US09229141B2
An optical assembly includes a light directing film having an average effective transmission of at least 1.3, a light diffusing film having an optical haze of at least 5% and a plurality of spaced apart posts disposed and defining an air gap between the light directing and diffusing films. The posts are attached to a first major surface of the substrate and an opposing second end of each post is attached to the light diffusing film via a first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer forms a meniscus at each post having an outer surface radius of at least 0.5 micrometers.
US09229136B2
A light blocking ink includes a vinyl ether compound, an alicyclic epoxy compound, an oxetane compound, a light blocking material, and a photoacid generating agent. The light blocking ink may be employed in a microlens array unit to block stray light. The microlens array unit may be employed in an image processing apparatus.
US09229133B2
A method, an apparatus and an article of manufacture for forecasting a meteorological parameter. The method includes analyzing geographically distributed sensor network data to assess spatial and temporal variation of a meteorological parameter in real-time, correlating at least two portions of data from the sensor network to identify a temporal and spatial evolution of the meteorological parameter, and forecasting the meteorological parameter based on the temporal and spatial evolution of the meteorological parameter.
US09229118B2
A single-crystal scintillator material can include at least 50 wt % of rare-earth halide and comprising a polished first face. This material is integrated into an ionizing-radiation detector comprising a photoreceiver, the photoreceiver being optically coupled to the material via a face other than the polished first face. The material provides a good energy resolution and a high light intensity. The polishing may be carried out whatever the crystal orientation of the crystal. Loss of material due to this orientation is therefore prevented.
US09229110B2
An atmospheric cloud height, humidity profile, or temperature measuring method and arrangement are provided. In the method, pulsed laser signals (14) are transmitted through transmission optics (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) to the atmosphere and the signal (15) reflected or scattered back from there is detected. An interference filter (3) is used in the optics, in order to stabilize the transmitted optical power to the center wavelength of the interference filter (3).
US09229107B2
A fragmented lens system for creating an invisible light pattern useful to computer vision systems is disclosed. Random or semi-random dot patterns generated by the present system allow a computer to uniquely identify each patch of a pattern projected by a corresponding illuminator or light source. The computer may determine the position and distance of an object by identifying the illumination pattern on the object.
US09229090B2
The indoor/outdoor call judgment method comprises the following steps. Firstly, to build an algorithm and indicator function for determining indoor/outdoor call by analyzing drive test data. Secondly, to retrieve the event log data to be judged by the method, and find the position of the retrieved event log data by means of geo-location tools. Thirdly, to determine whether the retrieved event log data are referring to a moving call, if “YES”, then the event log is determined to be referring to an outdoor call. Fourthly, to determine whether or not the event log data are referring to an Indoor call by using the pre-built algorithm and the indicator function. Users' behavior, Cell antenna module and signal strength difference are considered when building the algorithm and indicator function so as to increase the accuracy of the indoor/outdoor call judgment method.
US09229086B2
Sound source localization apparatuses and methods are described. A frame amplitude difference vector is calculated based on short time frame data acquired through an array of microphones. The frame amplitude difference vector reflects differences between amplitudes captured by microphones of the array during recording the short time frame data. Similarity between the frame amplitude difference vector and each of a plurality of reference frame amplitude difference vectors is evaluated. Each of the plurality of reference frame amplitude difference vectors reflects differences between amplitudes captured by microphones of the array during recording sound from one of a plurality of candidate locations. A desired location of sound source is estimated based at least on the candidate locations and associated similarity. The sound source localization can be performed based at least on amplitude difference.
US09229085B2
A device for tracking adjustment comprising a zoom instruction input device, a focus instruction input device, a tracking instruction input device, an image signal obtaining device, a determining device which determines whether a state is a first adjustment state in which the zoom lens is set by the zoom instruction input device at a position on a tele side and the focus lens is moved by the focus instruction input device or a second adjustment state in which the zoom lens is set by the zoom instruction input device at a position on a wide side and the tracking lens is moved by the tracking instruction input device, an area setting device, an evaluation value generating device, and a display device, wherein the determining device determines whether the state is the first adjustment state or the second adjustment state based on the image signal obtained from the camera device.
US09229076B2
A radio-frequency coil assembly (18), for use in a magnetic resonance imaging system (10), includes a plurality of coil elements (18n). The coil elements (18n) are connected to a decoupling network (40) which includes a plurality of decoupling elements (40n,x) connected (via transmission lines) to pairs of coil elements (18n, 18x) at corresponding ports (64n,64x) from which the coil can be fed. The decoupling elements (40n,x) compensate for mutual coupling between pairs of corresponding coil elements. An inductive coupling loop (51n), with a constant or adjustable mutual inductance, inductively couples the associated coil element (18n) to the corresponding decoupling network port (64n). Transmission lines (52n) electrically connect each inductive coupling loop (51n) to the decoupling network (40) at the corresponding port (64n). Each transmission line (52n) has an electrical length of kλ/2 where k=0, 1, 2, 3 . . . and λ is a wavelength of the excited and/or received resonance signals inside the transmission line.
US09229060B1
An electrical circuit tester including a resistive load and a testing station for detecting the variable load. The testing station includes at least one electrical current transducer capable of detecting the variable load in an adjacent electrical power circuit. The detection of the variable load is communicated to the testing station and a variable load detection function.
US09229047B2
To provide a method for manufacturing a sensor element, by which stabilization of an electrode, which is performed prior to inspecting element characteristics, can be performed for a shorter time period and in a more reliable manner than in the conventional. The sensor element includes: an oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte layer; a first electrode that is formed on a surface of the oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte layer; and a second electrode that is formed in a space provided inside the oxygen-ion conductive solid electrolyte layer, and that is configured to reduce said predetermined gas component. As the pre-treatment, by an external power source, a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, to thereby decompose and remove a gas component attached to the second electrode.
US09229046B2
If an exclusive OR circuit itself, a component of a signal delay detecting circuit, has failed to operate properly, a signal delay cannot be detected accurately. A malfunction pre-detecting circuit 12 includes a delay circuit DL to delay input data that is input in parallel to a data input terminal of a flip-flop FF1 provided in a subsequent stage of a flip-flop FF0, a flip-flop FFT that receives output of the delay circuit DL, and a comparator CMP that compares output of the flip-flop FF1 and output of the flip-flop FFT. Test data tv1 and test data tv2 are input to the malfunction pre-detecting circuit 12 in an operation test mode for testing operation of the malfunction pre-detecting circuit 12. The test data tv2 is input to the delay circuit DL. The comparator CMP compares the test data tv1 and output of the flip-flop FFT in the operation test mode.
US09229034B2
A sampling circuit for current transformer includes a current sensing unit, a rectification unit, a sampling unit and a switching unit. The rectification unit is electrically connected to the current sensing unit. The sampling unit is electrically connected to the rectification unit and outputs a first signal. The sampling unit includes an energy leakage device and a switching device. The switching device is electrically connected to the energy leakage device in parallel, and is turned on or off according to a second signal and a third signal. The switching unit is electrically connected to the sampling unit, and is turned on or off according to the second signal.
US09229027B2
A method for determining a loop response for an apparatus for an atomic force microscope is disclosed. The method comprises: determining a loop response for an on-surface movement of a cantilever over a frequency range; determining a loop response for an off-surface movement of the cantilever over the frequency range; and adjusting an output of the controller at a frequency based on the loop response for the off-surface movement. An atomic force microscopy system is disclosed.
US09229024B2
The method is based on a determination of the orientation of the sensor to the surface moving with respect to the sensor and then acquiring data where the lateral velocity is small and the forward velocity is large. Then, the orientation of the sensor with respect to the direction of the forward velocity is determined and the velocity data subsequently measured are corrected using the measured orientation of the sensor with respect to the reference surface and the forward velocity direction.
US09229013B2
The present invention relates to a method for the stratification of a subject having an acute or a chronic disease, wherein the disease affects endothelial function/dysfunction, comprising the steps of (i) taking a sample of bodily fluid from the subject; (ii) determining in the sample of bodily fluid the concentration of a vasoactive hormone or fragments thereof or precursors or fragments thereof having a length of at least 12 amino acid residues; (iii) stratifying the subjects into either of the categories: (a) responder to a medication for treatment of the disease, (b) non-responder to a medication for treatment of the disease not showing an unfavorable effect after having received the medication; (c) subjects showing an unfavorable effect after having received the medication. The invention also relates to the use of an antibody or a functional fragment thereof in the method according to the invention.
US09229003B2
It is an object of the present invention to identify a gene that exhibits behavior which is characteristic of carcinomas such as thyroid carcinoma, so as to provide a method for detecting carcinoma and a cell growth suppressing agent. The present invention provides a method for detecting carcinoma, which comprises detecting malignant transformation by detecting at least one alteration of gene existing in chromosomal regions 1q41, 3q28, 7q31.2, 8p12, 8q22.2, 8q24.21, 11q4.1, 17q12, 20q11, 9p21.3, 16q13.2, and 16q23.1 in a specimen.
US09228993B2
An apparatus for determining shear bond strength of a cement to be set within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation consists of a housing, a vertical rod which extends from the uppermost portion of the housing through the lowermost portion of the housing, a base plate for positioning onto the bottom of the housing and for supporting the lowermost portion of the vertical rod, and a test plate for positioning onto the top of the housing through which the uppermost portion of the vertical rod extends. The apparatus may further contain a push rod. Shear bond strength is determined by introducing into the housing a sample core of the formation prior to introduction of a slurry containing the cement. The force required to break the bond between the vertical rod and the set cement may be used to determine the shear strength between the casing within the wellbore and the set cement when the cement is hardened within the wellbore. The force required to break the bond between the set cement and the sample core may be used to determine the shear strength between the set cement and formation core when the cement is hardened within the wellbore.
US09228982B2
A switchable valve for a sample injector includes a first valve member and a second valve member that can moved with respect to the other. The first valve member includes a plurality of ports, the second valve member includes a plurality of fluid paths. The plurality of ports include eight circumferential ports distributed along a circumference and one central port arranged at a central position of the first valve member. The plurality of fluid paths include three arcuate fluid paths so as to be couplable with at least two of the circumferential ports and one straight fluid path extending between the central position and a circumferential position so as to be couplable with the central port and one of the circumferential ports.
US09228972B2
A diamond electrode and a diamond microelectrode array for biosensors and electroanalytical applications, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), are disclosed. The electrode comprises a layer of ultra-smooth conductive nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) having a resistivity of >0.05 Ωcm and a surface roughness of <20 nm Ra. Preferably, the diamond layer comprises boron or nitrogen-doped ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) having an average grain size <10 nm and a surface roughness <10 nm Ra. It may be patterned to define a microelectrode array with a plurality of individually addressable electrodes, each having a diameter in the range from 100 nm to 100 μm. The surface of each microelectrode is hydrogen-terminated before bio-functionalization, i.e. modifying with sensing molecules for detection of a specific biological or chemical target and coating with a blocker for reducing non-specific binding. These diamond electrodes exhibited substantial increases in sensitivity, selectivity and signal reproducibility, e.g. for detection of E. coli K12 using EIS.
US09228955B2
Provided is a system for detecting analytes of interest present in a gas sample, including a layer of porous material, positioned at the surface of a substrate so as to extend longitudinally along a fluidic flow path of the gas sample, said porous material containing a plurality of probe molecules, each probe molecule being able to react with the analyte of interest by causing a change in the spectral properties of said probe molecule. Also included is a a pump for generating a flow of the gas sample along the fluidic path so that the gas sample comes into contact with said layer of porous material. The system also includes at least one optical detection device capable of successively detecting, at distinct detection areas of said porous material layer distributed along said fluidic path, a change in the spectral properties of at least one of said probe molecules.
US09228951B2
A scanning apparatus for scanning a biological sample labeled with fluorochrome includes a case, a sample table, a light source module, an image capture unit, and a driving unit. The light source module provides excitation light to the biological sample on the sample table, in which the fluorochrome is excited to generate fluorescence by fluorescence resonance energy transfer. The image capture unit catches images of the fluorescence from the biological sample. The driving unit is connected to the image capture unit to move the image capture unit. The present invention further includes a filter unit on the image capture unit to filter the fluorescence into the image capture unit.
US09228937B2
An optical spectrometer may include: an adjustable sampling space having two opposing side-walls between which in use a sample for analysis is charged and in at least one of which is formed an optical interface translucent to optical energy emitted by an optical energy source; an actuator mechanically coupled to one or both of the opposing side-walls and configured to operate in response to a command signal applied thereto to effect relative movement of the opposing side-walls; and/or an optical position sensor configured to detect interference fringes generated by the optical energy traversing a distance between the side-walls a plurality of times, having passed through the at least one optical interface, and configured to generate the command signal in dependence thereof. The adjustable sampling space may be brought into an analysis position at which the side-walls are relatively inclined to form a wedge shape.
US09228936B2
A birefringence measurement system includes a lens mounted for selective movement into and out of use in the optical setup so that a wide range of sample types can be handled by the system without reconfiguring the primary components of the optical setup of the system (moving the detector, changing the light source power, etc.) in a manner that would sacrifice the cost effectiveness, efficiency, mechanical reliability and repeatability of measurements for such systems.
US09228934B2
A flow cell module for use in a liquid sample analyzer includes a module housing, a liquid core waveguide mounted in the module housing to receive a flow of a liquid sample from a liquid sample source, an input optical fiber disposed in the module housing to transmit radiation from a radiation source to the liquid core waveguide, an input termination located on an input end of the input optical fiber, a first kinematic connection mechanism operative to bias the input termination in a first direction along a first axis while permitting displacement of the input termination in a first opposing direction along the first axis, and a second kinematic connection mechanism operative to bias the input termination in a second direction along a second axis while permitting displacement of the input termination in a second opposing direction along the second axis. The second axis is transverse to the first axis.
US09228930B2
An apparatus that is able to measure a viscosity and a density directly within a short time with a small amount of sample, which has been difficult for existing vibratory viscometer. The end part of an oscillator is formed in a shape, such as a sphere, whose resistance by a fluid can be logically derived, and the viscosity and the density of a fluid are calculated based on a predefined mechanical impedance and on an amplitude ratio and a phase difference of accelerations in the cases the oscillator is in the air and is in the fluid.
US09228922B1
The invention is a fiber optic cable calibration standard in combination with a device for calibrating distance and attenuation parameters of an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR). The calibration standard includes a fiber optic cable spool assembly and inspection apparatus. The invention is also a calibration method. An OTDR to be calibrated against a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard.
US09228915B2
A method of detecting a flow blockage in a pipe includes: arranging a fluid flow along the pipe, the pipe in fluid communication with a pressure sensor; configuring the pressure sensor to measure a pressure within the pipe; recording plurality of measurements of pressure within the pipe; sampling ‘n’ successive values of pressure within the pipe; performing an analytical test on the ‘n’ successive values, the analytical test producing an output value, the output value representative of a variation in the individual ones of the ‘n’ successive values; comparing the output value to a pre-defined threshold value, the threshold value indicative of a lack of variation in the individual ones of the ‘n’ successive values; and if the output value is less than the threshold value, generating an alert to provide a user with an indication of the presence of flow blockage in the pipe.
US09228900B2
Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods are described herein for a spectrometer comprising at least two dispersive elements configured to receive at least one input optical signal and generate two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, at least a portion of the at least two dispersive elements being implemented on a first substrate; and a single detector array coupled to the at least two dispersive elements and configured to receive and measure two or more pluralities of narrowband optical signals derived from the two or more pluralities of spatially separated spectral components, respectively.
US09228899B2
A terahertz temporal and spatial resolution imaging system is provided. The system includes: a sample placing rack; a detection crystal, located on the exit side of the sample placing rack; a pump light generating device, for generating a pump light to irradiate the test sample; a terahertz light generating device, for generating a terahertz light to irradiate the test sample, irradiate the detection crystal after obtaining information about the test sample, and modulate an index ellipsoid of the detection crystal; a detection light generating device, for generating a detection light to irradiate the detection crystal to detect the index ellipsoid of the detection crystal, thereby indirectly obtaining the information about the test sample; and an imaging apparatus, located in an optical path after the detection light passes through the detection crystal, for collecting terahertz images of the test sample.
US09228897B2
Systems, methods, and devices relating to optical imaging systems for gathering data on atmospheric trace gas emissions from a satellite. An optical system used in the satellite has a Fabry-Perot interferometer coupled to a suitable telescope. The interferometer is a wide angle Fabry-Perot interferometer which creates a fringing pattern in concentric circles with each fringe being a different wavelength on the imaging system. A filter is used with the optical system and allows multiple adjacent modes in a selected spectral range to pass through the interferometer to the imaging system. Each pixel in the imaging system collects light at multiple wavelengths within the selected spectral range. The optical system gathers multiple images of the target area allowing light from the target area to be collected at multiple different wavelengths. Different absorption data for different atmospheric trace gases can be gathered in a single satellite pass over the target area.
US09228895B2
A multi-wavelength optical imaging system and method. In one example, an optical imaging system includes an integrated dewar assembly housing a staring detector that includes a plurality of focal plane array sensors spatially distributed over a common focal plane and aligned relative to one another, each of the plurality of focal plane array sensors being configured for a different waveband. The optical imaging system further includes foreoptics, such as a telescope, optically coupled to the integrated dewar assembly and configured to direct and focus light from an entrance pupil of the optical imaging system into an optical beam incident on at least one of the plurality of focal plane array sensors.
US09228890B2
Optical pulses are output from a light source to an optical fiber at one selected emission wavelength, a reflection light reflected at a fiber Bragg grating at the optical fiber is received at an optical receiver and is converted to a reflection signal by an optical to electrical conversion, a fiber Bragg grating which reflects the reflection light is identified by the signal processing unit when an intensity of the reflection signal obtained by the optical receiver is over a predetermined threshold value, and a measurement step that calculates acoustic frequencies at the fiber Bragg grating based on a temporal change of the intensity of the reflection signal at the fiber Bragg grating is repeated more than two times while changing an emission wavelength of the light source. The acoustic frequency at each fiber Bragg grating is calculated to determine an acoustic distribution along a longitudinal direction of the fiber.
US09228886B2
A semiconductor wafer metrology technique comprising performing atmospheric buoyancy compensated weighing of a wafer, in which the wafer is weighed in a substantially upright condition. A vertical or near vertical wafer orientation causes the surface area in the direction of a force (weight) sensor to be reduced compared with a horizontal wafer orientation. Hence, the electrostatic force components acting in the same direction as the wafer weight force component is reduced.
US09228878B2
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for remotely monitoring an elevation, or change in elevation, of a fluid surface, such as that of molten sapphire. The remote monitoring can be performed by measuring positions of a pair of reflected laser beams off the fluid surface as detected on an imaging sensor. As the surface elevation falls, the positions of the pair of reflected laser beams move relative to each other, and this positional change can be converted into a change in the fluid surface elevation.
US09228877B2
The present invention relates to a method of determining a filling level of a product contained in a tank by propagating a first transmitted electromagnetic signal in a first frequency range and a second transmitted electromagnetic signal in a second frequency range different from the first frequency range along a transmission line probe towards a surface of the product in the tank, receiving a first reflected electromagnetic signal in the first frequency range and a second reflected electromagnetic signal in the second frequency range, and determining the filling level based on a time-of-flight of the first reflected electromagnetic signal and a difference in time-of-flight of the first reflected electromagnetic signal and the second reflected electromagnetic signal.
US09228876B2
A liquid sensor system can detect whether liquid is present at a location within a tank or other container, such as an aircraft fuel tank. The system can include a sensor that has a heated negative temperature coefficient (NTC) element and a temperature compensator element. The sensor may be located within the tank. The elements can be polarized by voltages from separate voltage sources. The voltages can be compared to detect a presence or level of liquid within the tank. Only two wires may be needed to connect the sensor with components outside the tank. The system may be able to detect liquid using less than twenty five milliamps and a sensor temperature that is less than two hundred degrees Celsius.
US09228875B2
The present disclosure relates to a detection system for detecting a liquid level in a rotating driveline component. The detection system may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid, a second sensor for detecting a rotational position of the driveline component, and a receiver for determining the liquid level based on the first and second sensors.
US09228873B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for fluid blob tracking. One of the methods includes identifying, by a computer system, a connected fluid phase region in a flow simulation. The method includes tracking, by the computer system, the connected fluid phase region over a first timeframe and a second timeframe. The method also includes determining, by the computer system, movement of the connected fluid phase region from the first timeframe to the second timeframe based on the tracking.
US09228863B2
A retractable assembly for immersion-, flow- or add-on measuring systems in analytical process technology for measuring at least one measured variable of a medium in a containment, comprising: an essentially cylindrical housing; an immersion tube, which is movable axially in the housing between a service position out of the medium and a process position in the medium; and a sensor for measuring the measured variable. The sensor is arranged in the immersion tube, wherein the sensor protrudes at least sectionally out of the immersion tube at the end of the immersion tube remote from the medium; and an openable and closable cover, which surrounds at least the section of the sensor protruding out of the immersion tube. The sensor in the opened state of the cover is mountable and demountable, respectively, in and from the immersion tube. The retractable assembly is characterized in that the cover at least sectionally travels with the movement of the immersion tube and in the process position is located at least sectionally in the housing.
US09228854B2
The invention relates to a method for remotely reading fluid meters, according to which a meter comprises a module having a metering clock and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a frame of time-stamped remote-reading information to a server which comprises a server clock; after every N frames are transmitted, the meter module enters a receiving mode (Rx) for a period of time (ΔRx); upon receiving a frame of time-stamped information, the server determines the difference between the time information contained in the received frame and the time information provided by the server clock; then, if the difference is greater than a predetermined limit (ΔL), the server sends a reset message to the meter; upon receiving the reset message, the module of the meter updates the meter clock.
US09228850B2
A method for presenting a route includes receiving a starting point and a destination point and computing a route that includes a route segment between the two points. The method further includes determining, based on a user's travel history, that the route segment is an unfamiliar segment. The method includes determining an alternative route from the starting point to the destination point that includes a familiar road identified based on the user's travel history instead of the unfamiliar segment. The method further includes providing the computed route and the alternative route for presentation in a format that distinguishes the computed route from the alternative route.
US09228847B2
A method and a device for navigating an electric vehicle in charging are provided. The method comprises: S1, obtaining a navigation area, wherein the navigation area comprises a plurality of charging stations; S2, receiving a charging request from an electric vehicle in the navigation area; S3, obtaining a plurality of first time periods according to the electric vehicle and the plurality of charging stations; S4, selecting a minimum first time period from the plurality of first time periods; and S5, navigating the electric vehicle to a charging station corresponding to the minimum first time period.
US09228837B2
An electronic light detection circuit for detecting an intensity modulated light signal on a photosensitive element under backlight condition. The circuit comprises the photosensitive element, in particular as a light position detector for detecting a striking position of the light signal spot within a detection window, an amplifier with high input resistance connected to an output of the photosensitive element and a backlight suppression circuitry.The backlight suppression circuitry is connected to the output of the photosensitive element in parallel to the amplifier and comprises an electronic active resonator structure. The active resonator, structure is designed in such a way to provide a load impedance to an output of the photosensitive element with a low load impedance for low frequencies for suppression of natural and artificial backlight-saturation of the photosensitive element and a high load impedance at the frequency of the intensity modulated light signal.
US09228836B2
Accurate longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration (perpendicular to the principal direction of motion, and velocity, is inferred by processing raw data from a commodity three-axis accelerometer that may be oriented arbitrarily in a moving vehicle (or carried by a moving user), and whose orientation and position may change arbitrarily during the motion. The approach is applicable to a range of applications, including insurance telematics, driver behavior and risk assessment, and road surface quality assessment.
US09228834B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method to collect information to determine damage to a vehicle involved in a collision using photogrammetric techniques. When determined, this vehicle damage information, which may be in the form of crush measurement information such as a crush damage profile, can be displayed in a computer-generated view of the subject vehicle with a crush damage profile and used to estimate the impact severity. In some embodiments, based on the photogrammetric information derived, a direction of any shifting of the vehicle's components may be obtained and used along with other information to estimate a principal direction of force (PDOF) for one or more vehicles involved in the collision. Still further embodiments may be used to generate and/or audit repair estimates based at least in part on the photogrammetric information.
US09228830B2
An electromechanical device for measuring the inclination of a support plane with high resolution, high accuracy and low sensitivity to outside disturbances, comprising a first electromechanical pendulum system, controlled in a closed loop to measure the static rotations of an inverted pendulum pivoted to a supporting structure which can be associated with the support plane whose inclination is to be measured. The measurement is performed by measuring the mechanical torque required to keep the inverted pendulum in a neutral position, i.e., in a position which is substantially perpendicular to the support plane. This is made possible by a first motor which is associated with the inverted pendulum and turns it as a function of its angular deviation from the neutral position measured by a first position sensor associated with the inverted pendulum.
US09228827B2
The present disclosure relates to a photolithography system having an ambulatory projection and/or detection gratings that provide for high quality height measurements without the use of an air gauge. In some embodiments, the photolithography system has a level sensor having a projection source that generates a measurement beam that is provided to a semiconductor substrate via a projection grating. A detector is positioned to receive a measurement beam reflected from the semiconductor substrate via a detection grating. An ambulatory element selectively varies an orientation of the projection grating and/or the detection grating to improve the measurement of the level sensor. By selectively varying an orientation of the projection and/or detection gratings, erroneous measurements of the level sensor can be eliminated.
US09228825B2
An objective is to achieve a positional change measurement device which measures positional change of a dynamic measured surface by using speckle patterns while easily reducing influence of fluctuations in a measurement environment temperature. Provided is a positional change measurement device including: a light source; an illuminating optical system configured to guide light from the light source to a measured surface; an imaging optical system; an image pickup device configured to acquire a speckle pattern by receiving reflection light from the measured surface via the imaging optical system; and detected-length compensation means for compensating for fluctuations in a detected length caused by temperature fluctuations. Positional change of the measured surface is measured based on a result of cross-correlation computation performed on multiple speckle patterns acquired at predetermined time intervals.
US09228808B2
An apparatus, according to various aspects of the present invention, produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by the target. The apparatus is used with a provided deployment unit that deploys an electrode away from the apparatus. The electrode conducts a current through the target. The apparatus includes a detector that detects indicia describing the deployment unit and a processing circuit that performs a function of the launch device in accordance with the indicia.
US09228794B2
Extendable tangs are used to increase the surface area of grips so as to better enable users with larger hands to adequately control smaller items. Tangs are stowed within the body of a grip and deployed through one of a number of mechanisms, including spring-loaded and non-spring loaded mechanisms.
US09228792B2
This invention is a scooter manufactured in combination with a water cannon or a scooter accessory comprising: a scooter having a platform, standard, and handle; a fluid reservoir carried by said scooter in fluid communications with an actuator; a nozzle in fluid communications with said reservoir and carried by said handle so that fluid contained in said reservoir is forced through said nozzle when said actuator is activated. The nozzle can rotate without moving the handle and the actuator can be activated by the rider's hand or foot and be manual or motorized.
US09228771B2
An outdoor unit for an air conditioning device includes an outdoor unit main body, a heat exchanger, a fan provided in an upper part of the outdoor unit main body, the fan blowing out the air taken in from a side surface of the outdoor unit main body upward, a ventilating member surrounding an outer circumference of the fan and forming a blow-out port, and an electric component unit accommodated in the outdoor unit main body and arranged in an opening portion between one side end portion and the other side end portion of the heat exchanger, wherein the electric component unit is provided so as to cross over a lower end of the ventilating member in the up and down direction, and on the upper side than the lower end of the ventilating member, the electric component unit is arranged on the horizontally outer side than the ventilating member.
US09228770B2
A blanket for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece is provided. The blanket includes a body having an interior surface configured to face the workpiece. The blanket also includes a plurality of nozzles located on the interior surface of the body. The blanket further includes one or more tubes configured to deliver cryogenic liquid to the plurality of nozzles for spraying upon at least a portion of the workpiece. A method and system for cryogenically cooling at least a portion of a workpiece utilizing a blanket are also provided.
US09228766B2
A manifold gauge set has at least one sight glass window for viewing contents of a refrigeration system or an air conditioning system being serviced. The window may be non-planar to achieve an appearance that varies with the presence or absence of liquid. Such a non-planar window may be in the form of a dome, prism or a fresnel lens. The gauge set may have a second light transmissive window to allow light to illuminate system contents being viewed. A light source may be provided to illuminate system contents being viewed. The light source may provide light through the same window that is used for viewing contents. A diffuser may be provided with a second window to achieve an illuminated background for viewing system contents. Similar configurations may be used in standalone sight glasses, vacuum pumps, and recovery machines.
US09228749B2
A heating wire support meshing and a method of constructing a heated surface, particularly a floor surface therewith, is described. The heating wire support meshing comprises one or more mats formed by transversely spaced parallel rows of wire support bridge elements interconnected together at their crossings. The bridge elements have electric heating wire support slots to receive and guide one or more electric heating wires along one or more desired paths. Bottom support formations extend along a bottom planar surface of the mat. Top support formations lie in a top planar surface of the mat. The wire support slots are adapted to support the one or more electric heating wires spaced below the top support formations. The support meshing also acts as a reinforcement of a sub-floor on which the support meshing is installed.
US09228743B2
The present subject matter provides a gas burner assembly for an appliance. The gas burner assembly includes a burner tube and a shutter slidably mounted to an end portion of the burner tube. The shutter defines a slot with an axially extending portion. A boss is mounted to the tubular burner and is received within the slot of the shutter. The boss is movable within the axially extending portion of the slot in order to permit the shutter to slide along an axial direction on the burner tube. Such features can facilitate access to an orifice of the gas burner assembly.
US09228740B2
An annular injector is described. The injector includes a first bayonet assembly and a second bayonet assembly each including a terminal end and a tip end. The second bayonet assembly is configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the first bayonet assembly. An outer diameter of the first bayonet assembly and an inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly vary at the tip end to define a first substantially annular nozzle. The first bayonet assembly includes a maximum outer diameter that is greater than a minimum inner diameter of the second bayonet assembly and at least a portion of at least one of the first bayonet assembly and the second bayonet assembly extends from the tip end to the terminal end. The injector includes a third bayonet assembly configured to be concentrically coupled at least partially about the second bayonet assembly to define a second substantially annular nozzle.
US09228738B2
A downhole combustor system for a production well is provided. The downhole combustor includes a housing, a combustor and an exhaust port. The housing is configured and arranged to be positioned down a production well. The housing further forms a combustion chamber. The combustor is received within the housing. The combustor is further configured and arranged to combust fuel in the combustion chamber. The exhaust port is positioned to deliver exhaust fumes from the combustion chamber into a flow of oil out of the production well.
US09228733B2
A light fixture and a housing thereof for managing thermal energy includes multiple cavities separated by a partition wall and each configured to house components of the light fixture, in particular an LED array and LED drivers to power the LED array. The housing further includes a heat transfer flow path radially defined between the first cavity and the partition wall, and a fin in fluid communication with the cavity housing the LED drivers. The heat transfer flow path is positioned for dissipation of heat from the LED array and the fin is positioned for dissipation of heat from the LED drivers.
US09228717B2
A quantum rod luminescent display device includes a first substrate having a plurality of pixel regions; a plurality of first electrodes alternately arranged with a plurality of second electrodes in each of the plurality of pixel regions; a plurality of quantum rod compound layers over the first electrodes and the second electrodes, respectively in each of the plurality of pixel regions, each of the quantum rod compound layers including a quantum rod having a core, a shell surrounding the core, and an electron acceptor; a second substrate facing the first substrate; and a backlight unit at an outer surface of the first substrate. The electron acceptor is attached to or adjacent to the quantum rod.
US09228715B2
A lighting system and method are disclosed. Specifically, the lighting system includes a hybrid canopy that can provide an optimum light beam shape for a number of different lighting applications. The hybrid canopy is equipped with lighting clusters of different types, thereby enabling a broader beam output without sacrificing beam intensity or brightness.
US09228709B2
A recessed LED light fixture is provided. The fixture includes a housing assembly, a power supply, and a light source. The power supply is positioned below the light source relative to an opening of the housing from which light from the light source is emitted. The power supply is positioned on an exterior side of the housing and proximate a lower-most extent of the housing.
US09228708B2
A linear LED system including a plurality of line light modules, each line light module comprising an extruded light module housing profile that extends along an axis and that has a profile wall defining an inner profile contour and an outer profile contour and of which a cross sectional view along a plane that is perpendicular to the axis is closed, wherein the profile wall in the cross sectional view defines a LED chamber. At least one LED-strip including a plurality of LEDs is accommodated in an associated LED chamber. The system further includes a plurality of interface modules, each interface module that connect the housing profiles and that an inner space in which at least one power supply module is accommodated so that the power supply module and any other electronic controller equipment is not, or at least to a lesser extend exposed to heat dissipated by the LEDs.
US09228705B2
A portable multi-purpose illumination device that wraps into a compact shape for storage and includes a holding and storage device; a positioning member that is extendable and that is connected to the holding and storage device and around which at least a portion of the positioning member is wrapped for storage; and a light source housed within the holding and storage device and powered by connection to a power source which is at least one of (a) a power supply electrically connected via the positioning member and (b) a detachable battery housed within the holding and storage means. The positioning member is manually deformable and may be attached to various structures. The holding and storage device additionally features a retainer for various lenses and mirrors. The illumination device may be used to view a target object obscured from direct view by an intervening object by positioning the mirror appropriately.
US09228704B2
A modular lighting system with a magnetic plug and socket connection between a battery module, light module, and other modules is provided. The plug and socket include magnets which are attached magnetically to each other to hold the battery module and light module together. Electricity is transmitted through the magnets to power the light module. The connection system allows a user to easily customize the lighting system to meet different needs.
US09228699B2
An LED lamp includes a lamp body and a plurality of LED modules. The lamp body defines a pair of inserting holes in each of two opposite sides thereof. The LED modules each have a pair of inserting pins at a side thereof and a pair of inserting holes in an opposite side thereof. In assembly, the LED modules are electrically connected to the lamp body via inserting the inserting pins of the LED modules into the inserting holes of the lamp body and into the inserting holes of adjacent LED modules. In disassembly, the LED modules are detached from the lamp body and the adjacent LED modules via pulling the inserting pins of the LED modules out of the inserting holes of the lamp body and the adjacent LED modules.
US09228698B2
An electromagnetic wave emission device includes a nonlinear crystal which receives exciting light Lp having two wavelength components λ1 and λ2, and outputs terahertz waves L1-L6, a total reflection layer which is in contact with the nonlinear crystal, and totally reflects the terahertz waves L2, L4, and L6 output from the nonlinear crystal, a substrate which mounts the total reflection layer, and top clads which are placed on an opposing surface of the nonlinear crystal, and transmit the terahertz waves L1-L6.
US09228676B2
An electroosmotic movable device is provided, which includes a liquid chamber that houses a liquid, a conductive movable structure that is placed in the liquid chamber and has a rotating shaft or a supporting point and further has a conductive portion, and an electrode for applying an electric field to the conductive movable structure. The conductive movable structure is enabled to move by an electroosmotic flow which occurs in an electric double layer portion formed by being paired with an electric charge induced in the conductive movable structure owing to the electric field which is applied from the electrode.
US09228670B2
A housing has at least one port for allowing entry of subterranean water into an interior of the housing when the housing is buried in soil. The housing has an inlet fitting configured to be coupled to drip tubing and an outlet for discharging water conveyed from a pressurized water source conveyed through the tubing. A valve includes a valve member that is movable to open and close a fluid communication path between the inlet fitting and the outlet. A hygroscopic member is positioned in the interior of the housing and is capable of absorbing subterranean water and expanding to move the valve member to close the fluid communication path. A spring element is positioned to bias the valve member to open the fluid communication path.
US09228653B2
The invention presented is a chain drive sprocket assembly designed to capture lubricating oil from the engine sump or case and distribute the oil throughout the assembly including over the bearings. The invention provides a unique accumulator channel to capture dripping and splashing oil and exit ports with reduced pressure that enable the oil to be drawn through the bearing space and out the assembly, providing for continuous circulation of oil through the assembly.
US09228652B2
A bicycle drive unit includes a housing, a motor, a crank axle, and at least one fin member. The motor is disposed within the housing. The crank axle is rotatably supported relative to the housing about a first rotational axis. The fin member is rotatably arranged relative to the housing. The fin member is operatively coupled to the crank axle to rotate and to generate an air flow within the housing in response to rotation of the crank axle.
US09228648B2
An electric linear motion actuator is provided which can set the clearance during normal braking operation of an electric brake system. The linear motion actuator includes a load sensor for detecting the magnitude of the load with which a friction pad is pressed against the brake disk, a temperature sensor for compensating for the influence of temperature on the load sensor, and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is adapted to calculate a target rotational angle from the position of the electric motor corresponding to the magnitude of the load detected by the load sensor to the position of the electric motor where the clearance is at a predetermined value, and control the electric motor to rotate the electric motor by the target rotational angle.
US09228641B2
A dual ratio constant mesh gearbox is provided that is suitable for use with an automobile, and particularly well-suited for an electric vehicle. The gearbox, which may be configured either as a manual or automatic gearbox, utilizes a planetary gear set and a pair of clutches to shift between under drive and direct drive modes.
US09228638B2
A shift drive mechanism in which a special constant-meshing-type multi-speed transmission can be applied to a transmission case of a constant-meshing-type multi-speed transmission of a general type. In a shift drive mechanism of a multi-speed transmission where the transmission is configured such that a control rod is movable in the axial direction on a hollow-shaft center axis of a gear shaft formed in a hollow shape so that an engagement changeover mechanism is driven to perform a gear shift, and a shift pin, which is guided by a shift drum provided near a periphery of the gear shaft, moves the control rod in the axial direction, an intermittent drive mechanism intermittently rotates the shift drum for every position of each gear speed by transmitting the reciprocating rotation of a shift spindle, which is connected to a gear shift operating member, is arranged between the shift spindle and the shift drum.
US09228637B2
A power unit includes a cam damper mechanism having a cam member reciprocally and unrotatably provided on one of a pair of bevel gears, and rotatably provided on an extended shaft; a lifter member slidably and unrotatably provided on the extended shaft in an axial direction; a damper spring configured such that one end portion thereof is supported on a first flange portion of the extended shaft, and the other end portion thereof biases the lifter member toward the cam member in an axial direction by abutting on the lifter member, and the biasing force is supported by the one bevel gear. The extended shaft has the one of the bevel gears and the cam damper mechanism between the first flange portion and a first bearing, and is accommodated in the bevel gear case so as to be fixed to a bevel gear holder along with the first bearing.
US09228633B2
A balance system for implementation within an engine crankcase, as well as an engine employing such a system and a method of balancing forces as performed by such a system, are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the balance system includes a crankshaft with at least one eccentric portion and a counterbalance assembly having at least one connecting arm and a counterbalance weight with first and second ends, where each of the at least one connecting arm includes a respective circular orifice that is positioned around and supported by a respective one of the at least one eccentric portion. The balance system further includes first and second hinged arms rotatably coupled proximate the first and second ends of the counterbalance weight, respectively, where the arms at least indirectly link the ends of the counterbalance weight to a portion of the engine crankcase and guide movement of the counterbalance weight.
US09228630B2
A twin tube damper includes an inner fluid chamber, an outer fluid chamber in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber and a first fluid circuit that is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The first fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a first bypass flow passage. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the outer fluid chamber and with the first fluid circuit via a common flow passage. The second fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a second bypass flow passage. A switchable flow valve is provided for directing fluid flow between the first bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the second bypass flow passage, and between the second bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the first bypass flow control passage.
US09228629B2
A hollow columnar shock absorbing member (1) has an axis (O), a plurality of rectangular walls (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) extending parallel to axis (O), and a polygonal cross-section perpendicular to axis (O), the shock absorbing member extending in the direction of axis (O) and absorbing externally-applied impact energy while buckling in the direction of axis (O). Shock absorbing member (1) is provided with at least two flanges (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) protruding from at least two edges (1e, 1f, 1g, 1h) formed by at least two sets of neighboring walls among a plurality of walls, and the at least two flanges are arranged so that the directions of protrusion of the flanges from the edges are directed to the same direction with respect to a circumferential direction.
US09228620B2
The present invention relates to a dual clutch device which comprises: a retainer portion to which a rotation force is transmitted; a pair of plate portions provided to the retainer portion; disc portions which are respectively arranged at the plate portions; a hub portion connected to the disc portion; piston portions which respectively apply pressure to the plate portions; driving portions which respectively move the piston portions; and a restoration portion which is arranged between the driving portions and provides a restoration force to the piston portions. The dual clutch device, according to the invention, uses one restoration portion, thereby simplifying a flow path and reducing the size of a product.
US09228615B2
An articulated spindle (3) which is arranged in particular in a drive of a rolling mill, comprises a coupling sleeve for establishing a connection to an articulated head, or an articulated head (4) for establishing a connection to a coupling sleeve (2), wherein the tongue (1) of the coupling sleeve (2) engages with a cylindrical opening (5) of the articulated head (4) that is located transverse to the rotational axis. A sliding block (19) is arranged between the articulated head and the tongue (1), said block being formed by two sliding bodies (21, 22), which have rotational body contours (23, 24) in two portions, said sliding bodies being arranged rotatably in a rotational body-shaped recess (25, 31) adjusted to the shape of the sliding bodies (21, 22) such that they can perform a pivoting motion in the articulated head (4). The articulated spindle (3) is characterized in that the rotational body contours (23, 24) are designed to be concave or convex and the recess (25) is designed to be accordingly convex or concave.
US09228610B2
Support bearing which comprises a first ring and a second ring disposed inside the first ring and substantially coaxial thereto. The first ring and the second ring define between them an annular hollow space in which a cage structure is disposed comprising two circular crowns disposed distanced from each other and between which a plurality of rolling elements are disposed, provided to allow the reciprocal rotation of the first ring and the second ring. The bearing is suitable to support a roll which is used particularly, but not exclusively, in coating processes of a metal product, such as for example strip, wire, bars, by means of metal coating methods such as those known such as galvanization, aluminizing or other similar coating processes.
US09228599B2
A hydraulic circuit for construction equipment is provided, which supplements hydraulic fluid of a hydraulic pump for a cooling fan and hydraulic fluid of a main hydraulic pump and uses the supplemented hydraulic fluid as a hydraulic source of a RCV in order to supply signal pressure to a control valve that controls the driving of a hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic circuit includes first to third hydraulic pumps, a first control valve installed in a flow path of the first flow path, a second control valve installed in a flow path of the second hydraulic flow path, a hydraulic motor connected to the third hydraulic pump, a cooling fan connected to the hydraulic motor, a first shuttle valve having an input portion connected to the first hydraulic pump and the third hydraulic pump, a second shuttle valve having an input portion connected to the second hydraulic pump and the third hydraulic pump, and a pilot pressure generation device installed in a pilot flow path connected to the output portions of the first and second shuttle valves and shifted to supply the hydraulic fluid having a relatively high pressure among the hydraulic fluids of the first to third hydraulic pumps to the first and second control valves as pilot signal pressure.
US09228595B2
The present invention provides a gas-liquid auxiliary supporter for dry granulator including a hydraulic cylinder housing, a lower air piston, a plunger, an upper cover and an upper air piston, wherein the hydraulic cylinder housing is arranged with a hydraulic oil inlet, the lower air piston is arranged with an oil channel for hydraulic oil to flow through, an opening at one end of the oil channel connects to the hydraulic oil inlet on the hydraulic cylinder housing, while an opening at the other end of the oil channel is arranged on the lower end face of the lower air piston, the plunger is arranged in the opening arranged at the lower end face of the lower air piston, the upper cover is fixedly connected to the upper end face of the hydraulic cylinder housing, the upper air piston is disposed in the upper cover with sliding fit, a containing chamber is defined by the lower end face of the upper air piston, the upper end face of the lower air piston and the hydraulic cylinder housing. By adopting such structure, the gas-liquid auxiliary supporter can provide support when the dry granulator runs, and the supporting force can be withdrawn when dry granulator stops, and the supporting force provided can be kept at a constant value to ensure the dry granulator works stably.
US09228591B2
An outdoor unit of an air conditioner is disclosed. The outdoor unit includes: a casing, including a portion defining an outlet through which air is discharged from the outdoor unit; an axial flow fan disposed in the casing for blowing air through the outlet, wherein the axial flow fan comprises: a hub; a plurality of main wings extending from the hub; and a rim connecting the main wings to one other and rotating integrally with the main wings; and one or more air entry blockers disposed at a clearance space between the rim and the portion of the casing defining the outlet.
US09228588B2
Apparatus and methods for expanding a process fluid are disclosed. The apparatus includes a casing having an inlet and an outlet, and a component carrier disposed in the casing. The component carrier and the casing defining a cavity therebetween, and the component carrier at least partially defines a process flowpath fluidly communicating with the inlet and the outlet of the casing. The apparatus also includes a rotor disposed at least partially in the component carrier, with the rotor at least partially defining a first expansion stage intersecting the process flowpath. The apparatus also includes a bleed port extending from the process flowpath at a first point of the process flowpath to the cavity, to provide a thermal buffer fluid to the cavity.
US09228581B2
A snowmobile having an electronic oil pump fluidly connected to an oil tank thereof is disclosed. The electronic oil pump is fluidly connected to an engine of the snowmobile for delivering lubricant to the engine. An electronic control unit is electrically connected to the electronic oil pump for controlling actuation of the electronic oil pump. A method of operating an electronic oil pump is also disclosed.
US09228580B2
A fluid transporter which transports fluid by pressing a plurality of radially disposed pressing shafts against a tube held in a circular-arc shape in directions from the inside of the circular-arc shape in accordance with rotation of a rotational pressing plate having a plurality of projections on the outer circumference thereof so as to allow flow of fluid includes: a first detecting section which detects the rotation angle of the rotational pressing plate; a second detecting section which detects the rotation angle of either a driving rotor for giving a rotational force to the rotational pressing plate or a reduction transmission mechanism for connecting the driving rotor and the rotational pressing plate; a data table which shows the relationship between the rotation angle of the rotational pressing plate and a cumulative delivery amount; and a controller which controls the drive of the driving rotor.
US09228573B2
A wabble plate type variable displacement compressor has a wabble plate rotation preventing mechanism including an inner ring axially movable relative to a main shaft, an outer ring connected to the wobble plate, a plurality of balls placed between guide grooves of the inner and outer rings and performing power transmission, and a sleeve axially movably engaged with the inner ring, provided so as to be axially movable together with the inner ring. A shape differs between the axial cross-sectional profiles of substantially concave spherical surfaces formed respectively in the inner periphery of the outer ring and the outer periphery of the sleeve such that the closer to the axial opposite ends of the contact portion between both the surfaces the position is, the greater the clearance between these surfaces. Implementation of the wabble plate rotation preventing mechanism in such a compressor can provide excellent durability and silent performance.
US09228572B2
A hydraulic apparatus is provided with a return to neutral mechanism for returning a trunnion control bracket arm to a neutral position. The return to neutral mechanism comprises a pair of springs, one spring connecting a fixed bracket to a first rotatable bracket and the other spring connecting the fixed bracket to a second rotatable bracket. The mechanism uses springs with different spring constants and the springs are attached to the brackets in a single plane.
US09228562B2
A convertible nacelle cover with an integrated platform for avoiding the use of auxiliary devices when performing maintenance operations on the components of a wind turbine nacelle, in cases in which the nacelle is not large enough to allow workers to stand on it. The cover has at least two movable parts, which can be opened for maintenance operations, in such a manner that one of them becomes a working platform. Therefore, the nacelle cover is, per se, the place where the operator stands to perform the maintenance operations. It is especially designed to be used in small and medium size wind turbines.
US09228558B2
An ignition module includes a housing, a cam, a first lever, a second lever, and an electromagnet is provided. The cam is rotatably supported by said housing between an OFF position and an ON position. The first lever is movable between a first state restricting movement of said cam from said ON position to said OFF position and a second state permitting movement of said cam from said ON position to said OFF position. The second lever is movable between a locked state restricting movement of said first lever from said first state to said second state and an unlocked state permitting movement of said first lever from said first state to said second state. The electromagnet is movable between an extended state and a retracted state. The electromagnet movable into said extended state when energized to position and maintain said second lever in said locked state.
US09228557B1
Methods and systems are provided for improving crankcase ventilation by directing heated air to a crankcase. Air is drawn into the crankcase upon passage through an interstitial space of a double walled exhaust manifold where it is heated. Crankcase vapors are then released to the engine intake, downstream of an intake throttle.
US09228549B2
A sound attenuator on the intake side of a compressor of an exhaust-gas turbocharger includes a tubular sound attenuator housing, which encases a flow duct between a face-side inlet opening and a rear-side outlet opening. A holding plate is provided in the sound attenuator housing in the flow direction and is perforated in the flow direction. For example, the holding plate can have a multiplicity of holes extending in the flow direction. The sound attenuator on the intake side of the compressor of an exhaust-gas turbocharger has a compact, lightweight and inexpensive structural form. The intake air is subjected to low resistance as it flows through the attenuation elements.
US09228547B2
An apparatus has a turbulence generator valve which is arranged in an intake air passage. The valve generates turbulence in a cylinder of an engine. The valve receives an intake flow torque TA by flow of intake air. The valve is driven by an electric motor in an electric actuator. Reverse transmission torque TB is necessary to rotate the electric motor in the electric actuator when the electric motor is not activated. A cancel spring is provided to apply a cancel torque TC to the valve. The torques are set to satisfy |TA+TC|<|TB|. As a result, it is possible to keep a valve opening degree of the valve while the electric actuator is not activated.
US09228543B2
An engine system and method for preheating a fuel for a cold startup of an IC engine are provided. The engine system may include an IC engine coupled to a source of fuel and configured to receive and combust a fuel from the source to rotate a shaft. The engine system may also include a heat exchanger fluidly coupled to the source of fuel and disposed upstream of the IC engine, and a preheat circuit. The preheat circuit may include a pump in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, a motor coupled to the pump and configured to drive the pump, and a preheater in fluid communication with the pump. The pump may be configured to pressurize a heat transfer medium and the preheater may be configured to preheat the heat transfer medium, the heat transfer medium being introduced to the heat exchanger to warm the fuel.
US09228538B2
An object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine control apparatus that can restrain an EGR amount from becoming excessive, and restrain destabilization of combustion . . . . First, in response to a change of an operation condition, operation amounts of a plurality of actuators that influence the EGR amount are set. When the operation amounts of the plurality of actuators are set, operation of an actuator that decreases the EGR amount (referring to an external EGR amount, an internal EGR amount or both, the same applying to the following) is started (S140), and thereafter, operation of another actuator that increases the EGR amount is started (S150).
US09228526B2
A fuel injection controller includes a transistor downstream of a coil of a fuel injector, two transistors applying a source voltage to an upstream of the coil, a diode refluxing an electric current to the coil from a ground, and a Zener diode provided to promptly consume the counter electromotive force generated in the coil when one of the transistors is turned OFF and the transistor is turned OFF, after an injector-drive-period of the fuel injector is terminated. When a microcomputer measures an injector current “I” decreasing from a time of the termination of an injector-drive-period, a drive control circuit delays an OFF time of the transistor relative to a time of a termination of an injector-drive-period, whereby the injector current “I” decreases gradually.
US09228517B2
A process is proposed for determining the lambda value upstream from the exhaust catalytic converter in which variation in the lambda value (Δλ) from the stoichiometric value is determined on the basis of variation in the charging (ΔOSC) of the oxygen reservoir (7) of the exhaust catalytic converter (6) and variation in the charging (ΔOSC) of the oxygen reservoir (7) is ascertained from the voltage signal (Uλdownstream) of a binary lambda probe (8) associated with the exhaust catalytic converter (6). In accordance with the proposal a control probe upstream from the exhaust catalytic converter can be omitted; this results in cost savings.
US09228513B2
When the engine is in a specified operation state in which the EGR valve is brought into the full-close condition, the holding force for holding the EGR valve at the full-close position is corrected by correcting the control duty signal of the EGR valve. The control duty signal is corrected according to the target valve overlap quantity or the target phase of the valve timing. Thus, even when a proper holding force of the EGR valve is varied due to a variation in differential pressure between the intake pressure and the exhaust pressure, the holding force of the EGR valve is corrected to be a proper holding force.
US09228509B2
A preload torque value generating unit (22m) generates a preload torque value (Tpm) as a function of the acceleration (am) of a main motor (6m), the preload torque value (Tpm) being a torque value that is appended in advance to a torque command value (Tm) so that the direction of force applied to the main motor (6m) and the direction of force applied to a sub motor (6s) will become opposite to each other. A preload torque value generating unit (22s) generates a preload torque value (Tps) as a function of the acceleration (as) of the sub motor (6s), the preload torque value (Tps) being a torque value that is appended in advance to a torque command value (Ts) so that the direction of force applied to the main motor (6m) and the direction of force applied to the sub motor (6s) will become opposite to each other.
US09228506B2
A system includes a controller operable to communicate with at least one sensor and an engine. The controller responds to one or more signals received from the sensor and influences engine operation based on determined engine operation threshold limits and information regarding a first fuel and a second, different fuel. The controller is configured to change or maintain engine operation based on the one or more signals compared to the threshold limits, and to change or maintain an engine fuel supply to control specific fuel consumption of at least one of the first and second fuels and to achieve values for the one or more signals in a determined range relative to the threshold limits. The one or more signals indicate an exhaust emissions parameter or at least one of pre-turbine temperature, fuel injection pressure, turbocharger rotational speed, peak firing pressure, rate of pressure rise, or knock intensity.
US09228505B2
A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second control valves have concentric lines of action. The two fuels may differ in at least one of chemical identity, matter phase and pressure.
US09228503B2
A method for handling uncontrolled combustions in an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, the uncontrolled combustions occurring independently of the ignition by a spark plug and being detected in or at the internal combustion engine. To allow a rapid yet reliable reduction of uncontrolled combustions in an internal combustion engine in order to protect the internal combustion engine from damage, the number of detected uncontrolled combustions in a monitoring period is determined and compared to a threshold value. A temperature in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine is dropped if the threshold value is exceeded.
US09228502B2
At a supporting member, an angle between an imaginary extension plane of an outer surface of a first partition wall and an imaginary extension plane of an upper surface of a pedal arm is one of an obtuse angle and a right angle. An angle between an imaginary extension plane of an outer surface of a third partition wall and an imaginary extension plane of a lower surface of the pedal arm is one of an obtuse angle and a right angle.
US09228501B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling a position of a bleed valve of a gas turbine engine. The onset of an off-load transient may be determined. Values representative of the turbine rotor inlet temperature and the exhaust outlet temperature may be determined. Also, the amount of time elapsed since the onset of the off-load transient may be determined. Three provisional bleed valve command positions may be determined based on value representative of the turbine rotor inlet temperature, the value representative of the exhaust outlet temperature, and the amount of time elapsed, respectively. The provisional bleed valve command position associated with the lowest relative value may be selected. Then, the bleed valve position may be adjusted to match the selected bleed valve command position.
US09228499B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a turbine combustor having a primary fuel injection system, a first wall portion disposed about a primary combustion zone downstream from the primary fuel injection system, and a second wall portion disposed downstream from the first wall portion. The turbine combustor also has a secondary fuel injection system disposed between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, where the secondary fuel injection system is removable form the first and second wall portions.
US09228493B2
A heat shield structure includes an engine body having an exhaust manifold at its side portion, a fuel pump arranged above the engine body, and an engine cover. The engine cover includes a covering portion and a heat shield portion. The covering portion covers the fuel pump and the engine body from above. The heat shield portion protrudes downward from the covering portion. The heat shield portion partitions a space above the engine body and a space above the exhaust manifold from each other. The engine cover has an air guide passage between the engine body and the covering portion, the air guide passage extending from a front side of a vehicle toward the fuel pump.
US09228489B2
An internal combustion engine having combustion chambers that rotate about a main shaft axis in a step-wise manner. A first and second rotors each have elongate pistons that are interdigitated so that when one rotor rotates with respect to the other rotor, some chambers between the interdigitated pistons are reduced in volume and other chambers are increased in volume. Respective one-way bearings connect the first and second rotors to the main shaft to incrementally rotate it. Fuel mixture and exhaust apparatus is connected to one end of the engine to feed a fuel mixture to the increasing-volume chambers and extract the exhaust from other decreasing-volume chambers. At the same time, yet other chambers are experiencing compression and ignition cycles. An oil pump is driven by the first and second rotors for circulating a lubricant from a reservoir, through the engine parts to be lubricated and then back to the reservoir to cool the lubricant.
US09228486B2
Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a secondary intake throttle based on condensate formation in a charge air cooler, the secondary throttle positioned upstream of the charge air cooler. In one example, a method may include decreasing an opening of the secondary intake throttle in response to increased condensate accumulation within the charge air cooler. The method may further include adjusting a primary throttle positioned in an intake manifold based on the condensate accumulation and torque demand.
US09228484B2
A baffle for engine fluid cooling includes a fluid guide having a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, and a coolant fluid inlet. A channel receives a pair of heat exchangers such that one may be positioned proximate to or above a part of the bottom wall and the other may be positioned proximate to or above another part of the bottom wall. Some coolant entering the guide flows into the first heat exchanger and some coolant is passed under the first heat exchanger and subsequently into the second heat exchanger.
US09228481B2
A water pump mounting structure includes a water pump cover and a water pump housing. The water pump housing includes an upper extending portion and a lower extending portion. The upper extending portion includes a first upper fastening portion and a second upper fastening portion. The second upper fastening portion is provided between the first upper fastening portion and a pump driving shaft. The lower extending portion includes a first lower fastening portion and a second lower fastening portion. The second lower fastening portion is provided between the first lower fastening portion and the pump driving shaft.
US09228477B2
An exhaust system, for a vehicle driven by an internal combustion engine, has a system for removing condensate (141) that includes a first line section (110) for fluid connection with exhaust gas (160), at least one second line section (120) for fluid connection with exhaust gas (160), and at least one suction line (130; 131; 132; 136; 137; 138). The suction line (130; 131; 132; 136; 137; 138) is disposed between the bottom (124) of the at least one second line section (120) and the first line section (110), and includes an opening (135) configured to be passed over by exhaust gas (160) passing through the first line section (110).
US09228474B2
A method and a system determines failure of a urea quality sensor. The method may include: determining whether a urea temperature is higher than a predetermined temperature; determining, if the urea temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, whether a vehicle speed is faster than a predetermined vehicle speed; determining, if the vehicle speed is faster than the predetermined vehicle speed, whether a difference between a current urea quality and a previous urea quality is higher than a predetermined urea quality; and storing a failure code if the difference between the current urea quality and the previous urea quality is higher than the predetermined urea quality.
US09228471B2
A mixing device for an exhaust system of a vehicle includes an inlet pipe, through which exhaust gas can enter a mixing chamber of the mixing device, and an outlet pipe for the exhaust gas to leave the mixing chamber. The inlet pipe and the outlet pipe form an angle. The mixing chamber includes an opening for an outlet of a dosage device, by means of which a reducing agent for exhaust gas aftertreatment is introducible into the mixing chamber. A baffle is arranged at a wall of the inlet pipe a baffle, which is induces a turbulence in the exhaust gas flow entering the mixing chamber.
US09228464B2
Embodiments for heating a catalyst are provided. In one example, a method for controlling an internal combustion engine having an exhaust-gas aftertreatment device during a cold-start phase comprises adjusting a temperature of cooling water to a setpoint operating temperature as a function of a degree of aging of the exhaust-gas aftertreatment device of the internal combustion engine, wherein the temperature of the cooling water is increased more quickly as a present degree of aging of the exhaust-gas aftertreatment device increases.
US09228461B2
A bi-directional tractor exhaust system includes a downwardly directed exhaust pipe connected to an upwardly directed exhaust pipe. An exhaust pipe valve may be mounted in the downwardly directed exhaust pipe. An actuator may be connected to the exhaust pipe valve and may be moveable between a first position opening the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the downwardly directed exhaust pipe, and a second position closing the exhaust pipe valve to direct exhaust through the upwardly directed exhaust pipe.
US09228453B2
A camshaft of a combustion engine may include a drive element and first and second roller bearings for mounting the camshaft in the combustion engine. The drive element and at least the first roller bearing may be adjacent and exchangeable with one another.
US09228451B2
An engine mounting arrangement is provided for supporting a gas turbine engine. The mounting arrangement comprises a module adaptor mounted to an overhead or a ground based carrier for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The module adaptor extends horizontally from a base to an axially-opposed distal end having a first mounting interface configured for attachment to a module of the engine. The module adaptor holds the engine by the module to which it is attached and with the other engine modules projecting in a cantilever fashion from the supported module.
US09228448B2
A turbine section according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an airfoil including an edge and a probe positioned a distance from the airfoil. The probe is configured to detect radiation emitted from a radiation source. A sensor is operatively coupled to the probe and is configured to generate a signal utilized to determine when the edge of the airfoil extends into a line-of-sight between the probe and the radiation source.
US09228445B2
Hybrid turbine airfoil components containing a ceramic material, in which detailed features of the components are formed of materials other than ceramic materials. The components include a first component formed of a ceramic-based material and a second component formed of a metallic material. The first component comprises an airfoil portion and a nub, and the second component is separately formed and attached to the first component by casting the metallic material around the nub of the first component. The second component includes a platform portion between the airfoil portion and the nub of the first component and a dovetail portion on the nub of the first component. Each of the platform and dovetail portions has at least one off-axis geometric feature that results in the second component having a more complex geometry than the first component.
US09228441B2
An airfoil includes an airfoil body having an internal cavity. A thermostatic valve is located at least partially within the internal cavity. The thermostatic valve is configured to passively control fluid flow into the internal cavity in response to a temperature within the internal cavity.
US09228440B2
Turbine blade airfoils, showerhead film cooling systems thereof, and methods for cooling the turbine blade airfoils using the same are provided. The airfoil has a leading edge and a trailing edge, a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall both extending between the leading and the trailing edges, and an internal cavity for supplying cooling air. A showerhead of film cooling holes is connected to the internal cavity. Each film cooling hole has an inlet connected to the internal cavity and an outlet opening onto an external wall surface at the leading edge of the airfoil. A plurality of surface connectors is formed in the external wall surface. Each surface connector of the plurality of surface connectors interconnects the outlets of at least one selected pair of the film cooling holes.
US09228439B2
A cooled turbine blade having a base and an airfoil, the base including cooling air inlet and an internal cooling air passageway, and the airfoil including an internal heat exchange path beginning at the base and ending at a cooling air outlet at the trailing edge of the airfoil. The airfoil also includes a “skin” that encompasses a tip wall, an inner spar, a leading edge rib, and a leading edge air deflector. The leading edge rib is configured to form a leading edge chamber in conjunction with the leading edge of the skin. The leading edge air deflector is shaped and positioned such that cooling air leaving the leading edge chamber is both turned and diffused.
US09228433B2
An apparatus and a process for wellbore characterization are disclosed, including: separating, in a separation vessel, drilling mud from gas produced during drilling of a wellbore; transporting the separated produced gas from the separation vessel to a downstream process; and measuring at least one of a temperature, a pressure, a mass flow rate, and a volumetric flow rate of the separated produced gas during transport using one or more sensors. Properties of the gas separated from the mud may be used to determine characteristics of a wellbore.
US09228427B2
A well completion method provides for monitoring of reservoir pressure and saturation levels for two reservoirs from a single monitoring well. The well completion extends vertically through an upper and a lower reservoir. The well is cased, cemented, and perforated across the lower reservoir. A cement free zone is formed by cementing the casing string within the wellbore above an external casing packer above the upper reservoir. The casing string is perforated to allow fluid from the upper reservoir to flow through the cement free zone. A tubing string is landed and set within the casing string. The tubing string is sealed above and below the perforation at the cement free zone to prevent communication between fluid from the upper reservoir and the lower reservoir. The upper reservoir is monitored at the cement free zone, and the lower reservoir is monitored below an end of the tubing string.
US09228425B2
A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves performing reservoir characterization to generate a mechanical earth model based on integrated petrophysical, geomechanical and geophysical data. The method also involves generating a stimulation plan by performing well planning, a staging design, a stimulation design and a production prediction based on the mechanical earth model. The stimulation design is optimized by repeating the well planning, staging design, stimulation design, and production prediction in a feedback loop until an optimized stimulation plan is generated.
US09228415B2
A method for performing oilfield operations including collecting a model data set from the oilfield for populating a location of a plurality of locations in a multidimensional data repository, the plurality of locations accessible based on a plurality of dimensions of the multidimensional data repository, performing, using a processor of a computer, analysis of at least the model data set retrieved from the location of the plurality of locations to generate a result, adjusting, using the processor, the multidimensional data repository based on the result, and adjusting the oilfield operations based on the multidimensional data repository.
US09228402B2
A flow control valve for use with a downhole motor includes a housing with at least one port and a sleeve with at least one opening. The sleeve is movable within the housing to align and offset the ports and openings. A first biasing member associated with a first portion of the sleeve and a second biasing member associated with a second portion of the sleeve bias the sleeve in a first direction, while pressure applied to the sleeve due to fluid flow moves the sleeve in an opposing second direction. Movement of the sleeve in the second direction compresses the first and second biasing members, disengages the first portion of the sleeve from the first biasing member, and aligns the openings with the ports to permit transmission of the pressure through the openings and ports.
US09228400B2
An apparatus to alter the flow of a fluid (e.g., drilling fluid, mud, cement, etc.) in a wellbore by creating turbulence in the flowing fluid. The apparatus includes a plurality of blade members extending outward from an elongated member. The elongated member is attached to the exterior surface of a tubular that is then positioned in a wellbore.
US09228396B2
A tubing hanger landing system includes a tubing hanger running tool, a locking flowline to lock the tubing hanger running tool into a tubing hanger, and a lower body shear joint comprising a recovery valve. The recovery valve includes a valve body with a functional port, an operational port, a bi-directional port, and a relief port, and a valve piston positioned within the valve body and movable between an operational position and a relief position within the valve body. The functional port enables pressure to be communicated to the valve piston to move the valve piston from the operational position to the relief position, and, in the relief position, the valve piston provides fluid communication through a relief flowpath between the bi-directional port and the relief port to release pressure from the locking flowline.
US09228394B2
Modular transfigurable drilling rig system composed of multiple components, which system is transfigurable between a transport mode in which the components of the system are transportable and an operational mode in which the components are assembled to a drilling rig which is adapted to drill into a well center in the ground.
US09228392B2
A venetian blind comprises a plurality of pairs 1 of horizontal slats 3, 5 which are connected together at the ends by means of a rope or tape 15. The Figure shows the venetian blind in partially closed position. The slats can rotate around the longitudinal axis both clockwise and anti-clockwise, so that the top or bottom respectively is rotated to the side facing the window. The venetian blind has cords to which the slats are attached with their longitudinal edges. By pulling at the cords the slats can be rotated clockwise or anti-clockwise.
US09228381B2
A lid lock apparatus for a vehicle includes a driving motor, a moving member causing a lid member provided at a vehicle body to be inhibited from opening in a state where the moving member projects from the housing to engage with the lid member, the moving member being retracted into the housing by the driving motor to release the engagement between the moving member and the lid member, and a pulling member connected to the moving member and pulled in a case where the moving member is inhibited from moving by the driving motor to cause the moving member to be retracted into the housing and to release the engagement between the moving member and the lid member. The moving member is movable relative to the pulling member in a moving direction of the moving member in a case where the pulling member is inhibited from operating.
US09228364B1
An adjustable work platform comprises a fixed platform carrying a multiplicity of adjustable members designed to slide out of the fixed platform to variable lengths as needed. A large irregularly shaped object, such as an aircraft, may be driven into the interior of the platform with the adjustable members retracted. Once in place, the adjustable members are extended to form a heavy duty work platform conforming to the irregular shape of the exterior of the object.
US09228363B2
A device for aligning and leveling tiles as they are laid in floors, walls, countertops, or the like. The device has a locking assembly and a bottom plate combined with a shaft that extends from the bottom plate through the locking assembly so that the locking assembly is movable along the length of the shaft. In use, the device is placed between adjacent tiles so that the locking assembly and bottom plate hold adjacent tiles at a desired height as the setting bed dries. The locking assembly has flexible members adapted to exert a constant compressive force against the tiles during the tile leveling process.
US09228362B2
The present invention is an anchoring device for joining three boards. It includes a substantially flat horizontal top element having a top view configuration which includes two sides and has a first predetermined width as measured wide to side at its maximum width between the two sides. There is at least one substantially vertical support member attached to the underside of the top element along an imaginary center line and extending downwardly from the top element for a predetermined length, which has two sides and a second predetermined width as measured at its maximum width. There is a substantially flat horizontal bottom element with two sides and has a third predetermined width at its maximum width. The first predetermined width is greater than the second predetermined width and the third predetermined width, and the third is greater than the second.
US09228359B2
Various embodiments of a rotatable awning with illumination are provided. The awning includes an axial groove wherein a plurality of luminaires are located for lighting of an area below and around an extended awning. The awning includes an electromechanical rotatable conductor which provides electrical contact between a fixed portion of the awning assembly and the rotating awning roller tube. This allows for flow through of electricity or current to the luminaires and/or the awning motor internally through the roller tube.
US09228352B2
A skylight assembly is provided with a glazing unit which transmits light while limiting heat transfer. The glazing unit has spaced apart top and bottom layer defining an enclosed cavity at least partially filled with translucent insulating particles. A peripheral frame formed in situ from a polymeric material about the glazing unit forming a leak-tight joint.
US09228350B1
A support chair for bracing objects, such as rebar, cable, or the like. The support chair is preferably configured to support rebar at any one of multiple different heights.
US09228349B2
Disclosed is a method of enhancing fire resistance of high-strength concrete by mixing a spalling reducer (fiber cocktail) into the concrete to control spalling and performing shear reinforcement of main steel bars using shear stiffeners based on a wire rope and spacers.
US09228346B2
This relates to a pipe supporting element (1) used to contain a pipe (15) that is used in buildings for hydraulic, electrical and other pipes. In one preferred arrangement, the aforementioned pipe supporting element comprises polyethylene foam, is as thick as a partition (wall or paving slab), has at least two anchoring points located on the side faces (3) thereof, and includes at least one through hole (2) between a first face (1) and a second face (2).
US09228345B2
A plurality of intermediate deck boards span across joists in a decking system in which each deck board includes a lower frame portion extruded of a first material and an insert body inserted into the top side of the lower frame portion which is formed of a second material. Additional extruded members are used as starting and ending rows of the deck boards and as finishing boards across the ends of the intermediate deck boards, in which each of the deck boards defines a respective portion of an upper deck surface of the assembled deck structure. The perimeter extruded members include mounting channels for mounting a railing structure thereon.
US09228343B2
A panel system including a sheet-like movable panel; a lower profile carrying the panel weight and acting as a panel guide track; an upper profile supporting the panel from above and acting as a panel guide track; and an opening guide track placed in parallel with the lower profile, carrying the panel weight and acting as a panel guide track. The panel can move from the lower profile onto the opening guide track and simultaneously pivot to an open position, in which the panel weight is carried by both the lower profile and the opening guide track. In an embodiment, an opening angle of the panel with respect to the lower profile in the open position is smaller than 90° or 85°, or not greater than 45°, or is preferably from 10° to 15°. In an example, the panel system further includes a sheet-like immovable panel with an open position.
US09228337B2
A kit for an easy quick connect structural system for constructing framework structures comprising a plurality of elongate rectangular prism frame members is provided. The frame members incorporate custom design features which provide structural strength, facilitate assembly and expansion of the framework structure and allow ease of attachment and securing of accessories. These design features include a corner groove, a central hollow longitudinal chamber, at least one sub-trade chamber, at least one outer main channel, stub-nosed channels, and claw assembles flanking each corner groove. There is provided a plurality of snap-in connectors designed and configured to mate with the frame members such that the frame members can be secured in various arrangements with respect to each other. There is further provided custom reinforcement brackets designed and configured to securely bind together a selection of the plurality of the frame members.
US09228332B2
Various methods and systems are provided for offsetting of flush adapters. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an adapter configured to attach to a flush mechanism configured to provide for a predefined flush capability in a toilet, a gasket attached to adapter, the gasket forming a seal between the flush mechanism and a flush orifice of a flush valve, where the flush valve is configured to seat a sealing member, and means for securing the gasket in position with respect to the flush orifice of the flush valve.
US09228330B1
An aesthetically designed sink (100) comprises a plurality of orifices (110, 115, 120, 125) that deliver different water flow profiles for washing, rinsing, and drinking. Hot and cold water supplies (1110, 1115) supply water to the sink. A series of touch and sliding-touch controls (130-180) regulate the temperature and flow of water from the orifices. A logic circuit (1105) controls all operations, i.e., orifice selection, flow rate, and temperature. In one aspect water flowing from an orifice forms a sheet-shaped stream that arcs over the bowl for ease of washing and drinking. The stream can be illuminated by bi-color light-emitting diodes (121) in colors indicative of the selected temperature of the water flowing through that orifice. Alternatively an orifice is replaced by a removable fixture (900) in a cavity (905) in the sink, which is connected to the water supply (910).
US09228328B2
An installation structure of countertop faucet includes a base having an insertion section extending through a mounting hole formed in a counter to engage a locking nut to be secured. The insertion section has a top end forming a receiving bore of which a circumferential wall forming two positioning holes communicating with the receiving bore. Each positioning hole receives therein a releasing module. The bottom of the base forms two water inlet passages communicating with the receiving bore and receiving stop valves therein and coupled to couplers for connection with water inlet tubes. A faucet has a joint section received in the receiving bore and having water guide tubes fit into the water inlet passages. The joint section forms two receiving apertures receiving therein positioning modules respectively engageable with the positioning holes to fix the faucet and being released by the releasing module to detach the faucet from the base.
US09228327B2
A freeze resistant sanitary hydrant is provided that employs a reservoir for storage of fluid under the frost line or in an area not prone to freezing. To evacuate this reservoir, a means for altering pressure is provided that is able to function in hydrant systems that employ a vacuum breaker.
US09228321B1
A system for remotely operating a machine includes a plurality of remote control input devices including a propulsion input device. A controller generates an operator generated propulsion command to propel the machine and generates continued propulsion commands to continue to propel the machine without additional propulsion signals from a propulsion input device. The controller determines an interval since the generation of a previous remote input signal at the remote control unit and generates a change in operation command signal if the interval since the generation of the previous remote input signal exceeds an input signal absence threshold.
US09228314B2
A hydraulic system for an implement coupler assembly of a machine includes a coupler cylinder, a control valve connecting the coupler cylinder to a pressurized fluid source and a low pressure reservoir, and a sequence valve and a check valve connected in parallel between the coupler cylinder and the control valve. An implement cylinder provides a pilot pressure for the sequence valve. The coupler cylinder extends to a locked position when the control valve provides pressurized fluid through the check valve to a head end of the coupler cylinder. The coupler cylinder retracts to an unlocked position when the control valve provides pressurized fluid to a rod end of the coupler cylinder if the implement cylinder provides pilot pressure sufficient to open the sequence valve and connect the head end of the coupler cylinder to the low pressure reservoir.
US09228313B2
The method for the restoration and reinforcement of scarps and a resulting reinforced structure is provided. The method includes of clearing the scarp surface under restoration, and of creating a pit (an excavation). The bottom of the pit is filled with mineral soil and is compacted as a foundation of a retaining wall. A protective filter made from draining mineral soil is installed on the foothill of the scarp, where the protective filter is surrounded by draining geotextile. The geogrid is placed on the surface of the regressed scarp and then anchored to the soil of the scarp by tensile ropes. A rigid support, such as a crib (grillage), is created on the protective filter and batter piles are driven under the rigid support. Then the retaining wall is constructed, consisting of layers of compacted soil that are surrounded by draining geotextile. The retaining wall is covered by erosion control mats, anchored to the draining geotextile of the soil layers of the retaining wall. Protrusion in the scarp is covered with large granite boulders or concrete elements.
US09228312B2
A method of building a structure in the presence of water includes providing two or more three-sided elongated triangular bodies that has a first end, a second end, and an internal flow passage that extends between the first end and the second end. Each of the triangular bodies has an apex with a base opposed to the apex. Each of the triangular bodies is positioned in side by side relation, with the flow passage of one or more of the triangular bodies serving as a flow path for water. A road, a bridge or a dock is positioned transversely across the triangular bodies.
US09228311B2
A shoring box having frame supports coupled to lateral spreader bars. The shoring box is configured to accept exterior panels in a manner capable of providing vertical translation about an exterior surface of the shoring box. The shoring box is further configured to accept a plurality of interior panels in a manner capable of providing customizable shoring above and below utility lines, pipes, duct banks, and the like. In this regard, the shoring box is adapted to shore around one or more obstructions within an excavation, trench, or hole.
US09228307B2
A monopod mounted solid pet waste collecting and disposing system, is a pole device with a mounted scooper box. When not in use, the scooper box is mounted vertically parallel to the walking stick. When required for pet waste collection, it is deployed horizontally parallel to the ground. The Scooper box has a provision to insert a specially designed disposable case inside the box which has lower lips to protect the surface of scooper box coming in contact with pet waste and side lips that allows the case to be opened or closed in sync with the scooper box. The internal section of the stick also has control systems to deploy the scooper box for pet waste pick-up, to open and close the two compartments of the scooper box to collect the pet waste from ground and to eject the disposable case out of scooper box.
US09228302B2
A temporary bridge for supporting heavy loads includes elongate hollow cylinders. A first rigid flat plate is horizontally disposed in overlying relation to each hollow cylinder and a second rigid flat plate is horizontally disposed in underlying relation to each hollow cylinder. Stress-distributing strengthening members formed by a pair of legs that are angularly disposed with respect to one another are circumferentially positioned about each hollow cylinder and the respective free ends of the legs are secured to their associated rigid flat plates. A key extends from a first end of each hollow cylinder and a mating socket is formed in a second end of each hollow cylinder to facilitate end-to-end interconnection of a plurality of hollow cylinders. Further embodiments include longitudinally-disposed timber mats, pedestrian walkways and curvature-creating members so that the bridge may follow a non-linear path of travel.
US09228301B2
An elongate structure for supporting heavy loads includes an elongate hollow cylinder having a longitudinal axis of symmetry. Stress-distributing strengthening members are circumferentially positioned about and secured to the hollow cylinder in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of symmetry. A first flat plate is disposed in overlying relation to the hollow cylinder and to the first, upper pair of strengthening members and a second flat plate is disposed in underlying relation to the hollow cylinder and to the second, lower pair of strengthening members. The second flat plate is disposed in a horizontal plane in parallel and diametrically opposed relation to the first flat plate. A key extends from a first end of the hollow cylinder and a mating socket is formed in a second end of the hollow cylinder to facilitate end-to-end interconnection of a plurality of the hollow cylinders.
US09228298B2
A High Temperature Superconductor Maglev (HTSM) for Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) with a magnetic levitation structure for ETT capsule vehicles traveling in an evacuated tube. At least one ETT capsule travels within an evacuated tube, an upper and a lower cryostat respectively mount at the top and bottom of said ETT capsule along the length thereof, at least a plurality of superconductor levitation force elements divided between said upper and lower cryostats. The levitation force being spread over the length of capsule, however substantially concentrated in a compact cross-sectional area. At least a pair of permanent magnetic elements mounted at the top and bottom of the evacuated tube to levitate the capsule. At least a pair of capsule based switchable diverge force elements cooperate with at least a pair of tube based diverge force elements to steer the capsule while in an interchange.
US09228297B2
A rail support assembly for mounting and supporting the rail of a railroad system, the assembly including a plate disposed under the rail and including a shoulder hole, a shoulder arranged and constructed to fit in said shoulder hole without rotation with respect to the plate, and a clip having an end received by said shoulder and arranged to bias the rail toward the plate.
US09228292B2
A drying device has been developed having a single electric motor configured to drive a drum and directly drive an air blower. The single electric motor is a non-line frequency electric motor. The drum is coupled to a support frame to enable rotation of the drum relative the support frame. The drum has an interior space for holding a load of articles, such as clothing. The motor includes a controller configured to regulate the angular velocity of the output shaft of the motor with reference to the current drawn by the motor.
US09228291B2
Provided is a dryer. In the dryer, foreign substances such naps generated during a drying process are filtered by a filter unit, and the foreign substances attached to the filter unit are automatically removed.
US09228267B1
Fluidized-bed reactors for producing alane are provided herein. An exemplary process includes inducing a negative electrical potential in an electrolyte solution to produce an anolyte solution that includes an alane adduct, wherein the negative electrical potential is generated between anode aluminum particles and cathode aluminum particles, the electrolyte solution including sodium aluminum hydride dissolved in a solvent, the anode aluminum particles and cathode aluminum particles being separated by a diaphragm.
US09228265B2
Methods for template-stripping a single metallic nano-tip structure from a template containing a plurality of ready-to-be-template-stripped inverted metallic nano-tip structures include attaching the metallic nano-tip structure to a wire handle or a cantilever. A metallic nano-tip assembly includes a single metallic nano-tip structure attached to a handle or mounted on a cantilever structure. The metallic nano-tip assembly may be conductive.
US09228252B2
A hard alloy and a cutting tool. The hard alloy includes a hard phase and a binder phase. The hard phase includes: a main phase containing 50-70 mass % of WC, 15-30 mass % of TiCN, and 0-10 mass % of at least one kind of carbide, nitride or carbonitride of one or more non-W, non-Ti periodic table Group 4, 5 or 6 metal; a WC phase; and a composite hard phase. The binder phase includes 6 to 12 mass % of at least one of Co and Ni. The hard alloy includes a surface portion at a surface thereof, the surface portion having a WC content higher than that of an internal portion thereof. An average size of grains in the WC phase in the surface portion is larger than an average size of grains in the WC phase in the internal portion.
US09228251B2
A ferromagnetic material sputtering target made of metal having a composition containing 20 mol % or less of Cr, and Co as the remainder thereof, wherein the structure of the target includes a metallic substrate (A), and, in the metallic substrate (A), a spherical phase (B) containing 90 wt % or more of Co in which the difference between the longest diameter and the shortest diameter is 0 to 50%. Provided is a ferromagnetic material sputtering target capable of improving the leakage magnetic flux to obtain a stable electrical discharge with a magnetron sputtering device.
US09228236B2
The present invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for detecting mutations in transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4). In particular, mutations are detected in TRPV4 to detect diseases such as scapuloperoneal spinal muscular atrophy (SPSMA) and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type IIC (HMSN IIC) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2C (CMT2C).
US09228234B2
Disclosed herein are methods for determining the copy number of a chromosome in a fetus in the context of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. In an embodiment, the measured genetic data from a sample of genetic material that contains both fetal DNA and maternal DNA is analyzed, along with the genetic data from the biological parents of the fetus, and the copy number of the chromosome of interest is determined. In an embodiment, the maternal serum is measured using a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray, along with parental genomic data, and the determination of the chromosome copy number is used to make clinical decisions pertaining to the fetus.
US09228233B2
The invention generally relates to methods for analyzing nucleic acids to identify novel mutations associated with diseases. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve obtaining nucleic acid from a subject having a disease, identifying at least one mutation in the nucleic acid, and comparing the mutation to a database of mutations known to be associated with the disease, wherein mutations that do not match to the database are identified as novel mutations.
US09228228B2
The present invention is related generally to analysis of polynucleotides, particularly polynucleotides derived from genomic DNA. The invention provides methods, compositions and systems for such analysis. Encompassed by the invention are arrays of polynucleotides in which the polynucleotides have undergone multiple rounds of amplification in order to increase the strength of signals associated with single polynucleotide molecules.
US09228220B2
A fluid delivery system may include a container that houses a medical fluid, a fluid pressurizing unit, and a fluid transfer set that transfers the medical fluid from the container to the fluid pressurizing unit. To validate the integrity and sterility of the fluid delivery system, the system may undergo testing protocols to evaluate the susceptibility of the system to pathogenic ingress, chemical degradation, and/or fluid cross-contamination between patient fluid delivery procedures. The testing protocols may help ensure that delivery system components used during multiple different fluid delivery procedures perform as well as if the components were replaced after each fluid delivery procedure.
US09228218B2
The present invention relates to an expression vector for animal cells, comprising: (a) CSP-B (Cytotoxic Serine Protease-B) 5′-SAR (Scaffold or Matrix Attachment Region); (b) a promoter operable in animal cells; and (c) a polyadenylation sequence, and to a method for producing recombinant proteins using same. The vector of the present invention includes CSP-B 5′-SAR, and thus has the effect of overcoming the inhibition of gene expression according to the position of a foreign gene introduced into an animal cell, and significantly improving the expression rate of a target protein. The vector of the present invention effectively expresses recombinant proteins for drugs or antibodies in animal cells. The vector of the present invention and the method for producing recombinant proteins using same may be very usefully applied to the industrial mass production of drugs.
US09228208B2
Compositions and methods are provided for modifying a genomic locus of interest in a eukaryotic cell, a mammalian cell, a human cell or a non-human mammalian cell using a large targeting vector (LTVEC) comprising various endogenous or exogenous nucleic acid sequences as described herein. Further methods combine the use of the LTVEC with a CRISPR/Cas system. Compositions and methods for generating a genetically modified non-human animal comprising one or more targeted genetic modifications in their germline are also provided.
US09228207B2
Some aspects of this disclosure provide compositions, methods, systems, and kits for controlling the activity and/or improving the specificity of RNA-programmable endonucleases, such as Cas9. For example, provided are guide RNAs (gRNAs) that are engineered to exist in an “on” or “off” state, which control the binding and hence cleavage activity of RNA-programmable endonucleases.
US09228204B2
Systems, constructs, and methods for reprogramming cells are provided. In one aspect, for example, a transformation construct for generating iPS cells can include an expression vector having a plurality of reprogramming factors, each reprogramming factor being under control of a separate promoter.
US09228203B2
This invention relates to bicistronic flavivirus vectors, methods of using such vectors in the prevention and treatment of disease, and methods of making such vectors.
US09228200B2
The soybean variety DLL1344 is disclosed. The invention relates to seeds, plants, plant cells, plant tissue, harvested products and soybean lint as well as to hybrid soybean plants and seeds obtained by repeatedly crossing plants of variety DLL1344 with other plants. The invention also relates to plants and varieties produced by the method of essential derivation from plants of DLL1344 and to plants of DLL1344 reproduced by vegetative methods, including but not limited to tissue culture of regenerable cells or tissue from DLL1344.
US09228191B2
The present invention relates to a novel secretory signal, a novel plasmid containing the secretory signal, a transformed anaerobic bacterium transformed with said plasmid, a gene transfer carrier consisting of said anaerobic bacterium, and a pharmaceutical composition containing said carrier.
US09228190B2
A vector for constitutively expressing a high level of a target protein, and more particularly a RepE mutant protein containing a deletion of 21 amino acids in the C-terminal region of a RepE protein and a vector for constitutively expressing a high level of a target protein, which comprises a gene encoding the mutant protein. The constitutive high-level expression vector can stably express a high level of a target protein. Also, the surface expression vector can express a target protein on the surface of recombinant microorganisms while constitutively expressing a high level of the target protein, and thus will be useful for construction of an antigen for vaccines.
US09228187B2
An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 59.
US09228186B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for TTR.
US09228185B2
The invention relates to methods and uses of modulating fetal hemoglobin expression (HbF) in a hematopoietic progenitor cells via inhibitors of BCL11A expression or activity, such as RNAi and antibodies.
US09228184B2
Provided herein are human Toll-like receptor (TLR)-inhibitors and methods for use in individuals having an autoimmune disease or an inflammatory disorder. The TLR inhibitors of the present disclosure are polynucleotides comprising an inhibitory motif for one or more of TLR7, TLR8 and TLR9.
US09228180B2
The present invention refers to hyperactive variants of a transposase of the transposon system Sleeping Beauty (SB). The invention further refers to corresponding nucleic acids producing these variants, to a gene transfer system for stably introducing nucleic acid(s) into the DNA of a cell by using these hyperactive variants of a transposase of the transposon system Sleeping Beauty (SB) and to transposons used in the inventive gene transfer system, comprising a nucleic acid sequence with flanking repeats (IRs and/or RSDs). Furthermore, applications of these transposase variants, the transpsoson, or the gene transfer system are also disclosed such as gene therapy, insertional mutagenesis, gene discovery (including genome mapping), mobilization of genes, library screening, or functional analysis of genomes in vivo and in vitro. Finally, pharmaceutical compositions and kits are also encompassed.
US09228168B2
The invention provides stable feed media containing pyruvate and methods for stabilizing feed media by adding pyruvate. The invention further provides methods for producing proteins using such media and proteins produced through the use of such methods.
US09228163B1
The present invention provides a method to create and a process for using a compact, automated, all-grain beer brewing appliance. The method may include a microprocessor-based Process Control System, a Heat EXchanger loop, a Fluid Distribution Manifold, a Step Filter Basket, a Hot Fluid Tank, pumps, valves, plumbing and brewing control instruments. The invention may also make use of a Filter-Keg in lieu of a Hot Fluid Tank allowing fermentation, conditioning and dispensing from a single replaceable vessel.
US09228154B2
The present invention provides a robust and efficient process for reducing the cloud point of biodiesel fuel in which clathrates are formed from saturated fatty acid components as solvent is evaporated from a mixture of urea, methanol and fatty acid esters. The process speed can be fast, and is governed by the speed with which urea can be brought into clathrate forming contact with the fatty acid esters in the first instance, and then by the speed that solvent can be evaporated. Advantageously, substantially all of the solvent can be evaporated as pure solvent, which enhances process efficiencies and reduces cost. Additionally, substantially all of the urea can be used to form clathrates, further maximizing process efficiency.
US09228152B2
An automotive engine oil and/or fuel comprising a base stock and an organic polymeric friction reducing additive is claimed. A method of reducing friction in an automotive engine oil and/or fuel by the addition of the organic polymeric friction reducing additive to the base stock is also claimed.
US09228148B2
A method of producing shaped articles made from single-sidedly or double-sidedly galvanized steel sheet, starting from galvanized steel strip, at least one of the steps of the method being a transport operation, and in which, for protection from black-spot corrosion, a corrosion preventive oil is applied which comprises at least one phosphoric acid polyoxyalkylene ester.
US09228143B2
Gasifiers for the gasification of solid carbon-based fuels are disclosed herein. An example gasifier includes an inlet chamber for introducing fuel into the gasifier and a pyrolysis region for pyrolyzing the fuel introduced into the vessel. The pyrolysis region includes first means for admission of a pyrolysis agent. The example gasifier also includes a combustion region for incinerating pyrolysis gases originating from the pyrolysis region, where the combustion region includes second means for admission of a gasifying agent. Also, the example gasifier includes a reduction region for gasifying carbonized fuel originating from the pyrolysis region, an outlet for collecting gases originating from the reduction region, and a region for collecting and discharging ashes. In addition, the example gasifier includes active transfer means to actively transfer solid material from the pyrolysis region to the reduction region. In some examples, the active transfer means is located between the pyrolysis region and the combustion region, and the active transfer means includes a transfer chamber to prevent a direct flow of the solid material from the pyrolysis region to the reduction region, where the transfer chamber is permeable to the pyrolysis gases.
US09228142B2
The present invention relates to the field of processing hydrocarbons which causes corrosion in the metal surfaces of processing units. The invention addresses the technical problem of high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion and sulphur corrosion and provides a solution to inhibit these types of corrosion. The three combination compositions are formed by three mixtures separately, with one mixture obtained by mixing compound A, which is obtained by reacting high reactive polyisobutylene (HRPIB) with phosphorous pentasulphide in presence of catalytic amount of sulphur with compound B such as trialkyl phosphate and second mixture obtained by mixing compound A with compound C such as phosphite like di-isodecyl phenyl phosphite, and third mixture obtained by mixing compound A with compound D such as a phosphonate, wherein each of these three mixtures independently provide high corrosion inhibition efficiency in case of high temperature naphthenic acid corrosion inhibition and sulphur corrosion inhibition. The invention is useful in all hydrocarbon processing units, such as, refineries, distillation columns and other petrochemical industries.
US09228140B2
An integrated hydrotreating, steam pyrolysis and catalytic cracking process for the production of olefins and aromatic petrochemicals from a crude oil feedstock is provided. Crude oil and hydrogen are charged to a hydroprocessing zone under conditions effective to produce a hydroprocessed effluent, which is thermally cracked in the presence of steam in a steam pyrolysis zone to produce a mixed product stream. Heavy components are catalytically cracked, which are derived from one or more of the hydroprocessed effluent, a heated stream within the steam pyrolysis zone, or the mixed product stream catalytically cracking. Catalytically cracked products are produced, which are combined with the mixed product stream and the combined stream is separated, and olefins and aromatics are recovered as product streams.
US09228138B2
A process and apparatus for recovering cycle oil from FCC CSO is described. By feeding the additional cycle oil to a hydrocracking unit additional diesel, naphtha and petrochemical feedstock may be obtained. The additional cycle oil is obtained by vacuum separation of the CSO. The described process and apparatus can provide additional recovery for a refiner.
US09228130B2
The present invention relates a technique of liquid crystal display, especially to an alignment film applied to a substrate of a liquid crystal display. The alignment film includes a plurality of alignment molecules including polyamic acid and/or polyimide and a plurality of photo-sensitive molecules including terphenyl and/or substituted terphenyl, wherein a mass ratio of the plurality of alignment molecules to the plurality of photo-sensitive molecules is 3˜7%:0.0002˜2%. The present invention further provides a method of fabricating the alignment film and a liquid crystal display using the same. Due to the photosensitive group of the monomers, the plurality of alignment molecules can be formed with an appropriated rate, and the alignment film formed thereby has homogeneity. Therefore, the optic quality and overall performance of the liquid crystal display are enhanced.
US09228123B2
The present invention is directed to fracturing fluids having temperature-sensitive viscosities. The fracturing fluids may include a mixture of a hydrophobically associative polymer (HAP) and a surfactant in an aqueous medium, wherein the surfactant imparts a critical solution temperature (CST) to the fluid. The fluid is more viscous at temperatures lower than the CST as compared to temperatures above the CST.
US09228117B2
Optically clear stretch releasing pressure sensitive adhesive films containing a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive composition and a tacky tab are provided. The pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are formed from elastomeric silicone polymer selected from the group consisting of urea-based silicone copolymers, oxamide-based silicone copolymers, amide-based silicone copolymers, urethane-based silicone copolymers, polydiorganosiloxane polymers, or mixtures of these copolymers. The pressure sensitive adhesive compositions may also contain an MQ tackifying resin. The pressure sensitive adhesive compositions may be used to form adhesive articles.
US09228112B2
Curable compositions comprising a benzoxazine component, a polyamine component and an ortho-dihydroxyaryl component are described. The compositions may be cured to produce compositions useful in coating, sealants, adhesive and many other applications.
US09228100B2
There is provided a liquid composition that can form a resistor exhibiting a stable resistance value. One mode of the liquid composition of the invention is a liquid composition comprising (a) an epoxy resin, (b) carbon black particles, (c) carbon nanotubes and (d) a solvent with a vapor pressure of less than 1.34×103 Pa at 25° C.
US09228086B2
The present invention provides inventive hollow fibers having defined gas permability characteristics. Hollow fibers of the present invention are characterized by a PMPCO2 greater than 30,000 Barrer*MPa. Curable compositions and silicone elastomers produced by curing the curable compositions are provided by the present invention. Compositions and methods for making the hollow fibers and devices incorporating them are provided by the present invention.
US09228081B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of making a biopolymeric material comprising contacting a biopolymer and a binder sufficient to form a mixture, heating the mixture and profile extruding the mixture sufficient to create a biopolymeric material. Embodiments also relate to a method of making a biopolymeric material comprising contacting a biopolymer and a reactive composite sufficient to form a mixture, heating the mixture and profile extruding the mixture sufficient to create a biopolymeric material.
US09228070B2
Prepare extruded thermoplastic polymer foam by preparing a foamable polymer mixture containing thermoplastic polymer and blowing agent at a mixing pressure, cooling the foamable polymer mixture and extruding it through a foaming die at a die pressure at least 90 bars lower than the mixing pressure and out through a die opening having cross sectional dimensions of 2.5 millimeter or more and a cross sectional area of at least 700 square millimeters at a flow rate greater than 500 kilograms per hour and allow it to expand into a polymer foam between shaping elements while restraining the extrusion rate with a restraining device so as to form polymer foam having 96 volume percent or less void volume, anisotropic cell size, a thickness of 50 millimeter or greater, compressive and tensile moduli in the thickness dimension greater than 35 mega pascals and an average shear modulus greater than 16 mega pascals.
US09228069B2
A process of forming a nanopatterned substrate is provided. The process comprising the steps of first preparing a giant surfactant comprising a cage-like molecular nanoparticle head linked to a polymer chain tail through a chemical linkage. Next, using the giant surfactant, a thin film is formed. Next the thin film formed from the giant surfactant is annealed such that the giant surfactant self-assembles into a desired nanostructure. The desired nanostructure is comprised of periodic major domains and minor domains. Finally, at least some of either the major domain or the minor domain is selectively removed to form the nanopatterned substrate.
US09228053B2
Provided herein are polymeric α-hydroxy aldehyde or α-hydroxy ketone reagents which can be conjugated to amine-containing compounds to form stable conjugates in a single-step reaction. In selected embodiments, the polymeric reagent itself incorporates an internal proton-abstracting (basic) functional group, to promote more efficient reaction. The substituent is appropriately situated, via a linker if necessary, to position the group for proton abstraction, preferably providing a 4- or 5-bond spacing between the abstracting atom and the hydrogen atom on the α-carbon. Also provided are methods of using the reagents and stable, solubilized conjugates of the reagents with biologically active compounds. In preferred embodiments, the polymeric component of the reagent or conjugate is a polyethylene glycol.
US09228052B2
Provided is an allyl group-modified fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer that is represented by the following general formula (1) and has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 50,000 in terms of polystyrene, where Rf represents a monovalent or divalent fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer residue; “m” represents 1 or 2; X represents F or CF3; “n” represents an integer of 0 to 10; and α represents 1 or 2. The fluorooxyalkylene group-containing polymer is excellent in terms of thermal stability and chemical stability, in addition to water- and oil-repellency, releasability, chemical resistance, lubricity, durability, antifouling property, and fingerprint-wiping property.
US09228050B2
Polylactic acid-backbone graft and bottlebrush copolymers are synthesized by polymerizing a lactide-functionalized macromonomer using ring opening polymerization (ROP). In some embodiments of the present invention, the macromonomer is a lactide-functionalized polymer that may be synthesized by, for example, polymerizing a monomer capable of undergoing radical polymerization (e.g., styrenic, vinylic, acrylic, etc.) using a brominated lactide initiator via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The brominated lactide initiator may be 3-bromo-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione prepared by, for example, reacting lactide with N-bromosuccinimide in the presence of benzoyl peroxide.
US09228046B2
Disclosed herein is a low gloss thermoplastic resin composition with a soft touch surface comprising (A) about 10 to about 80% by weight of a soft rubbery aromatic vinyl copolymer resin which comprises rubber particles with a graft ratio of about 40 to about 90% and an average particle diameter of about 6 to about 20 μm as a dispersed phase; (B) about 4 to about 60% by weight of a rubber-modified aromatic vinyl copolymer resin; and (C) about 5 to about 80% by weight of an aromatic vinyl-vinyl cyanide copolymer resin. The molded article molded from the thermoplastic resin composition can have a soft touch surface as well as excellent low gloss and impact strength.
US09228037B2
A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the steps of: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a metallocene complex catalyst system within a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture, where the metallocene complex catalyst system includes the combination or reaction product of: (a) metallocene complex, (b) an alkylating agent, and optionally (c) a non-coordinating anion.
US09228036B2
The invention provides an ethylene-based polymer comprising the following properties: a) a melt index (12)>2.0 dg/min; b) a Mw(abs) versus 12 relationship: Mw(abs)
US09228032B2
Process for the gas phase polymerization of olefins, in particular, with recycle of fines to the reaction zone. The process includes (a) polymerizing an olefin in a reaction zone in which a bed of polymer particles is maintained in an agitated state by passing a fluid stream through the bed, (b) withdrawing the fluid stream from the reactor after it has passed through the bed of polymer particles, (c) separating entrained solids from the withdrawn fluid stream, and (d) returning the separated entrained solids to the reaction zone. The polymer production rate of the process is at least 40 tonnes/hour, and the separated solids from step (c) are returned to the lower half of the bed of polymer particles in the reaction zone.
US09228029B2
A process for preparation of silica xerogel catalyst support particles having high surface areas involves ageing a silica hydrogel at a pH from 3 to 5 and at a temperature of 45° C. or more. The ageing at low pH leads to a silica gel which may be converted to a xerogel having a pore volume of 1.5 cm3/g or more and a surface area of 600 m2/g or more by removal of liquid from the pore structure by solvent exchange with a liquid solvent having a surface tension of 35 mN/m or less. The resulting particles are useful for carrying catalyst metal compounds, such as a chromium compounds, in the pore structure to act as catalyst precursors. These catalyst precursors may be activated into porous catalyst particles suitable for use for olefin polymerization to provide high activity and for forming high molecular weight polymers (low MI polymers) with good crack resistance.
US09228015B2
Disclosed are immunogenic Nogo receptor-1 polypeptides, Nogo receptor-1 antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof and nucleic acids encoding the same. Also disclosed are Nogo receptor antagonist polynucleotides. Also disclosed are compositions comprising, and methods for making and using, such Nogo receptor antibodies, antigen-binding fragments thereof, soluble Nogo receptors and fusion proteins thereof, nucleic acids encoding the same and antagonist polynucleotides.
US09228008B2
The invention provides canine CD20 specific antibodies, methods of making the antibodies and methods of use of the antibodies.
US09228003B2
The invention provides polypeptides comprising a complement factor B analog. The invention also provides various complement factor B analogs including complement factor B analogs comprising a mutation of a free cysteine amino acid and related methods, nucleic acids and vectors. These complement factor B analogs and related methods, nucleic acids and vectors can be used to modulate a complement pathway or for the study and/or treatment of various conditions or diseases related to a complement pathway.
US09227999B2
Compositions and methods for making and using therapeutic formulations of antimicrobial cationic peptides are provided. The antimicrobial cationic peptide formulations may be used, for example, in the treatment of microorganism-caused infections, which infections may be systemic, such as a septicemia, or may be localized, such as in acne or an implanted or indwelling medical device.
US09227997B2
Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a Smad6-derived peptide as an active ingredient. Having ability to specifically bind to Pellino-1, the Smad6-derived peptide is effectively useful in the treatment of the sepsis mediated by excessively activated TLR. The peptide effectively reduces the expression of inflammatory cytokines, protects cells from sepsis-induced apoptosis, and exhibits high bacterial clearance in animal models of sepsis.
US09227990B2
The present invention provides a compound of the Formula (I) wherein R is 9-isopropyl-9H-purin-6-amine; 2-amino-9-isopropyl-1H-purin-6(9H)-one; 4-amino-1-isopropyl pyrimidin-2(1H)-one; or 1-isopropyl-5-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, R′ is —CH2OC(O)R″, and R″ is —C(CH3)3 or —CH(CH3)2 including pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The present invention also provides a process for preparing a compound of formula (Ia) and a compound of formula (I) for use in treating a viral infection.
US09227982B2
The present invention provides for compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are defined herein. The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions and combinations comprising a compound of formula (I) as well as for the use of such compounds as tankyrase inhibitors and in the treatment of Wnt signaling and tankyrase 1 and 2 signaling related disorders which include, but are not limited to, cancer.
US09227978B2
Irreversible inhibitors of G12C mutant K-Ras protein are provided. Also disclosed are methods to modulate the activity of G12C mutant K-Ras protein and methods of treatment of disorders mediated by G12C mutant K-Ras protein.
US09227969B2
The present invention relates to compounds of formula I: in which n, R1, R2, R3a, R4 and R5 are defined in the Summary of the Invention; capable of inhibiting the activity of MEK. The invention further provides a process for the preparation of compounds of the invention, pharmaceutical preparations comprising such compounds and methods of using such compounds and compositions in the management of hyperproliferative diseases like cancer.
US09227965B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a cinchonidine salt of formula (IV) via an aqueous solution of a racemic 4-hydroxy-1,2-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid, which is subjected to cyclization without removing water, by the addition of a water-miscible organic solvent to the aqueous solution and, again without removing water, adding cinchonidine to the aqueous-organic solvent solution so as to obtain the cinchonidine salt of the lactone acid. The cinchonidine salt is allowd to crystallize so as to obtain the enantiomerically purified crystalline lactone acid cinchonidine salt (IV). The enantiomerically pure salt is an intermediate in the synthesis of HCV inhibitor compound of formula (I).
US09227964B2
The invention relates to N-biarylamides, methods for production and use thereof for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and for improvement in cognition, concentration power, learning power and/or memory.
US09227955B2
Disclosed are an anti-angiogenic compound, represented by Chemical Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a preparation method thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable composition including the same. Because the compound of Chemical Formula I potently suppresses the angiogenesis, the compound of Chemical Formula I is applicable to the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by aberrant activity of vascular endothelial growth factor, and available as an anti-angiogenic agent.
US09227949B2
Compounds represented by the following formula (I); wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, are useful as hyperglycemic inhibitors having a serine protease inhibitory action and as prophylactic or therapeutic drugs for diabetes.
US09227946B2
1-[2-(2,4-dimethylphenylsulphanyl)phenyl]piperazine exhibits potent activity on SERT, 5-HT3 and 5-HT1A and may as such be useful for the treatment of cognitive impairment, especially in depressed patients.
US09227942B2
5-(Difluoromethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, which is a raw material for the construction of 5-(difluoromethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide, which is a common partial structural motif of the compound having an Aβ production inhibitory action or a BACE1 inhibitory action, can be industrially advantageously produced by decarboxylating 5-[carboxy(difluoro)methyl]pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, which is obtainable from 5-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylate.
US09227940B2
Hepatitis C virus inhibitors are disclosed having the general formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, R′, B, Y and X are described in the description. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods for using the compounds to inhibit HCV are also disclosed.
US09227937B2
Phenoxyalkyl pyridinium oxime compounds for use in treating organophosphate poisoning.
US09227927B2
The present invention relates to the use of compounds of general formula (I) as ligands to the melanocortin receptors and/or for treatment of disorders in the melanocortin system: wherein X is H or OH; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, electron donor groups such as alkoxy having 1-5 carbon atoms or hydroxy, electron acceptor groups selected from cyano, nitro, trifluoroalkyl or amide; alkylamino, benzoyloxy, nitroxy, phenyl or sulpho; and the pharmacologically active salts thereof.
US09227925B2
A process for producing an aldehyde compound of the invention comprising: reacting a compound represented by the following formula (a1) or (a2) with a hydrogen and a carbon monoxide in a presence of a compound containing a metal belonging to Groups 8 to 10 and a phosphorous compound so as to satisfy the following conditions (1) and (2) to synthesize an aldehyde compound; wherein the condition (1) is that a content of a metal included in the compound containing a metal belonging to Groups 8 to 10 is 0.01 ppmmol to 300 ppmmol with respect to 1 mol of the compound represented by the formula (a1) or (a2), and wherein the condition (2) is that a molar ratio represented by the phosphorous compound (mol)/the metal (mol) is 100 or more;
US09227923B2
The object of the present invention is to provide novel carboxamides which exhibit an excellent pesticidal activity as pesticides. Disclosed are the carboxamides represented by the following Formula (I): wherein each substituent is as defined in the specification, and use thereof as pesticides and animal parasite controlling agents.
US09227920B2
A method of preparing a lubricating oil additive composition comprising reacting (A) a nitrogen-containing reactant derived from reacting a first reaction product with a triglyceride, wherein the first reaction product is derived by reacting an alkanolamine and a base, wherein the nitrogen-containing reactant comprises three equivalents of a nitrogen-containing compound and one equivalent of glycerol, and wherein the nitrogen-containing reactant contains less than 10 mass percent of glycerol alkyl ester; (B) a source of boron; and (C) glycerol.
US09227918B2
The present invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutically effective amount of an short-acting calcium channel blocking compound to treat ischemic heart conditions, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertensive crisis in an emergency room setting, hypertension before, during, or after surgery, no-reflow phenomenon following reperfusion, and diseases associated with decreased skeletal muscle blood flow. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions formulated for use in such methods and to kits for such methods.
US09227914B2
Novel calcilytic compounds and methods of using them are provided.
US09227913B2
A method for preventing the crystallization of boric acid present in an aqueous phase, or for suppressing this crystallization when crystallization has already been initiated, including the addition of at least one compound comprising at least two hydroxyl functions, the compound being selected from alcohols, aminoalcohols, carboxylic acids, and hydroxy acids.
US09227911B2
A method for producing a methanol solvate of D-tartrate of (R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-4-aminoindane, the method comprising steps (a), (b), and (c) below, and comprising adding water to a reaction system before step (c): step (a) of mixing 1,1,3-trimethyl-4-aminoindane, D-tartaric acid, and methanol to provide a mixture containing a methanol solvate of D-tartrate of (R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-4-aminoindane; step (b) of cooling the obtained mixture; and step (c) of retrieving the methanol solvate of D-tartrate of (R)-1,1,3-trimethyl-4-aminoindane.
US09227905B2
The invention relates to process for the continuous production of 4-chloroacetoacetyl chloride, comprising the steps of (a) feeding diketene and chlorine into a thin film reactor and (b) reacting the diketene and chlorine to obtain 4-chloroacetoacetyl chloride. The invention also relates to a process for the production of 4-chloroacetoaceticacid ester, 4-chloroacetoaceticacid amide or 4-chloroacetoaceticacid imide from 4-chloroacetoacetyl chloride obtained according to the inventive process.
US09227901B2
The present invention provides a process for preparing a bicyclic amine derivative of the formula (Ia) or (Ib), comprising the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of an enamine of the formula (II), in the presence of a chiral ligand, wherein the chiral ligand is a chiral phosphine ligand.
US09227900B2
A method is for preparing 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-propanone and an intermediate thereof, where in the method for preparing a compound of formula (I), α-alkoxy p-chlorobenzyl phosphonate (II) and cyclopropyl methyl ketone are used as raw materials, and subjected to a Homer-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction in an organic solvent in the presence of a base, so as to prepare a derivative of alkoxy propylene with the structure of formula (III); and the resulting derivative of alkoxy propylene (III) is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to obtain 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-propanone (I).
US09227886B2
The present invention relates to a polymerization process of producing ethylene-alpha-olefin polymer. The polymerization process comprises supplying at a feed temperature a feed containing ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin and optionally, a diene in a solvent, the solvent is supplied at a solvent feed rate; supplying at a catalyst feed rate a catalyst to a reactor, and contacting the feed with the catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing the polymer. The present invention also relates to processes for improving the energy utilization of polymerization processes, wherein the process comprises decreasing the feed temperature, decreasing the solvent feed rate, and decreasing the catalyst feed rate.
US09227873B2
A material is described in the form of a millimetric article constituted by coarse alumina particles with a median diameter in the range 10 to 200 μm, said coarse particles being at a distance, from one interface to another, of less than 10 μm, fine alumina particles with a median diameter in the range 0.5 to 10 μm, said fine particles being at a distance, from one interface to another, of less than 5 μm and being located in the space between the coarse particles, and a binder constituted by aluminium phosphate, said binder being located in the space between said fine and coarse particles, said material having a mesoporous volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, in the range 0.2 to 2 mL/g, a macroporous volume, measured by mercury porosimetry, in the range 0.05 to 0.2 mL/g and a BET specific surface area in the range 80 to 350 m2/g.
US09227869B2
A porous glass base material manufacturing burner comprising a combustible gas emission nozzle having one or more rows of small-diameter combustion assisting gas emission nozzles arranged around a central glass raw material gas emission nozzle. When a cross section of the burner formed by cleaving in a direction perpendicular to a central axis of the burner is divided into four equal regions by two orthogonal straight lines intersecting at a center of the cross section, total flow path surface area of the small-diameter combustion assisting gas emission nozzles included in two of the four regions through which passes a straight line running along the starting member and through the center of the cross section is less than the total flow path surface area of the small-diameter combustion assisting gas emission nozzles included in the other two of the four regions.
US09227867B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing a sheet of curved glass comprising an opening involving bending followed by cooling, the periphery of the sheet and the periphery of the opening being supported, at least at the start of cooling, by a skeleton.
US09227859B2
A system and method are disclosed for automatically operating a high voltage resonance circuit. An embodiment of the system includes one or more coils each coil can be an alternating current (AC) coil or a direct current (DC) coil. An embodiment of the system further includes a microprocessor that issues commands to control amplitude and frequency of pulses of the one or more coils to reach and maintain a resonant condition for water treatment. The microprocessor determines whether a coil is an AC coil or a DC coil by detecting whether a capacitor is connected in series with the coil. An embodiment of the system further includes one or more sensors that measure the quality of water and provide feedback to the microprocessor.
US09227853B2
A desalination unit for production of potable water from sub-soil brine including in combination a trapezoidal basin, a condenser, a feed tank, a header, a heat exchanger, a flush valve, a sprinkling system, exhaust heat pipe and water collecting channel; where the exhaust heat pipe is connected to a heat source at one end and to the header at the another end, the header being coupled with the heat exchanger to provide the heat flow, and the heat exchanger being fitted at the inner portion of the trapezoidal basin to heat the sub-soil brine.
US09227851B2
Provided is a Bi-substituted rare earth iron garnet single crystal which has a composition of R3-xBixFe5-wAwO12, wherein R denotes one or more rare earth elements among Y, Eu, Gd, Ho, Yb, Lu, Nd, Tm, La, Sm, Dy, Er, Ce, and Pr while definitely including Gd, A denotes one or more elements among Ga, Al, In, Sc, Co, Ni, Cr, V, Ti, Si, Ge, Mg, Zn, Nb, Ta, Sn, Zr, Hf, Pt, Rh, Te, Os, Ce, and Lu, 0.7
US09227842B2
A method for fabricating a MEMS device includes depositing and patterning a first sacrificial layer onto a silicon substrate, the first sacrificial layer being partially removed leaving a first remaining oxide. Further, the method includes depositing a conductive structure layer onto the silicon substrate, the conductive structure layer making physical contact with at least a portion of the silicon substrate. Further, a second sacrificial layer is formed on top of the conductive structure layer. Patterning and etching of the silicon substrate is performed stopping at the second sacrificial layer. Additionally, the MEMS substrate is bonded to a CMOS wafer, the CMOS wafer having formed thereupon a metal layer. An electrical connection is formed between the MEMS substrate and the metal layer.
US09227840B2
A micro-electro mechanical apparatus having a PN-junction is provided. The micro-electro mechanical apparatus includes a movable mass, a conductive layer, and an electrode. The movable mass includes a P-type semiconductor layer and an N-type semiconductor layer. The PN-junction is formed between the P-type semiconductor layer and the N-type semiconductor layer. The micro-electro mechanical apparatus is capable of eliminating abnormal voltage signal when an alternating current passes through the conductive layer. The micro-electro mechanical apparatus is adapted to measure acceleration and magnetic field. The micro-electro mechanical apparatus can be other types of micro-electro mechanical apparatus such as micro-electro mechanical scanning micro-mirror.
US09227839B2
A structure for detecting electromagnetic radiation having a predetermined wavelength. The structure includes a device wafer having a sensing element disposed on a predetermined region of a surface of the device wafer responsive to the electromagnetic radiation. A cover wafer is provided having a region thereof transparent to the electromagnetic radiation for passing the electromagnetic radiation through the transparent region onto a surface of the sensing element. A bond gap spacer structure is provided for supporting the surface of the sensing element from an opposing surface of the transparent region of the cover wafer a distance less than a fraction of the predetermined wavelength when the cover wafer is bonded to the device wafer.
US09227823B2
This rolling bearing assembly (2) comprises a rolling bearing (4) with an inner ring (8), an outer ring (6) and several rolling bodies (10) between the inner and outer rings, at least one sensor (30) adapted to detect a rotation parameter of a first ring (8) with respect to a second ring (6) of the rolling bearing and a support member (40) holding the sensor (30) in position with respect to the rolling bearing (4). The support member (40) holds the sensor (30) in a position such that at least one connecting pin (34, 36, 38) of the sensor (30) extends in a volume (46) defined by the support member (40) and adapted to accommodate an electrical connector (100).
US09227821B1
A method for method for simulating a lift plan including: accessing a set of crane capability parameters for a crane at a worksite; accessing data relating to a set of factors, if any, occurring external to the crane, wherein the set of factors affects an operation of the crane at the worksite; based on the set of crane capability parameters, the data relating to the set of factors, if any, occurring external to the crane and affecting the operation of the crane and a movement plan for moving a set of objects at the worksite, generating a lift plan for the set of objects at the worksite; and generating a 3-D simulation of the lift plan.
US09227814B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit, a sheet receiving portion, an ejection roller, and a restriction member. The ejection roller is configured to rotate in a forward direction to eject a recording sheet fed from the image forming unit to the sheet receiving portion, and to rotate in a reverse direction to return the recording sheet to the image forming unit. The restriction member is configured to move between a restriction position where the restriction member protrudes farther in a sheet ejection direction than a peripheral surface of the ejection roller and a retracted position where the restriction member is retracted from the restriction position. The ejection roller is configured to move the restriction member to the restriction position by rotating in the forward direction, and to move the restriction member to the retracted position by rotating in the reverse direction.
US09227813B2
A flat harness winding device includes: a case; a rotor rotatably disposed in the case; a shaft of the case inserted into a hole in the center of the rotor; a plurality of harness split rollers rotatably disposed in the rotor; and a plurality of flat harnesses each of which one end is fixed to the shaft, said flat harnesses independently bent along respective harness split rollers and guided out from an opening of the case allowed to be wound. Harness support rollers are rotatably disposed on the rotor in spaces between the harness split rollers. Curve-shaped harness guide ribs are disposed on the rotor close to an out side in a radial direction of each harness split roller.
US09227810B2
A medium transport device includes a rotation shaft that enables transport of a medium as it rotates, and a bearing of the rotation shaft, in which the rotation shaft is provided with a hollow portion, a lubricating material containing unit that contains a lubricating material inside an end portion of the hollow portion, and holes that are open to a contact portion with the bearing from the lubricating material containing unit, and the lubricating material can be drawn to the contact portion from the lubricating material containing unit via the holes.
US09227809B2
A conveyance apparatus includes a feeding unit, on which a roll sheet is settable, configured to feed the roll sheet, a conveyance roller configured to convey a sheet fed from the feeding unit, a first detection unit configured to detect a conveyance distance of the sheet conveyed by the conveyance roller, a second detection unit configured to detect a conveyance distance of the sheet drawn out from the roll sheet set on the feeding unit, a driving unit configured to synchronously drive the feeding unit when the sheet is conveyed by the conveyance roller, and a determination unit configured to determine a state of an end portion of the roll sheet based on detection results by the first detection unit and the second detection unit.
US09227808B2
A gripper type material feeding apparatus for the intermittent feeding of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a first linearly guided gripper mechanism which is movable in a first direction of feeding and in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The first gripper mechanism includes a first gripping member and a second gripping member wherein the second gripping member is movable relative to the first gripping member for gripping the workpiece. The apparatus includes a first release actuator for moving the second gripping member of the first gripper mechanism in a direction relative to the first gripping member of the first gripper mechanism.
US09227798B2
An apparatus including a first compartment and a second compartment is disclosed through which livestock animals move. The first compartment includes a first extension that is horizontally extendable and retractable. The second compartment is vertically movable and includes a second extension that is horizontally extendable and retractable. A method includes positioning a first end of an apparatus proximate a doorway of a building that contains a plurality of livestock animals; extending a first extension to the doorway; positioning a vehicle proximate a second end of the apparatus; moving at least one of the livestock animals from the building and into a first compartment; moving the animal from the first compartment to a second compartment; vertically moving the second compartment to a level of a deck of the vehicle; extending a second extension to the deck; and moving the animal from the second compartment onto the vehicle deck.
US09227795B2
A separating device for separating workpieces includes a driving unit, a supporting board, and a moving assembly. The supporting board defines a number of sliding grooves spaced from each other. The moving assembly includes a sliding board slidably assembled to the supporting board, and a plurality of first moving blocks for holding workpieces. The sliding board slides along a first direction and defines two latching holes, each extending along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the first moving blocks extends through the latching holes to be inserted in one of the sliding grooves. The driving unit drives the sliding board to slide along the first direction. The sliding board forces the number of first moving blocks to slide along the number of sliding grooves.
US09227793B2
A system and a method are disclosed for monitoring a condition of a conveyor belt arranged to rotate about at least a motor drive pulley and an idler pulley. A sensor unit can determine at least one sensor signal representing at least one operating variable of the electrical motor. A data processing unit can derive from the sensor signal at least one corresponding time dependent data signal, to detect irregularities in the data signal which indicate that a splice region of the conveyor belt passes the drive pulley and/or the idler pulley, to determine from a change in shape or in frequency of the irregularities, whether the condition of the conveyor belt has changed, and to send a signal which reflects a change in the condition of the conveyor belt to at least one of a display unit, a storage unit and/or a decision making unit.
US09227780B2
Storage apparatus includes a supporting base (11) supporting silos (14) having a lower conical portion (15) and silo port (16) controlled by an outlet knifegate valve (17), and a charging port (20) controlled by an inlet knifegate valve (21). An upper portion (22) of the silo is closed by a domed top (18). The silo ports (16) are manifolded to a common outlet (not shown). A charge manifold (25) interconnects the respective upper charging ports (20) and connects the ports to the cuttings source conduit (26). A pressure/vacuum port (27) is connected via cycle control valve (30) to an ejector assembly (not shown) valved to be able to cycle between a vacuum phase and a pressure phase of about 16 psig using a compressed air source. Control means is selectively operable to control the outlet valve (17), inlet valve (21) and cycle control valve (30).
US09227779B2
A cargo container for accommodating transport goods and for being arranged in a cargo compartment of a means of transport is provided. The cargo container includes a housing that can be closed so that it is airtight, and an internal coating. The internal coating is incombustible and is arranged on an inner surface of the housing. Thus, the cargo container makes it possible to limit propagation of a fire to the internal space of the housing.
US09227766B2
A pouring spout is mounted within an opening in a container. The spout includes an open channel or trough dimensioned for slidable engagement within the opening. The open channel is defined by a u-shaped wall extending between a mounting end and a discharge end. An end wall is formed at the discharge end, adjacent a discharge opening formed in the bottom surface of the u-shaped wall. A visible flow path is formed along the open channel, between the inlet to the discharge opening.
US09227756B2
A collapsible intermodal transport platform and methods for its operation are disclosed. The invention comprises first braces that rotate about a mounting point on the frame that supports a cargo loading surface. The first braces are positioned along the platform so as to provide lifting and stacking fitments at the standard overhead crane lifting points when in a lift configuration. The first braces may be rotated inboard down to the loading surface, thereby presenting stacking blocks at the crane lifting points for stacking several platforms together. Second braces attach to the first braces to assist in load distribution. The frame may comprise center feet extensions to further assist in load distribution. Other features and aspects disclosed lend to the invention's low weight and high carrying capacity, as well as its unique load securing features.
US09227748B2
A metal bottle can comprises a mouth part having a curl portion at the end, a neck part having a straight part in parallel to the can axis, a taper-shaped shoulder part, a barrel part, and a bottom part. The metal bottle can is integrally formed from a primitive plate of the thickness (wall thickness T) of 0.48 mm to 0.30 mm by drawing-processed. The metal bottle can has the barrel part with the diameter A of 40 mm to 70 mm, the neck part with the diameter B of 20 mm to 35 mm, the straight portion of the neck part with the length S of 10 mm to 40 mm, the shoulder part with the angle α of 40 degrees to 70 degrees, the mouth part with the wall thickness X of 0.46 mm to 0.33 mm, and straight portion of the neck part with the wall thickness Y of 0.43 mm to 0.30 mm.
US09227745B2
A bag making and packaging machine forms a first transverse seal portion in a packaging material formed in a tubular shape, fills the packaging material with articles, thereafter further forms a second transverse seal portion to make a bag, and allows the bag to fall, and is equipped with a vibrating mechanism. The first transverse seal portion is formed in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the packaging material. The vibrating mechanism tilts the packaging material to an outer side of a fall path of the bag and vibrates the packaging material after the packaging material has been filled with the articles and before the second transverse seal portion is formed.
US09227740B2
A device for controlling the attitude of a satellite exploiting solar pressure, includes at least two solar generators destined to be arranged on either side of a central body of the satellite and each having one face to be exposed to the Sun, referred to as “front face”, the device also including at least three surfaces whose optical properties can be commanded. The surfaces whose optical properties can be commanded are arranged on flaps connected to solar generators, each flap being fixed with respect to the solar generator to which it is connected, and such that, in the operating position, at least two of the surfaces are not parallel when the front faces of the solar generators are optimally oriented with respect to the Sun. The device further includes a module for commanding the optical properties of each surface whose optical properties can be commanded.
US09227735B2
A refueling system may include a refueling hose and a refueling drone coupled to the hose aft end. The refueling drone may be rearwardly deployable from the tanker aircraft such that the refueling drone is towed by the refueling hose behind the tanker aircraft. The refueling drone may be engaged to a receiver aircraft for transferring fuel from the tanker aircraft to the receiver aircraft.
US09227731B2
A propeller system for an aircraft includes a propeller assembly rotatable about a central axis and a reduction gearbox operably connected to the propeller assembly via a propeller shaft. An electrical power transfer system is positioned such that the gearbox is located axially between the electrical power transfer system and the propeller assembly. The electrical power transfer system includes a slip ring assembly secured to an oil transfer tube extending to the propeller assembly and a brush block interactive with the slip ring assembly to transfer electrical power to a plurality of lead wires extending from the slip ring assembly to the propeller assembly. The brush block is positioned such that brush block tips of the brush block extend toward the slip ring assembly in a substantially radial direction relative to the central axis of the propeller assembly.
US09227730B2
A system for air conditioning at least one partial region of an aircraft comprises an air providing device for providing air to be supplied to a region of the aircraft to be ventilated at a desired temperature and pressure. A supply air duct is connected at a first end to the air providing device. A second end of the supply air duct is connected to an air inlet which opens near the floor into the aircraft region to be ventilated. A control device is set up to ensure that the air provided by the air providing device enters the aircraft region to be ventilated via the air inlet at such a speed that the air is distributed near the floor in the aircraft region to be ventilated and rises at heat sources present in the aircraft region to be ventilated, and that the air provided by the air providing device enters the aircraft region to be ventilated via the air inlet at such a temperature that a desired ambient temperature is set in the aircraft region to be ventilated.
US09227729B2
An aircraft passenger seat including a seat base frame, a seatback and a seat bottom configured to horizontally translate relative to the seat base frame, a first actuator arranged to drive seat translation, and a second actuator arranged to drive seatback recline, the dual actuators working in parallel to increase the speed of horizontal translation and combine the recline function into one continuous motion.
US09227728B2
An aircraft cabin partition monument comprising a partition wall element and a stowage compartment. The stowage compartment includes a cover plate element and at least one sidewall element. The stowage compartment is convertible between a state of rest, wherein the cover plate and the sidewall element extend substantially parallel to the partition wall element, and a state of operation, wherein the cover plate element and the sidewall element extend relative to the partition wall element such that the cover plate element and the sidewall element define a stowage space arranged adjacent to the partition wall element.
US09227725B2
An aircraft including an electric starter-generator for each of turbojets, and an undercarriage including an electric motor for taxiing the aircraft, which mutualizes an electricity converter for starting and for taxiing the aircraft. A single electricity converter is configured to be coupled to the electric starter-generator associated with a turbojet or to the electric motor of the undercarriage for taxiing, the coupling take place via an electricity distribution unit.
US09227724B2
An aircraft landing gear having a strut having an upper portion for mechanically coupling to an aircraft and a lower portion movably mounted with respect to the upper portion. A bogie beam is pivotally coupled to the lower strut. A bogie control linkage is mechanically coupled to the bogie at a first connection point, and to the strut at a second connection point. The bogie control linkage has: an actuator including a locking system that inhibits actuation of the actuator; a sensor linkage mechanically coupled to the lower strut and arranged to change between first and second conditions in accordance with movement of the upper strut relative to the lower strut; and an actuator control linkage arranged to operate the locking system when the sensor linkage is in the first condition and arranged not to operate the locking system when the sensor linkage is in the second condition.
US09227723B2
A mechanism for adjusting pitch of blades of a propeller of a system of contra-rotating propellers for a turbomachine, wherein each blade moves around a radial axis. The mechanism includes a linear actuator, a structure to transform movement imparted by the linear actuator into rotation of each of the blades in a synchronized manner around their radial axis, the structure including a bracket of longitudinal axis formed of a central ring, an outer ring, and multiple radial arms rigidly connected to the central ring and to the outer ring. The central ring can be subject to actuation of the linear actuator, and the central ring and the outer ring are positioned in two separate planes, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, such that the bracket is shaped as a truncated cone.
US09227718B2
Lower joints of aircraft wing assemblies are disclosed. In some embodiments, a lower joint includes an outboard lower wing panel, a center lower wing panel, a rib, and a lower joint assembly that includes two outboard flanges operatively coupled to the outboard lower wing panel, an inboard flange operatively coupled to the center lower wing panel, and an upper flange operatively coupled to the rib. In some embodiments, a lower joint assembly includes one or more splice plates, an upper T-fitting, and one or more intermediate plates. In some embodiments, the outboard lower wing panel, the center lower wing panel, and the lower joint assembly are constructed substantially of different materials.
US09227713B2
An outboard motor includes an engine, an exhaust passage member, and an idle exhaust passage member. The exhaust passage member defines a main exhaust passage through which exhaust gases of the engine are guided to a main exhaust port disposed in the water, and also defines a portion of an idle exhaust passage through which exhaust gases in the main exhaust passage are guided to an idle exhaust port opened to the atmosphere. The idle exhaust passage member includes an upstream end connected to the exhaust passage member and a downstream end that defines the idle exhaust port and is disposed at a higher position than the upstream end. The idle exhaust passage member is made of a flexible material, and is integrally formed from the upstream end to the downstream end.
US09227707B2
A marine lifesaving system is disclosed. A marine lifesaving system comprises an insulated container comprising a plurality of walls and a lid, at least one locking means to selectively and co-operatively secure said lid with said insulated container, at least one storage receptacle defined in one or more of the walls, or the lid, of the insulated container, at least one bladder system located in the at least one storage receptacle, at least one compressed gas canister connected to each of the at least one bladder systems, and an activation device for activating the at least one compressed gas canister, thereby inflating the at least one bladder system, wherein the activation device consists of a pull-string that extends exterior to the at least one storage receptacle.
US09227698B2
Disclosed herein is a partially inflatable vessel having an open region at the bow and optionally at the stern of the vessel. A removable covering such as a tarp is provided at the bow region to allow access through the open region when the tarp is removed. The hull tarp covers the bow region to improve stability and operation of the vessel when moving through water at significant speeds.
US09227691B2
A bicycle brake caliper assembly comprises a brake caliper and a base member. The brake caliper is configured to apply a braking force on a brake disc rotor configured to be rotatable about a rotational axis. The base member is configured to be coupled to the brake caliper and to be attached to a bicycle frame such that relative position between the rotational axis of the brake disc rotor and the brake caliper is adjustable in a radial direction of the brake disc rotor.
US09227686B2
A foldable tricycle, including a front wheel assembly; a mainframe, latched to the front wheel assembly via a front mount; a pair of rear-wheel assemblies; a pair of folding ring assemblies coupling the rear-wheel assemblies to the mainframe; and a mechanism for simultaneously unlocking the pair of ring assemblies and unlatching the mainframe from the front wheel assembly so that a single pulling motion on the mechanism unlocks and unlatches the foldable tricycle from an assembled state thereof so as to be converted to a folded state thereof.
US09227682B2
A method for improving the safety of motorcycling. With the aid of a sensor system, it is monitored if a motorcyclist assumes a predefined posture. Using an algorithm on a control unit, if it is detected that the motorcyclist deviates from the predefined posture for longer than a predetermined period of time, a signal transmitter is activated.
US09227680B2
A bicycle and bicycle parking and lock system wherein a hub locking device that is secured to a bicycle cooperates with a parking rack. The bicycle includes an engagement member that is secured to an axle of the bicycle. The engagement member selectively removably cooperates with a recess formed in the parking and lock system. The parking and lock system includes a number of upstanding members that are positioned to generally flank the front wheel of a bicycle to maintain the bicycle in a generally upright orientation. Each or select number of the upstanding members include a lock system that cooperates with the locking engagement member so as to secure the respective bicycle with respect to the parking system.
US09227664B2
A rear sub frame comprising a pair of side members, a front cross member, and a rear cross member. The front cross member is configured in substantially a V shape in a front view such that the front cross member slants continuously from both end portions thereof toward a central portion, in a vehicle width direction, thereof which is located below a rear differential, and that a center position, in the vehicle width direction, of a bottom portion of the front cross member which corresponds to an apex portion of the V shape is offset from a center of a vehicle body in the vehicle width direction toward a specified side which matches an offset-arrangement side of a ring gear arranged in the rear differential.
US09227655B2
An electrical power assisted steering device has a lower shaft, an upper shaft module, a pre-torsion module and a torsion bar. The upper shaft module has an upper shaft, a detecting unit mounted around the upper shaft, and an assembling space annularly formed between the detecting unit and the pushing portions. The pre-torsion module is mounted in the assembling space and has a maintaining unit mounted around the upper shaft and in the assembling space, multiple sliding blocks mounted in the maintaining unit and respectively abutting the upper shaft, and multiple springs mounted in the maintaining unit and respectively abutting between the maintaining unit and the sliding blocks. The torsion bar is connected between the upper shaft and the lower shaft.
US09227651B2
A steering column for preventing separation of inner column 14a and outer column 15a is provided in the state before assembly in a vehicle body or in the state after a secondary collision without requiring additional components. The steering column includes a long engaging hole 26 extending in the axial direction and provided in the upper portion of the front section of the outer column 15a. An engaging piece 28 is integrally formed with the upper portion of the rear section of the inner column 14a, and this engaging piece 28 is moved into the long engaging hole 26 so as to be able to displace along the long engaging hole 26. When assembled in a vehicle body, as the engaging piece 28 is displaced along the long engaging hole 26, both the inner column and outer column 14a, 15a are allowed to displace relative to each other within a telescopic adjustment range. In the state before being assembled in the vehicle body, the engagement between the engaging piece 28 and the front end edge of the long engaging hole 26 prevent the inner column and outer column 14a, 15a from coming apart in the axial direction.
US09227648B2
A collapsible stroller includes a mobile base and a juvenile seat coupled to the mobile base. The mobile base includes a foldable frame and wheels.
US09227646B2
A method of making a shopping cart includes forming a frame capable of supporting a plurality of basket assembly types, selecting from the plurality of basket assembly types a first basket assembly defining a first basket assembly type; and connecting the first basket assembly to the frame.
US09227645B2
A modular cart that includes a main cart, a first modular cart frame, and a second modular cart frame is described. The main cart further includes a handle end with a first base component that is mechanically coupled to at least one caster. The main cart also includes a first bar disposed on a distal end of the first base component that extends to a second base component, in which the first bar is orthogonal to the second base component and the first base component. A first bay perimeter is bounded by the first base component, the first bar and the second base component. The main cart further includes a second bay perimeter is bounded by a second base component, a second bar and a third base component.
US09227633B2
A method for changing a vehicle's trajectory, wherein the vehicle includes a steering arrangement including a manual steering device, at least one pair of ground engaging members and a mechanical interconnection therebetween, includes the steps of applying a braking force to at least one of the ground engaging members so that the vehicle's trajectory is changed, and simultaneously suppressing steering device disturbances resulting from the mechanical interconnection.
US09227623B2
A hybrid drive of a motor vehicle has an internal combustion engine, an electric machine, and a transmission. The transmission is a multi-stage shifting transmission including two subtransmissions, each of which has a separate input shaft and a common output shaft. The first input shaft of a first subtransmission can be coupled and decoupled to the internal combustion engine. The second input shaft of a second subtransmission is rigidly coupled to the electric machine. Both input shafts can be coupled selectively to the common output shaft via form-locking shift elements. The first input shaft can be attached to multiple clutches in such a way that when a first friction-locking or form-locking clutch and a second friction-locking clutch connected in series are both engaged, the internal combustion engine is coupled to the first input shaft and to the first subtransmission.
US09227619B2
A vehicle control method for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine coupled to a torque converter is described. In one embodiment, the engine air flow and spark are adjusted to control torque converter operation. The method can improve vehicle response to driver accelerator commands.
US09227618B2
A method for calibrating a detector of a damping assembly in a vehicle. The damping assembly comprises a damper for connecting a transmission shaft of a transmission system of the vehicle to a driving shaft, the method comprising the step of applying different torques at the damping assembly by generating losses at different working conditions of the transmission system, so that the damper can be compared to a damper of a reference vehicle for each of the different working conditions.
US09227609B2
A hydraulic assembly for a vehicle brake system comprising at least two brake circuits and wheel brakes associated with the brake circuits. The hydraulic assembly comprises a pressure generator for generating a central hydraulic pressure for the brake circuits independently of the driver at least in the case of service braking initiated by the driver. Furthermore, at least one pressure adjusting device is provided for adjusting for each individual brake circuit the central hydraulic pressure that is generated by the pressure generator independently of the driver.
US09227604B2
A travel control device includes a side obstacle detection unit which divides a range from a lateral side to a rear side of a vehicle into plural detection angle areas, and detects, for each of the plural detection angle areas, an obstacle entering the detection angle area; a rearward movement preparation detection unit which detects the vehicle preparing to move rearward; a warning control unit which provides warning about the obstacle if the distance to the obstacle is equal to or less than an activation threshold for the warning; and a threshold control unit which, if the obstacle is detected in one or more rear side areas among the plural detection angle areas, before being detected in the other detection angle areas, raises the activation threshold so that the timing of the warning becomes earlier.
US09227600B2
An inflator head, which is adapted to be mounted on a cylinder, includes a casing and an adjusting valve. The casing is mounted on the cylinder. The casing has an opening at a front end and a channel in communication with the opening of the casing and an outlet of the cylinder. The adjusting valve has one end axially inserted into the opening of the casing. The adjusting valve has an axial hole therein and at least one inlet defined in an outer periphery thereof and communicating with the axial hole. The adjusting valve is movable between an open position in which the inlet communicates with a chamber of the cylinder to inflate a tire, and a close position in which the inlet is blocked from communicating with the chamber of the cylinder.
US09227599B2
A mounting assembly for mounting a wiper blade to a wiper arm includes an adaptor adapted to be mounted to the wiper blade, the adaptor including a base wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, and a plurality of hinge pin recesses extending into the side walls adapted to receive a hinge pin of the wiper arm. The mounting assembly also includes a coupler for connection to the wiper arm, the coupler including a top wall, a plurality of side walls depending from the top wall, and a plurality of openings extending into the side walls adapted to receive the hinge pin, and a plurality of arms extending from the side walls and cooperating with the adapter to allow the coupler and the adaptor to be connected together.
US09227590B2
In a vehicle side airbag device, when a side airbag is inflated and deployed, a tension cloth disposed bridging an upper side bag portion and a lower side bag portion on the vehicle width direction outer side of the side airbag is pulled up and down. The vehicle width direction inflation width of the side airbag is enlarged, so the vehicle width direction shock absorbing stroke can be ensured by the small-capacity side airbag. The tension cloth functions as a reaction force surface that supports the upper side bag portion from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, so even in a vehicle in which the position of a door beltline is low, a shoulder of an occupant can be restrained at an early stage. In a case where the vehicle has rolled over, the tension cloth protects the side airbag from fragments of a door glass.
US09227587B1
An instrument panel assembly includes a frame, a first airbag supported by the frame, a second airbag supported by the frame spaced from the first airbag, and an intermediate airbag supported by the frame between the first and second airbags. The first, second, and intermediate airbags are inflatable to an inflated position in which the intermediate airbag extends from the first airbag to the second airbag.
US09227575B2
In a process for operating a vehicle having an outside mirror on which a camera is arranged and which is swivelable by a swiveling device between a first end position and a second end position, first picture data and second picture data of a first picture and of a second picture captured by the camera are provided. As a function of the first and second picture data, it is determined whether an object is imaged in both pictures. If an object is imaged in both pictures, as a function of the first and second picture data, a distance from the object relative to a reference point with respect to the camera is determined. As a function of the determined distance, the swiveling device is triggered such that it contributes to the fact that the distance is greater than or equal to a predefined minimum distance value.
US09227542B2
A fitting system for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with an axially extending shaft, which is rotatable in the circumferential direction, with at least one fitting which is provided with a rotatably supported driver which is axially secured by a securing element, for driving or for unlocking the fitting, wherein the shaft cooperates with the driver in the circumferential direction in a rotationally secure manner or mechanically connected, in order to rotate the driver, and with at least one quick fastener which is seated on the shaft in an axially non-displaceable manner, in order to secure the cooperation of shaft and driver axially in at least one direction, has the quick fastener connected with the driver and/or with its securing element.
US09227541B2
A vehicle seating assembly includes a plurality of horizontal members, a plurality of vertical members, and a plurality of corner members, which define a seat frame. The plurality of corner members are configured to snap-fit into the plurality of horizontal and vertical members. A seatback is disposed behind the seat frame. A low-pressure compression mold is disposed over the seat frame and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the compression mold, defining a center seat and including at least one cushion attachment support disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defining a side seat.
US09227538B2
The invention relates to an armrest for a vehicle seat, comprising an armrest body (11) that together with a base (15) forms a pivot joint and can be pivoted through a pivot angle (α) between a stowed position and a use position, wherein at least one damper (17a, 17b) is provided to damp the motion of the armrest body (11).The invention characterized in that the armrest (10) has a control device (18a, 18b) that actuates the damper (17a, 17b) within at least one portion (β, y) of the pivot angle.
US09227533B2
A recliner has a ratchet and a guide assembled together so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a pawl supported by the guide in a circumferential direction. The pawl is adapted to inhibit rotational movement of the ratchet relative to the guide when moved to be pushed radially outwards. The pawl is supported by guide walls formed in the guide, and the guide walls are located at circumferentially opposite sides of the pawl. Each guide wall has a recessed part (weak portion) formed at a location spaced in the circumferential direction apart from a contact face of the guide wall which is in contact with the pawl. The recessed part is adapted to undergo local stress concentration and plastic deformation due to pressing force received from the pawl when a large load that causes the pawl to undergo forced deformation in the circumferential direction is applied.
US09227528B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a tower rail, an upper rail, a memory base arranged above a bottom wall portion of the lower rail, a restriction piece holding the memory base so that the memory base is restricted from moving, a memory pin attached to the memory base in a manner that advance and retract of the memory pin relative to the memory base is allowed, the memory pin engages with the lower rail in a protruding state, the memory pin disengages in a retracted state, an interlocking mechanism pushing a lock member and the memory pin in a forward-folded state of a seatback, and a holding member holding the protruding state of the memory pin and allowing the memory base to move.
US09227517B2
A charging device is provided for an external alternating current voltage source and a motor vehicle equipped with a high-voltage battery, wherein the motor vehicle has a low-voltage battery, a link circuit capacitor and a charging electronics unit with a charging voltage input and a supply voltage input. The charging device is designed such that the vehicle has a bidirectional auxiliary power supply with two interfaces. The first interface of the auxiliary power supply is connected in parallel with the link circuit capacitor and in parallel with the charging voltage input of the charging electronics unit, and the second interface of the auxiliary power supply and the low-voltage battery are connected in parallel with the supply voltage input of the charging electronics unit.
US09227516B2
An electric vehicle propulsion control device having a power storage device includes: a first switch configured to perform opening and closing of a circuit between an overhead wire and a power converting unit; a second switch configured to perform opening and closing of a circuit between the power converting unit and a motor; a switching unit configured to select a terminal on a side of the power converting unit to which the first switch is connected or a terminal on a side of the power converting unit to which the second switch is connected and connect the terminal to the power storage device; and a control unit configured to control the power converting unit, the first switch, the second switch, and the switching unit to switch a connection destination of the power converting unit and cause the power converting unit to operate as an inverter or a DC/DC converter.
US09227509B1
A vehicle comprises a vehicle body structure, a fuel lid, and a strip spring engaged between the fuel lid and the vehicle body structure. The strip spring has a first mounting portion and an opposing second mounting portion, and defines an opening at the second mounting portion. A first spring mounting structure is at one of the fuel lid or the vehicle body structure. The first spring mounting structure has a first base for engaging the first mounting portion. A second spring mounting structure is at the other of the fuel lid and the vehicle body structure. The second spring mounting structure has a second base for engaging the second mounting portion and a spring retention tab protruding from the second base. The spring retention tab is received by the opening defined at the second mounting portion and retains the second mounting portion to the second spring mounting structure.
US09227508B2
A fuel tank for a motor-vehicle includes a vent conduit connected to a canister arranged outside of the tank for absorbing fuel vapors. The vent conduit has a portion arranged inside the tank with an intermediate portion located at a lowermost position, which creates a zone in which liquid fuel tends to stagnate, which is originated from condensation of the vapors inside the vent conduit. The tank further includes a conduit for draining the liquid fuel originated from condensation of vapors present within the vent conduit. The draining conduit extends downwardly starting from the zone and ends with a closed end portion acting as accumulator and evaporator of the fuel. The closed end portion is arranged at an area which can reach a temperature sufficient for causing evaporation of the condensed fuel and elimination thereof by a flow in an opposite direction through the draining conduit and then through the vent conduit towards the canister.
US09227502B2
The present invention relates to a modular system of a drivetrain of a motor vehicle, having an internal combustion engine (3) which has a dual-mass flywheel (5) with a hub (4), having a transmission (8) and having a hybrid module (10) which has an electric motor (9), wherein the transmission (8) has a transmission input shaft (6) and the hybrid module (10) has a hybrid module input shaft (7), wherein the transmission (8) or the hybrid module (10) can be connected alternatively with its respective input shaft (6, 7) to the hub (4) of the dual-mass flywheel (5). Particularly flexible production is made possible in this way.
US09227497B2
Misalignment of a weather strip is controlled by a corner formed by a shoulder part and a lower inclined part formed in an edge portion of an opening of a roof. A locating face of a sealing part is pressed onto the shoulder part on one side of the corner, and a locating face of an inclined extension part is pressed onto the lower inclined part on the other side of the corner. The sealing part is adhered to at least one of the shoulder part or the upper inclined part with a double-sided tape.
US09227496B2
A roof apparatus includes: a movable panel opening and closing an opening of a roof of a vehicle; a mounting member including a mounting wall extending upright in one direction along an edge portion of the opening; and a weather strip having an attaching portion including pinching strips pinching the mounting wall therebetween, a first seal portion connected to the attaching portion and coming into liquid-tight contact with an opening end edge, and a second seal portion connected to the attaching portion and coming into liquid-tight contact with a peripheral edge in a fully closed state. A mounting depression depressed in the inner and outer direction of the vehicle is formed on the mounting wall. The attaching portion includes a lip portion connected to one of the pinching strips facing the mounting depression, and engageably inserted into the mounting depression.
US09227493B2
A roof system includes a closure that opens a roof opening in a vehicle. An operating mechanism for the closure includes a first device including a lever configured to move the rear edge of the closure towards a raised position above the roof. A second device includes a lever configured to move the front edge of the closure in a vertical direction. At least one of the levers has a first pivotal connection at a first end of the closure, and spaced second and third connections connecting the respective lever at least to a guiding slide. At least one of the levers is pivotally connected to a sliding member at one of said second and third connections. The sliding member is separate from the guiding slide, slides in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is supported by the guide rail in directions perpendicularly to the longitudinal sliding direction.
US09227485B2
A mechanism for raising and lowering a windowpane achieves a satisfactory mounting of a guide rail to a drum housing to allow visual checking of the mounted state of the guide rail to the drum housing. Relative movement between the guide rail and the drum housing is restricted in the vehicle widthwise direction after completion of the mounting. An engaging projection formed at the end of the drum housing projects toward the guide rail. An engaging portion of the guide rail restricts relative movement between the guide rail and the drum housing in the vehicle widthwise direction by being engaged with the engaging projection.
US09227479B2
A vehicle having a system for determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth. In response to determining that there is a possibility that the vehicle has or is about to enter water at a vehicle wading depth, the system is configured to implement one or more vehicle control strategies. The system comprises at least one remote sensor configured to remotely detect the presence of water about or ahead of the vehicle.
US09227478B2
A work vehicle includes one or more leanable wheels, in which the lean angle of each leanable wheel is automatically controlled according to one or more external factors. Factors influencing the lean angle of each leanable wheel may include: draft load arising from externally imposed forces, such as forces arising from moving earthen materials with a vehicle-mounted moldboard; the rotational position of such a moldboard with respect to direction of travel; turning radius of the vehicle during a turning maneuver; engine speed and/or transmission gear; and the angle of the vehicle itself with respect to vertical (i.e., whether the vehicle is on sloped ground). A control system may automatically adjust wheel-lean depending on inputs indicative of any combination of the above-mentioned external factors.
US09227476B2
Various systems and methods for automated air suspension pressure drop are disclosed.
US09227459B2
Solvent-based coatings having writable-erasable surfaces are provided. The coatings have many desirable attributes. For example, the coatings cure rapidly under ambient conditions, have low VOC emissions upon curing, and have reduced tendency to form ghost images, even after prolonged normal use.
US09227455B2
An element (13) for making a flip-over presentation unit (1), shaped by a bundle of strips of material (2) provided with an adhesive strip (5) onto which sheets (15) can be adhered, which strips of material (2) are provided with holes (4) through which at least one binding spiral (3) is passed, wherein the element (13) is provided with a rigid support (14) in which the binding spiral (3) is fixed, wherein the width of the support (14) corresponds mainly to the width of the sheets (15), wherein the binding spiral (3) is fixed to the support (14) by detachable parts (19) provided with toothings (26) extending between the coils of the binding spiral (3), wherein the support (14) is provided with alignment members (12) to align the sheets (15) with respect to the strips of material (25).
US09227445B2
A printing device has an outside cover 17 that pivots in a closing direction from an open position and moves to a closed position; a stationary-side pressure lever 32 that rotates in the same direction as the closing direction from a stationary-side release position where a stationary-side media pressure part is separated from the conveyance path surface, and moves to a stationary-side pressure position wherein roll paper is pressed to the conveyance path surface by the stationary-side media pressure part when the outside cover 17 rotates in the closing direction; and a movable-side pressure lever 52 that rotates in the opposite direction as the closing direction from a movable-side release position where a movable-side media pressure part is separated from the conveyance path surface, and moves to a movable-side pressure position wherein roll paper is pressed to the conveyance path surface by the movable-side media pressure part when the outside cover 17 rotates in the closing direction.
US09227433B2
Apparatus for causing a vacuum force to be applied across a width of a print medium as it moves through a printing system and for determining whether the edge seals are positioned correctly is disclosed. A vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum source which provides vacuum to the vacuum chamber. Spaced sealing rollers and the edge seals define an opening in the vacuum chamber, wherein the print medium passes over the opening and is guided by the sealing rollers. A sensor measures a vacuum level in the vacuum chamber. A controller stores a plurality of response curves for different known print media, produces first and second signals indicative of an activation level of the vacuum source and the vacuum level in the vacuum chamber, and compares the first and second signal to appropriate response curves to produce an error signal indicating whether the edge seals are correctly positioned.
US09227431B2
An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a sheet includes a recording section which records the image on the sheet in a transport passage for transporting the sheet in a transport direction; and a plurality of holding members which are provided while being separated from each other in a widthwise direction of the transport passage perpendicular to the transport direction and which press the sheet transported along the transport passage, from at least one of front and back surfaces of the sheet. At lease one holding member, which is provided at a central portion in the widthwise direction of the transport passage, is arranged on a downstream side in the transport direction as compared with the other holding members.
US09227430B2
A processing object modifying apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a processing object; a plasma processing unit that performs plasma processing onto a surface of the processing object while the processing object is being conveyed by the conveying unit; a measuring unit that measures a pH value of the processing object to which the plasma processing has been applied; and a controlling unit that controls the conveying unit to change a conveying speed of the processing object on the basis of a measurement result of the measuring unit, the processing object to which the plasma processing is being applied.
US09227428B2
Image processing is used to simulate the appearance of an embossed print. The application of clear dry ink or spot varnish to the print generates the tactile feel of an embossed print. Embodiments thus provide a technique that simulates the effect of an embossed print without the need for plates or specialized equipment, other than a printer that is adapted to apply clear dry ink or spot varnish.
US09227421B2
A continuous ink jet printer including an ink tank for holding ink, an ink nozzle in fluid communication with the ink tank for ejecting ink droplets, and a gutter for receiving, through an ink-receiving inlet thereof, ink droplets which are not used for printing. A gutter flow path starts at the ink-receiving inlet for ink that has entered the gutter through the ink-receiving inlet, and provides fluid communication to the ink tank. A return line is in fluid communication with the print head for conveying air to enter the gutter flow path. A makeup tank is in vapor communication with the ink tank to allow air to be conveyed from the ink tank to the makeup tank. A condenser is in fluid communication with the makeup tank and the return line for condensing solvent.
US09227415B2
A liquid containing body includes a liquid containing vessel, and a casing member. The liquid containing vessel contains a liquid, and includes a supply member with a liquid supply opening that supplies the liquid to a liquid consumption apparatus. The casing member supports at least the supply member. The supply member has a cylindrical flow path section that defines the liquid supply opening. The casing member has a through hole forming section with a through hole. The cylindrical flow path section is insertable in the through hole. The casing member further has an engaging section that engages with the supply member to regulate movement of the cylindrical flow path section in an opposite direction to an insertion direction while the cylindrical flow path section is rotated with the insertion direction as an axial line in a state where the cylindrical flow path section is inserted in the through hole.
US09227407B1
A waste liquid container includes a fitted portion, in which a discharge unit is fittable in a removable manner, a container connection terminal, which contacts a device connection terminal, an insertion restriction portion, which contacts a device contact portion and restricts movement of the waste liquid container in the insertion direction, and an engaged portion, which includes a contacted portion that contacts a removal restriction unit and restricts movement of the waste liquid container in the removal direction. The engaged portion is located toward an inner side in the lateral direction from a side wall at a position lower than both of the container connection terminal and the insertion restriction portion. The removal restriction unit is receivable in a region located toward an outer side in the lateral direction from the engaged portion.
US09227406B2
A method of manufacturing an ejection orifice member includes: preparing a substrate including a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer, the first layer protruding in a first direction crossing a principal surface of the substrate, the second and third layers being formed on the first direction side of the first layer, the preparing a substrate including forming the second layer to follow a contour of a first direction side surface of the first layer, and then forming the third layer on a surface of the second layer which protrudes on the first direction side; performing plating using the second layer as a seed to form a fourth layer on the first direction side of the second layer; removing the third layer from the fourth layer to form a hole as the ejection orifice in the fourth layer; and thinning the fourth layer at least around the hole.
US09227405B2
An inkjet recording apparatus may include a conveyor belt, suction unit, linear recording heads, and head frame shaped like a plate. The conveyor belt has a placement face on which a recording medium is placed and may be configured to cause the placement face to move in a conveyance direction. The suction unit disposed below the placement face applies a suction force exerted by a downward airflow to the recording medium placed on the placement face. The linear recording heads may be disposed upward opposite to the suction unit across the conveyor belt, have a nozzle face where an ink ejection nozzle is formed, and extend in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. Linear recording heads may be arranged in the conveyance direction. The linear recording heads may be attached to the head frame. The head frame may have a ventilation opening penetrating in a thickness direction.
US09227401B2
A printing element substrate, comprising a plurality of units configured to print on a printing medium based on print data, each of the plurality of units, including a printing element configured to print on the printing medium, a first transistor configured to operate as a source follower upon receiving a voltage at a gate terminal of the first transistor, and supply a current to the printing element, and a second transistor configured to control supply of the current to the printing element in response to a control signal input to a gate terminal of the second transistor.
US09227395B2
An image processing apparatus includes an acquiring unit, a first calculating unit, a setting unit, a second calculating unit, a first generating unit, and a second generating unit. The acquiring unit acquires image data of an image to be formed by a recording unit using an inkjet system. The first calculating unit calculates a thickness of ejected ink for each pixel based on the image data. The setting unit sets a target thickness of the image. The second calculating unit calculates a difference between the target thickness and the thickness of ink for each pixel. The first generating unit generates complementary data, in which an ejection amount of an additional droplet to realize a thickness corresponding to the difference is defined for each pixel. The second generating unit generates print data containing the image data and the complementary data.
US09227385B2
There is provided a method by which it is possible to precisely process a translucent rigid substrate laminate. The method for processing a translucent rigid substrate laminate includes the steps of: preparing a translucent rigid substrate laminate by adhering two or more translucent rigid substrates with photocurable adhering agent; fixing the laminate to a cradle with predetermined adhesive; performing processing A for cutting the laminate, which is fixed to the cradle, in a thickness direction and forming a desired number of divided translucent rigid substrate laminates, or performing desired outline processing B on the laminate which is fixed to the cradle; and peeling the processed translucent rigid substrate laminate from the cradle by applying external force without heating the translucent rigid substrate laminate at 40° C. or more.
US09227376B2
A thermoplastic article can be mounted to a support structure by a fastener. The article includes a molded body having a length. The molded body also has an attachment surface configured to face the support structure and a show surface opposite the attachment surface. The molded body defines an interior channel separating the attachment surface and the show surface. The article also includes a attachment boss coupled to and extending from the attachment surface for receiving the fastener to mount the article to the support structure. The attachment boss extends through the attachment surface and into the interior channel of the molded body for reinforcing the attachment boss at the attachment surface.
US09227371B2
An optical lens includes a lens portion having an optical axis, and an exterior portion connected to an outer periphery of the lens portion. The exterior portion has first and second surfaces that are disposed along a direction parallel to the optical axis and spaced apart from each other, a first annular surface that extends from a periphery of the second surface parallelly with respect to the optical axis, and a second annular surface that interconnects the first annular surface and the first surface. The second annular surface extends obliquely with respect to the first annular surface.
US09227363B2
A non-woven textile may be formed from a plurality of thermoplastic polymer filaments. The non-woven textile may have a first region and a second region, with the filaments of the first region being fused to a greater degree than the filaments of the second region. A variety of products, including apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, footwear), may incorporate the non-woven textile. In some of these products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another textile element to form a seam. More particularly, an edge area of the non-woven textile may be heatbonded with an edge area of the other textile element at the seam. In other products, the non-woven textile may be joined with another component, whether a textile or a non-textile.
US09227349B2
A molded multi-layer article has an interior layer contained within inner and outer layers. The article is molded by co-injecting the inner, outer, and interior layer materials into a mold defining a cavity. The interior layer material is caused to flow along a steam line offset from the zero velocity gradient of the combined material flow in a manner so that the interior layer material flow stream does not flow along or cross the zero velocity gradient yet has a greater flow velocity than the average flow velocity of the combined flow front. These methods and apparatus can mold four or more multilayer articles at once, each having an interior layer extending throughout 95% or more of the sealable portion of the article. The interior layer of a resultant article can extend throughout 99% or more of the sealable portion of the article.
US09227347B2
In an embodiment, a method of making a heat sink assembly can include: forming a heat sink assembly comprising a polymer heat sink around a metal insert, the polymer heat sink comprising a thermally conductive polymer material, wherein the heat sink assembly has a contact pressure between the polymer heat sink and the metal insert; and increasing the contact pressure. In an embodiment, a method of making a heat sink assembly includes: heating a mold and subsequently introducing a metal insert to the mold, wherein the metal insert has an insert temperature of 30° C. to 70° C. when it is inserted into the mold; closing the mold; and in less than or equal to 10 seconds of closing the mold, over-molding the metal insert with a thermally conductive polymer material to form a heat sink assembly.
US09227342B2
A segment for an abrasive article is disclosed. The segment can include a segment body that can have a first face that can extend along a length of the segment body on a first side of the segment body and a second face that can extend along the length of the segment body on a second side of the segment body opposite the first side. A gullet wall can extend from the first face to the second face. The gullet wall can extend along a gullet. The segment can also include a recessed region that can extend into one or both of the first and second faces. The recessed region can include a gullet portion extending at least partially along the gullet wall.
US09227341B2
A battery operated concrete saw system (10) includes an electric saw (12) and a lithium based battery pack (58) including a plurality of batteries (60) connected in series to power the saw with at least 80 volts.
US09227337B2
A push block for a woodworking tool comprises at least heel member at an end of the push block and the heel member is passively actuatable to an extended position to engage a trailing end surface of a work piece to advance the work piece by a working element. The push block also includes a wall member along a first side of the push block to serve as a barrier between a cutting element and an operator's hand. In addition, the push block includes a handle that is disposed obliquely relative to first and second sides and a longitudinal axis of the push block.
US09227335B2
A tubular film cutting arrangement for cutting tubular shrink film into sleeves of suitable length for application to containers includes a support member having a film passage opening therein; a plurality of knife drive pulleys rotatably mounted to the support member and spaced apart around the film passage opening, each knife drive pulley having a knife member mounted thereon for rotation with the knife drive pulley; a plurality of idler rollers rotatably mounted to the support member, each idler roller arranged between two of the knife drive pulleys, wherein a drive belt path is formed between the knife drive pulleys and the idler rollers; and a drive belt extending along the drive belt path such that a first side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the knife drive pulleys and a second side of the drive belt is in contact with each of the idler rollers; wherein the idler rollers are positioned to interact with the second side of the drive belt in order to hold the first side of the drive belt in contact with the knife drive pulleys.
US09227333B2
A slicing apparatus comprises a housing and at least one filament with a first and second end. The at least one filament is pullable by a user. The housing is defined by perimeter walls and has a bottom with an opening, a top, and a vertical member. The vertical member has a longitudinal axis and extends from the top of the housing towards the bottom. The at least one filament mechanically connects to the vertical member and the remainder of it passes through the perimeter walls. Once passed through, the second end of the at least one filament terminates external to the housing. With the second end of the at least one filament now external to the housing, the user can move the at least one filament. When the at least one filament is moved by a user, the at least one filament may effect slices into a volume of matter.
US09227331B2
A razor blade unit including a housing having a top surface, and a loop disposed on the top surface, the loop having two terminal ends and two exposed opposing edges between the two terminal ends. The loop intersects the top surface at the two terminal ends and the two terminal ends are spaced apart from each other on the top surface. At least a portion of at least one of the two exposed opposing edges has a cutting edge. The razor blade unit provides improved conformity to skin contours.
US09227329B2
A device for sealed attachment of an oval or circular interchangeable member in an oval or circular chamber ring including a mechanical system for secure immobilization of the interchangeable element through the retaining ring mounted on a wall of a containment cell. The attachment device includes an oval or circular retaining ring supporting the interchangeable member. The integral retaining ring includes at least three recesses and the chamber ring includes at least three bolts able to penetrate into the recesses in order to lock the retaining ring on the chamber ring. The retaining ring receives a set of keys supporting the interchangeable element.
US09227327B2
This robot system includes a first imaging portion detachably mounted to a robot arm and a control portion controlling the operation of the robot arm and a grasping portion, and the control portion is so formed as to detach the first imaging portion from the robot arm before moving an object to be grasped that is being grasped by the grasping portion to a prescribed processing position.
US09227312B2
A light single button multi-function electric hammer comprises a body, a motor, a rotation set assembly, a cylinder assembly, a torque spring, a knob, a gearwheel and a transmission mechanism of torque clutch. The transmission mechanism comprises a pinion, a gear clutch, a middle shaft, a hammer crosspiece clutch, a swing rod bearing and a primary gear. The pinion is movably fitted with the middle shaft; the pinion meshes large end teeth of the gearwheel and matches with the inner teeth of the gear clutch. The gear clutch meshes small end teeth of the gearwheel and is fitted with the teeth shaft of the middle shaft. The gear clutch and the hammer crosspiece clutch are movably fitted with the teeth shaft of the middle shaft. The knob is connected with an operating mechanism linked to the large teeth end of the gearwheel, the gear clutch and the hammer crosspiece clutch.
US09227310B2
The present disclosure relates to a hand tool for removing a fly-screen from a window frame. The hand tool has a longitudinal axis and comprises a handle portion and a blade portion extending from one end of the handle portion. The blade portion defines at an end distal to the one end of the handle portion, a hook portion for insertion between the fly-screen and the window frame to enable the fly-screen to be removed from the window frame in use.
US09227306B2
A ratcheting wrench head for use with a torque wrench has spaced apart first and second jaws extending from a base portion to define an opening for accommodating a bolt or nut to be rotated. A ratchet member is movably mounted in a through hole formed in the second jaw between an outer surface and an inner surface of the second jaw. A biasing member is located in the through hole of the second jaw and forces the ratchet member against a portion thereof. Inner surfaces of the first jaw and the second jaw are particularly constructed to enhance ratcheting performance of the wrench head relative to the bolt or nut. The through hole is formed with a dirt slot for enabling removal of foreign material from the wrench head.
US09227302B1
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to overmolded protective leaching masks, and methods of manufacturing and using the same for leaching superabrasive elements such as polycrystalline diamond elements. In an embodiment, a protective leaching mask assembly includes a superabrasive element including a central axis and a superabrasive table, and a protective mask overmolded onto at least a portion of the superabrasive element. The protective mask includes a base portion and at least one sidewall extending from the base portion and defining an opening generally opposite the base portion. The at least one sidewall includes an inner surface configured to abut with a selected portion of the superabrasive element being chemically resistant to a leaching agent and an outer surface sloping at an oblique angle relative to the central axis.
US09227297B2
A retaining ring includes a generally annular upper portion having a top surface configured to be connected to a base of a carrier head and a lower surface, and a plurality of substantially identical arcuate segments detachably secured to the upper portion to form an annular lower portion. Each of the arcuate segments has an upper surface that abuts the lower surface of the upper portion and a bottom surface for contacting a polishing pad during polishing.
US09227295B2
A non-polished glass wafer, a thinning system, and a method for using the non-polished glass wafer to thin a semiconductor wafer are described herein. In one embodiment, the glass wafer has a body (e.g., circular body) including a non-polished first surface and a non-polished second surface substantially parallel to each other. In addition, the circular body has a wafer quality index which is equal to a total thickness variation in micrometers plus one-tenth of a warp in micrometers that is less than 6.0.
US09227287B2
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a buffer brush. When rotating, the buffer brush acts as a centrifugal pump. The buffer brush contains a core having a first side and a second side and the brush extends racially from the surface of the core. The first and second sides have at least one opening configured to allow air to flow laterally through the core. Vents on the surface of the cure are configured to allow air flowing laterally through the core to also flow radially through the vents into the brush.
US09227281B1
A tool for mounting a coreless roll of flexible sheet material on a replacement core apparatus including a replacement core and an insertion aid having a polygonal outer end and a base having a profile that matches the profile of outer surface of the replacement core, the replacement core in an embodiment having an enlarged lip member on at least one end, whereby the insertion aid is dimensioned such that it fits over the enlarged lip member enabling the replacement core to be inserted into a central aperture of a coreless roll with the end having the enlarged lip member passing through the center aperture, and in another embodiment the insertion aid having a crenulated tapered section that transitions the outer surface from a polygonal shape to a circular shape to match the cross section of the at least one lip member or outer surface of the replacement core.
US09227277B2
This disclosure describes embodiments of a method of repairing a diaphragm found in a turbine, and a diaphragm assembly resulting from the same, that does not require welds in between the partitions. The method inserts a replacement part in place of certain machine-removed portions of the existing partitions on the diaphragm. The replacement part includes coupons that work in combination with the remaining portions of the partitions to form the aerodynamic shape of the original partitions.
US09227254B2
A tool head using a scissor style pair of jaws is described. The jaws may be provided with cutting, pressing, crimping, or other functional surfaces. The tool head includes a linearly positionable member which is engaged with the jaws. Upon linear displacement of the member, the jaws are pivotally displaced.
US09227252B2
A hole is formed in an elbow through the steps of: forming a starting hole in a material, the starting hole having an undercut remaining on a hole surface; finishing an inner diameter of the starting hole (11−3) on one end side by revolving a side cutter (II) including an arc-shaped cutting edge and having an outer diameter smaller than a finishing hole diameter while rotating the side cutter (II) in such a posture that the side cutter (II) is inclined in a predetermined direction relative to the material (12), the revolving being carried out so that the side cutter moves along a hole surface to be finished; and finishing the inner diameter of the starting hole (11−3) on another end side by revolving the side cutter (II) while rotating the side cutter (II).
US09227251B2
A hole drilling method includes a rotating step of attaching a workpiece to a rotary table to make the workpiece rotate in an opposite direction to the rotating direction of the rotary tool and a drilling step of making the rotary tool and the workpiece move relative to each other in a direction in which they approach each other so as to drill a hole. The hole drilling step comprises making a position of the rotary tool track the rotation of the workpiece while drilling the hole so that the rotary tool is arranged at a position for drilling a hole in the workpiece.
US09227245B2
A lathe machine includes a tailstock unit having a bottom seat driven by a saddle of a turret unit to move longitudinally relative to a headstock by means of a first coupler unit, and a tailstock mount mounted on the bottom seat and driven by a turret mount to move transversely by means of a second coupler unit such that a selected one of a centering mandrel and a drilling tool holder disposed on the tailstock mount is in line with a spindle axis of the headstock. A positioning unit includes blocking and abutment members respectively disposed on the bottom seat and the tailstock mount and having rightward- and leftward-facing inclined surfaces which matingly abut against each other to permit the centering mandrel to be kept in line with the spindle axis, thereby rendering the centering process easy and precise.
US09227244B2
A process is described for the sintering of powders (D) comprising conductive powders, loose or in the form of powder compacts, that comprises the operations of: inserting said powders (D) in a mold (23; 33, 34); applying (5, 6) a pressure (P(t)) to said powders (D) in said mold (23; 33, 34) commanding (4) nominal pressure values to pressure application devices (5, 6) to said powders (D); applying (1, 2, 3, 4) one or more current impulses (Ii) to said powders (D) in said mold (23; 33, 34) for a respective time interval of predetermined duration (tf), wherein said nominal pressure values (P(t)) commanded said pressure application devices (5, 6) defining an increment of pressure (P1) from a first pressure, value (P0) to a second pressure value (Pj) greater | than said first pressure value (P0) and said increment in the pressure (P4) being applied in a synchronized way with respect to the initiation of said time interval of predetermined duration (tf) of the current impulse (Ii)o.
US09227242B2
A method of containing molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising depositing MgAl2O4, or one selected from an oxide, Al2O3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, onto a crucible. An apparatus for containment of molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising a layer of MgAl2O4, or one selected from an oxide, Al2O3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, deposited onto a crucible.
US09227240B2
A crimping head for use with an impact wrench to crimp fittings onto a structure carrying the fitting, that includes a universal adaptor having a head, and a socket positioned in the head sized and shaped to receive a standard anvil of an impact wrench without further connection between the impact wrench and the crimping head. A locking assembly is provided for cooperating with the universal adaptor head for locking the anvil into the socket, and a transmission is attached to the universal adaptor for being driven by the universal adaptor and for converting rotational movement of the anvil into selective rearward and forward movement. A jaw assembly is attached to the transmission and adapted to close into a crimping position and open into a release position responsive to the rearward and forward movement of the transmission.
US09227236B2
A method and a device are provided for the planar and spatial bending of rod-shaped components (2) having a longitudinal axis, such as pipes and profiles, including two roller systems A and B that are disposed behind each other along the longitudinal axis, wherein the component is driven by the roller system A and inserted into the roller system B, and is bent by a movement of the roller system B in a transverse direction to the longitudinal axis of the rod-shaped components (2). A device is also provided for the planar and spatial bending of rod-shaped components (2) having a longitudinal axis, such as pipes and profiles, including two roller systems A and B, wherein feed along the longitudinal axis can be effected via the roller system A, and the roller systems A, B are disposed in at least one first plane E1 in a displaceable manner relative to each other, wherein at least one of the roller systems A, B can be pivoted about the longitudinal axis.
US09227231B2
A method of use of a dusting tool for cleaning the exposed surface of a camera sensor lens in a recessed digital camera sensor chamber while avoiding contaminating contact with the side walls of the camera sensor chamber, the method comprising the steps of: providing a non-scrubbing duster member having opposite one and another ends, and a tuft of bristles having electrostatic charge built up therein; engaging the duster member inside the camera sensor chamber; operatively engaging the bristles leading edge tips onto the exposed surface of the camera sensor lens; and manually sweeping the dusting tool bristles leading edge tips over the full exposed surface of the camera sensor lens including the peripheral edge portion thereof but excluding contaminating contact with the side walls of the camera sensor chamber, while the duster member remains motionless relative to the handle.
US09227229B2
Disclosed herein are methods to improve detection of PET polymer materials within a waste material to be sorted. The methods disclosed allow for municipal solid waste to be separated so that PET polymer materials, including those containing liquids, are separated for recycling, or other purposes. PET polymer materials, such as water bottles which have been disposed of while still containing liquid may now be separated by the enhanced methods disclosed herein.
US09227217B2
The present invention relates to a nozzle cleaning blade of a dispensing jet valve. The nozzle cleaning blade includes a plurality of blades (20) vertically formed at right and left of the top surface of a fixing plate (21) on a working tray (T), which moves laterally along guide rails in a state where a target product is seated on the working tray (T), so as to clean a nozzle (12) of a jet valve (10) which is mounted movably in vertical and horizontal directions and injects a coating liquid in order to join or process a specific portion of the target product. The fixing plate (21) is fixed to a bracket (30) which is detachably mounted on the top surface of the working tray (T), and the blades (20) are inclinedly formed on the fixing plate (21) in a lateral direction.
US09227203B2
A deposition apparatus includes a deposition source that receives a deposition material, and a plurality of spray nozzles arranged in a first direction at one side of the deposition source to spray the deposition material to a facing substrate. The deposition source includes a center area and outer areas, the outer areas being at respective ends of the center area with reference to the first direction. The spray nozzles include first spray nozzles arranged in each outer area and extending outwardly from the deposition source, a surface forming an end of the first spray nozzles forming a first inclination angle with a substrate surface in the first direction.
US09227202B2
A portable shower head with an air inlet cover includes a decorative cover, a middle cover with soft rubber nozzles and a shower head body. Two air holes are provided on the middle cover. An air inlet connector with a hollow water channel is provided in the front part of the cavity of the shower head handle, and on the air inlet connector, air inlet holes are provided. A second inner wall is set in the front part of the cavity of the shower head handle. A front end sealing ring of the air inlet connector seals the second inner wall. A middle sealing ring of the air inlet connector seals a first inner wall of the shower head handle, so as to form the air space. A tail end sealing ring of the air inlet connector seals a water inlet pipe.
US09227193B2
A chopper assembly for harvesting equipment including a rotary chopper device with a plurality of knives and a cylindrical chopper grate assembly spaced from the rotary chopper to form a passageway for crop residue. The chopper grate assembly includes a plurality of slots extending in the direction of crop residue flow. A knife bank assembly includes a plurality of knife elements aligned with and insertable in the slots with the knife bank assembly being displaceable toward and between a position where the bank knife elements are fully inserted through the slots into the passageway and a position where they are substantially clear of the passageway. A deflector is provided for covering the slots and the deflector is displaceable with the knife elements to uncover the slots as the knife elements are displaced through the slots and into the passageway.
US09227190B2
The present invention is to present a sample measuring apparatus, comprising: a reagent holder for holding plural kinds of reagents; a measurement unit for measuring a measurement sample, prepared from a sample and plural kinds of reagents held by the reagent holder, for a predetermined measurement item; a display; and a display controller for controlling the display so as to display a screen including a predetermined display area showing a measurable number of times indicating how many times the measuring unit is able to perform a measurement for the predetermined measurement item by using the plural kinds of reagents held by the reagent holder.
US09227189B2
A microfluidic liquid stream configuration system is provided including providing a substrate; forming a first co-planar electrode and a second co-planar electrode on the substrate; applying a dielectric layer, with a controlled surface energy, on the first co-planar electrode and the second co-planar electrode; forming an input reservoir on the first co-planar electrode and a second co-planar electrode; supplying a liquid in the input reservoir for analysis; and imposing an electric field, an electric field gradient, or a combination thereof on the liquid for respectively driving surface charge or dipole moments in the liquid for configuring a liquid stream.
US09227188B2
This disclosure is directed to a device and a system for aspirating and dispensing a target analyte, target material, or fluid. A picker may aspirate and dispense the desired material by introducing a pressure gradient. The picker may include a hydraulic fluid to hydraulically couple at least two components, such as a moveable pump component and a cannula.
US09227186B2
Methods for the synthesis of compounds of the formula A2xMxSn3-xS6, where x has a value in the range from 0.5 to 1; A is Li+, Na+, K+, or Rb+; and M is Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, or Fe2+, are provided. Also provided are methods of remediating fluid samples using the compounds.
US09227179B2
A hydroprocessing catalyst composition that comprises a support material and a selenium component and which support material further includes at least one hydrogenation metal component. The hydroprocessing catalyst is prepared by incorporating a selenium component into a support particle and, after calcination thereof, incorporating at least one hydrogenation metal component into the selenium-containing support. The metal-incorporated, selenium-containing support is calcined to provide the hydroprocessing catalyst composition.
US09227173B2
A method for dynamic filtration of a pharmaceutical product is provided. The method includes using an unconditioned resin configured to selectively retain one or more components from a mixture having the pharmaceutical product and where the unconditioned resin is configured to be activated by a medium of the mixture. The method further includes the use of at least one positioning material disposed adjacent to the unconditioned resin, where the positioning material is configured to provide mechanical support to the resin to at least partially retain the resin in position.
US09227172B2
An acid gas sorbent composition is disclosed. The composition comprises a compound having the following formula: (SiO2)x(OH)y F.B wherein F optionally exists and said F is at least one of the following: a functionalized organosilane, a sulfur-containing organosilane, or an amine-containing organosilane; and wherein B is a hygroscopic solid at a preferred water to solid molar ratio of about 0.1 to about 6, and more particularly, B is a basic inorganic solid including, but not limiting to, alkali or alkali-earth metal oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, or bicarbonates, containing at least one of the following metal cations: calcium, magnesium, strontium, barium, sodium, lithium, potassium, cesium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, dysprosium, scandium, ytterbium, yttrium, or erbium; wherein the molar ratio of y/x is equal to about 0.01 to about 0.5.
US09227169B2
A device for carrying out gas reactions, comprising a plasma reactor with a through-flow of gases which has a, particularly cylindrical, plasma chamber, wherein flow-forming elements for forming a flow of gases are arranged before and/or in and/or after the plasma reactor in order to form a gas stream within the plasma chamber such that at least one, particularly central, zone in the gas flow is formed which is flow-reduced. A method for carrying out gas reactions is also provided.
US09227160B2
A gas separation module includes at least one inlet port, a plurality of outlet ports, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes. Individual fibers have a feed end and a product end with a retentate interior side and a permeate exterior side. The module includes a feed tubesheet within the shell segregating the at least one inlet port and the permeate side of the fibers. The feed tubesheet includes a matrix and at least one segment joint. The segment joint separates segments of the feed tubesheet from one another. A formation method includes positioning a hollow fiber membrane material in association with at least one tubesheet segment joint and applying a matrix. The method includes forming a feed tubesheet from cured matrix and the segment joint and forming a plurality of hollow fiber membranes from the fiber material. The segment joint separates segments of the feed tubesheet from one another.
US09227157B2
In the application a spray dryer absorption apparatus for treating a stream of flue gas containing acidic components is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber having vertical cylindrical walls, said chamber comprises (i) an inlet for a flue gas stream containing an acidic component, (ii) an atomizer for spraying droplets of an absorbent slurry into said flue gas stream to effect a chemical reaction between the droplets and the acidic component of the flue gas, thereby forming a particulate reaction product, and (iii) an outlet for the treated flue gas and entrained particulate reaction product, wherein the bottom of the chamber having vertical cylindrical walls is substantially horizontal and impervious to gases. The apparatus of the invention has the advantage of a simplified geometry accounting for lower building and maintenance costs.
US09227149B2
An apparatus for collecting atmospheric and soil vapor condensate and transferring said condensate to a storage vessel for use in farming or other applications.
US09227148B2
A toy apparatus includes a base piece and a plurality of elongated members. The base piece is configured to slide on a surface. Each elongated member has a first end and a second end, with the elongated members being movably coupled to the base piece near the first ends. A tether is coupled to the first ends of the elongated members, and tension applied to the tether moves the elongated members from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the second ends of the elongated members are expanded apart from each other. In the second position, the second ends of the elongated members are contracted toward each other and are capable of surrounding a target piece.
US09227146B1
A novelty chomping device includes a skull having an upper jaw, a lower jaw and a pair of eyes that are embedded with LED's. The skull is positioned on a pedestal control box that includes a radio and speakers. An actuation unit is positioned within the control box and imparts a linear movement to the upper jaw to create a chomping motion. One or more lights are also positioned along the control box to produce an audiovisual effect.
US09227143B2
A game control server apparatus includes an evolution information storing unit that stores a base character, a partner character and an evolved character associated with each other, the base character being converted to the evolved character by combining the base character and the partner character; and an evolution process management unit that coverts, upon accepting an evolution instruction of a base character possessed by a first player by combining the base character and a partner character possessed by another second player to evolve the base character from the first player, the base character to an evolved character that is associated with the base character and the partner character using the partner character of the second player under a condition that a process of paying reward from the first player to the second player is performed.
US09227140B2
A method and system tracks, analyzes or sorts behaviors of user or players across a network to draw correlations from, or characterizations of, those user or players and identifies similarly characterized or mutually complementary user or players. For example, the method automatically obtains player data regarding interactions by each of multiple players with a multiplayer electronic game via each player's corresponding data processing device connected via the network. The method can then sort, classify or suggest additional activities, games, groups, or other different activities or actions for the players.
US09227131B2
A gliding apparatus includes four gliding bodies that can be selectively separated or assembled together. In the assembled configuration, the first and second gliding bodies form opposite lateral portions of the gliding apparatus, and the third and fourth gliding bodies form a longitudinally extending intermediate gliding body defining a median portion of the gliding apparatus. A device to affix the four gliding bodies together includes first and second assembly elements that are affixed, respectively, to the third and fourth gliding bodies to form the intermediate gliding body. The first assembly element includes at least a first longitudinal projection, projecting from the fourth gliding body and designed to extend over an upper surface of the third gliding body. The first longitudinal projection of the first assembly element is designed to be engaged with the second assembly element to limit relative longitudinal spacing between the third and fourth gliding bodies.
US09227129B2
Alternate characterizations of golf ball striking ability is provided, as well as methods for determining the alternate characterizations and systems for carrying out such determinations. Such methods may include performing one or more golf strikes to impart trajectories to one or more golf balls. Such methods may also include measuring each of the golf strikes to determine golf club head, golf ball speed, side spin angle, and offline angle, calculating a trajectory magnitude factor and a trajectory offline factor on the basis of the measurements, and reducing the trajectory magnitude factor by the trajectory offline factor.
US09227127B2
Apparatus (10) for use in martial arts or fitness training, comprises a strike surface adapted to be kicked or punched by a user during training, and mounting means (12) adapted for removably securing the strike surface (11) to a structural element, such as a door frame. The mounting means (12) are shaped and dimensioned so as to receive the structural element, and comprise at least one inflatable bladder (16) adapted upon inflation to cause the mounting means (12) to grip the structural element.
US09227125B2
A basketball return apparatus comprising a frame, an attachment section, one or more flaps, and a basketball return mechanism. The attachment section, which is no smaller than a basketball hoop, is connected to the frame and configured to attach to a basketball hoop. The attachment section includes one or more sensors that detect and record the number of basketball shots passing through the basketball hoop. The one or more flaps are connected to the attachment section, and are configured to tilt downwardly and inwardly towards the attachment section. The one or more flaps, which are connected to and positioned around the attachment section, are flexible to absorb the momentum of an incoming basketball and are capable of directing the basketball towards the attachment section. The one or more flaps include one or more sensors that detect and record the data generated by the contacts caused by incoming basketballs contacting the one or more flaps. Based on the number recorded by the one or more sensors at the attachment section and the data recorded by the one or more sensors at the one or more flaps, the shooting statistics, such as the number of basketball shots attempted, made, or missed, are thereby obtained. The basketball return mechanism, comprising a sloped chute, is positioned below the basketball hoop such that a basketball passing through the basketball hoop is directed to a desired direction as directed by the sloped chute.
US09227122B2
The present invention is directed to a game, and more specifically to an outdoor game designed for two or more players that requires navigating a large playing field containing a variety of objects and obstacles. The players navigate the course by hitting a ball with a bat over, through or around the objects while avoiding the obstacles. The starting line, the end line, the game course, the rules for the game and the point system to decide the winner are determined and communicated to the players prior to the game. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the player reaching the end line with the fewest strokes is awarded the win. The preferred playing field is a golf course.
US09227119B2
An insert for a golf bag having a generally open top and a generally closed bottom includes a golf club supporting structure in the bag. The insert also includes a compartment for each club. A closure structure is included at the generally open top of the bag and includes an opening for each compartment and a closure member having deflectable closure sections adjacent to each opening at the top of each compartment for each club. A movable tab included in the tubular compartment is deflected by a golf club inserted into the tubular compartment, the deflection is resisted by a cylindrical sheath surrounding the tubular compartment, thereby applying a holding force to the golf club.
US09227111B2
A multi-piece solid golf ball has a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples. The envelope layer is formed of an inner envelope layer, an intermediate envelope layer and an outer envelope layer. The inner, intermediate and outer envelope layers, the intermediate layer and the cover are each formed primarily of a resin material which may be of the same or different types, and the core is formed primarily of a rubber material. The golf ball has an excellent flight performance and also excellent controllability in the short game. In addition, it has a good feel on impact and an excellent scuff resistance.
US09227109B2
Disclosed herein are polyurethane golf ball compositions. The compositions are prepared by adding a UV absorber to a polyol prior to reacting the polyol with an isocyanate to form a prepolymer, which is then reacted with a curing agent to form the polyurethane.
US09227107B2
A hand exercise device comprising a base with a generally planar surface, and at least one string held at a substantial angle of inclination with respect to the planar surface of the base. The hand exercise device can be adapted to perform hand exercises that involve applying a pushing force to move the string such that the string is in contact with the planar surface of the base. The hand exercise device can be modified to include a plurality of strings of different thicknesses held at a substantial angle of inclination to facilitate variable exercise resistance. The hand exercise device can benefit patients by increasing grip strength, improving hand function, and/or alleviating joint pain.
US09227106B2
Weight lifting machines and methods are described including angularly adjustable leg press units and hack squat units whereby the user may quickly change between any desired angular orientation of the units relative to the floor.
US09227104B2
A jaw exercise device includes a generally arcuate central elastomer plate with generally planar surfaces in opposed relationship. The planar surfaces have a plurality of protuberances depending therefrom; each protuberance being generally cylindrical in shape with each having an axis oriented to be perpendicular to the generally planar surface from which it depends. Each protuberance has protuberance walls, the walls having a protuberance height between a protuberance crown and a protuberance base. Two arcuate U-shaped channels are configured each to receive teeth of one of an upper or lower jaw of the user, within the channel. Each U-shaped channel defines a plurality of receptacles. Each receptacle located in a manner to receive, when urged into mating engagement with the central elastomer plate, a corresponding one of the protuberances.
US09227099B2
Disclosed are methods, compositions and kits pertaining to polymer coatings that entrap enzymes, specifically enzymes capable of degrading bisphenol A.
US09227093B2
An anchor arrangement for a safety line system is for use with a bracket to secure to a structure for mounting the safety line. The anchor arrangement either includes an alignment collar arranged to seat in a seat provided on the bracket, the alignment collar being able to seat in a plurality of different orientations with respect to the bracket; a resilient biasing means acting between the bracket and a reaction member provided as part of the anchor arrangement or a tension indicator for the safety line, which has a part of the bracket aligned adjacent and indicia zone on the anchor arrangement.
US09227090B2
Skin lightening additives and skin lightening compositions having at least one of a heterosubstituted, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic acid are described. The compositions are suitable for topical application and may comprise 12-hydroxystearic acid, ricinoleic acid or both.
US09227089B1
A volume of platelet-rich blood product is obtained from a volume of anti-coagulated blood to prepare a composition for promoting the growth of hair follicles within skin. A portion of the skin is traumatized to form a treatment area in which stem cells within the hair follicles are activated. A protein matrix is formed from the platelet-rich blood product composition to entrap growth factors. The platelet-rich blood product composition is infused into the treatment area to form a complex between the protein matrix and the growth factors so that the stem cells attach to the complex and proliferate within the hair follicles.
US09227087B2
A teletherapy control system constituted of: a teletherapy management server; and a computerized tomography unit in communication with the teletherapy management server, the teletherapy management server arranged to: obtain at least one reference image of a target area; obtain from the computerized tomography unit at least one scout image of the target area; compare the obtained at least one scout image of the target area with the obtained at least one reference image of the target area; identify the location coordinates of the target area responsive to the comparison of the obtained scout image with the obtained at least one reference image; and output a control signal to a positioning device responsive to the identified location coordinates of the target area.
US09227081B2
An apparatus for cosmetic RF skin treatment where the RF energy supply is isolated from the patient treated, such that in course of treatment no undesired current flows through the subject body.
US09227078B2
Disclosed herein is a medical device including: a positioning catheter to be inserted into a blood vessel in the vicinity of an affected region; a treatment catheter to be inserted to reach the affected region; and attracting means provided at respective predetermined positions of both the catheters to apply a magnetic force in a direction of attracting each other; wherein the magnetic force of the attracting means restricts floating of the treatment catheter.
US09227072B2
Devices and methods for improving device therapy such as cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by determining a desired value for a device parameter are described. An ambulatory medical device can be configured to detect a heart sound signal and generate one or more heart sound metrics, detect a characteristic indicative of cannon waves, and determine a desired value for a device parameter, such as a timing parameter which can be used to control the delivery of CRT pacing to various heart chambers. The desired device parameter value can be determined using the heart sound metrics and the characteristic indicative of the cannon waves. The ambulatory medical device can program stimulation using the desired device parameter value, and deliver the programmed stimulations to one or more target sites to achieve desired therapeutic effects.
US09227064B2
An external processor device is described for a hearing implant system. An external processor housing has a generally planar skin contacting surface and a central axis perpendicular to the skin contacting surface. A signal processor is located within the processor housing for developing an implant data signal. The processor housing also contains a transmitter coil for coupling the implant data signal across the skin to the implantable prosthetic system. A battery container forms an annular compartment around the central axis and contains a battery arrangement to provide electrical power to the signal processor and the transmitter coil.
US09227058B2
The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for transferring data and/or data over a communication link. A medical device in one example includes receiver(s) configured to receive first signals, which include power signals and first stimulation data, and second signals, which include second stimulation data. Each of the first stimulation data and the second stimulation data includes data encoded according to a same data encoding protocol. The device also includes control circuitry coupled to the one or more receivers and configured to operate in a first mode and in a second mode. The control circuitry is configured in the first mode to apply the power signals to provide power to the medical device and to apply the first stimulation data to a medical device recipient. Further, the control circuitry is configured in the second mode to apply the second stimulation data to the medical device recipient.
US09227056B1
The present invention relates to a system and methods for noninvasively providing therapy for movement disorder symptoms. The present invention provides such a therapy system which provides trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in order to treat those symptoms and the disorders. The present invention further provides such tDCS therapy while the subject sleeps in order to minimize the time required and impact of the therapy on the subject's waking life. The system, methods, and devices of the present invention are intended to provide a low-dose electrical current, trans-cranially, to a specific area of the subject's brain while he or she sleeps in order to decrease the occurrence, severity, and duration of the symptoms of movement disorders. The present invention aims to reduce the amount of medication necessary, counteract the effects of medication wearing off during sleep, and to overall improve the quality of life of subjects suffering from movement disorders.
US09227055B2
A medical lead is provided for use in a pulse stimulation system of the type which includes a pulse generator for producing electrical stimulation therapy. The lead comprises an elongate insulating body and at least one electrical conductor within the insulating body. The conductor has a proximal end configured to be electrically coupled to the pulse generator and has a DC resistance in the range of 375-2000 ohms. At least one distal electrode is coupled to the conductor.
US09227054B2
An active fixation lead may have a lead body formed at least in part from an inner member and an outer sheath. The inner member may include a pace/sense lumen and one or more cable lumens. The inner member may include one or more longitudinally extending crumple zones that are configured to reduce stress within the pace/sense lumen that could otherwise be caused by compressive forces applied to the lead.
US09227048B2
A connector for devices intended to collect and dispense liquid solutions for pharmaceutical and/or nutritional use is described. The connector comprises a closing plug pierceable by pressing a needleless introduction/collection tang. The closing plug comprises a check valve with closing lips openable by introducing said tang and elastically reclosable after extracting the introduced tang and further comprising a pierceable and elastically sealingly reclosable membrane placed to hermetically close the inlet end of said check valve. Said closing lips are located at one end of an elastically deformable plastic material body, which is longitudinally crossed by a thin rectangular section slot, the slot being closed on the other end by said pierceable and elastically reclosable membrane.
US09227040B2
A retention device for anchoring indwelling catheters, sheath introducers, feeding tubes, ostomy bags or other medical devices beneath the skin of a patient includes an deployable section coupled to a medical device; following introduction into a patient, the deployable section is subcutaneously deployed, securely anchoring the device and coupled medical device for the duration of treatment.
US09227037B2
Medical devices and methods for making and using the same. An example medical devices includes a core member and a tubular member disposed over a portion of the core member. The tubular member has a plurality of slots formed therein.
US09227036B2
A catheter sheath for an irrigation catheter comprises an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. At least one electrode is arranged on the elongate member. A plurality of elongate elements are contained in the elongate member, the elongate elements comprising at least one electrical conductor and at least one element of a non-conductive material arranged adjacent the at least one electrical conductor to form at least one non-conductive region associated with the elongate member. At least one passage extends through a wall of the elongate member to intersect the non-conductive region and to be in communication with the lumen of the elongate member. The at least one passage has an outlet opening in, or adjacent, the at least one electrode.
US09227032B2
A method of operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB), wherein the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, includes applying a treatment pressure to a patient, monitoring the patient for speech output, generating a signal in response to detected speech of the patient, and, in response to the signal, reducing the treatment pressure applied to the patient.
US09227028B2
A dispensing apparatus (for delivering metered doses from a pressurized dispensing container) having a housing receiving the container and a dose counter with dose indication element. The dose counter has an indexing mechanism advancing the indication element on container actuation. The dispensing apparatus has an indexing member moving within the housing in sync with the container wherein on actuation of the container in a normal mode of operation the indexing member interfaces with the indexing mechanism to apply a force to the indexing mechanism to incrementally advance the indication element. The indexing member and mechanism are configured to cooperate with one another, upon the input of a force in a second mode, such that the indexing mechanism transmits a force to the indexing member sufficient to generate a relative displacing movement between the indexing member and mechanism without incurring incremental advancement of the indication element.
US09227026B2
A medical hand and arm protection apparatus and method of protection comprising a protective shell which is capable of receiving a patient's hand and arm. A sheet is attached to the protective shell, which is tucked under the patient to anchor the hand and arm protector in place. The protective shell also has one or more perforations that allow the medical professional access to the interior of the surgical arm protector to view the patient's IV sites and other medical equipment attached to the patient's hand or arm.
US09227024B2
One or more intravenous catheter assemblies are monitored to ensure compliance with required hygienic procedures and/or to ensure only persons who have properly sanitized their hands are allowed to attend to such catheter assemblies. Detecting electrodes incorporated as part of such catheter assemblies facilitate determination as to whether potential contamination may have occurred. The hygienic status of a health care worker attending to the catheter assembly, as possibly evidenced by detected use of a sanitizer, may be used to determine whether the catheter assembly is being subjected to contamination.
US09227020B2
A disposable remote-injection syringe comprises a syringe needle (2), an inner tube (3), an outer tube (4) and a casing (10), the syringe needle (2) being arranged on one end of the inner tube (3), the inner tube (3) being arranged in the outer tube (4), the outer tube (4) being connected with the casing (10).
US09227014B2
Techniques for controlling an insulin pump include determining values for parameters selected from a group including a first prediction time horizon, a predicted glucose threshold (Goff) for turning the insulin pump off, a maximum shut off time within a time window, and duration of the time window. A safety rule is determined based on the maximum shut off time within the duration. Glucose readings are collected up to a current time. An expected current glucose value G and glucose temporal rate of change are determined based only on the glucose readings and a Kalman filter configured for noisy glucose readings. A glucose level (Gh1) is predicted for a future time that is the prediction time horizon after the current time. A command is issued to shut off the insulin pump if it is determined both that Gh1 is less than Goff and that the safety rule is satisfied.
US09227004B2
A peritoneal dialysis machine includes an enclosure; dialysate pump located within the enclosure; a graphical user interface allowing a patient to program a treatment including at least one patient fill performed by the dialysate pump, at least one dwell, and at least one drain performed by the dialysate pump; and the GUI further programmed to provide an alert when it is time to begin the treatment so as to complete the at least one patient fill, dwell and drain by a prescribed time.
US09227000B2
A portable system for subatmospheric pressure therapy in connection with healing a surgical wound, includes a wound dressing dimensioned for positioning relative to a wound bed of a subject, a portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism dimensioned to be carried or worn by the subject and a container for collecting exudates from the wound bed removed under the subatmospheric pressure supplied by the subatmospheric pressure mechanism. The portable subatmospheric pressure mechanism includes a housing, a subatmospheric pressure source disposed within the housing and in fluid communication with the wound dressing to supply subatmospheric pressure to the wound dressing and a power source mounted to or within the housing for supplying power to actuate the subatmospheric pressure source.
US09226985B2
An ultraviolet sanitizer for non-contact sanitizing of handheld devices includes a device receptacle moveable adjacent a UV light source within a housing. The receptacle and a housing closure are moveable in response to detection of receipt of a handheld device in the receptacle.
US09226974B2
Antiproliferative compounds having a structure represented by formula (II), where n, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein, can be used to treat tumors, optionally when conjugated to a ligand such as an antibody:
US09226972B2
Disclosed are targeted particles comprising or consisting of a plurality of landscape phage fusion proteins complexed with heterologous nucleic acid, the landscape phage fusion proteins displaying a heterologous peptide and the targeted particle binding specifically to a target site. The particles may be utilized in methods for modulating expression of genes in target cells.
US09226970B2
Disclosed are compounds comprising diaromatic substituted compound residues, namely the anti-viral (anti-HIV) drug delavirdine, covalently attached via a linkage to water-soluble, non-peptidic oligomers, specifically to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomers. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over non-oligomer modified diaromatic substituted compounds.
US09226969B2
Among other aspects, provided herein is a hydrohalide salt of a multi-arm water-soluble polyethylene glycol-drug conjugate, along with related methods of making and using the same. The hydrohalide salt is stably formed, and appears to be more resistant to hydrolytic degradation than the corresponding free base form of the conjugate.
US09226953B2
The invention relates to variants of plasminogen and plasmin comprising one or more point mutations in the catalytic domain which reduce or prevent autocatylic destruction of the protease activity of plasmin. Compositions, uses and methods of using said variants of plasminogen and plasmin are also disclosed.
US09226951B2
Fibrillar human serum albumin was shown to be effective in the treatment of various types of cancers. Methods and compositions are disclosed for using fibrillar human serum albumin as a medicament to treat subjects having cancer.
US09226949B2
The present invention relates to fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF-18) variants having various truncations beyond the signal peptide domain of the N-terminus, which activate FGFR3 with increased specificity. The invention further relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants, pharmaceutical compositions comprising same and methods for use thereof in treating cartilage and skeletal disorders.
US09226942B2
A method of expanding hematopoietic stem cells. Also disclosed is a method of diagnosing primary or secondary bone marrow failure syndrome. The invention further includes a method of treating primary or secondary bone marrow failure syndrome.
US09226939B2
The invention relates to a method of inhibiting the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histones in a subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a polyanion to the subject. In particular the invention relates to a method for the treatment of patients who are suffering from sepsis and employs polyanions to rapidly form complexes with and thus neutralize or inhibit the cytotoxic activity of extracellular histone proteins, for example, those found in the blood circulation of sepsis patients.
US09226934B2
The present invention is directed to an anti-cancer drug containing an anti-MFG-E8 antibody as an active ingredient, and to an anti-cancer drug which employs an anti-MFG-E8 antibody in combination with a cancer therapy employing an anti-cancer agent other than the anti-MFG-E8 antibody.
US09226929B2
The present invention relates to disubstituted triazine derivatives and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, the use of these derivatives as pharmaceutically active agents, especially for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of infectious diseases, including opportunistic diseases, immunological diseases, autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cell proliferative diseases, inflammation, erectile dysfunction and stroke, and pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of said disubstituted triazine derivatives and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of said disubstituted triazine derivatives as inhibitors for a protein kinase.
US09226927B2
Disclosed herein are compounds of Formula (I) (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein each of the substituents is given the definition as set forth in the specification and claims. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compound of Formula (I) and use of the compound in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
US09226923B2
The present invention relates to spirocyclic compounds of formula I, namely spirocyclic (1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-3-(1-(2,6-dichloro-3-fluorophenyl)ethoxy)pyridin-2-amines having protein kinase inhibitory activity, and methods of synthesizing and using such compounds. Preferred compounds are c-Met and/or ALK inhibitors useful for the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancers. R2 is selected from
US09226913B2
Provided herein are methods for treating cancers by administering immunomodulatory compounds in combination with artemisinin or a derivative thereof. In particular, methods for treating cancers by administering lenalidomide in combination with artemisinin or a derivative thereof are provided.
US09226907B2
The present invention generally provides a method of treatment and improvement of quality of life for patients adversely affected by various pain conditions. One preferred embodiment provides a method of treatment of acute pain, moderate to moderately severe pain, chronic pain, non-cancer pain, osteoarthritic pain, bunionectomy pain or lower back pain in a patient in need thereof, comprising providing at least one or two dosage form having about 15 mg of hydrocodone and its salt and about 500 mg of acetaminophen, once, twice or thrice daily. Preferably, the dosage form is about 30 mg of hydrocodone and about 1000 mg of acetaminophen taken twice daily. Alternatively, the dosage form is about 15 mg of hydrocodone and about 500 mg of acetaminophen taken twice daily.
US09226905B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating a muscle wasting-related disease comprising diaminodiphenylsulfone (Dapsone; DDS) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. The composition according to the present invention may be effectively used to prevent or treat a muscle wasting-related disease by increasing muscle mass, preventing muscle loss and effectively restoring muscle function.
US09226898B1
A method of treating a patient exposed to radiation before the patient is thrombocytopenic, comprising: intravenous infusion of protein spheres at a concentration of the protein spheres sufficient to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the irradiated patient, wherein the protein spheres are formed from soluble proteins without the addition of surfactants or detergents, and the protein spheres spontaneously and directly bind at least one coagulation factor without the aid of other molecules which specifically bind the at least one coagulation factor.
US09226895B2
Methods and associated kits for use in selectively conditioning and remineralizing teeth. An exemplary method comprises the steps of applying a conditioning composition to one or more of a person's teeth, and applying a remineralizing composition to the person's teeth. The conditioning composition includes a conditioning agent, and the remineralizing composition includes a remineralizing agent comprising calcium ions and/or fluoride ions. The conditioning composition may be applied prior to or after application of the remineralizing composition. In one embodiment, both the conditioning composition and the remineralizing composition include different remineralizing ions (e.g., one including calcium, one including fluoride).
US09226878B2
A naso/orogastric device having backflow blocking means and comprises a naso/orogastric tube sized and shaped for being disposed within the esophagus so that at least a distal end thereof being placed in the stomach lumen of a patient, at least one elastic esophageal body, positioned along the naso/orogastric tube, having a pressure dependent volume, at least one esophageal sensor that detects fluid around at least one segment of the naso/orogastric tube, and a pressure regulator that regulates a pressure within the elastic esophageal body according to the detection.
US09226875B2
A multi-container transfer and delivery device configured to allow multiple containers to transfer and mix their respective materials and for receiving of the mixed materials to a delivery device. The transfer device comprises a plurality of flow conduits for fluid flow between the multiple containers and the delivery device. Methods of mixing using the device and methods of sterilizing the device are described. A drug mixing kit comprising a multi-container housing with a plurality of flow conduits and a plurality of compartments for receiving containers and a transfer device is also described.
US09226868B2
A rolling walker comprises a frame, a seat supported by that frame, and a backrest supported by the frame. By one approach the backrest is configured to selectively move between a first position that provides back support for a person sitting in the seat facing in a forward direction and a second position that provides back support for a person sitting in the seat facing in a rearward direction. If desired, this backrest can be comprised of a material (such as a memory foam material) that biases the backrest towards that first position when the backrest is in the first position and that biases the backrest towards the second position when the backrest is in the second position.
US09226864B2
An orthopedic toilet seat includes a frame supporting a seat. The frame is moveable over an existing toilet so that the seat is positioned to allow a person to use the toilet when sitting on the seat. The toilet seat may be configured so that the femur to spine, and femur to shin, joint angles are between 90° and 140°. Also, the seat is configured to be disposed at an angle between 5° and 65° above horizontal.
US09226862B2
A containment pant includes a chassis having a front waist region, a back waist region, and a crotch region joined between the front waist region and the back waist region. The containment pant includes a sling positioned within the chassis and being joined to the front waist region and the back waist region. The sling includes a fluid-impervious base sheet and a containment flap joined with the base sheet to define a fluid-impervious pouch. The fluid-impervious pouch defines a first end containment flap having a first positioning key.
US09226857B2
A disposable absorbent article comprising a front waist region, a rear waist region, and a crotch region, wherein said absorbent article further comprises at least three discrete elements each comprising at least one visible surface; wherein at least three or more of the visible surfaces comprise an imparted color wherein said colors are color matched. Color matching exists when said colors are contained within a specified CIELab color space volume, have a specified hue difference, or total color difference.
US09226854B2
A steerable laser probe may include a handle, an actuation structure of the handle, a housing tube, an optic fiber, and an optic fiber sleeve. The housing tube may have a first housing tube portion having a first stiffness and a second housing tube portion having a second stiffness. The second stiffness may be greater that the first stiffness. The optic fiber may be disposed within an inner bore of the handle, the optic fiber sleeve, the actuation structure, and the housing tube. The optic fiber sleeve may enclose at least a portion of the optic fiber and the optic fiber sleeve may be disposed within the actuation structure and the housing tube. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to curve the housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09226846B2
A bandaging material in the form of a linear structure. The material has a first layer formed by a composite containing a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group of polymers and mixtures thereof, and a woody material derived from platy or granular wood particles having a minimum average size in one dimension of 0.1 mm. The material further has a second layer of a textile material having a first and a second surface. The first layer is superposed on the second layer in such a way that the first layer is essentially attached only to the first surface of said second layer. In this way, a bandaging material is obtained which has a suitably small self-adhesion which allows for it being coiled to a roll without force during manufacturing process. The bandaging material can further be uncoiled smoothly by hand followed by subsequent applying of it around limb at application temperature without delamination.
US09226845B2
A posture support system, which may alternatively act as a structural support for a backpack and/or be incorporated in a body garment or undergarment, employs a pair of contoured cap sleeves which cradle the humeral heads so as to extend over the scapulas and down over the humerus. The forward end extends as a strap under one of the armpits and connects at its end to the top of a vertically extending central strap extending over the spine. The central strap connects to a waist encircling lumbar support strap. The posterior strap-like ends of the shoulder caps extend over the back and also connect to the top of the spinal strap. By use of adjustable connections to a central disk at the top of the back strap and elastic fabrics in the straps, the shoulders are pulled rearwardly and downwardly so that the body weight is supported over the hips.
US09226843B2
An orthotic device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a substantially rigid internal footbed with an external rocker bottom, two struts rigidly coupled to the footbed, a paddle coupled to each strut, each paddle having an inner surface configured to face a limb of a patient, and a strap system configured to interface with the paddles for tightening around the limb, the inner surfaces of the paddles including a plurality of protrusions configured to minimize sliding of the first and second paddles with respect to the limb or with respect to a cast applied to the limb. The orthotic device may include two or more support layers on the footbed, each layer having a support aperture larger than and at least partially overlapping the support aperture below.
US09226838B2
An absorbable blood vessel stent (100) has a near end and a far end. A tubular patterned structure is formed between the near end and the far end. The patterned structure comprises a plurality of support bars and connection bars (2, 3). The support bar or the connection bar (2, 3) comprises a straight line section, a U-shaped section, or an S-shaped section, and at least one through groove or through hole (5, 6) is provided on at least one support bar. Because of the special structure of the blood vessel stent (100), the performance of an iron blood vessel stent can be improved, and blood vessel stents made of other absorbable materials can be decomposed more rapidly.
US09226836B2
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US09226830B2
A kit for implanting a glenoid component in one embodiment includes a retroversion glenoid component including a generally flat glenoid bone contacting surface defining a first plane, a first offset peg extending away from the glenoid bone contacting surface, a concave articulating surface, an upper surface extending about the concave articulating surface and generally opposite to the glenoid bone contacting surface, the upper surface defining a second plane, the second plane angled with respect to the first plane, and a drill guide configured to guide a drill in forming a bore in a scapula to receive the first offset peg.
US09226816B2
A method of replacing an ACL with a graft. The method provides for the drilling bone tunnels in a femur and a tibia. A replacement graft is provided having first and second ends. A biodegradable composite screw is provided. The screw is made from a biodegradable polymer and a bioceramic or a bioglass. At least one end of the graft is secured in a bone tunnel using the biodegradable composite screw.
US09226814B2
A stent graft (40) for treating Type-A dissections in the ascending aorta (22) is provided with a plurality of diameter reducing suture loops (56-60) operable to constrain the stent graft during deployment thereof in a patient's aorta. The diameter reducing loops (56-60) allow the stent graft (40) to be partially deployed, in such a manner that its location can be precisely adjusted in the patient's lumen. In this manner, the stent graft can be placed just by the coronary arteries (26, 28) with confidence that these will not be blocked. The stent graft (40) is also provided with proximal and distal bare stents (44,52) for anchoring purposes.
US09226808B2
An attachment section suitable for connection to a handle section of an oral hygiene device is disclosed. The attachment section includes an attachment housing having a first coupling structure suitable for establishing a connection with a second coupling structure of the handle section; at least a functional element mounted at the attachment housing for driven movement; a motion transmitter extending in a cavity formed inside of the attachment housing, the motion transmitter being functionally connected on one end with the functional element; and a first magnetic coupling element arranged at another end of the motion transmitter, the first magnetic coupling element including at least a permanent magnet or a magnetizable element suitable for establishing a magnetic connection with a second magnetic coupling element provided in the handle section.
US09226801B2
A multifunctional diagnostic tray configured to clasp an oral structure when positioned in a mouth. The tray may be digitally designed from surface scan data of the mouth and manufactured. The tray provides a temporary positioning reference location that may be viewed in a tomography scan data set. The tray may be used to orient and verify the tomography scan data set and the surface scan data set to create a combined master data file that may be used to determine the appropriate location for a dental implant or other dental procedure.
US09226799B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for inertially tracked objects with a kinematic coupling. A tracked pose of a first inertial measurement unit (IMU) is determined, wherein the first IMU is mounted to a first object. The tracked pose of the first IMU is reset while the first object is in a first reproducible reference pose with a second object.
US09226797B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for cosmetic injection. The apparatus includes a processor; a 3D imaging system coupled to the processor; and an injector controlled by the processor to inject filler into a patient.
US09226790B2
Provided are a variety of systems, techniques and machine readable programs for using plasmas to treat different skin conditions as well as other conditions, such as tumors, bacterial infections and the like. Flexible treatment electrodes are provided to conform to anatomical surfaces that can be inflatable in some implementations to conform the surface of the flexible treatment electrodes to the anatomy being treated.
US09226785B2
The invention encompasses a bone screw for use in the human body including a shaft having a threaded region along at least a portion of its length and a screw head including a locking mechanism to secure the screw, for example to a bone plate. In certain embodiments, the thread has an outer diameter dimensioned to pass through the screw hole in the implant. The screw head is configured to cooperatively engage at least a portion of the screw hole of the implant so as to prevent the screw from coming out of the implant and avoided soft tissue damage and other complications associated with unintended screw removal.
US09226781B2
Various embodiments described herein provide interspinous process spacing devices and related systems and methods. In one embodiment, surgical instrument system for implanting an interspinous process spacing device includes a first arm having a proximal end, an elongated central portion, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a first engagement element configured for releasably engaging a first attachment side of an interspinous process spacing device. The system also includes a second arm having a proximal end, an elongated central portion, and a distal end, wherein the distal end includes a second engagement element configured for releasably engaging a second attachment side of the interspinous process spacing device. The first arm and the second arm are removably attachable to one another via attachment elements and are configured for aligning a spacer of the first attachment side and a spacer opening of the second attachment side.
US09226775B2
A bone plate system including a bone plate and a bone screw with an integrated locking mechanism is disclosed. The bone screw includes an elongate member having a threaded shank and a bone screw head that is radially deformable. The integrated locking mechanism sits within the bone screw head and can rotate between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. When the bone screw head is seated within an aperture in the bone plate, rotating the integrated locking mechanism into the locked condition helps to prevent bone screw backout.
US09226771B2
A medical device for providing direct port-like endoscopic access to the urinary bladder, or other orifice, of a patient and a method of utilizing and inserting the medical device. The medical device can include a hollow tube with a main channel and a separate channel, a cap with an inflation port and a hollow flexible stem fluidly connecting the inflation port and the separate channel. A method can include inserting a needle above the pubic symphysis of a mammal, threading a guide wire through the needle, removing the needle and inserting the medical device. The method can optionally include determining measuring the depth between the skin surface of the patient's suprapubic region and urinary bladder.
US09226765B2
A surgical endoscopic cutting device includes cutting elements fitted in a protective tube. The device has an inlet for fluid, a discharge outlet for tissue and fluid, and a further outlet that discharges most of the fluid.
US09226759B2
Low profile reamers and methods of use are provided which can, in general, allow a hole to be drilled in bone. In one embodiment, a low profile retractable bone reamer is provided having an elongate shaft with a cutting element disposed on a distal end of the elongate shaft that can be configured to drill a hole in bone. The elongate shaft and cutting element can have first and second longitudinally separated portions that are movably coupled to each other. The reamer can be configured to move between a retracted configuration, in which a the reamer has a reduced, low profile configuration, and a non-retracted configuration, in which both longitudinally separated portions of the cutting element can be positioned adjacent to one another to form a single cutting element.
US09226755B2
A stylus assembly (10) adapted to align a surgical tool with a bone, the stylus assembly (10) comprising: a mounting element (12,18); a tool guide (50) adjustably mounted relative to the mounting element (12,18); a stylus (16) adjustably mounted relative to the mounting element (12,18) and having a curved portion for engagement with a predetermined part of the bone; and a lockable retaining member (14) for simultaneously locking the surgical tool guide (50) and the stylus (16) to the mounting element (12,18).
US09226753B2
Medical devices and methods are provided for forming an intestinal bypass anastomosis, such as for treatment of obesity. The medical devices and methods are minimally invasive and reduce complications. Two magnet assemblies are deployed in a spaced apart relationship, and are transluminally brought together to approximate the tissue and form an anastomosis therebetween.
US09226746B2
Endoscopic devices and methods used for fastening multiple tissue layers, such as, for example, an endoscopic fundoplication procedure, are disclosed. The endoluminal device includes a tissue fastener, a flexible needle having means for grasping and releasing a portion of the tissue fastener, and a deflector for deflecting and guiding the needle toward the multiple tissue layers.
US09226737B2
The present invention relates to a negative pressure wound closure system and methods for using such a system. Preferred embodiments of the invention facilitate closure of the wound by preferentially contracting to provide for movement of the tissue. Preferred embodiments can utilize tissue grasping elements to apply a wound closing force to the tissue.
US09226732B2
Devices for extracting bone marrow from a bone of a patient are disclosed. The device includes a housing defined in part by a cannula and a hollow needle disposed within the cannula. The hollow needle is movable axially relative to the cannula and extendable therefrom. The hollow needle is configured to aspirate bone marrow within a bone. A depth adjustment mechanism coupled to the hollow needle and the cannula is used to adjust the depth of the hollow needle relative to the cannula to control the distance of the needle within the bone. The device is attachable to an extraction device to extract bone marrow from the patient through the hollow needle. Methods of using these devices and methods of extracting bone marrow are also included.
US09226723B2
A spectral computed tomography (CT) ordered subsets (OS) reconstruction method using two sets of projection data having a different number of views is provided. The method includes obtaining a first set of projection data that includes single-energy CT data for a first number of views, obtaining a second set of projection data that includes spectral CT data for a second number of views, wherein the first and second numbers are integers and the second number is smaller than the first number, partitioning the first set of projection data into N equal-sized subsets of projection data, including the second set of projection data in each of the N subsets of projection data to generate N expanded subsets of projection data, and performing OS reconstruction with the N expanded subsets of projection data to generate a reconstructed CT image.
US09226715B2
The X-ray CT apparatus of the embodiment includes an X-ray generating part, an X-ray detector, a reconstruction function setting part, and a reconstruction processor. The X-ray generating part generates X-rays while rotating in a circuital orbit around the subject. The X-ray detector has a plurality of channels and detects the X-rays transmitted through the subject in each channel. The reconstruction function setting part sets the reconstruction function using statistics representing the statistical dispersion of the X-ray amount of the detected X-rays and a predetermined reference reconstruction function. The reconstruction processor carries out the reconstructing the projection data based on the detected X-rays based on the reconstruction function and produces image data.
US09226712B2
A physiological sensor having reduced sensitivity to interference includes a light source, a light detector in optical communication with the light source, and a sensor pad at least partially housing the light source and the light detector. The sensor pad is configured to be capacitively isolated from a patient. Moreover, the physiological sensor may be electrically connected to an amplifier having a signal ground and a monitor.
US09226710B2
A medical probe, including a flexible insertion tube having a distal end for insertion into a body cavity and including one or more sensors mounted in the distal end, and a handle coupled to a proximal end of the insertion tube. The medical probe also includes a cable having a proximal end and a distal end, which is coupled to the handle so as to receive signals conveyed through the insertion tube from the one or more sensors, and a base unit coupled to the proximal end of the cable. The base unit contains a power source, and a probe wireless transceiver coupled to receive the signals from the cable and to communicate over a wireless connection with a control console.
US09226705B2
A human body support, such as a chair, has a plurality of support segments that are arranged in an array. Each support segment has a protrusion elevation that is independently variable and controllable in its distance of protrusion elevation against the supported human body. A sensor is connected to a human body on the support and senses a human body parameter that can indicate the presence of drowsiness. A controller analyzes the sensed parameter to detect whether the sensed parameter is within a range indicating the presence of drowsiness. The controller applies a wave of varying segment protrusion elevation against the human body in response to the detection of drowsiness. The wave progresses in a direction from an inferior location on the human body toward a more superior location. Alternatively, a wave of electrical stimuli is applied by similarly positioned electrodes and causes periodic tightening and relaxing of proximate muscles.
US09226692B2
Provided is a method, system and computer readable-medium to evaluate lameness in a four-legged animal. The method includes selecting a gait analysis test. Test data associated with the animal is collected for a plurality of gait cycles at a speed associated with the test. The test data is collected in relation to a pressure sensor pad having a plurality of sensors. A plurality of paws and associated paw pressure of the animal are identified in association with each of the cycles in relation to the sensor pad. A gait lameness score is computed in association with a paw based on a ratio of, a total paw pressure for the paw in the plurality of gait cycles divided by total pressure for the plurality of paws in the plurality gait cycles, and a mean paw pressure for the paw that is expected by a breed of the animal.
US09226691B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for estimating tidal chest volume using 3D surface reconstruction based on an analysis of captured reflections of structured illumination patterns from the subject with a video camera. The imaging system hereof captures the reflection of the light patterns from a target area of the subject's thoracic region. The captured information produces a depth map and a volume is estimated from the resulting 3D map. The teachings hereof provide a non-contact approach to patient respiration monitoring that is particularly useful for infant care in a neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU), and can aid in the early detection of sudden deterioration of physiological condition due to detectable changes in respiratory function. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an effective tool for tidal chest volume study and respiratory function analysis.
US09226690B2
A method for determining anatomical dead space in a respiratory tract of a living organizm, include the steps of continuously and simultaneously measuring flow (F) and respiratory air density (D) during exhalation (EX) over time (T). The time is measured from the start of exhalation, in which the flow is greater than zero, until the dead space point at which, after significant decreases following the start, the respiratory air density merges to an approximately constant value. The integral of the flow is formed from the start point until the dead space end point, the measurements of the respiratory air density and the flow from the start until the dead space end point and during the short time, as that time span in which the respiratory air density assumes an approximately constant value, taken place multiple times in each case.
US09226689B2
A surgical instrument is disclosed having an elongated body portion having a proximal end and a distal end. The body portion is formed from a plastically deformable material such that the body portion can be bent between the proximal and distal ends from a first configuration to a second bent configuration and maintains the bent configuration. A flexible circuit having at least a pair of lead wires disposed around the body portion. The pair of lead wires are configured to conform to the bent configuration of the body portion such that they do not break during bending of the body portion. A tracking device adapted to cooperate with a navigation system to track the distal end of the instrument is coupled to the flexible circuit.
US09226686B2
Medical procedure related objects (e.g., instruments, supplies) tagged with transponders may be accounted for in a medical procedure environment via a medical object accounting system using a number of antennas, and optional readers. A first set of antennas may be configured to interrogate sterile fields and/or non-sterile fields which do not encompass a body of a patient to account for the objects proximate a start and an end of a medical procedure. Sterile fields may encompass working surfaces of tables and stands, typically used by nurses. Readers (e.g., symbol, RFID) may be employed. A database may be maintained with information including a current status of each instrument or supply, for instance as checked in or checked out. On notification of a discrepancy, a handheld antenna and/or second set of antennas may interrogate a volume encompassing a body of a patient for retained instruments or supplies. The system may be automatically configured (e.g., loading appropriate software) on communicative coupling of a device (e.g., antenna, reader, peripheral device).
US09226685B2
The invention relates to an MRI system, comprising: an examination table including a cradle in which a patient may be positioned; a magnetic assembly disposed in the examination table and including first and second electrode assemblies, the respective electrode surfaces of which are disposed so as to be perpendicularly spaced apart by a certain distance and opposite each other such that space for imaging may be formed therebetween; and an RF coil unit contactingly or contactlessly attached to a part of a patient to be examined or an attached part corresponding to the part to be examined, applying an RF pulse to the part of the patient to be examined, and detecting an MR signal from the examined part.
US09226679B2
A retractable multi-use cardiac monitor is provided that includes a memory, and first and second sensing connectors positioned on outsides of first and second housings, respectively. The first and second sensing connectors are configured to detect electrocardiogram (ECG) signals that are stored onto the memory as ECG data. The second housing of the retractable multi-use cardiac monitor also includes a wire retractor configured to extend and retract a wire that connects the second and first housings, and that defines an interelectrode distance between the first and second sensing connectors. The retractable multi-use cardiac monitor further includes systems and methods for determining a length for the interelectrode distance that is optimum in terms of strength and fidelity of the detected ECG signals. The retractable multi-use cardiac monitor further includes a wireless radio configured to transmit a portion of the stored ECG data from the memory to a destination.
US09226675B2
In an electrocardiography measurement method and device, a signal processor determines a baseline value, a maximum wave amplitude value, and a minimum wave amplitude value in an electrocardiogram signal. When the signal processor determines that a difference of the maximum wave amplitude value minus the baseline value is less than a difference of the baseline value minus the minimum wave amplitude value, the signal processor performs a correction process for correcting the electrocardiogram signal.
US09226661B2
An apparatus and method for measuring perfusion in a tissue. The method comprising the steps of recording images of the tissue under laser light, calculating a plurality of contrast images from the plurality of images of the tissue, determining a power spectrum of scattered light from the plurality of contrast images, and determining perfusion from the power spectrum. The apparatus comprises a digital video camera, a laser light source, and a processor arranged to operate the camera to produce a plurality of images with different exposure times, receive the plurality of images from the camera and process the images to determine a power spectrum and determine perfusion from the power spectrum.
US09226659B2
A fundus camera according to the present invention includes a light metering unit configured to change a light metering area within an image captured by an imaging unit based on one of a position and a size of a light blocking member, and a controlling unit configured to control an amount of light emission from a light source based on a light metering value corresponding to the light metering area.
US09226657B2
The determination of objective refraction data for an eye of a spectacle wearer, wherein based on measured data for the eye of the spectacle wearer, which determine at least one first set of Zernike coefficients of a wave front aberration for a long accommodation and a second set of Zernike coefficients of a wave front aberration for a short accommodation of the eye, objective refraction data for sphere (SphNcorr), cylinder (CylNcorr) and axis position (AxisNcorr) of the eye for close viewing is determined such that the objective refraction data satisfies equations Sph N corr = M N corr + ( J N , 0 corr ) 2 + ( J N , 45 corr ) 2 , Cyl N corr = - 2 ( J N , 0 corr ) 2 + ( J N , 45 corr ) 2 and Axis N corr = 1 2 arctan ( - J N , 0 corr , - J N , 45 corr ) + π 2 for a corrected power vector PNcorr for near viewing, wherein said corrected power vector PNcorr corresponds, based on a difference Δ P = ( Δ M Δ J ) = P N - P F between a first power vector P F = ( M F J F ) and a second power vector P N = ( M N J N ) to the value P N - ( A 1 N 0 0 ) , when ΔM>A1N; and to the value P F + A 1 N Δ M ( 0 Δ J ) , when ΔM≦A1N, wherein A 1 N = - 1 d is the spherical equivalent of a predetermined object distance d for close viewing.
US09226654B2
Systems and methods for classifying abnormalities within optical coherence tomography images of the eye are presented. One embodiment of the present invention is the classification of pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) based on characteristics of their internal reflectivity, size and shape. The classification can be based on selected subsets of the data located within or surrounding the abnormalities. Training data can be used to generate the classification scheme and the classification can be weighted to highlight specific classes of particular clinical interest.
US09226643B2
A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket is configured for mounting to a rack assembly of the dishwasher appliance. With the silverware basket mounted to the rack assembly, a handle of the silverware basket permits a user to selectively remove the rack assembly from a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance or selectively dismount the silverware basket from the rack assembly.
US09226640B1
A mop trolley with a central mop sprayer and mop rest including a wheeled U-shaped base and a continuous recess therein, a pair of removable buckets atop the recess, and an upright support between the buckets. A manually-operable liquid pump assembly between the buckets includes a pump housing containing a pump operated by a pump lever which pumps liquid from an inlet hose in one bucket through a water outlet tube having liquid jet dispensers therealong which, in turn, spray onto a mop cleaning end resting on a mesh tray positioned between the pump housing and the upright support. The mesh tray has openings through which the water used to clean the mop is dispensed into the other bucket. A mop rest hook, disposed on an underside of a cross-member support that supports the liquid jet dispensers, supports a handle of the mop situated on the mesh tray.
US09226639B1
A flat mop tool is provided. When it is moved forward and applied with a force, first connecting members are pushed forward to slant upward and a second board portion is in contact with the ground tightly; meanwhile, the front upper ends of the first connecting members lift a first board portion upward to be away from the ground through third connecting members. The dust on the ground is pushed forward to be underneath the first board portion to collect dust forward. When it moved rearward and applied with a force, the first connecting members are pushed rearward to slant upward and the first board portion is pushed downward to get contact with the ground to collect and attract the dust; meanwhile, the second board portion is lifted upward and the dust is pushed rearward to be underneath the second board portion to collect dust rearward.
US09226635B2
A control method of a robot cleaner for traveling to clean includes checking information about a predetermined traveling pattern; determining a traveling trajectory based on a traveling speed; generating a traveling pattern based on the determined traveling trajectory and the information about the predetermined traveling pattern, wherein the traveling pattern includes a first straight path, a first rotation path connected to the first straight path and for rotation in a first direction, a second straight path connected to the first rotation path, and a second rotation path connected to the second straight path and for rotation in a second direction; and repeatedly traveling along the generated traveling pattern at regular intervals. Therefore, since the robot cleaner performs cleaning without scattering dust, the efficiency of cleaning may be improved.
US09226630B2
A vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The present invention relates to a vacuum cleaner that is able to form dust and foreign substances collected in a dust collection device provided therein in a single mass shape to discharge it efficiently, not scattered in a dust collecting device. The vacuum cleaner includes a body, a dust collection device collecting dust and foreign substances therein, a compression device provided in the dust collection device to collect the dust and foreign substances collected in a predetermined portion of the dust collection device and to compress the collected dust and foreign substances, and a liquid supply device arranged in the dust collection device, in communication with an inside of the dust collection device, to supply liquid material to the dust collection device.
US09226628B2
A flushable tool for cleaning a toilet bowl has an elongated water soluble handle, one end of which carries a water soluble cleaning agent.
US09226623B2
A surround includes a first piece including a basin, a second piece having a second piece back wall and a second piece side wall attaching to the second piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the first piece, and a third piece having a third piece back wall and a third piece side wall attaching to the third piece back wall for being disposed horizontally atop the second piece back wall and the second piece side wall, wherein the first piece, the second piece and the third piece form a package wherein one of the second piece or the third piece is disposed about the basin and an other of the second piece or the third piece nests behind the one of the second piece or the third piece.
US09226622B2
A two point door latch device having a master latch assembly, an auxiliary latch assembly, a linkage operationally joining the master latch assembly and the auxiliary latch assembly, and a handle for operating the master latch assembly. Both the master latch assembly and the auxiliary latch assembly have bolts with beveled heads that extend from their respective housings or brackets when in a locked state, and both include springs which tend the bias the bolts to their unlocked states absent the handle being in the lock position. Furthermore, if the linkage becomes disconnected from the master latch assembly and/or the auxiliary latch assembly, or the linkage breaks, the springs will cause the bolts of the master latch assembly and the auxiliary latch assembly to be retracted to an opened state.
US09226620B2
A kitchen appliance includes a main body, a pivoting arm, which is arranged pivotably on the main body at a bearing, and a lever device for assisting a pivoting movement of the pivoting arm. The lever device, which assists the pivoting movement of the pivoting arm on the main body of the kitchen appliance, makes it possible to provide an operation which is safe for a user, since the movement of the pivoting arm is always controlled by the lever device. Furthermore, pivoting of the pivoting arm can be provided without direct interaction of the user.
US09226619B2
The present invention is a handheld device for flouring/breading foods comprising two chambers that are capable of removably connecting together each chamber having a sieve. The foods chamber can connect to the flour chamber in a screw-like fashion, using grooves and channels, using buttons and snap fittings, using magnets, hook and loop tape, wing nuts, or the like. Preferably, the openings in the food chamber sieve are greater in size than the openings in the flour chamber sieve which is removable. The device further comprises a lid hingedly connected to the top of the food chamber and a handle for grasping the device with one hand. The lid is preferably spring hinged such that when opened, the lid is maintained open preventing the lid from closing when the device is tilted. The present invention also includes the above device with more than two sieves decreasing in opening size from the top down in the device.
US09226617B1
A bottle assembly is described having a battery-powered heated elongated spout. A heater embedded along the length of the spout is typically activated by a switch provided on the assembly. A LED indicator is also typically provided to indicate when the heater is activated. The LED can also function as a battery level indicator that changes color when the battery packs level of charge is depleted to a predetermined level. A charging port is provided through which the battery pack can be recharged using a suitable charger.
US09226616B2
The present invention relates to a fryer (10) provided with a containing structure (11) inside which at least a frying basin (15) is present, which is filled with oil up to a preset maximum level, each frying basin (15) being provided with at least one drum (17) for containing the food to be fried, the fryer (10) further being provided with a perforated lid (20) comprising pass through holes (25, 27) for the passage of vapor and gas going upwards and of condensed vapor going downwards and means for cooling (21, 22, 23) and condensing vapor passing through said holes, and support means (16) of said vapor cooling means (21, 22, 23), characterized in that it further comprises means for adjusting the vapor flow (28).
US09226610B2
The invention specifies a double-walled liquid container having an inner side wall (4), an outer side wall (3), which is arranged outside the inner side wall (4), a retaining structure (1) and a fixing element (6), which is fitted on the retaining structure (1). The inner side wall (4) has an upper edge (41) and delimits an interior (9), which serves for accommodating a liquid. The outer side wall (3) has an upper edge (31) and a lower edge (32). The retaining structure (1) has an inner retaining element (162), in which the upper edge (41) of the inner side wall (4) is retained, and an outer retaining element (161), in which the upper edge (31) of the outer side wall (3) is retained. The fixing element (6) here fixes the lower edge (32) of the outer side wall (3) in relation to the retaining structure (1).
US09226606B1
A beret display apparatus is described. Embodiments of the beret display apparatus can generally include a base, a rod, and a member. The member can be adapted to wear a beret. For instance, the member can display a military style beret in an “as worn” presentation. The rod can be included to elevate the member and couple the member to the base. Generally, the rod can be coupled to the member in an offset position. By offsetting the member, a standard military style beret can appear centered on the base.
US09226601B2
A mountable article retaining system for retaining articles in a storage mode or a display mode is provided and includes a grid layout having an open wire grid and a plurality of corner assemblies secured to the open wire grid. The open wire grid has a rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area. The mountable article retaining system also includes a liaison component, the liaison component being securable to an external structure on which the grid layout is to be mounted and the liaison component being operable to maintain the grid layout relative to the external structure such that the rectilinear substantially planar suspension engagement area of the grid layout has a non-horizontal slope with at least one corner assembly being higher than another given corner assembly.
US09226598B1
A single-serve, sanitary, gravity-feed cutlery dispensing system without moving parts that holds 4-to-5 times the cutlery in prior art dispensers. Its base unit holds multiple refillable dispensing modules each having a valley at the bottom of a vertically-extending storage channel with a length dimension shorter than the cutlery housed therein, thus stored utensils have angled stacking while moving downwardly toward the valley. When one end of the bottommost utensil engages the valley, it becomes locked into a horizontally-extending dispensing position with opposing end user accessible. The utensil in the dispensing position blocks removal of stacked utensils remaining in the channel. Only withdrawal of the bottommost utensil causes a next utensil to drop down into the locked dispensing position. This arrangement also prevents reinsertion of dispensed utensils. Cutlery of any design is usable with the dispensing system, and dispensing occurs equally well with the handle or opposite end engaging the valley.
