US09229218B2
Microstructured hybrid actuator assemblies in which microactuators carrying designed surface properties to be revealed upon actuation are embedded in a layer of responsive materials. The microactuators in a microactuator array reversibly change their configuration in response to a change in the environment without requiring an external power source to switch their optical properties.
US09229216B2
An electronic eyepiece includes a digital microdisplay and an electrically switchable light blocking mechanism configured to selectively transmit or block light transmitted along an optical path toward the digital microdisplay to protect the microdisplay from the risk of light focus damage. Further, a method of protecting a digital microdisplay of an electronic eyepiece from light focus damage includes determining a risk of light focus damage, and selectively opening or closing an optical path to the digital microdisplay responsive to the risk of light focus damage exceeding a predetermined risk threshold.
US09229214B1
A parallax mitigation device and method is disclosed. The parallax mitigation device can be used in a reflex sight having a front portion for receiving light and a rear portion for providing a visual of a target and a projection of an aiming point superimposed on the visual to a user. The parallax mitigating device is placed at one of: the front portion, the rear portion, or in an optical path between the front and rear portion of the reflex sight. The parallax mitigating device is configured for indicating a center of the visual provided to the user to facilitate parallax mitigation of the reflex sight.
US09229209B2
An autofocus device for an imaging device is provided, which has an imaging optic having a first focal plane and an object table for moving an object to be imaged relative to the first focal plane, wherein said autofocus device comprises a) an image recording module having a second focal plane, the location thereof relative to the first focal plane being known, b) a lighting module (BM) for imaging a focusing image along a lighting beam path in a focusing image plane such that, if the object is positioned in a target position at a predetermined distance to the second focal plane, the lighting beam path is folded because of reflection on the object and the focusing image, which lies in the focusing image plane, intersects the second focal plane or lies therein, and c) a control module, which activates the object table to focus the imaging device so that the object is positioned in the target position, from a signal of the image recording module, which the image recording module generates on the basis of the recording thereof of the focusing image when the object is positioned in the target position, derives the deviation of the object position from the target position, and, based on the derived deviation, the predetermined distance, and the relative location of the first and second focal planes, activates the object table so that the object is positioned in the first focal plane.
US09229206B2
Disclosed is a projection optical system, including a first lens group configured to include at least one lens and have a positive refractive power, a second lens group configured to include at least one lens and have a positive refractive power, a third lens group configured to include at least one lens and have a negative refractive power, a fourth lens group configured to include at least one lens configured to have an aspheric surface or a free-form surface, and a concave mirror, wherein the first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, the fourth lens group, and the concave mirror are arranged in order and the projection optical system is a non-telecentric optical system.
US09229204B2
A zoom lens includes sequentially from an object side, a first lens section G11 having a negative refractive power and a second lens section G12 having a positive refractive power. The first lens section G11 includes sequentially from the object side, a negative lens L111, a negative lens L112, and a positive lens L113. Both surface of the negative lens L112 are aspheric. The second lens section G12 includes sequentially from the object side, a front group G12F having a positive refractive power and a rear group G12R having a positive refractive power. Both surfaces of a negative lens L126 included in the rear group G12R are aspheric. The zoom lens can maintain high imaging performance while achieving size reductions and wide angle views by satisfying given conditions.
US09229199B2
A zoom lens system includes, in order from an object, a front group G1 having negative refractive power, a rear group G2 having positive refractive power, zooming being conducted by varying a distance between the front group G1 and the rear group G2, the front group G1 including at least a negative lens and a positive lens, and the rear group G2 including, in order from an object side, a first partial group LA having positive refractive power, a second partial group LB having negative refractive power, a third partial group LC having positive refractive power and a negative lens LD, and predetermined conditions being satisfied, thereby providing a zoom lens system which is compact in size, and has small back focus and excellent optical property.
US09229197B2
Present embodiments provide for a mobile device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned sequentially from an object side to an image side. Though controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces and/or the refracting power of the lens elements, the optical imaging lens shows better optical characteristics and the total length of the optical imaging lens is shortened.
US09229196B2
The present disclosure illustrates an optical image capture module comprising an optical lens assembly, an aperture stop and an image plane. The optical lens assembly in order from an object side toward an image side comprising: a first lens element, having positive refractive power and a convex object-side surface adjacent to the optical axis; a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element which have refractive power adjacent to the optical axis; a fifth lens element having refractive power and a concave image-side surface adjacent to the optical axis; a sixth lens element having negative refractive power and a convex surface image-side surface adjacent to the optical axis, at least one of the object-side surface and image-side surface of the sixth lens element being aspheric and having at least one inflection point located between the optical axis and the peripheral surface.
US09229194B2
An imaging lens substantially consists of, in order from an object side, five lenses of a first lens that has a biconvex shape, a second lens that has a negative refractive power, a third lens, a fourth lens that has a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens that has a negative refractive power and has an object side surface and an image side surface which have aspheric shapes. Further, the imaging lens satisfies predetermined conditional expressions.
US09229191B2
The lens holding structure of the disclosure includes a lens; and a holding frame including a seat surface and holding the lens, wherein an inclination in a yaw direction and an inclination in a pitch direction of the lens in a state where the lens is brought into contact with the seat surface are substantially equal to an inclination in a yaw direction and an inclination in a pitch direction of the lens in a state where the lens is held by the holding frame, and a clearance is formed between the lens and the seat surface.
US09229188B2
An optical member drive control apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire first information corresponding to a movement speed of an optical member when a movement of the optical member is controlled and second information corresponding to a movement amount of the optical member; and a controller configured to output a signal to an actuator that moves the optical member and that can detect a drive amount of the actuator per unit time. The controller includes at least a first mode that carries out closed loop control of the actuator according to the detection result of the drive amount of the actuator per unit time and a second mode that carries out open loop control of the actuator, and the controller selects the first mode or the second mode based on the first information and the second information that have been acquired by the acquiring unit.
US09229178B2
A photoelectric coupling module includes a fiber module and a lens module. The fiber module defines a number of receiving holes and at least one positioning hole. The lens module includes a main body and at least one positioning pole. The main body includes a lens portion and a receiving portion. The lens portion includes a central portion and an edge portion surrounding the central portion, the central portion includes a plurality of lenses. The receiving portion is positioned on the edge portion. The at least one positioning pole is received in the receiving portion, and is positioned on the edge portion. One end of the fiber module is received in the receiving portion. The at least one positioning pole is received in the at least one positioning hole, and the lenses are aligned with the receiving holes.
US09229175B2
Fiber optic assemblies and systems for high-speed data-rate optical transport systems are disclosed that allow for optically interconnecting active assemblies to a trunk cable in a polarization-preserving manner. The fiber optic assembly includes at least first and second multifiber connectors each having respective pluralities of first and second ports that define respective pluralities of at least first and second groups of at least two ports each. The first and second multifiber connectors are capable of being disposed so that the at least first and second groups of ports are located on respective termination sides of each ferrule. The fiber optic assembly also has a plurality of optical fibers that connect the first and second ports according to a pairings method that maintains polarity between transmit and receive ports of respective active assemblies. At least one of the first and second groups are optically connected without flipping the fibers.
US09229172B2
The invention relates to a bend limiting structure for preventing a flexible optical circuit from being bent too sharply. More particularly, the invention involves adding a bend limiting layer or layers to the flexible optical circuit and/or any housing or other structure within which it is enclosed or to which it is attached. The bend-limiting layer may comprise a plurality of blocks arranged in a line or plane and joined by a flexible film that is thinner than the blocks with the blocks positioned close enough to each other so that, if that plane of blocks is bent a predetermined amount, the edges of the blocks will interfere with each other and prevent the plane from being bent any further. The blocks may be resilient also to provide a less abrupt bend-limiting stop.
US09229168B2
A semiconductor optical waveguide device includes a substrate having a first area and a second area, and first, second, and semiconductor mesas on the substrate. The first semiconductor mesa includes a cladding layer and a first mesa portion on the second area, the first mesa portion including first and second portions. The second semiconductor mesa includes an intermediate layer, a first core layer, and first and second mesa portions on the first and second areas, respectively. The third semiconductor mesa includes a second core layer, and first and second mesa portions having a greater width than that of the second semiconductor mesa. The first portion of the first semiconductor mesa has a substantially same width as the second mesa portion of the second semiconductor mesa. The first core layer is optically coupled to the second core layer through the intermediate layer disposed between the first and second core layers.
US09229158B2
Novel processing methods for production of high-refractive index contrast and low loss optical waveguides are disclosed. In one embodiment, a novel waveguide is produced by first depositing or growing a first low refractive index material layer as a cladding layer on top of a base substrate. Then, a first high refractive index material layer is deposited or transferred to the top of the cladding layer to form a slab core region. Subsequently, a second high refractive index material layer is deposited on top of the slab core region, and an etch mask layer is formed. Furthermore, the second high refractive index material layer is selectively etched by utilizing a dry-etching tool with high selectivity to the etch mask layer, and a second low refractive index material layer is deposited as a top cladding layer to encapsulate the second high refractive index material layer on top of lower cladding layers.
US09229156B2
An architecture comprising laser sub-modules may be used to reach the optical output powers desired for projection display for 2D and 3D viewing. Monitoring and control of the laser sub-modules within the architecture may be performed to achieve desired performance metrics.
US09229154B2
A backlight unit includes: light sources; a light guide member (120) arranged at a prescribed gap to the light sources such that light from the light sources enters from respective side faces (121) and exits from a light exiting surface (122); a first extending part (181) that extends along the side face (121) of the light guide member (120); and a second extending part (182) that extends along a surface of the light guide member (120) that is opposite to the light exiting surface (122). The backlight unit is provided with heat dissipation plates (180) that dissipate heat generated by the light sources. Each heat dissipation plate (180) has a larger area at the top portion than the bottom portion when the backlight unit is installed in a liquid crystal display device (1).
US09229151B2
Provided a light guide (11) including side surfaces on which light is incident, a reflection prism surface having plural prisms (12) on which light is reflected, and a light emitting surface from which the light is emitted, in which the reflection prism surface includes a first region (PA) in which a pitch of the prisms (12) varies and a second region (TA) in which a depth of the prisms (12) varies. In the light guide (11), the first region is arranged in the side surface on which the light is incident, and a second region (TA) is arranged adjacent to the first region and in an inward side of the light guide (11).
US09229147B2
The present invention relates to a backlight module suitable for transportation, which comprises a backlight unit, the backlight unit comprises a backplate, and a light source, as well as an optical film, a light guide plate and a reflection plate arranged in sequence on the backplate from up to down; the backlight module further comprises a fixing belt used for fixing the optical film, the fixing belt being tightly tied outside the backlight unit along at least one of the length and width directions of the backlight unit. This backlight module uses the fixing belt to fix the optical film instead of using the rubber frame to press against the optical film, thus the cost of the rubber frame assembly is saved, the optical film can be prevented from translocating due to vibration, and the winding strength can be ensured to be moderate.
US09229144B2
An optical system having an optical waveguide for outputting light, a receiver for receiving the light, and redirecting optics for outputting the light from the optical waveguide. The optical system can be used for light illumination. The optical system can further be used for diffusing light in illumination applications by replacing the receiver with a light source such that the light flows in the reverse of the concentration system.
US09229142B2
Provided is an optical film which is resistant to repelling, bright dots, irregularity, and the use of such an optical film in a liquid crystal display leads to high front contrast, reduced grayscale inversion, and a reduced difference between a front image and an oblique image in grayscale reproducibility and color. The optical film including a first optically anisotropic layer; and a second optically anisotropic layer on the first optically anisotropic layer, wherein the first optically anisotropic layer is a layer of liquid crystal compounds aligned and fixed by polymerization, and the surface tilt angle of molecules of the liquid crystal compound is in a range of 5° to 80° at a site in contact with the second optically anisotropic layer.
US09229140B2
The present invention provides an omnidirectional ultraviolet (UV)-infrared (IR) reflector. The omnidirectional UV-IR reflector includes a multilayer stack having at least three layers, the at least three layers having at least one first index of refraction material A1 and at least one second index of refraction layer B1. The at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer can be alternately stacked on top of each other to provide the at least three layers. In addition, the at least one first index of refraction material layer and the at least one second index of refraction material layer each have a predefined thickness of dA1 and dB1, respectively, with the thickness dA1 not being generally equal to the dB1 thickness such that the multilayer stack has a non-periodic layered structure.
US09229139B2
An optical shutter employed in an enhanced vision system includes a wavelength selective polarizing filter in optical association with a liquid crystal polarization modulator to rapidly switch between optical states to alternately transmit visible (VIS) radiation and near infrared (NIR) radiation. The wavelength selective polarizing filter imparts a polarization state to incident radiation and transmits polarized radiation within at least the visible wavelength region. The liquid crystal polarization modulator receives incident radiation for internal propagation through the modulator and responds to first and second values of an applied control signal to switch the internally propagating radiation to, respectively, first and second polarization states. The switching between first and second polarization states produces, in cooperation with the wavelength selective polarizing filter, optical shutter output VIS and NIR radiation. A computer processes the output VIS and NIR radiation to produce for display a composite image formed of visible and infrared elements.
US09229135B2
Provided is a composition for use in producing a film having a prism type retroreflection structure, the composition being capable of favorably forming a prism type retroreflection structure by thermal transfer, while being superior in weather resistance and transparency and the film having breakage resistance. The composition contains: (A) an acrylic polymer produced by polymerizing (a-2) a monomer component in the presence of (A-1) a crosslinked acrylic polymer; and (B) a thermoplastic acrylic polymer, the composition having a fluidity (MFR: measured under heating at 230° C. and compression at 37.3 N) of 1 to 14, and having a gel content of 25 to 50% by weight with respect to 100% by weight in total of the acrylic polymer (A) and the thermoplastic acrylic polymer (B).
US09229127B2
Methods, program code, computer readable medium, and apparatus estimating permeability at unsampled (uncored) but logged interval locations in a reservoir based upon a similarity with log signatures from cored intervals, are provided. An example of a method can include performing a core plug-by-core plug blind test, defining an objective function which qualifies the quality of the permeability prediction to minimize discrepancies between measured and predicted permeability, optimizing calculated parameters, and estimating permeability values of uncored logged intervals. The method can also include applying a debiasing/variance restoration to compensate for inherent averaging artifacts.
US09229124B2
Methods and systems for processing microseismic waveforms. The methods and systems provide determining a measure of waveform fit in the frequency-domain comprising constructing, in the frequency-domain, at least one of an amplitude misfit functional and a cross phase functional between arrivals; and estimating source parameters and/or model parameters.
US09229116B2
A device having: a scintillator material, an optically transparent element containing a glass or polymer and gadolinium oxide, and one or more photomultiplier tubes adjacent to the scintillator material. The optically transparent element is surrounded by the scintillator material.
US09229109B2
A three dimensional imaging camera comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, receiving optics, an infrared focal plane array light detector, and an image processor. The described invention is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. The 3-D imaging camera utilizes a pulsed laser transmitter capable of illuminating an entire scene with a single high power flash of light. The 3-D imaging camera employs a system controller to trigger a pulse of high intensity light from the pulsed laser transmitter, and counts the time from the start of the transmitter light pulse. The light reflected from the illuminated scene impinges on a receiving optics and is detected by a focal plane array optical detector. An image processor applies image enhancing algorithms to improve the image quality and develop object data for subjects in the field of view of the flash ladar imaging camera.
US09229103B2
The present disclosure provides systems and methods associated with an antenna system comprising a tension member configured to be towed by an aerial platform and/or secured to an orbiting satellite. In some embodiments, a first end of the tension member may be secured to the aerial platform and the second end may extend unsecured from the aerial platform at a different elevation than the first end. A plurality of antenna assemblies, each comprising at least one antenna, may be secured to and spaced along the length of the tension member. Each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted for use with a particular frequency or frequency bandwidth. For example, each of the plurality of antennas may be adapted or tuned for one or more frequencies useful for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In some embodiments, a receiving system, a communication link, and/or an antenna location system may be utilized.
US09229100B2
A phased array radar apparatus and method for identifying targets in an environment includes a phased array radar transmitter, a first phased array radar receiver, a second phased array radar receiver, and a radar controller. The first and second phased array radar receivers are configured such that the first and second phased array radar receivers have effectively the same configuration. The radar controller uses the first and second receive beams to calculate an amplitude monopulse ratio and identify angle information of the targets within the environment. The present invention enables high precision estimation of target angle information while scanning over a wide field of view in a single scan. The radar apparatus further uses a complex amplitude monopulse ratio and a weighted target angle histogram to distinguish between closely separated targets that would otherwise be viewed as a single target by conventional monopulse radar apparatuses.
US09229097B2
Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound device circuitry as may form part of a single substrate ultrasound device having integrated ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound device circuitry may facilitate the generation of ultrasound waveforms in a manner that is power- and data-efficient.
US09229091B2
A positioning device includes: a receiving unit configured to receive wireless quality information indicating wireless quality between a mobile station and a base station and information indicating a direction and an orientation of the mobile station; a determining unit configured to acquire measuring data to be used for measuring a location of the mobile station based on the direction and the orientation, from data in which each of regions as location candidates of the mobile station is associated with respective wireless quality information; and a measuring unit configured to measure the location of the mobile station based on the wireless quality information and the measuring data.
US09229088B2
The present disclosure provides an identifying device, an identifying system and a method for identification between a transmitting wireless apparatus and a receiving wireless apparatus, wherein the transmitting wireless apparatus senses a plurality of wireless apparatuses to provide sense information, calculate relative location information between the transmitting wireless apparatus and the wireless apparatuses based on the sense information and convert the relative location information into an identification datum. The transmitting wireless apparatus transmits a broadcast message having the identification datum. When the receiving wireless apparatus receives the broadcast message from the transmitting wireless apparatus, the identification information of the broadcast message is compared with sense information sensed by the receiving wireless apparatus. When the error value between the identification information and the sense information sensed by the receiving wireless apparatus is less than a permissible value, the receiving wireless apparatus is determined as an object receiving the broadcast message.
US09229071B2
The invention relates to the identification of molecules using electromagnetic write-heads and magneto-resistive sensors. In one embodiment, an electromagnetic write-head magnetically excites a molecule with an alternating magnetic field. A magneto-resistive sensor measures the resonant response of the magnetically excited molecule. A processor compares the resonant response to a table of known responses of different molecules to identify the chemical composition of the target molecule.
US09229070B2
A magnitude and direction of at least one of a reset current and a second stabilization current (that produces a reset field and a second stabilization field, respectively) is determined that, when applied to an array of magnetic sense elements, minimizes the total required stabilization field and reset field during the operation of the magnetic sensor and the measurement of the external field. Therefore, the low field sensor operates optimally (with the highest sensitivity and the lowest power consumption) around the fixed external field operating point. The fixed external field is created by other components in the sensor device housing (such as speaker magnets) which have a high but static field with respect to the low (earth's) magnetic field that describes orientation information.
US09229069B2
With a metal foreign object detecting method, a metal detection circuit arranged in a contactless power supply device transmits an oscillation signal to a modulation circuit of an electric appliance. The modulation circuit generates a square wave pulse signal from the oscillation signal. The cycle of the oscillation signal received by the modulation circuit changes in accordance with whether or not a metal piece is present. The modulation circuit modulates the square wave pulse signal to generate a modulated wave signal and transmits the modulated wave signal to the metal detection circuit of the power supply device. The metal detection circuit demodulates the modulated wave signal and determines whether or not a metal piece is present based on the cycle of the demodulated signal corresponding to the square wave pulse signal.
US09229049B2
A test socket assembly, useful in association with a thermal control unit used to maintain a set point temperature on an IC device under test, has at least one compliant pedestal is configured to facilitate the testing of integrated circuits where the device under test comprises a substrate having multiple IC chips with different heights and testing requirements.
US09229044B2
PICA test methods are shown that includes forming semiconductor devices having proximal light emitting regions, such that the light emitting regions are grouped into distinct shapes separated by a distance governed by a target resolution size; forming logic circuits to control the semiconductor devices; activating the one or more semiconductor devices by providing an input signal; and suppressing light emissions from one or more of the activated semiconductor devices by providing one or more select signals to the logic circuits.
US09229042B2
The invention relates to a method and system of monitoring partial discharges occurring in an electrical system, and to a method of measuring or analyzing partial discharges occurring in an electrical system. The method comprising receiving a signal or impulse, or information associated therewith, from the electrical system; breaking the received signal or impulse into predefined frequency components; and displaying a peak of the received signal or impulse on a scatter plot with other peaks associated with similar predefined frequency components.
US09229038B2
Provided is a method and an apparatus for controlling an electric device. The apparatus includes a cabinet defining a recess, and a sensor disposed within said recess for sensing the presence of a foreign object in close proximity to the sensor. A veneer at least partially conceals the sensor disposed within said recess from view when observed from an ambient environment of the cabinet. A controller is responsive to a signal transmitted by the sensor indicative of the presence of the foreign object adjacent to the sensor to transmit a control signal for controlling operation of the electric device operatively connected to communicate with the controller.
US09229036B2
A power distribution monitoring system is provided that can include a number of features. The system can include a plurality of power line sensing devices configured to attach to individual conductors on a power grid distribution network. In some embodiments, the power line sensors can include a split-core transformer. In some embodiments, a power line sensing device is disposed on each conductor of a three-phase network. The sensing devices can be configured to measure and monitor, among other things, current and electric-field on the conductors. Methods of installing, sealing, and protecting the split-core transformers of the power line sensors are also discussed.
US09229028B2
The embodiments described herein provide a sensor. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor includes (1) a resonator, (2) a probe attached to the resonator, and (3) an encasement that encases the resonator, where the encasement includes an opening through which the probe can protrude and where the dimensions of the encasement are on the same order as the dimensions of the resonator.
US09229026B2
An accelerometer system can include a sensor element comprising first and second proofmasses, the first proofmass accelerating in a first direction and the second proofmass accelerating in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to an external acceleration. A force rebalance controller applies control signals to at least one control element to provide a first force to accelerate the first proofmass toward a first null position and to at least one control element to provide a second force to accelerate the second proofmass toward a second null position. The force rebalance controller can also generate opposite polarity first and second output signals associated with respective displacements of the first and second proofmasses relative to the respective first and second null positions. An acceleration component calculates the external acceleration based on the first and second output signals.
US09229019B2
A sample-processing system that improves total system processing efficiency, and reduces a sample-processing time, by establishing a functionally independent relationship between a rack conveyance block with rack supply, conveyance, and recovery functions, and a processing block with sample preprocessing, analysis, and other functions. A buffer unit with random accessibility to multiple racks standing by for processing is combined with each of multiple processing units to form a pair, and the system is constructed to load and unload racks into and from the buffer unit through the rack conveyance block so that one unprocessed rack is loaded into the buffer unit and then upon completion of process steps up to automatic retesting, unloaded from the buffer unit. Functional dependence between any processing unit and a conveyance unit is thus eliminated.
US09228999B2
A method for screening an active agent intended for preventing or combating the cutaneous signs resulting from a non-pathological impairment of barrier function, which includes the selection of active agents that stimulate the expression of the ceramide transport protein CERT in cultured human keratinocytes.
US09228997B2
A system and method of monitoring sobriety using a hand-held breath testing device that, on receipt of a user's breath, generates a breath test signal comprising substance content data and user identification data, and wirelessly transmits the breath test signal to a breath test signal receiving station. The breath test signal includes substance content data and user identification data. The substance content data includes a blood alcohol level and the user identification data includes compressed image data. The signal receiving station is monitored by a supervisor who is able to intervene should the blood alcohol level be greater than a predetermined threshold, or should the user identification data no match with a reference user identification data.
US09228996B2
Technologies are disclosed for a method and a device for detecting device colonization. Disclosed herein is an indwelling medical device configured to detect a biofilm. The device comprises a substrate configured to contact blood and a detecting material, disposed with the substrate, configured to detect the presence of a biofilm thereon. The detecting material is soluble in blood, removable by kidneys from the blood, and passable to urine by the kidneys for detection in the urine. A method for detecting the growth of a biofilm on an indwelling medical and a method for making an indwelling medical device are also disclosed herein.
US09228994B1
A nanoscale electrode device can be fabricated by forming a pair of semiconductor fins laterally spaced from each other by a uniform distance and formed on a substrate. The pair of semiconductor fins can function as a pair of electrodes that can be biased to detect the leakage current through a nanoscale string to pass therebetween. A nanochannel having a uniform separation distance is formed between the pair of semiconductor fins. The nanochannel may be defined by a gap between a pair of raised active regions formed on the pair of semiconductor fins, or between proximal sidewalls of the pair of semiconductor fins. An opening is formed through the portion of the substrate underlying the region of the nanochannel to enable passing of a nanoscale string.
US09228989B2
A sensor device to detect a level of carbon dioxide in a body of gas includes one or more lead selenide detectors as infrared sensing elements. The sensor device operates without temperature regulation required by conventional lead selenide-based sensors, and instead measurements of the sensor device are compensated for a temperature measured by a thermal sensor.
US09228988B2
A method for producing a conductive molecularly imprinted polymer film for detection of an airborne target molecule includes (a) dissolving a polymer host comprising a structural component and a conductive component in a first solvent to form a first solution, wherein the structural component includes nylon-6 or polyethyleneimine and the conductive component includes polyaniline, (b) adding a target molecule to the first solution, (c) mixing the target molecule into the first solution to form a molecularly imprinted polymer solution, (d) coating the molecularly imprinted polymer solution onto a surface, (e) and removing the target molecule to form the conductive molecularly imprinted polymer film.
US09228987B2
A protector has a two-stage structure that includes a large-diameter portion and a small-diameter portion. The large-diameter portion includes a cylindrical first peripheral wall and a first front end wall. The small-diameter portion includes a cylindrical second peripheral wall connected to the first front end wall and a second front end wall connected to a front end portion of the second peripheral wall. Opening portions are not formed in the first and second peripheral walls. First opening portions, which are opened toward only first recessed portions and an inner surface of the first peripheral wall, are formed at the first front end wall. A second recessed portion and second opening portions, which are formed in the second recessed portion and are opened toward an inner surface of the second peripheral wall, are formed in the second front end wall.
US09228980B2
The disclosed embodiments generally relate to non-destructive evaluation methods. In an embodiment, a method for non-destructive evaluation of a aerospace component includes positioning a first plurality of sensors in the region of interest, positioning a second plurality of sensors in the region of interest, inducing a vibration in the region of interest using the first plurality of sensors and receiving a resonance frequency spectra using the second plurality of sensors, and comparing the received resonance frequency spectra against a reference spectra to determine the presence of an anomaly in the region of interest.
US09228979B2
Spectrometers including integrated capacitive detectors are described. An integrated capacitive detector integrates ion current from the collector (768) into a changing voltage. The detector includes a collector configured to receive ions in the spectrometer, a dielectric, and a plate arranged in an overlapping configuration with collector on an opposite side of the dielectric. The detector also includes an amplifier (764). A capacitive detector with offset (776) is described.
US09228970B2
A method an system is disclosed for characterizing DNA and/or RNA duplexes. The biosensing device comprises a heating element using a power and being suitable for providing thermal denaturation of target DNA and/or RNA bioparticles, a sample holder adapted for receiving a biocompatible substrate having a functionalized surface which is coated with probe DNA and/or RNA whereto target DNA and/or RNA duplexes can be attached, the sample holder further being adapted for exposing the biocompatible substrate at one side to the heating element, a first temperature sensing element for sensing a temperature at the side where the biocompatible substrate can be exposed to the heating element and a second temperature sensing element for sensing a temperature at the side opposite thereto with respect to the biocompatible substrate. The device also comprises a processing means programmed for calculating at least one heat transfer resistivity value based on temperature values obtained with the first temperature sensing element and the second temperature sensing element and the power for the heating element, for deriving a characteristic of the target DNA and/or RNA bioparticles from said heat transfer resistivity value.
US09228966B2
A method for detecting an unsaturated compound, the method comprising monitoring change in electrical properties of a substance that reacts or interacts with unsaturated compounds.
US09228953B2
This invention relates to a testing system for assessing the level of a biochemical marker, comprising a disposable device (2) with a sample inlet (4) and a at least one visible detection compartment (5A, 5B), arranged with composition including a chemical means (Y) for direct detection of said biochemical marker, wherein said composition also includes an inhibitor (Z) arranged to first detection compartment (5A) being arranged to block the biochemical marker up to a certain concentration.
US09228944B2
There is provided a sample analysis element capable of uniting a propagating surface plasmon resonance with a localized surface plasmon resonance while increasing the surface density of the hot spots. The sample analysis element is provided with a plurality of metal nanobody lines. Each of the metal nanobody lines includes a plurality of metal nanobodies arranged in a line on a dielectric surface at a first pitch smaller than a wavelength of incident light, and the plurality of metal nanobody lines is arranged in parallel to each other at a second pitch larger than the first pitch.
US09228943B2
The present invention may include an illumination source, a detector, a selectably adjustable optical system including a dynamically adjustable illumination pupil of the illumination arm, a dynamically adjustable collection pupil of the collection arm, a dynamically adjustable illumination field stop of the illumination arm, a dynamically adjustable collection field stop of the collection arm, a sensor configured to measure one or more optical characteristics of one or more components of the optical system, and a control system configured to selectably dynamically adjust at least one of the illumination pupil, the collection pupil, the illumination field stop, the collection field stop, and a spectral radiance of the illumination source.
US09228940B2
Optical analysis systems, methods, and apparatuses for analyzing fluids may be useful for in situ monitoring fluids that relate to cementing operations. For example, a method may include containing a cement fluid composition in a flow path comprising a wellbore; and optically interacting the cement fluid composition with an integrated computational element, thereby generating an output signal corresponding to a characteristic of the cement fluid composition, the integrated computational element being coupled to a tool.
US09228938B2
Aspects of the invention are directed to a device and method for detecting characteristics of a gas. The gas includes an exhausted plume from a vehicle or factory plant, leaked gas from an oil well or gas resource, or unidentified gas from an unknown source. The method includes sweepingly directing a beam of light through the gas to a target surface on which the beam of light is scattered, acquiring the scattered light scattered from the target surface, and processing the acquired scattered light to determine the characteristics of the gas, where the characteristics of the gas comprise at least one of a temperature of the gas and an amount of at least one ingredient of the gas.
US09228928B2
This invention relates to a new portable device with no solid frame, which makes it possible to carry out instrumented indentation of a material to deduct its mechanical properties. Continuous or instrumented indentation consists in measuring the force and displacement when an indenter is pushed into the tested material. The device is made up of a sleeve with a reduced volume and its lower base, which may be of variable shapes adapted to that of the material to test, a piston sliding in the sleeve, the displacement of which is controlled by the hand of a user, a manipulating arm, a mechanical column or a robot, an elastic ring or a spring limiting the displacement of the piston, three displacement sensors arranged in an equilateral triangle around a single-piece indenter having any shape, and a force sensor that makes it possible to measure the change in the force depending on the depression made by the indenter in the tested material.
US09228924B2
Disclosed is a homogenizer comprising: a crushing part having a blender for crushing a tissue sample in a container; a rotation driver configured to rotate the blender in contact with the tissue sample; and an absorbing part for absorbing a pressure applied to the tissue sample, which is caused when the blender comes into contact with the tissue sample.
US09228913B2
An electrostatic pressure sensor has a supporting diaphragm bonded to be held between first and second pedestal plates, a sensor chip supported on a top face of a center portion of the second pedestal plate. The supporting diaphragm has in the center portion thereof a large-diameter hole that forms a slit-shaped space between the first and second pedestal plates. The first pedestal plate has at least one inlet hole, for the fluid being measured, connecting to the slit-shaped space. The second pedestal plate has at least an outlet hole, connecting to the slit-shaped space, for directing the fluid being measured to the pressure-sensitive diaphragm of the sensor chip. The pedestal plate has an inlet hole of the first pedestal plate and an outlet hole of the second pedestal plate do not overlap each other in the direction of thickness of the first and second pedestal plates.
US09228906B2
A crystal oscillator (31) (Y-cut) has a temperature characteristic in which its oscillating frequency significantly changes with temperature, whereas a crystal oscillator (32) (AT-cut) has a temperature characteristic in which its oscillating frequency is stable with temperature. Crystal oscillators (31, 32) are cut from a raw material of the same type and configured to be substantially equal in shape, material, and size, and provide a combination of oscillation frequencies such that the frequency of a signal generated by a differential frequency circuit (35) will be less than or equal to 10 kHz within a measuring temperature range of 21 to 30° C. The frequency of a signal generated by differential frequency generating circuit (35) is output to a measurement apparatus main unit and a frequency counting circuit (15) measures the frequency of this signal by a reciprocal counting method to obtain at least eight or more significant digits.
US09228905B2
Aspects of the invention provide for a resistance temperature device (RTD) measurement device. In one embodiment, aspects of the invention include a RTD measurement device that includes: an input including a plurality of terminals from an RTD sensor; a plurality of burnout switches, each burnout switch connected to a terminal of the RTD sensor; a plurality of resources; and a switch block connecting the plurality of terminals and the plurality of resources to determine a measurement of the RTD sensor.
US09228904B2
Method for manufacturing a measuring apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable. At least one sensor element is inserted into an at least partially pot-shaped mold, and the mold is at least partially filled with a casting material composed at least of a first component and a second component. The mold is filled with the casting material, at least partially, with at least the following steps at least one predeterminable amount of the first component of the casting material is charged into the mold; at least one predeterminable amount of the second component of the casting material is charged into the mold; and the mold is vibrated and/or caused to oscillate with a predeterminable frequency. Furthermore, a method for filling an at least partially pot-shaped mold is disclosed.
US09228896B2
An optical spectroscopy device includes a first cladding layer is positioned over a photodetector. An optical core region is over the first cladding layer where the optical core region is configured to receive a light beam. The optical core region includes a first grating having a first pitch where the first pitch is positioned to direct a first wavelength of the light beam to a first portion of the photodetector. The optical core region further includes a second grating having a second pitch where the second grating is positioned to direct a second wavelength of the light beam to a second portion of the photodetector. The first pitch is different from the second pitch, the first wavelength is different from the second wavelength, and the first portion of the photodetector is different from the second portion of the photodetector. Additionally, a second cladding layer is over the optical core region.
US09228887B2
A measuring and transmitting bolt or threaded element for a railway bogie comprises a head defined in which is a seat, and a threaded stem defined in which is a hole, a miniaturized vibration sensor, a transmitter, a battery for supplying said MEMS vibration sensor and said transmitter, and a miniaturized converter for converting into electrical energy the mechanical energy from the vibrations in order to recharge the battery. In particular, the transmitter and the vibration sensor are housed in the seat, and the miniaturized converter and the battery are housed in the hole.
US09228880B2
A liquid proving system is provided with a small volume liquid prover draining into a liquid holding tank that has capacity for multiple proving measurements. The small volume liquid prover is top-filled and bottom-drained. A liquid holding tank baffle assembly contains saturated vapor from an initial number of fills of the liquid holding tank within the small volume prover to improve overall accuracy of the proving measurements. When liquid is pumped into the prover evaporation of the liquid being pumped into the prover, and release of vapors from the prover and into the entire holding tank, is inhibited due to the saturated vapor environment established by a saturated vapor volume in the prover, which results in a more accurate prover measurement of liquid pumped into the prover. The saturated vapor volume is contained with a vapor tank baffle assembly in the liquid holding tank; a vapor conduit connecting the interior of the liquid holding tank to the interior of the prover; and the interior volume of the prover.
US09228872B2
A particle photographing device 2 includes: an illumination optical system 13 that illuminates particles with sheet-like illumination light based on laser light from an end of an optical fiber 7; an imaging portion 6 that images the illuminated particles; and a regulation portion 14 that changes the distance between the end of the optical fiber 7 and the illumination optical system 13.
US09228870B2
A system is provided with an ultrasonic flow meter. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a first ultrasonic transducer disposed about a fluid flow path, and a pressure balancing system configured to pressure balance the first ultrasonic transducer relative to a fluid flow along the fluid flow path.
US09228869B2
An industrial process variable transmitter includes a process variable sensor configured to sense a process variable. Measurement circuitry is coupled to the process variable sensor and provides a measured output as a function of the process variable. Output circuitry includes a loop connection configured to couple to a process control loop. An optical sensor receives the measured output from the measurement circuitry. A switching device applies pulses to the process control loop in response to an output from the optical sensor. Power supply circuitry powers the optical sensor, a comparator, and/or the switching device with power received from the process control loop and loop connection.
US09228868B2
A magnetically inductive flow meter unit for determining a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a measuring tube, having a measuring tube having a measuring channel and a measuring sensor, which is disposed in the measuring channel and is oriented in alignment with the wall of the measuring tube, the measuring sensor including an electrode head, which is made of an electrically conductive material and has a fluid contact section, the electrode head being in direct contact with the fluid flowing through the measuring tube by means of the fluid contact section, the electrode head having an indentation on the side facing the fluid, which forms at least part of the fluid contact section.
US09228866B2
A process fluid pressure measurement system is provided. The system includes a process fluid pressure transmitter having a pair of process fluid ports disposed coplanar with one another on a bottom surface thereof. The process fluid pressure transmitter is configured to measure a differential pressure between the pair of process fluid ports and provide an indication of the measured differential pressure over a process communication loop. A process fluid flange has a first surface configured to mount to the surface of the process fluid pressure transmitter, a second surface opposed to the first surface, and at least one lateral sidewall extending between the first and second surface. A plurality of fins are disposed proximate the lateral surface.
US09228864B2
Systems, vehicles, and methods include an instrument mask that is configured to shield at least one instrument from external light and a graphic displayed on a surface of the instrument mask.
US09228862B2
Provided is an ultrasonic transducer including: a housing including a bottom surface and side members, the side members facing each other and extending upwardly with a space part therebetween, the housing having an opened upper part; a piezoelectric resonator disposed at an upper portion of the bottom surface; a housing auxiliary member disposed at upper portions of the side members and inserted into the space part; and a signal connection pin part disposed at an upper portion of the housing auxiliary member. In particular, the housing auxiliary member is formed of material having a lower density than the housing, thereby improving isotropic radiation characteristics. Sides of the housing are symmetrically opened by a structure for the ultrasonic transducer so that an isotropic radiation angle of ultrasonic waves is maximized to improve accuracy of sensing an obstacle, an internal structure of the housing is simplified in such a way that no additional process is required, thereby reducing manufacturing cost, and the housing auxiliary member is combined with the opened part of the housing so that external pollution can be prevented from entering into the ultrasonic transducer.
US09228857B2
A position detector which detects the position of a movable member relative to a fixed member includes a signal detector configured to detect periodic signals which respectively indicate predetermined values concerning the position of the movable member relative to the fixed member and change at different periods in accordance with a position change, a signal processor configured to generate displacement signals based on the periodic signals detected by the signal detector and sequentially output the generated displacement signals while switching the signals at a predetermined period, a position calculator configured to calculate a position of the movable member relative to the fixed member based on the displacement signals, and a reliability determining unit configured to determine that the reliability of the position calculated by the position calculator is low, if the displacement amount of the movable member in the predetermined period is larger than a predetermined threshold.
US09228853B1
A method of accounting for the quantity of water or other distributed resource in a distribution system utilizing automated meter reading and reporting. Missing readings are identified and estimated to allow the quantity of unaccounted for water always to be computed.
US09228852B2
An information processing device is provided. The device includes a position coordinate storing section configured to store a plurality of positions, a positioning section configured to sequentially calculate the position and store the calculated position into the position coordinate storing section, and a display control section configured to display information items indicating all or a part of the plurality of positions stored in the position coordinate storing section in an order that the positions are calculated, and control a distance between adjacent information items based on a distance between the positions indicated by the adjacent information items.
US09228849B2
Methods and systems are provided for generating an electronic map display. In one implementation, a method is provided for determining a route distance based on information for a route, comparing the route distance with a distance threshold, defining a search area when the route distance is less than the distance threshold, the search area including boundaries, calculating, using a processor, a points of interest (POI) density of the search area, comparing the POI density with a first density threshold and a second density threshold, adjusting the boundaries of the search area based on a result of comparing the POI density with the first density threshold and the second density threshold, identifying POIs in the adjusted search area, and providing POI information for an electronic map display, the POI information being associated with one or more POIs identified in the adjusted search area.
US09228846B2
A method, data processing system and computer program product for generating a route. A beginning location is received. A set of preferences for generating a set of routes is received. A set of routes is generated based upon the set of preferences, wherein each route in the set of routes starts and ends at the beginning location, and wherein at least a portion of a specified route in the set of routes does not overlap any other portion of the specified route in the set of routes.
US09228835B2
A method for marking a point of interest in a live image on a navigation device is provided. A position of a navigation device is determined based on navigation signals received from satellites. An orientation of the device is determined based on data from an orientation sensor. A first live image is obtained from a first camera and displayed. A first marker is displayed in the first live image. The first marker indicates a first location of the point of interest in the first live image. A second live image is obtained and displayed. A second marker is displayed in the second live image. The second marker indicates a second location of the point of interest in the second live image. The first and second locations are based on the position of the device, the orientation of the device and the position of the point of interest.
US09228821B2
An example information processing device calculates an attitude of an input unit having a magnetic sensor. The information processing device repeatedly obtains detected magnetic vectors detected by the magnetic sensor. The information processing device repeatedly estimates a center position of a spherical body having a curved surface which is estimated based on end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors. The attitude of the input unit is calculated based on a direction vector representing a direction from the center position to the end point position of the detected magnetic vector. The information processing device calculates the attitude while relatively decreasing an influence of a newly-obtained detected magnetic vector as the end point position of the newly-obtained detected magnetic vector is farther away from the end point positions of the detected magnetic vectors used for the estimation of the center position.
US09228820B2
A straightness measuring instrument includes a base, two loading units, a center clamping apparatus, and a measure apparatus. The base includes two support rods and a sliding rod. The loading units are mounted on the base and are arranged along an axial direction of the support rods at intervals. The center clamping apparatus is mounted in the base and includes a fixed seat and a movable seat. The measure apparatus is mounted movably around the sliding rod. The loading units are adjustable for easy and quick movement depending on the length of a workpiece. Also, the center clamping apparatus can assist with clamping the workpiece that has different diameters.
US09228810B2
A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.
US09228803B2
A universal tube launched munitions system has a launcher base having an array of a plurality of initiator stations, first and second cassettes each having a mounting facility operable for releasable connection to the launcher base, each of the cassettes having a plurality of barrels, the barrels of the first cassette been axially registered with the first quantity of the initiator stations, and the barrels of the second cassette been axially registered with a different second quantity of the initiator stations. The barrels of the first cassette may be axially registered with all of the initiator stations. The barrels of the second cassette may be axially registered with a subset of the initiator stations the barrels of the first cassette are axially registered with. The barrels of the first cassette may have a different diameter than the barrels of the second cassette.
US09228796B2
A foregrip for a firearm may comprise a mounting device configured to attach to a mounting rail of a firearm and a grip body. The grip body may include a top portion configured to be removably attached to the mounting device and a lateral side portion configured to be gripped by the hand of a person using a firearm. A cavity may be disposed within the grip body, and a blade may be disposed at least partially within the cavity, wherein the blade is movable between a refracted position and a deployed position relative to the grip body.
US09228795B1
A stock for a firearm is disclosed. The stock comprises a stock-to-firearm interface, and a folding stock assembly hingedly coupled to the stock-to-firearm interface. The stock comprises a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The stock-to-firearm interface comprises a modifiable firearm mount, a lock catch, a quick detach mount, and one of a detent notch and a detent. The folding stock assembly comprises a buttstock, a lock for engaging the lock catch in the stock-to-firearm interface to selectively maintain the stock in the unfolded configuration, and the other one of a detent and a detent notch. The detent is shaped to engage the detent notch to selectively maintain the stock in the folded configuration. The quick detach mount is shaped to distribute a carry force between a first surface of the stock-to-firearm interface and at least one of a second surface of the stock-to-firearm interface and a firearm.
US09228789B1
A muzzle brake having a body portion; a central borehole aperture extending through said body portion, having a central borehole aperture diameter; a first expansion chamber disposed within the central borehole aperture, proximate said initial end, wherein said first expansion chamber has a diameter greater than the central borehole aperture diameter; first baffle walls defining a first baffle port; second baffle walls defining a second baffle port; third baffle walls defining a third baffle port; a pair of expansion apertures, wherein said pair of expansion apertures are formed at an acute angle to one another; and a pair of baffle apertures, wherein said pair of baffle apertures are formed at an acute angle to one another.
US09228788B1
A magazine for a firearm is formed by a plurality of sidewalls that define a space for holding ammunition cartridges. An opening between two of the walls provides access to the space. Feed lips are positioned on opposite sides of the opening. The feed lips contact and retain the cartridges within the space. Feed ramp surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the opening. The feed ramp surfaces are angularly oriented to tilt a cartridge so that it may be fed into the chamber of a barrel as it is pushed out of the opening along the feed ramp surfaces. Guide surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the opening between the feed lips and the feed ramp surfaces. The guide surfaces guide the cartridge as it disengages from the feed lips and moves up along the feed ramp surfaces.
US09228785B2
A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having a fractal variation therebetween, wherein the heat transfer fluid is induced to flow with respect to the plurality of fractally varying heat exchange elements such that flow-induced vortices are generated at non-corresponding locations of the plurality of fractally varying heat exchange elements, resulting in a reduced resonance as compared to a corresponding heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements that produce flow-induced vortices at corresponding locations on the plurality of heat exchange elements.
US09228779B2
Infrared air float bar for use in floating and drying a continuous planar web of a material in a dryer. Direct radiated or reflected infrared electromagnetic energy from an infrared light source in a removable channel assembly accelerates drying, or evaporation of solvents, or curing of web material passing in proximity to the bar, either by infrared electromagnetic energy, or in combination with convention airflow. The infrared source is cooled by pressurized air passing through an interior portion of the removable air bar channel assembly, and the air is further conducted into fluid contact with the web in an air gap between the emitter and web to promote convective heat transfer and to contribute to the air pressure field supporting web flotation. The removable channel assembly is configured for replacement of the infrared emitter and to allow the setting of the pressurized cooling air flow to the optimum level.
US09228776B2
A compartment for storing items in a mullion wall separating refrigerated compartments is provided. One exemplary embodiment provides a refrigerator with a first refrigerated compartment selectively coverable by a first door and a second refrigerated compartment selectively coverable by a second door. A mullion separates the first and second refrigerated compartments. A storage compartment is located in the mullion and separable from the first refrigerated compartment by a selectively closeable lid.
US09228773B2
An automated control device for monitoring the position angle of an absorption type cooling system or refrigerator that circulates a refrigerant, an absorbent, and a diffusion agent within a conduit system includes a housing, a controller with a processor within the housing, a sensor in communication with the controller for measuring the angle of inclination of the refrigerator, and a stress counter connected to the controller for counting increments of stress induced into the cooling system. The tilt monitoring control method prevents system stress, which in turn prevents personal and property damage due to hydrogen gas leaks, fires and explosions.
US09228767B2
A method for determining proper wiring of multiple three-phase motors in a refrigeration system is disclosed. The method may include energizing a plurality of three-phase motors with a first input phase rotation and recording performance data, energizing the plurality of three-phase motors with a second input phase rotation and recording the performance data, evaluating the performance data and determining if each of three-phase motors is properly wired, operating the refrigeration system in a normal mode if all of the three-phase motors are properly wired, or operating the refrigeration system in a less efficient mode if at least one three-phase motor is improperly wired.
US09228765B2
A refrigeration cycle device includes a first refrigerant passage in which a compressor, a first solenoid valve, a four-way valve, an outdoor heat exchanger, a pressure reducing device, an indoor heat exchanger, and an accumulator are sequentially connected through pipes; a second refrigerant passage in which a second solenoid valve and a water refrigerant heat exchanger are sequentially connected to a pipe that connects a portion of a pipe between the compressor and the first solenoid valve to the pressure reducing device; heating means for heating a shell of the compressor; and a controller that performs control so as to close the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve in association with an operation of the compressor being stopped and so as to open the first solenoid valve when the heating means heats the compressor.
US09228763B2
Provided are thermoelectric cooling packages and thermal management methods thereof. The method may include measuring a temperature of the thermoelectric cooling package including a semiconductor chip and a thermoelectric cooler, comparing the temperature of the thermoelectric cooling package with a target temperature, operating the thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the thermoelectric cooling package is higher than the target temperature, and stopping the operation of the thermoelectric cooler when the temperature of the thermoelectric cooling package becomes lower than the target temperature.
US09228750B2
A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system includes one or more variable frequency drives (VFD) controlled by one or more VFD controllers, which are configured to provide three-phase power to one or more three-phase AC motors and single-phase power to one or more single-phase AC motors. The system also includes a power source controller configured to select from a plurality of power sources based on availability of one or more power sources and time so as to maximize the economic efficiency of operating the system.
US09228748B2
A frame structure for an appliance, such as an oven appliance, is provided. The frame structure includes a pair of vertical rails and a pair of lateral rails. A pair of hinges is mounted to the vertical rails, and a door is mounted to the vertical rails with the pair of hinges. A control panel is also mounted to the pair of vertical rails.
US09228746B2
A secondary safety circuit for a gas-fired device and method of operating the circuit. The secondary safety circuit includes a low-voltage direct current power source, a valve, and at least one sensor. The valve can be positioned in a pilot burner gas line. The secondary safety circuit ensures the valve is closed upon detecting an unsafe condition with the sensor.
US09228735B2
A display stand includes a frame body and several illuminating support plate units. The frame body has several spaced-apart plate-mounting portions, and several power supply portions respectively adjacent to the plate-mounting portions. Each illuminating support plate unit includes a plate body coupled removably to one plate-mounting portion, an illuminating unit mounted on the plate body, and an electric connecting unit having a base portion that is embedded in the plate body, and an electric connecting portion that is disposed within a range defined between extensions of upper and lower surfaces of the plate body, and that is connected electrically to a corresponding one of the power supply portions.
US09228732B2
Modular lighting systems are provided that comprise lighting strips physically and electrically connectable with one another by way of flexible connectors. The lighting strip devices can be made of flexible or rigid material to allow for applying the lighting devices along flat as well as contoured surfaces and can be waterproof or water resistant. A modular lighting strip system is provided comprising: two or more lighting strips comprising a non-conductive substrate strip with an electrical circuit; a plurality of light sources operably connected to the electrical circuit; a plug or socket at opposing ends of the strip; one or more connectors for providing electrical and physical interconnection of the lighting strips comprising: one or more plug and/or socket and one or more flexible wires interconnecting the plugs or sockets, which are operably configured to provide for side-by-side interconnection of lighting strips.
US09228720B2
An illumination apparatus includes a wavelength conversion element to convert light emitted from a light source into converted light and to emit the converted light and unconverted light, a first optical element including a first region guiding the light emitted from the light source to the wavelength conversion element and a second region preventing the unconverted light from traveling to the light source, and a second optical element to guide the converted light in a direction different from a direction of the light source while guiding the light emitted from the light source to the wavelength conversion element. The second optical element is disposed in an optical path between the first optical element and the wavelength conversion element. The light emitted from the light source is incident on the first region, and the unconverted light is incident on both the first region and second region of the first optical element.
US09228719B2
An illumination system including a plurality of first light emitting elements, a wavelength-converting unit, a first reflector and a second reflector is provided. The first light emitting elements respectively emit a plurality of exciting beams. The wavelength-converting unit is disposed on transmission paths of the exciting beams and converts the exciting beams into a first color light beam. The first reflector is disposed on the transmission paths of the exciting beams, and disposed between the first light emitting elements and the wavelength-converting unit. The first reflector has a hole. The exciting beams from the first light emitting elements are reflected by the first reflector. The second reflector reflects the exciting beams, reflected by the first reflector, to the wavelength-converting unit. The exciting beam reflected by the second reflector is transmitted to the wavelength-converting unit through the hole. A projection apparatus is also provided.
US09228714B2
Provided is a lighting device, including: a light source module comprising at least one light source on a printed circuit board, and a resin layer in which the light source is embedded; a light reflection member which is adjacent to at least any one of one side surface and the other side surface of the resin layer; and an optical plate comprising a side wall which is closely adhered to the light reflection member, and an upper surface which covers an upper part of the light source module, wherein a haze of the optical plate is less than 30%.
US09228712B2
A day running lamp includes a laser light source, a light splitting element, a number of light path adjusting elements, a number of scattering elements, and a lampshade. The laser light source is configured for emitting a single laser beam, and the splitting element is configured for splitting the single laser beam into a number of divided beams. Each of the light path adjusting elements is configured for adjusting a light path of corresponding divided beams into parallel beams. The scattering elements are configured for diffusing the parallel divided beams onto the lampshade.
US09228710B2
A light projection apparatus that can produce an elongate light projection pattern is provided. The light projection apparatus includes a fluorescent member which is excited with exciting light and a light projecting member which reflects or transmits the light emanating from the fluorescent member to project it outside. The fluorescent member includes an irradiated region which is irradiated with the exciting light, and the length of the irradiated region in a first direction is greater than its length in a second direction.
US09228697B2
A 3D-camera (10) is provided, having at least one image sensor (14a-b) and at least one illumination unit (100) which comprises a light source and which is configured for generating an irregular illumination pattern (20) in an illumination area (12) of the 3D-camera (10). The light source comprises a semiconductor array (104) having a plurality of individual emitter elements (106) in an irregular arrangement, and a respective individual emitter element (106) generates a pattern element (112) of the irregular illumination pattern (20).
US09228694B2
A servo rotary carrier includes a base, which includes a receiving space formed therein and has a top in which first and second openings that communicate with and between the receiving space and the outside are formed; a rotation unit, which includes a supporting section extending through the first opening of the base and a bearing coupled to the supporting section and having a top to which a first toothed wheel is mounted; a disk, which has a top to which clamping elements are mounted, the first toothed wheel being coupled to a bottom of the disk; and a power transmission unit, which includes a power source and a transmission device coupled to the power source and having a transmission spindle that extends vertically upward through the second opening and includes a second toothed wheel coupled thereto to mate the first toothed wheel.
US09228691B2
In a hydraulic pressure unit, a housing is equipped with a plurality of piping connections having respectively corresponding openings exposed to an external or plurally grouped piping connections; and a protective tape includes one surface onto which a pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed by means of which the tape is adhered onto an outer surface of the housing, one sheet of the tape covering simultaneously at least two of the openings or plurally grouped piping connections, the protective tape including: a division section dividing and peeling off the protective tape for each of the openings of the piping connections or for each of the groups of the piping connections; and a grip section disposed to be enabled to be gripped by an operator, an adhesion region of the protective tape to the outer surface of the housing by means of the adhesive being disposed on a region excluding the division section.
US09228687B2
A water hammer arrester for installation into a water pipeline, the water hammer arrester including an inlet for receiving water from the water pipeline, an outlet for returning the water to the water pipeline, a body connecting the inlet and the outlet, and a piston assembly positioned in the body to allow water to flow from the inlet to the outlet between the piston assembly and the body, wherein the piston assembly is adapted to absorb pressure variations in the water pipeline to thereby at least partially reduce water hammer in the water pipeline in use.
US09228686B2
A method of forming a wired pipe transmission line includes: providing an assembly that includes an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating material; attaching a fixation element to the assembly at or near an end thereof; providing a tubular outer conductor; disposing the assembly and the fixation element within the outer conductor; and fixedly attaching the fixation element to the inner portion of the tubular outer conductor.
US09228678B2
A door harness attaching structure includes: an opening provided on an inner panel of a hinge-open/close-type door; and a hole provided on an end wall at the hinge side of the inner panel. The opening is composed of a large main opening covered by a panel unit of a door module and a small sub opening continued to the main opening, notched toward the hole for attaching a grommet and covered by a cover member. A wiring harness of the door module includes: a harness portion projecting from the panel unit; and the grommet provided at a tip end of the harness portion and attached through the hole.
US09228673B2
A flow regulating device 1 is provided which includes: a valve element 19 which is movable into contact with or away from a valve seat 18; a spring 21 for exerting an urging force on the valve element 19; a diaphragm 20 fixed to an end of the valve element 19, the diaphragm having a fluid contact surface 20a and a back surface 20b; a pressure chamber 24 into which compressed air is externally introduced; and a piston 25 for transmitting the pressure of the compressed air that is introduced into the pressure chamber 24 to the back surface 20b of the diaphragm 20, wherein a portion of the piston 25 which portion receives the pressure of the compressed air has an area equal to or more than twice the area of the fluid contact surface 20a of the diaphragm 20.
US09228668B2
An overpressure relief valve assembly includes an outer housing having an inlet at a first end opening to an inlet cavity and an outlet at an opposite second end opening to an outlet cavity, and a valve located in the outer housing, the valve including a valve housing that is fixed with respect to the outer housing and an actuator movable within the valve housing to alternatingly cut off and allow communication between the inlet cavity and the outlet cavity.
US09228667B2
A pressure-limiting valve is proposed, in particular for a common rail system. The pressure-limiting valve comprises a valve support (10), a valve insert (12) which is connected to the valve support (10), a valve piston (14) which is mounted such that it can slide in the valve insert (12), and a closing spring (16) which acts on the valve piston (14) with a closing force in the closing direction. By means of the closing force, the valve piston (14) acts on a valve seat (18) which produces a hydraulic connection via a valve chamber (40) between a high-pressure space (33) and a low-pressure space (36), as soon as the hydraulic force which acts on the valve piston (14) in the opening direction exceeds the closing force of the closing spring (16). When the valve seat (18) is closed, a leakage gap (50) is formed between the valve chamber (40) and the low-pressure space (36), which leakage gap (50) makes it possible for the leakage to be discharged out of the valve chamber (40) into the low-pressure space (36).
US09228663B2
A diverter valve device (10) including a body (12), in which a chamber (14) is defined, which is able to be flown through by a pressurized fluid flow; a rotatory plug (16), which is mounted on the body (12) and is adapted to rotate about a rotation axis (X-X); at least one inlet (18), which is provided in the body (12) and is fluidly arranged upstream of the chamber (14); and a pair of outlets (20a, 20b), which stem from the body (12) and are fluidly arranged downstream of the chamber (14). The body (12) has a substantially axial seat (22a) and a substantially radial seat (22b), which are fluidly arranged between the chamber (14) and one outlet (20a) and the other outlet (20b), respectively. The plug (16) is suited to assume a first and a second operating condition, in which it (16) respectively frees and obstructs the substantially axial seat (22a) as well as respectively obstructs and frees the substantially radial seat (22b).
US09228661B2
A lightweight butterfly valve having a disk maintained in a fixed position on a compound shaft through an interlocking relation ship between each of the individual shafts of the compound shaft and the disk as the disk is moveable between an open or closed position with the butterfly valve may having other features such as an electric drive to quickly rotate the compound shaft to provide for rapid opening and closing the butterfly valve, a disk position indicator and a shaft stop to prevent the disk from being driven past a full open condition.
US09228659B2
In described embodiments, a seal assembly is provided for sealing a space between a shaft and a housing. The shaft is rotatable about a central axis. The seal assembly includes an outer portion connectable with the housing and an inner portion releasably attached to the outer portion. The inner portion is replaceable with a replacement inner portion. A method for removing the inner portion from the outer portion is also provided.
US09228655B2
A control apparatus and a control method that controls an electric oil pump that supplies oil to a power transmission device transmitting a drive force to an axle. The control apparatus changes a PWM frequency in a PWM control of the electric oil pump to a lower frequency, when a vehicle is in a pulled state, when a vehicle speed is high, when a power source is operated at a high rotational speed, when a discharge amount from the electric oil pump is large, or when a noise in a vehicle interior is large. Thus, a drive noise of the pump can be reduced, or the amount of heat generated in the pump drive circuit and power consumption can be reduced.
US09228654B2
A powertrain incorporating an automatic transmission and an electrical control unit for control thereof, the electrical control unit implementing a return-to-range feature that will return to the automatic transmission to a previously selected forward (and, in some embodiments, reverse) gear when the service brake is applied first and then the parking brake is released while the service brake remains applied. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09228646B2
An electromechanical linear drive having a housing and a piston rod that passes through a housing end cover, and is carried by a spindle nut arranged longitudinally displaceably in a housing interior space. The spindle nut engages the motor-driven threaded spindle such that it is displaceable back and forth in the housing interior space by rotary motion of the spindle. A lubrication nipple is accessible on an outer side of the housing, and at least one lubrication passage extends from the nipple and opens to a stop surface located in the housing interior space, which stop surface forms an end stop for motion of the spindle nut. At least one lubrication conduit leads to lubrication sites of the spindle nut and is arranged in the spindle nut so that when the spindle nut is in abutment against the stop surface, the lubrication conduit is joined to the housing-side lubrication passage.
US09228644B2
A driving-side pulley includes a cam mechanism that presses a movable sleeve in a first direction by utilizing a relative rotation of the movable sleeve in the normal direction with respect to an axis-line-direction fixed member, the first direction being a direction that has a pressing surface pressed against a corresponding side surface of a belt.
US09228643B2
A chain tensioning device is basically provided with a main body, a chain guide and a rotary fluid damper unit. The main body is configured to be mounted to a bicycle. The chain guide is pivotally coupled to the main body to rotate around a rotational axis with respect to the main body. The rotary fluid damper unit is operatively connected between the main body and the chain guide to provide rotational resistance to the chain guide around the rotational axis. The rotary fluid damper unit is a separate unit from the main body, the rotary fluid damper unit being detachably mounted on the main body.
US09228640B2
A transmission assembly comprises: a motor; a shift actuator mechanism coupled to the motor; a sun gear coupled to an output shaft of the motor; a first magnet assembly coupled to the sun gear; a ring gear assembly coupled to a shift coupler, the shift coupler being configured to engage via the shift actuator mechanism; a second magnet assembly coupled to a housing face plate, the housing face plate being coupled to an output gear box; and a planet carrier coupled to an output pinion in communication with the output gearbox. The planet carrier comprises at least one planet gear. In a first mode, the ring gear is locked to the first magnet assembly and configured to rotate with the sun gear, the ring gear being configured to prevent the rotation of the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at the same speed as the sun gear. In a second mode, the ring gear is locked to the second magnet assembly allowing the sun gear to engage the at least one planet gear, the sun gear being configured to rotate the at least one planet gear about its own axis causing the planet carrier to rotate at a reduced speed from the sun gear.
US09228631B2
A damping valve includes: a valve disc having a port a shaft member provided in the valve disc; an annular leaf valve that is attached to an outer periphery of the shaft member so as to be adjacent to the valve disc; a main valve provided on the outer periphery of the shaft member to be free to move in the axial direction; and an annular plate spring that biases the leaf valve toward the valve disc side. The main valve includes a spring supporting portion that contacts an end surface of the leaf valve and supports a valve disc side end portion of the plate spring, and a tubular collar that extends in the axial direction, and is provided to be free to move in the axial direction relative to the shaft member. The plate spring is attached to an outer periphery of the collar.
US09228628B2
An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.
US09228619B2
A friction clutch having a clutch ring and having two clutch disks, which are mounted so as to be rotatable about a clutch axis of rotation and on which friction surfaces are formed, is presented. In this case, the clutch ring and the clutch disks can be moved parallel to the clutch axis of rotation and relative to one another in such a way that, for torque transmission, first friction surfaces on each of the clutch disks can be moved into frictional surface contact with a respective second friction surface on the clutch ring. A first and a second friction surface in each case are matched to one another as a friction surface pair, having in each case a friction surface curved convexly in the direction of the clutch axis of rotation and a friction surface curved concavely in the direction of the clutch axis of rotation.
US09228618B2
A torque limiter for transmitting motion from a drive shaft to a driven member, and for selectively disconnecting the driven member from the drive shaft when a predetermined transmitted twisting torque value is exceeded. The torque limiter has a hub fitted to the drive shaft; a rotary first flange fixed to an axial end of the hub; a second flange fixed to the driven member; and a number of modules fitted to the first flange. The first flange is fixed to the hub. The modules are equally spaced along the annular portion of the first flange, and one appendage is located between each two adjacent modules.
US09228617B2
The invention relates to a power transmission system of the automotive vehicle. A drive shaft structure, comprising a drive shaft and a hydraulic overload protector, the drive shaft comprises a first shaft and a coaxial second shaft, the hydraulic overload protector comprises a mounting rack, a crank shaft and at least a pair of hydraulic cylinders, a communicating tube is provided between two cylinders of the pair of hydraulic cylinders, a bi-directional pressure valve is provided on the communicating tube, said crank shaft comprises a spindle and a connecting rod shaft, said spindle is connected with said mounting rack rotatably, said first shaft is fixed with said mounting rack, said second shaft is fixed with said spindle, said connecting rod shaft is connected with said mounting rack via said cylinders. The invention discloses a drive shaft structure which can stop power transmission when the vehicle is overloaded, can restore power transmission automatically when the load meets the requirements and can buffer the resistance fluctuation during the driving process of the vehicle, the invention solves problems that the drive shaft will fracture when the vehicle is overloaded and when the resistance changes which increases the use cost and brings inconveniences to users.
US09228614B2
A constant-velocity joint assembly includes: a first and a second shaft portions respectively provided with a protrusion; a double yoke portion in which a guide hole is formed along an axis direction, the first and the second shaft portions being respectively rotatably connected to both sides of the guide hole with an axis of an upper/lower direction; and a guide portion which is disposed to the guide hole to guide the protrusion and rotates along an inner circumference of the guide hole during rotation of the shaft portions, wherein the first and the second shaft portions respectively comprises: a spider body, a left and a right leg, and an upper and a lower legs; a shaft provided with the protrusion; and a yoke block comprising a block body, and a left and a right connecting member.
US09228613B2
A bicycle bottom bracket assembly comprises a first adapter, a first bearing, a second adapter and a second bearing. The first adapter extends along a first center axis of the first adapter. The first bearing comprises first rolling elements and a first outer race. The first outer race is configured to be fitted in the first adapter. The first outer race is slidable relative to the first adapter in both axial directions along the first center axis in a state where the first outer race is fitted in the first adapter. The second adapter extends along a second center axis of the second adapter. The second bearing comprises second rolling elements and a second outer race. The second outer race is configured to be provided in the second adapter such that the second outer race is a separate member from the first outer race.
US09228609B2
A fabrication method is provided for use in making a component. The fabrication method may include generating a laser beam at a first orientation relative to a wear surface of the component to produce a first laser beam spot having a first characteristic, and feeding a cladding material into the first laser beam spot to produce a cladding layer on the wear surface. The fabrication method may also include generating a laser beam at a second orientation relative to the wear surface of the component to produce a second laser beam spot having a second characteristic, and moving the second laser beam spot along the cladding layer to substantially flatten the cladding layer.
US09228594B2
An airflow passage structure is applied to a fan. The airflow passage structure includes a sidewall and an airflow channel. The sidewall has uneven thickness. The airflow channel is defined by an inner surface of the sidewall, and includes a channel entrance and a channel exit. The channel exit is in communication with an airflow inlet of the fan. The diameter of the airflow channel is non-uniformly distributed.
US09228587B2
The present invention provides a scroll compressor which includes a housing, a stationary scroll including a stationary wrap, an orbiting scroll having an orbiting wrap, a receiving portion formed in the housing, a self-rotation preventing eccentric shaft installed in the receiving portion with a bearing interposed therebetween, a self-rotation preventing mechanism including a stopper formed in the housing to support the front of the bearing, and a bearing tube fixed to the housing to support a drive shaft, the scroll compressor including: an annular groove formed in the stationary scroll or in the orbiting scroll; a dust seal fitted in the annular groove and having first and second ends at both ends; and a stationary block including a first support member and first and second elastic members which extend from the first support member and face the first and second ends, the stationary block being fitted in the annular groove.
US09228585B2
An eccentric screw machine (10) demonstrates a Stator (11) having an inner lining (17), which demonstrates teeth projecting inwards. The tips of these teeth are provided with micro-ribs (26 to 29), which are embodied asymmetrically with respect to the radials (R). They preferably demonstrate a flatly rising edge (30) and a steeply falling edge (31). This thus results in improved operating performance, depending on the direction of rotation.
US09228566B2
Wind turbine comprising a tower with an interior enclosed by a tower wall which forms a heat exchange surface in an air cooling circuit wherein the tower interior forms a channel for guiding hot air along a flow path, wherein one or more air flow deflectors are arranged within the flow path for guiding the flow towards the tower wall. The flow deflectors can for example be active flow deflectors, such as fans or blowers, or passive flow deflectors, such as one or more static flow deflector plates or vanes, forming a static mixer element.
US09228561B2
Disclosed herein is a device (10) for capturing energy from ocean waves. The device (10) comprises a base (12) adapted for stationary mounting relative to a fluid flow generated by the ocean waves. A drive member (14) is movably connected relative to the base (12) and adapted to be driven in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12). An array of paddles (14c) extend from the drive member (14), such that forces applied to the paddles by the ocean waves drive the drive member in oscillatory rotational motion relative to the base (12), A plurality of removable modular energy transfer mechanisms (20) are associated with the drive member (14) and adapted to be driven by the oscillation of the drive member.
US09228559B2
To suppress the reflection of an electromagnetic wave from a load in a plasma generation device 30 that generates electromagnetic wave plasma by emitting the electromagnetic wave to a combustion chamber 10 of an engine 20. The plasma generation device 30 includes an electromagnetic wave oscillator 33 that oscillates the electromagnetic wave, an antenna 15a for emitting the electromagnetic wave oscillated by the electromagnetic wave oscillator to the combustion chamber 10 of the engine 20, and a stub adjustment unit 52, 53. The stub 51 is provided on a transmission line 60 for electromagnetic wave from the electromagnetic wave oscillator 33 to the antenna 15a. While the engine 20 is operating, the stub adjustment unit 52, 53 adjusts a short circuit location on the stub 51 based on the intensity of a reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the antenna 15a.
US09228553B2
Methods are disclosed to refurbish a fuel injector to original manufacturing operational tolerances.
US09228552B2
In a method for testing and repairing an injector for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, wherein the injector includes a nozzle, a restrictor plate, and a control valve, and a nozzle clamping nut which holds together said parts and by way of which said parts are fastened to an injector body of the injector. The functional components—nozzle, restrictor plate and control valve—are separated from the injector body. A connection piece serves to connect the functional components to a test bench is screwed to the functional components with the aid of the nozzle clamping nut to form an injector module. The injector module is connected to a test bench and subjected to testing, and afterwards optionally repairing.
US09228551B2
A quill tube is provided. The quill tube includes a hollow body and a spherical head. The hollow body defines a bore within the quill tube. The bore is configured to direct a flow of fuel into a fuel injector. The spherical head is located at a first end of the hollow body. The spherical head includes a tip, a first surface and a second surface. The tip is located at a distal end of the spherical head. The first surface is configured to engage with the fuel injector. The second surface is positioned between the tip and the first surface. Further, a flange is located proximate to the spherical head. The flange is angularly positioned relative to the first surface. If the spherical head is contacted against an external surface, the flange is configured to cause the second surface to touch the external surface.
US09228550B2
A needle type fuel injector has a needle control chamber at a pressure subject to a control valve in a control valve chamber which in an opening phase is lifted from its seat to expose the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber to a low pressure drain and in a closing phase is urged against the seat to isolate the control valve chamber, connecting passages, and needle control chamber from the drain. Resistance to the flow or displacement of fuel through the control valve seat is provided by a pressure regulating valve as the control valve rapidly closes against its seat, thereby reducing the rate of closure and thus the impact of the control valve on the seat.
US09228548B2
A compressor (5) of a turbo supercharger (3) is located between an air flow meter (12) and a throttle valve (13). An EGR passage (21) is connected to an intake passage (10) at a joint (22) upstream of the compressor (5). The following relationship (1) is satisfied between an intake passage volume (V1) from the air flow meter (12) to the junction (22), an intake passage volume (V2) from the compressor (5) to the throttle valve (13) and a maximum boost pressure (Pb) under operating conditions in which the introduction of EGR gas is performed, in order to prevent a mixed gas of fresh air and EGR gas from flowing back to the air flow meter (12) even under the maximum boost pressure (Pb). V 1 > V 2 × ( P b - P 1 P 1 ) × ( P 1 P b ) κ - 1 κ ( 1 )
US09228536B2
Systems and methods for controlling operation of dual fuel internal combustion engines in response to a load shedding event are disclosed. The control techniques mitigate the amount of uncombusted gaseous fuel passing into the exhaust and/or aftertreatment system and reduce the rate at which uncombusted gaseous fuel enters the cylinders to reduce engine torque output and/or speed in response to the load shedding event.
US09228533B2
A gas turbine engine system includes an airframe support, a gas turbine engine mounted to the airframe support, a nozzle exhaust mounted to the airframe support, and a flexible annular seal having a first end that is attached to the gas turbine engine and a second end that is attached to an exhaust nozzle. The flexible annular seal may include a flexible annular wall that permits relative deflection between the gas turbine engine and the exhaust nozzle to facilitate the reduction of undesirable load transfer.
US09228532B2
A nacelle is configured to be coupled to an underside of a wing and forms a clearance space between the nacelle and a leading edge slat of the wing. A portion of an outlet cowling moves longitudinally aft when a reverse thrust configuration is activated and the leading edge slat is deployed toward the nacelle. The outlet cowling also includes another portion located adjacent to the leading edge slat that does not move when the reverse thrust configuration is activated and thus maintains its clearance space from the leading edge slat.
US09228524B2
An oxygen sensor pressure compensation system includes a static pressure compensation module to receive an oxygen sensor signal from an oxygen sensor and a pressure signal from a pressure sensor and to perform static pressure compensation. A dynamic pressure compensation module receives the oxygen sensor signal and the pressure signal and to perform dynamic pressure compensation. A summing module generates a compensated oxygen signal based on the static pressure compensation and the dynamic pressure compensation.
US09228522B2
In a multicylinder internal combustion engine including a turbocharger, the turbocharger employs a twin-entry turbo where a turbine includes two exhaust gas inflow ports. A first exhaust passage guides an exhaust gas discharged from a first cylinder group of the internal combustion engine to one exhaust gas inflow port of the turbocharger. A second exhaust passage guides an exhaust gas discharged from a second cylinder group of the internal combustion engine to the other exhaust gas inflow port of the turbocharger. An exhaust gas collecting portion of the first exhaust passage and an exhaust gas collecting portion of the second exhaust passage each include an air-fuel ratio sensor. This configuration allows efficiently contact of the exhaust gas on an element portion of the air-fuel ratio sensor, thus accurately detecting an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas at an upstream side of a catalyst for each cylinder.
US09228518B2
Various methods and systems are provided for lowering exhaust gas temperature. In one embodiment, a method comprises increasing an air-to-fuel ratio of an engine in response to an exhaust gas temperature exceeding a threshold temperature value to lower the exhaust gas temperature to a temperature below the threshold temperature value.
US09228504B2
First and second turbochargers for supercharging a first cylinder group which continues or stops an operation by a valve stopping mechanism for reduced cylinders, and a second cylinder group which stops or continues the operation by the valve stopping mechanism for reduced cylinders, respectively, and a third turbocharger in which air from the first and second turbochargers is supplied to the first and second cylinder groups via separate independent intake passages, to supercharge the first and second turbochargers. If a reduced-cylinder operation system provided with this valve stopping mechanism is provided in addition to the turbo-charging system, a drop in a supercharging amount during a reduced-cylinder operation is prevented, a sufficient air amount is supplied into operating cylinders, deterioration of combustion in the operating cylinders and deterioration of a state of an exhaust gas are prevented, and fuel efficiency is improved.
US09228495B2
The present disclosure relates to a vortex reducer (100) for a bleed flow (104) in an axial turbomachine comprising a rotor disc (113). The vortex reducer may comprise one or more guide channels (122) arrangeable adjacent to a first side (113a) of the rotor disc to at least partially de-swirl the bleed flow. The vortex reducer may further comprise a passage (130) connecting the first side of the rotor disc to a high pressure flow source capable of providing flow (134) to the first side of the rotor disc to mix with the bleed flow on the first side of the rotor disc.
US09228478B2
The invention relates to an exhaust gas treatment device for an exhaust system of a combustion engine, more preferably of a road vehicle, with a housing enveloping at least one interior space, and with at least one through-pipe penetrating the interior space without interruption and which at two fastening points distant from each other is connected to the housing in a fixed manner. For compensating thermally related expansion effects the through-pipe between the fastening points can comprise at least one expansion compensation section, in which a wall of the through-pipe comprises slits penetrating the wall alternating in circumferential direction and strips protruding relative to adjacent wall sections of the through-pipe.
US09228476B2
A device of an engine having a plurality of cylinders includes: exhaust passages each connected with either a single cylinder or two or more cylinders having non-adjacent exhaust order; a manifold section connected with each downstream end of the exhaust passages; a catalyst device downstream of the manifold section; and a valve driver. Within a low-speed and high-load engine operating range, the valve driver drives intake and exhaust valves of each cylinder such that, for a particular cylinder, a period of positive valve overlap overlaps an exhaust valve opening time of another cylinder adjacent in the exhaust order. The manifold section includes a part that reduces in diameter downstream from the upstream end of the manifold section, and a straight part with a substantially fixed flow area extending upstream from the downstream end of the manifold section. In this way, negative pressure may be generated due to an ejector effect.
US09228468B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are disclosed for targeted regeneration of a catalyst device in an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine. The targeted regeneration can include interpreting, initiating, and/or completing a regeneration event for an SCR catalyst or other type of catalyst in response to a catalyst deactivation condition. A catalyst regeneration event includes at least one of exposing the catalyst to a sufficiently high temperature over a time period that removes contaminants from the catalyst and manipulation of the exhaust gas composition to initiate and/or accelerate removal of contaminants from the catalyst.
US09228467B2
A urea injection controller for a motorized system includes a passive regeneration model configured and disposed to calculate an amount of NOx conversion resulting from an interaction between exhaust gases and soot entrained in a selective catalyst reduction filter (SCRF) device, a replenishment mode trigger module configured to set an ammonia replenishment request based on the passive regeneration model, and a replenishment control module configured to selectively activate a urea injector to discharge a particular amount of urea based on the regeneration model.
US09228463B2
An exhaust gas purification control device for an internal combustion engine is provided with: a detection unit for detecting an air-fuel ratio or rich/lean state of exhaust gas that flows out of a first catalyst disposed at upstream side; estimating unit for estimating the oxygen adsorption amount on the first catalyst and a second catalyst; and an enrichment control unit for enriching or set the degree of richness temporarily by varying the degree of richness of injected fuel when the amount of the oxygen adsorption on the first catalyst and the second catalyst is estimated to be equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The enrichment control unit sets the degree of richness of the injected fuel to a first degree of richness that is greater than stoichiometry from the start of the enrichment process, and maintains the first degree of richness even after the output of the detection unit has reached a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or rich/lean value.
US09228462B2
The present disclosure considers an exhaust manifold and method of casting an exhaust manifold, where the exhaust manifold has both a portion of the exterior wall that is jacket cooled and a portion of the exterior wall that is not cooled. The non-cooled portion of the exterior is not accessible when the exhaust manifold is secured to the engine block. Furthermore, the non-cooled portion of the exterior wall of the exhaust manifold is designed to add stability during the casting process and allow for a simplified casting process with fewer cores.
US09228460B2
An exhaust aftertreatment system includes an oxidation catalyst and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed in an exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine. A stay warm thermal management strategy is employed after warm-up of the aftertreatment system is complete to maintain the aftertreatment system above a temperature providing a desired performance threshold of one or more components of the aftertreatment system, such as the oxidation catalyst or the SCR catalyst.
US09228459B2
An actuator for axially displacing an object includes an actuator piston disc and an actuator piston rod, which together form an actuator piston, a cylinder volume, the actuator piston disc dividing the cylinder volume into a first part and second part and being displaceable in the cylinder volume between an inactive and active position, a pressure fluid circuit arranged for controllable fluid communication with the first part, and a first hydraulic circuit including a liquid-filled space, the actuator piston rod being disposed to be axially displaced in relation to the liquid-filled space in connection with axial displacement of the actuator piston disc in the cylinder volume. The actuator piston includes a second hydraulic circuit, the liquid-filled space being in fluid communication with an inner cavity in the second hydraulic circuit when the actuator piston disc is in the inactive position, the inner cavity partly being delimited by a positioning piston.
US09228450B2
A particle deflector for a gas turbine engine deters accumulation of particles in cooling passages of nozzle vanes of the engine. The particle deflector is arranged to be disposed around a turbine housing over cooling passages that supply cooling air to nozzle vanes within the housing. The particle deflector includes circumferentially distributed mounting holes for mounting the particle deflector to the turbine housing. The particle deflector also includes circumferentially distributed spacers to space the particle deflector from the housing.
US09228446B2
A gas turbine engine component includes a ring element and a plurality of circumferentially spaced load carrying vanes extending in a radial direction of the ring element. At least one of the vanes is made of a composite material. The at least one composite vane is fastened to the ring element. The component further includes first and second wall portions that are fixed in relation to the ring element and arranged on opposite sides of the composite vane. At least a first hole extends through the first wall portion, the composite vane and the second wall portion. The first hole is adapted to receive a first insertion member. The component is arranged such as to, with regard to the first hole, provide a tight fit for the first insertion member in the first wall portion as well as in the composite vane and to provide a loose fit with a radial play in the second wall portion.
US09228442B2
An airfoil comprises leading and trailing edges with pressure and suction surfaces defining a chord length therebetween. The pressure and suction surfaces extend from a root section of the airfoil to a tip section. A tip shelf is formed along the tip section between the pressure surface and a tip shelf wall spaced between the pressure surface and the suction surface. A squealer pocket is formed along the tip section between the tip shelf wall and a squealer tip wall extending from the suction surface. The tip shelf extends from within 10% of the cord length measured from the leading edge to within 10% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge. The squealer pocket extends from within 10% of the chord length measured from the leading edge to terminate between 10% and 25% of the chord length measured from the trailing edge.
US09228434B2
The subject matter of the invention is a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a road milling machine, having a support member onto which an insertion projection is indirectly or directly attached on an insertion projection side, the insertion projection comprising at least one convex abutment surface and one pressure surface. In a bit holder of this kind, working forces can be dissipated in stress-optimized fashion into an attached base part when provision is made that the insertion projection comprises two convex abutment surfaces that are arranged at a distance from one another.
US09228424B2
The invention describes a method for treating near-wellbore zones involving the steps of injecting a magnesium metal with a catalyst into the desired area of the formation to be treated. Subsequently, combustive-oxidizing solution (COS) is injected into the zone of the formation to be treated. The COS initially reacts with the magnesium, which in turn initiates a vigorous oxidation reaction of the COS. The reaction gases and heat produced by the COS oxidation reaction are harnessed to enhance the productivity of the well by creating fractures in the treatment zone and by melting of paraffin and resin deposits in the treatment zone. As a final step, acid is injected into the formation to react with the formation thereby further enhancing the porosity of the fractures. In one embodiment, the COS uses ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer, and in another, urea or ethylene glycol may be added as a reaction fuel.
US09228423B2
A technique facilitates controlling flow in a wellbore. One or more flow control valve assemblies may be designed for coupling with downhole well equipment. Each flow control valve assembly comprises a flow control valve which cooperates with a control module. The control module comprises a plurality of electrically controlled valves arranged to control flow of actuating fluid to the flow control valve. Each flow control valve assembly also comprises a hydraulic override system to enable hydraulic actuation of the flow control valve to a predetermined position when, for example, no electrical power is available for the electrically controlled valves of the control module.
US09228420B2
In one aspect, a method of forming a shape conforming material is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include: providing a base shape memory material having a glass transition temperature; and adding a selected amount of heat transfer nanoparticles to the base shape conforming material to provide the shape conforming material. In one aspect, the heat transfer nanoparticles include a core and a shell, wherein the core has a melting point below the glass transition temperature of the base shape memory material and the melting point of the shell.
US09228419B1
A method for improving and maintaining well productivity is disclosed. The method comprises placing at least two acoustic devices within key wells of a geological formation, measuring parameters for initial acoustic impact, and continuing to measure parameters in order to change impact parameters during production and optimize the acoustic effect. The method may be used to restore, maintain, or increase the productivity of an entire geological formation (oil or gas), and to reduce the water cut in the formation.
US09228410B2
An apparatus for containing leaks from a stuffing box on a wellhead production assembly is provided. The apparatus comprises a containment vessel consisting of two half shells that are joined below the stuffing box. The apparatus further comprises a seal subassembly. The components of the seal subassembly are positioned one the nipple and pumping tee below the stuffing box. The half shells are positioned about and joined to the seal subassembly in a manner that provides a liquid tight seal. Additionally, the apparatus comprises a transparent topper having an upper opening to receive a polished rod extending from the stuffing box. The topper is secured to the containment vessel in a liquid tight manner such that the stuffing box is substantially isolated from the environment. As such, any leaks originating from the stuffing box will be contained in the apparatus.
US09228409B2
A ball catcher for recovering balls from wellbore fluids containing sand during flow back operations. The ball catcher has a receiving chamber for receiving the wellbore fluids containing sand, a first flow outlet for discharging a portion of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein, and a diverter for redirecting balls entrained within the wellbore fluids. The redirected balls and a balance of the wellbore fluids also containing sand are received in a ball-retaining chamber. A blocker fit to the ball-retaining chamber retains the recovered balls therein while the balance of the wellbore fluids and sand contained therein is discharged from a second flow outlet and directed to downstream equipment through an auxiliary flow line. The retaining chamber can be isolated allowing the balls to be removed from the ball catcher without disrupting the flow back operation.
US09228397B2
Systems and methods for riser coupling are disclosed. A riser coupling system comprises a riser joint connector comprising a first tubular assembly coupled to a second tubular assembly. The riser coupling system further comprises a spider assembly which receives the riser joint connector and has a connector actuation tool. The connector actuation tool comprises a dog assembly, a clamping tool and a splined member. The dog assembly selectively extends a dog to engage the riser joint connector. The clamping tool couples the first tubular assembly and the second tubular assembly. Finally, the splined member actuates a locking member of the riser joint connector.
US09228387B2
Disclosed is a door catch that can help to prevent door sag, especially for heavy or tall residential or commercial doors, and provides for post-installation catch tension adjustment without removal or adjustment of mounting members. In one aspect, the door catch can include a ball catch base, a threaded ball plunger assembly, a catch bumper, and a bumper base. In another aspect, the catch bumper and the bumper base can optionally be combined into a single catch bar bracket. The ball plunger assembly is adjustably mounted within a threaded aperture of ball catch base. A ball captive in one end of the ball plunger assembly engages a detent in the catch bumper, or catch bar bracket, providing friction to hold the door open. The position of the ball plunger assembly can be adjusted vertically to increase or decrease the tension between the detent and the ball plunger assembly.
US09228386B2
The invention relates to a sliding door fitting for the coupling of a door, which is fastened to at least one hinge, of a refrigerator to a door, which is fastened to at least one further single- or multi-axis hinge, of a furniture carcass in which the refrigerator is installed, wherein the sliding door fitting has a guide element and a slider guided by the guide element, and wherein the guide element can be arranged on one of the doors and the slider can be arranged on the other of the doors. The sliding door fitting is distinguished by having at least one damping device for damping a relative movement between the slider and the guide element over at least one defined portion of the relative movement.
US09228384B2
A switching system including a switch activation pin, a switch, and a switch connector is provided. The switch activation pin mounts to an arm that pivotally mounts a door to a body of a device. The switch activation pin moves with the arm when the door is opened or closed. The switch mounts to the device to control a component of the device. The switch connector mounts to the device to activate the switch based on a position of the switch activation pin.
US09228378B1
A portable theft deterrent device is disclosed. The theft deterrent device comprises a lock detection mechanism. The lock detection mechanism includes a plurality of connectors and an opening therethrough. The lock detection mechanism includes a keypad. The keypad enables and disables the lock detection mechanism when a correct key code is entered. The lock detection mechanism includes a first active circuit therein coupled to the plurality of connectors. Wherein when the lock detection mechanism is coupled to an electrical path via at least one connector of the plurality of connectors and the first active circuit detects an interruption in the electrical flow in the electrical path, the lock detection mechanism provides an alert.
US09228377B1
The invention relates to a bicycle lock for multiple connection uses, which is consisted of a body, a fit seat, a push rod, a lock cylinder module, a first clamping block, a second clamping block, a external locking element and an external connecting element. By the composition of the above structure, a quick release handle connected to a seat tube of a bicycle may be locked, and also, lock of connecting the external locking element and the external connecting element may be provided, to thereby achieve the purpose of preventing theft from a bicycle seat, front and rear wheels or other objects within a bicycle, and the purpose of conveniently locking and unlocking.
US09228376B2
The present invention is directed to exemplary embodiments of a combination disc padlock that may include a housing, a shackle positioned within a portion of the housing, the shackle having a curved shape with a first end that is never released from the housing and a second end that may be exposed from the housing when the padlock is in an unlocked configuration. The padlock may include a mechanism or other structure formed on or connected to the shackle that facilitates movement of the shackle between a closed position and an open position. The padlock may include a reset mechanism that prevents a user from accidentally changing a combination code of the padlock when the padlock is in the unlocked configuration, thereby requiring that the padlock be put into a reset mode in order to change the combination code.
US09228374B2
A lock structure at least includes a driving plank and a guidance mechanism. The guidance mechanism and the driving plank are mutually coupled at a same unlatch position via the guidance mechanism, or, the guidance mechanism and the driving plank are mutually coupled at a same lock position, which prevents the driving plank from wrong installation to avoid a destruction of the lock structure or reinstallation.
US09228373B2
A combination-identifiable padlock has a shell, a combination lock cylinder, a key lock cylinder and an identification assembly. The combination lock cylinder, the key lock cylinder and the identification assembly are mounted in the shell. When the correct key is inserted, the key lock cylinder is rotatable to actuate the identification assembly and combination lock cylinder is actuated to identify the combination. Therefore, the combination is retrievable to avoid the combination lock cylinder to become unusable when the combination is forgotten.
US09228365B2
A system is provided for retaining a flowable and curable building material to form a portion of a foundation of a structure of interest. A first and second side wall receive and retain the building material in a channel bound by the side walls. At least one of the side walls defines an interior cavity. A venting conduit is disposed within the structure of interest and coupled to the interior cavity to form a first passage. A bracket assembly retains the side walls in the predetermined configuration and includes two or more reinforcement posts and a separator bar. The separator bar has a first and second set of apertures proximate a first and second end that are sized to receive and retain a pair of the reinforcement posts at locations to establish a width of the components of the side walls and the channel being formed therebetween.
US09228361B2
A pallet cap for covering and connecting with at least one existing pallet includes a reinforced platform having a flat top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. Four vertical, peripheral edges connect the top and bottom surfaces. Three or more of the edges form at least one edge extension continuing outward from the reinforced platform, and at least one edge notch proximate the edge extension and recessed from the edge extension. At least one notched corner is formed by distal edge extensions of edges meeting perpendicular to one another. A plurality of retaining walls extend downward from the bottom surface of the platform and define the edge notches, proximate a junction of the platform and the edge extensions, for securing the pallet cap over a shipping pallet. Multiple caps may be connected to form an expandable raised flooring system or other structures.
US09228358B2
The invention relates to a self-supporting articulated-arm cassette awning, in particular for motor homes or trailers, comprising articulated arms (20) that are pivotable at awning arm joints or shoulder joints (10), and brackets or shoulders (II) for connecting the entire awning (100) to the vehicle by means of fastening elements and for receiving joint pins (I) in an insertable, in particular, slidable manner and for at least limiting the twistability of joint pins (I) of those parts of the awning arm joint or shoulder joint that are fixed to the vehicle. Desirable is a compact, continuously variable twisting arrangement for the joint pin which, at the same time, is capable of absorbing the high torques of the extended awning. This is achieved in that at least one, in particular, at least one multi-part bracing or clamping means (III, IV) is provided which can be inserted, in particular slid, into at least one of the brackets or shoulders (II) and which acts in particular radially with regard to the brackets or shoulders (II). The bracing or clamping means (III, IV) can be twisted with regard to the associated bracket or shoulder (II) about its longitudinal axis (12), at least to a limited degree, and receives the joint pin (I) in a positive- or nonpositive-locking manner. Alternatively or additionally it is proposed that at least one height adjustment and/or tilt adjustment means and at least one twisting means of the associated joint pin (I), which twisting means is continuously adjustable about its longitudinal axis, are arranged coaxial to each other in the bracket (II).
US09228357B1
A method and apparatus for a roof that takes the pressure from wind in extreme weather events off of the eaves and roof of a building thereby allowing the roof to stay intact and increasing the likelihood that the building will not collapse under the influence of the weather event. The apparatus of the instant invention allows the airflow from the wind to continue on its natural path.
US09228354B2
Disclosed is a system for improving the condensation resistance of metal roof penetrations. When environmental conditions are right, the curbs associated with metal roof penetrations can experience condensation on metal parts for which there is no thermal break. The disclosed system provides a mechanism to implement a thermal break to prevent the formation of condensation.
US09228342B2
A system for attachment of a fitting to an extruded beam comprises a beam including an upstanding longitudinally-disposed neck having a head comprising laterally-extending flange elements and co-operating attachment means for mounting the fitting, in which the attachment means comprise clamp elements which in use engage the neck of the longitudinally-disposed member from each side thereof, underneath the flange elements, when a clamping force is applied.
US09228338B2
A hanger for supporting a held member from a holding member is provided with a seat member adapted for supporting the held member, first and second side members connected to the seat member, the first and second side members having lower portions and upper portions, the lower portions of the first and second side members each having inner an face and an outer face with the inner faces facing each other, and the upper portions of the first and second side members being connected to first and second back flanges respectively, the upper portions of the first and second side members each having an inner face and an outer face, and the first and second back flanges being adapted to be connected to the holding member by a plurality of fasteners, wherein the inner faces of the lower portions of the first and second side members and the inner faces of the upper portions of the first and second side members form reflex angles with each other.
US09228336B2
A spray system, which reduces contamination caused by toilet flushing, is activated during a flush cycle to contain waste matter and prevent escape thereof from the bowl. The system is mounted above the level of water in a toilet and includes an aperture that creates a spray and is fluid communication with the flush valve of the toilet. Accordingly, each time the flush valve is activated, a portion of the water provided to the toilet is directed to the aperture to create a spray to minimize escaping effluent.
US09228333B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for a dual flush handle system. A first handle lever is configured to rotate in a direction by a first predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a first flush of a toilet. A second handle lever is configured to rotate in the direction about a second predetermined angle of rotation to initiate a second flush of a toilet.
US09228324B2
A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface that includes a coupler pocket. The interior surface has a base wall, a first coupler face wall, and a second coupler face wall. The first and second coupler face wall extend from the base wall to an opening of the coupler pocket. The first and second coupler face wall include a distal planar portion adjacent the base wall. The first and second coupler face include a first convex portion adjacent the distal planar portion, a concave portion adjacent the first convex portion, and a second convex portion adjacent the first concave portion such that the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.
US09228310B2
A tire assembly for use in reclaiming land from a marine environment. An anchor having at least one cable connected thereto acts as a base to which tires are connected by threading them down the cable to form a cylindrical tower of tires which can be filled with concrete or filler if desired. A plurality of the tire assemblies can be positioned adjacent to one another and further interconnected for stability purposes and can form the basis for further structural elements.
US09228308B2
A snow plow including a control unit for controlling the raising and lowering of an auger housing, a reset switch that can be operated by a worker, and a reset display light that illuminates in conjunction with the turning on of the reset switch. The control unit automatically raises and lowers the auger housing in accordance with the reverse and forward traveling of travel device, and automatically adjusts the auger housing to a horizontal position during forward travel of the travel device upon receiving an on signal from the reset switch. The control unit maintains the illuminated state of the illuminated reset display light according to the turning on of the reset switch, even when the travel device is traveling in reverse, and extinguishes the reset display light upon receiving a termination signal for terminating snow plowing work performed with an auger.
US09228295B2
Provided are a textile fabric sheet having stain and liquid resistance including a fabric sheet, a polyurethane coating layer formed on the fabric sheet and a silicon coating layer formed on the polyurethane coating layer and a method of preparing the same. Thus, a texture characteristic of the fabric substrate itself can be exhibited, and due to the polyurethane coating layer and the silicon coating layer stacked in two steps, excellent water resistance, stain resistance and air permeability can be exhibited.
US09228289B2
Disclosed is a washing ball which comprises a first tubular portion which is formed so as to vertically extend from the center of the upper end of the upper main body; a second tubular portion which is formed so as to vertically extend from the center of the upper end of the lower main body; multiple porous ceramic balls which are filled into both sides of the inside of the lower main body; a blocking film which prevents the multiple porous ceramic balls filled into the lower main body from moving out of position; and a laundry additive container which is removably inserted into the inner sides of the first tubular portion, the blocking film, and the second tubular portion which communicate with each other when the upper main body and the lower main body are coupled together.
US09228286B2
A drum type washing machine includes a housing; a spin tub rotatable by a driving motor through a rotating shaft; a balancer installed at a rear section of the spin tub; a shaft flange including a hub section to fixedly install the rotating shaft and a plurality of arm sections extending radially outward from the hub section and mounted to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub; and a rear cover provided on the rear section of the spin tub. The balancer is disposed adjacent to the rear cover and the shaft flange such that the first annular-shaped member contacts the shaft flange and the second annular-shaped member contacts the rear cover.
US09228283B2
One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a vertical axis washing machine. The washing machine includes a cabinet having a top portion with a lid and side portions extending downwardly from the top portion. The lid has a first layer and a second layer that are separated by a volume of space defined by the first layer and the second layer. A tub is positioned within the cabinet with a basket rotatably supported within the tub. The washing machine also includes a heater and a water level sensor. The water level sensor controls the volume of water that enters the tub and the heater generates steam from such volume of water.
US09228277B2
A device for compacting a sliver (V) on a spinning machine has a driven, revolving compaction element (17) that is acted on by suction air and which has a drive element (28, 29) that, in an operating position, forms a drive connection with a driven element (7, 7z) of the spinning machine while forming a first gearing stage (G1). To make the drive of the compaction device more flexible, a second gearing stage (G2) is provided between the drive element (28, 29) of the compaction element (17) of the first gearing stage (G1) and the compaction element (17).
US09228274B2
A crucible has a first resistance heater is disposed in spaced relation above the top of the crucible and a second resistance heater with a first resistive section disposed in spaced relation beneath the bottom of the crucible and with a second resistive section disposed in spaced relation around the outside of the side of the crucible. The crucible is charged with a seed crystal at the top of an interior of the crucible and a source material in the interior of the crucible in spaced relation between the seed crystal and the bottom of the crucible. Electrical power of a sufficient extent is applied to the first and second resistance heaters to create in the interior of the crucible a temperature gradient of sufficient temperature to cause the source material to sublimate and condense on the seed crystal thereby forming a growing crystal.
US09228272B2
A system for dip coating articles, in particular vehicle bodies, which articles can be moved to at least one dip tank and away from it with the aid of a transport system. For being lowered into and raised out of the tank, they are placed onto a rotating platform of at least one stationary rotating station and are dipped into the treatment liquid and removed from it by rotation of the rotating platform. Each article is fastened with the aid of a fastening device on a skid which interacts with the transport system. The fastening device is configured such that the article fastened to the fastening device is at a smaller spacing from the rotating platform in the removed position than in the second, dipped position.
US09228266B2
The present invention is a method of pickling of steel plate which contains silicon comprising applying ultrasonic waves of at least two types of frequencies of 28.0 kHz or more to less than 1.0 MHz to an acidic cleaning solution which contains microbubbles and, in that state, dipping the steel plate which contains silicon in that cleaning solution. The present invention is a continuous pickling system of steel plate which contains silicon which is provided with at least a support part which supports the steel plate, a conveyor which makes the steel plate move, and a pickling tank which pickles the steel plate, wherein the pickling tank has means for feeding microbubbles and means for applying ultrasonic waves of at least two types of frequencies of 28.0 kHz or more to less than 1.0 MHz.
US09228264B2
To protect a superalloy substrate from oxidation and hot corrosion, disclosed herein is a process that deposits successive layers on the substrate, a first layer of aluminum and of at least one element capable of being alloyed with sulphur, and a second layer of a material that isolates the at least one element capable of being alloyed with sulphur.
US09228261B2
A method and apparatus are provided for constructing tissue from cells or other objects by application of temporally and spatially controlled electric fields. Electric field applicators expose a substrate (32) to the electric field controlled to affect the processing medium (28) to achieve a processing effect on the construction of tissue on the substrate (32). Electrical bias is selected to interact with dipole properties of the medium (28) to control the movement of suspended dielectrophoretic cells or other particles in the medium (28) or at the substrate (32). The motion of suspended particles may be affected to cause suspended particles of different properties to follow different paths in the processing medium (28), which may be used to cause the suspended particles to be sorted. The processing medium (28) and electrical bias may be selected to affect the structure, or orientation, of one or more layers on the substrate (32).
US09228257B2
Low scatter water clear zinc sulfide with reduced metal contamination is prepared by coating a chuck which holds zinc sulfide and machining the zinc sulfide with uncoated particles. An inert foil is cleaned with an acid cleaning method and also cleaning the zinc sulfide. The zinc sulfide is wrapped in the inert foil and then treated by a HIP process to provide a low scatter water-clear zinc sulfide. The low scatter water-clear zinc sulfide may be used in articles such as windows and domes.
US09228249B2
A negative electrode active material for an electric device, including an alloy having a composition formula SixZnyAlz, where x++y=100 , 26≦x≦47, 18≦y≦44, and 22≦z≦46 are satisfied.
US09228243B2
A system and method for hardwood pulp liquid hydrolysate conditioning is provided. The system includes a first evaporator, a hydrolysis unit, at least one lignin separation device, a neutralization device, a precipitate removal device, a solvent extraction unit, a lignin removal and recovery unit, an acid and furfural separation and conditioning unit, and an electrodialysis device, which process a quantity of hardwood mix to produce a desalinated solution containing sugar.
US09228235B2
A method and kit are provided for identifying non-healing or healing chronic mammalian wound tissue or for determining the prognosis of chronic mammalian wound tissue based upon the identification of at least one key set of molecular markers or genes whose expression pattern is indicative of a given wound type and so representative of a given prognosis.
US09228226B2
The invention describes means and methods for determining mitochondrion-bound nucleic acid and describes the use thereof in diagnostics. Preferable cell-free mitochondrion-bound nucleic acid is determined.
US09228225B2
The invention provides a novel class of xanthene dyes, some of which are functionalized to allow their coupling to conjugation partners of interest, e.g. biomolecules, drugs, toxins and the like. Also provided are conjugates of the dyes, methods of preparing and using the dyes and their conjugates and kits including the dyes and their conjugates.
US09228224B2
The present invention relates to assays for monitoring activity of OGFOD1 activity, in particular, to assays for identifying modulators of OGFOD1 activity. The invention also relates to assays to monitor the prolyl hydroxylase activity of OGFOD1 on its substrate, the human ribosomal protein RPS23. The invention also enables the introduction of 3-hydroxyprolyl residues into peptides and proteins.
US09228219B2
The present invention relates to a process to produce a composition comprising water-soluble peptides and having a Trp/LNAA ratio of more than 0.15, which comprises hydrolyzing lysozyme, preferably hen eggs lysozyme, to prepare a hydrolysate having a DH of between 5 and 45.
US09228211B2
A process of water degumming an edible oil (preferably a crude edible oil) comprising the steps of: a) admixing approximately 0.1-5% w/w water with an edible oil (preferably a crude edible oil) and a lipid acyltransferase, b) agitating the admixture for between about 10 minutes and 180 minutes at about 45 to about 900 C, and c) separating the oil phase and the gum phase. Preferably said lipid acyltransferase is a polypeptide having lipid acyltransferase activity which polypeptide is obtained by expression of the nucleotide sequence shown as SEQ ID No. 49 or a nucleotide sequence which as has 70% or more identity therewith; and/or is obtained by expression of a nucleic acid which hybridizes under medium stringency conditions to a nucleic probe comprising the nucleotide sequence shown as SEQ ID No. 49; and/or is a polypeptide having lipid acyltransferase activity which polypeptide comprises the amino acid sequence shown as SEQ ID No. 68 or an amino acid sequence which as has 70% or more identity therewith. In one embodiment the lipid acyltransferase is preferably used in combination with a phospholipase C enzyme. A process for modifying the gum phase of a degummed oil using a lipid acyltransferase is also taught herein.
US09228210B2
A process of producing an organic compound and/or an intermediary compound as defined herein by feeding carbon dioxide to a culture of a cyanobacterial cell and subjecting the culture to light, wherein the cell is capable of expressing a nucleic acid molecule, wherein the expression of the nucleic acid molecule confer on the cell the ability to convert a glycolytic intermediate into the organic compound and/or into the intermediary compound and wherein the nucleic acid molecule is under the control of a regulatory system which responds to a change in the concentration of a nutrient in the culture.
US09228209B2
The invention relates to a method for producing triptolide from a suspension cell culture of Tripterygium sp., to a triptolide-enriched extract obtainable by means of extraction from the culture medium of an in vitro culture of dedifferentiated cells of the species Tripterygium, and to the therapeutic applications of said extract.
US09228206B2
Disclosed is a simple and highly efficient method for introducing a gene into a target cell using a retrovirus vector. The method comprises the steps of (a) placing a liquor containing a retrovirus vector having a foreign gene carried thereon into a bag for cell culture on which a retrovirus-binding substance has been immobilized, and incubating the liquor at a temperature lower than 25° C. for 8-48 hours, thereby producing a culture bag having the retrovirus vector bound thereto, (b) adding a target cell to the culture bag that has been produced in step (a) and incubating the culture bag for 8 hours or less, and (c) flipping the culture bag upside down and incubating the culture bag. The gene introduction method is useful particularly in medicine, cell technology, gene technology, and embryologic technology.
US09228201B2
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-89 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae Regel.) races NL:1-16 and Bl:18-28, and resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-89 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-89 RZ.
US09228197B2
The present invention provides a transgenic corn event MON87460, and cells, seeds, and plants comprising DNA diagnostic for the corn event. The invention also provides compositions comprising nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for MON87460 in a sample, methods for detecting the presence of MON87460 event polynucleotides in a sample, and probes and primers for use in detecting nucleotide sequences that are diagnostic for the presence of MON87460 in a sample. The present invention also provides methods of breeding with MON87460 to produce water deficit tolerance corn plants.
US09228196B2
The present invention provides a method for changing nitrogen utilization efficiency in a plant comprises regulating the expression of Arabidopsis NRT 1.7 or an ortholog thereof so that the nitrate remobilization from older leaves to young leaves in the plant is regulated, thereby the nitrogen utilization efficiency is changed. The present invention also provides a transgenic plant obtainable by transforming a plant with an expression construct with a high or low level of expression of NRT 1.7. On the other hand, the present invention yet provides a chimera nitrate transporter, a DNA molecule coding for this chimera transporter and an expression vector thereof.
US09228177B2
Reaction solutions are disclosed herein comprising water, sucrose and a glucosyltransferase enzyme that synthesizes poly alpha-1,3-glucan. The glucosyltransferase enzyme can synthesize insoluble glucan polymer having at least 50% alpha-1,3 glycosidic linkages and a number average degree of polymerization of at least 100. Further disclosed are methods of using such glucosyltransferase enzymes to produce insoluble poly alpha-1,3-glucan.
US09228175B2
Described nucleic acid molecules (and corresponding peptides) encode lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC) acyltransferases. Over-expression of the LPC acyltransferases in a cell may lead to enhanced production of PUFA, or other unusual fatty acids, and/or to increased oil content in the cell.
US09228174B2
Nucleic acids encoding Parvoviral Rep proteins with a mutated nuclear localization signal (NLS) are provided. Also provided is a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a Parvoviral Rep protein with a mutated zinc finger domain and a nucleic acid comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a Parvoviral Rep protein comprising an amino acid mutation at position 43, 57, 79, 97, 120, 179, 305, 484, 493 or 571 with reference to SEQ ID NO: 2. Nucleic acid constructs and cells, such as insect cells, comprising the nucleic acids are provided as well as a method for producing a recombinant Parvoviral virion using the nucleic acids.
US09228172B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for converting non-Tregs into Tregs. The converted Tregs are referred to as inducible Tregs (iTregs). The iTregs are useful for preventing, suppressing, blocking or inhibiting an immune response. For example the iTregs are useful for preventing rejection of a transplanted tissue in a human or other animal host, or protecting against graft vs host disease. The iTregs can also be used to treat autoimmune diseases.
US09228169B2
A method for controlling the attachment and growth of cells on a surface of an article, the method comprising contacting the article with living tissue, living organisms, or with water in an aqueous system comprising living organisms wherein the article comprises a substratum having a surface and a film on the surface, the film comprising a network of a net positively charged composition and a net negatively charged composition, wherein the net positively charged composition comprises a net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged composition comprises a net negatively charged polyelectrolyte, and the net positively charged polyelectrolyte or the net negatively charged polyelectrolyte contain (i) a polymer repeat unit having at least two fluorine atoms, or (ii) a polymer repeat unit having a zwitterion group.
US09228166B2
Biocontainers, as well as methods and platforms for rocking the biocontainers, are disclosed.
US09228162B2
The present invention relates to a transparent solid cleaning agent that is convenient to carry because it has solid pen shape, and has no concern of contents flowing because it is a solid. According to one aspect of the invention, a transparent solid cleaning agent comprising 10 to 70 wt % of gel forming material including alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of C8-36 aliphatic carboxylic acid, 2 to 30 wt % of a transparency agent, 2 to 30 wt % of a subsidiary transparency agent, 0.1 to 10 wt % of orange oil, and 0.5 to 20 wt % of anionic surfactant is provided. The transparent solid cleaning agent according to the present invention is convenient to carry because it has a solid pen shape, has no concern of contents flowing because it is a solid, prevents collapse or bending, and has an excellent sense of beauty because the contents are transparent.
US09228155B2
Plasticizers are made from oil with a narrowed, fatty acid polydispersity and extracted from a microorganism, such as a natural or genetically modified bacterium or algae. These plasticizers can comprise either a large content of either saturated C4 and/or C6 triglycerides or unsaturated C12 or greater triglycerides that have been chemically modified by one or more of epoxidation, acylation and esterification. The plasticizers of this invention are particularly well-suited for use with polar polymeric resins such as PVC.
US09228151B1
A lubricant additive composition including: a borate including an alkali metal borate, an alkaline earth metal borate, or a combination thereof; tungsten disulfide including particles having a particle diameter of 4 to 160 nanometers; an anti-scuff agent including a metal dithiocarbamate, a metal dialkyldithiocarbamate, a metal dithiophosphate, a metal dialkyldithiophosphate, or a combination thereof; a borate ester; and a base oil.
US09228139B2
An integrated hydrotreating, steam pyrolysis and coker process for the direct processing of a crude oil is provided to produce olefinic and aromatic petrochemicals, and petroleum coke. Crude oil and recycled coker liquid product are charged to a hydroprocessing zone operating under conditions effective to produce a hydroprocessed effluent which is thermally cracked in the presence of steam to produce a mixed product stream. The residual liquid fraction recovered upstream of the thermal cracking unit or within the thermal cracking unit is thermally cracked under conditions effective to produce coke and coker liquid product. The coker liquid product is recycled to the step of hydroprocessing while the petroleum coke is recovered. Hydrogen from the mixed product stream is purified and recycled to the hydroprocessing zone, and olefins, aromatics and pyrolysis fuel oil are recovered from the separated mixed product stream.
US09228136B2
Provided herewith is a novel method of controllably processing a dielectric fluid by creating discharges within the dielectric fluid from mobile charge carriers contained within the dielectric fluid. Generally, the dielectric fluid and the mobile charge carriers are between two electrodes which apply a voltage to the charge carriers. In one embodiment, the dielectric fluid is a hydrocarbon fluid such as a heavy crude oil or a fuel. In one embodiment the charge carrier comprises water droplets. In another embodiment, the mobile charge carriers are metallic balls. In both instances the discharges initiate from the mobile charge carriers.
US09228133B2
A method for refining oil includes contacting an oil with hydrogen to perform a hydrodeoxygenation reaction using iron oxide as a catalyst. The iron oxide comprises ferrous oxide (FeO), ferrum dioxide (FeO2), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), ferroferric oxide (Fe3O4), or combinations thereof.
US09228127B2
The present invention refers to a vapor space anticorrosive composition comprising corrosion inhibitors, surfactants and possibly thickeners, wherein one surfactant is selected from alkylamine ethoxylates, and being useful as an engine run-in composition and as a coolant.
US09228122B2
Methods and cement compositions are provided that utilize treated polyolefin fibers for lost circulation and/or mechanical property enhancement. Disclosed is a method comprising: providing a cement composition comprising: a hydraulic cement; water; and treated polyolefin fibers that are rod-shaped and have a length in a range from about 0.0625 inches to about 0.25 inches, wherein the treated polyolefin fibers have been treated with a surfactant to make the treated polyolefin fibers hydrophilic; placing the cement composition in a selected location; and allowing the cement composition to set.
US09228116B2
A thermosetting resin composition has good storage properties at room temperature and an unreacted epoxy resin etc. are less likely to exude therefrom during heat compression molding. The thermosetting resin composition contains an acrylic copolymer including an epoxy group-containing (meth)acrylate unit, an epoxy resin, and a curing agent for an epoxy resin. In this thermosetting resin composition, epoxy groups in at least the acrylic copolymer are partially cross-linked with an amine compound and a thiol compound having 2 to 4 thiol groups per molecule, and the curing agent for an epoxy resin is an organic acid dihydrazide.
US09228107B2
A (meth)allylsilane compound that a functional group of a (meth)allylsilyl group or a halogenosilyl group bonded to the (meth)allylsilyl group via a spacer group is bonded directly or through a divergent spacer group to a dehydrogenated residue of an amino group of an amino group-containing compound; a carbaminic acid ester group or an amide group derived from a dehydrogenated residue of the amino group; an aromatic compound; a polymerizable unsaturated groups; perfluoro group; a dehydrogenated residue of saccharide or a carbohydrate polyol (excluding when the divergent spacer group is an alkylene group, or an alkylene group and an arylene group); a dehydrogenated residue of an amino acid; a halogenosilyl group; or a substituted silyl group in which a halogen of the halogenosilyl group is substituted.
US09228106B2
An aqueous paint formulation having an aqueous basecoat and an aqueous dispersion having an at least partially neutralized ethylene copolymer wax, wherein the ethylene copolymer wax contains as comonomers in copolymerized form (A) 12-40 wt % of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid of formula (I), (B) 60-88 wt % of ethylene, and (C) 0-10 wt % of a further comonomer; or the ethylene copolymer was contains as comonomers in copolymerized form (A′) 5-50 wt % of a comonomer of formula (II), (B′) 50-95 wt % of ethylene, and (C′) 0-20 wt % of a further comonomer; wherein the ethylene copolymer wax comprising the comonomers (A), (B), and optionally (C) has a molecular weight Mw of 10000 to 150000 g/mol, and the ethylene copolymer wax comprising the comonomers (A′), (B′), and optionally (C′) has a molecular weight Mw of 5000 to 40000 g/mol.
US09228102B2
An ink includes a C10 to C26 fatty acid and a microcrystalline wax, the ink exhibiting greater scratch resistance than a conventional ink as measured by scratch and fold testing.
US09228095B2
The invention is a coating composition comprising photocatalytic titanium dioxide particles, an opacifying agent, a silicone compound, de-HNO3 particles, styrene resin hollow microspheres, and a solvent. The combination of a silicone compound and styrene resin hollow microspheres in a depolluting coating composition results in improved opacity and durability compared to conventional coatings.
US09228094B2
A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.
US09228087B2
A method of manufacture of an aqueous suspension of talc, using a copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid with an oxyalkylated monomer with a surfactant group, an aqueous suspension of talc which may be obtained by such a method, and the use of these suspensions in various applications.
US09228084B2
A phenolic resin molding compound includes (A) a novolac-type phenolic resin including an alkylbenzene-modified novolac-type phenolic resin, (B) a resol-type phenolic resin, (C) hexamethylenetetramine, (D) graphite, and (E) fiber-shaped filler, wherein in regard to the content of each component on the basis of the entirety of the molding compound, a total content of the components (A) to (C) is 30 to 40% by weight, a content of the component (D) is 30 to 50% by weight, and a content of the component (E) is 5 to 20% by weight.
US09228080B2
The invention relates to polymer compositions comprising PCT (poly((cyclohexylene-dimethylene) terephthalate)) polymer and a fibrous glass filler having a non-circular cross-sectional aspect ratio of greater than at or about 4.
US09228077B2
The present invention relates to a rubber composition including a rubber component (A), a farnesene polymer (B) and silica (C).
US09228076B2
In a pneumatic tire for heavy load in which a rubber chafer 8 is disposed at least in a part brought into contact with a rim in a bead part 1, the rubber chafer uses a rubber composition which comprises 45 to 55 parts by mass of butadiene base rubbers containing 10 to 30 parts by mass of a syndiotactic 1,2-structure-containing polybutadiene rubber and 45 to 55 parts by mass of a natural rubber as a rubber component and more than 50 parts by mass and less than 60 parts by mass of carbon black having DBP of 85 to 115 ml/100 g and a specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption (N2SA) of 50 to 100 m2/g based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US09228068B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing polypropylene films, a polypropylene film obtained by such a process, use of said polypropylene film as packaging material, an article comprising said polypropylene film as well as to the use of a polypropylene composition to improve the processability of a film production process.
US09228057B2
A polyamide comprising a unit containing at least one (a) alicyclic dicarboxylic acid and a unit containing a (b) diamine having 8 or more carbon atoms, wherein the polyamide satisfies the following conditions (1) and (2): (1) a sulfuric acid relative viscosity ηr at 25° C. is 2.3 or more; and (2) Mw (weight average molecular weight)/Mn (number average molecular weight) is 4.0 or less.
US09228048B2
An odor-absorbing foam composition comprising a cyclodextrin crosslinked with a polyurethane prepolymer. In one embodiment, the foam includes a ratio of the cyclodextrin to the polyurethane prepolymer selected to result in formation of the foam. The odor-absorbing foam may be used in a personal care product or wound care. A process for preparing a foam, including providing a cyclodextrin; providing a polyurethane prepolymer; combining the cyclodextrin with the polyurethane prepolymer; and allowing the polyurethane prepolymer to react with water and crosslink the cyclodextrin to form the foam. A process for preparing an odor-absorbing foam article such as a personal care product, including preparing the foam and applying it or the components thereof to a suitable substrate.
US09228045B2
Process for preparing a seed latex of a methyl methacrylate polymer (PMMA) by radical polymerization in aqueous emulsion of methyl methacrylate and optionally at least one comonomer.Process for preparing a chlorinated vinyl polymer latex by radical polymerization in aqueous emulsion of at least one chlorinated vinyl monomer, according to which the polymerization takes place in the presence of at most 3% by weight, expressed relative to the total weight of the monomers, of the PMMA seed latex.
US09228043B2
The present invention relates to an application of a composition containing telechelic macromer and photoinitiator for producing implant for hernia repair. The macromer structure is defined by Formula 1. The macromer bears (meth)acrylic end-groups and comprises a core Y defined by Formulas 2 to 9, that is linked by urethane, ester or anhydride bonds to the (meth)acrylic groups. The iodine value of the macromer is from 5 to 75. The composition according to the present invention can be shaped at room temperature and at 37° C. and is capable of undergoing liquid-to-solid transition upon irradiation with low intensity light. Upon irradiation with light the composition gains desired physicochemical properties and turns into an elastic solid. The implant for hernia repair serves for closing the hernia opening and for enhancing mechanical strength of abdominal wall.
US09228034B1
Synthetic schemes for preparation of polymers and polymer precursors having various functional groups is provided. These synthetic schemes are used to prepare polymeric, oligomeric, or monomeric materials incorporating 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazine moieties. These hexandortriazine moieties can be further reacted to form dithiazine and thioether moieties. In certain synthetic schemes, 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazine moieties are incorporated as crosslinker groups for providing crosslinked polymeric materials. Crosslinker groups formed with these triazine moieties provide chemically reversible crosslinks, which allow such otherwise intractable crosslinked polymeric materials to be recycled and/or reprocessed by removal/reversal of crosslinks.
US09228033B2
A polymerization process is disclosed, including: providing a reactor component suspended in a hydrocarbon gel; introducing the reactor component to a polymerization reactor; and polymerizing an olefin in the polymerization reactor to form an olefin-based polymer. Another polymerization process is disclosed, including: providing a hydrocarbon gel comprising a reactor component suspended therein; combining the hydrogen gel with an additional reactor feed; introducing the combined mixture of the hydrocarbon gel and the additional reactor feed to a polymerization reactor; and polymerizing an olefin in the polymerization reactor to form an olefin-based polymer. A hydrocarbon gel is disclosed, including: a liquid hydrocarbon; a gelling agent; and a reactor component.
US09228031B2
A process for reducing the number of unstable end-groups in a fluorinated polymer is disclosed, said process comprising reacting a fluorinated polymer comprising unstable end-groups with fluorine in the presence of at least one (per)haloolefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having at least one fluorine or chlorine atom on either one of the carbon atoms of said double bond. The fluorinated polymer may be selected from those polymers comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated fluorinated monomer or from fluorinated polyethers.
US09228027B2
The present invention provides threads of hyaluronic acid, and/or derivatives thereof, methods of making thereof and uses thereof, for example, in aesthetic applications (e.g., dermal fillers), surgery (sutures), drug delivery, etc.
US09228022B2
The invention relates to antibodies that are capable of specifically binding tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), neutralizing free TFPI and reducing the clotting time of blood. Furthermore, the invention relates to polynucleotides that encode such antibodies and to cells that comprise the polynucleotides or that express the antibodies of the invention. Such antibodies have utility in the treatment of subjects with a coagulopathy, alone as well as in combination with a second agent.
US09228016B2
Provided herein are antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, that bind to glucocorticoid-inducible TNF receptor (GITR). Also provided are uses of these proteins in therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of cancer. Further provided are cells that produce the antibodies, polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies, and vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies.
US09228011B2
The present invention relates to the use of antibodies against the S100P protein for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer; and to methods and kits for diagnosing cancer in vitro by means of detecting the levels of S100P in a biofluid, preferably with an antibody. The invention also relates to specific anti-S100P monoclonal antibodies, hybridoma cell lines producing them and method for obtaining them, as well as to pharmaceutical compositions and conjugates containing them.
US09228009B2
The present disclosure generally relates to collagen, and more particularly compositions and methods related to collagen-mimetic peptides. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a collagen-mimetic peptide and peptide systems comprising the amino acid sequence (Pro-Lys-Gly)4(Pro-Hyp-Gly)4(Asp-Hyp-Gly)4.
US09228005B2
Disclosed is the novel myokine known as myonectin (CTRP15), an isolated nucleic acid encoding the myonectin (CTRP15) gene, and the amino acid sequence encoding the myonectin (CTRP15) protein. Methods of isolation of the nucleic acid, protein, polypeptides and methods of making antibodies to the myonectin (CTRP15) protein are provided. The use of myonectin (CTRP15) in the modulation of lipid and/or glucose metabolism, suppressing the expression of autophagy genes, inhibiting LC3 lipidation and autophagosome-dependent p62 degradation, and activating the Akt/mTOR pathway is also provided.
US09228002B2
The present invention provides vectors that contain and express in vivo or in vitro sand fly Lu. longipalpis salivary antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against Leishmania, vaccine compositions comprising said vectors and/or Lu. longipalpis salivary polypeptides, methods of vaccination against Leishmania, and kits for use with such methods and compositions.
US09228001B2
Mutants of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins comprising at least one amino acid substitution in at least one of Loop 1, Loop 2, or Loop 3 of Domain 4, nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells encoding such polypeptide mutants, and compositions and vaccines comprising such polypeptide mutants.
US09227996B2
Compounds that affect quorum sensing (QS) in Staphylococcus aureus and related Staphylococcus species (e.g., S. epidermidis). Compounds which modulate one or more of the four AgrC receptors of Staphylococcus species, particularly of Staphylococcus aureus. Modulation includes inhibition or activation of one or more of these four AgrC receptors. These compounds are useful for bacterial interference and are useful for treating bacterial infections, particularly staphylococcal infection. Treatment can include combination of one or more of the compounds of the invention in combination with one or more antibiotics.
US09227994B2
The present invention relates to a selectively soluble polymer capable of binding to a desired molecules in an unclarified mixture containing various biological materials and the methods of using such a polymer to purify a molecule from such a mixture. The polymer is soluble in the mixture under a certain set of process conditions such as pH or temperature and/or salt concentration and is rendered insoluble and precipitates out of solution upon a change in the process conditions. The polymer is capable of binding to the desired molecule (protein, polypeptide, etc) and remains capable of binding to that molecule even after the polymer is precipitated out of solution. The precipitate can then be filtered out from the remainder of the stream and the desired biomolecule is recovered such as by elution and further processed.
US09227985B2
The present invention relates to tricyclic heterocycles of Formula (I): which are inhibitors of BET proteins such as BRD2, BRD3, BRD4, and BRD-t and are useful in the treatment of diseases such as cancer.
US09227980B2
A method for purifying a cucurbituril from a mixture. The method includes the step of forming a complex between the cucurbituril and a cucurbituril guest. The complex has altered physical and/or chemical properties to the cucurbituril which allow the complex to be separated from at least one other component of the mixture. The mixture includes the cucurbituril, the other component and a solvent.
US09227976B2
Compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, Leber's congenital Amaurosis, Syndromic retinal degenerations, age-related macular degeneration and Usher Syndrome, and hearing loss associated with Usher Syndrome are described herein.
US09227974B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I, and methods for the treatment of respiratory disorders may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of viscid or excessive mucus, cough, inflammation, redness in sore throat, infection in the throat, sore throat, abnormal mucus secretion, impaired mucus transport, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, respiratory muscular disorders and pain in acute sore throat.
US09227973B2
The present invention is directed to pyridine derivatives which are antagonists of CGRP receptors and useful in the treatment or prevention of diseases in which CGRP is involved, such as migraine. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and the use of these compounds and compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which CGRP is involved.
US09227963B2
Disclosed are compounds which inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL proteins, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases during which is expressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein.
US09227962B2
Disclosed is a compound represented by formula (1) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof. (In the formula, R1 is optionally substituted heteroaryl etc.; R2 is hydrogen etc.; R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen etc., R5 is the following group: (wherein Y is optionally substituted five membered heteroaryl etc., R9a is optionally substituted aryl etc., R9b and R9c are each dependently hydrogen etc., and m is the integral 0 etc.) etc.; R6 is hydrogen etc.; and R7 is hydrogen etc.
US09227952B2
The disclosure provides crystalline Sovaprevir forms. The crystalline forms of Sovaprevir comprise a Form A polymorph, a Form B polymorph, a Form C polymorph, a Form D polymorph, and a Form E polymorph. The Form A, B, C, D, and E polymorphs exhibit X-ray powder diffraction patterns having peak locations in accordance with FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 10, and 13, respectively.
US09227933B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where R1-6 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US09227919B2
The present invention provides arylalkylamine compounds as calcium sensing receptor modulators (CaSR). In particular, the compounds described herein are useful for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of calcium sensing receptors (CaSR). The invention also provides herein the pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for treating, managing, and/or lessening the severity of diseases, disorders, syndromes and/or conditions associated with the modulation of CaSR. The invention also relates to process for the preparation of the compounds of the invention.
US09227915B2
A process is proposed for the preparation of a crystalline L-MGDA trialkali metal salt by crystallization from an aqueous solution thereof which has been obtained by Strecker synthesis, starting from L-α-alanine, by reaction with formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid to give L-α-alanine-N,N-diacetonitrile and subsequent alkaline saponification of the L-α-alanine-N,N-diacetonitrile to give the L-MGDA trialkali metal salt, wherein a temperature of 150° C. is not exceeded during the alkaline saponification.
US09227899B2
Propylene glycol methyl ether is produced by feeding a solution of a basic catalyst in methanol to a catalytic distillation column containing a heterogeneous basic catalyst defining a heterogeneous reaction zone, and feeding propylene oxide to the column. The methanol reacts with the propylene oxide according to a dual homogeneous catalytic reaction and heterogeneous catalytic reaction to form propylene glycol methyl ether, which is removed from the column as a bottoms product. Alternatively, methanol can be reacted with propylene oxide in a pre-reactor, to form propylene glycol methyl ether, and, when the temperature in the pre-reactor reaches about 100° C., the reaction products are transferred to the catalytic distillation column for further reaction.
US09227898B2
It has been discovered that irradiating the cut side of sugarcane billets, preferably 2-50 mm, with UVB or UVC light or combinations thereof initiates stilbene production, particularly resveratrol and piceatannol. In an embodiment the cut sides of sugarcane billets of a predetermined thickness are irradiated with Ultraviolet-C or Ultraviolet-B light or combinations thereof at an intensity and for a duration of time sufficient to produce a significant increase in a level of one or more stilbenes in the irradiated billets compared to a level of stilbenes in billets that are not irradiated; and the irradiated sugarcane billets are maintained for at least about three days up to about 20 days, to optimize stilbene levels.
US09227897B2
A coating liquid including a fluorine-containing organic magnesium compound represented by the following chemical formula (1), a method for manufacturing an optical component having an optical film obtained from the coating liquid, and a photographic optical system are disclosed: Mg(OR11)(OR22) Chemical formula (1) where R11 represents an alkyl group that may have a substituent group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms having at least a fluorine atom, R22 represents an alkyl group that may have a substituent group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms that may have a fluorine atom, or an aromatic cyclic group that may have a substituent group, and R11 is different from R22.
US09227894B2
The present invention is directed to processes for the production of 1233zd from 240fa and HF, with or without a catalyst, at a commercial scale. The 240fa and HF are fed to a reactor operating at high pressure. The resulting product stream comprising 1233zd, HCl, HF, and other byproducts is treated to one or more purification techniques including phase separation and one or more distillations to provide purified 1233zd, which meets commercial product specifications, i.e., having a GC purity of 99.5% or greater.
US09227888B2
Liquid phase isomerization technology is employed in a manner to increase efficiency and reduce energy in paraxylene recovery.
US09227885B2
A process for the conversion of an alcohol mixture may include introducing into a reactor a stream including the alcohol mixture mixed with a stream including olefins having 4 carbon atoms or more. The process may include contacting the stream with a single catalyst at a temperature above 500° C. in the reactor at conditions effective to dehydrate isobutanol, forming C4+ olefins, and to catalytically crack the C4+ olefins. The single catalyst may be an acid catalyst adapted to cause both the dehydration and catalytic cracking. The process may include recovering an effluent including ethylene, propylene, and water, and fractionating the effluent.
US09227881B2
Hydrophobic aggregates for use in refractory castables and gunning mixtures and methods of their preparation. The aggregates here are formed by crushing insulating fire brick and coating the resulting particles with a hydrophobic component. The hydrophobic component may be a polydimethylsiloxane having a terminal silanol group. As a result of the coating process, the coated aggregate has very low levels of alkalis. The aggregates may be used to form refractory castables that do not undergo substantial alkaline hydrolysis due to the reduced levels of alkalis. The castables made from these aggregates display superior physical properties, including lower water content, lower permanent linear change, high strength, and superior thermal conductivity/insulation properties, while at the same time possessing lower density and requiring less water to be used during castable formation. These improved properties also are observed in gunning mixtures formed from these aggregates.
US09227878B2
The disclosure provides for a mixture suitable for extrusion and firing to form a ceramic honeycomb substrate, said mixture comprising a batch composition selected from the group consisting of a cordierite batch composition and an aluminum titanate batch composition, an optional pore former material; a binder material and water; wherein said binder is a methyl ether of cellulose binder having a count of less than 300 water-insoluble fibers per gram of binder material.
US09227870B2
There is provided a glass fiber comprising the SiO2 content is 57.0 to 63.0% by weight; the Al2O3 content is 19.0 to 23.0% by weight; the MgO content is 10.0 to 15.0% by weight; the CaO content is 4.0 to 11.0% by weight; and the total content of SiO2, Al2O3, MgO and CaO is 99.5% by weight or higher based on the total weight.
US09227866B2
The present invention disclosed in this application relates to a method for producing glass membranes for filtration purposes. The disclosed method for producing cost effective glass membranes utilizes recycled waste glass, has shorter sintering periods and has lower sintering temperatures.
US09227864B2
A method and chemical composition are provided which permit operation of evaporative cooling towers at increased cycles of concentration without formation of calcium scale. The method can include first determining the calcium hardness and total alkalinity of the makeup water, calculating the operating cycles of concentration using a formula developed for the specified chemical composition, then dosing the treated water to maintain a constant level of the chemical composition. The method permits scale-free operation of evaporative cooling towers at a minimum of two (2) cycles of concentration over existing technology.
US09227862B2
Process and apparatus to remove colloids and nitrogen compounds from contaminated water by coagulating the colloids and separating them from the water. The water is then continuously oxidized with chlorine electrolytically to destroy the nitrogen compounds.
US09227858B2
An electrical purification apparatus and methods of making same are disclosed. The electrical purification apparatus may provide for increases in operation efficiencies, for example, with respect to current efficiencies and membrane utilization.
US09227857B2
The present disclosure is directed at an apparatus, method and plant for desalinating saltwater and contaminated saltwater. The apparatus comprises a stack and a manifolding assembly. The stack comprises a product chamber, a first and second concentrate chamber, an anion exchange membrane forming a boundary between the first concentrate chamber and the product chamber and a cation exchange membrane forming a boundary between the second concentrate chamber and the product chamber. The manifolding assembly comprises product and concentrate manifolding fluidly coupled to the product and concentrate chambers respectively, to convey a saltwater being desalinated to and away from the product chamber, and a concentrate to and away from the concentrate chambers. The stack may include a diluent chamber and adjacent anion or cation exchange membranes between the product chamber, diluent chamber and concentrate chamber to respectively convey anions or cations across multiple chambers. The stack may also contain a rinse chamber bounded by an anion exchange membrane to guard the stack electrodes from scaling cations. A cleaning system for cleaning the stack is also disclosed.
US09227848B2
A process for advantageously producing a graphene/SiC composite material is provided in which a large-area graphene layer that is flat in an atomic level is formed on a SiC single crystal substrate. The process for producing a graphene/SiC composite material in which at least one graphene layer is formed on a SiC single crystal substrate, comprising the steps of: removing an oxide film that is formed by natural oxidation and covers a surface of the SIC single crystal substrate, thereby exposing a Si surface of the SiC single crystal substrate, heating the SiC single crystal substrate with the Si surface exposed under an oxygen atmosphere, thereby forming a SiO2 layer on the surface of the SiC single crystal substrate, and heating the SiC single crystal substrate under vacuum on which the SiO2 layer was formed.
US09227845B2
A packed tower for the absorption of water or SO3 in sulfuric acid includes a jacket and a domed grid disposed within the jacket. The domed grid is held on an L-shaped ring such that a gap is formed between an outside diameter of the domed grid and the jacket. A bed of packings is held on the domed grid through which the sulfuric acid charged from above trickles. A gas supply tube is disposed in a lower region of the tower. A gas outlet is disposed above the bed. An acid outlet is disposed in the lower region of the tower.
US09227843B2
MEMS devices with a rigid backplate and a method of making a MEMS device with a rigid backplate are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes a substrate and a backplate supported by the substrate. The backplate includes elongated protrusions.
US09227834B2
The present subject matter relates to a micromechanical component having a top face and a bottom face and at least two side faces, and a coating of diamond and/or diamond-like carbon (DLC) which encompasses all the surfaces of the component, wherein on at least one side face, across at least a part of said side face, the coating has a smaller coating thickness than that of the top face and/or bottom face, so that a reinforced area in reference to the at least one side face is produced.
US09227816B2
The vertical support structure includes a half tube and a mounting member. The half tube has an inner surface defining a receiving space and formed with a series of axially spaced-apart helical groove halves. The mounting member is connected to an outer surface of the half tube. A lifting device is also disclosed, and includes a plurality of the vertical support structures, a plurality of rotation units, a plurality of slide housings, a lift carrier, a drive motor and a plurality of transmission units.
US09227806B2
A sheet storing portion includes a movable restricting portion disposed in a sheet storage body to be movable along a sheet feeding direction and restricting an upstream end in the sheet feeding direction of the sheet. A detecting portion moves in conjunction with the movable restricting portion and includes a detecting member that turns turning on and off the plurality of switches. A control portion is configured to judge the size of the sheet by patterns of ON and OFF of the plurality of switches inputted from the detecting portion and to judge that the size of the sheet stored in the sheet storing portion is the sheet specified through a specifying portion when the size of the sheet is specified through the specifying portion even if the pattern is a predetermined pattern different from a pattern of the size of the sheet specified through the specifying portion.
US09227802B2
A scanner device including: a scanning path on which a scanning member for scanning an image from a document is disposed; a supply path on which a document is supplied to the scanning path; a discharge path on which a document is discharged after scanning of the document on the scanning path has been completed; and a re-supply path that extended to the supply path from a intersection where the scanning path and the discharge path cross so that a document fed along the discharge path in a direction opposite to a document-feeding direction is re-supplied to the supply path after scanning of one side of the document has been completed, wherein one-side guide portions of the supply path, the discharge path, and the re-supply path are integrally formed.
US09227801B2
An image reading device includes a conveyor which conveys a sheet from an upper path to a lower path through a curved path. The conveyance section includes a feed roller which is disposed at the upper path and feeds the sheet, a separation roller which is disposed at the upper path and separates the sheet in conjunction with a separator, and a conveying roller which conveys the sheet along the curved path. The lower path includes a horizontal path extending in a substantially horizontal direction. The separator includes a flat plate portion having a flat plate shape, and the flat plate portion is disposed above the horizontal path and is arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The separation roller is disposed above the separator.
US09227799B2
Example vehicle restraints having example anti-rotation features are disclosed herein. In some examples, an actuator in the form of a hydraulic cylinder moves both a vehicle barrier and its brace between stored and activated positions. If the vehicle pushes the barrier from an upper blocking position to an intermediate blocking position, the brace helps support the barrier at the intermediate blocking position to prevent the vehicle from further pushing the barrier to its stored position. To avoid damaging a cover plate or other relatively weak areas of a vehicle's RIG (rear impact guard), some example barriers disclosed herein exert a holding force that is less at the upper blocking position than at the intermediate blocking position.
US09227797B2
A crane includes a first arm, a second arm, a first vertical transmission mechanism and a second vertical transmission mechanism. The first vertical transmission mechanism transmits the first arm and the second arm to move vertically in a synchronous manner, and the second vertical transmission mechanism transmits the second arm to move vertically with respect to the first arm.
US09227794B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method of transferring discrete articles from or to a moving carrier member using a transfer assembly. The transfer assembly comprises a frame defining a rotation axis and a transfer member comprising a transfer surface configured to receive one of the discrete articles. The method comprises rotating the transfer member about the rotation axis and maintaining the transfer surface at a substantially constant minimum distance away from the moving carrier member at the point of discrete article transfer.
US09227791B2
Conveying systems and method for measuring accelerations in a conveyor advancing through process equipment and taking remedial and prophylactic action in response. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with embedded accelerometers making measurements conveyor accelerations. A controller uses the measurements to control the speed of the conveyor to compensate for unwanted accelerations or to damp the unwanted accelerations. The controller can also use the measurements to warn of unwanted accelerations or to predict the failure of associated or nearby equipment so that maintenance can be scheduled and to detect imminent failures and shut down the process.
US09227788B2
A chain wheel for driving or diverting a conveyor of an apron conveyor including transport plates is disclosed. The transport plates may be releasably connectable via a chain connecting parts to the conveyor chain. The chain wheel may have a chain wheel body including a lateral face. The chain wheel may also have teeth arranged peripherally offset over the lateral face. In addition, the chain wheel may have bearing faces. The bearing faces may be arranged peripherally offset over the lateral face between two adjacently situated teeth. The bearing faces may also be configured to support the chain connecting parts.
US09227787B2
A conveyor chain includes a plurality of side link assemblies and flight arm assemblies coupled together to form an elongated chain. The flight arm assemblies include a pair of opposing flight arms positioned on either side of the chain with the flight arms each including an elongated body formed with and extending from an integral base and a vertical sprocket opening formed in the integral base. The vertical sprocket opening is configured for engaging a tooth of a drive sprocket to drive the flight arm. The side link assemblies include a pair of opposing side straps positioned on either side of the chain each including a base and a pair of side strap bosses extending outwardly from the base. An articulating connector is positioned between a flight arm assembly and a side link assembly to couple the assemblies together and includes a solid piece and side surfaces having profiled surfaces therein and configured for receiving at least one of a portion of a side strap of a side link assembly or a portion of a base of a flight arm assembly for providing articulation of the assemblies.
US09227786B2
A part mounting facility is provided with substantially U-shaped conveyance paths having return bends, and the substantially U-shaped conveyance paths are formed by providing conveyance paths, which are in part mounting work regions, with the return bends. The substantially U-shaped conveyance paths are connected to each other, and the upstream-most substantially U-shaped conveyance path among the connected substantially U-shaped conveyance paths is connected to the downstream-most substantially U-shaped conveyance path to enable a workpiece conveyance dolly to circulate along the conveyance paths.
US09227785B2
A modular conveying assembly includes active roller control for reducing backline pressure without product to product contact when accumulating products. The conveying assembly includes a first roller belt module having a top surface and at least one first roller axle support extending above the top surface. The first axle support supports at least one roller above the top surface. The at least one roller is rotatably coupled to a rotatably driven drive axle, such that rotation of the drive axle causes rotation of the roller. A clutch including a driven surface fixed to the drive axle engages a driving member to rotatably drive the drive axle and, thus the roller.
US09227777B2
The invention proposes a capsule (9) for use in a beverage production device, the capsule containing ingredients for producing a nutritional liquid when a liquid is fed into the capsule (9) at an inlet face (8) thereof, the capsule (9) furthermore containing heat sensitive bioactive ingredients such as probiotic microorganisms (21) which are physically separated from the other nutritional ingredients in the capsule.
US09227773B2
A non-limiting example packing container includes a first member and a second member, and two pieces of covers (contents) which constitute a part of a main body of a game device are stored by the first member and the second member while being arranged vertically. In the packing container, an interval between the two pieces of covers and parts of upper and lower portions of the two pieces of covers are made transparent. Accordingly, if an imitation which imitates the game device is installed into a concave portion which is formed in the rear of the packing container that stores the covers, the imitation can be seen through the parts made transparent, whereby a state like a state that the two pieces of covers are attached to the game device can be seen.
US09227769B2
A dispensing closure having a closure body and an insert member for dispensing a product from a container. The insert member includes a base and a sealing tube. The base is configured and arranged for seating within an open end of the product container. The sealing tube extends upwardly from the base. The sealing tube has a sealing tip portion at an upper end thereof. The sealing tube further includes one or more baffles spaced apart along the sealing tube. Each of the baffles positioned along a different horizontal axis to restrict direct flow of a product out of the dispensing closure. In operation, the closure body moves relative to the relative to the insert member between a closed position to prevent a baffled flow product to exit the exit orifice area and an open position to allow a baffled flow of product to exit the exit orifice area.
US09227760B2
A drip stop device (1) for a container for liquids (C) is arranged at the outlet opening (A) of a container (C) to allow liquid to be poured without drips. The device (1) includes a first plate-like element (2) introduced, in the rolled-up configuration, in the outlet opening (A) to define a tubular duct (21). A second plate-like element (3) that substantially develops along a longitudinal direction is superimposed on a surface (22) of first plate-like element (2) with a first end (31) fixed to a perimeter portion (23) of first plate-like element (2) so that when first plate-like element (2) is rolled up substantially along the longitudinal axis (x) of second plate-like element (3), longitudinal sides (32, 33) of second plate-like element (3) come into contact with surface (22) to define one or more forced routes for the liquid flowing out of the container (C).
US09227759B2
A biaxially stretched, blow molded synthetic resin bottle has a bottom including a sunken bottom portion, and deforms as it draws upward in a direction of the bottle inside and includes a ring groove formed by being successively connected to an inner peripheral edge of a ground contact portion disposed at the foot of an outer peripheral wall of the bottom, a central concave portion disposed at a center of the bottom, and a flat ring portion disposed between an inner peripheral edge of the ring groove and the central concave portion, wherein the sunken bottom portion includes a plurality of short slim ribs disposed at several points of the flat ring portion.
US09227758B2
An auxiliary transport unit is provided in particular for pallets, wherein the pallets include a loading base which, during transport, is oriented substantially horizontally. The auxiliary transport unit has a supporting device which, during transport, extends substantially in the vertical direction. The auxiliary transport unit also includes a connecting device which connects the supporting device to at least one first, lower pallet. The auxiliary transport unit also has a holding device which is connected to the supporting device. The holding device is provided for holding at least one second pallet vertically spaced from the at least one first pallet.
US09227751B2
Packages for housing consumable products or secondary containers having consumable products and methods of making and using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a tray having first and second opposing side walls, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, and an interior wall that divides the tray into at least two separate compartments. The interior wall may include first and second adjacent panels joined by one of a perforation and a score. The perforation and/or score will allow the tray to be configured, at least, as one tray having two separate compartments, or as two separate and discrete trays.
US09227733B2
A method and apparatus for detecting an icing condition. The apparatus comprises a sensor system and an icing condition detector. The sensor system is configured to collect drops of water from air on an exterior of an aircraft and generate a number of images of the drops of water collected. The icing condition detector is configured to detect a presence of a number of types of icing conditions for the aircraft using the number of images from the sensor.
US09227722B2
A flap support structure for an aircraft wing having a trailing edge flap, the flap support structure comprising: a flap support beam including an aerodynamic fairing; and a drive unit including a universal support structure which rotatably receives a drive shaft connected to a drive arm for moving the trailing edge flap, wherein the universal support structure also forms part of the flap support beam and supports the aerodynamic fairing.
US09227714B2
An outboard motor includes an engine including a crankshaft that is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an up-down direction, and a crank chamber that houses the crankshaft. The outboard motor includes an oil pan including an oil retaining portion, a cooling water passage disposed along an outer wall surface of the oil retaining portion, an oil recovery passage extending downward from the crank chamber to lead lubricating oil inside the crank chamber to the inside of the oil retaining portion, and a guide member. The guide member includes a shielding portion disposed inside the oil recovery passage so as to be located over an opening of the oil retaining portion, and a guide hole disposed inside the oil recovery passage so as to be located over an inner wall surface of the oil retaining portion. The guide member is configured to guide lubricating oil to the guide hole by the shielding portion and allow lubricating oil to flow down to the inner wall surface of the oil retaining portion from the guide hole.
US09227712B2
An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.
US09227708B2
A propulsor and control system for an underwater vehicle having annular fore and aft circumferential shrouds surrounding the hull. The fore and aft circumferential shrouds form respective fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps between the fore and aft circumferential shrouds and the hull. Fore and aft propulsor blades are situated substantially or completely within the fore and aft circumferential shroud gaps; the blades counter-rotate in one preferred embodiment. The fore or aft circumferential ring propulsors can have front control vanes located in front of the respective propulsors blade sets, and back control vanes located behind the respective propulsors to control the direction of the flow of water in order to maneuver the underwater vehicle.
US09227706B2
A marker and recovery device has a body for securing to a torso and an arch secured to the body at spaced locations. The arch is extendable from a stored to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, the arch extends from the torso of the wearer to function as a visible marker. The arch facilitates recovery of the wearer.
US09227705B2
An active stabilization device for stabilizing, for example, a vessel at sea, both in a first operating state in which the vessel moves and in a second operating state in which the vessel is in a rest position, includes at least one fin body (2) and a drive device which is connected to the fin body and is configured to drive the fin body. The device furthermore includes a hinge mechanism (5) which is connected to the fin body and is configured to position the fin body with respect to an outer side (1) of the construction by rotating the fin body about a first rotation axis 4 in such a manner that the fin body can generate a lifting force which can stabilize the construction at least in the second operating state. A vessel at sea which includes the device is also described.
US09227699B2
A pontoon boat includes a cover assembly. A front cover section has a front cover area defined by a perimeter thereof and is slidable relative to the central cover section between a retracted position and an extended position. An aft cover section has an aft cover area defined by a perimeter thereof and is slidable relative to the central cover section between a retracted position and an extended position. When in the extended position, the cover assembly defines a perimeter having a length dimension and a width dimension generally matching the length and width dimensions of the perimeter defined by the pontoon's sidewalls. The cover assembly is vertically movable between an up position where the cover assembly is elevated above head level, and a down position where the cover assembly is positioned on the sidewalls to cover an area inside the perimeter defined by the sidewalls.
US09227693B2
An auxiliary device for a hydraulic brake assembly used on a two-wheel vehicle includes a body and a transmission device. The body has four cylinders respectively connected to the left and right brake lever hoses, and front and rear wheel brake hoses. By the operation of the transmission device, the front and the rear wheels are braked by either pulling the left brake lever or the right brake lever. The front wheel brake unit and the rear wheel brake unit are simultaneously activated by pulling either the left brake lever or the right break lever. The front wheel is braked right after the rear wheel is braked, and the braking force applied to the rear wheel is larger than that to the front wheel.
US09227688B1
A kick scooter includes a deck including a through hole in a hole, a flexible protruding member formed on the through hole, and a head tube having a through aperture; a steering tube including an aperture; a lock assembly including a projection having two parallel grooves, and a push button; a spring biased detent for fastening the steering tube and the deck together; and a steering control including a connecting member having a cavity; two pivotal members each having an end secured to a front wheel, and a bearing in a through hole; two cylinders each in either end of the connecting member and another through hole; and a biasing member biased between the cylinders. The steering control is unlocked with the protruding member in one groove and the pivotal members configured to pivot about the bearings. A pressing of the push button locks the connecting member.
US09227685B2
Provided herein is a vehicle having high driving operability during turning. The vehicle having a right wheel provided at the right of a main body and a left wheel provided at the left of the main body, includes a right lower arm that connects the main body to the right wheel, a left lower arm that connects the main body to the left wheel, and foot placement sections that are respectively mounted to the right and left lower arms in order to place feet of a driver thereon. A mounting position of the right lower arm to the main body is to the left of the main body and a mounting position of the left lower arm to the main body is to the right of the main body.
US09227684B2
A knee walker includes a steering column rotatably attached to a forward portion of a frame, wherein the steering column includes a steering pulley rotatable about a vertically disposed axis of rotation. Two wheel assemblies are rotatably carried by the frame and have a pulley for rotating each assembly about a vertical axis. The axis of rotation of each wheel assembly is offset aft the steering column axis. A belt links rotation of the steering column to rotation of the wheel assemblies and in combination with the offset causes the belt to extend around at least half a circumference of each pulley for enhancing frictional contact. A shield guards each pulley. Mating alignment disks for aligning each assembly are provided to permit wheel alignment without affecting the belt tension. A third wheel assembly optionally extends from the column.
US09227679B2
A track link connector is disclosed herein that includes an elongate, substantially cylindrical body having a length dimension and including a substantially annular exterior surface and first and second opposing end portions. The track link connector further includes a textured region extending less than 360 degrees around a circumference of the exterior surface of the body at one of the end portions thereof.
US09227670B2
An electrical or electronic component (3) of a motor vehicle is mounted in an engine compartment of the motor vehicle by suspending the component (3) from a suspension cross-brace (1) and connecting the component (3) on a motor vehicle splashboard that separates the engine compartment from a passenger compartment. Such a mount permits a relatively heavy and relatively large electrical or electronic component to be accommodated in the engine compartment and securely mounted there.
US09227656B2
A drainage device of an electric power steering system has a drain case and a drain valve. The drain case has a groove portion formed in a peripheral edge portion of a case inlet. The drain valve has a main body, and a flange disposed so as to face the case inlet. The flange has a bulged portion bulged toward the case inlet, and an annular seal portion. When the seal portion is brought into tight contact with the peripheral edge portion of the case inlet, the drainage device is placed in a valve closed state to form an annular space between the groove portion and the seal portion. When the seal portion is elastically deformed to form a gap between the seal portion and the peripheral edge portion of the case inlet, the drainage device is placed in a valve open state.
US09227650B2
A child stroller that can grow with the family starts as a single stroller when a second base and standing boards are fully folded toward a first base. The second base can be slid open with respect to the first base to create a space to attach a full-sized second child seat via a second coupling unit. The standing boards may be extended out from the first base at the back that can be used for one foot or both feet, so that a third child can stand on the standing boards. Multiple configurations are provided for the child stroller.
US09227647B2
A manually propelled vehicle includes a vehicle body; a wheel for moving the vehicle body; a force sensor that detects an operating force and outputs sensor data; a distance measuring sensor that measures a distance between the manually propelled vehicle and a user and outputs sensor data; and a controller including a processor that receives the sensor data of the force sensor and the sensor data of the distance measuring sensor and a wheel drive controller that controls driving and braking of the wheel based on an output of the processor.
US09227636B2
A power transmission device includes a synchronous meshing mechanism, a braking mechanism, a shift mechanism, a parking gear, a parking mechanism, and a control unit. In the case where the shift mechanism is switched to a parking range, the control unit performs braking continuation processing for continuing the braking of the braking mechanism (step 4) regardless of a driver's braking operation, inhibits the rotation of the driven gear shaft by the parking mechanism, places a predetermined synchronous meshing mechanism in a connected state as a preparation for starting up the vehicle again, and then ends the braking continuation processing (step 5).
US09227629B2
A method of operating a vehicle hybrid drive-train in which, depending on the operating situation, the engine and electric machine either operate individually or together. The engine and the electric machine can be coupled or separated by a clutch. The engine can be started by the electric machine or a separate starting device. To co-ordinate transmission shifts and required engine starts, during a transmission shifting process, if the engine needs to be started, then based on whether the shift is an upshift, a downshift, a traction shift or an overdrive shift and also depending on the type of engine start required, it is first determined whether the shift should be completed, at least partially completed or discontinued before carrying out the start and, based on this determination, measures for continuing, at least partially continuing or discontinuing the shift process are initiated.
US09227613B2
Vehicle brake device comprises a master cylinder including a master chamber connected to a wheel cylinder, a drive pressure chamber in which a drive pressure is generated for driving a master piston and a fluid pressure chamber in which a fluid pressure is generated in response to a stroke position of the master piston and an operating characteristics setting device for setting operating characteristics of an electromagnetic valve. The operating characteristics include a relationship of the pressure differential in the fluid conduit between the master cylinder side and the wheel cylinder side with respect to the electromagnetic valve based on the supply amount of the electric power detected by the supplied electric power detecting device.
US09227608B2
An electric aircraft brake control system has a plurality of wheel and brake assemblies, each having a wheel, wheel speed transducer, brake assembly and a brake actuator. Electromechanical control units are uniquely associated with and connected to certain of the wheel and brake assemblies, and each of the electromechanical control units is provided with an antiskid system as an integral portion thereof. Brake data concentrators are provided for receiving data corresponding to various aircraft operational parameters, including brake pedal position, and provide operational signals to the electromechanical control unit as a function thereof. A controller for emergency and park braking is connected to the electromechanical actuator controllers through one of the brake data concentrators to effect emergency braking action on the brake assemblies, such emergency braking action having incident antiskid control. The system allows for a redundency in brake control circuitry and operation, which increases the dispatchability of an associated aircraft by ensuring continued effective operation of the aircraft even in view of a failure of one of the redundant circuits or systems. A reduction in weight is also achieve by reducing lengthy cable runs.
US09227606B2
A method for operating a braking system of a vehicle having at least one brake-able wheel, a braking force variable, which represents a braking force, of a braking device associated with the wheel being increased during a braking operation until a locking tendency of the wheel is recognized, and then reduced to a certain value. It is provided that the braking force variable is subsequently set to a setpoint braking force variable, which corresponds to a selectable portion of the braking force variable present at the recognition of the locking tendency, for a certain time period. Also described is a control unit for implementing the method.
US09227602B2
A disc brake for a commercial vehicle includes a brake caliper that straddles a brake disc, a brake application device, arranged in the brake caliper, for pressing brake pads against the brake disc. Two parallel, spaced-apart adjusting spindles are mounted in a rotatable manner via a corresponding thread, in a bridge of the brake application device. A wear adjusting device is arranged in the brake caliper and compensates for a wear-related change in the clearance between the brake pad and the brake disc by axially moving the adjusting spindles. A synchronizing device includes a traction drive mechanism which allows the two adjusting spindles to be synchronously rotated. The fraction drive mechanism has a traction mechanism that meshes in a force transmitting manner with drive gears which are effectively connected to the adjusting spindles for conjoint rotation therewith. Each drive gear includes at least one form-fitting element which engages with an outer axial guide of the associated adjusting spindle.
US09227597B1
A vehicle includes a windshield and a wiper assembly. The windshield presents a surface. The wiper assembly includes an arm and a wiper blade. The arm is movably attached to the vehicle. The wiper blade is operatively attached to the arm. The wiper blade includes a wiping member. The wiping member defines a longitudinal axis and extends between a first end and a second end. The wiping member has a plurality of radially extending protrusions that circumferentially surround the longitudinal axis such that the wiping member has a generally polygonal shaped cross-section. At least one of the protrusions is configured to maintain wiping contact relationship with the surface of the windshield as the arm moves the wiper blade to wipe the surface of the windshield.
US09227595B2
Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing a notification when a vehicle has been accessed by an unauthorized person. An onboard computer system of a vehicle is activated in response to a trigger event indicating that the vehicle has been accessed. It is determined whether an authorized consumer electronics device (CED), that is associated with an authorized person, is connected to a wireless communication interface of an onboard computer system. When an authorized CED has not connected to the wireless communication interface, a notification message is communicated that indicates that the vehicle has been accessed and that an authorized CED has not connected to the wireless communication interface.
US09227594B2
A catalytic converter protection system that includes a controller, a catalytic converter having a housing, and a shorting element that has two terminals and is coupled to the housing. The system also includes a connector having an internal resistor. The connector is electrically coupled to the controller and the two terminals. The controller monitors resistance of the internal resistor to determine continuity between the connector and the shorting element. The controller may activate an alarm element with a loss in continuity between the terminals and the shorting element.
US09227586B2
In a method for controlling a triggering element for passenger protection arrangement, a first connection is established from an energy source to the triggering element via a high-side control circuit, and a second connection is established from the at least one triggering element to ground via a low-side control circuit, and an ignition current is regulated to a predefined nominal value. The ignition current is continuously detected and compared with a predefined first threshold value, first phases being determined in which the ignition current falls below the first threshold value after reaching the nominal value, and second phases being determined in which the ignition current again reaches the nominal value after falling below the first threshold value. The control rate is increased if the number of alternations between the ignition current phases reaches a predefined second threshold value.
US09227584B2
In various embodiments, a support device is provided for at least one covering element, in particular of a bumper device of a motor vehicle having at least one support body, on which at least one covering element can be arranged or is arranged, and having at least one support unit, which can be fixed or is fixed to the support body and to a vehicle structure or an impact device, which supports the support body when a load acting on the support body is less than a defined load and which releases the support body for a movement when the load acting on the support body exceeds the defined load.
US09227582B2
When a battery case (24) housing a plurality of batteries (42) is mounted on the vehicle body frame (11) that includes a cross member (20) extending in a vehicle width direction, the cross member (20) of the vehicle body frame (11) is disposed within the recess portion (39b), extending in the vehicle width direction, that is formed in the battery case (24), and therefore, it is possible to mount the battery case (24) while avoiding interference with the cross member (20). Although the intermediate part in the fore-and-aft direction of the battery case (24) housing heavy batteries (42) is susceptible to downward deformation, it is possible to prevent deformation of the battery case (24) by fixing the recess portion (39b) of the battery case (24) to the cross member (20) by fixing means (54).
US09227579B1
A hybrid vehicle communications network including a combination of wired and wireless ECUs and wired and wireless peripherals. A communications backbone, either a CAN bus or a powerline, is electrically coupled to each of the ECUs. The wireless peripherals provide wireless signals to all of the wireless ECUs and each wireless ECU provides data messages on the backbone based on the signals received from the wireless peripherals to be received by a target ECU. Also, one or more of the ECUs puts messages on the backbone to be transmitted wirelessly by all of the wireless ECUs to be received by a wireless peripheral.
US09227577B2
Provided is an acoustic insulation device for a mobile vehicle in which sound transmitted to the exterior of the vehicle body is blocked by being reflected or diffracted by acoustic insulation bodies provided upright to the vehicle body; and the amount of noise that an observer or local residents are subjected to is further reduced. Movement of a mobile vehicle generates noise in, and in the vicinity of, a power collector or a similar device provided upright on the roof (3) of the vehicle. Acoustic insulation bodies (1L), (2L), (1R), (2R) are provided upright on the roof (3), and block noise travelling directly ahead. The noise is diffracted or reflected by the acoustic insulation bodies (1L), (2L), (1R), (2R), and moves so as to be transmitted to the vehicle exterior. However, a branched, blade-shaped acoustic insulation body (1LB) provided to the acoustic insulation body (2L), or branched acoustic insulation bodies (1RB1), (1RB2) provided to the acoustic insulation body (2R), act on the diffracted or reflected noise to block sound, and therefore makes it possible to provide an acoustic insulation device for a mobile vehicle in which transmission to the outside of the vehicle body is minimized and the resulting noise is reduced.
US09227573B2
A Firearm Holster Mounting System for Vehicles includes a mounting member which defines a hub for a plurality of overlapping holster mounting straps to secure the holster to the mount and a plurality of frame attachment straps for suspending the mount and holster beneath a vehicle seat. Adjustable length extension straps coupled to the holster mounting straps possess hooks for suspending the central mount to a vehicle seat base frame whereby the firearm is readily accessible from beneath the seat. The adjustable extension straps permit the mount to be laterally moved and secured at various positions beneath the vehicle seat as desired. At least one strap is provided to attach the mount to the seat base frame in a direction transverse that of the overlapping holster mounting straps.
US09227568B1
A situation communication mirror is adapted for mounting to a transportation vehicle, such as a heavy duty tractor-trailer combination. The situation communication mirror comprises a rearward facing reflective member having at least three integrally-formed and arcuately distinct reflective surface areas. The first reflective surface area has a relatively slight curvature defining a relatively focused driver field of view. The second and third reflective surface areas each have an increased curvature as compared to the first surface area, and respectively define wider driver fields of view.
US09227562B2
There is disclosed an improved illuminating vehicle wheel cover system that remotely activates a plurality of lights about a vehicle wheel in either a solid or flashing pattern. The lights can be in multiple color pairs and used for aesthetics or to indicate an emergency situation. The remote can be synchronized to the key fob of the vehicle and/or wirelessly connect to a preset medical emergency facility or the nearest facility geographically.
US09227561B2
The invention specifies a sensor arrangement for a brake system for braking a wheel in a vehicle, which brake system includes a travel sensor for detecting a position of a brake pedal of the brake system, wherein the travel sensor is provided for detecting operation of the brake pedal based on the position of the brake pedal and for outputting a signal which indicates operation of the brake pedal.
US09227560B2
A cancelling drive member includes a biasing cam portion having a first biasing contact portion and a second biasing contact portion formed therein. A deflectable spring member that biases the cancelling drive member forward is provided. If the cancelling drive member rotates, an elastic pressure portion of the deflectable spring member is brought into contact with the first biasing contact portion. Thus, a forward biasing force and a returning force for rotation are effectively given from the deflectable spring member to the cancelling drive member.
US09227555B2
An asymmetric geometry headlamp for vehicular use is built as a multifaceted three dimensional body which has multiple light emitting devices (LEDs and/or laser emitters) installed on its angled facets, hence forming a multipurpose illumination apparatus within a single assembly which is designed to provide; a low beam with a wide illuminated area covering 2 PiSteradians, a high beam all position and signaling lights. A microprocessor based system runs real time, continuously adaptive control routines for day and night conditions and provides the electric signals necessary for the independent control of the luminous intensity, direction and color spectrum to each facet of the headlamp's LEDs (light emitting diodes) and for the high beam. Multiple photo-sensors, CCD or CMOS video cameras, position encoders and accelerometers provide the feedback signals used in the automation of all lighting functions in a system designed to completely replace the manual actuation of lights on vehicles.
US09227552B2
A cargo strap launching device is provided. A catapult frame is mounted on a trailer stake pocket bed rail. A lever arm has an upper and a lower end. The lower end is connected to the catapult frame. A coiled strap bucket is connected to the lever arm upper end. The bucket has a generally rectangular ejection opening so that the bucket is capable of retaining and then releasing a coiled cargo strap by pushing upwardly on the lever arm.
US09227547B2
A slidable conveying assembly may include a latch frame and a latch rod rotatably engaged with, and extending at least partially through the latch frame. The latch rod may include a latch paddle at a first end. The assembly may also include a notch frame configured to slidably engage with the latch frame and a notched bar that may extend at least partially through the front notch frame and that may include multiple notches. The assembly may also include a biasing mechanism operably coupled to the latch frame and the latch rod and configured to bias the latch paddle into the multiple notches such that the latch paddle is biased into removable engagement with the multiple notches as the latch frame slides along the notch frame.
US09227535B2
The present invention generally relates to passenger aircraft seats. Some examples provide systems for integrating a child seat into a certified aircraft seat. Some examples include a passenger seat backrest having an integrated child seat. An integrated child seat base may be moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. When in the stowed position, the integrated child seat base may fit within a recessed surface of the seat backrest and the seat may then accommodate an adult passenger. When in a deployed position, the integrated child seat may then accommodate a child passenger. The integrated seat may include a harness system that extends through the seat backrest and couples with an internal support structure of seat backrest. In some embodiments the mounting points of the harness system may be reinforced with stiff brackets attached to the internal support structure.
US09227520B2
The purpose is to provide an electric vehicle charging device capable of preventing arc discharge when disconnecting a power supply connector and a vehicle-side connector. An electric vehicle charging device provided with: a power supply connector (3) for supplying electrical energy from outside the vehicle; a vehicle-side connector (2) for connecting to the power supply connector (3) and positioned in the vehicle; a spring (34) for generating repulsive force in the direction in which the power supply connector (3) and the vehicle-side connector (2) separate; and an engaging part (32) for detecting the disconnection of the power supply connector (3) and the vehicle-side connector (2); wherein the spring (34) generates repulsive force in the direction in which the power supply connector (3) and the vehicle-side connector (2) separate when the engaging part (32) detects that the power supply connector (3) and the vehicle-side connector (2) have disconnected.
US09227511B1
A positionable shifter assembly for use in a vehicle adapted to transport a physically limited person, wherein a front passenger compartment includes a dashboard, a driver side compartment, a passenger side compartment, and a vehicle shifter disposed between the driver side compartment and the passenger side compartment. The positionable shifter assembly includes a platform configured to support the vehicle shifter, wherein the platform is configured be positioned at a plurality of locations within the front passenger compartment. A securing mechanism is the configured to secure the positionable shifter assembly at one of the plurality of locations within the vehicle.
US09227491B1
A slidable cover for truck rack comprising an impermeable horizontal cover plate that is slideably attached to an existing truck rack or cargo rack on a vehicle so that the cover plate remains fixed in the vertical direction but is slidable in a horizontal direction so that the cover plate may be slid back and forth horizontally to move the protection area that the cover plate provides. Cover plate may be slid rearwards to provide shelter over the rear of the vehicle or cover plate may be slid forwards to provide shelter over the cargo area of the vehicle.
US09227489B2
The invention relates to a side panel of a vehicle roof that can be opened, which is provided for closing a lateral opening between a cover raised over the vehicle roof and the adjoining vehicle roof and has a pivot mounting which can be attached on the roof side, wherein according to the present embodiments the pivot mounting extends along the side panel and in particular the pivot mounting has a curved or bowed pivot pin.
US09227484B1
A system detects the presence of a living being within a vehicle and triggers an alarm should the temperature rise above or fall below a predetermined threshold limit. The system uses a carbon dioxide monitor to determine for the living being's presence, which is backed up by one or more subsystems that include a motion sensor that senses motion, a sound sensor that senses sounds, especially those made by distressed living beings, and a camera that uses facial recognition software to detect a face within the vehicle. The alarm can be staged so that a lower level of alarm is triggered when the hazardous temperature is approaching, but has not yet reached critical levels, and one of the subsystems has detected a living being within the vehicle, but the others have not yet activated, and a higher level alarm once critical temperatures have been reached.
US09227482B2
A vehicle cabin air conditioning apparatus including an airflow selecting mechanism movable between a first position to provide a first airflow mode and a second position to provide a second airflow mode. The airflow selecting mechanism restricts first airflow from flowing from a first airflow conduit to a second airflow conduit when in the first position, and permits the first airflow from flowing from the first airflow conduit to the second airflow conduit when in the second position. An electronic control unit is configured to control a first blower based on a user set front cabin airflow level and a second blower based on a user set rear cabin airflow level when in the first airflow mode. The electronic control unit controls the first blower based on the user set front cabin airflow level and the user set rear cabin airflow level when in the second airflow mode.
US09227473B2
An apparatus and a method for synchronously moving first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400) of a tire fitting or removing apparatus. When an operator moves the first fitting or removal tool (300) in a substantially radial direction with respect to a longitudinal axis (L) of a post (210) supporting the first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400), a synchronization unit receives first and second input signals of first and second sensors (320, 420) coupled to the first and second fitting or removal tools (300, 400) and indicating a radial movement or position of the tools (300, 400). The synchronization unit generates, based on a comparison of the first and second input signals, an output signal causing an actuator (450) to move the second fitting or removal tool (400) synchronous to the first fitting or removal tool (300) in said substantially radial direction.
US09227472B2
The present invention is directed to a wheel end assembly having a high temperature warning system for giving a warning in the event that the temperature in the assembly reaches a predetermined value such as caused by hub bearing failure or a brake related failure. In one embodiment the system may be a stand-alone system for installation on any vehicle such as a trailer. In another embodiment the system may be combined with an automatic tire inflation system.
US09227471B2
A tire position determination system includes a tire pressure detector attached to each tire to generate a tire pressure signal. An acceleration detector generates gravitational information for each tire pressure detector. A receiver arranged in a vehicle body receives the tire pressure signal from each tire pressure detector. An axle rotation amount detector detects an axle rotation amount of an axle corresponding to each tire and generates pulses indicative of the detected axle rotation amount. An automatic locator determines the position of each tire based on the gravitational force and the pulses. A pulse combination determination unit determines whether or not a combination of the pulses from the axle rotation amount detectors is appropriate. A pulse acquisition timing setting unit sets an acquisition timing of the pulse signal for the automatic locator based on the determination of the pulse combination determination unit.
US09227468B2
A motorcycle tire is provided in each half of the tread portion with main and auxiliary oblique grooves. The main oblique grooves on both sides of the tire equator are staggered and have axially inner ends at a first axial distance of 1 to 4 mm from the tire equator. The auxiliary oblique grooves have axially inner ends at a second axial distance more than the first axial distance. The main oblique groove comprises an axially inner part inclining at an angle of not more than 30 degrees and a middle part inclining at a larger angle of from 25 to 70 degrees. The auxiliary oblique groove comprises an axially inner part inclining at an angle of 25 to 55 degrees and a middle part inclining at a larger angle of from 45 to 75 degrees, each angle with respect to the tire circumferential direction.
US09227466B2
A pneumatic tire which uses, as an inner liner layer, a laminated sheet obtained by laminating an air permeation preventing layer, made of any one of a thermoplastic resin and a thermoplastic elastomer composition containing a blend of the thermoplastic resin and an elastomer, and a tie rubber layer, and which has high durability to prevent development of a crack in the tie rubber layer that occurs around a splice portion of the laminated sheet after the tire starts to be used. In the pneumatic tire, a sagged portion is formed by a concavo-convex structure in the air permeation preventing layer at least between points P and Q in a shape that a length La of a straight line connecting points P and Q and a length Lb of the air permeation preventing layer actually passing through points P and Q satisfy a relationship of (1.03×La)≦Lb≦(1.5×La).
US09227465B2
A bicycle wheel securing structure comprises a wheel securing axle and a wheel securing bolt. The wheel securing axle has a first end and a second end. The wheel securing bolt has a bolt shaft and a bolt head. The bolt shaft is coupled to one of the first and second ends of the wheel securing axle. The wheel securing bolt has a frame engageable surface extending in a peripheral direction of the bolt head and is configured to be non-rotatably engaged with a bicycle frame.
US09227464B2
An axle assembly for a work vehicle may generally include a hub, a casing at least partially received within the hub, and a shaft configured to be received within the casing. The hub defines a tapered inner surface and the casing defines a tapered outer surface. The tapered inner surface of the hub defines a first keyway portion defining a first keyway surface, and the tapered outer surface of the casing defines a second keyway portion defining a second keyway surface. The tapered surfaces of the hub and the casing together define a tapered interface and a keyway. The first and second keyway surfaces of the keyway extend in a direction non-parallel to the tapered interface.
US09227462B2
An outboard sealing system cooperates with components of a heavy-duty vehicle wheel end assembly to retain lubricant in the assembly. The sealing system includes a seal that is disposed axially between an outboard bearing and a hubcap of a wheel end assembly. The seal also extends radially between an axle spindle nut and a surface of a bore formed in the hub of the wheel end assembly. The seal forms a barrier between the outboard bearing and the hubcap to reduce a flow of lubricant from a hub cavity into the hubcap. The sealing system retains lubricant in the wheel end assembly, prevents contaminants from entering the wheel end assembly, and retains the relative position of the outboard bearing in the hub during servicing. The sealing system preferably includes an additional barrier that reduces corrosion at the interface of the hubcap and an outboard face of the hub.
US09227458B2
A display assembly in the form of a sleeve envelops a central subpart, a loop that envelops the central subpart, and a pull tab panel part. An opening is provided on one side edge of the sleeve to allow the pull tab to be pulled out in a pull out direction. The act of pulling out the pull tab panel part causes the loop to be pulled on a side attached to the pull out tab part in the same direction so as to cause it to traverse around the central subpart. A cutout window on the front of the sleeve displays printed matter on the loop moving, with respect to the other side of the central subpart, in a direction opposite that of the pull out direction.
US09227457B1
A keepsake for being filled with party favors, treats, small gifts, gift cards and/or greeting cards includes a flexible sheet provided with oppositely disposed front and rear sides, oppositely disposed top and bottom edges, oppositely disposed right and left portions, a center portion intermediately disposed between the right and left portions, a bottom portion extending upwardly from the bottom edge and spanning across the right, center and left portions, respectively. A decorative item (e.g., party favor, treat, small gift, gift card and/or greeting card) is positioned proximate to the pocket such that the decorative item (e.g., party favor, treat, small gift, gift card and/or greeting card) is visible from the front side without blocking the pocket when the sheet is oriented in the tri-folded position.
US09227453B2
A flame-retardant laminate 10 having a substrate 11 and a print-image-receiving layer 12 stacked on the substrate 11, is characterized in that the substrate 11 has a flame resistance equivalent to VTM-0; and the print-image-receiving layer 12 contains a resin and titanium oxide and no halide; exhibits a percent mass retention of 50% or higher as determined at 600° C. through thermal mass analysis; and has a thickness of 10 μm or less.
US09227452B2
A recording medium has a base and an ink receiving layer, in which the ink receiving layer contains colloidal silica, a zirconium compound, an ammonium salt, and hydroxycarboxylic acid and 90% or more of the colloidal silica contained in the ink receiving layer exists in a region of 0 nm or more and 300 nm or less in the depth direction from the outermost surface of the recording medium.
US09227448B2
A solution for determining survival state of a print head. In one aspect, the cleaning behavior of a print head can be used for reflecting health status of the print head, so survival state of a print head can be determined according to cleaning behavior of the print head. Specifically, there is provided a method for determining survival state of a print head, comprising: obtaining cleaning behavior data and cumulative printing amount upon failure occurrence of print head(s) of reference printer(s) as well as cleaning behavior of a print head of a current printer; obtaining printing amount of the current printer; determining survival state of the print head of the current printer according to cleaning behavior data and cumulative printing amount upon failure occurrence of the print head(s) of the reference printer(s) as well as cleaning behavior data and printing amount of the current printer.
US09227439B1
A printing system includes at least one print module for printing on a receiver media; a mechanism for moving the receiver media past the at least one print module; at least a first and second optical encoder sensor for measuring at least one of displacement and velocity of the receiver media which provides an output signal to a controller; wherein the controller, in response to the signals received from the at least two optical encoder sensors, controls the operation of the at least one print module.
US09227436B2
A primer, a method, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are described. An example non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to instruct a printer to advance a media by a first distance. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to instruct the printer to advance the media by a second distance different than the first distance to align the media with a cutter assembly. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to adapt an interleave mask based on the second distance. The instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to instruct the cutter assembly to separate a first portion of the media from a second portion of the media while the printer is printing on the media.
US09227429B1
An aqueous inkjet printer includes a media conveyor having an endless belt to which media sheets adhere. The endless belt is entrained around a transfer roller and a roller. The transfer roller forms a nip with an image member in the printer and the media sheets on the endless belt pass through the nip to transfer images from the image member to the media sheets. After the media sheets exit the nip, they follow the endless belt to the roller where the radius of the roller enables a force to be applied perpendicularly to the media sheets to separate the media sheets from the endless belt.
US09227424B1
A method for compensating for inoperative ejectors in a three-dimensional object printer has been developed. A printer generates half-tone data for a material for each layer of a three-dimensional object. The printer detects half-tone data that corresponds to an inoperative ejector of a printhead. The printer modifies the half-tone data by moving the half-tone values corresponding to the inoperative ejector to adjacent positions within the generated half-tone data in which a zero half-tone value is stored. The printer operates the printhead with reference to the modified half-tone data to print the three-dimensional object.
US09227423B2
In a color mode, among clear ink data CL1 and CL2, only the data CL2 is set to a uniform use amount of 20%, while the use amount for the data CL1 is set to zero. Meanwhile, in a monochrome photo mode, the data CL1 indicates a usage of 10% to 40% near a white point, but starting at the intermediate gradations the data CL1 use amount decreases while the data CL2 use amount increases, with a data CL2 use amount of 20% near a black point. In so doing, it is possible to sufficiently suppress bronzing in the color mode where coloring ink data exists, without imparting a particularly strong unnatural look except for specific colors. Meanwhile, in the monochrome photo mode where coloring ink data does not exist, high-level suppression of bronzing is possible, at the cost of a slight reduction in the glossiness of the printed material.
US09227422B2
An ink jet recording method including recording an image on the recording medium by causing a first recording head that ejects the first ink composition and a second recording head that ejects the second ink composition to eject the first ink composition and the second ink composition while relative positions thereof with respect to the recording medium are changed, in which, in the recording of the image, a time after the first ink composition is ejected to a predetermined area of the recording medium and before the second ink composition is ejected to the predetermined area is in the range of 10 ms to 2,000 ms, a viscosity of the ink composition at 20° C. when the first ink composition is ejected is 15 mPa·s or less, and the viscosity at 20° C. when 50% of a volatile component contained in the first ink composition is volatilized is 100 mPa·s or greater.
US09227416B2
A liquid cartridge includes a liquid reservoir, a liquid flow path that selectively places the reservoir in fluid communication with an exterior of the cartridge, a sensor that outputs a signal relative to a position of an object in the liquid flow path, a storage that stores data therein, and a plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals includes a sensor terminal connected to the sensor, a power terminal connected to at least one of the sensor and the storage, and that receives power, and a data terminal connected to the storage. A distance between a first portion of the power terminal and at least a portion of the data terminal is greater than a distance between a second portion of the power terminal and at least a portion of the sensor terminal.
US09227412B1
A maintenance system for maintaining a scalable printhead array comprises: a pair of tracks disposed in parallel and on opposite sides of a printhead array; a shaft extending between the tracks and configured to engage with each track to move along the tracks; a plurality of maintenance modules mounted in series along the shaft between the tracks and configured to move along the tracks with the shaft to perform maintenance operations on a plurality of printheads of the printhead array, the tracks being configured to guide the shaft and the plurality of maintenance modules along a path from a resting position to an operating position the printhead array and from which at least one of the plurality of maintenance modules performs a maintenance operation on at least one printhead of the printhead array; and an actuator configured to move the shaft along the tracks.
US09227404B2
There is provided a liquid ejection head that can reduce trouble in alignment of a print element substrate even in the case where a high magnification optical system is used and a method for fabricating the liquid ejection head. To achieve this, an auxiliary mark that indicates a relative position with respect to a reference mark is detected and recognized, and thus the position of the reference mark is identified even in the case where the reference mark is not reflected in a camera.
US09227403B2
An ink jet head includes a chamber unit including a pressure chamber formed to hold ink, and a nozzle plate unit. The nozzle plate includes a vibrating plate forming a bottom wall of the pressure chamber, a driving element that is provided on a bottom surface of the vibrating plate and configured to cause a volume of the pressure chamber to be changed by deforming the vibrating plate upon application of voltage to the driving element, and a protective layer disposed on a bottom surface of the vibrating plate and a bottom surface of the driving element. The protective layer has a first thickness between a bottom surface thereof and the bottom surface of the vibrating plate and second thickness between a bottom surface thereof and the bottom surface of the driving element, and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
US09227402B2
A liquid jet head has spaced-apart side walls that form alternating ejection channels and non-ejection channels. The side walls comprise two piezoelectric materials polarized in opposite directions and laminated together with a polarization boundary interposed between them. Upper and lower members are fixed to respective upper and lower ends of the side walls and overlie upper and lower ends of the channels. Electrodes on opposed wall surfaces of the side walls extend from the upper ends of the side walls to either the vicinity of the polarization boundary or to below the polarization boundary and above the lower ends of the side walls. The polarization boundary is positioned above one-half the depth of the channels to improving the driving efficiency of the piezoelectric body.
US09227400B2
An ejection condition determination method in an image forming apparatus includes: selecting two or more kinds of ejection conditions regarding other recording elements than a specified recording element among plural recording elements; acquiring drawing data representing two or more drawing patterns having different density distributions, the drawing data being acquired by respectively forming same drawing patterns using the selected two or more kinds of ejection conditions in a specified non-ejection state; performing a filter processing corresponding to human visual characteristics on the acquired drawing data so as to obtain visual correction drawing data; and determining the ejection conditions for compensating for a density variation of the image due to the specified non-ejection state based upon evaluation results which are obtained by respectively evaluating two or more drawing patterns represented by the visual correction drawing data and having been subjected to the filter processing according to a predetermined evaluation condition.
US09227399B2
A control method using a print head for printing a plurality of images on a continuous sheet has the steps of obtaining information in regard to a position and a level of a unique portion unsuitable for image printing that exists on the continuous sheet and of causing a maintenance operation of the print head by using a region where the unique portion exists on the continuous sheet based upon obtained information.
US09227396B2
In a recording suspension period when a recording head is accelerated or decelerated in a non-recording region on a recording medium, or stops moving in the course of performing a printing process (printing job), a second driving signal is generated from a driving signal generation portion. Second vibration driving pulses of the second driving signal are applied to all piezoelectric elements, so that a vibration operation is performed without ejecting the liquid. Since a second reference potential of the second driving signal is set to be lower than a first reference potential of a first driving signal generated in a recording period as much as possible, a general potential (driving voltage) of the second driving signal is reduced, and reduce power consumption in the recording suspension period is reduced. As a result, it is possible to contribute to the power consumption saving of a printer.
US09227384B2
A pressure debulking system includes a debulking chamber having a debulking chamber interior, a pressure bladder having a bladder interior provided in the debulking chamber interior, a vacuum port disposed in fluid communication with the debulking chamber interior and a pressure port disposed in fluid communication with the debulking chamber interior. A pressure debulking method is also disclosed.
US09227383B2
A novel multilayer flexible metamaterial that can work at near infrared (NIR) regime that can be fabricated on transparent PET substrate using flip chip transfer (FCT) technique. An embodiment of the present invention also provides novel NIR metamaterial device that can be transformed into various shapes by bending the PET substrate, wherein said metamaterial device is tunable via physical manipulation of its flexible substrate with no requirement to change the material composition of the substrate. The flexibility allows the novel NIR metamaterial device to bend and stretch, which can alter the device structure. Since the resonant frequency of each device is a function of the device structure, the resonant frequency can be tuned by the bend and stretch of the substrate. Another embodiment of the present invention further provides novel tunable sensors and emitters using such flexible metamaterials and devices.
US09227382B2
A release sheet comprising a base material and a release agent layer formed on at least one surface of the base material, wherein: the release agent layer is formed by using a release agent composition; the release agent composition contains a first polydimethylsiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups in one molecule and a second polydimethylsiloxane having at least two hydrosilyl groups in one molecule; the release agent composition contains 10.00 to 16.00 mmol of the alkenyl groups and 40.00 to 145.00 mmol of the hydrosilyl groups in a total of 30 g of the first polydimethylsiloxane and the second polydimethylsiloxane; and a molar ratio (b/a) of the hydrosilyl groups (b) to the alkenyl groups (a) is 2.0 to 15.0. According to the release sheet, it is possible to suppress the peeling force from increasing even when the release agent layer of the release sheet is exposed to the air for a long time.
US09227365B2
A method of layerwise solid freeform fabrication is disclosed. The method comprises, for each of at least a few of the layers, dispensing and hardening at least a first modeling material and a second modeling material to form a core region and one or more envelope regions at least partially surrounding the core region. In some embodiments, the ratio between the elastic moduli of adjacent regions, when hardened, is from about 1 to about 20.
US09227356B2
In a pressure vessel which is formed by blow molding a plastic liner with a mouth member fitted on a blow pin, a rotational torque is prevented from being applied between the mouth member and the blow pin when removing the blow pin. A parison is placed around the mouth member which is fitted on the blow pin, and is blow molded with a die assembly placed around the parison so that a vessel shaped plastic liner is formed. An engagement structure which is provided between the mouth member of the pressure vessel and the blow pin includes a ball moveably received in a radial through hole of the peripheral wall of the blow pin, and a release groove formed on an inner circumferential surface of the mouth member and having a prescribed depth. When the blow pin is introduced into the mouth member until the ball and the release groove oppose each other, the ball moves radially outward and becomes partly received by the release groove to engage the mouth member with the blow pin.
US09227354B2
Disclosed are a feedblock multiplier with thickness gradient variation, a feedblock system, a method, and multilayer structure made by the method. The feedblock multiplier combines the functionalities of feedblock and multiplier conventionally used for producing the multilayer structure. The feedblock multiplier includes an input section for feeding fluid materials. A feedblock section is included for dividing the fluid delivered into multiple channels correspondingly. The fluids in the channels are segmented into two or more fluid segments by a segmenting section. The each fluid segment is delivered through corresponding channel-conversion section with thickness-gradient variation in the feedblock multiplier. Each channel-conversion section includes multiple channels with configurable positions. The fluids are then combined in a multiplier section for producing the multilayer structure with overlapped layers. The multilayer structure is outputted from an extruding section.
US09227348B2
Disclosed is a method for forming a glass-plastic composite which includes the steps of: a) activating a first surface of a glass substrate, b) applying an adhesive material on the first surface that has been activated to form an adhesive layer on the first surface, and c) placing the glass substrate together with the adhesive layer in a mold and injection molding a plastic material over the adhesive layer. A glass-plastic composite made according to the method is also disclosed.
US09227343B2
A method of producing gemstones includes obtaining a plate of chemical vapor deposition formed diamond. The plate is cut into a plurality of geometrically optimized preforms. The preforms may be finished and cut into diamond gemstones.
US09227340B2
An exemplary wiper assembly for use with a concrete mixer includes a wiper element configured to span a gap between a mixer barrel and a collector, and is configured for suspendedly coupling to a support frame separate from any coupling to the mixer barrel or the collector. One or more arm members are coupled between the concrete mixer and the wiper element. The arm member includes a tensioning portion that adjusts to move an upper edge of the wiper element into contact with the mixer barrel, and an elastic portion that enables the wiper element to adjust relative to each of the collector and the mixer barrel during rotation of the mixer barrel. Thus the wiper element has limited movement independent of rotation of the mixer barrel and of vibrational movement of the collector and mixer barrel due to movement of the concrete mixer over rough terrain, for example.
US09227339B2
Described herein are bioprinters comprising: one or more printer heads, wherein a printer head comprises a means for receiving and holding at least one cartridge, and wherein said cartridge comprises contents selected from one or more of: bio-ink and support material; a means for calibrating the position of at least one cartridge; and a means for dispensing the contents of at least one cartridge. Further described herein are methods for fabricating a tissue construct, comprising: a computer module receiving input of a visual representation of a desired tissue construct; a computer module generating a series of commands, wherein the commands are based on the visual representation and are readable by a bioprinter; a computer module providing the series of commands to a bioprinter; and the bioprinter depositing bio-ink and support material according to the commands to form a construct with a defined geometry.
US09227330B2
A folding knife includes an elongated blade, an elongated handle, a disc-shaped cam, and a cam mechanism. The blade defines a cam-receiving aperture having a generally circular profile and a blade notch which is disposed adjacent to and which opens into the cam-receiving aperture. The handle includes a locking formation for releasable engagement with the blade notch. The configuration of the cam and the relative positions of the blade notch and the locking formation are such that when the blade is in the extended position, the locking formation is releasably captured in the blade notch.
US09227322B2
Painting robots processing a part moving on a conveyor are synchronized by creating for each of the robots a master sequence of computer program instructions for a collision-free movement of robots along associated master sequence paths relative to the moving part, each of the master sequence paths including positions of the associated robot and the conveyor at pre-defined synchronization points, and running each of the master sequences on a controller connected to the associated robot to move the associated robot and comparing a current path of the associated robot and the conveyor against the master sequence path. The method further includes operating the controllers to adjust the current paths based on the comparison between the master sequence path and the current path, and operating the controllers to request a conveyor motion hold as necessary to facilitate synchronization between movement of the robots and the conveyor.
US09227321B2
A method for controlling a manipulator includes determining by a control device one or more contact force values between the manipulator and a first workpiece. Each of the contact force values is based on an actual driving force of the manipulator and a drive force according to a dynamic model of the manipulator. The method also includes at least one of a) measuring in multiple stages an orientation and location of the first workpiece based on at least one of the one or more determined contact force values or b) joining a second workpiece and the first workpiece under a compliant regulation, where a joining state of the first and second workpieces is monitored based on at least one of an end pose of the manipulator obtained under the compliant regulation, a speed of a temporal change of the manipulator, or at least one of the one or more determined contact force values.
US09227317B1
This disclosure is directed towards a tool to manipulate items within a truck bed comprising an armature of suitable length coupled to a manipulating tool head. The head comprises; first and second planar plates suitably coupled together to comprise an elongated, substantially L-shaped configuration, and a receptacle integrated proximate to a center portion of the second planar plate. The receptacle is configured to receive an end of the armature. The head further comprises a hooking element extending from the rear edge of the second planar plate, substantially parallel to the first planar plate and normal to the second planar plate. The head also comprises reinforcement rib members integrated at a backside of the first and/or second planar plates. Various embodiments may comprise an armature having an ergonomic handle as well as telescopic elements, and the first and/or second planar plates may be textured.
US09227315B2
Multi-tool, including at least one pivot (2, 3, 202, 302) on which are articulated a plurality of implements (4, 5, 6, 104, 204, 205, 304, 305) each rotatable from a minimum size inactive position to at least one operating position, characterized in that said pivot (2, 3, 202, 302) comprises elastic retaining means (9) of at least one of these implements (4, 5, 6, 104, 204, 205, 304, 305) in operating position and/or in the minimum encumbrance position.
US09227314B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of apparatuses and kits for making craft image tiles to customize jewelry or other accessories. One embodiment of an apparatus for making craft image tiles comprises a base having a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface with a cavity there between; a cutting mechanism movably positioned within the cavity and comprising a cutting blade configured to cut through a sheet of images; and a handle extending from the cutting mechanism and accessible outside of the base, configured to move the cutting blade along an axis substantially perpendicular to the top surface of the base in response to a mechanical input at a handle input end. The top surface includes an aperture defined therein, and the aperture is sized to receive the cutting blade.
US09227303B1
A device for holding a workpiece, the device comprising a base, a first jaw member, a movable jaw member, and features which allow the movable jaw member to be moved in large increments relative to the first jaw member in addition to features which allow the movable jaw member to be moved in smaller increments. The device can include a drive member operably engaged with the base and the movable jaw member such that the operation of the drive member can move the movable jaw member in small increments. The movable jaw member can include a connection member, or claw, which can operatively engage the movable jaw member with the drive member. The connection member can be moved between first and second positions to disengage the movable jaw member from the drive member such that the movable jaw member can be slid relative to the first jaw member in large increments.
US09227292B2
A system of finishing a part includes at least two materials of different hardness, the system including at least one accommodating device, used as a container for an abrasive element and a support device including a structure to secure the part. The system further includes a mechanism to move the part closer against the abrasive element and a mechanism to move the part relative to the accommodating device along satin finish lines. The part, in one example, is a part of a timepiece.
US09227289B2
An assembly kit for upgrading a device for grinding welding electrodes with a grinding wheel driven by a driving motor with a shaft, which runs in a two-portion housing, wherein at least one opening is provided in the housing for guiding a welding electrode for grinding in a defined position relative to the grinding wheel, further characterized by a further grinding wheel, a spacer ring having a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the housing and a thickness corresponding to the thickness of the grinding wheel, and a centering sleeve with an axial length which is larger than the thickness of the grinding wheel.
US09227288B2
A honing apparatus includes a sharpening stone that has a sharpening surface configured to sharpen the edge of the blade upon engaging contact with the edge of the blade. A frame is operatively coupled to the sharpening stone, and a weight element is supported by the frame and positioned so as to urge the sharpening stone toward the edge of the blade. The frame may be pivotally coupled to a fixed element at a pivoting location, and the weight element may be positioned so as to create a moment about the pivoting location, with the moment urging the sharpening stone toward the edge of the blade.
US09227279B2
A protective device for a wastewater sensor of a wastewater lift station is characterized by a protector that is sealed against wastewater intrusion at an upper end and open at a tapered lower end, with the protector disposed about at least a portion of a wastewater level sensor assembly. The protector is retained vertically within the lift station such that the bottom opening is proximate a bottom of the lift station. The protector may be incorporated into a wastewater level sensor assembly for a wastewater lift station utilizing, for example, a float-type water level sensor, a multiple discrete electrode-type water level sensor, or a transducer-type water level sensor.
US09227278B2
A method of hole defect repair includes removing one or more defects at or near a desired hole in a part by removing a portion of the part proximate the desired hole in a series of chain link patterns, and welding a filler material to the part after removing the chain link pattern portion of the part.
US09227270B2
A method of monitoring and assessing contact tip useful life in a GMAW-pulse application. The pulse welding waveform includes current and voltage that periodically change between peaks and background. The welding current and voltage are measured on a series of repeated representative welds. The data that corresponds to the arc start and the arc stop of a weld is removed. The data is averaged for each representative weld, which corresponds to production of welded parts and/or usage of the contact tip. The deterioration of the contact tip is assessed based on one or more of (i) a decrease in the frequency of the peaks, (ii) an increase in the length of the background, and (iii) an increase in the occurrence of abnormal low voltage. The assessment is outputted as contact tip life data, and continuously fed to a controller or operator.
US09227262B2
A welding power source configured to receive an input power includes a plurality of components and supervising circuitry configurable in a plurality of modes. The plurality of components include power conversion circuitry and background power supply. The supervising circuitry is configured to distribute the input power to the plurality of components based at least in part on a mode of the plurality of modes. The plurality of modes include a welding mode configured to distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry and to the background power supply. The plurality of modes also include a monitoring mode configured to distribute the input power to the background power supply, and to not distribute the input power to the power conversion circuitry.
US09227261B2
A vacuum carrier can be employed to provide a partial vacuum on a back side surface of a substrate thereby holding the substrate flat against a rigid surface of the carrier throughout the duration of a bonding process. The magnitude of vacuum can be optimized to limit the warping of the substrate during and after bonding with another substrate, and to limit the mechanical stress induced in the solder balls during cooling. The vacuum carrier can include a base plate, a seal plate with at least one opening configured to accommodate at least one substrate, and vacuum seal elements configured to create a vacuum environment that pushes the substrate against the base plate when the vacuum carrier is under vacuum. The configuration of the vacuum carrier is chosen to avoid distortion of the substrate due to the vacuum seal elements, while allowing adjustment of the magnitude of the partial vacuum.
US09227260B2
Approaches to a solder ball bonding (SBB) tool and a method for solder ball bonding work pieces. The SBB tool comprises a rotatable feed plate for transporting solder balls from a reservoir to a nozzle, which is a position at which a laser light source can irradiate and melt the solder balls. The melted solder ball is then ejected from the nozzle and onto one or more work pieces, for electrically interconnecting the work pieces. The feed plate is configured with first holes and second holes, the first holes for receiving and transporting solder balls and the second holes for providing an aperture for the laser light to irradiate the solder balls, as the feed plate rotates and the holes are moved to positions in relation to the reservoir and the nozzle.
US09227259B2
Thickening a contact grid of a solar cell for increased efficiency. A mold containing soldering material is heated. The mold is aligned with the contact grid such that the soldering material is in physical contact with the contact grid. The mold is re-heated, transferring the solder material from the mold to the contact grid to create a thickened contact grid.
US09227249B2
A method for processing a thin cylindrical work includes holding the work using a holding jig. The jig includes a cylindrical holding member which holds the work from an inner peripheral side and a diameter changing unit which changes a diameter of the holding member. The metal holding member has an elastically expandable or contractible diameter. The outside diameter of the holding member is held smaller than an inside diameter of the work when inserted into an inner periphery of the work and is expanded after insertion. The diameter changing unit applies at least one of an axial external force in a compressing direction or an axial external force in a tensile direction to both ends of the holding member to change the diameter of the holding member.
US09227247B1
A method and apparatus for rapid loading stacks of items aboard vessels which can include rotating palletized items to depalletize the items, and then placing the items on a lifting robot, lifting the robot and items into the hold of a vessel, removing the items from the robot using a load push lift truck, and then using the load push lift truck to stow the items in a stowage location. The empty robot can be removed from the hold of the vessel and put in a position to receive a another depalletized stack of cartons. In one option the robot has a plurality of fork channels for receiving the blades of a load push lift truck along with receiving the blades or a rotating lift truck.
US09227239B2
A forming die apparatus includes a first die on which a die surface is formed and a second die for pressing a workpiece placed on the first die. At least one of the first die and the second die is configured by assembling a plurality of die members. Each die member has a concave side surface facing another die member.
US09227233B2
Described herein is a mineral-releasing compost prepared by combining a prebiotic material, a probiotic material, and one or more mineral gluconate salts to form a composting mixture, controlling composting conditions to allow for the composting mixture to decompose, and allowing the composting mixture to fully stabilize and mature, wherein the compost includes one or more minerals as digested products of the respective mineral gluconate salts. The mineral-releasing compost is particularly suitable for remediation of soil contaminated with heavy metals and for amendment of soil deficient of certain minerals.
US09227224B2
A method of forming a high surface area transparent conducting electrode is provided that includes depositing a transparent conducting thin film on a conductive substrate, where the transparent conducting thin film includes transparent conductive particles and a solution-based transparent conducting adhesive layer which serves to coat and bind together the transparent conducting particles, and heat treating the transparent conducting adhesion layer on the conductive substrate, where an increased surface area transparent conducting electrode is formed.
US09227223B2
The present invention provides a method for preparing a matte anti-fingerprint stainless steel decorative plate. The method comprises the steps of: 1) selecting a polymer coating material, wherein the polymer coating material is formed by mixing a film forming material, an inorganic nano-filler, a solvent and an auxiliary agent, wherein the film forming material comprises the following ingredients based on the weight ratio: 30-50 parts of acrylate composite resin, 5-20 parts of amino resin, and 5-15 parts of epoxy resin; and 1-8 parts of a matting agent and 1-8 parts of an anti-settling agent are added; and 2) performing a spray coating using the polymer coating material, wherein a coating film has a thickness of 1.5-2.5 μm, the precision of the atomization air pressure of a spray gun is controlled at ±0.1 bar during spray coating, and the coating is dried to obtain a finished product and then a matte anti-fingerprint stainless steel decorative plate which has a high-standard matte and anti-fingerprint index is prepared.
US09227221B2
Hydrophilic-core microcapsules and methods of their formation are provided. A hydrophilic-core microcapsule may include a shell that encapsulates water with the core substance dissolved or dispersed therein. The hydrophilic-core microcapsules may be formed from an emulsion having hydrophilic-phase droplets dispersed in a hydrophobic phase, with shell-forming compound contained in the hydrophilic phase or the hydrophobic phase and the core substance contained in the hydrophilic phase. The shells of the microcapsules may be capable of being broken down in response to being contacted by an alkali, e.g., produced during corrosion, contacting the shell.
US09227215B2
A method and apparatus for analyzing, maintaining or adjusting the chemical and physical structure of a CO2 Composite Spray in real-time. A light beam is passed through a portion of the CO2 Composite Spray plume, following which the transmitted light is collected using a detector and analyzed using a computer processing device. Light absorption, reflection and/or florescence data are correlated with CO2 particle density and particle size, spray plume length, organic and inorganic spray additives, and water vapor content. The treatment spray geometry is used to optimize and control a CO2 Composite Spray in precision cleaning, machining, and cooling processes.
US09227213B2
A push button for a pressurised-product dispensing system, including an actuation body having an orifice for ejecting the product, a needle closing off the ejection orifice and a sleeve having a mounting well, the body being mounted to slide about the sleeve between high and low positions, forming between them a sealed space for conveying the product, the needle being associated with the sleeve by a link rotatably mounted on the sleeve to actuate the reversible movement of the needle between a closure position—or respectively an open position—of the ejection orifice when the body is in the high position—or respectively in the low position—, the needle provided with geometric means that interact with the body to exert a force holding the needle in a mounting position in which the needle projects from the body to enable the link to be associated with the needle.
US09227212B2
A fluid dispenser for containing and dispensing metered amounts of fluid that includes a reservoir for containing fluid and a chamber positioned substantially within the reservoir for containing a quantity of the fluid. The fluid dispenser additionally includes a piston that is moveable within the chamber to draw fluid into the chamber when the piston is moved in a first direction with respect to the chamber, and to discharge fluid from the chamber when the piston is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction. Further, the fluid dispenser includes a user-manipulatable control coupled to the piston and rotatable about an axis to select one of at least two different metered quantities of fluid to be dispensed. The user-manipulatable control is further movable to move the piston relative to the chamber along the axis to selectively dispense the selected metered quantity of fluid.
US09227208B2
A paint cup for a spray gun includes a container containing paint solvents, a lid body covering an upper opening of the container, and a ventilation member mounted in the container. The lid body includes an annular coupling portion protruding from an inner surface thereof, an inner rod located in the annular coupling portion, and a vent extending into an annular coupling groove of the annular coupling portion. A gap is formed between the ventilation member and the inner rod. When the container is turned upside-down, the paint solvents in the gap will flow into an accommodating groove formed between the inner rod and the annular coupling portion, and ambient air circulates in the container via the vent and the gap.
US09227206B2
A sprinkler structure includes a base with a rotatable stripe-shaped pipe and spraying pipes installed on the stripe-shaped pipe. The stripe-shaped pipe has an end connected to the base through a hollow shaft which has an outlet pipe, and the other end connected to the base through a pipe plug. A water fetching device is installed at an end of the base for driving the stripe-shaped pipe to rotate and includes a sleeve sheathed on the hollow shaft. A water fetching target is installed at an upper end of the sleeve and near the outlet of an outlet pipe. The base has an inlet pipe interconnected with the hollow shaft, the outlet pipe and the spraying pipe, and further has a conversion device for controlling the water fetching device to rotate in a forward or reverse direction.
US09227197B2
Simplified valuable mineral sorting apparatus and method of sorting valuable minerals using the same
Disclosed herein is a simplified valuable mineral sorting apparatus including, a first storage tank which accommodates a mixture of water and heavy powder and includes a specific gravity measurement module; a second storage tank accommodating a portion of the mixture exceeding a capacity level line of the first storage tank; a first discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank and the second storage tank to introduce the excess portion of the mixture into the second storage tank, and which is positioned at the capacity level line of the first storage tank; a second discharge tube which is connected to the first storage tank to discharge the mixture in the first storage tank and which includes a flow rate control module; a specific gravity sorting device which includes a sorting container for receiving the mixture discharged from the second discharge tube and which changes a slope of the sorting container to sort minerals from the mixture in the sorting container; and a control unit for controlling the flow rate control module and the specific gravity sorting device.
US09227195B2
A scrapped glass pulverizing device includes a vibration crushing device. The vibration crushing device includes a vibration hammer, a vibration generator that controls vibration of the vibration hammer up and down, and a crushing platform arranged below the vibration hammer and supports scrapped glass.
US09227187B2
The invention relates to a method for functionalization of inorganic particles by polymers comprising at least one recurrent unit bearing at least one proton exchange group comprising the following steps: a) a step for functionalization of inorganic particles by an anionic polymerization termination agent comprising at least one group capable of being bound to the surface of said particles; b) a step for anionic polymerization of at least one monomer bearing at least one precursor group of a proton exchange group; c) a step for putting the particles obtained in step a) in contact with the polymers obtained in step b), in return for which the obtained particles are particles functionalized by said polymers by reaction between a reactive end of said polymeric polymers and at least one group of the aforementioned termination agent; and d) a step for transformation of the precursor group(s) of said proton exchange group(s).
US09227182B2
A solution including a precious metal nanoparticle and a polymer polymerized from a monomer comprising at least a monomer having two or more carboxyl groups or carboxylic acid salt groups. The solution is useful for a catalyst for a process of electroless plating of a metal on non-conductive surface.
US09227178B2
A catalyst for generating hydrogen containing at least one composite metal selected from the group consisting of a composite metal of platinum and nickel and a composite metal of iridium and nickel, the catalyst being used in a decomposition reaction of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof; and a method for generating hydrogen, including contacting the catalyst for generating hydrogen with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and a hydrate thereof. Hydrogen can be efficiently generated with improved selectivity in the method for generating hydrogen that utilizes the decomposition reaction of hydrazine.
US09227177B2
Variations of coating processes of ZPGM catalyst materials for TWC applications are disclosed. The disclosed coating processes for ZPGM materials are enabled in the preparation of ZPGM catalyst samples according to a plurality of catalyst configurations, which may include washcoat and an overcoat layer with or without an impregnation layer, including Cu—Mn spinel and doped Zirconia support oxide, prepared according to variations of disclosed coating processes. Activity measurements under isothermal steady state sweep test condition are considered under lean condition and rich condition close to stoichiometric condition to analyze the influence of disclosed coating processes on TWC performance of ZPGM catalysts. Different coating processes may substantially increase TWC activity, providing improved levels of NO, CO, and HC conversions and cost effective manufacturing solutions.
US09227174B2
The invention relates to a substrate material, which is highly porous and which is provided with a mechanically stable, component-penetrating framework structure made of alpha-Al2O3, to methods for producing the substrate material, and to the use of the substrate material.
US09227139B2
A computer-implemented system for providing a virtualized application hosting environment comprising: a plurality of application/game servers each having a memory for storing application program code and data and a processor for executing the application program code and processing the data on behalf of a client; a virtualization service executed on each of the application/game servers, the virtualization service comprising a file redirection module for redirecting file system operations generated by the application program code to one or more virtualized file locations; and a registry redirection module for intercepting registry operations generated by the application program code and executing the registry operations on behalf of the application program code at one or more virtualized registry locations.
US09227137B2
Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for generating an impact and/or surface haptic effect for a handheld computer interface such as a video game controller. For example, the handheld computer interface may include a handle coupled to an impact actuator. The impact actuator includes a movable mass and an end stop. The impact actuator may receive a haptic effect signal and in response cause the mass to contact the end stop to generate a haptic effect. A smart material that outputs a surface haptic effect may be coupled to a surface of the handle such that the surface haptic effect is output substantially from the smart material rather than the handle. The handle may be coupled to an end piece having a shape that simulates an object such as a tennis racket, golf club, or other object.
US09227133B2
A variable point generation craps game includes a random indicator generator providing only members of a predetermined set of indicators, at least two point value selectors and a bet. Each of the indicators designates a point value selector, each of which has an initial state providing all possible point values obtainable, and with the same probability, from a single roll of a standard pair of dice. The point value selectors yield at least one point for the craps game upon designation by the random indicator generator. The bet depends upon at least one point value selected by at least one of the point value selectors. In a variation, a single point value selector is used and the random indicator generator designates an integer that determines a predetermined operation to be performed upon the point value selector to yield at least one point for the craps game.
US09227130B1
In a tennis training device there is a curved track whose curvature corresponds to the correct path that a tennis racquet should travel during a proper serve. The track has a channel along its length. The channel is sized and configured to receive a coupling which is attached to the head of a tennis racquet. The coupling travels along the track and allows the head of the tennis racquet to rotate relative to the track. The tennis racquet coupling preferably is a clip configured for releasable attachment to a head of a tennis racquet and a connector having an elongated body and a head attached to the body.
US09227126B2
A ball rebound device for ball games comprising: a frame structure, a sheet being detachably attached to the front of the frame structure and adjusting means connected to the frame structure, the adjusting means being able to move part of the frame structure, whereby the tension of the sheet can increase or decrease. By stretching the sheet, it is possible to increase the rebound force of the sheet by ball impact. Similarly, the rebound force can be decreased when the sheet is slackened.
US09227124B1
The disclosure relates to a baseball pitcher training apparatus for training a pitcher in controlling his lower and upper body portions in the movement sequence of the human body associated with throwing a baseball during the pitch preparation phase as well as the delivery and follow-through phase to conserve stress or strain in the arm and leg muscles. The apparatus has a pitching mound and a frame structure comprising two vertical post assemblies connected at the top by a horizontal cross beam assembly. Light bag weights are suspended from the cross beam assembly. The pitcher learns his body mechanics from following a pitching line indicated by the light bag weights and gauging his position by calibration marks on the pitching mound.
US09227123B2
A lacrosse training device that has a frame and target material therein. The flexibility of the target material may be adjustable. The device is adapted to be suspended within a lacrosse goal. The device may have means for adjusting the tension of the target material. The target material may slip on over the frame like a sleeve. The device may have wheels, which may be located on a track. The device may have a motor that moves it to different sides of a goal. The device may move in response to a wireless controller.
US09227121B1
A self-supporting pocket molding device for lacrosse sticks includes a weight ballasted hollow base, a support portion atop the base, and at least a hemisphere approximately the size of lacrosse ball at the top distal end. The base is preferably of a conical shape and the end sphere is attached up from the ground for ergonomic considerations of ease of use in a standing or sitting position. The shape of the self-supporting pocket molding device insures totally unencumbered access to the top surface of the sphere where the netting is easily forced down at the desired location to stretch the net forming a pocket. Both hands of the user are free to be used to hold the lacrosse stick or head; which also affords the ability to tilt the head as desired to stretch the netting in any sideways direction to correct any local deformation of the netting.
US09227105B2
An exercise device is provided that includes a trolley. The trolley includes two vertical plates, wheels, and at least one foot locking device connected to the trolley, the at least one foot locking device adapted to make contact with at least a portion of a foot of the user. A shaft is provided having a first end and a second end. A flexible mechanism comprising a portion of the shaft placed in a position of the shaft between the first end and the second end for allowing at least one portion of the shaft to move and rotate. The shaft accommodates the trolley. The trolley is adapted to be pulled along the shaft by the least one foot locking device while the user is in a seated position. A substantially planar surface is provided with a top surface connected to the second end of the shaft.
US09227103B2
A fitness device includes a body, a pedaling unit, a rotating unit, a seat unit, and at least one coupling unit. The coupling unit is pivotally mounted to the base and is coaxially aligned with the axle. The coupling unit is engaged with the rotating unit such that the rotating unit coaxially rotates with the coupling unit for driving the seat unit to convert between a first position in which the seat unit is located away from the base, and a second position in which the seat unit is located proximate to the base. A vertical distance and a horizontal distance between the seat unit and the pedaling unit are altered when converting between the first and second positions. By rotating the rotating unit, the horizontal and vertical distances between the seat and pedaling units are altered for allowing users to exercise in an upright posture or a recumbent posture.
US09227100B2
A portable exercise support stand includes a base from which extend first and second vertical support members, each having upward ends and a resilient, elastic member having ends attached to the upward ends of the first and second support members.
US09227092B2
A safety rope blocker having a body provided with a through hole for the passage of an anchoring ring and a curved groove opening into the through hole for the passage of the safety rope through the anchoring ring, the body being able to rotate between a blocking position in which the safety rope is blocked by the anchoring ring against the body and a releasing position in which the safety rope slide in the curved groove, the groove includes a deviation element to allow, in the releasing position, the safety rope to slide in the curved groove and outside the through hole.
US09227091B2
Oxygen regulator (1) to deliver breathing gas in a cabin (10) of an aircraft comprising a first inlet (12) for pressurized breathing oxygen, a second inlet (14) for diluter gas, an outlet (16) to provide a breathing mixture to a user, and a regulation device adjusting the concentration of breathing oxygen in the breathing mixture. The regulation device comprises a emergency device (30) that adjusts the concentration of breathing oxygen in the breathing mixture as a function of a variation speed of the cabin altitude.
US09227086B2
A method of performing microbeam radiosurgery on a patient whereby target tissue within a patient is irradiated with high energy electromagnetic radiation via one or more microbeam envelopes with photons having respective energy magnitudes in excess of 200 keV, and maximum defined beam widths sufficiently narrow to yield a biological damage width which does not exceed a predetermined value.
US09227076B2
Molded headers, implantable signal generators having molded headers, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. An implantable signal generator in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a can having a shell and a battery positioned at least partially within the shell. An output terminal can be operably coupled to the battery and positioned to provide electrical power to a signal delivery device. A pre-molded header having a plurality of openings can be coupled to the can, and the output terminal can be positioned at least partially within an individual opening.
US09227073B2
Methods and systems for performing capture threshold tests are described. During an initialization procedure a capture detection interval and capture detection threshold are determined based on peak values of cardiac signals sensed following the supracapture threshold initialization pulses. Following initialization, a plurality of pacing pulses to the atrium are delivered and the peak values of the cardiac signals sensed following each of the plurality of pacing pulses are determined. The peak values are compared to the pacing artifact threshold and the capture detection threshold. A timing of each of the peak values is compared to the capture detection interval. For each pacing pulse, discrimination between a captured response, a noncaptured response, and a fusion response is based on the peak value and timing comparisons.
US09227071B2
Embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods for setting parameters of implantable medical devices, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for programming an implantable medical device including sensing concentrations of a predictive marker such as ET-1 in a patient, selecting programming parameter values based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, and implementing the selected programming parameter values. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for detecting arrhythmia in a patient including sensing concentrations of the predictive marker in a patient, selecting a level of stringency to be used in an arrhythmia detection module based on the sensed concentrations of the predictive marker, sensing electrical signals in the patient, and evaluating the sensed electrical signals for indicia of an arrhythmia using the arrhythmia detection module. Other embodiments are also included herein.
US09227069B2
An implantable medical device senses atrial depolarizations having associated refractory periods thereafter and delivers electrical stimulation pulses during the associated refractory periods to stimulate the atrioventricular (AV) node to cause a prolonged conduction time of an atrial depolarization to a ventricular chamber. The device delivers a pacing pulse to a first ventricular chamber during the prolonged conduction time to cause a contraction and associated refractory period of the first ventricular chamber, the first ventricular chamber contraction occurring earlier than a contraction of a second ventricular chamber.
US09227067B2
Described are systems, devices and methods for facilitating the delivery of stimulation to, and the monitoring and recording of physiological signals (e.g., electroencephalographic signals) from a research subject. Devices include a headmount that includes a cranial frame and a headstage, and a connection between the headmount and external equipment used for stimulation, monitoring, and/or recording that is robust physically and electrically to optimize stimulation, monitoring and recording even while the subject remains ambulatory. In some embodiments, a hinged headmount allows the configuration to be easily manipulated during attachment and any subsequent adjustment or reattachment procedures and permits easy access to any wires or other components implanted in the subject. In some embodiments, a flexible cable extends out from the headmount at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane of the headmount, to optimize strain relief as the subject moves about while attached to any stimulation, monitoring and/or recording equipment.
US09227066B2
Disclosed are methods for regulating neurotrophin levels within a human body. The invention utilizes an implantable signal generator to deliver stimulation to neural tissue elements. Alternatively, an implantable pump may be utilized to delivery one or more drugs. The implanted device delivers treatment therapy to the neural tissue to thereby alter the level of neurotrophic factors such as BDNF expressed by the influenced neural tissue. A sensor may be used to detect various symptoms of a nervous system disorder. A microprocessor algorithm may then analyze the output from the sensor to regulate the treatment therapy delivered to the body. The invention describes a novel method to regulate the intrinsic levels of neurotrophins and may be used to treat patients with neurological and cognitive disorders.
US09227059B2
An exemplary speech processor configured to be used in a cochlear implant system includes signal processing circuitry that 1) separates an incoming audio signal into a plurality of channels, wherein each channel included in the plurality of channels includes a channel signal included in a plurality of channel signals and representing a portion of the audio signal, 2) selects one or more channel signals from the plurality of channel signals that have a spectral power that exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the selected one or more channel signals corresponding to one or more channels included in the plurality of channels, and 3) designates only the one or more channels that correspond to the selected one or more channel signals to be used for stimulation representative of the incoming audio signal.
US09227051B1
A mouthpiece for providing non-invasive neuromodulation to a patient. The mouthpiece includes an elongated housing having a center of gravity located within a posterior region, a positioning pad attached to the top surface of the elongated housing for minimizing contact between a patient's upper teeth and the exterior top surface of the elongated housing, and a printed circuit board mounted to a bottom portion of the elongated housing, the printed circuit board having a plurality of electrodes for delivering subcutaneous local electrical stimulation to the patient's tongue. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece includes at least one locator disposed along the anterior region of the elongated housing for contacting a patient's teeth to securely position the mouthpiece within the patient's mouth.
US09227046B1
An intravenous (IV) coupling apparatus is disclosed for fluid delivery to a patient. The coupling includes a tube having an input end and an output end, wherein the input end includes a plurality of input connections configured to releasably couple to one or more input lines in communication with one or more fluid sources, and the output end includes a plurality of output connections configured to releasably couple to one or more output lines configured to deliver fluid to the patient. The coupling includes a plurality of lumens disposed within the tube substantially along the length of the tube, wherein each lumen couples one of the input connectors in fluid communication with a corresponding output connector such that an input line is in fluid communication with a corresponding output line when the input line and output line are connected to a corresponding input connector and output connector.
US09227039B1
A holder or stabilizing device for medical IV or catheters having flexible tubing attached. An elongated strap-like panel made of a flexible material has an intermediate portion and a pair of attachment portions extending in opposite directions from the intermediate portion, the intermediate and attachment portions defining opposite side edges of the panel. The panel has an outside side generally visible during use. A pair of tubing-securing apertures is provided in the intermediate portion located generally adjacent respective opposite sides of the panel and across from each other, with an adhesive area on the intermediate portion on the outside side between the at least one pair of tubing-securing apertures and is positioned so as to engage the flexible tubing when passing through and extending on the outside side of the panel between the pair of tubing-securing apertures. A set of holders may be provided, color-coded to indicate particular size.
US09227029B2
In accordance with non-limiting examples, a nebulizer includes a main body comprising an air channel section and further comprising a mixing chamber and a venturi positioned to be placed within the patient's oral cavity and configured to receive medicine and air and mix the medicine and air within the mixing chamber and receive the air flow through the venturi and cause the medicine entering the mixing chamber to be atomized by the action of air flowing through the venturi. An air flow sensor is associated with the main body and configured to measure the air flow created by the patient's one of at least inhaling and exhaling air.
US09227027B2
A safety device for a nasal spray applicator may include a two or three-point safety engagement feature to retain a protective cap or cover over the nasal spray applicator and to prevent or restrict actuation thereof.
US09227025B2
An infusion data communication system provides a communication link among a fluid container, an infusion pump, and a patient through which identification data may be communicated. Data devices are located at the fluid container and the patient and conduct low frequency RF energy at a low power level containing the data into the medical fluid. The data-laden RF energy propagates through the medication fluid to data readers at the infusion pump which receives the RF energy and reads the data. A comparison is made to verify that the right medication is mounted to the infusion pump for administration to the right patient. RFID devices may be used for the data devices and readers. Pump programming data may also be propagated to the infusion pump from the container RFID tag. The RFID device at the patient may be writable and may be used to store a patient MAR.
US09227010B2
A portable therapeutic fluid delivery device with a flow detector comprising a heating element and two temperature sensors is presented. Upon activation of the heating element, a flow condition of the fluid inside the delivery tube is determined based on a signal provided by the temperature sensors. A temperature gradient within the therapeutic fluid is detected. The determined flow condition can be one of: air bubbles within the delivery tube, occlusion within the delivery tube, or leakage within the delivery tube. The device can have two parts, for example, a reusable part and a disposable part. Upon pairing of these parts, the heating element and the temperature sensors touch the delivery tube.
US09227008B2
A fluid container for a medical fluid dispensing device, comprises a rigid body (3) for delimiting with the inside part of its wall a volume of the medical fluid, and a membrane (5) that covers at least an opening of the rigid body thereby creating a fluid tight lid, the opening corresponding to a measurement area, and the membrane further covers a portion of an outside part of the rigid body's wall. The membrane comprises a flexible measurement part (11) corresponding to the opening of the rigid body, an attachment part (13) that is fixed to the rigid body, and a second part (12) that connects the flexible measurement part to the attachment part, and which comprises a rigid part (14), an upper part of which is connected to the flexible measurement part, and the rigid part further comprising a sealing surface (18), and a deformable part (15) which connects the rigid part to the attachment part. The fluid container further comprises a first gap (17) located between the rigid part and the rigid body, which is dimensioned to receive at least a part of the rigid part in a case when a force is applied onto the sealing surface and causes the deformable part to deform.
US09227003B2
A method for a hybrid blood and peritoneal dialysis (“PD”) machine comprising: (i) determining whether a previous treatment left a last fill of dialysate in a patient's peritoneum; (ii) if a next treatment is a PD treatment, and if the previous treatment did not leave the last fill of dialysate, causing a PD treatment in which a first cycle is a fill cycle to be initiated; (iii) if the next treatment is a PD treatment, and if the previous treatment did leave the last fill of dialysate, causing a PD treatment in which a first cycle is a last fill drain cycle to be initiated; and (iv) if the next treatment is a blood treatment and if the previous treatment did leave the last fill of dialysate, causing a blood treatment including a last fill drain cycle to be initiated.
US09227002B1
Systems and methods for providing cavopulmonary support to a subject are provided that include and make use of a first inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around a superior vena cava in the subject and a second inflatable extravascular cuff configured to be placed around an inferior vena cava in the subject. The system further includes a pump that is operably connected to both the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff, as well as a controller that is in communication with the pump. The controller receives one or more user-defined parameters and, in response to the user-defined parameters, independently controls the inflation and deflation of the first inflatable extravascular cuff and the second inflatable extravascular cuff to provide cavopulmonary support.
US09226992B2
A cartilaginous tissue repair device with a biocompatible, bioresorbable three-dimensional silk or other fiber lay and a biocompatible, bioresorbable substantially porous silk-based or other hydrogel partially or substantially filling the interstices of the fiber lay; with or without an integral means of firmly anchoring the device to a patient's bone.
US09226991B2
A process for the synthesis of a bioceramic composition comprising calcium phosphosilicate (CPS, Ca10(PO4)4(SiO4)2), the process comprising: providing calcium or a calcium-containing compound, a phosphorus-containing compound and a silicon-containing compound; and forming a precipitate by reacting the compounds in an aqueous phase at an alkali pH.
US09226979B2
A method, apparatus and probe for examining tissue for the presence of target cells, particularly cancerous cells, by subjecting the tissue to be examined to a contrast agent containing small particles of a physical element conjugated with a biological carrier selectively bindable to the target cells. Energy pulses are applied to the examined tissue. The changes in impedance and/or optical characteristics of the examined tissue produced by the applied energy pulses are detected and utilized for determining the presence of the target cells in the examined tissue. In a described preferred embodiment, the applied energy pulses include laser pulses, and the physical element conjugated with a biological carrier is a light-sensitive semiconductor having an impedance which substantially decreases in the presence of light. The same probe used for detecting the targeted cells may also be used for destroying the cells so targeted.
US09226973B2
The present invention relates to therapeutic immunoconjugates comprising SN-38 attached to an antibody or antigen-binding antibody fragment. The antibody may bind to EGP-1 (TROP-2), CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CD74, CD19, CD20, CD22, CSAp, HLA-DR, AFP or MUC5ac and the immunoconjugate may be administered at a dosage of between 4 mg/kg and 24 mg/kg, preferably 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16 or 18 mg/kg. When administered at specified dosages and schedules, the immunoconjugate can reduce solid tumors in size, reduce or eliminate metastases and is effective to treat cancers resistant to standard therapies, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy or immunotherapy.
US09226964B2
Anti-EGFR antibodies, therapeutic compositions comprising combinations of anti-EGFR antibodies, as well as methods for using such antibodies and compositions to treat EGFR-related disorders (e.g., cancers), are disclosed.
US09226943B2
Bacterial agents for preparing compositions which are for cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary use and which are intended to stabilize and/or regulate the cutaneous ecosystem of mammals. These bacterial agents being an extract of a bacterium, or a bacterium, selected for their adhesion to skin cells and anti-adhesive to pathogens of the cutaneous system. The invention also relates to compositions containing such agents.
US09226941B2
A disinfectant, sanitizer, germicide, mildicide, virucide, deodorizer, decontaminator and cleaning formulation for cleaning porous and non-porous materials in hospitals, institutions, farms, hotels, cruise ships, homes, schools and other environments is provided. The cleaning formulation comprises a first component including an aqueous alkaline solution containing a surfactant, a triamine, and a quaternary halide and a second component containing an aqueous stabilized hydrogen peroxide solution. The formulation is activated by combining and mixing the two components. The activated formulation can be applied to a surface to be cleaned and/or sanitized with standard techniques. The two components can also be provided as a disinfectant/sanitizer kit.
US09226938B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods of knee rehabilitation. Embodiments generally include the use of viscosupplementation delivered intra-articularly in conjunction with rehabilitative therapy and an unloading knee brace. The injection of the viscosupplementation is guided such that the entire dose is delivered to the joint and can flow tricompartmentally.
US09226925B1
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a drug substance consisting essentially of a pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid addition salt of an amine containing pharmaceutically active compound wherein the amine containing pharmaceutical active compound is selected from the group consisting of racemic or single isomer ritalinic acid or phenethylamine derivatives and the drug substance has a physical form selected from amorphous and polymorphic.
US09226921B2
The present invention provides a compound which has the effect of PDE inhibition, and which is useful as an agent for preventing or treating schizophrenia or so on represented by the formula (I):
US09226920B1
The invention provides a method of inducing neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) in Schwann cells. The method comprises contacting the cells with laminin-1 so as to bind α6β1 integrin sufficiently to activate endogenous kinase Cdc42-Pak; and phosphorylating Schwannomin-S518 in the cells by the activated kinase, effectively inactivating Schwannomin's tumor suppressor activity and allowing proliferation of subconfluent Schwann cells, thereby modeling NF2. The invention also includes a method of preventing a Schwann cell from forming a tumor by contacting the cell with an amount of tyrphostin AG825 sufficient to inhibit a receptor selected from ErB2, ErB3, β1 integrins and combinations thereof, so as to prevent phosphorylation of Schwannomin-S815 by one or more endogenous kinases.
US09226917B2
The use of a combination of photodynamic therapy and an anti-VEGF agent in the treatment of conditions characterized by unwanted choroidal neovasculature is described. These conditions include wet age-related macular degeneration Preferred anti-VEGF agents are antibodies such as bevacizumab or ranibizumab Photosensitizers may be selected from green porphyrins such as BPD-MA (verteporfin) and the photodynamic activation of the photo sensitizer may be accomplished using a reduced fluence rate. The use may further comprises an anti-inflammatory agent such as dexamethasone.
US09226912B2
The present invention relates to the use of a compound of Formula I for the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing cancer in a subject. Formula I
US09226909B2
The present invention generally relates to the improvement of tissue health by increasing local blood flow. In some aspects of the invention, increased local blood flow is effected by the transdermal delivery of the nitric oxide precursor L-arginine and/or its derivatives alone, or optionally in conjunction with an adjunct such as theophylline. The transdermal delivery is effected, in certain embodiments through the means of a hostile biophysical environment, such as that created by a high ionic strength environment. Various pathological states caused by, or occurring in conjunction with, insufficient blood flow, can be treated using the systems and methods of the invention as described herein. In other embodiments, increased blood flow using the systems and methods of the invention may result in enhanced healing, for example, through greater availability of the constituents of the blood. Examples of conditions which may benefit from increased blood flow include, but are not limited to, erectile dysfunction, hair loss, female sexual dissatisfaction, sagging facial or other body tissue, peripheral vascular disease including claudication, neuropathy, skin ulcers, bone healing, wound healing, viral and bacterial infection, and skin grafting.
US09226908B2
The invention provides low concentration, stable compositions for the treatment of lesions associated with herpes viral infections. The compositions are in a form selected from creams and gels containing trichloroacetic acid in an amount of between 2.5% (m/m) and 6% (w/w) of the weight of the cream or gel. Preferably the cream contains about 5% and the gel about 2.5% of the trichloroacetic acid.
US09226900B2
A process for preparing microparticles comprising a biologically active material and a polymer and having a mean particle size expressed as the volume mean diameter (VMD) of from 10 to 500 μm, wherein the biologically active material is substantially insoluble in the polymer, which process comprises: a. contacting a mixture of the biologically active material or a precursor thereof, the polymer or a precursor thereof and a processing aid with a supercritical fluid which is capable of swelling the polymer under temperature and pressure conditions necessary to maintain the fluid in a supercritical state; b. allowing the supercritical fluid to penetrate and liquefy the polymer, while maintaining the temperature and pressure conditions so that the fluid is maintained in a supercritical state; c. releasing the pressure to precipitate microparticles comprising the biologically active agent and the polymer.
US09226899B2
There is presently provided a suspension of immiscible particles in a solution, wherein the particles comprise an agglomeration of a bioactive agent, for example an anti-cancer agent; and a plurality of conjugates of a hyaluronic acid and a flavonoid, for example a catechin-based flavonoid, wherein the particles are on average from about 15 nm to about 300 nm in diameter and wherein the bioactive agent is releasably retained in the particles by the flavonoid. The suspension is useful for delivery of the bioactive agent to cells, including cancer cells. There are also provided a therapeutic formulation comprising the suspension, as well as methods for using the suspension and therapeutic formulation, including for delivery of a bioactive agent to a cell and for treating a disease, including cancer.
US09226897B2
The present invention describe nanocomplexes also called auto-assembling nanoparticles comprising biphosphonates, lipid nanovectors and inorganic nanovectors.In particular the invention describes zoledronic acid complexed with calcium phosphate base nanoparticles; said particles in their turn mixed with lipidic particles e.g. liposomes.Said nanocomplexes are useful, and showed to be efficient in vivo, as pharmaceutical formulations of biphosphonates for the treatment or prevention of tumor growth and/or metastasis. Tumors can be solids and/or haematological such as prostate, lung, head/neck, colon, liver, breast, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, male and female urogenital tract, bones, multiple myeloma, primitive and secondary tumors of the central nervous system and lymphomas.
US09226890B1
A polysilicone base for medical and cosmetic compositions includes a dimethicone fluid, a volatile cyclosiloxane, a silicone elastomer, and nanoparticulate silica. The polysilicone base may also include one or more therapeutic agents for reducing the formation and appearance of scar tissue at the site of a wound. The polysilicone base is spreadable, but does not run off of the wound site. The polysilicone base is phase-stable, in that it does not separate into phases.
US09226886B2
The present invention relates to a mask pack sheet using bio-cellulose obtained from fermented ginseng extracts, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a cosmetic mask pack sheet, comprising injecting microbial strains into a culture medium containing ginseng extracts so as to ferment the ginseng extracts and prepare a bio-cellulose sheet, and dipping the sheet into a cosmetic liquid.
US09226882B2
Disclosed herein is an eco-friendly, non-aqueous and stable antimicrobial solution composition comprising (a) about 0.1 to 20.0 wt % of a Tropolone; and (b) about 80.0 to 99.9 wt % of bio-derived 1,3-propanediol and/or bio-derived sorbitan caprylate. Also disclosed is a process for preparing and method of using the composition. The composition is stable for at least two years at room temperature and can be employed in the fields of cosmetic, toiletry, personal care, household, cleaning, disinfecting, food, beverages, enzyme formulations, feminine care products, foot care products, pet care products, food ingredients, paints, coatings, metal working fluids, nutrients for plants, construction and/or laundry products.
US09226881B2
A multi-functional composite poser having the properties of (a) excellent adhesiveness, (b) excellent extendability, (c) an appropriate glossy effect, (d) appropriate covering capability, and (e) excellent soft-focusing capability. The powder is constituted by a scale-like base material, a group of particles including titanium dioxide particles deposited on a part of a surface of the scale-like base material, and a thin film of a composite oxide containing titanium and iron coating part of the surface of the scale-like base material.
US09226880B2
This disclosure provides sunscreen products that contain metal oxide powders having discrete size distributions. Metal oxide powders include, for example, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Sunscreen products made in accordance with the principles of this disclosure contain metal oxide powders having primary particle sizes of about 10-30 ran and about 50-200 nm.
US09226866B2
A speech therapy device configured to be placed in a mouth of a speaker. The speech therapy device includes a first bite plate and a second bite plate disposed opposite the first bite plate. The speech therapy device further includes at least one connecting member disposed between the first bite plate and the second bite plate. A method for using the speech therapy device is also provided.
US09226863B1
The mattress for relieving pressure ulcers includes a first sponge layer, an air mattress layer over the first sponge layer, an intermediate layer over the air mattress layer, a second sponge layer over the intermediate layer, and a paper sheet layer over the second sponge layer. The sponge layer and the air mattress layer are configured to increase the contact area of the patient's body with the bed, according to a patient's weight. The intermediate layer is a rubber layer configured to provide ventilation for areas of the mattress that contact a patient's body using dry air or dry air mixed with ozone gas, essential/volatile oil, and/or antibacterial vapors. The second sponge layer is designed to distribute the air under the patient's body. The paper sheet layer is configured to provide alarms in the event the mattress gets wet due to sweating or incontinence.
US09226861B2
In one embodiment, taped and pant articles of the present disclosure may comprise first and second chassis that are at least substantially identical.
US09226858B2
A first elastic material is advanced in a machine direction in a stretched state to a first metering device at a speed, V1. A second elastic material is advanced in the machine direction in a stretched state to a second metering device at a speed, V2. First and second substrate layers are advanced in a machine direction to a third metering at a speed, V3, along with the first and second elastic materials. The first and second elastic materials are bonded to the first and second substrate layers at the third metering device to form a layered elastic substrate. The layered elastic substrate is advanced to a fourth metering device at a speed, V4. V1 is less than V2, V3 is greater than V1 and V2, V4 is less than V3, and V4 is greater than V1 and V2.
US09226851B2
A MEMS check valve chip is described. The chip comprises a first side and an opposing second side, an outlet port extending from the first side to the second side, and a flexible outlet membrane anchored to the first side to overlie the outlet port. The flexible outlet membrane includes an outlet aperture and a sealing portion, and the sealing portion is movable between a closed position inhibiting fluid flow through the outlet aperture and an open position wherein the sealing portion displaces into the outlet port to permit fluid flow through the outlet aperture.
US09226850B2
Apparatuses and methods for the treatment of glaucoma are provided. The instrument uses either cauterization, a laser to ablate, sonic or ultrasonic energy to emulsify, or mechanical cutting of a portion of the trabecular meshwork. The instrument may also be provided with irrigation, aspiration, and a footplate. The footplate is used to enter Schlemm's canal, serves as a guide, and also protects Schlemm's canal.
US09226849B2
A method and apparatus for precisely controlling particle movement relative to a phacoemulsification needle tip is provided. The design monitors actual vacuum present and calculates a pulse shape amplitude waveform proportional to the amount of measured vacuum. An increase in vacuum indicates that the handpiece/needle is becoming occluded by a large particle. The present design determines whether additional power is required to bump or move a large particle away from the needle tip. The present design may employ a control loop that senses and continuously monitors vacuum. The design may dynamically vary the amount of ultrasonic energy delivered to the surgical area in response to the observed actual vacuum, and can actively vary the amount of power delivered to the surgical area based on the size of the particle and the resultant vacuum realized.
US09226844B2
The invention is directed to the combination of orthopedic back support and physical exercise devices that provide comfort, support and stabilization of the spinal system. More particularly, it contributes to means for developing the musculature of the lower back, spinal cord and upper body by application of axial tensioning to unload compressive forces on the spine, thus allowing improved circulation to the discs and stimulation of the muscles. As a preventive exercise it helps avoid back problems, but when pain occurs, the invention helps relieve pain, improve comfort and provides rehabilitation of the back to a healthier state under self administration.
US09226835B2
A method and system for percutaneous fusion to correct disc compression is presented. The method has several steps, for instance, inserting a percutaneous lumbar interbody implant; positioning guide wires for each facet screw to be implanted; performing facet arthrodesis in preparation for the facet screws; fixating the plurality of facet screws; and optionally performing foramen nerve root or central decompression. The system includes an implant, an elongate cannulated insertion tool, and an elongate lockshaft positioned within the insertion tool.
US09226834B2
A spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction to be introduced into any variety of spinal target sites. The spinal fusion implant of the present invention includes a top surface, a bottom surface, first and second lateral sides, a proximal (posterior) end and a distal (anterior) end. The spinal fusion implant of the present invention may be used to provide temporary or permanent fixation within an orthopedic target site. To do so, the spinal fusion implant may be introduced into a disc space while locked to a surgical insertion instrument and thereafter employed in the proper orientation and released. Once deposited in the disc space, the spinal fusion implant of the present invention effects spinal fusion over time as the natural healing process integrates and binds the implant.
US09226833B2
Spinal implants for positioning between adjacent vertebrae. Some embodiments may comprise a pair of opposed sidewall surfaces, a pair of opposed frictional surfaces, a first end wall joining the pair of opposed sidewall surfaces, and a second end wall recessed at least in part and joining the pair of opposed sidewall surfaces. A fish-tailed structure may be positioned within the second end wall when viewed from one of the opposed frictional surface. The fish-tailed structure may be formed so as to extend at least substantially uninterrupted between at least one of the opposed sidewall surfaces and the opposed frictional surfaces. A retention structure, such as a hole, may be positioned within the fish-tailed structure. The hole may be configured to engage a surgical implantation device.
US09226829B2
A joint prosthesis comprises a distal component for anchoring to a first bone, a proximal component for anchoring to a second bone, and a coupling piece that, together with the first component, forms a flexion bearing around a first axis and, together with the second component, forms a rotary bearing formed by the pin and the bearing bush around a second axis oriented transversely to the first axis. The rotary bearing comprises a multi-layer bearing insert, having a sliding sleeve surrounding the pin and a support sleeve that encloses said sliding sleeve and is fastened to the coupling piece by means of a securing element, wherein the securing element comprises an actuation unit within the support sleeve and can be connected to the coupling piece such as to ensure tensile strength by means of two aligned bores in the support sleeve and the coupling piece.
US09226828B2
An implant for repairing a joint between a first bone and a second bone includes a first section constructed of a substantially rigid material and a graft constructed of soft tissue having a first end and a second end. The first section has a first end surface configured for positioning against the first bone. The graft is configured for stabilizing the first section relative to the first bone. A first fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first section to anchor the graft to the first section. A second fastener is configured for mounting to the graft and the first bone to anchor the graft to the first bone.
US09226818B2
An electro-active ophthalmic lens includes an electromyography sensor, a processor, and an electro-active optical element. The electromyography sensor is configured to detect an electric field in a ciliary muscle of the eye that is proportional to a force exerted by the ciliary muscle and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the electric field. The processor is operable to receive the signal from the electromyography sensor and to determine, based on the sensor signal, an adjustment to optical power for an electro-active optical element and to generate a control signal for the electro-active optical element. The electro-active optical element is operable to receive the control signal and to change an optical power of the electro-active optical element in response to the control signal.
US09226815B2
A method and construct for joint repair in which attachment of a double bundle graft ligament approximates anatomic orientation using interference fixation in a single bone tunnel. The double bundle graft features separable strands. A threaded screw is inserted between the separable strands and provides interference fixation of the graft against radially opposing walls defining the bone tunnel. Attachment of the graft using separated strands more closely approximate the configuration of the native ligament. The resulting reconstruction exhibits mechanical functionality that more accurately mimics that of the intact joint, with a minimum of associated tissue morbidity.
US09226807B1
The present tooth cleaning device generally comprises a controllable fluid distributer coupled with the sink/bath faucet and by first connecting element with the first end of the flexible tube, the second end of which is coupled with the projection of the handle portion of the brush portion, which also includes the head portion comprising the bristle portion, fluid channel, and at least one aperture in the bristle portion of the brush head portion.
US09226798B2
Described herein are apparatus and associated methods for the generation of at least one user adjustable, accurate, real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium. The apparatus includes one or more real-time, multidimensional visualization modules, one or more processors configured to produce real-time, virtual surgical reference indicia, and at least one user control input for adjusting the at least one real-time virtual surgical reference indicium. The associated methods generally involve the steps of providing one or more real-time multidimensional visualizations of a target surgical field, identifying at least one visual feature in a pre-operative dataset, aligning the visual features with the multidimensional visualization, and incorporating one or more real-time, virtual surgical reference indicium into the real-time visualization. In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus and methods are described in relation to ocular surgery, more specifically capsulorrhexis.
US09226796B2
A method is provided for detecting a disturbance as an energy applicator of a surgical instrument traverses a cutting path. The method includes determining actual torques for each active joint of an actuated arm mechanism and calculating expected torques for each active joint of the actuated arm mechanism, wherein the expected torques are calculated based on an angular position of each active joint and a commanded joint angle for each active joint. The method further determines estimated backdrive torques based on the expected torques and the actual torques, wherein the estimated backdrive torques indicate a disturbance along the cutting path.
