US09322831B2
The invention encompasses methods for treating or preventing diseases and disorders associated abnormal cell growth, for example, treating or preventing cancer or tumor growth, by administering to a subject in need thereof a composition comprising a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a compound that downregulates DDX3, for example a fused diimidazodiazepine ring compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention also encompasses the use of DDX3 as a biomarker for diagnostic and treatment purposes, for example, to identify a hyperproliferative disorder susceptible to treatment by down regulation of DDX3.
US09322825B2
Provided is a modified antibody which enables the quantitative measurement of the amount of a heparin/PF4 complex, an onset factor of heparin-induced trombocytopenia (HIT), without the influence of the presence of PF4, and which can be used as an HIT antibody standard specific for the heparin/PF4 complex. The modified antibody is prepared by linking a human IgG, or an antibody fragment derived from a human IgG, to a monoclonal antibody obtained by immunizing an animal (excluding a human) with the heparin/PF4 complex.
US09322819B2
A quality-control device comprises a housing, a biasing member disposed within the housing, and a reciprocating puncturing member that is configured and oriented to selectively move inwardly of the housing in opposition to the biasing member. A maximum-compression indicator is configured to move inwardly of the housing in tandem with the puncturing member and a gauge serves to correlate a particular location of the maximum-compression indicator to a corresponding measure of compression as corresponds to a material being tested for quality. By one approach the indicator moves in response to inward movement of the puncturing member but is also configured to not move when the puncturing member moves outwardly of the housing. So configured the maximum-compression indicator will remain located at a point that corresponds to the furthest inward incursion of the puncturing member in opposition to the biasing member when the user presses the puncturing member against the material.
US09322805B2
A leakage flux probe for non-destructive leakage flux-testing of magnetizable bodies comprising a plurality of coils for detection of near-surface flaws in the body, wherein the coils have a degree of sensitivity which is dependent upon the orientation of the flaws in the body, and wherein coils having a different degree of sensitivity are disposed in the leakage flux probe with a first type of coil having a high degree of sensitivity for longitudinal flaws or transverse flaws and a second type of coil having a high degree of sensitivity for oblique flaws.
US09322800B2
Two techniques of determining hematocrit using impedance and phase angle to determine hematocrit are shown and described for correcting an analyte concentration.
US09322791B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of estimating a magnitude of background radiation for each of a plurality of regions of a target object comprising providing an estimate of background radiation detected by a detector, measuring radiation scattered by the target object at the detector for each of a plurality of positions of the object with respect to the incident radiation, calculating, for each of the positions, an estimate of a wavefront at the detector, and determining, for each position, an estimated wavefront comprising a coherent contribution from radiation scattered by the target object and a background contribution, wherein said background contribution is at least partly incoherent with the radiation scattered by the target object. This method is particularly suitable for performing coherent diffractive imaging using ptychography where contribution from the incoherently scattered background is taken into account.
US09322789B2
A method is provided for feeding-in X-ray fluoroscopy images of an object in the context of a digital laminography technique, in which the X-ray fluoroscopy images are not fed in at 360°, but a feed-in of first X-ray fluoroscopy images takes place at 180° and, after tilting the object, a feed-in of second X-ray fluoroscopy images follows in the same angular range of 180°. The second X-ray fluoroscopy images, after suitable reflection onto the complementary points, are set to the first X-ray fluoroscopy images and, from the resultant complete data set, a calculation is carried out in the context of the digital laminography technique. A multiaxis manipulator system is used for feeding-in X-ray fluoroscopy images in the context of carrying out a digital laminography technique on an object, which is secured on a fixing device of the manipulator system.
US09322784B2
A microplate reader and method has at least one measuring device and a holding device for accommodating at least one microplate and for positioning samples-containing wells of microplates in relation to the measuring device. The at least one measuring device is used for detecting light emitted by samples in wells of a microplate and/or which is influenced by samples transilluminated by light in the wells. The microplate reader has a control unit for controlling the composition of a gas atmosphere surrounding the wells containing the samples. A respective use is characterized particularly in that living cells are measured in a controlled gas atmosphere, wherein the living cells are chosen from microaerophilic, optionally anaerobic and obligatorily anaerobic microorganisms as well as fungi and eukaryotic cells.
US09322774B2
An NDIR gas-sensor arrangement for measuring a target-gas concentration comprises a variable-power infrared-radiation emitter that can project radiant energy from one side of a space containing the target gas and through the space to the other side thereof, a infrared-radiation receiver on the other side of the space and positioned to be irradiated by the radiant energy projected by the emitter through the space for emitting a signal corresponding to radiation received, and a filter between the receiver and the space and permeable only to radiation of a wavelength range that corresponds to the target gas. A controller connected to the radiation receiver calculates the target-gas concentration on the basis of the signal from the receiver to the controller.
US09322767B2
Devices and methods for performing a point of care blood, cell, and/or pathogen count or a similar blood test. Disclosed herein are systems that can be used to provide rapid, accurate, affordable laboratory-quality testing at the point of care. The systems described herein are capable of imaging and counting individual cells in a prepared cell sample (e.g., a peripheral blood smear or a blood sample prepared in a microfluidic device) or another prepared cell-containing sample without the need for a microscope or other expensive and cumbersome optics. The systems described herein are designed to eliminate or replace expensive, centralized clinical testing equipment and technical personnel. Such systems may include automated data reporting and decision support.
US09322763B2
Autonomous non-destructive inspection equipment provides automatic and/or continuous inspection and evaluation of a material under inspection. The inspection equipment comprises at least one detection sensor and at least one detection sensor interface for a computer. The signals are communicated from the sensor to the computer. The signals are then conditioned and evaluated according to knowledge already inputted into the computer. The computer iterations are processed until an acceptable conclusion is made regarding the type of imperfection that is detected.
US09322757B2
An apparatus, method, and system are disclosed for testing various properties of a sample, such as a cable or duct. The apparatus includes a duct and a plurality of radius controlling units. The radius controlling units are used to generate bends having a desired bending radius at different sections of the duct. Sensors are provided to measuring different forces and conditions of the sample or the duct. A controller can be provided for receiving sensor measurements and controlling various aspects of the test.
US09322735B1
In some embodiments, at least one processor is employed to determine a boundary of a survey area. Data representative of the locations of measurement points adjacent to or outside of the survey area is received, as well as data representative of wind direction at the measurement points. The boundary of the survey area is determined according to the data representative of wind direction and a maximum detection distance value representative of an estimated maximum distance from a potential gas leak source at which a gas leak from the potential source can be detected. The boundary is determined such that if the potential gas leak source is located in the survey area and has a rate of leakage meeting a minimum leak rate condition, then an estimated probability of detection of the gas leak at one or more of the measurement points satisfies a probability condition.
US09322733B2
Ports for sensing one or more parameters in an HVAC system and methods for installing such ports. In one illustrative embodiment, a port provides a fluid passageway through a wall of an HVAC component such as an air duct. The port may be formed of a hollow stem member having a first end and a second end and a head member positioned therebetween. The port may include an anchor member for anchoring the port to a wall of the HVAC component. In some cases, the anchor member may secure the port within the wall such that the head member forms a substantially fluid tight seal with the wall.
US09322731B2
Methods are directed to checking a pressure sensor comprising a reversibly deformable, in particular reversibly bendable measuring element which supplies a measurement signal having a value depending on the degree of deformation of said measuring element, to the effect of whether the pressure sensor withstands a required maximum pressure which is larger by a predeterminable factor than a nominal pressure for which the sensor is designed. The methods generally involve use of a reference pressure sensor, which is structurally identical to the pressure sensor to be checked, for generating a distance/pressure characteristic curve and for evaluating the critical pressure required for breaking the measuring element. The critical pressure can then be used to determine if a particular value of pressure is larger than the required maximum pressure that the pressure sensor to be checked is intended to withstand.
US09322727B2
Tension meter (82) for measuring a mechanical tension (F1) along a longitudinal direction (L) between a first element (84) and a second element (80) deployed in a well containing a fluid (50) having a fluid pressure, the tension meter comprising:—a bar (108) comprising a first portion (152), a second portion (154), and a measurement portion (156), and—a hollow member (110) defining a first chamber (169) surrounding the measurement portion, the bar being free to expand within the hollow member under the mechanical tension (F1) to be measured. The measurement portion includes at least one strain gauge (172). The tension meter includes first sealing elements for keeping the first chamber at a first chamber pressure, the measurement portion being subject to a compression force (F2) due to a difference between the fluid pressure and the first chamber pressure. The tension meter includes means for converting the fluid pressure into a traction force (F3) applied on the second portion (154), wherein the compression force (F2) and the traction force (F3) compensate. Related subassembly and method.
US09322713B2
The present technology provides a color-sensing device that includes an electrically-conductive substrate and a bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer layer formed on the substrate. The color-sensing device is configured to detect a first color of two colors and produce a first electrical signal that includes a first current response indicating detection of the first color. The color-sensing device is further configured to detect a second color of the two colors and produce a second electrical signal that includes a second current response indicating detection of the second color.
US09322712B2
A terahertz time-domain spectroscopic ellipsometry system includes a sample stage, a terahertz emitter configured to provide pulses of terahertz radiation with preselected polarization components to illuminate a sample on the sample stage along an incident direction, and a coherent terahertz detection system arranged to coherently detect pulses of terahertz radiation from the terahertz emitter along an emerging direction after at least one of reflecting from or passing through the sample. The sample stage is rotatable to vary a relative angle between the incident direction and the emerging direction, and the coherent terahertz detection system substantially maintains alignment for amplitude and polarization detection as the relative angle is varied.
US09322706B2
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for evaluating discomfort glare. The method can include obtaining average luminance information relating to an average luminance La of a luminous surface of a luminaire, luminance uniformity ratio information relating to a luminance uniformity ratio U of the luminous surface, luminous surface size information relating to a size ω of the luminous surface, and background luminance information relating to a background luminance Lb of the luminaire. The method can include calculating an evaluation parameter value based on the La, the U, the ω, and the Lb obtained in the obtaining. The evaluation parameter value is a value of a product of a value based on the La, a value based on the U, and a value based on the ω divided by a value based on the Lb.
US09322702B2
A directionally sensitive Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) fiber optical assembly comprises adjacent lengths of optical fiber (A,B) with different directional acoustic sensitivities, which are used to detect the direction (a) of acoustic signals relative to the lengths of optical fiber (A, B).
US09322691B2
The viscometer provides a viscosity value (Xη) which represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe. Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current (iexc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X1) is formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (iexc) and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid. According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value (X2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value (Xη) using the two intermediate values (X1, X2). The first internal intermediate value (X1) is preferably normalized by means of an amplitude control signal (yAM) for the excitation current (iexc), the amplitude control signal corresponding with the vibrations of the flow tube. As a result, the viscosity value (Xη) provided by the viscometer is highly accurate and robust, particularly independently of the position of installation of the flow tube.
US09322688B2
The method for passing signals through a medium under monitoring consists in generating a reference signal, transmitting this reference signal in a forward direction through the medium under monitoring by means of at least one transmitting electrical circuit, receiving the signal passing in the forward direction through the medium under monitoring by means of at least one receiving electrical circuit, transmitting the generated reference signal in the reverse direction through the medium under monitoring by means of the at least one receiving electrical circuit, receiving the signal passing in the reverse direction through the medium under monitoring by means of the at least one transmitting electrical circuit and thus ensuring the passage of signals through the medium under monitoring. The method for passing signals through a medium under monitoring ensures the production of signals passing through the medium under monitoring which have a high degree of identity.
US09322684B2
A filter simulation system that includes a simulation filter (11) with a sensor (13) such that the volume of air passing through the filter can be determined. There is also a control means (16) with stored data relating to level of protection the simulation filter provides against a simulated toxic substance. In this way the filter simulation system can determine whether a correct simulation filter has been selected by a user and whether or not that filter has expired, in which case a dead or incapacitated result can be indicated. In the event of expiry a simulation end of life service indicator (ELSI 22) may be activated.
US09322673B2
A position sensor, preferably an angle sensor for detecting the rotational angle of a shaft. The position sensor has a lead frame on which the electronic components of the position sensor are arranged and to which they are electrically connected A plastic encapsulation enclosing at least the electronic components, thereby forming a sensor module with the lead frame, and a plurality of electrical connections of the sensor module which are formed by the lead frame and a carrier module accommodating the sensor module. The carrier module has electrical connections connected to the electrical connections of the sensor module in an electrically conducting manner. The carrier module has at least two domes between which the sensor module is arranged. The respective free ends of the domes are deformed in such manner that the sensor module is clamped fixed in its position.
US09322672B2
Provided is a magnetic sensor device capable of performing signal processing at high speed with high accuracy. The magnetic sensor device includes: a plurality of Hall elements; a plurality of differential amplifiers to which the plurality of Hall elements are connected, respectively; a detection voltage setting circuit for outputting a reference voltage; and a comparator including: a plurality of differential input pairs connected to the plurality of differential amplifiers, respectively; and a differential input pair connected to the detection voltage setting circuit.
US09322670B2
A magnetism sensing element is provided to be rotatable relative to permanent magnets and outputs a magnetic force detection value, which corresponds to a perpendicular component of magnetic flux. A Hall IC calculates and outputs an output voltage, which corresponds to a relative rotational angle between the permanent magnets and the magnetism sensing element, based on the magnetic force detection value outputted by the magnetism sensing element. The Hall IC calculates the output voltage as V2=k×arcsin(V1/(VM+α))+Voffset, in which V1, V2, VM, k, α and Voffset indicate the magnetic force detection value, the output voltage, a maximum value of the magnetic force detection value, a gain, a predetermined value and a predetermined offset value.
US09322664B2
A map display device includes a map data acquiring unit 21 for acquiring map data, an HOV lane determining unit 26 for determining whether or not HOV lane information showing that an HOV lane exists is included in link data defining roads included in the map data acquired by the map data acquiring unit, a display processing unit 28 for, when the HOV lane determining unit determines that HOV lane information is included in the link data, creating display data showing that a symbol showing an HOV lane is superimposed on a road formed by the link data including the HOV lane information, and a display unit 6 for displaying a map on the basis of the display data created by the display processing unit.
US09322659B2
A map information processing apparatus includes a map information storage unit 111 for storing map information which is separated into multiple layers, a layer-to-be-updated-with-addition determination processing unit 118 for determining one or more layers which are to be updated with addition of an unregistered road which has been detected during travel of a vehicle, and an unregistered road adding and updating unit 117 for adding the unregistered road to the map information storage unit to update the map information with the addition being aimed at the one or more layers determined by the layer-to-be-updated-with-addition determination processing unit.
US09322654B2
Embodiments of the invention relates to a laser tracker for determining the position of an auxiliary measuring instrument that has a retroreflector and a multiplicity of target markings, and also for continuously tracking the auxiliary measuring instrument. The target markings may be arranged in a known fixed spatial distribution on the auxiliary measuring instrument and may be embodied to emit or reflect light beams. The laser tracker may have a first radiation source for producing measurement radiation, a distance measuring module, and a target sensing unit for determining an impingement point for radiation reflected by the retroreflector on a sensor of the target sensing unit and for producing an output signal in order to control a fine targeting functionality and a target tracking functionality.
US09322653B2
The disclosure provides an approach for estimating a state-space controller from a set of video frames depicting a motion of an entity. The approach includes incrementally optimizing parameters of the state-space controller and changing a structure of the state-space controller based on expanding subsets of the set of video frames. In one embodiment, a controller-estimation application greedily selects, at every stage of the incremental optimization, structure and parameters of the controller which minimize an objective function. In another embodiment, the controller-estimation application re-optimizes, after the incremental optimization, all parameters of the state-space controller based on all of the video frames. In yet a further embodiment, the controller-estimation application alters the structure of the state-space controller for robustness and compactness by adding cycles in the state-space controller and enforcing constraints on the structure of the state-space controller and adding and modifying state transition types, as appropriate.
US09322650B2
A physical quantity detection device includes: a base portion; a movable portion supported by the base portion via a joint and shifting in accordance with a change of a physical quantity; a physical quantity detection element extending over the base portion and the movable portion; a first support member extending from the base portion and having a first fixing portion; and a second support member extending from the base portion and having a second fixing portion. The distance between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is shorter than the distance between the root of the first support member at the junction with the base portion and the root of the second support member at the junction with the base portion.
US09322643B2
An apparatus for 3D surface measurement of a target surface, the apparatus comprising: a first projector configured to project a fringe pattern onto the target surface; a second projector configured to project a fringe pattern onto the target surface; a first camera configured to capture the fringe patterns projected by the first projector and the second projector; a second camera configured to capture the fringe patterns projected by the first projector and the second projector; and a computer configured to perform fringe pattern processing of the fringe patterns captured by the first camera and the second camera and to perform data stitching and merging to obtain a 3D surface reconstruction.
US09322641B2
A relocating device for locating and relocating a first object relative to a second object includes at least one light source, and a power source. The at least one light source is for producing at least two beams of light wherein each beam of light is capable of defining a beam location point on the second object. The at least one light source is operably connected to the first object. The power source is operably connected to the at least one light source. The relocating device also includes a means for defining the beam location point. A method of locating and relocating a first object relative to a second object is also disclosed.
US09322638B2
A magnetic flux enhancer system for a reluctance type resolver and an electromagnetic angle sensor having the same are provided. The electromagnetic angle sensor has a stator (210) and a rotor (115) that is rotatably supported by a rotation axis on the stator and separated therefrom by a gap, the stator having at least one magnetic field generating means (220) adapted to generate a distribution of magnetic flux that extends over the gap to the rotor, and at least one magnetic field detecting means (220) adapted to detect a change in the magnetic flux distribution caused by a rotation of the rotor. The electromagnetic angle sensor comprises a magnetic flux enhancer (230) adapted to be positioned on a side of the at least one magnetic field generating means that faces the rotor and to concentrate the generated distribution of magnetic flux over the gap along a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.
US09322627B2
A munitions safety and arming device for artillery ammunition, and an artillery ammunition having the same are provided. The munitions safety and arming device for artillery ammunition includes: a body having a first movement path and a second movement path communicating with the first movement path; a mass body housed in the first movement path and moving from one side of the first movement path to the other side of the first movement path upon receiving centrifugal force based on rotation of an artillery ammunition when the artillery ammunition is fired; a slide member movably installed in the second movement path and slidably moving by a predetermined distance when pressed by the movement of the mass body; and a movement delay unit protruding from the first movement path to reduce the centrifugal force exerted on the mass body to delay a time for the mass body to move.
US09322621B2
An armor system pellet and an array and armor composed therefrom are provided. The pellet includes a pellet body and a plurality of projections for interlocking adjacent pellets when arranged in an array. The projections are configured for maximizing a contact area between adjacent pellets without substantially restricting independent movement of each of the pellets.
US09322618B1
A blast debris protective harness includes a front shell portion and a rear shell portion joined together. Each of the front and rear shell portions has an inside shell member and an outside shell member. A cavity is defined between the inside shell member and the outside shell member. A ballistic insert is configured to be retained within the cavity. The harness is an outer garment.
US09322611B1
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for a selectable barrel support that can be inserted into a forend of a firearm stock to support a first barrel type and flipped, rotated, or otherwise moved to support a second barrel type (or third or fourth barrel types). Bull and tapered barrels are examples of two barrel types that the selectable barrel support can be used to support. The selectable barrel support enables a firearm owner or gunsmith to exchange barrel types on a firearm without having to switch out the firearm stock.
US09322609B2
A rifle with an upper receiver and a barrel attached to the upper receiver and including a bolt carrier, and operating, buffer, and cooling systems. The operating system includes a cylinder and a piston coupled to receive propelling gases from the barrel. As the piston moves between retracted and extended positions the bolt carrier is moved between closed and open positions. The bolt carrier includes a weight movable within a guide frame between rearward and forward limits. The buffer system includes a compression spring in a tube attached to the upper receiver in abutting engagement with the bolt carrier. A partially fluid filled cylinder is attached to a coil of the spring and includes a piston and shaft. The piston is formed so that fluid in the cylinder restricts movement in one direction and allows free movement in a second direction.
US09322599B2
Disclosed is a concentration plant with differently-functioning sections. The plant comprises a vertically-developing external tubular sheath (1), internally of which are comprised: a heat exchanger (2), in which a heating fluid coming from a fluid inlet mouth (9) circulates, which heat exchanger (2) is defined by a lower plate (3) and an upper plate (4) on which lower plate (3) and upper plate (4) upper and lower open ends of a first vertically raising tube bundle (5) and a second descending tube bundle (6) are fixed, in which first and second tube bundles (5, 6) the product to be processed circulates; a supply chamber (7), arranged inferiorly of the lower plate (3), which sets an inlet mouth of the product (8) in communication with the lower ends of the tubes of the first tube bundle (5); a pressurised upper chamber (10), arranged superiorly of the upper plate (4), which sets in mutual communication the upper ends of the tubes of the first tube bundle (5) and the second tube bundle (6); a separation chamber (11), which is arranged internally of the sheath (1) and inferiorly of the lower plate (3) and in which the lower ends of the tubes of the second tube bundle (6) open, a product outlet mouth (12) being afforded on a closed bottom of the separation chamber (11), and an outlet opening (13) being afforded on a lateral wall of the separation chamber (11) for exit of steam generated during product concentration.
US09322586B2
A cooling system includes: a compressor that circulates refrigerant; a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the refrigerant and outside air; a cooling portion that uses the refrigerant to cool the heat generating source; a first line through which the refrigerant, which has been discharged from the compressor, flows to the cooling portion; a second line through which the refrigerant circulates between the heat exchanger and the cooling portion; and a selector valve that switches between fluid communication of the first line and fluid communication of the second line. A control device includes a detecting unit configured to detect an abnormality of the compressor; and a switching unit configured to switch the selector valve to interrupt the fluid communication of the first line and to allow the fluid communication of the second line when the abnormality has been detected by the detecting unit.
US09322583B2
The oil separator 11 separates oil in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 4 and returns the oil back to the compressor 4. And includes a tank 21 into which refrigerant discharged from the compressor 4 flows, a float 24 whose inside is hollow formed by welding a plurality of members and made vertically movable according to the changes in the oil surface 20 inside the tank 21, and a needle valve 29 that returns oil inside the tank 21 to the compressor 4 according to the vertical movement of the float 24. The float 24 is provided such that the end point 24E of the welded portion comes above the oil surface 20.
US09322566B2
Systems and methods for limiting power consumption by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) subsystem of a building are shown and described. A feedback controller is used to generate a manipulated variable based on an energy use setpoint and a measured energy use. The manipulated variable may be used for adjusting the operation of an HVAC device.
US09322564B2
A refrigeration managing apparatus that can reduce the time taken to determine refrigerant piping groups which connect refrigerant supply devices and cooling devices is provided. When determining cooling devices connected to refrigerant supply devices using refrigerant pipes, the refrigeration managing apparatus detects changes in the temperatures of evaporators of the cooling devices when the refrigerant supply devices are operated/stopped in accordance with change patterns which are stored in advance, which are determined on the basis of the number of refrigerant supply devices, and in which the states of the refrigerant supply devices are changed with time by being switched between an in-operation state and a stopped state. The refrigeration managing apparatus determines that, among the cooling devices, a cooling device having the evaporator whose temperature changes in synchronization with the in-operation/stopped state of a refrigerant supply device among the refrigerant supply devices is connected to the refrigerant supply device.
US09322563B2
A humidity control module, in which liquid absorbent exchanges air and moisture, reduces a temperature change in the liquid absorbent. A humidity control module includes a partition member and a heat transfer member. The partition member separates an air passage from an absorbent passage. The partition member is wholly or partially formed by a moisture permeable membrane. The liquid absorbent flowing through the absorbent passage exchanges the moisture with the air flowing through the air passage via the moisture permeable membrane. The heat transfer member is provided in the absorbent passage and surrounded by the liquid absorbent. A heat medium flowing through the heat transfer member exchanges heat with the liquid absorbent flowing through the absorbent passage.
US09322551B2
A method and apparatus for humidifying residential and commercial buildings in which a flue gas generated by a residential of commercial furnace is provided to one side of a porous liquid water transport membrane and habitable space air is provided to an opposite side of the porous liquid water transport membrane in an amount sufficient to provide a habitable space air to flue gas volume flow rate ratio of at least 8.3:1. At least a portion of the water vapor in the flue gas is condensed, providing condensed liquid water which is passed through the porous liquid water transport membrane to the habitable space air side of the porous liquid water transport membrane. On the habitable space air side of the membrane, the condensed liquid water is evaporated into the habitable space air, producing humidified habitable space air which is provided to the rooms of the residential and commercial buildings. Beneficially, no supplemental water source is required for the humidification process.
US09322549B2
The invention relates mixer/flow distributors and their use, e.g., in regenerative reactors. The invention encompasses a process and apparatus for controlling oxidation, e.g., for thermally regenerating a reactor, such as a regenerative, reverse-flow reactor.
US09322540B2
Various embodiments relate to a heat radiation device for a heat source. The heat radiation device includes a body and a coating layer, wherein the body has a first section and at least one second section projecting from the first section, the first section has a mounting surface for mounting and thermally contacting with the heat source and the coating layer is applied on the surface other than the mounting surface of the first section and a surface of the at least one second section, wherein the coating layer has higher thermal dissipation performance than the body. In addition, various embodiments further relate to an illuminating device having the above type of heat radiation device.
US09322529B2
Provided is a light emitting device with effectively improved color rendering properties. A light emitting device 1 includes: a light source 2 that emits light having the maximum intensity at a predetermined wavelength; a first phosphor (yellow phosphor) 51 that absorbs the light emitted by the light source 2 and outputs fluorescent light having the maximum intensity at a first wavelength which is longer than the predetermined wavelength; and a second phosphor (red phosphor) 52 that absorbs the light emitted by the light source 2 and outputs fluorescent light having the maximum intensity at a second wavelength which is longer than the first wavelength. An absolute value of wavelength dependency of an optical absorption rate of the second phosphor 52 at the first wavelength is set to not more than 0.6%/nm. Accordingly, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the light emitting device 1 can be effectively improved.
US09322525B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a daylight harvesting system (1). The daylight harvesting system comprises a light distribution device comprising a light inlet (2) for receiving incident light (3), and a light outlet (4) for providing output light (5) received by the light inlet into an interior space. A light sensor (6) is arranged to receive and measure a light level of the incident light and to provide a measurement signal representative thereof. Control circuitry (7) is arranged to receive the measurement signal, and to provide a control signal based on the measurement signal to an artificial light source (8) placed at the light outlet. The light sensor is placed relative the light inlet such that the incident light received by the light sensor exclusively is affected by the incident light as received by the light inlet.
US09322524B1
An electronic candle includes a casing, a wick assembly, and a light source module. The casing has a top provided with an opening, the opening has an end internally provided with a support, and the support is provided with an aperture. The wick assembly includes a wick element having a wick plate and a counterweight element having a counterweight block. The wick plate has an end provided with a first connecting rod. The counterweight block has an end provided with a second connecting rod. The first connecting rod extends through the aperture and is connected with the second connecting rod in order for the wick assembly to swing freely while supported by the support. The light source module is provided in an interior of an opposite end of the opening and which is composed of at least three LEDs so arranged as to project light to the wick plate.
US09322522B2
An electronic candle (10) which simulates a flickering flame is provided. The candle (10) includes a hollow shell (12), a light-emitting element (18) such as an LED and a cap member (20) having the contour of a burning flame covering the light-emitting element (18). An electromagnet is provided to swing the light-emitting element (18). The electromagnet is mounted on a bracket (26) and receives an alternating current. A holding member (40) has a dead weight (52) at one end and the light-emitting element (18) at the other end. A permanent magnet (54) is attached to the bottom of the dead weight (52) such that when an alternating current is applied to the electromagnet it creates a magnetic field for acting on the permanent magnet (54) causing the holding member (40) to swing along an axial direction of the bracket (26). The electromagnet, bracket, dead weight, holding member and permanent magnet are concealed inside the shell (12) with a neck (46) of the holding member (40) to which the light-emitting element is affixed extending out the top end (16) of the shell (12).
US09322512B2
A fluid-reservoir management system for monitoring fluid capacities and controlling the transfer of fluid capacities within a fluid network includes a plurality of linked fluid reservoirs for storing the fluid capacities, a central computer unit in a communication network, the fluid reservoirs being linked to the communication network for transmitting data to and from the central computer unit, a communication portal provided in the communication network, a user interface for accessing the communication portal, a comparison unit for comparing fluid capacities and for comparing parameters of the fluid reservoirs and of the fluid network, and a control device for executing orders to transfer fluid capacities between at least two fluid reservoirs. The central computer unit coordinates the orders to transfer fluid capacities between at least two fluid reservoirs as a function of results of comparisons performed by the comparison unit and forwards the orders to the control device for executing.
US09322498B2
A breakaway coupling including a pair of sleeves, one sleeve fitting within the other, each sleeve provided with a connector body, and a hose connector secured with one of the connector bodies. The first sleeve holds a metal annulus, while the second sleeve secures a ring separator, counterbored, to secure a series of round magnets therein, so that when the sleeves and their connector bodies are brought together, they are secured by the magnets into connection. When excessive force is encountered, the breakaway will separate, to prevent further discharge of fuel from the nozzle. A swivel connector secures with one of the connector bodies.
US09322492B2
A pipeline clamp including a clamp assembly adapted to attach to an outer surface of a pipeline and a protruding member having a first end portion attached to a surface of the clamp assembly and a second end portion extended away from the clamp assembly. The second end portion is configured to accommodate a sensor and the pipeline clamp has a natural frequency equal to or greater than a maximum expected vibration frequency of the pipeline.
US09322490B2
A micro-valve for controlling fluid flows and a sealing device for sealing off cavities in a microfluid system, in particular in a lab-on-a-chip system, and also a method for the production thereof. A valve body or a sealing element bears with a sealing surface against a sealing surface of a substrate, the valve body or the sealing element is pressed with the sealing surface thereof in a fluid-tight manner against the sealing surface of the substrate by means of a pressure-exerting ring, and the pressure-exerting ring is cohesively connected to the substrate. The pressure-exerting ring and/or the valve body or the sealing element are at least partially elastic.
US09322488B2
To provide a pneumatic control valve including: a valve body 10; a valve opening/closing mechanism section 20; a pneumatic control section 60 for the valve opening/closing mechanism 20 that is coupled to the valve element 21 via a piston stem 62; a diaphragm 30 that defines a partition between a fluid and the pneumatic control section 60; a cylindrical lower stopper 40 that is fixed to the valve body 10 as anti-falling off for the valve element 21 and the diaphragm 30 inserted into a valve chamber 13, and supports movement of the piston stem 62; and a cylindrical upper stopper 50 that is fixed to the valve body 10 as anti-falling off for the piston stem 62 inserted into a piston chamber 15, and supports movement of the piston stem 62.
US09322487B2
A device for accumulating, isolating, indicating and venting accumulated gas in a fluid system pipe includes a main pipe fitting affixed to a system pipe in which a hole has been drilled. A standpipe attached to the pipe fitting houses a magnetic float. A magnetic-float level indicator exterior to the pipe indicates the magnetic float's level. A valve attached to the standpipe above the magnetic float allows controlled ventilation of the gas in the standpipe and thus in the piping system. Gas from the system pipe accumulates in the standpipe, removed from the primary fluid flow path of the system pipe. In the standpipe, as the liquid/gas interface drops, the float drops to a pre-determined level, at which point the user vents the gas from the piping system, causing the magnetic float to rise indicating that gas is again at acceptable levels in the piping system.
US09322486B2
A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing; a breather float valve mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.
US09322481B2
A valve assembly includes a valve housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion that define an internal chamber for accommodating a valve member. The housing has axially aligned inlet and outlet ports. The valve assembly includes a generally spherical valve member seated within the internal chamber that defines first and second bores. The first bore defines a first longitudinal axis and the second bore defines a second longitudinal axis offset relative to the first longitudinal axis. The valve member is mounted for movement between a first position and a second position. The valve assembly includes a camming mechanism for moving the valve member between the first position and the second position, including cam surfaces formed on the exterior surface of the valve member and a cam pin formed on the interior surface of the upper body portion of the housing.
US09322475B2
A sealing element for sealing a shaft comprises a stiffening part, a first elastomer part connected to the stiffening part and adapted to adjoin the housing part and provide a static seal relative, and a second elastomer part of an elastomer material different from the elastomer material forming the first elastomer part. The second elastomer part is connected to the stiffening part and comprises a sealing section adapted to adjoin the shaft to seal a space. The sealing section comprises a return structure for returning a leaking fluid to a space to be sealed. The sealing section also comprises a region at one axial end portion of the sealing section which is peripherally closed in itself and extends along an inner surface of a circular cylinder portion of the sealing section that is adapted to adjoin and seal the shaft as the shaft is not turning.
US09322472B2
A method of controlling a parking control device of a transmission may include a) inputting data about a state of a vehicle, b) determining, based on the data input at the step a), whether a current situation is a first situation in which an actuator of the parking control device of the transmission is to be promptly controlled, a second situation in which noise is controlled to be minimized, or a third situation which is a situation other than the first and second situations, and c) controlling a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) duty cycle required to control the actuator to different values depending on the first, second, and third situations determined at the step b), thus driving the actuator.
US09322465B2
The invention relates to a gear system (1) comprising a main gear (2) and a gear (4) rotatable relative thereto in circumferential direction (3), comprising spring elements (8), by means of which the rotatable gear (4) is pretensioned in circumferential direction (3) against the main gear (2), wherein the spring elements (8) are connected on the one hand to the main gear (2) and on the other hand to the rotatable gear (4), and wherein the spring elements (8) each have a longitudinal middle axis (19) running obliquely relative to an axial end face (18) of the rotatable gear (4).
US09322464B2
A hollow drive gear reduction mechanism includes a hollow wave generator, an annular flexible bearing, a flexible wheel, and a rigid wheel. The annular flexible bearing is disposed in and driven to rotate by an elliptical recess of the wave generator. The flexible wheel includes an inner toothed section and is inserted in the annular flexible bearing and has an outer surface abutted against an inner surface of the inner ring, and the flexible wheel is driven to rotate by the annular flexible bearing. The rigid wheel includes a plurality of outer teeth which are different in number from the inner teeth of the flexible wheel, the rigid wheel is inserted in the flexible wheel, and a part of the outer teeth are meshed with the inner teeth. The respective components are hollow structures, and a lateral aperture is formed on the hollow wave generator.
US09322462B2
A device for moving one or more vehicle-mounted objects and a vehicle having the same are provided. The device comprises: a housing; a cover; at least one pivot for adjusting the cover, the at least one pivot disposed in the housing and comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the at least one pivot is coupled with the cover; and a box assembly disposed in the housing, the box assembly being movable between a first position away from the opening and a second position near the opening. The box assembly is coupled with the second end of the at least one pivot, wherein the cover exposes at least a part of the opening when the box assembly is at the second position, and wherein the cover covers at least a part of the opening when the box assembly is at the first position.
US09322461B2
A continuously variable transmission is provided. The continuously variable transmission includes an input assembly, an output assembly, an input/output planetary ratio assembly and a torque feedback assembly. The input/output planetary ratio assembly is configured and arranged to set an input to output speed ratio. The input/output ratio assembly has a first portion that is in rotational communication with the input assembly and a second portion that is in rotational communication with the output assembly. The torque feedback control assembly provides an axial load force in response to a torque of a load coupled to the output assembly. Moreover, the torque feedback control assembly is coupled to provide torque feedback to the input/output planetary ratio assembly to at least in part control the input to output speed ratio of the input/output planetary ratio assembly.
US09322458B2
A gear transmission device includes a drive rotator and a driven external gear. The drive rotator includes a drive internal gear to rotate about a rotary shaft. The driven external gear meshes with the drive internal gear to transmit a drive force to a drive target.
US09322453B2
Mating components that are mateable to another component to share the same axis of rotation, assemblies including the mating component mated to another component, and methods of mating them together are disclosed. The mating component includes a hub having an engaging portion defining an endless channel recessed therein. The endless channel has a surface that defines one or more trenches therein and an elastomeric band seated against that surface in an uncompressed state. The elastomeric band has an outermost dimension relative to the endless channel that is larger than the inner or outer dimension defined by the engaging portion of the hub and thereby defines an unchanneled portion of the elastomeric band, which has a volume that is equal to or less than the total volume of the one or more trenches.
US09322451B2
A hydraulic mount apparatus (20) for supporting a vibration source is disclosed. The mount apparatus (20) includes a housing (22) that defines a housing chamber (24) separated by a partition assembly (62) into a pumping chamber (64) and a receiving chamber (66), each containing a magnetorheological fluid (68). A flexible body (48) is partially disposed in the pumping chamber (64) for deforming elastically in response to vibrations caused by an external excitation. A fluid passage (106) extends between the pumping chamber (64) and the receiving chamber (66) for passing the fluid therebetween during low frequency vibrations. A piezostack actuator (118) partially extends into the pumping chamber (64) for moving within the pumping chamber (64) for varying the volume of the pumping chamber (64) to prevent a pressure increase in the pressure chamber to substantially cancel relatively high frequency vibrations.
US09322444B2
An improved energy capacity brake employing a drum structure with dual braking surfaces may be utilized in a wide variety of industrial and commercial applications requiring braking action. The drum includes first and second annular drum parts joined together to provide a dual drum feature for use with a coupling component together forming a drum brake assembly. In an alternate embodiment the drum may be cast with a single disc member having two braking surfaces.
US09322442B2
A method of correcting clutch characteristics of a vehicle may include determining whether or not a difference in temperature between a surface and a core of a driving clutch exceeds a reference value, and correcting a torque-stroke (T-S) curve if it is determined that the difference in temperature exceeds the reference value. The correcting of the T-S curve may include moving the T-S curve from a currently selected position in a direction in response to a rise in temperature.
US09322427B2
A fastening device comprising a head, an elongated shaft and a seal. The seal has a sealing element and a covering elements made of different materials.
US09322426B2
A fastener includes a nut having an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a threaded bore with a center axis extending from the anterior portion to the posterior portion, the outer surface of the posterior portion having an annular camming surface concentric with the center axis, the camming surface having a radius that decreases along the direction of the center axis away from the anterior portion toward the posterior portion; and a sleeve having a first end having an internal annular camming surface that engages the nut camming surface concentrically with the center axis and a second end having a thrusting surface. Tightening the fastener on an externally threaded member applies a force to the thrusting surface parallel to the center axis resulting in the nut camming surface and the sleeve camming surface cooperating to compress a portion of the threaded bore toward the threaded member.
US09322423B2
A bolt sleeve for insulating a bolt or machine screw, wherein the bolt sleeve is so embodied that it axially shortens by a predetermined amount in the case of a force of predetermined size acting axially on it, whereupon the bolt sleeve assumes at least partially the shape of a bellows.
US09322419B2
A central valve for a pivot motor actuator, the central valve including a housing tube including a first operating connection, a supply connection, a second operating connection and a tank drain connection; a piston enveloped by the housing tube and moveable relative to the housing tube, wherein the first operating connection is connected with the supply connection and the second operating connection is connected with the tank drain connection in a first position of the piston, wherein the piston is positioned in a center position in a second position, and wherein the second operating connection is connected with the supply connection and the first operating connection is connected with the tank drain connection in a third position of the piston, wherein the piston includes at least one first check valve on its outside.
US09322416B2
A hydraulic suspension system includes a suspension cylinder, a pump, and a control valve therebetween. The control valve includes a spool reciprocally movable between a pump flow position and a tank flow position in which a control port of the control valve is in communication with a pump and a tank, respectively. A piloted logic element in fluid communication with and interposed between the control valve and the suspension cylinder is selectively movable between a through-flow position in which fluid can flow in either direction between a chamber of the suspension cylinder and the control port of the control valve and a blocked position in which fluid is prevented from flowing in or out of the chamber of the suspension cylinder. The logic element is biased to the blocking position, moving to the through-flow position when subjected to a crack pressure delivered from the control port of the control valve.
US09322410B2
An electric pump device of an aspect of the invention includes a state determination unit and a gain adjusting unit. The state determination unit determines whether or not the electric pump device is in a stable state where a required oil pressure is supplied to a hydraulic operating device by maintaining a rotation state of a motor. The gain adjusting unit adjusts a gain for a current feedback control so as to reduce responsiveness of the current feedback control when the state determination unit determines that the electric pump device is in the stable state.
US09322408B2
A centrifugal fan includes a shell, an impeller, a tongue portion, and a protrusion. The shell includes a top plate, a bottom plate, and a sidewall connecting to the top plate and the bottom plate. The top plate, the bottom plate, and the sidewall define an air outlet. The impeller is disposed in the shell. The tongue portion is disposed in the shell and neighboring the air outlet. The protrusion is disposed on an inner wall of the shell and is physically connected to the top plate and the bottom plate.
US09322402B2
A dove-tail clamp assembly configured to couple a plunger and a pony rod for operation within a fluid end. The clamp assembly using a flange portion extending from the plunger and the pony rod. A clamp within the clamp assembly engages the flanges in the plunger and the pony rod in a non-threaded relationship to permit the pony rod to induce a reciprocating movement of the plunger within the fluid end. The flange portions may be integrally coupled to the plunger and the pony rod in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the flange portions may be threadedly inserted into existing bores in the plunger and the pony rod. The clamp assembly may include a deflector and an alignment pin.
US09322400B2
A jet pump that supplies fluid to a transmission pump includes a pump inlet, a sump, a fluid source, and a nozzle including an axial passage for carrying fluid from the sump toward the inlet, and a second passage having an arcuate periphery and including an entrance facing a lateral side of the nozzle and connected to the fluid source and an exit communicating with the pump inlet.
US09322395B2
A power generating device includes an input rotor that is provided to an output shaft of speed up gears so as to be capable of rotating together with the output shaft, an output rotor that is provided to a drive shaft of a generator so as to be capable of rotating together with the drive shaft, and a one-way clutch that is disposed between the input rotor and the output rotor. The one-way clutch connects the input rotor with the output rotor so as to rotate together with the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor exceeds the rotation speed of the output rotor, and the one-way clutch is configured to release the connection between the input rotor and the output rotor when the rotation speed of the input rotor falls below the rotation speed of the output rotor.
US09322394B2
A platform-like device for generating electricity from moving fluids has at least two fluid turbines coupled to one another through a frame. The fluid turbines are adapted to rotate in opposite directions. The fluid turbines also provide buoyancy for the platform so that the platform is self supporting in the water. The fluid turbines preferably have helicoid flights (screw-like threads) mounted to generally prolate casings. The fluid turbines preferably connect to electric generators through belt, chain-drive, or other transmission systems. The platform may additional support a wind turbine.
US09322386B1
A hydro blade turbine system preferably includes a housing, a current divider, a plurality of collapsible pockets, a pair of idler gears, a pair of drive gears, a pair of chains, an idler shaft and a drive shaft. Each one of the plurality of collapsible pockets include a first plate, a second plate, a hinge member, a pocket liner and a bobber. The plurality of collapsible pockets are pivotally engaged with the pair of chains. A first embodiment of the hydro blade turbine is located inside a chamber or a boiler. If a boiler is used, a lower end of the hydro blade turbine is located above a steam generation area of the boiler. A second embodiment of the hydro blade turbine uses ignited natural gas to propel the plurality of collapsible pockets. A third embodiment of the hydro blade turbine uses steam to propel the plurality of collapsible pockets.
US09322385B1
The Vortex Hydro Turbine takes water through two upper inlets and one lower inlet from the current in which it is submerged. The upper inlets direct the water flow into cylindrical chambers with a spiral bottom to create a vortex. The top of the chambers are specifically left open to allow the water to exit and to reintegrate into the existing native flow. This movement of the water creates a low pressure area within the center of each of the chambers which is transferred to the back side of a turbine blade system through depending tubes. Water flows thru the turbine blade via the lower inlet and out the tail pipe. The low pressure from the depending tubes, aft of the blades, increases the water velocity through the blades for increased power output. The system can be scaled as a standalone unit or as an array.
US09322375B2
A fuel injection valve realizing improved circumferential uniformity of swirling fuel is provided. The fuel injection valve includes swirling chambers each having an inner peripheral wall whose curvature is gradually larger from upstream to downstream, paths for swirling each of which, having a fuel flow-in region formed along a valve axis direction, guides fuel to the associated one of the swirling chambers, and fuel injection orifices open into the associated swirling chambers, respectively. In the fuel injection valve, a curved portion is formed on the bottom, in a sectional view along the valve axis direction, of an inlet portion of each of the paths for swirling so as to change the fuel flow in each of the paths for swirling.
US09322371B2
A system and method for engaging a slide-in mountable fuel pump assembly with a fan cover of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel pump assembly includes a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from a fuel source to the engine and a mounting bracket affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and configured to slidingly engage a fan cover of the engine so as to enable selective mounting and removal of the fuel pump assembly to and from the fan cover. The mounting bracket further includes a main plate affixed to or formed integrally with the fuel pump and a track formed on each of opposing sides of the main plate, with the track configured to slidingly engage a mating feature formed on the fan cover of the engine so as to selectively mount the fuel pump assembly to the fan cover.
US09322369B2
An air filter for a combustion engine for off-load motorcycles is made from a porous foam material. The air filter has contiguous side surface forming a cavity with at least two openings where the side surface contains at least one filter layer, a bottom surface closing at least one of the two openings where the bottom surface contains at least one filter layer, where the side surface has more air resistant than the bottom surface. The side surface has more air resistant than said bottom surface by arranging any combination of thickness of the surfaces, number of layers, and porosity ratio of the layers.
US09322367B2
Methods and systems are provided for estimating a fuel canister purge flow based on outputs of an intake manifold oxygen sensor. For example, during boosted engine operation when exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) is flowing below a threshold and purge is enabled, purge flow may be estimated based on changes in the sensor output while modulating a canister purge valve between an open and closed position. Then, during subsequent operation wherein EGR and purge flow are enabled, the output of the sensor may be adjusted based on the estimated purge flow.
US09322365B2
A motor vehicle exhaust gas recirculation valve arrangement for an exhaust gas recirculation system of an internal combustion engine includes an electric drive motor, an intermediate shaft, an eccentric shaft, and a valve drive. The electric drive motor comprises a motor shaft and a motor pinion. The intermediate shaft comprises an intermediate shaft pinion and an output gear. The output gear is configured to mesh with the motor pinion. The eccentric shaft comprises an eccentric and a drive gear. The drive gear is configured to mesh with the intermediate shaft pinion. A valve drive comprises a valve plate, a valve rod, and a link. The link is configured to have the eccentric engage therein. The intermediate shaft is arranged laterally beside the eccentric shaft so that the eccentric and the link lie beside the drive motor.
US09322363B2
A method for operating an engine system is described herein. The method includes moving a plurality of vanes in a variable geometry turbocharger toward a closed position in response to tip-out and after moving the plurality of vanes toward the closed position, moving an EGR valve from a fully closed position toward an open position in response to tip-in, the EGR valve in fluidic communication with an exhaust sub-system upstream of the turbine. The method further includes, after moving the EGR valve toward an open position, moving the plurality of vanes based on one or more of a driver-requested torque, engine speed, and engine temperature.
US09322362B2
A supercharging system for an engine includes: a cylinder block forming a combustion chamber; an intake manifold connected to the cylinder block to supply ambient air thereto; an exhaust manifold collecting exhaust gas discharged from the combustion chamber and guiding the same to the environment; a third supercharge path connecting an inlet of the intake manifold to the exhaust manifold; and an electric supercharger supplying compressed air to the exhaust manifold through the third supercharge path. Responsiveness of an engine is enhanced and stabilization of the engine is promoted.
US09322360B2
A hydraulic circuit for a jet engine thrust reverser is disclosed. The hydraulic circuit may comprise a primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly and a secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may be hydraulically coupled to the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly, in a master-slave relationship, and the secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may drive a thrust reverser blocker door. The primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly may comprise a rod, and the rod may comprise a channel through which hydraulic fluid is capable of flowing. The hydraulic circuit may further comprise a group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies, wherein the group of secondary hydraulic actuator cylinder assemblies may be coupled to the primary hydraulic actuator cylinder assembly.
US09322359B2
A green treatment process for cleaning exhaust gas generated in the air oxidation of benzene homologs is disclosed. It takes the hot pressurized exhaust gas generated in the benzene homolog air oxidation process as driving power and heating source: firstly, introducing the said exhaust gas into a turbine refrigerator so that it can drive the refrigerator to generate the cooling capacity that will be utilized for condensing the gas phase in the upper part of the flash evaporator and for trapping organics entrained in the exhaust gas; then, leading the exhaust gas with lowered temperature and pressure into corresponding heat exchangers to provide a part of heating source for the flash evaporator and to preheat the reaction raw materials. Furthermore, introducing the condensed exhaust gas into a water absorption scrubber for further removal of trace organics entrained therein.
US09322356B2
In a method for operating a valve, e.g., a fuel injector of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle which is activated with the aid of an actuator, the actuator is activated using a control variable which has a predetermined control period. The control period is formed as a function of a setpoint value for a closing delay time of the valve which characterizes a time difference between an end of the control period and a closing point in time of the valve.
US09322351B2
A method for operating an internal combustion engine comprising an emission control system that includes at least one catalytic and/or filter-effective emission control component. In conjunction with a cold start and/or a warm-up of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is operated using a cold start engine operation process having predefined values for predefined operating parameters of the internal combustion engine. An amount of hydrocarbons (HC) stored in one or more of the at least one emission control component is estimated, and the cold start engine operation process is activated when the estimation indicates that the amount of stored HC exceeds a predefined maximum amount of stored HC.
US09322343B2
An internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle is automatically shut off and started by way of a start-stop device, wherein an automatic shut-off process is initiated during a coasting operation phase of the internal combustion engine, and an automatic start process is initiated when at least one activation command occurs. For shutting off the internal combustion engine in the coasting operation phase, a gas exchange in cylinders of the internal combustion engine is at least almost completely suppressed and, at the same time, a torque converter lock-up clutch disposed between the internal combustion engine and the transmission for power transmission purposes is actuated such that the torque converter lock-up clutch remains or is at least almost completely engaged.
US09322342B2
Methods and systems for fuel system leak detection in a hybrid electric vehicle using a fuel reservoir are disclosed. In one example approach, a method comprises, during an engine off condition, delivering fuel from a fuel tank into a reservoir while the fuel tank is vented to atmosphere, discontinuing delivering fuel into the reservoir, sealing the fuel tank from atmosphere, and following the sealing, indicating a leak based on a pressure increase in the fuel tank from a pressure when sealed from venting.
US09322334B2
A deformable fastener assembly for use with a gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener may be used to fasten a component of the gas turbine that is subjected to high temperatures and thermal deformation, such as an impingement sleeve assembly, to a rigid portion, such as the inner turbine shell of the gas turbine engine. The deformable fastener assemblies may permit components to be fastened to a rigid portion of the gas turbine with a consistent load input to permit frictional transient sliding of the component relative to the rigid portion of the gas turbine engine.
US09322329B2
A method controls the rpm of a combustion engine in a hand-held work apparatus such as a brushcutter. The engine drives a work tool via a clutch which engages as a function of the engine rpm (n). A spark plug is arranged in the combustion chamber and is driven by an ignition unit. During start of the engine, an rpm lock circuit is active and defines a control variable as a function of the instantaneous rpm (nact) of the engine. According to the magnitude of this control variable, operating parameters of the engine are adapted to change the instantaneous rpm (nact). A control variable is determined for the adaptation of the operating parameters by the rpm lock circuit. The switch-off of the rpm lock circuit is provided when the control variable of the control lies outside a predetermined bandwidth of the absolute magnitude of the control variables.
US09322324B2
A method for controlling an electrical actuator for a wastegate valve arrangement of an exhaust gas turbocharger in an internal combustion engine is provided. A wastegate is situated in a bypass channel of the exhaust gas turbocharger. The method includes closing or opening the wastegate by the actuator for adjusting the exhaust gas flow routed past the exhaust gas turbocharger via the bypass channel. The wastegate is exposed to a predetermined closing force while it is in a closed state so as to regulate the closing force to a desired value for the closing force as a function of an actual value for the closing force. Computer-readable mediums embodying a computer program product having a program to perform the method are also provided.
US09322323B2
A method for correcting the reduced mass flow rate of a compressor in an internal combustion engine turbocharged with a turbocharger provided with a turbine and with a compressor; the internal combustion engine including an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, and being set up to allow the passage of air from the intake manifold to the exhaust manifold; the method including determining, in a design stage, a control law that provides a target opening of a control actuator of the wastegate as a function of an actual supercharging pressure and of a reduced mass flow rate of the compressor; and correcting the reduced mass flow rate of the compressor as a function of the enthalpy of a gas mixture flowing through the turbine of the turbocharger.
US09322315B2
A filter state detection device includes a first pressure detection part, a second pressure detection part, and a filter state determination part. The filter state determination part is configured to include an operation part and a storage part. The operation part is configured to apply Fourier transformation to each of values of first and second pressures to obtain first and second spectral intensities and/or phases at a zero frequency and first and second spectral intensities and/or phases at a predetermined frequency and configured to compare the first spectral intensity and/or phase at a zero frequency and the first spectral intensity and/or phase at the predetermined frequency as a first group against the second spectral intensity and/or phase at a zero frequency and the second spectral intensity and/or phase at the predetermined frequency as a second group to determine a state of a filter.
US09322313B2
The present invention is a deposition prevention method of coking deposits using a turbocharger (120) including a turbine (122) including a flow path section having a vane section, a nozzle, and a housing, and a compressor (124) configured to introduce air into an engine (110) using rotation of the vane section of the turbine, and installed at an exhaust path (202) of the engine. The method includes a film coating process of forming a film including an element having a standard free energy change in a carbonization reaction of −50 kJ/mol or more on at least one surface of the vane section, the nozzle and the housing of the flow path section of the turbine.
US09322312B2
In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of regenerating an exhaust gas particulate filter in a vehicle having an internal combustion engine is provided. The method includes determining a soot accumulation in the particulate filter, determining a soot humidity and temperature correction factor, and adjusting, using the soot humidity and temperature correction factor, the soot accumulation to determine a corrected soot accumulation in the particulate filter. The method further includes performing a regeneration of the particulate filter when at least one of the following occurs: the corrected soot accumulation reaches a predetermined threshold, and the corrected soot accumulation indicates a contorted soot mass to flow resistance relationship.
US09322309B2
An exhaust-gas treatment unit includes a housing with a first end and an oppositely disposed second end, a tube extending from the first end to the second end and serving as an inflow region for an exhaust gas, a deflecting region in the vicinity of the second end for the exhaust gas, and a return flow region extending between the tube and the housing. In the deflecting region, the exhaust gas is mixed and transferred into the return flow region. A method for mixing an exhaust gas in an exhaust-gas treatment unit and a vehicle having the exhaust-gas treatment unit and carrying out the method, are also provided.
US09322303B2
A variable valve timing control unit includes an intake-side variable valve timing control apparatus, an exhaust-side variable valve timing control apparatus, an intake-side phase control valve selectively performing supply and discharge of fluid relative to an advanced angle fluid passage and a retarded angle fluid passage of the intake-side variable valve timing control apparatus, an exhaust-side phase control valve selectively performing supply and discharge of the fluid relative to the advanced angle fluid passage and the retarded angle fluid passage of the exhaust-side variable valve timing control apparatus, and a single lock control valve controlling supply and discharge of the fluid relative to unlock fluid passages of the respective intake-side variable valve timing control apparatus and the exhaust-side variable valve timing control apparatus.
US09322301B2
A method of externally modifying a Carnot engine cycle. A first step involves providing a heat exchange path between an external environment and a fluid circulating in a carnot engine. A second step involving permitting the carnot engine to draw from an endless supply of heat or cold in the external environment to regenerate the Carnot engine cycle as entropic losses are encountered and as differential heat energy is converted into power.
US09322296B2
A distributed compressed air storage system and method is described. A compression facility is configured to compress air and provides the compressed air to a pipeline. The pipeline is coupled to the compression facility and is configured to transport compressed air from the compression facility to a compressed air storage facility that is remote from the compression facility. A heat recovery unit is coupled to the compression facility and is configured to recover heat produced by compressing air in the compression facility. The compressed air storage facility is configured to store compressed air received from the pipeline and is located remote from the compression facility. An expansion facility is configured to receive compressed air from the compressed air storage facility and expand the compressed air to generate electricity.
US09322294B2
The present invention relates to an oil-free turbocharger assembly using an airfoil bearing that may be useful in high speed conditions. The assembly can be cooled easily. A heat-proof coating can also be easily applied to the turbo charger's rotating shaft. In one embodiment, an oil-free turbocharger assembly has a constant distance between a journal portion and a rotating shaft so that the mass of the rotating body can be minimized and the rotating body assembly can have a small moment of inertia. The turbocharger in some embodiments of the invention may be cooled by a refrigerant which improves cooling efficiency. Each part of the rotating body assembly in some embodiments may be individually treated with a heat-proof process so that productivity can be improved.
US09322288B2
A gas turbine engine has a pair of components having a high-pressure chamber on one side, and a low pressure chamber on an opposed side. A three-sided seal has one side in sealing contact with each of said components. A third side is associated with a third component. At least one non-metallic wear surface is positioned between one of the three sides of the seal and its respective component.
US09322282B2
A turbine rotor blade is provided. The turbine rotor blade includes an airfoil, an airfoil tip, a tip shroud, and a fillet about an intersection of the airfoil tip and the tip shroud. The fillet defines a fillet profile variable about the intersection as a function of aerodynamic airflow about the intersection.
US09322280B2
A method of designing a turbine blade includes the steps of forming at least two notches on a tip of a turbine blade, each of the at least two notches having a known dimension. The turbine blade has a pressure side and a suction side. The method further includes the step of operating a gas turbine engine including the turbine blade to expand a length of the turbine blade such that the tip of the turbine engages a casing. The method further includes the steps of viewing the tip of the turbine blade after the step of operating of the gas turbine engine, determining an appearance of the notches on the tip and determining a manufacturing length of the turbine blade based on the step of determining the appearance the notches.
US09322276B2
A method for manufacturing a leading edge profile section of an aircraft lifting surface is provided. The method comprises the following steps: a) providing a set of laminated preforms of a composite material configured with a suitable shape for constituting the leading edge profile section; b) arranging said laminated preforms in a curing tooling and subjecting the assembly to an autoclave cycle to co-cure said laminated preforms; c) demolding the curing tooling in a spanwise direction towards the aircraft symmetry plane. The invention also comprises a leading edge profile section manufactured by said method comprising in addition to the skin of the leading edge profile section, one or more of the following structural elements: an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stiffener reinforcing an auxiliary spar, a longitudinal stringer reinforcing the skin of the leading edge profile.
US09322274B2
A rotary-piston internal-combustion engine comprises a rotating block with three radially situated cylinders with pistons and an outside placed stationary case with two intake ports and two exhaust ports. Between the rotating block and the stationary case there are sealing parts and connecting rods, connected to one crank pin of a crankshaft. Between the crankshaft and the rotating block there is gearing for three times higher revolutions of the crankshaft in the opposite direction with respect to the rotating block. In the stationary case there are at least two spark plugs placed on the opposite sides. The bore of cylinders is 2 to 3.5 times higher than the stroke of pistons and all sealing parts with pressure springs that seal spaces of cylinders to the outer stationary case are placed in cavities in the stationary case.
US09322273B2
A scroll compressor is provided that may include a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap and a plurality of first key recesses, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed scroll to define compression chambers and having an orbiting wrap and a plurality of second key recesses, a drive having a rotation shaft coupled to the orbiting scroll such that one end portion thereof overlaps the orbiting wrap in a lateral direction, and an Oldham ring having a plurality of first and second keys coupled to the plurality of first and second key recesses, respectively. The plurality of second keys may at least temporarily protrude from the plurality of second key recesses in a radial direction during the orbiting motion. Further, the plurality of second key recesses and the plurality of second keys may be disposed to obtain maximum contact areas therebetween at a moment of start of discharging.
US09322269B2
Non-halogenated molecules having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, saturated, unsaturated (and combinations thereof) alcohols, ketones, organic acids, organic acid salts, sulfonated derivatives of these compounds, and combinations thereof are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, such as from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be absorbed onto and/or adsorbed onto substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent (e.g. pentafluoro benzyl chloride, and the like) to give a derivatized tracer. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in at least a portion of the recovered fluid. A different non-halogenated tracer may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage, thus, it can be determined from which fracturing stage water is produced and from which fracturing stage oil is produced, for example.
US09322265B2
Provided is a coring apparatus for collecting marine sediments, and more particularly, to a coring apparatus having a core filled with marine sediments when the coring apparatus is inserted into a seabed.
US09322261B2
A cloud computing method for geosteering during directional drilling of a wellbore. The method includes a cloud processor, cloud data storage, and client devices in communication with the cloud processor through a network. The cloud processor receives data from directional drilling equipment and presents that data to users in an executive dashboard. Users can send data and/or commands to the directional drilling equipment. The executive dashboard can present: a portion of interest in a stratigraphic cross section for user identification of: the drill bit in the stratigraphic cross section, formations in the stratigraphic cross section, and other formation data. The method can be used to: identify a projected path for the drill bit, import data, compute wellbore profiles and stratigraphic cross sections, plot actual drilling paths, overlay the actual drilling path onto the projected path, and present control buttons to the user.
US09322234B2
Downhole tools, such as MWD modules (or components), may be coupled together with a coupler (or coupling device) having a shall housing with slidable electrical connectors disposed at each end. The electrical connectors may each be supported in connector housings disposed with springs or other movable devices. In a first position, the electrical connectors may extend past the ends of the shaft housing. The slidable connector housings allow the electrical connections to be made before the sleeves connecting (or mechanically connecting) the MWD modules with the coupler are begun to be threadedly attached with the coupler. Each of the connector housings may have a key configuration on their exposed end. The shaft housing may also have key configurations on its ends. The key configurations of the connector housings and the shaft housing may be configured to mate with compatible ends of MWD modules.
US09322228B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a wedge segment. In certain embodiment, the wedge segment includes an arcuate body having a tapered profile sized to engage with a tubular element, a first surface of the arcuate body comprising a first surface treatment configured to grip an outer surface of the tubular element, and a second surface comprising a second surface treatment configured to grip an inner surface of an annular member disposed about the tubular element.
US09322218B2
A borehole cutting assembly for directional cutting in a borehole, the assembly comprising an input pipe and a cutting head rotatably mounted on the input pipe such that the orientation of the cutting head relative to the input pipe can be altered to determine the direction of cutting of the borehole. A cutting tool and cutting tool motor are mounted on the cutting head to enable the cutting tool to be rotatably driven relative to the cutting head so that when the cutting tool is loaded in use the cutting head is subject to a tool reaction torque that acts to rotate the cutting head to change the orientation of the cutting head. The cutting head is rotatably mounted on the input pipe by a controlled torque coupling comprising a progressive cavity pump having a rotor and a stator each provided with drive formations arranged to define a fluid flow cavity therebetween. Rotation of the rotor relative to the stator forces fluid flow through the cavity to counteract the tool reaction torque. Fluid flow control means is provided to resist the flow of fluid through the cavity in use and thus to control the magnitude of the counteraction generated by the progressive cavity pump to the tool reaction torque.
US09322211B2
A vertical blind assembly module includes a head rail unit with opposite sides and a unit axis extending between the sides, a housing and an axle pivotally connecting the housing to the head rail unit so that the housing can pivot about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the unit axis. A slat is coiled in the housing so enabling the slat to be extended from the housing a selected distance and retracted into the housing. A foot rail unit is pivotally connected to the projecting end of the slat, the pivotal connection being collinear to the pivot axis. By turning the axle relative to the head rail unit about the pivot axis when the slat is extended, the slat can be turned between a closed position wherein the slat is parallel to the unit axis and an open position wherein the slat is perpendicular to the unit axis.
US09322202B2
A rotary mechanism includes a supporter and a bracket. The supporter includes a body, a pivot portion and a support portion. The body whereon the pivot portion is disposed is disposed on a base. The support portion includes a bar and a guiding structure. A low end of the bar is connected to the body, and the guiding structure is disposed on a top end of the bar. The bracket includes a frame, a constraint portion, a pivot slot structure and a contact portion. The constraint portion and the pivot slot structure are disposed on the frame. The contact portion slides along the guiding structure when the bracket rotates relative to the supporter, so that position of the pivot portion moves from an end to the other end of the pivot slot structure structure, and the constraint portion contacts against the body for constraint rotation of the bracket.
US09322196B2
A padlock for securing a switch of an industrial plant comprises a lock body and a hoop which is displaceably held at the lock body, wherein the lock body has a lock housing composed of plastic, a lock cylinder having a rotatable cylinder core, and a rotatable latching member, wherein the cylinder core and the latching member are rotationally fixedly coupled to one another by means of a coupling element and wherein the latching member is rotatable from a release position into a latching position to lock the hoop at the lock body. The padlock is characterized in that the coupling element has at least one first bearing section, one second bearing section and therebetween a shaft section between the latching member and the lock cylinder, said shaft section connecting the first bearing section to the second bearing section and having a smaller diameter than the two bearing sections.
US09322190B2
A multistory modular production plant includes a vertical stack of production modules for supporting production equipment, and a vertical stack of operator access modules adjacently connected to the vertically stacked production modules to allow operator access to the production modules. The adjacently connected vertical stacks of production modules and operator access modules thereby establish multiple stories of the modular production plant. Stairs and/or an elevator may be provided in the vertical stack of operator access modules to allow an operator to ascent/descend between stories of the plant. In especially preferred embodiments, each production module and operator access module is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped which is sized so as to be accommodated within a standard 20-foot shipping container. This configuration of modular units thus allows the plant to be more quickly shipped and constructed on site.
US09322183B2
Floorboards with a mechanical locking system that allows movement between the floorboards when they are joined to form a floating floor.
US09322177B2
A skylight system including a support frame and an apex patch fitting that together support a plurality of glass pieces joined together in a selectable shape. The support frame includes a sill and a setting chair that are arranged to support the base portions of the glass pieces. The apex patch fitting may be of selectable shape and includes an upper and lower member to retain the peaks or corners of the glass therebetween. The apex patch fitting includes one or more positioning keys to align and secure the glass pieces. A method of making the skylights includes the use of an apex retainer tool to maintain the apex patch fitting in a fixed position while placing glass pieces on it. Multiple apex patch fittings can be used for a skylight, including a skylight that is ridge shaped or hipped ridge shape.
US09322174B1
A cantilevered leaf spring is biased against the upper edge of a roofing tile to prevent the tile from sliding upward beneath an overlying upper row of roofing tiles. The leaf spring can be formed as a part of a tile fastener which includes a hooked portion for receiving and holding the lower edge of a roofing tile on a roof. A series of tile fasteners is mounted to a layer of roofing material to facilitate installation of tiles without the need for installation tools. Damaged tiles can be easily replaced without the need for installation or removal tools. With this system, each row of underlying tiles is locked in place by the combined effect of an overlying and overlapping row of tiles and a spring awl on an upper fastener pushing the upper edge of a tile downwardly so that the lower edge of the tile is forced into the mouth of a lower fastener.
US09322157B1
A drain fixture with a mechanically coupleable outlet fitting is described. The drain fixture includes a drain body having an aperture in a bottom floor thereof. A coupler with cylindrical body is inserted through the aperture such that the body extends below the floor. An outlet fitting is disposed beneath the floor and receives the body of the coupler therein. The outlet fitting includes a plurality of projections in an interior surface thereof that are received by respective channels in the body of the coupler. The outlet fitting is rotated with respect to the coupler to mechanically join the two together, such as in a bayonet-style coupling. The joining traps the floor of the drain body between flanges of the coupler and the outlet fitting. Downstream tubing can be coupled to the outlet fitting as desired.
US09322148B2
A mapping system includes a pose sensor, a mapping sensor, a database defining a work surface, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive pose signals and determine the position and the orientation of the machine and receive mapping signals and determine a plurality of raw data points. The controller further determines a plurality of machine points defining a position of a portion of the machine and filters the plurality of raw data points based upon the plurality of machine points to define a plurality of filtered data points. The database may be updated with the plurality of filtered data points.
US09322134B2
Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with lignosulfonic acids, to generate cellulose-rich solids; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The strong lignosulfonic acids created during delignification give a pH less than 1 and hydrolyze preferentially the amorphous regions of cellulose. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented to co-products.
US09322133B2
Processes disclosed are capable of converting biomass into high-crystallinity nanocellulose with surprisingly low mechanical energy input. In some variations, the process includes fractionating biomass with an acid (such as sulfur dioxide), a solvent (such as ethanol), and water, to generate cellulose-rich solids and a liquid containing hemicellulose and lignin; and mechanically treating the cellulose-rich solids to form nanofibrils and/or nanocrystals. The total mechanical energy may be less than 500 kilowatt-hours per ton. The crystallinity of the nanocellulose material may be 80% or higher, translating into good reinforcing properties for composites. The nanocellulose material may include nanofibrillated cellulose, nanocrystalline cellulose, or both. In some embodiments, the nanocellulose material is hydrophobic via deposition of some lignin onto the cellulose surface. Optionally, sugars derived from amorphous cellulose and hemicellulose may be separately fermented, such as to monomers for various polymers. These polymers may be combined with the nanocellulose to form completely renewable composites.
US09322130B2
Provided are a textile fabric sheet having stain and liquid resistance including (a) a fabric substrate, (b) a first polyurethane coating layer formed on a first surface of the fabric substrate; (c) a second aqueous acrylic coating layer formed on the first coating layer of the polyurethane coating layer; and (d) a third stain-resistant coating layer formed on the second aqueous acrylic coating layer and a method of preparing the same. Thus, a texture characteristic of the fabric substrate itself can be exhibited, and due to the polyurethane coating layer, the aqueous acrylic coating layer and the stain-resistant coating layer stacked in three steps, excellent water resistance, stain resistance and air permeability can be exhibited.
US09322123B2
A level measuring device for a wall mounted drum type washing machine and a level measuring method thereof, in which water levels of the left side and the right side of a tub of the wall mounted drum type washing machine are measured by first and second level measuring units, a control unit determines whether the washing machine is level from the measured water levels of the left and right sides of the tub, and a display unit displays a result of determining whether the washing machine is level, thereby reducing the installation time to install and level the washing machine, and allow a consumer to easily identify and maintain the level washing machine during use, thereby reducing vibrations and noise that occur during operation of the wall mounted drum type washing machine.
US09322120B2
A zigzag sewing machine including a sewing mechanism; a first storage device that stores pattern data that include attribute data and stitch data; a pattern selection section that sequentially selects optional pattern data stored in the first storage device; a second storage device that stores pattern data that have been selected by the pattern selection section as an arranged combinational pattern; a command data insertion section that inserts and adds pause data at an optional position midway of a pattern data string stored in the second storage device; a pause command section that reads out the pause data and that supplies the pause signal to the sewing machine drive unit; and a display device that displays the combinational pattern, the display device further displaying a pause symbol at a position in the combinational pattern where the pause symbol has been inserted and added.
US09322118B2
A cheek plate device is provided for a stuffer box crimper, which has brackets, adjusting mechanisms, cheek plates, a base frame and a pair of nip rollers. The adjusting mechanisms are mounted on the brackets, which can slide relative to the bracket. The cheek plates are mounted on the inside of the adjusting mechanisms. Two identical brackets, adjusting mechanisms and cheek plates are mounted symmetrically at two sides of the pair of nip rollers and affixed on the base frame. The cheek plate device further comprises fluid thrust devices, which include fluid inlets and cylinders located on the brackets. One end of the adjusting mechanism is inserted into and coupled with the cylinder. The fluid of the thrust device flows into the cylinders through the inlets and pushes, via the adjusting mechanisms, the cheek plates toward the sides of the nip rollers. The thrust device can work hydraulically or pneumatically.
US09322116B2
An apparatus for producing metal oxide nanofibers includes a jetting unit, a mixing unit, a heating unit, and a cooling unit. The jetting unit jets particles made of a metal. The mixing unit prepares a mixture by mixing the metal particles and a gas containing an oxidizing component that includes oxygen in molecules of the component. The heating unit heats the mixture to raise the temperature of the mixture up to a temperature at which the metal evaporates. The cooling unit cools the product thus-produced in the heating unit.
US09322114B2
This invention relates to polypropylene fibers and fabrics containing polypropylene fibers, the fibers comprising propylene polymers comprising at least 50 mol % propylene, said polymers having: a) a melt flow rate (MFR, ASTM 1238, 230° C., 2.16 kg) of about 10 dg/min to about 25 dg/min; b) a dimensionless Stress Ratio/Loss Tangent Index R2 [defined by Eq. (8)] at 190° C. from about 1.5 to about 30; c) an onset temperature of crystallization under flow, Tc,rheol, (as determined by SAOS rheology, 190° C., 1° C./min, where said polymer has 0 wt % nucleating agent present), of at least about 123° C.; d) an average meso run length determined by 13C NMR of at least about 55 or higher; and e) optionally, a loss tangent, tan δ, [defined by Eq. (2)] at an angular frequency of 0.1 rad/s at 190° C. from about 14 to about 70.
US09322108B2
A process for the electrochemical deposition of a semiconductor material, which process comprises: (i) providing a non-aqueous solvent; (ii) providing at least one precursor salt which forms a source of the constituent elements within the semiconductor material to be deposited; and (iii) electrodepositing the semiconductor material onto an electrode substrate using the precursor salt in the non-aqueous solvent, characterized in that: (iv) the semiconductor material is a p-block or a post-transition metal semiconductor material containing at least one p-block element or post-transition metal; and (v) the non-aqueous solvent is a halocarbon non-aqueous solvent.
US09322104B2
In an example of a method for recovering lead from a mixed oxidized lead material, methane sulfonic acid is selected as a leaching acid for the mixed oxidized lead material. The mixed oxidized lead material is exposed to a solution including the methane sulfonic acid, which leaches lead from any of a lead oxide or a lead carbonate in the mixed oxidized lead material, and generates a liquid leachate including a lead-methane sulfonate salt. The liquid leachate is purified, and lead is recovered from the purified liquid leachate using electrolysis.
US09322100B2
A method for manufacturing an abrasive coating on a gas turbine component, especially on a gas turbine rotor blade tip, comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a gas turbine component, especially a gas turbine rotor blade; b) providing a high temperature melting alloy powder; c) providing abrasive particles; d) providing a low temperature melting alloy powder; e) blending at least said high temperature melting alloy powder and said abrasive particles to provide a mixture; f) applying said low temperature melting alloy powder and said mixture to an area of said gas turbine component, especially to a tip of said turbine rotor blade; g) locally heating said area of said gas turbine component to a temperature above the melting point of said low temperature melting alloy powder but below the melting point of said high temperature melting alloy powder is provided.
US09322098B2
The leak detection device is adapted to test the tightness of an inner tank (24) of a valve cell (20) of the vacuum deposition apparatus, either at its filling flange (25) or at its inner tank valve (28). A vacuum deposition apparatus equipped with a helium detector (51) mounted as a by-pass of the output of a high-flow-rate turbomolecular pump (42) which is connected to the vacuum deposition chamber (30) of the vacuum deposition apparatus by a slide gate valve (43). A valve-cell vacuum deposition apparatus equipped with a helium-based leak detection device including gas injection elements (52, 53) adapted to inject a gaseous mixture into the outer enclosure, the gaseous mixture being consisted of pure helium and an inert gas, and a method for detecting a leak in a valve-cell vacuum deposition apparatus are also described.
US09322092B2
It is an object of this invention to prevent a deposited film from adhering to an exhaust chamber so as to suppress the generation of particles. A sputtering apparatus (1) includes a shutter accommodation unit (23) which is detachably placed in an exhaust chamber (8) and accommodates a shutter (19) in a retracted state, and shield members (40a, 40b) which at least partially cover the exhaust port of the exhaust chamber (8), and are at least partially formed around an opening portion of the shutter accommodation unit (23).
US09322087B2
The chemical composition of a stainless steel in accordance with the present invention consists of C: not more than 0.05%, Si: not more than 0.5%, Mn: 0.01 to 0.5%, P: not more than 0.04%, S: not more than 0.01%, Cr: more than 16.0 and not more than 18.0%, Ni: more than 4.0 and not more than 5.6%, Mo: 1.6 to 4.0%, Cu: 1.5 to 3.0%, Al: 0.001 to 0.10%, and N: not more than 0.050%, the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfies Formulas (1) and (2). Also, the micro-structure thereof contains a martensitic phase and a ferritic phase having a volume ratio of 10 to 40%, and the ferritic phase distribution ratio is higher than 85%. Cr+Cu+Ni+Mo ≧25.5 (1) −8 ≦30(C+N)+0.5Mn+Ni+Cu/2+8.2−1.1(Cr+Mo) ≦−4 (2)
US09322084B2
Apparatus and methods for industrial-scale production of metal matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) are provided. The apparatus and methods can be used for the batch production of an MMNC in a volume of molten metal housed within the cavity of a production chamber. Within the volume of molten metal, a flow is created which continuously carries agglomerates of nanoparticles, which have been introduced into the molten metal, through a cavitation zone formed in a cavitation cell housed within the production chamber.
US09322082B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for recovering a rare earth element from a workpiece containing at least a rare earth element and an iron group element, which can be put into practical use as a low-cost, simple recycling system. The method of the present invention as a means for resolution is characterized by including at least a step of separating a rare earth element in the form of an oxide from an iron group element by subjecting a workpiece to an oxidation treatment, then turning the treatment environment into an environment where carbon is present, and subjecting the oxidation-treated workpiece to a heat treatment at a temperature of 1150° C. or more.
US09322061B2
A technique includes forming a gradient channel with width and depth gradients. A mask is disposed on top of a substrate. The mask is patterned with at least one elongated channel pattern having different elongated channel pattern widths. A channel is etched in the substrate in a single etching step, the channel having a width gradient and a corresponding depth gradient both simultaneously etched in the single etching step according to the different elongated channel pattern widths in the mask.
US09322060B2
Methods, systems, apparatus and machine readable media are disclosed to sequence nucleic acid. An example method includes subjecting a sequence of target nucleotide bases captured on a microtransponder to a plurality of sequencing reactions to build a sequence of labeled nucleotide bases that are complementary to and bound to the sequence of target nucleotide bases. The example method also includes identifying each labeled nucleotide base of the sequence of labeled nucleotide bases and each respective complementary target nucleotide base of the sequence of target nucleotide bases to which the labeled nucleotide base is bound after each sequencing reaction. In addition, each labeled nucleotide base of the sequence of labeled nucleotide bases and each respective complementary target nucleotide base of the sequence of target nucleotide bases to which the labeled nucleotide base is bound is associated with a microtransponder identification number.
US09322050B2
The invention provides methods and compositions, including, without limitation, algorithms, computer readable media, computer programs, apparatus, and systems for determining the identity of nucleic acids in nucleotide sequences using, for example, data obtained from sequencing by synthesis methods. The methods of the invention include correcting one or more phenomena that are encountered during nucleotide sequencing, such as using sequencing by synthesis methods. These phenomena include, without limitation, sequence lead, sequence lag, spectral crosstalk, and noise resulting from variations in illumination and/or filter responses.
US09322046B2
A biological sterilization indicator (BI). The BI can include a housing, and a container positioned in the housing. The container can contain a liquid and at least a portion of the container can be frangible. The BI can further include a first chamber and a second chamber. The second chamber can include at least one source of biological activity. The BI can further include a substrate positioned in the housing between the first chamber and the second chamber. The substrate can be positioned in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber, and the substrate can be further positioned such that the substrate is not in direct contact with the source of biological activity.
US09322042B2
The present invention provides for a composition comprising an ionic liquid and a thermostable cellulose, and a method of hydrolyzing a cellulose, comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a solution comprising an ionic liquid and a cellulose, and (b) introducing a thermostable cellulase to the solution, such that the cellulose is hydrolyzed by the cellulase. The present invention also provides for a Thermatoga maritima thermostable cellulase mutant with increased cellulase activity.
US09322037B2
Some aspects of this disclosure provide compositions, methods, and kits for improving the specificity of RNA-programmable endonucleases, such as Cas9. Also provided are variants of Cas9, e.g., Cas9 dimers and fusion proteins, engineered to have improved specificity for cleaving nucleic acid targets. Also provided are compositions, methods, and kits for site-specific nucleic acid modification using Cas9 fusion proteins (e.g., nuclease-inactivated Cas9 fused to a nuclease catalytic domain). Such Cas9 variants are useful in clinical and research settings involving site-specific modification of DNA, for example, genomic modifications.
US09322014B1
A system for enhancing a nucleic acid sample may include a one pump, a denaturing chamber; a microfluidic hydroxyapatite chromatography device configured for performing hydroxyapatite chromatography on the nucleic acid sample, a sample collector, and tubing connecting the pump with the denaturing chamber, the hydroxyapatite chromatography device and the sample collector such that the pump may be used to move the nucleic acid sample from the denaturing chamber to the hydroxyapatite chromatography device and then to the sample collector.
US09322003B2
The invention relates to a DNA sequence, which codes for a polypeptide having phospholipase activity essentially without lipase activity, characterized in that the DNA sequence is selected from a) DNA sequences that comprise a nucleotide sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, b) DNA sequences that comprise the coding sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 1, c) DNA sequences that code for the protein sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2, d) DNA sequences that are coded for by the plasmid pPL3940-Topo2.5 with the restriction map according to FIG. 7, which is deposited under accession number DSM 22741, e) DNA sequences that hybridize under stringent conditions with one of the DNA sequences according to a), b), c) or d), f) DNA sequences that are related to the DNA sequences according to a), b), c), d) or e) due to the degeneration of the genetic code, and g) complementary strands to the sequences according to a) to f), wherein the DNA sequence is preferably derived from Aspergillus, and more preferably from Aspergillus fumigatus, and a polypeptide having phospholipase activity essentially without lipase activity selected from a) a polypeptide which is coded for by the coding part of a DNA sequence as defined above, b) a polypeptide having the sequence according to SEQ ID NO: 2 or a sequence derived therefrom, which may be obtained by substitution, addition, deletion of one or more amino acid(s), c) a polypeptide having a sequence that has at least 83% identity with the amino acids 1 to 299 of SEQ ID NO: 2, d) a polypeptide which is coded for by a nucleic acid sequence which hybridizes under stringent conditions with (i) nucleotides 55 to 1106 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (ii) the cDNA sequence contained in nucleotides 55 to 1106 of SEQ ID NO: 1, (iii) a partial sequence of (i) or (ii) composed of at least 100 nucleotides, or (iv) a complementary strand of (i), (ii) or (iii), e) a variant of the polypeptide having SEQ ID NO: 2, comprising a substitution, deletion and/or insertion of one or more amino acid(s), f) allelic variants to amino acid sequences a) to e).
US09321997B2
Provided are embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived tissue modeling systems. In particular, systems for the de novo generation of tissue by parallel drug selection of cell types constituting the tissue of interest in one culture of differentiating ES cells is described as well as the use of such systems in transplantation and drug development.
US09321995B2
The present invention discloses a stem cell culture medium and its applications as well as a stem cell culture method. The said stem cell culture medium contains no serum. The said stem cell culture medium contains amino acids, vitamins, salts, lipids, cytokines and protein polypeptides. The said stem cell culture medium is suitable for rapid culture of stem cells derived from human and mammalian tissues, including but not limited to, adipose mesenchymal stem cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical cord blood stem cells. The said culture medium can increase the proliferation speed of the stem cells 3-5 times, without any affects on their differentiation potentials. Comparing the said stem cell culture medium to a routine culture medium, the said culture medium is not only able to proliferate stem cells derived from different sources more rapidly and achieve more proliferation generations, but also keep their differentiation potentials well.
US09321993B2
The present disclosure provides cell culture medium comprising trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). Progenitor cells cultured with such medium can form connective tissue with enhanced mechanical properties. Also provided are methods of forming connective tissue and methods of treatment for connective tissue defects.
US09321985B1
Laundry detergents useful for cold-water cleaning and boosted bargain detergents are disclosed. The detergents include a surfactant composition derived from a metathesis-derived C10-C17 monounsaturated acid, octadecene-1,18-dioic acid, or their ester derivatives. For fatty alkyl ester sulfonate-containing detergents, the composition is selected from C10 betaines, C12 or C16 amidoamines, C12 ethanolamine amides, C16 amidoamine sulfonates, C18 diamidoamine dioxides, quaternized C18 diamidoamine betaines, sulfonated C18 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylates, C18 amidoamine carboxylates, and amidoamine oxides and sulfobetaines derived from cross-metathesis of palm or soybean oil. The bargain detergents include a performance booster selected from C12 low-EO fatty ester alkoxylate sulfonates, C18 amidoamine oxide esters, C18 amidoamine oxide carboxylates, and amidoamine sulfobetaines made from self metathesized palm or soybean oil.
US09321982B2
In a threaded joint for pipes constituted by a pin and a box, each having a contact surface comprising a threaded portion and an unthreaded metal contact portion, the contact surface of the pin has a solid corrosion protective, preferably transparent coating based on a UV-curable resin and the contact surface of the box has a solid lubricating coating having plastic or viscoplastic rheological behavior which is preferably formed by the hot melt technique from a composition comprising a thermoplastic polymer, a wax, a metal soap, a corrosion inhibitor, a water-insoluble liquid resin, and a solid lubricant.
US09321976B1
A fuel composition and method for reducing friction or wear and improving fuel economy in an engine. The fuel composition includes gasoline and from about 10 to about 750 ppm by weight based on a total weight of the fuel composition of a hydroxyalkyl hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide compound having at least two hydroxyl groups attached to a tertiary nitrogen atom of a polyamino group through a hydrocarbyl link, wherein the hydroxyalkyl hydrocarbyl-substituted succinimide is devoid of primary and secondary amino groups.
US09321969B1
A computer-implemented method for enabling users of social-networking applications to interact using virtual personas may include (1) creating a social-networking identity associated with a user of a social-networking application, (2) creating a plurality of virtual personas that represent different real-life roles of the user as part of the user's social-networking identity, (3) receiving a request to perform at least one networking action that implicates at least one of the user's virtual personas, and then (4) directing the social-networking application to perform the networking action such that the networking action implicates the user's virtual persona without implicating the user's entire social-networking identity. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US09321961B2
Provided is a liquid crystal composition having a positive dielectric anisotropy, the liquid crystal composition containing two or more compounds selected from compounds represented by general formula (LC0-1) to general formula (LC0-3), and one or more compounds selected from groups of compounds represented by general formula (LC1) to general formula (LC5). The liquid crystal composition has features of a large Δ∈ and a low viscosity, and provides a practical, highly reliable liquid crystal display element that can realize low-voltage driving and high-speed response. The liquid crystal composition is useful for an active matrix driving liquid crystal display element. The liquid crystal composition can be applied to a liquid crystal display element of an IPS mode or the like.
US09321957B2
A radiation detector can include a solid organic/plastic scintillator that enables neutron and gamma interactions to be readily distinguished via pulse-shape discrimination. Embodiments make use of a scintillator including a polymer matrix with a dispersed scintillation material exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence. The scintillation material can include an organic luminescent material that is free of heavy metals and in which excited triplet states are efficiently promoted into excited singlet states by thermal energy, the excited singlet states then generating a delayed fluorescence when decaying to ground state. As a result, the scintillation material, when exposed to ionizing radiation, can produce a combination of prompt and delayed fluorescence sufficient to enable neutron and gamma interactions to be readily distinguished via pulse-shape discrimination techniques.
US09321955B2
Methods and compositions for stimulating the production of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations
Methods for treating an oil or gas well having a wellbore and selecting compositions for treating an oil or gas well having a wellbore.
US09321951B2
Methods of treating a well, by providing a supramolecular polymer fluid comprising units connected via reversible hydrogen bonds to form a supramolecular polymer; by introducing the supramolecular polymer fluid in the well; and by treating the well with the supramolecular polymer fluid.
US09321948B2
The working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine of the invention is characterized by comprising an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid with a content of a C5-C9 branched fatty acid of 50-100% by mole, and a fluoropropene refrigerant and/or trifluoroiodomethane refrigerant. The refrigerating machine oil of the invention is characterized by comprising an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a fatty acid with a content of a C5-C9 branched fatty acid of 50-100% by mole, and by being used together with a fluoropropene refrigerant and/or trifluoroiodomethane refrigerant.
US09321945B2
A tie layer adhesive composition for multilayer structures, wherein the tie layer is composed of a graft polyolefin and a hybrid polyolefin.
US09321937B2
Provided are a polychloroprene latex giving a rubber-asphalt composition superior in low-temperature stability and film-forming property on the material to be coated, a rubber-asphalt composition and a utilization method thereof, a sheet, and a waterproof coating film. The rubber-asphalt composition includes a major agent containing 10 to 40 mass % of the anionic polychloroprene latex comprising potassium ions in an amount of 0.7 to 1.5 parts by mass and sodium ions in an amount of controlled to be 0.2 part by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the solid matter and 60 to 90 mass % of an anionic asphalt emulsion; and a coagulating agent of an aqueous solution containing a polyvalent metal salt as the principal component.
US09321932B2
Latex comprising water and a styrenic block copolymer and a process for preparing articles therefrom
Articles with enhanced tensile strength and comfort are prepared from a latex comprising water and a styrenic block copolymer, wherein the styrenic block copolymer has 2 or more poly(vinyl aromatic) blocks and at least one block of polymerized conjugated diene, wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of 150,000 to 250,000, the poly(vinyl aromatic) blocks have a weight average molecular weight ranging from 9,000 to 15,000, and the content of poly(vinylaromatic) blocks in the styrenic block copolymer ranges from 8 to 15% wt, based on the total styrenic block copolymer, by a process which comprises coating a surface with the latex to obtain a film, wherein the latex comprises a vulcanizing agent. The invention also provides a latex comprising such a styrenic block copolymer and a vulcanizing agent, as well as a styrenic block copolymer that is particularly suitable for use in such a latex.
US09321929B2
Disclosed is an ink composition for ink jet recording that can realize excellent printing quality on various recording media, has a high level of color developing properties particularly on plain paper, and can realize excellent gloss for glossy paper and, at the same time, is excellent in ink reliability such as ejection stability, storage stability, and recovery from clogging. The ink composition includes at least a magenta solid solution pigment, a polymer, which can render the pigment dispersible in the ink composition, and water. The polymer is produced by copolymerizing a monomer composition including at least a styrene macromer (A) and a salt forming group-containing monomer (B).
US09321927B2
An enhanced washability ink composition has enhanced rinsability and/or washability from fabric, walls, or skin. The composition may comprise about 70 wt % to about 95 wt % water; about 5 wt % to about 35 wt % one or more sugars (e.g., dextrins); about 1 wt % to about 40 wt % one or more optional dye blockers; about 0.1 wt % to about 15 wt % one or more dyes; and one or more optional additives. The rinsable ink composition is usable in a variety of instruments, including markers or pens. A method for making the rinsable ink composition comprises dissolving one or more sugars (e.g., dextrins) in water to form a sugar solution; subsequently adding one or more dyes to the sugar solution to form a sugar-dye solution; and subsequently adding one or more optional dye blockers to the sugar-dye solution.
US09321922B2
A composition for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after endodontic therapy comprising water, ethanol, benzalkonium chloride, citric acid, and nonionic surfactant. A method of making a composition for reducing bacterial biofilm. A method for reducing bacterial biofilm formation after a dental procedure.
US09321918B2
The present invention relates to stain- or dye-resistant articles comprising a polymer composition comprising at least one semi-aromatic polyamide comprising recurring units resulting from the condensation of terephthalic acid and at least one aliphatic diamine comprising more than 8 carbon atoms, at least one filler and from 0.1 to 35 wt. % of at least one white pigment, based on the total weight of the composition.
US09321909B2
Provided are a rubber composition for tire containing raw material rubber and cellulose whiskers, and a tire produced from the same composition and having excellent general properties. Since the rubber composition for tire contains cellulose whiskers having superior reinforcing properties than rubber reinforcing materials, the rubber composition for tire can provide a tire having markedly enhanced properties compared to tires using the conventional rubber reinforcing materials. Also, when cellulose whiskers are applied to the rubber composition for tire, the content of the conventional rubber reinforcing materials can be reduced. As a result, the elongation ratio and low-fuel consumption performance that have been considered poor due to the use of conventional rubber reinforcing materials can be improved to a superior level, and a lightweight tire can be provided.
US09321902B2
The present invention relates to a composition, which comprises a) an organic material susceptible to oxidative, thermal or light-induced degradation, which is a polymer, an oligohydroxy compound, a wax, a fat or a mineral oil, with the proviso that the polymer is not a polypeptide, agar-agar or a component of agar-agar and the oligohydroxy compound is not glucose or a component of agar-agar; and b) a compound of formula (I) n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; when n is 1, R5 is H, C1-C30-alkyl, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, C6-C10-aryl, which is unsubstituted or substituted by C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-alkoxy, halogen or one phenyl, C7-C13-aralkyl, C2-C22-alkenyl, C3-C12-alkinyl, OH, C1-C30-alkyloxy, C3-C10-cycloalkyloxy, C6-C12-aryloxy, C7-C13-aralkyloxy, hydroxy-C1-C8-alkyl, carboxy-C1-C12-alkyl, C1-C12-alkoxycarbonyl-C1-C12-alkyl, C2-C30-alkyl, which is interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, C2-C16-alkyl, which is interrupted by one sulfur atom, or NR′1R′2; when n is 2, R5 is C1-C12-alkane-diyl, C6-C14-arylene, C4-C8-cycloalkane-bis-(C1-C4-alkylene), C6-C14-arene-bis-(C1-C4-alkylene), C4-C24-alkane-diyl, which is interrupted by one or more oxygen atoms, C4-C20-alkane-diyl, which is interrupted by one or more —NH—, —N(C1-C8-alkyl)- or —N(hydroxy-C1-C8-alkyl)-, piperazine-N,N′-bis-(C1-C4-alkylene) or C2-C10-alkane-diyl, which is interrupted by one sulfur atom; R1 to R4 and R6 to R9 are each independently from each other H, C1-C12-alkyl, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, C3-C22-alkenyl, C1-C12-alkoxy, C1-C12-alkylsulfanyl, hydroxy- C1-C8-alkyl, halogen, NR″1R″2, NO2, CN, phenyl, phenyloxy or R1 and R2 or R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 or R6 and R7 or R7 and R8 or R8 and R9 are linked together to form a five- or 6-membered alicylic, aromatic or heterocyclic ring together with their 2 corresponding carbons atoms, to which they are attached.
US09321901B2
Plasticizer compositions comprising epoxidized fatty acid mono-esters and epoxy-esters are provided. The plasticizer compositions are free of compatibilizer and may contain metal perchlorates and/or phenolic antioxidants and/or conventional plasticizers. The compositions are useful for reduced extraction and lower volatility of halogenated polymers containing the compositions. The plasticizer compositions give reduced extraction of at least 15%. A process for making the plasticizer compositions is also provided. A method of reduced plasticizer extraction from halogenated polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride, is further provided. The plasticizer compositions may be added to PVC resins in effective amounts ranging from 1 and 200 phr.
US09321896B2
The invention relates to a method for modifying a polymer composition, to modified polymer compositions, to an article, preferably wire or cable, comprising said modified polymer composition, to a process for preparing an article, preferably a wire or cable, to the use of said modified polymer in one or more layers of a wire or cable, as well as to a compound for use as a radical generating compound for modifying a polymer composition.
US09321895B2
Magnesium hydroxide having a high aspect ratio, a production method thereof and a resin composition comprising the same.The method of producing the magnesium hydroxide having a long diameter (width) of not less than 0.5 μm and aspect ratio of not less than 10, comprising the steps of: (A) adding an alkali to and coprecipitating it with a mixed aqueous solution of a water-soluble magnesium salt and a monovalent organic acid or a salt thereof, or (B) adding an alkali aqueous solution to and coprecipitating it with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble magnesium salt and adding a monovalent organic acid or a salt thereof to the resulting product; and (C) hydrothermally treating the obtained slurry at 100° C. or higher.
US09321894B2
Polymeric article reinforced with a reinforcing component. The reinforcing component includes a composition made from at least one polymer and graphene sheets.
US09321893B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of radiation-cured foams, characterized in that the radiation-cured foams are produced by 1) foaming of an aqueous composition A), 2) thermal drying of the foam produced from step 1), 3) curing of the foam by actinic radiation, the radiation-curable aqueous compositions A), the radiation-cured foams produced by the process according to the invention and the use of the radiation-cured foams for coating substrates.
US09321892B2
Rigid polyurethane blowing agent enhancers, methods for using them, and the products produced by these methods are disclosed. The enhancers are low molecular weight alcohols and/or ethers that assist the action of blowing agents comprising a hydrohalocarbon compound.
US09321887B2
Provided is a thermoplastic resin having a high refractive index, which is favorable as an optical material. Provided are a polyformal resin copolymer comprising a high refractive index diol that has a fluorene skeleton and an aromatic diol that has a low glass-transition point when polymerized, and a method for producing the same.
US09321877B2
Plasticizer free curing compositions comprising small particle size complexes of methylenedianiline and an alkali salt, e.g. a 3:1 coordination complex of MDA/alkali salt, with average diameter 60 micron or less, often 20 micron or less, e.g., 10 microns or less, dispersed in a volatile, non-polar, organic solvent are prepared. Stable one pack urethane compositions comprising the plasticizer free curing compositions and polyurethane prepolymers are prepared, which exhibit excellent storage stability and overcome many of the drawbacks encountered when using MDA complexes dispersed in plasticizers such as high boiling aromatic and alkyl di-esters.
US09321874B2
A hydrogenated block copolymer having two or more polymer blocks (a) each with a structural unit derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and one or more polymer blocks (b) each with structural units derived from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene, the hydrogenated block copolymer having a crystallization peak temperature of −3 to 15° C.
US09321866B2
The present disclosure relates to the novel multistep procedure for preparation of polymer monoliths for use in solvent exchange, such as methods to exchange and activate fluoride ions on a flow through microfluidic chip for subsequent chemical synthesis. Methods according to the present disclosure include the application of such microfluidic platforms for rapid F18 radiosynthesis on a flow through microfluidic chip with high efficiency, followed by a subsequent nucleophilic fluorination reaction. Various other methods of exchanging and activating fluoride ions on a flow through microfluidic chip are also disclosed. Methods incorporating features of the present invention can be applicable to any flow through microfluidic device in any field, such as radiosyntheses, chemical syntheses, concentration of ions for environmental analyzes and sample preparation such as concentrating minute amounts of analyte to improve the downstream detection.
US09321859B2
Olefin polymerization is carried out with a supported phosphinimine catalyst which has been treated with a long chain substituted amine compound.
US09321858B2
Disclosed are new classes of pyridyldiamide catalyst components useful in olefin polymerization, an example of which includes: wherein M is a hafnium or zirconium; R1 and R11 are selected from phenyl and substituted phenyl, wherein the substitutions are selected from C1 to C5 hydrocarbyls, preferably C2 to C4 hydrocarbyls, and can reside in any of the ortho, meta, para positions on the phenyl ring; R2′ and R2″ are selected independently from hydrogen and C1 to C6 hydrocarbyls, preferably hydrogen; R10 is a hydrocarbyl bridging group; R3, R4, and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyls, and substituted hydrocarbyls; and R6, R7, R8, and R9 are independently selected from hydrogen, hydrocarbyls, and substituted hydrocarbyls; wherein R6 and R7 form an aromatic ring or R7 is hydrogen and R6 is selected from methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl, preferably methyl.
US09321849B2
The invention concerns uranium-chelating peptides as well as their uses for decontaminating soils and water, and for detecting and treating people contaminated by uranium. Said peptides have a helix-loop-helix type structure comprising the sequence of a calmodulin loop including at least one mutation of neutral residues selected from the group consisting of S, T, C, H, Y, N and Q, of one, two or three residues of at least one of the four calmodulin calcium binding sites: site I: residues selected among D20, D22 and D24 residues; site II: residues selected among D56, D58 and N60 residues; site III: residues selected among D93, D95 and N97 residues; site IV: residues selected among D129, D131 and D133 residues; said positions being indicated with reference to the human calmodulin sequence.
US09321848B2
The present invention relates to a method for preventing the unfolding of a (poly)peptide during drying and/or inducing the (re-)folding of a (poly)peptide after drying, comprising the step of embedding the (poly)peptide in an aqueous solution, wherein the solution comprises (i) at least three different amino acids; or (ii) at least one dipeptide or tripeptide; and wherein the solution is free or substantially free of (a) sugar; and (b-i) protein; and/or (b-ii) denaturing compounds; and (c) silanes.
US09321846B2
Compositions and methods comprising proteins that bind specifically to adalimumab are disclosed herein. Adalimumab is a monoclonal antibody specific for the cytokine TNF-α and was developed to treat TNF-α mediated inflammatory diseases. In one aspect of the instant invention, the binding proteins are antibodies directed toward adalimumab. These antibodies, including binding fragments thereof, can be used in a clinical setting as well as for research and development. For example, these anti-adalimumab antibodies can be employed to neutralize adalimumab.
US09321831B2
The invention provides antibodies and functional equivalents thereof which are capable of specifically binding RSV, and means and methods for producing them.
US09321830B2
Individual monoclonal antibodies and fragments that bind a conserved epitope of the G protein of RSV and which are minimally immunogenic when administered to a human subject, are useful in treating RSV infections.
US09321828B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods of making non-glycosylated transferrin protein in transgenic monocot plants.
US09321826B2
Factor V peptides and methods of use thereof are disclosed.
US09321816B2
An expression system, including a host cell, a synthetic spider silk polypeptide-encoding nucleotide sequence, at least one synthetic tRNA molecule-encoding nucleotide sequence or a synthetic serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT)-encoding nucleotide sequence.
US09321814B2
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a toxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated toxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2-5, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US09321809B2
A compound as represented by Formula (I) is provided, wherein groups are defined in the description. The compound is used as HCV protease inhibitor for treating HCV infection.
US09321799B2
The present invention provides modified nucleosides, analogs thereof and oligomeric compounds prepared therefrom. More particularly, the present invention provides modified nucleosides and analogs thereof that are useful for incorporation at the terminus of an oligomeric compound. Such oligomeric compounds can also be included in a double stranded composition. In some embodiments, the oligomeric compounds provided herein are expected to hybridize to a portion of a target RNA resulting in loss of normal function of the target RNA.
US09321798B2
Phosphorodiamidate derivatives of e.g. gemcitabine are provided for use in treating cancer. In one embodiment, the two amidate motifs each comprises NR′R″ where R′ is H and R″ is CR5R6CO2R7, where R6 is H, R5 is the side chain, including H and C1, of a naturally occurring alpha amino acid, and R7 is branched or unbranched, substituted or unsubstituted, acyclic or cyclic alkyl, including t-butyl-CH2-, benzyl and C3 to C6 cycloalkyl. Formula (I).
US09321791B2
The present invention relates to substituted xanthines of general formula wherein R1 to R3 are as defined herein, the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures, the prodrugs thereof and the salts thereof which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibiting effect on the activity of the enzyme dipeptidylpeptidase-IV (DPP-IV).
US09321782B2
The invention discloses novel 42-0-(heteroalkoxyalkyl) rapamycin compounds of formula (1) and process for preparation thereof. These compounds are useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative vascular diseases such as restenosis and atherosclerosis Wherein, R denotes 3, 4 and 5 membered 3-hydroxy heteroalkoxyalkyl compounds selected from Tetrahydrofuran-3-ol, Oxetan-3-ol, Tetrahydropyran-3-ol, Tetrahydro-4- methyl furan-3-ol, Tetrahydro-2,5,5-trimethyl furan-3-ol, Tetrahydro-2,5-diethyl-2-methyl furan-3-ol, Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl 2H-Pyran-3-ol and Tetrahydro-2,2-dimethyl-6-phenyl 2H-Pyran-3-ol.
US09321778B2
The present invention relates to piperazinyl derivatives of formula (I) and the use thereof as a drug, particularly for the treatment of cancer, the pharmaceutical compositions containing said derivatives, and the method for synthesising same.
US09321775B2
The invention relates to the compounds of formula I and formula II or its pharmaceutical acceptable salts, as well as polymorphs, solvates, enantiomers, stereoisomers and hydrates thereof. The pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of compounds of formula I or formula II, and methods for treating or preventing or modulating moderate to severe pain in a disease may be formulated for oral, buccal, rectal, topical, transdermal, transmucosal, intravenous, parenteral administration, syrup, or injection. Such compositions may be used to treatment of pain, severe pain, chronic pain, chemotherapy induced pain, epilepsy, glaucoma, arthritis, tooth aches, inflammation, musculoskeletal pain, sciatica, radiculopathy pain, migraine, neuropathic pain, post herpetic neuralgia, neuralgia pain, multiple sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, restless legs syndrome (RLS), cluster headache, depression, fibromyalgia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), convulsions, partial seizures, mood-stabilizing agent and bipolar disorder.
US09321766B1
The present invention relates to organic molecules capable of modulating tyrosine kinase signal transduction in order to regulate, modulate and/or inhibit abnormal cell proliferation.
US09321762B2
A compound for treating a protein kinase-related disease or disorder having a structure of formula (I) wherein G is a heteroaryl, heterocyclic or alkyne; X is N or CH; L1 is —N(R7)—, —O—, —C(S)—, —C(O)—, or —S—; L2 is —N(R8)— or —O—; R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro, carboxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkoxy C1-C4 alkoxy, N,N—(C1-C4 dialkyl)amino C1-C4 alkoxy, N—(C1-C4 alkyl)amino C1-C4 alkoxy, C1-C4 alkanoyl, C1-C4 alkanoyloxy, N—(C1-C4 alkyl)amino, N,N—(C1-C4 dialkyl)amino, C1-C4 alkanoyl amino, or heterocyclyl, wherein C1-C4 alkyl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from fluorine and chlorine; R3, R4 and R5 are independently hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine; R6 is C1-C4 alkyl or aryl, which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from halogen, hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro; or R6 and R8 form a 5-6 membered cyclyl or heterocyclyl.
US09321755B2
The present application is directed to processes and intermediates for making 4-({2-[(aminosulfonyl)amino]ethyl}amino)-N-(3-bromo-4-fluorophenyl)-N′-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazole-3-carboximidamide, which is an inhibitor of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, useful in the treatment of cancer and other disorders.
US09321754B2
The invention provides compounds, compositions, and methods for the treatment of diseases, disorders, or conditions that are modulated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). The disease, disorder, or condition can include, for example, stroke, neurological disorders, or ophthalmological disorders. The treatment can include administering a compound or composition described herein, thereby providing a prodrug compound that metabolizes to an active MMP inhibitor in vivo. The MMP inhibition can be selective inhibition, for example, selective inhibition of MMP-2, MMP-9, and/or MMP-14. Thus, the invention provides non-mutagenic prodrug compounds of the formulas described herein that result in the inhibition of MMPs upon in vivo administration.
US09321752B2
Provided is a novel therapeutic means for Alzheimer's disease.In particular, provided is a compound represented by the following general formula (I): or a salt thereof.
US09321740B2
Described herein are tetrazole compounds and their use in treating medical disorders, such as obesity. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of making various tetrazole compounds are provided. The compounds are contemplated to have activity against methionyl aminopeptidase 2.
US09321732B2
The present invention relates to novel phenyl(oxy/thio)alkanol derivatives, to processes for preparing these compounds, to compositions comprising these compounds and to their use as biologically active compounds, in particular for controlling harmful microorganisms in crop protection and in the protection of materials and as plant growth regulators.
US09321724B2
This invention relates to certain heteroaryl compounds which may be used as medicaments, more specifically as medicaments for treating animals. The medicament can be used for the treatment of parasitic infections such as helminth infections and the treatment of parasitosis caused by such infections. This invention also relates to uses of the compounds to make medicaments and treatments comprising the administration of the compounds to animals in need of the treatments. This invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the compounds.
US09321719B2
The present invention relates to crystalline polymorphic forms of monosodium N-[8-(2-hydroxybenzoyl)amino]caprylate (“SNAC”), including two hydrates, a methanol solvate, and an ethanol solvate, of SNAC. More specifically, the present invention provide six polymorphic forms of SNAC (hereafter referred to as Forms I-VI). The present invention also provides an amorphous form of SNAC.
US09321717B2
Disclosed is a method of rapid identification and preparation of a crystalline form of an organic compound by using sub-gram level of said organic compound, comprising the steps of temperature-cycled slurrying, cooling, antisolvent addition and solvent evaporation as the major crystallization steps.
US09321714B1
A process of making terephthalic acid or a derivative of terephthalic acid is described. The process includes reacting a derivative of 2,5-dimethylfuran, with a dienophile containing an unsaturated 2-carbon unit, in the presence of a catalyst having Brönsted acidity to form a para-xylene derivative; and optionally reacting the para-xylene derivative to terephthalic acid.
US09321699B2
An oil-based coating for fertilizer granules impregnated with a polymer additive and related methods of applying the oil-based coating. The polymer additive can comprise homopolymers, copolymers, or combinations thereof, including polyethylene homopolymers. The polymer additive increases the viscosity of the oil-based coating, thereby increasing the duration for which the coating is capable of controlling or inhibiting the formation of dust particulates from the fertilizer granules.
US09321696B2
The invention relates to a method for improving the mechanical strength of a ceramic matrix composite material of the SiC/SiC type, this composite material being obtained by (a) forming a fiber preform from 3rd generation silicon carbide fibers and (b) forming a ceramic matrix around the fiber preform, this ceramic matrix comprising silicon carbide. The method comprises a chemical etching treatment of the surface of the fibers by bringing said fibers into contact with a solution comprising an oxidizer, this treatment being carried out before step (a) or between steps (a) and (b).
US09321681B2
A method for making geopolymer cementitious binder compositions for cementitious products such as concrete, precast construction elements and panels, mortar and repair materials, and the like is disclosed. The geopolymer cementitious compositions of some embodiments are made by mixing a synergistic mixture of thermally activated aluminosilicate mineral, calcium aluminate cement, a calcium sulfate and a chemical activator with water.
US09321672B2
To provide a crystallized glass housing excellent in properties suitable for a housing for an electronic device, such as shielding properties, high strength and production cost. A crystallized glass housing made of crystallized glass, said crystallized glass having a diffused transmittance of 15% or less in the entire light wavelength region of from 380 nm to 780 nm, as measured by using an integrated sphere.
US09321671B2
A glass substrate for p-Si TFT flat panel displays that is composed of a glass comprising 52-78 mass % of SiO2, 3-25 mass % of Al2O3, 3-15 mass % of B2O3, 3-25 mass % of RO, wherein RO is total amount of MgO, CaO, SrO, and BaO, 0.01-1 mass % of Fe2O3, and 0-0.3 mass % of Sb2O3, and substantially not comprising As2O3, the glass having a mass ratio (SiO2+Al2O3)/B2O3 in a range of 7-30 and a mass ratio (SiO2+Al2O3)/RO equal to or greater than 6. A method for manufacturing a glass substrate involves: a melting step of obtaining a molten glass by melting, by employing at least direct electrical heating, glass raw materials blended so as to provide the aforementioned glass composition; a forming step of forming the molten glass into a flat-plate glass; and an annealing step of annealing the flat-plate glass.
US09321662B2
A method for providing fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points utilizing magnetic energy concentrated in a plurality of distinct areas along a fluid flow path. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.
US09321659B2
Provided is a desalting device which includes a tower body and a bulge portion bulging downward therefrom, and which prevents uneven flow and causes no dead space within the tower body. The desalting device includes a tower body having a bulge portion 1b bulging downward at a bottom portion thereof, an ion-exchange resin packed in the tower body, and a plurality of strainers 3 for collecting water being arranged within the bulge portion 1b. The strainers are arranged only in a central region of an inside of the bulge portion excluding an outer peripheral portion of the bulge portion.
US09321655B2
Systems and methods for producing syngas and ammonia are provided. The method can include reforming a hydrocarbon in a first reaction zone in the presence of one or more first catalysts and steam at conditions sufficient to produce an effluent comprising a portion of the hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The effluent can be reformed in a second reaction zone in the presence of one or more second catalysts and nitrogen at conditions sufficient to produce a syngas comprising methane, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, or any combination thereof. At least a portion of the nitrogen and hydrogen in the syngas can be converted to ammonia to produce an ammonia effluent. The ammonia effluent can be separated to produce an ammonia product and a purge gas comprising nitrogen. At least a portion of the purge gas can be recycled to the hydrocarbon, the effluent, or a combination thereof.
US09321652B2
The present invention relates to a continuous-feed furnace assembly and processes for preparing and continuously thermally exfoliating graphite oxide to give a highly exfoliated graphite.
US09321649B2
A method for preparing a carbon microparticle from an organic raw material having lignin as a main constituent, wherein an aqueous solution with 5% total concentration of lignin and sodium hydroxide (the proportion in mass is 1:0.5) is spray-dried to prepare a complex microparticle. This complex microparticle is heat-processed under nitrogen atmosphere at 600° C. for one hour and cooled. Thereafter, this is washed with water and further dried to prepare a hollow carbon microparticle such as those shown in FIG. 2 (b). The prepared carbon microparticle is light-weight and has an equivalent specific surface area to commercially available activated charcoal.
US09321642B2
A method for decreasing steam methane reformer (SMR) tube temperature is provided. The method can include the steps of introducing a hydrocarbon containing feed to be reformed to a plurality of SMR tubes in the presence of steam under conditions effective to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide, monitoring the temperature of at least a plurality of the tubes within the SMR during operation, comparing the monitored temperature against a first predetermined value, and introducing an effective amount of water to a reformer tube when the monitored temperature of the reformer tube is at or above the predetermined value, such that the temperature of the reformer tube is reduced.
US09321641B1
A process to convert light hydrocarbons such as natural gas to a liquid or liquids. Vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) is used to produce a stream of relatively high purity oxygen. The relatively high purity oxygen is reacted with light hydrocarbons and steam in a partial oxidation reactor in order to produce synthesis gas. The synthesis gas is thereafter converted to a hydrocarbon liquid or liquids via a Fischer Tropsch or related reaction.
US09321630B2
A method and apparatus for detecting underwater sounds is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a substrate with a vacuum-sealed cavity. A support structure and an acoustic pressure sensor are situated on the substrate. The support structure of the apparatus may include a first oxide layer situated on the substrate, a silicon layer situated on the first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer situated on the silicon layer. The acoustic pressure sensor of the apparatus includes a first electrode layer situated on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer situated on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer situated on the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, the surface area of the second electrode layer is between about 70 to 90 percent of the surface area of the piezoelectric layer. In various embodiments, the support structure is thicker than the piezoelectric layer.
US09321627B2
An electronic device includes an accommodation space formed between a first base material and a second base material, and a first functional element and a second functional element in the accommodation space. The accommodation space is disposed in an internal region of a bonding portion that bonds the first base material and the second base material together. The bonding portion includes a first bonding region provided on one side thereof and a second bonding region provided on the other side thereof. The electronic device includes a first wiring portion which is electrically connected to the first functional element and has a first direction toward the outside of the accommodation space through the first bonding region, and a second wiring portion which is electrically connected to the second functional element and has a second direction toward the outside of the accommodation space through the second bonding region.
US09321621B2
Disclosed is an aseptic filling system which is disposed in an aseptic environment and with which preforming, bottle formation, and filling of bottles with a beverage are performed in an aseptic state. The aseptic filling system includes a preform molding machine, a blowing machine for forming bottles by blowing up the preforms molded by the preform molding machine, and a filling machine for filling the bottles formed by the blowing machine with the beverage.
US09321606B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a discharge tray having a supporting surface supporting a recording medium; a discharge mechanism which has a discharging slot through which the recording medium on which an image is formed is discharged and is provided to discharge the recording medium from the discharging slot in a discharge direction which is a direction toward a space vertically above the supporting surface of the discharge tray; and a press down unit which is configured to relatively move toward and away from the supporting surface with respect to the discharge tray, the press down unit being relatively moved away when contacting with a downstream end in the discharge direction of the recording medium discharged onto the discharge tray by the discharge mechanism, and applying the own weight to the downstream end of the recording medium when the recording medium is supported by the supporting surface.
US09321598B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyor which estimates weight of a transport object while it is carried without using devices such as a load cell which directly measures weight.The conveyor has a plurality of zones forming a series of carriage ways. An approach-run zone and a weight-measurement zone are arranged adjacently in the conveying direction and are provided with different drive motors. The drive motor of the approach-run zone and the drive motor of the weight-measurement zone are controlled with respectively different predetermined rotation speeds as their target rotation speeds. A rotation speed sensing means obtains the change of rotation speed of the drive motor in the weight-measurement zone when a transport object is conveyed into the weight-measurement zone from the approach-run zone, and a weight sensing means then calculates the weight of the transport object based on the change of the rotation speed.
US09321593B2
This device comprises a pair of parallel arms (1, 2) having clamps (11, 21) for clamping the packages (E) to be transported and means for regulating separation which comprise:—a scissor mechanism (4) having two rods (41, 42) articulated to the rear end of the arms (1, 2) and carrying roller means (46, 47);—guide sections (5, 5a . . . ) distributed on the packaging machine, provided with a longitudinal track (51) for guiding the roller means (46, 47) of the scissor mechanism (4) and—actuating means (7) suited to moving each guide section (5, 5a) and arranging the latter in a position suited to determining the separation of each pair of parallel arms (1, 2) in each area of the route of the transport device by means of a variation in longitude of the scissor mechanism (4).
US09321585B2
The present specification discloses a combined drape and carrying bag unit used in medical and surgical settings with an indicator attached to a drawstring of the unit. Conversion of the unit from a drape or mat configuration involves pulling on exposed drawstring sections and results in deployment of the identifying indicator. The indicator includes preprinted information, a barcode for scanning, and/or space for the inscription of information by medical personnel. The inclusion of an integrated indicator with the combined drape and carrying bag unit informs medical personnel of the contents of the unit when in the bag configuration and obviates the need for opening the bag and discovering its contents, thereby reducing exposure of medical personnel to biohazard waste.
US09321576B2
A packaging device for liquid crystal modules is provided, comprising a bracket installed at the bottom of the liquid crystal module, a pallet carried by a supporting member and used for fixing the bracket, a protective layer arranged on all sides of the liquid crystal module for fixing and buffering, and a packaging box arranged outside the protective layer for packaging. The packaging device for liquid crystal modules of the present invention ensures the transport safety, facilitates the manual packaging and transporting, and reduces the entire packaging weight.
US09321568B2
A container for dispensing a product is provided, the container including an outer casing body having a cavity; a dispensing tray adapted for sliding movement within the cavity of the outer casing body between a closed and locked position and a dispensing position, the dispensing tray having an internal storage compartment for storage of a plurality of units of a product to be dispensed, a dispensing window, and a stop for engaging the outer casing body to prevent removal of the dispensing tray from the cavity; and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the dispensing tray in the cavity, the locking mechanism including protrusions projecting from the outer casing body into the cavity and positioned adjacent to a moveable flap formed in the outer casing body, and recesses carried by the dispensing tray and positioned to engage the protrusions when the dispensing tray is in the closed and locked position.
US09321558B2
An insert assembly (fitment) includes a container mounting element, a spout element carried by the mounting element, at least one support element and a grasp element suspended by the support element(s) below the mounting element. The grasp element provides a skeleton within a pouch-type flexible container, against which a user can grasp and squeeze the flexible container for mixing or drinking Optionally or alternatively, a mixing element is suspended by the support element(s). The mixing element impinge upon at least a portion of fluid within the container to create turbulence, thereby promoting mixing of powdered material disposed within the container.
US09321554B2
A shipping container includes a first wall assembly and a first shelf support member secured to the first wall assembly. The first shelf support member includes a first shelf bearing portion. A second shelf support member is secured to the first wall assembly, and is separate from and spaced apart from the first shelf support member. The second shelf support member includes a second shelf bearing portion. A first slot is defined adjacent to the first shelf bearing portion on the first shelf support. A second slot is defined adjacent to the second shelf bearing portion on the second shelf support. A shelf member includes a first tab and a second tab, the first tab being fixed within the first slot, and the second tab being fixed within the second slot. A portion of the shelf member spans a distance between the first and second shelf support members.
US09321536B2
A method that includes receiving data from a sensor that is configured to supply data related to an ice layer thickness on a skin surface, calculating the ice layer thickness, comparing the ice layer thickness to a threshold thickness, vibrating the skin surface using at least one mechanical element for a sufficient duration, sufficient frequency, and sufficient displacement to result in removal of a first portion of the ice layer thereby resulting in at least a partially deiced skin surface, and heating the partially deiced skin surface using at least one heating element. The method further includes heating from a leading edge of the skin surface to a trailing edge of the skin surface and heating the surface to result in a sufficient temperature increase in the skin surface for removal of a second portion of the ice layer.
US09321533B2
Aircraft passageway storage units are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a storage assembly to be supported on a floor of an interior of a fuselage of an aircraft. The storage assembly has a corner to be adjacent a passageway of the interior of the fuselage, and the passageway is to extend around the corner. The example apparatus also includes a door coupled to the storage assembly. The door extends from a first side of the storage assembly to a second side of the storage assembly and defines a portion of the corner. The door is to cover an opening of a compartment of the storage assembly when the door is in a closed position, and the opening is to extend from the first side to the second side.
US09321530B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with improved reliability. According to one aspect of the invention, interference experienced by onboard sensors from onboard electrical components is reduced. According to another aspect of the invention, user-configuration or assembly of electrical components is minimized to reduce user errors.
US09321524B2
A bogie articulation mechanism is provided comprising, for example, a first torque link and a second torque link coupled for rotation about a pivot joint, the first torque link coupled to a bogie beam, a pitch trimmer having a first terminus and a second terminus, the first terminus coupled to the pivot joint, a bell crank having a pivot point, a first coupling point and a second coupling point, first coupling point couple to the second terminus of the pitch trimmer, and a reaction link coupled to the second coupling point of the bell crank.
US09321520B2
A drainage mast for draining liquids from an APU compartment of an aircraft with a first end connected to the APU compartment and a second end for discharging the liquids to the atmosphere. The drainage mast is configured with at least a sector having decreasing cross section areas towards the second end. The area of the initial cross section of the sector is lesser than the area of any cross section of the drainage mast closer to the first end. The invention also refers to an aircraft comprising the drainage mast.
US09321516B1
A watercraft propulsion system has a driveshaft, an impeller or a propeller, an overrunning clutch, an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The overrunning clutch has a first race and a second race. The first race is one of an inner race and an outer race. The second race is an other one of the inner race and the outer race. The first race is connected to the driveshaft for driving the driveshaft. The electric motor has a motor output shaft operatively connected to the first race. The internal combustion engine has an engine output shaft operatively connected to the second race. The overrunning clutch is connected to the motor output shaft and the engine output shaft such that the electric motor is able to selectively rotate the first race at a higher speed than the second race. A watercraft having the propulsion system is also disclosed.
US09321506B2
A bicycle hydraulic operation device comprises a bracket, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston a lever, and a first biasing member. The bracket includes a gripping portion configured to be gripped by a rider. The piston is disposed within the hydraulic cylinder and movable between an initial position and an actuated position. The lever is pivotally mounted to the bracket around a first axis and operatively coupled to the piston to move the piston in response to pivotal movement of the lever from a rest position to an operated position. The first biasing member is operatively coupled to the piston and the lever outside the hydraulic cylinder such that the first biasing member biases the piston toward the initial position and biases the lever toward the rest position.
US09321504B2
A personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter, includes at least one battery and motor for powering at least one driven wheel. The vehicle also includes a braking assembly configured to isolate the motor from the at least one driven wheel such that power is terminated from the motor to the at least one wheel in response to a user engaging a braking assembly of the vehicle. The vehicle can include a switch or position sensor that interacts with the braking assembly to initiate the isolation of the motor from the at least one driven wheel and the switch or position sensor preferably is inaccessible to the foot of the user.
US09321503B2
A trailer mounting system includes a left arm, a right arm, a left side mounting device, a right side mounting device, and a trailer mounting device. The left side mounting device mounts to the left arm and to a left seat stay that mounts between a left side of a axle of a back wheel of a vehicle and a seat tube of the vehicle. The right side mounting device mounts to the right arm and to a right seat stay that mounts between a right side of the axle and the seat tube. The trailer mounting device mounts between the left arm and the right arm and is configured to mount to a trailer. The left side mounting device, the right side mounting device, and the trailer mounting device are mounted to rotate parallel to a direction of rotation of the axle of the back wheel of the vehicle.
US09321502B1
A concealed rear wheel suspension device for a scooter comprising a frame component further comprising a frame cover, a frame and a stop fixedly connected to the rear of the frame, a suspension spring component further comprising a link, and a back fork; wherein a through hole is provided on two sides of the rear of the said frame, a threaded hole is provided on the upper surface of the said stop, two through holes are provided on the said frame cover corresponded to the said threaded holes; wherein a threaded end of the link sequentially crosses through the stop, a compression spring and a gasket, locked by a nut; wherein the back fork is rotatably connected to the frame through a bolt, and the a hole end of the link.
US09321496B2
The present invention relates to a bicycle seat including two or more support cushions. Two support cushions are independently rotatable to move with a bicycle rider's legs, and comprise angled portions that support the rider's buttocks and upper thighs. Another fixed cushion supports the genital and perineal areas of a rider's anatomy.
US09321494B2
A vehicle may include a CVT unit or a power source which requires ambient air. An air inlet for an air intake system coupled to the CVT unit or the power source which requires ambient air may be provided in a side of a cargo carrying portion of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a rear radius arm suspension.
US09321486B2
An understructure for a motor vehicle includes two side members and multiple cross members fastened to the side members in each case via adapters. The adapters each include two identical shells which are each connected at the face end to a cross member and side member and to one another alongside.
US09321480B2
A vehicle steering control apparatus (100) in a vehicle (10), which is provided with: a steering system including at least a rudder angle varying device (400, 700) capable of changing a relation between a steering angle, which is a rotation angle of a steering wheel (12), and a rudder angle of steered wheels and a steering torque assisting device (500) capable of assisting a driver steering torque; and a power supply source (800) for supplying electric power to the steering system, is provided with: a limiting device for limiting electric current consumption of the steering torque assisting device if a consumption current value of the steering system is greater than a maximum allowable current value in a case where supply capacity of supplying an electric current in the power supply source is reduced with respect to a reference; and a controlling device for matching a neutral position of the steering wheel with a neutral position of the steered wheels in a situation in which the electric current consumption of the steering torque assisting device is limited.
US09321479B2
A power steering waste heat recovery system for a vehicle and method of operating is disclosed. The system may include a power steering system and a waste heat absorption system. The power steering system may include a power steering pump, a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger located downstream of the power steering pump and configured to allow power steering fluid flow therethrough, and a steering rack operatively engaging the heat exchanger to receive the power steering fluid therefrom. The waste heat absorption system may include an auxiliary heater loop configured to direct a liquid through the heat exchanger; and an automatically controllable heat control valve having an inlet, a first outlet for directing the liquid to bypass the auxiliary heater loop, and a second outlet for directing the liquid through the heat exchanger in the auxiliary heater loop.
US09321476B2
A steering apparatus is provided for reducing its size by reducing a load applied to a driving unit, and configuring an electrically operated tilt mechanism which is small in size and easily mounted on a vehicle. A driving unit adjusting a relative position of a steering column to a fixing bracket, and a biasing member (e.g., tension coil spring) having one end supported on the fixing bracket, and holding the steering column at a predetermined neutral position when the driving unit is not actuated, are provided, so that the driving unit adjusts the steering column to be placed at a tilt position with a desired tilt angle relative to the fixing bracket.
US09321472B2
A cart with a pair of wheels (14) connected via a tilt mechanism (16) on opposing sides of a cart body (12). The cart body is releasably attachable to a frame (99) of a pedal cycle or other tilt-cornering vehicle so that the pair of wheels function as front wheels of a tricycle configuration. When separate from the pedal-cycle, the cart (10, 100, 150, 170, 200) forms a free-standing cart with a tilt lock (18) deployed to lock tilting of cart body (12).
US09321471B1
A hand truck is designed to include three separate frame components: (1) a main component, which is defined as a conventional hand truck frame; (2) a pivoting frame component connected along one end termination of the main frame via a hinge (allowing for the pivoting frame to be raised with respect to the main frame component and create a platform at a raised elevation); and (3) a back frame component that is connected to a rear portion of the main frame and may be extended to allow for the frame to have a four-point (i.e., “four-wheeled”) configuration. A removable jack may be positioned between the back frame and the pivoting frame and used to raise/lower the pivoting frame.
US09321463B2
A regenerative braking apparatus has an inverter. The inverter uses the rotational energy of the wheels to let the motor generator generate electric power for the purpose of providing regenerative braking. The regenerative braking apparatus also includes a refrigeration cycle unit and a heating cycle unit. The refrigeration cycle unit compresses a refrigerant with the electric power of the battery in order to heat a heat exchanger. The heating cycle unit is a unit in which a medium heated by the heat exchanger flows to heat the battery. When the battery is in a fully charged state where the battery cannot be charged with regenerative electric power of the motor generator, the regenerative braking apparatus exercises electric power consumption control to force the refrigeration cycle unit and the heating cycle unit to consume the electric power of the battery.
US09321460B2
A railroad crossing barrier estimating apparatus and a vehicle that incorporates therein such a railroad crossing barrier estimating apparatus are provided. When at least one of an external object the transverse width of which increases over time and an external object having a given length at a certain height from the ground is detected, the vehicle or the railroad crossing barrier estimating apparatus estimates the detected external object as a railroad crossing barrier.
US09321458B2
The present invention provided a sliding mode trajectory voting strategy module. The sliding mode trajectory voting strategy module integrates a reaction time and a relative distance into an obstacle feature sliding surface by utilize sliding mode control theory, and calculates the obstacle feature sliding surface and a road curvature value in combination with fuzzy theory to obtain an orientation angle of a safety path.
US09321456B2
Provided is a control device for a hybrid vehicle, capable of suppressing a drive torque variation during engine start control. The hybrid vehicle has an engine (Eng) and a motor/generator (MG). The control device has: an engine start control part that performs engine start control to start the engine (Eng) from an EV mode by increasing a motor rotation speed of the motor/generator (MG), while allowing slippage of a second clutch (CL2), and bringing a first clutch (CL1) into slip engagement; and a drive torque upper limit setting part (600) that sets a drive torque upper limit value (Tdrlim) in the EV mode based on an added motor rotation speed (Nad), which is given by adding an additional rotation speed (N+) to the motor rotation speed (Nmot), as an upper limit of a drive torque transmitted to drive wheels through the second clutch CL2.
US09321451B2
A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine that can selectively provide drive torque to propel the vehicle. An electric machine also selectively provides drive torque. A differential transfers the torque to and amongst wheels. A planetary gearset is coupled to the engine and has a ring-gear for transmitting ring-gear-torque to the differential. A continuous torque transfer member operatively couples the ring-gear and the electric machine to the differential. At least one controller is configured to alter engine output based on a ring-gear-torque-threshold. This enables a desired torque to transfer through the continuous torque transfer member to the differential.
US09321449B2
A method and a system for choosing a transmission mode in a vehicle over the course of a road section, in which a simulation of at least one future speed profile vsim for the road section ahead of the vehicle is conducted on the basis of a road slope for the road section. A time period Tappl is determined on the basis of the at least one simulated future speed profile vsim, which ensures that a lower transmission mode is chosen before a lowest permitted speed vmin defined for the road section and/or a set speed vset for a speed control is reached. During the determined time period Tappl, the transmission mode which is utilized when the simulation is made is applicable for the vehicle. After this, it is evaluated whether a lower transmission mode than the currently used transmission mode shall be chosen. A lower transmission mode shall be chosen if the time period Tappl for which the current transmission mode is applicable is shorter than a first threshold period Tlim.
US09321439B2
In a method for adjusting the clamping force exerted by a parking brake, which force is applied by an electric-motor braking apparatus that encompasses an electric braking motor and power-supply and control units, and as necessary by an additional braking apparatus, an equivalent resistance is ascertained from a measurement of current and voltage and is used as the basis for calculating the maximum generatable clamping force.
US09321422B2
A vehicle body structure includes a pillar, a roof rail, a pillar trim panel mounted to the pillar, a pillar airbag and a curtain airbag. The pillar airbag is mounted to the pillar in a stowed orientation between the pillar trim panel and the pillar. The pillar airbag is arranged to be deployed in a first direction extending away from the pillar in a deployed orientation. The curtain airbag is mounted to the roof rail in a stowed orientation along the roof rail, and is arranged to be deployed in a downward direction extending away from the roof rail to a deployed orientation. The pillar airbag is positioned outboard of the curtain airbag with the curtain airbag overlaying a portion of the pillar airbag with respect to a second direction transverse to the first direction while the pillar airbag and the curtain airbag are in their deployed orientations, respectively.
US09321415B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide a power-supplying system that can restrain an increase in size thereof with a spring equipped therewith. A first end of a rolling spring projects inwardly, and a first locking section is formed on a primary shaft of a turning member, the primary shaft being disposed inside the rolling spring so that the turning member can engage with the rolling spring at the inside of the rolling spring, thereby restraining an increase in size thereof.
US09321390B2
A trailer is provided for removing a boat lift from a body of water. The trailer has a trailer body with a stationary axle at one end thereof. A lifting surface is movably positioned relative to the trailer body and is movable upwardly therefrom with a scissor lift. A pivoting axle assembly is provided on the trailer body so as to lift the wheels of the stationary axle to allow for the trailer to be moved within the boat lift. When the wheels of the stationary axle are lowered by raising the pivoting axle assembly, the lifting surface can then be moved upwardly so as to contact and lift the boat lift out of the body of water.
US09321388B2
A trailer assembly is disclosed that is operable to transport vehicles. The trailer assembly includes at least two tires and a first frame section, a second frame section, and a third frame section. The tires are coupled to the first frame section. The second frame section includes a platform configured to support at least a front wheel of a vehicle. The second frame section and the third frame section are each rotatably coupled to the first frame section. The third frame section includes a portion adapted to be directly selectively couplable to a trailer hitch of an automobile. A winch assembly couples the second frame section to at least one of the first frame section and third frame section. The winch assembly is operably configured to both lower the second frame section and raise a portion of the first frame section independent and without rotation of the third frame section.
US09321385B2
Hungry boards, or spill boards, for mounting about a tip truck load carrying body are formed with a pair of spaced apart vertical bores corresponding to and depending downward from the access cutouts. Vertical bores formed through the hungry board receive the threaded end of an anchor bolt which is welded to lip of the body. The anchor bolt comprises part of a resilient fastening system for attachment of the hungry board the anchor bolt is formed with a flat foot from which a shank extends. The shank terminates upwardly in a threaded upper end. A compression spring is located about the shank and arranged to absorb impact forces directed at the hungry board during use. The hungry boards are made of a light weight resilient material such as a tough synthetic rubber.
US09321379B2
A fiber-reinforced resin structure having a hole into which a connector that connects to another member is inserted, wherein a bearing strength at a part of an inside surface of the hole on which a load from the connector acts, represented by a stress at which displacement of the part of the inside surface of the hole starts increasing even without the load acting on the part of the inside surface of the hole from the connector increasing, is less than a breaking strength of a fiber-reinforced resin constituting that part of the structure.
US09321378B2
A seat for a vehicle is disclosed which includes a seat chassis for supporting a back member and a base member. The base member can have a first condition, which extends generally perpendicularly from the back member and is suitable for accommodating the occupant in a sitting position. In a second condition, the base member is retracted and thereby tends to reduce the profile of the seat. In selectively configuring the base member from the first condition to the second condition, the base member tilts such that it rises at the back edge and dips at the front edge.
US09321364B1
An electric bus may include a charging interface positioned on an external surface of the electric bus. One or more heating pads may be removably attached to the charging interface and configured to heat the charging interface. The heating pads may include a rigid plate forming an exposed surface of the charging interface. The plate may be positioned such that a first side of the plate forms a charging head contact surface when the charging head engages with the charging interface. A heating device may be attached to a second side of the plate opposite the first side. The heating device may include a heating element configured to heat the plate by resistive heating.
US09321361B2
A system for charging a battery within an at least partially electric vehicle. The system includes a charging device wherein the charging device configured to electrically connect to the at least partially electric vehicle and charge at least one battery by a predetermined amount. The system also includes a network configured to determine the location of the charging device.
US09321347B2
A distensible fuel tank included in a vehicle is provided. The distensible fuel tank includes a housing and a compliance structure coupled to the housing, the compliance structure including a base element coupled to a side of a structural element.
US09321345B2
An assembly is provided that includes a front end support frame and radiator support beam. The front end support frame has an end that defines an opening that extends between two facing walls across an inside wall of the tubular structure. The radiator support beam is assembled into the opening in the end of the front end support frame and is attached to the two facing walls. The front end support frame is a hydro-formed tube and the radiator support beam is an extruded part. The radiator support beam includes at least one internal reinforcement wall and an outside wall of the front end support frame is fastened with flow drilling screws to the internal reinforcement wall.
US09321344B2
A transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include two shafts, two hollow shafts and two motor/generators. A first shaft connected to an engine. A first hollow shaft disposed without rotational interference with the first shaft, selectively connected to the first shaft, and provided with a first output gear. A second hollow shaft disposed without rotational interference with the first hollow shaft and provided with a second output gear. A second shaft disposed in parallel with the first shaft and operably connected to the first shaft and the first hollow shaft through a gear unit to selectively transmit torque of the first shaft to the first hollow shaft. Clutches may connect the first shaft and the second shaft selectively to the first hollow shaft. A first motor/generator operably connected to the second hollow shaft and a second motor/generator operably connected to the second shaft.
US09321341B2
A transmission system of a hybrid electric vehicle may include a first shaft connected to an engine, a first hollow shaft disposed without rotational interference with the first shaft and provided with a first output gear, a second hollow shaft disposed without rotational interference with the first hollow shaft and provided with a second output gear, a second shaft disposed in parallel with the first shaft and operably connected to the first shaft and the first hollow shaft through a gear unit so as to selectively transmit torque of the first shaft to the first hollow shaft, a clutch selectively connecting the second shaft to the first hollow shaft, a first motor/generator operably connected to the second hollow shaft, and a second motor/generator operably connected to the second shaft.
US09321336B2
An automobile umbrella apparatus for use with an automobile window includes a base member having an arch shape that nests atop the lower window frame of an automobile. A mounting shaft extends upwardly from the base member is length adjustable to span between the lower and upper window frame members of an automobile. A mounting fin is coupled to the mounting shaft proximate a distal end and has a wedge shape configured to engage an upper window frame member in a friction fit relationship. An umbrella pole includes a proximal end pivotally coupled to the upper end of the mounting shaft and an opposed distal end. An umbrella canopy is operatively coupled to the distal end of the umbrella pole and movable between a retracted configuration loosely surrounding the umbrella pole and a deployed configuration extending away from the umbrella pole so as to shield or shade an area thereunder.
US09321320B2
An active vehicle suspension system includes an active damping mechanism operatively coupled to a vehicle wheel and configured for controlling a damping force applied to the wheel responsive to a control signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the damping mechanism and configured for generating a control signal to the damping mechanism responsive to velocity of the wheel in a downward vertical direction.
US09321316B1
A trailer hitch storage apparatus including a rectangular base plate, a hollow rectangular male member having a first front end welded to the base plate, and a hollow rectangular female member having a second front end welded to the base plate. The male member is removably disposed within a trailer hitch receiver which receives an open first rear end of the male member. A ball mount is removably disposed within the female member through a second rear end. A right portion of a pin is slidably and continuously disposed through a first pair of openings disposed through the female member and a second pair of openings disposed through the ball mount. A left portion of a pin is slidably and continuously disposed through a first pair of apertures disposed through the male member and a second pair of apertures disposed through the trailer hitch receiver.
US09321315B2
A tire holding apparatus which holds a tire using an annular rim that is detachably mounted, includes: a body section having a support surface which supports the rim; an inflation gas supply portion which has an inflation flow passage that passes from an inner portion of the body section to a center portion of the rim and supplies inflation gas into a tire supported by the rim; and a clamping portion which is mounted on the body section and clamps the rim to the support surface of the body section by using pressure of the inflation gas that flows through the inflation flow passage as a drive force.
US09321310B2
An axle assembly is provided and includes an axle component, a pinion nut, and a retainer. The axle component has a recess that defines a wall portion. The pinion nut is received within the recess. The retainer is received within the recess and is disposed between the pinion nut and the wall portion. The retainer is movable between a compressed state and a first expanded state, whereby the compressed state permits movement of the retainer relative to the pinion nut and the first expanded state engages the pinion nut and the wall portion to restrict movement of the retainer relative to the pinion nut and the wall portion.
US09321306B2
A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.
US09321304B2
The present invention provides a wheel cover for use to cover the wheel of a tractor or trailer. The wheel cover includes an inner support section and an outer main section. The outer main section includes a wheel cover surface and an outer edge. Further, the wheel cover includes a ratchet assembly comprising a spring, a support block, an operating holder and an extension. When installed on a truck wheel, the ratchet extension engages an outer radial edge of the inner support section that is installed on a wheel hub.
US09321294B2
The invention relates to a security document (30″), to a method for producing a security document (30″), and to a method for producing an individualized security document (30″). The security document (30″) has a carrier substrate (1) with a carrier layer (10) and a thermosensitive coating (11) which can be caused to change color by the action of heat, in particular by means of a thermal print head (911). The security document (30″) further has a film element (2), which is transparent at least in areas and which has at least one decorative layer (24, 25) with at least one optical security feature (51, 52), and an adhesive layer (3). The adhesive layer (3) is arranged between the film element (2) and the carrier substrate (1). The thermosensitive coating (11) is arranged between the adhesive layer (3) and the carrier layer (10). The film element (2) covers the thermosensitive coating (11) at least in areas when viewed perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the upper side of the carrier substrate.
US09321292B2
An after-processing device for performing sheet folding includes a pair of folding rollers, a heating member, and a supporting unit. The pair of folding rollers is configured to fold a sheet. The heating member is located downstream of the pair of folding rollers in terms of a sheet conveyance direction. The supporting unit supports the heating member in a manner such that position of the heating member in terms of the sheet conveyance direction is changeable in accordance with an amount of conveyance imparted on the sheet by the pair of folding rollers after folding. The position of the heating member in terms of the sheet conveyance direction changes such that the heating member is in contact with a leading edge of a fold portion of the sheet.
US09321291B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining survival state of a print head. The cleaning behavior of a print head can be used for reflecting health status of the print head, so survival state of a print head can be determined according to cleaning behavior of the print head. Specifically, a method is implemented for determining survival state of a print head, comprising: obtaining cleaning behavior data and cumulative printing amount upon failure occurrence of print head(s) of reference printer(s) as well as cleaning behavior of a print head of a current printer; obtaining printing amount of the current printer; determining survival state of the print head of the current printer according to cleaning behavior data and cumulative printing amount upon failure occurrence of the print head(s) of the reference printer(s) as well as cleaning behavior data and printing amount of the current printer.
US09321288B2
A inkjet printer has a mechanism to counter change in the tension of the recording medium to convey the recording medium with more precision. In a method, the position or movement of a movable member is detected by a detector, and the recording medium is conveyed based on output from the detector so that the movable member is maintained in or urged back to a set position. Also, one or more operations are stopped when the movable member moves outside of an allowable movement range. Which operation(s) is or are stopped depends on whether the movable member moves outside its allowable range in a direction that increases or decreases the tension in the recording medium.
US09321287B1
A printing position and cutting position adjusting method includes: printing a correction value deriving image on a medium, the correction value deriving image is used to calculate a value of correction of an ink-jet head in a sub scanning direction relative to image data of an image, during the image is printed on the medium by the ink-jet head that discharges an ink on the medium for printing; calculating a ratio, in the sub scanning direction, of the image printed on the medium to the image data based on the correction value deriving image; and printing the image on the medium using the ink-jet head and cutting the medium using a cutting head based on the image data. The cutting head, during cutting the medium based on the image data, cuts the medium at a cutting position in the sub scanning direction corrected based on the value of correction.
US09321286B2
A digital printing machine for printing onto a medium, the digital printing machine comprising a chassis, a digital print means, an advancing mechanism for advancing the medium; the machine further comprising a widthwise cutter coupled to the chassis, wherein the digital print means and the widthwise cutter are controlled by a common computer controller, thereby ensuring that the cutting of the cutter is in registration with printing by said digital print means.
US09321283B2
An inkjet recording apparatus may include a corrugate mechanism configured to form a sheet into a corrugated shape. The inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive sheets of various sizes and shapes. Accordingly, in some examples, the inkjet recording apparatus may include differently configured portions to handle sheets of different sizes or shapes. According to one arrangement, the inkjet recording apparatus may be configured to receive passage of sheets of a first size through multiple ones of the differently configured portions while receiving passage of sheets of a second size though limited ones of the differently configured portions.
US09321281B2
Individually controllable ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used to cure ink and generate different effects. The UV LEDs only expose specified areas to generate the different effect and can create multiple effects on the same substrate by exposing different areas to varying amounts of time or by performing a curing stage and post-dosage curing stages. The different effects include generating a glossy surface, a matte surface, and sharper images.
US09321276B2
Pattern information for identifying a pattern and color information for identifying a color are acquired. Image data corresponding to the acquired pattern information and color information is acquired from a storage unit configured to store at least two types of image data out of first to fourth image data. The first image data corresponds to first pattern information for identifying a first pattern and first color information for identifying a first color. The second image data corresponds to the first pattern information and second color information for identifying a second color. The third image data corresponds to second pattern information for identifying a second pattern and the first color information. The fourth image data corresponds to the second pattern information and the second color information. A colored pattern corresponding to the acquired image data is recorded onto a base material.
US09321269B1
A method for application of an anti-wetting coating to a substrate of a semiconductor material is described. The method includes applying to a support a solution of a hydrocarbon comprising at least one unsaturated bond and, optionally, at least one hetero-atom for obtaining a layer of hydrocarbons. The method also includes treating at least one surface of the substrate of the semiconductor material with an acid. The layer of hydrocarbons is transferred from the support to the surface of the substrate of the semiconductor material. The layer of hydrocarbons is chemically coupled with the surface of the substrate of the semiconductor material. The method may be applied to an integrated ink jet printhead provided with a nozzle plate in which the nozzle plate serves as the substrate of the semiconductor material.
US09321266B1
A print head has an ink reservoir to hold ink, the reservoir having protrusions, an external manifold coupled to the ink reservoir, the ink manifold having channels on a first surface that match the protrusions, and an adhesive in the channels to contact the protrusions. A method of assembling a print head includes mounting a jet stack to a flat plate of a merge fixture, dispensing adhesive on an external manifold attached to the jet stack, placing a reservoir in the merge fixture above the external manifold such that the reservoir does not contact the adhesive, attaching an upper plate to the reservoir to set a depth, pressing the reservoir into the adhesive, and curing the adhesive.
US09321262B2
A liquid discharge head includes a recording element substrate comprising a semiconductor substrate having an pressure generating element configured to generate pressure for discharging liquid, on a first surface, a flow path forming member disposed on the first surface, and in which a discharge port configured to discharge the liquid and a liquid flow path in communication with the discharge port are formed, and a connection terminal disposed in a vicinity of an end portion of the first surface, and an electric wiring substrate electrically connected to the connection terminal. The recording element substrate includes an insulating resin layer disposed in a vicinity of the end portion of the first surface and outward from the connection terminal, and an adhesiveness improving layer disposed between the insulating resin layer and the semiconductor substrate, and configured to improve adhesiveness between the insulating resin layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US09321259B2
At least one roller connected to a clip via an axle. The clip capable of being removably attached to a wicket, the wicket being well known in the art. The roller provides anti-friction engagement of wicket workpieces that are handled by wickets in industrial processing such as the processing of tinplate sheets.
US09321245B2
A method for providing a matrix material between a bonded pair of substrates with a homogeneous distribution of anisotropic filler particles is provided. Functionalized anisotropic filler particles are mixed uniformly with a matrix material to form a homogenous mixture. A bonded assembly of a first substrate and a second substrate with an array of electrical interconnect structures is placed within a vacuum environment. The homogenous mixture of the matrix material and the anisotropic filler particles is dispensed around the array of electrical interconnect structures. A gas is abruptly introduced into the vacuum environment to induce an implosion of the homogenous mixture. The implosion causes the homogenous mixture to fill the cavity between the first and second substrates without causing agglomeration of the anisotropic filler particles. The mixture filling the space between the first and second substrates has a homogenous distribution of the anisotropic filler particles.
US09321241B2
Ventilated aero-structures include a micro-lattice structure operatively coupled to a honeycomb core. The interface between the honeycomb core and the micro-lattice structure is configured to permit air flow to and from the honeycomb core via the micro-lattice structure. Aircraft include a ventilated aero-structure and a ventilation system configured to circulate air through the ventilated aero-structure. Some methods include coupling a micro-lattice structure to a honeycomb core. Some methods include utilizing a ventilated aero-structure to assemble an aircraft.
US09321239B2
A laser-engravable patternable element can be used to provide a relief image for various types of printing including flexographic printing. This laser-engraveable patternable element has a one laser-engravable layer that comprises a thermoplastic elastomeric interpolymer alloy that comprises a non-crosslinked halogenated polymer, a partially crosslinked polyolefin, and a polyester. A relief image can be obtained by directly laser-engraving the noted element under suitable conditions.
US09321236B2
Various embodiments of the present invention generally relate to an automated inflation device configured for inflating an inflatable structure, which can then be used—for example—as a protective packaging material. As described in detail herein, various embodiments of the inflation device are configured to be mounted on a wall for convenient installation and use. According to certain embodiments, the inflation device is configured to automatically inflate multiple inflatable chambers in the inflatable structure using an efficient inflation-at-a-distance method. Moreover, various embodiments are provided with one or more user input controls and/or remote sensors to enable a user to conveniently request inflation of a particular number of inflatable chambers or a particular length of the inflatable structure.
US09321231B2
A press with at least one collector wagon for compressible material to be pressed that can be coupled and uncoupled and that comprises a collector chamber having floors and walls, as well as a press chamber. When the collector wagon is coupled to the press, the collected compressible material is mechanically transferred from the collector wagon into the press chamber, after movement of the floor and use of a feeder device. When uncoupled from the press, the collector wagon is filled with compressible material at a location at a distance from the press. The feeder device is designed such that the compressible material to be pressed present in the collector wagon, after the upward movement of at least the floor, is gradually gripped and continuously removed from the collector wagon from above, and fed to the press.
US09321229B2
The invention relates to a processing machine having a processing wheel, which is in particular continuously driven, comprising at least one processing station for processing containers; comprising only one star for feeding and removing containers into and out of the processing device, which has at least two gripper elements for feeding containers to be processed to the processing station and for removing the processed containers from the processing station; wherein the processing station has a processing position within the processing station; characterized in that the processing station has at least one processing element processing a container, which is designed so that it can move the fed containers to be processed and/or the processed containers to be removed at least partially out of the processing position and/or into the processing position, in particular in a vertical or horizontal manner.
US09321225B2
An optical plate includes a substrate having a light emitting surface, a rear surface opposite to the light emitting surface, and a plurality of microstructures that cooperatively define the light emitting surface and each of which parallelly extends in a light traveling direction. Each of the microstructures includes first and second convex portions and a concave portion disposed between and interconnecting the first and second convex portions, and two adjacent ones of the microstructures are connected. Intersections between the microstructures cooperatively define an imaginary plane, and a lowest point of the concave portion is disposed at one side of the imaginary plane opposite to the rear surface of the substrate.
US09321223B2
A repair patch for an elastomer component, in particular for a vehicle tire, includes a cover layer, a connecting layer for contacting a wall of the elastomer component and at least one intermediate layer arranged between the connecting layer and the cover layer. The connecting layer has such a initial tack before vulcanization with the elastomer component that a connection between the repair patch and the elastomer component transmits at least the own weight of the repair patch and the connecting layer has a separation value of at least 5 N/mm after vulcanization with the elastomer component.
US09321219B2
The invention relates to a method of assembling composite material parts (10, 12). The method makes provision for: mounting (S6) the parts for assembly under stress on a stand (14), which parts have been partially polymerized; heating (S7) these parts so as to polymerize them completely, thereby enabling the stresses in the parts to be relaxed and enabling them to match the shape of the sand; cooling (S8) the parts; and assembling (S9) in conventional manner the parts as cooled in this way.
US09321215B2
Methods, devices and systems for efficient 3D printing that address conventional inefficiencies while utilizing a single compact device are set forth. Some embodiments utilize a circular-shaped build area revolving symmetrically around a single center point utilizing a continuous helical printing process. In one embodiment a liquid photopolymer for solidification is deposited on a build platform to form the physical object The Build platform is continuously rotated and simultaneously raised in a gradual programmed manner. Focused from below the platform produces a single continuous “layer” of material deposited and bonded in a helical fashion.
US09321211B2
An apparatus (1) for the transforming of plastics material preforms (10) into plastics material containers with a blow molding nozzle (2) arranged on a blow molding piston (14) extending in a predetermined longitudinal direction (L), in order to act upon these plastics material preforms with a gaseous medium for the expansion thereof, with an attachment device in order to supply the gaseous medium to the blow molding nozzle (2), and with at least one connecting line (22) which conveys the gaseous medium from the attachment device to the blow molding nozzle. According to the invention at least one portion of this connecting line (22) extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction (L).
US09321200B2
A method of insert molding comprises placing in a first mold a curable rubber composition comprising a reactive species; placing on a surface of the rubber composition a first thermoplastic material in a film or layer comprising a group reactive with the reactive species of the rubber composition; curing the rubber composition in the mold to form a first molded article of cured rubber having a first thermoplastic material layer covalently bonded through reactive of the reactive species and the group; placing the first molded article as an insert into a second mold, the cured rubber contacting an inside surface of the second mold and the thermoplastic layer facing into the second mold cavity; closing the second mold and injecting into the second mold a second thermoplastic material that to form a second molded article comprising the first molded article thermally welded and/or covalently bonded to the second thermoplastic material.
US09321195B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a pipe, which is capable of reducing the amount of thermoplastic material, without complicating an device for producing a pipe. The present invention provides a method for producing a pipe, comprising a thermoplastic material filling process for filling a die with a thermoplastic material, and a thermoplastic material discharging process for pushing out an unsolidified part of the thermoplastic material in the molding die using pressurized fluid, wherein the thermoplastic material is mixed with a foaming agent, the method further comprises a process for foaming the thermoplastic material filling the molding die, and the thermoplastic material discharging process is a process for pushing out a inner part of the thermoplastic material foamed in the molding die, by using the pressurized fluid prior to solidification of the inner part.
US09321189B1
A method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb structure includes kneading inorganic particles and binder ingredient such that raw material paste including the inorganic particles and binder ingredient is prepared, forming a body made of the raw material paste and having a honeycomb structure such that the body has the honeycomb structure having multiple through-holes extending in the longitudinal direction of the body and multiple partitions formed between the through-holes, degreasing of the body including heating the body in atmosphere maintaining oxygen concentration of 0.2% or less in the first heating and heating the body in atmosphere having oxygen concentration which is higher than the oxygen concentration of the first heating in the second heating such that a degreased body having the honeycomb structure is formed, and sintering the degreased body having the honeycomb structure such that a ceramic body having the honeycomb structure is formed.
US09321185B2
A pivotable winch assembly for a wood chipper includes an attachment bracket permanently connected to the wood chipper, a boom pivotably coupled to the attachment bracket by a pivot pin such that pivoting of the boom helps to manipulate and draw material into the wood chipper, a pivot pin to enable the boom to pivot into a plurality of preferred positions with respect to the wood chipper, and a retention pin for securing the boom into the plurality of preferred positions.
US09321182B2
The invention features a razor for dispensing a fluid during shaving. The razor includes a handle and a razor cartridge removably attached to the handle. The razor cartridge includes a housing having a front surface and a rear surface and an aperture that extends from the rear surface to the front surface. A cartridge connecting structure is attached to the rear surface of the housing and includes a fluid dispensing member disposed therein. The fluid dispensing member includes a converging flowpath that is in fluid communication with the aperture in the housing.
US09321179B2
A wrist structure of an industrial robot including a second wrist power transmission part transmitting power of a second wrist motor to a second wrist element and a third wrist power transmission part transmitting power of a third wrist motor to a third wrist element. The second wrist power transmission part includes a hypoid gear set, a drive shaft, a first reduction gear part reducing a speed of rotation from the second wrist motor and transmitting the reduced rotation to the drive shaft, and a second reduction gear part reducing a speed of rotation from the drive shaft and transmitting the reduced rotation to the second wrist small gear, and the third wrist power transmission part includes a hypoid gear set and a third reduction gear part reducing a speed of rotation from the third wrist motor and transmitting the reduced rotation to the third wrist small gear.
US09321173B2
Tracking and following technique embodiments are presented that are generally employed to track and follow a person using a mobile robotic device having a color video camera and a depth video camera. A computer associated with the mobile robotic device is used to perform various actions. Namely, in a tracking mode, a face detection method and the output from the color video camera is used to detect potential persons in an environment. In addition, a motion detection method and the output from the depth video camera is also used to detect potential persons in the environment. Detection results obtained using the face and motion detection methods are then fused and used to determine the location of one or more persons in the environment. Then, in a following mode, a mobile robotic device following method is used to follow a person whose location was determined in the tracking mode.
US09321172B2
A modular rotational electric actuator includes an output housing and internal drive components that include integrated control electronics, a torque sensor, and a portion of a joint assembly. The joint assembly includes a joint connector coupled to the internal drive components, including integrated control electronics, e.g., by a resilient member. The resilient member elastically couples the joint connector to a portion of the output housing, the joint connector including a portion that extends outward therefrom.
US09321159B2
In a pneumatic impact wrench there is an output shaft that is connectable in a removable manner to a screw coupling member; a torque sensor, which is mounted on the shaft, sends signals to a control unit that calculates the energy transferred through the output shaft and controls the wrench on the basis of a comparison between the calculated energy and a predefined threshold value.
US09321158B2
A pole assembly includes a chuck, and the chuck includes a chuck body with opposed fastener openings extending therethrough, and a shank. The pole assembly includes a socket piece, and the socket piece includes a conduit fitting body and a socket piece body, and opposed fastener openings extending through the conduit fitting body, and a socketed body opening extending through the socket fitting body. The pole assembly includes a conduit which extends through a distal chuck body opening of the chuck and an unsocketed body opening of the conduit fitting body.
US09321153B1
A water meter wrench retainer that removably attaches to a water meter lid of a water meter can. The retainer has an elongated bar attached centrally to one end of a flexible member. An opposite end of the flexible member secures to a water meter wrench. When the retainer is attached to the lid, the bar is on top of the lid, the flexible member extends through an opening in the lid and the wrench hangs downward within the can. The bar is sized so that it can be inserted through the can opening as a way of securing the retainer to and removing it from the lid. One end of the bar is flattened to scrape mud and dirt from the meter. The flattened end aids a user in grasping the bar which allows the bar to serve as a handle to remove the lid from the can.
US09321152B2
The invention relates to A pliers (1) having two pliers limbs (2, 3) which are connected so as to be pivotable relative to one another in a box joint having a joint pin (4), a working region (7, 8) being formed on one pliers limb (2, 3) on the one side of the joint and a gripping region (9, 10) being formed on the other side of the joint, and a passed-through pliers limb (3) being formed with a push-through slot (11) which has a slot width (s) in the joint region and through which the other through-passing pliers limb (2) extends, the working regions of the pliers limbs (2, 3) moreover having, at least in part, a width (b) that is greater than the slot width (s), and the working regions (7, 8) designed in the form of jaws or cutting edges pivoting toward a shared central plane (E). In order to improve the pliers with regard to high performance while optimizing manufacturability, it is proposed that the joint pin (4) be laterally offset with respect to the central plane (E).
US09321151B2
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for holding an item to be worked on in, for example, a mechanical shop, garage or manufacturing facility. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of mechanical vises that may be used to hold an item firm so that it may be worked on and may be for quick action holding and releasing that may be disabled. The present invention is directed generally to an apparatus and method for improved operation of a vise. The present invention may include a quick action mechanism that allows a vise jaws to be opened or closed quickly so that an operator can be more efficient or productive. The quick action mechanism may include a vise main nut and main nut holder. The vise may also include a lock for the quick action mechanism which may lock the vise main nut.
US09321144B2
A polishing head of a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus includes a housing moving up and down, a base assembly connected to a bottom of the housing to support the housing, a membrane on a bottom of the base assembly and a retainer ring surrounding the membrane and connected to the bottom of the base assembly, the membrane including a pressing portion to adsorb and press a substrate, a first partition on the pressing portion and extending from an edge of the pressing portion along a height direction, a first horizontal extending portion extending from an upper end portion of the first partition toward a center of the membrane, and a second horizontal extending portion from the upper end portion of the first partition toward the center of the membrane, the second horizontal extending portion being above the first horizontal extending portion and including a curved portion expanding by pneumatic pressure.
US09321131B2
The invention relates to a method for the laser welding of metal parts that comprises generating a CO2 laser beam, dispensing a protection gas jet made of said gas or gas mixture in the direction of the junction plane between the parts, melting and evaporating the metal of the metal parts with the laser beam in order to generate a metal vapor capillary with the simultaneous generation of a metal plasma that propagates outside the metal vapor capillary and thus forms a metal plasma plume above said junction plane. The protection gas jet is further directed towards the metal plasma plume forming above the junction plane. The gas jet is preferably directed so that the latter comes flush with the top of the metal plasma plume and impinges on the part(s) at a location where the metal of said parts has not been molten by the beam.
US09321126B2
Various embodiments may be used for laser-based modification of target material of a workpiece while advantageously achieving improvements in processing throughput and/or quality. Embodiments of a method of processing may include focusing and directing laser pulses to a region of the workpiece at a pulse width sufficiently short so that material is efficiently removed by nonlinear optical absorption from the region and a quantity of heat affected zone and thermal stress on the material within the region, proximate to the region, or both is reduced relative to a quantity obtainable using a laser with longer pulses. In at least one embodiment, an ultrashort pulse laser system may include at least one of a fiber amplifier or fiber laser. Various embodiments are suitable for at least one of dicing, cutting, scribing, and forming features on or within a composite material.
US09321116B2
A cold metal transfer (CMT) contact tip has a substantially copper-free contact surface defining a wire passage. The CMT contact tip is used with a CMT welding apparatus having a weld wire and a wire feeder for feeding and oscillating the weld wire forward and backward through the wire passage where the weld wire shares a concentric axis with the wire passage.
US09321107B2
A method for arranging a coating, in particular a hardfacing, on a component, in particular a TiAl drive unit component, is disclosed. The coating comprises a metallic coating material. A green body is formed with the coating material, which is arranged in the presence of a solder on the component and is formed into a coating by a combined solder-sintering process and is fixed on the component.
US09321101B2
Methods for manufacturing a metal foam and a metal foam reinforced back plate may be used to provide high-strength and low weight structural elements in portable information handling systems. A method for manufacturing a metal foam may include selectively adding iridium oxide and ceramic particulate to a light-metal allow to create desired mechanical properties of the metal foam.
US09321097B2
A conversion press wherein a crankshaft drives the motion of the tooling assemblies within a number of lanes is provided. The crankshaft is structured to move the tooling assemblies associated with less than the total number of lanes. That is, for example, a four lane conversion press could include two crankshafts each actuating the tooling assemblies of two lanes. In an exemplary embodiment, each lane has a single associated crankshaft.
US09321095B2
Apparatuses and methods for cutting a sample piece, having a shape and an outer dimension, out of a porous substrate, comprising: a puncher having an outermost dimension at a punch head; a stripping sleeve; a die having an innermost dimension that is larger than the outermost dimension of the punch head; and a fixture that holds the die in a fixed position relative to the puncher and stripping sleeve.
US09321085B2
A chemical liquid process is performed on a substrate. Then, a rinse process that supplies a rinse liquid to the substrate is performed. Thereafter, a drying process that dries the substrate is performed while rotating the substrate. The drying process includes a first drying process that rotates the substrate at a first rotational speed; a second drying process that decreases the rotational speed of the substrate to a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed after the first drying process. In the second drying process, the rinse liquid and a drying solution are agitated and substituted while generating braking effect. In a third drying process, the rotational speed of the substrate is increased from the second rotational speed to a third rotational speed after the second drying process. Thereafter, in a fourth drying process, the drying solution on the substrate is scattered away by rotating the substrate.
US09321083B2
A method of sorting mailpieces into a sorting frame having sorting slots where, in a sorting pass, and in a memory of a monitoring/control unit with a display screen, recording digital images of mailpieces to be sorted, each image including a delivery address; on the basis of each digital image of a mailpiece, generating a sorting code identifying a sorting slot of the sorting frame, and, in the memory, organizing the mailpieces into virtual stacks of images, each virtual stack of images corresponding to a stack of mailpieces placed in a stack in a sorting slot of the sorting frame and the images in each virtual stack of images being sequenced in the same order as the mailpieces in said stack of mailpieces; and in a subsequent sorting pass, displaying on the screen the images and a sorting code of said mailpieces organized in a virtual stack.
US09321074B2
A mask frame assembly for thin film deposition including a frame having an opening portion and a support portion, and a mask having a deposition area in a position corresponding to the opening portion, wherein the mask includes a first layer including the deposition area and a peripheral portion disposed outside the deposition area and a second layer including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, at least a part of the first surface of the second layer faces the first layer and contacts the peripheral portion, and the second surface is welded to the support portion of the frame.
US09321072B2
A coating apparatus includes: a coating roller configured to apply coating liquid to a recording medium; a measuring roller configured to intermittently supply the coating liquid to the coating roller by being brought into contact with and being separated from the coating roller; a coating liquid pan configured to stores the coating liquid; and a roller cover configured to cover the measuring roller. When the measuring roller moves between a contact position where the coating roller and the measuring roller come into contact with each other and a separation position where the coating roller and the measuring roller are separated from each other, the measuring roller and the roller cover integrally operate while maintaining their relative positions, in a state where the coating liquid pan is fixed.
US09321050B2
An ultrasonic microfluidic system includes a separation channel for conveying a sample fluid containing small particles and large particles, flowing substantially parallel, adjacent to a recovery fluid, with which it is in contact. An acoustic transducer produces an ultrasound standing wave, that generates a pressure field having at least one node of minimum pressure amplitude. An acoustic extension structure is located proximate to said separation channel for positioning said acoustic node off center in said acoustic area and concentrating the large particles in said recovery fluid stream.
US09321042B2
Described are catalyst compositions, catalytic articles, methods of manufacturing catalytic articles and exhaust gas treatment systems and methods that utilize the catalytic articles. The catalytic articles include a washcoat of platinum group metal on refractory oxide support particles, and further including a molecular sieve wherein greater than 90% of the molecular sieve particles have a particle size greater than 1 μm.
US09321037B2
A hydroprocessing co-catalyst composition may comprise in an embodiment a first component comprising co-catalyst particles and a liquid carrier, and a second component comprising a dispersant and a dispersant diluent. The co-catalyst particles may be in the micron size range, and the dispersant may promote dispersion of the co-catalyst particles in materials such as the liquid carrier, the dispersant diluent, and combinations thereof. Methods of introducing a hydroprocessing co-catalyst composition into a hydroprocessing system are also disclosed.
US09321021B2
An improved process for converting an oil suspension of nanoparticles (NPs) into a water suspension of NPs, wherein water and surfactant and a non-surfactant salt is used instead of merely water and surfactant, leading to greatly improved NP aqueous suspensions.
US09321019B2
An aerator includes an expansion chamber. The expansion chamber is defined as having a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion is configured to engage an opening of an uncorked wine bottle. The top portion is disposed above the opening of the uncorked wine bottle. The expansion chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with an inside of the uncorked wine bottle. A gas conduit has a proximal end in fluid communication with a distal end. The gas conduit passes through the bottom portion of the expansion chamber and the distal end is disposed below the bottom portion of the expansion chamber. The proximal end is disposed above the bottom portion of the expansion chamber. A gas source is in fluid communication with the proximal end of the gas conduit. The expansion chamber is configured to temporarily contain an expansion of wine bubbles during an aeration process.
US09321018B2
A wine and spirit aerator includes a tube, a diffuser and an air pump attached to opposing ends of the tube. The aerator may include a stopper sized and shaped to be inserted into a lip of a wine or spirit bottle. The tube and diffuser can extend to the bottom of the bottle. The tube can have telescoping sections or be sized for single glass operation where the pump can be set on a structure between uses. The diffuser can be porous or sintered metal. The pump can be removed and replaced with a carbon dioxide injector to turn the aerator into a carbonated beverage preparation apparatus or a plant feeding apparatus. A method of marketing wine and spirits is also provided in which videos of same aerated by the disclosed aerators are posted to a website that offers both the aerators and the wine or spirit for purchase.
US09321015B2
The invention provides methods for preparing an asymmetric hollow fiber, the asymmetric hollow fibers prepared by such methods, and uses of the asymmetric hollow fibers. One method involves passing a polymeric solution through an outer annular orifice of a tube-in-orifice spinneret, passing a bore fluid though an inner tube of the spinneret, dropping the polymeric solution and bore fluid through an atmosphere over a dropping distance, and quenching the polymeric solution and bore fluid in a bath to form an asymmetric hollow fiber.
US09320998B2
A collapsible HVAC filter that includes a pleated filter media pack with ends that attach to ends of a planar filter frame member. The structure collapses by folding the filter frame member along score lines and compressing the pleated filter media while the media and frame member are attached. The collapsed components occupy little space relative to the expanded filter, and can be expanded to form a completed filter with little effort required by the end user. Most of the filter media is collapsed in a generally U-shaped channel formed from the folded filter frame member.
US09320996B1
Apparatus related to an air filter and filter housing are disclosed herein. The filter housing and/or filter frame utilize heat shrinkable sealant pieces to enhance the sealing capabilities of the filter housing and/or filter frame.
US09320986B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus to recover and purify methanol from gases produced in the digester during the kraft pulping process. The gas is typically recovered as a foul gas (called stripper off gas or SOG) comprising methanol, water and various other contaminants. The gas is then treated with successive decanting and distillation steps to remove impurities, thereby producing highly purified methanol.
US09320983B2
The invention relates to a valve for carrying out a mass-transfer process in which a gas (13) flows through a liquid (31) standing on an upper tray (21), when the gas supply is interrupted the liquid (31) flows into a lock (17) beneath the tray (21) and, when the gas supply is restarted, the liquid (31) flows out of the lock (17) through a lower tray (19) bordering the lock (17) downward, wherein the valve (1) comprises a closing element (5) which comprises a piston rod (5), an upper valve disk (9) and a lower valve disk (7), and which is conducted in a sleeve (3), wherein the lower valve disk (7), in a first valve position, closes an opening (43) at the lower end of the sleeve (3). The upper valve disk (9) and the lower valve disk (7) are each movably connected to the piston rod (11).
US09320973B2
A game data processing section 100 is provided with an item assessment section 41 and an event generation section 42. The item assessment section 41 assesses whether or not the number of pieces of a virtual item possessed by a virtual user is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value, extracts one type of virtual item from among virtual items possessed by the virtual user, and assesses whether or not the number of pieces of the one type of virtual item is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value. The event generation section 42 generates an event in which the one type of virtual item can be consumed, when the item assessment section assesses the number of pieces of the one type of virtual item is equal to or more than the predetermined threshold value.
US09320970B2
The present invention integrates the concepts of interactive player based promotions, games, and bonusing that utilize a touch screen display on a gaming system associated with a remote player tracking system. The promotions are configured at a remote configuration workstation by selecting system criteria defining the particular bonus promotion to thereby create a “bonus rule”. Promotions have four primary criteria. The first is the “Trigger” which is the criterion that determines when the bonus screen is activated to display a promotion. The second is the “Interface” that determines what will be displayed on the bonus screen. The third is the “Award” in which the nature of the bonus payment, including the method of choosing the value to award and the required player interaction to receive the promotion, is determined. And finally, the “Currency” system determines the method of payment to the player for earning or receiving the promotion.
US09320954B1
A martial arts and combat sports training advantage comprised of using traditional shaped training striking pads worn or held by a combat sports trainers, as disclosed in previous patents, and equipping the striking pads with trainer triggered adjustably timed lights designed to stimulate reflexes and allow the trainer to give non-verbal striking orders to the person being trained. Vibration sensors detect the strike, transmitting the strike to an internal microchip which allow for the characteristics of the strike to be shown on the digital number display.
US09320952B2
A two-part hockey stick having a hockey stick blade and a hockey stick shaft joined together at a joint. The hockey stick has a blade with a neck, a heel, and a toe. The joint has a male joint portion on an end of the shaft, which has heel and opposed toe walls, each of which extend away from a distal surface of the shaft and terminate at a mating surface. The heel wall is disposed on a side of the joint adjacent to a heel of the blade, and is longer than the toe wall. The mating surface extends between the heel and toe walls. The joint also has a hollow female joint portion disposed in a neck of the blade. The male joint portion mates with the female joint portion, thereby joining the shaft to the blade and forming the hockey stick.
US09320951B2
Disclosed is a golf tee configured to control spin imparted on a golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball. In one embodiment, the golf tee includes a plurality of support members to support a golf ball, wherein contact between the golf ball and the plurality of support members is asymmetrically distributed between a first contact area and a second contact area. In another embodiment, the golf tee includes a two-part shaft slideably coupled together and an adjustable resistance mechanism to provide a resistive force between the two parts of the golf tee, wherein the resistive force opposes the sliding together of the two parts. The resistance mechanism may be manually or automatically to control spin imparted to the golf ball due to friction between a contact surface of the golf tee and the golf ball.
US09320949B2
A golf club head including a crown, a sole, a hosel, a face and a flexure. The golf club head includes a multi-material construction including a face member, a midsection and an aft member that allows optimization of the mass distribution of the golf club head. The flexure provides compliance during an impact between the golf club head and a golf ball.
US09320944B2
A golf ball having an inner core layer having an outer surface and a geometric center and being formed from a rubber composition. An outer core layer surrounds the inner core to form a dual core. An inner cover layer surrounds the dual core, and includes a high-acid ionomer having a hardness of about 66 to 75 Shore D and an acid content of 16 wt. % or greater. An outer cover layer surrounds the inner cover layer, and includes a polyurethane and having a material hardness of about 38 to 56 Shore D. The inner core layer surface hardness is from 0 Shore C to 10 Shore C lower than the geometric center hardness to define a negative hardness gradient and the outer core layer has a surface hardness at least 10 Shore C greater than the geometric center hardness to define a dual core positive hardness gradient.
US09320940B2
An exercise device includes a relatively rigid platform supported by a compressible base. The base has a central flat and then slopes outward and upward from the central flat in a spherical section. The base permits instability in height, angle, and shear strain movement. The user performs postures and/or exercises using the exercise device under each appendage being used for support. The instability triggers the Golgi tendon receptor and the muscle spindle receptor and thereby achieves physiological benefits. The muscular training devices come in different sizes and configurations to make up a muscular training system.
US09320937B2
A fitness equipment unit includes a member rotatable about an axis and a source of resistance against rotation of the member. Rotation of the member is facilitated by pulling on a first end of the line while the other end of the line is stationary, pulling on a second end of the line while the first end is stationary or concurrently pulling on both the first end and the second end of the line.
US09320936B1
A selectively adjustable, portable exercise system with first and second resistance mechanisms, each with a rotatable spool, a cord wrapped around the spool, a handle secured to the cord, and a resistance stack formed by plural resistance packs, which can be modular. The spool and the resistance pack have engagement patterns. Each resistance pack presents a resistance to rotation, such as by a coil spring. Each of a plurality of keys has a rod portion with an engagement pattern with a spool engagement pattern to lock the spool relative to the key and a resistance pack engagement pattern for locking one or more resistance packs relative to the key and the spool. The resistance pack engagement patterns of at least some of the keys vary to lock different combinations of resistance packs relative to the key and the spool. A belt, base platforms, or both can form a retaining structure.
US09320931B2
Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes remote controlled devices equipped with herder delivery components. The system may utilize herders to perform in-situ burning of the oil slick. This method may provide dedicated remote control device for each response vessel to further enhance the response to oil slicks.
US09320926B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards fire blocking apparatuses that include fire skirts that extend off edges of solar panels installed on roofs. The fire skirts are configured to block the gap between a solar panel and the roof surface on which it is installed to prevent or suppress the ignition for spreading of fire underneath the solar panel. Some of the fire skirts are heat or fire sensitive and are configured to the melt, deform, or otherwise be altered upon the application of a threshold temperature such that the fire skirts block the gap between the solar panel and the roof surface. Other embodiments are directed towards fire skirts that include a solar panel mounting surface and a shelf surface configured to accommodate ballast or fasteners to affix the solar panel to the roof surface. Such embodiments can be formed from pre-scored or pre-folded sheet materials.
US09320914B2
Endoscopic delivery of Red/NIR light to the Substantia Nigra to treat Parkinson's Disease in order to raise the energy levels in the substantia nigra.
US09320912B2
A deep magnetic field generating apparatus includes a first coil unit and a second coil unit. The second coil unit is connected with the first coil unit, and disposed around the first coil unit horizontally. Accordingly, the deep magnetic field generating apparatus can generate a desired deep magnetic field.
US09320908B2
Methods and apparatus for delivering therapy from an implanted neurostimulator to a patient are provided. One feature is an external controller that acts as a gateway for therapy. The external controller can be a handheld controller that communicates wirelessly with the implanted neurostimulator. In some embodiments, the controller communicates with a database to determine a therapy approval status of the neurostimulator. Therapy can be approved by a physician prescription, or by prepayment, for example. In some embodiments, the neurostimulator is deactivated when no approved therapies remain.
US09320907B2
The present invention provides a thin and flexible device and method of use thereof for pain and wound treatment of a subject. The integrated surface stimulation device may comprise a complete wireless stimulation system in a disposable and/or reusable flexible device for widespread use in multiple therapeutic applications. The invention would be situated on the skin surface of a patient and would be activated so as to reduce the overall occurrence of pain and/or increase wound healing rates. As provided, the device will comprise an integrated power supply and pre-programmable stimulator/control system mounted on the upper face of a flexible polymeric substrate layer. The lower face of the substrate layer will comprise areas of stimulating electrodes, applied using thin film coating techniques. The device can then be applied to the user with a medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive coating provided on the lower face of the substrate layer.
US09320906B2
An apparatus may include an implantable therapy circuit that provides bi-ventricular pacing to a subject, a heart sound signal sensing circuit that produces a sensed heart sound signal that is representative of at least one heart sound associated with mechanical cardiac activity, a memory circuit to store one or more heart sound templates of cardiac capture, and a comparison circuit that compares a segment of the sensed heart sound signal to the one or more heart sound templates of cardiac capture to identify ventricles in which cardiac capture was induced by the bi-ventricular pacing. In some situations, an indication of the ventricles in which cardiac capture was induced may be generated according to the comparison.
US09320904B2
A non-invasive bodily-attached ambulatory medical monitoring and treatment device with pacing is provided. The noninvasive ambulatory pacing device includes a battery, at least one therapy electrode coupled to the battery, a memory storing information indicative of a patient's cardiac activity, and at least one processor coupled to the memory and the at least one therapy electrode. The at least one processor is configured to identify a cardiac arrhythmia within the information and execute at least one pacing routine to treat the identified cardiac arrhythmia.
US09320899B2
An implantable stimulation device that includes output current sources and/or sinks configured to provide an output current for a load (i.e., tissue). The output path of the output current source or sink comprises a transistor which operates in a linear mode instead of a saturation mode. Because operation in a linear mode results in smaller drain-to-source voltage drops, power consumption in the output current source or sink (and hence in the implantable stimulator) is reduced, reducing battery or other power source requirements. Operation in the linear mode is facilitated by a load in an input path and a load in the output path (which bears the output current). The loads can be active transistors or passive resistors. A feedback circuit (e.g., an operational amplifier) receives voltages that build up across these loads, and sends a control signal to the gate of the transistor to ensure its linear operation.
US09320891B2
A lead anchor includes a body with opposing first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface between the first and second major surfaces. The body defines a first channel, a second channel, and a notch. The first channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the first major surface. The second channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the second major surface. The notch extends from the edge surface of the body, defines an opening from the first major surface through the body to the second major surface, and intersects the first channel and the second channel. The first channel, the second channel, and a portion of the notch define a passage through the body so that a lead can be inserted into the notch and turned to dispose a portion of the lead within the passage. The lead anchor can be part of a kit or system that also includes a lead.
US09320888B2
A stylet-lead assembly includes a therapy delivery element and a stylet. The therapy delivery element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen having a lumen length extending from the proximal end to almost the distal end. The stylet includes a stylet handle including a locking insert having a first channel adapted to receive a proximal end of a stylet wire. A portion of the stylet wire extending beyond a proximal end of the locking insert includes at least one bend. The stylet handle has an opening at a distal end adapted to compressively engage the proximal end of the stylet wire to the locking insert, such that an exposed portion of the stylet wire measured from a distal end of the stylet wire to a distal end of the locking insert generally comprises the lumen length.
US09320885B2
A dual purpose sleep wearable headgear for both monitoring and stimulating the brain of a sleeping person is disclosed that provides a simple to use and safe platform for wearing consumer-type dual use brain stimulation and monitoring devices during sleep. The headgear enables a user to sleep comfortably while wearing the electronics and related electrodes needed for both EEG monitoring and transcranial electrical stimulation. The headgear can accept and support a miniaturized dual use monitoring/stimulation device on the forehead or the top of the head, where the bulk of the monitoring/stimulation device will not interfere with the user's sleeping position. The headgear disclosed takes the guesswork out of electrode placement, because the electrodes are prepositioned or are easily adjustable according to a predetermined pattern of electrode placement, and are appropriately sized so as to allow comfortable transcranial stimulation without producing skin irritation, and without awakening the user.
US09320884B2
A method and system improves the effectiveness of cardioversion or defibrillation through the ability to switch shock vectors and to reduce transthoracic impedance. An external multiple patch system comprises at least two options for a shocking vector once external patches are applied and adhered to desired locations on a patient's body. A manual switching mechanism in the system provides the ability to direct current from a defibrillator to either of two or more adhesive electrode patches. A method and system of decreasing transthoracic impedance comprises wrapping material around a patient's body to apply pressure to adhered patches, which further reduces transthoracic impedance by increasing effective pressure on the patches through use of pressure-focusing mechanisms located between a patch and a strap.
US09320871B2
Systems and methods for controllably variable fluid flow are disclosed that provide the ability to modify the effective cross-sectional area of the fluid delivery conduit available for fluid flow. Accordingly, selective control of these configurations allows fluid flow to be regulated as desired while the fluid delivery pressure remains the same. Additional configurations provided herein allow for the selective manipulation of a footprint or therapeutic pattern achievable with the medical device during a single procedure, negating the need for the removal and insertion of multiple devices to achieve the same variations in treatment geometry or characteristics.
US09320866B2
Headgear for use with a respiratory mask is described. The headgear comprises a continuous and substantially curved elongate member extending in use below a user's nose and at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of the elongate member. A mask attachment on the elongate member is disposed to sit below or on one of said user's nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask. The attachment is capable of receiving the mask.
US09320861B2
An access port device is provided including a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end with at least one lumen extending therethrough, a first ring secured at the proximal end of the tubular member, and a second ring secured at the distal end of the tubular member. The access port device further includes a flow regulator disposed on a top portion of the at least one lumen, the flow regulator having a head portion and a body portion, the body portion extending asymmetrically downward to form a substantially triangular opening for regulating an output rate of insufflation gasses from a surgical site.
US09320860B2
A connector of a self-priming IV set valve including a connector body having a hollow region, and a valve element that is at least partially positioned in the hollow region that is configured to be moved, displaced or punctured by a cap that is releasably connectable to the connector body. When the cap is mounted to the connector, the cap either punctures or moves the valve element and a passageway is formed in the connector such that air and liquid are permitted to pass through the connector and into the cap. When the cap is not mounted to the connector, the valve element of the connector is configured to open under pressure to permit the passage of liquid through the connector and close when pressure ceases.
US09320859B2
A cap assembly for a self-priming IV set valve includes a body portion that is configured to be removably connected to the IV set valve; a hydrophobic filter that is mounted to the body portion; and an actuator having a free end that is configured to either puncture, move or displace a valve element of the IV set valve. A fluid passageway is disposed either in or along the actuator. When the cap assembly is mounted to the IV set valve, the actuator either punctures, moves or displaces the valve element of the IV set valve such that air and liquid within the IV set valve can flow through the fluid passageway and onto the hydrophobic filter, whereupon the hydrophobic filter of the cap assembly prevents the passage of liquid through the hydrophobic filter while the hydrophobic filter permits the passage of air there-through and into the atmosphere.
US09320852B2
There are cases where a fluid transport apparatus cannot accurately discharge a set discharge amount of fluid, due to individual differences in components of the fluid transport apparatus, such as the diameter of an opening of an elastic tube. Therefore, in a fluid transport apparatus including a fluid transport cartridge and a fluid transport driving unit that are separable from each other, the fluid transport driving unit comprises a driving section that causes a drive mechanism to operate to transport fluid filling a transport path of an attached fluid transport cartridge to a discharge opening of the transport path; a receiving section that receives a characteristic value measured in advance for each of a plurality of the fluid transport cartridges; and a control section that controls the driving section based on the characteristic values received by the receiving sections.
US09320851B2
An arrangement for administering a predetermined amount of a substance into an organism is presented. The arrangement includes a member adapted to provide information indicative of a tissue resistance against flow of a fluid containing the substance upon administration into the tissue and a controller adapted to adjust an administration characteristic of the fluid based on the information such as to achieve an intended absorption rate of the substance.
US09320850B2
An intravascular catheter for peri-vascular or peri-urethral tissue ablation includes multiple needles advanced through supported guide tubes which expand around a central axis to engage the interior surface of the wall of the renal artery or other vessel of a human body allowing the injection an ablative fluid for ablating tissue, or such as nerve fibers in the outer layer or deep to the outer layer of the vessel, or in prostatic tissue. The system may also controls the depth of penetration of the ablative fluid into and beyond the tissue of the vessel wall. The catheter may also include structures which provide radial and/or lateral support to the guide tubes so that the guide tubes expand uniformly and maintain their position against the interior surface of the vessel wall as the sharpened injection needles are advanced to penetrate into the vessel wall.
US09320847B2
Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
US09320844B2
Arrangement for removing carbon dioxide from an extracorporeal flow of blood by means of inert gases
The invention relates to an arrangement (10, 100, 200) for removing carbon dioxide from an extracorporeal flow of blood. The arrangement (10, 100, 200) comprises a filter (12) which has a membrane (16) that separates a blood region (14) from a gas region (18). The extracorporeal flow of blood is passed through the blood region (14) of the filter (12). Likewise, a gas flow of a purge gas is passed through the gas region (18), the purge gas being an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases. Further, the invention relates to a method for removing carbon dioxide from an extracorporeal flow of blood in which likewise an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases is used as a purge gas.
US09320841B2
A ventricle assist device comprises an inlet for receiving blood, an outlet for discharging blood, and a chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet. There is also a means for actuating the ventricle assist device between an expanded configuration and a contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration blood flows into the inlet. In the contracted configuration blood flows out of the outlet. There may be a one-way valve at the outlet for preventing blood flow back into the chamber. The one-way valve is a diaphragm valve. The chamber may have a resilient outer wall. The chamber may have an ovoid shape.
US09320840B2
A vacuum dressing to cover a medical device insertion site, generally comprising a transparent film dressing member, adapted to form a sealed region between the film dressing member and a region of skin surrounding the insertion site; a sponge/foam member adapted to be positioned over the insertion site; and vacuum tubing, wherein the vacuum tubing permits vacuum pressure to be applied to the sealed region.
US09320828B2
The present invention is comprised within tissue engineering and, specifically, within bone regeneration. The invention relates to a porous three-dimensional matrix of monetite which is biocompatible, has structured porosity and is predefined and reabsorbable, as well as to the method of synthesis capable of producing said material and the applications thereof. These matrices are a perfect base for cell colonization and proliferation, allowing the application thereof in tissue engineering and bone regeneration as a result of their advantageous properties of biocompatibility, reabsorption, osteoinduction, revascularization, etc.
US09320826B2
The invention describes new synthetic medical adhesives and films which exploit the key components of natural marine mussel adhesive proteins.
US09320824B2
A liquid-activated formulation is provided, comprising a liquid-activated colorant, a hydrochromic ionic compound, an opacifier, and a solvent-based binding matrix.
US09320821B2
The present invention relates to a method for counteracting ammonia malodor comprising indentifying PRMs capable of elevating the lateralization threshold of ammonia and using such ingredients in a perfume applied to surfaces or spaces exposed to ammonia or to consumer product bases comprising ammonia.
US09320819B2
There is provided a mechanism of preventing a cartridge in which a sterilizing agent is remaining from being taken out from a sterilization apparatus in order to prevent a user from touching the sterilizing agent. There is provided a sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object by extracting a sterilizing agent from a cartridge containing the sterilizing agent. The apparatus includes locking means for locking the cartridge containing the sterilizing agent and mounted on the sterilization apparatus and extracting means for extracting the sterilizing agent from the cartridge, wherein the locking means is configured to maintain the lock on the cartridge until sterilizing agent has been extracted from the cartridge by the extracting means.
US09320817B2
Irradiation apparatus for inactivating pathogens and/or leukocytes in a biological fluid and process
The invention relates to an irradiation apparatus for inactivating pathogens and/or leukocytes in a biological fluid such as a platelet suspension and/or plasma comprising: a casing (2), a support member (3) for carrying at least one irradiation bag (19) containing the biological fluid, a light source (4) comprising two banks of light (5, 6) disposed above and below the support member (3), and an agitating system (25) for moving the support member (3), the light source generating UVC light of suitable intensity to inactivate pathogens and/or leukocytes and the agitation system moving the support member in an orbital path with predetermined amplitude and rotational frequency suitable to expose the whole biological fluid to UVC.
US09320810B2
The present invention provides a conjugate which contains a therapeutic moiety linked to a homing molecule that selectively homes to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and that specifically binds the receptor bound by peptide KDEPQRRSARLSAKPAPPKPEPKPKKAPAKK (SEQ ID NO: 9). Methods of directing a conjugate of the invention to tumor blood vessels and tumor cells and of using a conjugate to treat cancer also are provided.
US09320804B2
The present invention relates to a polymer obtained from the polymerization of: (i) at least one monomer of formula (I) (CH2═CR1)CO—K (I) wherein: K represents 0-Z or NH—Z, Z representing (CR2R3)m—CH3, (CH2—CH2—O)m—H, (CH2—CH2—O)m—CH3, (CH2)m—NR4R5 with m representing an integer from 1 to 30; R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represent H or a C1-C6 alkyl; and (ii) at least one bio-resorbable block copolymer cross-linker.
US09320798B2
The invention provides formulations that contain an immunogenic or immunostimulatory cargo, delivery moiety and/or lipid, and a lipid that functions to reduce or prevent induction in a subject of an immune response which would otherwise occur when the immunogenic or immunostimulatory cargo, delivery moiety and/or lipid is administered to a subject as a component of an appropriate control formulation lacking the immune response reducing lipid. Specific immune response reducing lipids and uses thereof are further provided.
US09320793B2
This invention is a method and kit for treating a disease associated with, or resulting from, the accumulation of soluble oligomer amyloid beta 1-42 using an antibody, or antibody fragment thereof, that has a higher affinity for amyloid beta 1-42 oligomers than for amyloid beta 1-42 monomer, amyloid beta 1-40 monomer, plaques and amyloid beta fibrils and, optionally, a tau therapeutic or an inhibitor of amyloid beta production or aggregation.
US09320788B2
The invention provides in part methods of treating cancers of a specific organ or tissue by administering a composition that is antigenically specific for one or more microbes that are pathogenic in the specific organ or tissue in which the cancer is situated. The formulations of the invention thereby facilitate activation of an immune response to a cancer in a particular tissue or organ. The compositions may for example include killed or attenuated microbial pathogens, such as whole killed bacterial cells, and may be administered at sites distant from the cancer, for example the skin. In some embodiments, microbial species of endogenous flora or exogenous microbial pathogens that are known to cause infection in the relevant organ or tissue may be used in the formulation of the antigenic compositions.
US09320784B2
The present invention provides cancer peptides related to rapid replication and shared among different histological cancer types. The peptides are provided in compositions for interfering with replication in cancer, in preventive and therapeutic vaccines, and in diagnostic applications. The compositions for interfering with replication in cancer are useful for preventing and treating different histological types of cancer including ectodermic, endodermic, and mesodermic cancers as well as cancers arising in association with HIV.
US09320781B2
The present invention relates to a dietary supplement and methods of use thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition including a kiwifruit extract in combination with an amylase inhibitor and/or a bifunctional protease-amylase inhibitor, particularly, but not exclusively, for managing gut health or for the treatment or prevention of digestive dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorders or symptoms thereof.
US09320780B2
A therapeutic composition for the treatment of the symptoms of Williams Syndrome and the method for preparing the therapeutic agents is disclosed. The therapeutic composition is a stable pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more digestive and/or pancreatic enzymes. The therapeutic composition may be manufactured by a variety of encapsulation technologies. Delivery of the therapeutic composition may be made orally, through injection, by adherence of a medicated patch or other method. Further, a method of using fecal chymotrypsin level as a biomarker for the presence of Williams Syndrome, or the likelihood of an individual to develop Williams Syndrome is disclosed.
US09320778B2
A product comprising follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) for the treatment of infertility.
US09320777B2
Methods and compositions for the use of long-acting hematopoietic factor protein analogs for accelerating hematopoietic recovery in subjects who have been or will be exposed to radiation are disclosed.
US09320770B2
A vascular maturation, normalization or stabilization agent, or a Tie-2 activation agent, is provided comprising an extract derived from a plant belonging to the genus Cinnamomum.
US09320765B2
This invention discloses new krill oil compositions characterized by having high amounts of phospholipids, astaxanthin esters and/or omega-3 contents. The krill oils are obtained from krill meal using supercritical fluid extraction in a two stage process. Stage 1 removes the neutral lipid by extracting with neat supercritical CO2 or CO2 plus approximately 5% of a co-solvent. Stage 2 extracts the actual krill oils by using supercritical CO2 in combination with approximately 20% ethanol. The krill oil materials obtained are compared with commercially available krill oil and found to be more bioeffective in a number of areas such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant effects, improving insulin resistances and improving blood lipid profile.
US09320764B2
A method for enhancing production of Vitamin D within a person's skin includes a source of Vitamin D, a sunlight exposure indicator, and a sunscreen. Vitamin D, for example, cod liver oil, is applied to the skin topically via a patch or towlette, or ingested orally. The exposure indicator is worn by the user and changes its state to indicate that the person has been exposed to sunlight for a predetermined period of time. The user preferably waits a sufficient time for the Vitamin D to be absorbed into the skin, and then exposes his or her skin to direct sunlight, and monitors the exposure indicator to determine if it has changed state. The user applies the sunscreen to the user's skin after the exposure indicator changes state.
US09320761B2
An osteogenic composition suitable for use in bone and soft tissue reparative procedures is provided for herein. Methods for preparing osteogenic composition from blood and bone marrow are also provided for. The osteogenic compositions contain therapeutically effective concentrations of one or more osteogenic agents such as BMP-2, TGF-β, PDGF and VEGF.
US09320759B2
Methods and compositions for treating, reducing, or preventing deterioration of at least one component of the visual system of an animal are disclosed. The methods comprise administering to the animal a composition comprising UFA and NORC in an amount effective to treat, reduce, or prevent deterioration of at least one component of the visual system. Methods extending the prime years of an animal's life, improving the quality of life, and promoting health and wellness of an animal using compositions comprising UFA and NORC are also disclosed.
US09320758B2
The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for treatment of subjects in need of muscle growth, muscle repair, improved muscular and neuromuscular control, and treatments for neuromuscular and neurological disorders, including brain disorders. In some cases, the composition may include nitric oxide and/or peptides. The nitric oxide and/or peptides may be present within a first phase comprising a lecithin, such as phosphatidylcholine. In certain embodiments, the lecithin is present in liposomes, micelles, or other vesicles containing nitric oxide and/or peptide. The composition can take the form of a gel, a cream, a lotion, an ointment, a solution, a solid “stick,” etc., that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the skin, e.g., onto a location where muscle growth, muscle repair, or improved muscular and neuromuscular control is desired, or on another suitable portion of the skin. Other aspects of the present invention are generally directed to methods of making or using such compositions, methods of promoting such compositions, kits including such compositions, or the like.
US09320755B2
The present invention relates to methods for modulating angiogenesis, comprising administering to a subject, or cells or tissue derived therefrom: (i) one or more miRNA, or precursors or variants thereof, wherein at least one of said miRNA comprises a seed region comprising the sequence UCACAGU (SEQ ID NO:37) to inhibit angiogenesis; or (ii) one or more antagonists of a miRNA, wherein said miRNA comprises a seed region comprising the sequence UCACAGU (SEQ ID NO:37) to promote or induce angiogenesis. Also provided are methods of diagnosis of conditions associated with abnormal angiogenesis, or determining predisposition thereto. Suitable pharmaceutical compositions are also provided.
US09320751B2
Methods of treating a fungal infection in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a modified saponin.
US09320746B2
A method for treating intestinal fibrosis in a subject, wherein the subject is medically considered to be suffering from intestinal fibrosis, the method comprising enterally administering a steroid to the subject, wherein the steroid is selected from: (i) steroids susceptible to first pass metabolism, (ii) corticosteroids, and (iii) aclometasone, aclometasone dipropionate, aldosterone, amcinonide, beclomethasone, beclomethasone dipropionate, betamethasone, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone sodium phosphate, betamethasone valerate, budesonide, clobetasone, clobetasone butyrate, clobetasol propionate, cloprednol, cortisone, cortisone acetate, cortivazol, deoxycortone, desonide, desoximetasone, dexamethasone, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dexamethasone isonicotinate, difluorocortolone, fluclorolone, flumethasone, fluocinolone, fluocinolone acetonide, fluocinonide, fluocortin butyl, fluorocortisone, fluorocortolone, fluocortolone caproate, fluocortolone pivalate, fluorometholone, fluprednidene, fluprednidene acetate, flurandrenolone, fluticasone, fluticasone propionate, halcinonide, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate, hydrocortisone butyrate, hydrocortisone aceponate, hydrocortisone buteprate, hydrocortisone valerate, icomethasone, icomethasone enbutate, meprednisone, methylprednisolone, mometasone paramethasone, mometasone furoate monohydrate, prednicarbate, prednisolone, prednisone, tixocortol, tixocortol pivalate, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, triamcinolone alcohol and their respective pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, and combinations thereof.
US09320742B2
Described are transdermal drug delivery systems for the transdermal administration of testosterone, comprising a polymer matrix and testosterone. Methods of making and using such systems also are described.
US09320740B2
Pharmaceutical compositions are provided in unit dosage forms comprising ceftolozane and tazobactam in separate unit dosage form containers, ceftolozane prepared in the absence of tazobactam, tazobactam prepared in the absence of ceftolozane, and/or compositions where ceftolozane and tazobactam are first combined within a unit dosage form container.
US09320735B2
Myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) inhibitory agents and vaccine and/or adjuvant enhancers are provided. Improved vaccine treatment regimens employing these agents are also provided. Cancer vaccines and methods for inhibiting tumor growth and cancer metastases are also presented. The myeloid derived suppressor cell (MDSC) inhibiting agents are described as bisphosphonates (such as liposomal clodronate) and CCR2 inhibitors and/or CCR2 antagonists. Methods for enhancing antibody titer levels in response to an antigen of interest are also provided.
US09320727B2
Medicaments that depend on a combination of SGLT 2 inhibitors and antihypertensive drugs and which are useful in the treatment of diseases involving at least hypertension or diabetes mellitus as a risk factor of cardiovascular events, as well as methods of treating the diseases are provided. Since the present invention exhibits a superior hypotensive action that cannot be attained by any single antihypertensive drugs, the conventional problems associated with the use of two or more antihypertensive drugs in order to lower the blood pressure to the desired level can be solved. In addition, the present invention shows a marked therapeutic efficacy in diabetes mellitus, a disease associated with diabetes mellitus, or complications of diabetes mellitus, in particular, diabetic nephropathy. As a further advantage, the present invention is also useful for the treatment of diseases involving lowered renal function.
US09320721B2
A mucoadhesive patch that consists of an adhesive layer and a backing layer, wherein the adhesive layer contains a nonionic and an anionic hydrocolloid in a weight ratio of 1:2 to 1:5, and the backing layer contains a matrix of a nonionic and an anionic hydrocolloid in a weight ratio of 2:1 to 5:1.
US09320718B2
A pharmaceutical composition in multilayer-coated form including an omega-3 fatty acid or an alkyl ester thereof and a statin-based drug, and more particularly, a pharmaceutical composition for oral administration including: (a) a gelatin capsule core containing an omega-3 fatty acid or an alkyl ester thereof; (b) a first coating layer formed by coating, on the gelatin capsule core, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and a copolymer of butyl methacrylate, (2-demethylaminoeethyl) methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate at a weight ratio of 1:2:1; and (c) a second coating layer formed by coating, on the first coating layer, a coating solution containing a statin-based drug.
US09320715B2
The present invention provides, compositions, devices; and methods for affecting, among other things, weight loss and/or weight control, by sequestering nutrients or other compounds such as toxins from absorption in the digestive tract. The compositions, devices, and methods employ one or more members made of a compressible, absorbent matrix material. In various embodiments, the matrix material is suitable for routine use. The compressible absorbent matrix material has a size, shape and/or geometry configured for efficient packing into a small space, and/or configured to absorb and substantially retain digested material in the stomach. The devices and compositions may further comprise one or more hydrogel(s), soluble or insoluble fibers, waxes and/or gums to provide the desired mechanical properties and/or absorptive or shielding properties.
US09320711B2
The present invention provides, among other things, compositions and methods for CNS delivery of lysosomal enzymes for effective treatment of lysosomal storage diseases. In some embodiments, the present invention includes a stable formulation for direct CNS intrathecal administration comprising a heparan N-sulfatase (HNS) protein, salt, and a polysorbate surfactant for the treatment of Sanfilippo Syndrome Type A.
US09320710B2
Compositions, systems and methods for administration of small volume sufentanil drug dosage forms to the sublingual mucosa of a subject for treatment of pain using a device are disclosed.
US09320704B1
In certain embodiments, the invention is directed to a formulation for providing skin tightening which includes two or more of the following agents: red split lentils, Multani Mitti, charoli, chandan powder, and turmeric powder. Two or more of the agents can be ground and combined together in an effective amount. The combined agents can be additionally combined with a topical excipient.
US09320698B2
Disclosed are peptides that inhibit the enzymatic activity of tyrosinase, as well as formulations and methods for their use in the reduction of skin pigmentation, and methods of administering the inhibitory pep tides in a topical formulation. Preferred octapeptide sequences are internally rich in tryptophan and/or tyrosine or arginine. The present invention is further directed to kits and compositions containing the present peptides, and methods of treatment of conditions involving expression of tyrosinase, in which the present peptides are administered topically for the treatment of conditions involving melanocyte activity in the skin.
US09320695B2
A method of treating a material, the method comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the material with a coloring composition comprising a dye compound; and (ii) contacting the material with a composition comprising a quaternary ammonium salt.
US09320694B2
The present invention relates to a process for treating straightened keratin fibers, in which a composition comprising at least one carboxylic acid in its acid or salified form, the pH being greater than 8, is applied to the straightened keratin fibers.
US09320677B2
Systems and methods related to the field of cardiac resuscitation, and in particular to devices for assisting rescuers in performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are described herein. In some aspects, a system and method can include obtaining values for depths of a plurality of the chest compressions and information about a physiological parameter of the person and providing periodic feedback to a user about chest compressions performed by the user based at least in part on the values for the depths of the plurality of the chest compressions and a target compression depth.
US09320675B2
A massage device mounting system may include a massage ball with a plurality of massage fingers positioned across the ball aligned with the vertices of a pentakis dodecahedron. The massage device mounting system may also include a mounting body removably entrapped between a plurality of massage fingers on the massage apparatus. The mounting body may include a mounting shoulder with a continuous or discontinuous ring. The mounting shoulder may also be circular shaped or polygonal shaped. The mounting body may also include one or two handles coupled to the mounting shoulder. Some mounting bodies may also include a mounting base that can mount to a mounting wall.
US09320674B2
The present invention relates to a deep pressure therapy system. The system includes an inflatable component and a shell component. The inflatable component can be removably attached to the shell component to form a wearable assembly. The inflatable component is shaped to conform to a portion of a body of an individual, and includes an inflatable bladder having an inlet port and an outlet port for passage of a fluid. The bladder includes a plurality of depressions which are generally evenly-distributed over a portion of the bladder. In some embodiments, the depressions are circular welds. In some embodiments, the depressions are three-dimensional welds. The bladder may additionally include weld strips. The shell component may include one or more stretchable strips which are expandable as safety feature.
US09320668B1
The present invention provides a surgical support debridement platform for extremities of a human or mammal to assist a physician in treating such extremity. The platform generally includes a body member. The body member includes a bottom end and at least one side wall. The body member defines an interior volume for temporarily containing fluid. In operation, the extremity is positioned upon an upper surface of the platform to facilitate the process of debridement and lavage of extremities.
US09320658B2
A disposable wearing article includes an absorber having a crotch region that is in contact with a crotch portion of the wearer, and a back region arranged posterior to the crotch region and in contact with the hip portion of the wearer, and in the crotch region, a pair of curving means are provided along the crosswise direction so as to enable the absorber to curve in a convex shape in an inner direction, and outside the widthwise direction of the curving means, a pair of lifting units are provided along the crosswise direction so as to enable the absorber to be lifted up in an inner direction in the back region, and the back ends of the curving means are positioned anterior to the back ends of the lifting units.
US09320649B2
A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, an actuation control of the handle, a flexible housing tube having a flexible housing tube distal end and a flexible housing tube proximal end, an optic fiber disposed within an inner portion of the handle and the flexible housing tube, and a cable disposed within the flexible housing tube and the actuation control. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually curve the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber. A rotation of the actuation control may be configured to gradually straighten the flexible housing tube and the optic fiber.
US09320642B1
The invention provides a method of selecting one or more patient temperature regulation tools is provided. The method comprises: providing a database storing one or more properties of each of a plurality of temperature regulation tools; selecting one or more patient temperature regulation tools from the database; calculating an estimated patient heat balance taking into account one or more of the one or more properties of the selected patient temperature regulation tool(s); providing an indication of the estimated patient heat balance; and providing a visual aid illustrating the one or more selected patient temperature regulation tools regulating the temperature of a patient. The method may be used for selecting one or more patient temperature tools for a patient who is to undergo a medical procedure. Additionally or alternatively, the method may be use as an e-learning tool.
US09320641B2
Articulating speaker assembly providing for pivotal adjustment of connected first and second members
An articulating speaker assembly includes a first member including a first driver and a second member including second driver. The first member and the second member are pivotally connected for selectively changing the profile of the speaker assembly. A central housing member is pivotally connected to each of the first member and the second member, wherein the central housing member supports a third driver.
US09320637B2
A physical rehabilitation device for the treatment of a medical condition of the foot known as plantar fasciitis includes a splint which is connected to the toe and ankle of a patient. The splint can be used in a method for treating plantar fasciitis known as “dynamic splinting”. This device allows the patient to bend the ankle and thus dynamically change the flexion in the foot of the patient. The device itself is unique, but the method of treatment made possible by this device is also unique.
US09320631B2
A prosthesis implanting system includes a delivery sheath for receiving the prosthesis and delivering it to the treatment site and an alignment device on the sheath visible to a user for indicating a rotational and an axial position of the sheath with respect to the treatment site. The alignment device is part of a delivery assembly slidably disposed in a handle. The delivery assembly has a hollow first lumen for slidably receiving therein a guidewire, a hollow second lumen slidably disposed about the first lumen, a hollow third lumen slidably disposed about the second lumen and having a distal end at which the sheath is connected and is disposed about the first and second lumen. The sheath holds the prosthesis therein prior to implantation and the alignment device is connected to the sheath. A relatively stiff outer lumen is slidably disposed about the third lumen and sheath.
US09320630B2
A medical assembly for delivering an implant comprising a tubular resilient implant defining an inner lumen, the implant comprising a plurality of engaging members extending proximally an end thereof, the implant having a delivery configuration, and a released configuration, and a delivery assembly for delivering the implant, the delivery assembly comprising an outer tubular member extending through the inner lumen of the implant, the outer tubular member having a plurality of slots receiving therethrough the engaging members, with the implant being disposed in its delivery configuration on an outer surface of the outer tubular member, an inner tubular member coaxially disposed within the outer tubular member and movable relative to the outer tubular member, the inner tubular member having a first axial position that restrains the engaging members, and a second axial position to thereby release the implant from the delivery assembly.
US09320626B2
Guidewires and thin-film catheter-sheaths, fabricated using vacuum deposition techniques, which are monolayer or plural-layer members having ultra-thin wall thicknesses to provide very-low profile delivery assemblies for introduction and delivery of endoluminal devices.
US09320610B2
An expandable implant (210, 410) includes top and bottom plates (220, 250, 420, 450) having angled inner surfaces (222, 252, 422, 452) that interact with expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502). The expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) may be situated on an actuator (280, 480), and may include at least one vertical projection (312, 314, 512, 514) for interacting with a recess (230, 430) in the plates (220, 250, 420, 450). In some instances, rotation of the actuator (280, 480) in opposing directions about a longitudinal axis may cause the expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) to move toward or away from one another, thereby resulting in separation or collapse of the top and bottom plates (220, 250, 420, 450). Pins (316, 516) may also be associated with the expansion members (300, 302, 500, 502) and received in respective slots (318, 518) in the plates (220, 250, 420, 450).
US09320605B2
Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US09320597B2
A delivery system for percutaneously deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a delivery capsule and a recapture assembly. The capsule is configured to compressively retain the prosthesis. The recapture assembly includes a frame and sleeve attached to the frame. The recapture assembly is transitionable from a compressed arrangement to an expanded arrangement with a distally increasing diameter.
US09320596B2
A dilator may include a substantially conical body having a tip portion at a proximal end and a base portion at a distal end thereof. A wire lock portion may be configured to lock a guide wire to the dilator. A voice prosthesis holding portion may be connected to the substantially conical body by a connecting portion. The holding portion may have a central passage configured to have a tubular body of a voice prosthesis positioned therethrough, wherein at least one flange of the prosthesis is substantially unfolded proximally of the central passage.
US09320590B2
A stent including a mesh made of strands. The mesh has at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and the at least one radiopaque strand and the at least one non-radiopaque strand each have different diameters. Each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I). The EI of all strands in the mesh is no more than five times the EI of the strand having the smallest EI of any of the strands.
US09320589B2
Method and apparatus for implanting radially expandable prostheses in the body lumens rely on tacking or anchoring of the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. The prostheses may be self-expanding or balloon expandable. After initial placement, a fastener applier system is introduced within the expanded prostheses to deploy a plurality of fasteners at least one prosthesis end, usually as each end of the prosthesis. The fasteners are usually helical fasteners which are delivered from a helical track in the fastener applier by rotation with a rotator wire. The fasteners will be applied singly, typically in circumferentially spaced-apart patterns about the interior of each end of the prosthesis.
US09320588B2
A method for treating fecal incontinence in a body of a mammal having a rectum formed by a rectal wall extending to an anus wherein the rectal wall includes a sphincter muscle surrounding the anus. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the rectal wall in the vicinity of the anus. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the rectal wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution.
US09320583B2
Accordingly, embodiments of the presently described system and method include an equine dentistry burr with a head having a first end and a second end. Some embodiments also include a shank fixably connected to the first end of the head, and wherein the shank is configured to connect the equine dentistry burr to a handpiece assembly. Further embodiments also include a floating guard coupled to at least one of the cylindrical head and the shank, and configured to rotate independently of the cylindrical head and the shank.
US09320581B2
A dental tray with a hydrophobic tooth whitening formulation where the tooth whitening formulation is substantially non-water soluble, and a method of using this dental tray to whiten the teeth. The tooth whitening formulation is primarily comprised of a hydrophobic polymer and a peroxide or a peroxide yielding compound. Preferably the hydrophobic polymer is the condensation product of a silicone resin and an organosiloxane. The dental tray is formed to encompass the front and the rear surfaces of the teeth. The dental tray is comprised of a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. The teeth whitening formulation is placed into the dental tray and the tray placed against the teeth to be whitened. This is for a sufficient period of time to at least partially whiten teeth. This can be a period of time from about 0.5 hour to 2 hours or more. The substantially non-aqueous tooth whitening formulation is effective over a longer period of time since it is not significantly diluted or removed from the dental tray during the treatment time.
US09320580B2
A hand-held, ergonomic instrument with an LED that emits actinic light in visible wavelengths mounts a replaceable applicator cup with a reservoir for a tooth whitening composition held in place against a user's tooth during a whitening procedure. Actinic light is directed onto the tooth surface through a window in the cup and the tooth whitening composition substantially without attenuation, delivering at least about 100 milliwatts per square centimeter of light energy to the tooth surface. The cup includes a rigid body for mounting the cup to the instrument and an opaque flexible sleeve molded in place over the outside of the body to form a seal with the tooth surface and prevent exposure of soft mouth surfaces to the actinic radiation during a whitening procedure. A safety switch disables the LED when the applicator cup is not in contact with a tooth surface.
US09320577B1
The joint assembly for dental implant abutment includes an abutment section adapted for attachment to a dental implant and a ball section selectively mounted to the abutment section at a user-selectable angle. The abutment section includes a base member having a recessed socket. A plurality of threaded bores radiate into the base member from the socket. The ball section includes a spherical head having a threaded post extending therefrom for mounting the ball joint into a user-selectable threaded bore in the socket to properly orient an integral locator mounting cap retained on the spherical head for attachment of a denture to the joint assembly. The angular orientation of the threaded bores allows a restorative dentist to adjust the joint assembly for effective mounting of the denture or other dental appliance.
US09320574B2
A liquid tank capable of preventing a gas passage from being clogged and a dental device including this liquid tank are provided. A liquid tank having an accommodation space in which a liquid L to be supplied to outside is accommodated includes a tank body having a mouth part with an opening, a cap mounted on the mouth part to close the opening, a liquid passage through which the liquid L in the liquid tank flows toward outside, a gas passage having a gap between the mouth part and the cap and a path communicatively connecting to the gap and the accommodation space, a liquid flow valve provided on the liquid passage to allow or inhibit a flow of the liquid L to outside, and an aeration valve provided on the gas passage to compensate for a negative pressure occurring in the accommodation space.
US09320569B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for implant distance measurement. Certain embodiments of a method provide determining a tool trajectory, comparing the trajectory to one or more measured distances stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement, and indicating the requested distance measurement to a user based on a matched trajectory. Certain embodiments of a system provide a processor configured to determine a tool trajectory with respect to a region of interest. The processor compares the trajectory to one or more measured distances between implants stored in memory to identify a requested distance measurement. The system also includes a display configured to display an image including the implants and the requested distance measurement to a user.
US09320564B2
Catheters, systems, and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible catheter body including a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion, which has a proximal section pre-shaped to form a curve having an apex sized to be inserted into an anatomical vessel, such as a pulmonary vein, and a distal section configured to contact an ostium of the vessel when the curve apex is inserted within the vessel ostium. The catheter further comprises a steering mechanism configured for decreasing a radius of curvature of the curve.
US09320562B2
A surgical instrument with two legs movable relative to each other is provided. A tip inserted in a receiving space at the distal end of each leg is exchangeably held at the free end of the leg. A two part fixing device is provided for releasable fixation of the tip to the leg, the fixing device having on one of the parts two locking arms which are arranged next to each other and are elastically bendable apart, and on the other of the parts a locking projection extending into the leg transversely to the direction of insertion. The locking projection, when inserting the tip into the receiving space, engages between the locking arms, bending them apart, and at the end of the inserting movement, enters a recess on the inner side of the locking arms. The receiving space widens in the proximal direction from its insertion end.
US09320559B2
Ablation devices useful for destroying nerve and soft tissue via a minimally invasive procedure to alleviate pain are provided. The device comprises a probe comprising an interior surface that defines an internal passage and an exterior surface comprising a tip. The internal passage has a filament comprising an opening configured to release a pressurized material into the interior surface of the probe so as to cool the exterior surface of the probe to a selected temperature. A release instrument is provided comprising a sheath that comprises an exterior surface and an interior surface configured for engagement with the probe. The probe tip is configured for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue by forming an ice ball and the release instrument is configured to release the probe tip from the ice ball. Methods for ablating nerve and/or soft tissue utilizing the ablation devices are also provided.
US09320550B2
A spinal stabilization system, method, and a surgical kit having a surgical extender apparatus for implanting a surgical screw are disclosed. The extender includes a housing having a distal end and a proximal end, a hollow interior passageway disposed between the distal end and the proximal end, a channel disposed along an exterior surface of the housing at least partially between the distal end and the proximal end and configured to at least partially expose the hollow interior passageway, an interior locking mechanism disposed on an interior surface of the housing and substantially adjacent the proximal end, wherein the interior locking mechanism is configured to allow attachment of at least one surgical tool, and at least one flexible member disposed substantially adjacent the distal end. The housing is configured to accommodate placement of a surgical screw implant. The surgical screw implant is secured to the housing using a mating feature in the surgical screw implant. The at least one flexible member is configured to retain the surgical screw implant. The mating feature is configured to control axial movement of the surgical screw implant.
US09320545B2
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper portion, a receiver, a compression insert and an articulation structure made from at least two discrete pieces. The shank upper portion cooperates with the compression insert to place the retainer in frictional engagement with the receiver. The geometry of the retainer structure pieces corresponds and cooperates with the external geometry of the shank upper portion to frictionally envelope the retainer structure between the capture structure and an internal surface defining a cavity of the receiver.
US09320540B2
Surgical devices and methods are configured to access areas of the brain while minimizing brain damage. A brain probe device for removing a lesion from a brain includes a cannula fixable to the skull to align the cannula with the lesion, a tubular stem within the cannula configured to be advanced to the lesion, and a rotatable cutting tube within the tubular stem. Expandable wire loops configured to cut tissue are attached to the distal end of the tubular stem. A loop expander and rotation motor mechanism is operably linked to the wire loops and configured to cause rotation and variable outward expansion of the wire loops. Tissue cut by the wire loops is removed through slots and a central lumen of the tubular stem. The cutting tube is rotatable to sever tissue drawn into the slots into smaller fragments that are removed through the central lumen via aspiration.
US09320536B2
Embodiments of dermalogical cell treatment are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US09320523B2
In various embodiments, a compensator can be attachable to an anvil of a fastening instrument. The compensator can comprise a support layer configured to be attached to the anvil and a scaffold attached to the support layer. In at least one embodiment, the scaffold can comprise a plurality of scaffold layers comprised of a biocompatible material and a plurality of cavities, wherein the layers and the cavities can define a matrix favorable to tissue and cellular ingrowth.
US09320521B2
A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument comprises a rotary motion generator, a trigger configured to actuate the rotary motion generator, and a shifting assembly. The shifting assembly comprises a first gear selectively drivable by the rotary motion generator, a second gear selectively drivable by the rotary motion generator, and a toggle configured to switch between the selective drivability of the first gear and the selective drivability of the second gear. The shifting assembly further comprises a biasing mechanism engaged with the toggle, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to motivate and maintain an operative meshment between the rotary motion generator and one of the first gear and the second gear. The surgical instrument further comprises a rotatable shaft, an end effector comprising a first iaw and a second iaw, and a firing member moveable relative to the end effector during a firing motion.
US09320519B1
An exemplary surgical apparatus may include an end effector including a staple holder, an anvil movable relative to the staple holder, and staples held within the staple holder; a shaft extending from the end effector; a handle attached to the shaft, the handle including a single trigger; wherein actuation of the single trigger in a clamping mode clamps the end effector; and wherein actuation of the single trigger in a stapling mode deploys the staples.
US09320505B2
A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes a guidewire and/or other surgical implement extending from the wound. A hemostatic material is advanced over the surgical implement and into contact with an area of the blood vessel surrounding the wound. The surgical implement is removed. Blood soaks the hemostatic material, and blood clotting is facilitated by the hemostatic agent within the material. A sealing layer of adhesive can be applied to the hemostatic material, confining the blood flow to the material. The vascular puncture wound is sealed by natural blood clot formation.
US09320504B2
A device and method for intravascular dissection of a body lumen, and particularly a blood vessel wall, is disclosed herein. One aspect of the present technology, for example, is directed toward a tubular elongated member having a lumen therethrough, wherein the elongated member includes a distal region configured to be positioned within a blood vessel wall. The distal region can include an angled distal face having a distal-most edge configured to puncture the vessel wall and a proximal-most edge. The member can include an exit port fluidly coupled to the lumen, and positioned along the distal face between the distal-most edge and the proximal-most edge. A central longitudinal axis of the exit port can be offset from a central longitudinal axis of the elongated member such that the exit port is closer to the distal-most edge than the proximal-most edge.
US09320493B2
An apparatus for performing measurements in an artery includes a Doppler catheter, comprising a Doppler transducer and a wire connected to the Doppler transducer; and an elongated catheter body having a conduit therein for housing the wire of the Doppler catheter. The body has a proximal end and a distal end; wherein the wire is movable in the conduit relative to the catheter body so that the Doppler transducer and the wire are capable of being threaded into said conduit at the proximal end after the distal end of the catheter has been inserted into the artery, until the Doppler transducer emerges outside the conduit at the distal end of said body for performing ultrasound measurements in the artery. Another embodiment employs at least an additional side transducer for measuring the cross-sectional dimension of the artery useful for computing blood flow.
US09320489B1
The present invention is an apparatus for detection of high-frequency heart sounds for diagnosing heart diseases. One embodiment utilizes an accelerometer-based detector that presents a light load to the chest, is sensitive to the desired high frequency range, and provides a quantitative measurement of the quality of the acquired signal. Two pairs of flexible beams, each having piezoelectric transducers on the upper and lower surfaces are supported by a lightweight mechanical structure. The beams are center-loaded so that they respond to the same mechanical energy and will produce identical electrical signals in the absence of noise. Through additional signal processing means the two signals can provide an estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio of the acquired signal. The two signals can also be combined to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The invention is designed to be light weight, sensitive to higher frequencies, and to be relatively immune to noise.
US09320487B2
An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a method for non-invasively determining the functional severity of coronary artery stenosis. The method includes gathering patient-specific data related to concentration of a contrast agent within a coronary artery of a patient using a coronary computed tomography angiography scan (CCTA). The patient-specific data is used to calculate a patient-specific transluminal attenuation gradient for the coronary artery of the patient. The patient specific transluminal attenuation gradient is used to determine an estimate of a coronary flow velocity, pressure gradient, loss coefficient, coronary flow reserve, and/or fractional flow reserve for the patient. Coronary flow velocity, pressure gradient, loss coefficient, coronary flow reserve, and fractional flow reserve can then be used to estimate the functional severity of coronary artery stenosis.
US09320486B2
A system and method includes reception of a mask x-ray image of a patient volume, reception of a plurality of sequential x-ray images of the patient volume including a contrast medium, subtraction of the mask x-ray image from each of the plurality of sequential x-ray images to generate a plurality of sequential x-ray difference images, filtering of each of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on one or more filter parameters to generate a plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images, combination of each of the plurality of sequential filtered x-ray difference images with a corresponding one of the plurality of sequential x-ray difference images based on a weight to generate a plurality of combined sequential x-ray images, and display of the plurality of combined sequential x-ray images sequentially.
US09320484B2
One or more techniques and/or apparatuses described herein provide a roller truck comprising non-rotating dampening material that is configured to dampen vibrations and mitigate the transference of vibrations from a rotating gantry to a support frame and vice-versa during rotation of the rotating gantry relative to the support frame. It will be appreciated that two different types of roller trucks, base roller trucks and z-axis roller trucks, are described herein, and the non-rotating dampening material may be inserted into one or both types of roller trucks. While the instant disclosure finds particular application in the context of computed tomography apparatus, the instant disclosure is not intended to be limited to such applications.
US09320478B2
Simultaneous dual-isotope positron emission tomography (PET) is used to improve disease evaluation. Two distinct molecular probes are simultaneously provided to the imaging target. One of the probes is labeled with a radionuclide that emits positrons to provide double coincidence events in PET. The other probe is labeled with a radionuclide that emits positrons+prompt gammas to provide triple coincidence events in PET. One of the probes is a metabolic probe, and the other probe is a selective probe that includes a ligand or antibody that is biologically responsive to receptor/antigen status. A PET system is employed that can provide simultaneous double coincidence and triple coincidence PET images. The resulting images provide simultaneous metabolic imaging and receptor/antigen imaging. Applications include disease evaluation, such as cancer staging (e.g., for breast cancer, prostate cancer, etc.).
US09320473B2
A method and system for continually monitoring oxygenation levels in real-time in compartments of an animal limb, such as in a human leg or a human thigh or a forearm, can be used to assist in the diagnosis of a compartment syndrome. The method and system can include one or more near infrared compartment sensors in which each sensor can be provided with a compartment alignment mechanism and a central scan depth marker so that each sensor may be precisely positioned over a compartment of a living organism. The method and system can include a device for displaying oxygenation levels corresponding to respective compartment sensors that are measuring oxygenation levels of a compartment of interest. The method and system can also monitor the relationship between blood pressure and oxygenation levels and activate alarms based on predetermined conditions relating to the oxygenation levels or blood pressure or both.
US09320464B2
The invention relates inter alia to a method for measuring the oxygen saturation of the blood flowing in a peripheral human or animal body part (20), in which electromagnetic radiation (q1′(t), q2′(t)) having a first and a second wavelength is irradiated into the peripheral body part or irradiated through the peripheral body part, the reflected or transmitted radiation (x1′(t), x2′(t)) is measured to form two measurement signals (x1(t), x2(t)), and the oxygen saturation of the blood is determined by evaluating the two measurement signals. According to the invention, provision is made for a mathematical mixing model to be used to evaluate the two measurement signals and a statistical evaluation method to be applied to the two measurement signals, wherein, as a boundary condition, the statistical independence of a useful source signal and an interference source signal is assumed and the useful source signal and the two useful-signal-related filter functions are determined with the aid of the evaluation method and the oxygen saturation of the blood is determined using the three aforementioned signals.
US09320463B2
A glucose sensor comprising an optical energy source having an emitter with an emission pattern; a first polarizer intersecting the emission pattern; a second polarizer spaced a distance from the first polarizer and intersecting the emission pattern, the second polarizer rotated relative to the first polarizer by a first rotational amount Θ; a first optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a second optical detector positioned proximal to the second polarizer, the first polarizer and the second polarizer being positioned between the optical energy source and the second optical detector, the second optical detector intersecting the emission pattern; a compensating circuit coupled to the second optical detector; and a subtractor circuit coupled to the compensating circuit and the first optical detector.
US09320461B2
Method and apparatus for determining and outputting projected alarms or notifications associated with anticipated hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic conditions are provided. Systems and kits employing the devices described herein executing the one or more routines described are also provided.
US09320452B2
Amyloid plaque in the brain of a subject is imaged in an MRI system with or without the use of a contrast agent. Contrast is achieved using a spin-echo pulse sequence that is both respiratory gated and cardiac gated to reduce motion artifacts at the very high image resolution required to see plaque. A preparatory pulse sequence is used to insure longitudinal magnetization remains constant for all the acquired views even if the effective TR changes during the scan due to irregular breathing.
US09320451B2
Methods for assessing a health condition of an individual using single coil magnetic induction tomography imaging are provided. A target area for medical imaging on a patient can be identified. A plurality of coil property measurements can be obtained using a single coil. The plurality of coil property measurements can be performed with the single coil at a plurality of discrete locations relative to the target area. The coil property measurements can be processed to generate an image of the conductivity distribution of the target area. The image can be analyzed to assess a health condition of the patient.
US09320448B2
Methods and systems described herein are especially useful wherein monitoring for atrial fibrillation (AF) is based on RR interval variability as measured from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. An activity threshold, which can be patient specific, is obtained. Patient activity is monitored. Based on the monitored patient activity and the activity threshold, there is a determination of when it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity. When it has been determined that it is likely that AF monitoring based on RR interval variability is adversely affected by patient activity, whether and/or how AF monitoring is performed is modified.
US09320440B2
What is disclosed is a system and method for determining whether a subject is in atrial fibrillation. A video is received of a region of exposed skin of a subject. The video is acquired of a region where a videoplethysmographic (VPG) signal can be registered by at least one imaging channel of a video imaging device. For each batch of image frames, pixels associated with the region of exposed skin are isolated and processed to obtain a time-series signal. A VPG signal is extracted from the time-series signal. The power spectral density (PSD) is computed across all frequencies within the VPG signal. A pulse harmonic strength (PHS) is calculated for this VPG signal. The pulse harmonic strength is compared to a discrimination threshold, defined herein. A determination is made whether the subject in the video is in atrial fibrillation or in normal sinus rhythm.
US09320435B2
A system for is provided for using telemetry data based on patient habit information or patient monitoring. One or more patient monitoring devices has a unique patient ID. The one or more monitoring devices acquire patient information selected from of at least one of, a patient's activities, behaviors and habit information, and patient monitoring. ID circuitry is at the patient monitoring device. The ID circuitry includes ID storage, a communication system that reads and transmits the unique ID from an ID storage, a power source and a pathway system to route signals through the circuitry. An alarm is at the patient monitoring device that provides an alert only when the patient is in a wake-state. A telemetry system is in communication with the patient monitoring device. The telemetry system includes a database of patient ID's.
US09320420B2
A video laryngoscope is provided that includes a body having a handle portion and a blade portion. The blade portion terminates in a tip and defines at least one aperture formed proximal to the tip. The blade portion is dimensioned for oral insertion into a subject buccal cavity. A fiber optic light source terminates within the blade portion and upon light source activation illuminates an area including the tip. A video system is coupled to the body and relays imagery of the tip and surrounding area to a video monitor. A channel extending through the body provides fluid communication to the aperture and an external source of suction. As a result, an operator is capable of visualizing debris and/or obstructions in a subject airway and is able to observe and guide the scope for suction removal.
US09320416B2
Two or more telemanipulated surgical instruments are inserted through a guide tube. Each instrument has a transmission mechanism that transmits actuating forces from actuators to components of the instrument. The transmission mechanisms are arranged around an extended centerline of the guide tube and are wedge-shaped so that they can be positioned more closely to the extended centerline.
US09320409B1
An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a body, a controller supported by the body, a drive supporting the body to maneuver the robot across a floor surface in response to commands from the controller, and a pad holder attached to an underside of the body to hold a removable cleaning pad during operation of the robot. The pad includes a mounting plate and a mounting surface. The mounting plate is attached to the mounting surface. The robot includes a pad sensor to sense a feature on the pad and to generate a signal based on the feature, which is defined in part by a cutout on the card backing. The mounting plate enables the pad sensor to detect the feature. The controller is responsive to the signal to perform operations including selecting a cleaning mode based on the signal, and controlling the robot according to a selected cleaning mode.
US09320401B2
A hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner, is provided wherein air travels in a first direction from the cyclone chamber to an upstream side of the pre-motor filter, and air travels in an opposite direction to the first direction in a portion of an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor.
US09320399B2
An agitator for a surface treating appliance. The agitator comprises an agitator body having an axis, and a bristle strip carried on the agitator body and extending along a central region of the agitator body and an end region of the agitator body. The bristle strip includes a plurality of bristles aligned in a row, and wherein bristles associated with the end region of the agitator extend in a direction that defines an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the agitator. In this way, the bristles on the ends of the agitator are provided with a outwardly swept configuration that increases the effective swept width of the agitator.
US09320396B2
A vacuum device for collecting pet waste includes a housing coupled to a vacuum source. The housing is a clam-shell configuration and is configured to receive a disposable liner bag. When closed, the housing holds the liner bag securely therein. A method of using the device provides for placing the liner bag within the housing, feeding a portion of the liner through an inlet tube to the housing, such that the inlet of the housing is insulated from contact with the waste being picked up.
US09320393B2
A bathing vessel has a first and a second sandwiched wall, each wall having a first layer of polyurethane material, a second layer of polyurethane material attached to the first layer, a third layer of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material attached to the second layer, and a fourth layer of acrylic material attached to the third layer. A load element is disposed across and is integral with the first and second sandwiched walls. The load element distributes a load on one wall to an other wall and is visible to users of the bathing vessel. The load element is also a design element.
US09320391B2
A blade assembly for a food processor is provided. The blade assembly includes a body, a top knob slidably movable relative to the body, and a pair of processing blades pivotally connected to the body. The knob is movable from a first position, in which the blade assembly is locked to the bowl of the food processor and the blades are extended from the body, to a second position, in which the blade assembly is unlocked from the bowl and the blades are folded up against the body.
US09320386B2
Shown is an apparatus for brewing a beverage, such as coffee, as well as associated methods for brewing a beverage. Apparatuses and methods are shown to reduce labor involved in pour-over brewing techniques, while providing greater consistency in the results. Manual and/or automatic movements are provided to a filter (e.g., rotation) and/or a nozzle dispensing liquid over the filter. Water dosage and timing therefore can be automated to the filter. The nozzle can be positioned off-center with respect to the filter to ensure wetting thereof. The nozzle can be made movable for constrained changes to the path of liquid flow relative to the rotating filter.
US09320377B2
A combination boot jack, boot tray and boot rack for the removal, cleaning, movement and storage of mud boots, muck boots, galoshes, snow boots, work boots and similar rubber boots. The boot tray is broad enough for a user to step into the top surface of its base with both booted feet. The invention has a pair of U-shaped notches elevated above the top surface of the base, as well as an open-back/closed toe foot box, built into the boot tray. The user may thus step into the boot tray, use the pair of U-shaped notches as a boot jack to grip and secure the heels of both boots at once, and remove them, one at a time. During removal of the second boot, the user's unbooted foot is placed into the protected foot box, keeping it dry and out of contact with the ground, the outside of the boots, or any part of the boot jack and boot tray touched or soiled by the boots during their removal. Further, the boot jack and boot tray may be used as a boot rack for moving a pair of boots from place to place without touching them, as well as for later cleaning or storage.
US09320371B2
Methods of attaching a football to a wall mount assemblies including connection with or without partially elastic augmentation bands. The augmentation bands interact with seams running from one pole to another pole on a ball. The ball may be a football. A football may be connected to the wall mount assembly via a lace engagement component that engages the laces on the football. The various wall mount assemblies provide an illusion that the ball is floating near the flat surface without support. A wall mount component connected to the flat surface by a set of fasteners is out of the line-of-sight of an observer as the wall mount component is behind the ball and the connection between the ball and the wall mount component is designed to be difficult to see.
US09320360B2
An adjustable armrest for a chair is disclosed herein and comprises an assembly of a mounting plate, a support column, an anti-rotation feature, and two arms. The adjustable armrest's mounting plate is positionable laterally and rotationally about the support column when the anti-rotation feature is disengaged, and is restrained when the anti-rotation feature is engaged. The anti-rotation feature restrains the position of the mounting plate by restraining the rotation of the two arms and is preferably controlled via an actuator button.
US09320358B2
A seat reclining apparatus includes a first and second plates and a lock mechanism which locks/unlocks relative rotation therebetween. The first plate includes an engaging protrusion on a side engaged in a holding portion, and a protrusion-corresponding recess formed on the other side of the first plate recessed at a position corresponding to the engaging protrusion. The engaging protrusion includes a pressure receiving portion on a peripheral edge thereof and engages with an inner peripheral surface of the holding portion to receive a force therefrom when a load is exerted on a seatback frame in the locked state. The first plate includes an annular bridging portion connecting the peripheral edges of the engaging protrusion and the protrusion-corresponding recess; the annular bridging portion including a thin-wall portion, and a thick-wall portion corresponding to the pressure receiving portion.
US09320353B1
A composite cover for covering an item of furniture comprising a sheet of material laid on a support which is, one embodiment, is on an array of elastic cords and is in another embodiment is a fan array of panels.
US09320342B2
An improved bottle, retaining device and associated elements for carrying items is disclosed. The retaining device is adapted for holding a container (or containers) or other items; the retaining device being adapted to affix the container by way of the retaining device to a person or a personal item so ready access is provided for the held container/item.
US09320341B2
A storage device for portable electronic devices is provided. The storage device includes a luggage item provided with an interior cradle. The interior cradle is adapted to securely and adjustable hold a portable electronic device, such as a laptop computer. The interior cradle comprises a height adjuster for selectively changing the position or depth of the stored device within the bag.
US09320331B1
The present invention is related to road accessories, in particular, to umbrellas and especially to the folding ones. The proposed umbrella has a sheath connected by a joint, with a fixing device, to a shaft connected to a system of ribs and a canopy.
US09320329B2
A jewelry arrangement that is configured to fit on a finger. The arrangement can include a first jewelry portion and a second jewelry portion. The first jewelry portion may be attached to the inner surface of the second jewelry portion. The second jewelry portion may be positioned away from the user's skin. The first jewelry portion may contain at least one element which may contact a user's skin. In one exemplary embodiment, the elements are semi-cylindrical, rounded or arc-shaped. In an other exemplary embodiment, the elements are cylindrical. Another exemplary embodiment may contain a combination of different elements that together create a non-uniform surface. In yet another exemplary embodiment, there may be a ring crown attached to the second jewelry portion. This ring crown may also form part of the non-uniform surface created by the first jewelry portion.
US09320327B2
A knitted slide fastener in which a stable knitted mode of a knitting structure is maintained, and a fastener element row is strongly attached to a warp knitting fastener tape. A fixing chain knitting yarn of the fastener element row in the fastener element attaching portion and knitting yarns configuring a ground structure are knitted with independent single structures, respectively. Needle loops which are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction of the fixing chain knitting yarn mounts each of element legs of the continuous fastener element row, sinker loops which are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the fixing chain knitting yarn go under a sinker loop of a second warp knitting yarn which configures the ground structure and cross each other.
US09320326B2
A fastener assembly attaches items to fabrics and textiles. The fastener has particular application for easily attaching racing bibs (i.e., athlete numbers) to athletic garments, and obviating the need for safety pins. In one embodiment, a female portion that passes through the fabric or textile releasably connects with the male portion that fastens the item to the fabric or textile. In another embodiment, the female portion has a cover to facilitate passage through the fabric or textile. In a third embodiment, the male portion passes through the fabric or textile, and includes a barb or a hook to do so.
US09320321B2
A decorative shoe includes a sole, an upper attached to the sole, in which the upper has an interior lining, a decorative outer layer fixed to the interior lining, and a decorative semi-transparent pattern film fixed to a surface of the outer layer. The decorative outer layer is composed of a contiguous transparent or translucent plastic material, in which the surface of the outer layer includes a first multiple of raised, close-packed jewel-shaped elements. The decorative semitransparent pattern film is configured to simulate an appearance of a plurality of jewels. Each jewel-shaped element also has a short axis and multiple boundaries normal to the short axis, in which the multiple boundaries enclose one or more facets on a face of the jewel-shaped element. The pattern film forms an outer surface of the shoe and is configured to partially reflect or scatter incident light.
US09320316B2
A shoe is configured to be worn on a user's foot and includes an upper and a sole coupled to the upper. The sole includes an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The midsole includes a platform and a lattice integrally formed with the platform. The platform has a toe portion, a heel portion, a medial portion, and a lateral portion arranged to align with the user's foot. The lattice extends from the platform and includes a plurality of crisscrossing laths. Each lath has a longitudinal structure with a longitudinal axis and two ends. The laths are positioned in at least a first zone and a second zone in the lattice, and each lath in the first zone has a girth that is substantially different from a girth of each lath in the second zone.
US09320309B2
A glove-mounted electronic device retention apparatus is provided. The present invention comprises a conventional glove having a pocket for storing an electronic device, such as a smartphone or an mp3 player, therein on either the palm side of the glove, the back side of the glove, or on both the palm and back side of the glove. The pocket may further have a transparent face for viewing and interacting with the electronic device. The present invention is designed so that individuals can easily listen to music on and otherwise use their electronic devices while participating in outdoor activities, without requiring the users to take their gloves off.
US09320308B2
An adjustable front-opening hospital gown includes first and second front panels having respective mating fasteners, a rear panel, and an orientation feature such as a V-neck or other type of collar. The first front panel overlaps the second front panel in front of a torso of a patient. The rear panel is connected to the front panels, and defines an elongated slot that is overlapped or otherwise remains closed when access to a back of the patient is not required. The orientation feature identifies a designated front of the hospital gown. The gown may include intravenous access flaps, each positioned between the rear panel and a respective front panel. The rear panel may include first and second rear panels, one of which includes an edge overlapped by the other of the panel within the elongated slot to close the elongated slot.
US09320301B2
A portable, personal storage and carrying case for an e-liquid e-cigarette PV which is operable to re-fill the PV with e-liquid if the PV is inserted, fully or in part, into the case, while maintaining the PV whole and intact, in which the case includes a hinged compartment that the PV is slotted into, and which guides an aperture of the PV into contact with a pump nozzle that fills a chamber in the PV with e-liquid.
US09320299B2
A simulated smoking device comprising a simulated cigarette having a cigarette-like shape and a refill device. A drawer is provided in the side of the refill device with a recess for the simulated cigarette. A resilient member biases the drawer open to allow access to the simulated cigarette. A latch is releasable by an inward movement of the drawer whereupon the drawer is unlatched and urged by the resilient member to the open position. The latch is automatically engageable upon closure of the drawer to hold the drawer in a closed position against the action of the resilient member.
US09320295B2
Provided are compositions and methods for clear and stable beverages that contain additives such as essential fatty acids, including omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids, and other fatty acids; phytochemicals, including phytosterols; other oils; and coenzymes, including Coenzyme Q10, and other oil-based additives.
US09320285B2
The present invention relates to a new method for preparing fully fermented frozen dough, formulation of the ingredients and process to produce different type of bakery product. The fully fermented frozen doughs obtained using this method do not require the addition of additives and allow baking of the fermented frozen dough without any additional proofing step thereby providing high quality bakery products.
US09320284B2
A convection oven system. The convection oven system including a cooking chamber, a heat source for generating heated air to be provided to the cooking chamber, a centrifugal blower in airflow communication with the heat source, an air distribution housing in airflow communication with the centrifugal blower, the air distribution housing having a plurality of outlets, and at least one heat distribution finger in airflow communication with the plurality of outlets of the air distribution housing. The heated air generated by the heat source is forced by the centrifugal blower through the outlets of the air distribution housing into the at least one finger for distribution into the cooking chamber.
US09320281B2
This invention relates to readied in situ glyphosate herbicide soluble powder compositions of high efficiency and low toxicity useful for killing and/or controlling weeds. This invention is also related to a process to prepare the said compositions. It is another object of this invention to provide new compositions that consist of a soluble powder herbicide formulation characterized by a very narrow range of specific ingredients of composition, which optimize the formulation efficiency and minimizes the cost and toxicity to man, to the environment and to the crop being treated. The required amount of glyphosate that needs to be applied on the field is reduced by 30% when compared to the commercially standard liquid solution.
US09320276B2
The present invention relates to N-Hetarylmethyl pyrazolylcarboxamides derivatives or their thiocarboxamides derivatives, their process of preparation, their use as fungicide, particularly in the form of compositions. Formula (I), and methods for the control of phytopathogenic fungi, notably of plants, using these compounds or compositions.
US09320275B2
The present invention relates to combinations of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, and a monoterpene, or a salt thereof, which provide an improved biocidal effect. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions comprising a combination of pyrimethanil, or a salt thereof, together with a monoterpene selected from thymol and β-thujaplicin in respective proportions to provide a synergistic biocidal effect. Compositions comprising these combinations are useful for the protection of any living or non-living material, such as crops, plants, fruits, seeds, objects made of wood, thatch or the like, engineering material, biodegradable material and textiles against deterioration due to the action of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, viruses, and the like.
US09320272B2
A synergistic microbicidal composition containing a selected from the class consisting of chlorinated phenols, fused bicyclic phenols, monosubstituted phenols and monosubstituted catechols and an antimicrobial alcohol selected from the class consisting of acyclic terpene alcohols.
