US09176202B2
Electronics module assemblies (“EMAs”) for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems are described herein. An EMA configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing having a body portion, cover portion that attaches to the body portion to form an enclosure, and protrusion extending outwardly from the cover portion. The protrusion can have an outer boundary at which the protrusion projects away from the cover portion. The EMA can further include a crash sensor within the enclosure in an area defined by the outer boundary of the protrusion. The protrusion can form an envelope of space around the crash sensor that defines a minimum distance an external object with a magnetic field can come to the crash sensor without activating it. The EMA can optionally include a magnetic field configured to disable the crash sensor upon the detection of an external magnetic field.
US09176201B2
In a ground fault detection device, two photovoltaic strings are disconnected from a photovoltaic power generation system, measurement for one photovoltaic string is performed by a measuring instrument, and in parallel therewith, the other photovoltaic string before measurement is charged/discharged by a charging/discharging unit by executing various functions of the calculation control unit. In other words, charging/discharging of the photovoltaic string is performed in advance at the same timing as the measurement of the photovoltaic string so that the measurement can be performed immediately after the photovoltaic string is connected to the measuring instrument in a subsequent step.
US09176197B2
System and methods for measuring parameters of a battery system using a battery sensing circuit are presented. In certain embodiments, the systems and methods allow a vehicle battery sensing circuit and/or other associated system to measure a compensation parameter. The compensation parameter may be utilized by the battery sensing circuit and/or other associated system in measuring other parameters relating to the battery system including cell voltages.
US09176190B2
A test circuit includes a through via test unit configured to be set to a first resistance value in response to a first test control signal and to a second resistance value in response to the first test control signal and a second test control signal, and form a current path including a through via that electrically connects a first chip and a second chip; and a test measurement unit configured to supply a test voltage to the through via and measure a current flowing through the through via.
US09176188B2
A system on a chip (SoC) includes a transceiver comprising a transmitter having a power amplifier and a receiver having a signal buffer. At least one of the transmitter and receiver has a configurable portion that can be configured to produce a range of waveforms (both in waveshape as well as duty cycle). A low cost built in self test (BIST) logic is coupled to the transceiver. The BIST logic is operable to calibrate the configurable portion of the transceiver to produce a waveform that has a selected harmonic component that has an amplitude that is less than a threshold value. Current consumed by the transceiver may be dynamically reduced by selecting an optimized waveform that has low harmonic components.
US09176176B2
The present invention provides a radio field intensity measurement device having a display portion with improved visibility, in the case of measuring a weak radiowave from a long distance. In the radio field intensity measurement device, a battery is provided as a power source for power supply and the battery is charged by a received radiowave. When a potential of a signal obtained from the received radiowave is higher than an output potential of the battery, the power is stored in the battery. On the other hand, when the potential of the signal obtained from the received radiowave is lower than the output potential of the battery, power produced by the battery is used as power to drive the radio field intensity measurement device. As an element to display the radio field intensity, a thermochromic element or an electrochromic element is used.
US09176174B1
A system adapted to measure electrical performance of a device under test (DUT) having two or more ports includes a plurality of signal sources synchronized and configured to generated signals simultaneously, a plurality of first signal paths to obtain transmitted and reflected signals from the DUT, a plurality of second signal paths to obtain incident signals from the signal sources, and a receiver for receiving the reflected, transmitted and incident signals obtained at the first signal paths and the second signal paths. The receiver is adapted to separate the reflected and the transmitted signals obtained from each of the first signal paths. The signal sources are configured to each generate a signal having a frequency offset from each of the others of the signal sources by a known frequency delta.
US09176172B2
A power level identification circuit includes a power interface, a voltage conversion unit, a waveform detection unit, a signal pre-processing unit and a processing unit. The power interface receives electrical power and first signals indicating a level of the power. The voltage conversion unit receives the power from the power interface and converts the power. The waveform detection unit filters the power and obtains the first signals indicating power level. The signal pre-processing unit shapes the waveform of the first signals indicating power level and thereby generates second signals indicating power level. The processing unit identifies a level of the second signals indicating power level and switches to one of modes of the power level identification circuit corresponding to the identified level of the second signals indicating power level. A power level flag circuit and a power level supply system are also provided.
US09176160B2
A fan identification system identifies a fan type of a fan in an electronic system. The fan identification system includes a controller that includes: a setting module for setting a fan identification characteristic value corresponding to a pulse width modulation duty cycle with a substantial maximum difference between a fan speed of a first type of fan and a fan speed of a second type of fan; a reading module for reading a stable fan speed value after the fan receives the fan identification characteristic value and is initiated with the fan identification characteristic value; and an identification module for identifying the fan as the first type of fan or the second type of fan based on which fan has a predetermined fan speed that is the closest to the stable fan speed value when operating at the fan identification characteristic value.
US09176154B2
An improved calibration process for a medical testing machine. The machine automatically recognizes that a package of calibration material has been inserted into it, and performs a calibration sequence to ascertain a calibration parameter to be used in performing future tests with the medical testing machine. The calibration package may include machine-readable indicators that the package is to be used for calibration, and of a calibration setpoint of a calibration material in the package. A calibration material may be stored in a lyophilized state in the package, and the medical testing machine may automatically reconstitute the lyophilized material.
US09176153B2
The invention relates to the use of a peptide which binds to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or lipoteichoic acid (LTA), for manufacturing a pharmaceutical composition for treating sepsis or septic shock, wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence of apolipoprotein CI (apoCI) or a part thereof that comprises at least the amino acids of the C-terminal helix of apoCI. The use of human apoCI is preferred. The peptide can be administered clinically to patients who have sepsis or threaten to develop sepsis. Measurement of the apoCI content in blood can be utilized for determining the severity and prognosis of the course of the septic condition or for monitoring an anti-sepsis treatment.
US09176150B2
The invention relates to neuromodulatory oligomers of the amyloid-β(1-42) protein, a particular production method, by means of which the oligomer can be obtained in a reproducible manner at high yield, the use of the oligomers as diagnostic and therapeutics agents, for the generation of oligomer-specific antibodies and for the discovery of substances which can interact with the oligomers and in the formation thereof. Corresponding methods for the production of the antibodies and for discovery of the substances are also disclosed as are the antibodies themselves and the use of the antibodies or substances as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. The invention further relates to derivatives of the oligomers and oligomers based on abbreviated forms of the amyloid-β(1-42) proteins, the production and use thereof.
US09176144B2
The present invention relates to the use, in cosmetics and in therapeutics, of at least one antimicrobial protein belonging to the ribonuclease family, ribonuclease 7, or of polypeptides derived from said protein, notably as a marker for evaluating the condition of the epidermis. It further relates to the use of at least one polypeptide according to the invention, of at least one nucleic acid sequence coding for a polypeptide according to the invention, or of at least one agent that modulates the expression or the activity, notably biological, of said polypeptide or of its interaction with an element of the extracellular matrix, for the preparation of compositions intended for the prevention and/or treatment of skin disorders.
US09176142B2
Incorporation of modified branched polymers in one or more components of assays enhances sensitivity, specificity or both, providing powerful point of use tests.
US09176139B2
The present application relates to anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies and their use in purification, diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Antibodies include monoclonal antibodies, humanized antibodies and functional fragments thereof. Anti-LOX and anti-LOXL2 antibodies can be used to identify and treat conditions such as a fibrotic condition, angiogenesis, or to prevent a transition from an epithelial cell state to a mesenchymal cell state.
US09176138B2
A method for identifying a subject being at risk for or having a chronic inflammatory disease, fibrillinopathy, atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease is provided. The method may include determining the concentration of GrA and/or GrB in a blood or serum sample from said subject; and comparing the concentrations to the corresponding concentration in a control sample, wherein an elevated concentration of GrA and/or GrB may be indicative of a chronic inflammatory disease, fibrillinopathy, atherosclerosis, or coronary artery disease. The method may further include identifying concentrations of fibrinogen, elastin and/or fibrillin.
US09176136B2
A hybridoma cell line ST03 having China Center for Type Culture Collection (CCTCC) accession number C2013187, a monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST produced by the hybridoma cell line ST03, and the use of the monoclonal antibody. The hybridoma cell line ST03 can be used for preparing a high-titer monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST, and the titer of mouse ascites antibody against aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can reach 6.4×105. The monoclonal antibody against aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST has high sensitivity, has 50% inhibiting concentration IC50 to aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST of 0.36 ng/mL, has no cross reaction with all of aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, and aflatoxin G2, and can be used for the content determination of aflatoxin biosynthetic precursor ST.
US09176134B2
The invention comprises an oligonucleotide selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6. The invention also comprises a complementary oligonucleotide of the oligonucleotide selected from the group comprising SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3; SEQ ID NO: 4; SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6, an oligonucleotide being at least 80% homologous thereto, a truncated portion of any of the aforementioned, or a pairing of any of the aforementioned.
US09176131B2
The invention concerns an in vitro method for diagnosing Crohn's disease, or for determining predisposition in a person to develop Crohn's disease, by detecting an overexpression of the CD66c receptor in subjects suffering from said disease or at risk. The invention also concerns preventive or curative treatment of Crohn's disease.
US09176126B2
This invention is in the field of medical devices. Specifically, the present invention provides portable medical devices that allow real-time detection of analytes from a biological fluid. The methods and devices are particularly useful for providing point-of-care testing for a variety of medical applications.
US09176121B2
A method of identifying the elements of a blood sample including placing an aliquot of blood on a transparent substrate such as a coverslip. The blood is allowed to stand and the cells to settle to form a layer or matrix. Inverted microscopy is used to identify the elements in the sample. Various forms of illumination may be used alone or in multiple combinations. The method improves the accuracy due to homogenous distribution of formed elements in the wet drop or aliquot, simplifies the method, lowers the cost of the test and results in a shortened analytical cycle time.
US09176116B2
The present invention refers to a cell culture system especially for investigating the sensitizing, allergenic and/or irritating effect of substances, comprising a first and a second compartment that can communicate with each other via a permeable interlayer, whereby the first compartment has an epidermis model and the second a cell culture based on immune cells.
US09176107B2
A method for analyzing gas dissolved within a fluid filled asset includes extracting the fluid from the fluid filled asset, circulating the fluid though a first fluid loop, and passing the extracted fluid along a first side of a gas permeable membrane. Gas is extracted from a second side of the gas permeable membrane and the extracted gas is circulated through a second fluid loop. The first fluid loop and the second fluid loop are separated by the gas permeable membrane. The method further includes controlling a pressure differential across the gas permeable membrane to a predetermined pressure differential and providing the extracted gas to a gas analysis unit located within the second fluid loop. The chemical makeup of the extracted gas is periodically determined using the gas analysis unit.
US09176105B2
The disclosed methods use a multi-phase system to separate samples according to the density of an analyte of interest. The method uses a multi-phase system that comprises two or more phase-separated solutions and a phase component such as a surfactant or polymer. The density of the analyte of interest differs from the densities of the rest of the sample. The density of the analyte of interest is substantially the same as one or more phases. Thus, when the sample is introduced to the multi-phase system, the analyte of interest migrates to the phase having the same density as the analyte of interest, passing through one or more phases sequentially.
US09176103B2
Chemical indicator compositions comprising a bismuth compound; elemental sulfur; and a compound with relatively high water solubility which makes the composition alkaline when exposed to water vapor at an elevated temperature; a chemical indicator comprising a substrate and the composition coated on at least a portion of a major surface of the substrate; and methods of making and using the chemical indicator are disclosed.
US09176083B2
A system includes a vessel system for a fluid, a sampling assembly and a resonant sensor system coupled to the sampling assembly. The resonant sensor system may include a subsystem that detects a set of signals from a resonant sensor system at a plurality of locations in the vessel. The resonant sensor system may also include a subsystem that converts the set of signals to values of a complex impedance spectrum for the plurality of locations and stores the values of the complex impedance spectrum and frequency values. A subsystem determines a fluid phase inversion point from the values of the complex impedance spectrum.
US09176082B2
A method for evaluating damage to a thermal barrier applied to a component made from a metal substrate, the thermal barrier including a sublayer of aluminum and a layer of columnar-structure ceramic material, the sub-layer being positioned between the substrate and the ceramic layer, the method including: a first calibration including selection of a determined number of calibration components that have undergone various degrees of damage, exposing them for a given length of time to radiation, measuring temperature obtained at the surface after the given length of time and establishing a curve connecting an increase in temperature to damage, and a second measuring the damage to the thermal barrier of the component including exposure to the radiation for the length of time, measuring the temperature obtained, and relating the increase in temperature to the calibration curve in order, from the curve, to extract the level of damage.
US09176077B2
According to one embodiment, a holding apparatus includes an arcuated arm, a first roller, and a second roller. The arcuated arm is provided with a guide groove along the outer surface, has a hollow portion inside, and holds the X-ray generator and X-ray detector while making them squarely face each other. The first roller runs in the hollow portion in contact with the inner wall of the hollow portion on the outer surface side. The second roller runs in the guide groove while being fitted in the guide groove, and holds the arm together with the first roller so as to allow the arm to slide along the arcuated direction.
US09176069B2
An inspection system with selectable apodization includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a surface of a sample, a detector configured to detect at least a portion of light emanating from the surface of the sample, the illumination source and the detector being optically coupled via an optical pathway of an optical system, a selectably configurable apodization device disposed along the optical pathway, wherein the apodization device includes one or more apodization elements operatively coupled to one or more actuation stages configured to selectably actuate the one or more apodization elements along one or more directions, and a control system communicatively coupled to the one or more actuation and configured to selectably control apodization of illumination transmitted along the optical pathway by controlling an actuation state of the one or more apodization elements.
US09176065B2
Methods for fabricating nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering, structures thus obtained, and methods to characterize the nanoscale array structures suitable for surface enhanced Raman scattering. Nanoscale array structures may comprise nanotrees, nanorecesses and tapered nanopillars.
US09176047B2
A citrate detector is provided for use in combination with a blood processing system and replacement fluid tubing or conduit of a disposable set. The citrate detector comprises a light source and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit a light having a wavelength absorbed by citrate, but at least partially transmitted by the replacement fluid conduit of the disposable set. The light detector is configured to receive at least a portion of the light from the light source and generate a signal indicative of the presence or absence of citrate in the replacement fluid conduit based, at least in part, on the amount of light received from the light source. A blood processing system incorporating such a citrate detector may include a flow detector for determining whether fluid is present in the conduit prior to checking for the presence of citrate.
US09176039B2
A method for use in determining hydrogen embrittlement in a plated sample is provided. The method includes positioning the plated sample between a first holding member and a second holding member, moving the second holding member towards the first holding member to bend the plated sample, and applying a static load to the plated sample for a predetermined duration of time. The static load is applied by bending the plated sample to a distance between the first and second holding members that is a predetermined percentage of a baseline ultimate failure distance of the plated sample.
US09176036B2
An apparatus (10) for handling specimen slides comprises a first module receiving region (18) in which a coverslipping module (100, 200), for coverslipping thin sections arranged on the specimen slides with a coverslipping medium and a coverslipping element, is receivable. A first electrical interface is provided in the first module receiving region (18) for attachment of a coverslipping module (100, 200), this interface being embodied so that by way of it, both a glass coverslipping module (100) for coverslipping with glass wafers and a tape coverslipping module (200) for coverslipping with tapes is attachable. The first module receiving region (18) is furthermore embodied in such a way that a tape coverslipping module (200) or a glass coverslipping module (100) is selectably receivable in it.
US09176035B2
The present invention relates to a sampler which is capable of rapidly and easily separating blood corpuscles from blood, being operated conveniently, and directly using extracted plasma. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sampler includes a chamber and a membrane guide. Here, the chamber includes an insertion unit having an insertion hole on one side, wherein the other side is opened, and an inner side includes a receiving space for receiving a sample. Additionally, one side of the membrane guide is combined to the membrane, and the membrane guide includes a channel wherein filtered materials, which are filtered through the membrane among the samples received in the receiving space, are moved in a gravitational direction.
US09176033B2
An automated in situ heat induced antigen recovery and staining method and apparatus for treating a plurality of microscope slides. The process of heat induced antigen recovery and the process of staining the biological sample on the microscope slide are conducted in the same apparatus, wherein the microscope slides do not need to be physically removed from one apparatus to another. The reaction conditions for treating a slide can preferably be controlled independently, including the individualized application of reagents to each slide and the individualized treatment of each slide.
US09176030B2
A substrate is provided, which comprises a structured surface including a regular pattern of a plurality of elevated structures that are elevated with respect to a nominal surface of the substrate, wherein at least two dimensions are between 1 nm and 100 μm, the structured surface being configured to stimulate smooth crystallization of microcrystals or to boost hydrophobic properties. A target plate comprising a plurality of substrates is disclosed as well.
US09176028B2
A system for sampling a surface includes a sampling probe having a housing and a socket, and a rolling sampling sphere within the socket. The housing has a sampling fluid supply conduit and a sampling fluid exhaust conduit. The sampling fluid supply conduit supplies sampling fluid to the sampling sphere. The sampling fluid exhaust conduit has an inlet opening for receiving sampling fluid carried from the surface by the sampling sphere. A surface sampling probe and a method for sampling a surface are also disclosed.
US09176025B2
Apparatus and method of vibration testing for manufacturing defect detection in composite insulators
The present application relates to an apparatus and method for detecting defects in composite insulators used in power systems. The apparatus includes a test frame, a hydraulic cylinder connected to a first end of the test frame for imparting a load on a composite insulator, a hammer for imparting excitations into the composite insulator, and a data collection device for collecting frequency responses traveling in the composite insulator as a result of the hammer striking the insulator. The composite insulator is secured between the hydraulic cylinder and a second end of the test frame.
US09176022B2
A system according to the principles of the present disclosure includes a pressure sensor, a pressure variation module, and a purge flow diagnostic module. The pressure sensor generates a pressure signal indicating a pressure within a fuel system of an engine. The pressure variation module determines an amount of variation in the pressure signal over a period. The purge flow diagnostic module diagnoses a fault associated with flow through a purge valve of the fuel system when the pressure variation amount is less than a threshold.
US09176006B2
A system mounted in a vehicle for classifying light sources. The system includes a lens and a spatial image sensor. The lens is adapted to provide an image of a light source on the spatial image sensor. A diffraction grating is disposed between the lens and the light source. The diffraction grating is adapted for providing a spectrum. A processor is configured for classifying the light source as belonging to a class selected from a plurality of classes of light sources expected to be found in the vicinity of the vehicle, wherein the spectrum is used for the classifying of the light source. Both the image and the spectrum may be used for classifying the light source or the spectrum is used for classifying the light source and the image is used for another driver assistance application.
US09175991B2
A valve assembly is provided and includes a pitot tube having an angled tip to extract from a duct formed by a housing a sample of a fluid to be communicated to an actuator configured to operate the duct, the pitot tube being disposed within the housing whereby the pitot tube is fixed longitudinally between the actuator and the housing and laterally within the housing and an anti-rotation mechanism coupled with the pitot tube to rotationally secure the pitot tube such that the angled tip is fixed to face rearwardly.
US09175973B2
An event search area for searching for events of interest to the user, including a maximum off-route crow-fly distance from a user in-route travel path is established. One or more events of interest to the user is determined based on the established event search area. Each of the off-route travel paths that connect each event to the user in-route travel path is also determined. An off-route driving time and a total in-route and off-route driving time from the user in-route travel path to the applicable determined event and back are computed. The one determined off-route travel path that has a minimum computed off-route driving time and the one or more of the determined off-route travel paths that has a minimum computed total in-route and off-route driving time are identified and notified to the user.
US09175970B2
A method and system for remotely determining real-time operating fuel efficiencies based on dynamic operating characteristics of a vehicle to generate an optimal refueling management approach for the vehicle by providing refueling locations and associated refueling amounts for each refueling location, to achieve improved vehicle fuel economy, is provided.
US09175965B2
An apparatus includes a unit dividing a region into blocks having a predetermined bit length and generating addition data having the predetermined bit length corresponding to coordinate data, a unit storing storage data having the predetermined bit length, a unit generating composite data having a bit length twice the length of the predetermined bit length by connecting the addition data to the storage data, and storing the composite data, and a unit repeating an operation of designating the bit length of the composite data as the predetermined bit length, instructing to generate the addition data, and instructing to generate and store the composite data. The number of different bits between a bit string of a location corresponding to the input coordinate data and a bit string of a reference location tends to increase as a distance between the location corresponding to the coordinate data and the reference location increases.
US09175963B2
A method and system for operating a hand-held computer system for navigation. Embodiments of the present invention includes novel improvements to a navigation method and implementation through a device, which can include inertial and/or magnetic field sensors integrated within a hand held device. The method can include using a single-fix method or a dual-fix method. The single fix method includes monitoring travel distance or time for a pre-specified condition and updating the heading from a dead reckoning process based on a first position fix by using a map. The dual-fix method includes obtaining a second position fix and updating the heading based on the difference in displacement vectors from the dead reckoning process based on the first position fix.
US09175959B2
A measurement device (10) mounting arrangement includes a support member (30) and a sensing device (12) in a circuit housing (22). The circuit housing (22) is electrically and mechanically connected to the support member (30) through a mounting structure (32). The circuit housing (22) has a resonance frequency and the sensing device (12) has an operational resonance frequency. The sensing device (12) measures a physical parameter and provides a signal indicative thereof. An under-fill material (40) is located between the support member (30) and the circuit housing (22) for shifting the resonance frequency of the circuit housing (22) away from the operational resonance frequency of the sensing device (12).
US09175957B2
Brightness-by-column grayscale and spatial Σ-Δ modulation grayscale allow grayscale patterns to be produced using a binary spatial light modulator as fast as the bright/dark switching speed.
US09175952B2
A shape measurement method for a tire includes: detecting an outer surface shape data and an inner surface shape of the tire from image data of the outer surface and the inner surface; subjecting irregularities along the tire circumferential direction around the tire in the outer surface shape data and in the inner surface shape data to Fourier transformation to take out primary waveform components respectively; adjusting the tire circumferential positions of both of the waveform components to adjust the tire circumferential positions thereof; adjusting the tire radial direction cross section positions of the outer surface shape data and the inner surface shape data from information about the placement angles and the positions of the first camera and the second camera; and synthesizing the outer surface shape data and the inner surface shape data based on the adjusted tire circumferential positions and the tire radial direction cross section positions.
US09175945B2
The attenuation and other optical properties of a medium are exploited to measure a thickness of the medium between a sensor and a target surface. Disclosed herein are various mediums, arrangements of hardware, and processing techniques that can be used to capture these thickness measurements and obtain dynamic three-dimensional images of the target surface in a variety of imaging contexts. This includes general techniques for imaging interior/concave surfaces as well as exterior/convex surfaces, as well as specific adaptations of these techniques to imaging ear canals, human dentition, and so forth.
US09175934B1
An injector device configured to mount to a predatory unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for non-destructively disabling and controlling a threat UAV comprises a rigid housing having a hollow interior. A controllable mount structure attaches the rigid housing to the predatory UAV and aligns the housing opening with the fuselage or payload of the threat UAV. A rigid penetrator rod disposed in the interior of the housing is configured to pierce the fuselage and hence payload of the threat UAV. A conduit coupled to the penetrator rod enables a disabling substance to be conveyed through the penetrator rod and into the payload of the threat UAV. An ejector propels the penetrator rod from the housing and into the payload of the threat UAV in response to a trigger when the threat UAV is within a predetermined range.
US09175923B2
An automatic or semi-automatic magazine reloading firearm is described that includes a magazine track that stores one or more reserve magazines. After ejecting an active magazine from the active magazine well, a reload arrangement can be activated to move a reserve magazine from the magazine track into the active magazine well and lock it into place to allow for continued firing, increased safety, and positive user control.
US09175909B2
Refractory modules and other insulating modules, which include a plurality of insulating module layers arranged with their major surfaces in a side-by-side orientation, are provided. Each insulating module layer includes a first section having a slot extending into a joint edge and a second section having a tab extending from a joint edge. The first and second sections each comprise a refractory insulation material, which typically includes a fibrous refractory material. The tab has an outer contour and the slot has an inner contour which substantially corresponds in shape such that when the tab is inserted in interlocking engagement into the slot, the joint edges of the first and second sections are held in juxtaposition along a section juncture.
US09175907B2
A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid feed materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.
US09175896B2
Provided is a refrigerator that includes a cabinet, a refrigerator door, and a cabinet sealing part. The cabinet defines a storage compartment. The refrigerator door opens and closes the storage compartment. The cabinet sealing part is provided to a contact portion between the refrigerator door and the cabinet to prevent a communication between the storage compartment and an outside. The refrigerator door includes a door liner defining an ice compartment, an ice maker in the ice compartment, the ice maker generating ice, an ice bin storing ice generated by the ice maker, an ice compartment door opening and closing the ice compartment, and a plurality of sealing parts at positions spaced apart from each other. The sealing parts prevent a communication between the ice compartment and the storage compartment.
US09175895B2
A device for making ice pieces includes an ice piece producing unit, a collection container for receiving ice pieces produced in the ice piece producing unit and a detection device for monitoring a fill level of the collection container. The detection device includes a signal-emitting device and a signal receiving device, where the signal-emitting device is adjustable. Alternatively, the detection device includes a signal-emitting device, a reflector and a signal receiving device, where the reflector is adjustable.
US09175893B2
A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening and a first wall, a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening, a sub-compartment on the door, the sub-compartment comprising a second wall having an opening, a heat exchanger supported by the first wall and positioned so that when the door is closed the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening, and a refrigeration system having a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger further includes one or more segments of the refrigeration system attached to a heat exchanging plate.
US09175889B2
An object is to provide a heat source system capable of realizing energy saving. In a heat source system including: a chilled-water main control heat pump (1) having a lower-stage evaporator (9) that cools chilled water and a lower-stage condenser (7) that dissipates heat into cooling water, and outputting the chilled water cooled in the lower-stage evaporator (9) to an external load; and a hot-water main control heat pump (51) having a higher-stage evaporator (59) to which heat is provided by medium-temperature water that has been heated with the exhaust heat from the lower-stage condenser (7) and a higher-stage condenser (57) that heats high-temperature water, and outputting the high-temperature water heated in the higher-stage condenser (57) to an external load; a lower temperature limit of the cooling water is set on the basis of a set temperature of the high-temperature water.
US09175886B2
A heat exchanger having a thermoelectric element. A heat-generating pack defines therein a circulation space, and has a passage in an upper portion of one end and a passage in the lower portion of the opposite end. A heat-absorbing pack defines therein a circulation space, and has a passage in the lower portion of one end and a passage in the upper portion of the opposite end. The heat-generating pack and the heat-absorbing pack are stacked on each other. The thermoelectric element is disposed between the heat-generating pack and the heat-absorbing pack, and has a heat-generating surface adjoining the heat-generating pack and a heat-absorbing surface adjoining the heat-absorbing pack.
US09175883B2
A HVAC system including a multi-function unit for conditioning and controlling the flow of refrigerant. The multi-function unit may be contained within a housing that houses a receiver/dryer, integral heat exchanger and thermal expansion valve.
US09175881B2
Disclosed are devices and a system for compensating for thermal expansion and contraction of rail mounted solar panel rooftop systems. In one aspect, a floating end clamp that secures a solar panel in slidable captive cooperation with a mounting rail. In another aspect, a rail splice bridges two mounting rails with a gap between the rails for thermal expansion and contraction. The rail splice includes indicia for setting the gap distance between rails based on ambient temperature at the time of installation. In another aspect, a spacing gauge includes indicia for setting the gap distance between rails based on ambient temperature at the time of installation.
US09175874B1
Apparatus, systems and methods of generating 70 (seventy) CFM (cubic feet per minute) from ventilation fans for bathrooms with flush mount lights and having the motor partially inside and beneath the blower wheel. A one piece or multipiece housing for the bath fan can be attached to joists in the ceiling by a long telescoping mounting bracket, and a short telescoping mounting bracket that are each directly mounted on opposite outer side walls of the housing. A decorative pan about the light can have vents that receive the incoming air into the fan, which is exhausted therefrom by the motor driven blower.
US09175864B2
An energy-saving heating and hot water supply system includes a main heat exchanger, a circulation pump, a hot water supply heat exchanger and a hot water distributor. The main heat exchanger produces heating water through a heat exchange. The circulation pump circulates the heating water produced in the main heat exchanger so that the heating water is supplied to and collected from each household or floor. The hot water supply heat exchanger produces hot water through a heat exchange between water for hot water supply and the heating water supplied from the main heat exchanger and circulates the produced hot water in a floor coil through the hot water distributor or directly circulates the produced hot water in the floor coil. The hot water distributor receives the heating water and circulates the received heating water in the floor coil provided for each household or floor.
US09175861B2
A cook top having a cooking surface includes a number of heating elements. The cook top includes a number of controls for controlling operation of the heating elements and other components of the cook top. A vent is integrally provided with the cook top and in fluid communication with a ventilation system configured to draw air through the vent. The ventilation system includes a plenum defining a cavity, which may include a filter for removing particulate matter from the exhausted air. A blower assembly is coupled to the plenum for drawing the an from the cooking surface through the vent and the plenum. The blower assembly and the plenum are coupled to one another by a coupling element that is configured to enable an operator or installer of the cook top to selectively direct the exhaust of the blower assembly in a plurality of predetermined directions.
US09175851B2
A method of recovering heat from bottom ash that is discharged from a combustion process in a furnace. Fuel and combustion air are fed into a furnace for combusting the fuel in order to generate heat energy to produce at least one of steam and hot water in a boiler arrangement, in which flue gases and bottom ash are generated. The bottom ash is discharged from the furnace. Heat is recovered from the flue gases. Heat is also recovered to a bottom ash cooling circuit from the bottom ash discharged from the furnace in order to utilize the recovered heat for preheating the combustion air in a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is arranged in a combustion air heating circuit. Heat is exchanged from the bottom ash cooling circuit to the combustion air heating circuit.
US09175848B2
A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include at least one pressure regulator, a housing, and an actuation member. The housing has a first fuel hook-up for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, and a second fuel hook-up for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly. The actuation member can control a flow through the heater assembly based on whether the first or the second fuel hook-up is used.
US09175842B2
The invention relates to a heat sink assembly and a method for producing the same. The invention can be applied, for example, in solid state lighting in order to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation. The object of the invention is achieved with a solution where effective thermal connection is provided from opto-electrical component in which thermally active inserts are embedded in an injection moulding to plastic heat sink. Solution of the invention can also provide also electrical connections for opto-electrical components.
US09175839B2
A universal mounting system for a light fixture is disclosed. The system includes a channel adapted to be secured proximate a top end of a light pole, a rotatably adjustable knuckle, a flange disposed on a first end of the knuckle and configured to slidingly engage and seat within the channel, and a mounting plate disposed on a second end of the knuckle and configured to secure to the light fixture. The knuckle includes a first annular portion, where the flange is secured to a periphery of the first annular portion. In addition, the knuckle includes a second annular portion, where the mounting plate is secured to a periphery of the second annular portion and configured to engage the first annular portion and rotate relative to the first annular portion to move the mounting plate to a desired angle to the light pole.
US09175836B2
An object retention system which aids in safely and efficiently securing ornamental objects such as lights across a structure such as a roof. The object retention system generally includes a retainer rail adapted to be secured to a structure such as a gutter or roof gable. The retainer rail includes a receiver rail having a plurality of receivers adapted to removably retain one or more retainers therein. Each of the retainers is adapted to secure an object such as a decorative light against the retainer rail. The retainer rail includes a channel for aiding in securing to a gutter and a barbed portion for aiding in securing to other structures, such as between roof shingles and flashing. A connector is provided for seamlessly interconnecting multiple retainer rails to each other across a structure.
US09175823B2
Disclosed is a vehicular headlamp including: a basic lamp unit configured to form a main light distribution pattern that is controlled in light distribution so as to satisfy illuminance requirements at a plurality of predetermined sites in a low beam light distribution pattern which is projected on a vertical virtual screen positioned in front of a vehicle; and a plurality of additional lamp units controlled in light distribution so as to irradiate light to any one of left and right diffusion regions adjacent to the main light distribution pattern. The low beam light distribution pattern is formed on the vertical virtual screen by combining the basic lamp unit and the plurality of additional lamp units.
US09175815B2
An electrical wiring device, such as a GFCI duplex receptacle, includes a light source for lighting a selected area and a photo sensor to detect ambient light conditions and to actuate a light source when the ambient light conditions are below a predetermined level. The light source is preferably at least two LEDs having an associated light conducting member functioning as a light pipe that extends between the respective LED and the front face of the electrical wiring device. Each light conducting member has an inclined face extending through an opening in the cover of the wiring device to project a light beam at an inclined angle with respect to the front face of the wiring device. The light conducting members are independently rotatably mounted in the wiring device so that the user can manually rotated the light conducting member to direct the light beam to a selected area.
US09175809B2
A water distribution system in a gasification reactor for carrying out a slag-forming entrained flow process is disclosed having a water screen as a water distribution system with a concentric annular distributor used in conjunction with an axially symmetrical deflecting surface having a concavely curved cross-section. The annular distributor has a water intake and the annular distributor has openings for water to be discharged in jets directed onto the inside of the concavely curved deflecting surface. The water leaving the deflecting surface is conducted downward into the interior of the reactor.
US09175798B1
A method for refurbishing an existing expandable host pipe. An expansion tool is adapted to generate isolated outward radial force when in expansion mode. The expansion tool is moved along a path inside the host pipe, stopping at stations on the way. At each station, responsive to isolated outward radial force from the expansion tool, the unobstructed interior diameter of the host pipe is increased via non-destructive plastic deformation of the interior wall. Once the entire host pipe is expanded in this fashion, a new rigid liner pipe is inserted inside the host pipe to operationally replace the host pipe. Grout is deployed in the annular space between liner pipe and host pipe. Expansion of the host pipe via non-destructive plastic deformation optimizes the refurbishment job and enables the original host pipe, as expanded, to contribute structurally to the refurbished pipe system.
US09175795B2
The female coupling half includes: a body, a plurality of locking bars, a spring, a locking ring, and, a cam. The body includes a plurality of grooves, an exterior, and an internal longitudinal bore. The cam, locking ring and locking bars are movable between first and second positions. The cam in the first position permits the locking ring in first position, urged by the spring, to force the locking bars to a first position in the grooves of the body and to extend the locking bars into the internal longitudinal bore locking the male and females coupling halves. The cam in the second position engages and forcefully urges the locking bars to a second position in the grooves toward the exterior of the body and the locking bars urge the locking ring to a second position further compressing the spring.
US09175784B2
A valve includes at least one inlet chamber and at least one outlet chamber that can be connected to each other or blocked from each other by means of an actuator. A control chamber is provided for controlling the actuator. The control chamber is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber that are connected to each other.
US09175779B2
Provided is a diaphragm valve that can improve durability when the diaphragm valve is downsized. In a pressing adaptor, a whole lower surface thereof has a taper shape at a predetermined inclination angle. A bottom surface of a depression of a body has a circular flat portion and a depression that is continued to an outer circumference of the flat portion and is depressed with respect to the flat portion. In a diaphragm, in a state where a fluid inflow channel is opened, an upper surface of an outer circumferential edge portion comes into surface contact with the taper-shaped lower surface a of the pressing adaptor, and a lower surface of the outer circumferential edge portion comes into line contact with the outer circumference of the flat portion of the bottom surface of the depression of the body.
US09175772B2
An expandable washer apparatus is formed from a resilient elastomeric annular body having an opening therethrough, an upper surface, a lower surface, and an external cylindrical surface. A plurality of cavities extend around the external cylindrical surface. A plurality of cavity sidewalls are associated with the plurality of cavities, the plurality of sidewalls expanding outward to increase the external cylindrical surface circumference when pressure is applied to the upper and lower surfaces.
US09175760B2
A starting element for transmitting torque from a drive-side rotational input (14) of the starting element to a driven hub (8) includes a hydrodynamic torque converter (4) which has a turbine coupled to the driven hub (8) so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it and which comprises a turbine shell (56) with turbine blades (22) arranged therein. A maximum extension of the turbine shell (56) opposite an axial direction (12) terminates at a first axial position (53), and an impeller (20) located opposite the turbine in the axial direction (12). A stator (24) is arranged between the turbine and the impeller (22) and is coupled via a stator flange (58) to a freewheel (52) adjoining the driven hub (8) in an axial direction (12). A center of the freewheel (52) is located at a second axial position (54). A difference between the first axial position (53) and the second axial position (54) is greater than a predetermined minimum value.
US09175756B2
A speed control mechanism for controlling selective engagement of the self-propelled transmission assembly for a walk-behind lawn mower is provided. The speed control mechanism is also configured to control the relative output speed of the transmission assembly. The speed control mechanism includes a speed engagement assembly and a speed adjustment assembly, wherein the speed engagement assembly includes a pair of rotatable levers for causing the transmission assembly to actuate between a disengaged position and an engaged position and the speed adjustment assembly includes a rotatable knob for causing the relative output speed of the transmission assembly to the wheels of the lawn mower to increase or decrease.
US09175755B2
A mechanism for transmitting rotational power comprising: a link extending along a closed loop and continued by a succession of portions each having a longitudinal direction tangent to the closed loop; and temporary unification means comprising a plurality of self-locking means distributed at least along an active portion of a first drive circle, and comprising at least one rigid locking element simultaneously pressing against a first support surface of the first rotating element and a second support surface of a link portion facing the locking element. The first and second support surfaces are arranged so that one locking element of the first drive circle active portion is jammed between the support surfaces and is capable of self-unlocking when the corresponding self-locking means leaves the active portion. One of the support surfaces is a tangential gripping surface that is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the link portion against which the locking element presses.
US09175747B2
Transmissions with at least three gearing-arrangements with similar first and second gearing-arrangements that produce a number of transmissions having an eleven forward-speed and two reverse-speed ratios, having ten forward-speed and three reverse-speed ratios, and having five forward-speed and one reverse-speed ratios by selective engagement of three shift-elements in various combinations. Some embodiments include four simple planetary-gearsets and six shift-elements of which two or three are brakes. Another embodiment includes a double-pinion planetary-gearset and six shift-elements of which three are brakes. Other embodiments include three simple planetary-gearsets and five shift-elements of which one or two are brakes.
US09175741B2
In a hydraulic shock absorber 10, at least one of a first base piston 50 and a second base piston 60 is provided with a communication path 44 communicating an intermediate portion between a compression side damping valve 51 and a compression side check valve 52 which are provided in respective compression side flow paths 50A, 60B of the first and second base pistons 50, 60 with an oil reservoir chamber 32, and communicating an intermediate portion between an extension side damping valve 61 and an extension side check valve 62 which are provided in respective extension side flow paths 60A, 50B of the first and second base pistons 50, 60 with the oil reservoir chamber 32.
US09175739B2
An engine mount for use in a power unit vibration damping support structure configured to be mounted on a transmission side in a state without a distributed support load of a weight of the power unit being applied, the engine mount including: an inner shaft member; an outer tube member arranged separated to an outer circumference side of the inner shaft member; and a main rubber elastic body fixed to the inner shaft member while being attached to the outer tube member non-adhesively such that the inner shaft member and the outer tube member are elastically connected by the main rubber elastic body, wherein the outer tube member is configured to be attached to the power unit, and the inner shaft member is configured to be attached to a vehicle body.
US09175732B2
The present subject matter relates to clutch arm and release devices and methods such as for a variable speed transmission. A clutch linkage can include a control shaft pivotable about an axis, a substantially U-shaped arm connected at two points to the shaft, and a plurality of projections positioned on the arm. The arm can be moved between positions in response to rotational movement of the control shaft, and the projections can thereby engage and exert a force on a movable sleeve to move the sleeve, such as for causing a clutch bearing to move between an engaged and a disengaged position.
US09175730B2
A mounting assembly is provided for, for example, joining a cardan shaft to an axle drive of a vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a nut housing having a continuous opening arranged to receive an insert nut having a continuous internal thread, a nut having a continuous internal thread, and at least one securing element which interacts with the nut housing and the nut to constrain relative axial movement between the nut housing and the nut. The insert nut and the nut housing may be rotationally fixed relative to one another, for example using complementary polygonal outer and inner surfaces, respectively. A retainer may be provided in the interior space of the nut housing to constrain axial movement of the insert nut within the nut housing.
US09175727B2
A bearing block may support a camshaft on a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The bearing block is formed in one-piece and is provided with an annular closed bearing eye for the camshaft. Thus, the bearing block may be made smaller and thus lighter.
US09175722B1
There is disclosed a top foil for a foil thrust bearing including a main plate, a first hook comprising a first vertical portion bend upwardly from an end of the main plate and a first horizontal portion bend forwardly from an end of the first vertical portion, and a second hook comprising a second vertical portion bend downwardly from a rear end of the main plate and a second horizontal portion bend backwardly from an end of the second vertical portion.
US09175719B2
A method of determining a center hole of a material crankshaft, which is obtained through molding with first and second molds, includes: obtaining first shape data of a first portion of the material crankshaft molded by the first mold and second shape data of a second portion of the material crankshaft molded by the second mold; comparing the first and second shape data respectively with first and second designed data corresponding to the first and second molds, respectively, for computing a misalignment amount of each of the first and second portions due to misalignment between the first and second molds; adjusting, based on the misalignment amount, data corresponding to the misalignment amount to reproduce actual shape data; and determining, based on the actual shape data, a position of the center hole in the material crankshaft such that a rotation balance of the material crankshaft is within a predetermined range.
US09175718B1
A damped propshaft assembly with a hollow shaft and a tuned damper, which is received in the hollow shaft and includes a liner and a damping member. The liner's mass and stiffness are tuned to attenuate one or more of a bending mode vibration and a torsion mode vibration that occurs at a first predetermined frequency. The liner is not configured to substantially damp shell mode vibration that occurs at a frequency that is not equal to the first predetermined frequency. The damping member is coupled to the liner and is configured to primarily attenuate shell mode vibration in the hollow shaft at one or more desired frequencies. The tuned damper attenuates the at least one of the bending moment vibration and the torsion mode vibration at the first predetermined frequency and also attenuates shell mode vibration. A method for forming a damped propshaft assembly is also provided.
US09175714B2
A plug-in nut has an outer body and an inner body which is mounted in the outer body such that it can be displaced in a rotationally fixed manner. On the inner body, rear-latching lugs are formed on spring arms, which rear-latching lugs fix an attachment component on a carrier part in a variable position of the inner body in relation to the outer body, which variable position is assumed so as to compensate for tolerances, as soon as a screw has been screwed into a screw receiving space of the inner body. This results in a secure hold with very simple handling.
US09175711B2
A fastener arrangement has first and second threaded members. The fastener arrangement includes the first threaded member having threads that extend from a first end to a second end. The threads have a thread contour that is provided by load and clearance flank surfaces that are joined to one another by crests and roots. The crest provides a crest diameter. A root provides a root diameter and is arranged between adjoining threads. At least one thread near the first end has a weakened thread contour that decreases rigidity of the one thread compared to other threads. The threads extend along an axis. The crest diameter of the second threaded member varies and lies along crest angle relative to the axis and comprises a second threaded member that has load flank surfaces that are engaging the load flank surfaces of the first threaded member at thread contact interfaces. The thread contact interfaces are smaller towards the second end than thread contact interfaces toward the first end.
US09175708B2
A screw with a polygonal cross section comprises a threaded section and a non-threaded section that extends from the threaded section to a front, rounded screw tip. The sideline of the non-threaded section runs smoothly and without interruption from the threaded section to the tip at a constant curvature. The screw is used to attach an element to a panel component, wherein the screw itself produces the hole in the panel component and forms the threads.
US09175705B1
A connector is used to secure a concrete panel to a structural member. The connector is formed of a composite material and thermally insulates the concrete panel from the structural member.
US09175701B2
A method for efficiently decelerating a vehicle having front and rear wheel brakes by isolating the rear wheel brakes and applying pressurized brake fluid only to the front wheel brakes.
US09175699B2
A body-side cushion structural body attached to a body and a piston-side cushion structural body integrally moving with a piston are disposed outside the body, a cushion rod is disposed on either one of the cushion structural bodies, while a rod fitting hole is disposed in the other cushion structural body, a cushion packing is disposed at a spout portion of the rod fitting hole, and moreover, a throttle valve that discharges air in the rod fitting hole to the outside with flow-rate adjustment is disposed so as to configure an air cushion mechanism that stops the piston in a buffering manner.
US09175692B2
A motor shroud for an electric submersible pump is described. A motor shroud includes a shroud collar secured around a base of a centrifugal pump, the shroud collar including a plurality of sealant pathways extending around an inner surface and an outer surface of the shroud collar, wherein at least one of the plurality of sealant pathways has an aperture extending radially through the shroud collar between the inner surface and the outer surface, a shroud hanger tubularly surrounding the outer surface and fixedly coupled to a shroud jacket, the shroud hanger including a sealant entry port, and a sealant occupying a first space between the shroud hanger and the shroud collar and a second space between the shroud collar and an intake of the centrifugal pump, wherein the sealant cures from an aerosol spray to form a hardened foam barrier to a flow of well fluid.
US09175689B2
A portable blower includes a casing (2) having an intake port (6) and a discharge port (7); an air passage (8) provided inside the casing (2) and connecting between the intake port (6) and the discharge port (7); a blower fan (17) arranged inside the air passage (8); a filter (16) arranged at the intake port (6); and a lid portion (3) openably fitted to the casing (2), the lid portion (3), when open, exposing the intake port (6) and, when closed, covering the intake port (6). When open, the lid portion (3) supports the casing (2) to let it stand on a table top. As the blower fan (17) is operated, outside air is introduced through the intake port (6) into the air passage (8) so as to be sent out through the discharge port (7).
US09175688B2
A pumping device and method are described. The pumping device comprises a dry rough vacuum pump equipped with a gas inlet connected to a vacuum chamber, a gas outlet leading to a conduit and an ejector. The pumping method comprises pumping gases contained in the vacuum chamber using the dry rough vacuum pump through the gas inlet, measuring electric power consumed by the dry rough vacuum pump and the pressure of the gases in the conduit, starting the ejector, when the pressure of the gases at the outlet and the electrical power consumed cross respective set point values as they rise and stopping the ejector when the electric power consumed and the pressure of the gases in the conduit at the outlet cross respective set point values as they fall.
US09175662B2
The present invention relates to a Francis runner for a hydraulic machine that comprises a belt with a rotational symmetry about a central axis of the runner, a ceiling with a rotational symmetry about the axis, and a plurality of blades (21, 22) extending between the ceiling and the belt. The runner also includes at least two elements (41, 42, 43, 61, 62, 63) partially defining at least the belt and/or the ceiling while at least one edge (231, 232, 241, 242) of a blade (21, 22) is inserted between the two elements defining the belt and/or the ceiling.
US09175661B2
Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to a glow plug can be controlled to promote combustion stability of a cylinder after an engine start. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons may be reduced during conditions where combustion stability may be otherwise reduced to reduce tailpipe emissions.
US09175653B2
Provided is a combustion generating device of an internal combustion engine, which is capable of performing very precise flame control through a simple structure which does not need a prechamber and reducing harmful exhaust gas through low-temperature rapid combustion. The combustion generating device includes: an ignition system generating a spark; and an injector generating a mixture by mixing air and fuel and injecting a flame into a combustion chamber, the flame being generated by applying the spark to the mixture.
US09175650B2
A high-pressure fuel pump for an internal combustion engine with direct injection of fuel into at least one combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is provided. The high-pressure fuel pump includes a low-pressure connection for low-pressure fuel, wherein the low-pressure connection supplies low-pressure fuel to the high-pressure fuel pump, a low-pressure fuel supply chamber, a pump element and a high-pressure connection for discharging fuel from the high-pressure fuel pump. The low-pressure connection, the low-pressure fuel supply chamber, the pump element, and the high-pressure connection are provided in succession in a flow direction of the fuel. A medium-pressure fuel connection opens into a medium-pressure fuel supply chamber for supplying medium-pressure fuel to the high-pressure fuel pump. A fuel switching valve selectively connects the low-pressure fuel supply chamber or the medium-pressure fuel supply chamber in a fluid-conducting manner to the pump element.
US09175647B2
A fluid temperature conditioner heats fuel being supplied to a fuel injection system for an engine. During operation of the engine, energy is transferred from engine and stored in a thermal battery which is a part of the fluid temperature conditioner. During cold starting of the engine, the energy is transferred from the thermal battery to the fuel to aid in the starting of the engine.
US09175644B2
An engine assembly includes an intake assembly, an internal combustion engine defining a plurality of cylinders and configured to combust a fuel and produce exhaust gas, and an exhaust assembly in fluid communication with a first subset of the plurality of cylinders. Each of the plurality of cylinders are provided in fluid communication with the intake assembly. The exhaust assembly is provided in fluid communication with a first subset of the plurality of cylinders, and a dedicated exhaust gas recirculation system in fluid communication with both a second subset of the plurality of cylinders and with the intake assembly. The dedicated exhaust gas recirculation system is configured to route all of the exhaust gas from the second subset of the plurality of cylinders to the intake assembly. Finally, the engine assembly includes a turbocharger having a variable geometry turbine in fluid communication with the exhaust assembly.
US09175631B2
A vehicle control system includes an engine control device, an auxiliary control device adapted to control an auxiliary driven by power of an engine, a device for estimating a plurality of drive patterns for controlling the auxiliary, a fuel consumption rate relating value calculation device, and a selection device. The fuel consumption rate relating value calculation device calculates fuel consumption rate relating values of the engine required to drive the auxiliary by the engine according to the respective estimated plurality of drive patterns by use of characteristic data of the engine. The selection device selects a single drive pattern for driving the auxiliary based on the estimated plurality of drive patterns by use of the calculated fuel consumption rate relating values.
US09175628B2
A control system for an engine includes a target air per cylinder (APC) module, a target area module, and a phaser scheduling module. The target APC module determines a target APC based on a target spark timing, a target intake cam phaser angle, and a target exhaust cam phaser angle. The target area module determines a target opening of a throttle valve of the engine based on the target spark timing, the target intake cam phaser angle, and the target exhaust cam phaser angle. The target area module controls the throttle valve based on the target opening. The phaser scheduling module determines the target intake and exhaust cam phaser angles based on the target APC. The phaser scheduling module controls intake and exhaust cam phasers of the engine based on the target intake and exhaust cam phaser angles, respectively.
US09175625B2
Embodiments for an engine exhaust are provided. In one example, a method comprises adjusting a fuel injection amount based on a fractional oxidation state of a catalyst, the fractional oxidation state based on reaction rates of a plurality of exhaust gas species throughout a catalyst longitudinal axis and a set of axially-averaged mass balance and energy balance equations for a fluid phase and a washcoat of the catalyst, and further based on feedback from a downstream air-fuel ratio sensor. In this way, a simplified catalyst model may be used to control air-fuel ratio.
US09175621B2
A system and method for controlling a vehicle to implement an engine torque management strategy. The engine torque management strategy implements a sophisticated engine knock control method that alleviates/mitigates the cause of the knock while also optimizing vehicle performance and engine efficiency without compromising engine hardware protection. Whenever suitable, the system and method attempt to reduce the amount of air trapped in a knocking cylinder to reduce its effective compression ratio and to eliminate the knock while keeping the same optimal spark timing for combustion efficiency.
US09175615B2
Methods and systems are provided for reducing exhaust temperatures during high engine load conditions in engine systems configured to operate with multiple fuels. Stoichiometric cylinder operation is provided via injection of a gaseous fuel such as CNG. In response to elevated exhaust temperatures, the cylinder is enriched by injecting a liquid fuel, such as gasoline, while maintaining the injection of CNG and while maintaining spark timing at MBT.
US09175607B2
A heat-resistant apparatus comprising a plurality of rigid, fireproof panels mounted to an inner surface of an inner fixed structure (IFS) of an aircraft thrust reverser. The plurality of panels may include fixed panels and floating panels, with the fixed panels fastened directly to the IFS and the floating panels fastened to the fixed panels in a substantially checkered arrangement along the inner surface of the IFS. The fixed and floating panels may each comprise a rigid core surrounded by various fireproof or heat resistant materials. The fixed and floating panels may be configured and affixed to the IFS such that air from an engine's fan may flow through a space between the panels and the IFS, providing additional cooling and heat resistance.
US09175604B2
A gas turbine combustor (26) disposed in a combustion air plenum (65) and a transition piece (28) for the combustor disposed in a separate cooling air plenum (58, 67). The combustion air plenum may receive combustion air (50) from a high-pressure compressor stage (22A). The cooling air plenum may receive cooling air (52) from an intermediate-pressure compressor stage (22B) at lower temperature and pressure than the combustion air. This cools the transition piece using less air than prior systems, thus making the gas turbine engine (20) more efficient and less expensive, because less expensive materials are needed and/or higher combustion temperatures are allowed. The cooling air may exit the cooling air plenum through holes (62) in a downstream portion (61) of the transition piece. An outer wall (72) on the transition piece may provide forced convection along the transition piece.
US09175602B2
The invention relates to a V engine, especially a diesel engine, comprising a first cylinder bank and a second cylinder bank, said V engine being designed for two-stage charging by means of a low-pressure exhaust gas turbocharger and a high-pressure exhaust gas turbocharger. The invention is characterized in that the low-pressure exhaust gas turbocharger and the high-pressure exhaust gas turbocharger are respectively arranged on the front of a cylinder bank above a main output element of the V engine.
US09175599B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine is provided. The method comprises, during low and medium load conditions, introducing fuel from a fuel tank by intake pipe injection into at least one intake air line coupled to at least one cylinder, and during high load conditions, introducing the fuel from the fuel tank by direct injection into the at least one cylinder. In this way, the method of fuel delivery may be optimized based on the load conditions.
US09175594B2
A power tool has an internal combustion engine with a cylinder. An injection valve supplies fuel to the internal combustion engine. A fuel pump conveys fuel from a fuel tank to the injection valve. A fan wheel is provided that is driven by the internal combustion engine. The cylinder is arranged in a first cooling zone of the power tool and the fan wheel conveys cooling air through the first cooling zone. The fuel pump is arranged in a second cooling zone of the power tool. Between the first cooling zone and the second cooling zone a buffer zone is arranged. The buffer zone is separated by at least one first partition from the first cooling zone and by at least one second petition from the second cooling zone.
US09175593B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine, including a crown portion that defines a combustion chamber, a ring-shaped cooling channel formed in the crown portion, through which a cooling oil flows, and a plurality of concave portions formed on at least one side of the cooling channel, in an axial direction of the piston, each of the plurality of concave portions having a curved surface.
US09175589B2
The present disclosure relates to a fuel injector for a diesel particulate filter, and more particularly, to a fuel injector for a diesel particulate filter which is capable of combusting and removing particulate matters included in the exhaust gas by injecting fuel into an exhaust gas discharge line. The present disclosure can prevent fuel from being frozen when fuel is intended to be injected into an exhaust gas line during the winter season or in a cold region, thereby allowing DPF regeneration to be smoothly carried out.
US09175578B2
A turbocharger includes a drive shaft to transmit a driving force of an actuator to a mechanism in the turbo housing, and a bush to rotatably support the drive shaft, wherein a seal is provided at an end portion on the open-air side of the bush. The seal includes a seal body made of resin and a metallic spring fitted into a recessed portion of the seal body, wherein an internal lip portion of the seal body is pressed by the elastic force of the spring to the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft. Further, an end surface that is contactable with a member (drive link) disposed on the open-air side of the drive shaft is formed in the seal body. The seal having the above-described structure is provided at the end portion on the open-air side of the bush so as to achieve excellent sealability, so that this securely prevents exhaust gas in the turbo housing from passing through between the outer circumferential surface of the drive shaft and the inner circumferential surface of the bush and flowing out to the outside.
US09175567B2
An airfoil platform comprises a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion. The trailing edge portion comprises a first region having a convex flowpath contour, a second region having an intermediate flowpath contour extending downstream from the convex flowpath contour, and a third region having a concave or linear flowpath contour extending downstream from the intermediate flowpath contour to a downstream end of the trailing edge portion of the platform.
US09175566B2
A gas turbine engine preswirler (470) includes an outer ring (471) and an inner ring (472). The inner ring (472) includes a plurality of angled holes (490). Each angled hole (490) follows a vector which is angled in at least one plane. A component of the vector is located on a plane perpendicular a radial from an axis of the preswirler (470). The component of the angle is angled relative to an axial direction of the preswirler (470).
US09175564B2
A hydrodynamic energy recovery system for effecting mixing of gases within a headspace of a liquid-containment vessel containing a liquid enables mixing of the gases by converting energy of moving or sloshing liquid in a liquid-filled lower portion of the vessel into energy for moving the gases. The system includes (1) a hydro-driven actuator that is movably driven in response to the movement of the liquid in the vessel, (2) a mixing device driven by the actuator such that motion of the mixing device effects mixing of the gases contained in the headspace above the liquid, and (3) a motion converter for converting motion of the actuator into motion for driving the mixing device. The mixing device can be driven without the need to run electrical power within the vessel and without the transfer of motion through an external wall of the vessel.
US09175563B2
The present disclosure relates to a combined hydraulic motor and brake including a hydraulic motor having a hydraulic motor housing, a drive shaft assembly that is driven by the hydraulic motor, a stationary housing that is fixed relative to the hydraulic motor housing, and a rotatable housing that is rotatably driven by the drive shaft assembly. The combined hydraulic motor and brake also includes a brake for resisting relative rotation between the rotatable housing and the stationary housing, and a piston that is hydraulically actuated to release the brake. The piston is carried with the rotatable housing such that the piston, the rotatable housing and at least a portion of the drive shaft assembly are configured to rotate as a unit.
US09175555B2
Methods for injecting a fluid into a subsurface formation are provided. Each of the methods includes the obtaining data, including formation parameters and operational variables, related to an injection well. A regime of operation for the injection well is determined. The regime of operation is determined using a heuristic model. In one aspect, one or more operational variables, including completion design, reservoir development procedures, and/or injection procedures, is designed based at least in part on the determined regime of operation. Water or other fluid may then be injected into the subsurface formation. The step of determining the regime of operation for the injection well may use a full physics computational simulation to construct a mathematical model that can estimate the operating regime for the water injection well. Alternatively or in addition, field data may be used.
US09175550B2
A containment cellar collects petroleum products leaked in a vicinity of a conductor pipe at an oil drilling site. The containment cellar has a body, a pipe, and a pumping orifice. The body has bottom and side surfaces to define an interior chamber to surround a length of the conductor pipe. The bottom surface includes an aperture to receive the conductor pipe. The surfaces are composed of materials substantially impermeable to the petroleum products. The side surface has sufficient strength to maintain integrity of the interior chamber when the containment cellar is disposed at least partially beneath a surface of the earth. The pipe extends through the interior chamber. The pumping orifice is coupled with the pipe and adapted for coupling with a pump to extract the leaked petroleum products from the interior chamber.
US09175543B2
A downhole fluid flow control system for autonomously controlling the inflow of production fluids. The fluid flow control system includes a flow control assembly having a fluid flow path through which a fluid flows. A support structure is positioned in the fluid flow path. A plug is releasably coupled to the support structure such that when fluid flow through the fluid flow path induces sufficient movement in the support structure, the movement causes release of the plug from the support structure into the fluid flow path, thereby restricting subsequent fluid flow in at least one direction through the fluid flow path.
US09175542B2
Sealing elements have lubricating seal profiles for communicating fluid between the sealing elements and the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component while the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component rotates or moves vertically relative to the seal elements. The same fluid used for drilling may also be used for seal lubrication, such as water, drilling fluid or mud, well bore fluid or other liquid or gas. The sealing elements may be disposed with a seal housing, which may be positioned with a marine riser, or subsea without a marine riser. The seal housing may prevent rotation of the seal elements with the sealed drill string tubular or other oilfield component. Alternatively, the seal housing may be an RCD that allows the sealing elements to rotate. The lubricating seal profiles include a wave pattern, a saw-tooth high film pattern, a downwardly inclined passageway pattern, an upwardly inclined passageway pattern, and a combined upwardly and downwardly inclined passageway pattern. In one embodiment, a stripper rubber seal element may have a lubricating seal profile on the inwardly facing bore surfaces of both its nose and throat sections for sealing with drill string tubulars and other oilfield components having different diameters. Dual seals with two annular spaced apart sealing surfaces, with or without lubricating seal profiles, may seal with a drill string tubular or other oilfield component. In another embodiment, differential pressures across two seal elements may be managed by filling the cavity between the two sealing elements with cuttings-free drilling fluid, mud, water, coolant, lubricant or inert gas at desired amounts of pressure.
US09175538B2
Method and recharging mechanism for resetting a pressure in a low pressure recipient. The recharging mechanism includes a low pressure recipient configured to have first and second chambers, the first chamber being configured to receive a hydraulic liquid at a high pressure and the second chamber being configured to include a gas at a low pressure. The recharging mechanism further includes a valve fluidly connected to a first port of the first chamber; a pumping device fluidly connected to a second port of the first chamber; and a blowout preventer (BOP) section fluidly connected to the valve and configured to close or open a ram block. The pumping device is configured to evacuate the hydraulic fluid from the first chamber of the low pressure recipient when the valve closes a fluid communication between the first port of the first chamber and the BOP section.
US09175530B2
A system for mixing fluids for oilfield applications, the system including a first storage vessel (101) configured to hold a first material and a first mixing device (108) in fluid communication with the first storage vessel. The system also including a second mixing device (115) in fluid communication with the first mixing device and a second storage vessel (102) in fluid communication with the second mixing device, wherein the second storage vessel is configured to hold a second material. Additionally, the system including a pump (109) in fluid communication with at least the second storage vessel and the first mixing device, wherein the pump is configured to provide a flow of the second material from the second storage vessel to the first mixing device, and wherein the first mixing device is configured to mix the first material and the second material to produce a wellbore fluid.
US09175517B2
An apparatus for drilling hole, comprising: a cluster drill of down-the-hole (DTH) percussion hammers having two or more DTH percussion hammers; and a special distributor having rotatable swivels for sourcing compressed air or pressurized fluid from independent supply sources and distributing to the DTH percussion hammers; wherein the DTH percussion hammers are arranged such that one or more circumferential layers of drill bits are formed covering the drilling area; and wherein within each circumferential layer, at least one DTH percussion hammer is supplied with the compressed air or pressurized fluid from an independent supply source that is different from the independent supply source supplying the other DTH percussion hammers.
US09175512B2
A curtain pull bead fixing apparatus includes a stationary seat, a bottom cover, a bead disk, a button, a spring, a main body, a slider and a front cover. One side of the stationary seat is assembled with the bottom cover, and the other side of the bottom cover is fixedly connected with the main body. The other side of the main body is fixedly connected with the front cover. A through hole is formed in the bottom cover for passage of the button, and the first end of the button is pressed against the stationary seat. The pull bead is in a tensioned state all the time and will not collide with the surface of the wall even under an external force. The children could not play with the pull bead by wrapping the same around their neck, which brings about high safety.
US09175510B2
An arched window covering includes a shade mount and a shade mounted on the shade mount. The shade mount has a base, at least a spacer, and two rails. The spacer is provided on the base and its width is adjustable. The rails movably engage the base and touch the spacer that a length of the shade mount is changeable by changing the width of the spacer. Therefore, a size of a shade mounted on the shade mount is changeable by adjusting the spacer rather than cutting the rail to fit the windows with different sizes.
US09175504B2
The present application is directed to a mechanical combination lock which includes a base having a cavity, a central shaft provided inside the cavity, and a plurality of combination control units provided on the central shaft, wherein each combination control unit includes a combination disc having at least three combination regions that correspond respectively to different combination conditions. The present application provides the mechanical combination lock whereby one button can set a combination with 2 or more bits. That means repeating characters can appear in a combination sequence. This can greatly increase the complexity of the combination sequence and can prevent cracking of the combination sequence without increasing the number of buttons on the mechanical combination lock.
US09175500B2
A cylinder guard for a deadbolt lock having a face portion and an inner portion. The inner portion includes a radial flange and an axial flange created by forming the wall of the guard into a doubled portion. Indentations are formed in the axial flange which enhances the resistance of the guard to an attack upon the deadbolt. The guard also includes a tapered blow-deflecting portion between the inner portion and face portion. A crush zone may be formed between the inner and face portions to attenuate the energy from an attack that is transferred to the axial and radial flanges. A method for making the guard includes stamping a body from steel strip using a multi-station press.
US09175493B2
A core component for a base of a tower assembly includes a body of the core component and a flange. The body has an arcuate outer sidewall and an arcuate inner sidewall. The body includes a hole extending from the outer sidewall to a bottom of the body. The flange extends from the arcuate inner sidewall of the body. The flange includes at least one bore hole configured to receive a post-tensioning tendon.
US09175486B2
ICF tooling facilitating the manufacturing of ICF blocks having different widths and different heights, the tie member including a variable width web portion positionable within a plurality of internal openings associated with a specially designed male tool, each internal opening being configured to receive folded web portions of varying length so that ICF blocks of different widths can be produced using the same male tool; each internal opening likewise includes a tie engaging feature for holding the respective tie members in their folded position within the male tool during the molding process; the internal openings enable foldable tie members of different widths to be used in the same male and female tools for producing ICF blocks in different widths in each individual separate male tool. ICF blocks of varying heights can be produced using the same female tool and a plurality of slightly modified height male tools.
US09175484B2
The invention relates to a mobile concrete pump comprising a supporting structure (46) that is placed directly or indirectly by means of an assembly frame (22) on the running gear (12) of an HGV chassis (10), the supporting structure incorporating functional units that form a support device and a placing boom (36). The placing boom (36) is rotatably mounted on a boom pedestal (44). The boom pedestal (44) comprises a vessel (52) that is inserted in the supporting structure (46) and acts as a rotary bearing for the placing boom (36), while the support device has two support leg casings (54, 56) which are integrated into the supporting structure (46), cross over one another, have diagonal passages that are open at the front and have a telescopic support leg (40) in each support leg casing. A feature of the invention is that the supporting structure (46) has a polygonal opening (50) which is open at the top and runs parallel to the rotational axis (48) of the placing boom (36), while the contour of the vessel (52) of the boom pedestal (44) is adapted to the polygonal opening (50) and the vessel is inserted from above into the polygonal opening (50) of the supporting structure (46). To achieve a particularly favorable flow of forces in this construction between the placing boom (36) and the support legs (40), each of two lateral faces (68) of the vessel (52) which form an angle to one another is aligned parallel with a respective lateral wall (70) of each support leg casing (54, 56).
US09175481B2
A retractable awning having a roller, a flexible canopy having one end secured to the roller and rollable onto the roller, and a motor operable to rotate the roller to roll the flexible canopy onto or off the roller. The motor includes a protective housing, with a manual motor override on the motor within the housing. An aperture in the housing proximate the override is aligned with and permits access to the override through the aperture.
US09175479B2
A system and method to attach an object to a structure. The system includes a first membrane, a second membrane and a mounting plate. The method includes covering a portion of the structure with the first membrane and then placing the mounting plate thereupon. The second membrane placed over the mounting plate and subsequently bonded to both the mounting plate and the first membrane. The object is secured to the mounting plate via a fastener attached thereto and extending through the second membrane.
US09175477B1
A gutter cleaning apparatus that cleans debris from a gutter having a concave channel for collecting water from a roof of a building, has a platform with a plurality of spaced apart apertures each including a guide flap extending at an inclined air flow directing angle from under the platform. The platform is mounted in the gutter at a selected spacing above a floor of the gutter and extends into an air flow guide engaged to an end of the platform. The guide has an outlet end with lower and upper portions for directing air flow respectively under and over the platform for lifting and remove debris from an upper surface of the platform, the platform extending at least partly into the outlet end for dividing the outlet end into the lower and upper portions, and the guide has an inlet for receiving a flow of forced air from a blower near ground level.
US09175466B2
A new prefabricated wall panel is the basic unit of a new, more efficient and stronger wall system. The wall panel is manufactured from a plurality of foam sections sized to leave vertical and horizontal voids into which concrete is later poured, each foam section having an inner and outer surface and two sides; and a plurality of fastening strips. The fastening strips are longitudinal metal strips being situated between the sides of two foam sections. Each fastening strip has two longitudinal fastening strips projecting perpendicularly to the longitudinal fastening strip and the fastening strips being adjacent to the outer surface of the two foam sections. The fastening strip also has a plurality of clearance holes in the longitudinal fastening strip, a plurality of embed tabs projecting from the edge opposite the fastening strips, each embed tab having at least one hole, and between each pair of embed tabs, a foam tab to hold the two inner sides of the foam sections in place and partially separate the foam sections from the concrete to be poured into a form.
US09175462B2
A chemical system is provided for adding a small amount of chemicals to a toilet bowl at the end of the flush cycle. The system has several chambers and a mechanism to add water to the system to force chemicals out and into the overflow tube of the toilet.
US09175448B2
In a drum housing for a working drum of a construction machine or mining machine, the working drum being provided with tools and rotating about a drum axis, with a housing shell which at least partially encloses the circumference of the working drum, and with at least one inspection opening for a monitoring device arranged in the housing shell, wherein the monitoring device inspects the condition of the working drum or the tools thereof, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: a closing mechanism is arranged on the outside of the housing shell, the closing mechanism enabling closure of the at least one inspection opening.
US09175447B2
A soil compacting device has an upper mass and a lower mass that is coupled to the upper mass by a spring device and that has a soil contact element. In addition, a drive is provided for producing a working movement of the soil contact element. The drive has an electric motor, a drive frequency of a drive movement produced by the electric motor being equal to a frequency of the working movement of the soil contact element.
US09175445B2
A method for installing a paver system includes positioning a first grid substrate adjacent to a second grid substrate, the first and second grid substrates form a paver support surface. At least the first grid substrate includes an integrated boundary ridge extending along the first paver support surface. The first grid substrate is interlocked with the second grid substrate with a first paver piece bridging the first and second grid substrates to form a paver linkage. Movement of at least the first paver piece is arrested beyond the integrated boundary ridge by directly or indirectly engaging at least the first paver piece against the integrated boundary ridge. In another example, movement of the first paver piece is arrested by anchoring at least the first paver piece on the first and second paver support surfaces through distribution of forces incident on at least the first paver piece through the paver linkage.
US09175435B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for folding a fitted bedding article includes a folding platform having an arcuate surface configured to receive a corner of the fitted bedding article. The apparatus also includes a holding member configured to releasably hold one or more portions of the fitted bedding article relative to the folding platform when at least one corner of the fitted bedding article is positioned about the arcuate surface. In another form, a method is directed to folding a fitted bedding article. However, other embodiments, forms and applications are also envisioned.
US09175429B2
Provided is a pressure steam treatment apparatus of a fiber bundle and a producing method of a carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle for producing a carbonated precursor fiber bundle to suppress an influence of a leakage of a pressure steam to the outside of the apparatus so as to hold down a pressure steam supply amount to the minimum, simultaneously reduce a broken yarn, improve a yield ratio and have a high productivity. A pressure steam treatment apparatus is provided with labyrinth sealing chambers in back and forth of a pressure steam treatment chamber, and treats a plurality of fiber bundles traveling in parallel like a sheet along a fiber bundle travel path in a lump under a pressure steam atmosphere. The fiber bundle travel path of the labyrinth sealing chamber is divided in parallel to the fiber bundle.
US09175425B2
A hybrid cord formed from a plurality of component plies wherein at least two of the plies are of unequal ply length regardless of the twist of the plies and at least one of the plies has a length that is from 1 to 50 percent longer than the other plies and a method of providing a cord with predetermined twist and component ply lengths.
US09175424B2
Provided is a method of preparing cellulose fiber and carbon fiber by recycling industrial wood waste, wherein the carbon fiber is prepared by preparing high purity cellulose pulp by using, as a raw material, wood waste generated by manufacturers of pulp, furniture and other industrial products from wood and by eliminating resin and lignin impregnated in the wood waste through pulping and bleaching of the raw material, by preparing cellulose fiber by directly dissolving the prepared pulp in a cellulose solvent, and then by performing stabilizing and carbonizing with the cellulose fiber as a precursor.
US09175422B2
A polymer-micelle complex suitable for use as an aid to preparing fibers, particularly nanofibers, by electrospinning. The polymer-micelle complex may be designed to impart viscosity, surface tension and conductivity properties optimal for electrospinning. By incorporating the complex as a secondary ingredient, one may electrospin sparingly soluble or low molecular weight polymers. Moreover, the polymer-micelle complex can be used as a generic carrier for preparing fibers incorporating other desired materials, such as rigid or globular (hard-to-spin) polymers, enzymes, cells, viral particles and nanoparticles.
US09175416B2
There is provided a substrate holder which can absorb a change in the thickness between substrates and can hold a substrate while preventing deflection of the substrate and keeping the amount of compression of a substrate sealing member within a certain narrow range. The substrate holder includes a first holding member and a second holding member, both for detachably holding a substrate by holding a peripheral portion of the substrate therebetween; and a substrate sealing member, mounted to the second holding member, for sealing the peripheral portion of the substrate along a substrate sealing line. The first holding member has a thickness absorbing mechanism which biases the substrate toward the second holding member at positions along the substrate sealing line.
US09175396B2
An aluminum-containing substrate is described that comprises at least one superficially applied microporous layer of an aluminum phosphate zeolite (ALPO) as well as other layers. Said aluminum-containing substrate is characterized in that the microporous layer of the aluminum phosphate zeolite represents a primer coating on which a microporous or mesoporous secondary material is located which differs from the material of the primer coating. Said aluminum-containing substrate is produced in a particularly advantageous manner according to a method in which 1. an aluminum-containing substrate is hydrothermally treated in an aqueous suspension containing at least phosphorus as a network-forming element, and a microporous primer coating of an aluminum phosphate zeolite is formed on the substrate by means of an in situ crystallization process, especially the molar ratio between the network-forming aluminum that is deficient in the aqueous suspension and the sum of all network-forming elements in the aqueous suspension being less than 0.5 such that the aluminum required for compensating the deficiency is removed from the aluminum-containing substrate, and 2.; a microporous or mesoporous secondary material is formed on the microporous primer coating by subjecting the aluminum-containing substrate that comprises the microporous primer coating to another treatment in an aqueous suspension containing the network-forming elements required for forming the porous secondary material. The described aluminum-containing substrate is particularly suitable as a heat exchanger, as a catalytic reactor, or as a component in heat transformation technology with an anti-corrosive or anti-fouling effect.
US09175393B1
A showerhead for a semiconductor-processing reactor formed by an array of showerhead tiles. Each showerhead tile has a plurality of process gas apertures, which may be in a central area of the tile or may extend over the entire tile. Each showerhead tile can be dimensioned for processing a respective substrate or the array can be dimensioned for processing a substrate. An exhaust region surrounds the process gas apertures. The exhaust region has at least one exhaust aperture, and may include an exhaust slot, a plurality of connected exhaust slots or a plurality of exhaust apertures. The exhaust region surrounds the array of showerhead tiles, or a respective portion of the exhaust region surrounds the plurality of process gas apertures in each showerhead tile or group of showerhead tiles. A gas curtain aperture may be between the exhaust region and the process gas apertures of one of the showerhead tiles or adjacent to the central area of the tile.
US09175389B2
Systems and apparatus are described that facilitate the evaluation and characterization of ALD processes as a function of process parameters such as temperature, gas flow rate, and pressure. In some embodiments, systems and apparatus are described that allow the ALD process to be characterized at different pressures in a combinatorial manner.
US09175388B2
A reaction chamber assembly for thin film deposition processes or the like includes an outer wall assembly for enclosing an outer volume and a removable liner installed into the outer volume through an outer aperture for preventing precursors or reactants from coming into contact with internal surfaces of the outer wall assembly and forming thin film layers thereon. The removable liner encloses a reaction chamber and includes substrate support trays or the like for supporting substrates being coated. Thin film layers are formed onto internal surfaces of the removable liner instead of onto surfaces of the outer wall assembly. The removable liner may be disposable or may comprise stainless steel, which can be removed when contaminated, cleaned by abrasive blasting such as bead blasting, and replaced. Two removable liners can be used to periodically swap removable liners and clean one of the liners while the other is in service with minimal disruption to production coating schedules. Other removable cleanable elements such as input and output plenums, door liners and conduits comprising stainless steel can be periodically removed and cleaned by abrasive blasting.
US09175387B2
2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide which is obtained by control of the alignment of nanostructure during growth of tungsten carbide through control of the degree of supersaturation and a method for fabricating same are disclosed. The method for fabricating 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide employs a chemical vapor deposition process wherein a hydrogen plasma is applied to prepare 2-dimensional nanostructured tungsten carbide vertically aligned on a nanocrystalline diamond film. The chemical vapor deposition process wherein the hydrogen plasma is applied includes: disposing a substrate with the nanocrystalline diamond film formed thereon on an anode in a chamber, disposing a surface-carburized tungsten cathode above and at a distance from the substrate, and applying the hydrogen plasma into the chamber.
US09175385B2
A method of preparing a metal-carbon composite of a core-shell structure through simultaneous vaporization, in which a metal particle constitutes a core and carbon constitutes a shell, with the metal-carbon composite prepared in the form of powder and supported on a supporter, and a metal-carbon composite of a core-shell structure prepared by the same. In these methods, the metal-carbon composite of the core-shell structure is prepared through simultaneous vaporization of metal and carbon precursors and does not require separate post-processing. Further, in the metal-carbon composite of the core-shell structure prepared by these methods, a carbon shell covers a portion or the entirety of a surface of a metal core, whereby the metal particles can be prevented from suffering agglomeration, separation or corrosion when subjected to harsh process conditions at high temperatures for long durations under strong acid and alkali conditions, thereby providing high performance and high durability.
US09175383B2
The invention refers to a coating device for the deposition of thin films on large area substrates comprising a process chamber, an electrode arrangement within the process chamber (2) which is adapted for generating a plasma adjacent to the electrode arrangement (4) at at least two opposing sides of the electrode arrangement, and at least two substrate holders for supporting at least two substrates (5,6) in substrate positions on opposing sides of the electrode arrangement, the electrode arrangement being located between the substrate positions and the substrates facing in the substrate positions the at least two plasma generated at the electrode arrangement, wherein the electrode arrangement comprises at least two cathodes arranged in a plane, the cathodes being able to generate a plasma at at least two sides of each cathode. The invention further refers to a method for coating substrates with thin films comprising the following steps: providing a process chamber, providing an electrode arrangement within the process chamber for generating a plasma adjacent to the electrode arrangement at at least two sides of the electrode arrangement, and providing at least two substrate holders for supporting at least a first and a second substrate, locating the substrates to be coated in first and second positions on opposing sides of the electrode arrangement so that the electrode arrangement is located between the first and second positions and the substrates facing the at least two plasma generated at the electrode arrangement, wherein a first substrate located in the first substrate holder is coated in the first position during a first coating process and a second substrate supported by the second substrate holder is coated in the second position during a second coating process, the first and second coating process are carried out one after the other.
US09175381B2
A method of sputtering a component includes positioning a conductive substrate into a vacuum chamber, wherein the conductive substrate is tubular and has a surface. A source electrode including a source material may be inserted into the conductive substrate. A first bias voltage ΔVac1 may be applied between the conductive substrate and the vacuum chamber and a second bias voltage ΔVas1 may be applied between the source electrode and the vacuum chamber, sputtering the source material onto the conductive substrate.
US09175353B2
The disclosed invention is related to compositions, kits and methods comprising one or more oligomers targeting 16S rRNA target nucleic acid from Campylobacter species jejuni, coli and/or lari. Compositions include amplification oligomers, detection probe oligomers and/or target capture oligomers. Kits and methods comprise at least one of these oligomers.
US09175340B2
Methods, reagents, compositions, and kits for reactivity-dependent polymerase chain reaction (RD-PCR) and interaction-dependent polymerase chain reaction (ID-PCR) are provided herein. RD-PCR is a technique useful for determining whether a reactive moiety can form a covalent bond to a target reactive moiety, for example, in screening a library of candidate reactive moieties for reactivity with a target reactive moiety, and in identifying an enzyme substrate, for example, in protease substrate profiling. ID-PCR is a technique useful for determining whether a ligand can non-covalently bind to a target molecule, for example, in screening a library of candidate ligands for non-covalent interaction with a target molecule. RD-PCR and ID-PCR are also useful in detecting the presence of an analyte or an environmental condition.
US09175338B2
Methods, compositions, and systems are provided for characterization of modified nucleic acids. In certain preferred embodiments, single molecule sequencing methods are provided for identification of modified nucleotides within nucleic acid sequences. Modifications detectable by the methods provided herein include chemically modified bases, enzymatically modified bases, abasic sites, non-natural bases, secondary structures, and agents bound to a template nucleic acid.
US09175332B2
The present invention provides a method for the amplification of at least a first and a second target nucleic acid that may be present in a fluid sample. The invention further provides a kit and an analytical system for carrying out said amplification.
US09175321B2
Provided are R-praziquantel preparation methods, which utilize the characteristics of biological enzyme of strong stereoselectivity, site-selectivity, and regioselectivity, of high resolution efficiency, of mild reaction conditions, and of simple operations to catalyze the hydrolysis of a certain enantiomer in a chemically synthesized racemate or a derivative, thus acquiring a mixture of reacted and unreacted optical isomers. R-praziquantel prepared by the method can have a purity of 98% or more.
US09175314B2
An hydrolysis stage of an anaerobic digestion (AD) process includes supercritical treatment in a reactor (R1). The treatment may use sub-stoichiometric oxygen so that there is not full oxidation. Effluent from the supercritical treatment may be used to pre-heat the organic matter in-feed to the supercritical treatment. There may be a second supercritical treatment in a second reactor (R2). This may have full stoichiometric oxygen, to oxidize the solids from the first reactor (R1) effluent. Furthermore, it provides heat for pre-heating its own in-feed and also that for the first reactor (R1). The output from the hydrolysis may be only clarified liquid, leading to particularly efficient downstream AD processes. The second supercritical treatment rector may oxidize also fed-back solids from the final stage of the AD.
US09175305B2
Compositions and methods for conferring hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) herbicide resistance or tolerance to plants are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for mutant HPPD polypeptides. Nucleic acids that encode the mutant HPPD polypeptides are also provided. Methods for conferring herbicide resistance or tolerance, particularly resistance or tolerance to certain classes of herbicides that inhibit HPPD, in plants are further provided. Methods are also provided for selectively controlling weeds in a field at a crop locus and for the assay, characterization, identification and selection of the mutant HPPDs of the current invention that provide herbicide tolerance.
US09175304B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs useful for conferring drought tolerance, compositions (such as plants or seeds) comprising these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs. The recombinant DNA construct comprises a polynucleotide operably linked to a promoter that is functional in a plant, wherein said polynucleotide encodes an SIPR polypeptide.
US09175300B2
The present invention relates to a method of expressing a foreign protein in the plastid of a host cell and secreting said protein into the cytoplasm of the host cell comprising the steps of making a construct of vector linked to a coding sequence of the fusion protein comprising of signal peptide sequence followed by in-frame fusion to a foreign gene; and stably integrating said construct into the plastid genome. The present invention also relates to a method of targeting the expressed and secreted proteins from the plastids to the nucleus of the host cell. The present invention further relates to the method where the host cell is of any higher plant or any organism including single cell algae.
US09175298B2
The compositions and methods are provided that enhance the selection of transgenic plants having two T-DNA molecules integrated into a plant genome at different physical and genetic loci. The compositions are DNA constructs that comprise novel arrangements of T-DNA molecules containing genes of interest, positive selectable marker genes, and conditional lethal genes. The methods disclosed herein comprises transforming a plant cell to comprise the DNA constructs of the present invention, regenerating the plant cell into a plant and identifying independent transgene loci, where the selectable marker genes or transgenic elements can be segregated in the progeny.
US09175297B2
The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms comprising a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) pathway comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce BDO. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce BDO.
US09175294B2
The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and preferably wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome.
US09175290B2
The invention relates to double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) compositions targeting the TMPRSS6 gene, and methods of using such dsRNA compositions to inhibit expression of TMPRSS6.
US09175285B2
The present invention relates to compounds that exhibit vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activity of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). The present invention is also directed to methods of identifying such compounds, and use of such compounds for the treatment of diseases related to dysfunction of vasodilation, inflammation, and/or endothelial cells. In particular non-limiting embodiments, components of the invention may be used to treat hypertension.
US09175278B2
We describe a method of expressing a recombinant protein comprising mannose-terminated N-glycans from a host cell, the method comprising: (a) introducing a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein into a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell comprising a mutation in the GnT 1 gene (GenBank Accession Number AF343963) leading to loss of GnT 1 function; and (c) expressing the recombinant protein from the host cell, in which the expressed recombinant protein comprises a mannose-terminated glycan structure, and in which the method does not include a step of introducing functional GnT-1 into the host cell. The method may be used for producing recombinant glucocerebrosidase with a mannose-terminated glycan structure, suitable for treatment or prevention of Gaucher's Disease.
US09175272B2
Primer sets for amplifying target regions containing sites to be detected in the UGT1A1 gene by a gene amplification method are provided, wherein the primer sets can amplify the regions specifically Three pairs of primer sets are used including forward primers consisting of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 4 or 81, 21, and 42 as well as reverse primers consisting of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 13 or 91, 29 and 48, respectively. The use of these primer sets makes it possible to amplify three target regions including parts where three types of polymorphisms (UGT1A1*6, UGT1A1*27, and UGT1A1*28) of the UGT1A1 gene are generated, respectively, in the same reaction solution at the same time.
US09175270B2
The invention relates to a method of modifying a yeast cell for the production of ethanol. According to some embodiments of the invention, the activity of the Gpd1 protein and/or the Gpd2 protein is reduced.
US09175269B2
The present invention provides modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, comprising nucleotide sequences of genomic RNA portions of two or more types of hepatitis C viruses, which comprises a 5′ untranslated region, a core protein coding sequence, an E1 protein coding sequence, a p7 protein coding sequence, an E2 protein coding sequence, an NS2 protein coding sequence, an NS3 protein coding sequence, an NS4A protein coding sequence, an NS4B protein coding sequence, an NS5A protein coding sequence, an NS5B protein coding sequence, and a 3′ untranslated region, and which can be autonomously replicated. In particular, the present invention relates to modified hepatitis C virus genomic RNA, which can be autonomously replicated by substitution of the RNA sequence portion encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of hepatitis C virus genomic RNA with a partial RNA sequence encoding NS3, NS4, NS5A, and NS5B proteins of a JFH1 strain shown in SEQ ID NO: 1.
US09175261B2
Cell-based compositions and methods of their use to inhibit an adverse immune response such as graft versus host disease or rejection of transplanted tissue in a transplant recipient that is histocompatibility mismatched to the transplant donor are disclosed. The compositions and methods utilize postpartum-derived cells, such as cells derived from the placenta or umbilicus.
US09175250B2
A web material containing one or more active agents and methods for making same are provided.
US09175245B2
Fatty amide compositions and their derivatives are disclosed. The fatty amides comprise a reaction product of a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives with a primary or secondary amine. Derivatives made by reducing, quaternizing, sulfonating, alkoxylating, sulfating, and sulfitating the fatty amide are also included. The amine reactant can be diethylenetriamine or (2-aminoethyl)ethanolamine, which provide imidazoline amides or esters, respectively. In one aspect, the ester derivative of the C10-C17 monounsaturated acid or octadecene-1,18-dioic acid is a lower alkyl ester. In other aspects, the ester derivative is a modified triglyceride made by self-metathesis of a natural oil or an unsaturated triglyceride made by cross-metathesis of a natural oil with an olefin. The compositions are valuable for cleaners, fabric treatment, hair conditioning, personal care, antimicrobial compositions, agricultural uses, and oil field applications.
US09175229B2
The invention comprises a process for cracking liquid hydrocarbon feed to produce cracked gaseous hydrocarbons comprising feeding a liquid hydrocarbon feed stream to an olefins furnace; cracking the liquid hydrocarbon feed stream in the olefins furnace to produce a gaseous cracked effluent stream; feeding the cracked effluent from the olefins furnace to a primary transfer line heat exchanger (TLE) having two sections; injecting a first wetting fluid in a weight ratio of wetting fluid to hot gaseous effluent tangentially into the hot gaseous effluent stream at a particular location in the second section of the primary TLE; feeding the hot gaseous effluent stream exiting from the TLE to a separator; separating a separator bottoms stream comprising tar and heavier hydrocarbons and a separator product stream comprising an olefin product; and recovering an olefin product from the separator product stream.
US09175226B2
A plant for producing char and fuel gas includes a fluidized bed reactor having a first inlet in a lower region of the fluidized bed reactor configured to supply a primary fluidizing gas, a second inlet disposed above the first inlet and configured to supply a secondary gas, and a third inlet configured to supply dried and crushed coal. A further reactor is configured to perform a further process, the further reactor being directly connected to the fluidized bed reactor via a first conduit. A pneumatic injection and/or transportation system is disposed between the fluidized bed reactor and the further reactor. The first inlet is connected to a first supply of a first gas having an oxygen content which is smaller than a second supply of an oxygen enriched second gas connected to the second inlet.
US09175225B2
A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool is described herein. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them.
US09175219B2
The present invention relates to compounds containing at least three ring systems, at least one of which is a 2,6-naphthylene group, and two unsaturated bridging groups between the ring systems, and to the use of the compounds for high-frequency components, in particular antennae, especially for the gigahertz region. The liquid-crystalline media comprising these compounds serve, for example, for the phase shifting of microwaves for tuneable ‘phased-array’ antennae.
US09175215B2
The present invention addresses the problem of providing a method for producing a phosphor dispersion liquid, which is not susceptible to settling of phosphor particles, without deteriorating the phosphor particles. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the present invention provides a method for producing a phosphor dispersion liquid that contains phosphor particles, laminar clay mineral particles, oxide microparticles and a solvent, said method comprising: a step of preparing a first dispersion liquid that has a viscosity of 50-500 mPa·s by mixing the laminar clay mineral particles, the oxide microparticles, and the solvent; and a step for mixing the phosphor particles into the first dispersion liquid.
US09175202B2
The invention provides a heat transfer composition comprising trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234ze(E)), fluoroethane (R-161) and a third component selected from difluoromethane (R-32) and/or 1,1-difluoroethane (R-152a).
US09175197B2
There is provided a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for optical films, which is excellent in heat resistance, weathering resistance and bleed resistance, which has an excellent balance of pressure-sensitive adhesion properties, such as adhesive strength, cohesive force and tack, the tack of which can be controlled, which is excellent in initial reworkability when it is used for applying an optical film to an adherend or applying a protective film to an optical film, and which further exhibits excellent adhesive durability by virtue of rise of adhesive strength when such a film as above in the applied state is kept over a long period of time after application or especially when the film in the applied state is exposed to high temperatures or moist heat. A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a specific acrylic diblock copolymer (I) and a specific acrylic triblock copolymer (II) in a specific proportion and a pressure-sensitive adhesive for optical films using the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition as a base are produced.
US09175196B2
The present invention relates to a photocurable adhesive composition. The photocurable adhesive composition comprises a urethane(meth)acrylate resin, a functional-group-containing polybutadiene, a photocurable monomer and a photoinitiator; and the functional group is either an epoxy group or a hydroxyl group. The photocurable adhesive composition ensures good outdoor readability, has outstanding adhesive properties, and impact strength and optical transparency, and minimizes the phenomenon whereby substantial contraction occurs during photocuring, and thus can be suitably used for a display.
US09175195B2
An adhesive hydrogel contains: a polymer matrix of a copolymer of a monofunctional monomer and a crosslinking monomer (a); another polymer component; water; and a polyhydric alcohol, wherein: either a structural unit derived from the monofunctional monomer contained in the polymer matrix or the other polymer component or both contain a structural unit derived from at least one compound (b) selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salts, and ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives having a hydroxyl group, an acid group, a salt thereof, an amino group, and/or an ammonium group; and the other polymer component contains a polymer compound (c) with a side chain having an oxyalkylene group or a polyoxyalkylene group.
US09175187B2
Coating compositions for cementitious substrates may be made from a multistage latex polymer; silane; and a water-soluble acid, acid anhydride or acid salt capable of etching or otherwise reacting with the surface of the substrate to provide improved coating adhesion. The silane may be present as a silane coupling agent distinct from the multistage latex polymer, or may be present as silane functionality on the multistage latex polymer. The coating compositions adhere well to cementitious substrates and have a self-etching capability which improves coating adhesion, especially near edges and corners.
US09175186B2
The present invention provides an aqueous opaque coating formulation comprising (A) and aqueous solvent; (B) an inorganic material; and (C) a chelating polymer which comprises units derived from one or more aminocarboxylate compounds or their salts, one or more other polymerizable monomers, one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers and, optionally, one or more crosslinking monomers. For example, the aminocarboxylate compounds or their salts may be one or more of iminodiacetic acid (IDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine triacetic acid (ED3A) and ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), or their salts. Suitable polymerizable monomers may be one or more of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC), allyl bromide, and their derivatives. The inorganic material may be a pigment, such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) or cadmium sulfide (CdS), or an extender or filler, such as talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2), calcium carbonate (CaCO3) or mica, or even combinations thereof.
US09175185B2
What are described are coating compositions comprising pigments and/or fillers and multistage polyvinyl ester dispersions as binders. These binders are produced by a selected multistage process in which a polyvinyl ester dispersion is obtained in a first stage, monomers in dissolved or pure form or in the form of an emulsion are added to the reaction mixture in a second stage and then the polymerization is started again. The polyvinyl ester dispersions comprise polymerized silanes and/or epoxides or the polyvinyl ester dispersions have only a small content of protective colloids, if any. The coating compositions formulated with the multistage polyvinyl ester dispersions obtained in this way are notable for a very high weathering resistance.
US09175181B2
In one example, an anti-fouling latex ink includes a liquid vehicle, a pigment dispersed in the liquid vehicle, latex dispersed in the liquid vehicle, and a polystyrene anti-fouling additive dispersed in the liquid vehicle as a free solution. An illustrative method of formulating a latex inkjet ink includes forming a liquid vehicle with water as primary solvent, dispersing pigments in the liquid vehicle, and adding 0.01 wt % to 1 wt % of a polystyrene antifouling additive as a free solution to the liquid vehicle.
US09175180B2
Provided is an ultraviolet curable inkjet ink and an inkjet image formation method that uses said inkjet ink. The inkjet ink can be ejected from an inkjet head without being diluted by a solvent, has high photo curing sensitivity and produces high quality images with excellent weather resistance (smear resistance). The inkjet ink is characterized by a polymerizable compound which contains a maleimide compound having a chiral group and a compound selected from a vinyl ether compound and a N-vinyl compound.
US09175177B2
There is provided a polyester coating composition having excellent action of preventing deposition of outdoor stain and stain caused by rainfall, being capable of extending a period of time (pot life) from the mixing to the coating, and comprising (A) a polyester resin, (B) one or more of fluorine-containing organosilicon compounds having a fluorine content of 5 to 30% by mass, (C) one or more of aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds having hydroxyl group and 1 to 10 carbon atoms, in which a part of hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atom may be substituted by fluorine atoms and/or one or more of alkoxy compounds having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, in which a part of hydrogen atoms bonded to carbon atom may be substituted by fluorine atoms, and (D) an organic solvent.
US09175174B2
Methods are described that have the capability of producing submicron/nanoscale particles, in some embodiments dispersible, at high production rates. In some embodiments, the methods result in the production of particles with an average diameter less than about 75 nanometers that are produced at a rate of at least about 35 grams per hour. In other embodiments, the particles are highly uniform. These methods can be used to form particle collections and/or powder coatings. Powder coatings and corresponding methods are described based on the deposition of highly uniform submicron/nanoscale particles.
US09175165B2
Selective chemosensing agents for hydrogen sulfide are provided. The chemosensing agents can act fast under mild conditions, are chemically stable for long-term storage, are sensitive for detection under near physiological conditions, show a linear concentration-signal relationship within physiologically relevant hydrogen sulfide concentration ranges for easy quantitation, show minimal or no interference by other anions in the blood, and are functional in aqueous solutions and blood plasma.
US09175164B2
A process of producing a polymer alloy includes melt-kneading at least two incompatible crystalline resins in a supercooled state by chaotic mixing using a twin-screw extruder. A polymer alloy obtained by melt-kneading at least two incompatible crystalline resins has a dispersed structure that particles dispersed in the polymer alloy have an average particle size of 0.001 to 1 μm, wherein in scattering measurement, (a) a peak half-width in a spectrum obtained by plotting scattering intensity against the wavenumber of scattered light and (b) a maximum wavenumber of the peak satisfy: 0<(a)/(b)≦1.5.
US09175161B2
Polymer nanocomposite having: a) a polylactic polymer; and b) a modified phyllosilicate composition having a modifying agent which includes hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium cations which are intercalated between the layers of the phyllosilicate; and preparation process of such a polymer nanocomposite. The polymer nanocomposite is particularly useful for packaging, particularly food and drink packaging.
US09175157B2
The present invention provides a polypropylene resin composition in a mixture of a pellet (A) and a pellet (B), which is characterized by mixing them with various inorganic fillers and additives, wherein the pellet (A) comprises a long fiber-reinforced composite resin (a) obtained via a pultrusion impregnation process, and the pellet (B) comprises a composite resin (b) that includes polypropylene and thermoplastic elastomer. The polypropylene resin composition of the present invention can directly replace thermoplastic elastomer overmolding or painting in automotive parts to which such processes are routinely applied (e.g., interior components of the vehicle), which makes it possible to simplify and reduce the cost of the production process for such parts.
US09175151B2
The present invention relates to a resin composition which includes a copolymer consisting of a first monomer containing a monomer unit having at least one carboxyl group and a second monomer copolymerizable with the first monomer, and also includes an ultraviolet absorber. The resin composition used is a resin composition for which, when ∈1 represents an absorbance coefficient per unit weight of a resin film 2 in a solution prepared by dissolving, in a solvent, the resin film 2 formed by application of the resin composition as a liquid, ∈1 at a light wavelength at which the resin film 2 is to be irradiated is at least 0.01 (L/(g·cm)).
US09175143B2
A production of a water-absorbent resin by which a particle diameter of the water-absorbent resin can be controlled simply and conveniently, and a content of fine powder can be decreased, without necessity of change of raw materials or expensive facility investment is to be provided. The method is a continuous production method of a polyacrylic acid (salt)-based water-absorbent resin, comprising a polymerization step of an aqueous solution containing acrylic acid (salt), a drying step of the resultant hydrogel-like polymer, a pulverization step of the dried substance, a classification step of the pulverized substance, and optionally a surface cross-linking step of the classified substance, wherein (a) the drying step and the pulverization step are connected via a storage step and a transportation step; and (b) a time of holding the dried substance from a time of completing the drying step to a time of starting the pulverization step is set at 3 minutes or longer.
US09175135B2
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 thermal 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).
US09175134B2
Described are bottles(s) comprising at least one polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid residues; 30 to 40 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and 60 to 70 mole % of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol residues, wherein the inherent viscosity of said polyester is from 0.50 to 0.68 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.5 g/100 ml at 25° C.; wherein said polyester has a notched Izod impact strength of at least 7.5 ft-lb/inch at 23° C. according to ASTM D256 with a 10-mil notch in a ⅛-inch thick bar; wherein the melt viscosity of said polyester is less than 10,000 poise as measured at 1 radian/second on a rotary melt rheometer at 290° C.; and wherein said polyester composition contains no polycarbonate.
US09175129B2
A two-coat coating system for producing a two-coat coating, comprising (A) a composition of a transparent radiation-curable or radiation-curable and thermally curable clearcoat material, comprising at least one hydroxy-functional binder, and (B) a pigmented coating composition, the pigmented coating composition comprising at least one blocked, water-soluble or water-dispersible isocyanate.
US09175124B2
The present invention relates to an elastomer mixture resulting from the modification of a diene elastomer by a coupling agent that introduces, into the elastomer chain, an alkoxysilane group bearing a tertiary or secondary amine functional group. This mixture predominantly comprises the diene elastomer coupled by the alkoxysilane group bearing a tertiary or secondary amine functional group which is bonded to the diene elastomer through the silicon atom. The invention also relates to a reinforced rubber composition, in particular that can be used for the manufacture of tires, which comprises a reinforcing filler and an elastomer matrix comprising at least this elastomer mixture, and to its preparation process. This composition has improved hysteresis and mechanical properties in the vulcanized state, and also improved processing in the uncured state.
US09175120B2
Polymerization of olefins in a reactor system having two reactors in series, more particularly a process for the polymerization of monomer in at least first and second reactors operated in series. The process includes contacting a first stream containing vapor derived from the effluent withdrawn from the second reactor with a feed stream to the second reactor, the feed stream containing effluent derived from the first reactor.
US09175117B2
The present invention provides a dual-cure composition containing multifunctional polyols, uretidiones, peroxide curable monomers containing unsaturation and crosslinking agents. The dual-cure composition may be used to form a high modulus material useful as the matrix in a prepreg material and in composites. The present invention also relates to methods for the production of the dual-cure composition, prepreg materials comprising the dual-cure composition and a fibrous support, and composites made from the prepreg material.
US09175115B2
Process for reducing thermally induced discoloration of fluoropolymer resin produced by polymerizing fluoromonomer in an aqueous medium to form aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion and isolating said fluoropolymer from said aqueous medium to obtain said fluoropolymer resin. The process comprises: heating the fluoropolymer resin to a temperature of about 160° C. to about 400° C.; and exposing the heated fluoropolymer resin to an oxygen source.
US09175114B2
Hair treatment compositions are disclosed comprising a β-amino ester compound in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, such as a spray or cream. In embodiments, the compounds include a polybutadiene moiety. Methods of treating hair with the compositions to impart volume, texture and definition are also disclosed.
US09175109B1
Disclosed herein are methods for recovering a by-product stream of an ethylene oligomerization process, and systematically processing this stream in order to form a polymer composition that can be pelletized conventionally. This polymer composition can have a bimodal molecular weight distribution, which can be characterized by a ratio of the respective peak molecular weights ranging from 400:1 to 2000:1, and further, a liquid component of the polymer composition is in a range from 1 to 35 weight percent.
US09175105B2
Copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin, having a density>0.930 g/cm3,melt index (g/10 min)>4, molecular weight distribution (MWD)>3.0, and FNCT>250 hours. The copolymer is suitable for use in rotomolding applications. The copolymer possesses improved impact strength, improved permeation resistance and improved environmental stress crack resistance and may suitably be prepared by use of metallocene catalysts.
US09175096B2
This invention relates to novel compositions comprising regioselectively substituted cellulose esters. One aspect of the invention relates to processes for preparing regioselectively substituted cellulose esters from cellulose dissolved in ionic liquids. Another aspect of the invention relates to the utility of regioselectively substituted cellulose esters in applications such as protective and compensation films for liquid crystalline displays.
US09175093B2
The present invention provides antagonizing antibodies, antigen-binding portions thereof, and aptamers that bind to proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9). Also provided are antibodies directed to peptides, in which the antibodies bind to PCSK9. The invention further provides a method of obtaining such antibodies and antibody-encoding nucleic acid. The invention further relates to therapeutic methods for use of these antibodies and antigen-binding portions thereof to reduce LDL-cholesterol levels and/or for the treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular disease, including treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
US09175092B2
The invention provides antibodies which bind to the ADP-ribosyl cyclase 2. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies are also provided. The antibodies may be used for the treatment of human cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer and human inflammatory diseases, including asthma, gout, crohns, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, diabetes and atherosclerotic.
US09175088B2
The present technology relates to genetic products the expression of which is associated with cancer diseases. The present technology also relates to the therapy and diagnosis of diseases in which the genetic products are expressed or aberrantly expressed, in particular cancer diseases.
US09175076B2
Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit the activity of human GDF15 are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat body weight loss, including cachexia, associated with the over-expression of human GDF15.
US09175070B2
Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies are disclosed that specifically bind to the CD4 binding site of HIV-1 gp120. Monoclonal neutralizing antibodies also are disclosed that specifically bind to HIV-1 gp41. The identification of these antibodies, and the use of these antibodies are also disclosed. Methods are also provided for enhancing the binding and neutralizing activity of any antibody using epitope scaffold probes.
US09175067B2
An immunoglobulin G Fc region binding polypeptide is provided, consisting of an amino acid sequence selected from i) a variant of Protein A domain or Protein Z and ii) an amino acid sequence which has at least 95% identity thereto. Also provided are methods for producing the polypeptide, compositions comprising the polypeptide, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptide, multimers of the polypeptide, and methods of using the polypeptide.
US09175062B2
The present disclosure provides a method for recombinant production of human sRAGE in mammalian cells, as well as a human sRAGE having a mammalian post-translational modification and compositions thereof. The present disclosure also provides a method of treating a vascular disease, injury, or inflammation in a mammal by administering to a mammal with a vascular disease, injury, or inflammation a composition comprising human sRAGE having a mammalian post-translational modification, thereby treating the vascular disease, injury, or inflammation in the mammal.
US09175061B2
Reductive amination of peptide-derived aldehydes with anilines or heteroarylamines containing a property-modifying group provides new, hydrolytically stable protein conjugates, suitable for therapy.
US09175058B2
The present invention provides methods of treating multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus and other autoimmune diseases by administering a soluble immune response suppressor (SIRS) peptide or a variant thereof to an individual having such disease. The SIRS peptide or variant reduces the severity of or frequency of relapse of multiple sclerosis and reduces the inflammation associated with multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.
US09175052B2
The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of one or more of ash, metal salts, alkaloids, particulates, heavy metals, and other impurities and/or contaminants from extracts, as well as modifying the sensory characteristics (e.g., odor, color, and/or taste characteristics) of extracts. The methods generally include diafiltration, treatment with functionalized resins, and supercritical extraction. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by one or more of: an ash content of less than about 15% by weight; a nicotine content of less than about 10 μg/g; and a heavy metal content of less than about 60 μg/g.
US09175050B2
The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 73% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 73% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional polypeptide and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.
US09175044B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a tautomer, a stereoisomer or a mixture of stereoisomers in any proportion, in particular a mixture of enantiomers, and particularly a racemate mixture, as well as to their process of preparation, their use in the peptide synthesis, said peptide and the use of said peptide.
US09175039B2
The present invention relates to peptide vaccines, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and associated methodologies that promote the immune-mediated regression of tumors expressing an onconeural antigen, e.g. a cdr-2 antigen, HuD antigen. The cancer peptide vaccines of the present invention are antigenic peptides capable of being faithfully presented on the MHC I complex of a target cell or antigen presenting cell. This external cellular presentation of these peptides promotes a specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated immune response against tumor cells expressing these proteins, thereby, inducing immunological reactivity.
US09175031B2
The invention relates to ketolide compounds of Formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, polymorphs and stereoisomers having antimicrobial activity. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds of invention and methods of treating or preventing microbial infections with the compounds of invention, wherein, T is —C*H(R1)—P-Q; R1 is hydrogen; unsubstituted or substituted lower alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; P is heteroaryl ring; Q is unsubstituted or substituted aryl or heteroaryl ring; and P is attached to Q via carbon-carbon link; and R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, With the provision that when R1 is hydrogen, R3 is fluorine.
US09175026B2
The invention relates to a radical-initiated thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reaction that provides a simple and efficient route to diverse trialkoxysilanes. Trialkoxysilanes made in this way are obtained in quantitative to near-quantitative yields with high purity without any or minimal purification. A wide range of functional groups is tolerated in this approach, and even complex alkenes click with the silane precursors. The modular nature of these radical-based thiol-ene or thiol-yne “click” reactions allows a wide variety of pendant groups to be coupled to silane compounds that can then be coupled to a wide variety surfaces in order to modify their material properties. Consequently, such radical initiated thiol-ene and thiol-yne reactions provide facile and efficient methods for preparing an enormous number of surface-active functional trialkoxysilanes.
US09175022B2
The invention relates to compounds of structural formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, and prodrug thereof, wherein Ra, Rb, and R2 are defined herein. These compounds inhibit tubulin polymerization and/or target vasculature and are useful for treating proliferative disorders, such as cancer.
US09175018B2
The present invention provides novel compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various diseases.
US09175015B2
The disclosure generally relates to formation of polymers grafted to or polymerized from the surface of gold nanoparticles. The polymers are functionalized to include therapeutic agents and/or targeting agents at their surface, thereby allowing both therapeutic and targeting compounds to be directed to specific cells in a patient.
US09174994B2
The present invention provides for methods and pharmaceutical compositions comprising inhibitors of mTorC1 and/or mTorC2. In some aspects, the invention provides for treatment regimens resulting in enhanced treatment efficacy and better tolerability.
US09174993B2
The present invention relates to N-[4-(1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyrazin-6-yl)-phenyl]-sulfonamides of the formula (I), (R2)n wherein Ar, R1, R2 and n have the meanings indicated in the claims. The compounds of the formula (I) are valuable pharmacologically active compounds which modulate protein kinase activity, specifically the activity of serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase (SGK), in particular of serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase isoform 1 (SGK-1, SGK1), and are suitable for the treatment of diseases in which SGK activity is inappropriate, for example degenerative joint disorders or inflammatory processes such as osteoarthritis or rheumatism. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I), their use as pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09174988B2
The invention provides derivatives and analogs of triazatetracyclo[7.7.0.01,13.02,7]-hexadeca-2,4,6,10,12-pentaenes, 5,7,11-triazatetracyclo[8.7.0.01,6.012,17]-heptadeca-6,8,12,14,16-pentaenes, pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and methods for treatment of hepatitis C viral infections using these compounds.
US09174986B2
Tropomyosin-related kinase inhibitors (Trk inhibitors) are small molecule compounds useful in the treatment of disease. Trk inhibitors can be used as pharmaceutical agents and in pharmaceutical compositions. Trk inhibitors are useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disease, defects of bone metabolism and/or cancer, and are particularly useful in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA), pain, and pain associated with OA. Trk inhibitors are also useful for inhibiting tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA), tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), tropomyosin-related kinase C (TrkC), and/or c-FMS (the cellular receptor for colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1)).
US09174985B2
The invention relates to salts of (7-(2,3-di-p-tolyl-7,8-dihydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazin-5(6H)-yl)heptanoic acid which are useful for treating diseases affected by the activation of the IP receptor, pharmaceutical compositions that contain the salts and processes for preparing the salts are also described.
US09174980B2
The present invention relates to compound of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1-R7, A and HET are as defined herein. The invention 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.
US09174965B2
Novel compounds of structure Formula I: (I) or an enantiomer, a diastereomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein, are provided which are GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulators. GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulators are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor modulator therapy. Thus, the disclosure also concerns compositions comprising these novel compounds and methods of treating diseases or conditions related to the activity of the GPR119 G protein-coupled receptor by using any of these novel compounds or a composition comprising any of such novel compounds.
US09174952B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formulae Ia and Ib, wherein G, R10, R30, R40, R50 and R60 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. They are inhibitors of the protease cathepsin A, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, renal diseases, liver diseases or inflammatory diseases, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formulae Ia and Ib, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09174949B2
Described herein are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the inhibition of Hedgehog signaling. Said compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods have utility in the treatment of human and veterinary disease and disorders.
US09174948B2
A relatively non-toxic desazadesferrithiocin analog having the formula: wherein: R1, R2, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and may be H, straight or branched chain alkyl having up to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, or arylalkyl wherein the aryl portion is hydrocarbyl and the alkyl portion is straight or branched chain, the arylalkyl group having up to 14 carbon atoms, R2 optionally being alkoxy having up to 14 carbon atoms; R3 is [(CH2)n—O]x—[(CH2)n—O]y-alkyl; n is, independently, an integer from 1 to 8; x is an integer from 1 to 8; y is an integer from 0 to 8, and R3O may occupy any position on the phenyl ring except the 4-position, or a salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; and methods and compositions for treating the effects of trivalent metal, i.e., iron, overload.
US09174938B2
An organic electroluminescence device including: an anode (10), a cathode (70), an emitting layer (40) including an organic compound, which is between the anode (10) and the cathode (70), two or more layers arranged in a hole injection and transport region which is between the anode (10) and the emitting layer (40), and one or more layers arranged in an electron injection and transport region which is between the emitting layer (40) and the cathode (70), wherein a layer in the hole injection and transport region, which is in contact with the emitting layer (40), includes an aromatic amine derivative having a carbazole skeleton, one of the layers other than the layer in contact with the emitting layer (40) in the hole injection and transport region includes one or more materials selected from the group consisting of thiophene derivatives, tricyclic or more cyclic fused aromatic derivatives, amine derivatives excluding the compound represented by the following formula (A), conductive polymers, CFx, CuPc, transition metal oxides, fullerenes and acceptor materials, and a layer in the electron injection and transport region includes a benzimidazole derivative.
US09174936B2
Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinal derivatives as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.
US09174930B2
The invention relates to the preparation of chiral compounds, in particular to the preparation of chiral compounds which may be used as intermediates for the preparation of anti-diabetic agents, preferably sitagliptin.
US09174927B2
A novel stilbene derivative is provided with motivation of providing a blue emissive material showing excellent color purity. The use of the stilbene derivative of the present invention allows the fabrication of a blue-emissive light-emitting element with excellent color purity. The invention also includes an electronic device equipped with a display portion in which the stilbene derivative is employed. The stilbene derivative of the present invention is represented by formula (1), in which Ar1 and Ar2 may form a 5-membered ring by being directly bonded to each other. In formula (1), A11 represents any one of substituents represented by general formulas (1-1) to (1-3). The variables shown in formula (1) and (1-1) to (1-3) are as defined in the specification.
US09174923B2
Alkyl lactyllactate and alkoxylated alkyl lactyllactate compounds that are useful as solvents in a variety of applications are disclosed. The compounds are derived from a hydroxyl containing compound and a lactide or lactic acid source that has a specific chirality. The alkyl lactyllactate and alkoxylated alkyl lactyllactate compounds are particularly suitable for use as solvents in applications requiring cold tolerance performance without inclusion of additional volatile components.
US09174916B2
The present invention provides compounds, and compositions comprising these compounds, which have immunomodulatory activity and/or anti-inflammatory activity.
US09174915B2
The disclosure relates to processes and systems utilizing one or more extraction towers in the recovery and recycle of acid catalysts used in the production of carboxylic acids. The carboxylic acids may be neo-acids produced through the hydrocarboxylation of olefins or olefin mixtures.
US09174910B2
This invention provides a method for producing acrylic acid by catalytic gas-phase oxidation, which method makes it possible to carry out a continuous operation steadily for a long period of time while a high yield is maintained.This method is characterized by comprising filling each of reaction tubes of a fixed-bed multitubular reactor with at least two species of catalysts each of which essentially comprises, as catalytically active components, oxide of molybdenum and oxide of vanadium and/or composite oxide of the same, said at least two species of catalysts being different in the ratio of D1/D2, D1 denoting the proportion of the total pore volume of pores whose pore diameter falls within the range of at least 0.03 μm and less than 0.4 μm to the total pore volume of the whole pores, and D2 denoting the proportion of the total pore volume of pores whose pore diameter fails within the range of at least 0.4 μm and at most 5 μm to the total pore volume of the whole pores, in such a manner that at least two reaction zones are formed axially in each of the reaction tubes.
US09174901B2
The present invention describes a process for pre-treating a steam reforming feed containing sulphur-containing compounds, using two desulphurization reactors: a temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) containing an active adsorbent solid; a permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) placed upstream of the steam reforming unit, which contains an adsorbent solid in the passivated state, necessitating a depassivation phase in order to be rendered active; the temporary desulphurization reactor (1010) being disconnected as soon as the adsorbent solid of the permanent desulphurization reactor (1003) has been activated, and the volume of the temporary desulphurization reactor being in the range 1/20 to 1/200 times the volume of the permanent desulphurization reactor.
US09174899B2
A method is provided for producing optically active alcohols from ketones by reducing a ketone in the presence of an iridium(III) complex having a chiral prolinamide compound as a ligand. The ketone is preferably a compound represented by formula [I]: (wherein R1 and R2 are different from each other, and each represent an optionally substituted straight or branched alkyl group, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, an optionally substituted aralkyl group, an optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl group, an optionally substituted alkenyl group or an optionally substituted alkynyl group, and R1 and R2 may be bound to each other at any appropriate position to form a ring, the ring optionally containing one or more atoms which may be the same or different and are selected from an oxygen atom, an optionally substituted nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom, and optionally being condensed with an aromatic or hetero-aromatic ring).
US09174897B2
Disclosed is a method for purifying a trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, in which a composition containing trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and at least one impurity selected from the group consisting of C2H3ClF2, CF3CH2CHClF, CF3CH2CHF2, CHF2CH═CF2, CF3CH═CHCl, CF3CH═CH2, CF3C≡CH, and cis-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene is brought into contact with a solid adsorbent to reduce an impurity content thereof. By this method, it is possible to remove the impurity in trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene by a simple operation.
US09174892B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing a mole ratio of methyl to phenyl of one or more aromatic compounds in a feed. The process can include reacting an effective amount of one or more aromatic compounds and an effective amount of one or more aromatic methylating agents to form a product having a mole ratio of methyl to phenyl of at least about 0.1:1 greater than the feed.
US09174890B2
The present invention relates to a method for converting carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons by reacting magnesium with carbon dioxide to obtain magnesium oxide and carbon, reacting the carbon with hot water steam to obtain hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide, reacting hydrogen and carbon monoxide according to the Fischer-Tropsch method, or reacting the carbon obtained with earth alkaline metal oxide to obtain earth alkaline metal carbide and carbon monoxide, wherein the earth alkaline metal carbide is then reacted with water to obtain acetylene and earth alkaline metal hydroxide.
US09174889B2
A nanoparticle of a decomposition product of a transition metal aluminum hydride compound, a transition metal borohydride compound, or a transition metal gallium hydride compound. A process of: reacting a transition metal salt with an aluminum hydride compound, a borohydride compound, or a gallium hydride compound to produce one or more of the nanoparticles. The reaction occurs in solution while being sonicated at a temperature at which the metal hydride compound decomposes. A process of: reacting a nanoparticle with a compound containing at least two hydroxyl groups to form a coating having multi-dentate metal-alkoxides.
US09174888B2
A gas generating composition exhibiting good slag forming ability is provided.The gas generating composition includes a fuel ranging from 10 to 60% by mass, an oxidizing agent ranging from 10 to 70% by mass, and a cooling agent (other than iron oxide) ranging from 1 to 20% by mass. The cooling agent has a volume mean diameter (D50) of 10 to 70 μm and a volume mean diameter at cumulative of 10% (D10) of equal to or greater than 5 μm. The cooling agent acts to decrease the combustion temperature and improve slag forming ability.
US09174877B2
A colored translucent zirconia sintered body contains a transition metal element as a coloring agent, having a clear color tone and high transparency, and being excellent in both design properties and esthetic properties, and its production process. A colored translucent zirconia sintered body includes yttria in an amount of at least 6 mol % and at most 15 mol % and at least one member selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, manganese, cobalt, chromium, copper and vanadium in an amount of at least 0.02 mol % and at most 0.5 mol % as calculated as oxides, and having a porosity of at most 1,000 ppm. The average crystal grain size is preferably at most 60 μm.
US09174871B2
A composition includes a cement component and an amidyl pyranose component. A method of making the composition includes mixing a cement component with an amidyl pyranose component.
US09174869B2
Cementitious compositions and processes for preparing and using the cementitious compositions are provided. The cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of a reduced or an attenuated water vapor emission from a cementitious mix and a concrete formed therefrom. Certain cementitious compositions are characterized by the property of accelerated drying while still maintaining good workability. Methods of improving water retention and surface drying of concrete, including lightweight concrete are provided. A water soluble ionic salt may be used to sequester water within the pores and capillaries of the cement paste and/or porous lightweight aggregate. In some examples, the salt may be added directly to concrete or aggregates may be infused with a water-salt solution to provide treated porous aggregates having improved water saturation and water retention.
US09174862B1
In a sewage treatment plant with a membrane bioreactor (MBR), raw untreated or partially treated wastewater (influent) and/or mixed liquor in the intensified process is superoxygenated. In a preferred form of the process the influent is superoxygenated such that membrane air scouring requirements are reduced. Influent may be fed to a swing zone where denitrification and nitrification occur simultaneously through process control. In one embodiment superoxygenation is conducted in an internal recycle stream of the mixed liquor, with oxygen content supersaturated preferably to over 300 parts per million. Due to the active evolution of oxygen gas from the supersaturated stream, occurring preferably by seeding the supersaturated stream with air bubbles, the supersaturated oxygen can serve the dual purposes of meeting process oxygen demands and providing part of air scouring requirements for the membranes.
US09174857B2
A procedure of obtaining adsorbent from a waste material and its use are disclosed. This invention provides a natural waste material, specifically avocado seed, its preparation and use for the filling of columns used in the elimination of contaminants present in wastewater. The particles have an irregular shape and variable size for filling columns of different diameter and length. The adsorbent has sufficient hardness for avoiding a particle collapse. The material does not rot, is re-generable and ecological. In the present invention the preparation of the adsorbent, its pre-activation, carbonization and application to eliminate the color of textile wastewater is disclosed.The color elimination from textile wastewater, as well as decrease of salts, total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC), is carried out passing the textile wastewater through a column filled with the prepared adsorbent. In batch systems metals dissolved in water can be eliminated.
US09174853B2
A continuous or semi-continuous process for producing a high purity germane includes (a) preparing a reaction mixture containing hydrogen and crude germane and (b) separating the hydrogen from the crude germane by a pressure swing adsorption process. The pressure swing adsorption process results in a hydrogen-rich product stream and a germane-rich product stream. The method further includes (c) purifying the germane-rich product stream by continuous distillation thereof to remove impurities therefrom and to produce a high purity germane containing less than 0.1 volume percent of impurities.
US09174837B2
A method for measuring retained surface charges within a MEMS device includes performing an initial voltage sweep on the MEMS device, and recording the capacitance between a first and second electrode of the MEMS device. The method may then (1) apply a stress signal to the MEMS device that causes a first and/or second electrode within the MEMS device to retain a surface charge, and (2) perform at least one additional voltage sweep on the MEMS device. The method may record the capacitance during the additional voltage sweep(s), and calculate a C-V center voltage shift based upon the data obtained during the initial voltage sweep and additional voltage sweep. The voltage shift is representative of the retained surface charge.
US09174827B2
A power assist device includes: holder holding a workpiece; a pair of wires each having one end connected to the holder to suspend the holder; a pair of wind-up wheels winding up respective other ends of the wires; a pair of motors rotationally driving the respective wind-up wheels; a pair of rotation detectors detecting rotation information of the respective motors; a pair of torque detectors detecting drive torque in the respective motors; and controller controlling drive of the motors. The controller calculates operating force to the workpiece based on the rotation information detected by the rotation detectors and the drive torque of the motors detected by the torque detectors, and controls the motors to assist the operating force that is calculated, to move up and down the holder.
US09174822B2
An elevator has an elevator car supporting frame that can travel in a travel space provided for a journey of the elevator car supporting frame. The elevator installation is also provided with a first elevator car and a second elevator car arranged on the elevator car supporting frame. Furthermore, a hydraulic moving element is arranged in a lower end region of the travel space. In this way, the first elevator car can be moved in relation to the second elevator car, by the moving device, in the lower end region of the travel space.
US09174789B2
A container formed from a blank comprising a base layer and a lamination layer. The container has a bottom wall, a side wall, and a rolled edge extending from the side wall. The container includes features for helping to direct moisture from an interior surface of the bottom wall of the container to the side wall. The features comprise a plurality of embossed features and linear features extending in at least a portion of the container and defining respective grooves in an interior surface of the container defined by the bottom wall and the side wall.
US09174788B2
A buffering cushion with a suspending layer hung between inward-bent air columns is provided. The quick-inflatable buffering cushion includes a first buffering member, a second buffering member, a third buffering member, a pair of vertical walls and a suspending layer. The second and third buffering members are bent to form a rectangular casing that has one pend end and a U-like sectional shape. A hammock-like suspending layer is integratedly extended from ends of the vertical walls for carrying an external object while providing buffering protection. The vertical walls form together with the second and third buffering member dual lateral buffering protection, respectively. The suspending layer is a non-inflatable piece, and thus is unlikely to be punctured by a sharp portion of the external object. Thereby, the external object is well protected in all directions by the buffering cushion and secured from damage during transport.
US09174763B2
A carton for holding a plurality of containers. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. At least two end flaps can cooperate to at least partially form a closed end of the carton. A reinforcing insert comprises a central panel and at least one reinforcing end flap. The central panel can be at least partially disposed in the interior of the carton, and the at least one reinforcing end flap can comprise a base portion and a distal portion foldably connected to the base portion. The base portion extends in an oblique direction from the central panel toward the closed end of the carton.
US09174759B2
A blow molded plastic container includes a main body portion having an upper surface and a finish portion that extends from the upper surface. A reinforcing strut is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion adjacent to the finish portion for providing increased structural rigidity and top load strength to the container. The reinforcing strut may be fabricated in a manner that promotes drainage of fluid from the container, such as by defining a downwardly sloping inner channel that leads to the finish portion when the container is inverted.
US09174758B1
Methods and apparatus for material handling in an order fulfillment center. An order fulfillment system may include a pre-shipment package preparation module that receives packaged units, and performs various post-packaging operations to facilitate shipment. Some embodiments may include an alignment section configured to orient received packaged units, a package verification section configured to verify one or more physical parameters of the packaged units, a labeling section configured to automatically apply shipping labels to each packaged unit while the packaged units travel at a constant velocity from the packaging verification section and through the labeling section, thereby applying labeling without need to stop or slow travel of the packaged units through the system. Some embodiments include a routing section that is configured to route each packaged unit to a corresponding shipping path that is selected based on information (e.g., packaged height, customer order information) associated with the given packaged unit.
US09174753B2
A phased split-pitch barrel loader for a packaging machine has a leading loader arm assembly and a trailing loader arm assembly. Each loader arm assembly has a loader arm that carries a loader face on one end and the loader arm is extendable and retractable on guide rails. One loader arm is driven in a downstream direction by a first set of endless chains and the other is driven by a second set of endless chains. One of the endless chains can be advanced or retarded in phase relative to the other to move the loader arms further apart or closer together as they move in the downstream direction. This moves the loader faces further apart or closer together and the loader faces have fingers that interleave when the loader faces are brought together. Thus, a composite loader face having a predetermined area can be formed by moving the loader arm assemblies closer together or farther apart. The composite loader face is sized in each case to correspond to groups of articles such as beverage cans of different sizes and/or different configurations.
US09174752B2
A mobile strapping device for strapping packaged goods with wrap-around strap including a tensioner for applying a strap tension to a loop of a wrapping strap, and a friction welder for producing a friction weld connection by way of a friction welding element at two areas of the loop of the wrapping strap disposed one on top of the other, and a chargeable energy storage means for storing electrical energy that can be released as drive energy for motorized drive motions at least for the friction welder for producing a friction weld connection. For a strapping device with high functional reliability and ease of handling, despite the possibility of automated production of wrapped straps, at least to a large extent, the strapping device to includes a planetary gear system for transferring and changing the rotational speed of a drive motion provided by an electrical drive of the friction welder.
US09174751B2
A sealing die assembly for a form fill packaging machine is disclosed. The sealing die assembly may have a forming station, a loading station, a sealing station, and a cutting station. The sealing station may contain a sealing die box and a sealing die head that come together to secure pieces of packing material around a product. To minimize the amount of scrap that the sealing die assembly produces, the die box may have one or more protrusions that extend in a longitudinal direction and provide surface area. The one or more protrusions may be configured so as not to interfere with the longitudinal spacing of one or more cavities that may be formed in the packing material.
US09174749B2
A propulsion module configured to launch a craft into space including a recoverable module and a non-recovered part, which is secured to the recoverable module at launch. The recoverable module includes a propulsive system to launch the craft, systems for command and control of the propulsive system, a subsonic flight propulsion motor, airfoils for the subsonic flight, a landing gear, and a braking parachute. The recoverable module is installed in a lower position of the craft when the craft is in the launch position. The non-recovered part includes at least one tank to feed the propulsive system. The recoverable module and the non-recovered part are configured to be separated when the propulsion module reaches a given altitude, and the recoverable module is capable of landing in a controlled fashion after a coasting flight, for example for a return to the launch site.
US09174748B2
A rail system for use when assembling a component in an aircraft comprises a first rail element having a securing device which is designed to be complementary to a first securing device provided in the region of a floor of an aircraft fuselage element and is adapted to cooperate with the first securing device in order to releasably secure the first rail element in the region of the floor of the aircraft fuselage element, wherein a section of the first rail element projects beyond an edge of the floor of the aircraft fuselage element in the connected state of the first rail element and the aircraft fuselage element. The first rail element furthermore comprises a guide device, which is designed to be complementary to a first guide device provided on an assembly aid, which is to be introduced into the aircraft fuselage element, and is adapted to cooperate with the first guide device to enable a guided displacement of the assembly aid to be introduced into the aircraft fuselage element relative to the rail system. The rail system furthermore comprises a second rail element having a securing device which is designed to be complementary to a second securing device provided in the region of the floor of the aircraft fuselage element and is adapted to cooperate with the second securing device in order to releasably secure the second rail element in the region of the floor of the aircraft fuselage element, wherein a section of the second rail element projects beyond an edge of the floor of the aircraft fuselage element in the connected state of the second rail element and the aircraft fuselage element. The second rail element furthermore comprises a guide device, which is designed to be complementary to a second guide device provided on an assembly aid, which is to be introduced into the aircraft fuselage element, and is adapted to cooperate with the second guide device to enable a guided displacement of the assembly aid to be introduced into the aircraft fuselage element relative to the rail system.
US09174733B1
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is disclosed that includes a retractable payload delivery system. The payload delivery system can lower a payload to the ground using a delivery device that secures the payload during descent and releases the payload upon reaching the ground. The delivery device can include a channel in which a payload mount attachment for a payload can be inserted. The payload mount attachment can include an aperture for receiving a retaining rod to secure the attachment, and thus the payload, to the delivery device. The retaining rod can assume either an engaged position, in which a portion of the retaining rod engages the payload mount attachment while the payload mount attachment is inserted in the channel, or a disengaged position, in which the retaining rod does not engage the payload mount attachment.
US09174731B2
A tiltrotor aircraft includes a fuselage; a wing member having a first rib, a second rib, a first spar, second spar; and an upper wing skin; an engine disposed at a fixed location relative to the wing member; and a proprotor having a spindle gearbox, rotor mast, and a plurality of rotor blades drivable in rotation about the rotor mast, the spindle gearbox being rotatable about a conversion axis. The spindle gearbox is located above the upper wing skin of the wing member.
US09174726B2
A driving device for driving a wheel of an airplane in a direction same as that of a revolution of the wheel after landing, includes a revolution drive disc having a flat ring plate having an attachment portion adapted to attach on a side surface of a tire of the wheel; and a plurality of fins arranged on the ring plate. The plurality of fins is obliquely arranged on an outer side surface of the ring plate so that when the plurality of fins receives relative atmospheric air flow, a torque generated by the fins at a lower side of the tire in the direction same as that of the revolution of the wheel after landing is larger than a torque generated by the fins at an upper side of the tire in a direction reverse to that of the revolution of the wheel after landing.
US09174724B2
The invention provides a deployment mechanism 60 for deploying an auxiliary wing surface device 30 from an aircraft wing body 20, the deployment mechanism providing a first connector portion 75, 576 for connecting the deployment mechanism to the aircraft wing body, a second connector portion 65 for connecting the deployment mechanism to the auxiliary wing surface device, and a telescopic rod 61 linking the first and second connector portions, the telescopic rod comprising an inner rod 64 extendable from inside of an outer rod 63 to increase the length of the telescopic rod, such that the distance between the first and second connector portions can be increased. The invention also provides an aircraft wing 10, 510, an aircraft and a method of operating an aircraft.
US09174715B1
An apparatus is for a changing gear in a marine propulsion system. A cam rotates about a first axis with a shift shaft. The cam has a body and an arm that radially extends from the body with respect to the first axis. A cam follower moves parallel to a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis to cause movement of a clutch, thereby enacting a gear change. The cam follower defines a pocket that is elongated with respect to the second axis and a recess that extends from the pocket along a third axis that is perpendicular to the first and second axes. The cam is disposed in the pocket and the arm extends into the recess. During a constant rotation of the shift shaft in a first direction about the first axis, the cam follower moves with respect to the second axis to enact the gear change and also dwells with respect to the second axis.
US09174714B2
A portable, human-powered, catamaran styled water cycle that can be used by users of all ages. The water cycle contains a left pontoon, a right pontoon, a steering mechanism, a propelling mechanism, a seat, a left wheel, and a right wheel. The steering mechanism has a rudder which is controlled with the use of a steering handle. The propelling mechanism has a propeller which is powered by pedaling. The left pontoon and the right pontoon are both foldable such that the water cycle can be extended or collapsed conveniently. The seat is cushioned and also includes a back rest which can be used as a second seat when required. The left wheel is mounted onto the left pontoon and the right wheel is mounted onto the right pontoon. Therefore, the water cycle can be dragged with the use of the wheels for storing purposes.
US09174698B2
A vehicle height adjusting device includes a front fork and a rear suspension capable of changing the relative position between a vehicle body and wheels of a vehicle, and a control device that adjusts a vehicle height, which is a height of the vehicle body, by controlling the front fork and the rear suspension to change the relative position. The control device changes a vehicle height change rate, which is a rate of changing the vehicle height to a target vehicle height during stoppage, on the basis of deceleration of the vehicle.
US09174687B2
A link apparatus of a variable rear spoiler for a vehicle, may include an outer linkage coupled to a motorized rotating drive shaft, a base bracket affixed to a vehicle body and a spoiler bracket connected to a rear spoiler, wherein the outer linkage determines a withdrawal height of the rear spoiler at a fully open state of the rear spoiler, and an inner linkage positioned inside of the outer linkage and coupled to the drive shaft, the base bracket, and the spoiler bracket, wherein the inner linkage determines a withdrawal angle of the rear spoiler at the fully open state of the rear spoiler.
US09174681B2
In a vehicle body front section structure according to the present invention, as well as a pair of left and right front side support portions and a pair of left and right rear side support portions that support a suspension member from the vehicle body, the suspension member is also coupled to a dash panel by coupling members. The coupling members are provided in the vehicle front-rear direction between the pair of left and right front side support portions and the pair of left and right rear side support portions, and provided in the vehicle width direction between the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle left side and the front side support portion and rear side support portion on the vehicle right side.
US09174676B2
The invention relates to a method for executing an at least semi-autonomous parking process of a vehicle (13) by means of a parking assistance system (15), in which ambient conditions of the vehicle (13) are sensed as it travels past a potential parking space (3), and a parking path is determined as a function of the ambient conditions and of the parking space (3), wherein the ambient conditions comprise at least one obstacle (18, 18′, 18″) which is external to the parking space and does not directly bound the parking space (3) and is detected as near to the vehicle and is taken into account in the determination of the parking path (3), wherein the parking process is executed in a plurality of maneuvers (26, 27, 29; 34, 38, 39), and at least one maneuver (26, 27, 29; 34, 38, 39) which is executed with an autonomous steering intervention is determined in terms of its profile as a function of the obstacle (18, 18′, 18″). The invention also relates to a parking assistance system (15) for a vehicle (13).
US09174673B2
A method for determining a steering rack force (FR) for a steering system of a vehicle, in which a first steering rack force (RFD) is ascertained as a function of at least one force that occurs in the steering system or at least one torque (tor_RA) that occurs in the steering system. So as to provide less strong feedback on the force conditions in the steering system for reasons of driving comfort, in particular when this is currently not required, it is proposed to ascertain a second steering rack force (RFC) as a function of at least one vehicle variable (v, ang_RA), which characterizes the state of movement of the vehicle, and to generate a resulting steering rack force (FR) based on the first steering rack force (RFD) and the second steering rack force (RFC).
US09174670B2
The invention concerns a hydraulic steering (1) comprising a supply connection arrangement, a steering motor (2), a high pressure supply (P), and a steering unit (3) arranged between the supply connection arrangement (S) and the steering motor (2), the supply connection arrangement comprising a steering valve (9), and a valve arrangement (27). The task of the hydraulic steering is to improve the safety and faults detection over the state of the art. For this purpose, the steering valve (9) is only deflectable if the valve arrangement (27) is deflected.
US09174662B2
A brake device is disposed at a child carrier including a frame and at least one wheel unit that includes a hub and a plurality of spokes radiating from the hub. The brake device includes a base unit, an operable unit, a brake unit, and a positioning unit. The base unit is connected to the frame and is formed with a first guiding groove and a through hole. The operable unit is pivotally connected to the base unit and includes at least one side wall formed with a positioning hole and a second guiding groove. The brake unit is disposed slidably in the first and second guiding grooves. The positioning unit is disposed in the through hole and includes a positioning component and an elastic member elastically abutting against the positioning component.
US09174661B2
A foldable stroller includes a stroller frame having two side frame portions, each of which includes a push rod, a leg rod, a pivot joint, and an armrest assembly including an armrest and an armrest folding device. The pivot joint has an upper joint member connected to the push rod, and a lower joint member connected to the leg rod. The armrest folding device includes: a connecting unit connected fixedly to the armrest, connected pivotally to the lower joint member, and having a guide slot formed therethrough; and a guide pin connected to the the upper joint member and extending through the guide slot. When the push rod is rotated relative to the leg rod, the guide pin moves between too opposite ends of the guide slot to thereby rotate the connecting unit relative to the lower leg rod.
US09174648B2
A system incorporated in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a communication system including a text messaging communication hardware to receive a message via a text messaging service. The message includes a command. The system also includes a microcontroller, coupled to the communication system and a machine control system, to execute the command through the machine control system. The machine control system is configured to control components of the vehicle. The microcontroller is configured to determine if a configuration allows execution of the received command and to return a response to the communication system.
US09174641B2
In a device and a method for increasing the safety of a motor vehicle, a first sensor unit (2) detects the environment, in particular free spaces and objects (0) and the position and motion thereof, a second sensor unit (20) detects the environment state, a third sensor unit (30) detects the vehicle state, and a fourth sensor unit (40) detects the driver inputs. The respective data from the several sensor units are combined. In consideration of the data, a driving safety coordinator (6) calculates the risk of collision on the basis of a risk evaluation, and determines pre-collision phases (P1, P2, P3, P4a, P4b) of the motor vehicle (1) with regard to the object (0).
US09174637B2
Methods and systems are provided for improving surge control. When surge conditions are approached, a reference governor reduces engine airflow at a slower rate and to a higher level than the engine airflow required to meet the reduced torque demand. The excess torque resulting from the extra airflow is offset by applying a negative torque on the driveshaft via an electric machine coupled to the engine or via alternate engine actuator adjustments.
US09174636B2
A method for managing energy in response to a request of a driver for torque on a power train of a hybrid vehicle including a heat engine and at least one electric motor powered by a battery, capable of recovering energy during deceleration in accordance with a management rule distributing the energy supply from the heat engine and from the electric motor in real time. The energy-management law depends on: an equivalence factor that is based on an instantaneous energy state of the battery, an energy target, and travel conditions of the vehicle; and a discharge precompensation factor that is based on energy potential that can be recovered during deceleration.
US09174630B2
A control device for a transmission including m (m≧3) solenoid valves and configured to establish a plurality of shift speeds by engaging n1 (2≦n1
US09174627B2
A hybrid vehicle configured to allow charging from a source external to the vehicle includes a connector electrically connecting a battery with an external commercial power supply, an absorption unit absorbing fuel vapor, and an activation unit activating the absorption unit to facilitate disengagement of the fuel vapor during connection of the power storage device with the external power supply by the connector. The absorption unit includes a canister to which fuel vapor adheres. The activation unit includes a heater receiving electric power from at least one of the battery and external power supply to heat the canister. The hybrid vehicle further includes a purge mechanism conducting a purge relative to the canister. Thus, there can be provided a hybrid vehicle that can process fuel evaporating gas without reducing the EV allowed travel distance.
US09174626B2
A method for controlling shifting between a plurality of operating modes in a hybrid vehicle includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of throttle position values, generating a comparison between a first throttle position value of the plurality of throttle position values and a second throttle position value of the plurality of throttle position values, and selectively allowing a shift between at least two of the plurality of operating modes, based at least in part on the comparison between the first and second throttle position values.
US09174625B2
To improve the purification action of a catalytic converter that is being heated but has not yet reached a desired operating temperature, the internal combustion engine is driven by an electric machine to convey a flow of heating medium through a catalytic converter for heating purposes before the internal combustion engine is started.
US09174614B2
A safety brake system for a trailer comprises a brake end, an actuation end and a biasing unit. The brake end comprises a brake unit adapted to be secured to a trailer and positioned to block at least one wheel of the trailer when actuated. The actuation end comprises a mount adapted to be secured to a front end of the trailer and a probe operatively supported by the mount for displacement with respect to the trailer. The probe is operatively connected to the brake unit for actuating same. The probe is displaceable between a hitching state in which the probe is adapted to contact the hitch of a vehicle, and a braking state in which the probe actuates the brake unit. The biasing unit biases the probe against the hitch of the trailer in the hitching state and toward the braking state, such that the brake unit is actuated when the hitch is separated from the trailer.
US09174608B2
A belt retractor including a force limiter comprises a belt reel which is rotatably supported in a frame as well as a blocking unit counteracting a rotation of the belt reel and a force limiter between the belt reel and the blocking unit which permits a limited torsion of the belt reel against the blocking unit under load. The force limiter includes a damping element consisting of a cross-linked polymer which is sheared under load.
US09174605B2
Disclosed is a pedestrian airbag cushion. The pedestrian airbag cushion includes a cushion inflated to cover a windshield glass by an inflator, with a vent hole formed in the cushion. A tether is provided on a portion of the cushion corresponding to a driver's seat and is connected at a first end to an upper portion of the cushion. The tether extends downwards and is connected at a second end to a lower portion of the cushion. The tether has a contractive force to pull the portion of the cushion corresponding to the driver's seat downwards after the cushion is deployed.
US09174600B1
An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.
US09174599B2
A pet fence includes a first part having multiple first bars, and two second parts each having multiple second bars are slidably connected to the first part. Two positioning tubes are connected to the first part and each have first holes and second holes. Multiple adjustment units connect the first part to the second parts, and each adjustment unit is cooperated with a locking unit which extends through one of the first holes the positioning tubes. When the locking unit is loosened, the two second parts are movable relative to the first part to adjust the width of the pet fence. At least one clamp unit is connected to one of the second holes of the positioning tube to secure the at least one clamp unit to the headrest rod the seat of a vehicle.
US09174578B2
A rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror casing and an electro-optic reflective element assembly disposed at the mirror casing. A second surface of a front substrate of the reflective element assembly has a transparent conductive coating established thereat and a third surface of a rear substrate has a conductive coating established thereat. An electrical connector may be disposed at the fourth surface and in electrically conductive continuity with the transparent conductive coating and/or the conductive coating. The electrical connector may include a connector attaching portion for attaching at the fourth surface and a conductor attaching portion for soldering or welding an electrical conductor or wire to the electrical connector when the electrical connector is attached at the fourth surface. The conductor attaching portion is spaced from the plane of the connector attaching portion and the fourth surface of the rear substrate.
US09174574B2
A safety system for a vehicle includes an imaging sensor and an image processor. The image sensor has an exterior rearward field of view. The imaging sensor captures image data and the image processor is operable to process captured image data to detect an object approaching the subject vehicle from rearward of the subject vehicle. The safety system is operable to determine if the detected object is likely to collide (or that a collision is probable or imminent or unavoidable or substantially unavoidable) with the subject vehicle and is operable to adjust a safety feature of the vehicle before the collision occurs. The safety system may be operable to adjust or vibrate or reposition a headrest of a seat in the subject vehicle responsive to determination that the detected object is likely to collide with the subject vehicle.
US09174573B1
A coaching system for drivers of vehicles monitors the power dissipation of a manual transmission clutch and, when the energy dissipated during an event is excessive, suggests modified driving technique. The system may monitor launch events, shift events, and steady state driving. The system may adjust the energy threshold at which a suggestion is provided based on vehicle weight or road gradient. The system may also adjust the energy threshold when an estimate of clutch temperature is elevated. The suggestion may be provided on a graphic display or may be provided verbally over a speaker. In some cases, the suggested may also be conveyed to a third party outside the vehicle.
US09174564B2
Hooks are provided which permit the removable attachment to loop members of tie-downs straps of the type used to tie-down cargo. In one example, a modified J-hook is provided where the two hook that form the hook members on the end of the J-hook are separated from one another and create a gap between the members to permit the threading of the hook to loop member of the tie-down straps. In another example, a modified ring-hook is provided with overlapping end members for removable receiving the loop members of the tie-down straps.
US09174558B2
A seat operating device comprising: an operation member; a first clutch member that is connected to an adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a first cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the first clutch member; a second clutch member that is connected to another adjusting mechanism, and in which is formed a second cut-out portion that opens outwardly in a rotation radial direction of the second clutch member; and a switching member having a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that are positioned at mutually opposite sides across a rotational center. When the switching member is positioned at one end of a range of movement of the switching member, the first engaging portion engages with the first cut-out portion, and, when the switching member is positioned at another end of the range of movement, the second engaging portion engages with the second cut-out portion.
US09174555B2
Vehicle occupant support for enhanced comfort and utility in a vehicle with arrangements for crash load protection of occupants. A posture enabling device.
US09174551B2
A drive device for an electric vehicle includes: a parking lock mechanism that mechanically locks a rotation of a rotating shaft of drive wheels; a parking lock operating unit; an electric motor; a balancing torque estimating unit for applying rotational torque to the electric motor in the opposite direction of the direction of torsional torque applied to the rotating shaft, while locking via the parking lock mechanism is done, and for balancing torque in advance that balances out the torsional torque, based on a state of the rotational phase of the electric motor; and a torque applying unit for applying torque to the electric motor before the locking is released, the torque calculated based on the estimated balancing torque.
US09174549B2
Disclosed is a driving force control device that includes a determination section (12), a driving force command value calculation section (13), and a command value output section (14). The determination section (12) determines whether each of a plurality of motors (106), which independently drive a plurality of wheels (107), can be operated within a desired operating range when driven by a target driving force calculated for each of the motors (106). The driving force command value calculation section (13) adjusts the distribution of driving force for each of the motors in accordance with the target driving force for each of the motors and with the operating status of each of the motors and calculates an actual driving force command value for each of the motors for the purpose of operating each of the motors within the desired operating range if the determination means determines that each of the motors cannot be operated within the desired operating range. The command value output section (14) outputs the driving force command value to each of a plurality of inverters (105). Therefore, a target vehicle motion can be maximally realized while appropriately maintaining the drive status of each of the motors.
US09174547B2
The present invention relates to an electric vehicle and a charging control method for an auxiliary battery of the electric vehicle. According to the present invention, the electric vehicle comprises: a high-voltage battery which drives the electric vehicle; a plurality of electric field loads; the auxiliary battery which supplies driving power to the plurality of electric field loads; a first voltage detection unit which detects an output voltage of an auxiliary battery side; a converter which performs a PWM switching to convert the voltage of the high-voltage battery into a voltage required in the electric field loads; a plurality of relays; a power relay assembly (PRA) which is switched to supply the energy of the high-voltage battery to the converter according to whether or not the plurality of relays are in operation; and a vehicle control module (VCM) which controls the driving of the power relay assembly, wherein the converter includes a converter control unit, which sends a driving instruction signal requesting the vehicle control module to drive the power relay assembly depending on a magnitude change of the output voltage of the auxiliary battery side. Accordingly, discharging of the auxiliary battery in a starting-off state is prevented, which makes it possible to stably operate the electric vehicle system.
US09174543B2
The present disclosure provides a method for producing a manganese oxide/graphene nanocomposite including synthesizing a manganese oxide/graphene nanocomposite through liquid phase reaction at a room temperature, a manganese oxide/graphene nanocomposite produced by the method, and an electrode material and a super-capacitor electrode including the manganese oxide/graphene nanocomposite.
US09174540B2
A fault diagnosing system method for a coolant switching device for a vehicle are provided. The fault diagnosing system includes a first coolant pipe line that passes through an electronic device and an interior heating device. A second coolant pipe line branches off the first coolant pipe line and passes through a radiator. In addition, a coolant switching device is disposed at a branching point at which the second coolant pipe line branches off the first coolant pipe line and an on-board charger charges a vehicle battery and is disposed on the second pipe line. A controller is configured to determine a failure of the coolant switching device and stop the on-board charger from charging the vehicle battery when a temperature of the on-board charger is greater than a first set temperature and a temperature of the electronic device is less than a second set temperature.
US09174538B2
At least two functions provided in an off-road operation of a vehicle are activated or deactivated by a single operation of a control device. The feedback regarding the activated overall functionality takes place via the display device, which may be provided as backlit symbol in the control device. The functions to be activated or deactivated are driver assistance on downhill grades in the form of a downhill driving restriction, flat accelerator pedal characteristic map, either power take-off function for a manual transmission or gear step preselection function for an automatic transmission, navigation display function, instrument cluster display function, driving light activation function, and automatic parking brake function.
US09174525B2
A hybrid electric vehicle includes a high voltage DC bus and an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is mechanically coupled to a non self-excited generator/motor which is preferably a switched reluctance machine. A power inverter electrically and bidirectionally couples the high voltage DC bus to the non self-excited switched reluctance generator/motor. Front and rear axle dual DC-AC inverters electrically and bidirectionally couple two traction AC non self-excited switched reluctance motors/gear reducers to the high voltage DC bus for moving the vehicle and for regenerating power. An ultracapacitor coupled to the high voltage DC bus. A bidirectional DC-DC converter interposed between a low voltage battery and the high voltage DC bus transfers energy to the high voltage DC bus and ultracapacitor to ensure that the non self-excited switched reluctance generator/motor operating in the motor mode is able to start the engine.
US09174521B2
A drive train of a vehicle has a drive motor and a traction drive driven by the drive motor. A hydraulic work system has at least one hydraulic pump driven by the drive motor. To deliver torque into the drive train and/or to absorb torque from the drive train, the drive train is provided with an additional hydraulic machine which can be placed in communication with a hydraulic pressure accumulator and/or a tank and can be operated as a pump and a motor in the same direction of rotation. The hydraulic machine has an inlet connection and an outlet connection and a switching valve device is provided to control the connection of the inlet connection and the outlet connection with the pressure accumulator or the tank.
US09174510B2
A twistable closed profile crossmember for a rear axle of a motor vehicle, the crossmember making it possible to connect two longitudinal arms of the axle. The crossmember includes a tube including: end portions that are each connectable to one of the two arms; an intermediate portion that is deep-drawn so as to obtain a U- or V-shaped transverse section wherein the inner walls of the tube are separated by a space; and two transition portions having a transverse section modified to connect each end portion to the intermediate portion. The crossmember further includes two inserts, each closing one end of the intermediate portion on all or part of the length of each transition portion to avoid all contact between the inner walls at the intermediate portion when the crosspiece is subject to a twisting force.
US09174507B2
A leaf spring assembly, which may be attached to, for example, an axle or suspended components a vehicle, includes a leaf having a first end and a second end on opposing sides of a center point. The leaf is the only leaf in the leaf spring assembly. The leaf spring assembly also includes a first bumper and a second bumper spaced from the first bumper. The first bumper contacts the leaf upon a first displacement of the leaf spring assembly. The second bumper also contacts the leaf upon the first displacement of the leaf spring assembly.
US09174499B2
The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire 1 in which turbulent-flow generating projections 10 each extending from an inner circumference side to an outer circumference side are provided on a outer circumferential face 3a which is tire surface of tire side portion 3 at intervals in a tire circumferential direction. Each of the turbulent-flow generating projections 10 includes an edge portion 10g when being viewed in a cross-sectional shape taken along a direction perpendicular to an extending direction thereof, and a front wall angle θ formed between a front wall face 10a of each turbulent-flow generating projection 10 and the tire surface (outer circumferential face 3a) is set in the range of 70° to 110°, the front wall face being hit by an airflow.
US09174495B2
The present invention is directed to a pneumatic tire 1, comprising at least one pair of parallel annular beads 3; at least one carcass ply wrapped 5 around said beads 3; a tread 7; and first and second sidewalls 9 disposed between said tread 7 and one of said at least one pair of beads 3. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the tread comprises tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12, wherein the tread blocks 11 and/or tread ribs 12 comprise sipes 13 extending essentially in an axial direction A of the tire 1, the sipes 13 consisting of an upper portion 15 essentially aligned with the radial direction R of the tire and a lower portion 17 inclined in the direction of rotation D of the tire 1.
US09174494B2
A tread pattern of a pneumatic tire includes: first inclined grooves having positions located separated from a center line as starting ends and extending in a first direction of the tire circumferential direction; first lug grooves extending from respective ends on the outer side in the tire width direction of the first inclined grooves in the first direction of the tire circumferential direction, and having an angle formed with the tire width direction smaller than an angle formed with tire width direction of the first inclined grooves; second inclined grooves extending from the respective ends on the outer side in the tire width direction of the first inclined grooves in the first direction of the tire circumferential direction; and third inclined grooves extending from respective intermediate points on the first lug grooves in the first direction of the tire circumferential direction.
US09174490B2
A tire comprising a crown reinforcement formed from at least two working crown layers and from at least one layer of circumferential reinforcing elements positioned radially between two working crown layers, the working crown layers adjacent to the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements being on each side of the equatorial plane and in the axial continuation of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements coupled over an axial width, in order thereafter to be decoupled. A first additional layer of polymer blend having a width at least equal to the width 1 of the coupling zone and having a maximum thickness of less than two times the thickness of the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements is positioned radially under the working crown layer radially adjacent to and inside the layer of circumferential reinforcing elements and is at least partially radially superposed on the coupling zone of the working crown layers.
US09174486B2
A specially designed line marking device includes a marking string that is attached to a bow-shaped support structure with no free end for conveniently use by a single operator, a shuttle for coating the marking string with marking media prior to use, allowing an operator to effectively use this marking device and snap a marking line onto a working surface without the assistance of an additional operator, and a movable carriage containing liquid, powder, or aerosol marking media to be sprayed or deposited along said marking string, creating an inverse image of the marking string.
US09174484B2
A rollable paint tray which will be maneuvered on a floor by the painter manipulating an extended handle of a paint roller assembly is disclosed. The tray will have a body, a plurality of rolling members and a structural configuration which permits placement of the paint roller on the tray where it will remain in contact during maneuvering of the tray by the painter. The body has a paint containment area, a paint roller containment area and a rolling surface area. The painter may easily replenish fresh paint on the paint roller and roll the paint roller to obtain a desired quantity and uniformity of coverage on the paint roller. The tray permits the painter to paint a large area, along a great distance, while remaining standing straight. This eliminates the conventional need for the painter to manually move their supply of fresh paint which often involves bending or squatting.
US09174475B2
In the optimization of a non-discharge correction parameter for correcting a non-discharge using a non-discharge correction nozzle, a first test chart including a non-recording region that is the recording position of the non-discharge correction nozzle, a measurement chart region where a measurement chart is formed, and a uniform concentration region is formed for a designated nozzle that is previously designated. Then, the first test chart is read, the reading data is analyzed, the concentration at the measurement chart and the concentration at the uniform concentration region are compared for each non-discharge correction parameter, and a non-discharge correction parameter corresponding to the concentration at the measurement chart that minimizes the concentration difference from the uniform concentration region is derived as the optimum value of the non-discharge correction parameter for the designated nozzle.
US09174472B2
The disclosure discloses a printer comprising a take-up portion, a first memory, a consumed amount calculating portion, a first correcting portion, an operation signal input portion, and a second correcting portion. The take-up portion takes up a recording medium on which printing was performed by the printing head. The first memory stores a value related to a remaining amount or a consumed amount of the recording medium. The consumed amount calculating portion calculates a first consumed amount based on a fed amount by the feeder. The first correcting portion corrects the value stored in the first memory by the first consumed amount. The second correcting portion corrects the value r stored in the first memory by using a predetermined second consumed amount, triggered by input of the operation signal to the operation signal input portion.
US09174471B2
An image recording apparatus includes: an apparatus casing in which a transport path for transporting a sheet is formed; a first sheet support unit having a first support surface configured to support the sheet; a feed unit configured to feed the sheet supported by the first support surface to the transport path; a second sheet support unit having a second support surface configured to support the sheet; a transport unit configured to transport the sheet from the first and second sheet support units via the transport path; and a recording unit configured to record an image on the sheet transported by the transport unit in the transport path. The first and second sheet support units are arranged on one side surface of the apparatus casing, and the first and second support surfaces are configured to incline with respect to a placement surface on which the apparatus casing is placed.
US09174463B2
A control method of a serial printer enables easily removing the printing paper when a paper jam occurs, and can prevent or suppress damage to the printhead when removing the printing paper. A serial printer 1 conveys printing paper P by a conveyance mechanism 22 including a second paper feed roller pair 31 located upstream from the print position A in the first conveyance direction M1. If a paper jam of the printing paper P is detected when the printhead 12 is at a position opposite the horizontal conveyance path portion 13c of the paper conveyance path 13, conveyance of the printing paper P first stops, and the printhead 12 is then moved on the vertical axis Z away from the horizontal conveyance path portion 13c. Next, the printhead 12 is moved on the transverse axis X to a away position 12AW outside the horizontal conveyance path portion 13c, and nipping of the printing paper P by the second paper feed roller pair 31 is then released.
US09174459B2
An imaging system includes incidence faces composed of optical faces having an image focusing function; prisms; and exit faces. The incidence faces are arranged with a first pitch along a first axial direction. The prisms are arranged with a second pitch along the first axial direction. The exit faces are arranged with a third pitch along the first axial direction. The first axial direction is set as a Y direction. A normal line direction of a face top of an optical face of the incidence face in a plane perpendicular to the first axial direction is set as a X direction. A direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the X direction is set as a Z direction. In a XZ cross-section plane, a width of the prism in the Z direction is smaller than a width of optical face of the incidence face in the Z direction.
US09174448B2
An ink jet recording apparatus is provided which includes a recording unit including a recording head having a surface provided with an ejection opening therein, an aqueous ink that is ejected from the ejection opening to record an image on a recording medium, a protection unit including a covering member that covers the surface having the ejection opening, and a recovery unit separate from the covering member, having no member that scrapes the ink deposited in the ink receiving member or sucks the ink from the ejection opening. The recovery unit includes an ink receiving member that receives waste ink discharged from the ejection opening according to preliminary ejection data, directly from the ejection opening without interposing any other member. The aqueous ink contains a self-dispersible pigment containing the carboxyl group or the sulfonate group.
US09174446B2
A printing system that comprises a media transport system for conveying a print media along a media path in a first direction. A plurality of print modules each spanning the print media path along a second direction. Each print module defines a major axis along the second direction. A minor axis that aligns along the first direction and an intermediate axis with each of the print modules. A printhead array that includes printheads spaced from the media path. A fluid regulator portion configured to regulate a fluid pressure in the printhead portion. Each of the print modules are configured to be installed into and removed from the printing system as an integral unit.
US09174439B2
A liquid ejection head includes a print element board and an electric wiring board electrically connected to a bump of the print element board using an interconnecting wire. The bump has a first surface and a second surface. The height of the second surface from a surface of a base plate is higher than that of the first surface. The first surface has a protrusion formed therein, and the bump is connected to the interconnecting wire in the second surface.
US09174438B2
A printhead includes a jetting module that forms liquid drops travelling along a first path. A deflection mechanism causes selected liquid drops formed by the jetting module to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path. A catcher includes a stationary porous surface. A liquid film flows over the stationary porous surface of the catcher. The catcher is positioned relative to the first path such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film.
US09174437B2
Provided is a liquid ejecting apparatus including a first temperature sensor for detecting ink temperature and a second temperature sensor for detecting ambient temperature of a liquid ejecting head, in which a controller for controlling discharge of the ink generates a driving signal including a discharge voltage which is used for, based on a temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, discharging ink droplets through nozzle openings and a fine-oscillation voltage which is used for finely oscillating meniscuses of the ink without discharging the ink droplets and corresponds to the discharge voltage. Furthermore, the controller sets a coefficient in accordance with a temperature difference between the ink temperature and the ambient temperature and controls an energy level of the fine oscillation by applying the fine-oscillation voltage, based on the coefficient. In addition, the controller causes the discharge voltage to be applied to a pressure generation unit corresponding to the nozzle openings through which the ink droplets are discharged and causes the fine-oscillation voltage to be applied to a pressure generation unit corresponding to the nozzle openings through which the ink droplets are not discharged.
US09174431B2
A printing screen comprises a screen printing foil and a sub-frame component secured to an edge of the foil, wherein the foil is formed with cut-outs defining deflectable parts of the foil to be deflected out of the plane of the remainder thereof, and the sub-frame component comprises a fixed lip upon which part of the foil can be received, a recess into which the said deflectable parts of the foil can be deflected, and a moveable lip defining a series of spaced projections, the moveable lip being moveable to a position in which the projections bear against the deflectable parts of the foil, deflecting the deflectable parts into the recess to secure the foil to the sub-frame component.
US09174423B2
A method for producing a decorated laminate having a plate-shaped core made of wood or wood material, a decorative layer on at least one side of the core, and a cover layer having aminoplast on the decorative layer, comprising the following steps: providing the plate-shaped core, fastening a cellulose nonwoven material on at least one side of the core, printing the decoration on the exposed side of the cellulose nonwoven material, attaching at least one curable cover layer on the printed decoration, and curing the curable layers.
US09174417B2
A housing suitable to comprise multiple electrical power cells in electrically driven motor vehicles comprises at least one lower receiving part and one upper covering part. Both parts fit together and create inside a hollow space. Both parts are prepared from a multilayered material comprising at least one support layer of thermoplastic polymer and at least one cover layer of metal adhering to each other. Such housing is perfectly suitable to protect the power cells inside against mechanical damage and against the influence of fire and/or electromagnetic radiation.
US09174412B2
A high strength carbon fiber composite (CFC) wafer, and method of making such wafer, with low surface roughness comprising at least one sheet of CFC including carbon fibers embedded in a matrix. The wafer can have a thickness of between 10-500 micrometers. The wafer can have a root mean square surface roughness Rq, on at least one side, of less than 300 nm in an area of 100 micrometers by 100 micrometers and less than 500 nm along a line of 2 millimeter length. The wafer may be cut to form x-ray window support structures, MEMS, or other micrometer sized structures.
US09174411B2
A laminated sheet is produced by forming an adhesion layer permeable to a liquid component and contactable with a skin on at least one side of a liquid-retention layer comprising a nonwoven structural member and having an ability to absorb the liquid component. The adhesion layer comprises a nonwoven structural member comprising a fiber having a number-average fiber diameter of not more than 10 μm, and the thickness ratio of the adhesion layer relative to the liquid-retention layer is 1/4 to 1/100 as a ratio of the adhesion layer/the liquid-retention layer. The fiber of the nonwoven structural member of the adhesion layer may have a standard deviation of fiber diameter of not more than 5. The nonwoven structural member of the liquid-retention layer may comprise a fiber having a fiber diameter larger than that of the fiber of the adhesion layer. The laminated sheet has a liquid retentivity and a liquid releasability in a well-balanced manner, and has an excellent adhesion and an excellent fit to the skin in the state where the sheet is impregnated with a liquid component.
US09174405B2
A curing station for curing a tread strip, having a flat curing mold; a gripper which grips a portion of the cured tread strip inside the curing mold; an actuating device which, at the end of the curing process, moves the gripper to gradually extract the cured tread strip from the curing mold; and a guide device which, as the cured tread strip is extracted, is positioned over the curing mold, and has a main roller, about which the extracted part of the cured tread strip winds, and a secondary roller smaller in diameter than, and positioned parallel to and alongside, the main roller.
US09174403B2
The present invention is directed to manufacturing processes for manufacturing a single piece of thermostatic pipe from a length of pipe with a female end that is reinforced by a band of reinforcing material extending around the female end. When the pipe and a similar adjacent pipe are threaded together, the band of reinforcing material helps protect the female end against failure due to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses. In this regard, the reinforcing material is any material with a higher resistance to hoop stresses and/or lateral stresses than the material from which the pipe is made.
US09174398B2
A heating blanket may include a conductor for receiving electrical current and generating a magnetic field in response to the electrical current. A plurality of sleeve segments may be mounted on the conductor in end-to-end relation to one another. Each one of the sleeve segments may be formed of magnetic material having a Curie temperature. The sleeve segments may be inductively heated in response to the magnetic field.
US09174394B2
The invention provides a prepreg comprising matrix and fibers, having deposited thereon a plurality of regions raised at least 5 micrometers relative to the surface of the matrix, a method of preparing such a prepreg, a method of curing a laminate of a plurality of such preprags and the cured laminate produced by such a method.
US09174391B2
The present invention relates to a device for manufacturing three-dimensional models by means of a 3D printing process, whereby a build platform for application of build material is provided and a support frame is arranged around the build platform, to which said support frame at least one device for dosing the particulate material and one device for bonding the particulate material is attached via the guiding elements and the support frame is moveable in a Z direction, which essentially means perpendicular to the base surface of the build platform, said movement provided by at least two vertical positioning units on the support frame. In this respect, it is provided that the positioning units are respectively separate components and are arrangeable on the support frame independently from one another and the location and orientation of such can be adjusted independently from one another.
US09174389B2
A consumable assembly comprising a container portion configured to retain a supply of filament, a guide tube connected to the container portion, and a pump portion connected to the guide tube.
US09174386B2
A device for butt-joining a product made of strips or webs of material includes a soldering and cutting workstation and a rolling workstation. The butt-joining device includes apparatus for adjusting the relative position of a rolling component and the soldering and cutting zone to be rolled.
US09174381B1
A method and apparatus for applying a sealant material onto a surface. In one illustrative embodiment, an apparatus comprises a dispenser and an adjustment system associated with the dispenser. The dispenser is configured to receive a sealant material from a sealant source and dispense the sealant material through an output of the dispenser. The adjustment system is configured to change a configuration of the output.
US09174370B2
Provided is a fine paper powder-containing resin molded object with a content of a thermoplastic resin being reduced to offer a lighter weight and a superior mechanical strength, and a manufacturing method thereof. The fine paper powder-containing resin molded object (1) is made from a thermoplastic resin containing fine paper powder and is composed of a non-foam layer (2) formed on the surface and a foam layer (3) formed in the inner side. The foam layer (3) has, in the order from the surface side, a first foam layer (3a) containing cells having an average cell diameter ranging from 10 to 100 μm, a second foam layer (3b) containing cells having an average cell diameter from 5 to 50 μm, and a third foam layer (3c) containing cells having an average cell diameter from 20 to 500 μm. The molded object (1) contains an aromatizing ingredient.
US09174362B2
Solvent-free spraying system including methods and apparatus for spraying plural component materials without requiring the use of solvents to flush out equipment or as part of the materials being dispensed. Materials sprayed can have simultaneously widely varying viscosities, pressures, temperatures and ratios between two or more respective components being combined by the spraying apparatus. Cure rates and gel times can vary widely from hours to less than 10 seconds for mixing and dispensing various plural component thermoplastic and thermosetting materials including foams, moldings and coatings made from urethanes, ureas, epoxies, polyesters, phenolics and other chemical compositions that react rapidly upon mixing of the components thereof.
US09174360B2
An interchangeable concrete cutting chain-saw cutting assembly (500) adapted for installation upon a drive assembly (112) in exchange for a removed, different type cutting head assembly. The chainsaw cutting assembly (500) includes a housing (703) that has fasteners that releasably attach the housing (703) to a drive assembly (112) in an installed configuration. A ratio transmission (525) has a plurality of interconnected rotatable members (533, 535), each rotatable member (533, 535) having a mounting shaft (641, 643) positioned at a fixed location on the housing (703) by a bearing assembly (640, 642). The driven member (533) has a receiver that interconnects with a driveshaft (372) of the drive assembly (112) in the installed configuration whereby the driven member (533) is rotated by the drive assembly (112). The cutting chain drive member (535) operatively interconnected with a drive sprocket (707) whereby rotation of the cutting chain drive member (535) rotates the drive sprocket (707). The chainsaw cutting assembly (500) is pivotable relative to the drive assembly (112).
US09174354B2
A power tool has a driving shaft for driving a working element and a clamping device for clamping the working element. The clamping device has a clamping position in which the working element may be fixed relative to the driving shaft and a release position in which the working element can be removed from the driving shaft. An operating member is coupled to the clamping device for moving the clamping device between positions. The clamping device also has a rotating position in which the working element can be rotated by an angle relative to the driving shaft and the operating member has an operating position that corresponds to the rotating position.
US09174351B2
System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
US09174349B2
A rotary electric shaver includes a handle assembly having a housing, a motor disposed in the housing, a drive shaft operatively connected to the motor and extending through the housing, and a socket for securing a shaver head thereto. The shaver head assembly includes a coupling for detachable coupling to the socket. The coupling is configured to allow the shaver head to be detachably coupled to the handle assembly in at least two different orientations of the shaver head relative to the handle assembly.
US09174343B2
A picking system enables a user to easily know when an article that has been placed is different from an article originally scheduled to be placed in a particular position. The picking system includes a picking robot, an ID reader, an encoder, a comparing unit, and a terminal screen. The picking robot picks a workpiece from a first predetermined position and places the article in a second predetermined position. The ID reader acquires identification information of the workpiece picked by the picking robot. The comparing unit compares the identification information acquired by the ID reader with identification information of a workpiece scheduled to be picked. The terminal screen indicates, based on a result of the comparison executed by the comparing unit, a placement position of a workpiece whose identification information does not match the identification information of the workpiece scheduled to be picked.
US09174340B2
A robot system according to an aspect of embodiments includes a terminal part, a robot control unit, and a duplex signal line. The terminal part includes a connection terminal to which one or more external devices that output a plurality of signals can be connected. The robot control unit controls an operation of the robot in accordance with the signals from the external device(s). The duplex signal line connects the terminal part to the robot control unit and transmits the plurality of signals, input from the external device(s) into the terminal part, to the robot control unit via two routes. Moreover, the duplex signal line includes the two routes each of which collects the plurality of signals and transmits the signals with a signal line.
US09174338B2
A robotic movement system includes at least one orb-based transmission assembly that includes an orb mount structure to or in which a magnet is mounted. At least one motor and a plurality of rollers are also mounted to the orb mount structure. The rollers contact an orb, which is rotated via rotation of the rollers for displacement and rotation of the robotic platform. The orb also includes a magnet having a magnetic attraction to the magnet mounted to the orb mount structure to hold the orb in contact with the rollers. In exemplary embodiments, the robotic movement system can function as a navigation and displacement mechanism for a displaceable robotic system or as a robotic joint for robots or for living beings.
US09174332B2
A driving tool with tool portion and a gas delivery system. The tool portion includes a linear pneumatic motor that is configured to propel a driver blade. The gas delivery system is configured to deliver a pressurized gas, such as compressed air or nitrogen, to the tool portion for use in operating the linear pneumatic motor. The gas delivery system includes a first inlet, which is connectable to a first source of compressed gas, such as a stationary air compressor, a second inlet, which is connectable to a second source of compressed gas, such as a tank mounted to the tool portion, and a directional valve for selecting between the first and second inlets.
US09174329B1
A tool for repositioning a plunger is formed from a pair of concentric and relatively rotatable shafts. The inner and tubular outer shafts respectively support enlarged forward and rear head elements. The shafts are relatively rotatable between a first position, in which the cross-sectional profiles of the head elements are aligned, and a second position, in which the cross-sectional profiles of the head elements are in skewed opposition. A ball detent mechanism at the interface between the forward and rear head elements permits accurate location of the first and second positions. The tool is used with a tubular collar element having a stem section and an enlarged flange section, and a disk-shaped platform element having a centrally disposed and internally threaded opening. The threaded opening in the platform element receives the externally threaded outer shaft of the tool.
US09174324B2
A polishing apparatus is used for polishing a substrate such as a semiconductor. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing table configured to hold a polishing tool having a polishing surface, a polishing head having a top ring configured to press a substrate against the polishing surface, and a polishing head cover configured to cover the polishing head. The polishing apparatus further includes a first cleaning liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a cleaning liquid to an outer surface of the polishing head cover, and a second cleaning liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a cleaning liquid to an inner surface of the polishing head cover.
US09174314B2
Structural repair of cracks and other defects in superalloy components, such as steam or gas turbine blades in stationary or aero gas turbines, are performed by heating the blade substrate to an isothermal hold temperature below the substrate's incipient melting point and filling the crack with molten superalloy filler material. The molten filler solidifies into a casting and bonds with the component substrate at the isothermal hold temperature. Heat treatment processes are completed, so that the former crack is filled with cast superalloy material having identical or similar structural properties as the adjoining substrate superalloy material. The casting repair method may be utilized universally for all types of superalloy component defects, including those previously repaired by cosmetic, lower strength welding or brazing methods.
US09174311B2
A welding workbench assembly comprises a base. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a first wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The second panel is adjacent to the first panel at a first end of the first panel and the third panel is adjacent to the first panel at a second end of the first panel. The welding workbench assembly further comprises a second wraparound barrier comprising at least three panels, including a fourth panel, a fifth panel, and a sixth panel. The fifth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a first end of the fourth panel and the sixth panel is adjacent to the fourth panel at a second end of the fourth panel.
US09174309B2
A turbine component and a process of fabricating a component are disclosed. The process includes excavating a base metal of the component to form a fill region and filling the fill region with a filler metal. The filler metal has a filler metal elongation that is at least 25% greater than a base metal elongation of the base metal. The filler includes, by weight, between about 4% and about 7% iron, between about 14% and about 17% chromium, between about 15% and about 17% molybdenum, between about 3% and about 5% tungsten, up to about 0.02% carbon, up to about 1% manganese, up to about 2.5% cobalt, and a balance of nickel and/or the filler metal elongation is greater than about 35% in/in per two inches.
US09174300B2
A method for layer-by-layer manufacturing of a three-dimensional work piece, including: (a) delivering a metallic feed material into a feed region; (b) emitting an electron beam; (c) translating the electron beam through a first predetermined raster pattern frame that includes: (i) a plurality of points within the feed region; and (ii) a plurality of points in a substrate region that is outside of the feed region; (d) monitoring a condition of the feed region or the substrate region for the occurrence of any deviation from a predetermined condition; (e) upon detecting of any deviation, translating the electron beam through at least one second predetermined raster pattern frame that maintains the melting beam power density level substantially the same, but alters the substrate beam power density level; and (f) repeating steps (a) through (e) at one or more second locations for building up layer-by-layer.
US09174294B2
A method for monitoring a spatter generating event during a welding application. The method includes capturing data that corresponds to a welding current of the welding application. The method also includes detecting parameters associated with a short circuit from the captured data. The method includes analyzing the detected parameters to monitor the spatter generating event during the welding application.
US09174277B2
A ladle shroud for casting liquid metal contains a canal along which the metal can pass, extending essentially along an axis, and a metallic jacket positioned at an end portion of the shroud that corresponds to an end of the canal, characterized in that the jacket comprises at least a belt of a thickness greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably of 14 mm, and in that the shroud comprises means of attachment to driving means, the attachment means being formed on the jacket, notably on the belt thereof.
US09174275B2
A method for manufacturing a metal-ceramic composite structure for high temperature exposure is provided, whereby the composite structure includes a base metal structure or component, which is on at least one side covered and permanently joined with one or more ceramic tiles. The method may include the steps of: manufacturing green bodies with cavities and sintering the green bodies to receive ceramic tiles into cavities; arranging the ceramic tiles in a cast mould; pouring liquid metal into the cast mould to substantially fill the cavities; creating an intermediate metal layer; and solidifying the liquid metal to permanently join the ceramic tiles and the intermediate metal layer.
US09174268B2
An apparatus for forming an article by forging. The apparatus has at least one die having a die cavity to receive material, said material being at least partially molten, and at least one punch to slidably engage the die cavity and to exert a forming pressure on material disposed in the cavity. There is also at least one pin for forming an article feature. The pin is to slidably engage the die and to contact the material, the pin being further to recede upon exertion of the forming pressure and to exert a feature forming pressure when receded and thereby form the article having the article feature when the material solidifies under the forming pressure.
US09174259B2
A method and apparatus for forming flanges on a panel. The flanges may be weld flanges or hem flanges. The flanges stretch to reduce spring back and may be trimmed. The trimming operation is performed after the flange area is formed on the panel.
US09174256B2
The present invention relates to a hot rolling high-pressure fluid descaling method and descaling apparatus. The apparatus comprises at least one descaling unit, a axial direction of a main pipe header of the descaling unit and a rolling stock transportation direction intersect. Each nozzle ejects fluid onto a surface of the rolling stock to form an impact region. The adjacent impact regions are presented in an alternate pattern on the surface of the rolling stock. The center lines of the impact regions along a longitudinal direction are spaced apart by a specific distance, and the center lines are essentially perpendicular to the rolling stock transportation direction.
US09174255B2
In a rolling mill train (2; 30; 56) for processing rolling stock (4, 32), at least three rolling stands (10) are directly adjacent in the rolling direction and are driven by electric motors (20) having superconducting windings. It is thereby possible to keep the distances between the rolling stands smaller than with conventional electric drives, thus reducing energy losses during the rolling process. A combined casting and rolling station (40), which is equipped with such an electric motor (20) in the rolling stands, is configured and/or operated efficiently in terms of the required heating power.
US09174245B2
The invention relates to system conceived and designed to identify pieces of fruit, especially citrus fruits, affected by any amount of rot and to determine the automatic expulsion of these pieces from the conveyor moving them through the installation. The system comprises illuminating the fruits with UV-A band light in a computer vision unit, and capturing images of the illuminated fruits by means of a camera to send them to a general control member in order to detect fluorescences associated to the rot effect. The identified fruit is automatically expelled from the conveyor in an expulsion unit, the position of the defective fruit being determined with the aid of an encoder associated to the conveyor. The general control member is a PC type computer, equipped with specific application software.
US09174243B2
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes comprises a screening unit configured to screen a defibrated material obtained by defibration treatment, and a sheet forming unit configured to form a sheet with the defibrated material screened with the screening unit. The screening unit has a first screening unit to which a plurality of first openings are provided and a second screening unit to which a plurality of second openings larger than the first openings are provided, and the defibrated material is screened by the first screening unit and the second screening unit. The defibrated material is screened at one of either the first screening unit or the second screening unit and thereafter screened at the other, and the sheet forming unit forms the sheet with the defibrated material that does not pass through the first openings and does pass through the second openings.
US09174237B2
Disclosed herein is an article including a substrate, a first layer adjacent the substrate, the first layer having a silicone-containing pressure sensitive adhesive and a thickness of less than about 5 um, and a second layer adjacent the first layer and opposite the substrate, the second layer having a pressure sensitive adhesive. The silicone-containing pressure sensitive adhesive can include a copolymer of a vinyl polymeric backbone having polysiloxane moieties grafted thereto.
US09174228B2
A kitchen sink sprayer, comprising a body enclosed in an outer enclosure for being gripped and provided with a coupling to a flexible water supply hose connected to a faucet for adjusting the flow-rate between a closed position and an open position, the body comprising a rod which has, at one end, a tip that is adapted to open selectively the access of the water to a duct for forming a central jet and to ducts for forming a peripheral jet, and is provided with means for actuation by the user, the means for actuating the rod having a tab which is connected directly to the rod in an intermediate position of the rod and protrudes from the enclosure of the sprayer, at its lateral surface, by an extent that is sufficient for contact grip by the user when it is necessary to actuate the rod in order to move it from one of its selection positions to the other and vice versa.
US09174226B2
A water spray gun, including: a gun body, a valve switch, and a device for switching a spray pattern. The gun body includes: a water passage and double water hole. The valve switch includes: a button, a pressing piece including a unilaterally oblique plane, a rear plate including an inner guide rail, a rotating piece including a unilaterally oblique plane, a first spring, a front sealing ring, a switch rotating core, and a double sealing ring. The device for switching a spray pattern includes a water spray cap, a water spray plate, a decentered interface, a second spring, a wedge rotating piece for water diversion including a plurality of negative wedge blocks each including a negative wedge, a wedge push rod including a plurality of positive wedge blocks each including a positive wedge, a housing of a gun head, and a trigger.
US09174221B2
Provided are a mixture separation method and a separation apparatus in which agglomeration of particles contained in the mixture is suppressed, energy required in distillation treatment of a supporting liquid is small in comparison with conventional methods, and particles that cannot be separated by conventional methods can be separated from a mixture containing the particles. The separation method and separation apparatus of the present invention separate, by type, a plurality of types of particles formed of mutually different materials by applying a magnetic field having a magnetic field gradient to the mixture containing the plurality of types of particles in the supporting liquid. Alternatively, the separation method and separation apparatus of the present invention separate a specific type of particle from such mixture. The supporting liquid is an organic solvent solution obtained by dissolving one or more types of paramagnetic compounds in an organic solvent. The plurality of types of particles includes particles of an inorganic salt, an organic acid salt, an inorganic oxide or a macromolecular compound. The organic solvent may be selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, nitriles, ketones, esters, amides, sulfoxides, halomethanes and hydrocarbon solvents.
US09174214B2
The present invention relates to a method of coupling multiple binding agents to respective areas of a substrate surface by hydrodynamic addressing, using two laminar fluid flows that flow together in the same direction over the substrate surface with an interface to each other to successively couple the binding agents to the substrate areas, wherein each successive coupling of a binding agent to a surface area is followed or preceded by selective deactivation or activation of a selected surface area according to a defined protocol. The invention also relates to the use of such a binding agent-coupled substrate surface for analytical purposes.
US09174211B2
The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a micro-fluidic device comprising a substrate, a cavity in the substrate and a plurality of micro-pillar columns located inside the cavity. The micro-pillars columns are configured to create a capillary action when a fluid sample is provided in the cavity. A micro-fluidic channel is present between two 5 walls of any two adjacent micro-pillars in a same micro-pillar column. Each of the two walls comprises a sharp corner along the direction of a propagation path of the fluid sample in the micro-fluidic channel thereby forming a capillary stop valve. A notch provided in a sidewall of the cavity acts as a capillary stop valve.
US09174210B2
A self-contained apparatus for isolating nucleic acid, cell lysates and cell suspensions from unprocessed samples apparatus, to be used with an instrument, includes at least one input, and: (i) a macrofluidic component, including a chamber for receiving an unprocessed sample from a collection device and at least one filled liquid purification reagent storage reservoir; and (ii) a microfluidic component in communication with the macrofluidic component through at least one microfluidic element, the microfluidic component further comprising at least one nucleic acid purification matrix; and (iii) at least one interface port to a drive mechanism on the instrument for driving said liquid purification reagent, through the microfluidic element and the nucleic acid purification matrix, wherein the only inputs to the apparatus are through the chamber and the interface port to the drive mechanism.
US09174209B2
Disclosed is a method of forming a hydrogen storage composite, including uniformly covering catalyst particles on the surface of a support to form a hybrid catalyst, and embedding the hybrid catalyst on the surface of a hydrogen storage material to form a hydrogen storage composite. Furthermore, the disclosed also provides a method for manufacturing the same.
US09174194B2
A metal adsorbent which can adsorb a wide variety of metals, can conform to various uses, and adsorbs metals in large amounts. Metal adsorbents in various forms, which have the property of highly efficiently adsorbing metals, are produced by (a) a method in which a polyamine polymer is chemically bonded and immobilized to a porous support, (b) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a raw material for fibers and the mixture is formed into fibers by wet-spinning or dry spinning, and (c) a method in which a polyamine polymer is blended into a solution of a film-forming polymer and the mixture is formed into a film by a method of film formation from solution.
US09174182B2
A micro fluidics system includes a closed, expandable volume for mixing a fluid, and a flexible membrane for allowing mixing in the closed, expandable volume. The system further includes a surface having at least one channel for fluidically coupling a first side of the surface to the closed, expandable volume on a second side of the surface. The channel includes a first channel opening fluidically coupling the first side of the surface to the channel and a second channel opening fluidically coupling the channel to the closed, expandable volume. The expandable volume is defined by the flexible membrane closing the second channel opening when there is no fluid in the expandable volume.
US09174176B2
An apparatus, system, and method of dispersing solid forms of drugs or medications reliably and consistently may generally employ ultrasonic energy. The disclosed embodiments facilitate preparation of a liquid dose from solid medications for administration to a patient.
US09174170B2
An exhaust gas treating catalyst further improved in denitrification performance is provided. It is an exhaust gas treating catalyst containing a complex oxide represented by the general formula ABO3, where the A-site is composed of a lanthanoid (La) and barium (Ba), and the B-site is composed of iron (Fe), niobium (Nb) and palladium (Pd).
US09174167B2
A reductant mixing system having injector and mixing plate positioned within mixing canister is disclosed. Injector discharges reductant directly into vehicle exhaust gases. Mixing plate effects turbulence to mix gases for NO reduction. Mixing plate includes plurality of arms each having surface area and extending from center of plate, barrier region defined by collective surface areas of arms and substantially centered for diverting fluid flow outward, and first and second cut-outs, which allow the gases diverted by barrier region to pass mixing plate into adjacent canister of exhaust treatment system. Each of the first cutouts is defined by outer edge between adjacent arms, and second tier of cut-outs defined by inner edge proximate end of each arm.
US09174163B2
A hydrocarbon (HC) trap positioned in an intake conduit of an engine is provided. The HC trap includes a stack of consecutively layered polymeric sheets with at least a portion of the sheets impregnated with a HC vapor adsorption/desorption material, the stack of sheets extending from a first exterior surface to a second exterior surface.
US09174157B2
A filtration apparatus comprises a casing defining an inner cavity with an upper cylindrical portion and a lower hopper portion. An inlet feeds gas and solids into the inner cavity and causes movement of the solids in a downward spiral path in the casing. A solids outlet at a bottom of the lower hopper portion outlets the solids from the casing. A gas outlet exhausts gases from the casing. An annular arrangement of ports in a wall of the casing injects an other gas in the inner cavity. The ports are oriented to guide the other gas into following a partially vertical path into the inner cavity to disrupt the movement of the solids in the downward spiral path to allow a capture of the solid particles by the capturing solids. A gas source is connected to the arrangement of ports.
US09174155B2
An air filter and dust collector are provided. In one embodiment, the air filter includes a filter element coupled at a first end to a end cap and at a second end to a first side of a rectangular filter flange assembly. The rectangular filter flange assembly includes a central aperture open to an interior region bounded by the filter element. A rectangular gasket is disposed on the second side of the filter flange assembly and circumscribes the central aperture.
US09174151B2
Certain aspects of the present invention are directed to a porous medium screen that can be disposed in a wellbore through a fluid-producing formation. The porous medium screen can include a porous medium and a retaining structure. The porous medium can be a material having one or more pores. The pores can be adapted to allow a fluid to flow through the porous medium and to prevent particles from flowing through the porous medium. The retaining structure can be adapted to retain the porous medium in a position circumferentially surrounding a section of a tubing string and to prevent expansion of the porous medium. The retaining structure can include a shroud and one or more stoppers. The shroud can be adapted to circumferentially surround the porous medium. Each stopper can be adapted to circumferentially surround the section of a tubing string at an edge of the porous medium.
US09174148B2
A cover arrangement is provided for a launder channel of a clarifier tank. The cover arrangement includes at least one mounting section coupled to the clarifier tank near the launder channel. A plurality of cover panel members are provided, each panel member having a surface and two stiffening flanges located on opposing lateral edges of the surface, where each of the cover panel members further includes a light seal either one of attached to or attached near one of the stiffening flanges. The cover arrangement includes arranging the plurality of cover panels around the clarifier tank over the launder channel such that the light seal attached to or near the outer surface of the stiffening flange of a first panel member among the plurality of panel members abuts against a stiffening flange of an adjacent second panel member among the plurality of panel members.
US09174138B2
A play set includes a molded shell which includes at least two contoured panels and at least one hinge assembly is provided. The play set may optionally further include a figurine. The molded shell may be configured to have the appearance of a garment. Preferably, the molded shell provides a natural appearance of a garment when mounted onto the figurine.
US09174132B2
Image data including a plurality of consecutively arranged images each indicating an option that is selectable as an instruction specifying a next action in an electronic game is stored. An image area indicating part of the image data is displayed in a command selection area on the touch panel. A slide or a flick, input by a user, on the touch panel is detected. The image area is displayed by scrolling an image area displayed in the command selection area within the image data in response to detection of the input slide or flick.
US09174130B2
A server according to an embodiment provides online games that send game screens more suitably for the throughput of a user terminal. In accordance with one aspect, the server can execute a game program including: a game progress module for progressing a game; a generation module for generating, at first time intervals, frame information containing a plurality of drawing commands to be executed on a terminal device to render one frame of a game screen in accordance with progression of the game; a determination module for determining whether to send the generated frame information to the terminal device; a compression module for compressing the generated frame information; a sending module for sending to the terminal device the compressed frame information to be sent; and a request module for requesting drawing execution time information from the terminal device at second time intervals.
US09174124B2
Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling a game with a mobile touch-enabled device. A thumbstick and a mode selection button can be rendered on a display of the mobile touch-enabled device. The thumbstick can be rendered on a reassignable area of the display and the mode selection button can be rendered on a mode selection area of the display. A touch (e.g., drag) from the mode selection area to the reassignable area can be detected, and an operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a depressed height in response to the touch in the reassignable area while the touch is detected without discontinuity of contact from starting the drag. Further, upon detecting discontinuation of the touch, a different operation in the game can be controlled with the thumbstick represented as being at a default height in response to a subsequent touch.
US09174110B2
A robotic putting system includes a mechanism for actively and physically guiding a putter head along a determined preferred putting path. The golfer need only hold the putter and allow the robotic mechanism to guide the motion of the putter head. The system enables a golfer to develop and practice a feel for the preferred path/stroke.
US09174106B1
Methods of attaching a tape to a head of a lacrosse stick. The tape includes a first side that is attached to the head, and an opposing second side with a number of different sections each with different frictional coefficient values. A first section may include a low friction coefficient value and is configured to be positioned along an outer edge of the head to facilitate sliding the head along the ground. A second section includes a higher coefficient value and is configured to be positioned along an inner side of the head to contact against the lacrosse ball to facilitate ball control. The tape is configured to be used with a lacrosse stick, but may also be used in various other contexts.
US09174100B2
This invention provides a hollow golf club head including a metal plate portion provided with thin and thick portions. A medium thick portion having an intermediate thickness between the thicknesses of the thin and thick portions is formed at the boundary portion between the thin and thick portions. The thin and medium thick portions are formed by the steps of pressing the metal plate portion to form a recess in one surface of the metal plate portion and a projection on its other surface, performing chemical milling of the recess and a portion surrounding it, and removing the projection by grinding.
US09174097B1
An adjustable shaft and hosel assembly allows for dependent and independent adjustment of a golf club's face angle, loft angle, and lie angle. The adjustable shaft and hosel assembly comprises a shaft sleeve, a hosel portion, a tubular adjustment piece having non-parallel upper and lower surfaces, and a retention feature that provides an engagement between the tubular adjustment piece and the shaft sleeve to prevent the tubular adjustment piece from becoming detached from the shaft sleeve.
US09174088B2
The present invention is directed to a golf ball comprising of non-concentric arcs defining a non-planar parting line on its spherical surface resulting in having a large size disparity between dimples in one hemisphere and adjacent dimples from the opposing hemisphere. The parting line is produced by a pair of adjacent dimples, wherein D indicates dimples and N indicates dimples from the Northern hemisphere and those from the Southern hemisphere are indicated by S. A large disparity may be created, if the following condition is satisfied: D ( N ) D ( S ) > 1.25 or D ( N ) D ( S ) < 0.80 .
US09174086B1
An apparatus providing an assist force to user moved weight of an existing un-motorized exercise or rehab machine or stand includes an assembly with operably connected motor and reel, a human-machine interface (HMI) that accepts input of variable parameters for assist control including entry of at least a user selected assist force and number of movement repetitions, a motor drive and a main digital controller connected with at least the motor, motor drive and HMI. The controller is programmed to provide a user selected non-zero assist force essentially only during parts of an exercise and a nominal static or drag force at other times. A cable has a first end securable to the reel and a second end configured to be coupled directly or indirectly with the weight to be moved by the user. The apparatus can be supplied in kit form.
US09174082B1
An exercise device designed to work and strengthen abdominal muscles while in a standing position comprises a center tube that forms the main axle of the device. The center tube extends completely through where it forms the left and right gripping handles. A pair of padded rollers is rotatingly supported upon the center tube and are pressed upon and then motioned downwardly and upwardly over a user's quadriceps in a reciprocating manner to exercise the abdominal muscles. A gap between the rollers is provided to allow clearance for the device as it is utilized.
US09174079B2
The invention relates to a muscle stimulation device comprising a handle bar with a first and a second end, a motor which is arranged in a cavity in the handle bar and is coupled by means of a motor shaft to at least one eccentric body in order to set the muscle stimulation device vibrating by an unbalance of the eccentric body. According to the invention the eccentric body/ies has/have a common center of mass, which is at a different distance from the first end of the handle bar than it is from the second end of the handle bar. The invention furthermore relates to an exchangeable head for such a muscle stimulation device.
US09174077B2
Provided is a bracket for fixing a fire-fighting sprinkler, which is equipped with a locking part including a cam protrusion having an eccentric axis and configured to securely fix a support frame and a sprinkler by pivotal movement, thereby enabling a technician to easily mount or demount the bracket at a desired position without any interruption.
US09174072B2
For the purpose of avoiding accidents during use, a self-belay set with two carabiners (K1 and K2) which can be hung at belay points (2) and which are each attached to a connection piece (6) attached to the self-belaying person, is characterized in that the blocking devices (15, 17) of the two carabiners (K1, K2) are coupled by a coupling means (7, 7), and characterized by a belay means (5) provided for the carabiners (K1, K2) which by means of the blocking device (15, 17) prohibits the carabiners from opening during the hanging of a carabiner (K1, K2) at the belay point (2) and during operation of the belay means (5). The blocking devices (17, 25) of the second carabiner (K1, K2) are operated via the coupling means (7, 7) in such a way that the second carabiner (K1, K2) is released for opening such that at all times only one of the carabiners (K1, K2) can be opened.
US09174064B2
Apparatus for automatic delivery of chest compressions and ventilation to a patient, the apparatus including: a chest compressing device configured to deliver compression phases during which pressure is applied to compress the chest and decompression phases during which approximately zero pressure is applied to the chest a ventilator configured to deliver positive, negative, or approximately zero pressure to the airway; control circuitry and processor, wherein the circuitry and processor are configured to cause the chest compressing device to repeatedly deliver a set containing a plurality of systolic flow cycles, each systolic flow cycle comprising a systolic decompression phase and a systolic compression phase, and at least one diastolic flow cycle interspersed between sets of systolic flow cycles, each diastolic flow cycle comprising a diastolic decompression phase and a diastolic compression phase, wherein the diastolic decompression phase is substantially longer than the systolic decompression phase.
US09174063B2
Described herein is an implantable medical device and methods for making a device that includes a metal housing using a molding process. In one embodiment, the housing includes a header attachment element that extends from the housing. In another embodiment, the implantable medical device includes a header attachment surface comprising one or more header retaining features configured to secure a connector header to the header attachment surface. In another embodiment, the housing includes one or more structural elements extending from and integrally molded with the interior surface of the first or second portions of the housing. Also disclosed are methods of making the implantable medical device.
US09174062B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a cardiac event in a medical device that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes, determining a relationship between a plurality of characteristics associated with a morphology of the cardiac signals sensed during a predetermined sensing window, generating a threshold in response to the determined relationship, comparing a first characteristic of the plurality of characteristics with the threshold, and determining whether the sensed cardiac signals are associated with the cardiac event in response to the comparing of the first characteristic.
US09174052B1
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for neurostimulation. The method includes applying electrical stimulation to a patient using a paddle lead that includes a plurality of electrodes, acquiring local impedances associated with at least some of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the local impedances are indicative of electrode-tissue contact and effectiveness of the electrical stimulation, transmitting the local impedances data to a computing device, and processing the local impedances data using the computing device to adjust the amplitude of stimulations and electrode configurations, and monitor electrode-tissue contact status over time.
US09174051B2
Circuitry for generating a compliance voltage (V+) for the current sources and/or sinks in an implantable stimulator device is disclosed. The improved compliance voltage generation circuitry adjusts V+ to an optimal value in real time, even during the provision of a stimulation current. The circuitry uses amplifiers to measure the voltage drop across an active PDACs (current sources) and/or NDAC (current sinks) The measured voltages are input to a V+ regulator, which compares the measured voltage drops across the DACs to optimal values, and which feeds an optimized value for V+ back to the DACs in real time to keep the voltage drop(s) at those optimal levels during the stimulation current for efficient DAC operation.
US09174050B2
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example device may include a catheter extending along a longitudinal axis. A balloon may be coupled to an end of the catheter. The balloon having a plurality of cylindrical treatment zones extending along the longitudinal axis in an expanded state. A plurality of electrode assemblies may be coupled to the balloon. Each electrode assembly may include a distal electrode pad and a proximal electrode pad.
US09174048B2
A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, for storing position information of an implanted medical lead implanted in a patient. A communication unit is configured to receive, from a first programmer, position data that indicates an actual position of the implanted medical lead with respect to a spinal column of the patient and an anatomically correct image of the spinal column. The communication unit is further configured to forward the position data, and to transmit both to a second programmer. The second programmer is then able to display a representation of the implanted medical lead on the anatomically correct image in an anatomically correct location and in an actual orientation based on the position data.
US09174041B2
An extravascular nerve cuff that is configured to hold a leadless, integral, implantable microstimulator. The nerve cuff may include a cuff body having a pocket or pouch for removably receiving the implantable device within. The nerve cuff can be secured around the nerve such that the electrodes of the device are stably positioned relative to the nerve. Furthermore, the nerve cuff drives the majority of the current from the stimulation device into the nerve, while shielding surrounding tissues from unwanted stimulation.
US09174038B2
The invention relates to a neural electrode. It relates in particular to such an electrode which is able to withstand high mechanical forces, and to a method of fabrication of the same. The invention discloses an elastic neural electrode, having at least one planar metal layer which comprises conductive material and which is bilaterally covered by an protective elastomer layer, wherein, for reinforcement of the electrode, an additional reinforcement layer comprising reinforcement material is present between the outermost protective elastomer layers.
US09174032B2
A subintimal recanalization catheter system for recanalizing a blood vessel. The system includes a support catheter and a balloon catheter configured to extend through the support catheter. The support catheter includes a tubular portion and an extension segment extending distal of the distal opening of the tubular portion. The balloon catheter, having a balloon secured to a distal portion thereof, is positionable through the tubular portion of the support catheter to position the balloon alongside the extension segment. The system is configured to be advanced into a subintimal space between a first tissue layer and a second tissue layer of a blood vessel wall where the balloon may be inflated against the extension segment to cause a distal portion of the catheter shaft of the balloon catheter to deflect toward the vessel lumen within the subintimal space to facilitate reentry into the vessel lumen.
US09174029B2
A needle assembly with a needle shield is disclosed. The shield includes a lumen slidable on the needle, a holder and a needle blocking object which moves at least partially into the lumen in order to block distal movement of the needle. A spring biases the blocking object towards the needle axis. Proximal movement of the needle relative to the shield is limited by a restraint in the form of a discontinuity on the needle which abuts the shield, a tether or a tube abutting the needle hub. When the needle shield moves from a non-shielding position to a shielding position, the needle blocking object moves at least partially into the lumen. The needle blocking object is radially and axially constrained in the shielding position. The holder also prevents radial, longitudinal and circumferential movement of the blocking object. In one embodiment, the needle blocking object is a ball. A catheter adapter and tube may be threaded over the needle. The needle blocking object may also lock the catheter adapter to the needle shield, allowing it to be released only when the needle is shielded.
US09174028B2
A rough, bio-absorbable strand is provided. More specifically, a bio-absorbable strand having a central body and a rough or irregular outer surface capable of securing the placement of the strand inside a patient is provided. The strand has one or more radioactive seeds embedded in the central body of the strand. The rough outer surface of the strand may include one or more prongs, ridges, strips, grooves, or texture. Additionally, the strand may be capable of being dispensed from an implant needle.
US09174011B2
An inhaler which comprises a base having a plurality of consecutive sealed cavities containing medicament. Foil portions are on one side attached to the base for sealing the medicament within respective associated cavities. A plurality of separating elements are attached to the other side of the foil portions, each separating element being associated with a respective cavity for separating a foil portion from that cavity. Each separating element can be moved-away from its associated cavity so that the sealing foil portion is separated from the cavity which is thereby uncovered so that medicament contained therein is enabled to become entrained in a fluid flow, and then returned with the attached foil portion to cover its associated cavity. A method of operating an inhaler is also disclosed.
US09174009B2
A fluid medicament delivery device includes a patient attachment unit, containing the fluid medicament, and an indicator unit adapted to be detachably coupled to the patient attachment unit. A method for monitoring the fluid medicament includes independently setting a flow rate of a fluid medicament with the patient attachment unit. A pressure and/or a flow rate of the fluid medicament is sensed with a sensor located in a separate indicator unit in a sensing mode. A status of the fluid medicament delivery device is determined based at least in part on the pressure and/or the flow rate.
US09174008B1
A system and method facilitate percutaneous intravascular access while militating against unwanted penetration of the accessed blood vessel. A small diameter access tube includes a terminal segment comprised of a shape memory polymer and configured to flare outwardly toward a larger diameter orifice. The configuration of the terminal segment is modified to taper toward the insertion point of an internal insertion needle for facilitating insertion of the access tube into a blood vessel. Subsequent to insertion, the access tube is advanced relative to the insertion needle which then is retracted, and the terminal segment is allowed to return to the flared configuration so that fluid flow through the access tube is facilitated.
US09174005B2
An injection device comprises a housing (101) to (104) containing a syringe (24). The contents of the syringe (24) are viewable through a window (14) in the mid-section (102) of the housing. The window (14) is concealed by a slideable shutter (12). The slideable shutter (12) is biased by a bias spring (22) which also biases an internal syringe carrier. Also disclosed is a reversible needle cap which operates initially to cap the front end of the housing and, upon removal thereof, pulls a needle sheath (30) off the syringe needle (26). The cap is designed to be reversible so that, after use, it can be reversed and reconnected to the housing to cover the exposed needle.
US09173993B2
A method and an apparatus for delivery of a therapeutic fluid to the body of a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a dispensing unit having a driving mechanism and a pumping mechanism for pumping the fluid to the body of the patient and a collapsible reservoir fillable with the therapeutic fluid for delivery thereof to the body of the patient.
US09173991B2
Delivery of more than one therapeutic fluid as a means to control symptoms of a health conditions is disclosed. More than one therapeutic fluid may be dispensed from more than one reservoir and delivered to a user's body via one or more cannula that penetrate the skin. The therapeutic fluids may be delivered by action of one or more pumping mechanisms that may be controlled by a processor in a portable, ambulatory device. The therapeutic fluids may optionally be insulin and one or more of an amylin analog, pramlintide acetate and an exenatide, and the health condition may optionally be diabetes.
US09173989B2
The present invention relates to a method for extracorporeal removal of a pathogenic microbe, an inflammatory cell or an inflammatory protein from mammalian blood/use of a device comprising a carbohydrate immobilized on a solid substrate, said carbohydrate having a binding affinity for a pathogenic microbe, an inflammatory cell or an inflammatory protein, for extracorporeal removal of said pathogenic microbe, inflammatory cell or inflammatory protein from mammalian blood/use of a carbohydrate having a binding affinity for a pathogenic microbe, an inflammatory cell or an inflammatory protein, wherein said carbohydrate is immobilized on a solid substrate, in the preparation of a device for treatment of a condition caused or aggravated by said pathogenic microbe, inflammatory cell or inflammatory protein/and a method for treatment of a mammalian subject suffering from a condition caused or aggravated by a pathogenic microbe, an inflammatory cell or an inflammatory protein.
US09173986B2
The housing of the blood treatment unit according to the invention holds both a blood pump and a semi-permeable membrane. The blood pump is an impeller pump. The impeller of the impeller pump is surrounded by a partition which divides the housing into two chambers. The semi-permeable membrane forms at least a part of the partition. It is therefore possible for an exchange of matter to take place between the blood which flows through the first chamber of the housing and the dialysis fluid which flows through the second chamber of the housing. The blood treatment unit is intended for an extra-corporeal blood treatment apparatus and has a particularly compact construction.
US09173984B2
The present invention includes various devices and methods for ventricular assist. In one embodiment, the present invention is a ventricular assist device for intraventricular placement inside a heart of a mammalian subject, the device including a ring configured to be mounted adjacent an apex of the patient's heart; a rigid elongate member having a proximal and distal end; and a pump having a housing and an outflow cannula having a tip, the tip having a distal end projecting through an aortic valve of the subject's heart, wherein the ring and the pump are connected to the rigid elongate member remote from one another so that the rigid elongate member maintains the pump in position relative to the ring.
US09173978B2
Novel bioabsorbable polymeric blends are disclosed. The blends have a first component that is a polylactide polymer or a copolymer of lactide and glycolide and a second component that is poly(p-dioxanone) polymer. The novel polymeric blends provide medical devices having dimensional stability. Also disclosed are novel bioabsorbable medical devices made from these novel polymer blends, as well as novel methods of manufacture.
US09173969B2
The present invention provides a biomaterial comprising a scaffold consisting of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin, which are cross-linked via ethyl-3-[3-dimethylaminopropyl]carbodiimide (EDC) between any two of collagen, hyaluronic acid, and gelatin. The present invention further provides a method for preparing the biomaterial and a method for enhancing wound healing with the biomaterial.
US09173967B1
A method of processing soft tissue and skin using supercritical fluids is disclosed. The method comprises placing the soft tissue or skin on a scaffold in a processing chamber, adding supercritical fluid to the processing chamber, and pulsing the supercritical fluid in the processing chamber. A processing system for processing soft tissue and skin using supercritical fluids in accordance with the present invention comprises a processing chamber for housing the soft tissue, a scaffold, a vat for storing a processing fluid, a pump, a heating element, and a flow path.
US09173965B2
An apparatus includes a source and a detector. The source is operable to transmit light. The detector is operable to receive at least a portion of the light transmitted by the source. The source and the detector can be positioned on a nail of a digit such that the light enters the nail through an entrance region. The light further exits the nail through an exit region. The entrance region is defined by a lateral portion of the nail. The light is directed to interact with at least one analyte.
US09173960B2
The present invention relates to LRP6 constructs that bind to LRP6 receptor. The LRP6 constructs comprise at least one LRP6 binding moiety and a half-life extender molecule such that the LRP6 construct inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway without potentiation of the Wnt signal. The LRP6 constructs also have an increased half-life to provide more time for the therapeutic benefit.
US09173959B1
Pharmaceutical compositions to treat proliferative disorders are provided.
US09173955B2
The present invention describes a combined vaccine that offers broad protection against meningococcal disease caused by the pathogenic bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The vaccine is comprised of four distinct polysaccharide-protein conjugates that are formulated as a single dose of vaccine. Purified capsular polysaccharides from Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, C, W-135, and Y are chemically activated and selectively attached to a carrier protein by means of a covalent chemical bond, forming polysaccharide-protein conjugates capable of eliciting long-lasting immunity to a variety of N. meningitidis strains in children as well as adults.
US09173951B2
Provided herein are water-soluble carbohydrate polymers which are monoderivatized at their reducing terminus, such that the carbohydrate polymers can be selectively conjugated at a single location. Also provided are methods of preparation and conjugation of the monoderivatized carbohydrate polymers.
US09173950B2
The invention provides carriers that enhance the absorption, half-life or bioavailability of Ghrelin peptides. The carriers comprise targeting groups that bind the Vitamin D Binding protein (DBP), conjugation groups for coupling the targeting groups to the therapeutic compounds, and optionally scaffolding moieties.
US09173942B2
The present invention relates to shelf-stable liquid formulations of palonosetron for reducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced emesis with palonosetron. The formulations are particularly useful in the preparation of intravenous and oral liquid medicaments.
US09173937B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of nutrition, health and wellness. In particular the present invention relates to probiotics and ways to increase their effectiveness. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a combination of probiotics with secretory IgA and possible uses of this combination. For example a use of a composition comprising secretory IgA and at least one probiotic for the preparation of a product to treat or prevent infection is disclosed.
US09173933B2
The invention concerns a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA virus) expressing at least two external influenza virus antigens and/or an epitope of one or more of the at least two antigens and at least two internal influenza virus antigens and/or an epitope of the at least two antigens. The invention, thus, concerns a recombinant MVA virus encoding multiple external and/or internal influenza virus antigens, preferably from multiple influenza virus strains. The invention further concerns the use of said recombinant MVA in preparing a medicament and vaccine for influenza virus. Further encompassed by the present invention are methods, composition and kits.
US09173932B2
The disclosure pertains to conjugates of the capsular polysaccharide of Vibrio cholerae O139, or a structurally and/or immunologically related oligo- or poly-saccharide, and a carrier. These conjugates are useful as pharmaceutical compositions and/or vaccines to induce serum antibodies which have bactericidal (vibriocidal) activity against V. cholerae, in particular V. cholerae O139, and are useful to prevent, treat and/or reduce the severity of disease caused by V. cholerae infection, such as cholera. The present disclosure also relates to diagnostic tests for V. cholerae infection, and/or cholera caused by V. cholerae infection, using one or more of the oligo- or poly-saccharide-carrier conjugates or antibodies described above.
US09173931B2
Methods for the manufacture of polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines at high yield are provided. The methods involve reaction of a hydrazide group on one reactant with an aldehyde group on the other reactant. The reaction proceeds rapidly with a high conjugation efficiency. Simplified purification processes can be employed to separate the conjugate product from the unconjugated protein and polysaccharide and other small molecule by-products.
US09173928B2
The invention provides a recombinant vector, which includes repeats of Amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ1-42) gene, an immunoglobulin Fc gene, a spacer sequence and interleukin-4 gene in this order, the repeats of the Aβ1-42 gene contain spacer sequences between the individual Aβ1-42 genes. The invention also provides a DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease, which includes the recombinant vector.
US09173914B2
An extraction technology of a Xiao-yao-drink includes a medicine preparing step of preparing herbal medicines, a pulverizing step of pulverizing the herbal medicines to produce medicinal solid particles, a liquid extracting step of adding the medicinal solid particles into an extraction liquid to dissolve the medicinal solid particles in the extraction liquid, an ultrasonic extraction step of impacting the medicinal solid particles in the extraction liquid by concentrated ultrasonic waves to crush the medicinal solid particles into medicinal molecules, and a centrifugal filtering step of filtering the medicinal molecules from the extraction liquid by a strainer cloth to produce a medicinal extract which constructs a Xiao-yao-drink product. Thus, the extraction technology uses an ultrasonic extraction procedure to crush the medicinal solid particles into medicinal molecules by concentrated ultrasonic waves to efficiently increase the active component of the herbal medicine.
US09173904B2
Methods and compositions are provided for the identification and isolation of mammalian HLA-G+ MSC, HLA-E+ MSC, or HLA-G+/HLA-E+ MSC. The methods of the invention provide a means to obtain enriched HLA-G+ MSC, HLA-E+ MSC, or HLA-G+/HLA-E+ MSC populations.
US09173901B2
Compositions comprising therapeutically effective amounts of lamellar bodies for the modification of linear macromolecules are disclosed. These lamellar compositions are useful in the treatment of conditions or diseases characterized by a preponderance of heavy mucous secretions, such as otitis media, cystic fibrosis, bronchitis, sinusitis and nasal congestion. Methods of treating these diseases and conditions by administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to a patient requiring such treatment are also disclosed.
US09173893B2
The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions and methods for treating or preventing cancer and viral infections, in particular, HIV, HCV, Norovirus, Saporovirus, HSV-1, HSV-2, Dengue virus, Yellow fever, and HBV in human patients or other animal hosts. The compounds are certain 6-substituted purine monophosphates, and pharmaceutically acceptable, salts, prodrugs, and other derivatives thereof. In particular, the compounds show potent antiviral activity against HIV-1, HIV-2, HCV, Norovirus, Saporovirus, HSV-1, HSV-2, Dengue virus, Yellow fever, and HBV.
US09173884B2
The present intervention generally relates to compositions comprising a PDE11 inhibitor for increasing cortisol levels in a subject, or for increasing the production of cortisol from adenocortical cells in a subject. Aspects of the invention relate to the use of a PDE11 inhibitor in a method of treatment of low cortisol levels and/or adrenal insufficiency in a subject, or a method of treating a disease or disorders associated with adrenal insufficiency. Aspects of the invention relate to PDE11 inhibitors belonging to compounds of formula (I)-(VI), and their use alone or in combination with long-term corticosteroid treatment to elevate cortisol levels in a subject, and/or to treat adrenal insufficiency. Another aspect relates to kits comprising PDE11 inhibitors for administration to a subject, pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I)-(VI) for use in methods to increase cortisol levels and/or treat adrenal insufficiency, and their use as an adjuvant for treatment of cancer or other disorders such as psychiatric diseases where elevating cortisol levels would be beneficial to the subject.
US09173880B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a human antibody that specifically binds to human interleukin-6 receptor (hIL-6R). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-hIL-6R antibody, at least one amino acid, at least one sugar, and/or at least one non-ionic surfactant. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months.
US09173879B2
Novel [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridinyl-6-yl-substituted tetrahydroisoquinolines are described in the present invention. These compounds and crystalline forms SA1 and N-2 are used in the treatment of various neurological and physiological disorders. Methods of making these compounds and crystalline forms SA-1 and N-2 are also described in the present invention.
US09173877B1
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for the treatment of local pain may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of infiltration, nerve block, epidural, intrathecal anesthesia, pain, severe pain, chronic pain, chemotherapy induced pain, neuropathic pain, post herpetic neuralgia, neuralgia, motor neurone disease, diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, injury, post-operative pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, migraine, HIV related neuropathic pain, cancer pain and lower back pain.
US09173871B2
A series of oxazole and thiazole compounds are shown herein to be small molecule inhibitors of the Wnt pathway that specifically target the activity of the stabilized pool of β-catenin. Oxazole and thiazole compounds are disclosed that have a formula represented by the following: The compounds may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions, and may be used for the prevention and treatment of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, including by way of non-limiting example, cancer, and others.
US09173869B2
The present invention makes available methods and reagents for inhibiting aberrant growth states resulting from hedgehog gain-of-function by contacting the cell with a hedgehog antagonist, such as a small molecule, in a sufficient amount to aberrant growth state, e.g., to agonize a normal ptc pathway or antagonize hedgehog activity.
US09173860B2
The present intervention generally relates to compositions comprising S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid for the treatment and/or prevention of blood disorders and blood deficiencies, as well as methods for treating blood disorders and/or blood deficiency in a subject by administering a composition comprising S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid to the subject to ameliorate at least one symptom associated with the blood disorder. Another aspect relates to administration of an S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid stimulate multi-lineage hematopoietic cell production in a subject, for example, increasing the numbers of circulating neutrophils, erythrocytes and platelets. Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to administration of S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid, e.g., by oral administration to a subject for the treatment of blood disorders, for example but not limited to, hemaglobinaphthy, thalassemia and aplastic anemia. In some embodiments, the oral pharmaceutical formulation comprising an S-isomer of -α-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid can be used to increase red blood cell proliferation, or increase the proliferation of hemoglobin-expressing cells in a subject in need thereof, e.g., a subject having a blood deficiency such as a subject undergone chemotherapy or radiation exposure or radiation therapy. In some embodiments, a formulation comprising an S-isomer of alpha-methyl-hydrocinnamic acid (ST7S) can be used to simulate myelopiesis or erythropoiesis in a subject in need thereof.
US09173858B2
The present technology relates the use of a beta blocker for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of hemangiomas, for example of infantile hemangiomas. The beta blocker may be a non-selective beta-blocker, for example propranolol. The present technology provides an alternative to the known compounds, e.g. corticosteroids, interferon or vincristine, generally used for the treatment of hemangiomas.
US09173855B2
Disclosed is a patch which is a formulation including deposited clonidine crystals and provides stable transdermal absorbability even after storage at varying temperatures. The patch disclosed includes a backing and a medicated layer integrally superposed on one surface of the backing. The medicated layer contains: 5 to 30% by weight of clonidine including clonidine in a crystallized state; 25 to 90% by weight of a macromolecular base (A) having a viscosity-average molecular weight of 800,000 or larger; and 5 to 60% by weight of a liquid additive capable of dissolving the clonidine. The weight ratio of the liquid additive to the macromolecular base (A) [the liquid additive/the macromolecular base (A)] is 0.1 to 2.0.
US09173852B2
Disclosed are a hepatic targeted drug delivery system and a process for preparing the same. Also disclosed is a method for treating liver cancer.
US09173850B2
Provided herein are 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) formulations, stable under storage conditions of up to about 55° C.
US09173843B2
Crystalline active ingredient microparticles, method for producing the same and use thereof in drugs
A method for producing highly crystalline and stable microparticles of an active substance with a very narrow size distribution. The microparticles being crystallized out of a suspension made of primary particles of the active substance, a solution of the active substance, a non-solvent for the active substance and inert formed pieces. The resulting microparticles hare are highly stable largely independent of the physiochemical properties of the active substance and can be especially suitable for fast release dosage forms of pharmaceuticals.
US09173839B2
Anionic non-phospholipids, as well as lipid nanostructures formed therefrom, are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of producing and using same.
US09173838B2
The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of reverse micelles based on sterols, acylglycerols and metal salt and to reverse micelles obtained thereby. They are advantageously useful in the pharmaceutical and dietetic fields.
US09173836B2
Formulations for topical or local administration of drugs directly to the breast or chest to produce a regional or local effect with lower systemic drug levels than when an effective amount is administered systemically are disclosed herein. In a preferred embodiment, the drug is administered to the surface of the breast, areola, or directly to the nipple. The formulations provide increased patient comfort, increased bioavailability and relatively high blood levels in the region to be treated with a reduction of side effects compared to those administered systemically. The preferred formulations contain drugs in the form of micro or nanoparticles, which may be formed of drug alone or in combination with an excipient or carrier. The excipient or carrier may modify the release rates or enhance absorption into the affected area. The drug formulation may be in the form of a cream, lotion or foam.
US09173830B1
Compositions comprising an organic sunscreen in combination with (i) nylon particles, (ii) silica particles, and (iii) barium sulfate particles provide an improvement in SPF as compared to an otherwise identical composition lacking any one of the three ingredients (i)-(iii). The compositions advantageously provide high diffuse transmittance, giving a natural look to the skin.
US09173829B2
Star polymers comprising (1) a structural fragment acting as a center, and (2) at least three groups radially bound to this center, wherein these groups (i) each have at least one polyether structural unit comprising a polyoxyalkylene chain consisting of either ethylene oxide units or both ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units, wherein the polyoxyalkylene chain has a maximum proportion of 50 wt. % of propylene oxide units, relative to the weight of the polyoxyalkylene chain, and (ii) each have at least one residue comprising: (a) at least one *—Si(OR)x(R′)3-x group, in which R and R′, independently of one another, denote a (C1 to C4) alkyl group, x denotes 1, 2 or 3; (b) at least one anionic group; (c) at least one quaternized nitrogen atom; or (d) combinations thereof; are suitable for improving synthetic colorings of coloring compounds on keratin-containing fibers.
US09173827B2
The present invention is directed to the use of chitosan, a chitosan derivative or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, to increase nail growth rate. The invention is further directed to the use of chitosans to accelerate nail growth rate during treatment of nail illnesses, nail dystrophy or other nail conditions, in order to shorten considerably the specific treatments of said nail illnesses, nail dystrophy or other nail conditions.
US09173825B2
Provided are personal care compositions comprising a first surfactant comprising sodium lauryl sulfate and a second surfactant having a structure represented by wherein each a has a value of about 1 to about 110, b has a value of about 16 to about 70, and at least one R group is SO3, and the other R group is SO3 or hydrogen. Also provided are methods of producing personal care compositions and methods of ameliorating skin or mucosal membrane irritation due to sodium lauryl sulfate.
US09173822B2
Described are the use of glass compositions, for example, in the form of glass powders, glass ceramics, fibers, granules, and spheres for achieving an antioxidative effect. The glass compositions may be used in a versatile manner, such as in cosmetic products, medical products, edibles, paints and lacquers, plasters, cements and concrete, in antifouling products and in polymers. Because of the high photo and temperature stability, the glass antioxidants of the present invention are superior to the organic substances known so far. In addition the glass compositions in contact with human being are non-irritant to skin and even edible. Furthermore, they are toxicologically harmless and environmentally compatible.
US09173819B2
A music pacifier (100) includes a pacifier frame (101) and a nipple (102) which locates at the one side of the frame and a container (106) locates on the other side of the frame. Within the container (106), there is a music IC & power supply (108), an insulating house (109), and a vibrating transducer (110). The insulating house (109) made of soft material is used to insulate the vibration produced. The vibrating transducer (110) is used to convert the pre-stored music into vibration. It locates in the above-mentioned house and connects with the above-mentioned music IC. There is also a vibrating tongue (111) which is used to pass the vibration produced by the above-mentioned vibrating transducer to an infant's jaw, including a contacting part (114) of the above-mentioned vibrating transducer which locates in the above-mentioned house as well as a tongue (113) which protrudes from the above-mentioned house and extends into the above-mentioned nipple.
US09173818B2
A method for continuously preparing stable-type vitamin A microcapsules is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: adding vitamin A crystals and an antioxidant into a crystal melter continuously according to a certain ratio under the protection of nitrogen to prepare vitamin A melting oil containing the antioxidant; pumping the above melting oil into a high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier with a liquid distributor by a pump, and pumping aqueous solution containing gellable modified starch into the above high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier after deoxidation treatment to obtain vitamin A emulsion at the outlet of the high gravity rotary packed bed emulsifier; and atomizing and spraying the emulsion continuously in a cooled starch bed for granulating, and performing fluidization drying and gelation treatment in a fluidized bed by taking nitrogen as a drying medium to obtain the stable-type vitamin A microcapsules. Above method has the advantage of capability of continuous production, and has good embedding effect due to adopting the gellable modified starch, granulating and gelation treatment, thus the product has good storage stability.
US09173811B2
An implantable electroacupuncture device (IEAD) treats mental illness through application of stimulation pulses applied at a specified tissue location, including at least one of acupoints GV20 and EXHN3, or their underlying nerves. In one embodiment, the IEAD comprises an implantable, coin-sized, self-contained, leadless electroacupuncture device having at least two electrodes attached to an outside surface of its housing. The device generates stimulation pulses in accordance with a specified stimulation regimen. Power management circuitry within the device allows a primary battery, having a high internal impedance, to be used to power the device. The stimulation regimen generates stimulation pulses during a stimulation session of duration T3 minutes applied every T4 minutes. The duty cycle, or ratio T3/T4 is very low, no greater than 0.05. The low duty cycle and careful power management allow the IEAD to perform its intended function for several years.
US09173808B2
A gas and liquid massage system for a tub comprises jets. Each jet has a gas injector and a liquid injector. The jets concurrently inject liquid and gas. A liquid circuit feeds a flow of liquid to the liquid injectors. A gas circuit feeds a flow of gas to the gas injectors. A sequencer manifold in the gas circuit selectively closes the gas supply to some of the jets to intermittently inject gas with the injected liquid. A massage system controller operates the sequencer manifold in selectively closing the gas supply to some of the jets. A method for injecting fluids into the liquid of the tub is also provided.
US09173807B2
A CPR device includes a CPR meter which is placed on the sternum of a patient and against which chest compressions are applied during CPR. The chest compressions are sensed by the CPR meter and this information is supplied to a display device for the display of the progress of CPR. A graphical display is provided which graphically illustrates the progress of CPR during a current CPR interval in either elapsed time or chest compressions delivered, as compared with the total time of the CPR interval or the maximum number of chest compressions to be delivered. The display can be configured to display either elapsed time or chest compression count, and the total number of compressions to be applied and the total duration of the CPR interval can be selectively configured.
US09173800B2
A device for assisting parturition, which device can be used to practice delivery, in birth training, in delivery, and in post natal and other rehabilitation. The device includes a body part and a seat part for the woman in labor. In the seat part there is a cut-out for the exit of the baby. The seat part is connected to the frame part, and in the device there are support elements which the woman in labor can grip, and on which she can lean in various delivery positions. The seat part is attached to the body in such a way that the cut-out faces away from the body and the elements for attaching to the body are between the body and the seat part. The seat part can be turned laterally relative to the body.
US09173795B2
A brake system for a patient support apparatus having a base frame includes pedals positioned to be moved by a user to move a brake and a mechanism positioned to coordinate movement of the pedals so that downward movement of one pedal positioned adjacent the head end of the base causes movement of the mechanism in a first direction and downward movement of another of the pedals causes movement of the mechanism in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
US09173788B2
An anisotropic wound drape for treating a wound on a patient includes a flexible sheet for placing over a tissue site The flexible sheet includes a first isotropic zone, and a second isotropic zone. The first isotropic zone and the second isotropic zone are configured to provide the flexible sheet with anisotropic stretching properties. The anisotropic drape may used as part of a reduced-pressure wound treatment system. Other systems and methods are also presented.
US09173781B2
A disposable wearing article includes a front side edges lying in a front waist region, rear side edges lying in a rear waist region and crotch side edges lying in a crotch region. A chassis of the diaper includes a first backsheet forming the front waist region and a part of the crotch region and a second backsheet forming the rear waist region and a part of the crotch region. The front and rear waist regions are provided with first front and rear waist elastic yarns or threads and front and rear region elastic sheets, and the crotch region is provided along the crotch side edges with front and rear leg elastic elements. Ends of front leg elastic elements on one side overlap the front side edges. Ends of the rear leg elastic elements on one side overlap the rear side edges.
US09173773B2
The invention provides punctal plugs for the delivery of active agent to one or both of the tear fluid of the eye and to the nasolacrimal duct. The plugs of the invention have a body, a reservoir contained within the body, and optionally a collarette. The reservoir has at least one opening and contains a polymeric material and at least one active agent.
US09173762B2
Retaining devices for use with ears of a subject may include a first portion configured to be secured to a subject's head and a second portion configured to position the helix of the subject's ear. Methods of reshaping tissue of a subject's ear may include performing a laser treatment on the tissue of the subject's ear and installing a retaining device on the subject's ear.
US09173756B2
The present embodiments provide systems and methods for deploying at least a portion of a stent. In one embodiment, the system comprises a cannula having an outer surface, and at least one coiled member having proximal and distal ends and a plurality of turns disposed therebetween. One of the proximal and distal ends of the coiled member is secured to the outer surface of the cannula, and the other of the proximal and distal ends of the coiled member is unsecured relative to the outer surface of the cannula. A portion of a stent is looped around the unsecured end of the coiled member and disposed within spacing between adjacent turns of the coiled member. Rotation of the cannula subsequently causes the portion of the stent to disengage from the coiled member.
US09173755B2
A vascular repair device includes a tubular graft body and a structural framework having at least two stents. A first stent of the stents is connected to the tubular graft body along an entirety of the first stent and a second of the stents includes a periodically changing shape that defines proximal apices having a first radii of curvature and distal apices having a second radii of curvature that is less than the first radii of curvature. The second stent is connected to the tubular graft body at the distal apices.
US09173754B2
A stent including a plurality of loop stents connected by struts so that it bends uniformly as a whole.A stent A including a plurality of loop stents 2 connected by a plurality of struts 3, the loop stents 2 each formed of a stent main wire 1 folded into a zigzag shape and joined at its ends, wherein the bending strength of each strut 3 is larger than the bending strength of the stent main wire 1.
US09173751B2
The invention relates to an expandable stent comprising circumferentially adjacent modules. The modules comprise longitudinally adjacent slide-and-lock radial elements which permit one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded/deployed diameter, but inhibit radial recoil from the expanded diameter.
US09173745B2
Anchor removal instruments and methods for using the instruments are provided. In some embodiments, an intervertebral implant anchor extractor tool comprises a support, a support retainer configured to hold the support fixed with respect to the implant, an extractor having an anchor retainer, and an extractor guide. An embodiment of a method of using this implant anchor extractor tool comprises the steps of obtaining access to an anchor, grasping the anchor, and applying a withdrawal force on the anchor while applying a countervailing force against the implant or a vertebral structure.
US09173744B2
A prosthetic femoral component (10) for an orthopaedic prosthesis has a canted patellar groove adapted for optimal patella/component interaction, with the component configured to have a medial or lateral cant depending upon the method of implantation. The femoral component defines a distal “component transverse plane,” which is a plane tangent to the distal-most points of the component condyles (12,14). In a “mechanical” implantation, the component transverse plane is substantially normal to the mechanical femoral axis of the femur after the component has been implanted. Where the femoral component is configured to be “mechanically oriented” in this manner, the component has a medially canted patellar groove. On the other hand, an “anatomic” implantation is one in which, after the component has been implanted, the component transverse plane is substantially parallel to an “anatomic” transverse plane. The anatomic transverse plane is perpendicular to the anatomic axis of the femur from a sagittal view, and is inclusive of a line connecting the distal-most points of the natural femoral condyles before resection. Where the femoral component is configured to be “anatomically oriented” in this way, the component has a non-canted or slightly laterally canted patellar groove.
US09173743B2
A method of implanting a lateral unicondylar knee prosthesis in a lateral articulating portion of a femur having a lateral condyle for engagement with a tibia, the method including the steps of: bending a patients knee such that the knee is not in full extension; making an incision through the skin, muscle, and other soft tissue until the damaged bone surfaces are exposed; resecting an end portion of the lateral tibia; resecting an end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; attaching a tibial prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the tibia; attaching a lateral femoral condyle prosthetic component to the resected end portion of the lateral femoral condyle; determining the thickness of a mobile bearing member with the knee in full extension; and inserting the mobile bearing member between the tibial prosthetic component and the femoral prosthetic component.
US09173735B2
In some embodiments, a stent includes an elongate member and a distal retention member. The elongate member is configured to be disposed within a ureter of a patient and has a first portion, a second portion and a plurality of beads bonded together. The plurality of beads define a plurality of spaces between the plurality of beads. The plurality of spaces are configured to allow fluid to flow from the first portion of the elongate member to the second portion of the elongate member. The distal retention member is configured to help maintain a portion of the stent within a kidney of the patient.
US09173733B1
Devices and methods for treating a diseased tracheobronchial region in a mammal. The device can be a stent which can include a sustained-release material such as a polymer matrix with a treatment agent. The stent can be bioabsorbable and a treatment agent can be incorporated therewith. A treatment method can be delivery of a stent to a tracheobronchial region by a delivery device such as a catheter assembly.
US09173729B2
A suburethral sling device and method for treating female urinary stress incontinence which is anatomically configured to implant into the lower abdomen of a female in a manner providing support to mid-urethral and bladder neck sphincteric continence sites with the sling defining in part, mesh and tissue remodeling portions. The sling is deployed via a sling transfer instrument having distal and proximal ends with the instrument comprising in part a progressively curved shaft portion positioned between the distal and proximal ends. An insertion handle of the transfer instrument is secured to the curved metal shaft section guiding the shaft tip through the tissues of the abdomen in an anterior/posterior direction as well as a cephalad/caudad direction.
US09173722B2
An anchor for securing a tooth replacement includes an anchoring part secured to an implant or jaw, having a recess, and a pivoting part to which the tooth replacement can be secured and which contains a pin. The pivoting part is pivotable with respect to the anchoring part when the pin is received in the recess. The anchor is configured to permit application of a hardenable substance in the recess of the anchoring part so as to fix the pivoting part in a defined position of pivoting.
US09173720B2
The present invention relates to dental devices utilized during the restoration of teeth and more particularly a dental wedge, for use in the inter-proximal space between adjacent teeth, the dental wedge comprising: a wedge body; and a guard releasably engaged to the wedge body, wherein the guard is transformable between a first position adjoined the wedge body and a second position disengaged from the wedge body.
US09173715B2
A bone registration system is disclosed. The bone registration system may have a device including a scanner arranged to scan a target surface area of bone to obtain scan data and a first communication component. The registration system may have also a first marker positionable on a first portion of bone. The first marker may include a second communication component arranged to transmit a location signal for indicating a position of the first marker in a plurality of dimensions relative to the device. The system may have also a registration unit that compares the scan data with surface data of the bone to generate position data identifying overlapping elements of the scan data relative to the surface data, determines location data from the location signal and determines a location of the first marker on a surface of the bone using the position data and the location data.
US09173712B2
Medical devices, systems, and methods reduce the distance between two locations in tissue in a minimally invasive manner, often for treatment of congestive heart failure. In one embodiment, an anchor of an implant system may, when the implant system is fully deployed, reside within the right ventricle in engagement with the ventricular septum. A tension member may extend from that anchor through the septum and an exterior wall of the left ventricle to a second anchor disposed along an epicardial surface of the heart. Deployment of the anchor within the right ventricle may be performed by inserting a guidewire through the septal wall into the right ventricle. The anchor may be inserted into the right ventricle over the guidewire and through a lumen of a delivery catheter. Delivering the anchor over the guidewire may provide improved control in the delivery and placement of the anchor within the right ventricle.
US09173707B2
A coaptive surgical sealing tool may be similar to an ordinary hemostat with long (50, 60, 70 or 80 mm) thin jaws for sliding into the liver parenchyma, without tearing the larger blood vessels. The jaws are spring loaded and are designed for uniform compression, and to avoid closing too quickly. The jaws are capable of sealing a 50, 60, 70 or 80 mm sealing length, in a single bite, although it can also seal shorter lengths as well. The tool can be used with existing RF/bi-polar cautery generators. The tool may be provided with irrigation and/or suction.
US09173702B2
An ablation apparatus places electrodes at the perimeter of a cavity. In an embodiment, the alternating electric field is used to expose the cavity to enough energy to ablate the cavity. In an embodiment, two modes are used to expose different regions of the cavity to different amounts of power for so that the thermal effect is more uniform. In an embodiment, the electrodes have a relatively large surface area so as to avoid charring the cavity, but are shaped so as to fit within a body orifice. For example, the diameter of the sheathed housing the electrodes during penetration may be only 5.5 mm.
US09173692B1
Composite orthopedic devices that facilitate spine stabilization, such as: bone screws, rods, plates, interbodies, and corpectomy cages are disclosed. They are designed to provide both strength and load carrying capabilities, while increasing bio-integration of the devices with the surrounding bone tissue. They are constructed of composite layers of allograft and/or autograft bone and a structural material, such as titanium alloy or carbon/graphite fiber composite. Cannulations within the device are loaded with a mixture of stem cells, particles of allograft and/or autograft bone, and bone growth factors, such as BMP-2. The cannulations are connected to the surface of the device via multiple fenestrations that provide pathways to supply the bone/stem cell mixture to the surface, allowing living bone tissue to grow and insure bio-integration. The devices can also have radiofrequency (RF) stimulation implantation within the structure of the implanted device, capable of responding to external RF stimulation of enhanced bone growth.
US09173691B2
A system, devices and methods for performing an osteotomy on a bone of a multi-axis joint are provided. A cutting guide system is provided for performing one or more cuts to the bone, using the articular surfaces of the articulating bones as a reference. If desired, a prosthesis can be used to emulate the osteotomy and substitute for a damaged articular surface of a bone of a multiaxis joint.
US09173681B2
Some embodiments relate to systems, devices, and associated methods for correcting spinal column deformities that help minimize a number of attachment anchors utilized for correction, facilitate use of straight or contoured rods, and/or help promote a more natural, physiologic motion of the spinal column.
US09173675B2
A dermatome assembly is operable to harvest a skin graft and includes an ultrasonic dermatome and a power supply. The ultrasonic dermatome includes a body and an ultrasonic blade assembly mounted in the body. The blade assembly includes a frequency generator and a cutting horn powered by the frequency generator. The cutting horn is spaced apart from the body so that the body is restricted from damping vibrational movement of the cutting horn. The dermatome assembly is operable to precisely control the thickness of the cut skin graft and also restrict the cutting horn from overheating.
US09173669B2
A lung volume reduction system is disclosed comprising an implantable device adapted to be delivered to a lung airway of a patient in a delivery configuration and to change to a deployed configuration to bend the lung airway. The invention also discloses a method of bending a lung airway of a patient comprising inserting a device into the airway in a delivery configuration and bending the device into a deployed configuration, thereby bending the airway.
US09173662B2
A customized patient-specific tibial cutting block comprising a body having a bone-facing surface that has a customized patient-specific negative contour configured to receive (i) a portion of an anterior side of a patient's tibia that has a corresponding positive contour, and (ii) a portion of a medial side of the patient's tibia that has a corresponding positive contour such that, when viewed superiorly, an angle greater than zero is defined between a vertically-extending, bisecting plane of the body and a bisecting sagittal plane of the patient's tibia when the portions of the patient's tibia are received in the customized patient-specific negative contour of the body, and at least one tab extending posteriorly from the body, the at least one tab having a bone-facing surface having a customized patient-specific negative contour configured to receive a portion of the proximal side of the patient's tibia that has a corresponding positive contour.
US09173659B2
A vascular plug includes a plurality of cells which extend from a front face of the plug towards a distal end of the plug. The cells form at least a periphery of the plug and are in the preferred embodiment closed at their distal ends. The cells may form a central chamber to the plug or may extend across the entirety of the front face of the plug. The cells will fill with blood from the patient's vessel, to inflate the plug and create a barrier to fluid flow. Static blood within the plug will clot over time, creating enhanced occlusion. The plug can also be configured as a vascular filter.
US09173651B2
A device for repairing tissue includes a first tubular anchor having a first central longitudinal axis and a first bore along the first central longitudinal axis, the first bore having a first curved surface and a first flat surface, and a first transverse bore perpendicular to the first central longitudinal axis and parallel to the first flat surface. The device includes a second tubular anchor having a second central longitudinal axis and a second longitudinal bore along the second central longitudinal axis, the second bore having a second curved surface and a second flat surface, and a second transverse bore perpendicular to the second central longitudinal axis and parallel to the second flat surface. A flexible strand couples the first and second tubular anchors and passes through the first and second transverse bores.
US09173649B2
Embodiments of low profile distractor apparatuses are disclosed. The distractor apparatuses generally comprise a mounting body, a tensioning mechanism coupled to the mounting body and a distractor arm coupled to the tensioning mechanism and pivotally coupled to the mounting body for rotation relative to the mounting body. The tensioning axis of the tensioning mechanism is non-coaxial with an effector axis of the distractor arm and a distraction force applied with the distractor arm is translated to the effector axis. This enables the distractor apparatus to be positioned relative to a patient such that the tensioning mechanism is offset from the long axis of the limb of the patient thereby facilitating improved access to the distal portions of the limb.
US09173643B2
A robotic surgical tool includes an elongate shaft having a working end and a shaft axis. The proximal end of a wrist member is pivotally mounted on the working end of the shaft to rotate around a first pitch axis to produce rotation in first pitch. An end effector is pivotally mounted on a distal portion of the wrist member to rotate around a wrist axis of the wrist member to produce rotation in distal roll. The wrist axis extends between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wrist member. The elongate shaft is rotatable around the shaft axis to produce rotation in proximal roll.
US09173641B2
A biopsy apparatus includes a driver assembly and biopsy probe mechanism drivably coupled to the driver assembly. The biopsy probe mechanism includes a biopsy cannula having a cylindrical side wall that defines a lumen and has a side port located near a distal end that extends through the side wall to the lumen. A thumbwheel mechanism includes a thumbwheel mounted to the driver assembly to rotate about a first rotational axis, the first rotational axis being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A first gear is mounted to the thumbwheel for coaxial rotation with the thumbwheel about the first rotational axis. A second gear is mounted to the biopsy cannula for coaxial rotation with the biopsy cannula about the longitudinal axis, the second gear being located to be drivably engaged by the first gear. The housing is grasped and the thumbwheel rotated with a single hand.
US09173627B2
An imaging system (100) includes a stationary gantry (102), a rotating gantry (104), a radiation source (110), and a detector array (112). The detector array detects radiation for a plurality of integration periods during a rotating gantry revolution, the plurality of integration periods corresponds to different angular position ranges, and the detector array generates a signal indicative of the detected radiation respectively for the plurality of integration periods. The system further includes an integration period controller (118) that generates an integration period timing signal that includes timing for a start of each of the integration periods for a revolution of the rotating gantry based at least on a time duration of a previous revolution of the rotating gantry around the examination region, wherein the integration timing signal is used trigger the plurality of integration periods.
