US09151238B2
In the present fault diagnosis method and the fault diagnosis system for an engine, an external diagnosis device: obtains continuous data on the incidences of misfire by misfiring cylinders from the vehicle's side with regard to the actually occurring misfire or past incidences of misfire; detects a misfire pattern, which is to be classified according to the presence of continuous incidences of misfire, on the basis of the continuous data; and narrows down a fault site in accordance with the misfire pattern.
US09151237B2
A control system is provided for use with an engine. The control system may have a coolant pressure sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a pressure of coolant circulating through the engine, and an oil pressure sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a pressure of oil circulating through the engine. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the coolant and oil pressure sensors. The controller may be configured to determine functionality of the coolant and oil pressure sensors during operation of the engine, and to selectively allow operation of the engine in a semi-protected mode when the coolant pressure sensor or the oil pressure sensor is determined to be non-functional.
US09151227B2
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine may include an injector housing extending along a longitudinal axis and configured to be fluidly coupled to a combustor of the turbine engine. The fuel injector may also include a flow path for a fuel air mixture to the combustor extending longitudinally within the injector housing, and a gallery for liquid fuel encircling the flow path. The gallery may include a plurality of fuel spokes that are configured to deliver liquid fuel from the gallery to the flow path. The gallery may extend from a feed end to a terminal end that overlaps the feed end. The feed end may be a region where liquid fuel enters the gallery and the terminal end may be a region where the gallery terminates.
US09151222B2
A fuel introduction system introduces fuel to an internal combustion engine operating on a six-stroke combustion cycle including a first compression stroke, a first power stroke, a second compression stroke, and a second power stroke. The fuel introduction system includes a first orifice set for introducing a first fuel charge to a combustion chamber of the engine during the first compression stroke and/or power stroke and a second orifice set for introducing a second fuel charge to the combustion chamber during the second compression stroke and/or power stroke. Combustion of the second fuel charge can assist in burning particulate matter left in the combustion chamber from combusting the first fuel charge. The first and second orifice sets can be configured to differentiate the first and second fuel charges by, for example, fuel quantity or spray pattern.
US09151220B2
Rotary positive displacement internal combustion two stroke engine with only one major moving part, i.e. engine's eccentric shaft, with cylinders encompassing eccentrics of the shaft, with said eccentrics being suitably sealed in said cylinders, wherein combustion gases exert force directly on said eccentrics of said eccentric shaft. Gas forces can be nullified by suitably phasing shaft's eccentrics, thus nullifying gas forces loading shaft's bearings. The engine is naturally perfectly balanced. The engine possesses natural self-cleaning capability, and is capable of being fueled by coal dust. Units of the type developing 2 000 MW and 3 000-3 6000 rev/min, intended to replace steam turbines in power stations, can be built.
US09151218B2
A variable capacity exhaust gas turbocharger having a small thermal capacity and enabling the structure to be simplified. A exhaust gas inlet hardware (13) having an exhaust gas inlet body (11) in which an inner side flow passage (U1) communicating with an inner scroll passage (T1) and an outer side flow passage (U2) communicating with an outer scroll flow passage (T2) are formed and a flap valve (12) for opening and closing the outer side flow passage (U2) are formed at the exhaust gas inlet part of a turbine housing body (14) in which the inner scroll passage (T1) and the outer scroll flow passage (T2) are formed. A valve recess (11a) for disposing the flap valve (12) along the outer side flow passage (U2) and a seat (11b) for the flap valve for closing the outer side flow passage (U2) are formed in the exhaust gas inlet body (11). The flap valve (12) is rotatable about a rotating center positioned in the storage space of the valve recess (11a) between the position of the flap valve in contact with the seat (11b) and the position of the flap valve stored in the valve recess (11a).
US09151216B2
Methods and systems are provided for selecting a group of cylinders for selective deactivation, in a variable displacement engine system, based at least on a regeneration state of an exhaust catalyst. The position of one or more valves and throttles may be adjusted based on the selective deactivation to reduce back-flow through the disabled cylinders while also maintaining conditions of a downstream exhaust catalyst. Pre-ignition and knock detection windows and thresholds may also be adjusted based on the deactivation to improve the efficiency of knock and pre-ignition detection.
US09151206B2
A method for determining soot mass oxidized during a particulate filter oxidation procedure is disclosed. In one example, soot mass is determined via an Arrhenius equation. The approach may provide cost savings and reliability improvements as compared to other ways of determining soot mass.
US09151204B2
Disclosed is an abnormality determination device capable of checking for abnormal particulate matter detection by a particulate matter detection sensor. The particulate matter detection sensor 10 includes a sensor element section 12, which comes into contact with particulate matter in exhaust gas in an exhaust pipe 6 of an internal combustion engine 2, and changes its output in accordance with the amount of particulate matter attached to the sensor element section 12. A heater for the particulate matter detection sensor 10 is capable of heating the sensor element section 12 to a particulate matter elimination temperature (T3) at which the particulate matter attached to the sensor element section 12 is eliminated from the sensor element section 12. An ECU 50 determines, in accordance with output changes (S1 to S4) occurring in the particulate matter detection sensor 10 during heater control, whether or not the particulate matter detection sensor 10 is abnormal.
US09151197B2
A particle separator for treating the exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine includes a housing having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a cross section and a central axis. At least one metallic layer, through which exhaust gas can flow, is located in the housing and has an undulation or corrugation that spans the cross section of the housing. The particle separator has a large surface for providing the lowest possible flow resistance and a low risk of clogging. A motor vehicle having at least one particle separator is also provided.
US09151186B2
An oil-laden gas stream flows axially through a tube shaft formed with at least one radially throughgoing inner oil-discharge port and, axially downstream therefrom, with at lest one radially throughgoing inner gas-discharge port. A bearing supports the tube shaft for rotation about the axis and is formed axially level with the ports with respective radially throughgoing outer oil-discharge and gas-discharge ports. An oil separator inside the tube shaft axially between the oil-discharge ports and the gas-discharge ports is oriented to deflect oil particles from the stream radially outward such that the oil flows out through the inner and outer oil-discharge ports and the gas stream can flow downstream out through the gas-discharge ports.
US09151182B2
The present invention provides systems and methods of removing heat from internal areas of a turbomachine. Embodiments of the present invention may incorporate a suction device and a control system. Operatively, these elements may collectively discharge remnants of a heated fluid and/or gas from those internal areas.
US09151177B2
The present invention provides a novel turbo-generator unit, which at least comprises a boiler and a superheater and a reheater provided in the boiler. On the boiler, the positions corresponding to the header of the steam inlets and outlets of the superheater and reheater form the header-connection area; the steam pipe system at least comprises the pipes that connect the boiler with the HP cylinder and the IP cylinder and are used to transmit the HTHP steam; the HP cylinder and the generator constitute the high-level shafting, and the high-level shafting is positioned outside of boiler and close to the header-connection area. The present invention can also comprise a low-level shafting positioned at a low level. Since the high-level shafting and the low-level shafting are arranged at different levels, the lengths of costly HTHP steam pipes in the pipe system and the pressure drop and heat radiation loss of the pipe system are significantly reduced, and the work capability of the unit is improved. Furthermore, the quantity of the steam stored in the reheat system and the adjustment inertia of unit is reduced, and the economical efficiency of the double-reheat unit is sufficiently realized.
US09151175B2
Turbine and compressor casing abradable component embodiments for turbine engines, with composite grooves and vertically projecting alternating rows of first and second height ridges in planform patterns, to reduce, redirect and/or block blade tip airflow leakage downstream into the grooves rather than from turbine blade airfoil high to low pressure sides. The first ridges have a first ridge height greater than that of the second ridges. These ridge or rib embodiments have first lower and second upper wear zones. The lower zone, at and below the second ridge height, optimizes engine airflow characteristics, while the upper zone, between tips of the second and first ridges, is optimized to minimize blade tip gap and wear by being more easily abradable than the lower zone.
US09151165B2
A damper body extends between an axial first end, an opposing axial second end, a first lateral side, and an opposing second lateral side. A first pair of lugs are disposed at the first axial end and a second pair of lugs are disposed at the second axial end. In the first lug pair, a lug has an axially outermost foot which extends laterally beyond a lateral wall. The second lug pair has a lug with an axial outermost point with a foot extending laterally beyond a lateral wall. The foot on the first axial end and the foot on the second axial end are on opposed lateral sides.
US09151161B2
A rotary thermal engine for generating mechanical energy. The rotary thermal engine includes an engine block having an enclosed interior space, a first rotor and a second rotor, a first disc coupled to the first and second rotor. A second disc is positioned between the first and second rotor, wherein the second disc pivots relative to the first disc. In addition, wherein the first and second rotors and first and second discs are at least partially enclosed within the interior space of the engine block.
US09151147B2
A method of treating a consolidated formation having a wellbore therein. Tubing including a stress relieving tool is provided in the wellbore. An interval in the wellbore wherein the stress relieving tool is located is isolated. The stress relieving tool is actuated to apply mechanical force radially to an uncased inner diameter surface of the wellbore for providing a reduced stress zone of the formation. Fluid pressure is increased in the wellbore to fracture the formation within the reduced stress zone.
US09151140B2
An apparatus to be conveyed into a wellbore. The apparatus includes a housing configured to be conveyed downhole and a drive member located in the housing. The apparatus further includes a drive unit configured to actuate movement of the drive member by selectively coupling to the drive member, wherein the coupling of the device to the drive member is controlled by applying an energy to a selected material in the device.
US09151138B2
A method of actuating a well tool can include producing a magnetic pattern in the well, thereby transmitting a corresponding magnetic signal to the well tool, and the well tool actuating in response to detection of the magnetic signal. A method of injecting fluid into selected ones of multiple zones can include producing a magnetic pattern in a tubular string having multiple injection valves interconnected therein, actuating a set of at least one of the injection valves in response to the magnetic pattern producing, producing another magnetic pattern in the tubular string, and actuating another set of at least one of the injection valves in response to the second magnetic pattern producing.
US09151134B2
A seal assembly (10) is provided for sealing between an interior surface (14) on a wellhead (12) and a tapered exterior surface (18) on a hanger (16). A unitary seal body (20) includes an upper portion for engagement with a force tool and a lower portion for sealing with the wellhead and the hanger. A first locking ring (24) is movable radially inward for securing the sealing assembly to the hanger, and a second locking ring (22) is movable radially outward for securing the seal assembly to the wellhead. An actuation member (60) including a plurality of downward extending fingers passing through slots in the seal body move downward through a portion of the body to force the first and second locking rings into engagement with the wellhead and the hanger.
US09151133B2
Seal assembly (201) for a subsea well assembly with inner and outer circular sealing surfaces (215a, 215b) in an annulus (211). It has a seal ring (203) with a cross section exhibiting two legs (205a, 205b), with seal ring seal surfaces (209a, 209b). The seal ring comprises a main metal section (217) having metal with the same or higher degree of hardness than the metal in said facing circular sealing surfaces (215a, 215b). The seal ring seal surfaces comprise a seal ring surface metal (210a, 210b) which is of a softer metal than the metal in the circular sealing surfaces (215a, 215b) and the metal in the main metal section (217). The seal ring (203) comprises a second section (219) comprising said seal ring surface metal (210a, 210b), the second section (219) extending continuously between said seal ring seal surfaces (209a, 209b) on the respective legs.
US09151130B2
An underwater assembly includes a flow control device and an actuator coupled to the flow control device, where the actuator is configured to actuate the flow control device. The underwater assembly further includes an insulated housing surrounding the flow control device and the actuator, where the insulated housing is configured to retain heat. The underwater assembly also includes a thermal control system comprising a heat exchanger configured to control a temperature of the actuator.
US09151128B2
This device comprises a cable working line bearing a lower assembly and a winch for maneuvering the line.The hydraulic central unit (46) of the winch includes a tank (50) for storing a hydraulic control fluid, a pump (52) for driving the hydraulic fluid, connected to the tank (50) through an upstream conduit (54) and at least one hydraulic motor (56) for driving the drum (42) connected to the pump (52) through an intermediate conduit and connected to the tank (50) through a downstream conduit.The hydraulic central unit comprises a regulator (62) for the hydraulic fluid flow rate at the outlet of the pump (52). The regulator (62) is driven according to at least one hydraulic fluid pressure depending on the load exerted on the motor (56) by the rotary drum (42), said or each pressure being directly taken on one of said conduits.
US09151122B2
A coiled tubing injector comprises a drive system for independently driving a plurality of chains independently but otherwise retarding relative motion between the driven chains when a chain begins to slip uncontrollably.
US09151115B1
A stabilized ladder assembly stabilizes a ladder by providing support on both sides of the ladder. The assembly includes a ladder having a first front side rail, a second front side rail, a first support leg, a second support leg and a plurality of rungs coupled to and extending between the first and second front side rails. A pair of support bars is provided. One of the support bars is coupled to and extends between the first front side rail and the first support leg. One of the support bars is coupled to and extends between the second front side rail and the second support leg. A cross member is coupled to and extends between the support bars. A pair of base supports is provided and each is configured to contact a ground surface. Each of the base supports is coupled to and extends downwardly from the cross member.
US09151112B2
A climbing support is provided for aiding a climber in scaling a tree, pole, or other generally vertical surface. The climbing support includes an elongate body that supports a plurality of steps, a strap, cable, or other flexible securing member that is wrapped around the tree, and a retractor for stowing the flexible securing member so that it is extendable and retractable from the support. The climbing support is thus substantially self-contained so that it does not require separate components for installation or use. Standoffs may be provided for stabilizing the support in a location spaced from the tree. Optionally, the climbing support's steps, standoffs, and elongate body are collapsible to compact configurations for stowage or transport.
US09151109B2
An operation apparatus of a sunlight shielding apparatus is provided which is equipped with a fail-safe function so as not to hinder behavior of a dweller or the like, and, in usual operation, unnecessary activation of the fail-safe function is prevented, so that enhanced operability can be realized. In a sunlight shielding apparatus in which an operation cord of an endless type is suspended from a pulley supported so as to be capable of rotating in a head box, and a driving shaft is rotated based on an operation of the operation cord by way of the pulley so as to drive a shielding member, the operation cord 16 is made into an endless type by coupling via a coupling section which is configured to be decoupled with a predetermined first pull force, and a torque limiter 18 is interposed between the pulley 15 and the driving shaft 11, 12, the torque limiter being configured to run idle with a second rotation torque which is smaller than a first rotation torque which is exerted on the pulley by the first pull force.
US09151107B2
A sealing system seals the perimeter of insulated hinged double doors. The sealing system includes first and second exterior seals made of a monolithic, resilient and elastically deformable material. The first exterior seal has an elongated lobe for contacting the exterior of said door, and both of the first and second exterior seals have an interior lobe which contact one another when the doors are closed. The sealing system further includes first and second inner seals made of a monolithic, resilient and elastically deformable material, each having a pair of spaced-apart sealing lobes. The inner seals are mounted to respective doors in a staggered fashion, such that the respective pairs of sealing lobes interact with one another to create a redundant, weather-resistant and thermally robust seal when the double doors are closed.
US09151106B2
A fire door stop system for retrofitting a fire door assembly so as to bring the assembly into compliance with fire safety codes. The fire door stop system has a profile strip that is attachable to a fire door frame. An edge of the profile strip extends outward from the frame in a line with a face of the soffit against which the pull edge of the fire door closes. The fire door stop system further includes, as needed, edge protectors for a wood fire door, such as a horizontal edge protector, a vertical edge protector, and a bottom-edge extender, and a latch protector.
US09151105B1
A window insulation system includes a window installed in a wall of a house. The window includes an enclosed space defined between first and second window panes, and at least one opening located on a side of the enclosed space. An insulating material reservoir is adapted to store insulating material, and is coupled to the opening by one or more pipes. A pump system causes a first flow of air through the pipes, causing the insulating material to flow from the insulating material reservoir into the enclosed space, filling the enclosed space with insulating material. A second flow of air causes the insulating material to flow from the enclosed space to the insulating material reservoir, emptying the enclosed space of the insulating material. A controller causes the pump system to cause the first flow of air at a first predetermined time, causing the enclosed space to be filled with the insulating material, and causes the pump system to cause the second flow of air at a second predetermined time, emptying the enclosed space of the insulating material.
US09151097B1
A hinge stop apparatus and method includes a first hinge connection section and a second hinge connection section. An upper flange section is connected transverse to the first hinge connection section and, also, a lower flange section is connected transverse to the first hinge connection section and spaced apart from the upper flange section. A stop bracket is connected with the first hinge connection section and a hinge device movably connects the first hinge connection section and the second hinge connection section.
US09151095B2
Device for pulling a door panel or a window casement toward a frame, comprising a traction device arranged in the rabbet of the door panel or the frame, wherein the traction device can be engaged with a retracting block arranged in the rabbet of the frame or the door panel, wherein the traction device comprises a traction element that is loaded by a spring that can be moved in vertical direction, wherein the retracting block comprises an inclined retracting structure, and wherein the traction device comprises means for engaging the traction element with the inclined retracting structure, wherein tension from the spring when engaging with the inclined retracting structure moves the traction element along the inclined retracting structure.
US09151084B2
An article of manufacture for use as an insulated overhead door that is designed to roll open and closed in tracks, with a sheet of thermoplasitc material that acts as the outer door membrane and barrier to entry, a sheet of insulating material that acts as a base insulating barrier adhered to the thermoplastic membrane.
US09151077B2
A key includes a blade having an axially-extending window formed by an opening through a thickness of the blade between two opposite faces thereof, and a set of rollers mounted in series along the window, with each roller being freely rotatable around a spindle fixed transversely across the window in a width direction of the blade. The key may be a security key designed to cooperate with a pin tumbler cylinder.
US09151072B2
A foldable tent includes a hub, a base having a plurality of separate base members and a plurality of slots formed on the base members. The plurality of slots are uniformly spaced apart radially, each slot formed by first and second walls, each of the first and second walls integrally formed on the respective base member and substantially parallel to each other. A plurality of poles are included, with each pole having at least two sections coupled by a joint. Each pole includes an inner end and an outer end, each pole inner end pivotally coupled to a corresponding slot. The hub and poles define a periphery when the tent is in an open configuration. A canopy is positioned within the periphery, the canopy being slidably connected to the poles in the open configuration and a closed configuration.
US09151070B2
Provided herein are methods, devices and systems comprising an anchor post that has a shaft, at least one stabilizing element attached to the anchor post configured to resist movement of the anchor post, and at least one alignment element.
US09151069B2
Structural extending members comprising single-tape and composite-tape structures and the means for forming them. Includes tapes with cross sections containing both concave and convex sides facing in the same direction.
US09151066B1
The invention is a method and apparatus for repairing a portion of a floor where a flooring material has become separated from a subfloor, the method includes the steps of: determining a separated area of the flooring material; drilling a first injector hole at the separated area to a void between the flooring material and the subfloor; injecting a liquid adhesive into the first injector hole via an injection nozzle to deliver the liquid adhesive into the void of the separated area; and allowing the liquid adhesive to set. The apparatus is the injection nozzle including a body having a first end, a second end and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end, the first end being configured to receive the liquid adhesive into the passageway, and the second end comprises a pre-formed hole configured to deliver the liquid adhesive from the passageway to the void.
US09151065B1
A lift anchor assembly for a precast Portland cement concrete shape comprises a recess insert, a bilaterally symmetrical lift anchor, and an elongate triangular space. The recess insert is characterized by a longitudinal plane of symmetry, and is separable along a break line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry into a pair of quadrant-shaped bodies, each characterized with a planar obverse wall. The bilaterally symmetrical lift anchor is characterized by a longitudinal axis of symmetry coextensive with the longitudinal plane of symmetry, and is immovably sandwiched between the quadrant-shaped bodies. The elongate triangular space is formed beneath the break line and extends orthogonal to the longitudinal plane of symmetry. A force applied to the break line toward the elongate triangular space will urge the quadrant-shaped bodies into rotation out of the Portland cement concrete.
US09151061B2
This disclosure relates to building materials, in particular to attachment of insulating board and trims on building surfaces. Various embodiments of attachment clips to attach the trims on their place without nails or screws through the trim are provided. This disclosure provides an economical, fast, easy, and esthetic method to attach building trims.
US09151050B2
The present invention provides a splice plate suitable for use in joining beams for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling. In particular, the present invention provides a splice plate suitable for use in joining main beams together for use in a grid that supports panels and ceiling fixtures in a suspended ceiling.
US09151027B2
A bath or basin waste having a plug in which the upper face of the cap is substantially below the upper face of the bottom of the bath or basin to which it is fitted when in the closed position and substantially flush with the upper face of the bottom of the bath or basin when in the open position.
US09151017B2
A hybrid wheel loader is provided, the hybrid wheel loader achieving high work efficiency even with a short supply of power to be output relative to a vehicle power requirement.The hybrid wheel loader includes a motor generator 6 connected to an engine (1), a hydraulic pump (4) connected to the motor generator, a hydraulic actuator (51, 52, 53) driven by hydraulic oil supplied from the hydraulic pump, a travel electric motor (9) for driving wheels (61), and an electrical storage device (11) connected to each of the motor generator and the electrical storage device via respective inverters (7, 10). When a total requirement power value is greater than a hybrid output upper limit value, either one of a hydraulic requirement power value Pf and a travel requirement power value Prun is limited according to an operation of the wheel loader to thereby set the total requirement power value to a value equal to, or less than, the hybrid output upper limit value.
US09151014B2
A work vehicle includes an engine, a selective catalytic reduction apparatus, a fuel tank, and a reducing agent tank. The selective catalytic reduction apparatus treats exhaust from the engine. The fuel tank includes a fuel tank body retaining fuel and a fuel supply port which supplies fuel to the fuel tank body. The reducing agent tank includes a reducing agent tank body retaining a reducing agent used in the selective catalytic reduction apparatus and a reducing agent supply port which supplies the reducing agent to the reducing agent tank body. The fuel supply port protrudes from the fuel tank body toward a first direction left or right with respect to a center axis line in the front and back direction of the vehicle. The reducing agent supply port protrudes from the reducing agent tank body toward a second direction opposite to the first direction.
US09151008B1
A device for dispersing wave energy is provided with a series of surfaces for redirection of approaching waves. The device has curved major surfaces that extend from the top to the bottom, each of the surfaces has stacked scallops that are angled downward to direct approaching waves downward. The curved major surfaces direct wave energy to become more parallel to a shore.
US09151003B2
A system and method for controlling operation of an endgate of a screed paving machine using a control device is disclosed. The at least one control device may have a plurality of endgate controls and may be employed for issuing commands to a controller by an operator for controlling operation of the at least one endgate and operate the at least one endgate in an up mode and a down mode, changing the fore/aft pitch of the at least one endgate in tilt-up and tilt-down modes and operating the at least one endgate in auto-on and auto-off modes.
US09151000B2
A one or two step process for the acetylation and refining of wood pieces in which acetylation and refining to a reduced geometry take place simultaneously in the refiner. Engineered board products comprising acetylated reduced geometry materials possess high dimensional stability and durability compared to like board products comprising non-acetylated materials.
US09150991B1
A feed mechanism for a sewing machine, either separate from the rest of the machine or incorporated as a part thereof, greatly improves quality of sewn products, permits a multitude of stitches and increases production rates with less labor content.
US09150980B2
A method of removing a metal detail from a dielectric material of an article may include placing the article in an electrolyte bath such that at least a portion of the metal detail is submerged. The metal detail may be coupled to a dielectric material. The method may further include positioning at least one cathode in the electrolyte bath in spaced relation to the metal detail, and passing electrical current through the metal detail. The method may additionally include deplating the metal detail from the dielectric material in response to passing the electrical current through the metal detail.
US09150966B2
Inline methods for forming a photovoltaic cell electrode structure, wherein the photovoltaic cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a passivation layer thereon, includes providing a plurality of contact openings through the passivation layer to the semiconductor substrate, selectively plating a contact metal into the plurality of contact openings by printing electroless plating solution into the plurality of contact openings to deposit the contact metal, depositing a metal containing material on the deposited contact metal, and firing the deposited contact metal and the deposited metal containing material. The metal containing material may include a paste containing a silver or silver alloy along with a glass frit and is substantially free to completely free of lead. The methods may also use light activation of the passivation layer or use seed layers to assist in the plating.
US09150958B1
A method and apparatus for forming a sputtering target are provided that includes a copper indium gallium sputtering target material on a backing structure. The sputtering target is formed by compressing pre-alloyed and atomized powders of Cu, In, and Ga at pressures below 35,000 psi. In some embodiments the sputtering target material contains Na, S, or Se. In other embodiments the sputtering target is formed by isothermal compression.
US09150956B2
Aluminum or aluminum alloy sputter targets and methods of making same are provided. The pure aluminum or aluminum alloy is mechanically worked to produce a circular blank, and then the blank is given a recrystallization anneal to achieve desirable grain size and crystallographic texture. A 10-50% additional strain is provided to the blank step after the annealing to increase the mechanical strength. Further, in a flange area of the target, the strain is greater than in the other target areas with the strain in the flange area being imparted at a rate of about 20-60% strain. The blank is then finished to form a sputtering target with desirable crystallographic texture and adequate mechanical strength.
US09150953B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which can reduce characteristic deterioration due to impurity incorporation. The present invention also provides a semiconductor device and an electric appliance with reduced characteristic deterioration due to the impurity incorporation. The method for manufacturing a semiconductor device has a process for depositing an organic semiconductor. In addition, a process for introducing and exhausting gas having low reactivity while heating a treater so that temperature in the inside of the treater is higher than sublimation temperature of the organic semiconductor after taking a subject deposited with the organic semiconductor from the treater.
US09150936B2
Disclosed is an improvement in a conventional process for C5 and C6 sugar recovery from lignocellulosic biomass for fermentation to ethanol, which process including the conventional steps of pretreatment of the biomass with steam at elevated temperature and pressure, collection of C5 sugars from hemicellulose breakdown, cellulose hydrolysis and collection of C6 sugars from cellulose breakdown. The improvement includes conditioning of the biomass prior to the pretreatment step by heating the biomass with steam for a time period between 5 minutes to 60 minutes to achieve a steam treated biomass having a temperature of about 80 to 100° C.; and adjusting a moisture content of the steam treated biomass to about 45% to 80%. An increased recovery of C5 and C6 sugars is achieved compared to the conventional process.
US09150933B2
The invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying maize plants that have newly conferred tolerance or enhanced tolerance to, or are susceptible to, Gray Leaf Spot (GLS). The methods use molecular genetic markers to identify, select and/or construct tolerant plants or identify and counter-select susceptible plants. Maize plants that display newly conferred tolerance or enhanced tolerance to GLS that are generated by the methods of the invention are also a feature of the invention.
US09150928B2
The use of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) present in CSF as biomarkers for particular brain malignancies and disease activity.
US09150919B2
Methods to specifically detect and differentiate one or more small RNAs in miRNA maturation pathway.
US09150917B2
Methods, compositions, systems, apparatus, and kits are provided for depositing samples onto surfaces. The samples can include one or more particles, and the surface can include one or more reaction chambers. In some embodiments, the depositing can include the use of companion particles in combination with sample particles.
US09150914B2
This disclosure provides methods and compositions for amplification and sequencing of DNA templates, comprising at least two of: 2′-deoxyinosine-5′ triphosphate, 5-propynyl-2′-deoxycytidine-5′-triphosphate, and 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine-5′-triphosphate. Incorporation of these promoting nucleotides into amplification and sequencing reactions improves the amplification and sequencing of difficult-to-sequence DNA regions such as a GC rich regions or GT rich regions; repetitive sequences, including dinucleotide, trinucleotide, direct, inverted, Alu, poly A or poly T repeats; and hairpin or other secondary structures.
US09150913B2
An M×N matrix microfluidic device for performing a matrix of reactions, the device having a plurality of reaction cells in communication with one of either a sample inlet or a reagent inlet through a via formed within an elastomeric block of the device. Methods provided include a method for forming vias in parallel in an elastomeric layer of an elastomeric block of a microfluidic device, the method comprising using patterned photoresist masks and etching reagents to etch away regions or portions of an elastomeric layer of the elastomeric block.
US09150912B2
The present application discloses a labeled nucleotide comprising a label attached via a linker, wherein said labeled nucleotide has the formula wherein R1 is a residue with a negative net charge, preferably selected from the group consisting of a phosphate group, and a sulphate group; wherein R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H2, OH2, and O; wherein “n” is an integer between 0 and 16; wherein “a” is an integer between 1 and 10; wherein SP is absent or a spacer; wherein X is said label; and wherein Y is a nucleotide or nucleoside. Furthermore, oligonucleotides comprising a labeled nucleotide according to the present invention and the use as a primer in amplification based methods is disclosed herein.
US09150905B2
Compositions and methods are described for standardizing the DNA amplification efficiencies of a highly heterogeneous set of oligonucleotide primers as may typically be used to amplify a heterogeneous set of DNA templates that contains rearranged lymphoid cell DNA encoding T cell receptors (TCR) or immunoglobulins (IG). The presently disclosed embodiments are useful to overcome undesirable bias in the utilization of a subset of amplification primers, which leads to imprecision in multiplexed high throughput sequencing of amplification products to quantify unique TCR or Ig encoding genomes in a sample. Provided is a composition comprising a diverse plurality of template oligonucleotides in substantially equimolar amounts, for use as a calibration standard for amplification primer sets. Also provided are methods for identifying and correcting biased primer efficiency during amplification.
US09150894B2
The present invention relates to a process for purifying lipopeptides. More particular, the invention provides an improved method for purifying daptomycin.
US09150887B2
The invention relates to bacterium that have increased resistance to furfural and methods of preparation. The invention also relates to methods of producing ethanol using the bacterium and corresponding kits.
US09150847B2
Nucleases and methods of using these nucleases for expressing a transgene from a safe harbor locus in a secretory tissue, and clones and animals derived therefrom.
US09150835B2
A modified microorganism for high efficient production of lactic acid, an expression vector for constructing the modified microorganism, and a method of producing a lactic acid using the same are disclosed. The modified microorganism may produce lactic acid at a high level under acid conditions.
US09150833B2
The present invention provides methods to promote the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into insulin producing cells. In particular, the present invention provides a method to produce cells expressing markers characteristic of the pancreatic endocrine lineage that co-express NKX6.1 and insulin and minimal amounts of glucagon.
US09150813B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an aromatic compound and an oil of lubricating viscosity. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine. The invention further relates to the use of the aromatic compound as an antiwear agent.
US09150811B2
Disclosed is a method for improving copper corrosion performance of a lubricating oil composition containing (a) a major amount of a base oil of lubricating viscosity; and (b) one or more dispersants containing one or more basic nitrogen atoms. The method involves adding to the lubricating oil composition an effective amount of one or more copper corrosion performance improving agents containing one or more oil-soluble titanium compounds.
US09150805B2
The present invention is a vitrification and gasification system that operates at elevated pressures. The system includes a processing chamber having numerous penetrations, and seals for effectively sealing the penetrations to the processing chamber.
US09150803B2
A method, apparatus, and system for a solar-driven bio-refinery that may include a entrained-flow biomass feed system that is feedstock flexible via particle size control of the biomass. Some embodiments include a chemical reactor that receives concentrated solar thermal energy from an array of heliostats. The entrained-flow biomass feed system can use an entrainment carrier gas and supplies a variety of biomass sources fed as particles into the solar-driven chemical reactor. Biomass sources in a raw state or partially torrified state may be used, as long as parameters such as particle size of the biomass are controlled. Additionally, concentrated solar thermal energy can drive gasification of the particles. An on-site fuel synthesis reactor may receive the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products from the gasification reaction use the hydrogen and carbon monoxide products in a hydrocarbon fuel synthesis process to create a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
US09150797B2
A hot stripped hydroprocessed stream from a stripper column may be sent directly to a vacuum fractionation column instead of being first processed in an atmospheric fractionation column. If a separate warm stripper column is used, both the warm stripped stream and a hot stripped stream may be fractionated in the same fractionation column, particularly a vacuum fractionation column.
US09150787B2
A liquid crystal composition including a polymerizable compound, and an AM device including the liquid crystal composition are described. The liquid crystal composition includes the compound (1) and the compound (2): wherein P1 and P2 are polymerizable groups; the rings A, B, C and E are 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,4-phenylene, etc.; the ring D is 2,3-difluoro-1,4-phenylene, etc.; Z1 and Z2 are alkylene, etc.; L1, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond, etc.; R1 and R2 are alkyl, etc.; and q, r and s are 1, etc.
US09150785B2
The invention provides a red fluorescent material of which the chemical formula is (Li1−a−bMIaMII2b)2+m(Gd1−x−yEuxLny)4−2b(MoO4)7−c−z(WO4)c(A)Z. The invention further provides a preparation method of the red fluorescent material, and an electric light source prepared from the red fluorescent material and a preparation method of the electric light source. The invention has the beneficial effect that the red fluorescent material uses Eu3+ ions as the main activator; under the excitation of near ultraviolet light or blue light emitted by a semiconductor LED chip, the red fluorescent material has high light conversion efficiency, and emits light in a mode of red sharp lines of characteristic 4f electron-configuration 5D0−>7F2 energy level transition of Eu3+; and the red fluorescent material has high color purity, high emissive power and stable performance.
US09150775B2
Method for water tightening of water bearing zones and stabilization of sand in underground constructions, by precipitation of at least one mineral, by introducing into the construction, at the least one aqueous solution of salts comprising Ca2+ ions and urea, and an urease. The urease may be plant based, and made by grounding the plant wherefrom the urease is based, adding water, and soaking at occasional stirring between 2 and 20 h at room temperature. Then the achieved solution is filtrated, and the filtrate is lyophilized. The urease may also be biotechnologically produced by bacteria in an aqueous solution, where after the achieved solution is filtrated, and the filtrate is lyophilized.
US09150770B2
A chiller apparatus containing a composition comprising cis-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene.
US09150769B2
Phase change material microcapsules are obtained using a PMMA prepolymer and an organic-solvent free synthesis process. A polymer monomer and an initiator are subject to pre-polymerization in a water bath to form Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) prepolymer which is then prepared to be a stabilizer aqueous solution. A phase change material is added to the stabilizer aqueous solution and liquefied in advance, and stirred to form an emulsion by a homogenizing mixer. A starting agent, a cross-linking agent and a Polymethyl methacrylate methyl ester prepolymer are added to the emulsion containing the phase-change material. The emulsion is further stirred by the homogenizing mixer for micro-emulsification which then aggregates in water bath. In this way, the process may use organic-solvent free process to pre-polymerize the polymer monomer into a Polymethyl methacrylate prepolymer and carries out encapsulation and polymerization at an oil-water interface to achieve the preparation of phase change material microcapsules.
US09150764B2
Single component compositions for making a moisture-cured polyurethane foam are disclosed. Foam produced from the compositions of the present invention produce very low foaming pressure due to their 60-95 percent open-cell content. After these compositions are applied and cure, they form a permanent seal around the perimeter of installed fenestration products.
US09150761B2
Disclosed is an adhesive that may include two or more starches or starch derivatives with different molecular weights. In many embodiments, the adhesive includes (1) unmodified or slightly thinned starch, (2) maltodextrin or syrup solid, and (3) a hydroxypropyl starch. In most embodiments, the adhesive includes a plasticizer. The adhesive may be prepared by blending the starch and starch derivatives, and cooking the blended slurry, preferably under acidic conditions. The adhesive may be employed for various purposes including as an adhesive for a multi-wall bag.
US09150759B2
A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing silicon wafers is provided, containing: water, optionally, an abrasive; a cation according to formula (I); piperazine or a piperazine derivative according to formula (II); and, a quaternary ammonium compound; wherein the chemical mechanical polishing composition exhibits a pH of 9 to 12. Also provided are methods of making and using the chemical mechanical polishing composition.
US09150757B2
A coating composition for metal or refractories includes a polysilazane resin; and one or more additives that alter the thermal conductivity and/or the abrasion resistance of the cured polysilazane resin. The coating composition may be applied to a metal or refractory material substrate and heated to form a ceramic layer on the substrate. The ceramic layer exhibits lower thermal conductivity and increased abrasion resistance.
US09150752B2
The present invention relates to a composition comprising a stable aqueous dispersion of polymer particles and a dispersant adsorbed onto the surfaces of TiO2 particles, wherein the dispersant is a water-soluble polymer functionalized with structural units of a carboxylic acid ester and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane. The composition of the present invention is particularly useful for achieving high hiding for paints containing associative thickeners.
US09150749B2
A method of preparing a coating composition. The method comprises preparing a mixture that includes a releasing agent, thickening agents, and vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer. Another embodiment is a method of forming a film, comprising, providing the coating composition and applying the coating composition to a surface. Another embodiment is a protective coating comprising a film, that includes the coating composition, applied to a surface of a manufactured product.
US09150748B1
In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together to form an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal sulfur moiety.
US09150747B2
Erasable paintings used to paint a design on the at least one paintable surface of the footwear. The erasable paintings are insoluble in water and thus can withstand any weather conditions. The present invention also provides an erasing solution for completely erasing the erasable from the paintable surface. The present invention also provides an article of footwear having at least one paintable surface and at least one erasable painting. The article of footwear may also include an erasing solvent to erase the at least one erasable painting. The article of footwear may also include a spray and/or liquid to make the painting permanent and/or a painting instrument. The article of footwear may also include various accessories.
US09150746B1
Fusing nanowire inks are described that can also comprise a hydrophilic polymer binder, such as a cellulose based binder. The fusing nanowire inks can be deposited onto a substrate surface and dried to drive the fusing process. Transparent conductive films can be formed with desirable properties.
US09150739B2
Disclosed herein are materials and compositions comprising: an oxidized carbon black having a BET surface area ranging from 50 to 700 m2/g, a DBP oil adsorption number ranging from 50 to 200 mL/100 g, and a primary particle size ranging from 7 to 30 nm; and a polyetheramine comprising ethylene oxide and propylene oxide monomers, wherein the polyetheramine coats the oxidized carbon black. Also disclosed are coatings and coating compositions comprising these materials and methods of making the same.
US09150737B2
Techniques and compositions for applying films to a variety of substrates, from water-borne coating compositions, are provided. The techniques involve providing desiccant and applying the desiccant with water-borne film-forming composition, in application to a substrate. The desiccant composition provides for take up of free water in of the film-forming composition, without total reliance on ambient conditions, to advantage. Compositions, methods, techniques and resulting constructions are described. The techniques can be applied in wet thick film applications, but are not limited to such applications.
US09150729B2
The present invention relates to softwood lignin derivatives having an aliphatic hydroxyl content of from about 2.5 mmol/g to about 7 mmol/g lignin, and the preparation method thereof. The lignin derivatives have a desired antioxidant activity characterized by radical scavenging index (RSI). Another aspect of the invention relates to compositions comprising the softwood lignin derivative. Another aspect of the invention relates to a use of the softwood lignin derivatives comprising incorporating the softwood lignin derivatives into polymer compositions.
US09150727B2
Resin-linear organosiloxane block copolymers combined with linear or resin organopolysiloxane components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the combination of resin-linear organosiloxane block copolymers with linear or resin organopolysiloxane components provides compositions having improved physical properties, such as improved toughness and flow behavior.
US09150724B2
Polymer composition containing a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, which contains hard segments of a polyester and soft segments, that contain monomer units of a dimerized fatty acid and/or a derivative thereof, which polymer composition contains at least 0.1 wt % of a UV-absorber.
US09150723B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a curable resin composition capable of being quickly cured at a low temperature by irradiation of an active energy ray such as light and having excellent storage stability, and a curing method. Furthermore, in the curable resin composition of the present invention, which uses a component (D) in combination, the active energy ray curability is more improved. Provided is a curable composition containing components (A) to (C) described below: the component (A) being a compound having 2 or more glycidyl groups in the molecule; the component (B) being a compound having 2 or more thiol groups in the molecule; and the component (C) being a photobase generating agent containing a salt having an anion expressed by the following general formula (1);
US09150720B2
Disclosed is a crosslinked polymer nanoparticle containing composition, a method for preparing a copolymer using the composition, and a vinyl chloride resin with improved foam molding properties. Processing aid in according with the present invention, provides the effects of improved foam molding properties and processibility of a vinyl chloride resin, during a foam molding process upon being added to the vinyl chloride resin.
US09150719B2
Provided are methods for producing a high strength, but easily deformed, polystyrene foam board that can endure repeated deformations from its original configuration into more complex curved shapes without damaging the board integrity or substantially reducing its structural strength. Also provided are rigid polystyrene foam boards produced by this method that exhibit improved bending and impact resistance while substantially retaining or improving other properties, for example, the thermal dimensional stability and fire resistance, exhibited by corresponding conventional XPS foam boards. The foamable compositions may incorporate one or more of a variety of polymer processing aids for the purpose of altering the performance of the final foam products, thereby allowing the properties of the final foam product to be customized to some degree.
US09150707B2
A process for producing a cross-linked bitumen/polymer composition (PmB) with a reduction in hydrogen sulphide (H2S) emissions including a production unit for the implementation of such a process. The production process includes the following successive steps:(a) preparing a cross-linked bitumen/polymer composition (PmB) in a reactor and,(b) transferring a predetermined quantity of the composition from the reactor to a storage tank and/or directly to a loading station via a distribution line, the composition being maintained at a temperature between 100° C. and 220° C. during the transfer. A reduction in hydrogen sulphide emissions (H2S) is carried out by the in-line injection of an effective quantity of a hydrogen sulphide (H2S) scavenger during the transfer step. The injection is carried out by continuous introduction of the hydrogen sulphide (H2S) scavenger into the distribution line downstream of the reactor and, upstream of the storage tank and the loading station.
US09150706B2
A photocurable resin composition which hardly causes leakage and is easily formed into a desired shape and an image display device using this photocurable resin composition are provided. Namely, a photocurable resin composition comprises a compound (A) having a photopolymerizable functional group and an oil gelling agent (B), is provided. Also, an image display device having a laminate structure including an image display unit having an image display part, a transparent protective plate, and a resin layer existent between the image display unit and the transparent protective plate, wherein the resin layer is a cured material of the above-described photocurable resin composition, is provided.
US09150705B2
The present invention relates to accelerators for curing unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, and acrylic resins in conjunction with peroxide type initiators. The accelerators are based on iron/manganese complexes of a tridentate, tetradentate, pentadentate, or hexadentate nitrogen donor ligands. Also disclosed are curable resin compositions including the forgoing accelerators and a curing process for employing these accelerators. These resin compositions show good curing properties and do not contain cobalt accelerators. The present invention further relates to gel coats and molded composites prepared from such unsaturated polyester, vinyl ester, and acrylic resins.
US09150697B2
Provided is an ink jet recording head, including a member provided with an ejection orifice for ejecting ink, in which the ink jet recording head further includes a water-repellent layer including a cured product of a condensed product obtained by condensation of a hydrolyzable silane compound having an epoxy group and a hydrolyzable silane compound having a perfluoropolyether group on a surface of the member on a side on which the ejection orifice opens.
US09150693B2
Described is the preparation of sulfonated polyoxadiazole polymers with a high degree of sulfonation and good flammability properties. The polymers are useful in articles such as fibers.
US09150692B2
The use of a polyamide including hydroxyaromatic units in order to increase the acid resistance of a polyamide composition is described. A polyamide composition comprising a polyamide that includes hydroxyaromatic units and use thereof for the manufacture of various plastic articles such as, for example, calibrated particles or injection-molded parts is also described. Such a composition is especially useful in the field of the recovery of slurries, liquids and gases present in underground reservoirs, and in particular in the field of the extraction of hydrocarbons, such as crude oil or natural gas.
US09150687B2
The present invention relates to electronic devices comprising organic semiconductors whose content of halogens is less than 20 ppm. This increases the lifetime and the efficiency of the corresponding electronic devices, and these materials are thus better suited to use in organic electronic devices than materials with a higher halogen content. The present invention further relates to corresponding organic semiconductors and to a process for their production.
US09150686B2
Disclosed are an epoxy compound having an alkoxysilyl group, a composite of which exhibits good heat resistant properties and/or a cured product of which exhibits good flame retardant properties, a method of preparing the same, a composition comprising the same, and a cured product and a use of the composition. An alkoxysilylated epoxy compound comprising at least one of Chemical Formula S1 substituent and at least two epoxy groups in a core, a method of preparing the epoxy compound by an allylation, a claisen rearrangement, an epoxidation and an alkoxysilylation, an epoxy composition comprising the epoxy compound, and a cured product and a use of the composition are provided. The composite of the disclosed exhibits improved chemical bonding, good heat resistant properties, a low CTE, a high glass transition temperature or Tg-less. The cured product of the composition exhibits good flame retardant properties.
US09150683B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide polyurethanes by polymerizing, in the presence of a catalyst, a solvent-free melt of a polyisocyanate branching agent; a water-soluble polyalkylene glycol having an Mw of from 2000 to 11,000 Daltons; and a diisocyanate; wherein the solvent-free melt further includes a hydrophobic capping agent, or a hydrophobic capping agent is added to the melt after the addition of catalyst. Hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide polyurethanes prepared by the process of the present invention show excellent ICI/KU properties and are useful as thickeners for coatings formulations.
US09150678B2
Disclosed herein are a photoreactive polymer, and an alignment layer comprising the same that exhibit excellences in alignment rate and alignment stability. The photoreactive polymer comprises a cyclic olefin-based repeating unit with at least one photoreactive substituent, and the maximum absolute value of a variation in dichloric ratio per unit UV dose as given by d(dichloric ratio)/d(mJ/cm2) upon exposure to a polarized UV radiation having a wavelength of 150 to 450 nm at a total exposure dose of 20 mJ/cm2 or less is at least 0.003.
US09150677B2
The invention is a polymerizable compound represented by formula (I); a polymerizable composition comprising the polymerizable compound and an initiator; a polymer obtained by polymerizing the polymerizable compound or the polymerizable composition, and an optically anisotropic article comprising the polymer. In the formula, Q1 to Q3 are a hydrogen atom, and the like; X is a C4-12 divalent aromatic group, and the like; Y1 to Y12 are a chemical single bond, —O—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, and the like; G1 to G4 are a C1-20 divalent aliphatic group, and the like; Z1 to Z4 are a C2-10 alkenyl group, and the like; A1 is a trivalent aromatic group, and the like; A2 to A7 are a C4-30 divalent aromatic group, and the like; and n is 0 or 1. The present invention provides a polymerizable compound, a polymerizable composition, and a polymer that have a practical low melting point, exhibit excellent solubility in a general-purpose solvent, can be produced at low cost, and may produce an optical film that achieves uniform conversion of polarized light over a wide wavelength band, and an optically anisotropic article.
US09150673B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylic esters by esterifying (meth)acrylic acid or transesterifying at least one (meth)acrylic ester with at least one compound comprising at least one OH group in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising at least one inorganic salt, wherein the esterification or transesterification is performed in the presence of 300 to 3000 ppm of water based on the total weight of the reaction mixture.
US09150671B2
A novel class of aminidate complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.
US09150669B2
Pursuant to the invention a process for the production of hydrogenated nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art in the is provided wherein the process is carried out in the presence of hydrogen and optionally at least one co-(olefin). The present invention further relates to the use of specific metal compounds in a process for the production of a hydrogenated nitrile rubber by simultaneous hydrogenation and metathesis of a nitrile rubber.
US09150662B2
Genetically modified mice are provided that express human λ variable (hVλ) sequences, including mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse λ light chain locus, mice that express hVλ sequences from an endogenous mouse κ light chain locus, and mice that express hVλ sequences from a transgene or an episome wherein the hVλ sequence is linked to a mouse constant sequence. Mice are provided that are a source of somatically mutated human λ variable sequences useful for making antigen-binding proteins. Compositions and methods for making antigen-binding proteins that comprise human λ variable sequences, including human antibodies, are provided.
US09150660B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US09150659B2
Anti-TACE (ADAM17) antibodies are disclosed that for the first time in the art are capable of binding to TACE, of acting as antagonists of one or more its biological activities, in particular by binding to TACE in a cross domain binding mode in which residues in both the catalytic domain and in the cysteine rich/disintegrin domains (Dis-Cys) are involved in antibody binding to TACE, helping to improve the specificity of the antibody binding and/or helping to improve inhibition of TACE biological activity. The therapeutic uses of the antibodies, in particular for the treatment of cancer are disclosed.
US09150655B2
Antibodies that bind to c-Met are provided herein, as well as related compositions and methods of use. Methods of use encompass cancer therapies and diagnostics. In certain embodiments, antibodies bind mammalian cell surface antigen (e.g., cancer cell surface antigen). The antibodies can also be endocytosed upon binding to cells. Cells that can be targeted by the antibodies include carcinomas, such as those in lung, kidney, liver, stomach, breast, and brain, etc.
US09150654B2
Provided herein are antibodies and antigen-binding antibody fragments that bind to human soluble Growth Stimulation-Expressed Gene 2 (ST2) protein, kits containing these antibodies and antibody fragments, and methods of using these antibodies and antibody fragments.
US09150632B2
Glucagon peptides with increased GIP activity are provided, optionally with GLP-I and/or glucagon activity. In some embodiments, C-terminally extended glucagon peptides comprising an amino acid sequence substantially similar to native glucagon are provided herein.
US09150625B2
Methods and compositions are provided for targeting a polypeptide of interest to a chloroplast. Recombinant polynucleotides comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a chimeric chloroplast transit peptide (CTP) operably linked to a heterologous polynucleotide of interest are provided. In specific embodiments, the chimeric CTP comprises an N-terminal domain operably linked to a central domain operably linked to a C-terminal domain of a CTP to form a chimeric chloroplast transit peptide having CTP activity. Recombinant polypeptides encoding the same, as well as, cells, plant cells, plants and seeds are further provided which comprise the recombinant polynucleotides. Methods of use of the various sequences are also provided.
US09150620B2
The present invention relates to a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a mutated hemagglutinin protein, wherein the mutated hemagglutinin protein consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 with one or more mutations at amino acid residue selecting from the group consisting of residue 83, 127, 138 and the combination thereof. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising the recombinant DNA molecule as described above and a pharmaceutically or veterinarily acceptable carrier, excipient, adjuvant, or vehicle. The present invention further relates to a kit for prime-boost vaccination, comprising at least a composition comprising a recombinant DNA molecule as described above and at least a composition for the boost-vaccination comprising a recombinant hemagglutiinin protein or a virus-like particle, wherein the recombinant hemagglutiinin protein is the corresponding hemagglutiinin protein encoded by the recombinant DNA molecule. The present invention still further relates to a method of vaccinating a subject susceptible to avian influenza comprising administrating to the subject an effective amount of the composition as described above. The present invention still further relates to a recombinant hemagglutinin protein consisting of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 with one or more mutations at amino acid residue selecting from the group consisting of residue 83, 127, 138, and the combination thereof.
US09150618B2
The present invention refers to the use of protein kinase inhibitors and more specifically to the use of inhibitors of the protein kinase c-Jun amino terminal kinase, JNK inhibitor (poly-)peptides, chimeric peptides, or of nucleic acids encoding same as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing same, for the treatment of non-chronic or chronic inflammatory eye diseases, such as inflammatory diseases of the blephara, conjunctiva, cornea, sclera, the vitreous body, uvea, ciliary body, choroid, orbital bone, lacrimal gland, or iris, in particular wherein the inflammatory disease is selected from hordeolum, chalazion, conjunktivitis, keratitis, scleritis, episcleritis, endophthalmitis, panophtalmitis, irititis, uveitis, cyclitis, chorioiditis, orbital phlegmon, and myositis of the eye muscle etc.
US09150601B2
Provided are a blue-light-emitting iridium complex, an iridium complex monomer, a phosphorescent polymer, and an organic electroluminescent device using same. The blue-light-emitting iridium complex contains a ligand having a low electron density structure, such as triazole or tetrazole. The iridium complex monomer containing a ligand having a polymerizable vinyl group produces a blue phosphorescent polymer through the polymerization with carbazole derivatives. The organic electroluminescent device comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the light-emitting layer contains the above-described iridium complex or polymer containing the iridium complex.
US09150599B2
A method for the synthesis of N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine or one of its derivatives selected from the group of its salts, its phosphonate esters and its phosphonate ester salts, including the steps of: a) forming a reaction mixture having an acid catalyst, N,N′-bis(carboxymethyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine and a compound having one or more P—O—P anhydride moieties, wherein the moieties have one P atom at the oxidation state (+III) and the other P atom at the oxidation state (+III) or (+V), to form N,N′-bis(phosphonomethyl)-2,5-diketopiperazine, its dehydrated forms or their phosphonate esters; b) hydrolyzing the reaction mixture to form N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine or one of its derivatives selected from the group consisting of its salts, its phosphonate esters and its phosphonate ester salts.
US09150596B2
The subject of the invention are new functionalized unsaturated double-decker derivatives of divinylsilsesquioxanes of the general formula 1. In the formula, R1 are the same and stand for an aryl group containing from 1 to 2 rings, R2 are the same and stand for an alkyl group containing carbon atoms from C1 to C2, substituted or unsubstituted aryl group containing from 1 to 2 rings, R3 are the same and stand for a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group containing from 1 to 2 rings or a group of the formula —R4-R5—, where R4 stands for an alkyl group containing carbon atoms from C1 to C3, while R5 stands for aryl group containing from 1 to 2 rings.
US09150595B2
Provided is a process for producing a silane coupling agent, which can shorten the time required for the production process. A process for producing a silane coupling agent, characterized by comprising a step of reacting a silane compound (A) with a compound (B) which has a hydroxyl group and further contains an atom having an unshared electron pair other than an oxygen atom derived from the hydroxyl group, in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst (m) to obtain a silane compound (C) which has an alkoxyl group containing the atom having the unshared electron pair other than the oxygen atom derived from the hydroxyl group.
US09150586B2
The invention relates to novel piperidino-dihydrothienopyrimidine sulfoxides of formula I, wherein Ring A is a 6-membered aromatic ring which may optionally comprise one or two nitrogen atoms and wherein R is Cl and wherein R may be located either in the para-, meta- or ortho-position of Ring A, wherein S* is a sulphur atom that represents a chiral center, and all pharmaceutically acceptable salts, enantiomers and racemates, hydrates and solvates thereof and the use of these compounds for the treatment of inflammatory or allergic diseases of the respiratory tract such as COPD or asthma.
US09150585B2
The present invention provides novel conjugates of camptothecin and camptothecin analogs with a linker and an HSA-binding moiety. The novel conjugates are prodrug forms of the camptothecin or camptothecin analogs and can be used to treat mammalian cell proliferative diseases, such as cancer.
US09150578B2
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (I) wherein the groups R1 to R6, A, B, C, n, p, q and r are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, pharmaceutical preparations which contain compounds of this kind and their use as medicaments.
US09150574B2
2-{4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}ethan-1-amine; 3-aminopropyl 4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-1-carboxylate; 1-{4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}-4-(dimethylamino)butan-1-one; 5-amino-1-{4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}pentan-1-one; N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-1-carboxamide; N-(3-aminopropyl)-4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-1-carboxamide; 4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]-N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]piperidine-1-carboxamide; 1-({4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)piperazine; 4-({4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)morpholine; 1-({4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)-1,4-diazepane; ethyl 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-4-carboxylate; ethyl 1-[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-4-carboxylate; 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-4-carboxylic acid; N-(2-aminoethyl)-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-4-carboxamide; 4-({1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-4yl}carbonyl)morpholine; 1-({1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-4-yl}carbonyl)piperazine; {4-[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholin-3-yl}methanol; {4-[1-(4-methyl-phenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholin-2-yl}methanol; [(3R)-4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholin-3-yl]methanol; methyl 4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholine-3-carboxylate; N-(2-aminoethyl)-4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholine-3-carboxamide; 2-{4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholin-3-yl}ethan-1-ol; methyl 1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-2-carboxylate; N-(2-aminoethyl)-1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidine-2-carboxamide; 1-({1-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-2-yl}carbonyl)piperazine; 4-[1-(4-methylphenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-3-yl]morpholine; 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridin-4-ol; N-butyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-amine; 1-[4-(fluoromethyl)phenyl]-3-(oxan-4-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine; and 3-({4-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-3-yl]piperidin-1-yl}methyl)pyridine are useful for the inhibition of SSAO activity.
US09150572B2
The invention provides a chemical entity of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, Y, and n have any of the values described herein and compositions comprising such chemical entities; methods of making them; and their use in a wide range of methods, including metabolic and reaction kinetic studies, detection and imaging techniques, and radioactive treatments; and therapies, including inhibiting MAO, and MAO-B selectively, enhancing neuronal plasticity, treating neurological disorders, providing neuroprotection, treating a cognitive impairment associated with a CNS disorder, enhancing the efficiency of cognitive and motor training, providing neurorecovery and neurorehabilitation, enhancing the efficiency of non-human animal training protocols, and treating treating peripheral disorders (including obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic disorders) and their associated co-morbidities.
US09150570B2
Provided herein are intermediates and processes useful for facile synthesis of biologically active molecules.
US09150559B2
Disclosed herein are anti-proliferative compounds which find use in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. Also provided herein are methods for using these compounds for inhibiting growth of cancer cells. Also provided herein are methods for using these compounds for treating a subject for hyperproliferative conditions, including without limitation the treatment of hematopoietic cancers.
US09150554B2
Provided herein are compounds of Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and combination therapies comprising the same for treatment of hepatitis C.
US09150547B2
The present invention provides a commercially viable process for preparing pazopanib and its pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof in high yields using novel intermediate. The present invention also provides a process for the purification of pazopanib hydrochloride.
US09150532B2
The present invention comprises processes for preparing compounds of Formula (I). wherein: R0, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and A are as defined in the specification.
US09150525B2
This invention relates to compounds that inhibit E1 activating enzymes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds. The compounds are useful for treating disorders, particularly cell proliferation disorders, including cancers, inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders; and inflammation associated with infection and cachexia.
US09150524B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of Letrozole (I) and its synthetic intermediate 4-[(1-(1,2,4-triazoly)methyl]benzonitrile (III). In particular, it relates to a process to prepare Letrozole and its intermediate (III) substantially free from regioisomeric impurities. The present invention further relates to acid addition salts of 4-[(1-(1,2,4-triazoly)methyl]benzonitrile (III) such as the oxalate salt, and also to Letrozole (I), the intermediate (III) and salts thereof preparable by the processes of the present invention.
US09150522B2
Disclosed is a compound of (aminophenylamino) pyrimidyl benzamides and a synthesis method thereof. The compound has Btk-inhibition activity and can be used to treat autoimmune diseases, heteroimmune diseases, cancers or thromboembolic diseases.
US09150521B2
The present invention provides methods and therapeutic agents for lowering serum or plasma serotonin levels in a patient in order to prevent or treat diabetes. In preferred embodiments, the patient is known to have, or to be at risk for, diabetes and the agents are TPH1 inhibitors.
US09150520B2
Processes for the preparation of 4-amino-1-((1S,4R,5S)-2-fluoro-4,5-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-cyclopent-2-enyl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (13, RX-3117) and its intermediates are described.
US09150518B2
A pure amorphous form of rosuvastatin calcium substantially free from alkali metal impurities is disclosed. A process of preparing a pure amorphous form of rosuvastatin calcium is disclosed, which comprises hydrolysis of C1-C5 alkyl esters of rosuvastatin, preferably tert-butyl ester of rosuvastatin, with an organic nitrogen base, e.g. guanidines, amidines, amines and quaternary ammonium hydroxides, in the presence of water, optionally containing aprotic solvent, following the conversion of thus obtained rosuvastatin salt with a source of calcium to obtain rosuvastatin calcium, which is then isolated. An alternative process is disclosed, which comprises the conversion of numerous novel ammonium salts of rosuvastatin, preferably tert-octylammonium salt of rosuvastatin, with the source of calcium to desired commercial rosuvastatin calcium. Rosuvastatin calcium is an inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase, useful in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
US09150517B2
The present invention is directed to bendamustine esters and bendamustine amides and their use for the treatment of cancer.
US09150510B2
The amino acid derivative of the present invention provides a novel compound that shows excellent analgesic action. The amino acid derivative of the present invention is a novel compound that shows excellent analgesic action to not only a model animal for nociceptive pains but also a model animal for neuropathic pains, so that the amino acid derivative is very useful as a drug for treating various pain diseases.
US09150503B2
A crystalline form of a γ-aminobutyric acid analog, and methods of preparing same, are provided.
US09150500B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: where R1-R6, a, b, and Z are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and processes and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US09150499B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of substantially pure nateglinide of formula (I), substantially free from the cis-isomer and L-enantiomer and preparation of enantiomerically pure nateglinide form B, directly from the hydrolysis of a (−)-N-(trans-4-isopropylcyclohexyl-1-carbonyl)-D-phenylalanine alkyl ester in a ketonic solvent or water or mixture thereof.
US09150490B2
The present invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of diaryl carbonates from phosgene and at least one monohydroxy compound (monophenol) in the presence of catalysts, and also the use thereof for preparing polycarbonates. The hydrogen chloride formed in the reaction is converted by electrochemical oxidation into chlorine, with the chlorine being recirculated to the preparation of phosgene. In particular, the process comprises utilization of the hydrogen chloride formed for the process for preparing diphenyl carbonate (DPC process).
US09150485B2
Processes have been developed for oxidizing alkyl aromatic compounds, and which reduce the amount of 4-CBA in the solid oxidation products. The process can reduce the makeup amount of ionic liquid, carboxylic acid, catalyst, bromine source, and ammonia source.
US09150484B2
Methods of producing terephthalic acid are described. The methods involve using a p-xylene stream enriched with p-toluic acid and optionally terephthalic acid at impurity levels. The p-xylene stream enriched with p-toluic acid, a solvent comprising an ionic liquid and optionally a carboxylic acid, a bromine source, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent are contacted to produce a product comprising terephthalic acid.
US09150482B2
A compound for controlling blood glucose level has a structure shown in Formula I: wherein R5-R8 are as defined herein. A method for controlling blood glucose level includes administering to a subject in need thereof a compound of Formula I. The method further includes administering to the subject a GLP-1 receptor ligand. The compound and the GLP-1 receptor ligand may be administered together. The compound may be Galanal A or Galanal B. The GLP-1 receptor ligand may be GLP-1 or exendin-4.
US09150479B1
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 heavy rare earth element, wherein the heavy rare earth element is terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, or mixtures thereof.
US09150477B1
A system for, and method of, recovering salt from a rich mono ethylene glycol MEG stream includes a flash separator having a desanding hydrocyclone located in the hot MEG recycle loop of the flash separator; a first solids fluidization device located at the bottom end of the flash separator's brine column; a second desanding hydrocyclone arranged to receive a salt slurry stream created by the first solids fluidization device; and an accumulator located downstream of the second desanding hydrocyclone and having a second solids fluidization device located at its bottom end. Each solids fluidization device includes means for causing the motive fluid to exit the device in a swirling motion to fluidize the salt components contained in the resident fluid. The overflow from the second desanding hydrocyclone is the motive fluid for the brine column and a produced water, condensate water, or seawater stream is the motive fluid for the accumulator.
US09150470B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process. The process can include contacting one or more contaminated hydrocarbons with a hydrogen gas stream in a flash feed separator to generate a first liquid stream, stripping the first liquid stream to generate a residue stream, and separating the residue stream in a film generating evaporator to obtain a recovered distillate.
US09150464B2
Disclosed is a method for removing water, nitrogen compounds, and unsaturated aliphatic compounds from a hydrocarbon feed stream by passing the hydrocarbon feed stream through a water removal zone, a nitrogen removal zone, and an unsaturated aliphatic compound removal zone. By on aspect, the method includes removing water from the hydrocarbon feed stream, contacting the feed stream with a nitrogen selective adsorbent, and contacting the feed stream with an unsaturated aliphatic compound removal material.
US09150463B2
Disclosed is a method for treating two or more aromatic feed streams including combining one aromatic feed stream with another aromatic feed stream. The method further includes passing the combined feed stream to a unsaturated aliphatic compound removal zone for removing an unsaturated aliphatic compound therefrom. The method further includes passing the combined aromatic feed stream to a nitrogen removal zone for removing a nitrogen compound therefrom.
US09150462B2
A heated inflation system for an inflatable device on an aircraft is provided. The heated inflation system includes an inflation cylinder configured to hold a gas mixture under pressure, a heating element configured to selectively heat the gas mixture, and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the gas mixture. The heated inflation system also includes a control module coupled to the heating element and the temperature sensor. The control module is configured to regulate heat applied by the heating element to the gas mixture based on a sensed temperature from the temperature sensor.
US09150459B1
A method and apparatus for strengthening cementitious concrete by placing a nanoparticle carrier liquid in contact with a first surface of a concrete section and inducing a current across the concrete section at sufficient magnitude and for sufficient time that nanoparticles in the nanoparticle carrier liquid migrate through a significant depth of the concrete section.
US09150457B2
A piezoelectric ceramic composition comprising: a matrix material comprising at least two matrix components having a perovskite structure or consisting of said matrix components; a first matrix component being selected from (Bi0.5A0.5)EO3 and BaEO3; and a further matrix component being Bi(Me0.5E0.5)O3, wherein A is selected from an alkali metal, particularly sodium or potassium, or a mixture of alkali metals; wherein E is independently selected from titanium, zirconium and mixtures of titanium and zirconium; and wherein Me is selected from bivalent metals.
US09150456B2
Methods of forming a shaped article having a matrix that contains sintered fly ash are disclosed that include forming a fly ash dough that includes fly ash and water. In one form a superplasticizer is added in the dough. A green article is formed in a desired shape from the fly ash dough that is subsequently fired so that the shaped article is hardened by sintering its fly ash matrix. In one form, the green article is cured under conditions of moderate heating and high humidity. A building element having a matrix of sintered fly ash is also disclosed.
US09150453B1
An antimicrobial exfoliated vermiculite composite material is synthesized by impregnating the interlayers of exfoliated vermiculite through cation exchange and surface absorption with at least one of the following metal species: copper, silver, zinc, and manganese. Alternately, the antimicrobial material is synthesized by impregnating interlayers of unexfoliated vermiculite with said metal species and exfoliating the product thereafter. The metal species can be in ionic state, nanometer particles, and in the form of metal oxides, metal hydroxides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal phosphates, metal silicates, metal borides, metal sulfides, metal halides, metal hydrides, metal nitrates, metal carbonates, and metal sulfadiazines. Any mixture of these metal species in the exfoliated vermiculite can provide protection against a broad spectrum of pathogens. This antimicrobial material in any desired form, in whole or as an additive, can effectively self-decontaminate various materials or products as the antimicrobial metal ions slowly diffuse to the surface of the products.
US09150449B2
Certain example embodiments relate to substrates or assemblies having two-colored laser-fused frits, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, a first pattern is formed or written on a glass sheet by laser fusing a first frit material to the glass sheet. A second pattern is formed by laser fusing a second frit material disposed on the first frit material. An optional thin film coating is supported by the glass sheet. The glass sheet with the first and second patterns and optional coating is cut prior to heat treatment. A YAG or other type of laser may be used to directly or indirectly heat the frit materials, at the same or different times, and the frit materials may be wet-applied to the substrate. In certain instances, the laser firing raises the temperature of the glass substrate to no more than 100 degrees C. or preferably even lower.
US09150444B2
A solid dissolver system for the treatment of waste material in a waste water collection system. The solid dissolver system includes a housing. The housing includes a cover and a platform portion for receiving the cover. A cartridge containing agents for the treatment of waste material is disposed within the cover, the cover substantially surrounding and enveloping the cartridge, the cover including an opening. A water inlet is provided into the housing, the water inlet terminating at a spray means disposed proximate to or inside the cover opening, the spray means being capable of directing water at an exposed surface of the cartridge, the platform portion being capable of collecting any effluent from the water directed at the exposed surface of the cartridge by the spray means. A water outlet for channeling the effluent into a waste water collection system is included in the platform portion. The cartridge includes an inner core and an outer portion partially surrounding the inner core such that at least one surface of the inner core is exposed. The inner core has a greater water solubility than the outer portion.
US09150442B2
The disclosure relates generally to the use of polymers to assist in aggregating mineral components in aqueous mineral slurries to release and separate individual components of the slurry, which may then be recovered from the slurry.
US09150440B2
A method for the purification of spent sulfuric acid and particularly the purification of spent acid, from titanium dioxide rutile manufacture through a chloride route, is provided. In the chloride route of titanium dioxide manufacture, sulfuric acid is used to clean the un-reacted gaseous flow coming out of the oxidizer, so the spent acid mainly contains un-reacted Ti4+ ions, trace amounts of Fe3+ ions, and NO2 gas. Titanium phosphate can be precipitated using acidic and or alkaline phosphate-containing precipitants in stoichiometric amounts. The method can include the addition of cutting water to commence the precipitation in two or more steps, when an acidic precipitant is used, and in one step with half the volume of water when an alkaline precipitant is used.
US09150438B2
The present invention relates to an electrolytic cell, including: at least two electrodes, each electrode including: a first and a second surface; and a number of perforations arranged in a substantially uniform pattern; wherein the electrodes are positioned relative to each other such that: at least one surface of each electrode is opposed to a surface of the other electrode, and a gap is formed between the opposed surfaces of the electrodes; wherein the cell includes at least one electrically insulating layer positioned on the opposing surface of at least one electrode, the insulating layer including a number of perforations aligning with the perforations of the electrode on which it is positioned.
US09150437B2
A drop-in cell for the electrolytic purification of water, for example bathwater or service water, with an electrolysis cell that can carry a flow of water, is built into an oblong, e.g., cylindrical, electrically insulating sheath or jacket, and has two contact electrodes mutually positioned a distance apart from each other. A float is situated at least at the one end region of the jacket.
US09150433B2
A system and method for powering an ultraviolet (UV) water purification system utilizing a dynamo. A dynamo, operably attached to the UV water purification system, generates power from a rotatable crank which is actuated by a user around an axis of the rotatable crank. When the crank is rotated, the dynamo produces an electrical current that activates and powers the UV lamp, which in turn, produces UV light to purify the water. To ensure that the water has been purified appropriately, a microcontroller, employed within the UV water purification system, tracks both the “on” time and the intensity of the UV lamp as the dynamo is cranked. Once the lamp has been “on” at a sufficient intensity and for an appropriate period of time to administer a required dose of UV light, the microcontroller disables the lamp and provides the user with notification that the process has completed.
US09150432B2
The instant application describes methods of treating wastewater containing pathogenic microorganisms to reduce the concentration of those pathogenic microorganisms. The methods include measuring parameters or qualities of the wastewater, and using those parameters or qualities to determine the wastewater's ozone demand. The wastewater is dosed with ozone, with the dosage being less than the ozone demand. The ozone and wastewater are mixed with a static mixer, and the wastewater is oxidized by the ozone. Thereafter, the wastewater is disinfected via ultraviolet radiation treatment. The instant application further relates to a wastewater treatment system. The system includes an ozone reactor with a static mixer, an ozone supply device, at least one sensor, and an ultraviolet radiation disinfection unit. The ultraviolet radiation disinfection unit is located downstream from the ozone reactor.
US09150427B2
There is provided manganese oxide having a pore volume fraction of no greater than 20% for pores with diameters of 10 μm or greater, as measured by mercury porosimetry, and a tap density of 1.6 g/cm3 or greater, and a method for producing it. There is also provided a method for producing a lithium manganese composite oxide using the manganese oxide.
US09150409B1
Methods for manufacturing multiple bottom port, surface mount microphones, each containing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) microphone die, are disclosed. Each surface mount microphone features a substrate with metal pads for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between the microphone package and the device's circuit board. The surface mount microphones are manufactured from a panel of unsingulated substrates, each substrate having an acoustic port, and each MEMS microphone die is substrate-mounted and acoustically coupled to its respective acoustic port. Individual covers are joined to the panel of unsingulated substrates, and each individual substrate and cover pair cooperates to form an acoustic chamber for its respective MEMS microphone die. The completed panel is singulated to form individual MEMS microphones.
US09150401B2
A beverage dispensing system includes a base to which a dispensing head is removably attached without additional fasteners. Beverage-forming liquids are supplied through a plurality of separate conduits in the base. Each base conduit has a normally closed valve that normally blocks fluid flow. The dispensing head has at least one passageway that receives liquid from an associated one of the base conduits. A projection associated with each dispensing head passageway opens the associated conduit valve to allow fluid flow from the base to the head. Dispensing valves in the dispensing head regulate the dispensing of the beverage. By selectively opening the dispensing valves, a plurality of beverages are formed from combinations of one or more liquids. A dispensing head includes an inlet opening and an outlet opening at each end of a passage extending through a body, the inlet opening having a smaller cross-sectional area than the outlet opening.
US09150398B2
A filling element includes a channel that forms a delivery opening for delivering filling into a container, a valve arranged in the channel for opening and closing the filling element, the valve being connected by a control valve device to sources for a main and additional component of the filling, and a filling-material section common to the components and forming a space. The element also includes flow meters for measuring volumetric flow of the filling and generating corresponding electrical measurement signals.
US09150394B2
A tiltable lift and a method for using it to aid the unloading of a pallet. The tiltable lift comprises a lift mounted atop a tiltable platform. A pallet load of pallet load elements, such as containers, cartons, boxes, trays, or bundles, deposited on the lift is tilted. A wall extending upward from the platform receives a side of the tilted pallet load, which is urged against the wall by gravity. The lift lifts the pallet load along the wall to position the topmost layer of the pallet load at a top end of the wall for easy access and removal of pallet load elements from the pallet.
US09150390B2
The present disclosure relates to a crane, in particular to a modular mobile crane, with an under carriage, a support, and an upper carriage which comprises an upper carriage frame and a jib which can be separated from the upper carriage, wherein the under carriage comprises at least one connection point. According to the invention, the under carriage can be connected via the at least one connection point alternatively via at least one support-side connection point to the support, and to the upper carriage connected to said support, or via at least one jib-side connection point to the jib separated from the upper carriage.
US09150387B2
An apparatus for positive retention of wood connects to and retains wood for transport and handling, the apparatus comprising a drive handle connected to a support member, the support member connected a main shank, and the main shank adapted to positively penetrate wood through one or more of impact and rotation, wherein the main shank forms a connection to the wood after such positive penetration is achieved.
US09150384B2
An elevator system comprises a hoistway (4), an elevator car (2) arranged to move vertically within the hoistway and a drive machine (10) arranged in the hoistway outside the travel path of the car (2) or vertical projection thereof. The car (2) is coupled to the machine (10) by a rope (18) which is guided by a pair of idler sheaves (26, 28) so as to pass under the car (2). The idler sheaves (26, 28) have a diameter of less than 120 mm. The disclosed arrangement allows both overhead space and pit depth to be minimised.
US09150381B2
An expansion device configured for securely holding a rolled material when the rolled material is handled on roller is disclosed. The expansion device includes a roller spindle, two expansion members, a fixing sleeve, a clamping nut, and a locking member. The locking member moves toward the expansion members, so that the two expansion members expand toward the fixing sleeve, and protrusions which are formed on the expansion members are pressed outward through fixing holes of the fixing sleeve, and then resist against an inner surface of rolled material inside a rolling hole formed therethrough the rolled material. Thus, the rolled material is held securely by the expansion device.
US09150375B2
An object of the invention is to provide a banknote storing/feeding unit which is capable of effectively utilizing winding spaces of a drum and a reel, to increase the number of banknotes to be stored. The banknote storing/feeding unit includes the drum which winds and rewinds a banknote together with a tape, and the reel which winds and rewinds the tape on and from the drum. A guide body swinging according to winding and rewinding of the tape and the banknote on and from the drum is provided between the drum and the reel. The guide body has a guide passage that guides the tape and the banknote to be wound and rewound on the drum. The guide body swings centering on a supporting point located within a region parallel to a virtual line connecting a rotational center of the drum and a rotational center of the reel.
US09150374B2
A dancer roller apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dancer roller; a drive motor; and a dancer roller position changing unit, wherein the dancer roller position changing unit is provided with a one way clutch which allows the dancer roller to move in a long object slack direction, and wherein the drive motor is caused to rotate in a direction such that the dancer roller moves the one way clutch in a long object stretching direction during conveying of a long object.
US09150372B2
An image forming apparatus includes a device main body, a detachable unit that is detachable and attachable to the device main body, a sheet guide that guides a pathway of sheet, and a guide position part that regulates a position of the sheet guide. The guide position part is disposed in the device main body, the sheet guide is disposed movably with respect to the detachable unit, and when the detachable unit is mounted on the device main body, a position of the sheet guide is regulated by abutting the guide position part.
US09150371B2
An object of this invention is to provide a job processing method for a convenient printing system applicable not only to the office environment but also to the POD environment, a storage medium, a program, a printing system, and a printing apparatus. To accomplish this, according to a job processing method for a printing system in which print media detected by a multi feed detection unit for detecting occurrence of multi feed of overlapping print media can be used as print media necessary for a job to be processed by a printing apparatus, when multi feed occurs, the printing system can execute a recovery operation for an unprinted job without outputting multi-fed print media to a print medium discharge destination necessary for the unprinted job in the printing system.
US09150368B2
An improved holddown mechanism includes: (a) an elongated member having a pivoting end, a distal end and a nominal diameter and length, (b) an attachment arm having a pivoting end and a distal end, and (c) a tubular, adjustable diameter, wire mesh or Kellems grip having an attachment arm end and a release end wherein its adjustable diameter expands when this grip is put into compression and contracts when it is put into tension, and wherein the elongated member and the grip are configured such that the elongated member's diameter is such that it can fit within the tubular grip when its adjustable diameter is in an expanded state, and wherein the grip is further configured to engage the elongated member when a prescribed tensile force is applied to the tubular grip.
US09150363B2
A device for turning over identification objects comprising a receiving device for holding an identification object, wherein the receiving device can be moved from an initial position along a guide, and a first rolling element, which is rotatably received in the receiving device, wherein the first rolling element comprises a blocking device, which permits rotation of the receiving device in a first direction. The first rolling element, during movement along the first bearing, performs a rotation in the first direction and the receiving device performs a rotation in the first direction via the first rolling element. During an opposite movement of the receiving device, the first rolling element performs a rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the blocking device prevents rotation of the receiving device.
US09150360B1
A fastener feeder apparatus comprising a feed rail configured to move a first and a second fastener, an actuator including a separating member adjacent the feed rail, the separating member comprising a stopper portion configured to receive the first and second fastener, a first separating portion connected to the stopper portion, the first separating portion having an angled surface configured to contact the first fastener and a top surface configured to contact the second fastener, and an aperture defined in the separating member between the stopper portion and the first separating portion, the aperture structured for receiving the first fastener.
US09150356B2
A curved roller conveyor (1) with a conveyor frame (10) and a plurality of conveyor rollers (20) rotatably supported on the conveyor frame (10), wherein the curved conveyor (1) has a drive system (30) with a drive belt (31) having a round cross-section, wherein several conveyor rollers (20) rest on the drive belt (31) in a floating manner.
US09150354B1
A product line of heavy-duty rolling trash receptacles designed for exterior household and commercial use, and featuring a unique, interlocking, magnetic lid system that will keep the contents secure and safe from animal pests when closed, yet remain open by magnetic attraction when the cans are opened for emptying.
US09150353B2
In an embodiment, a wind-resistant container system includes a container including a receiving space and an opening that provides access to the receiving space. The system also includes a lid connected to the container that is movable between an open position, and a closed portion, wherein the lid substantially covers the opening. One or more closure elements are configured to selectively secure the lid in the closed portion such that the receiving space is protected from wind. The system further includes an anchoring system operably connected to the container and configured to anchor the container on a wall structure without forming a permanent hole in the wall structure. The anchoring system includes a front portion positionable on a first surface of the wall structure and a back portion positionable on a second surface of the wall structure.
US09150349B2
A portable tank assembly that is movable between an operating position and a transport position that includes a tank assembly with a holding tank having an upper section that includes an upper wall and a lower section that includes a lower wall that tapers inwardly from the upper wall to form an orifice, a transport assembly that includes a base portion and an axle assembly. The base portion is affixed to the upper section of the holding tank, and the axle assembly includes wheels for transporting the holding tank along a surface, and a skid assembly that includes a skid plate configured to rest on a horizontal surface when the portable tank assembly is in the operating position and a plurality of legs connecting the skid plate to the holding tank.
US09150347B2
Disclosed is a cartridge for retaining a mass of, for example, ground coffee, that includes a cup, a filter, and a filter support that supports the filter inside the cup.
US09150343B2
A packaging assembly structured to suspend an article within an exterior container and including first and second platforms each having a base with a window extending therethrough and a plurality of side portions extending about the periphery thereof. The side portions are movable into a transverse orientation relative to their respective bases. Connected to the first platform is at least one flexible material bag, which includes an access opening to receive an article. Peripheral portions of the bag connect to side portions of the first platform and are movable therewith into a transverse orientation, facilitating tensioning of the bag and article. Disposition of the second platform in an inverted, retaining position within the exterior container and in confronting relation to the first platform furthers tension of the bag and article. Stabilizing members may be connected to side portions of the exterior container and disposable there within, restricting the article's movement.
US09150342B2
A container for food product includes a film affixed to a food tray. The film forms a top of the container and has an access opening. The sealing label, adhesively sealed to the top around the opening, is resealable when a tab of the sealing label is pulled back. The sealing label is resealable against the top layer to seal the opening when the label is moved back against the top. In one form, the sealing label extends along the top of the container and seals along a portion of the film which is affixed to one or more top end surfaces of walls forming the tray.
US09150340B2
A child-resistant hinged closure coupled to a container wherein the closure, while securely locked, has freedom of axial rotation but limited freedom of radial displacement with respect to the container. The closure can only be unlocked by radially displacing the closure along a singular axis with respect to the container.
US09150336B2
The closure cap according to the invention for a container for receiving liquids, and in particular a BFS container for receiving an enteral nutrient solution, has a cover part and a rim part, with a withdrawal part for the withdrawal of a liquid, and in particular the enteral nutrient solution, being arranged in the cover part. Basically, the closure cap according to the invention may also comprise, as well as the withdrawal part, an injection part for the injection of a medicinal liquid into the enteral nutrient solution. The withdrawal part of the closure cap according to the invention has a connecting part for a spike of a flexible line of a transfer device and a closing-off part having a pierceable membrane for closing-off the recess in the connecting part.
US09150330B1
Vessel including a vessel base having two vessel parts, each including an intermediate wall, a side wall, and a rim adjacent the side wall. In each vessel part, the side and intermediate walls define a respective chamber space including at least one chamber. Optional inner lids engage with lid-receiving portions defined by each vessel part to selectively close the chamber space. The vessel parts have a mating structure to facilitate selective attachment and separation, or may be permanently attached to one another. Optional outer lids engaged the rims independent of the engagement of the inner lids with the vessel parts. An annular band may be positioned around annular walls of the vessel parts to provide or aid in attachment of the vessel parts to one another.
US09150328B2
A container assembly includes a container body having a side wall encircling an axis, and a metal end for attachment to an upper edge of the side wall via heat-sealing. The outer peripheral region is shaped prior to application to the container body such that an annular channel is defined between an inner chuck wall and an outer chuck wall of the metal end. The metal end is pushed straight onto the side wall such that the upper edge of the side wall is received into the channel. The surfaces of the side wall and the opposing surfaces of the chuck walls have heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is heated to melt and fuse the heat-sealable layers, thereby sealing the metal end onto the side wall. The metal end is shaped such that the free edge of the outer chuck wall is not exposed.
US09150322B2
A novel bag holder is provided. In an embodiment, the bag holder includes a retaining bar that is shaped like a rectangular box. The bag holder also includes a wall bracket having a channel portion complementary to the shape of said retaining bar. The wall bracket can be mounted to vertical surface such as a wall. A portion of the rim of a plastic bag can be rolled around the retaining bar. Then, the retaining bar with the bag can be inserted into channel portion thereby securing the bag and facilitating the depositing and withdrawal of articles from the bag opening.
US09150319B2
A cigarette inspection device designed to obtain an image showing filter end faces of a bundle C of filtered cigarettes arranged side by side with their axes parallel to one another, analyze the image and determine whether the bundle is short of filtered cigarettes comprises a first determination section which determines how many filtered cigarettes are arranged side by side from contours of filter end faces in the image generated, and determines whether the bundle consists of a predetermined number of filtered cigarettes, and a second determination section which determines whether the first determination section has falsely recognized one cigarette as two.
US09150316B2
Between the two housings each having a recess and below and parallel to the film, there is provided a frame having openings greater in plain view than the underlying trays to be packaged, supported such that, during the closure of the housings the frame interacts with seal and contributes to the formation of a main chamber delimited by the upper edge of the tray and by the film above this edge. Air is removed from these recesses to form the desired level of vacuum therein, while, in the main chamber is isolated from the recesses of the two housings, so that the process gases can be injected directly into the main chamber, while a corresponding quantity of atmospheric air is directed into the recesses to balance the pressures on the opposite faces of the film When the process gases have been fed in, the film is welded to the edge of the tray and is cut outside this edge.
US09150311B2
A refueling device for use in in-flight refueling operation between a tanker aircraft and a receiver aircraft includes a selectively steerable body and a controller. The selectively steerable body configured for being towed by a tanker aircraft via a fuel hose at least during in-flight refueling, and includes a boom member having a boom axis and configured to enable fuel to be transferred from the fuel hose to a receiver aircraft along the boom axis during the in-flight refueling operation. The controller is configured for selectively steering the body to an engagement enabling position spaced with respect to the receiver aircraft and for aligning the boom axis in an engagement enabling orientation at the spaced position, and for subsequently moving the boom member along the boom axis towards the receiver aircraft for enabling fuel communication therebetween.
US09150308B2
An autopilot actuator includes first and second motors each including a rotatable motor output shaft such that either one or both of the motors can drive an actuator output shaft. An autopilot main unit enclosure is removably mounted to the helicopter proximate to a cyclic control and commonly houses autopilot actuators as well as main autopilot electronics. A cyclic vibration isolator is removably supported by an actuator shaft for co-rotation and coupled to the cyclic control to attenuate a cyclic vibration frequency at the actuator shaft while output rotations of the actuator shaft below a resonant frequency are coupled to the cyclic control. A force limited link includes first and second ends and a variable length between. The force limited link having a relaxed length when less than an unseating force is applied and the variable length changes when an applied force exceeds the unseating force to permit pilot override.
US09150298B2
A power supply system for a boat includes a generator, a rectifier circuit, a main electric system arranged to supply electric power to a control system that controls the boat propulsion system, the main electric system including a main battery, and an auxiliary electric system arranged to supply electric power to auxiliary equipment provided on the boat, the auxiliary electric system including an auxiliary battery. An operation signal supplied to an actuating device connected to the main electric system is detected, and in a case where it is decided, based on the detected signal, to prioritize the main electric system over the auxiliary electric system, current supply to the auxiliary electric system is restricted, to thereby attain a stable operation of the control system of the boat.
US09150288B2
A riding board such as a surfboard extending from a tip or front end longitudinally to a tail or rear end. The rear end terminates at a board interface plate that is incorporated into and as part of the riding board. The board interface plate is adapted to be either the tail section of the riding board or alternatively, a coupling means for connecting a tail block to the rear end of the board. The board interface plate includes a plurality of spaced apart coupling cavities that extend inwardly into the riding board body from the rear end. The surfboard may also be used with an interchangeable tail block having a tail faceplate that interfaces and couples with the interface plate on the surfboard. The tail block may be configured to most any desired tail configuration, size and shape.
US09150281B2
A bicycle rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a cable operated structure, a movable member and a biasing member. The movable member is movably supported to the base member by the cable operated structure to move between a plurality of shift stage positions with respect to the base member. The biasing member is interposed between the first and second link members such that the movable member is biased towards one of a top shift stage position and a low shift stage position. The cable operated structure and the biasing member configured balance an operation energy used for shifting between each of the shift stage positions.
US09150274B1
A motorcycle frame comprising a main frame and pivotless rear wheel suspension system. The main frame comprises frame members with threaded ends. The rear wheel suspension system comprises an axle block for each side of the wheel axle, with each axle block being releasably connected to the main frame by two members called absorbers that attenuate shock loads. Each absorber has a threaded end for threading to the threaded ends of the frame members. The other end of the absorbers is adapted to form a bolted connection with the axle block.
US09150266B1
An oscillating headlight assembly for a motorcycle. A light assemblage is provided that contains a light source, wherein the light source produces a beam of light. At least one pivot pin couples the light assemblage to the motorcycle. A drive wheel is provided that is rotated by an electric motor. A linkage is attached to the drive wheel at an eccentric point. The linkage engages said light assemblage. When the drive wheel is rotated by the electric motor, the linkage causes the light assemblage to oscillate about the pivot pins through a range of motion. The result is a head light with a beam of light that sweeps back and forth while the motorcycle is in operation. This makes the motorcycle much more visible to other vehicles that share the road.
US09150262B2
An apparatus for a variable supporting foot of a robot includes a guide groove formed in a foot module of the robot and having an open end. A support plate is disposed in the guide groove and can slide out of the open end of the guide groove. A power conversion unit has one end connected to the support plate. A power generation member is connected to the other end of the power conversion unit, and has a portion at a lower end thereof that extends lower than a lower surface of the foot module. The power generation member generates a driving force as the foot module approaches the ground. The driving force is converted into a rotational motion and is transmitted to the support plate by the power conversion unit to cause the support plate to slide out of the guide groove of the foot module.
US09150259B2
A vehicle having a front wall, two side walls, and a truck bed that altogether define a tonneau is provided. The vehicle includes a tailgate that has a front panel, a rear panel, two side panels, and a top panel that altogether define a cavity. The tailgate also has a tonneau cover deployable from and retractable to within the cavity. The tonneau cover is selectively movable between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a partially deployed position. In the stowed position, the tonneau cover is substantially within the cavity. In the deployed position, the tonneau cover substantially covers the tonneau of the vehicle. The partially deployed position is any position between the stowed position.
US09150258B1
A modular body structure and a method for assembling a body structure in a vehicle includes fitting a pillar having first and second ends between a roof rail and a lower support such that the first end is disposed below a top of the roof rail. The pillar is fastened to the roof rail and the lower support with first threaded fasteners by friction drilling holes through the pillar and the roof rail and the lower support.
US09150256B2
A vehicle hood structure capable of improving impact absorption ability prior to a secondary impact when an impacting body impacts the hood. Front end portions of beads of a wave shaped section are arranged in a line in hood plan view. A front wall section is provided further to the hood front side than the wave shaped section and is formed inclined towards the hood bottom side on progression towards the hood front and running substantially along the vehicle width direction. The wave shaped section and the front wall section are connected together by a ledge section formed running substantially along the hood width direction.
US09150255B2
A panel assembly includes at least one reinforcing assembly made of a high strength material having a low yield to tensile strength ratio for energy absorption and reduced weight and profile. The panel assembly may be light-weight with a low profile to minimize protrusion into an opening or compartment enclosed by the panel. The panel assembly may be a floor panel assembly for a vehicle floor. The reinforcing assembly may traverse the panel such that the reinforcing assembly extends laterally, e.g., cross-vehicle, relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body. A method of making the panel assembly may include forming the reinforcing assembly by joining a plurality of metal channel members in a nested arrangement with a plurality of welds to provide a structural assembly with good bending resistance loads imposed on the panel assembly including knee loads. The channel members may be made of a dual phase steel.
US09150251B2
A motor vehicle has two upper struts, which project forward from a passenger compartment and are arranged above two lower struts, which extend along respective substantially rectilinear axes inclined from the bottom upwards, going forward; the lower struts have respective intermediate portions with such a variation in cross section to define a preferential bending zone; the rear ends of the lower struts are fixed to a cross member connected to the upper struts by means of two connection members, which are substantially vertical and have respective breakable zones designed so as to break when a given load threshold is exceeded; the motor vehicle also has a powertrain connected to the cross member and to the upper struts by means of supports which are distinct from the connection members and are breakable in the event of a front crash.
US09150247B2
Disclosed herein is a panhard linkage system that includes a straight axle extending between a first wheel and a second wheel of a vehicle, the straight axle including a length that is adaptable for sliding movement of an attached sliding joint. The system includes a first panhard link pivotally attached to and extending between a first panhard location that is on or connected directly to a frame of the vehicle and a second panhard location that is on or connected directly to the straight axle by way of the sliding joint. The system further includes a second panhard link pivotally attached to and extending between a third panhard location that is on or connected directly to a middle of the first panhard link located between the first and second panhard locations and a fourth panhard location that is on or connected directly to the straight axle. Further disclosed is a vehicle including the panhard linkage system, and a kit for providing the panhard linkage system to the vehicle.
US09150245B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a steering system of a vehicle is provided. A detection unit is configured to obtain one or more of the following values: a compass heading, a global positioning system (GPS) heading, a yaw velocity, and a difference in tire angular velocities. A processor is coupled to the detection unit, and is configured to determine whether a vehicle is on a straight line path using one or more of the compass heading, the GPS heading, the yaw velocity, and the difference in tire angular velocities, activate the steering system if it is determined that the vehicle is on a straight line path, and disable the feature of the steering system if it is determined that the vehicle is not on a straight line path.
US09150238B2
A system and method for detecting the position of the head and/or eye of a driver of an automobile and automatically adjusting the position of the steering wheel based on the head and/or eye position in order to provide the driver with an optimized view of the instrumentation panel and road. The system and method utilizes the vehicle parameters, driver parameters, and various settings to determine the proper position of the steering wheel including the height, proximity to driver, and tilt angle of the steering wheel. The system may also adjust the height and/or length of the steering column in order to adjust and provide the proper position of the steering wheel.
US09150237B2
The invention relates to a steering column for a motor vehicle comprising a steering spindle, which is mounted rotatably about its axis in a steering spindle bearing unit, a holding part, which is designed to connect the steering spindle bearing unit directly or indirectly to the body of the motor vehicle, wherein at least one of the components of the steering column is at least partially formed from a material that contains reinforcing fibers, wherein the reinforcing fibers are arranged along paths on a wall surface and, by means of multiple holding fibers, which run at an angle that is greater than 0° in relation to the paths of the reinforcing fibers and enclose the reinforcing fibers, are fixed on the wall surface.
US09150235B2
The present invention relates to an insulated cooler that is configured for the reception of an umbrella therein. The cooler comprises upper and lower surfaces that house two internal compartments and a central section separating the compartments. The central section comprises a central channel that extends from the upper section to the lower section of the cooler, whereby the central channel is configured to receive an umbrella pole therethrough. Moreover, the doors of the cooler surface comprise half-moon cutouts that enable the doors of the cooler to open and close without becoming obstructed by an umbrella secured within the central channel. The insulated cooler enables users to easily transport food and beverages across sand or gravel using attached wheels, and eliminates the problem of an umbrella blowing away.
US09150229B2
A method includes receiving an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system, modifying the absolute time into a relative time, and controlling one or more warning devices using the relative time. A system includes a crossing module configured to receive an absolute time associated with movement of a vehicle system. The crossing module is configured to modify the absolute time into a relative time and to control one or more warning devices using the relative time.
US09150228B2
A railroad track circuit providing for the positive detection of broken rails despite the presence of factors that would otherwise preclude such detection is disclosed. These factors include sneak paths arising from the presence of negative return cross-bonding as applied between parallel tracks in electrified territory. Broken rail detection is ensured through the provision of two track relays, or devices that function as track relays, uniquely arranged so as to render the track circuit immune from these factors.
US09150221B2
An ECU of a vehicle control device selects a system-mounted vehicle traveling ahead of a system-mounted vehicle as a cooperating vehicle and controls the inter-vehicle distance between the selected system-mounted vehicle and the system-mounted vehicle, or the like to control the traffic volume of a road in the vicinity of the system-mounted vehicles, such that traffic jams can be prevented effectively as compared with a case where the system-mounted vehicle performs travel control independently. Furthermore, the ECU determines whether or not to select the system-mounted vehicle as a cooperating vehicle based on the relative speed of the system-mounted vehicle and the system-mounted vehicle a regardless of whether or not the system-mounted vehicle that is selected as the cooperating vehicle is traveling in the same lane as the system-mounted vehicle, such that it is possible to select the cooperating system-mounted vehicle without being influenced by the accuracy of recognizing the lane in which the system-mounted vehicle travels.
US09150220B2
Systems and methods use cameras to provide autonomous navigation features. In one implementation, a driver assist navigation system is provided for a primary vehicle. The system may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an area in a vicinity of the primary vehicle; a data interface; and at least one processing device. The at least one processing device may be configured to: locate in the plurality of images a leading vehicle; determine, based on the plurality of images, at least one action taken by the leading vehicle; and cause the primary vehicle to mimic the at least one action of the leading vehicle.
US09150218B2
A mechanism and the like configured to reduce a shock involved in the connection of the engine is made no longer necessary for a hybrid vehicle, and an increase in the number of parts of the hybrid vehicle is inhibited. A clutch is connected between an electric motor and an engine in a case where a difference between a current engine speed and a target engine speed is not greater than a first predetermined value. The absolute value of a difference between the current engine speed and a moving average value of the engine speed at intervals of a predetermined length of time is not greater than a second predetermined value which is used for a settling judgment. The engine speed shows a predetermined inclination representing a decreasing trend.
US09150213B2
A gear shifting control system for a vehicle includes an engine, a continuously-variable transmission, and an electronic control unit. The vehicle includes driving wheels. The engine includes an electronic throttle valve controlling a torque of the engine. The continuously-variable transmission is disposed in a power transmission path between the engine and the driving wheels. The electronic control unit is configured to i) decrease the torque of the engine by decreasing a throttle opening of the electronic throttle valve when the continuously-variable transmission upshifts, and ii) output a gear shifting start command for starting the upshifting of the continuously-variable transmission with a delay relative to a decrease start command for starting the decrease of the throttle opening of the electronic throttle valve when the continuously-variable transmission upshifts.
US09150212B2
An engine includes a throttle, a drive shaft, a driven shaft, a continuously variable transmission coupling the drive and driven shafts and providing a mechanical advantage therebetween, and a governor that operates the throttle as a function of rotational speed of the driven shaft. The transmission includes a first wheel coupled to the drive shaft, a second wheel coupled to the driven shaft, and a belt coupling the first and second wheels, wherein a working diameter of the second wheel changes as a function of torque acting on the driven shaft, thereby automatically changing the mechanical advantage in response to torque experienced by the driven shaft, and wherein a working diameter of the first wheel changes a function of tension in the belt.
US09150205B1
An hydraulic based system for mechanically braked motor vehicles of the type that move brake rods with two ends, the distal end mechanically coupled to a motor vehicle braking device at the wheel of the motor vehicle and the proximal end mechanically coupled to a mechanical brake system structure of the motor vehicle. The system includes a hydraulic cylinder inserted into or at an end of each of the brake rods, to translate motion of the mechanical brake system structure to hydraulic force that then moves the distal portion of the brake rod located between the cylinder and the braking device, and a hydraulic fluid distribution system fluidly interconnecting all of the cylinders.
US09150194B2
A method for controlling a reversible belt tensioner of a safety belt in a motor vehicle includes detecting a time profile of at least one state variable and/or at least one variable relating to the surroundings of the motor vehicle, identifying a predetermined driving maneuver and/or a value characterizing the attentiveness of a driver from the time profile of the at least one detected state variable and/or variable relating to the surroundings, and controlling the reversible belt tensioner based on the identified driving maneuver or on the basis of the value characterizing the attentiveness of the driver.
US09150191B2
In a through anchor, a side face on a piece side of a groove portion is configured by a piece side inclined face, with the piece side inclined face being inclined in a direction such that an angle formed between the piece side inclined face and a slide face of the piece is an obtuse angle. During molding of a molded portion, an apex portion of a rib of a mold is disposed on or abuts the piece side inclined face of the piece. Movement of the piece in a length direction thereof is accordingly suppressed by the rib of the mold. The molded portion can accordingly be molded with the piece in a well-positioned state by injecting a resin material for the molded portion into the mold in this state.
US09150189B1
Airbag assemblies and active vents for airbag assemblies are disclosed. An airbag assembly may include an airbag cushion, an active vent having an aperture and a patch configured to plug the aperture, a depth-delimiting tether, a cross tether, and a control tether. The control tether may be coupled to the patch and the depth-delimiting tether. The depth-delimiting tether and the control tether may be drawn taut as the airbag cushion expands during deployment to draw the patch toward the aperture from a first position that allows unobstructed venting to a second position that obstructs venting through the aperture. The depth-delimiting tether and the control tether can be in or transition to a slack state due to occupant impact with the airbag cushion. These tethers may also be in a slack state during the early stage of deployment.
US09150186B1
A vehicle airbag comprises a primary chamber, a secondary chamber affixed to the primary chamber, and a passage between the primary chamber and the secondary chamber. The primary chamber is configured to contact at least two reaction surfaces, and the secondary chamber is configured to contact one and only one of the at least two reaction surfaces, when the airbag is inflated upon detection of an impact.
US09150185B2
An inflation portion of an airbag main body is divided into a first inflation chamber, a second inflation chamber in front of and adjacent to the first inflation chamber with a vertical partition in between, and a third inflation chamber below the first inflation chamber with a lateral partition in between. The vertical partition has a pressure regulator valve. Before the first inflation chamber restrains an occupant, the pressure regulator valve restricts flow of inflation gas from the first inflation chamber to the second inflation chamber. When the first inflation chamber restrains the occupant, the pressure regulator valve opens in response to a change in the tensed state of the vertical partition due to the applied external force generated by the restraint, thereby cancelling the restraint. The lateral partition has a check valve, which restricts flow of inflation gas from the third inflation chamber to the first inflation chamber.
US09150170B2
A circuit system for a vehicle electrical system, including a base vehicle electrical system having an energy store, a vehicle power supply system having an additional energy store, and a DC/DC converter. The energy store and the additional energy store are connected in series, and the DC/DC converter is provided for coupling between the base vehicle electrical system and the vehicle power supply system. A method for operating a vehicle electrical system is also described.
US09150168B2
A wire harness (5) to be bridged between a slide door (3) and a vehicle body (BO) is inserted into a harness guide (6). The harness guide (6) is coupled by a multitude of stepped links (10). Each link (10) is composed of a first coupling portion (11) and a second coupling portion (12) connected to the first coupling portion (11) via a step. Coupling pins (23) projecting in a vertical direction on the second coupling portions (12) are rotatably inserted into insertion holes (14) in the first coupling portions (11) of adjacent stepped links (10), whereby the entire harness guide (6) has a uniform inclination and the wire harness (5) inside is also arranged in a similar inclined posture. Thus, if the harness guide (6) is curved when opening or closing the slide door (3), the wire harness (5) also is curved, but simultaneously twisted, relieving stress.
US09150160B2
A vehicle article may have cross bars that may be nestably secured together on a trunk lid of a vehicle when not in use, and yet quickly and easily attached to elements mounted in roof ditches on the roof of the vehicle when needed for use. In another embodiment the vehicle article carrier includes a pair of pivotally secured support rails that are supported from frame or body structure of the vehicle below and adjacent the rear bumper of the vehicle. The support rails may be pivoted into stowed positions when not needed to hide them from view, and then quickly and easily pivoted out when needed for use. Attachments such as a cargo box or a bicycle carrier may be easily secured to the support rails.
US09150146B2
A light control apparatus for a vehicle may include: an operation unit configured to receive a selection for an auto-light function; a control unit configured to determine whether or not a light operation condition is satisfied based on position information provided from a GPS module and plural pieces of information for operating a light unit, received through a wireless communication module, and output a light operating signal according to the determination result, when the auto-light function is selected through the operation unit; and a light control unit configured to operate a light unit according to the light operating signal provided from the control unit.
US09150145B2
A headlight assembly according to the present disclosure includes a brace, a headlamp, and a plurality of self-adjusting fasteners. The self-adjusting fasteners are configured to adjust during mounting of the headlamp to the brace to compensate for irregular spacing between the headlamp and the brace caused by manufacturing variations.
US09150141B2
A coupling device (1) comprises an attachment (6) capable of varying between an attachment configuration and a release configuration, said coupling device (1) being characterized in that it further comprises a support member (7) designed to vary between an in-use configuration in which it supports the weight of said coupling device (1) while allowing it to move, and secondly a rest position in which it does not support the weight of said coupling device (1), the attachment (6) and the support member (7) being designed to vary between their respective configurations independently of each other.
US09150137B2
An apparatus and method for a collapsible arched ramp includes an arched vertically extending middle ramp section, two arched vertically extending outer ramp sections, and two arched vertically extending connecting ramp sections. The connecting ramp sections connect the outer ramp sections to opposing vertical sides of the middle ramp section so that the outer ramp sections are substantially parallel and laterally spaced apart with the middle ramp section. The arches of the outer ramp sections arch in a same direction of the arch of the middle ramp section and arch in the opposite direction of the middle ramp section. When collapsing the ramp, the direction of the arched sections line up, allowing for a compact assembly that may be easily carried and stored. The method of extending and collapsing the ramp allows for a ramp that is rapidly and efficiently assembled.
US09150136B2
A cargo truck ramp load assist system comprises a hand truck engagement device disposed in a longitudinal slot in a cargo truck ramp, a first actuator coupled to the hook operable to effect displacement of the hand truck engagement device along the longitudinal slot in the ramp, a remote controller coupled to a hand truck and equipped with a first radio transceiver, a second radio transceiver coupled to the first actuator operable to receive directional/speed control signals from the remote controller, and the hand truck engagement device operable to engage the hand truck and the first actuator effecting displacement of the hand truck engagement device up and down the ramp in response to the directional/speed control signals to facilitate the hand truck going up and down the ramp.
US09150128B2
A vehicle seat cushion frame includes longitudinal frame members, lateral frame members and a panel. A framework of a seat cushion is formed by connecting front and rear sides of the longitudinal frame members, arranged at both right and left sides, with the lateral frame members. The panel is fixed to the both longitudinal frame members so as to cover a space between front end portions of the both longitudinal frame members, including the front-side lateral frame member, from above. The front-side lateral frame member has connecting portions, at which the front-side lateral frame member is connected to the longitudinal frame members. A portion of the front-side lateral frame member, which is between the connecting portions, is thinner than the connecting portions.
US09150123B2
A method and device adapt a sitting position of a vehicle occupant in a vehicle with at least one driver assistance system that includes at least one optical sensor unit, and with a vehicle seat with a drive unit for adjusting the sitting position. At least one physical parameter of a vehicle occupant and/or a hazardous situation is sensed by the optical sensor unit, and on the basis of the sensed physical parameter automatic setting and/or pre-setting of the sitting position of the vehicle seat are/is carried out.
US09150118B2
A motor controller obtains: a first motor target rotation number, a first motor actual rotation number of a first motor, a second motor target rotation number, and a second motor actual rotation number of a second motor; determines a first rotation number difference between the first motor target rotation number and the first motor actual rotation number of the first motor, and a second rotation number difference between the second motor target rotation number and the second motor actual rotation number of the second motor, determines first and second rotation control torques based on a smaller one of the first rotation number difference and the second rotation number difference; and determines a first motor torque of the first motor and a second motor torque of the second motor based on the first and second rotation control torques.
US09150113B2
A vehicle externally chargeable includes a power storage device, an AC/DC converter, an inlet, a first power line, at least one connector inserted in the first power line, and a second power line. To the inlet, a charging cable can be connected to transfer electric power from an external power source. The first power line is connected to the inlet and the AC/DC converter. The second power line is branched from a path that is located on the first power line and that connects the connector and the AC/DC converter to each other.
US09150112B2
First and second system main relays are connected between a first power storage device and a second power storage device, respectively, and a first power line. First and second relays for charging are connected between first and second power storage devices, respectively, and a second power line. A control device selectively forms any of a first power feed path formed by connecting each of the first and second power storage devices to the first power line, and a second power feed path formed by connecting, to the first power line, one of the first and second power storage devices connected in parallel when the first and second relays are turned ON, thereby ensuring a power feed path to the load.
US09150105B2
A vehicle dashboard has a fixed structure and a casing defining a pocket having a substantially rectangular perimeter, which is defined by an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges so as to house a portable electronic device having a screen which remains visible through a window defined by a front frame of the casing; at one of the aforesaid edges, the casing has an opening which is used to insert/remove the portable electronic device along a sliding direction and is closed by a closing element.
US09150099B2
In a relief valve device, a positive-pressure relief valve opens a first valve port when pressure in a pressure chamber increases to a pressure that is equal to or higher than positive-pressure side valve-opening pressure. A negative-pressure relief valve opens a second valve port when pressure in the pressure chamber decreases to a pressure that is equal to or lower than negative-pressure side valve-opening pressure. When the positive-pressure relief valve is closed, a positive valve-opening pressure adjustment unit adjusts a set load of a positive-pressure spring according to an amount of an adjustment screw screwed in the pedestal plate. When the negative-pressure relief valve is closed, a negative valve-opening pressure adjustment unit adjusts a set load of the negative-pressure spring via the valve plate through forward or backward movement of the pedestal plate relative to a housing main body.
US09150094B2
A vehicle radiator core support, includes: a support main body including upper and lower support portions, and paired side support portions connecting right and left ends of the upper and lower support portions; and a center brace connecting intermediate parts of the upper and lower support portions. At least the lower support portion and the center brace are integrally formed. A lower-side connection portion is disposed where the lower support portion connects to the center brace, and a lower-side connection portion cross section has a U-shape opening toward a front or rear of the vehicle. A lower-side adjacent portion is disposed at a part of the lower support portion adjacent to the lower-side connection portion, such that a partition wall is between the lower-side connection and adjacent portions, and a lower-side adjacent portion cross section has a U-shape opening opposite to that of the lower-side connection portion.
US09150083B2
A method for controlling an intensity of light entering a vehicle is provided. The method includes determining an operational status of a display device in the path of the light entering the vehicle, and receiving, by a computing device, an intensity of light present in the vehicle using at least one light sensor. The method also includes comparing the intensity of light with a predefined intensity threshold, and activating a light damping mechanism when the measured light intensity exceeds the predefined intensity threshold and when the operational status of the display device is active, wherein the light damping mechanism facilitates at least one of reducing the intensity of light interacting with the display device and reducing light from the display device reflecting off a window.
US09150080B2
A cooling system of a battery which efficiently cools a high voltage battery which is mounted in an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle so as to maintain battery performance by using a refrigeration cycle of an air-conditioning system, which is provided with an electric compressor, outside heat exchanger, inside heat exchanger, and a control device. A refrigerant path of the air-conditioning system for running refrigerant is provided with a branch path having a heat exchanger which bypasses the inside heat exchanger, a medium path connected to the heat exchanger runs another refrigerant for cooling the battery, control valves are provided which adjust the amounts of the refrigerant which flows to the refrigerant path and the branch path, and, when the control valves run the refrigerant to both the refrigerant path and the branch path, the control device increases the speed of the electric compressor.
US09150079B2
A coupled torsion beam axle type suspension system may includes trailing arms respectively coupled to opposite ends of a torsion beam, and vehicle body-engaging units, each provided in a front end portion of a respective trailing arm and engaging the respective trailing arm to a vehicle body. Each vehicle body-engaging unit may include a trailing arm bush, a mounting link, a rotation mounting bush, an upper mounting bush, an adapter, and a stay.
US09150074B2
A control apparatus for a vehicle according to the present invention is configured to control a friction brake by calculating a brake attitude control amount outputted from the friction brake such that the acceleration detected by the vertical acceleration sensor becomes an acceleration corresponding to a target sprung state, and to control a damping force variable shock absorber by calculating a damping force control amount of the damping force variable shock absorber such that the stroke speed detected by the stroke sensor becomes a stroke speed corresponding to the target sprung state and/or a target unsprung state.
US09150055B2
A tire for motorcycles includes a tread band in which a tread pattern is formed which includes a series of transverse grooves disposed at least laterally of the equatorial plane. The tread pattern on the whole defines a low sea/land ratio on the tread band. The series of transverse grooves includes a plurality of main recesses having an overall length at least equal to one fourth of a lateral extension of the tread band. The main recesses define with the equatorial plane, an angle less than or equal to 65°, substantially over the entire length thereof.
US09150041B2
A screen printing apparatus is described. The apparatus has a plurality of radial arms each having a printing head associated therewith. A target area is in alignment with at least one of the printing heads wherein a design is applied to a target article at the target area by the printing head. A means for providing relative movement between the target area and the printing head provides multiple passes between a squeegee associated with the printing head and the target area. A means for providing a pressure between the squeegee and the target area is regulated such that a first pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a first stroke is not equal to a second pressure between the squeegee and the target area on a subsequent second stroke.
US09150020B2
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus that discharges liquid droplets finely and stably and includes a liquid droplet discharge unit and a voltage applying unit that is connected to the liquid droplet discharge unit, the liquid droplet discharge unit includes a nozzle and a tube that surrounds the nozzle, and the nozzle and the tube are coated with metal.
US09150019B2
A liquid ejection head body includes a substrate and a channel forming member arranged on the substrate. The channel forming member has a liquid ejection port for ejecting liquid and a liquid channel communicating with the liquid ejection port, while the substrate has an ejection energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting liquid at a first surface side and a liquid supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid channel in the inside. A conductive layer for electrically connecting the first surface side and a second surface side disposed opposite to the first surface side is arranged along the lateral surface of the liquid supply port.
US09150018B2
A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid includes a flow path member that includes a plurality of pressure chambers through which the liquid flows, pressure generation elements that include active parts arranged at positions corresponding to the pressure chambers and a common electrode for generating a common potential to the respective pressure chambers, and a conductive member that is electrically connected to the common electrode on the flow path member at the side to which the pressure generation elements are fixed and lowers resistance of the common electrode.
US09150015B2
A control signal is generated, so that if dots, which are formed in a transverse direction across a recording medium, are classified into plural groups depending on a plurality of timings, then preceding dots, which belong to a group having an earliest timing, are formed in a pale color. A head drive circuit controls a recording head based on the generated control signal.
US09150013B2
In an inkjet recording apparatus, when one set of image data is divided in the sub scanning direction into A bands, and nozzles are divided in the main scanning direction into groups each comprising A nozzles, a selector associates, within each of the group, the nozzles in the first to Ath columns with the first to Ath bands with no overlap, and, for a nozzle that is to discharge ink for one pixel or less within one set of image data, makes the nozzle perform preparatory discharge in the band associated with the nozzle by selecting, out of different ink discharge drive waveforms, a first drive waveform (1) corresponding to the minimum gradation.
US09150012B2
Raggedness of thin lines or edges is suppressed to improve straightness. For each of the pixels forming image data, each pixel in the image data is assigned to a printing element for outputting a pixel value of the pixel. A control unit controls printing of the image data by driving the plurality of printing elements by time-division driving in which a different driving timing is set to each printing element according to assignment. The control unit drives the printing elements such that the printing elements included in a printing element array are associated with a plurality of different driving timings and further a plurality of printing element arrays have different orders of driving timings for the respective printing elements in an arrangement direction. Distribution information assigns to the pixel a printing element driven at a reference driving timing or a driving timing close to the reference driving timing.
US09150010B1
A system and method for charging heavy capacitive loads may comprise an n-stage stacked charging circuit wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and wherein the n-stage stacked charging circuit may comprise n−1 capacitors and a voltage supply, each sequentially electrically connected to the capacitive load in an order through a respective first through nth switch during a respective first through nth charging time period; the n−1th capacitors each sequentially electrically connected to the capacitive load in reverse order during a first through n−1th discharging time period through the respective n−1th through first switches. The system and method may comprise an n+1th switch electrically connecting the capacitive load to ground during an nth discharging period. The capacitive load may comprise a piezoelectric element, which may comprise an inkjet printer head inkjet actuator.
US09150006B2
Thermoplastic articles made from polyesters modified by neopentyl glycol laminate more quickly than cyclohexanedimethanol-modified versions yet retain the properties that make modified polyesters the material of choice in this market—water-like color and clarity, high impact strength, low lamination temperature and low flammability. For situations where a faster cycle time is not needed, articles laminated with neopentyl glycol-modified polyesters can alternatively be manufactured at lower temperatures.
US09150005B2
Provided is a low water-vapor permeable composite film, which includes a 3-layered co-extruded biaxial-oriented film formed of polyester films or polypropylene films including a first layer, a second layer and a third layer stacked in sequence. The first layer further includes an anti-block agent. An alternate structure including a plurality of organic protection layers and a plurality of inorganic layers are formed on the 3-layered co-extruded biaxial-oriented film. The plurality of organic protection layers and the plurality of inorganic layers are stacked alternately. The inorganic layers are formed by atom layer deposition.
US09150003B2
Absorbing layers of a low-emissivity (low-E) coating are designed to cause the coating to have a reduced film side reflectance which is advantageous for aesthetic purposes. In certain embodiments, the absorbing layers are metallic or substantially metallic (e.g., NiCr or NiCrNx) and are each provided between first and second nitride layers (e.g., silicon nitride based layers) in order to reduce or prevent oxidation of the absorbing layers during optional heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering, heat bending, and/or heat strengthening). Coated articles according to certain example embodiments of this invention may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, other types of windows, etc.
US09150002B2
An electroless surface treatment plated layer of a printed circuit board, a method for preparing the same, and printed circuit board including the same. The electroless surface treatment plated layer includes: electroless nickel (Ni) plated coating/palladium (Pd) plated coating/gold (Au) plated coating, wherein the electroless nickel, palladium, and gold plated coatings have thicknesses of 0.02 to 1 μm, 0.01 to 0.3 μm, and 0.01 to 0.5 μm, respectively. In the electroless surface treatment plated layer of the printed circuit board, a thickness of the nickel plated coating is specially minimized to 0.02 to 1 μm, thereby making it possible to form an optimized electroless Ni/Pd/Au surface treatment plated layer.
US09149998B2
The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for joining a window assembly (e.g., a glass window assembly) in electronic devices using optical/laser welding. A window assembly, transparent to an optical beam, may comprise an optical window such as glass window with a laminated layer (e.g., made of plastic) glued to a backside of the optical window and a back print ink layer between portions of the optical window and of the laminated layer. This window assembly may be attached to a frame such as a plastic frame, non-transparent to the optical beam, having at least one boundary with the laminated plastic layer of the window assembly using a welding joint at the at least one boundary made by the optical beam propagating transparently (with negligible optical absorption) through the window assembly and absorbed by the plastic frame.
US09149995B2
A molding element for molding and vulcanizing a tire tread. This tread comprises a tread surface intended to come into contact with the ground when this tire is running. This molding element comprises a molding surface intended to mold part of the tire tread surface and a blade of length L and of height Hc intended to mold a sipe or a groove in the tread, the blade comprising a rounded end extending along the length of the blade in a direction of extension X. The molding element comprises two cutting means positioned on either side of the blade at a certain distance from this blade. Each cutting means comprises, at one end, an alternation of peaks and troughs extending in this direction of extension X. The distance of these peaks in relation to the molding surface is greater than or equal to the height Hc of the blade.
US09149994B2
A system for molding a non-pneumatic tire includes a lower mold portion including a lower backing plate, a plurality of lower projections extending from the lower backing plate, and a plurality of lower sleeves configured to at least partially cover the lower projections. The system further includes at least one lower retention plate configured to be positioned proximate the lower backing plate and retain the lower sleeves on the lower projections. The system also includes an upper mold portion configured to be associated with the lower mold portion. The system further includes an upper backing plate, a plurality of upper projections extending from the upper backing plate, and a plurality of upper sleeves configured to at least partially cover the upper projections. The system also includes at least one upper retention plate configured to be positioned proximate the upper backing plate and retain the upper sleeves on the upper projections.
US09149990B2
An apparatus for the forming of a lay-up of fiber composite material, in particular in the aerospace sector is provided. In this case, the apparatus has at least one forming tool, which has a surface contour corresponding to a desired geometry of the lay-up after the forming, and a tool carrier, to which the at least one forming tool is releasably fastened. From a further viewpoint, the invention makes available an apparatus with a modular structure, it then being possible for any desired forming tools to be combined with the tool carrier according to requirements. This leads in particular to less laborious handling, since it obviates the need for handling of the comparatively large tool carrier.
US09149988B2
Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to drag the filament from the conduit nozzle.
US09149978B1
An imprinting method is described. The imprinting method including clamping a portion of an embossing foil to a first die of a die press with a spring tensioned clamp, receiving a magnetic recording disk in the die press, and pressing the embossing foil against the magnetic recording disk to emboss a side of the magnetic recording disk with a discrete track recording pattern.
US09149976B2
A label for in-mold forming which comprises a thermoplastic resin film base layer (I), a heat-sealable resin layer (II), and an antistatic layer (III), wherein the heat-sealable resin layer (II) comprises a heat-sealable resin including a copolymer of propylene and α-olefin having 4-20 carbon atoms and has a degree of non-crystallinity of 60-90% as determined with a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) at temperatures less than 90° C., the antistatic layer (III) comprises an antistatic agent in an amount of 0.001 to 1 g per unit area (m2) and the surface of the layer has a wettability index (JIS-K-6768) of 32-54 mN/m, and the label has a porosity higher than 10% and not higher than 70% and has an opacity (JIS-P-8138) higher than 20% and not higher than 100%; and a labeled container with the label.
US09149963B2
An electric power panel used in an injection molding machine is formed of a box-like member mounted with an electrical component. An electric power panel mounting member secured to a bottom portion of the electric power panel is attached to a floorboard by means of a vibration absorber. The electric power panel mounting member has a width greater than a width of the box-like member in a depth direction, and the vibration absorber is disposed on either end portion of the electric power panel mounting member outside the box-like member.
US09149955B2
Described are methods for recycling biaxially oriented thermoplastic crystallizable films, such as polyester terephthalate (PET) films, that have been coated with various polymers or waxes that are immiscible in the primary molten thermoplastic. The resultant processed recycle can be used to make new biaxially oriented thermoplastic films while avoiding process instability and optical defects in the finished film associated with immiscible polymeric and/or wax coatings.
US09149949B2
There is disclosed a cutting mechanism 22 for severing elongate fiber reinforcement material 14 in composite material lay-up equipment 10, the cutting mechanism 22 comprising a cutting element 60 and a counteracting element 76 which cooperate to sever fiber reinforcement material 14 extending through the nip between them, the cutting element 60 being mounted on an elongate arm 44 which is pivotable about a pivot axis A spaced from the nip, to displace the cutting element 60 relatively to the counteracting element 76 to perform a cutting stroke, the mechanism 22 further comprising guide means 52 arranged to guide the fiber reinforcement material 14 through the nip in a feed direction transverse to the pivot axis A, and an actuation device 84 for driving the elongate arm 44 in a cutting stroke, the actuation device 84 acting on the elongate arm 44 at a position away from the cutting element 60. There is also provided composite material lay-up equipment 10 comprising the cutting mechanism 22.
US09149948B2
The machine of the invention includes a cutting device, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a first moving arm and a second moving arm. The cutting device includes a platform, a lower mold on the platform and an upper mold correspondingly over the lower mold. The first conveyor is disposed near one side of the platform for conveying boxes to be cut. The second conveyor is disposed near the other side of the platform for conveying cut boxes and remnants. The first moving arm includes a first transmission and a first robot hand driven thereby for moving the boxes to be cut to a position between the lower mold and the upper mold. The second moving arm includes a second transmission and a second robot hand driven thereby for moving the cut boxes and remnants to the second conveyor.
US09149947B2
An apparatus includes a drive and a blade. The drive is configured to be operatively coupled to a tubular member. The drive is configured to move the tubular member from a first location with respect to the blade to a second location with respect to the blade. The blade is configured to rotate about an outer surface of the tubular member and to cut the tubular member as the drive moves the tubular member from the first location to the second location.
US09149943B2
A system for clipping and removing hair clippings from a clipped site is disclosed. The system includes a suction member having an integrated blade member, a hose member in communication with the suction member, and a vacuum source connected to the hose member. This device is particularly useful for use in clipping and removing the hair clippings from shaved surgical patients in a manner that prevents the hair clippings from falling into the patient's surroundings.
US09149942B2
A shaving apparatus has at least one shaving head with at least one cutter, a trimmer, and a drive structure including a motor for driving the cutter or cutters and the trimmer. The trimmer is disengageable from the drive structure. At least a portion of the drive structure may be rotated in reverse directions between a first sense of rotation and a second, opposite, sense of rotation. A unidirectional clutch is arranged between the portion of the drive structure of which the sense of rotation is reversible and the cutter or cutters. When the sense of rotation is reversed from the sense of rotation in which the cutter or cutters is driven, the trimmer may be driven without driving the cutter or cutters.
US09149940B2
A knife is provided. The knife comprises a handle and a blade configured to pivot with respect to the handle between an open position wherein a cutting edge of the blade is exposed and a closed position wherein the cutting edge of the blade is disposed within the handle, the blade including an abutting surface. The knife may further comprise a locking assembly configured to releasably lock the blade in the open position, the locking assembly comprising a biased, rotatable member having a canted surface for engaging a corresponding surface on the blade, wherein the canted surface and the corresponding surface are configured to secure the blade relative to the handle in the open position.
US09149935B2
A handling device, which is in particular a robot, has a receiving device for receiving different instruments. To this end, the receiving device and the different instruments have mutually compatible connecting elements. In order to ensure error-free connection of the correctly selected instrument to the receiving device, the instruments have changeable indicator devices. The indicator devices are changed with the aid of a control device, for example on the basis of a schedule.
US09149918B2
An L-shaped torsional wrench is provided. The wrench includes a shell body, an elastic member, an L-shaped rod and a handle. A pushing member is assembled in the shell body and is movable between a first position and a second position along the shell body. The elastic member is compressed by the pushing member when the pushing member is located in the first position for compressing the elastic member. The pushing member is noncompressed by the elastic member when the pushing member is located in the second position so that the elastic member recovers from said compression for slowing the fatigue of the elastic member, extending the durability of the elastic member and keeping the torsional accuracy of the wrench.
US09149907B2
An adaptor and a connection device are provided. The adaptor and the connection device fix a tool to an arbor of a hollow spindle machine. The adaptor has an inlet opening at a first part of the adaptor, the inlet opening being connectable to the central passage way of the arbor. The adaptor has an outlet opening at a second part of the adaptor, the second part radially protruding over the first part and being adapted for holding the tool. The adaptor has a connection device for fixing the adaptor to the arbor and a fluid distribution passage way connecting the inlet opening with the outlet opening so that the coolant is supplied to the tool via the outlet opening of the adaptor.
US09149902B2
A portable and transportable die cavity modifying machine having a base carrying a carriage adjustable along one axis, e.g., a generally horizontal axis, and a machining head adjustable along another axis, e.g., a generally vertical axis, for modifying a die cavity of a stamping die in a manner that prevents blank or slug pulling during stamping press operation. The machine includes a grinder that can be pneumatically powered having a grinding bit used to precisely machine a slug retention groove in a die cavity defining surface (sidewall) of a die cavity formed in a stamping die. The machine has an angularly adjustable head carrying the grinder enabling adjustment of the angle of the groove relative to die cavity defining surface enabling the groove to be angled relative to the direction of a punch entering the die cavity during stamping.
US09149900B2
According to the machine tool according to the present invention, a top-bottom guide is attached to a back surface of a base frame. By being guided by this top-bottom guide, the lifter moves in the top-bottom direction with respect to the base frame. A drive source which drives rotation of a top-bottom feed screw which extends parallel to the top-bottom guide is attached to a back surface of the base frame. This drive source is coupled with a bottom end of the top-bottom feed screw. As a result, compared to when the drive source is coupled with a top end of the top-bottom feed screw, the center of gravity of the machine tool can be set to a lower position. In this way, a machine tool can be increased in stability.
US09149898B2
A piston assembling apparatus includes a piston holding means including a guide tube portion which contains the piston and guides the piston into the cylinder bore. A guide tube support portion supports the guide tube portion to be displaceable in a radial direction thereof. A moving means moves at least one of the piston holding means and the cylinder block so as to locate them at an insertion preparation position where the guide tube portion and the cylinder bore are coaxial with each other. A pressing means presses the piston contained in the guide tube portion toward the cylinder block to insert the piston into the cylinder bore in a state in which the piston holding means and the cylinder block are located at the insertion preparation position, and the guide tube portion is supported by the guide tube support portion to be displaceable in the radial direction thereof.
US09149895B2
A heat exchanger, such as an air-to-air after-cooler assembly, having reduced and/or eliminated leakage at the tube/header joint is provided. The assembly comprises a series of tubular members formed from a first metal, each of the tubular members including an end portion and a header formed from a second metal, wherein the first metal and the second metal have similar coefficients of thermal expansions. The header includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough and each of the end portions of the tubular members is mechanically secured within corresponding openings within the header to form an after-cooler assembly. A method for forming the air-to-air after-cooler assembly is also provided.
US09149893B2
The clutch hub includes a sheet-metal hub member which has an axial member projected from the center of its plate surface, and also includes an annular armature which is fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the axial member. First mounting the axial member of the clutch hub downward on a support member and thereby elastically supporting the end surface of the armature by the support member; holding the axial member of the clutch hub using a chuck; locating a fixing member just under a portion of a maximum runout portion of an inner hub; contacting a cylindrical end surface of a pressing member with an upper surface of the inner hub using pressure; and plastically deforming the inner hub by a pressing force of the pressing member using the locating portion of the fixing member as a fulcrum, which thereby corrects an inclination of the axial member.
US09149889B2
A method for orientating a focused laser cutting beam eccentrically relative to the nozzle axis of a cutting gas nozzle and a laser processing machine for performing the same, the method including: arranging a redirecting mirror in a beam path of the laser cutting beam upstream of the cutting gas nozzle, the mirror being rotated about a direction which is coaxial with the nozzle axis and/or about a direction which is perpendicular relative to the nozzle axis and which corresponds to the beam incidence direction of the laser beam on the redirecting mirror. The cutting gas nozzle and the redirecting mirror are arranged in a second structural unit of a laser processing head, for rotation about the direction corresponding to the beam incidence direction relative to a first structural unit.
US09149888B2
A joining machine for joining ends of successive strips in a strip treatment installation includes a device welding a first end of a strip to a second end of another strip, a first pair of symmetrical clamping jaws including a first upper and a first lower clamping jaw gripping the first end of a strip, a second pair of symmetrical clamping jaws including a second upper and a second lower clamping jaw gripping the second end of a strip, the clamping jaws holding and positioning the first end facing the second end for welding the ends together. At least two clamping jaws of the two pairs each include a part for contacting one of the ends to be welded to another end. The part has a geometry and at least one constituent material reducing a strength of eddy currents likely to be created in the clamping jaw by electromagnetic induction.
US09149882B1
A method and system for a preheating step of a wave soldering process. A bottom side preheater is positioned underneath a PCB and a thermal carrier is positioned adjacent the PCB. A top side heater may also be used. The PCB includes one or more through holes, and an electronic component having one or more pins is mounted on the PCB so that each pin is positioned in a corresponding through hole. The bottom side preheater directs heat to the bottom surface of the PCB, thereby heating the bottom surface via heat convection. The thermal carrier directs heated air laterally across the top surface of the PCB to increase a heat transfer at the top surface without increasing the temperature of the electronic component, thereby reducing a temperature differential between the top and bottom surfaces.
US09149881B2
A damage-repairing method of a transition piece in an embodiment includes; an oxide removing step of removing an oxide on an outer surface 20b of an inner duct 20 of a transition piece 10 having damage; a repair material placing step of placing a brazing repair material 80 on the outer surface 20b of the inner duct 20 so as to cover the damage; and a diffusion brazing step of diffusion heat treating the inner duct 20 to repair the damage formed in the outer surface 20b. The damage-repairing method of the transition piece includes: a pressurized heat treating step of, under high pressure, heat treating the inner duct 20; a surface finishing step of scraping off the brazing repair material 80 projecting from the outer surface 20b; and a non-pressurized heat treating step of solution heat treating and aging heat treating the inner duct 20 under non-pressure.
US09149877B1
A key duplication system may include a housing, a key blank receiving aperture, a cutter and a clamp adjacent to the receiving aperture, wherein the key blank is guided to a predetermined position in relation to the cutter through engagement of a carrier with the housing. A method of aligning a key blank blade with a key blank carrier in relation to a cutter may include guiding a key blade into a cutting position through contact with a key blade receiving aperture, securing at least a portion of the carrier with a clamp, cutting a key bit pattern into the key blank blade and releasing the key blank.
US09149875B2
Device for clamping a workpiece holder on a collect chuck that can be fixed to a machine tool, having clamping elements distributed around the circumference of the collet chuck. The clamping elements can be adjusted radially to the axis of the collect chuck from a release to a clamping position and can be pressed against a circumferential surface of the workpiece holder positioned relative to the collet chuck in the clamping position. The clamping elements are designed as rollers having axes aligned nearly tangentially to the collet chuck circumference. A determinable surface pressure thus results in the clamping position as the rollers mutually contact the workpiece holder, a clamping mandrel of the collet chuck, and the collect chuck part. The surface pressure is thereby reduced and the collet chuck can also be used in the range of greater tensile forces.
US09149872B2
In a tool attachment, for fastening to an handheld machine tool equipped with a tool holding fixture, having an output shaft and a base body, which forms an inner cavity and on whose outer circumference an axially displaceable locking sleeve is situated, for releasing at least one associated locking element against a spring force of a spring element, which has a clamping ring, in the inner cavity, a anti-rotation locking unit is configured for the rotationally locked fastening of the base body to a fastening unit associated with the handheld machine tool, the anti-rotation locking unit and the fastening unit having complementary geometric forms, which are configured to engage with each other for the detachable rotationally locked fastening of the base body on the fastening unit; and the at least one associated locking element being situated in the vicinity of the anti-rotation locking unit.
US09149867B2
A low-carbon steel slab producing method includes: adding Ti to a molten steel decarbonized to have a carbon concentration of 0.05 mass % or less, and subsequently adding at least one of La and Ce to adjust a constitution, and producing a smelted molten steel; and pouring the smelted molten steel into a casting mold via a tundish; wherein at least one of La and Ce in a total amount of 0.2 to 1.2 times an increased amount of oxygen in the smelted molten steel during contained in the tundish is added to the smelted molten steel in the tundish, so as to obtain a steel slab having inclusions which contain oxides of Ti and at least one of La and Ce as chief components, and so as to make a composition of each of the inclusions have a mass ratio of 0.1 to 0.7, in terms of (La2O3+Ce2O3)÷TiOn (n=1˜2).
US09149864B2
A rivet setter which can efficiently and smoothly perform the rivet setting operation even when setting rivets each having a shank of its length smaller than a diameter of its head. The rivet setter can be configured to set a rivet sequentially fed one by one from a rivet supplying means by inserting the rivet into apertures formed at predetermined positions on workpieces. The rivet setter can comprise delivery paths for delivering the rivet one by one by forcing the rivet to be slid down to a settable position. The rivet setter can include notches formed on the bottom surfaces of the delivery paths along the rivet delivery direction and extending to the settable position for supporting the head of the rivet in the course of delivery of the rivet on the delivery paths and for hanging the shank of the rivet downward.
US09149858B2
A connector assembly for connecting a first pair of wires associated with a DC power source to a second pair of wires associated with a DC powered device. The connector assembly includes a run portion having insulation piercing contacts for electrically engaging the first pair of wires. A tap portion of the connector assembly may also include insulation piercing contacts for electrically engaging the second pair of wires. The run portion and the tap portion may be provided in separate housing assemblies that are releasably engageable or may be provided in an integrated housing assembly.
US09149854B2
The present disclosure provides stamping apparatus for stamping a blank. The stamping apparatus includes a first die and a blank-holding ram. The first die includes a forming cavity and a depression positioned outboard of the forming cavity. The depression is defined by a first corner proximate the forming cavity and a second corner distal the forming cavity in the outboard direction from the first corner and the forming cavity. The blank-holding ram includes a bead configured to engage a portion of the blank into the depression when the blank is positioned between the first die and the blank-holding ram. The bead includes a third corner proximate the forming cavity and a fourth corner surface distal the forming cavity in the outboard direction from the third corner. The first corner of the depression includes a radii of curvature greater than a radii of curvature of the second corner of the depression and the radii of curvature of the third and fourth corners of the bead.
US09149852B2
A panel crimping apparatus comprises a frame, a first crimping roller supported by the frame, the first crimping roller comprising a first shaft, a plurality of first crimping blades, and a first drive gear attached to the first shaft, and a second crimping roller supported by the frame, the second crimping roller comprising a second shaft, a plurality of second crimping blades, and a second drive gear attached to the second shaft. A distance between the first and second shafts of the first and second crimping rollers is adjustable. The apparatus comprises various links, gears and a control linkage configured to maintain timing between the first and second crimping rollers during driving of the first and second crimping rollers over an adjustable range of distance therebetween.
US09149851B2
The present invention relates to a metallic molded sheet including a metallic sheet having first ridges continuously formed along a first direction and second ridges continuously formed along a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction, in which the metallic molded sheet has cross-sectional shapes along the first direction and the second direction, each having an identical thickness and continuing sinusoidally, and the metallic molded sheet has a planar shape being a corrugated surface in which ridge lines of first waveforms along the first direction and ridge lines of second waveforms along the second direction perpendicularly intersect each other.
US09149850B2
A roll former for steel plate (3) which enables edge corner deformation of steel plate edges (4) to be avoided, that is, a roll former for steel plate comprised of a top roll (1) and a bottom roll (2), the roll former for steel plate characterized by forming convex curved parts (5) having a bending direction opposite to a bending direction of the steel plate (3) in regions of the bottom roll (2), which forms the outer side of the steel plate (3), which contact the steel plate edges (4).
US09149845B2
A method for in-situ treatment of sediment simultaneous with microbial electricity generation is provided, comprising steps of constructing a microbial fuel cell, placing the microbial fuel cell in the sediment, forming a cell circuit, and cultivating microorganisms to generate electrical power. The method overcomes shortcomings found in the prior art and uses organics in the sediment as fuels to in-situ treat the sediment with simultaneous electricity generation. A device for implementing the method is also provided, which can be expanded in different directions as needed and is easy to maintain during long-term operation. The device has many advantages including compact structure, easy operation, low cost, high output power density, significant reduction in sediment COD, no influence on water flow, and environment-friendly.
US09149839B2
A shaker screen including a sealing element and a composite frame, wherein the sealing element is attached to a basal perimeter of the composite is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of forming a shaker screen including forming a sealing element, forming a composite frame, and attaching the sealing element to the composite frame, wherein the sealing element is disposed along at least one surface of a basal perimeter of the composite frame is disclosed. Also, a shaker screen attachment including a sealing element, a composite frame, and a wedge is disclosed. The shaker screen attachment further includes wherein the sealing element is attached to a basal perimeter of the composite frame, and wherein the wedge is disposed between the composite frame and a shaker basket such that the sealing element compresses against the shaker basket.
US09149838B2
An impedance conversion layer useful for medical imaging ultrasonic transducers comprises a low impedance polymer layer and a high impedance metal layer. These layers are combined with corresponding thicknesses adapted to provide a function of converting from a specific high impedance to specific low impedance, wherein the polymer layer is at the high impedance side and the metal layer is at the low impedance side. The effective acoustic impedance of the polymer and metal layer combination may be adapted to configure an impedance converter in the same way as a quarter wavelength impedance converter, converting from low impedance to high impedance (metal to polymer) or from a high impedance to low impedance (polymer to metal). This structure may be used for front matching with the propagation medium and back matching with an absorber for ultrasonic transducers.
US09149836B2
Ligand compositions for use in preparing discrete coated nanostructures are provided, as well as the coated nanostructures themselves and devices incorporating same. Methods for post-deposition shell formation on a nanostructure, for reversibly modifying nanostructures, and for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructures are also provided. The ligands and coated nanostructures of the present invention are particularly useful for close packed nanostructure compositions, which can have improved quantum confinement and/or reduced cross-talk between nanostructures. Ligands of the present invention are also useful for manipulating the electronic properties of nanostructure compositions (e.g., by modulating energy levels, creating internal bias fields, reducing charge transfer or leakage, etc.).
US09149833B2
Methods of forming metal nanoparticle decorated carbon nanotubes are provided. The methods include mixing a metal precursor with a plurality of carbon nanotubes to form a metal precursor-carbon nanotubes mixture. The methods also include exposing the metal precursor-carbon nanotubes mixture to electromagnetic radiation to deposit metal nanoparticles on a major surface of the carbon nanotubes.
US09149831B2
Disclosed are stent holding devices having a support mandrel and one or more stent retaining fixtures disposed on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may include a character identifier to facilitate tracking a stent mounted on the holding device. The retaining fixture may include a conical protrusion and a conical recess to allow any number of retaining fixtures to engage each other and be stacked on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may include a tubular member having a spiral cut that enables the diameter of the tubular member to be adjusted to allow for a frictional fit on the mandrel. The retaining fixture may have a Z-shaped or T-shaped structure configured to retain a stent. The stent retaining fixture may also have a filament for retaining a stent.
US09149827B2
An irrigation sprinkler includes an outer case, a riser telescopically extensible from the outer case, and a nozzle at an upper end of the riser. A coil spring surrounds the riser and normally holds the riser in a lower retracted position within the outer case. The coil spring is dimensioned and configured to permit extension of the riser to a raised upper position when pressurized water is introduced into the outer case. A shock absorber is positioned between a lower end of the riser and a rigid structure in the lower end of case for lessening the forces otherwise exerted on the riser during rapid retraction of the riser.
US09149824B2
A system includes a pressure vessel configured to receive a pneumatic flow, and to supply pressurized fluid to a spray coating device. The system also includes a first chamber disposed within the pressure vessel, and configured to store a first fluid, and a second chamber disposed within the pressure vessel, and configured to store a second fluid. Furthermore, the system includes a lid removably coupled to the pressure vessel. The system also includes a first fluid pathway extending through the lid, and configured to deliver the first fluid to the first chamber while the lid is coupled to the pressure vessel. In addition, the system includes a second fluid pathway extending through the lid, and configured to deliver the second fluid to the second chamber while the lid is coupled to the pressure vessel.
US09149819B1
An improved adjustable lawn sprinkler is provided having a counterbalanced nozzle assembly having a nozzle. The nozzle assembly is connected to a rotating mechanism allowing the nozzle to freely rotate. The lawn sprinkler has a guide member for supporting barrier supporters which support barriers to form a user defined shape which corresponds to the irrigation area. The guide member is attached to support structures. The nozzle assembly is in fluid communication with a water transfer member which is in fluid communication with a water inlet member which is further in fluid communication with a fluid source. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US09149818B1
A fire protection sprinkler including a sprinkler frame including a body defining a passage therethrough with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a pair of frame arms extend from the body and support a deflector boss having a pair of concave arcuate sidewalls that join to form a pointed edge proximal the outlet opening. The arcuate sidewalls taper laterally away from a reference plane in a distal direction from the outlet opening.
US09149813B2
Methods and devices for the separation of particles (20, 21, 22) in a compartment (30) of a fluidic microsystem (100) are described, in which the movement of a liquid (10) in which particles (20, 21, 22) are suspended with a predetermined direction of flow through the compartment (30), and the generation of a deflecting potential in which at least a part of the particles (20, 21, 22) is moved relative to the liquid in a direction of deflection are envisaged, whereby further at least one focusing potential is generated, so that at least a part of the particles is moved opposite to the direction of deflection relative to the liquid by dielectrophoresis under the effect of high-frequency electrical fields, and guiding of particles with different electrical, magnetic or geometric properties into different flow areas (11, 12) in the liquid takes place.
US09149812B2
A method for detecting tramp material in an inertia cone crusher having an outer crushing shell and an inner crushing shell is provided. The inner crushing shell is supported on a crushing head. The crushing head is rotatably connected to an unbalance bushing. The unbalance bushing has an unbalance weight for tilting the unbalance bushing when it is rotated, such that the crushing head will gyrate about a gyration axis, the inner crushing shell thereby approaching the outer crushing shell for crushing material in the crushing chamber formed therebetween. The method includes the steps of measuring at least one of a position and a motion of the crushing head; obtaining, based on the measurement, a gyration value; comparing the gyration value with a gyration reference value; and determining, based on the comparison, whether to issue a tramp material warning signal indicating the presence of tramp material in the crusher.
US09149810B2
A device (1) for comminuting or grinding including a container (2) for receiving the material to be ground and a tool (5) which rotates in the container (2) during processing, and a drive for said tool (5). The container (2) having the tool (5) can be detachably coupled to the drive, which is to say that the container (2) having the tool (5) does not have to be cleaned after a grinding operation but can be replaced by a new such container (2). For this purpose, the tool (5) located in the container (2) can be rotated loosely when in the position of being detached or uncoupled from the drive or before a corresponding coupling operation and, when in the working position, is rotationally fixedly connected to the drive and centered by the coupling.
US09149800B2
This invention relates to a method for producing a ruthenium catalyst in which ruthenium supported on at least one metal oxide is pretreated with an aldehyde compound, a phosphorus compound, and a lower alcohol compound, and a method for producing alkyl- or alkenyl-substituted compound using the ruthenium catalyst.
US09149791B2
The present invention relates to novel carbohydrate polyether compositions that are soluble in aqueous media and particularly to carbohydrate polyether compositions exhibiting reverse thermogelation properties in aqueous media. Also, since the carbohydrate polyethers of the present invention can be conveniently controlled with respect to functionality, molecular weight, polydispersity index, microstructure and tertiary structure, they can be customized for use in a variety of applications.
US09149786B2
An iodine adsorbent of an embodiment includes: a carrier modified with a functional group represented by a formula (1); and a silver ion supported on the carrier, where R1 is a polyol group.
US09149784B2
Methods related generally to the removal of atmospheric pollutants from the gas phase, are provided, as well as related apparatus, processes and uses thereof. A single-stage air scrubbing apparatus is provided that includes at least one reaction vessel, at least one introduction duct, and a turbulence component, wherein a residence time is sufficient to allow the conversion of at least one atmospheric pollution compound to at least one other compound, molecule or atom. In some embodiments, the at least one atmospheric pollution compound comprises nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide or a combination thereof. Additionally, methods of removing atmospheric pollution compounds from a waste gas stream are disclosed that include introducing a waste gas stream and at least one additional gas stream, mist stream, liquid stream or combination thereof into a single-stage air scrubbing apparatus at a flow rate sufficient to allow for conversion of the at least one atmospheric pollution compound.
US09149777B2
Methods of forming polycrystalline diamond compacts include employing field assisted sintering techniques with high temperature and high pressure sintering techniques. For example, a particle mixture that includes diamond particles may be sintered by subjecting the particle mixture to a high temperature and high pressure sintering cycle, and pulsing direct electrical current through the particle mixture during at least a portion of the high temperature and high pressure sintering cycle. The polycrystalline diamond compacts may be used to form cutting elements for earth-boring tools. Sintering systems are configured to perform such sintering processes.
US09149776B2
A system includes a model-based control unit configured to receive a lower heating value for a liquid fuel having a composition. The processor is configured to determine a specific gravity, a hydrocarbon ratio, or both, for the liquid fuel based, at least in part, on the lower heating value of the liquid fuel. The processor is configured to compare the hydrocarbon ratio, the specific gravity, and/or the lower heating value of the liquid fuel to a collection of hydrocarbon ratios, specific gravities, and/or lower heating values for a plurality of mixtures of methane and ethylene. The processor is configured to identify a mixture of methane and ethylene from the collection that best matches the hydrocarbon ratio, the specific gravity, and/or the lower heating value of the liquid fuel and configured to use the identified mixture of methane and ethylene as a model for the composition of the liquid fuel.
US09149774B2
A selective hydrogen adding equipment is provided by which living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid is obtained without changing properties of the living organism applicable fluid. Living organism applicable hydrogen-contained fluid is obtained through storing a hydrogen generating system, which contains a hydrogen generating agent as an essential component, in a hydrogen bubble forming implement which has a gas/liquid separating section including a gas-permeable film or an open-close type valve, causing the hydrogen generating system and a generating-purpose water to react in the hydrogen bubble forming implement, and supplying hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen bubble forming implement into living organism applicable fluid via the gas/liquid separating section.
US09149773B2
A feed nozzle assembly for co-currently introducing gas and liquid into a reactor vessel which feed nozzle assembly comprises (a) an inner tube defining a gas conduit and an outer tube arranged around the inner tube, wherein the outer surface of the inner tube and the inner surface of the outer tube define an annular liquid conduit, and wherein each of the tubes have an inlet end and an opposite outlet end; (b) a first nozzle attached to the outlet end of the inner tube; (c) a second nozzle attached to the outlet end of the outer tube and arranged downstream of the first nozzle, wherein the inner tube contains purging orifices.
US09149772B2
The present invention includes a system and method for improving oil recovery from a liquid source of oil, comprising: a membrane contactor in contact with a liquid source of oil; a heating/cooling device connected to at least one of the liquid source of oil or a collection fluid; and a membrane contactor system having one or more membrane contactors having a first and a second surface, wherein at least one of the first or second surfaces coalesce one or more oils from the liquid source of oil allowing the coalesced oil to be collected on the opposite surface of the membrane, wherein a temperature differential between the liquid source of oil and the collection fluid enhances the oil recovery at the membrane contactor from the liquid source of oil.
US09149759B2
The present disclosure is directed to the introduction of an additive to a contaminated gas stream. An additive introduction system uses a compressor and carbon dioxide separator to provide a treated carrier gas for introduction of an alkaline additive to a contaminated gas stream.
US09149753B2
A filter member is movable between a first position and a second position when passage of air through the filter member is obstructed.
US09149748B2
Fiber webs that may be used as filter media are provided. In some embodiments, the filter media may include multiple layers. Each layer may be designed to have separate functions in the filter media. For example, a first layer may be provided for improving dust holding capacity, a second layer for improving efficiency, and a third layer for providing support and strength to the media. By designing the layers to have separate functions, each layer may be optimized to enhance its function without negatively impacting the performance of another layer of the media.
US09149741B2
A mobile fluid treatment system and portable fluid treatment apparatus are described. The portable apparatus is configured to be placed within a mobile tank of fluid for separating solids from the fluid and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a number of adjustable attachment members that can removably secure the apparatus to the side walls of the tank, thus allowing the apparatus to be moved from one tank to another. Furthermore, the lower portion of the apparatus can include a flexible hopper that funnels solids separated from the fluid toward a sediment outlet. The flexibility of the hopper allows the apparatus to fit in different sizes of tanks and further facilitates the break-up and removal of sediment from the apparatus, such as through vibration of the hopper due to the action of a sediment withdrawal pump.
US09149732B2
A mobile or stabile has rotatable elements comprising a solar cell, a beam, and an electric motor. The solar cell is electrically connected to the electric motor in the same rotatable element. The rotatable elements are linked by attaching the rotating shaft of the electric motor of one rotatable element to the beam of the rotatable element above. Each rotatable element produces its own movement. When a solar cell receives light it powers the connected electric motor to rotate its rotatable element.
US09149729B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a huggable or soft sculpture doll with an audio playback and recording unit. The shape of a doll may be a human or animal shape in a soft sculpture, or the like. The audio playback and recording unit may be activated by at least one remote button. The audio playback and recording unit may contain a microphone or other audio input device and a speaker or other audio output device. The audio playback and recording unit and power supply may be enclosed within the soft sculpture with sufficient cushioning that the presence of such relatively hard objects is not easily felt while the soft sculpture is hugged or squeezed.
US09149724B2
Processing methods are provided for network game systems without dynamic obstructions. In an exemplary method, when a non-player-controlled character (NPC) role selects a user role as a target of a short-range interaction on a game map, a rotation angle C=N×a can be determined, N being a total number of all NPC roles having the short-range interaction with the user role before the selecting, and “a” being a reference angle. Next, a destination point of the NPC role can be calculated by rotating the NPC role by C from a current point and around the user role. When there is a static obstruction at the destination point, the destination point can be re-calculated by adding a specified angle to the current C. When there is no static obstruction, the NPC role can be moved to the destination point.
US09149723B2
The embodiments of the present invention provide a random selection method, server, client and distributed system. The random selection method includes: generating, by a server, a plurality of objects for an online game, and ordering randomly the plurality of objects; transmitting display information to a plurality of clients, so as to make the ordered plurality of objects displayed on a display screen of each client in a manner of content being unknown, so that each user randomly select from the ordered plurality of objects; and designating, by the server, a user-selected object for the user according to feedback from the client. In this invention, the user may participate in the process of random selection, and random ordering by the system and the random selection by the user are combined, thereby the fairness of the random dealing is ensured.
US09149722B2
A system and method are described below for reducing the effects of packet loss in a video communication system. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method comprises: logically subdividing each of a sequence of images of a video stream into a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images; and packing the tiles into a plurality of data packets to maximize the number of tiles which are aligned with boundaries of each of the data packets; and transmitting the data packets containing the tiles over a communication channel from a server to a client.
US09149719B2
A device and method for generating a representation of a subject's attention level. The device measures brain signals from the subject; extracts temporal features from the brain signals; classifies the extracted temporal features using a classifier to give a score X1; extracts spectral-spatial features from the brain signals; selects spectral-spatial features containing discriminative information between concentration and non-concentration states from the set of extracted spectral-spatial features; classifies the selected spectral-spatial features using a classifier to give a score X2; combines the scores X1 and X2 to give a single score; and presents the score to the subject.
US09149710B2
An apparatus is provided for holding a footwear toe to a snow travel aid. The apparatus comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of the footwear about the toe in forward and rearward directions and is for use with a heel holder that provides for lateral release. The apparatus comprises one or more resilient elements for biasing the jaws whereby the jaws are biased towards a closed position throughout the operational range of motion of the jaws. Also provided is an apparatus which comprises jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of footwear about the toe, wherein the apparatus is adapted for generally horizontal, forward and rearward translation relative to a longitudinal axis of the snow travel aid, selectively by a user. Also provided is an apparatus comprising jaws that grasp the toe while permitting pivotal movement of footwear about the toe, and a lock for inhibiting opening of the jaws, the lock comprising one or more resilient elements which provide resilience while inhibiting opening of the jaws.
US09149693B2
A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a crown that extends over the void.
US09149691B2
Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a center and an outer core layer that are both soft relative to a hard intermediate core layer. The Shore C hardness of the outer surface of the center is preferably less than the Shore C hardness of the geometric center of the center.
US09149681B2
A therapeutic apparatus for strengthening the tongue. The device is a water-filled unit comprised of clear tube with two bulbs on each end. The exerciser is activated in the mouth by pressing the pressurized bulb with the tongue against the hard palate. A floating indicator in the tube offers visual feedback and elevates as the tube is compressed. The device is adjustable in difficulty. The presenting invention is simple in design and operation. It has limited moving or articulating parts, requires no customization, is non-electrical, can be operated with one hand and is inexpensive to manufacture. The Tongue Press Oral Exerciser is an affordable means of strengthening swallowing and speech intelligibility.
US09149677B2
A removably mounted exercise station includes an elongated anchoring member disposed on a first surface of an external stationary object, such as a door. The anchoring member has a plurality of apertures and rails formed between the apertures. A securing strap wraps around a second surface of the external stationary object to secure the exercise station onto the external stationary object. A resistance band connects to one of the rails to provide resistance during an exercise routine. A clamp allows for quick connect and disconnect of the resistance band to the rails.
US09149673B2
The one step process of removal of chromophore/dye/organic pollutant from a solution comprising a polymer free titanium oxide gel i.e. high zeta potential is disclosed. The concentration of the chromophores is removed up to 95-100%.
US09149672B2
The encapsulated fire extinguishing agents include a sealed outer shell containing at least one fire extinguishing agent therein. The shell is formed of material that melts when exposed to extreme heat, as in a fire. One embodiment has a single outer shell with a single fire retardant agent therein. Other embodiments may have a second shell within the outer shell, each shell defining an interior volume containing a separate fire extinguishing agent. The agents may combine to form a more effective fire extinguishing agent when the two shells melt. The shells may be formed to melt at different temperatures. Another embodiment includes an outer shell filled with a large number of smaller capsules, each of the smaller capsules filled with a fire extinguishing agent. The smaller capsules may each contain identical agents, or two or more different agents from one another.
US09149670B1
A machine operator safety system for selectively providing hydraulic power to a boom assembly of an aerial device upon attaching a lanyard. The machine operator safety system comprises a set of upper boom controls within the utility platform, a lanyard anchor housing with a lanyard anchor therein, an actuator for selectively positioning the lanyard anchor housing in either a first position or a second position, and a hydraulic valve. When the lanyard anchor housing is in the first position, which conceals the lanyard anchor, the hydraulic valve blocks the flow of hydraulic power to the set of upper boom controls. When the lanyard anchor housing is in the second position, which exposes the lanyard anchor for attachment of the lanyard, the hydraulic valve directs the flow of hydraulic power to the set of upper boom controls.
US09149658B2
Various embodiments provide a method for an extended field of view treatment. The method can include the steps of imaging a region; targeting a region with directed ultrasound energy; monitoring the region; moving the imaging, treatment, and monitoring region while spatially correlating to one or more prior regions via imaging and/or position sensing; continuing the extended field of view treatment; and, achieving an ultrasound induced biological effect in the extended field of view treatment region.
US09149657B2
A measurement system for use in radiation therapy, for example for measuring radiation sources, in particular for a water phantom. The water phantom has a water container and a measurement system, on which at least one holder for a radiation detector is arranged. The holder can be moved within the water container along at least one movement axis, with a control unit being present, which accepts and executes commands for controlling the movement axis. A virtual coordinate system which is aligned to the water surface is defined so that the movement device does not have to be aligned with great complexity. A conversion unit transfers control commands from the virtual coordinate system into the real coordinate system of the movement device so movements of the holder are always parallel and/or perpendicular to the water surface.
US09149655B2
The invention is directed to a method for controlling a process of monitoring the position of at least a part of a patient's body (1) during a radiation treatment, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing an energy value which is dependent on the radiation energy applied to the patient's body (1); b) controlling the time at which the monitoring process is performed, in accordance with the energy value.
US09149652B2
Among other things, a method for transporting radiation to a body region is described, wherein, in a first step, a canal is formed up to the body region to be irradiated and wherein, in a second step, an applicator (10) which is fitted to the diameter of the canal is introduced into the canal in order to guide a probe tip. Advantageously, applicator (10) is formed for use with a radiation therapy device for producing a defined radiation dose for irradiating a body region, whereby applicator (10) has a base body (11) with a foot region (12) for the uptake of at least one component of a radiation therapy device (30), a cylindrical guide region (13) connecting thereto for the uptake of a probe tip of a radiation therapy device, whereby a transition region (14) is formed between the foot region (12) and the guide region (13), as well as a head region (15), which is formed at the distal end (21) of base body (11). The method can be utilized especially for the treatment of tumors in the vertebral column.
US09149645B2
Methods and devices providing multiple criteria for use in arrhythmia identification. Based on inputs including defined rules or parameters, one of a more conservative or more aggressive set of arrhythmia identification parameters can be selected. One or the other of the selectable sets of arrhythmia identification parameters may also be adaptive or modifiable during the use of the system, for example, in response to identified nonsustained episodes, the more conservative set of arrhythmia identification parameters can be modified to become still more conservative. Such modification of arrhythmia identification criteria allows reduced time to therapy when indicated, while allowing more deliberate decisions in other circumstances.
US09149639B2
According to some method embodiments, a left pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a left pulmonary artery, and the left pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation. According to some method embodiments, a right pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a right pulmonary artery and a left pulmonary artery electrode is positioned in a left pulmonary artery, the right pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation, and the left pulmonary artery electrode is used to sense atrial activity, or capture cardiac tissue, or deliver neural stimulation.
US09149637B2
Methods and devices for adjusting therapy delivery decisions in an implantable cardiac stimulus device by observing cardiac activity following an initial identification of a treatable condition. In some examples, cardiac activity that appears benign is quantified and a therapy confirmation threshold is adjusted according to how much apparently benign cardiac activity is seen after an initial identification of a treatable condition. In other examples, a new threshold is applied following the initial identification of treatable condition, removing historical data preceding the initial identification from subsequent therapy delivery decisions.
US09149636B2
A system for a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes, and a method of providing therapy to a patient using the electrodes implanted within the patient. A target multipole relative to the electrodes is defined. The target multipole is emulated by defining an initial electrical current distribution for the electrodes, such that a first set of active electrodes respectively has electrical current values of a first polarity. Each of the electrical current values of the first polarity is compared to a first threshold value, and at least one of the electrodes in the first active electrode set is zeroed-out based on the comparison. The electrical current value of each of the zeroed-out electrode(s) is redistributed to remaining ones of the electrodes to define a new electrical current distribution for the electrodes. Electrical current is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrical current distribution, thereby providing the therapy.
US09149624B2
A system and method for disinfecting an exposed portion of a female luer connector is disclosed. A male luer connector coupled to a male luer connector cap is provided where the male luer connector cap has a chamber containing a disinfectant and a sealing member for sealing the disinfectant in the chamber. The chamber is at least partly opened and the disinfectant exposed by movement of the sealing member. An exposed surface of a female luer connector is caused to come in contact with the disinfecting fluid in the chamber prior to the female luer connector mating with the male luer connector.
US09149623B1
The present disclosure provides adapters configured to interconnect a device connector of a medical device and a tube connector, the adapter having a first end with a female Luer connector and a second end having a primary Luer male connector, with a secondary female section.
US09149621B2
A locking apparatus for connecting a catheter to a stem. The locking apparatus comprises a collet sleeve, which includes an annular wall defining a center channel and a plurality of resilient prongs protruding inwardly into a portion of the center channel. The locking apparatus also comprises a lockable insert, which includes an annular wall defining a center channel. The center channel of the lockable insert is coaxial with the center channel of the collet sleeve. The lockable insert is configured to be placed at a first locking position in which the annular wall of the lockable insert asserts no or minimal radial compression against the plurality of the resilient prongs of the collet sleeve, and the lockable insert is further configured to be moved to a second locking position in which the annular wall of the lockable insert radially compresses the plurality of the resilient prongs of the collet sleeve.
US09149613B2
A fluid management system for the treatment of ascites, pleural effusion or pericardial effusion is provided including an implantable device including a pump, control circuitry, battery and transceiver; a charging and communication system configured to periodically charge the battery and communicate with the implantable device to retrieve performance data; and monitoring and control software, suitable for use with conventional personal computers, for configuring and controlling operation of the implantable device and charging and communication system. The implantable device includes a number of features that provide automated movement of fluid to the bladder with reduced risk of clogging, with no patient involvement other than occasional recharging of the battery of the implantable device. The monitoring and control software is available only to the treating physician, such that the physician interacts with the implantable device via the charging and communication system.
US09149607B2
A deflectable sheath for use in medical procedures in the vasculature is described. The sheath includes a handle supporting the sheath. Two pull wires run along opposite sides of the sheath to anchors at the deflectable distal end. The handle includes a rotatable member that moves a threaded slider block in a back and forth translational manner. As that translational movement occurs, force is applied to either one or the other of the pull wires to cause deflection of distal end of the sheath in either and upwardly or a downwardly direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath.
US09149602B2
An apparatus for delivering devices. The apparatus comprises a catheter with an elongated shaft having a first lumen and a second lumen extending therethrough. The apparatus further comprises a distal section with a lumen in communication with a port in a distal end of the catheter and with the first lumen and the second lumen. The first lumen is configured for a first device and the second lumen is configured for a second device to be disposed therein. The apparatus further comprises a proximal adapter coupled to the elongated shaft with a first port in communication with the first lumen and a second port in communication with the second lumen.
US09149598B2
A pressure relief device comprising a valve configured to resiliently deform in response to a predetermined pressure; and a sound dampener configured to dampen a sound generated by the valve when the valve resiliently deforms in response to said predetermined pressure.
US09149591B2
In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. The fluid flow control system may be operated in an electronic mode and a manual mode. When the system is in a manual mode, mechanical backup flow selectors may be used to select the flow rate of a fluid. The mechanical backup flow selectors may include a position detection system to determine the flow rate of a fluid. Flow selectors of the flow control system may be rotationally engaged with the valve shafts of each needle valve, while allowing them to translate axially. The flow selectors may remain axially fixed while the valve shafts are axially translated with respect to the needle valves in a fluid flow control system.
US09149585B2
A medical device and a method of treating stress urinary incontinence are provided. The device includes a cannula with a plurality of apertures. A plurality of needles is disposed within a lumen of the cannula. A handle includes a housing and a shifter mechanism to translate the plurality of needles from a first position in which the needles are disposed within the lumen of the cannula, to a second position in which a distal portion of each needle extends out of the lumen through respective apertures. The handle also includes a slot including a transversal track defining a potential range of rotational motion of the shifter mechanism with respect to the housing, and a plurality of longitudinal tracks defining a potential range of translational motion of the shifter mechanism with respect to the housing. The shifter mechanism may also rotate the cannula with respect to the handle.
US09149584B2
The present hinged shield assembly is configured to shield a needle to prevent needlesticks. The assembly comprises a base including a hinge, a first shield and a second shield. The first shield extends from the base and at least partially surrounds the second shield. The first and second shields are configured to pivot about the hinge. In some embodiments a distal end of the first shield is open. In other embodiments the first and second shields include sidewalls with channels extending therealong. The first and second shields are rotatable with respect to one another such that the channels in each may be aligned. In other embodiments the first and second shields are translatable and rotatable with respect to one another.
US09149581B2
Injection devices are disclosed for injections of substances. The disclosed devices separately may hold two separate substances, e.g., solid, liquid or gas substances, in separate compartments which are interrupted so that the separate substances come into contact during the activation of the device. One disclosed device includes a needle for injection and two substances that are mixed with only a few actions by the operator of the device. The device may or may not activate mixing by the removal of a sleeve which triggers compartment interaction through movement of pins, pegs, springs, wires, string, or other mechanisms which allow the materials held in separate chambers to come into contact with each other. Operator error during mixing and checking the dosage of substances to be injected is avoided with the disclosed devices. Also, the needle is maintained in a sterile state because the needle is held internally of the device until the sleeve is removed and the device begins to activate.
US09149580B2
A cartridge holder for a drug delivery device is presented comprising a housing extending in an axial direction and being adapted to receive a cartridge at least partially filled with a medicament, said cartridge being sealed near a distal end by way of a pierceable seal. At least one bearing element is fixed to the housing, and at least one tensioning member is engaged with the bearing element and with the cartridge in an axial direction for transmitting a distally directed injection force from the cartridge to the housing.
US09149577B2
Receivers, which may be external or implantable, are provided. Aspects of receivers of the invention include the presence of one or more of: a high power-low power module; an intermediary module; a power supply module configured to activate and deactivate one or more power supplies to a high power processing block; a serial peripheral interface bus connecting master and slave blocks; and a multi-purpose connector. Receivers of the invention may be configured to receive a conductively transmitted signal. Also provided are systems that include the receivers, as well as methods of using the same. Additionally systems and methods are disclosed for using a receiver for coordinating with dosage delivery systems.
US09149566B2
Methods are provided to produce optimal fractionations of charged keratins that have superior biomedical activity. Also provided are medical implants coated with these keratin preparations. Further provided are methods of treating blood coagulation in a patient in need thereof.
US09149565B2
A biodegradable in vivo supporting device is disclosed. The in vivo supporting device comprises a biodegradable metal scaffold and a biodegradable polymer coating covering at least a portion of the biodegradable metal scaffold, wherein the biodegradable polymer coating has a degradation rate that is faster than the degradation rate of the biodegradable metal scaffold.
US09149550B2
The present invention relates to a stable, aqueous freshener composition for the reduction or elimination of malodors in air and on fabrics. The composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight, hydrogen peroxide as a malodor oxidant; an effective level of undecylenic acid (and/or derivative thereof) as a malodor absorber preblended with a fragrance; a surfactant to solubilize the fragrance/malodor absorber blend; an acid based stabilizer in a range from about 0.008% to about 0.60% by weight; an optional pH buffer; and an aqueous carrier. The composition can be delivered via a spray dispenser for treatment of indoor air and fabrics. The composition has a pH of less than about 6 and does not contain ingredients known to soil, stain or damage fabrics. When applied as a fine mist, the composition delivers effective control of a broad range of malodors, while remaining imperceptible on surfaces when dry.
US09149545B2
The present invention is generally directed to core/shell nanoparticles, wherein such core/shell nanoparticles comprise a nanoparticle core and a nanoshell disposed about the nanoparticle core such that, in the aggregate, they form a core/shell nanoparticle that is operable for use as an imaging agent in X-ray/computed tomography (CT). Typically, such core/shell nanoparticle-based X-ray CT imaging agents further comprise a targeting species for targeting the imaging agent to diseased sites. Included herein are methods for forming such agents, comprising forming an ensemble of core/shell nanoparticles, wherein the mean diameter of the ensemble of core/shell nanoparticles is selected so as to render the nanoparticles in the ensemble substantially clearable by a mammalian kidney.
US09149543B2
Provided are safe, non-invasive, non-viral delivery methods for providing a nucleic acid into the neuronal and non-neuronal cells of the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject to protect neuronal and non-neuronal cells from ischemic or traumatic injury, wherein the nucleic acid encodes a therapeutic proteins, specifically providing rapid transient expression and widespread distribution for in vitro or in vivo applications. Further provided are methods for the intrathecal delivery to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a neuroprotective gene sequence, e.g., a heat shock protein (HSP), complexed with cationic lipid compositions to achieve such delivery, and the complexes used therein.
US09149538B2
The invention provides small molecule drugs that are chemically modified by covalent attachment of a water-soluble oligomer.
US09149532B2
To provide pharmaceutical preparation exhibiting satisfactory dissolution property in a wide pH range.The pharmaceutical composition is characterized by containing (A) N1-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N2-((1S,2R,4S)-4-[(dimethylamino)carbonyl]-2-{[(5-methyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothiazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-2-yl)carbonyl]amino}cyclohexyl)ethanediamide, represented by the following formula (1), a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, or a hydrate of any of these, and (B) one or more species selected from the group consisting of a sugar alcohol and a water-swelling additive.
US09149531B2
The present invention provides novel amino-lipids, compositions comprising such amino-lipids and methods of producing them. In addition, lipid nanoparticles comprising the novel amino-lipids and a biologically active compound are provided, as well as methods of production and their use for intracellular drug delivery.
US09149527B2
Provided herein are substituted furanyl compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. The compounds provided herein are useful for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of various disorders, including cancer and proliferative disorders. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate eIF4E activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein modulate the Hedgehog pathway activity. In one embodiment, the compounds provided herein are used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, immuno therapy and/or one or more additional anticancer drugs for the treatment, prevention, and/or amelioration of cancer and proliferative disorders.
US09149501B2
The invention relates to methods for treating depression, anxiety, and other related diseases by administering a peptide NMDAR partial agonist.
US09149493B2
The present invention relates to a dry composition for reconstitution in water comprising polyethylene glycol (PEG), optionally sodium sulphate, citric acid, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, simethicone, effective for bowel cleansing, in particular of colon, prior to diagnostic, surgical or therapeutical procedures, in particular colonoscopy.
US09149490B2
An acne treatment composition is provided according to the present invention. The acne treatment composition includes an effective amount of an anti-acne component to provide anti-acne properties to skin tissue, an effective amount of a skin bounding polymer component to provide sustained release of the anti-acne component over a prolonged period of time after application of the acne treatment composition to skin tissue, and water. A method of using an acne treatment composition is provided.
US09149489B2
Provided herein are methods of treating brain tumors by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the Formulas I or II to a patient in need thereof.
US09149484B2
Methods and compositions for stimulating the growth of hair are disclosed wherein said compositions include a cyclopentane heptanoic acid, 2-cycloalkyl or arylalkyl compound represented by the formula I wherein the dashed bonds represent the presence or absence of a double bond which can be in the cis or trans configuration and A, B, Z, X, R1 and R2 are as defined in the specification and a penetration enhancer. Such compositions are used in stimulating hair growth of human or non-human animals.
US09149475B2
This disclosure concerns compounds which are useful as inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC) and are thus useful for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are mediated or sustained through the activity of PKC. This disclosure also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds, methods of using these compounds in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, processes for preparing these compounds and intermediates useful in these processes.
US09149473B2
The methods disclosed herein relate to methods and compositions for amplifying nucleic acid sequences, more specifically, from nucleic acid sequences of pathogens by targeted whole genome amplification.
US09149471B2
To provide an agent for treating osteoporosis, comprising an acyl thiourea compound represented by the following formula (I) or a salt thereof as an active ingredient: wherein, R1 represents an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group; R2 represents a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom; and R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a fluorine atom, or a chlorine atom.
US09149469B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition having dopaminergic activity and other related pharmaceutical activities comprising trigonelline or its derivative(s) and 4-hydroxyisoleucine or its derivative(s), optionally along with excipients(s); a process of preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising trigonelline or its derivative(s) and 4-hydroxyisoleucine or its derivative(s), optionally along with excipients(s), wherein the process comprising steps of: (a) extracting a clear solution containing trigonelline and 4-hydroxyisoleucine from plant source; and (b) optionally precipitating derivative(s) of trigonelline and 4-hydroxyisoleucine from the clear solution and obtaining said composition; and an in-vitro method to increase levels of dopamine or to inhibit prolactin by allowing composition comprising trigonelline or its derivative(s) and 4-hydroxyisoleucine or its derivative(s) to bind to cell receptors.
US09149466B2
Dopamine reuptake inhibitors, and their analogs, are disclosed for treating and delaying the progression of autoimmune diseases.
US09149462B2
The present invention relates to pyrazole amide derivatives pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and to their use in therapy.
US09149455B2
Provided herein are methods for the treatment of melanoma comprising administration of a composition comprising nanoparticles comprising taxane and a carrier protein.
US09149454B2
Bethanechol is administered topically, for the treatment of xerostomia.
US09149453B2
Provided are pharmaceutical carriers based on oil-in-water microemulsions and methods of making same. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a carrier of the invention and a lipophilic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), as well as methods for making same. The pharmaceutical compositions are particularly suitable for use in formulating lipophilic APIs for topical administration to the eye. Specifically included are pharmaceutical compositions comprising fenofibrate or fenofibric acid as API. Also provided is a method of treating a disease of the posterior segment of the eye. Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound represented by formulated for topical administration to the eye.
US09149449B2
The present invention discloses anti-cancer compositions, and associated methods, including an anti-cancer composition comprising: a cellular energy inhibitor having the structure according to formula I wherein X is selected from the group consisting of: a nitro, an imidazole, a halide, sulfonate, a carboxylate, an alkoxide, and amine oxide; and R is selected from the group consisting of: OR′, N(R″)2, C(O)R′″, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C12 aryl, C1-C6 heteroalkyl, a C6-C12 heteroaryl, H, and an alkali metal; where R′ represents H, alkali metal, C1-C6 alkyl, C6-C12 aryl or C(O)R′″, R″ represents H, C1-C6 alkyl, or C6-C12 aryl, and R′″ represents H, C1-C20 alkyl or C6-C12 aryl. The anti-cancer composition can additionally comprise at least one sugar, which stabilizes the cellular energy inhibitor by substantially preventing the inhibitor from hydrolyzing. Also, the anti-cancer composition can comprise a hexokinase inhibitor. Further, the anti-cancer composition can comprise a biological buffer that is present in an amount sufficient to at least partially deacidify the cellular energy inhibitor and neutralize metabolic by-products of the cellular energy inhibitor.
US09149443B2
A tape preparation is provided which does not use a backing such as a plastic film, knit or a woven fabric, or a nonwoven fabric, has very high conformability to skin, and is easy to use at the time of application. There is provided a tape preparation 1 that is produced by laminating a drug-containing adhesive layer 4 on the printed ink layer 3 side of a cover film 2 with printing thereon and covering the drug-containing adhesive layer with a release film 5. In this tape preparation, the adhesive strength between the cover film and the printed ink layer is higher than the adhesive strength between the drug-containing adhesive layer and the release film, and the adhesive strength between the printed ink layer and the drug-containing adhesive layer is higher than the adhesive strength between the cover film and the printed ink layer.
US09149438B2
The present invention relates to an improved gelatinous coated dosage form having two end regions coated with gelatinous materials and an exposed circumferential band. Openings are provided in at least the exposed band to reveal the core material. The invention also relates to methods for manufacturing such gelatinous coated dosage forms.
US09149437B2
The present invention provides a method for treating a solid dosage form to improve the printability and abrasion resistance of a print to be produced on a surface of the solid dosage form, which includes treating the surface of the solid dosage form with a polyethylene glycol-containing aqueous solution before printing; a production method of a solid dosage form with a printed surface, which includes printing on the surface after the aforementioned treatment; and a solid dosage form having a print improved in abrasion resistance on its surface, which can be obtained by the aforementioned production method.
US09149432B2
The invention provides delivery systems comprised of stabilized multilamellar vesicles, as well as compositions, methods of synthesis, and methods of use thereof. The stabilized multilamellar vesicles comprise terminal-cysteine-bearing antigens or cysteine-modified antigens, at their surface and/or internally.
US09149431B2
A solid dispersion product comprising itraconazole and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, which satisfies the Formula 0.35>ΔHtr (1) (wherein ΔHtr represents the endotherm (J/g) accompanying a transition at about 240° C.). The solid dispersion product shows an improved bioavailability.
US09149430B2
A novel composition for delivering carotenoids (e.g. α- and β-carotene, lycopene) and/or other physiologically active ingredients to the colon of humans after ingestion and for producing liquid food compositions insusceptible to polyphenol-protein reactions can be obtained by encapsulating said active ingredients with pectin, in particular with low-methoxylated pectin.
US09149428B2
Biocompatible implants comprising a cyclic lipid therapeutic agent are made using a low temperature melt extrusion process. The implants are suitable for intraocular use to treat an ocular condition.
US09149423B2
Ingestible event markers comprising an identifier and an ingestible component are provided. The ingestible component may vary, where ingestible components of interest include osmotic ingestible components, liquid capsules, tablets, multi-layered ingestible component and multi-compartment ingestible components. In some instances, the identifier is mechanically stably associated with the ingestible component. Also provided are systems that include the ingestible event markers, as well as methods of using the ingestible event markers.
US09149421B1
A liquid adhesive for nail polish is a topical composition that is used to facilitate the application and removal of nail polish as well as the creation of intricate nail polish designs. The composition features a quantity of rubber latex, a quantity of water, an antiseptic composition of a quantity of ammonium hydroxide and a quantity of thiram, a preserving composition of a quantity of zinc oxide, an aromatic agent, a coloring agent, and a moisturizing agent. The quantity of rubber latex forms a liquid-impermeable coating on the surface of the user's skin or nail once applied. This allows a dried coating of the present invention to be peeled from the skin or nail along with any nail polish applied over the coating. The composition additionally exhibits antimicrobial and antifungal properties as well as a resistance to decomposition and other unwanted chemical and physical changes.
US09149419B2
An Oral care product is provided which includes a mesoporous calcium silicate biomaterial (MCSB) dispersed in a polymeric material matrix. MCSB is an insoluble composite material of calcium oxide-silica.
US09149415B2
An inflatable retention system for an enteral feeding tube having a base deployed outside the human body and an indwelling retainer which is deployed within a lumen or cavity of the body by insertion through a stoma from outside the body. The retention system includes a tube having a proximal end, a distal end, an external tube diameter, and tube walls defining a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention system also includes an inflatable balloon located at a distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the inflation lumen, the balloon having thin, flexible walls, a predetermined spheroid shape, and a volume at which a fluid in the balloon is under no pressure such that upon inflation with a fluid to pressurize fluid in the balloon, the balloon assumes a stable spheroid shape and exhibits a substantially linear pressure versus volume curve.
US09149409B2
The back kneading device mounted in the chair-type massage apparatus comprises: the massage mechanism including paired right-hand and left-hand massage members having the treatment element for massage and the driving section for transmitting massage action to the massage member; the base member for supporting the massage mechanism, with the massage member pointing forward; the vertical movement mechanism for moving the base member in the vertical direction in the backrest; and the protruding-amount varying mechanism for moving the massage member so that protrusion amount of the treatment element in the front-rear direction can be varied.
US09149405B2
A medication storage and dispensing unit is provided which includes a support platform and a vial dispenser supported by the support platform. The vial dispenser may include a chute configured to store a plurality of vials of medication and a gate configured to be alternately positioned in a closed position in which the vials remain within the chute and an open position in which a vial is dispensed from the chute. The medication storage and dispensing unit may be computer controlled so as to include a computing device configured to receive user input regarding dispensation of a vial. The computing device may be further configured to actuate the gate to thereby permit the gate to move to the open position such that the vial is dispensed from the chute.
US09149404B2
An anesthesia workstation includes a sliding track system attached to the front of the anesthesia workstation for the mounting of one or more displays. The displays are horizontally slidable along the front of the anesthesia workstation along the sliding track. In addition, the sliding track system includes pivot points which enable outward pivoting of the displays up to 90 degrees. Sliding and pivoting of the displays is possible both independently and simultaneously. The sliding track system allows the anesthetist to slide and pivot the displays across the front of the workstation along the length of the track to the most preferable viewing position. Additional storage space is positioned within the anesthesia workstation behind the displays and becomes exposed and accessible when the displays are manipulated via the sliding track system.
US09149400B2
An adjustable mattress includes a body portion and an extension portion. The body portion includes a first plurality of spaced-apart fingers extending outwardly from at least one edge thereof. The extension portion includes a second plurality of spaced-apart fingers extending outwardly therefrom. The first plurality of fingers are configured for inter-fit engagement with the second plurality of fingers. The extension portion is movable relative to the body portion to vary a degree of inter-fit engagement of the fingers between a first position, wherein the adjustable mattress defines a first dimension, and a second position, wherein the adjustable mattress defines a second dimension.
US09149394B2
In a machine for making absorbent sanitary articles, such as nappies for babies or incontinence pads for adults, sanitary towels or the like, a plurality of operating stations are equipped with cutting and/or sealing devices for the materials of which the articles consist; all or some of the operating stations each being equipped with at least one laser unit for performing the cutting and/or sealing operation; the laser units all being connected to the same laser source.
US09149391B1
The safety goggles with a ventilation fan is an eye protection system intended to improve wearer safety and comfort by preventing fogging. The safety goggles with a ventilation fan comprises safety goggles, a ventilation fan, and a distribution system to direct airflow through the goggles.
US09149382B2
A system for facilitating deployment of an endoluminal prosthesis may include a main tubular graft body including a proximal end opening, a distal end opening, a lumen, and a sidewall. A branch may extend from the sidewall and may include a first end opening, a second end opening, and a lumen. A fenestration may be disposed in the sidewall and positioned distal of the second end opening of the branch. A wire segment may include a proximal portion positioned proximal of the proximal end opening and a distal portion positioned distal of the distal end opening. The wire segment extend through the fenestration and through the lumen of the branch in a preloaded configuration.
US09149373B2
A prosthesis is disclosed for placement across an ostium opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The circumferential link can comprise a catheter securement portion and a frond engagement portion.
US09149372B2
A stent graft adaptor has an outer graft tube and an inner graft tube with the inner graft tube substantially concentric with and within the outer graft tube. A joining member extends between the inner tube and the outer tube. The joining member can be a continuous fold of graft material extending from a proximal end of the outer tube to a proximal end of the inner tube. The inner tube has at least one self expanding stent on an outer surface thereof and the outer graft tube has at least one self expanding stent on an inner surface. The outer surface of the outer tube provides a sealing surface to engage against the wall of a vessel and the inner tube provides a sealing surface to engage with a corresponding sealing surface of a stent graft deployed through it. The outer sealing surface can include barbs.
US09149363B2
A method for replacing a proximal interphalangeal joint with a modular implant assembly is provided. During a first surgical procedure, a first stem component of the implant assembly having a first articulation component removably attached thereto is implanted in a proximal phalanx bone. A second stem component of the implant assembly having a second articulation component removably attached thereto is implanted in a middle phalanx bone. During a second surgical procedure performed after the first surgical procedure, the first articulation component is removed from the first stem component and the second articulation component is removed from the second stem component. A third articulation component is attached to the first stem component and a fourth articulation component is attached to the second stem component. The second surgical procedure is performed without removing the first stem component from the first bone and without removing the second stem component from the second bone.
US09149360B2
A dynamic, adjustable annuloplasty ring sizer can include an adjustable ring replica, which can be adjusted through a range of sizes corresponding to available prosthetic annuloplasty repair ring sizes. Actuation of an adjustment trigger on a handle portion of the ring sizer can displace tension wires that extend through a malleable shaft and through a plurality of articulating segments that form the ring replica. Displacement of the tension wires causes flexion of the joints between adjacent articulating segments, thereby reducing the overall size of the ring replica. Releasing the tension wires can allow an elastic extension wire to act on the ring replica, enlarging the ring replica to its maximum, at-rest size. In this manner, the appropriate size of annuloplasty ring prosthesis can be determined with a single device, without requiring a plurality of static ring sizers that require individual insertion and placement for the conventional trial-and-error sizing methods.
US09149359B2
An annuloplasty ring having a three-dimensional discontinuous form generally arranged about an axis with two free ends that are axially offset. The ring is particularly suited for repair of the tricuspid valve, and more closely conforms to the annulus shape. The ring is more flexible in bending about radially extending axes than about the central axis. The ring may have an inner structural support covered by a pliable sleeve and/or a fabric tube. The structural support may have a varying cross-section, such as a C-shaped cross-section in a mid-section between two free ends and a rectangular cross-section at the free ends.
US09149338B2
An end effector includes a tip part having a deformation member that is physically changed due to contact with an object, a gauge display part configured to display gauge information according to a physical change of the deformation member, and a connecting rod part connected to the tip part and configured to operate the tip part. A manipulator including an end effector configured to display physical information, which varies according to an object making contact with a tip part, on a gauge display part, an endoscope configured to obtain an image of the tip part of the end effector and an image of the gauge display part, and a control part configured to control transmission of the image obtained by the endoscope, and to control operations of the tip part and the endoscope.
US09149335B2
A device and method for endovascular radiation therapy that prevents unwanted damage to blood vessels during treatment is described. The device is adapted to prevent the emission end of an energy delivery device from coming into contact with the wall of a blood vessel. The device is also adapted to sense the inputted radiation power and prevent irradiation above a preselected power or energy level. Both features serve to prevent radiation, having an overly high intensity or power density, from impacting the vessel wall and causing a puncture.
US09149324B2
An electrosurgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft, and an end effector, wherein the end effector can be rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The instrument can further comprise a drive member and the articulation joint can comprise flexible support members which can be configured to support the drive member. The instrument can further comprise supply wires electrically coupled to electrodes in the end effector and a wire tensioning device configured to prevent the supply wires from accumulating slack within the articulation joint. The drive member can comprise a plurality of flexible layers wherein some of the layers can be comprised of an electrically insulative material and other layers can be comprised of an electrically conductive material which is in electrical communication with a cutting member in the end effector and/or electrodes positioned within the end effector.
US09149320B2
The present invention advantageously provides a method and system for the improved isolation and corresponding treatment of tissue targeted for cryogenic or other thermal therapy to increase the thermal efficacy and thermal efficiency of the treatment. In particular, the present invention provides methods and systems for improved thermal treatment of target tissue, such as a pulmonary vein and/or regions of the left atrium by reducing the resistive forces and/or increased thermal energy experienced from blood flow exiting the pulmonary vein into the left atrium during treatment.
US09149315B2
An anti-splay apparatus having a bridge and frangible connection points for use with mechanical fasteners having a shank portion and a receiving member with opposing arms is provided. The bridge may take a number of forms including a ring, a notched ring, a tube, or a notched tube and the connection points join the opposing arms of the receiving member with the bridge. Also provided is the anti-splay apparatus also having tabs connected between frangible connection points.
US09149312B2
A substantially rigid plate is secured to a medial portion of a clavicle relative to a fracture in the clavicle. The plate is positioned so that it extends at least partially over a distal portion of the clavicle relative to the fracture. The plate has surfaces that define a first opening through which a suture can pass. A hole is formed in the clavicle. A washer may be positioned at a side of the plate opposite the clavicle. Alternatively, the plate may include suture holes or edge features for securing a suture. A suture is secured to the washer, to at least one suture hole or to at least one edge feature, and extends through the first opening, through the hole in the clavicle and is secured to the coracoid process.
US09149309B2
A method, a system, and a computer program product for graphically representing physical objects in a contextual setting are disclosed. A first data for a predetermined location, at least one distance measurement between at least two location points at the predetermined location, and at least one image of at least one portion of the predetermined location can be received. Based on the receiving and information obtained from at least one publicly available resource, a spatial representation of the predetermined location configured to include at least one existing feature can be generated. Spatial representation of the predetermined location includes a detailed representation of the at least one portion of the predetermined location having the at least one existing feature.
US09149305B2
The invention is directed to a laterally inserted spinous process plating device and a method for installing the device using a minimally invasive procedure. The device includes a partially threaded bolt as well as a contralateral and ipsilateral fixation plates, a deployment nut, a lag nut and a locking nut. Each fixation plate includes a pair of wing portions that are pivotally connected to one another to facilitate installation. The each of the fixation plates includes anchoring elements.
US09149304B2
Spinal implants for limiting flexion of the spine are implanted between a superior spinous process and an inferior spinous process or sacrum. The implants include upper straps which are placed over the upper spinous process, while the lower portions of the implant are attached to the adjacent vertebra or sacrum. The attachments may be fixed, for example using screws or other anchors, or may be non-fixed, for example by placing a loop strap through a hole in the spinous process or sacrum.
US09149302B2
Apparatus and devices for percutaneously extending an existing spinal construct ipsilaterally with an additional spinal construct in a patient are disclosed. The additional spinal construct comprises a rod connector that includes an elongate additional rod integrally attached thereto. The additional rod is placed through an access port in a first orientation generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access port and rotated to a different second orientation generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the access port. During such rotation the additional rod is moved subcutaneously beneath the skin of the patient from the existing spinal rod to an additional bone engaging implant. In another arrangement, the extension of an existing spinal construct in a minimally invasive procedure comprises a rod connector having an offset support for receiving an additional spinal rod that may be placed laterally interiorly or exteriorly of the existing spinal construct.
US09149301B2
Transconnector devices and methods of use are provided. A transconnector device has the capability of connecting to elongate spinal fixation elements having various cross-sectional dimensions. The transconnector device is adjustable in three degrees of freedom and is curved to ensure that it maintains a minimum distance posterior of the dura when it is fixed to elongate spinal fixation elements.
US09149298B2
Plastic rod anchorage for the surgical treatment of the spine where the plastic rod (1) has at least two plane-parallel surfaces (1a) in order to uniformly clamp the rod (1) on its entire circumference.
US09149285B2
A guide apparatus having a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a first channel and a second channel formed therethrough, a handle coupled to the body, the handle having a locking mechanism configured to prevent movement of the body relative to the handle in a first direction along the central axis of the body, and an arm coupled to the handle, the arm configured to engage at least a portion of a bone.
US09149280B2
A portable pneumatic abdominal aortic tourniquet for occlusion of the abdominal descending aorta to restrict blood supply to a non-compressible arterial hemorrhage in or below the inguinal region is presented. The tourniquet includes an adjustable waist strap for securing it around the abdomen of a patient and a windlass rod connected to the waist strap to selectively tighten the strap as needed to tightly secure it to patient. A directed air bladder is mounted to the waist strap having a generally “V” shaped construction and is expanded for exerting directed pressure against the abdomen. Upon inflation of the air bladder and adjustment of the windlass, occlusion or restriction of blood flow through the abdominal descending aorta will occur which will achieve cessation of hemorrhage in or below the inguinal area or achieve other therapeutic effects like elevated blood pressure to enhance CPR or blood flow control to the lower extremities.
US09149274B2
Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device. In one embodiment, methods and devices are provided for moving an end effector on a distal end of a surgical fastening device. Movement can include rotational movement of the end effector about an axis of the shaft, articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft, and actuation of an end effector, e.g., closing, firing, and/or cutting. In other embodiments, a single cable actuator is provided and is movable between a first position, in which it is effective to rotate an end effector without actuating (i.e., closing and firing) the end effector, and a second position, in which it is effective to actuate the end effector without rotating the end effector. In other aspects, methods and devices are provided for moving a flexible neck formed on a distal end of an accessory channel for use with an endoscope. Movement of the flexible neck can be used to control positioning of a tool extending through the flexible neck.
US09149266B2
An anchor that secures to a connector as part of an anchor assembly is disclosed. The proximal anchor includes deformable structure for engaging a connector.
US09149265B2
A tissue support device is provided for managing access through tissue. The tissue support device engages the tissue proximate an opening in the tissue and biases the tissue support device to bring the engaged tissue together.
US09149263B2
The present invention provides a device for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The occluder includes two sides connected by a central tube. The occluder is formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The occluder further includes a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When the occluder is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder exerts a compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.
US09149251B2
A reusable needle guide suitable for an ultrasonic probe to be use for an endocavity examination of a patient is disclosed. The needle guide basically comprises at least a first and second guide members and a mounting (e.g., clamp) assembly. The clamp assembly serves to releasably mount the needle guide on the probe. The first guide member has a first passageway-forming surface. The second guide member has a second passageway-forming surface. The guide members are connected together to enable them to be pivoted from a closed orientation to an open orientation and vice versa. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces form an elongated passageway to guide a needle therethrough when in the closed orientation. The first and second passageway-forming surfaces are disposed at an angle to each other when they are in the open orientation, whereupon the first and second passageway-forming surfaces can be readily cleaned.
US09149250B2
According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an image memory, an output-information creating unit, and a control unit. The image memory associates and stores an ultrasound image and a first image that is set in accordance with a schematic image representing a portion imaged onto the ultrasound image and a positional image indicating a scanning position with ultrasound when creating the ultrasound image. The output-information creating unit creates a second image based on a shape of the first image stored by the image memory. The output-information creating unit then creates an image that image information extracted from the ultrasound image associated with the first image is superimposed onto the created second image, as output information. The control unit performs control of outputting the output information created by the output-information creating unit to an external device.
US09149248B2
The present invention relates to a method for generating transverse elastic waves, a method and apparatus for acquiring images using the transverse elastic waves. The present disclosure provides a technique for generating transverse elastic waves by focusing the ultrasonic waves respectively on a number of focal points which are virtually present in a viscoelastic medium and also become wave sources of the transverse elastic waves, and controlling the generated transverse elastic waves to have peak positions with their overlapping points residing and translating in two line segments extending in parallel or at an acute angle to facilitate increasing elastic deformations of the viscoelastic medium to an appropriate level, and thus acquiring images with improved accuracy in the viscoelastic medium.
US09149231B2
Determination about presence/absence of alcohol in the body is made accurately.A frequency dynamic information processing means 610 which obtains a tendency of time-series fluctuation regarding a frequency of a pulse wave of a back portion of a person detected by an air pack and an alcohol-drinking determining means 650 which determines an alcohol-drinking state when a tendency of a time-series fluctuation regarding the frequency obtained by the frequency dynamic information processing means 610 is separated from a tendency of time-series fluctuation regarding the frequency at a non-drinking state are provided. Since determination about whether or not a person is in an alcohol-drinking state is made according to comparison with time-series fluctuation regarding the frequency at a non-drinking time, where the determination is made using not only frequency analysis of the frequency of a pulse wave changing according to the physical condition of the person but also the time-series fluctuation thereof, determination about presence/absence of alcohol drinking can be made more accurately as compared with the conventional method.
US09149229B1
The present invention is related, in general, to a wireless electrode patch and/or a wireless system for measuring the physiological condition of a subject, more particularly to an electrode patch for ECG monitoring, and a method of sensing, analyzing and/or transmitting or relaying a physiological signal. The wireless system and/or wireless electrode patch of the present invention is preferably lightweight and compact. The wireless electrode patch preferably additionally provides a low-power system for extended battery life and use. The wireless electrode patch and/or wireless system still further preferably allows for good and reliable measurement of physiological signals from the subject. The wireless electrode patch is still preferably simple enough to apply as a single patch, but versatile enough to be reconfigured as more than one patch.
US09149225B2
Non-invasive devices and systems to determine tissue wetness/hydration based on relative changes in subsurface resistivities in tissue below an electrode array applied to a human body across different frequencies. For example, these a sensor including arrays of current-injecting and voltage-sensing electrodes may be placed on a subject's back to determine lung wetness. Systems and methods for determining tissue water content, systems and methods for determining lung wetness, sensors for determining relative changes in subsurface resistivities across frequencies and systems and methods to determine which arrays of electrodes in a sensor to use to determine relative changes in subsurface resistivities across frequencies are all described.
US09149219B2
Systems and methods for minimizing or eliminating transient non-glucose related signal noise due to non-glucose rate limiting phenomenon such as ischemia, pH changes, temperatures changes, and the like. The system monitors a data stream from a glucose sensor and detects signal artifacts that have higher amplitude than electronic or diffusion-related system noise. The system replaces some or the entire data stream continually or intermittently including signal estimation methods that particularly address transient signal artifacts. The system is also capable of detecting the severity of the signal artifacts and selectively applying one or more signal estimation algorithm factors responsive to the severity of the signal artifacts, which includes selectively applying distinct sets of parameters to a signal estimation algorithm or selectively applying distinct signal estimation algorithms.
US09149215B2
A portable analytical device is provided for analysis of a component of a body fluid. A measuring facility within the device may carry out the analysis on a test element inserted therein. The test element may contain a reagent that reacts with a liquid sample of the body fluid when the test element is contacted thereby to produce a change that is characteristic of the analysis. A processor may process measuring values determined by the measuring facility to yield analytical measuring data taking into account calibration values. A standardized, wire-based computer interface may be provided on the analytical device via which the analytical device can be operated by a computer, the analytical measuring data can be transmitted from the analytical device to the computer, the analytical device can be supplied with electrical power by the computer, and the analytical device can provide software to be read-out by the computer.
US09149202B2
An adjustment device for a hearing aid includes: an audio extraction section for, through an acoustic process of a collected audio signal, utilizing information of a phoneme or syllable contained in the audio signal to output time information, the time information identifying a point of uttering the phoneme or syllable; an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal of a user; a determination section for determining a difficulty of hearing of the phoneme or syllable by relying on an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal based on the identified point of uttering the phoneme or syllable as a starting point; a phoneme identification section for, when a plurality of phonemes or syllables are determined as difficult to hear, identifying a chronologically preceding phoneme or syllable among them to be difficult to hear; and a gain adjustment section for, with respect to the phoneme or syllable identified by the phoneme identification section, determining a gain adjustment method based on a type of the phoneme or syllable, and adjusting a gain for the phoneme or syllable in accordance with the determined gain adjustment method.
US09149194B2
In a sphygmomanometer for measuring blood pressure according to a volume compensation method, an upper arm V0 equivalent cuff pressure representing a cuff pressure in a state where an inner pressure and an outer pressure of an artery of an upper arm are in equilibrium is specified based on a cuff pressure signal of the upper arm. For example, the upper arm V0 equivalent cuff pressure is detected as an average blood pressure obtained from the cuff pressure signal of the upper arm. After a control target value and an initial cuff pressure in the volume compensation are detected, a difference between the initial cuff pressure and the upper arm V0 equivalent cuff pressure is calculated as a correction value, and the blood pressure value in the volume compensation method is corrected with the calculated correction value.
US09149193B2
Apparatus for positioning at least one sensor in a body lumen, the apparatus including a fixation element, a sensor, and a connecting element that connects the sensor to the fixation element, the connecting element extending at least partially into the lumen so that the sensor is located radially inward from a wall of the lumen.
US09149191B2
An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. In one example, the guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption. Techniques for distinguishing plaque or vulnerable plaque may be used to enhance the displayed image.
US09149186B2
A physical configuration of cables connecting a monitoring apparatus to a human patient, where said patient and his immediate surroundings define a potentially infectious contaminated zone. The configuration provides for the monitor and main trunk cable to lie outside of the contamination zone, and one or more serial cables connect to the trunk cable and enter the contamination zone to provide contact with the patient. This physical configuration prevents contamination of the monitor and trunk cable, so they may be reused on successive patients, while lightweight and inexpensive serial cables contacting the patient and his contamination zone may be disposable. Examples of monitoring various physiological variables are provided to exemplify the universal concept of such physical configuration. Adaptation for wireless transmission is also described.
US09149173B2
Endoscopes and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example endoscope includes a handle portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portion may include one or more channels. A catheter and/or wire locking member may be coupled to a channel.
US09149172B2
In-vivo medical devices, systems and methods of operating such devices include a permanent magnetic assembly interacting with external magnetic fields for magnetically maneuvering said device to a desired location along a patient's GI tract, and anchoring said devices to the desired location for a period of time. The in-vivo medical device includes illumination sources, an optical system, and an image sensor for imaging the GI tract and thus assisting in locating the desired location. Some in-vivo medical devices include a concave window, which enables better imaging of small areas along the tissue. Furthermore, in-vivo devices with a concave window enable carrying operating tools without damaging the tissue of the GI tract, since prior to operation, the tools protrude from the concave window but remain behind the ends of the edges of the concave window.
US09149163B2
A toilet, wherein: the toilet has an aperture (110), which, in use, would be located in an upper part of the toilet; the toilet comprising or adapted to receive a dispensing means arranged beneath the aperture for dispensing a tube (12) of collection bag material in a downward direction; wherein the toilet is adapted such that, in operation, while the tube is moved downward, the toilet creates a divide in the tube by pressing the sides of the tube together.
US09149159B1
A significantly improved plastic or wood cutting-chopping board which has four legs, each dimensioned and shaped such that when board surface is impacted by a cleaver or mallet, each of the legs can depress through three stages of compression-resistance independently and each to a degree determined by the point of impact of the cleaver on the board relative to the legs. The impact of the cleaver or mallet is dissipated in the compression of the legs resulting in significantly less vibration being transmitted to the countertop or tabletop and consequently significantly less noise, in relation to the conventional, stationary cutting-chopping board. The board, upon impact, will depress to the level where the upward force of the compressed legs on the board equals the downward impact force of the cleaver or mallet on the board. The legs or compressible support members can be variously sized and shaped as attachable support members to the board or can be a continuous extension of the board's cutting-chopping area, sized and shaped so as to provide the compression-resistance to the impact force exerted, on the board, by the action of the cleaver or mallet.
US09149156B2
Food processing assemblies for rotating two processing tools inside a container at two different speeds and/or directions and methods for using such a processing assembly are disclosed. The two processing tools are vertically spaced along the longitudinal axis of the processing assembly. A motor drives the first processing tool and a transmission system, and the transmission system drives the second processing tool. The transmission system outputs a rotation speed and/or direction is different from that of the motor to drive the second processing tool. The transmission system may be located between the two processing tools within the food-containing volume of the container.
US09149152B2
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage has: a beverage preparation module for processing one or more beverage ingredients and for dispensing a beverage resulting therefrom; a unit for controlling such processing in accordance with a parameter set to a value stored in the unit; and a user-interface (20) connected to the control unit for acquiring the value from a user and storing the value in the control unit. The user-interface has a first user-selector (21) associated with a first value for the parameter and a second user-selector (22) associated with a second value for the parameter. The first and second user-selectors (21, 22) each comprises a user-actuation adjustment direction (211, 221) for shifting on user-actuation in the adjustment direction the value associated with the user-selector to a user-selected adjusted value selected from a range of values associated with the user-selector. Furthermore, each of the user-selectors comprises a user-actuation initiation direction (212, 222) for initiating on user-actuation in the initiation direction: the control unit to store the user-selected adjusted value as the stored value; and/or the processing in accordance with the parameter set to the user-selected adjusted value as said stored value.
US09149150B2
A beverage cartridge system is adapted to brew a beverage through a brewer having a holder adapted to receive the cartridge system. The holder may have a deep well with one or more needles therewithin to pierce through the bottom of the cartridge system when inserted into the well. The cartridge system may include a short cup and a tall cup, where the tall cup is taller than the short cup to pack more beverage grind. The cartridge system may include a filter within an outer cup. The bottom of the filter may be deep enough to be juxtaposed to the bottom of the cup. The filter may be formed from a material that is substantially resistant to piercing by the needle within the holder such that when the outlet needle pierces through the bottom of the cup, the outlet needle raises the filter at a point of contact, and the filter substantially resists the outlet needle from piercing through the filter during a brewing process.
US09149149B2
A beverage cartridge system is adapted to brew a beverage through a brewer having a holder adapted to receive the cartridge system. The holder may have a deep well with one or more needles therewithin to pierce through the bottom of the cartridge system when inserted into the well. The cartridge system may include a short cup and a tall cup, where the tall cup is taller than the short cup to pack more beverage grind. The cartridge system may include a filter within an outer cup. The bottom of the filter may be deep enough to be juxtaposed to the bottom of the cup. The filter may be formed from a material that is substantially resistant to piercing by the needle within the holder such that when the outlet needle pierces through the bottom of the cup, the outlet needle raises the filter at a point of contact, and the filter substantially resists the outlet needle from piercing through the filter during a brewing process.
US09149146B2
The present invention is to provide a fine filter structure including two filter units, wherein the first filter unit comprises an upper frame, a coarse screen laid over top side of the upper frame, and a post having a top end formed with at least one through hole, a bottom end fixedly provided on top side of the coarse screen, and a channel in communication with each through hole and bottom side of the coarse screen; and the second filter unit comprises a lower frame and a fine screen laid over top side of the lower frame and having more mesh openings per unit area than the coarse screen. The top side of the lower frame can be connected with the bottom side of the upper frame so as not only to form a single unit but also to form a re-filtration space between the coarse screen and fine screen.
US09149141B2
Holders for maintaining personal items such as dental and hygienic products are disclosed. The holders include a series of sections, particularly, holding sections having different geometrical structures related to the different items intended to be hold. In this manner, they may be assembled at the convenience of the user and its holding units may be increased or decreased as well as selected based upon the particular structure of the holding units at the will of the users. The holder may be self-standing when using a disclosed base or alternatively, it may be secured to a commonly used toothbrush supporting base or even be supported via a suction cup over a given surface.
US09149139B1
This device holds a beverage afloat in an upright position in the water at all times while the beverage is being consumed. This is accomplished by placing a flotation ring around the outer surface of the beverage holder and a weight at the bottom for stability. The device additionally provides a piercing rod for prying open a tab on an aluminum can or puncturing an aluminum can, a bottle opener for opening a different type of beverage and a lanyard and lanyard ring as well as a pouch for litter.
US09149130B2
An illuminating device includes an aluminum extrusion profile fixed on a back panel of a showcase, and a lamp device. A face panel of the showcase is secured to an end of the aluminum extrusion profile away from the back panel. In the middle of the aluminum extrusion profile defines a sliding slot extending horizontally. The face panel defines an elongated slot corresponding to the sliding slot. The lamp device includes a lamp and a conductive head. A conductive structure is secured to the sliding slot for allowing the conductive head to be plugged therein and conduct the conductive head. The conductive head can slide along the sliding slot to be located at any desired position to illuminate objects on the showcase. A ratchet connecting mechanism is arranged on the sliding slot and configured to mount and remove the conductive head.
US09149118B2
A mounting fixture for attaching at least one device for controlling the movement of a furniture part which is received on a stationary furniture part so as to be movable in a driven manner. According to the invention, a fastening mechanism is provided, with elongate profiles which extend separately from each other with a clearance in between them and to which the device for controlling the movement can be attached.
US09149113B2
A piece of furniture (1) has a first piece (4) attached to second and third pieces (2) being perpendicular to the first piece (4) and where two opposing edges (5) of the first piece (4) are attached to one of the second and third pieces (2) each. The edges (5) of the first piece (4) are received in a groove (10) of each of the second and third pieces (2), that the first piece (1) is perpendicular to the second and third pieces (2) and that the second and third pieces (2) are placed parallel to each other. The mounting of a back of a cupboard is made in that two opposing vertical edges of the back is received in a vertical groove each at the edge of two side pieces, which two side pieces are arranged at the two opposing vertical edges of the back.
US09149105B2
A hair dryer comprises a housing (1), a fan assembly, a heating element, and a handle (2). The fan assembly and the heating element are located in the housing (1). The handle (2) and the housing (1) are in rotational connection. An upper portion of the handle (2) is U-shaped. A rotating shaft is located at the end of the U-shaped upper portion. The U-shaped upper portion is provided with a hair brush at a position corresponding to the air inlet of the housing (1). The housing (1) can swing left and right on the handle (2). When the housing (1) is swung, the hair brush can clean the dust at the air inlet of the housing (1), making the hair dryer both simple and sanitary.
US09149104B2
A hair dryer includes a main dryer unit having a dryer outlet and a nozzle which is mounted on the main dryer unit. The nozzle includes a nozzle body and a rotational body. The nozzle body has a first end portion, a second end portion, and an engagement structure provided on the first end portion and is arranged for connecting to the air outlet of the hair dryer. The rotational body has an air-flowing channel longitudinally extended along an axis of the rotational body, an outer rotational surface, and a plurality of through air outlets provided on the outer rotational surface and is communicated with the air-flowing channel, wherein the rotational body is mounted at the second end portion of the nozzle body for allowing hair to be curled on the rotational surface and dried by air blowing out of the air outlets.
US09149101B2
A hair styling device comprises a handle, a heatable elongated member having a longitudinal axis, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion of the elongated member is connected to the handle. The device has a hair retention slot at the distal portion of the elongated sized to receive and retain a section of a user's hair. Also described is an attachment for a hair styling device providing such a hair retention slot and a method of using the device and the attachment.
US09149100B2
A case for a portable electronic device and a keyboard includes a first cover portion, an engagement member secured to the first cover portion and configured to support the portable electronic device, a second cover portion configured to support the keyboard, and a spine portion connecting the first cover portion to the second cover portion. The spine portion allows movement of the first cover portion relative to the second cover portion so that the case is positionable in a closed position and in an operating position. The case also includes a rigid spine component coupled to the second cover portion adjacent the spine portion. The rigid spine component includes a groove configured to receive a portion of at least one of the engagement member and the portable electronic device when the case is in the operating position.
US09149098B2
It is described a foldable articulated arm comprising a first rod-shaped element, a second rod-shaped element and a third rod-shaped element foldable one another and at least three stretching element of the rod-shaped elements, arranged to form a system of four-bar linkages, further comprising a plurality of joint elements of the rod-shaped elements and the stretching elements and having, at the opposite ends, a retaining mechanism for a respective combining with a tube and an umbrella sheet, wherein the rod-shaped elements, the joint elements, the stretching elements and the retaining mechanism are all made integral in a single piece of plastic material constituting the foldable articulated arm.
US09149094B2
An accessory adapter for mounting an ornamental piece with two opposing edges. The adapter has a body with two spaced members forming a cavity therebetween for receiving one of the edges. The body also has an exterior surface configured to be fixed to an anchoring portion for mounting the adapter on a human body or object. A movable member is rotatably mounted on the body and rotatable to engage the other edge of the two opposing edges to releasably secure the adapter to the ornamental piece.
US09149085B2
A portable brim can be securely attached to and operate with various helmets such as bicycle, skateboarding, snow sport, mountain/rock climbing, equestrian, and paddlesport helmets as well as hard hats used in construction, utility maintenance, material moving, dock loading, and airport baggage handling, to give the wearer shade and protection from the sun. The brim apparatus includes a center section having a size for fitting about a circumference of the sports helmet and a visor outwardly or radially extending from the center section. In one brim apparatus the center section features a stop surface that opposes an upper surface of the visor when the apparatus is affixed to the headgear such that the visor is prohibited from flipping upwards or sliding down or coming off during use.
US09149082B2
A hitch for lifting the hem of a skirted garment, or garment set comprising a skirt and hitch. The hitch comprises a strip of flexible fabric with coacting fastening means affixed near each end of its length, securing the hitch in a loop when fastened. The fastening means may comprise a button and buttonhole, a snap, a hook-and-loop fastening system, or other fastening means. The garment set can include a hitch featuring a button and buttonhole, and a skirt that comprises a waistband and a second button, the second button affixed to the waistband. One method of removably securing in a raised position a portion of a skirt comprises passing a garment hitch under the hemline of the skirt; passing the garment hitch through the band of the garment; and fastening the garment hitch to itself, thereby forming a secured loop whereby the hitch circumscribes the portion of the skirt.
US09149081B2
A garment is disclosed having multiple wearing options. The garment includes a waistband that defines inner openings and outer openings in the front of the waistband assembly on opposing sides of the front centerline of the garment providing access to the drawstring channel from the inner side and the outer side of the waist assembly, respectively. The drawstring optionally passes through the pair of inner openings or the outer openings to tie in the front of the garment. In this manner, the waist assembly that provides multiple wearing options, including with the drawstring exposed, with the drawstring hidden, and waistband flipped with drawstring and indicia exposed.
US09149077B1
A cell phone glove includes a wrist portion, a wrist space in the wrist portion, a cell phone pocket in the wrist portion adjacent to the wrist space, a finger portion disposed in spaced-apart relationship to the wrist portion, a plurality of connecting straps connecting the finger portion to the wrist portion and a hand space between the wrist portion and the finger portion.
US09149073B1
A mechanism within the garment for retaining an electronic device such as a smartphone or portable media player so that it can be in an in-use operational condition while an individual is wearing the garment and engaged in physical activity such as walking, running or other exercise. The mechanism is a compression sleeve which contains within it a pocket that extends through the body of the sleeve having a transparent window so that the electronic device can be inserted into the pocket and the screen of the electronic device can be viewed through the transparent window.
US09149071B2
Smoke filters that reduce the concentration of carbon monoxide and phenols in a smoke stream may include a porous mass section comprising a plurality of active particles, a plurality of binder particles, and an active coating disposed on at least a portion of the active particles and the binder particles, wherein the active particles and the binder particles are bound together at a plurality of contact points; and a filter section. In some instances, a filter may include a porous mass section comprising a plurality of active particles and a plurality of binder particles, wherein the active particles and the binder particles are bound together at a plurality of contact points without an adhesive; and a filter section comprising an active dopant.
US09149066B2
An apparatus for stripping and sorting leaves from stalks of agricultural crops. The apparatus includes a base frame having a first longitudinal member, the first longitudinal member having a first end and a second end, and a second longitudinal member in a parallel spaced-relationship with the first longitudinal member, a plurality of cross members arranged perpendicularly along at least the first longitudinal member, each of the plurality of cross members having a lower stripping member for receiving the stalk of an agricultural crop, a plurality of upper stripping members, each upper stripping member positionable to cooperate with a corresponding lower stripping member to substantially encircle the stalk and stalk gripping assembly for engaging and conveying the stalk along the apparatus in a direction from the first end to the second end of the first longitudinal member.
US09149062B2
Compositions for preventing or treating kidney disease comprising one or more food ingredients containing relatively low amounts of protein, sodium, and potassium, typically protein in amounts of from about 5% to about 40%, sodium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and potassium in amounts of from about 0.01% to about 1%, and methods comprising administering such compositions to patients susceptible to or suffering from kidney disease for the purpose of preventing or treating kidney disease.
US09149059B2
A method of processing food elements of plant tissue having a cellular structure with substantial starch content comprising arranging the food elements in an aqueous liquid and applying acoustic energy with a selected frequency energy and time profile to modify the cellular structure of a surface portion of the food elements by removing components from the cellular structure and establishing a pectin based surface portion surrounding a core portion and adapted to act as a barrier in a high temperature subsequent cooking process, the modified cellular structure providing for a relatively low moisture surface portion to be established and maintained and moisture to be substantially retained in the core portion after subsequent cooking processes.
US09149056B2
A pet food composition having at least two carotenoids. The carotenoids can include a keto-carotenoid and at least one non-keto-carotenoid. The keto-carotenoid can include astaxanthin. The keto-carotenoid can include astaxanthin ester. The non-keto-carotenoid can include beta-carotene and/or lutein.
US09149051B2
The present invention relates generally to dairy compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different dairy compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and a dairy product. The present invention also relates to dairy compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the dairy compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.
US09149048B2
The present invention relates to a lactase solution comprising a lactase solution comprising less than 10 g/kg of poly and oligosaccharides, a process for the production of such a lactase solution from an untreated lactase solution, a sterilized lactase, whereby such lactose is filter sterilized in-line with the milk production process.
US09149047B2
The invention relates to an L-shaped supporting body for accommodating a fish and for conveying said fish tail first through a cutting unit having a circular blade pair of a fish processing apparatus, which has a continuously revolving conveyor, wherein the supporting body has a main body for fastening said supporting body to the conveyor and a bearing web, which protrudes beyond a side wall of the main body and which has a supporting edge arranged at the top for accommodating the backbone of the fish to be accommodated, the bearing web having a groove arranged on the underside, which groove is designed as a counter-support for the circular blade pair. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding apparatus for processing fish.
US09149035B2
An antiseptic composition suitable for use on skin and wounds comprising a source of an antimicrobial agent and an agent which disrupts biofilms. More, particularly the invention relates to a composition capable of providing effective antimicrobial activity while at the same time avoiding wound and skin irritation and retardation of wound healing.
US09149034B2
The present invention comprises formulations comprising at least one pesticide and at least one block copolymer of formula (I) wherein Ra is branched or linear C6-C24 alkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C3-C8 cycloalkyl substituted with C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl, phenyl substituted with C1-C6 alkyl, benzyl, benzyl substituted with C1-C6 alkyl, C4-C6 alkyl substituted with C4-C12 alkoxy or C1-C4 alkyl substituted with di (C1-C4 alkyl) amino; Rb is derived from a diisocyanate and Rc is a compound of formula II (R1)n—X—(CHR2CH2O)w—(CHR3CH2O)χ—(CHR4(CH2)yO)z— (II), in which R1 is hydrogen, or branched or linear, saturated or unsaturated C1-40-alkyl; R2, R3, R4 independently of one another are hydrogen or C1-4-alkyl; w, x, z independently of one another correspond to a value of from 0 to 300; y corresponds to a value of from 1 to 20; X is N or O, where n=1 if X=O, or n=2 if X=N; and the total of w, x and z amounts to at least 1; methods of combating harmful insects and/or phytopathogenic fungi, a method of controlling undesired vegetation and methods of improving the health of plants based on the afore-mentioned formulations.
US09149027B2
A jig body adapted to at least temporarily mount a soft plastic lure relative thereto is provided. The jig body includes an elongate shank, a line attachment portion relative to a first end of the elongate shank, a hook mounting element along the length of the shank, a soft plastic lure retention portion, and at least one portion of positive or negative buoyancy.
US09149022B2
Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and/or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and/or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.
US09149013B2
A system for managing irrigation equipment comprises a first irrigation system for applying water in a first irrigated area, a second irrigation system for applying water in a second irrigated area, a control system for controlling the irrigation systems, and a user interface for enabling a user to configure the control system. The user interface presents a map view of a geographic area including the irrigated areas and includes a first graphical element corresponding to the first irrigation system and a second graphical element corresponding to the second irrigation system. The user interface further presents a first interactive control panel for controlling the first irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the first graphical element, and presents a second interactive control panel for controlling the second irrigation system concurrently with the map view when the user selects the second graphical element.
US09149009B2
Devices and methods for attaching objects to living trees. Various forms of the devices employ a flexible member and mounting member that are configured to be looped and secured around a tree portion at a beginning of a predetermined time period. The mounting member and flexible member are configured to slide relative to each other to accommodate growth of the tree portion such that the device remains secured to the tree portion for at least the duration of the predetermined period of time without the need for human intervention. In other embodiments, the mounting member is integrally formed with the object or no mounting member is employed.
US09148993B1
An agricultural potassium-fertigation method for emitter-irrigation potassium fertigation feeds a potassium-nutrient feedstock comprised of potassium formate and water to an active emitter-irrigation system continuously, or substantially continuously, at low levels, during the entire time, or substantially the entire time, that irrigation water is sufficiently flowing through the irrigation system during a prolonged term.
US09148991B2
An inductor box for an agricultural implement includes an inlet configured to receive agricultural product from a tank. The inductor box also includes a housing having a cavity therein. The cavity is configured to receive the agricultural product from the inlet. The inductor box includes a gate configured to be removably inserted between the inlet and the cavity, to block the agricultural product from entering the cavity while disposed between the inlet and the cavity, and to enable the agricultural product to enter the cavity while removed from being disposed between the inlet and the cavity. The inductor box includes a first guide coupled to the housing and configured to direct the gate away from the inlet. The first guide is disposed between the gate and the inlet while the gate is disposed between the inlet and the cavity.
US09148988B2
A depth control system for a frame mounted to a movement system is provided. The frame is mounted such that the frame can be raised and lowered in relation to the movement system by a height adjustment mechanism. The depth control system includes a depth control arm connected to the movement system, a height adjustment mechanism, and a mechanical stop. The height adjustment mechanism is configured to engage with the depth control arm to adjust the height of the frame. The mechanical stop is configured to engage with the depth control arm to prevent the frame from moving in at least one direction with respect to the movement system and disengage from the depth control arm when the height of the frame is being adjusted.
US09148987B2
An agricultural caddy assembly and agricultural trailer are provided. The agricultural caddy assembly includes a wheel attachment member, a tractor-tool attachment frame, and a bolster for rotatably connecting the wheel attachment member to the tractor-tool attachment frame. The agricultural trailer includes a tractor hitch, a tool frame, a wheel attachment member, a tractor-tool attachment frame connected to the tractor hitch and the tool frame, and a bolster for rotatably connecting the wheel attachment member to the tractor-tool attachment frame.
US09155229B2
An information technology enclosure has a processing subsystem and infrastructure subsystem in separate shipping containers that cooperate to process information. The processing subsystem has increased information processing density by concentrating information handling systems in a first processing shipping container that is supported with infrastructure equipment in a second infrastructure shipping container. In one embodiment, the shipping containers are arranged in a stacked configuration so that cooled air and exhausted air are exchanged through aligned vents formed in the ceiling and floor of stacked shipping containers.
US09155228B2
An equipment cabinet (1) has a first compartment (3), a second compartment (5), and a ventilation system. The first compartment (3) may be an inner or electronic compartment and the second compartment (5) may be an outer or battery compartment. The ventilation system has at least one operating configuration which enables air to flow from outside the second compartment to the first compartment then to the second compartment, and which enables little or no air to flow from the second compartment to the first compartment. The ventilation system has another operating configuration in which little or no air can flow from outside the second compartment to the first compartment, little or no air can flow from the second compartment to the first compartment, and air is able to substantially recirculate through or in the first compartment.
US09155224B2
A printed circuit board having an electronic component which is to be cooled by a cooling surface biased thereon, where the biasing elements are abutted not by the PCB but a stiffer element attached to the PCB in order to not strain or bend the PCB.
US09155223B2
A thermally controlled assembly having two parallel PCBs defining there between, and by the aid of a channel forming element, a channel in which air is forced, using a fan, to cool components in the channel. The fan has a cooling surface cooled by air from the fan and which is biased toward an element provided in a space below the cooling surface. The forced air also drawing air from outside the assembly through the space and into the channel to cool other elements provided in the space.
US09155220B2
A coupling member is coupled to a support column of a rack. A plate-shaped member is rotatably engaged with a coupling member with one longitudinal end as an axis. An L-shaped member includes a first flat plate and a second flat plate orthogonal to the first flat plate and includes, with a transverse end of the first flat plate rotatably engaged with one plate face of the plate-shaped member with the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped member as an axis and with a plate face of the first flat plate in intimate contact with the one plate face, a mounting member in which the second flat plate protrudes from one transverse end of the plate-shaped member and a fixing mechanism that fixes the mounting member with the plate face of the first flat plate in intimate contact with the one plate face of the plate-shaped member.
US09155214B2
A cable backplane system includes a backplane having a plurality of openings and mounting locations with guide holes and a datum surface. A cable rack is coupled to the backplane. The cable rack includes a tray having a frame and spacer assemblies coupled to the tray. The spacer assemblies are coupled to the backplane at corresponding mounting locations. Each spacer assembly has a floating spacer and a spring pressing the floating spacer in a biasing direction. The floating spacer is allowed to float relative to the frame in the biasing direction. The floating spacer has a guide pin extending from a front thereof. The spring presses the floating spacer in the biasing direction such that the guide pin is received in the guide hole and the front of the floating spacer abuts against the datum surface.
US09155213B2
A combination clip and table top supporting device for use with any of a smartphone or other portable electronic device. The device includes a body having opposing and extending ends and which is constructed of a resilient and biasing material. The attachable electronic device is adapted to secure to a face of the body. A multi-sided kickstand is pivotally attached to the body and adjustable for supporting the body and attached device upon a surface location.
US09155211B2
A fixing mechanism for fixing a slidable display module relative to a host module is disclosed. The fixing mechanism includes a track portion, a sliding portion, at least one positioning structure and at least one engaging structure. The track portion is disposed on the host module. The sliding portion is connected to the display module and slidably installed inside the track portion, so that the display module is slidably installed on the host module. The at least one positioning structure is disposed on the track portion. The at least one engaging structure is disposed on the sliding portion. The at least one engaging structure engages with the at least one positioning structure when the sliding portion slides to an engaging position relative to the track portion, so as to fix the display module on the host module.
US09155208B2
A conductive connection structure for a conductive wiring layer of a flexible circuit board includes a first through hole and a second through hole formed in a lamination structure including a conductive wiring layer, a first covering layer, and a second covering layer. The first through hole extends through the first covering layer and the conductive wiring layer. The second through hole extends through the second covering layer. The second through hole is formed at a location corresponding to an exposed zone on a second surface of the conductive wiring layer and communicates with the first through hole. A first conductive paste layer is formed on a surface of the first covering layer and fills in the first through hole to form a pillar portion in the first through hole. The pillar portion has a bottom end forming a curved cap. The exposed zone of the second surface of the conductive wiring layer is at least partially covered by the curved cap.
US09155207B2
An anisotropic conductive film, containing a resin film; and conductive particles aligned into a monolayer within the resin film adjacent to or on one plane of the resin film with respect to a thickness direction of the resin film, wherein a distance between the one plane of the resin film and a center of the conductive particle is 9 μm or less based on 10-point average.
US09155205B2
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes at least an electronic element; and a circuit board having a base with at least a block, wherein the at least a block is used as a replaceable carrying portion for carrying the electronic element, and the electronic element is electrically connected to the circuit board. As such, when a defect occurs to the replaceable carrying portion, the replaceable carrying portion as well as the defective electronic element can be removed and replaced with good ones.
US09155204B2
A manufacturing method of a wiring board and a semiconductor device at low cost and by a simple process, without performing complicated steps many times is proposed. Furthermore, a manufacturing method of a wiring board at low cost and with fewer adverse effects on the environment, and a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device using the wiring board are proposed. A pattern of a conductive material is formed over a first substrate, a conductive film is formed over the pattern by an electrolytic plating process, the pattern and the conductive film are separated, an IC chip including at least one thin film transistor is formed over a second substrate, and the conductive film is electrically connected to the IC chip.
US09155196B2
A wiring board includes a substrate having a laminated-inductor forming portion and including multiple first insulation layers and a second insulation layer formed on a first side of the first insulation layers such that the first insulation layers have the laminated-inductor forming portion, and a planar conductor formed on the second insulation layer of the substrate and formed to shield electromagnetic force generated from the laminated-inductor forming portion of the substrate. The laminated-inductor forming portion of the substrate has multiple inductor patterns formed on the first insulation layers and multiple via conductors connecting the inductor patterns through the first insulation layers, and the inductor patterns include an uppermost inductor pattern formed between the second insulation layer and the first insulation layers such that the uppermost inductor pattern has a distance of 100 μm or more from the planar conductor.
US09155194B1
An arrangement having a processor electrically to, and mounted on, a portion of a surface of a motherboard. A plurality of memory cards is plugged into memory board slot type connectors on a surface of the memory card printed circuit board with the surface of the memory card printed circuit board being perpendicular to the surface of the motherboard. A right angle backplane connector has a first end disposed perpendicular to, and electrically connected to the surface of a motherboard and a second end disposed on the surface of, and electrically connected to, the memory card printed circuit board. The plurality of memory cards is parallel to the surface of the motherboard. An ejector mechanism is provided for removing the memory printed circuit board from an electrical connector receptacle mounted to the motherboard by camming action.
US09155178B1
A laser-produced plasma extreme ultraviolet source has a buffer gas to slow ions down and thermalize them in a low temperature plasma. The plasma is initially trapped in a symmetrical cusp magnetic field configuration with a low magnetic field barrier to radial motion. Plasma overflows in a full range of radial directions and is conducted by radial field lines to a large area annular array of beam dumps.
US09155174B2
A power control/lighting system includes a controller to provide compatibility between a lamp ballast configured to receive a dedicated dimmer signal and a phase control dimmer. In at least one embodiment, the controller converts a phase control dimming signal into dimming information useable by a lamp ballast of a gas discharge lamp based lighting system. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the controller also controls power factor correction of the power control/lighting system. In at least one embodiment, the controller provides dimming information based on the phase control dimming signal that allows the lamp ballast to be used in conjunction with a phase control dimmer.
US09155172B2
A load control device for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load includes an antenna and a communication circuit to receive and transmit messages via radio frequency (RF) signals. The communication circuit is coupled to the power source but is capacitively coupled to the antenna. The capacitive coupling is formed through multiple layers of a printed circuit board (PCB) in which each layer includes a conductive trace that neighbors another conductive trace on an adjacent layer. The capacitive coupling provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the communication circuit which accordingly, provides that the antenna is electrically isolated from the power source.
US09155169B2
A device that allows to turn on and off the lights of a house or room, offices or buildings, intelligently and automatically by detection without people manual intervention, more specifically, this device is provided with means for detect people entry and exit, media controllers or people quantifiers for entering or leaving a place or a room, allowing in a way to avoid unintentional lights on neglect, and in other way obtain efficiency and power saving, which does not occur with current on and off systems.
US09155160B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display device including an organic electroluminescence element, which has element characteristics comparable to those in the case of a vacuum in-situ process, while utilizing a patterning approach based on photolithography. The method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescence display device includes: an organic compound layer-forming step of forming an organic compound layer at least on a first electrode; a release layer-forming step of forming a release layer on the organic compound layer; a release layer-processing step of processing the release layer; and an organic compound layer-processing step of removing the organic compound layer in a region not covered with the release layer processed in the release layer-processing step, and at least the lowermost layer out of the release layer is a deposited film formed of a material soluble in a polar solvent.
US09155156B2
An electronic circuit, referred to as an on-time extension circuit herein, provides an ability to adjust a power delivered to a load by pulsing a predetermined current to the load. The on time of the a DC-DC converter used to provide the power is extended to be longer than the on time of the current pulse when the on time of the current pulses becomes very short.
US09155155B1
A method and illumination device are provided for interference-resistant compensation in light emitting diode (LED) devices. In one embodiment, the method includes initiating a sequence of measurements during multiple measurement intervals interspersed with periods of illumination. The sequence of measurements includes sensitive measurements performed during measurement intervals when a non-constant external illumination is not present, and at least one non-sensitive measurement performed during an interval when non-constant external illumination is present. An embodiment of an illumination device comprising a lamp includes multiple emission LED elements, one or more photodetectors, a storage medium adapted for storing configuration information, and a lamp control circuit. The configuration information includes ordering of sensitive and non-sensitive measurements within a sequence of compensation measurements that the lamp is configured to perform, and ordering of interfering and non-interfering measurements within an additional sequence of measurements that an additional lamp is configured to perform.
US09155154B2
An operating device (1) for driving a multicolored light source (2) is specified, comprising a touch-sensitive operating element (10), which is designed to be operated by means of touch by a user, a proximity switch (11), which is designed to switch on the touch-sensitive operating element (10) when the user approaches the touch-sensitive operating element (10), and a control device (12), which is designed to control a multicolored light source (2), wherein the control device (12) is designed to control the multicolored light source (2) with a predetermined number of colors and brightnesses, and the touch-sensitive operating element (10) is designed to select a color and a brightness from the predetermined number of colors and brightnesses depending on the touch by the user.
US09155153B1
A sensor lighting control system automatically controls lighting on a home automation network without creating unnecessary network traffic. A sensor module uses the light level to determine when a command to turn the light ON should be resent over the network.
