US09244166B1
A hazard warning or weather radar system or method can be utilized to determine a location of ice. The system and method can be used in an aircraft. The aircraft weather radar system can include a radar antenna and a processor. The radar antenna receives radar returns. The processor can: 1. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a blow off region in response to the radar returns, temperature data, and wind data; 2. identify on a display a region of potential ice associated with a stratiform region in response to radar returns, temperature data, and a history of convective cells in the stratiform region; or 3. perform both 1 and 2.
US09244155B2
Embodiments of an adaptive electronically steerable array (AESA) system suitable for use on a vehicle and method for communicating are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the AESA system includes a plurality of arrays of radiating elements and control circuitry to configure the arrays for multi-band and multi-aperture operations to maintain data links with communication stations.
US09244149B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for self-labeling access points with their geographic location from received beacon frames. In particular, the present invention transmits beacon frames including temporary location information from mobile devices. The beacon frames are received by an access point, filtered by the access point and then used to determine a location. Once the location has been determined, the access point uses the determined location to self-label itself by converting the location information to a geographic code and inserting it as part of the SSID of the access point's beacon signal. The present invention also includes a number of methods using geographic codes including a method for generating and transmitting geographic codes for mobile devices, a method for determining a location of an access point, a method for self-labeling an access point, and a method for filtering beacon frames.
US09244143B2
An apparatus for capturing a magnetic resonance (MR) image includes: a radio frequency (RF) transmitter which transmits an RF pulse sequence including a spiral pulse sequence having at least one spiral trajectory and a first blade having at least one parallel trajectory and intersecting the at least one spiral trajectory on a center of k-space; and a data processor which obtains the MR signal in response to the transmitted RF pulse sequence.
US09244139B2
An MRI compatible communication system is disclosed. An interface module manages communications between devices within and external to the MRI scan room. The interface module also translates messages between varying wireless communication standards and protocols for retransmission to other devices. The communication system is configurable to transmit and/or receive data between physiological sensors, the MRI controller, patient monitoring devices, patient entertainment devices, and other computers. The interface module is configurable to be placed either in the control room or in the scan room.
US09244124B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a scan test system for an integrated circuit comprising multiple processing elements. The system comprises at least one scan input component and at least one scan clock component. Each scan input component is configured to provide a scan input to at least two processing elements. Each scan clock component is configured to provide a scan clock signal to at least two processing elements. The system further comprises at least one scan select component for selectively enabling a scan of at least one processing element. Each processing element is configured to scan in a scan input and scan out a scan output when said the processing element is scan-enabled. The system further comprises an exclusive-OR tree comprising multiple exclusive-OR logic gates. The said exclusive-OR tree generates a parity value representing a parity of all scan outputs scanned out from all scan-enabled processing elements.
US09244120B2
A method for altering an impedance of a conductive pathway on a microelectronic package includes applying a magnetic field to the conductive pathway. The microelectronic package may be, for example, a printed circuit board. The method also includes controlling a magnitude of the magnetic field at the conductive pathway for altering the impedance of the conductive pathway. The magnetic field may be applied by, for example, an electromagnet or a permanent magnet. A magnetic field may also be applied for simulating crosstalk effects on a conductive pathway.
US09244117B2
Systems and methods which utilize spread spectrum sensing on live circuits to obtain information regarding a circuit under test are provided. In some embodiments S/SSTDR testing may be utilized to obtain R, L, C and Z measurements from circuit components. In yet further embodiments, these measurements may be utilized to monitor the output of sensors on a circuit.
US09244109B2
In one aspect of the invention there is provided a device comprising electrical connector means adapted releasably to connect the device to an electrical circuit overload protection apparatus of a motor vehicle, the device comprising means for measuring an amount of electrical current flowing therethrough and means for outputting from the device a signal corresponding to the amount of electrical current flowing therethrough.
US09244107B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus configured to engage a device for testing the device via automatic test equipment. The apparatus includes a heat sink, wherein the heat sink comprises a plurality of fins extending from the heat sink, and wherein the heat sink is configured to engage the device. The apparatus further includes a heat conduction layer coupled to the heat sink, a first leg coupled to the heat conduction layer, and a second leg coupled to the heat conduction layer. The second leg is spaced apart from the first leg. A vacuum path is defined through (i) the heat conduction layer and (ii) the heat sink. The vacuum path permits the apparatus to engage the device to be tested by the automatic test equipment.
US09244105B2
A portable near-field measurement system for mapping radio frequency characteristics spherically about a test object is presented. The system includes an anechoic chamber, a rotatable annular platter, a rotatable platter, a stationary platform, and frequency converters. The chamber is an enclosure with an absorber material fastened to the interior thereof. The annular platter is disposed horizontally within the chamber and fastened to an azimuth positioner that rotates the annular platter about an azimuth rotation axis. The rotatable platter is disposed vertically within the chamber and rotatable about an elevation rotation axis via an elevation positioner. Azimuth and elevation axes intersect perpendicularly. A gantry arm with probe is fastened to and extends from the rotatable platter. A vertical arm is fastened between the annular platter and elevation positioner. Platters have front and back surfaces. A stationary platform is centered within the annular platter and attachable to a test column. Front surfaces are oriented toward the test column and covered with an absorber material. At least one frequency converter is fastened to the back surface of the rotatable platter and communicable with the probe. At least one other frequency converter is fastened to the stationary platform and communicable with a target.
US09244103B1
We describe a digital lock-in amplifier instrument which is designed to optimally extract the amplitude and phase of response at intermodulation product frequencies. This general purpose laboratory instrument has broad application in the analysis of nonlinear systems. A defining property of the intermodulation lock-in is, that the Fourier components of the drive waveform and the sampling frequency used to sample the response are all integer multiples, or close to integer multiples, of a fundamental base frequency Δf. We describe an implementation of the intermodulation lock-in with a field programmable gate array. Applications of the intermodulation lock-in are discussed, including its use in Atomic Force Microscopy.
US09244095B2
The present invention relates to a method for controlling a scanning probe microscope having a probe (2) with a tip (21) for interacting with a sample (4), and a nanoscanner (1) for retaining the sample (4) or the probe (2), comprising the steps of monitoring the extension of the piezo element (1) along a first direction (R) along which the tip (21) is moved towards the sample (4), and adjusting the level of the probe (2) along the first direction (R) by means of an additional actuator (3), when the nanoscanner (1) exhibits an extension below or above a threshold value. The invention further relates to a device (100) for controlling a scanning probe microscope.
US09244086B2
A sample analyzing system comprising: a first sample analyzer including a first measurement unit for measuring a sample and a first control unit for controlling the first measurement unit; and a second sample analyzer including a second measurement unit for measuring the sample and a second control unit for controlling the second measurement unit; wherein the first control unit is configured to transmit an activation signal for activating the second sample analyzer when a predetermined condition is met for the first sample analyzer; and the second control unit is configured to activate the second sample analyzer when the activation signal is received.
US09244082B2
The present invention includes methods for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders, including, but not limited to, myasthenia gravis that is seronegative for autoantibodies to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) and/or muscle specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK), the method including detecting autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof. Also included are methods for the treatment of an individual suffering from a neurotransmission disorder, the method including detecting in a bodily fluid of the individual autoantibodies that bind to LRP4, or an epitope thereof, and administering to the patient an effective amount an immunosuppressant and/or another appropriate therapeutic modality. Also included are antibodies that bind to autoantibodies to LRP4 and kits for the detection of neurotransmission or developmental disorders.
US09244070B2
Methods and compositions for the screening and isolation of ligand-binding polypeptides, such as antibodies. In some aspects, methods of the invention enable the isolation of intact soluble antibodies comprising a constant domain. Screening methods that employ genetic packages such as bacteria and bacteriophages enable high through-put identification of ligand binding molecules.
US09244060B2
Methods for identifying defects in blood vessels and treating such defects are provided. The methods comprise administering to a patient a composition comprising a labeled delivery ligand capable of preferentially accumulating at or near blood vessels defects. In some embodiments, the delivery ligand may carry one or more active agents to the defect.
US09244055B2
The present invention includes: a main body which defines a storage space in the lengthwise direction, and in which a plurality of biosensors can be stacked; a cover member covering one end of the storage space and including a discharge hole through which only one biosensor located at the outermost edge of the stacked biosensors can pass; and a cover coupled to the cover member in order to be raised and lowered so as to open and close the discharge hole. The discharge hole is closed such that the biosensors stacked in the storage space are not contaminated and the infiltration of impurities into the storage space is prevented, and the discharge hole is temporarily opened when the biosensors are to be used in order to withdraw the biosensors.
US09244050B2
Methods and systems for testing fluid samples include a diffused air flotation (DAF) system and a jar. The jar includes a diffuser for injecting the diffused air into the jar and a tap for drawing a fluid out of the jar.
US09244046B2
A cable system is disclosed including a central cable; an inner membrane having a higher minimum bend radius than the central cable and surrounding the cable, thereby forming an inner chamber around the central cable, the inner chamber containing a gas or at least one chemical; and an outer membrane surrounding the inner membrane and forming an outer chamber around the inner chamber, the outer chamber comprising a gas or at least one chemical. When the minimum bend radius of the inner membrane is exceeded, the inner membrane fractures or breaks, and the gas or at least one chemical from the inner chamber enters the outer chamber to create a chemiluminescence reaction, color, or smell.
US09244045B2
In one embodiment, a system and a method for identifying the class of a component of a mixture includes collecting samples from a sample source, determining a summed ion spectrum for each sample and generating sample data from the summed ion spectra, comparing the sample data with reference summed ion spectra of multiple reference substances to determine correlations between the reference substances and the sample data, and evaluating the correlations of the substances of each substance class to determine which substance class most closely correlates to the sample data.
US09244044B2
A method of operating a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) comprising a GC column for separating analytes of a sample, a GC oven and a mass spectrometer comprises: providing a conduit extending between the GC oven and the mass spectrometer such that a conduit interior volume is contiguous with an interior volume of the GC oven; routing the GC column through the GC oven and conduit interior volume to an ion source of the mass spectrometer; providing a flow of temperature regulated air or gas between a fan or blower of the gas chromatograph and the conduit interior volume; introducing the sample into the GC column; controlling the temperature of the GC oven interior volume and the conduit interior volume so as to facilitate analyte separation within the GC column and transfer of the separated analytes to the mass spectrometer; and analyzing the separated analytes with the mass spectrometer.
US09244041B2
A method for evaluating mechanical properties of a sample includes applying a plurality of pulses of acoustic energy to a sample to apply a mechanical force to the sample and induce a non-steady-state displacement in the sample. The method further includes monitoring a response of the sample caused by the application of the mechanical force. The method further includes determining a quantitative value for a mechanical property of the sample based on the response.
US09244040B2
A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a device which is operable in a first mode of operation to separate ions temporally according to their ion mobility by applying a continuous axial electric field. The device is also operable in a second mode of operation wherein ions are separated temporally according to their mass to charge ratio by pulsing an applied axial electric field ON and OFF.
US09244030B2
In a method of detecting a leak in a water impermeable membrane applied on a roof substrate, an electrical potential is created between a conductive detector on top of the membrane and the roof substrate causing current to flow between the roof substrate and the conductive detector through moisture in any leak in the membrane. The membrane is attached to the roof support substrate by an intervening layer therebetween which can be a primer or an adhesive layer which is caused to be electrically conductive by the addition an electrically conductive material. This allows the conductor on the roof substrate to which the potential difference is applied to be attached onto the roof substrate and covered by the layer underneath the membrane.
US09244029B2
The use of a vapor source (10) in an isothermal system (8) to control the crystallization or recrystallization of a sample of solid material (9) which is initially at least partially amorphous and/or at least partially crystalline and contained within the system (8), the vapor source (10) including at least one solvent for crystallizing the solid material, the vapor diffusion (14) of which leads to the crystallization or recrystallization of the sample (9), the vapor source (10) being such that the quantities of heat exchanged within the system during the crystallization or recrystallization of the sample (9) other than the heat of crystallization or recrystallization of the sample are less than approximately 10%, particularly 5%, and advantageously 1% of the heat of crystallization or recrystallization of the sample. The vapor source (10) is preferably a pure solvent or a solvent mixture in which no solute is dissolved.
US09244028B2
A device for providing for electron excited x-ray fluorescence may include means for driving two contacting surfaces against each other in a low fluid pressure environment, such that high energy electrons strike a sample under test and provide for x-ray fluorescence of the sample. The sample under test may be in or on a sample holder, whose position with respect to the contacting surfaces is adjustable. For example, the sample holder may be positionable to be a different distances from the contacting surfaces.
US09244027B2
The method uses an XRF instrument for identifying a specified element on a jewelry sample by illuminating its surface with excitation radiation and measuring first and second intensities of characteristic emission lines of a specified element and calculating the ratio between the intensities to establish a measured thickness and to determine based on a certain range criteria whether the sample can be considered to be plated jewelry.
US09244024B1
A digital radiographic tool with drive car for moving along track sections attached longitudinally to a pipe is shown. The drive car carries (1) a collimator on one side of the pipe for projecting x-rays or gamma rays on said pipe and (2) a linear digital array on an opposing side of the pipe for collecting x-rays or gamma rays that have passed through the pipe. The collected rays are processed to indicate any defects in the pipe. The digital radiographic tool is adjustable to allow inspection of pipes that have obstructions adjacent thereto.
US09244022B2
A mannequin may include a skin layer, an axis of rotation and a photon transmissive filler. The skin layer may include a contoured surface. The skin layer may have a thickness of less than about 10 mm. The contoured surface may be formed into a three-dimensional shape that substantially matches anatomy of a person or a statistical model representing a group of people. The axis of rotation may intersect the mannequin and may define a center for collection of X-ray images along a substantially circular path. The photon transmissive filler may be at least partially surrounded by the skin layer. The photon transmissive filler may have a an average specific gravity of less than about 0.5 g/cc.
US09244021B2
A microwave imaging sensor is disclosed for continuously monitoring the condition and status of an in situ reverse osmosis membrane that forms a semi-permeable barrier between a region of water containing a dissolved salt and a region of water which is intended to be substantially free of the dissolved salt. A device according to embodiments of the invention can be used to monitor the condition of the membrane, i.e., the ability of the membrane to filter water by reverse osmosis; and to detect failures in the membrane such as leaking saline water into the output stream. The results of the monitoring can be used to determine in real time whether or not the membrane should be replaced.
US09244018B2
A probe holding structure includes a substrate and a plurality of holding modules. The substrate has an opening and a plurality of grooves arranged around a periphery of the opening. The holding modules are connected with the grooves, respectively. Each holding modules includes a fixing member and a plurality of probes. The fixing member is connected with a corresponding groove. The probes are connected with the fixing member and pass through the corresponding groove. The probe holding structure is combined with a lens adjusting mechanism having a lens to form an optical inspection device for testing electric characteristics of chips.
US09244017B2
A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the process comprising adding a fluorescent taggant to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product, conveying said product past an infrared detection apparatus, irradiating said product with infrared radiation from said detection apparatus as it passes the detection apparatus, and detecting infrared radiation emitted from said irradiated product.
US09244004B2
The present invention relates to a method for non-destructive, contact or non-contact inspection of composite assemblies using radiation having a frequency in the terahertz range (10 GHz-10 THz) of the spectrum, whereby said method is implemented as an embodiment of the system for non-destructive, contact or non-contact inspection of composite assemblies using terahertz radiation, that is also claimed under the present invention. Said method enables the forming of a two or three-dimensional image of the material structure of an assembly of composite materials, from which image detection and analysis of material conditions of the composite materials forming said composite assemblies is possible, irrespective of the way that the composite materials forming said composite assemblies were joined together, and without the need for a priori knowledge about the structural characteristics, shape or configuration of said composite materials (for instance layered, foam, placed on metal substrate).
US09243998B2
A device includes a resonator having an oscillating portion with dimensions chosen to lead to a desired resonant frequency. A light source is positioned to provide light along the length of the oscillating portion at a specific wave length. A detector detects a change in oscillation of the resonator responsive to the wave pressure produced by the light source heating a gas. The light source is modulated with a frequency the same as the resonant frequency of the resonator.
US09243995B2
Disclosed is an electronic processing system for a flow cytometer that uses a processing chip that processes data in a parallel architecture on a sample by sample basis and provides for high throughput of data. In addition, multi-gain linear amplifiers are used which are matched using feedback circuits to provide accurate data and high resolution data having high dynamic range.
US09243984B2
The invention relates to a method for decomposing a biological sample (9), the method having the following steps: the sample (9) is put into a container (6) which is composed of plastic, in particular, the container (6) is inserted into an adapter (2, 2a), the adapter with the closed container therein is connected to an apparatus which moves the adapter back and forth, in particular upwards, in automated fashion. This method makes it possible to decompose biological samples in automated fashion, to be precise both samples at room temperature and frozen samples. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method, the apparatus having an adapter (2, 2a) which is predominantly composed of plastic and has sleeves (4) which are composed of metal and are intended to accommodate containers (6) which are composed of plastic, in particular.
US09243978B2
Provided are a misfire detection apparatus and a misfire detection method for an internal combustion engine, which are capable of correctly detecting a misfire state of an engine for a vehicle small in number of cylinders and in rotational inertia without limiting control to O2 feedback control. When an air/fuel ratio of an exhaust gas exhausted from a cylinder that is a misfire determination subject is in a lean state, and when lean control is not being carried out on the internal combustion engine, enrichment processing for the air/fuel ratio is carried out. When the air/fuel ratio remains in the lean state even though the enrichment processing is carried out, it is determined that misfire occurs in the cylinder that is a misfire determination subject.
US09243975B2
Embodiments of the invention include systems and methods for measuring or otherwise calculating polarization mode dispersion (PMD) of an optical fiber, or other device, by comparing the optical signal through the PMD element with the optical signal obtained directly from the transmitter, and calculating the PMD from the discrepancy between the two. Any distortions on the transmitter signal are effectively calibrated out, increasing measurement accuracy over conventional approaches.
US09243972B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide computer-implemented methods to detect crack-like features in pipeline welds using magnetic flux leakage data and pattern recognition. A screening process, for example, does not affect or change how survey data is recorded in survey tools; only how it is analyzed after the survey data is completed. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to screen for very narrow axial anomalies in the pipeline welds, and may also be used to predict the length of such anomalies. Embodiments of the present invention also produce a listing of the anomalies based on their relative signal characteristics.
US09243970B2
Methods and systems for determining a rebalancing strategy for trim balancing one or more rotational components of a gas turbine. One or more noise, acoustics or vibrational signals may be received at a control device of an aircraft comprising the gas turbine engine while the aircraft is in operation. The one or more noise, acoustics or vibrational signals may be used for determining a rebalancing strategy for one or more unbalanced rotational components.
US09243969B2
Methods are disclosed for calibrating a force constant of a movable stage. In an exemplary method, in first and second preliminary pre-stepping motions of the stage, a baseline force and a calibration force, respectively, as exerted by the stage are measured. From a force-variation ratio of the baseline force and calibration force an inverse closed loop factor is estimated. In at least one subsequent pre-stepping motion of the stage before a respective use of the stage for holding an object, a residual force-variation ratio is estimated, a force-compensation factor is updated from the residual force-variation ratio, and a respective force-variation coefficient is determined from the force-compensation factor.
US09243968B2
A method for the measurement of pressure in high temperature and high pressure processes includes the steps of providing at least a first material compound and at least a second material compound. The at least first and second compounds are mixed to form a material sample. The material sample is loaded into a device and the device and material sample are subjected to a high pressure of up to about 10 GPa and a high temperature of up to about 2000° C. to form the material sample into a solid crystalline solution. The material sample is recovered for analysis and the composition of the crystalline solid solution is measured to determine the pressure ex situ.
US09243962B2
Disclosed herein is a composition of a sensor element, a temperature sensor having the composition of the sensor element and a method of manufacturing the temperature sensor. The sensor element composition comprising Y2O3, Al2O3, MnO2, NiO and Fe2O3, and further comprising ZrO2 and a temperature sensor comprising the same. The method comprising: weighing the composition for a sensor element; mixing the composition; calcining the mixture at about 1000° C.˜1400° C. for 30 min˜5 hrs; pulverizing the calcined mixture to obtain powder; disposing the powder type mixture into a mold; inserting in parallel a plurality of lead wires into the powder type mixture; pressure molding the powder type mixture; and sintering the pressure molded material at about 1300° C.˜1500° C. for 30 min˜5 hrs.
US09243952B2
An apparatus includes a flip-chip semiconductor substrate, a light detection element configured to be formed over the flip-chip semiconductor substrate and to have a laminate structure including a first semiconductor layer of a first-conductive-type, a light-absorption layer formed over the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer of a second-conductive-type formed over the light-absorption layer, an inductor configured to be connected to the light detection element over the flip-chip semiconductor substrate, an output electrode for bump connection configured to output a current generated by the light detection element through the inductor, a bias electrode for bump connection configured to apply a bias voltage to the light detection element through a bias electrode, and a line configured to cause a metal line of the inductor and the light detection element to be connected to the output electrode or the bias electrode.
US09243951B2
A photoelectric sensor amplifies a received light intensity signal generated through light projection processing and light receiving processing, and performs detection processing using the amplified received light intensity signal. The photoelectric sensor is provided with a variable resistor that generates an adjustment command signal that changes linearly with respect to sensitivity adjustment manipulations performed by a user. Further, the sensor is provided with an amplifier including a variable gain amplifier configured such that the aforementioned adjustment command signal is inputted thereto. Further, the variable gain amplifier is adapted to convert the signal into a gain control signal that changes exponentially with respect to sensitivity adjustment manipulations and, further, is adapted to perform amplification processing using a gain according to the gain control signal.
US09243941B2
A magnetic-inductive flowmeter with a nonconductive measuring tube, a magnetic field generating apparatus, two measuring electrodes conductively coupled to the medium for tapping a measuring-circuit voltage induced in the flowing medium, and with a measuring device for detecting an empty tube. Detection of an empty tube is obtained by the measuring device being an admittance measuring device having a detector, a counter-electrode, an ac signal source and an evaluation unit, the detector having an electrode connected to the ac signal source so that the electrode is exposed to an ac signal in the range of roughly 50 MHz-200 MHz and then an electrical field extends from the electrode into the medium. The electrode of the detector and the counter-electrode planiform shaped and are located essentially opposite one another on the outer surface of the measuring tube above and underneath the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube, respectively.
US09243936B2
A measuring sensor includes an elongated shell part, manufactured from a synthetic gemstone material or ceramic material, is provided with a first end and a second end, the first end being arranged in a process medium to be measured. A housing structure is manufactured from a material softer than the synthetic gemstone material or the ceramic material and arranged to surround the measuring electronics. The second end of the elongated shell part is arranged to be supported against the housing structure. The elongated shell part is fastened to the housing structure by a connecting piece manufactured from a material having a hardness property between hardness properties of the material of manufacture of the elongated shell part and the material of manufacture of the housing structure.
US09243935B2
A method estimates the distance of a flat part while maintaining the precision needed for estimating the distance in detail. Distance information is estimated by estimating each piece of distance information of an image represented by image data, and distance information represented by resolution-converted image data, and combining the distance information of the image and the distance information of the resolution-converted image.
US09243929B2
A method is provided for recommending a fuel purchase plan along a route to a selected destination. The method includes obtaining a fuel tank size, amount of fuel in the tank, and a fuel efficiency for an automobile. The method further includes accepting user entry of a destination for traveling in the automobile, automatically identifying a current location and determining a route to the destination. For each of a plurality of refueling stations along the route, the method acquires a location of the refueling station and a current fuel price being offered at the refueling station. The method then provides output recommending one or more refueling stations at which to stop and a quantity of fuel to purchase at each of the one or more refueling stations in order to reach the destination without running out of fuel and minimizing the price of fuel purchased.
US09243925B2
Lane-specific driving directions are generated using route data that describes a route between an origin and a destination as a sequence of route segments, and lane data for at least several route segments included in the sequence of route segments. The sequence of route segments includes a pair of adjacent multi-lane route segments that includes a first multi-lane route segment more proximate to the destination and a second multi-lane route segment more proximate to the origin, connected at a road junction. To determine a recommended lane connection at the road junction, a lane in the first multi-lane route segment is selected, and a lane in the second multi-lane route segment is selected based on the lane selected in the first multi-lane segment.
US09243924B2
A method of providing navigation instructions in a locked mode of a device is disclosed. The method, while the display screen of the device is turned off, determines that the device is near a navigation point. The method turns on the display screen and provides navigation instructions. In some embodiments, the method identifies the ambient light level around the device and turns on the display at brightness level determined by the identified ambient light level. The method turns off the display after the navigation point is passed.
US09243922B2
A method of providing a simplified practice for dealing with aviation turbulence and other weather hazards that allows the end users to better communicate turbulence as a state of the atmosphere metric and the additional weather threats affecting the flight is described. The method provides an Atmospheric State Index (ASI) that allows all the users to work with a standardized metric that describes the turbulence as the state of the atmosphere and a similar scale for other weather risks to the flight. This system makes the correlation between the forecast and aircraft reports for turbulence easier to interpret for the end users. This approach concentrates on turbulence as a weather hazard with a more objective and easier to use metric. This configuration provides a transition for moving from a system based on turbulence Pilot Reports (PIREPS) to a more objective data driven process in the air traffic environment.
US09243899B2
A method of measuring a height of 3-dimensional shape measurement apparatus includes irradiating a first grid pattern light from a plurality of first lighting devices and a second grid pattern light from a plurality of second lighting devices which are alternatively arranged to the first lighting devices toward a target object wherein the first grid pattern light has a first equivalent wavelength and the second grid pattern light has a second equivalent wavelength that is different from the first equivalent wavelength, and obtaining a first pattern image corresponding to the first grid pattern light and a second pattern image corresponding to the second grid pattern light, generating combined pattern images by combining the first and second pattern images obtained from the first and second lighting devices adjacent to each other among the plurality of first and second lighting devices, calculating heights of the target object according to a combined equivalent wavelength of the combined pattern images, and determining a representative height of the target object by using the calculated heights of the target object. And therefore, it is possible to measure a height of a target object which exceeds an available height of measurement by each of the first and second lighting devices, as well as, more accurate and reliable height may be obtained.
US09243895B2
The disclosure relates to a remote displacement sensor, such as an optical strain gauge, which uses an optical amplifier implemented by patterns, such as, moiré patterns, to calculate changes in position. In a strain gauge with moiré patterns, two foil layers are provided, a lower foil layer with a reference or static moiré pattern generated by the overlaying of a first pattern with parallel lines at a first fundamental frequency and a second pattern with parallel lines at a second fundamental frequency. The lower foil layer further includes a first section with a first pattern with parallel lines at the first fundamental frequency while the upper layer provides a second section with a second pattern with parallel lines at the second fundamental frequency. The overlaying of the foils causes an overlying of the first and second sections thereby causing a moiré pattern of the same wavelength as the reference pattern.
US09243894B2
A pressure application technique is provided that enables two objects to be pressurized (e.g., objects to be bonded) to be positioned with greater accuracy before having pressure applied thereto. The objects to be pressurized are moved relative to each other in a Z direction such that the objects are brought into contact with each other (step S13). Then, a horizontal positional shift ΔD between the objects to be pressurized is measured in the contact state of the objects to be pressurized (step S14). Thereafter, positioning of the objects to be pressurized is again performed by moving the objects to be pressurized relative to each other in the horizontal direction, as a result of which the positional shift ΔD is corrected (step S17).
US09243893B2
The invention relates to a method of measuring the inside diameter of a hollow body. According to the invention: the hollow body is illuminated from one side by a diffuse light source presenting two light boundaries that are spaced apart along the measurement axis so as to create two light transitions in an image, which transitions are spaced apart from each other and diametrically opposite; from the side of the hollow body that is opposite from its illuminated side, the light rays that are reflected and refracted by the hollow body are recovered to form at least one image in which there appear at least the two light transitions; and the image is processed in order to determine the distance between the two light transitions in order to determine a measurement for the inside diameter of the hollow body.
US09243885B2
An optical coherence tomography system utilizes an optical swept source that frequency scans at least two different sweep rates. In this way, the system can perform large depth scans of the sample and then the same system can perform shorter depth high precision scans, in one specific example. In order to optimally use the analog to digital converter that samples the interference signal, the system further samples the interference signals at different optical frequency sampling intervals depending upon the selected sweep rates of the optical swept source. This allows the system to adapt to different sweep rates in an optimal fashion.
US09243882B2
An improved rheometer and rotatable sensing shaft sub-assembly therefor with flexural pivot support at two ends of the shaft, and means for allowing limited axial movement of the shaft while maintaining rigid radial support, with transducer means for extracting and signaling rotational position of the shaft based on shear stress of a fluent material contacting a spindle, cone/plate or other extension of the shaft and/or a related motor-driven member such as a cylinder.
US09243878B2
An inflatable borehole plug comprising an inflatable fluid tight bag with a storage container containing an inflation fluid in a compressed state located within the fluid tight bag. The storage container has a first actuator and a second actuator located at opposite ends thereof to initiate release of inflation fluid and hence effect expansion of the fluid tight bag. Choice of the vertical orientation of the first and second actuators and of which or both are activated provides differing rates of release of the inflation fluid and corresponding different rates of inflation of the fluid tight bag.
US09243872B2
A ballistic armored component attaches to the existing retention straps of common combat helmets and provides protection to the otherwise exposed lower skull and upper neck region. A fabric covering contains a soft armor or hard armor insert, and is mounted by straps or other fasteners to existing straps found in conventional helmets. The armor component may be fabric of aramid fibers, or fabric of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, or may be fabricated of a rigid plate of ceramic, polymer, or metal. The armored component adds additional protection from ground-level or subterranean munitions, by placing a ballistic shape on the lower skull region (occipital region), providing significant additional ballistic coverage with minimal weight and bulk. The fabric shell may also be connected directly to the helmet shell, to allow the component to withdraw within the helmet when the wearer's neck is flexed rearwardly.
US09243870B2
An improved weapon mount system for night vision system includes a cage-like structure receiving the body of a night vision system, such as a night vision monocular. A mounting shoe is attached to the base and cage halves secure the body of the night vision system. The mounting shoe of the present mount provides a lower profile than an integral mounting member on the night vision system that is used to attach the night vision system to a helmet/head worn mount. In one aspect, by lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device, the night vision system can be mounted at an appropriate height for use in front of an optical scope. In another aspect one aspect, lowering the weapon mounting height of the night vision device allows the night vision system to be mounted at an appropriate height for use on a helmet mounting system in a binocular system having a thermal camera or other type of viewing device.
US09243862B1
An arrow rest for supporting the shaft of an arrow includes a first support frame and a plurality of support members connected to the support frame for defining at least a portion of an opening with a central axis for receiving the shaft of an arrow. Each support member has a base portion connected to the first support frame that extends towards the shaft of an arrow, and a support portion that extends from the base portion for tangentially engaging the shaft of an arrow in a direction at least generally parallel to the central axis.
US09243853B2
A heat exchanger comprising substantially square (rectangle) conduits featuring a screw like turbulator designed for square conduits. The tubes are designed for reclaiming heat from waste fluids. The tubes are substantially parallel to the flow direction of the waste fluid, thus resulting in a simple and cost effective construction.
US09243849B2
A heat exchanger has a plurality of intermediate plates arranged one atop the other to form a stack having first and second ends. At least one first fluid channel through conducts a first fluid and at least one second fluid channel through conducts a second fluid. The intermediate plates are geometrically configured to define at least a portion of each of the first and second fluid channels. An end plate is arranged on one of the ends of the stack and a first inlet opening communicates with the first fluid channel for introducing the first fluid and a first outlet opening communicates with the first fluid channel for conducting the first fluid out of the heat exchanger. A second inlet opening communicates with the second fluid channel for introducing the second fluid and a second outlet opening communicates with the second fluid channel for conducting the second fluid away from the heat exchanger. The end plate has at least one expansion zone for reducing the stiffness thereof.
US09243837B2
A dispensing device for free-flowing or pourable products, in particular in a refrigeration device. Said dispensing device has a feed pipe for a pourable product, comprising an exit opening and a shut-off flap that is situated at the exit opening, and an outlet for the free-flowing product, said outlet being attached to the flap and displaceable with the latter.
US09243832B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling a compressor, to a method for controlling a compressor and to a refrigerator comprising same. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a compressor operates selectively in a TRIAC driving mode or in a mode in which commercial power is directly used in accordance with the quality of the electricity of the commercial power. According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the commercial power is directly applied to the compressor within the range of a predetermined voltage or frequency so as to reduce or remove losses caused by the TRIAC driving, and power consumption is reduced to improve energy efficiency.
US09243824B2
An internal heat exchanger assembly for an air conditioning system, having a substantial cylindrical cavity in which a helical coil tube is coaxially disposed within the cylindrical cavity. A bleed valve assembly is incorporated into the helical coiled tube, in which the bleed valve assembly is adapted to open at a predetermined differential pressure between the high pressure side and low pressure side of the internal heat exchanger. The bleed valve selectively bleeds refrigerant from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, thereby increasing the pressure and mass flow rate of the refrigerant to the suction side of a compressor.
US09243818B2
A solar collector assembly may include a frame supporting a solar collector and a frame member defining a tilted pivot axis. Support struts may be used to elevate one end of the frame and may be pivoted between an orientation generally parallel to the frame member and to an orientation generally away from the frame. Anchorless, ballast type bases may be used to support the solar collector assembly. Several assemblies may be stacked on top of one another in a storage or transportation configuration using spacers extending between the frames.
US09243806B2
A gas-fired kitchen appliance, comprises (a) a food preparation zone (10); (b) a burner nozzle (12) for supplying heat to said food preparation zone (10); (c) an electromagnetic valve (16) which when energized allows gas to be supplied to the burner nozzle (12) and which when deenergized blocks the gas supply to the burner nozzle; (d) a thermocouple (32) located in proximity of the burner nozzle (12), the thermocouple when heated energizing the electromagnetic valve (16); (e) a cover element (36) associated to said food preparation zone (10), said cover element being movable between a first position which allows normal operation of said food preparation zone and at least one second position in which said food preparation zone is non-operable or idling; and (f) a switching element (34) associated to said cover element (36) and arranged to interrupt the supply of electric energy from the thermocouple (32) to the electromagnetic valve (16) when the cover element (36) is in said second position.
US09243798B2
An illumination system for indirectly or directly illuminating an outer edge arrangement of a structure covered in tiles, such as for example a step of a staircase, includes at least one elongate profile that forms a base arm, a decorative arm projecting from a free end of the base arm and the outer surface of which forms a visible decorative surface in the correctly arranged state, and a fastening arm projecting from the other free end of the base arm, arranged opposite the decorative arm, at least one illuminant that is fastened or can be fastened within the receiving space defined by the base arm, the decorative arm and the fastening arm, and at least one elongate diffusion disc cover that can be fixed to the profile.
US09243797B2
A wearing apparel includes at least a seam line and an elongated sleeve extended adjacent to the seam line. A LED light module has a flexible wire configuration allowing freedom of movement when the wearing apparel is worn. The LED light module includes a flexible light string received along the elongated sleeve and a power supply electrically connected to the light string. The light string generates a light effect thereby illuminating the wearer for ornamental and safety purpose.
US09243796B1
An LED lamp uses a flexible metal fabric as a heat sink. At least one light emitting diode is attached to a circuit board that is mounted on a heat conducting member. The flexible heat sink is attached to the heat conducting member, such that heat generated by the light emitting diode and circuit board is conducted to the flexible heat sink. The flexible heat sink can be deformed to fit in a variety of spaces. The flexible heat sink dissipates the heat generated by the LED lamp without the need for a fan. The flexible heat sink may be made from braided copper fabric.
US09243791B2
A light-emitting device capable of ensuring an electric connection between a light-emitting element and an electrode without generating any problem in practical use, by both connecting methods with a solder and a connector, and a lighting device provided with the light-emitting device are provided. The light-emitting device according to the present invention has a plurality of LED chips, and a soldering electrode land and a connector connecting electrode land electrically connected to the chips, on a ceramic substrate. The soldering electrode land is formed of a first conductive material having a function to prevent diffusion to a solder, and the connector connecting electrode land is formed of a second conductive material having a function to prevent oxidation.
US09243789B1
A plant lighting device, constructed at an indoor planting system, includes an illumination module and a power module. The illumination module includes an assembly seat, and an illumination unit including a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light toward at least one plant when powered up. The power module, mounted on the assembly seat, includes a power input line, a ring transformer module connected to the power input line and receiving an external power to perform power transformation, and a power output line connected to the ring transformer module and the illumination unit. The ring transformer module includes a ring core, a primary coil winding around the ring core and connected to the power input line, and a secondary coil winding around the ring core and forming magnetic coupling with the primary coil to output a non-harmonic alternating current power to the power output line.
US09243780B2
The lighting assembly (20) includes a light guide (22) formed of a resin material propagating light through internal reflection. A housing (28) surrounds the light guide (22) and maintains the light guide (22) in a predetermined position. A light transmissive coating (24), such as a vacuum metalized coating, is disposed on the light guide (22) and faces outwardly of the housing (28). The light transmissive coating (24) disguises the resin light guide (22) so that the light guide (22) appears to be a metallic trim. A non-light transmissive coating (26), such as a paint, appearing to be the same material as the light transmissive coating (24), may be disposed on the light guide (22) adjacent the light transmissive coating (24).
US09243763B2
A beacon light optic, comprising a reflective surface having an optical axis wherein the reflective surface is composed of surface parts of at least two at least partly overlapping at least segments of rotation symmetrical surfaces, an entrance area comprising an entrance surface for allowing light to enter the beacon light optic, an exit area through which light exits the beacon light optic, a light emitting element disposed in front of the entrance surface such that light emitting from the light emitting element enters the beacon light optic through the entrance area.
US09243762B1
A vehicle safety light device for illuminating a portion of a vehicle and providing simultaneous illumination to the front and rear as a warning. The device includes a main housing and a front light coupled to and exposed through a front face of a perimeter wall of the main housing. The front light is selectively illuminated. An electrical port is coupled to a rear face of the main housing. A cord has a first end selectively couplable to the electrical port. A secondary light is coupled to and exposed through a front face of a secondary housing. A second end of the cord is coupled to the secondary housing. The cord is electrically coupled to the front light wherein the secondary light is illuminated when the cord is coupled to the electrical port and the front light is illuminated.
US09243758B2
A solid state lamp with efficient heat sink arrangement. To provide adequate cooling utilizing a defined form factor, such as that of the A-lamp incandescent bulb, the interior volume is used more efficiently. As one example, a solid state lamp employs a heat sink with inward facing fins. Solid state light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), are mounted on the exterior of the heat sink. An air path for convective flow is established through the center of the lamp.
US09243756B2
An electronic user interface for use with a water delivery device, such as a faucet. The user interface illustratively includes a plurality of bonded layers thermally formed into a multi-dimensional shape. The layers may include a conductive layer, a graphics layer, and a protective layer. A structural support may be molded to a rear of the conductive layer.
US09243752B2
Disclosed is a container for storing, transporting, and dissociating hydrate pellets, the container comprising: a first container (100) made up of a plurality of frames; a second container (200) which is rotatably installed inside the first container (100), stores hydrate pellets therein, and has an internal surface to which a heat insulating member is attached; and a refrigerating machine (300) which is installed inside the first container (100) and refrigerates the second container (200), wherein the second container (200) is equipped with a heating wire (210), which is heated to dissociate the hydrate pellets by being supplied with power, or with a hot water tube (220), through which hot water flows to dissociate the hydrate pellets, on the internal surface thereof.
US09243748B2
A grease gun with a quick-release end cover includes a barrel, and an operating end cover and a piston end cover disposed at two ends of the barrel. Between the operating end cover and the barrel is disposed a quick-release device which includes: an annular groove formed around the barrel; a first hole formed in the operating end cover and includes an outer open end and an inner open end. Inside the first hole is formed an annular shoulder portion, in the outer open end of the first hole is formed a slot. A control member has a shaft inserted into the first hole, the shaft includes an abutting and an operating portion formed at two ends thereof, and a positioning pin. A compression spring is sleeved onto the shaft and pressed between the annular shoulder portion of the first hole, and the annular abutting portion of the abutting block.
US09243744B2
A container support for holding a container has a lower base and upper holding member. The base receives the container which bears on the base in a bearing direction. The holding member has an opening for receiving the container. The holding member is connected to the base by a connecting mechanism configured such that the holding member is movable relative to the base in translation along the bearing direction.
US09243739B2
A system for mounting an electronic handheld device includes a case having a mounting structure and a locking structure attached to the case by aligning a portion of the locking structure with a portion of the mounting structure and rotating the locking structure or the case.
US09243736B2
Provided is an inner structure of a vacuum insulator with an assembly reciprocating support to increase an insulation performance, the structure of the vacuum insulator including a top board, a bottom board, and an assembly reciprocating support installed perpendicularly between the top board and the bottom board, the assembly reciprocating support including a solid shaft, a hollow shaft, and a connection part.
US09243729B2
A method is shown by which threaded pipe sections are connected to form a tubular joint having proper sealing positioning at proper make-up torque. A make-up stencil plate is manufactured for each specific size of pipe to be coupled at the specific taper and make-up loss of a given connection with very tight tolerance. The plate is placed on the pin pipe end of the connection. A dial indicator is placed on the outer surface of the pipe pin end with the indicator flush with the end of the stencil plate. Once the indicator is set to zero, the stencil plate is removed. Then a bucking unit or power tong is applied to the coupling. When the face of the coupling hits the tip of the indicator and the indicator is within the given tolerance, the operator stops the make-up process.
US09243727B2
A high temperature flexible pipe and method of making a high temperature flexible pipe is provided. The pipe can have an inner tubular layer formed of a high temperature thermoplastic, a first reinforcing layer, a second reinforcing layer and an outer sheath. In one aspect, an insulating layer may be provided between the second reinforcing layer and the outer sheath. A method of making a flexible pipe is also provided. The first reinforcing layer is wound around the inner tubular layer and the second reinforcing layer is wound around the first reinforcing layer. An outer sheaf can be formed over the second reinforcing layer. In another aspect, an insulating layer can be formed over the second reinforcing layer before an outer jacket is formed over the insulating layer.
US09243718B2
A weir-type diaphragm valve includes a valve body having a spherically-shaped valve body sealing surface with a weir having a spherically-shaped weir sealing surface; and a diaphragm having a diaphragm sealing surface with a diaphragm weir sealing surface, the diaphragm responding to an applied force and providing sealing contact between the diaphragm weir sealing surface and the spherically-shaped weir sealing surface so as to stop the flow of fluid through a fluid flow channel of the valve body.
US09243714B2
A retractable assembly and a sealing system, the sealing system comprising: an essentially hollow, cylindrical housing with an inner space and a peripheral groove open to the inner space in the housing. The peripheral groove defines a plane in the housing and the normal of the plane is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The groove includes at least one, preferably two, extension spaces expanding the groove. The extension space is arranged on the side of the groove facing away from the inner space. An annular seal corresponding to the groove is arranged in the groove. The annular seal is formed of at least a first section facing the inner space and a second section facing away from the inner space.
US09243708B2
A system for control of a gearbox: At least one control unit controls the gearbox in a motor vehicle which comprises an engine connected to drive the gearbox. The system responds to receiving an indication by choosing for the gearbox a gear among various possible gears which causes the engine to reach a desired speed ωKD in a shorter time than with any other gear from among the various possible gears. Also, a method, a motor vehicle, a computer program and a computer program product thereof for performing the method are disclosed.
US09243706B2
A method for controlling a manual transmission includes using a controller to determine a desired torque transmitted through an input clutch and a desired clutch slip for the desired gear after a shift lever is moved to a desired gear position and while a clutch pedal is being released for engaging the clutch; measuring torque in the vehicle drive assembly; using measured torque to determine actual clutch torque transmitted through the clutch; and reducing torque error using the controller to adjust a clutch actuator such that a difference between the desired torque and the actual torque is reduced. Slip error may also be reduced by adjusting the clutch actuator to reduce the difference between the desired slip and measured slip.
US09243704B2
A drive axle assembly having a collar actuator mechanism that may include an electromagnetic coil. The electromagnetic coil may be disposed in a stationary position with respect to a housing and may be configured to actuate the collar.
US09243699B2
A wheel system with bidirectional input and one-way output includes a unidirectional transmission device respectively installed between a first driving rotating directional input wheel set and a bidirectional input shaft, between a first driving rotating directional output wheel set and a constant rotating directional output rotation part, and between the constant rotating directional output rotation part and the bidirectional input shaft, thereby preventing the first rotating direction transmission wheel set from being coupled to and generating a power transmission dampening effect while being driven in the second driving rotating direction.
US09243688B2
A method for operating an automated dual-clutch transmission having two sub-transmissions, with which shafts are associated, which transmit a/no torque as active/inactive shafts when a sub-clutch is engaged/disengaged and a gear is engaged/disengaged, the size and direction of said torque being dependent on the particular gear that is engaged, wherein even gears are associated with an even shaft and odd gears are associated with an odd shaft. When an odd/even gear is engaged, that is, when the odd/even shaft is active, a gear is also initially engaged on the inactive even/odd shaft, in order to change a critical resonance slip speed.
US09243686B2
Chain detachment and chain entry are avoided, and a process for setting the length of a meshing chain is avoided, while the chain feed length can also be freely changed. A meshing chain stopper (190L) comprises a meshing chain stopper attachment part (191) and a contact-stop protrusion (192). The contact-stop protrusion (192) is contact-stopped at a contact-stop point (173A) provided on the periphery of a chain locus (L) when a pair of meshing chains (150, 150) are being driven.
US09243684B2
A chain is provided, whose strength is increased and whose power loss is reduced as a result of reduced friction resistance between link units and link plates. A pair of link plates 160 are pivotally coupled to a link unit 101 in the chain 100. A pair of connecting pin portions 110 and a pair of plate portions 140 are inseparably joined at joint parts 150 to form one link unit 101. A stopper portion 123 is provided to the connecting pin portion 110 between a plate portion 140 and a link plate 160 adjacent each other in the width direction to restrict the link plate 160 from coming closer to the plate portion 140.
US09243681B2
A centrifugal pendulum device having pendulum masses, which are arranged axially on both sides on a pendulum mass carrier which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, the pendulum masses forming a pendulum mass pair, where the pendulum masses are connected to one another, so as to form the pendulum mass pair, by means of at least one fastening element which is movable in a cutout in the pendulum mass carrier, and the pendulum masses are pivotable to a limited extent relative to the pendulum mass carrier along a pendulum raceway, so as to describe an angle of deflection, by means of at least one rolling element which can roll in each case one cutout in the pendulum mass carrier and in the pendulum masses. Here, two circumferentially adjacently arranged pendulum masses are arranged radially one above the other at least in sections.
US09243676B2
A spring unit includes a composite spring and a metal wire. The composite spring is formed of resin, has a single beam structure, and includes a curved part between its end parts. The metal spring is formed of a metal wire, and includes a curved part between its end parts. The end parts of the composite spring are fixed to the corresponding end parts of the metal spring, so that the composite spring and the metal spring are fixed to be positioned in the same plane. The composite spring and the metal spring engage with each other in an engagement part formed in at least one position between the curved parts and the end parts. The composite spring and the metal spring are separated in a part other than the end parts and the engagement part.
US09243662B2
A tooth-bearing body having a first sequence (1) of teeth (2) and at least one second sequence (3) of teeth (4), wherein the teeth (2) of the first sequence (1), viewed in a rolling direction (5) of the tooth-bearing body, are arranged behind one another and the teeth (4) of the second sequence (3), viewed in the rolling direction (5) of the tooth-bearing body, are likewise arranged behind one another, and the first sequence (1) of teeth (2) and the second sequence (3) of teeth (4) are arranged in a transverse direction (6) orthogonal to the rolling direction (5), particularly exclusively next to one another, wherein the teeth (2) of the first sequence (1) are larger than the teeth (4) of the second sequence (3).
US09243657B2
An integrally molded object body is disclosed for retaining fasteners in a pre-attachment position and deforming to accommodate attachment tolerances. The object body has a fastener retaining portion that has an aperture defined therein that has a fastener-engaging edge that grips the shaft of the fastener in the pre-attachment position. The fastener retaining is deformable to allow the fastener to move laterally and be attached off-center from the pre-attachment position to accommodate attachment tolerances. The fastener retaining portion can have areas of weakness to allow deformation. These areas of weakness can comprise areas of reduced thickness or radial extensions that extend towards the perimeter of the fastener retaining portion. The object body also has a clearance portion that defines a mounting face that the fastener does not extend past in the pre-attachment position. The object body can further comprise a compression portion that engages with the shoulder of the fastener and is compressed between the shoulder the object that the object body is attached onto in the attachment position. The compression portion can also have a bushing that provides increased torque retention by engaging with the fastener shoulder and the object that the object body is attached onto.
US09243649B2
An adjustable mechanical coolant pump for an internal combustion engine includes a pump rotor wheel comprising an axial inlet. The pump rotor wheel is configured to pump a coolant radially outwardly. Variable pump stator blades are arranged so as to pivot radially outwardly at a circle concentrically with the pump rotor wheel. A control ring is configured to pivot the variable pump stator blades when the control ring is rotated. An actuator is configured to rotate the control ring so as to pivot the variable pump stator blades between an open position and a closed position. A pump housing body is configured to support the variable pump stator blades and the control ring. A separate static blade holding frame is mounted to the pump housing body. The variable pump stator blades and the control ring are captively mounted at the separate static blade holding frame.
US09243647B2
An aircraft propulsion system has an engine assembly having an axis of rotation, a fan assembly operatively connected to the engine assembly and comprising a plurality of fan blades arranged circumferentially around the axis of rotation and a monolithic nacelle assembly which circumferentially encloses the fan assembly. The propulsion system has a ratio of fan assembly outer diameter to nacelle assembly outer diameter of at least 0.87. As a result, the propulsion system provides for a significantly larger fan assembly outer diameter for a given nacelle assembly outer diameter than a conventional prior art turbofan engine, thereby increasing the specific power output or the bypass ratio of the propulsion system, which will result in improved propulsive efficiency without an increase in nacelle drag.
US09243638B2
A motor-driven compressor includes a compression unit, an electric motor, a motor drive circuit, a housing, and a first end plate. The electric motor includes a rotation shaft, a rotor provided with a rotor core, and a stator. The stator includes a state core and a coil. The coil includes first and second coil ends. The rotor core includes a refrigerant passage having a first opening that opens in the compression unit side. The first opening includes a first radially outer region. First and second regions in the housing are in communication through the refrigerant passage. The first end plate includes a first communication port arranged on a first region side end of the rotor core. The first region and the refrigerant passage are in communication through the first opening and first communication port. The first radially outer region is covered by the first end plate.
US09243634B2
A compressor includes sliding members arranged to slide relative to each other when compressing a refrigerant. At least one of the sliding members has a resin layer that is formed on the whole area or a portion of at least one sliding surface. The resin layer has an arithmetic mean surface roughness (Ra) of 0.3 or more, or the whole area or a portion of an area opposed to the resin layer is entirely or partially harder than the resin layer and has an arithmetic mean surface roughness (Ra) of 0.3 or more.
US09243629B1
A pump for use in high pressure liquid chromatography includes a housing with a pump head at one end and an axially-movable, high-pressure piston with a small-diameter plunger reciprocating within the pump head to move fluid from an inlet through an outlet at high pressure. An attached motor rotates a circular cam fixed off center on the motor shaft to reciprocate the piston that has an inner end in engaging contact with the cam periphery. An axially-aligned, torque-compensating piston is provided and has an inner end biased by spring force against the cam opposite the high-pressure piston. A large-diameter piston head may be fixed to the outer end of the torque-compensating piston and slidably mounted within a cylinder defined at the housing end opposite the pump head. The outer end of the piston head is open to ambient atmosphere.
US09243627B2
A method for regulating a compressor of a pressure supplying system. The compressor is switched on and off dependent on a threshold temperature of one or more components of the pressure supplying system, the threshold temperature being ascertained using a temperature calculating method. The respective threshold temperature is ascertained by correlating the reciprocal temperature dependence that exists as a result of heat transfer between adjacent components.
US09243617B2
The invention relates to a cam engine used in different field of the mechanical engineering, as internal-combustion engines, compressors, pumps etc. The cam engine comprises cylinders (26) with pistons (25), cylindrical tubular 3D cam (20) having a cam groove on the inner cylindrical surface and at least two asynchronously moving followers (1a and 1b) with arms (37) having main and additional rollers (3, 5).
US09243607B2
A wave responsive electrical generator device having a buoyant member connected to an anchor by a tether line member, the line member passing through a sheave mounted within the buoyant member and descending to a counterweight, whereby vertical motion of the buoyant member results in rotation of the sheave, which in turn operates an alternator to produce electricity, wherein the line member is a plurality of belts mechanically interlocking with the sheave.
US09243596B2
A flow control valve (15) for a direct injection pump (10) has an inlet end (12), an inlet valve (26), a compression chamber (48), a pump piston (14), and an outlet (13). The valve (15) has a housing (16) and a non-electrically operated control plunger (22) movable within the housing. The control plunger engages with and disengages from the inlet valve to control opening and closing of the inlet valve. A spring (28) biases the control plunger away from the inlet valve. The pump and housing define port structure (38, 44) fluidly connecting the outlet with a volume (42) that communicates with the control plunger such that when fluid pressure at the outlet is greater than a certain value, the fluid pressure in the volume alone causes the control plunger to move against the spring and engage the inlet valve to hold the inlet valve in an open position.
US09243583B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine has shaft elements which have inner surfaces that correspond to those regions of the shaft elements in which the shaft elements are thinner than 7% of the piston diameter “D”, and have outer surfaces that define in a radially outward direction those regions of the shaft elements which, viewed in the circumferential direction, lie outside angle ranges of more than 40° on both sides of the pin bore axis. The ratio of the content of the inner surface to the ratio of the content of the outer surface is more than 60%. The shaft elements hereby become elastically compliant, which upon a temperature-induced radial expansion of the piston shaft reduces the pressure that the shaft elements exert on the cylindrical inner wall, whereby the friction losses of the piston, and hence the CO2 emission of the engine fitted are reduced.
US09243582B2
A steel piston with an oil gallery, and process for forming a steel piston oil gallery channel, which corresponds to the complex shape of the combustion bowl in the piston crown. The piston crown is made by a cast metal or powder metal forming process. The oil gallery channel is formed to the basic shape that corresponds to the shape of the walls of the combustion bowl. Machine-turning surfaces in the oil gallery channel can be machine-finished as desired. Surfaces in the oil gallery which cannot be machined with conventional turning operations, such as recesses and protrusions into the channel, are left in the original as-formed condition.
US09243578B2
Fuel efficiency of small carbureted engines can be improved through the use of a fuel shut off valve that ceases fuel flow in the carburetor upon determination that the engine throttle has been closed and the engine is not at or near an idle condition.
US09243575B2
If an amount of fuel is not increased and a direct injection air-fuel ratio learning has not been completed, fuel injection from a port fuel injection valve is stopped without executing EGR, fuel injection control is executed such that the fuel injection occurs only from an in-cylinder fuel injection valve, and the direct injection air-fuel ratio learning is executed. If the amount of the fuel is increased, the fuel injection from the port fuel injection valve is stopped without executing EGR and air-fuel ratio feedback control, and an engine and an EGR valve are controlled such that fuel injection occurs only from the in-cylinder fuel injection valve.
US09243573B2
Various systems and methods are described for deactivation and reactivation of a cylinder bank in a V-engine. In one example, the cylinder bank is deactivated responsive to an indication of misfire based on crankshaft acceleration and exhaust air fuel ratio. The cylinder bank is reactivated sequentially based on exhaust catalyst temperature.
US09243567B2
A system and method control a gas turbine subject to fuel composition variation. The method includes operating a first effector to control the gas turbine based on fuel composition. The method also includes operating a second effector to maintain operation of the first effector within a first boundary limit, the second effector operation being initiated when the operating the first effector reaches a second boundary limit within the first boundary limit.
US09243566B2
To provide a method of controlling a turbine equipment and a turbine equipment capable of carrying out a starting operation of controlling a load applied to a speed reducing portion while complying with a restriction imposed on an apparatus provided at a turbine equipment. The invention is characterized in including a temperature elevating step (S1) of elevating a temperature of a working fluid flowing to the turbine portion, a flow rate increasing step (S2) of increasing a flow rate of a working fluid bypassed from a delivery side to a suction side of the compressing portion when a temperature of the working fluid flowing to the turbine portion is elevated by a heat source portion, and a flow rate reducing step (S3) of reducing the flow rate of the bypassing working fluid after an elapse of a predetermined time period after increasing the flow rate of the bypassing working fluid.
US09243565B2
A metering valve for a gas turbine engine fuel system includes a sleeve including first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth ports respectively axially spaced apart from one another. A spool is slidably received in the sleeve and includes first, second and third seal lands. The first seal land selectively connects the first and second ports to one another, and the third seal land selectively connects the third and fourth ports to one another and the fifth and sixth ports to one another.
US09243563B2
A system for supplying turbine cooling air flow includes a turbofan engine, a heat exchanger, and a door. The turbofan engine includes an engine case that has an inner volume within which at least a gas turbine engine is mounted, and a bypass flow passage that is defined by an outer fan duct and an inner fan duct and that is configured to direct fan air flow therethrough. The heat exchanger is disposed within the turbofan engine, is coupled to receive fluid and cooling air from the bypass flow passage, and is configured to transfer heat between fluid and the cooling air. The door is movably mounted in the turbofan engine and is movable between a closed position, in which the cooling air will not flow through the heat exchanger, and an open position, in which the cooling air may flow through the heat exchanger.
US09243562B1
A rotating inlet cowl for a turbine engine includes a rotation axis. The rotating inlet cowl includes a forward cone defining a forward end of the inlet cowl. The forward end is configured to be eccentric relative to the rotation axis of the inlet cowl. Furthermore, the forward cone is truncated by a truncation surface defining the forward end of the inlet cowl.
US09243548B2
A first stage turbocharger configured to receive an ambient intake air stream. A compressor of the first stage turbocharger coupled to a first intercooler. The first intercooler coupled to a turboexpander stage. The turbine of the turboexpander discharging an expanded air stream to an intake manifold of an engine. The expanded airstream having a temperature of less than the ambient intake air stream, thereby reducing enabling operation of the engine under high load conditions while maintaining reduced emissions.
US09243547B2
Methods and systems are provided for a high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system of a parallel twin-turbocharged internal combustion engine. Using an EGR cooler with a single exhaust inlet and outlet to cool recirculated exhaust gas may increase the complexity and size of the engine package, along with adding unnecessary cost from extra ductwork to decrease the chance of turbocharger boost imbalance. To provide a way to reduce package size without affecting engine performance, an EGR cooler with two exhaust inlets and outlets is used to cool exhaust flows leading from two cylinder banks.
US09243533B2
An engine system includes: an exhaust path through which an exhaust gas of an engine passes; an urea injection valve that injects urea into the exhaust path; a catalyst that is provided in the exhaust path on a downstream of the urea injection valve, and that selectively reduces NOx by using ammonia acting as a reducing agent, the ammonia being generated by hydrolyzing injected urea from the urea injection valve; a heating portion that is capable of heating the catalyst and the injected urea; and a control unit that performs first control, in which the urea injection valve injects urea, the heating portion heats the injected urea to generate ammonia, or second control, in which the heating portion increases a temperature of the catalyst to a temperature at which NOx can be reduced, on a basis of an amount of ammonia adsorbed on the catalyst.
US09243530B2
An object of the invention is to provide a fuel injection technique suitable for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine equipped with a first fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a cylinder, a second fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into an intake passage, and a particulate filter provided in an exhaust passage thereof. To achieve the object, the fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine according to the invention reduces an in-cylinder injection ratio, which is the ratio of the quantity of fuel injected through the first fuel injection valve to the quantity of fuel injected through the second fuel injection valve, when the quantity of particulate matter trapped in the particulate filter is larger than a threshold value, thereby reducing the quantity of particulate matter discharged from the internal combustion engine.
US09243515B2
A turbine engine case includes a first panel, a second panel and a support hanger. The second panel defines an aperture. The support hanger includes a strut that is connected to the first panel, and a base that is pivotally connected to the strut. The base includes a pivot member that is pivotally engaged with the second panel. The base extends away from the strut and through the aperture to the pivot member.
US09243513B2
A fluid impingement arrangement comprising a supply manifold and at least one nozzle exit coupled to the supply manifold. The nozzle exit is arranged as a Coanda surface having a restriction and has at least one static pressure tapping that cross-connects two regions of the restriction to induce passive oscillation in a fluid jet passing through the nozzle exit.
US09243511B2
Turbine and compressor casing abradable component embodiments for turbine engines, with zig-zag pattern abradable surface ridges and grooves. Some embodiments include distinct forward upstream and aft downstream composite multi orientation groove and vertically projecting ridges planform patterns, to reduce, redirect and/or block blade tip airflow leakage downstream into the grooves rather than from turbine blade airfoil high to low pressure sides. Ridge or rib embodiments have first lower and second upper wear zones. The lower zone optimizes engine airflow characteristics while the upper zone is optimized to minimize blade tip gap and wear by being more easily abradable than the lower zone.
US09243509B2
The present application thus provides a stator vane assembly for a turbine engine. The stator vane assembly may include a casing slot and a number of ring segments positioned within the casing slot. Each of the ring segments may include a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may have a stepped configuration.
US09243505B2
A seal arrangement for a silo combustor includes a first casing and a second casing each forming a passageway for a gas, an end portion of the first casing being disposed radially inside an end portion of the second casing such that the first and the second casing form an overlapping region having a radial gap. A segmented seal has at least two adjacent segments disposed in the overlapping region so as to seal the radial gap, wherein the first casing includes at least one opening disposed in a region between the at least two adjacent segments.
US09243496B2
A seafloor bulk mining tool for production cutting of a seafloor bench. The tool uses a tracked locomotion system to travel across a seafloor bench. Power and control interfaces receive power and control signals from a surface source. The tool has a drum cutter for cutting the bench, and a sizing grill adjacent the drum cutter for sizing cuttings as they are produced by the drum cutter. A drum shroud may also be provided to help contain cuttings. A suction inlet can be used to capture cuttings as they are produced, for example in conjunction with a spade and augers.
US09243494B2
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to measure formation fluid and obtain data, the data having measurement levels that vary over a parameter. The data is grouped in one or more categories, each category having data falling within a range, and the grouped data is analyzed as a function of the parameter. In some embodiments, the grouped data is used to identify at least one fluid type of the formation fluid using the grouped data.
US09243493B2
A system and method for determining at least one fluid characteristic of a downhole fluid sample using a downhole tool are provided. In one example, the method includes performing a calibration process that correlates optical and density sensor measurements of a fluid sample in a downhole tool at a plurality of pressures. The calibration process is performed while the fluid sample is not being agitated. At least one unknown value of a density calculation is determined based on the correlated optical sensor measurements and density sensor measurements. A second optical sensor measurement of the fluid sample is obtained while the fluid sample is being agitated. A density of the fluid sample is calculated based on the second optical sensor measurement and the at least one unknown value.
US09243492B2
A downhole assembly includes an apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole. A disclosed apparatus for generating a fluid pressure pulse downhole includes an elongate, generally tubular housing defining an internal fluid flow passage and having a housing wall. The apparatus also includes a device for selectively generating a fluid pressure pulse, the device having a cartridge which can be releasably mounted entirely within a space provided in the wall of the tubular housing. The internal fluid flow passage defined by the tubular housing is a primary fluid flow passage. A secondary fluid flow passage has an inlet which communicates with the primary fluid flow passage. The cartridge houses a valve actuable to control fluid flow through the secondary fluid flow passage to selectively generate a fluid pressure pulse. Data relating to a measured downhole parameter or parameters can be transmitted to surface via the pressure pulses.
US09243488B2
A drill collar assembly allows a sensor to be mounted with the same standoff from a borehole wall independent of the size of stabilizer and borehole involved. A sensor component disposes in a receptacle in the drill collar, but does not affix in the receptacle. Instead, a stabilizer fits on the drill collar and covers the receptacle, and the sensor component mounts directly to the underside of the stabilizer so the component “floats” or “suspends” in the receptacle. The sensor component can mount at a stabilizer blade so the sensor can be positioned in closer proximity to the borehole wall to measure parameters of interest. Because the drill collar and sensor component can be used in different sized boreholes, different sized stabilizers may be positioned on the drill collar to account for the different sized boreholes while the sensor still has the same standoff.
US09243486B2
An apparatus for determining a closure pressure of a fractured formation surrounding a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an isolation device for isolating a section of the wellbore, a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid from the wellbore under pressure into the isolated section of the wellbore to cause a fracture in the formation proximate the isolated section, a receiving unit for receiving fluid from the isolated section at a constant or substantially constant rate due to pressure difference between the formation and the receiving unit, and a sensor for determining pressure of the formation during receiving of the fluid into the receiving unit. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the closure pressure from the determined pressure.
US09243480B2
Systems and methods for setting a down hole tool include a base pipe having an interior and defining a port that communicates with a pressure chamber positioned outside of the base pipe. A sleeve is positioned in the interior to substantially block the port and to prevent substantial fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first shear resistance for resisting movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe. The sleeve also includes a second portion having a second shear resistance for resisting movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. Movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe in response to overcoming the first shear resistance exposes the port to permit fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber for setting the down hole tool.
US09243478B2
A piping system for housing system components for regulating the flow of fluid therethrough is provided. The piping system includes an inner small diameter length of piping through which hot fluids flow, an outer larger diameter length of piping surrounded by cold fluid, and an annulus between the small and larger diameter piping in which the system components are received. Insulation material extends about a predetermined section of the small diameter length of piping for restricting heat transfer therefrom to the system components in the annulus and allowing heat transfer from the system components in the annulus to the outer piping.
US09243474B2
An example underbalance pressure generator device includes a housing having a first end, a second end, and an implosion chamber between the first and second ends, one or more influx ports defined in the housing and enabling fluid communication between the implosion chamber and an exterior of the housing, at least one frangible member fixedly attached to the housing such that a pressure differential can be generated across the at least one frangible member between the implosion chamber and the exterior of the housing, and an actuation device within the housing and configured to rupture the at least one frangible member upon being triggered.
US09243469B2
A ram type blowout preventer having a seal on each ram, extending across the front face, rearwardly and then over the top portion or the bottom portion of the ram. Each ram forms a leading edge portion above or below the front face seal, so as opposing rams move into the extended sealing position, the leading edge portions of the rams press against each other, imparting a generally vertical movement to bring the seals on the front faces into sealing engagement with each other and to energize the seals extending over the top or bottom portions against the ram bores. The front face of each ram may include a portion which is inclined toward the central bore. Rope packing seals may be provided on the rams having a vertical offset at the front faces of the rams such that rope packing seals on opposing front faces seal against each other.
US09243460B2
Clamping devices for hanging or pulling wellbore rod strings each feature housing with an axial bore in which a number of clamping pieces are placed to wedge in place between the housing and rod string to perform a self-tightening action against the rod string under the weight thereof due to cooperation of beveled surfaces at the bore wall and exterior of the clamping pieces. Threaded fasteners fed through the housing wall aid in placement of the slips against the rod string. For use in pulling operations, the housing is sized for receipt in the latching mechanism of a tubing elevator for support by the same, whereby the tubing elevator can be used to pull out a stuck rod string. Some embodiments feature a circumferential gap in the housing to enable the housing to be slipped laterally onto the rod string.
US09243456B2
The invention relates to an earth drilling device (1) for boring a borehole into the soil and/or for drawing a line (9) into an underground passage, comprising at least one system line (4, 6) extending from the earth drilling device to a start region, wherein the system line is designed in an electrically insulating manner.
US09243448B2
The present disclosure includes systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for controlling a door. In various embodiments, exemplary systems may include a controller that may initialize and/or reset a limit count. A controller may initialize and/or reset a limit count in response to detection by a first position sensor of a first target. A controller may further initialize and/or reset a limit count by incrementing the limit count in response to a signal from a gear tooth sensor until a second position sensor detects a second target, whereupon the controller may store the limit count.
US09243436B2
A spring hook structure includes: a torsion coil spring including a coil portion and a first arm and a second arm extending from each side of the coil portion; and a rotation support pin by which a cap is rotatably supported on an exterior case. The rotation support pin is inserted into the coil portion. The first arm is hooked on a first hook surface of the exterior case, and the second arm is hooked on a second hook surface of the cap. At least one of the exterior case and the cap is provided with a regulation wall at a position not interfering with the arm moving along the hook surface due to flexural deformation of the coil portion but interfering with the arm moving along the hook surface due to flexural deformation of the arm.
US09243428B1
Locks, lock mechanisms, lock assemblies, retro fit kits, and methods of using locks with cables and chains inside of strengthened flexible sleeves can conform to shape surfaces to which they are mounted, for preventing thefts of bicycles, motorcycles and other applications, such as but not limited to securing gates and doors, and other objects together. The flexible sleeve can include a series of ball and socket segments arranged next to one another, having a hollow conduit through which the cable or chain can pass through.
US09243416B2
A joint for fluid storage tank insulation systems. A central expansion joint forms a fluid-sealed recessed channel having a ridge-like cap. Water and moisture are directed away from the central expansion joint by the ridge-like cap. Any water that breaches the cap enters the recessed channel and flows out of the expansion joint without damaging tank insulation material. With installations having multiple expansion joints, at least one of the expansion joints can be equipped with an inverted cap to form a gutter within such expansion joint.
US09243411B2
Building panels, especially floor panels, which are provided with a locking system including several separate strip parts connected to the panel edge. A strip part, configured to lock panels horizontally and to be fixed to a panel edge, including a strip body with an inner part configured to be fixed under the panel edge and an outer part configured to extend outside the panel edge, wherein the inner part comprises a fixing element configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge in a horizontal direction, wherein the outer part including a locking protrusion, located above the strip body and configured to lock the strip part to the panel edge vertically and a locking element configured to lock the panels in a horizontal direction, and wherein the inner part includes a cavity formed in the strip body and located between the fixing element and the locking protrusion.
US09243403B2
An article of flexible furniture having a core formed from a plurality of laminar panels of a flaccid material and each panel having a pair of oppositely directed major faces, adjacent faces of said panels being inter-connected to provide a cellular structure upon movement of abutting faces away from each other, a pair of supports at opposite ends of said core and connected to respective ones of said faces, said supports being self-supporting to provide rigidity to said core whereby said supports may be moved apart to expand said cellular and extend the length of said partition.
US09243390B2
A capacitive sensing faucet is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the faucet includes a a faucet body hub; a spout coupled to the faucet body hub; an insulator defining a capacitive coupling between the faucet body hub and the spout, wherein the insulator is formed from an electrically conductive polymer; a capacitive sensor having an electrode coupled to the faucet body hub; and a controller coupled to the capacitive sensor, the controller determining if the spout is touched by a user based on an output signal from the capacitive sensor.
US09243385B2
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system for construction machinery, which is applied to construction machinery provided with a steering unit for controlling steering of equipment, and a main control valve for controlling operating of a work tool, and includes: a main pump for discharging working fluid supplied to the steering unit and the main control valve; a load sensing pressure sensor for sensing a load sensing pressure of the steering unit; a priority valve installed in a supply passage for the working fluid discharged from the main pump, for dividing and supplying the working fluid discharged from the main pump to the steering unit and the main control valve, to correspond to the load sensing pressure; an auxiliary pump for supplementing working fluid to the supply passage supplying the working fluid divided by the priority valve to the steering unit; an electric motor for operating the auxiliary pump; and a controller for operating the electric motor when the load sensing pressure is greater than a reference load sensing pressure, and additionally supplying working fluid discharged from the auxiliary pump the steering unit.
US09243383B2
An upper slewing body includes a rear wall portion covering an engine room from a rear side, a bottom plate disposed so as to cover the engine room from a lower side and having an exhaust opening, and a pair of vertical plates standing upright on the bottom plate. A rear end portion of the vertical plate has proximate rear end surfaces disposed adjacent to the rear wall portion and a cutout portion formed by recessing the rear end surface of the vertical plate toward the front side with respect to the proximate rear end surfaces. A distal end portion of a tail pipe is introduced between the vertical plates and through the cutout portion from the outer position of the vertical plates and extends along the exhaust opening in a state where the distal end portion of the tail pipe faces the exhaust opening.
US09243377B2
A system and method of drilling oil and gas wells in arctic or other environments having adverse conditions. A marine hydrocarbon operations structure may comprise a caisson body having a top surface which defines an opening and a shaft positioned within the opening. The shaft has an engagement member positioned on the external surface of the shaft. A lower jack house system is constructed and arranged to change the vertical position of the shaft through interaction with the engagement member. An operations platform supported by the shaft.
US09243373B2
A rotary drying cylinder (1) for plants for the production of bituminous macadams, extending along a main axis (2). The drying cylinder (1) comprises a burner (7), connected to the cylinder, which generates a flame (9) that extends inside the cylinder (1). The drying cylinder (1) internally comprises a tube-shaped shielding structure (10) having an axis of extension which is substantially parallel with the main axis (2) and extending from the burner (7) so that, in practice, the flame (9) is at least mainly confined within the shielding structure (10), there thus being a separating ring (12) between the shielding structure (10) and the inner surface (13) of the drying cylinder (1). The shielding structure (10) comprises a plurality of hollows (17) facing towards the inner surface (13) of the drying cylinder (1) for containing, in practice, the material being dried. The shielding structure (10) is at least mainly made of heat conducting materials.
US09243370B2
A superstructure device (10) for a set of points having a switch support which is composed of a block of high-strength steel and which has stock and short point rails which delimit said switch support and are formed integrally from the block, wherein the block is connected to a lower part composed of a material other than the high-strength steel, such as mild steel, and is in particular connected in a materially joined fashion, wherein the block extends essentially over the entire length of a switch rail device as the superstructure device on both sides beyond the switch support, and the lower part is a means of supporting the block in the form of at least two supports which are spaced apart from one another.
US09243366B2
A method includes manufacturing a sheet-type substrate having a security thread in which a security thread having features spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the security thread is inserted into the substrate in such a way that it is at least partially embedded in the substrate. At least one of the features is displayed as an image after the embedding of the security thread. The stretch of the embedded security thread in the longitudinal direction is calculated based on the image of the at least one feature, and the region of the substrate in which the calculated stretch of the security thread exceeds a specified maximum stretch is obliterated depending on the calculated stretch.
US09243360B2
An impeller for a washing machine appliance is provided. The impeller includes a stamped plate that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The stamped plate also defines an opening at the axis of rotation. A mounting insert is received within the opening of the stamped plate in order to fix the mounting insert to the stamped plate.
US09243358B2
A guiding tool for a sewing machine includes a first guiding member and a second guiding member. Each of the first guiding member and the second guiding member includes a base portion having a predetermined periphery, a guide surface facing to a side of the base portion, and a connecting portion for connection of the first guiding member and the second guiding member. The base portion includes a bottom surface provided with an attaching portion for attaching the guiding tool to an attachment surface of an object due to adhesion or suction. The guide surface of the first guiding member and the guide surface of the second guiding member are configured to be flush with each other when the first guiding member and the second guiding member are connected to each other.
US09243357B2
Ballistic resistant materials and articles formed from fiber/tape plies that incorporate multiple different fiber or tape types within a single ply. The different fiber or tape types are physically dissimilar but may be chemically different or substantially chemically similar.
US09243344B2
A gallium nitride crystal with a polyhedron shape having exposed {10-10} m-planes and an exposed (000-1) N-polar c-plane, wherein a surface area of the exposed (000-1) N-polar c-plane is more than 10 mm2 and a total surface area of the exposed {10-10} m-planes is larger than half of the surface area of (000-1) N-polar c-plane. The GaN bulk crystals were grown by an ammonothermal method with a higher temperature and temperature difference than is used conventionally, using a high-pressure vessel with an upper region and a lower region. The temperature of the lower region is at or above 550° C., the temperature of the upper region is set at or above 500° C., and the temperature difference between the lower and upper regions is maintained at or above 30° C. GaN seed crystals having a longest dimension along the c-axis and exposed large area m-planes are used.
US09243339B2
A copper electroplating bath for producing copper electrodeposits is described. The copper electroplating bath comprises (a) a soluble copper salt, (b) an electrolyte comprising one or more acids, and (c) a grain refining additive comprising an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl diamine. The copper electroplating bath can be used for producing electroformed copper deposits having low oxygen content.
US09243336B2
In the case of a process for the manufacture of contact strips, in particular for electrolyzers (membrane cells), the objective is to provide a solution that allows to create a cheap but also extremely efficient method for the manufacture of such contact strips at a high electrical efficiency. This objective is achieved by applying the roll bonding method to attach a copper strip to a titanium strip.
US09243331B2
An apparatus is provided that can stably produce a laminated body including a vapor-deposited polymer film having a predetermined composition and thickness on a film substrate. The apparatus includes: a film substrate supply means 46 that supplies a film substrate 15 on an outer peripheral surface of a rotary drum 35 in a vacuum chamber 24; a plurality of blowoff members 64 positioned around the rotary drum 35, each of the plurality of blowoff members including a vapor outlet 66 opening inside the vacuum chamber 24 to the outer peripheral surface of the rotary drum 35 and an inner space constituting a deposition chamber; and at least one monomer vapor supply means 84 arranged to supply plural kinds of monomer vapor into the deposition chamber and blowoff the plural kinds of monomer vapor from the vapor outlet of each of the plurality of blowoff members.
US09243327B2
A plasma CVD device comprises a vacuum vessel that houses a discharge electrode plate and a ground electrode plate to which is attached a substrate for thin film formation. The plasma CVD device has an earth cover at an interval from and facing the aforementioned discharge electrode plate; the aforementioned discharge electrode plate has gas inlets and exhaust outlets (which expel gas introduced through said gas inlets) that are connected at one end to equipment supplying raw gas for thin film formation and that open at the other end at the bottom face of the aforementioned discharge electrode plate; the aforementioned earth cover has second gas inlets corresponding to the aforementioned gas inlets, and second exhaust outlets corresponding to the aforementioned exhaust outlets. The plasma CVD device has an electric potential control plate disposed at an interval from and facing the aforementioned ground cover.
US09243319B2
A chamber monitoring system may include a parallel architecture in which a single sensor control system is coupled to a number of different processing chamber control board sensor lines. In an illustrative embodiment, a single rotation sensor such as a tachometer may reside in a central control unit remote from the processing chambers such that rotation data may be processed by a single system and thereafter routed according to a variety of different network communication protocols to the main system controller, a factory interface, or both. In this and other embodiments, pull-up networks in the central control unit and the chamber control boards are matched so as to reduce electrical signal anomalies such as crowbar effects. The central control unit may be programmed via a main system controller to operate according to user defined parameters, which in turn may enable the system to differentiate between certain operating states.
US09243311B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a process for purifying silicon by removing one or both of phosphorus and boron.
US09243302B2
The claimed subject matter provide a system for mitigation and/or elimination of scale precipitation base and side wall build up in a maple syrup primary evaporator pan, by reversing the maple sap flow to prevent liquid stagnation.
US09243295B2
The present invention relates to the treatment of an individual with an antipsychotic based on individual's genotype at one or more single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with the dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) and/or ankyrin repeat and kinase domain containing 1 (ANKK1) genes.
US09243289B2
The present invention relates to methods for screening of reagents used in the performance of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The invention has applications for genotyping, pathogen detection and in vitro diagnostics.
US09243288B2
Systems, including apparatus, methods, compositions, kits, and software, for preparing, reacting, detecting, and/or analyzing samples in droplet-based assay systems, among others. The disclosure emphasizes, but is not limited to, a disposable cartridge with lysis chamber and droplet chamber, particularly for use in droplet-based assays.
US09243285B2
A genetic polymorphism and a hair shape susceptibility gene that are related to hair shape, and a method for determining the genetic susceptibility to hair shape in individual test subjects are provided. Disclosed is a hair shape susceptibility gene, which overlaps with a haplotype block in the 1q32.1 to 1q32.2 region (D1S249 to D1S2891) of human chromosome 1 and comprises a portion or the entirety of the base sequence of the haplotype block, wherein the haplotype block is determined by a linkage disequilibrium analysis conducted on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker whose allele frequency differs statistically significantly between a group having a curly hair trait and a group having a non-curly hair trait, and consists of a base sequence set forth in any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to NO:3.
US09243278B2
The candidates are screened and then employed by administering to patients in need thereof of a drug candidate that affects heterotypic intercellular mechanotransduction. At least two types of cells are labeled with distinct intracellular fluorescent marker labels and combined to form a cell suspension and cultured to form a microtissue, such as spheroids. The cells or the spheroids are combined with a drug candidate, either before, during or after forming the spheroids. The distribution of the different cell types is compared to that of essentially the same suspension culture in the absence of the drug candidate. Alternatively, the cell power of cells cultured in a non-adherent mold that determines at least in part, the shape of microtissue formed is measured and compared with essentially the same cell suspension cultured in the same manner in the absence of a drug candidate. A patient in need thereof can be administered a drug identified as affecting heterotypic intercellular mechanotransduction. Alternatively, a macrotissue can be formed that is employed in therapeutic treatment of a patient in need thereof.
US09243277B2
The basic structure and functionality of a probe as disclosed herein allows for flexibly incorporating into the probe, various sensing elements for various sensing applications. Two example applications among these various sensing applications include bio-sensing and chemical-sensing applications. For bio-sensing applications the probe, which is fabricated upon a silicon substrate, includes a bio-sensing element such as a nano-pillar transistor, and for chemical-sensing applications the probe includes a sensing element that has a functionalized contact area whereby the sensing element generates a voltage when exposed to one or more chemicals of interest.
US09243270B2
The present invention relates to a novel method for producing metabolites from omeprazole using bacterial cytochrome P450, and a composition therefor, and more specifically, to a composition and a kit for producing a 5′-hydroxyl product from omeprazole, containing bacterial cytochrome P450 BM3 (CYP102A1) or mutants thereof, and to a method for producing the same. The composition, the kit, and the method are capable of economically and highly efficiently mass-producing the 5′-hydroxyl product from the omeprazole, and thus will significantly contribute to development of a novel drug using metabolites from the omeprazole.
US09243262B2
Improved compositions and methods for controlling pests are disclosed. In particular, novel engineered Cry1Ba (eCry1Ba) proteins having improved toxicity to lepidopteran insect pests are provided. By substituting at least one amino acid in domain I of a Cry1Ba protein an engineered Cry1Ba protein having substantially altered insecticidal properties is designed. Further, a method of making the engineered Cry1Ba proteins and methods of using the ecry1Ba nucleic acid sequences, for example in transgenic plants to express eCry1B proteins to confer protection from insect damage are disclosed.
US09243258B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for regulating expression of heterologous nucleotide sequences in a plant. Compositions include a novel nucleotide sequence for a promoter for the gene encoding Sorghum bicolor TIP2-3. A method for expressing a heterologous nucleotide sequence in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein is provided. The method comprises transforming a plant or plant cell with a nucleotide sequence operably linked to one of the promoters of the present invention.
US09243251B2
Molecules are provided for inducing or facilitating exon skipping in forming spliced mRNA products from pre-mRNA molecules in cells. The molecules may be provided directly as oligonucleotides or expression products of vectors that are administered to a subject. High rates of skipping can be achieved. High rates of skipping reduce the severity of a disease like Duchene Muscular Dystrophy so that the disease is more like Becker Muscular Dystrophy. This is a severe reduction in symptom severity and mortality.
US09243249B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Also provided herein are methods and compositions for the reduction of blood glucose level, the reduction of gluceoneogenesis, the improvement of insulin resistance and the reduction of plasma cholesterol level. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise inhibiting the activity of miR-103. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise inhibiting the activity of miR-107. In certain embodiments, the activity of both miR-103 and miR-107 is inhibited. In certain embodiments, such methods comprise administering a compound comprising an oligonucleotide targeted to a microRNA.
US09243246B2
Single-stranded RNA molecules comprise one or more internal, non-nucleotide spacers, covalently linked with nucleotide portions of the molecule are provided. The single-stranded RNA molecules function as guide or antisense strands that are capable of inhibiting gene expression via an RNA interference mechanism, and thus represent single-stranded RNAi agents. The single-stranded RNAi molecules can be used in methods for a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, target validation, genomic discovery, genetic engineering, and pharmacogenomic applications.
US09243243B2
A novel method of detecting and characterizing protein-peptide interactions is provided, which can be used for isolating peptides and proteins, respectively, as well as in drug screening and development.
US09243229B2
Synthetic surfaces suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes contain acrylate polymers formed from one or more acrylate monomers. The acrylate surfaces, in many cases, are suitable for culturing stem cell derived cardiomyocytes in chemically defined media.
US09243226B2
Methods are described that bias cells, such as potent and multipotent stem cells, by transfection with a nucleic acid sequence, to differentiate to a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell. In particular embodiments, human neural stem cells or mesenchymal stem cells are transfected with vectors comprising genes in the homeobox family of transcription factor developmental control genes, and this results in a greater percentage of resultant transformed cells, or their progeny, differentiating into a desired end-stage cell or a cell having characteristics of a desired end-stage cell.
US09243216B2
The present invention includes methods and compositions control hard water in an alkaline environment. According to the invention, a unique combination of polymers has been developed which helps to completely control and eliminate hard water. The composition includes a maleic polymer, a hydroxypolycarboxylic acid, and a starch based polymer in a unique synergistic combination that can be used alone, or in combination with standard alkaline detergents in any cleaning regime (laundry, warewash, etc.) where hard water conditions exist.
US09243215B2
The present invention relates to benefit agent containing delivery particles, compositions comprising said particles, and processes for making and using the aforementioned particles and compositions. When employed in compositions, for example, cleaning or fabric care compositions, such particles increase the efficiency of benefit agent delivery, there by allowing reduced amounts of benefit agents to be employed. In addition to allowing the amount of benefit agent to be reduced, such particles allow a broad range of benefit agents to be employed.
US09243213B1
The present invention relates to amino silicone nanoemulsions. More specifically, the present invention relates to amino silicone nanoemulsions that may be used to protect surfaces from being soiled or wetted.
US09243200B2
A compact treatment apparatus and methodology is provided for scavenging at least H2S from an acid gas stream. The vessel is charged with a batch of an aqueous solution of H2S scavenging treatment liquid. Acid gas is discharged from a sparge bar fit with graduated openings, either graduated from small to large or from a few to many and spaced therealong, for distributed discharge into the treatment liquid. The acid gas percolates up through the liquid and into a vessel headspace, the gas being scrubbed of H2S for producing a treated discharge gas. The treatment solution can be an aqueous solution of incorporating one of several active H2S scavenger ingredients including amine-aldehyde compositions or triazines.
US09243199B2
A diesel fuel composition comprising a performance enhancing additive, wherein the performance enhancing additive is the product of a Mannich reaction between: (a) an aldehyde; (b) a polyamine; and (c) an optionally substituted phenol; wherein the polyamine component (b) includes the moiety R1R2NCHR3CHR4NR5R6 wherein each of R1, R2 R3, R4, R5 and R6 is independently selected from hydrogen, and an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl substituent.
US09243196B2
A method of processing synthesis gas improves the quality of the synthesis gas by using a water gas shift reaction to increase the molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide (H2:CO) in an efficient manner. A first steam of hot natural gas-based synthesis gas having a first higher molar ratio of H2:CO is combined with a second stream of quenched synthesis gas having a second lower molar ratio of H2:CO to provide a blend of synthesis gas having a third molar ratio of H2:CO that is between the first and second molar ratios. A non-catalytic water gas shift reaction increases the molar ratio of H2:CO to a fourth molar ratio that is higher than the third molar ratio, and can be about equal to or greater than the first molar ratio without supplying external heat.
US09243194B2
The invention relates to a process for hydroconversion of heavy carbon-containing feedstocks that comprises a stage (1) for hydroconversion of the feedstock in at least one reactor that contains a boiling-bed catalyst and then a stage (2) for hydroconversion of at least a portion of the effluent that is obtained in at least one reactor that contains a slurry catalyst.
US09243190B2
An apparatus and a method for producing chemicals from a methane-containing gas are provided. More specifically, the method and an apparatus make use of heterogeneous catalysis, beginning with the partial oxidation of methane to produce synthesis gas followed by a reaction, such as a Fischer-Tropsch reaction, to produce the chemicals.
US09243189B2
A process and apparatus for converting a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide to hydrocarbons comprising reacting the hydrogen and carbon monoxide at elevated temperature and pressure in contact with a suitable catalyst in a reactive distillation column is disclosed.
US09243188B2
Hydrocarbon-containing feedstocks are processed to produce useful intermediates or products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can process a petroleum-containing feedstock, such as oil sands, oil shale, tar sands, and other naturally-occurring and synthetic materials that include both hydrocarbon components and solid matter, to obtain a useful intermediate or product.
US09243186B2
A coke plant includes multiple coke ovens where each coke oven is adapted to produce exhaust gases, a common tunnel fluidly connected to the plurality of coke ovens and configured to receive the exhaust gases from each of the coke ovens, multiple standard heat recovery steam generators fluidly connected to the common tunnel where the ratio of coke ovens to standard heat recovery steam generators is at least 20:1, and a redundant heat recovery steam generator fluidly connected to the common tunnel where any one of the plurality of standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator is adapted to receive the exhaust gases from the plurality of ovens and extract heat from the exhaust gases and where the standard heat recovery steam generators and the redundant heat recovery steam generator are all connected in parallel with each other.
US09243184B2
A compound is provided containing silicon, aluminum, strontium, europium, nitrogen, and oxygen is used that enables a red phosphor having strong luminous intensity and high luminance to be obtained, and that enables the color gamut of a white LED to be increased with the use of the red phosphor. The red phosphor contains an element A, curopium, silicon, aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen at the atom number ratio of the following formula: [A(m-x)Eux]Si9AlyOnN[12+y-2(n-m)/3]. The element A in the formula is at least one of magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium, and m, x, y, and n in the formula satisfy the relations 3
US09243181B2
Incorporating water-based polymer breakers, such as oxidizers, enzymes and/or acids, into a mixture of an oil and oil-soluble surfactants creates an emulsion that can then perform as a dual-functional breaker for reducing the viscosity of hybrid fluids gelled with both a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) and a polymer. The outer phase of the dual-functional breaker emulsion is oil, e.g. a mineral oil, containing an oil-soluble surfactant that will, over time and with heat, break the VES portion of the gel. As it does so, the polymer breaker in the internal aqueous phase will be released to then break the polymer portion of the gel. The polymer breaker will not start to break the polymer gel before the oil-soluble surfactant starts to break the VES gel. The overall breaking using the emulsion is slower as compared to introducing the polymer breaker and the oil-soluble surfactant in a non-emulsified form.
US09243179B2
A reaction material for a chemical heat pump includes type III anhydrous gypsum, a magnesium compound, and CaxMg1-xSO4. The reaction material for the chemical heat pump structurally changes between a compound including type III anhydrous gypsum, the magnesium compound, and CaxMg1-xSO4, and a compound including hemihydrate gypsum, a hydrate of the magnesium compound, and a hydrate of CaxMg1-xSO4 when subjected to heat storage process and heat release process. x is 0
US09243173B2
The invention provides an adhesive formulation comprising an olefin block copolymer comprising hard blocks and soft blocks wherein the hard blocks comprise 4-8 mol % comonomer; and are present in an amount of 20 wt %-45 wt %. This formulation is particularly advantageous for use in hot melt adhesives but may be used in other applications as well.
US09243137B2
Propylene copolymer composition comprising a propylene copolymer (A) having a comonomer content in the range of equal or more than 0.5 to equal or below 2.0 wt.-%, the comonomers are C5 to C12 α-olefins, and a propylene copolymer (B) having a comonomer content in the range of equal or more than 4.0 to equal or below 10.0 wt.-%, the comonomers are C5 to C12 α-olefins, wherein further the propylene copolymer composition has a comonomer content in the range of equal or more than 3.5 to equal or below 7.0 wt.-%, the comonomers are C5 to C12 α-olefins, and the weight ratio of the propylene copolymer (A) to the propylene copolymer (B) is in the range of 20/80 to below 55/45.
US09243131B2
A retardation film, contains: a cellulose derivative; and an esterified compound in which all or a part of OH groups in a compounds (A) containing one of a furanose structure and a pyranose structure or in a compound (B) in which 2 to 12 of at lease of a furanose structure and a pyranose structure are bonded, are esterified.
US09243130B2
The invention relates to metal oxide or semimetal oxide nanoparticles having an average particle size of from 2 to 250 nm, characterized in that the nanoparticles have at least two different, free-radically polymerizable groups on the surface. The invention further relates to nanocomposites produced from such nanoparticles and also processes for producing them.
US09243129B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing a resin composition for an optical semiconductor from a powdery material and a liquid material using a kneader having a first supply port and a secondary supply port disposed at a downstream side of the first supply port, the process including: a step of supplying the powdery material into the kneader from the first supply port and delivering the powdery material to a second supply port side by the kneader at a temperature at which the powdery material is not melted; a step of melting the powdery material by heating and simultaneously supplying the liquid material from the second supply port under a pressure higher than a pressure in the kneader to knead a melted product of the powdery material and the liquid material; and a step of further kneading a kneaded product thereof while cooling.
US09243119B2
Disclosed is a polyimide film, which is colorless and transparent, with superior mechanical properties and high thermal stability.
US09243116B2
The invention relates to a method for reacting polymers (A) comprising hydroxyl groups and which have repetitive structural units of general formula (I), wherein D represents a direct bond between the polymer backbone and a hydroxyl group, a C1- to C6-alkene group, a C5- to C12-arylene group, an oxyalkylene group of formula —O—R2—, an ester group of formula —C(O)—O—R2— or an amide group of formula —C(O)—N(R8)R2—, R2 represents a C2- to C10-alkene group, R8 represents hydrogen or an optionally substituted C2- to C10-alkyl group and n represents a number between 3 and 5000, with carboxylic acids B1) of formula (II) or carboxylic acid esters B2) of formula (III) R1—COOH (II) R1—COOR7 (III), wherein R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 2 to 50 C atoms, and R7 represents a C1C4-alkyl group, in which the polymers (A); comprising the hydroxyl groups are exposed to microwaves in the presence of carboxylic acids of formula (II) or carboxylic acid esters of formula (III) and in the presence of water. The reaction mixture is heated to temperatures over 100° C. by microwave rays.
US09243115B2
There is provided a hydrogel having a self-supporting property that can be produced only through mixing at room temperature, and there is provided a method by which the hydrogel can be manufactured by using industrially easily available raw materials. A hydrogel-forming composition that is capable of forming a hydrogel having a self-supporting property, the hydrogel-forming composition characterized by including: a water-soluble organic polymer having an organic acid salt structure or an organic acid anion structure; a silicate salt; and a dispersant for the silicate salt, having a weight average molecular weight of 200 to 20,000 and having hydrolysis resistance.
US09243114B2
Binder compositions and methods for making and using same are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the binder composition can include at least one polyphenolic compound, at least one unsaturated compound, and at least one free radical precursor. The unsaturated compound can have two or more unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds. At least one of the unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds can be a pi-bond that is not conjugated with an aromatic moiety and is capable of free radical addition.
US09243108B2
A method of producing cross-linked rubber including a step of reacting a polyether rubber composition at 130 to 200° C., the polyether rubber composition containing 100 parts by weight of epihalohydrin monomer units, 0.1 to 100 parts by weight of a five-membered ring or six-membered ring nitrogen atom-containing aromatic heterocyclic type compound, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of at least one cross-linking agent which is selected from sulfur, a sulfur-containing compound, and triazine-based compound.
US09243107B2
Polyhexahydrotriazine (PHT) film layers are formed by a process comprising heating a first mixture comprising i) a solvent, ii) paraformaldehyde, and iii) a diamine monomer comprising two primary aromatic amine groups at a temperature of about 20° C. to less than 150° C. This heating step forms a stable polyhemiaminal (PHA) in solution, which can be cast on a surface of a substrate, thereby forming an initial film layer comprising the PHA. The initial film layer is heated at a temperature of 180° C. to about 280° C., thereby converting the PHA film layer to a PHT film layer. Young's moduli of about 8 GPA to about 14 GPA have been observed for the PHT film layers.
US09243106B2
A high molecular weight polycarbonate resin is continuously produced by subjecting an aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer and an aliphatic diol compound to a linking and highly polymerizing reaction. Even an aliphatic diol compound having a comparatively low boiling point can be allowed to efficiently contribute to the linking and highly polymerizing reaction. An aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer is produced by a polycondensation reaction between an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a diester carbonate, adding an aliphatic diol compound having an aliphatic group bonding to a terminal hydroxyl group to obtain a prepolymer mixture, and subjecting the resulting prepolymer mixture to a linking and highly polymerizing reaction under reduced pressure. The aliphatic diol compound is added at a pressure exceeding 200 torr, and the prepolymer mixture is subjected to a linking and highly polymerizing reaction before the terminal hydroxyl group concentration of the aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer in the prepolymer mixture reaches 2000 ppm.
US09243103B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a polyurethane foam for flame lamination which has an excellent balance between adhesiveness to a fabric comprising synthetic fibers or natural fibers, a leather or the like and residual compression strain and has an excellent wet-heat resistance, and a laminated body including a foamed material layer consisting of the polyurethane foam. The polyurethane foam for flame lamination is characterized by being produced using a foam raw material containing a polyol such as a polyether polyol, a polyisocyanate, a foaming agent, a foam control agent, an amine-based catalyst and a urea compound such as urea and azodicarbonamide.
US09243095B2
Amphiphilic macromolecules having repeating structural units: structural units to adjust molecular weight and molecular weight distribution and charging property effects, high stereo-hindrance structural units, and amphiphilic structural units, and are suitable for fields such as oil field well drilling, well cementation, fracturing, oil gathering and transfer, sewage treatment, sludge treatment and papermaking, etc., and can be used as an oil-displacing agent for enhanced oil production, a heavy oil viscosity reducer, a fracturing fluid, a clay stabilizing agent, a sewage treatment agent, a papermaking retention and drainage aid or a reinforcing agent, etc.
US09243090B2
A composition for use in forming a multi-block copolymer, said copolymer containing therein two or more segments or blocks differing in chemical or physical properties, a polymerization process using the same, and the resulting polymers, wherein the composition comprises the admixture or reaction product resulting from combining: (A) a first metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst, (B) a second metal complex olefin polymerization catalyst capable of preparing polymers differing in chemical or physical properties from the polymer prepared by catalyst (A) under equivalent polymerization conditions, and (C) a chain shuttling agent.
US09243079B2
A method for producing a polyacrylic water-absorbent resin powder includes the steps of: producing an acrylic monomer solution in which gas is dissolved and/or dispersed; polymerizing the monomer solution in the absence of a surface active agent or in the presence of not more than 300 ppm of a surface active agent; during or after polymerizing, fragmenting the resulting hydrated gel crosslinked polymer; and drying the fragmented hydrated gel crosslinked polymer. The gas is dissolved and/or dispersed in the monomer solution by (a) applying pressure to the acrylic monomer solution and the gas; (b) creating swirling flows of the acrylic monomer solution and the gas; or (c) introducing the gas with the acrylic monomer solution via fine holes. The production method efficiently produces a water-absorbent resin having an excellent water-absorption rate without deteriorating a liquid-absorbent property of a sanitary product or the like.
US09243068B2
Provided herein are methods for inhibiting, delaying, or reducing tumor growth and metastases of plexin-B1-expressing cancer cells in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of an isolated binding molecule which specifically binds to semaphorin-4D (SEMA4D) in combination with an effective amount of at least one other immune modulating therapy.
US09243060B2
A method of inhibiting complement activation mediated by C3b inhibitors in a subject includes administering a C3b inhibitor to the subject to inhibit at least one of C3b binding to factors B and properdin, inhibit C3 cleavage, inhibit the activation of neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, and endothelium; or inhibit the formation of C3a, C5a, and MAC.
US09243052B2
The invention relates to methods for treating and diagnosing hematologic malignancies, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma in particular, using PD-1 ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, or anti-PD-1 antibodies).
US09243051B2
The present invention provides, in particular embodiments, for modified recombinant T cell receptor (TCR) ligands (RTLs) comprising a MHC class I or MHC class II component. The modified RTLs have redesigned surface features that preclude or reduce aggregation, wherein the modified molecules retain the ability to bind Ag-peptides, target antigen-specific T cells, inhibit T cell proliferation in an Ag-specific manner and have utility to treat, inter alia, autoimmune disease and other conditions mediated by antigen-specific T cells in vivo.
US09243046B2
The present invention relates to novel variants of human glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and methods for their use.
US09243044B2
Disclosed is an anticoagulant polypeptide and applications thereof. The anticoagulant polypeptide comprises a polypeptide formed by an amino acid sequence as represented in Seq. ID No. 1; or comprises a derived polypeptide that selectively inhibits coagulation factor XIa and is formed by an amino acid sequence, as represented in Seq. ID No. 1, that has undergone one or multiple amino acid residue substitutions, deletions, or insertions. The anticoagulant polypeptide is a selective inhibitor for coagulation factor XIa, has anticoagulant activity and small side-effect, and can be used in preparing medicines for the prevention and treatment of thrombotic diseases.
US09243042B2
It is an object to provide a protein having a dockerin, which is suited to production in yeasts and other eukaryotic microorganism in which sugar chain modification is predicted, and which provides excellent cohesin-dockerin binding ability, along with a use thereof. The present invention uses, as a protein for constructing a protein complex using a scaffolding protein having a type I cohesin from Clostridium thermocellum, a protein having a dockerin having at least one dockerin-specific sequence which is a dockerin-specific sequence associated with cohesin binding in type I dockerins from C. thermocellum, and which either has no intrinsic predicted N-type sugar chain modification site or has aspartic acid substituted for the asparagine of an intrinsic predicted N-type sugar chain modification site.
US09243038B2
Macrocyclic compounds that specifically inhibit insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) are provided. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, hydrates, stereoisomers, polymorphs, tautomers, isotopically enriched forms, and prodrugs of the macrocyclic IDE inhibitors are also described. Pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. In vivo and in vitro methods of using the IDE inhibitor, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the IDE inhibitor, for example, for the inhibition of IDE in a subject exhibiting aberrant IDE activity, impaired insulin signaling, or insulin resistance, for example, a subject having diabetes, are also provided.
US09243034B2
Novel peptide inhibitors of GSK-3, compositions containing same and uses thereof are disclosed. The novel peptide inhibitors are substrate-competitive inhibitors and have an amino acid sequence designed so as to bind to a defined binding site subunit in GSK-3. Also disclosed are GSK-3 substrate competitive inhibitors which bind to the defined binding site subunit in the enzyme. Also disclosed are mutants of GSK-3 and uses thereof for identifying a putative GSK-3 substrate competitive inhibitor.
US09243025B2
Provided herein are compounds, compositions and methods for the treatment of liver disorders, including HCV infections. In one embodiment, compounds and compositions of nucleoside derivatives are disclosed, which can be administered either alone or in combination with other anti-viral agents.
US09243024B2
Disclosed are aptamer/drug conjugate complexes and the use of such complexes, together with a trigger compound, to inducibly release a drug. Also disclosed are methods for establishing a drug reservoir in a subject using these complexes, whereby drug may be released as needed. One example of such a complex is an aptamer/insulin conjugate complex from which insulin may be released by an innocuous, orally administrable trigger, such as quinine.
US09243016B2
The present invention is directed to the synthesis of novel stable open metal clusters by selective oxidation of bound ligands. The synthesis comprises, for example, using an amine based oxidant for decarbonylation of specific carbonyl ligands. The synthesis can also comprise further removal of a bound amine group by an acid. The resulting metal cluster contains a coordinatively unsaturated site comprising a carbonyl vacancy. The resulting metal cluster can be used as a catalyst in a variety of chemical transformations.
US09243010B2
A process for the preparation of the compound of Formula I is set forth utilizing the starting compound 1 and the acid chloride compound
US09243009B2
Phosphate ester compound of hydroxy acid substituted phenyl ester, preparation method and medical use thereof are provided. The title compound is shown in formula (I), in which Y═C1-4 straight carbon chain, M1 and/or M2=H, alkali metal ion, protonated amine or protonated amino acid. The compound has good water solubility and high stability in its aqueous solution, and it can release 2,6-diisopropylphenol rapidly under the action of enzymes in vivo, which has the effects of sedation, hypnosis and/or anesthesia. By protecting hydroxyl of 2,6-diisopropylphenol in compound of formula (I), the first-pass metabolic activity of 2,6-diisopropylphenol is reduced, so that the synthetic compound can be used for sedation, hypnosis and/or anesthesia.
US09243007B2
The present invention provides organopolysiloxane comprising one or more unsaturated bond-containing group(s) in one molecule and having constitutional units F1, M1, and T in any combination of (i) F1 and M1, (ii) F1 and T, and (iii) F1, M1, and T: wherein R1 represents any selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; R2 represents an unsaturated bond-containing group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; X represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; Y represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms; and a, b, and c each independently represent an integer of 1 or larger, wherein F1 represents a unit constituting cyclic organopolysiloxane.
US09243000B2
The present invention encompasses compounds of general formula (1) wherein R1 to R3 and X are defined as in claim 1, which are suitable for the treatment of diseases characterized by excessive or abnormal cell proliferation, and the use thereof for preparing a medicament having the above-mentioned properties.
US09242993B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein m, o, Ra, Rb, R1 and T1 have the meaning as cited in the description and the claims. The compounds are useful as inhibitors of mTOR for the treatment or prophylaxis of mTOR related diseases and disorders. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including the compounds, the preparation of the compounds as well as their use as medicaments.
US09242982B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula 1 as potential phosphodiesterase3 (PDE3) inhibitory agents and a process for the preparation thereof. The derivatives of formula 1 can be employed as therapeutics in human and veterinary medicine, where they can be used, for the treatment and prophylaxis of the following diseases: heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy, platelet inhibitors, cancer and obstructive pulmonary diseases. wherein X=H, alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; Y=H, alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; A=alkyl, alkoxy, halo or CF3
US09242979B2
The present invention relates to methods for synthesizing tiotropium bromide following the scheme: Using the above scheme, tiotropium bromide (compound 6C) is obtained under mild conditions and with high yields.
US09242964B2
Provided are compositions and methods useful for modulation of signaling through the Toll-like receptors TLR7 and/or TLR8. The compositions and methods have use in treating or preventing disease, including cancer, autoimmune disease, infectious disease, inflammatory disorder, graft rejection, and graft-verses-host disease.
US09242962B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating T cell mediated inflammatory immune diseases or T cell mediated hypersensitivity diseases, which comprises administering to a human in need thereof an effective amount of a compound which inhibits EZH2 and/or EZH1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09242960B2
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, including all stereoisomers and tautomers, which is an inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase enzymes (referred to herein as p38 MAP kinase inhibitors), particularly the alpha and gamma kinase sub-types thereof, and its use in therapy, including in pharmaceutical combinations, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory diseases of the lung, such as COPD.
US09242954B2
A compound of formula (I): (I) wherein Y is, Z is OR10, NR11R11 SR11, S(O)R11 SO2R11, R10 is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, CO—R11, or a protecting group, and R11 is optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, or alkoxyl; a process for making a compound of formula (I); and a process for making a prostaglandin or a prostaglandin analog using a compound of formula (I). wherein Y is
US09242931B2
A method for producing a high purity, high quality amide compound, particularly a lactam. An amount of each of a halide, an aldehyde compound, an alcohol compound and a nitrile compound contained in a solution recycled into an oxime-forming step is controlled to an amount of 0.4 mol % or less based on the ketone as a starting material. One or more of a ketone, an oxime and an amide compound are purified by hydrogenation and/or crystallization for eliminating impurities containing a double bond. A content of impurities having a cyclic bridge structure is controlled using a cycloalkanone purified by recrystallization.
US09242920B2
An integrated process for the production of acetic acid by carbonylating dimethyl ether with synthesis gas to form methyl acetate and unreacted synthesis gas, utilizing the unreacted synthesis gas to produce methanol, dehydrating and hydrolyzing a mixture of methyl acetate and methanol to produce acetic acid and dimethyl ether and recovering acetic acid therefrom.
US09242919B2
A process to prepare an olefin from its corresponding alcohol is improved by reacting, under reaction conditions including a first temperature, an aliphatic alcohol and, optionally, diluent water, to form a reaction product including at least a dialkyl ether. The product is then reacted again, under higher temperature to complete the dehydration of the dialkyl ether to the desired olefin. This process is particularly suitable to prepare ethene from ethyl alcohol. The stepped temperature scheme serves to reduce the formation of byproduct aldehydes, which in turn reduces coke formation, fouling, and the need to handle large amounts of water, thereby lowering energy and capital costs.
US09242918B2
Described herein is a process for producing phenol in which (a) benzene and hydrogen are contacted with a hydroalkylation catalyst under hydroalkylation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene; (b) the cyclohexylbenzene is contacted with an oxidation catalyst under oxidation conditions to produce cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide; (c) the cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide is contacted with a cleavage catalyst under cleavage conditions to produce a cleavage effluent comprising phenol and cyclohexanone; (d) the cyclohexanone is contacted with a dehydrogenation catalyst under dehydrogenation conditions to produce a dehydrogenation effluent having at least a portion of the cyclohexanone and a first contaminant; and (e) the first contaminant is contacted with an acidic material under contaminant treatment conditions to convert at least a portion of the first contaminant into a converted first contaminant. Phenol compositions made from the above-described process are also described herein.
US09242912B2
Maintaining long residence times during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may be complicated by a number of factors, including biomass compaction. Advantages in this regard may be realized by digesting cellulosic biomass solids in an inclined digestion unit. Such methods can comprise: introducing cellulosic biomass solids to a hydrothermal digestion unit comprising one or more inclined surfaces therein; introducing a fluid phase digestion medium containing a slurry catalyst to the hydrothermal digestion unit, the slurry catalyst being capable of activating molecular hydrogen; supplying an upwardly directed flow of molecular hydrogen from a source disposed along each inclined surface as the cellulosic biomass solids descend along each inclined surface; and heating the cellulosic biomass solids as they descend along each inclined surface in the presence of the slurry catalyst and the molecular hydrogen, thereby forming an alcoholic component derived from the cellulosic biomass solids.
US09242908B2
A process for the production of C4 olefins, which may include: contacting a hydrocarbon mixture comprising alpha-pentenes with an isomerization catalyst to form an isomerization product comprising beta-pentenes; contacting ethylene and the beta-pentenes with a first metathesis catalyst to form a first metathesis product comprising butenes and propylene, as well as any unreacted ethylene and C5 olefins; and fractionating the first metathesis product to for an ethylene fraction, a propylene fraction, a butene fraction, and a C5 fraction.
US09242907B2
A biomass gasification gas purification system has a dust removal apparatus for filtering soot and dust from biomass gasification gas (including tar component) obtained through the gasification of the biomass using a biomass gasification furnace, a desulfurization apparatus for removing sulfur oxide component in the filtered biomass gasification gas, first to third pre-reformation reactors that provide pre-reforming catalyst for reforming the tar component in the biomass gasification gas after desulfurization, and first and second coolers that are interposed between the first to third pre-reformation reactors, and for cooling the reformed gas.
US09242903B2
To provide a high zirconia fused cast refractory having high durability, which hardly has cracks at the time of production of the refractory, during the heating, by temperature changes during use and during the cooling at the time of suspension of operation. A high zirconia fused cast refractory which has a chemical composition comprising from 88 to 96.5 mass % of ZrO2, from 2.5 to 9.0 mass % of SiO2, from 0.4 to 1.5 mass % of Al2O3, from 0.07 to 0.26 mass % of Na2O, from 0.3 to 1.3 mass % of K2O, from 0 to 0.3 mass % by outer percentage of Li2O, at most 0.08 mass % by outer percentage of B2O3, and at most 0.08 mass % by outer percentage of P2O5, and contains B2O3+P2O5 in a content of at most 0.1 mass % by outer percentage.
US09242897B2
The present invention, in one aspect, provides aqueous dispersions of carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments such aqueous dispersions can be applied to fiber glass strands to impart one or more electrically conductive properties to the fiber glass strands.
US09242887B2
In a known process for drawing a quartz glass strand, SiO2 particles are fed to a melting crucible and softened therein to form a quartz glass mass, and the softened quartz glass mass is pulled vertically downward as a quartz glass strand via a drawing nozzle which is provided in the bottom region of the melting crucible and has a gap-like drawing nozzle opening. In order, on the basis thereof, to make it easier to reproducibly produce a quartz glass strand with a minor deviation from the nominal wall thickness profile, and in particular to avoid irregularly occurring indentations and protrusions of the wall thickness profile, it is proposed according to the invention that the wall thickness profile of the quartz glass strand is detected, and that the drawing nozzle is heated by means of a plurality of heating elements which are distributed around the drawing nozzle opening and can be electrically actuated independently of one another, and that the quartz glass mass is locally heated by means of the heating elements within the gap-like drawing nozzle opening depending on measurement results of the wall thickness profile.
US09242885B2
A sintered product having an average chemical composition such that, in weight percentages on the basis of the oxides: Cr2O3=80.0-99.0%; 0.5%≦TiO2≦9.0%; 0.2%≦MgO≦3.0%; and ZrO2≦5.0%, provided that the ratio of TiO2/MgO is between 1.5 and 9.0 and the molar ratio TiO2/Cr2O3 is less than 0.12.
US09242884B2
The invention relates to a method for the controlled operation of an industrial oven which is heated in a regenerative manner and which comprises an oven chamber, in particular a melting tank, in particular for glass, having the following steps: injecting fuel into the oven chamber via at least one fuel injector, which is designed to inject fuel, practically without combustion air in particular, conducting combustion air to the oven chamber in a first period duration and conducting exhaust gas (AG) out of the oven chamber in a second period duration separately from the fuel in a periodically alternating manner by means of a left regenerator and right regenerator which are associated with the at least one fuel injector and which are designed to regeneratively store heat from the exhaust gas and transmit heat to the combustion air. A supply of the combustion air is automatically controlled by means of a control loop. The control loop takes into account an excess air coefficient that is specified in the method as well as the location of the entrance of the excess air upstream, in, or downstream of the air-side regenerator. A corresponding control device and an industrial oven which comprises such a control device and which is heated in a regenerative manner are likewise claimed.
US09242881B2
The present invention relates to a method for taking liquid anaerobic digestion effluent and increasing the solids content by using the effluent and biomass to further digest both.
US09242878B2
A method for removing heavy metals from contaminated water, comprising collecting metal salt precipitates from a water softening process, drying said precipitates, contacting water having a concentration of one or more heavy metals with said precipitates, and collecting water having a reduced concentration of said heavy metal(s).
US09242873B2
A quaternary oxide foam, comprises an open-cell foam containing (a) a dopant metal, (b) a dopant nonmetal, (c) titanium, and (d) oxygen. The foam has the advantages of a high surface area and a low back pressure during dynamic flow applications. The inactivation of Escherichia coli (E. coli) was demonstrated in a simple photoreactor.
US09242872B2
The present invention proposes the development of inorganic green pigment, having a general formula, RE2MoO6 (where RE is mixed rare earth metal and Mo is molybdenum metal) comprising mixed rare earth elements having atomic number in the range of 57 to 66 and having a composition of at least lanthanum in the range of 43-45% w/w, neodymium in the range of 33-35% w/w, praseodymium in the range of 9-10% w/w, samarium in the range of 4-5% w/w and other rare earths to a maximum of 5% w/w and molybdenum. The colorant can be prepared in a convenient and inexpensive method utilizing the solid state route by calcining the mixed rare earth carbonate and ammonium molybdate at a temperature range of 900-1100° C. for 3-6 h at a heating rate of 10° C./min followed by grinding. The well ground calcined powders were used for characterization of the pigments. The phase purity and optical properties of the prepared pigments were investigated. The pigment is useful as a colorant to various substrate materials such as plastics, paints, ceramics and the like.
US09242863B2
Processes and reagents for inhibiting or eliminating scale formation during wet-process phosphoric acid production are provided and include adding to a wet-process phosphoric acid production stream a scale inhibiting amount of a reagent having an aliphatic or aromatic compound containing at least two hydroxy groups, and at least one amine.
US09242861B2
A method for joining or repairing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs). In joining BNNTs, the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures. In repairing BNNTs, the damaged site of the nanotube structure is modified with amorphous carbon deposited by controlled electron beam irradiation to form well bonded hybrid a-C/BNNT structures at the damage site.
US09242860B2
Chlorine is prepared by catalytic oxidation of a hydrogen chloride stream having a content of sulfur in elemental or bonded form of less than 100 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm, more preferably less than 5 ppm, most preferably less than 1 ppm, based on the weight of the hydrogen chloride stream.
US09242856B2
A microchip has a base die with a conductive interconnect and an isolation trench around at least a portion of the conductive interconnect, and a cap die secured to the base die. A seal, formed from a metal material, is positioned between the base die and the cap die to secure them together. The microchip also has a blocking apparatus, between the isolation trench and the metal seal, that at least in part prevents the metal material from contacting the interconnect.
US09242847B1
An insert is disclosed for use with a closed loop dispensing system. The insert includes a flat, ring-shaped venting member which permits air to pass therethrough but prevents liquid from passing therethrough. A foam liner is positioned at the underside of the venting membrane to shield or protect the venting membrane when the retainer disc of the insert is secured to the lower end of the insert.
US09242845B2
The inventive system and method advantageously enable superior preserved storage and selective dispensation of liquids by storing wine (or other liquids) in a pressurized environment to ensure that the stored liquid does not come into contact with air, and then by selectively dispensing a portion of the stored liquid, in accordance with a desired dispensing regime, by utilizing a controlled source of pressure force to apply a sufficient pressure to the pressurized environment to expel the desired volume of the liquid in a pressurized stream directed to a dispensing pouring interface through a conduit or equivalent delivery system. In at least several novel embodiments thereof, the system and method of the present invention are configured for use with wine-in-bag (“WinB”) products.
US09242843B2
A funnel with the ability to receive and secure one or more inverted source containers for transferring fluids to a receiving container, without requiring the assistance of a user.
US09242837B2
A method controls a set of semi-active actuators arranged in an elevator system represented with a model of a virtual elevator system having a single virtual semi-active actuator arranged to compensate a virtual disturbance proportional to a sum of disturbances from the set of disturbances. The method determines the virtual disturbance during an operation of the elevator car using a motion profile of position of the elevator car during the operation and a disturbance profile of the virtual disturbance, and determines amplitude of a virtual force of the virtual semi-active actuator using the model and the virtual disturbance. A gain of a controller for controlling the set of semi-active actuators is adjusted based on the amplitude of the virtual force and a reference force of the virtual semi-active actuator.
US09242832B2
A hand-carried taping machine for taping an elongated object is disclosed. The machine includes a powered gear set operably coupled to a body and powered by a drive system. An applicator head includes a substantially C-shaped gear in meshing engagement with the powered gear set such that the substantially C-shaped gear rotates about an application axis under control of the drive system, and a tape reel mount for rotatably mounting a reel of tape on the substantially C-shaped gear for rotation about the application axis and application of the tape to the elongated object. A non-powered guide system operably couples to the body for guiding the applicator head along the elongated object with transient engagement with the elongated object such that the elongated object is maintained in a vicinity of the reel of tape.
US09242831B2
A printer includes an arm part connected to a printer body part and a paper roll support shaft part having a first end connected to the arm part and a second end to be inserted into a hollow core of a paper roll. The paper roll support shaft includes a first support shaft and a second support shaft. The paper roll support shaft is configured to come into contact with the interior of the core at a first contact point on the first support shaft and a second contact point on the second support shaft.
US09242828B2
To take blanks of sheets for producing laminated glass, from a cutting table, an adjustable takeoff roller onto which the sheet blanks are wound is used. To fix the beginning of the sheet blank to be taken off to the takeoff roller, openings for applying negative pressure are provided in the lateral surface of the takeoff roller. When a sheet blank is taken from the cutting table, the takeoff roller is brought into position at the beginning of the sheet blank to be taken off, the blank is fixed to the takeoff roller and the takeoff roller is then moved along the cutting table while rotating about its own axis, and so the sheet blank is wound up around the lateral surface of the takeoff roller. For laying down the sheet blank onto a glass pane during the production of laminated glass, a correspondingly reversed procedure may be used.
US09242817B2
A sheet conveyer comprises a sheet support surface; a first roller to convey sheets; a second roller to separate one by one the sheets to convey a sheet downstream; a holder configured to be swingably supported about a swing center axis, wherein the first roller is attached to the holder to be rotatable; and a guide formed of a separate member and comprising a guide surface extending upstream with respect to an upstream end portion of the holder and the guide guides the sheet to a portion below the holder and the first roller.
US09242813B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus including a main body that is provided with an insertion hole, and forms an image on a recording medium, and an insertion container in which the recording medium is stored, and that is inserted into the insertion hole, wherein the insertion container includes a first part, a second part that extends rearward in a direction of the insertion from the first part, and that is movable forward and backward in the insertion direction with respect to the first part, a fastening tool that fastens the second part to the first part, a releasing tool that releases the fastening tool when grasped, and that moves forward and backward with the second part, and a protruding tool that protrudes from the second part to the main body when the releasing tool is grasped, and that prevents the second part from being inserted into the insertion hole.
US09242812B2
The invention relates to a cash box comprising a receiving area for receiving a value note stack and a bottom unit delimiting the receiving area towards a box bottom. Further, a retaining element is provided which, in a retaining position, retains the notes of value received in the receiving area in said receiving area. Between the retaining element and the bottom unit a gap is formed. The cash box has at least one blocking element which, at least when the closing unit is closed, closes the gap at least so far that no note of value can slip into the gap.
US09242804B2
Machine for processing substances comprising an apparatus for moving containers along a plane, and guide means cooperating with slider means.
US09242803B2
A folding mechanism comprising a first support; a second support pivotably coupled to the first support; an actuator operable to pivot said second support relative to said first support about a first pivot axis between a deployed position and a folded position; and an elongate support strut extending between said first and second supports, the support strut being adapted to permit movement of said second support about said first pivot axis when the support strut is in a first state, the support strut being adapted to retain said second support in said deployed position when the support strut in a second state; the support strut being coupled to the actuator such that the support strut is reconfigured between its first and second states as the actuator is operated to pivot the second support between its folded and deployed positions.
US09242800B2
An automated storage and retrieval system including a storage structure with storage racks having a seating surface configured to support case units where a position of each case unit is non-deterministic for each storage location on the storage racks, each case unit has a predetermined storage position and a controller is configured to determine the predetermined storage position, a picking aisle configured to provide access to the case units within the storage structure, and a seismic disturbance restorative system including seismic disturbance motions sensors disposed on the storage racks, a seismic disturbance control module in communication with the seismic disturbance sensors and configured to identify a seismic disturbance, and an automated case mapper configured to traverse the picking aisle, the automated case mapper being in communication with and initialized by the seismic disturbance control module to identify a seated position of at least one case unit within the storage structure.
US09242799B1
An inventory system has inventory pods that are freely and independently moved about a facility and include inventory holders having dynamically reconfigurable storage bins. For various operating scenarios, the components of the inventory system are directed to dynamically reconfigure the storage bins, thereby maintaining efficient product density amongst the inventory holders and permitting the use of automated equipment to manipulate inventory items stored in the inventory pods. One or more inventory pods may be used with lifting modules and picking modules to dynamically reconfigure the storage bins as inventory items are added to and removed from the inventory holders.
US09242796B1
Embodiments of the present invention provides systems for a tape library shelf. In one embodiment, a tape library shelf is disclosed including a chassis, which contains tape cartridge slots for storing one or more tape cartridges. The tape library shelf includes at least one tape drive module, a control unit, and a moving device coupled to the chassis. The moving device is operatively connected to the control unit to move the chassis according to instructions received from the control unit.
US09242786B2
A method and a device are provided for dispensing multiple portions of a fluid that is stored in a container having a port and a flexible dispensing tube. The flexible dispensing tube includes an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is integrally sealed to the port and a viscoelastic valve is mounted in the outlet. The method includes a compression step and a step of terminating compression. The method also includes a step implemented at the end of the compression step that releases the pressure in a tube portion between a first tube portion and the valve.
US09242783B2
A container closure for an additive includes: a storage member having an outlet port formed in the lower side surface of a tubular inner cap arranged inside the entrance of the container in a main cap coupled to the entrance of the container; an opening member which has a slider sliding in the vertical direction in the inner cap, and is coupled to an extended tube extending upwardly from the main cap; a bottom gasket which closes the lower end and inner surface of the slider, is hooked onto the storage member, and is separated from the slider when separating the opening member; and a bottom inner cap which is integrally formed with the lower end of the outlet port, and concurrently tightly seals the outer surface, the bottom surface, and the inner surface of the bottom gasket.
US09242779B1
A resealing label comprising a body and a puncturable portion formed through at least a portion of the body. The puncturable portion is formed of a puncturable material. The label further includes a retention member formed on the body, the retention member having at least one opening to receive an object therein to secure the object to the body.
US09242778B2
The present invention relates to packaging combination for accommodating and dispensing a viscous or granular filling material. The packaging combination comprises a tubular casing having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular casing is closed at its first as well as its second end by a closure means. The packaging combination further comprises a dispensing device having a passageway extending through the dispensing device with an inlet opening at its one end and a dispensing opening at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction, and being attached to the first end closed tubular casing.
US09242768B2
A tamper-evident closure (10) for a container (20) is provided. The closure (10) comprises a first portion (25) including inner (35) and outer (45) parts, and a second portion (30). The outer part (45) is movable relative to the inner part (35) from a first position in which the outer part (45) is immediately adjacent the second portion (30) to a second position in which there is an empty unobstructed gap (G) therebetween. The inner (35) and outer (45) parts are adapted to become irreversibly locked in the second position so that the outer part (45) cannot be moved back to the first position to close the gap (G). A combination of such a closure (110) with an in-bore filament (100) connectable to a container (120) is also provided.
US09242764B2
The present invention relates to a transportation box 100 for technical equipment 200, said transportation box in the orientation intended for use comprising: —a first, upper end frame 8, said first end frame having a hexagonal circumference and comprising six vertices 1,2,3,4,5,6 and six edges 11,12,13,14,15,16; —a second, lower end frame 18, said second end frame having a hexagonal circumference and comprising six vertices 21,22,23,24,25,26 and six edges 31,32,33,34,35,36; —said first and said second end frames being connected by six longitudinal corner elements 41,42,43,44,45,46; —each said corner element extending from one vertex of said first end frame 8 to one vertex of said second end frame 18; —said transportation box thereby comprising six longitudinal side sections 51,52,53,54,55,56; —wherein three of said six longitudinal side sections are leg sections 51,53,55, each leg section comprising a leg assembly 60; —wherein each leg assembly 60 comprises an extendable leg 70 being adapted to be able to switch between a collapsed state, in which the leg is accommodated in said corresponding leg section 51,53,55; and an extended state, in which said leg is extending outward from said leg section 51,53,55 to provide support for said transportation box when arranged in an upright position; —wherein each said leg assembly 60 comprises locking means 110 for releasable locking its corresponding leg in its extended state; —wherein any two of said three leg sections 51,53,55 are arranged on either side of a side section which is not a leg section 52,54,56.
US09242763B2
A coating composition for a food or beverage can that includes an emulsion polymerized latex polymer formed by combining an ethylenically unsaturated monomer component with an aqueous dispersion of a water-dispersible polymer.
US09242758B2
A blank of sheet material for forming a polygonal container is provided. The blank includes two end panels, two side panels, and four corner panels connected in series along a plurality of fold lines. The blank further includes a plurality of bottom panels each extending from one panel of the end panels and the side panels. The plurality of bottom panels is configured to define a locking slot and a locking tab that is insertable into the locking slot to form a bottom wall of the container.
US09242756B2
A hot fill type plastic container includes a finish, a bottom and a main body that is generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. The main body has an upper dome portion, a lower label portion and a waist groove defined between the upper dome portion and the lower label portion. Both the upper dome portion and the lower label portion have front and rear surfaces as well as opposing side surfaces that are narrower than the front and rear surfaces. The opposing side surfaces of the upper dome portion have a substantially vertically oriented reinforcing element defined therein that is recessed with respect to the surrounding sidewall of the upper dome portion. The reinforcing element extends into the waist groove, which increases the flexibility of the dome portion above the waist groove and protects the dome portion against damage as a result of contact with other containers during the filling and packaging processes.
US09242753B2
A sterilizable biopharmaceutical packaging includes an opening for inserting biopharmaceutical contents to be sterilized, the opening being separate from a sterilization gas conveyance channel so that the opening can be closed independently and before closing the sterilization gas conveyance channel. The opening is directly adjacent to an inner space for receiving the biopharmaceutical contents so that the contents to be sterilized are inserted directly into the inner space from outside the packaging. The elements for controlling the distribution of the sterilization gas open/close the sterilization gas conveyance channel independently of the opening or closing of the insertion opening. After sterilization, the outer wall, the sterilization gas conveyance channel, and the opening/closing element are capable of remaining rigidly connected therebetween so as to form a sterilized biopharmaceutical packaging that contains the sterilized biopharmaceutical contents and can be subjected to one or more integrity tests at any desired time after the sterilization.
US09242747B1
It is disclosed herein an innovative concept for in-space propulsion for future Air Force, NASA and commercial systems having mass and power scalability over a wide range and using easily-handled advanced propellants. The invention combines the fields of microdischarge physics and nonequilibrium plasmadynamics to reduce dramatically the size of electric thrusters by 1-2 orders of magnitude, which when coupled with micronozzles that are electrically conducting or electrically insulating result in high thrust and high thruster efficiency, and will enable scalable, low-cost, long-life distributable propulsion for control of femtosats, picosats, nanosats, microsats, and space structures. The concept is scalable from power levels of 1 W to several kilowatts with thrust efficiency approaching 60%.
US09242744B2
A motorization device comprises two substantially parallel winding cylinders, at least one longitudinal link element to maintain a predetermined distance between the cylinders, and wound around said winding tracks, the link element consequently having a crossover point between the winding cylinders, two flexible tracks fixed to the winding cylinders and arranged facing and in contact with one another at the point of contact, a winding cylinder and flexible track assembly forming a fitting, a prestressing force being applied at the point of contact under the effect of the link element. The flexible tracks have a spiral form configured that the point of contact between the two flexible tracks in spiral form, situated between said winding cylinders, is offset relative to the crossover point, such that a torque dependent on the distance between the point of contact and the crossover point is applied, to provoke the mutual rotation of the fittings.
US09242727B1
Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein may provide visual and audible flight direction cues to the pilot of a helicopter to maintain an optimum energy sustaining profile to successfully perform an autorotation maneuver. From the moment the engine fails or fails to provide adequate power to the main rotor system, systems described herein provide airspeed, attitude, and altitude guidance to the pilot to intercept and fly the correct path for a successful autorotation entry and autorotation descent. The system displays specific cues as the helicopter approaches the determined flare altitude and guides the pilot through the autorotation flare and minimum rate of descent touchdown.
US09242718B2
A seal assembly for closing an aperture in an aerodynamic surface of a structure, the seal assembly comprising: a track for attachment to the structure; and a retractable seal including a flexible substrate and a plurality of rods connected to the substrate, wherein at least one of the rods is mounted for running movement along the track, and the seal is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position by moving the at least one rod along the track accompanied by folding/unfolding of the seal substrate, and wherein the seal is biased to its extended position.
US09242707B2
A fin assembly includes a fin, a mounting base and a socket base. The mounting base is provided for permanent inclusion within a watercraft. The mounting base defines a cavity that is adapted for receiving the socket base. The socket base further includes a cavity adapted for receiving the fin. The socket base is further adapted for receiving an accessory.
US09242697B2
An apparatus for supporting an operator's foot riding a straddle-type vehicle. The apparatus includes a foot peg having a first portion connected to the vehicle and arranged for engaging a forward portion of the operator's foot adjacent to or including the ball of the foot. The apparatus also includes a second portion extending rearwardly of the first portion and arranged for engaging a rearward portion of the operator's foot adjacent to or including the heel during flexion of an ankle of the operator.
US09242694B2
A game cart bicycle attachment device is provided that is configured to secure the handle end of a wheeled game cart to the seat post of a bicycle. The device comprises an elongated and angled member that attaches at a first end to the bicycle seat post and at a second end to a game cart. The second end comprises a T-shaped connection, whereby a lateral attachment bar attaches to opposing sides of the game cart and the angled member connects at a third location. The angled member includes a telescoping structure to offset the game cart, while furthermore the lateral attachment bar is telescopically adjustable to accommodate different game cart sizes. The ends of the lateral attachment bar include U-shaped clevises, while a third clevis is adjustably disposed along the angled member. The device therefore attaches to the game cart at three distinct locations along its U-shaped handle.
US09242691B2
The present invention provides a bicycle comprising front and rear wheels and a frame including a main frame having a head tube and a top tube secured to the head tube at an intersection spaced from an upper end of the head tube. The intersection has a first lateral width, and the head tube above the intersection includes a tapered portion that tapers to a second lateral width narrower than the first lateral width. For example, the first lateral width can be at least three percent wider than the second lateral width. In one embodiment, the head tube above the tapered portion includes a flared portion that flares to a third lateral width wider (e.g., at least ten percent wider) than the second lateral width. In addition, the tapered portion can include a length that is larger (e.g., at least one hundred percent larger) than the second lateral width.
US09242682B2
The invention relates to a wind deflector of an openable vehicle roof, with a base element that can be attached to the vehicle roof, with a raising bow that can be deployed relative to the base element, and with a flexible wind deflector element which is attached with its upper edge to the raising bow and with its lower edge to the base element, and which is held tensed between the raising bow and the base element when the raising bow is deployed, wherein it is provided according to the invention that, when the raising bow is deployed, a lateral end section of the wind deflector element is in a tensed position without attachment at its lower edge relative to the base element or a roof frame and/or without attachment at its upper edge relative to the raising bow.
US09242672B2
A vehicle is described herein having a rear drive mounted to a sub-frame where the sub-frame is movable relative to the frame, and where a suspension is movable relative to the sub-frame. Thus the vertical travel of the wheels is a combination of the vertical travel of the wheels relative to the sub-frame and the vertical travel of the sub-frame relative to the frame. The sub-frame could in the front or the rear, or both.
US09242664B2
A medical cart includes a work platform having a work surface and at least one compartment, a base, and a height adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the work platform relative to the base. A medication module includes a plurality of compartments. The medical cart can be joined with a medication module. In addition, a plurality of medication modules can joined to form a train. The medical cart and medication module can be used collectively and individually in a variety of methods far transferring medicine.
US09242662B2
A dolly system for moving and disposing of garbage includes a frame assembly, and a holder assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The frame assembly may include a pair of rails. The frame assembly can rest on a surface (for example, on wheels for the frame assembly.) The frame assembly can be declined (for example, tilted back wheels). The holder assembly includes a carriage and a holder coupled to the carriage. The holder can hold a garbage container. When the frame assembly is declined, the rails of the frame assembly may form a ramp for the holder assembly. The carriage of the holder assembly can slide up and down on the rails of the frame assembly. The holder is movable relative to the carriage (for example, by tipping the holder) to empty contents out of the garbage container when the carriage is in a raised position on the ramp.
US09242659B2
A high-speed magnetic trolley that utilizes an eddy current brake that may reduce the speed of a person in a harness traveling on a relatively steep zip line cable, making it possible to reach a landing brake at a reasonable speed and becomes easy to adjust an amount of braking force needed to reach a desired speed by taking off or adding more magnets without throwing one or more aluminum wheels out of balance. The high-speed magnetic trolley produce an eddy current that generates an opposing magnetic field, which then resists rotation of one or more aluminum wheels providing braking force.
US09242651B1
A vehicle includes an engine, dual-clutch transmission (DCT), and controller. The controller executes a method to detect a requested power-on downshift of the DCT from an attained gear to a desired gear. Offgoing and oncoming clutches are identified for the power-on downshift from the input clutches, and the controller determines whether engine speed has reached a target synchronous speed. The controller increases oncoming clutch torque at a calibrated ramp rate when a fork for the desired gear has engaged and releases the offgoing clutch at another calibrated ramp rate. If engine flare is present, the controller adjusts the oncoming clutch ramp rate, uses engine torque management to control the flare, and allows the offgoing clutch to continue disengaging. The power-on downshift is completed when the oncoming clutch reaches full torque capacity of the engine and the offgoing clutch is completely exhausted.
US09242649B2
A vehicle control system is provided. The vehicle control system is applied to a vehicle having a clutch device to selectively connect and disconnect a power transmission route between a prime mover and drive wheels, and configured to disconnect the power transmission route during running to allow the vehicle to coast. The vehicle control system is comprised of: a vehicle speed detection means; an execution means that executes a coasting control when an operating amount of an accelerator is reduced to be smaller than a predetermined value during running, by bringing the clutch device into disengagement to disconnect the power transmission route so as to allow the vehicle to coast; an updating means that updates a lowest speed of the vehicle during execution of the coasting control; and a termination means that terminates the coasting control by bringing the clutch device into engagement to connect the power transmission route, when a difference between a current vehicle speed and the latest lowest vehicle speed exceeds a predetermined value.
US09242642B2
An inverter performs bidirectional DC/AC power conversion between a power line and a second MG so as to control an output torque of the second MG for generating vehicle driving force. A PM-ECU sets a torque command value of the second MG such that requested driving force for an entire vehicle is exerted on a drive shaft. An MG-ECU estimates, based on a rotation speed of the second MG, a magnitude of a drag torque acting as rotational resistance when the second MG rotates at zero torque, and stops the inverter in accordance with a difference between the estimated drag torque and the torque command value.
US09242639B2
A hybrid vehicle intermittently operates and stops an engine, travels through control over torque generated by the engine and torque generated by a second motor generator, causes a fuel vapor gas purge system to carry out purging of fuel vapor gas when a predetermined condition, including a condition that a coolant temperature is higher than or equal to a permissible temperature, is satisfied, and sets the permissible temperature to a value lower when a specific driving operation state that includes a state where the number of times of accelerator operation per unit time is higher than or equal to a threshold has been detected than when the specific driving operation state has not been detected. When the specific driving operation state has been detected, the hybrid vehicle increases the updating rate of a concentration learned value of fuel vapor gas, and decreases the rate of increase in target purge rate.
US09242629B2
Method to control a clutch device within a transmission selectively coupling an internal combustion engine to a driveline includes controlling slip of the clutch device in response to an engine autostart event. Controlling slip includes adjusting a commanded fill pressure to the clutch device to a first predetermined magnitude that exceeds a pressure threshold until the clutch device is filled, decreasing the commanded fill pressure from the first predetermined magnitude to a second predetermined magnitude below the pressure threshold, and adjusting the commanded fill pressure in accordance with a first ramping profile and in accordance with a subsequent second ramping profile when a transmission input speed achieves a desired first transmission input speed.
US09242617B2
A seat belt retractor with a speed-controlled load limiting device has a belt shaft pivot-mounted in a retractor frame, a blocking device for locking the belt shaft relative to the retractor frame) in the belt extraction direction when a predetermined value of the belt webbing extraction acceleration and/or of vehicle deceleration is exceeded, and at least two toothed elements which, upon activation of the load limiting device move relative to each other. One of the toothed elements performs an oscillatory motion, wherein both parts feature teeth, with which they alternately engage and disengage during the relative motion belt shaft has a first and a second part. The second part can be locked relative to the retractor frame, and each of the toothed elements is allocated to a different part of the belt shaft.
US09242613B2
A system for controlling an airbag may include: an accident information collector configured to collect accident information and divide an entire road into a plurality of sections; an accident information analyzer configured to generate statistical information for each section by analyzing the accident information; a threshold value calculator configured to calculate a threshold value for each section, wherein the threshold value is a reference for inflating the airbag; and a inflation controller configured to determine whether to inflate the airbag based on the threshold value for each section.
US09242611B2
A engine control unit comprises: a three-phase bridge circuit that has a first end connected to the first end of the first load and a second end connected to a ground, the three-phase bridge circuit performing commutation control on an alternating-current power supplied from the motor generator or driving the motor generator; a DC-DC converter connected between the first end of the three-phase bridge circuit and a second end of the control switch; a diode that has an anode connected to the battery connecting terminal and a cathode connected to the second end of the control switch; a voltage detecting circuit that detects a voltage of the battery connecting terminal; a first switch element connected between a second end of the coil and the ground; a second switch element connected between a second end of the first load and the ground; and a control circuit.
US09242599B2
A vehicle approach alert device for a saddle-ridden electric vehicle is a vehicle approach alert device for a saddle-ridden electric vehicle that is provided with a sound emitter that is attached on the vehicle body of a saddle-ridden electric vehicle having an electric motor in a power engine, and that emits an alert sound to a surrounding area for notifying the surrounding area of approach of the saddle-ridden electric vehicle, such that sound emission of the sound emitter is controlled, and the sound emitter is arranged so that the direction of sound emission is oriented diagonally downward and forward of the saddle-ridden electric vehicle.
US09242593B1
A triaxially braided strap includes a plurality of axial strands and a plurality of longitudinal strands including a first boundary strand and a second boundary strand. Each strand of the plurality of axial strands is routed, in a repeating pattern and in the following order: under the first boundary strand; around the first boundary strand; between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the first boundary strand and the second boundary strand; under the second boundary strand; around the second boundary strand; and between respective portions of a pair of axial strands that are routed between the second boundary strand and the first boundary strand.
US09242585B2
Infant car seat assemblies suitable for functioning as both a car seat and a stroller and capable of functioning with a wide variety of commercially available car seats. The infant car seat assembly for providing mobility to an infant car seat includes at least two hubs, a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs secured to the hubs at uppermost extents thereof and having at least two wheel assemblies secured to lowermost extents thereof, and at least two adapters configured to releasably secure the hubs to the infant car seat.
US09242583B2
A recliner has a ratchet and a guide assembled together so as to be rotatable relative to each other, and a pawl supported by the guide in its circumferential direction. The pawl has an outer tooth row adapted to mesh with a part of an inner tooth row of the ratchet so as to inhibit rotational movement of the ratchet relative to the guide. The outer tooth row of the pawl is meshed with the inner tooth row of the ratchet such that only two adjacent tooth flanks located in a center of the outer tooth row in the circumferential direction are in contact with the inner tooth row, and at least one of adjacent two tooth flanks of the outer tooth row located at positions other than the center in the circumferential direction is received in the inner tooth row without being in contact with the inner tooth row.
US09242575B2
A method and system for controlling a fuel cell vehicle are provided in which a bidirectional converter monitors a state of a fuel cell vehicle in real time to improve control responsiveness in a transient state of the fuel cell vehicle. The method includes receiving, by a bidirectional converter, a command for a current limiting value in the high voltage battery from the fuel cell controller while the fuel cell vehicle is driven. In addition, the bidirectional converter is configured to determine whether the fuel cell vehicle is switched to a predetermined mode and change the current limiting value of the high voltage battery. A predetermined control is performed by the bidirectional converter based on the changed current limiting value when the fuel cell vehicle is switched to the predetermined mode.
US09242565B2
In a method for braking of a motor vehicle which is driven by a drive torque of at least one electrical machine electrically connected to an electric energy storage device, the at least one electrical machine is operated in a first operating mode as a generator for generating a generator braking torque. In a second operating mode, the at least one electrical machine is supplied with electrical energy from the energy storage device in such a way that a braking torque opposing the drive torque is generated by the at least one electrical machine.
US09242561B2
A manually propelled vehicle may include a vehicle body, a left drive wheel and a right drive wheel, a wheel driver that drives the left and right drive wheels, a sensor that detects a user behind the vehicle body, and a controller that determines whether the user is behind the left or right drive wheel based on a detected result of the sensor. When one of the left or right drive wheel moves backward and the controller detects that the user is behind the one of the left or right drive wheel, the controller suppresses or stops the wheel driver from driving the one of the left or right drive wheel.
US09242556B2
A transaxle with a tandem axle includes an engine, a transmission and a driveshaft. The transmission has an integrated interaxle differential mounted remotely from the engine. The transmission and the integrated interaxle differential are mounted on at least one vehicle frame member so that both are sprung weight on the vehicle. The driveshaft spans a gap between the engine and the transmission.
US09242548B2
A method for controlling a water pump of a vehicle moving a coolant circulating through a cooling load generating heat and a radiator includes calculating a rotation speed command based on a control reference temperature of the coolant. A water pump suction pressure is set and compared with a preset control reference pressure to control the rotation speed command. A system for controlling the water pump includes a first temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of a coolant exhausted from the cooling load and a second temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the coolant to be supplied to the cooling load. A water pump pressure sensor detects a water pump suction pressure, and a water pump driver drives the water pump. A controller controls the water pump driver based on signals received from the first temperature sensor, the second temperature sensor, and the water pump pressure sensor.
US09242545B2
A method of executing a downshift in a fixed-gear powertrain having an input node and an output node related by a starting speed ratio before the downshift and a finishing speed ratio after is provided. The downshift includes a torque phase and an inertia phase. A starting output torque is calculated as a function of a starting driver request. An electric machine applies a starting regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the starting output torque divided by the starting speed ratio. A finishing output torque is calculated as a function of a finishing driver request. The electric machine applies a finishing regenerative input torque which is calculated as substantially equal to the finishing output torque divided by the finishing speed ratio.
US09242540B2
In a vehicular battery mounting structure, a rear suspension beam has a beam main body portion extending in a vehicle width direction, and a beam end portion formed on an outside of the beam main body portion in the vehicle width direction. A sectional area of the beam end portion viewed from a side is larger than the beam main body portion. Also, a backboard forming a rear portion of a battery frame has a board main body portion that extends in the vehicle width direction and is arranged in front of the beam main body portion. A vehicle body attaching portion attached to a vehicle body frame is provided on an end portion on the outside of the board main body portion. The vehicle body attaching portion is arranged in front of the end portion on the outside of the beam main body portion, and opposing the end portion.
US09242531B2
A method for controlling a climate control system is disclosed. In one example, the climate control system includes an air mixing valve that is adjusted in response to a energy conversion device load demand. The method may provide improved climate control in a vehicle cabin during high energy conversion device load conditions.
US09242522B2
A coupler lock for attaching to a trailer hitch coupler. The hitch coupler has a socket. The coupler lock includes a locking bar and a plug member for receipt within the socket of the hitch coupler and supported by the locking bar. The coupler lock includes a base structure removably attached to the locking bar. The base structure includes a locking structure actuatable to lockingly retain the base structure attached to the locking bar so as to retain the plug member within the socket of the hitch coupler. The locking structure is positioned above the plug member with the base structure attached to the locking bar and the plug member retained within the socket of the hitch coupler.
US09242521B2
A multi-function hitch accessory retaining device and method which includes an assembly comprising a housing, receiver engagement pin, biasing mechanism, fastener, and coupling pin that is inserted into an accessory shank and configured to easily engage and disengage a conventional hitch receiver as well as a method of firmly securing the shank within the hitch receiver tube.
US09242515B2
A pneumatic tire has a belt cross-sectional width BW as a total width in a tire width direction of a belt layer and a distance Wl as a distance in the tire width direction from an edge on the tread portion side of a run flat liner to an edge of the belt layer. The belt cross-sectional width BW and the distance Wl are such that 0.25≦Wl/(BW/2)≦0.45 is satisfied. A thickness Wr in each of the side wall portions of the pneumatic tire is a thickness in the tire width direction of the run flat liner at a maximum width position, a thickness Ws is a thickness in the tire width direction of a rubber layer at the maximum width position, and the thickness Wr and the thickness Ws are such that 1.2≦Wr/Ws≦1.9 is satisfied.
US09242508B2
The omni-directional wheel includes first support parts and second support parts which support large-diameter rollers and small-diameter rollers. Each of the first support parts is disposed at a position where the first support part is held between a pair of the large-diameter rollers, while each of the second support parts is disposed at a position where the second support part is held between a pair of the small-diameter rollers. The large-diameter rollers and the small-diameter rollers are disposed such that their outlines are arranged on a single circumference, with a part of the small diameter-side end face of the small-diameter rollers partially inserted in the recessed portions of the large-diameter rollers.
US09242507B2
A guide rail type vehicle is provided with a guide wheel that comes into rolling contact with a guide rail, a switching wheel that is comes into rolling contact with a switching rail installed at a switching location of the guide rail, a wheel axle in which the guide wheel is connected to the top end and the switching wheel is connected to the bottom end, a support receiver of which the height dimension is set to be smaller than the corresponding length dimension of the wheel axle and which supports the wheel axle, and adjustment device which adjusts the sizes of a gap of the guide wheel side and a gap of the switching wheel side, which are accessed from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the wheel axle, and are therefore capable of adjusting the height of the guide wheel and the switching wheel.
US09242506B2
A modular cap assembly for covering a center bore of a wheel includes an outer piece having a first outward face with a cap retention structure formed therein, a first inward face, and a plurality of first mounting clips projecting from the first inward face to removably engage a wheel retention structure and couple the outer piece to the wheel. The cap assembly also includes a center piece having a second outward face, a second inward face, and a plurality of second mounting clips projecting from the second inward face to removably engage, one at a time, both the cap retention structure and the wheel retention structure. The second outward face is spaced from a wheel face when the center piece and outer piece are together coupled to the wheel and substantially flush with the wheel face when the center piece is coupled directly to the wheel.
US09242498B2
With the printing method according to the above described aspect of the present invention, when first ink and second ink made of resin are placed on a printing medium, a first dot for which a first ink droplet land on the printing medium and a plurality of second dots for which a plurality of second ink droplets land on the printing medium are in contact, but adjacent ones of the second dots are separated from each other. With this printing method, the first ink is high in stretchability, and the glass transition point when the second ink is cured is higher than the glass transition point when the first ink is cured.
US09242496B2
A printed material (5) has a transparent base member (51), a first image layer (52) formed on the base member, an intermediate layer (53) formed on the first image layer, and a second image layer (54) formed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer has a lower white background layer (531) positioned above the first image layer, a light blocking layer (532) positioned above the lower white background layer, and an upper white background layer (533) positioned above the light blocking layer. In the printed material, a thickness of the light blocking layer is uneven in conformity with undulation of the first image layer, and therefore a surface of the intermediate layer which is in contact with the second image layer is flat. With this structure, it is possible to prevent or suppress the undulation of the first image layer from appearing in the second image layer.
US09242494B2
A printing device includes a location area acquirer that acquires a location area for a printing subject from a background image and a foreground image; a rough edge image acquirer that acquires a first edge image showing a rough contour of the printing subject; a precise edge image acquirer that acquires a second edge image showing a precise contour of the printing subject; a location position acquirer that acquires a position and a posture of the printing subject from the second edge image; a calculator that calculates, based on the position and the posture of the printing subject, a transform matrix usable to perform normalization such that the printing subject assumes a predetermined posture; and a printing data generator that creates printing data actually usable for printing, by use of an inverse matrix of the transform matrix, from printing data edited by an operator.
US09242492B2
A recording apparatus includes a support shaft that supports a roll-shaped recording medium; a motor that applies a rotational force to the support shaft; a motor control section that controls the motor; and a recording section that performs recording on the recording medium transported from the support shaft, in which the motor control section is capable of controlling the motor so that the motor alternately enters a braking state and a non-braking state.
US09242480B2
A printer includes a light source module including an ejecting head that ejects a UV ink onto a medium. The UV ink hardens when irradiated with a UV light ray. The light source module includes an irradiator that irradiates the UV ink with the UV light ray. The printer may include a guide shaft to/from which the light module is attachable/detachable and a driving controller that performs control of the irradiator. The light source module includes, in addition to the irradiator, a memory module that stores therein information indicating a light irradiation feature of the irradiator. The driving controller performs control of the irradiator by using the information indicating a light irradiation feature of the irradiator.
US09242474B2
A printing apparatus which performs printing by ejecting liquid onto a printing medium includes a gas flow generating section that generates a gas flow to collect and exhaust liquid not used for printing, and a gas-liquid separation cyclone that swirls the gas flow so that the liquid is centrifugally separated from a gas which moves along the gas flow, wherein the gas flow generating section exhausts the gas along the gas flow after the liquid is separated from the gas by the gas-liquid separation cyclone.
US09242464B1
A liquid droplet discharge head includes a nozzle substrate; nozzles, disposed on the nozzle substrate, to discharge a liquid; a pressurized liquid chamber that communicates with the nozzles; a diaphragm forming one wall of the pressurized liquid chamber; an electromechanical transducer element for discharging, disposed on an element mount surface of the diaphragm opposite a side facing the pressurized liquid chamber; and a retainer substrate laminated to the element mount surface of the diaphragm with an adhesive. The subject head is configured to discharge a liquid inside the pressurized liquid chamber from the nozzles while the diaphragm is displaced by a drive voltage applied to the electromechanical transducer element for discharging, and the liquid droplet discharge head further comprising an electromechanical transducer element for inspection that does not perform discharging, disposed on the element mount surface of the diaphragm, to which a voltage is applied so that the diaphragm displaces.
US09242462B2
A jet stack has a set of plates forming an array of body chambers, the set of plates including a nozzle plate having an array of jets wherein each jet corresponds to a body chamber, each body chamber having an inlet to allow fluid to flow into the body chamber and an outlet to allow fluid to flow out of the body chamber, the outlet fluidically coupled to a jet in the array of jets, wherein the inlet and outlets are concentric.
US09242460B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid-discharge-head substrate is provided, which includes a plurality of elements for discharging liquid, and a heating member for heating the liquid-discharge-head substrate, the method including the steps of preparing a substrate having an insulating layer made of an insulating material provided on or above the substrate, providing a conductive layer made of a conductive material, and forming a conductive line being configured to supply current for driving the element and a part of a heating member by using the conductive layer.
US09242451B2
A printing module comprising a support and a self-adhesive rectangular sheet element having a first face coated with adhesive and arranged on the support and a second face configured to receive signs (PRT) by means of priming. The sheet element having preferential breaking lines which delimit a sheet binding element comprising: a rectangular element and a plurality of flexible tabs arranged as a comb which integrally extend along a first lamer side of the rectangular element.
US09242447B2
The present invention relates to a substance(s) deposition control device for an offset printing system, characterized in that it comprises:—at least one offset plate intended to receive a wetting liquid and a colored substance in succession,—at least one controlled-deposition means for each offset plate, the deposition means comprising at least one deposition head spraying at least one wetting solution and at least one deposition head spraying a defined colored substance,—at least one means for cleaning the offset plate, and in that the covering of the offset plate or plates comprises a mesh structure defined by a plurality of hydrophilic and lipophilic individual surfaces capable of receiving a controlled deposition of wetting liquid and/or colored substance, each of these hydrophilic and lipophilic surfaces being separated from its direct neighbors by at least one hydrophobic and lipophobic peripheral surface.
US09242444B2
A method of preventing microcavity formation in a bonding layer of a composite structure resulting from creep and thermal expansion due to high temperature exposure of the composite structure. The method includes the steps of providing a thin film with a thickness of 5 micrometers or less; providing a bonding layer of oxide with a thickness that is equal to or greater than the thickness of the thin film with the bonding layer formed by low pressure chemical vapor deposition. The thin film or support substrate have a mean thermal expansion coefficient of 7×10−6 K−1 or more. The thin film, bonding layer and support substrate combine to reduce stress in and plastic deformation of the bonding layer during exposure to high temperatures of more than approximately 900° C. to thus prevent microcavities from appearing in the bonding layer.
US09242440B2
Cells of a composite cell array are cured by placing tool blocks in the cells and inserting thermally conductive elements in each of the tool blocks. The thermally conductive elements are convectively heated by a flow of hot air. The heated conductive elements conduct heat to the tooling blocks, which then conduct heat to the cells to cure the composite and adhesive.
US09242429B2
Structures and methods for providing a liquid adhesive between substrates of a composite structure are described. Methods include providing a liquid adhesive having a thread disposed therein between two substrates of a composite structure. In some embodiments, the thread has a fixed diameter which acts to provide a consistent gap between the two substrates. In some embodiments, the thread is configured to be activated during the assembly process to facilitate curing of the liquid adhesive. In some embodiments the thread is configured to be activated after the composite structure is formed to facilitate separation of the two substrates and disassembly of the composite structure. The thread can be made of a conductive or non-conductive material. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing a voltage through the thread to heat the thread. In some embodiments, the thread is activated by passing ultraviolet light through the thread.
US09242421B2
A method for manufacturing a carbon fiber rim is disclosed, which includes: preparing a carbon fiber composite material and a thermosetting resin-based composite material; preparing a mold to place the carbon fiber composite material into the mold so that the carbon fiber composite material forms a pre-molded rim according to the shape of the mold, and then annularly affixing the thermosetting resin-based composite material respectively to brake surfaces on both sides of the pre-molded rim, so as to form a brake layer; placing the pre-molded rim into the mold to integrally form a rim by means of heat and pressure; and taking out the rim having the brake layer on the surface.
US09242420B2
A plant and a process for producing tires wherein the process includes the steps of: a) building a green tire on a toroidal support in a building line of a tire production plant; b) transferring the green tire and the relevant toroidal support from the building line of the production plant to a first holding unit; c) transferring the green tire and the relevant toroidal support from the first holding unit to a vulcanization line of the production plant; d) molding and vulcanization the green tire in the vulcanization line of the production plant; e) separating the molded and vulcanized tire from the relevant toroidal support; f) transferring the toroidal support, separated from the relevant tire, from the vulcanization line to the first holding unit; and g) transferring the toroidal support, separated from the relevant tire, from the first holding unit to the building line of the production plant, wherein steps b) and g) are carried out through a first transfer device and steps c) and f) are carried out through a second transfer device different from the first transfer device.
US09242418B2
A process is described for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens containing a Fresnel microstructured surface inside the lens. The Fresnel lens is injection molded with a mold insert having a heat conductivity lower than the thermoplastic material used to form the Fresnel lens. A second thermoplastic material is overmolded to the Fresnel lens to cover and protect the microstructured surface. The mold insert is made from nickel or a thermoplastic material. The resulting lens includes two layers having different refractive indices. The Fresnel lens may be made from polycarbonate while the overmold may be made from a poly(methyl methacrylate) or a thermoplastic polyurethane.
US09242415B2
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates to a transparent and reusable vacuum infusion heating bag for heating one or more curable materials against a tool, dispersing a permeating substance through the curable material and forming composite parts. The transparent and reusable vacuum infusion heating bag comprises a substantially transparent laminate containing a heating element. The heating element is sandwiched between a first layer and a second layer of flexible polymer material.
US09242402B2
An injection molding machine includes a machine base supporting a first platen and at least a second platen for supporting respective mold sections, and a part handling apparatus for manipulating parts associated with molded part production. The part handling apparatus includes an upright supporting an end-of-arm tooling and an adjustable mount adjustably coupling the upright to the machine base. The adjustable mount includes at least a first linear rail extending parallel to the machine axis and structurally integrated with, and fixed relative to, the machine base at an elevation below an uppermost extent of the platens. The adjustable mount further includes a carriage fixed to the upright, the carriage adjustably coupled to the first rail.
US09242400B2
A resin injection molding method of molding a resin by injection-filling an inside of a mold cavity formed by mold-clamping a pair of a design surface mold and a non-design surface mold, with a melted thermoplastic polypropylene resin composition, the method including: setting a temperature of each cavity-forming surface of the design surface mold and the non-design surface mold prior to the injection filling to 60° C. to 120° C., with the temperature of the cavity-forming surface of the design surface mold being 5° C. to 50° C. higher than the temperature of the cavity-forming surface of the non-design surface mold; and causing the resin pressure to reach a negative pressure within 7 seconds after injection filling is complete, wherein the thermoplastic polypropylene resin composition contains a crystalline polypropylene resin and a rubber component and a content of the rubber component is 1 mass % to 40 mass %.
US09242398B2
The present invention relates to a hybrid process for producing molded plastic articles by reinforcing the walls thereof through the injection of a foamed thermoplastic material, thus increasing the thickness of the wall in previously determined zones in order to improve the mechanical characteristics thereof. According to the invention, said hybrid process comprises to strengthen previously defined zones of the plastic articles formed by any of the already known processes, such as: injection, extrusion, extrusion-blowing, injection-blowing, thermoforming, roto-molding, or any combination thereof; and afterwards the injection of a foamable thermoplastic material to fill up said strengthening predesigned zones.
US09242389B2
Draw down paint sample cards, methods of making draw down paint sample cards from fresh paint using draw down paint sample cards, and systems including draw down paint sample cards and draw down bars sized for use with the draw down paint sample cards. The draw down paint sample cards may include a first side perforated line adjacent to a first side edge, a second side perforated line adjacent to a second side edge, a bottom perforated line adjacent to a bottom edge, and optionally a top perforated line adjacent to a top edge. After application of a fresh paint sample to the draw down card using a draw down bar, the perforated lines allow one or more of the unpainted edges of the draw down paint sample card to be removed to create a final paint sample card with paint extending to one or more of the edges.
US09242377B2
A robot includes a base, a first arm that rotates around a first rotation axis, a second arm that rotates around a second rotation axis extending in a direction different than the first rotation axis, a third arm that rotates around a third rotation axis extending in a direction parallel to the second rotation axis, a first inertia sensor at the first arm, a second (a) inertia sensor at the third arm, a first angle sensor at a first drive source, a third angle sensor at a third drive source, and the drive sources rotate the respective arms. Angular velocities from the first inertia sensor and the first angle sensor are fed back to a first drive source control unit. Angular velocities from the second (a) inertia sensor and the third angle sensor are fed back to a second drive source control unit.
US09242372B2
Apparatus and methods for training of robotic devices. A robot may be trained by a user guiding the robot along target trajectory using a control signal. A robot may comprise an adaptive controller. The controller may be configured to generate control commands based on the user guidance, sensory input and a performance measure. A user may interface to the robot via an adaptively configured remote controller. The remote controller may comprise a mobile device, configured by the user in accordance with phenotype and/or operational configuration of the robot. The remote controller may detect changes in the robot phenotype and/or operational configuration. User interface of the remote controller may be reconfigured based on the detected phenotype and/or operational changes.
US09242371B2
To enable a recovery control program to be executed quickly by a robot controller without needing to equip the robot controller with a large-capacity storage device, provided is a robot system, including a first robot controller for controlling a first robot. The first robot controller includes a posture information obtaining unit for obtaining information indicating a posture of the first robot when an anomaly occurs in the first robot. The robot system further includes a recovery control program generating unit for generating, by computing, based on the posture of the first robot, a recovery control program for changing the posture of the first robot to a given standby posture.
US09242367B2
A magnetic drill press includes a main housing, a drill unit supported by the main housing for relative movement therewith in a direction of a rotational axis of the drill unit, and a base coupled to the main housing for selectively magnetically latching to a ferromagnetic workpiece. The base includes a magnet holder, a fixed magnet assembly supported within the magnet holder, a rotatable magnet assembly supported within the magnet holder, and a transmission. The transmission includes an input, an output coupled to the rotatable magnet assembly for rotating the rotatable magnet assembly relative to the fixed magnet assembly through a predetermined rotation angle, and a gear train positioned between the output and the input. The gear train is configured to provide a variable gear ratio between the output and the input during at least a portion of the predetermined rotation angle.
US09242357B2
A torque-limiting device is disclosed, which may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities.
US09242354B2
A tool for assembling parts to be connected to each other includes, a body for rotating a first end and a second end of a bolt, and a holder attaching to the body for holding a fastener against rotation and in alignment with the second end of the bolt. The fastener does not rotate while rotatably receiving the second end of the bolt.
US09242352B2
A wrench comprising (a) a catch, including teeth; (b) a fixed part defining a first jaw, the fixed part including two teethed parts permanently attached to the fixed part, the fixed part configured so that the two teethed parts intermesh with the teeth of the catch; (c) a moving part, defining a second jaw, such that the first jaw and the second jaw define the jaws of the wrench; and (d) a spring, whereby: (i) the two teethed parts attached to the fixed part which together serve as a guide for the moving part that is movable inside the fixed part, allowing the catch, the fixed part and the moving part to slide over one another; (ii) the catch is located in, and attached to, the moving part and selectively fixes the moving part to the fixed part; (iii) the spring pushes the catch in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wrench against the two teethed parts; and (iv) the fixed part serves as a gripping handle with a jaws of the wrench at its end.
US09242347B2
A quick release connector for a power tool accessory having a center aperture. The connector comprises a body having a first end adapted to be attached to a shaft of a power tool and a second end that includes a connector head that is adapted to be moved axially into and to fit within the center aperture of the accessory for transferring motion from the power tool to the accessory. In one embodiment, the connector includes an indicator for providing a positive indication to a user that the connector head is properly secured to the accessory and, in another embodiment, the connector includes an ejector for pushing the accessory off of said connector head.
US09242343B2
A grinding wheel machining device includes a movable platform and a grinding wheel machining mechanism. The grinding wheel machining mechanism includes a mounting assembly, a tool holder mounted on the movable member, a machining tool mounted on the tool holder, and an adjusting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a fixing base mounted on the movable platform, a movable member mounted onto the fixing base, and a rotation shaft received into the fixing base and the movable member. The machining tool includes a cutting edge. The adjusting assembly includes a reference member and an adjusting member. The reference member is fixed on the movable member and includes a reference surface. The reference surface is coplanar with a central axis of the rotation shaft. The adjusting member is received into the tool holder and threaded into the reference surface.
US09242339B2
A polishing apparatus polishes a surface of a substrate by pressing the substrate against a polishing pad on a polishing table. The polishing apparatus includes a polishing liquid supply nozzle for supplying a polishing liquid onto the polishing pad, a polishing liquid storage mechanism disposed on the polishing pad for storing the polishing liquid on the polishing pad by damming the polishing liquid, and a polishing liquid sensor for measuring a physical quantity representing the freshness of the polishing liquid stored by the polishing liquid storage mechanism. The polishing apparatus further includes a freshness measuring instrument for calculating the freshness of the stored polishing liquid from the physical quantity measured by the polishing liquid sensor, and a freshness controller for controlling supply conditions of the polishing liquid or storage state of the polishing liquid, based on the freshness of the polishing liquid that is determined by the freshness measuring instrument.
US09242337B2
A method for controlling the residue clearing process of a chemical mechanical polishing (“CMP”) process is provided. Dynamic in-situ profile control (“ISPC”) is used to control polishing before residue clearing starts, and then a new polishing recipe is dynamically calculated for the clearing process. Several different methods are disclosed for calculating the clearing recipe. First, in certain implementations when feedback at T0 or T1 methods are used, a post polishing profile and feedback offsets are generated in ISPC software. Based on the polishing profile and feedback generated from ISPC before the start of the clearing process, a flat post profile after clearing is targeted. The estimated time for the clearing step may be based on the previously processed wafers (for example, a moving average of the previous endpoint times). The calculated pressures may be scaled to a lower (or higher) baseline pressure for a more uniform clearing.
US09242335B2
A wheel rim polishing tool simplifies the process of polishing tractor trailer wheel rims. The tool also reduces polishing time by polishing more surface area of the wheel rim per rotation as compared to what can be accomplished by hand or by means of a drill adapted with a polishing head. The tool further keeps the cost of polishing the wheel rims low by making a trip to a metal specialty shop no longer necessary. The wheel rim polishing tool is a portable device that allows the tractor trailer owner to polish their wheel rims quickly and easily.
US09242332B2
On a workpiece there are first longitudinal portions which are rotationally symmetrical with respect to the continuous longitudinal axis and are intended to be ground by way of centerless grinding. The workpiece also has a second longitudinal portion, which is not rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis and would lead to imbalance in the event of rotation. Therefore, a balancing weight having a radially extending recess is placed on the second longitudinal portion. The balancing weight contributes largely to uniform distribution of the rotating masses, thus reduces the imbalance to a very low residual imbalance and allows reliable and precise centerless grinding.
US09242327B2
A machining device for material-removing machining of a workpiece includes a stationary frame, a workpiece magazine, a workpiece slide movable relative to the frame and accommodates a workpiece and a housing which encompasses a machining chamber and is located outside the workpiece magazine, wherein the workpiece magazine accommodates a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece magazine moves workpieces to an interchange point, the workpiece slide imparts translational movement to a workpiece along an X axis during workpiece machining and the workpiece slide is movable along the X axis to such an extent that the workpiece located on the workpiece slide is movable to the interchange point disposed outside the machining chamber encompassed by the housing.
US09242326B2
A tool change magazine for a motor-driven machine tool, in particular a handheld machine tool with a tool which is to be driven in rotation, has an annular or drum-shaped housing. The housing is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The tool change magazine also includes tool chambers arranged within the housing and each configured to slidably receive a tool. The housing includes regions formed from a transparent material. The tool chambers are arranged in the housing at the regions formed from the transparent material.
US09242325B2
The invention concerns a securing device for securing a chuck, in particular a power-operated chuck, on a rotating spindle of a machine, wherein a rotating element and at least one chucking-slide assembly are provided in a main body in such a way that, when the rotating element turns, the chucking-slide assemblies change their radial position such that, in a chucking position, they force the chuck against the securing device in the axial direction.
US09242324B2
A grip member is inserted into an insertion hole of a cylindrical clamp body and is capable of extending outwards to grip the inner circumferential surface of an aperture of an article. A clamp rod is engaged with the grip member; a driving mechanism capable of driving the clamp rod forwards and backwards; a seating surface formed at the top end of the cylindrical clamp body; a case member supporting the cylindrical clamp body movably forwards and backwards; a driving mechanism capable of raising an lowering the cylindrical clamp body; and a lock mechanism having a cylindrical member into which the cylindrical clamp body is inserted so as to slide freely and capable of locking the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical clamp body by elastically deforming the cylindrical member so as to reduce its diameter.
US09242323B2
A die pressing plate including a main body, an adjusting groove, and a main through hole, each of the left or right surface of the main through hole has at least one guiding groove; a lower cushion block having a top curve surface; and an upper cushion block having a lower curve surface for engaging the top curve surface of the lower cushion block, at least one extension portion protruding away from the lower curve surface, the at least one extension portion having two blocking portions, the blocking portions of the at least one extension portion engage the at least one guiding groove, the at least one extension portion extends elastically when the blocking portion slide downwardly, and the blocking portion is blocked by the bottom surface of the main body. The die pressing plate is simple in structure, fast and convenient to assemble and use, and low in cost.
US09242320B2
An automated press feeds a string of tack pins loaded on a reel. The press shears the part from the string of fasteners and delivers each part individually to a punch for installation. The string of fasteners is pulled from the reel by a sprocket which includes peripheral teeth for engaging the fasteners and for feeding them in a vertical column to a shear station. A horizontally reciprocal shear block severs individual fasteners one-at-a-time from the end of the fastener string at the shear station, each fastener being indexed to the next shear position by incremental rotation of the sprocket. The punch includes vacuum retaining means for lifting each fastener from the shear block.
US09242317B2
A method for producing piston for an internal combustion engine which has a piston head that has a circumferential cooling channel as well as a combustion bowl having a circumferential bowl wall that makes a transition into a piston crown by way of a bowl edge region. The combustion bowl is formed at least in part by a piston base body and the bowl wall is formed at least in part from an insert. The insert is connected with the piston base body by means of beam welding. A lower weld seam is configured in the bowl wall, which seam encloses an acute angle with the piston center axis (M) and ends in the lower half of the cooling channel. An upper weld seam runs from the cooling channel ceiling to the piston crown and is disposed centered or radially offset toward the outside, with reference to the clear width of the cooling channel.
US09242311B2
A method and apparatus for propagating a laser beam. The laser beam pulse is passed through a first lens which focuses the laser beam pulse at a focal point of the first lens. An electronegative gas at substantially atmospheric pressure is configured to surround the focal point in order to suppress an ionization effect by the laser beam pulse at the focal point.
US09242307B2
A welding gun is provided that includes a handle having forward and rear end portions and having a first passageway formed therethrough. A cable support tube having forward and rear end portions and a second passageway formed therethrough is secured to the handle at the forward end portion. A welding cable having a forward end portion and a rear end portion connected to a rear connector assembly extends from the rear end portion through the first and second passageways of the handle and the cable support tube to the forward end portion disposed within the forward end portion of the cable support tube.
US09242296B2
A method for producing a rare earth magnet material which allows efficient Dy or the like diffusion into an inside thereof. This method includes a preparation step of preparing a powder mixture of magnet powder including one or more rare earth elements including neodymium, boron, and the remainder being iron; and neodymium fluoride powder; a heating step of heating a compact of the powder mixture and causing oxygen around magnet powder particles to react with the fluoride powder, thereby obtaining a lump rare earth magnet material in which neodymium oxyfluoride is wholly distributed. The fluoride powder traps oxygen enclosed in the powder mixture and fixes the oxygen as stable NdOF. When Dy is diffused into this rare earth magnet material, Dy smoothly enters into its inside without being oxidized at grain boundaries. Consequently, coercivity of the entire rare earth magnet material can be efficiently increased without wasting scarce Dy.
US09242294B2
A method of forming cooling channels in a component is provided. The component has a substrate having outer and inner surfaces. The inner surface defines at least one interior space, and a core is disposed within each interior space. The method includes forming at least one access hole in the substrate, while the core is disposed within the respective interior space, removing the core from the respective interior space, and forming at least one groove in the outer substrate surface (before or after the core is removed). Each access hole connects the groove in fluid communication with the respective interior space. The method further includes disposing a coating over at least a portion of the outer substrate surface, where the coating includes at least a structural coating that extends over the groove(s), such that the groove(s) and the structural coating together define one or more channels configured to convey a coolant from the respective interior space(s) for cooling the component.
US09242293B2
The invention relates to a method of producing a metal strip (1) in a plant, comprising a continuous casting plant (2), a first furnace (3), a second furnace (4) and an adjoining rolling mill (5). In order to save energy, the method provides in accordance with the invention the steps of: a) establishing a scope of production, which is effected, of metal slabs or metal strips (1), comprising at least two different metal slabs or metal strips (1); b) determining the respective entry temperature (TFM) into the rolling mill (5) for all metal slabs or metal strips (1) to be produced; c) determining an exit temperature (TAO1) from the first furnace (3), wherein this is selected to be smaller than the highest entry temperature (TFM), which is determined in step b), into the rolling mill (5) and smaller than or substantially the same as the lowest entry temperature (TFM), which is determined in step b), into the rolling mill (5); d) operating the first furnace (3) in such a manner that the metal slabs or metal strips (1) to be produced leave the first furnace (3) with the exit temperature (TAO1) determined in accordance with step c); e) heating or reheating a metal slab, which is to be produced, or a metal strip (1), which is to be produced, by means of the second furnace (4) to its requisite entry temperature (TFM) in the rolling mill (5) insofar as this temperature lies above the exit temperature (TAO1), which was determined in accordance with step (d), of the first furnace (3). In addition, the invention relates to a plant for producing a metal slab or a metal strip.
US09242291B2
A method of processing an alloy ingot or other alloy workpiece to reduce thermal cracking may generally comprise depositing a glass material onto at least a portion of a surface of a workpiece, and heating the glass material to form a surface coating on the workpiece that reduces heat loss from the workpiece. The present disclosure also is directed to an alloy workpieces processed according to methods described herein, and to articles of manufacture including or made from alloy workpieces made according to the methods.
US09242285B2
A manufacturing method and device for a drive plate that make it possible to obtain well-tensioned teeth at a ring gear portion while extending the life of a shaping die. A preferred embodiment provides a manufacturing device including: a compression punch that compresses a side wall portion of a raw material in an axial direction, the raw material including a bottom surface portion and the side wall portion which is cylindrical and provided to extend upright from an outer peripheral end portion of the bottom surface portion. A compression die disposed to face the compression punch in the axial direction and having a toothed shape formed on an inner peripheral surface. The compression punch contacts the compression die, and thereafter the compression die is pushed by the compression punch to form a toothed shape on the side wall portion while moving in the axial direction.
US09242278B1
Disclosed herein is a high-efficiency acoustic wave generator using a pulsed thermal radiation beam. The generator is configured such that when a pulse beam formed by a light interrupter is directly radiated onto a porous material having a woven net or steel scrubber shape, thin wires of the porous material repeatedly rapidly thermally-expand and contract, whereby air in the space between the wires is momentarily heated and cooled, and the expansion and contraction of air is directly transmitted to an air column formed just adjacent to the porous material. By virtue of the above structure, the efficiency of the generator is markedly improved compared to the conventional technique, and the productivity is also greatly enhanced.
US09242265B2
A 3D dispensing apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a motion platform, at least two dispense heads for dispensing and multiple fixtures for holding articles to be processed simultaneously, a motion control module for automated motions of said dispense heads relative to said fixtures. Said motions includes three orthogonally X-Y-Z arranged linear motions and first and second rotational motions, the rotational axis of the first rotational motion being divergent from the rotational axis of the second rotational motion. The dispense heads or the fixtures are arranged to a slave unit being arranged to realize at least one of said two rotational movements so that the dispense heads or the fixtures therein realize simultaneously and equally said rotational motion.
US09242264B2
A water jet device and a water dance speaker comprising the water jet device are disclosed. The water jet device comprises a base container, a drive unit and fans driven by the drive unit, the drive unit being mounted externally to a bottom of the base container, while the fans internally to the bottom of the base container. A cover plate, disposed on the base container to engage therewith, comprises via holes thereon and coordinates with the base container to form a chamber to contain liquids. On the side of the cover plate away from the base container are formed protrusions vertical to the cover plate, a first via hole penetrating each of the protrusions. The present invention provides a water jet device capable of recycling water resources and preventing water leak. Therefore, the water jet device as disclosed is safe in use and possesses practical applicability.
US09242247B2
A wear assembly for use on a driven roll for earth-working machines and the like operations that eases replacement of the wear parts, lengthens the life of the bases, reduces the amount of throw-away material to be discarded, and has a lower manufacturing cost. The wear part overlies and protects the base to prolong the useable life of the base, lessen machine downtime, and reduce throw-away material. The use of an overlying adapter eases and speeds replacement of the wear parts to further limit downtime of the machine. The wear part is preferably a two-piece component with no machined parts for a lower manufacturing cost and easy replacement.
US09242243B2
Provided according to some embodiments of the invention are anion exchange polyelectrolytes that include an at least partially fluorinated polyaromatic polymer backbone; and at least one cationic functional group pendant therefrom. Also provided are anion exchange membranes (AEMs) formed from at least one anion exchange polyelectrolyte according to an embodiment of the invention, and fuel cells including such AEMs.
US09242233B2
Methods for preparing bound non-acidic germanium zeolite catalysts are disclosed, where the preparation is reproducible and scalable and where the catalysts have similar or the same activity and selectivities of a standard naphtha aromatization catalyst and methods for aromatizing naphtha.
US09242227B2
A catalyst composition comprises (i) a support; (ii) a dehydrogenation component comprising at least one metal or compound thereof selected from Groups 6 to 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements; and (iii) potassium or a potassium compound present in an amount of about 0.15 to about 0.6 wt % of potassium based upon the total weight of the catalyst composition, wherein the catalyst composition has an oxygen chemisorption of greater than 50%.
US09242221B2
A plant for chemical or physical treatment of granular solids includes a fluidized-bed reactor, a solids supply conduit and a central gas supply tube. A cooling tube is disposed relative to the gas supply tube so as to form an annular cooling duct, which is configured to cool the gas supply tube and the process gas and is connected with a coolant source configured to supply a coolant with a temperature of below about 400° C. Outlet openings are disposed in the cooling tube. The fluidized-bed reactor is a Venturi reactor in which the cooling tube opens into a flared portion with the outlet openings connecting the annular cooling duct with the reactor interior. The cooling tube adjoins the gas supply tube and extends substantially parallel to the flared portion of the reactor.
US09242219B2
A fluidized bed biogasifier is provided for gasifying biosolids. The biogasifier includes a reactor vessel and a feeder for feeding biosolids into the reactor vessel at a desired feed rate during steady-state operation of the biogasifier. A fluidized bed in the base of the reactor vessel has a cross-sectional area that is proportional to at least the fuel feed rate such that the superficial velocity of gas is in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). In a method for gasifying biosolids, biosolids are fed into a fluidized bed reactor. Oxidant gases are applied to the fluidized bed reactor to produce a superficial velocity of producer gas in the range of 0.1 m/s (0.33 ft/s) to 3 m/s (9.84 ft/s). The biosolids are heated inside the fluidized bed reactor to a temperature range between 900° F. (482.2° C.) and 1700° F. (926.7° C.) in an oxygen-starved environment having a sub-stoichiometric oxygen level, whereby the biosolids are gasified.
US09242214B2
A mixing baffle for mixing a fluid flow in a static mixer includes a mixing element support structure extending along a longitudinal direction and a first set of moveable mixing elements coupled to the mixing element support structure. The first set of moveable mixing elements is formed in a first configuration and moves to a second configuration when the mixing baffle is inserted into a tubular conduit. In the second configuration, the first set of moveable mixing elements is optimized for mixing fluids and defines a plurality of undercuts that are difficult to mold. The mixing baffle may also include a second set of stationary mixing elements that interlace with the first set of moveable mixing elements when the first set of moveable mixing elements moves to the second configuration.
US09242213B1
A forward osmosis system using submerged hollow fiber membranes, a draw solution of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (preferably an iron oxide core with a silica shell that is chemically treated with a dispersant stabilizing it in a permanent suspension), that produces an osmotic pressure that drives fluid through the semipermeable membrane and a magnetic field produced by either a permanent magnet or solenoid-type electromagnet that is applied to either separate and reuse or to prevent the movement of the magnetic nanoparticles away from the membrane surface area. Since forward osmosis is independent of both the type of membrane (hyper, nano, ultra, or micro) and the fluid type (the fluid being processed can be oil or water-based), it can be widely applied to many fluid processes within the water treatment (wastewater treatment, demineralizing industrial cooling water, and seawater desalination) and non-water treatment industries such as the food and beverage, medical, and chemical industries.
US09242197B2
A filter element for filtering air includes a filter body (2) and a seal arrangement (3). The seal arrangement includes a seal member secured onto the filter body (2) extending circumferentially about the filter body (2). The seal member forms a groove (11) inside the seal member; the groove opening to the exterior of the seal member on a first side of the seal member and includes an elastic plastic foam (4) operable to form a seal is arranged in the groove (11).
US09242194B2
A device (1) comprises filtering means (30) for removing particles from a fluid, which have a particle collecting face (31) for collecting particles during use of the device (1), and a chamber (10) in which a fluid is present and in which the filtering means (30) are arranged. An inlet (11) of the chamber (10) comprises a spouting part (20) which serves for spouting the fluid to be filtered in a direction towards the particle collecting face (31) of the filtering means (30). An arrangement of the spouting part (20) and the particle collecting face (31) with respect to each other is adapted to generate, during operation of the device (1), a rotating flow pattern in the fluid that is present in the chamber (10) under the influence of the flow of the fluid to be filtered, whereby particles can be blown away from the particle collecting face (31).
US09242190B2
A method of removing fines from a hydrocarbon-containing fluid can include preparing a bed media of particulate earthen material (12). The hydrocarbon-containing fluid having fines therein can be passed through the bed media (12) at a flow rate such that a portion of the fines are retained in the bed media (12) to form a filtered hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The flow rate is sufficient to maintain a wetting film of the hydrocarbon-containing fluid across at least a majority portion of the particulate earthen material which is contacted by the hydrocarbon-containing fluid. The filtered hydrocarbon-containing fluid can be recovered from the bed media (12) via a suitable outlet (16) having substantially reduced or eliminated fines content.
US09242188B2
A low-load distributor is disclosed for mass transfer columns for applying liquid onto the surface of packing stages of the mass transfer columns with at least one liquid supply, a plurality of liquid dispensing points and dwell time delay devices disposed between the liquid supply and the liquid dispensing points. An exemplery low-load distributor can be easily manufactured for a very low liquid flow rate and is characterized by high operation reliability. A dwell time delay devices can include absorbent open-pored storage material and the flow resistance of the storage material can increase in the liquid flow direction, starting from the liquid supply in the direction towards the liquid dispensing points.
US09242185B2
A toy has one or more LED light sources positioned on the toy so the light source illuminates beyond the toy. A toy to be worn on the human finger comprises a body includes an anchoring portion for receiving or locating a finger or fingers. A finger puppet toy permits for at least one of a reading tool and a light source or an enhancement of other toys or writings. A LED or other light source is operated on the toy to interact with photo-luminescent ink and other inks. A photo-luminescent ink and other inks are pre-printed or included in a decoration on the surface of another item such as a book or other toy. The toy is a reading tool or a light source or an enhancement of other toys or writings. The LED light sources include a black light and may include other LED lights of other colors. The lights are connected to a circuit board and an integrated power source, which are connected to a switch encased on the toy. The mechanism, number and location of LED lights, the circuit board, wiring, power source and switch are further defined based on the shape of the character of the toy.
US09242169B2
Provided is a heeling apparatus. The heeling apparatus includes a sole including a forefoot portion and a heel portion. The heel portion has an opening formed therein. In one embodiment, the sole includes a removable portion. The heeling apparatus further includes a wheel assembly including wheel rotably mounted to an axle and a mounting structure, wherein the wheel extends through the opening in the heel portion.
US09242159B1
A method of training a baseball player with a sports training apparatus having a fastener removably affixable to a defined portion of a user; a generally stationary batter's wall with vertically spaced attachment points; an elastic connector connecting the fastener and the attachment points; a belt strap having a front hip fastener, a rear hip fastener, and a forward fastener; an anchor having an anchoring device for anchoring into a ground surface and an anchor fastener as the attachment; an elastic connector connecting the rear hip fastener with an attachment point on the wall; a bat having a barrel; and a bat barrel cuff strapped to a barrel of a bat held by the user, with an elastic connector connecting the bat barrel cuff to an attachment point approximately bat barrel height directly behind the user. Any one of several exercises can be performed by connecting at least one elastic connector between at least one fastener and at least one attachment point, followed by performing a physical maneuver with the defined portion of the user to which the fastener is affixed.
US09242156B2
A ball bat includes a handle portion having a generally uniform outer diameter with respect to a longitudinal axis, a barrel portion and an element coupled to the handle member. The barrel portion has a proximal and distal regions spaced apart by a central region. The element has a tapered proximal region and barrel engaging region. The element has a tubular wall defining a bore for receiving the handle member, and an outer wall extending over a portion of its length. The outer wall is spaced apart from the tubular wall by at least one rib. The barrel engaging region non-removably engages the proximal region of the barrel portion. The bat has a total length measured from a proximal end of the handle portion to a distal end of the barrel portion. The handle portion has a length that is less than 70 percent of the total length.
US09242150B2
A system for identifying ball movement and position is disclosed. The system includes a ball for use in a sport activity comprising a lace or thread on, or adjacent to, an outer surface of the ball, and a communication element such as a wire or antenna disposed within the lace or thread, the ball's communication element being adapted to communicate via a signal received from, or sent to, one or more communication elements, such as a transmitter or receiver, disposed at or near a playing area. The playing area communication elements are adapted to communicate ball position based upon the signals sent and/or received. A processor is provided which is adapted to translate or process information received by the playing area communication elements into position, trajectory and/or movement of the ball. A method of identifying ball movement, trajectory and position and a ball for use with a ball movement and position identification system are also disclosed.
US09242144B2
A golf ball having a good rebound and excellent flight performance can be obtained using a golf ball composition which includes a diene polymer having a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of less than 1.9.
US09242141B2
An apparatus comprising a base, support and resistive band to provide consumers a method for conditioning, preventing or rehabilitating injuries from running, sports and fitness activities.
US09242140B1
A stepping exerciser having a connecting device for training balance includes two stepping units and a connecting unit disposed between the two stepping units. Through the connecting unit, the two stepping units can be used in a stable state to enhance safety of use. Furthermore, because the connecting unit provides an angle adjustment function, the relative position of the two stepping units can be changed. The use of the stepping exerciser can be adjusted according to the user's own physical status and age. The present invention provides a variety of changes for use so as to train balance and muscles throughout the body. The exercise effect and amusement of use can be enhanced.
US09242139B2
Disclosed is an exercise apparatus for use in developing strength and flexibility in all muscular groups of a person's core as well as the major muscle groups of in the arms, legs and neck. The device uses an elastic ball and ball support to evenly distribute contact forces between the person's body and the device while preventing ball motion during stretching, exercising, and physical therapy. The exercise apparatus also comprises a torso support and a foot ladder to that are configured to provide stability and comfort to a user while enabling the user to undertake a multitude of optimal stretching, exercising and rehabilitation regimens. Additionally, the device may be used with free weights or elastic members. In some embodiments the exercise device further comprises elastic members comprised of elastic straps, wherein the exercise apparatus is configured to provide resistance directions, planes of motion, and range of motion to a user that are not achievable with other devices.
US09242137B1
A door-mounted exercise apparatus, comprising: a) a first strap, operable to removeably circumnavigate a door along its width even when the door is closed, said first strap comprising: (i) a first fastener operable to adjustably tighten the first strap circumferentially around the door's width, such that a user's feet can be inserted between the first strap and the door to securely adhere the feet up against a front or back surface of the door along the door's width, and; b) a second strap affixed to the first strap along a length of the first strap, and; c) a third strap, affixed at the two ends of its length along a width of the first strap, such that the second strap is operable to loop in between the first strap and the third strap, such that each of the user's feet fits between the second strap and the first strap on either side of the third strap, and such that the balls of the user's feet touch the first strap instead of the door's surface; Whereby the door-mounted exercise apparatus enables the user to perform sit-ups with their feet secured.
US09242132B2
A method of fire suppression may include injecting a reactive agent into a reaction zone to produce a catalytically active species for fire suppression and conveying the catalytically active species to a fire to catalytically interfere with flame chemistry of the fire. Fire in a fuel tank may be suppressed by injecting the reactive agent into a convective flow of a mixture of fuel and oxidizer in a fuel tank, the reactive agent reacting in the fuel tank to release a species which catalytically interferes with flame chemistry to suppress fire in the fuel tank. Fire at an airplane crash may be suppressed by releasing the reactive agent from the container at the crash site to produce an active species to catalytically interfere with a fire at the crash site.
US09242124B2
Low-temperature stable concentrate compositions comprising an acyl glycinate present in an amount greater than 70 wt % by weight of the composition; and b) at least one of a zwitterionic surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant present in an amount greater than 0.1 wt % by weight of the composition, wherein the concentrate is low temperature stable.
US09242122B2
Apparatus comprising an ultrasound ablation system (10), which comprises a reflection-facilitation element (12), configured to be placed at an extramyocardial site of a subject, and to provide an extramyocardial reflective region; and an ultra-sound tool (20), which comprises at least one ultrasound transducer (40) configured to be positioned within a heart chamber of the subject. The ultrasound transducer (40) is configured to ablate myocardial tissue by applying ultrasound energy to the myocardial tissue such that at least a portion of the transmitted energy is reflected by the reflective region onto the myocardial tissue. Other embodiments are also described.
US09242121B2
An ultrasonic transducer is disclosed, which includes one or a plurality of ultrasonic emitting units. Wavefronts of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the one or the plurality of ultrasonic emitting units are sphere surfaces with uniform radius, and the one or the plurality of ultrasonic emitting units can reflect ultrasound. The one ultrasonic emitting unit is configured to form a spherical resonant cavity, or the plurality of ultrasonic emitting units are configured to form a spherical resonant cavity collectively. An internal cavity of the spherical resonant cavity has a spherical shell shape or a cross-sectional spherical shell shape with a spherical center therein. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the one or the plurality of ultrasonic emitting units are focused on an area in which the spherical center of the spherical resonant cavity is located. The ultrasonic transducer not only can be provided with a large ultrasonic emitting area and a great focusing gain that render the energy of the ultrasonic focus enhanced dramatically, but also can be free from the influence of work frequency of an ultrasonic source.
US09242114B2
This document relates to cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to systems and techniques for protecting rescuers from electrical shock during defibrillation of a patient.
US09242109B2
Apparatus and methods configured to perform power regulation for an implantable device are presented. In an aspect, an implantable device can include a substrate that forms at least part of a body of the implantable device and a circuit disposed on or within the substrate. The circuit can include a high load power regulator configured to provide a first current level to components of the implantable device and a low load power regulator configured to provide a second current level to components of the implantable device, wherein the second current level is lower that the first current level. The circuit can also include a regulator switch configured to enable or disable current draw from the high load power regulator and the low load power regulator as a function of power state and associated power requirement of the components of the implantable device.
US09242102B2
A leadless cardiac pacemaker having a radial fixation mechanism is provided. The cardiac pacemaker can include fixation mechanism separate from a pacing electrode and having a diameter equal to or less than the outer diameter of the pacemaker. The fixation mechanism can allow the pacemaker to be inserted into tissue with less than 2 rotations of the pacemaker to place the pacing electrode in contact with the tissue. In some embodiments, the fixation mechanism can comprise a plurality of hooks or protrusions positioned near a distal portion of the pacemaker. The fixation mechanism(s) can be configured to penetrate the endocardium of the patient and reside mostly within the myocardium. Methods of delivering the leadless cardiac pacemaker into the heart are also provided.
US09242101B2
Dual chamber pacemaker systems can lead to two forms of pacemaker-facilitated tachycardia—pacemaker-mediated tachycardia (PMT) and tracking of sinus or atrial tachycardia. Current pacemaker algorithms can not always differentiate between these two tachycardias. Various embodiments for differentiating these particular mechanisms of pacemaker-facilitated tachycardia, which is based on the specific termination response to PVARP extension are provided. The response to PVARP extension (V-A-A-V vs V-A-V) is a specific method for differentiation and can be used in conjunction with observations of atrial rate and electrogram morphology (or surface P wave morphology) for distinguishing between the two mechanisms of pacemaker-facilitated tachycardia.
US09242095B2
Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.
US09242094B2
An implantable nerve stimulation device has a sensor system, a data processor in communication with the sensor system, and a nerve stimulation system in communication with the data processor and constructed to provide electrical stimulation to at least one branch of at least one vestibulocochlear nerve. The nerve stimulation system includes an electrode array that has a first plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a superior branch of the vestibular nerve, a second plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a horizontal branch of the vestibular nerve, a third plurality of electrodes structured to be surgically implanted in electrical communication with a posterior branch of the vestibular nerve, and a common crus reference electrode structured to be surgically implanted into a common crus of the vestibular labyrinth.
US09242093B1
A specialty garment accessory to be used with a hearing improvement device having a pair of external magnetic microphones magnetically attached to opposite sides of a person's head and each external magnetic microphone having a power cord extending from a respective external microphone to a respective driving unit/sound process, each sound and power cord extending through a respective loop in the specialty garment accessory and connected to its driving unit/sound processor which are respectively retained in a respective pocket on a sleeve of the specialty garment accessory and a respective cover which covers each respective pocket so that the sound and power cords are mostly concealed within the specialty garment accessory and the driving unit/sound processors are concealed within a respective pocket.
US09242090B2
Herein is disclosed a probe, including a first electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a second electrode disposed at least partially on the probe surface, a first conductor electrically coupled to the first electrode, a second conductor electrically coupled to the second electrode, and a reactive element electrically coupling the first conductor and the second conductor.
US09242088B2
A catheter may include electrodes for transvascular nerve stimulation. The electrodes may be positioned within lumens of the catheter and aligned with apertures in the outer wall of the catheter. The electrodes may produce focused electrical fields for stimulation of one or more nerves. In one embodiment, the catheter may include a set of proximal electrodes and a set of distal electrodes, and the proximal electrodes may stimulate a patient's left phrenic nerve and the distal electrodes may stimulate a patient's right phrenic nerve.
US09242087B2
Implantable electrically conductive devices are provided having a nanocomposite material coating comprising gold nanoparticles or carbon nanotubes. Such an implantable device may be a neural or other implantable prosthesis, including microelectrodes for use in vivo. The devices may have dimensions on a cellular scale. Further, the devices may be highly flexible and electrically conductive, while also having low impedance and high storage charge capacity. Layer-by-layer methods for fabricating such nanocomposite materials for implantable devices are also provided. Methods for direct-write lithography patterning of such nanocomposite material coatings are also provided.
US09242083B2
The present invention is directed to control of medical fluid injection systems. For instance, in some embodiments, an injection protocol may be initiated, and an actual flow rate of the medical fluid utilized in the injection protocol may be adjusted based, at least in part, on an inherent system elasticity of the injection system.
US09242078B2
The CSF shunt valve includes an elongate, hollow housing and a valve unit disposed within the housing. A plurality of exit ports are formed along the wall of the housing, and a plurality of bleeder ports are formed on the bottom of the housing. The valve unit includes at least one regulating mechanism disposed within the housing. Each regulating mechanism includes an obstructing member operatively attached to a spring. The spring is compressible within a predefined range of fluid pressure. The obstructing member compresses the attached spring in response to fluid pressure acting thereon, opening the exit ports for fluid being drained. The spring-biased obstructing members facilitate self-adjustment for drainage flow. Although arranged in series, the range limits are not continuous with subsequent springs, which safeguards against transient spikes in fluid pressure and ensures independent compression of subsequent springs in response to the predefined limits of pressure for that spring.
US09242071B2
A hub assembly is provided for accommodating a medical professional to grip and manipulate two components of a catheter hub and move one component longitudinally relative to the other, then removably engaging the two components of the catheter hub to restrict movement there between. The two catheter hub components include a proximal hub and a distal hub. The proximal hub and the distal hub are configured to removably engage with one another. The proximal hub is affixed to a first catheter member, such as a multi-lumen catheter, while the distal hub is affixed to a second catheter member, such as a sheath. The first catheter member and the second catheter member are cooperatively engaged and concentric with one another. Relative movement of the proximal and distal hubs translates into relative movement of the first and second catheter members.
US09242069B2
A method is described for repairing tissue of a selected organ from among heart, brain, liver, pancreas, kidney, and glands in a patient's body. In the method, stem cells that have the capability to repair tissue of the selected organ are intraluminally applied through a designated natural body vessel or duct leading to a predetermined target site of the tissue of the selected organ to be repaired. The stem cells are delivered into the respective vessel or duct through a catheter having a proximal portion of relatively larger central lumen diameter and outer diameter, and a distal portion of relatively smaller central lumen diameter and outer diameter, the two portions being integral with one another so that stem cells delivered into the central lumen of the proximal portion will flow through and exit the central lumen of the distal portion, the lumen diameter and length of each of the two portions being selected to minimize the pressure drop across the catheter during flow of the stem cells.
US09242066B2
A system comprises a respiratory delivery arrangement adapted to cover at least one respiratory orifice of a patient. The system also comprises a first conduit having a first end and a second end, the second end connected to the respiratory delivery arrangement. A positive pressure is provided to the respiratory orifice via the first conduit and a second conduit having a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end connected to the respiratory delivery arrangement. An exhaled gas is extracted from the respiratory orifice by one or both of a valve configured to redirect flow through the respiratory delivery arrangement and a venturi opening.
US09242062B2
A breathing mask includes an elastomeric cushion with a sealing lip having an outer engagement surface configured to sealingly abut against the patient's face. The sealing lip has a plurality of zones. A first zone has an elastomeric wall and includes a portion of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against a bridge of a patient's nose. A second zone has an elastomeric wall and includes a portion of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against the patient's face at a location opposite the first zone. A pair of intermediate zones include portions of the elastomeric cushion adapted to abut against the patient's face between the first and second zones and have relatively thick elastomeric walls compared to the elastic walls of the first and second zones so that the pair of intermediate zones has a higher load-bearing capability than the first and second zones.
US09242060B2
An elbow for a mask system includes a proximal end adapted to be provided to the mask system, a distal end adapted to be provided to an air delivery conduit, and a baffle provided within the proximal end. The baffle has a generally planar configuration that defines an intake port that directs incoming air from the air delivery conduit into a mask cavity and an exhaust port separated from the intake port that directs exhaust air from the mask cavity to atmosphere. The baffle includes an end portion that is adapted to extend into the mask cavity defined by the mask system.
US09242052B2
A method for directly delivering whereby a substance is introduced into an intradermal space within mammalian skin which involves administering the substance through at least one small gauge hollow needle having an outlet with an exposed height between 0 and 1 mm. The outlet is inserted into the skin to a depth of between 0.3 mm and 2 mm such that the delivery of the substance occurs at a depth between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.
US09242051B2
A needle assembly for a drug delivery device includes a cup-shaped receptacle of non-circular cross-section having a bottom section supporting a needle element. The needle element is adapted to penetrate a pierceable seal of a cartridge to be disposed in a cartridge holder of the drug delivery device. The receptacle includes a fastening mechanism adapted to engage with a fastening mechanism of a support section of the cartridge holder for releasably fastening the needle assembly. The fastening mechanisms are convertible into a release configuration by changing the distance between mutually corresponding fastening mechanisms through twisting the receptacle with respect to the support section.
US09242043B2
Portable or ambulatory infusion devices and systems capable of remotely updating an ambulatory fluid delivery device include safety protocols that verify the status of the ambulatory fluid delivery device before and after a field update of software. Methods of accomplishing the same field update of software are also described.
US09242038B2
A diabetes therapy device is disclosed herein, which includes a profile memory storing a parameter profile and a dedicated reference time mark. The parameter profile defines at least one parameter that is associated with insulin administration as a function of time for a generally circadian chronobiological cycle. The reference time mark indicates the beginning of the circadian chronobiological cycle and initializes a running time. Insulin amounts to be administered are determined as a function of the running time in accordance with a current matching of the parameter profile. A modified matching based on the reference time mark and an upcoming trigger time is computed and is time-shifted from the current matching, wherein the modified matching is applied by making the modified matching the current matching, such that future insulin amounts to be administered are determined in accordance with the modified matching.
US09242036B2
There is provided a sorbent for removing metabolic waste products from a dialysis liquid, the sorbent comprising a layer of immobilized uremic toxin-treating enzyme particles intermixed with cation exchange particles.
US09242028B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising a pH-responsive microgel particle, wherein the particle is adapted to undergo a conformational change in response to a variation in pH. The compositions may be used as medicaments for treating a disease characterized by damaged or degenerated soft tissues (e.g. intervertebral discs).
US09242018B2
A portable light fastening assembly for use with the human interface of an electronic device includes a lamp housing and an adjustable attachment device extending from the lamp housing. An ultra-violet (UV) light source is at least partially enclosed in the lamp housing such that the adjustable attachment device includes an engagement member and a receptacle housing such that the engagement member can be removably fastened within the receptacle housing for holding the lamp housing in a fixed position.
US09242017B2
An integrated circuit includes a sensing module, a measuring module, a comparing module, and memory. The sensing module senses radiation incident on the integrated circuit. The measuring module communicates with the sensing module and measures an amount of the radiation incident on the integrated circuit. The comparing module communicates with the measuring module and compares the amount of the radiation to a predetermined threshold and generates an indication that the amount of the radiation is less than the predetermined threshold or that the amount of the radiation is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold. The memory stores the indication.
US09242016B2
The present invention is directed α-particle emitting nanoparticles that comprise a lanthanide phosphate sequestration shell enclosing an α-emitting-radioisotope-doped lanthanide phosphate core such that the shell allows at least some of the α emissions from the α-emitting radioisotope to pass therethrough and prevents at least some radioactive decay products of the α-emitting radioisotope from exiting the α-particle emitting nanoparticle. Further, such α-particle emitting nanoparticles may be coated with gold and functionalized. Additionally, a method for making and using the same are disclosed.
US09242015B2
The invention provides compounds and a method for imaging aggregated α-synuclein, e.g., Lewy bodies or Lewy neurites, in a tissue or organ.
US09242003B2
Surface-modified heavy metal nanoparticles, including a heavy metal core and a coating layer, the coating layer having at least one ligand, conjugated to polyethylene glycol, the at least one ligand is selected from N-acetyl cysteine, albumin, cysteine, methionine, glutathione, amino thiols, thio-carboxylic acids, ammonia, amines, diamines or any combination thereof. Compositions including surface-modified heavy metal nanoparticles and uses thereof in treatment and diagnosis of various conditions.
US09241997B2
The invention relates to the use of saccharide, such as lactose for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of one or more symptoms caused by bacterial vaginosis, wherein the medicament comprises at least 20 percent by weight of saccharide, and wherein the medicament is substantially free from bacteria. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for treating one or more symptoms associated with bacterial vaginosis, as well as a pharmaceutical composition comprising the saccharide.
US09241993B2
Described is a compound capable of reducing or inhibiting (a) the biological activity of branched-chain-aminotranferase-1 (BCAT1) or (b) the expression of the gene encoding BCAT1 for use in a method of treating a neoplasia. A preferred compound is 1-(aminomethyl) cyclohexaneacetic acid (gabapentin).
US09241983B2
The present invention encompasses methods and compositions for Ureaplasma infection prevention and/or treatment. In specific cases, the invention concerns vaccines for Ureaplasma, including DNA vaccines. In certain embodiments, the invention regards vaccines directed towards the multiple-banded antigen(s) of Ureaplasma.
US09241977B2
Techniques and devices for removing (filtering out) unwanted/inhibitory components (for example, products, byproducts and/or cell output such as inhibitory catabolic proteins) from a composition (for example, autologous fluid or serum) containing such unwanted/inhibitory components. The devices include at least one construct designed to contain a composition (for example, autologous fluid or serum) containing inhibitory/unwanted components (products, byproducts and/or output of cells such as inhibitory catabolic proteins). The construct is provided with interior walls including specific protein capturing means designed to remove the inhibitory/unwanted component(s) (for example, specific protein(s)) from the composition. Proteins targeted for capture include, but are not limited to, catabolic cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-α, IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ and MMPS as these proteins inhibit the healing process.
US09241971B1
Disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for treating a skin condition caused by a bacterial infection at a skin depth with a topical ointment comprising vancomycin hydrochloride. Also disclosed herein are methods, compositions, and kits for testing susceptibility of vancomycin for treating a bacterial infection at a skin depth, and of optimizing a topical ointment therapeutic regimen.
US09241966B1
An external-use curing and nursing traditional Chinese medicine for ichthyosis and xerodermia include, in parts by weight, for curing: 6-10 Cortex Dictamni, 5-8 Herba Lycopodii, 3-8 Flos Carthami, 3-8 Herba speranskiae tuberculatae, 6-10 Herba Menthae, 4-8 Folium Artemisiae Argyi, 3-6 GONGGUI, 3-6 Fructus Kochiae, 3-6 Cortex erythrinae, 3-6 Herba Artemisiae, 3-6 Ramulus Mori, 3-6 Bletilla striata, 3-8 Radix Paeoniae Rubra, 3-6 Rhizoma Atractylodis, 3-6 Asarum sieboldi, 2-4 Herba Leonuri, 3-5 Radix Ginseng Rubra, and 4-8 Radix Bupleuri; and include, in parts by weight, for nursing: 3-6 Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, 3-6 Rehmannia glutinosa, 3-6 Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., 3-5 Alisma plantago aquatica, 3-8 Ophiopogon japonicus, 3-8 aloes, 10-30 Astragalus membranaceus, 3-5 Poria cocos, 5-14 FRUCTUS CORNI, 5-14 Rhizoma Dioscoreae, 3-6 peach kernel, 3-6 tremella, and 1-3 Panax. It is convenient to use, pain free, no side effect, no anti-medicine reaction is produced, and it operates quickly and has significant therapeutic effect.
US09241957B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for decreasing photosensitivity induced by photodynamic therapy (PDT). The compositions and methods of the present method employ porphyrin complexing molecules as agents for reducing photosensitivity.
US09241955B2
Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.
US09241940B2
The present invention relates to processes for the manufacture of suspensions comprising one or more water soluble or water insoluble pharmaceutical or nutraceutical active ingredients with a particle size in the range of from 0.01 to 10 micron. More specifically, suspensions prepared by this process can be used to formulate pharmaceutical compositions, especially in liquid fill capsules.
US09241935B2
The present invention is directed to sublingual formulations containing fentanyl, a pharmaceutically acceptable sale thereof, or derivative thereof, suitable for administration to a patient, and methods for treatment with the formulations.
US09241931B2
A pyrazolopyridine compound according to Formula I, able to inhibit JAK is disclosed, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, a solvate thereof, solvates of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and biologically active metabolites thereof. The compound may be prepared as a pharmaceutical composition, and may be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of a variety of conditions in mammals including humans, and particularly, such conditions as may be associated with aberrant JAK activity, including by way of non-limiting example, allergy, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, proliferative diseases, transplant rejection, diseases involving impairment of cartilage turnover, congenital cartilage malformations, and/or diseases associated with hypersecretion of IL6.
US09241922B2
A pharmaceutical solution of taxanes, its preparation method, a composition comprising said solution and its pharmaceutical combination package are disclosed. Said pharmaceutical solution comprises taxanes, a pH regulator and a solvent, wherein the pH regulator is a water-soluble acid.
US09241919B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to methods and compositions for treating symptoms related to inflammatory conditions and to methods and compositions for treating inflammatory components of common cold, utilizing various method of administration of X-ray contrast media (CM).
US09241917B2
The present invention discloses methods of use of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers, including pharmaceutical uses of the polymers and oligomers as antimicrobial agents and antidotes for hemorrhagic complications associated with heparin therapy. The present invention also discloses novel facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers and their compositions, including pharmaceutical compositions. The present invention further discloses the design and synthesis of facially amphiphilic polymers and oligomers.
US09241916B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the cognitive performance of a subject in need thereof. A method may include administering to a subject an agent that increases the level of protein or activity of a sirtuin, such as SIRT1.
US09241915B2
This invention relates to a method for enhancing the bioavailability of a therapeutically active compound of the formula (I) or a geometric isomer, a stereoisomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester thereof or a metabolite thereof, wherein said compound is administered orally to the individual in connection with the intake of food.
US09241910B2
The present invention provides an orally-disintegrating solid preparation such as a tablet produced by tabletting fine granules showing controlled release of a pharmaceutically active ingredient and an additive, and the like, and the orally-disintegrating solid preparation containing fine granules coated with a coating layer containing a polymer affording a casting film having an elongation at break of about 100-about 700%. With the preparation, breakage of fine granules during tabletting can be suppressed in the production of an orally-disintegrating solid preparation containing fine granules showing controlled release of a pharmaceutically active ingredient.
US09241905B2
A pharmaceutical suspension formulation comprising a dose greater than 100 mg/5 ml Cefixime and pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
US09241897B2
The present invention relates to the use of proline for reducing the viscosity of a protein preparation.
US09241896B2
Extended release formulations, methods of making, and methods of use, for example, in treatment of sialic acid deficiencies.
US09241891B2
Disclosed herein are personal care compositions having at least one oligopeptide self-assembled into nanofibers or macrostructures, wherein the oligopeptide is 2-20 amino acids in length, and wherein the oligopeptide has at least one 0- to 10-amino-acid block of hydrophobic amino acids alternating with at least one 1- to 10-amino-acid block of hydrophilic amino acid residues. The composition may further include a dermatologically acceptable carrier and at least one cosmetic skin care agent.
US09241872B2
A containment system for packaging a plurality of products that are to be accessed in a predetermined sequence. The containment system includes a plurality of product compartments that each holds at least one of the plurality of products. Indicators having a gas reactive material that changes appearance after a predetermined period of time of exposure to ambient air are deployed when gas cover seals are removed or broken to access a product in the product compartment.
US09241869B2
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the identification of a pharmaceutical container formed, at least in part, of a glass composition which exhibits a reduced propensity to delaminate, i.e., a reduced propensity to shed glass particulates. As a result, the presently claimed containers are particularly suited for storage of pharmaceutical compositions and, specifically, a pharmaceutical solution comprising a pharmaceutically active ingredient, for example, LEVEMIR, NOVOLOG, NOVOLIN 70-30, NOVOLIN R, NOVOLIN N, NOVOLOG MIX 70-30 and NOVOLIN L.
US09241860B2
In one embodiment, a therapeutic swing may include a support platform, a flexible outer enclosure, a vertical bolster and a joining member. The flexible outer enclosure can be engaged with the support platform. The flexible outer enclosure may extend away from the support platform and may comprise an inner wall. The vertical bolster can be coupled to the support platform. The vertical bolster may extend away from the support platform. The vertical bolster may comprise an outer surface such that the outer surface of the vertical bolster, the inner wall of the flexible outer enclosure and the support platform cooperate to form a riding cavity. The joining member may be coupled to the vertical bolster, wherein the therapeutic swing swings from the joining member.
US09241850B2
Litter support assembly for medical care units having a shock load absorber and methods of their use
A shock absorbing support arm assembly for a litter support assembly that includes a support arm comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a shock absorbing device disposed at the second end of the support arm, and a litter side shaft engagement mechanism disposed at the first end of the support arm. The support arm assembly may also comprise a mounting bracket connected at the second end of the support arm such that the shock absorbing device is positioned between the mounting bracket and the support arm. The support arm may move along an axis of the shock absorbing device and relative to the mounting bracket and may pivot about the axis relative to the mounting bracket.
US09241849B1
A rescue apparatus and method for the transport of injured persons from an area deemed immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), being a low-profile wheeled platform with a shaped aperture having the contour matching that of an air-pack. Immobilized fire fighters or others may be placed in a supine position atop the platform, their air packs entering into the contoured aperture; so that they may utilize the air supply while being evacuated. The wheels of the apparatus preferably straddle a fire hose during the transport using it as a guide for safe egress from the IDLH environment.
US09241841B2
A waistband for an absorbent article having a waistband with differential extensibility and/or contraction along the circumference of the waist opening. The waistband may provide a uniform appearance along the circumference of the waist opening. The waistband may have a central zone and at least two outboard zones. The outboard zones of the waistband may be less contracted than the central zone, when the absorbent article is in a relaxed state.
US09241836B2
The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform a registering process to register in advance in a storage unit attribute information specified by the player, an offering process to offer the game content to the player, a judgment process to compare the attribute information of the game content offered to the specified attribute information, a combining process to combine the game content offered with another game content to create a combined game content, and a recording process to record in the storage unit the combined game content as the game content owned by the player, without recording in the storage unit the game content offered as the game content owned by the player.
US09241831B2
Drainage of aqueous from the anterior chamber of the eye can be facilitated by a malleable hollow clip or staple that can be formed to attach to ophthalmic tissue and provide intra-luminal flow of aqueous through the clip. In addition, the clip can be adjusted to modulate the outflow rate of aqueous, both during the initial surgical procedure as well as on a post-procedure basis. Furthermore, an instrument is described in which the forceps of the clip delivery device reside inside the lumen of hollow clip during deployment and manipulation. Features of an instrument are designed to secure the clip to the delivery forceps and prevent tissue blockage of the clip lumens. The clips may be color-matched to the underlying tissue for the purpose of camouflage and may carry pharmaceuticals.
US09241822B2
The portable cervical traction device includes a brace having at least a pair of shoulder hooks configured to be worn over the shoulders and on the back of a user. A traction control mechanism is attached to the brace and includes an L-shaped traction bar. A plurality of hooks is attached to the traction bar, and a head sling can be attached to selected hooks for comfortable and proper support of the user's head. The traction control mechanism selectively raises or lowers the traction bar to apply the desired traction on the user. Since the brace is portable, the portable cervical traction device provides greater mobility for the user while maintaining proper traction. The degree of traction can be easily adjusted to account for the degree of recovery of the user.
US09241820B2
An exercising device includes a frame and is configured for placement on a floor and having a top surface, along with a first inflatable bladder disposed for directly bearing against lower thoracic and upper lumbar vertebrae of a user's spine in a first direction and a second inflatable bladder disposed for directly bearing against the mid-lumbar and lumbo-sacral vertebrae of the spine in a second direction. The adjacent inflated bladders provide diverging forces against the user's spine and thereby cause stretching and longitudinal aligning of the spinal vertebrae while promoting fluid imbibition throughout the vertebrae and discs. An adjustable body strap attachment is secured through the frame in non-fixed relationship within a hollow portion. The body strap is attached to an elongate stirrup strap which engages slidably on the user's feet/legs for exercising pulling force aligned from the legs and lower body to the spine.
US09241814B2
An intravascular stent is provided to be implanted in coronary arteries and other body lumens. The transverse cross-section of at least some of the stent struts have a ratio of polar and bending moments of inertia, which results in optimal resistance to stent twisting. This resistance to twisting ratio for the stent struts minimizes out of plane twisting of the struts or projecting edges of the struts when the stent is expanded from a compressed diameter to an expanded diameter in a coronary artery.
US09241812B2
A vacuum pump system for a prosthesis device includes an enhanced suspension mechanism and cooperates with a pressure source, an adaptor assembly, circuitry, and a power source. A virtually air-tight seal between a residual limb and a socket of the prosthesis allows a vacuum fit to be generated by the pump system. The pump system may be controlled with various circuits and processors receiving instructions from a software program. The pump system may be located within a pylon, but yet remain vibrationally and acoustically de-coupled from the pylon.
US09241808B2
An implant including a first disc portion shaped and sized generally to correspond to a first intervertebral disc section having a pivot point positioned relative to a first surface opposite a second surface of the first disc portion and a lattice structure with a negative Poisson's ratio; a second disc portion being shaped and sized generally to correspond to a second intervertebral disc section having a pivot point receptacle positioned relative to a third surface opposite a forth surface of the second disc portion and a lattice structure with a negative Poisson's ratio where the first disc portion and the second disc portion are configured to exhibit an auxetic behavior when subject to compression generally perpendicular to a surface plane of the first surface and the second surface.
US09241801B1
A system and method for joint arthroplasty may utilize one or more scaffolds to help support an arthroplasty prosthesis for the joint. A natural or prosthetic articulating surface may first be removed from one of the bones of the joint. This may expose a resection surface. A target portion of the resection surface may be identified based on, for example, fit and function testing of the joint with a trial arthroplasty prosthesis in place on the resection surface. One or more scaffolds may be placed on the target portion, and bone cement may be positioned adjacent to the scaffold(s) to define a raised surface that provides better fit and/or function than that which would be obtained with placement on the recessed surface. The arthroplasty prosthesis may be secured to the raised surface through the use of the bone cement.
US09241798B2
The present invention relates generally to tools, tool kits and methods useful for performing surgery an SI joint. The method includes implanting a graft into a SI joint of a patient by creating an incision in the patient, dilating the incision, creating a void in the SI joint, and inserting a graft into the void thereby substantially immobilizing the patient's SI joint.
US09241797B2
A delivery system comprising a biodegradable single or multi compartment covering is provided. The covering can be a mesh bag including a pre-attached detachable holding member surrounding the opening of at least one compartment and a pre-attached removable filling member configured to fit within the opening of the at least one compartment. The opening of the bag can include a closing member. The pre-attached detachable holding member can be a collar including finger grips and is used to hold the bag in one position while filling it. In some embodiments, the pre-attached detachable filling member can be a funnel for loading the mesh bag with bone graft material. Once the covering is filled, the holding member and filling member can be removed and the covering is closed with a closing member such as a drawstring. A method of treatment utilizing the delivery system is also provided.
US09241789B2
Methods for forming extracellular matrix valve conduits are disclosed. Extracellular matrix valve conduits produced using the disclosed methods are also disclosed. Methods of sterilizing and decellularizing extracellular matrix materials are also disclosed.
US09241786B2
Proposed is an apparatus for assistance in the implantation of a corneal prosthesis in a human eye. The apparatus comprises a laser device for providing focussed, pulsed laser radiation, and a control program for the laser device. The control program is designed, to create an incision figure in the tissue of the eye by means of the laser radiation, this incision figure allowing the corneal prosthesis to be inserted. The incision figure in this case comprises a bed incision located entirely in the depth of the corneal material and an annular incision, which, within the circumferential line of the bed incision, extends from the latter, along its entire annular circumference, as far as the corneal anterior surface. The incision figure further may comprise an auxiliary incision, which extends from a location of the eye surface outside the circumferential line of the bed incision as far the bed incision.
US09241783B2
The present disclosure relates to a fixation device. The fixation device includes a base portion having a first leg, a second leg, and a groove located between the first and second legs, and a top portion extending from the base portion. A method of tissue repair and a kit are also disclosed.
US09241782B2
The present invention is directed to bistable cells and their use in devices, particularly medical devices such as stents, clamps and valves. An expandable stent formed of a plurality of bistable cells is described. The stent has two or more stable configurations, including a first stable configuration with a first diameter and a second stable configuration with a second, larger diameter. A valve comprising a bistable cell for use in eliminating incontinence is also disclosed.
US09241779B2
An incontinence treatment system for a male patient includes a support, a brace attachable to the support, and an introducer provided to deliver an anchor through the support and into periosteum tissue over a pubic bone of the pelvis of the male patient. The brace includes a base portion, a first post extending from the base portion and a second post extending from the base portion. A first hanger is attached to an end portion of the first post and a second hanger attached to an end portion of the second post. A first slot is formed between the end portion of the first post and the first hanger and a second slot formed between the end portion of the second post and the second hanger. The hangers are insertable into pockets formed in a pair of longitudinal arms of the support.
US09241775B2
Various designs of dental orthodontic brackets are described. Some brackets are self-ligating with no moving parts. Some brackets include multiple pathways for wires so an amount and type of force applied by the bracket can be varied without moving the bracket. Optionally, a same bracket is used for an entire orthodontic process.
US09241769B2
A surgical instrument is provided, including: at least one articulatable arm having a distal end, a proximal end, and at least one joint region disposed between the distal and proximal ends; an optical fiber bend sensor provided in the at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm; a detection system coupled to the optical fiber bend sensor, said detection system comprising a light source and a light detector for detecting light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor to determine a position of at least one joint region of the at least one articulatable arm based on the detected light reflected by or transmitted through the optical fiber bend sensor; and a control system comprising a servo controller for effectuating movement of the arm.
US09241767B2
A medical robotic system has a robotic arm holding a medical device, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm according to operator manipulation of an input device. If the medical device is being commanded to a state exceeding a limitation by a threshold amount, then the control system disengages control of the medical device by the input device, servos the arm so that it remains in its current state, servos the input device so that it is set at a position such that a force being applied on the input device remains at its current level, requests the operator to lighten hold of the input device, sets a parameter associated with the input device upon detecting such lightened hold so that the medical device is commanded to a different state that does not exceed the limitation, and reengages control of the medical device by the input device.
US09241763B2
The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus, methods and procedures for the noninvasive treatment of tissue, including treatment using microwave energy. In one embodiment of the invention a medical device and associated apparatus and procedures are used to treat dermatological conditions using, for example, microwave energy.
US09241754B2
Ablation devices comprising a probe or needle useful for destroying nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The probe comprises at least two prongs spaced apart and parallel to each other. The at least two prongs each having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an internal passage disposed in the interior surface of the at least two prongs. A filament is disposed in the internal passage of the at least two prongs that has an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the at least two prongs so as to cool the exterior surface of the at least two prongs to a temperature configured for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.
US09241748B2
System, including methods, apparatus, and kits for binding bone. The system may include an encircling member and a fastening member that secures the encircling member in a loop around a portion of bone. In some embodiments, the fastening member may include any combination of the following: a cutting window, a guide aperture to guide a jaw of a crimping tool to a crimp region of the fastening member, multiple crimp regions, and/or apertures to receive adjustable prong members, among others.
US09241745B2
An orthopedic device includes a monolithic patient-specific guide. The patient-specific guide includes a three-dimensional contact surface preoperatively configured from medical scans of a specific patient as a negative surface of a medial portion of a proximal femoral bone of the patient according to a preoperative surgical plan for the patient. The guide also includes a proximal planar surface configured for guiding a resection of a femoral neck of the patient, and a scale formed on the planar surface. The scale is configured for indicating a preoperatively planned femoral version of a femoral stem implant and deviations therefrom.
US09241728B2
A nested trigger assembly for a surgical instrument may generally comprise a first trigger and a second trigger, wherein the first trigger and the second trigger are movable together on a first stroke of the nested trigger assembly, wherein the second trigger is configured to be biased away from the first trigger after the first stroke and before a second stroke, and wherein the second trigger is configured to be moved toward to the first trigger during the second stroke. A surgical instrument may generally comprise a shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a handle extending from the proximal end, wherein the handle comprises a gripping portion, and a nested trigger assembly extending from the handle. The nested trigger assemble may comprise one of a separable trigger assembly and a divisible trigger assembly.
US09241727B2
A tool for minimally invasive surgery includes a main shaft, a first control shaft and a second control shaft, a first actuating shaft and a second actuating shaft, an adjustment handle, an end effector, a pitch control part, a first yaw control part and a second yaw control part, a pitch actuating part, a first yaw actuating part and a second yaw actuating part, and a pitch cable, a first yaw cable and a second yaw cable.
US09241701B2
A trans-soft tissue anchor implantation system in one embodiment includes a positioning wire having a tissue penetrating distal tip, a cannula for passage through the soft tissue and a suture anchor. The cannula has an axial lumen therethrough sized to accommodate at least the positioning wire, a thin-walled distal portion and a tissue engaging feature, such as an arcuate groove, on at least a portion of an outer surface of the cannula proximal of and adjacent to the distal portion. Tissue, such as a tendon, expands into the groove allowing a surgeon to manipulate the tissue with the cannula.
US09241696B2
A closure device for closing an opening in tissue is provided. The closure device according the present invention includes a delivery system for deploying a closure element, wherein the closure element is movable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration to close an opening in tissue. The closure device of the present invention may further include a charge of hemostatic material.
US09241685B2
The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present invention is provided with a 3-dimensional image construction unit configured to construct a 3-dimensional image using plural ultrasonic tomographic images obtained when the ultrasonic probe is moved in a direction intersecting the direction of the ultrasonic tomographic images; and an ultrasonic probe moving direction setting unit configured to set the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe, using an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the screen of the display unit as a reference, in either a first direction which intersects with the direction of the tomographic image or a second direction of opposite orientation to the first direction; wherein the control unit controls the arrangement order of the plural ultrasonic tomographic images in the 3-dimensional image constructed in the 3-dimensional image construction unit according to the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe set by the moving direction setting unit of the ultrasonic probe.
US09241684B2
Previously captured three-dimensional image data of a subject from which a reference image is extracted are provided in the form of time-series volume data 14, 15 composed of two-dimensional image data groups which are recorded over at least one period of a periodically moving organ of the subject, with time-phase information of a biological signal of the subject added thereto. Two-dimensional image data whose time-phase information is identical with the time-phase information of the biological signal of the subject at the time when an ultrasonic image is captured are extracted from the three-dimensional image data so as to provide the reference image.
US09241671B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for removing noise from biosignals. An embodiment of the invention provides an apparatus for removing noise from biosignals measured for a particular period of time that includes: a similarity calculating unit configured to calculate a similarity between any one biosignal from among the biosignals and other biosignals; and a noise removal unit configured to remove noise from the any one biosignal by using the similarity. Aspects of the invention provide the advantage of effectively removing noise from biosignals without distorting the waveforms of the biosignals.
US09241670B2
A physiological monitoring system may determine physiological information, such as physiological rate information, from a physiological signal. The system may condition the physiological signal to assist in the determination of the physiological information. The system may generate a positive signal and a negative signal based on respective positive and negative values of the physiological signal. The system may filter the positive and negative signals, combine the filtered signals, and modify the physiological signal based on the combined signal. The physiological signal may be modified, for example, by subtracting the combined signal from the physiological signal.
US09241668B2
A peripheral physiology inspection apparatus of smart phone is connected with a smart phone having a TRRS socket for performing a physiology inspection. The peripheral physiology inspection apparatus includes: an inspection main body including a first physiology sensing unit; a plurality of signal transmission units; and a TRRS terminal for connecting with the inspection main body via the signal transmission units. The TRRS terminal is corresponding to the TRRS socket for allowing the inspection main body to be electrically connected to the smart phone, thereby enabling the smart phone to analyze and process physiology signals inspected by and delivered from the inspection main body.
US09241659B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting chemicals. As an example, a system is disclosed that includes a chemical sensor, a processor, and a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes instructions executable by the processor to: receive a plurality of outputs from the chemical sensor; calculate a baseline value using the plurality of outputs from the chemical sensor; and report an event when the baseline value is exceeded.
US09241647B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting the seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by collecting cardiac data determining valid heart beats suitable for seizure detection from the cardiac data; calculating heart rate data of interest from the valid heart beats; and identifying a seizure event from the heart rate data. The medical device may then take a responsive action, such as warning, logging the time of the seizure, computing and storing one or more seizure severity indices, and/or treating the seizure.
US09241645B2
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment includes a determining unit and an imaging unit. When a fluid traveling through a subject is imaged for multiple times at different phases, the determining unit determines a period on the time axis within which imaging is performed at intervals satisfying a predetermined temporal resolution. The imaging unit performs imaging for multiple times by the temporal resolution within the period.
US09241642B2
A system for monitoring a patient includes an inflatable cuff configured to at least partially occlude an artery of the patient, and a sensor configured to determine a first parameter associated with the at least partially occluded artery and to generate an output signal indicative of the first parameter. The system also includes a processor configured to receive the output signal and information indicative of an occlusion efficiency of the cuff. The processor is configured to determine a hemodynamic parameter of the patient based on the output signal and the information.
US09241640B2
Various techniques for measuring cardiac cycle length and pressure metrics based on pulmonary artery pressures are described. One example method described includes identifying a point within a derivative signal of a cardiovascular pressure signal without reference to electrical activity of a heart, initiating a time window from the identified point in the derivative signal, identifying a point within the cardiovascular signal within the time window, and determining at least one of a systolic pressure or diastolic pressure based on the identified point.
US09241639B2
A stress estimating system includes a polygon data input unit of polygon data modeling a vascular wall, an interactive analysis condition setting unit for setting the tensile force acting on the vascular wall boundary, blood pressure and constraint estimated as proper on the boundary, a stress analysis unit for obtaining two-dimensional stress by solving a mechanical equilibrium equation with respect to the membrane stress on a curvilinear surface of the vascular wall under the condition given by the polygon data input unit and the interactive analysis condition setting unit, and an interactive visualization unit for displaying a distribution of a stress component designated by a system user. Without assuming any symmetry for the curvilinear configuration and stress distribution, a complicated stress distribution is estimated only out of the mechanical equilibrium equation with respect to membrane stress.
US09241631B2
A system is provided including a continuous analyte sensor that produces a data stream indicative of a host's analyte concentration and a device that receives and records data from the data stream from the continuous analyte sensor. The data received from the continuous analyte sensor may be used to provide alarms to the user when the analyte concentration and/or the rate of change of analyte concentration, as measured by the continuous analyte sensor, is above or below a predetermined range. Data received from the continuous analyte sensor may also be used to prompt the diabetic or caregiver to take certain actions, such as to perform another single point blood glucose measurement. The device may provide for toggling between modes that allow or prevent the display of glucose concentration values associated with the continuous glucose sensor.
US09241630B1
A mounted or portable device that allows for instant communication and notification between two parties is provided. Directed primarily at elderly family members and the like that live on their own, such a device includes a video screen for display of various media in order to provide memory inducements, as well as video communication on demand. Furthermore, such a device permits a remote user to contact the person with a request for instant verification of the person's condition. Failure to respond to such a request leads to automatically sent communications to pre-assigned recipients that attention for the person user may be required, thereby seeking the closest recipient proximally at that specific moment to provide such attention and/or notification to proper authorities that medical or other help is needed. The system also allows the direct user the capability of contacting medical/police/etc. authorities if attention is needed immediately as well.
US09241625B2
An image processing apparatus includes a planar image acquisition unit configured to acquire a planar image of a subject, a tomographic image acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image indicating a polarization state of the subject, and a display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the planar image and the tomographic image indicating the polarization state side by side.
US09241621B2
A method for wireless control of an auto chart instrument and an auto phoropter by using a smart pad, comprising: control data inputting step for being inputted with control data for wireless control of one of the auto chart instrument and the auto phoropter; and controlling step for controlling one of the auto chart instrument and the auto phoropter according to the control data inputted during the control data inputting step, is disclosed.
US09241617B2
A blade insert illumination system includes one or more illumination elements composed of a transparent or semitransparent polymer that is preferably biocompatible and sterilizable. The illumination elements operate as a waveguide and may incorporate optical components such as, for example, facets, lenses, gratings, prisms and or diffusers to operate as precision optics for customized delivery of the light energy. The illumination elements may be modular, allowing components to be mixed and matched for different sizes of blade retractors, or may be a single integrated unit.
US09241616B1
An illumination attachment for an intraoral camera quickly attaches to the distal end of the camera and provides non-white illumination at a specific desired wavelength for diagnosing gum disease and tooth decay.
US09241611B2
A track-forming device can form an insertion route (track) along which a treatment tool is easily inserted. The track-forming device includes: a plurality of track-forming segmented members that are arranged in the longitudinal direction with spaces therebetween; a soft wire that connects the plurality of track-forming segmented members; and a wire pulling section that brings the plurality of track-forming segmented members into contact with each other in the longitudinal direction. When the plurality of track-forming segmented members are brought into contact with each other by the wire pulling section, a predetermined track is formed.
US09241608B2
A dishwasher includes a wash tub, a basket, a frame, and adjustment parts. The wash tub defines a space in which dishes are washed. The basket receives dishes. The frame is disposed inside the wash tub and configured to receive the basket. The adjustment parts are rotatably disposed on a side surface of the frame adjust a height of at least one end of the basket by lifting at least one end of the basket from the frame.
US09241605B2
A water-using household appliance includes a treatment chamber, a water softener for wash or rinse water, a regenerating device associated with the water softener and configured to contain a supply of brine, and a storage container disposed in a thermally conductive relationship with the treatment chamber. The storage container includes a liquor volume, a regeneration volume for producing the brine supply, and a first outlet operable for substantially emptying the storage container.
US09241604B2
A spray arm assembly is provided that is configured for receiving a docking station at two different heights so as to, for example, accommodate an adjustable upper rack in a dishwasher appliance. The spray arm assembly includes a chamber and a check valve plate having two check valves with closure protrusions extending therefrom to provide this functionality.
US09241599B2
The present disclosure relates to a utensil that can be used to manipulate batter. In one embodiment, the utensil is a slotted batter spatula that comprises: (i) an elongated handle comprising a front end and a back end; (ii) a fork-shaped head attached to the front end of the elongated handle, said fork-shaped head having at least two substantially parallel tines; and (iii) a slotted head cover mounted over the fork-shaped head so that a slot of the head cover extends between each of the substantially parallel tines of the fork-shaped head. The present disclosure also relates to a method of manipulating batter with the slotted batter spatula. This method involves using the slotted batter spatula to lift, spread, stir, scrape, move, and/or remove batter from one or more surface.
US09241597B2
The present invention relates to grinding devices for dried plants and herbs. The herb grinder features four tiers for cutting and collecting the dried herbs. The grinder features arced cutters, a tier for collecting the cut herbs and an additional tier for separating the cut herbs from the ultra-fine pollen particles.
US09241589B2
An Exercise Yoga mat and method of use whereby the mat has printed indicia for measuring distance along the surface of the mat while executing yoga exercise positions.
US09241581B2
An adjustable pad that can have a substantially level top regardless of the slope or configuration of the surface it is placed upon. The adjustable pad can have a sheet coupled with one or more support members. The support members can be formed or adjusted to account for the slope of the surface. The adjustable pad can be used to change a child's diaper, as a sleeping pad, or for other desired reasons, regardless of the configuration of the surface.
