at least two protrusions connectable, in use, to the instrument; a mechanism for moving the protrusions between a connected and a disconnected position; and a second connector (17) for connecting the device (1) to the driver, in use. Also disclosed is a method of connecting an instrument to a driver.
US09050099B2
A surgical jaw instrument having two jaw pieces mounted at the distal end section of a shaft for relative reciprocal displacement, whereby at each displaced jaw piece a sliding rod is fastened at an incline to the axis of the shaft, to which a displaceable sliding element can be connected parallel to the axis of the shaft in such a way that upon displacement of the sliding element, the jaw pieces are relatively reciprocally displaced wherein a second sliding element is mounted at the first sliding element, diametrically opposed relative to the sliding rod.
US09050093B2
In accordance with various embodiments, methods to control electrical power provided to tissue via first and second electrodes may comprise providing a drive signal to the tissue via the first and second electrodes and modulating a power provided to the tissue via the drive signal based on a sensed tissue impedance according to a first power curve. The first power curve may define, for each of a plurality of potential sensed tissue impedances, a first corresponding power. The methods may also comprise monitoring a total energy provided to the tissue via the first and second electrodes. When the total energy reaches a first energy threshold, the methods may comprise determining whether an impedance of the tissue has reached a first impedance threshold. The methods may further comprise, conditioned upon the impedance of the tissue failing to reach the first impedance threshold, modulating the power provided to the tissue via the drive signal based on the sensed tissue impedance according to a second power curve. The second power curve may define, for each of the plurality of potential sensed tissue impedances, a second corresponding power.
US09050085B2
Medical lens assemblies and sterile drapes with a lens assembly are presented herein. In one embodiment, a lens assembly includes an annular lens housing that is attachable to a medical drape. The lens housing is configured to releasably attach to a medical device, such as a surgical microscope. An annular lens cover holder is removably attachable to the lens housing. A lens cover for shielding the objective lens is pivotably hinged to the lens cover holder. In another embodiment, a drape assembly includes a flexible body sized to cover an optical device. A lens housing attached to the drape body is engageable with the optical device to attach proximate an objective lens thereof. A lens cover holder is removably attached to the lens housing to rotate about a first axis. A lens cover is mounted to the lens cover holder to pivot about a second, different axis.
US09050076B2
This invention relates to the treatment of a patient's lung, for example, a lung exhibiting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in particular to methods and devices for affecting lung volume reduction, preferably for achieving acute or immediate lung volume reduction following treatment. The lung volume reduction is effected by delivering a condensable vapor at a temperature above body temperature to the desired regions of the patient's lung to damage tissue therein. Blood flow and air flow to the damaged tissue region is essentially terminated, rendering the target region non-functional. Alternative energy sources may be used to effect the thermal damage to the lung tissue.
