US09328874B2
An LED lamp includes an elongated at least partially optically transmissive enclosure. The LEDs are mounted on an LED board. The enclosure has a support structure for supporting the LED board. The support structure is formed as one-piece with the enclosure and of an optical material. A pair of end caps are secured to the ends of the enclosure using a snap-fit connection. The end caps retain pins for connecting to a light fixture.
US09328870B2
Flow regulator, system and method that allow regulation of gas flow, both during a purging operation such as to purge a line of oxygen, and during a brazing operation to maintain the line free or substantially free of oxygen during the brazing operation. The system includes a gas source, such as a nitrogen tank containing a source of nitrogen, a gas regulator in fluid communication with the gas source to regulate the delivery pressure from the gas source, and a flow regulator in fluid communication with the gas source to regulate the flow of gas during the purge and brazing operations. The flow regulator provides a visual indication that gas is flowing, and a visual indication of the particular flow rate of the flowing gas.
US09328864B1
A carrier device includes an attachment having a base member, a unidirectional bearing member engaged in the base member, a mounting seat having a coupler, and a shaft device attached to the coupler and engaged with the unidirectional bearing member for rotatably attaching the coupler and the mounting seat to the base member of the attachment, and the unidirectional bearing member is arranged to allow the shaft device and the coupler and the mounting seat to be rotated only upwardly relative to the base member. The coupler includes a space for forming two ears and for receiving the base member. The ears each include a recess communicating with the space of the coupler for engaging with the shaft device.
US09328861B2
A modular foundation includes a central portion and at least three legs non-rotatably secured to and extending from the central portion. The at least three legs are substantially equally spaced apart from each other wherein each leg includes a proximal end and a distal end. A basket is attached to the distal end of each leg wherein the basket is configured to be secured in a selected position. A platform is pivotally attached to the central portion wherein the platform is configured to move from a vertical position to a horizontal position.
US09328858B2
A system for extracting liquid from a pipeline includes a flexible elongate member having a first end and including a conduit having an intake port proximate the first end for receiving the liquid. The system also includes a camera arrangement attached to the first end of the flexible elongate member, and a connection arrangement disposed between the camera arrangement and the first end of the flexible elongate member. The connection arrangement including at least one opening in fluid communication with the intake port such that the liquid can pass through the opening and into the intake port.
US09328851B2
An apparatus for securing a component to a substrate. The apparatus includes a backing and a retainer interface. The backing includes a bonding element on a first surface and the retainer interface on an opposing second surface. The first surface of the backing is applied to a substrate to which a component is to be secured. The component is secured on the second surface of the backing so that the backing is positioned between the substrate and the component to be secured. The backing may be rigid or flexible. The first surface of the backing tape includes an adhesive as the bonding element. The backing tape may also include a removable paper interface to enable the installer to move the backing tape into a desired location before removing the paper to expose the adhesive for its attachment to the substrate.
US09328850B2
A microvalve includes a base plate having a surface defining an actuator cavity. A venting groove extends from a first cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a dead end region to a second cavity portion of the actuator cavity having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. A cover plate includes a surface having an actuator cavity provided therein that includes a first cavity portion having a dead end region and a second cavity portion having a structure that can vent air from the microvalve. An intermediate plate includes a displaceable member that is disposed within the actuator cavity for movement between a closed position, wherein the displaceable member prevents fluid communication through the microvalve, and an opened position, wherein the displaceable member does not prevent fluid communication through the microvalve.
US09328842B2
A hydraulic actuating assembly for valves for controlling process fluid flows includes a valve that is operated by an actuator and that is pre-tensioned in the direction of a closing position. The actuator has a pressure chamber which is active in the opening direction and which can be connected to a low pressure by means of three parallel relief paths. A secondary relief path, which can be activated in a test mode, is provided.
US09328841B2
A dispenser body having a liquid inlet, a discharge outlet, and a flow channel capable of directing a flow of the hot melt adhesive from the liquid inlet to the discharge outlet. The flow channel includes a valve seat between the liquid inlet and the discharge outlet. The dispensing module further includes a needle having a valve member mounted for movement in the dispenser body between an open position in which the valve member is disengaged with the valve seat allowing liquid flow from the discharge outlet and a closed position in which the valve member is engaged with the valve seat preventing liquid flow from the discharge outlet. A first electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the open position and a second electromagnetic coil is activated to move the needle to the closed position.
US09328835B2
In one featured embodiment, a piston for a valve comprises a cylindrical body surrounding a center axis and defined by an overall length extending from an upstream end to a downstream end. The cylindrical body has a piston bore configured to receive a spring assembly. The cylindrical body has a maximum outer diameter that comprises a closure sleeve contact surface, and the cylindrical body is defined by a first length that is less than the overall length. A ratio of the first length to the maximum outer diameter is between 1.0 and 1.2.
US09328831B2
A pressure relief valve for a hydraulic press tool, the pressure relief valve having a valve body, a fluid return channel, a needle and a seat, and the needle is movable between a closed position, in which the needle is in contact with the seat to block the channel, and an open position, wherein the needle is at a distance from the seat to allow fluid to flow in the channel, and the fluid flow then causes movement of the seat away from the needle and completes the opening of the fluid return channel.
US09328819B2
A voting strategy is used to determine the mode state of a transmission when a vehicle is restarted. The transmission includes a return to park feature and a controller including at least three memories. The controller is configured to write a remembered mode state into each memory. The remembered mode state is one of a Normal mode state that allows the transmission to automatically shift to Park, a hold mode state that causes the transmission to remain in Neutral and not automatically shift to Park upon detecting a triggering event or other mode states. The controller reads each memory and, when at least two of the remembered mode states are the same mode state, causes the transmission to enter a mode state corresponding to the same mode state.
US09328815B2
A rack bar includes a shaft portion, a rack toothed portion provided on the shaft portion, and a dummy toothed portion. The rack toothed portion includes a plurality of rack teeth provided side by side in an axial direction of the shaft portion, each of the rack teeth including a contact face arranged obliquely relative to the axial direction to contact the pinion gear. The dummy toothed portion includes at least one dummy tooth provided on at least one side of the rack toothed portion in the axial direction such that the dummy tooth is arranged parallel to and next to the rack teeth. The dummy tooth is designed such that a whole height of the dummy tooth is smaller than a whole height of each of the rack teeth.
US09328806B2
A power transmission system transmits power from a drive shaft of an internal combustion engine to a first and a second auxiliary device through a belt. An auto-tensioner extends or contracts to change the tension of the belt. A controller rotates the first auxiliary device in a reverse direction to loosen the belt to cause the auto-tensioner to extend to increase the tension of the belt and calculates a reversing timing when the drive shaft will be reversed as a result of increasing of the tension of the belt. The controller inhibits the tensioner body from contracting immediately before or when the reversing time is reached to keep the tension of the belt at an increased degree, thereby eliminating the slippage of the belt on each pulley without having to finely control the operation of the first auxiliary device when the internal combustion engine is started.
US09328790B2
A hydraulic shock absorber provides, a ring-shaped flow passage formed continuously along a circumferential direction between an outer circumference of a partition wall member and an inner circumference of an inner tube, in a range from an abutting surface to a screw coupling starting portion of a thread section of the inner tube; an outer side flow passage which is formed to a ring-shaped oil chamber side from a dividing member positioned on an open end surface side of the inner tube and which connects a ring-shaped oil chamber and the ring-shaped flow passage, an inner side flow passage which is formed in the partition wall member and which connects the ring-shaped flow passage and an oil reservoir chamber.
US09328784B2
A supporting and braking assembly for a motor vehicle wheel has a supporting member, defined by a single piece adapted to be coupled to a suspension of the motor vehicle and provided with a central portion coupled to a rotating hub by means of a bearing. The supporting member is also provided with two arms which extend in cantilevered manner from the central portion in essentially radial directions and support respective studs, to which a floating caliper is slidingly coupled. The caliper is arranged straddling a brake disc, fixed and coaxial with respect to the hub, and supports two brake pads arranged on opposite sides of the brake disc. At least one of the studs is sized so as to transfer the tangential loads caused by braking from the caliper directly onto the corresponding arm.
US09328782B2
A two-way clutch includes an outer race having a cam section in an inner periphery, an inner race that is separated in an inside diameter direction with respect to the outer race, and is disposed concentrically to be relatively rotatable, a torque transmission member that is disposed between the outer race and the inner race, and transmits torque, a cage that is capable of engaging with the torque transmission member and is movable in a circumferential direction, a drag strip that is supported by the cage, and a switching mechanism that can cause the two-way clutch to take at least a state locked in two directions by causing the drag strip to slide onto the inner race.
US09328780B2
The invention relates to a fluid friction clutch (1) having a housing (2, 3) and a clutch disk (4), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3), and which is rotatably arranged at one end (5) of a shaft (6) centrally supported inside the housing (2, 3), having a working chamber (9) between the housing (2, 3) and the clutch disk (4), having a storage chamber (10) for clutch fluid; and having a feed duct (11a, 11b), which leads from the storage chamber (10) to the working chamber (9), characterized by a supply pump element (14), which is rotatable relative to the housing (2, 3) and which is arranged, rotationally fixed, on the shaft (6), and which defines a shear gap (12) with the housing (2, 3); and by a valve (17), which is arranged in the feed duct (11), characterized in that an operative element (7) is arranged on the housing (2, 3).
US09328777B2
A clutch, in particular for a motor vehicle, for transmitting torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, includes a wet chamber which is at least partially filled with a cooling medium, and at least one piston, the piston and a component located opposite the piston being rotatable around an axis, and the piston being movable in the direction of the axis to disengage and engage the clutch, is characterized in that on at least one of the following elements:a) the piston andb) the component located opposite the pistonon a side facing the other element, at least one web is formed, which extends in the direction of the axis in the direction of the other component, and whose path has at least one radial part in reference to the axis.
US09328776B2
The present disclosure relates to a dry-clutch transmission having various cooling techniques. Some techniques include forming different structural features on transmission components so as to create an organized air flow. The disclosed techniques are applicable to both opened and closed transmission housings.
US09328765B2
A snap hook is provided. A body of the snap hook includes a hook shaped mid portion positioned between a nose portion and a connection portion. The body further has an opening to an inner edge that is positioned between the nose end and the connection portion. A gate is pivotally coupled proximate the connection portion of the body. The gate selectively pivots in relation to the body between a closed configuration and an open configuration. A gate holding portion is configured and arranged to be selectively received between at least one wall stop and at least one catch formed by at least one slot in the nose portion of the body to selectively lock the gate in the closed configuration. Moreover, a trigger is further operationally coupled to move the gate holding portion to clear the at least one catch of the nose portion when activated.
US09328763B2
A die button for installation of a nut to a panel includes a button body with a panel end, and a cavity defined therein. An aperture is defined in the panel end at a mouth of the cavity. A shearing edge is at a perimeter of the aperture to shear a tab from the panel when a shearing force is applied to the panel by the nut driven by a punch of a press. A relief is in a portion of the perimeter of the aperture to bend a root portion of the panel connecting the tab to the panel without severing the root when the nut applies the shearing force. A reaction member is slidably disposed within the cavity. A resilient member is disposed within the cavity to urge the reaction member toward the panel end, thereby bending the tab to contact the nut and seal a bore.
US09328762B2
A pierce nut used for a high-strength steel plate according to the invention includes a female screw thread portion formed in the center of a nut body, an annular piercing portion projecting around the female thread portion, and an annular outer peripheral projection extending from the periphery of the nut body. The outer periphery of the piercing portion forms a first sloping surface increasing in diameter toward the leading end thereof, and also the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral projection forms a second sloping surface increasing in diameter toward the leading end thereof. Serrations are formed on the second sloping surface. Even where a mating member is a high-strength steel plate, the pierce nut according to the invention can ensure the same peeling strength and rotation torque as with a conventional nut, without deformation of the pierce nut itself.
US09328759B2
In a fastening clip (10), in particular for a lining part (12) of a vehicle, including a base body (16) which has a retaining portion (20) for the lining part (12) and a fastening portion (22) provided thereon, which can be inserted into an opening (24) of a vehicle-fixed component (14), in particular of a vehicle body part, and which can latch therein, the fastening portion (22) includes at least two flexible latching wings (48) each held on a flexible web (40), the webs (40) being spaced apart from each other, and the latching wings (48) extending from the webs (40) away from each other, and a flexible connecting element (42) connecting the webs (40) on the entire length to each other being provided between the webs (40).
US09328757B2
Provided is a hydraulic system for a work machine, which can ensure low temperature responsiveness of remote control valves that perform pilot operations of pilot operated directional control valves for controlling hydraulic actuators, respectively. In order to, with bringing an unloading valve V13 to an unloading position 29, circulate oil to a pilot pump oil passage w that supplies the pressure oil from the discharging circuit Y for a pilot pump 19 to remote control valves PV1, PV2, and PV6, a warm-up circuit H that flows the oil from the discharging circuit Y for the pilot pump 19 to a terminal of the pilot pump oil passage w is provided.
US09328755B2
An extendable pole mechanism may be used with a pair of poles that are longitudinally movable to adjust the overall length of both poles. The mechanism may include a housing that receives the poles and a trigger that is moveable with respect to the housing to adjust the mechanism between a use condition, where the poles are held in a longitudinally relative fixed position, and an adjustment condition, where the poles are longitudinally moveable with respect to each other.
US09328743B2
A pressure exchanger includes a rotator disposed with pressure transmission sections around a rotation axis. Each pressure transmission section is formed such that a first flow path and a second flow path are communicated with each other. A first lateral member is formed with: first fluid inflow paths guiding the first fluid to the first flow paths; second fluid outflow paths guiding, from the second flow paths, second fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the first fluid; second fluid inflow paths guiding the second fluid to the second flow paths; and first fluid outflow paths guiding, from the first flow paths, first fluid obtained after pressure exchange with the second fluid in the thickness direction. A second lateral member is rotatably sandwiching the rotator between the second lateral member and the first lateral member.
US09328742B2
A refrigerant passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of a decompression space formed within a body part and an outer peripheral surface of a valve body that changes a refrigerant passage area of a minimum area part functions as a nozzle, and a refrigerant passage formed between an inner peripheral surface of a pressure increase space formed within the body part and an outer peripheral surface of a passage formation member functions as a diffuser to configure an ejector. Further, the valve body and the passage formation member are provided as separated members, and a load of the refrigerant on the valve body is reduced, thereby being capable of downsizing a drive device that displaces the valve body.
US09328738B2
In a turbine scroll part structure of a radial turbine, a flow passage 3 of a connecting part between an exhaust gas inlet into a turbine housing 5 and a scroll part 1 is offset along an axis line L1 of a rotating shaft of a turbine rotor in an amount H, and a cut-out portion P is formed in a tongue portion 2, which separates the flow passage 3 from a blade side passage 4 through which the exhaust gas flows toward blades 6, for the exhaust gas to flow from the flow passage 3 into the blade side passage 4.
US09328726B2
A peristaltic pump that includes an assembly including a rotor configured to compress a hose/tube being positioned on a pump cavity inner perimeter and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compression force imposed on the hose/tube. The adjustment mechanism includes a gear unit and a counterpart for the gear unit. The counterpart is operatively coupled to the rotor, wherein the gear unit in cooperation with the counterpart is configured to adjust a gap between the rotor outer surface and the pump cavity inner perimeter. The assembly is fixed to a sliding guide that is configured to support the hose/tube.
US09328725B2
An air compressor assembly includes a cylinder housing, an outlet receptacle disposed on the cylinder housing, and a partition having an air passage formed between the cylinder housing and the outlet receptacle, and a piston slidably received in the cylinder housing for generating a pressurized air, the partition includes a channel communicating with the chamber of the cylinder housing, and the cylinder housing includes a compartment formed in a casing and communicating with the channel of the partition for partially receiving the pressurized air and for buffering purposes. An adjustable plug is engaged in the casing for adjusting the volume of the compartment of the casing.
US09328720B2
A fluid-working machine for a renewable energy generation device, the fluid-working machine comprising a ring cam and a plurality of working chambers, the ring cam having an annular working surface extending around an axis of rotation of the ring cam, the annular working surface defining a plurality of waves, each working chamber having a piston, each piston in operative engagement with the ring cam working surface, the ring cam and working chambers being mounted to rotate relative to each other, cycles of working chamber volume being thereby coupled to rotation of the ring cam relative to the working chambers, characterized in that the individual waves of the ring cam working surface have an asymmetric profile.
US09328717B1
A fluid flow rotary driven apparatus includes a support having an axis of rotation and a plurality of elongate, curved rotor wings attached to and extending outwardly from the support. Each wing is attached to the support at an inner end and projects outwardly in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation to a distal end. Each wing includes a convex surface defining a plurality of logarithmic spiral line segments interconnecting the inner and outer ends. Each spiral line segment extends completely within a respective plane transverse to the axis of rotation. The wings are responsive to a fluid flow across the outer surface of the wings for driving the support to turn about the axis of rotation. A rotary transmission device is operably connected to the support and responds to turning of the support for producing an energy output.
US09328692B2
In multi-cylinder opposed engine constructions provision of lubricant for lubricating bearings, for cooling cylinders, and for cooling pistons includes pumping an inlet stream of lubricant through a gallery in the engine that is in fluid communication with bearing lubricant passages and cylinder coolant passages and providing lubricant from the inlet stream of lubricant into at least one piston coolant manifold in response to a first engine operating condition.
US09328691B2
A method of controlling operation of an engine is provided that utilizes a number of preset operating parameters. The method determines an operating mode of the engine. The method determines an operating state of the engine. A plurality of engine parameter settings is retrieved from a memory in response to the determined operating mode and the determined operating state of the engine. The plurality of engine parameter settings are applied to at least one control algorithm of the engine.
US09328689B2
The invention relates to a method for the open-loop control and the closed-loop control of an internal combustion engine (1), the rail pressure (pCR) being controlled in the normal operating state in a closed loop control mode via an intake throttle (4) on the lower pressure side as the first pressure control member in a rail pressure control loop and at the same time a rail pressure disturbance variable being applied to the rail pressure (pCR) via a pressure control valve (12) on the high pressure side as the second pressure control member. For this purpose, a pressure control valve volume flow (VDRV) is redirected from the rail (6) to a fuel tank (2) via the pressure control valve (12) on the high pressure side, and an emergency operation mode is activated once a defective rail pressure sensor (9) is detected, in which emergency operation the pressure control valve (12) on the high pressure side and the intake throttle (4) on the low pressure side are actuated depending on the same set point value.
US09328675B2
A method for reducing the thermal load of an internal combustion engine without substantially reducing its power output is described. The method includes adjusting an engine air-fuel ratio responsive to one or more of a charge air over-temperature, a coolant over-temperature and an engine efficiency parameter.
US09328666B2
An example turbofan engine restarting system includes a core nacelle housing, a compressor, and a turbine. The core nacelle is disposed within a fan nacelle. A bypass flowpath downstream from the turbofan is arranged between the two nacelles. A controller is programmed to manipulate the nozzle exit area of the bypass flowpath to facilitate startup of the engine. In one example, the controller manipulates the nozzle exit area using hinged flaps in response to an engine shutdown condition. The flaps open and close to adjust the nozzle exit area and the associated bypass flow rate, the mass flow rate of the air through the core nacelle and the rotational speed of the compressor rotor.
US09328665B2
The present invention relates to a gas-turbine combustion chamber with mixing air orifices, with a combustion chamber wall, with tiles arranged on the inside of the combustion chamber wall at a certain distance from said combustion chamber wall as well as with mixing air orifices passing through the combustion chamber wall and the tiles, characterized in that the mixing air orifices are formed by chutes which are designed tube-like and pass through the tiles, and that several chutes are formed on a mixing air wall element extending at least around part of the circumference of the combustion chamber.
US09328662B2
An initial geometry for a nacelle provides an intake at the upstream end of the nacelle and an exhaust at the downstream end of the nacelle. The intake has in flow series, an intake lip and a diffuser. The intake lip has a highlight defining the boundary between the inner and outer surfaces of the intake lip. On all longitudinal sections containing the axis of the engine (i) the inner and outer surfaces are tangency matched at the highlight, and (ii) the inner and outer surfaces have their maximum curvatures at the highlight.
US09328661B2
An apparatus is provided for supplying electrical power and cooling for an aircraft. The apparatus includes a cooling turbine coupled to a shaft, a compressor coupled to the shaft, and including an input for receiving engine bleed air or ambient air, and an output for discharging compressed air, a flywheel coupled to the shaft, a power turbine coupled to the shaft, and a starter generator coupled to the shaft between the compressor and the power turbine.
US09328659B2
The present invention provides a distributed combined cooling, heating and power generating apparatus with an internal combustion engine by combining solar energy and alternative fuel and a method thereof, the apparatus comprising: an energy storage system for combined reaction between solar energy and alternative fuel, a solar fuel internal combustion engine generating system, a lithium bromide refrigeration system for absorbing exhaust heat of flue gas of solar fuel, a reaction device for recovering exhaust heat of flue gas, a heat exchanger for recovering exhaust heat of exhaust gas and a cylinder jacket and water plate heat exchanger. According to the present invention, solar energy is combined with alternative fuel to achieve conversion of solar energy to fuel chemical energy, such that solar energy is stored in form of synthesis gas fuel and combined with the combined cooling, heating and power generating system, which possesses high energy storing intensity, includes small volume of storing device, and achieve the objects of cooling, heating and power combination in low cost and high efficiency, thereby effectively solving the problem of difficulty in storage, and high cost and low efficiency in usage.
US09328657B2
Various systems and method for heating an engine in a vehicle are described. In one example, intake air flowing in a first direction may be heated via a gas-to-gas heat exchange with exhaust gases. The heated intake air may then be used in a subsequent gas-to-liquid heat exchange to heat a fluid circulating through the engine. In another example, intake air flowing in a second direction may be heated via a heat exchange with exhaust gases in order to cool an exhaust catalyst.
US09328653B2
The invention relates to an intercooler for a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine that is supercharged in steps. In this case, the intercooler has an air outlet opening as well as two air inlet openings, a heat exchanger module being associated with each air inlet opening. Air channels of the two heat exchanger modules are ultimately brought together in an air box of the intercooler, which is connected to the air outlet opening. It is thus made possible to bring together compressed charging air from two supercharging assemblies only in the area of the intercooler. To improve the pressure ratios during operation of only one supercharging assembly, a non-return valve is provided in an air channel. Thus, a module for separately bringing the airways together can be eliminated, thereby reducing the installation space requirement.
US09328642B2
An internal combustion engine comprising a turbocharger wherein a bypass line in an exhaust gas discharge system delivers an aqueous urea reductant to an at least one SCR catalyst and a method to maintain the reductant at a desired temperature to maximize its conversion to ammonia and optimize the reduction of NOx in the SCR.
US09328638B2
An outboard motor includes an engine including a crankshaft that is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in an up-down direction, and a crank chamber that houses the crankshaft. The outboard motor includes an oil pan disposed under the engine to retain lubricating oil to be supplied to at least the crank chamber. The outboard motor includes an oil recovery passage and a first blowby gas passage separate from the oil recovery passage. The oil recovery passage extends downward from the crank chamber to the oil pan and is configured to lead lubricating oil inside the crank chamber to the inside of the oil pan. The first blowby gas passage extends downward from the crank chamber to the oil pan and is configured to lead a blowby gas inside the crank chamber to the inside of the oil pan.
US09328630B2
A propulsion unit for an aircraft, comprising one turbine engine and a mounting device for a turbine engine designed to be added laterally on an aircraft structure and comprising a rigid mounting structure. The rigid mounting structure supports at least one arch which is concave towards the longitudinal axis of the propulsion unit and which has a distal end at an angular distance of between 45 and 120 degrees from a vertical plane passing through the axis, on the other side of the structure, and supporting a distal connecting element connecting the turbine engine to the arch.
US09328625B2
As seal assembly for a ram assembly is provided. An elongated ram extends through the seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a housing body, a plurality of seals and a retaining, and compression, device. The seals, as well as a male energizer and a female energizer, each have a split body. In this configuration, the seals and energizers may be replaced without removing the seal assembly housing body and retaining device from about the ram. This further allows for the ram to remain in place during seal replacement. That is, the split seals may be separated an placed about the ram. Once in place, the ends of the split seal are joined at an interface. The retaining/compression device compresses the seals so that the interface is sealed.
US09328623B2
A turbine system is disclosed. The turbine system includes a transition duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of the transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The turbine system further includes a turbine section connected to the transition duct. The turbine section includes a plurality of shroud blocks at least partially defining a hot gas path, a plurality of buckets at least partially disposed in the hot gas path, and a plurality of nozzles at least partially disposed in the hot gas path. At least one of a shroud block, a bucket, or a nozzle includes means for withstanding high temperatures.
US09328613B2
A drive system of a watercraft includes a propeller rotatable about a propeller axis, and at least one rotor fin which is disposed freely rotatably about the propeller axis. The diameter of a circular path described by the rotation of the at least one rotor fin is less than the diameter of the propeller.
US09328612B2
A method of replacing rotating metal blades of a steam turbine inserted into a rotor having one or more existing grooves for inserting root sections of the metal blades is described, the method including the steps of providing replacement blades having radially inwards directed root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material, changing the shape of the one or more grooves in the rotor to form a cavity for the insertion of the root sections of fiber-reinforced composite material and inserting the replacement blades into the rotor.
US09328606B2
A method of logging a perforation tunnel and associated features of the perforation tunnel can include the following features. A logging device including an ultrasonic transducer is located downhole into a well. The well has a casing. The ultrasonic transducer has a focal point that is a distance from the ultrasonic transducer so as to be behind the inner face of the casing. An ultrasonic signal is projected from the ultrasonic transducer. A reflection of the ultrasonic signal is reflected from an internal portion of the perforation tunnel, the perforation tunnel extending through the casing and into formation. A transit time is measured between transmission and reception of the ultrasonic signal. A position of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to the ultrasonic transmission and reception of the reflected signal is determined.
US09328587B2
A system for use with a subterranean well can include a fluid oscillator which discharges pulsating fluid from a tubular string in a direction at least partially toward an end of the tubular string proximate a surface of the earth. A method can include discharging a fluid from the tubular string, thereby applying a reaction force to the tubular string, which reaction force biases the tubular string at least partially into the well. Another method can include discharging a pulsating fluid from a fluid oscillator in a direction at least partially toward an end of the tubular string, and drilling into an earth formation with a drill bit connected at an opposite end of the tubular string in the well.
US09328585B2
An auto-fill type float collar assembly is provided. The float collar assembly of the present invention has at least one curved flapper-style valve, preferably constructed of composite, non-metallic material. Each flapper of the present invention has a substantially 90° range of motion, and is closed via a torsion spring. Each flapper is held in the open (or “auto-fill”), position via an external shifting mechanism passing around, rather than through, the central flow bore of the assembly. A floatable actuation ball can be run with the tool, or pumped downhole, in order to selectively actuate the assembly and close the flappers when desired.
US09328582B2
A releasable latch system used to releasably couple a surface casing to a conductor casing. A latch assembly for coupling a first tubular to a second tubular includes a mandrel having a plurality of key slots; a housing for receiving the mandrel; a plurality of keys radially movable into engagement or out of engagement with a respective key slot; a collet configured to engage the housing and a respective key; and a retainer ring configured to hold the plurality of keys in engagement with the respective key slot.
US09328579B2
A method and apparatus for circulating fluid in a wellbore includes a bottom sub having a bottom sub port and a mandrel, wherein the mandrel substantially forms an inner bore of the circulating tool and includes a mandrel port. The circulating tool may also include an activation piston that is movable in a first direction and a port piston movable in a second direction when the activation piston moves in the first direction. The circulating tool may further include an inner sleeve coupled to the port piston and movable with the port piston, the inner sleeve having an inner sleeve port in selective communication with the mandrel port. When the inner sleeve port is in communication with the mandrel port at least partially, circulating fluid is allowed to flow through the bottom sub port to the wellbore.
US09328568B2
A casing centralizer and method according to which a body covers at least a portion of a frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the body is overmolded around the frame. In an exemplary embodiment, the casing centralizer centralizes a casing within a wellbore to facilitate oil and gas exploration and production operations.
US09328567B2
A downhole assembly, including a downhole tool, a downhole force-creating device, and a shock damper. The shock damper includes a hollow housing including an annular shoulder near each end and extending radially inward from the housing. The damper also includes a mandrel located at least partially inside the housing to form an annulus between the mandrel and the housing, the mandrel including an annular shoulder near each end and extending radially outward from the mandrel. A spring is located in an annular cavity formed by the annulus and between both the housing shoulders and the mandrel shoulders. The mandrel is movable relative to the housing to an expanded position in one direction and to a compressed position in the other direction.
US09328566B1
An end ring having a first ring with an inner diameter, a second ring with the inner diameter and a thickness 25 percent greater than the first ring; a shoulder with a sloped outer surface connecting the first ring to the second ring; a plurality of flutes formed in an outer surface of the end ring, a plurality of fastener holes formed in the first and second rings, wherein the end ring either slides over a first end of a base pipe and fastens together the base pipe and edges of a rubber tubular surrounding the base pipe; or slides over a first end of a frac tubular and fastens edges of a frac sleeve to the frac tubular. The invention includes a swell packer and a frac tubular having the end rings.
US09328546B1
A hinge stile gap blocking apparatus to prevent hand and finger injuries resulting from inadvertent door closings. The apparatus includes a hinge gap cover for use with an existing door and door jamb and configured to continuously occlude a gap between the door jamb and the outer facing edge of a hinge stile of the door. The hinge stile gap blocking apparatus has a curved portion that is shaped such that the door edge tracks the curve when the door is pivoted between an open and a closed position and from the closed to the open position. A method of installing the hinge stile gap blocking apparatus is also disclosed.
US09328541B2
A locking arrangement is arranged to lock together a first side and a second side that are at an angle to each other. On the first side, there is a locking member with a bar (6) and a transverse part. On the second side, there is at least one lug (5) and the transverse part (4) is settable to a locked position on the lug (5) on the second side and releasable from the locked position on the lug (5). The lug (5) on the second side is turnable away from beneath the transverse part (4) in the locked position and lockable to remain under the transverse part in the locked position.
US09328540B2
In a vehicle, a striker engages with a latch which engages with a ratchet. A door of the vehicle is closed. A motion-transmitting path for transmitting power to the ratchet from an electric drive mechanism is provided. A release-canceling mechanism connects or cuts off the motion-transmitting path. When the ratchet is released from the latch, the door-cooperating lever cuts off the release-canceling mechanism to enable the ratchet to engage with the latch again. Hence the door is closed.
US09328527B2
Antenna tower reinforcement configurations use bolted gusset plate and splice plate configurations that allow for increased clearance access using short threaded bolts and threaded gusset plate apertures for increased clearance access and/or ease of installation. The gusset plates are welded to the reinforcement plates rather than bolted. Splice plates are bolted to the gusset plates using splice bolts.
US09328519B2
Building panels, especially laminated floor panels are shown, which are provided with a locking system and several core grooves at the rear side in order to save material and decrease weight. Building panels, each having a surface layer on a front side, a backing layer on a rear side and an intermediate core, wherein the intermediate core and the surface and the backing layer all comprise wood fibers and thermosetting resins, said building panels are provided with a locking system for vertical and horizontal locking of a first edge of a first building panel to an adjacent second edge of a second building panel.
US09328518B2
A method of assembling wall panels includes mounting a plurality of PVC fastening extrusions to a wall in a predetermined parallel, spaced apart relationship, each having a length much greater than a length of a wall panel and having two spaced apart resilient bent end securing walls extending from a base, each securing wall having a projection, each wall panel having a main wall panel and four bent end sections with recesses and corner openings, pressing a bent end section into the spacing between the securing walls to cause deformation and snapping back thereof a projection engages in a respective recess, sliding said wall panel along the parallel, spaced apart fastening extrusions to a desired position with the corner openings permitting said sliding action, and repeating the steps of pressing and sliding for additional wall panels.
US09328514B1
A vent pipe covering apparatus, kit, and related methods are provided. The vent pipe covering apparatus includes a tubular structure having a first end and a second end, wherein the tubular structure is positioned surrounding an exposed portion of a substantially vertical building roof-mounted vent pipe. A cap is positioned at the first end of the tubular structure, wherein the cap has a closed surface positioned directly above the building roof-mounted vent pipe. A venting structure is positioned in at least one of the tubular structure and the cap. A connection system is positioned between the tubular structure and the building roof-mounted vent pipe proximate to the second end of the tubular structure, wherein the connection system retains the tubular structure stationary relative to the building roof-mounted vent pipe.
US09328503B1
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular structure comprising a base, four upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. In various embodiments, the structure may include a clamping system adapted to interconnect the base, sidewalls, and roof. In various embodiments, a beam may be disposed across the top of two opposing sidewalls to provide structural support for the roof. In various embodiments, the collapsible container may be disassembled, for example for transport, and reassembled for reuse. In various embodiments, the collapsible container, when assembled, may be used as a housing structure adapted for use as a mobile work station, temporary housing, or barracks.
US09328498B2
An improved mobile toilet structure may include a base, four side bars, four sleeve tubes, four panels and a lid. The base has four threaded holes at four corners of the upper side of the base, and a vertical exhaust pipe at one side of the rear portion of the base. The side bar has a first threaded portion on its upper end and a second threaded portion on its lower end. The sleeve tube has an opening on one side and the two margins of the opening extend outwards and form two wing-like structures. Among the four panels, the front one has a board installed in the panel that can be opened and closed, whereas all others may have transom windows opened at their upper portions. The lid is integrally molded, with its size and shape determined by the base.
US09328497B2
According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing apparatus includes: a nozzle including a jetting port and configured to squirt water from the jetting port to wash a user's body; a flow channel configured to guide water supplied from a water supply source to the jetting port; an electrolytic cell provided midway along the flow channel and being operable to produce sterilizing water; a heating device provided on the flow channel on upstream side of the electrolytic cell; a nozzle cleaning device configured to clean or sterilize the nozzle with the water heated by the heating device or the sterilizing water produced by the electrolytic cell; and a controller configured to perform control for stopping energization of the heating device or reducing an amount of energization of the heating device when energizing the electrolytic cell.
US09328496B2
A system (10) includes a water and/or air inlet (20), connectable to a water supply pipe (5) for a sanitary apparatus (1). An outlet (40) connects to a sewage outlet pipe (4) downstream of the sanitary apparatus. The inlet leads from a suction box (30), which starts the outlet (40). A motorized ventilation device (31) conveys air from the inlet (20) to the outlet (40). A siphon (32) is at least partially filled with water (33) from the water supply device (6). The ventilation device (31) and the siphon (32) are mutually in series between the inlet (20) and the outlet (40). The suction box (30) includes a further siphon (321), connected between the supply pipe (5) and the outlet pipe (4) and is arranged in parallel with respect to the siphon (32) and the device (31). The further siphon (321) is at least partially filled with water.
US09328490B2
A capacitive sensing system and method for a hand washing lavatory system is disclosed. The lavatory system comprises a receptacle defining a hand washing area, a fixture configured to deliver water to the receptacle, and a capacitive sensing system configured to detect the presence of a user and actuate the fixture. The capacitive sensing system comprises a first sense electrode coupled to the receptacle and configured to measure a first capacitive value, a second sense electrode coupled to the receptacle spaced apart from the first sense electrode and configured to measure a second capacitive value, and a circuit configured to control operation of the fixture in response to a change in the first capacitive value relative to the second capacitive value.
US09328485B2
A flow diverter device includes a diverter body defining therein a diverter channel that connects with two inlet channels and an outlet channel, and a diverter valve stem including at least two sealing mechanisms. The diverter valve stem is movable between a first position wherein one of the sealing mechanisms engages the diverter channel such that the diverter channel fluidly connects one of the inlet channels with the outlet channel only and a second position wherein another of the sealing mechanisms engages the diverter channel such that the diverter channel fluidly connects the other of the inlet channels with the outlet channel only.
US09328481B2
A method of operating a material handling machine, the machine including an engine, ground engaging means, and a control means selectively operable by an operator to move the ground engaging means, the method including the steps of: a) starting with the ground engaging means in a first position and the engine running at a first engine speed, b) actuating the control means to move the ground engaging means towards a second position, actuation of the control means causing the engine speed to increase, c) unactuating the control means so as to simultaneously stop movement of the ground engaging means and allow the engine speed to reduce towards the first engine speed.
US09328479B1
A work vehicle may include a chassis, a ground-engaging blade, a sensor assembly, and a controller. The blade may be movably connected to the chassis via a linkage assembly configured to allow the blade to be raised and lowered relative to the chassis. The sensor assembly may be configured to provide a chassis inclination signal indicative of an angle of the chassis relative to the direction of gravity and a blade inclination signal indicative of an angle of the blade relative to one of the chassis and the direction of gravity. The controller may be configured to receive the chassis and blade inclination signals, determine a target grade, determine a distance error based on the signals indicative of a distance between the blade and the target grade, and send a command to move the blade toward the target grade based on the distance error.
US09328476B1
A boat protector is provided with padding on a front surface and is adapted to be secured to a piling or similar structure which is anticipated to contact a watercraft by positioning the padded side facing outward and wrapping securing straps around the piling or similar structure. The securing straps are provided with fastening means to adequately secure the protector to the piling or similar structure.
US09328473B2
The invention relates to a method for consolidating soil by means of calcifying bacteria, said method comprising washing the consolidated soil and recycling the wash water.
US09328460B2
The invention relates to a method and to a device for drying a fibrous web wherein the traveling fibrous web is acted upon by steam and hot, moist air in the region of a preceding drying zone and is then fed to the preceding drying zone of a downstream drying zone comprising a drying cylinder and a hood allocated thereto. Hot air is taken out of the hood allocated to the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone. To create at least a portion of the steam for the preceding drying zone, condensate and/or fresh water occurring in the drying cylinder of the downstream drying zone is heated by the hot air taken out of the hood by means of a first heat exchanger. Alternatively or additionally for creating at least a portion of the hot, moist air for the preceding drying zone, the hot air taken out of the hood guided through the first heat exchanger is fed to the preceding drying zone.
US09328451B2
A method and apparatus for sensing the level of fluid present in a dispenser, such as a detergent or fabric softener dispenser, of a washing machine appliance and to detecting an out of balance condition for such appliance is provided. A pressure sensor is used to determine the level of fluid present and to provide indications of the same at various levels of use of the fluid. One or more pressure sensors can also be used to detect an out of balance condition when the appliance is a washing machine.
US09328449B2
A method of controlling steam supply in a laundry machine. The control method includes heating a predetermined space within a duct in communication with a tub and/or drum of the laundry machine to a higher temperature than a temperature of the other space within the duct, directly supplying water to the heated predetermined space to generate steam, and supplying air flow toward the heated predetermined space so as to supply the generated steam into the laundry.
US09328441B2
Disclosed is a support guide for sewing a decorative topstitch on a seam with a slide fastener, the support guide including a first top surface; and a second top surface, the first top surface coplanar with the second top surface and spaced apart from the second top surface by a distance sized to accept the slide fastener.
US09328432B2
Preparation of semiconductor nanocrystals and their dispersions in solvents and other media is described. The nanocrystals described herein have small (1-10 nm) particle size with minimal aggregation and can be synthesized with high yield. The capping agents on the as-synthesized nanocrystals as well as nanocrystals which have undergone cap exchange reactions result in the formation of stable suspensions in polar and nonpolar solvents which may then result in the formation of high quality nanocomposite films.
US09328420B2
In one aspect, a system for depositing a layer on a substrate is provided. The system includes a processing chamber, a gas injecting port, a gas distribution plate, and a plug. The gas injecting port is disposed upstream from the processing chamber. The gas distribution plate is disposed between the gas injecting port and the processing chamber, and includes an elongate planar body and an array of holes therein. The plug is sized to be received within one of the holes, and includes an orifice therethrough for permitting the passage of gas. The plug is capable of being removably secured to the gas distribution plate within one of the holes.
US09328402B2
In one embodiment, a nickel-base alloy for forging or rolling contains, in weight %, carbon (C): 0.05 to 0.2, silicon (Si) 0.01 to 1, manganese (Mn): 0.01 to 1, cobalt (Co): 5 to 20, iron (Fe): 0.01 to 10, chromium (Cr): 15 to 25, and one kind or two kinds or more of molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and rhenium (Re), with Mo+(W+Re)/2: 8 to 25, the balance being nickel (Ni) and unavoidable impurities.
US09328395B2
The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for producing DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) utilizing a high-oxidation reducing gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen, derived directly or indirectly from the gasification of hydrocarbons or coal, with a high content of oxidants (H2O and CO2). The invention provides a more efficient method and plant comprising a reactor in which particulate material of iron ore comes into contact with a high temperature reducing gas to produce DRI, with lower investment and operating costs, avoiding the need for a fired heater for the reducing gas fed into the reduction reactor. The reducing gas is heated to a temperature above 700° C. in two steps, a first step at a temperature below about 400° C. to prevent the phenomenon of metal dusting, by exchange of sensible heat supplied by the stream of hot spent gas removed from the reduction reactor; and a second step by means of partial or total combustion with oxygen, maintaining the temperature of the combustion gas below the limits established by the construction materials of the combustion chamber.
US09328393B2
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce a product such as a biofuel.
US09328381B2
A self-contained, fully automated, biological assay-performing apparatus includes a housing; a dispensing platform including a controllably-movable reagent dispensing system, disposed in the housing; a reagent supply component disposed in the housing; a pneumatic manifold removably disposed in the housing in a space shared by the dispensing platform, removably coupled to a fluidic transport layer and a plurality of reservoirs, wherein the fluidic transport layer, the reservoirs, and a test sample to be introduced therein are disposed in the housing in the space separate from the dispensing platform; a pneumatic supply system removably coupled to the pneumatic manifold in the housing in a space separate from the dispensing platform; and a control system coupled to at least one of the dispensing platform and the pneumatic supply system, disposed in the housing.
US09328379B2
Differentially methylated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) biomarkers, identified in-vitro and validated in well-characterized surgical specimens, have shown poor clinical correlation in cohorts with different risk profiles. To overcome this lack of relevance we used the HumanMethylation27 BeadChip, publicly available methylation and expression array data, and Quantitative Methylation Specific PCR to uncover differential methylation in OSCC clinical samples with heterogeneous risk profiles. A two stage-design consisting of Discovery and Prevalence screens was used to identify differential promoter methylation and deregulated pathways in patients diagnosed with OSCC and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This Phase I Biomarker Development Trial identified a panel of differentially methylated genes in normal and OSCC clinical samples from patients with heterogeneous risk profiles. This panel may be useful for early detection and cancer prevention studies.
US09328375B2
This blood analyzer includes a sample preparation portion preparing a first measurement sample containing a blood sample and a hemolytic agent and a second measurement sample containing the blood sample, the same hemolytic agent as the hemolytic agent and a staining agent and a control portion classifying white blood cells in the first measurement sample into at least four groups of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and others on the basis of fluorescent information and two types of scattered light information generated by a light information generation portion and classifying blood cells in the second measurement sample into at least malaria-infected red blood cells and others on the basis of fluorescent information and scattered light information generated by the light information generation portion.
US09328371B2
The present invention provides a sensor head for use in an implantable device that measures the concentration of an analyte in a biological fluid which includes: a non-conductive body; a working electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrode, wherein the electrodes pass through the non-conductive body forming an electrochemically reactive surface at one location on the body and forming an electronic connection at another location on the body, further wherein the electrochemically reactive surface of the counter electrode is greater than the surface area of the working electrode; and a multi-region membrane affixed to the nonconductive body and covering the working electrode, reference electrode and counter electrode. In addition, the present invention provides an implantable device including at least one of the sensor heads of the invention and methods of monitoring glucose levels in a host utilizing the implantable device of the invention.
US09328365B2
A process for producing a saccharified solution in an improved yield when filtering the mixture obtained by saccharifying lignocellulosic biomass is provided. A mixture containing a saccharified solution and an undecomposed biomass residue by treating a substrate biomass using a saccharification enzyme is obtained. The mixture is filtered to obtain the saccharified solution as a filtrate. Before filtering the mixture, 95% by mass or more of the particles, based on the total amount of particles contained in a centrifuged supernatant of the mixture, is adjusted to have a particle size ranging from 1 to 30 μm.
US09328355B2
The present invention relates to a Lactuca sativa seed designated 45-32 RZ, which exhibits a combination of traits including resistance to downy mildew (Bremia lactucae) races Bl:1 to Bl:18 and CA-I, CA-IIA, CA-IIB, CAIII, CA-IV, CA-V, CA-VI, CA-VII, CA-VIII, and resistance to currant-lettuce aphid (Nasonovia ribisnigri) biotype Nr:0, as well as a medium-sized head and slow to very slow bolting. The present invention also relates to a Lactuca sativa plant produced by growing the 45-32 RZ seed. The invention further relates to methods for producing the lettuce cultivar, represented by lettuce variety 45-32 RZ.
US09328341B2
Methods are provided for modulating the activity of multimeric ubiquitin-protein E3 ligases including, but not limited to, E6AP ligase activities. The methods reduce the level of oligomer formation such as homotrimeric E6AP ligase to reduce the enzyme activity. Alternatively, agents are provided that can promote the association of the ligase monomers, thereby increasing the ligase activity. Accordingly, novel therapeutic strategies are provided that are useful for the treatment of pathologies resulting from mutations in the genes encoding the ligases and which adversely increase or decrease a ubiquitination reaction.
US09328329B2
Methods are provided for treating and/or reducing the severity of multiple sclerosis in a human, by administering autologous mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural precursors. Also described is an in vitro method for differentiating mesenchymal stem-cell derived neural precursor oligodendroglial and neuronal cell types.
US09328327B2
A method for designing or replicating a human or animal organ in the form of a functional model includes providing previously recorded structural-geometric data of the organ or organ part to be replicated, selecting reconstruction materials for the organ or organ part, allocating the structural-geometric data to the individually selected reconstruction materials, and carrying out a layered assembly by the model by successively applying site-selective assembly methods for at least one part of the reconstruction materials on the basis of an associated data set.
US09328324B2
Described are devices, methods and systems for applying energy and/or a liquefaction promoting medium to a tissue of interest to generate a liquefied tissue sample. The liquefied tissue sample may be removed from the tissue of interest. Also described are compositions of the liquefaction promoting medium that may facilitate liquefaction, preserve liquefied tissue constituents, and/or enable delivery of molecules into tissues. The sample may include tissue constituents to provide for rapid tissue sampling, tissue decontamination as well as detection of analytes. One or more drugs may be delivered through or into the tissue of interest. Determination of tissue composition in the liquefied tissue sample can be used, e.g., for diagnosis or prognosis of diseases, evaluating bioavailability of therapeutic agents in different tissues following administration, forensic detection of drugs-of-abuse, evaluating changes in the tissue microenvironment following exposure to a harmful agent, and the like.
US09328319B2
An aqueous fabric care composition having perfume micro-capsules. The smell provided by the freshly formulated composition and the same composition after storage has a limited character and intensity change. The composition has from about 0 wt % to about 5 wt % of anionic surfactant, from about 0 wt % to about 3 wt % of cationic surfactant, from about 0 wt % to about 3 wt % of a non-ionic surfactant, from about 0.01 wt % to about 15 wt % of perfume micro-capsules and water.
US09328317B2
This invention is directed to a composition capable of imparting surface effects to a liquid by contacting the liquid with a partially fluorinated phosphate with an ammonium cation (NH2R1R2)+ wherein R1 and R2 are independently linear or branched organic groups containing at least one carboxylate moiety and one amino moiety, and optionally be substituted, interrupted, or both with oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen-containing moieties, or with cyclic alkyl or aryl moieties containing up to 10 carbon atoms.
US09328314B2
A method for the purification of lecithin, comprising the steps of: a. reducing the viscosity of lecithin to a viscosity of less than about 10 Pa·s; then b. mixing the lecithin with granulated active carbon; then c. separating the lecithin from the granulated active carbon and recover purified lecithin. Lecithin substantially free of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, and a food or feed product comprising said lecithin.
US09328312B2
Provided herein are methods of optimizing energy recovery from oilseeds. The methods disclosed provide at least the ability to swell oilseeds and disrupt the cell walls (hulls) without changing the functionality and quality of oil; the process integration of oil extraction and green coal production to maximize the energy recovery in the form of crude oil and green coal from oilseeds; and heat integration during processing stages including subcritical water pretreatment, oil extraction, and subcritical water carbonization to minimize the process heat requirement.
US09328305B2
Provided herein are processes for preparing estolides and estolide base oils from fatty acid reactants utilizing catalysts. Further provided herein are processes for preparing carboxylic esters from at least one carboxylic acid reactant and at least one olefin.
US09328303B2
A method is provided involving reducing a pressure drop across a hydroprocessing reactor having a reactor feed and producing a hydroprocessing product, where the reactor feed includes a bio-oil feed and a hydrocarbon diluent; and the step of reducing the pressure drop comprises stopping or substantially reducing the bio-oil feed supplied to the reactor and supplying the hydrocarbon diluent to the reactor with a mass flux of at least about 1,000 lb/hr/ft2.
US09328294B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting sulfur compounds in a hydrocarbon stream. The process can include feeding a hydrocarbon stream containing sulfur compounds to a prewash zone containing an alkali, withdrawing a prewashed hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone, and feeding the prewashed hydrocarbon stream to a mass transfer zone for extracting one or more thiol compounds from the prewashed hydrocarbon stream. Often, the mass transfer zone includes a hollow fiber membrane contactor.
US09328293B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a fluid catalytic cracking process. The process can include a reaction zone operating at conditions to facilitate olefin production and including at least one riser. The at least one riser can receive a first feed having a boiling point of about 180° to about 800° C., and a second feed having more than about 70%, by weight, of one or more C4+ olefins.
US09328292B2
A method for improving efficiency of sponge absorption includes providing cold flash drum liquid to an inlet of a cold stripper to produce a cold stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in liquid petroleum gas, and separately providing hot flash drum liquid to an inlet of a hot stripper to produce a hot stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in hydrogen. The cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to a sponge absorber to recover a liquid petroleum gas output stream using sponge oil. In particular, the cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to the sponge absorber at different tray locations.
US09328289B2
A liquid crystal element which comprises: a pair of substrates with electrodes, in which the substrates are arranged so as to face each other and at least one of the substrates is a transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal light adjusting layer which is disposed between the substrates and contains a composite containing a chiral nematic liquid crystal phase and a polymer resin phase, wherein the polymer resin phase contains a polymer compound having a specific repeating unit, and dielectric constant anisotropy of the chiral nematic liquid crystal phase is positive.
US09328281B2
A variety of methods and compositions are disclosed, including, in one embodiment a method a cementing in a subterranean formation comprising: providing a set-delayed cement composition comprising water, pumice, hydrated lime, and a set retarder; foaming the set-delayed cement composition; activating the set-delayed cement composition; introducing the set-delayed cement composition into a subterranean formation; and allowing the set-delayed cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Additional methods, foamed set-delayed cement composition, and systems for cementing are also provided.
US09328276B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for improving heat transfer of recirculating fluids within a system by introducing a ferrofluid in which iron oxide nanoparticles are suspended in a carrier fluid that is, in turn, added to a working fluid for increasing the heat capacity of the working fluid. The ferrofluid suspension can be prepared ex-situ and metered into the working fluid from a separate reservoir or may be prepared in-situ as needed through the use of an inline reactor. The ferrofluid can be introduced with other water treatment additives which are compatible with the colloidal suspension and monitored directly and/or indirectly for controlling the heat capacity performance of the system.
US09328266B2
A thermosetting polymer composite composition (such as thermosetting SMC composition) or a thermosetting adhesive composition containing reduced-volume hollow shape-memory alloy particles in the thermosetting polymer composite composition or adhesive composition experiences little or no volume loss during a curing at a temperature above the transformation temperature for the particles.
US09328254B2
There is provided with a silver ink composition which is formed by blending one or more kinds of silver β-ketocarboxylates selected from the group consisting of silver isobutyrylacetate, silver benzoylacetate, silver propionylacetate, silver acetoacetate, silver α-methylacetoacetate, and silver α-ethylacetoacetate, and an aliphatic primary or secondary amine having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a substrate with a surface on which a metallic silver layer which is formed by heating the silver ink composition is provided. According to the invention, it is possible to obtain a silver ink composition suitable for forming a metallic silver layer which has superior glossiness and specularity, and a substrate with a surface on which a metallic silver layer is formed using the silver ink composition.
US09328253B2
A method of making a conductive article includes providing a substrate having a surface with one or more micro-channels having a width of less than 12 μm. A composition is provided over the substrate and in the one or more micro-channels. The composition includes water and silver nanoparticles dispersed in the water and he weight percentage of silver in the composition is greater than 70% and the viscosity of the composition is in a range from 10 to 10,000 centipoise. The composition is removed from the surface of the substrate. The composition provided in the micro-channels is dried and converted to form one or more electrically conductive micro-wires.
US09328240B2
A composition comprises a first polycarbonate having a limited oxygen index of greater than 26% measured according to ISO 4589 on a 4 mm thick plaque, wherein an article molded from the first polycarbonate has a smoke density after 4 minutes (DS-4) of greater than 600 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque at 50 kW/m2; and a second polymer different from the first polycarbonate, the second polymer comprising a poly(carbonate-siloxane) copolymer, a polydialkylsiloxane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; wherein an article molded from the second polymer has a smoke density after 4 minutes (DS-4) of greater than 600 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque at 50 kW/m2; wherein an article molded from the composition has a smoke density after 4 minutes (DS-4) of smaller than 480 determined according to ISO 5659-2 on a 3 mm thick plaque at 50 kW/m2.
US09328238B2
The present disclosure relates to a wear resistant polymer composition. The disclosed composition comprises a polymer matrix and a tetrafluoroethylene polymer. Also disclosed is a method for making the disclosed polymer composition and an article of manufacture comprising the disclosed polymer composition.
US09328235B2
Disclosed are block copolymer formed by block-copolymerizing vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and conjugated diene compound and asphalt modifier composition including specific functional additives. Asphalt modifier composition according to the present invention is rapidly dissolved in asphalt without substantially lowering a softening point of asphalt, making it possible to form uniform asphalt composition and improve the productivity of the asphalt composition.
US09328233B2
A composition comprising: (I) 60 to 92.5 wt % of a first component which is a polypropylene polymer comprising a) 40 to 85 wt % of a propylene polymer A having a melt flow rate (MFR2) between 0.01 and 300 g/10 min, and b) 15 wt % or more of at least one propylene ethylene copolymer; and (II) 2.5 to 30 wt % of a second component comprising at least one ethylene alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer; and optionally (III) 5 to 25 wt % of at least one filler.
US09328224B2
A golf ball comprises a dynamically crosslinked thermoplastic material prepared by a method including: (a) partially crosslinking a rubber composition of a rubber polymer and two free radical initiators at a first crosslinking temperature to form a thermoplastic, partially crosslinked elastomer composition; (b) mixing a thermoplastic polymer composition with the thermoplastic, partially crosslinked rubber composition and heating the mixture to a second crosslinking temperature higher than the first crosslinking temperature and at which the thermoplastic polymer composition is liquid; and (c) continuously mixing the mixture while further crosslinking the rubber composition to form a thermoplastic material having a dispersed phase of crosslinked rubber composition in the thermoplastic polymer composition.
US09328209B2
A shape memory composite consisting of an electrospun non-woven fiber mat and an elastomeric resin matrix. The fiber mat is made from a semi-crystalline polymer, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and serves as the “switching phase” for shape fixing and recovery. The resin matrix, a crosslinked PDMS elastomer, imparts softness as well as entropic elasticity to the material. PCL is first electrospun from a chloroform/DMF solution. The resulting microfiber mat was then immersed in a two-part (base resin and crosslinking agent) mixture of Sylgard 184 with a vacuum applied to infiltrate the fiber mat with the mixture. The infiltrated fiber mat is then removed from the mixture and cured at room temperature for two days.
US09328207B2
A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles, wherein surface postcrosslinked water-absorbing polymer particles are remoisturized and classified, and wherein the time between remoisturization and classification is at least 15 minutes.
US09328205B2
A composition is capable of curing via condensation reaction. The composition uses a new condensation reaction catalyst. The new condensation reaction catalyst is used to replace conventional tin catalysts. The composition can react to form a gum, gel, rubber, or resin.
US09328202B1
A cured polycyanurate, thermoset resins, and methods of producing the same that will have both high thermal resistance as well as high hydrophobicity. Naturally occurring 5-alkylresorcinols and synthetic analogs can be made into cyanate ester. Composites made from these products will have greater durability against atmospheric water exposure. Applications include use in fiber-reinforced composite materials for lightweight, strong, and water-resistant aerospace components.
US09328200B2
Biocidal branched quaternary ammonium polymers are made by condensing a difunctional halide with a trifunctional tertiary amine and optionally with a difunctional amine. The branched quaternary ammonium polymers have 2-dimensional conformation that provides better coverage over the surfaces of microorganisms and enhances efficacy as biocides as compared to most commercially available linear (one-dimensional) quaternary ammonium polymers. The bulkier 2-dimensional conformation of this invention limits the uptake, accumulation and release of these branched polymers to and from contact lenses. Therefore, these branched quaternary ammonium polymers can reduce the cytotoxicity, enhance compatibility and suitable for ophthalmic use. The highly branched polymers can be prepared with minimum or no difunctional tertiary amines. The lightly branched polymers can be prepared with of a minimum ratio of trifunctional tertiary amines/difunctional tertiary amines.
US09328197B2
Disclosed are polycarbonate having high fluidity through inclusion of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol-substituted diphenol compound in a polycarbonate backbone and a method of preparing the same. The polycarbonate is polymerized by comprising a diphenol mixture and a carbonate precursor, the diphenol mixture comprising an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol-substituted diphenol compound according to Formula 1 and a bisphenol compound.
US09328196B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of polyricinoleic acid ester polyols having primary hydroxyl end groups. It furthermore relates to polyricinoleic acid ester polyols obtainable according to the invention and polyurethane polymers prepared using these polyols. The process comprises the steps: a) polycondensation of ricinoleic acid until a hydroxyl number of >0 mg of KOH/g to <60 mg of KOH/g is reached; and b) reaction of the product obtained in step a) or of a secondary product of the product obtained in step a) comprising carboxyl groups with an epoxide of the general formula (I), wherein R1 represents hydrogen, an alkyl radical or an aryl radical, with the proviso that >80% by weight to <100% by weight, based on the total amount of the epoxide (I) employed, is ethylene oxide and the reaction is carried out in the presence of an amine as the catalyst.
US09328190B2
Included are nylon and polyurethane urea compositions such as in the form of powders, beads and flock to be included in extruded and molded articles containing a thermoplastic resin such as nylon 12. The addition of the powders, beads or flock improve flexibility and shape retention of such molded articles, for example in eyewear frames.
US09328189B2
A method for polymerizing an aromatic multi-functional carbodiimide by contacting the aromatic multi-functional carbodiimide with a carboxylic acid salt at a temperature from 15° C. to 90° C.
US09328181B2
There is described a new disordered nanoporous crystalline form of syndiotactic polystyrene, characterized by a specific X-ray diffractrogram, the process for its preparation and various articles comprising this form of s-PS. This disordered nanoporous crystalline form exhibits empty crystalline cavities of nanometric sizes, and in this case performs the function of absorbing molecules with low molecular mass and is useful in particular as functionally active packaging for plant products.
US09328177B2
Provided is a method for operating a gas-phase, fluidized-bed reactor. The method has the steps of (a) receiving a signal from a probe in contact with the interior of the reactor or a process component in communication with the reactor, wherein the signal is derived from a physical property or condition within the reactor or the process component; (b) modifying the signal to create a modified signal; and (c) adjusting one or more operating parameters of the reactor in response to the modified signal if the physical property or condition is different than a desired value. There is also a method for reducing fouling in a distributor plate of a gas-phase, fluidized-bed reactor with a recycle line.
US09328159B2
The present invention features compositions and methods featuring ALT-803, a complex of an interleukin-15 (IL-15) superagonist mutant and a dimeric IL-15 receptor α/Fc fusion protein useful for enhancing an immune response against a neoplasia (e.g., multiple myeloma, melanoma, lymphoma) or a viral infection (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus).
US09328155B2
The invention relates to a novel epitope on P2X7 receptors, to antibodies for binding to the epitope and to peptides for generating the antibodies.
US09328151B2
The present invention relates to a Vibrio harveyi-specific binding Dscam of shrimps, a method for identification thereof and a use thereof. Primarily, Dscam cDNAs are prepared from V. harveyi-challenged shrimps. A database is established with various Dscam isoforms therein by means of numerous cloning and sequencing. After a phylogenetic analysis, a plurality of candidate Dscam isoforms is selected. Each recombinant protein of candidate Dscam isoforms is expressed through an expression system. Finally, the binding affinity between V. harveyi and each recombinant protein of candidate Dscam isoforms is measured to further selection of a V. harveyi-specific binding Dscam and the amino acid sequence thereof. Accordingly, the Dscam can be specifically binding to V. harveyi for eliminating or reducing V. harveyi.
US09328150B2
The inventive subject matter relates to a recombinant polypeptide construct comprising enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli fimbrial subunits. The recombinant polypeptide constructs comprise multiple subunits to the same or different ETEC fimbrial types. The constructs are useful for inclusion in immunogenic formulations for the inductin of immunity against entertoxigenic Escherichia coli. The inventive subject matter also relates to the use of the recombinant polypeptide constructs in induce anti-enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.
US09328137B2
There is provided a hydrogel-forming material from which a hydrogel can be formed with a simpler method and under milder conditions. A hydrogel-forming material comprising a lipid peptide-type gelator that is formed of at least one selected from compound of the following formula (1): where R1 is a C9-23 aliphatic group; R2 is a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group which optionally has a C1-2 branched chain; R3 is a —(CH2)n—X group; n is a number from 1 to 4; and X is an amino group, a guanidino group, a —CONH2 group, or a 5-membered ring group or a 6-membered ring group, or a condensed ring group that contains a 5-membered ring and a 6-membered ring, optionally containing 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms, and the similar compounds or pharmaceutically usable salts thereof; water; and an additive including either an organic acid or an organic acid salt.
US09328133B2
The present invention discloses a novel form of ferric organic compounds, including a form of ferric citrate, which are soluble over a wider range of pH, and which have a large active surface area. The ferric organic compounds of the present invention can be delivered effectively by oral route with better delivery to treat patients suffering from hyperphosphatemia, metabolic acidosis and other disorders responsive to ferric organic compound therapy.
US09328131B2
The present invention relates to compounds of general formula (I) and the tautomers and the salts thereof, particularly the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids and bases, which have valuable pharmacological properties, particularly an inhibitory effect on epithelial sodium channels, the use thereof for the treatment of diseases, particularly diseases of the lungs and airways.
US09328121B1
The fused heterocyclic compound represented by formula (1) has excellent effectiveness in pest control. In the formula (1), J represents formula J1, J2, J3, J4, J5 or J6; A1; A2; A3; A4; A5; B1; B2; B4; B5; and B6 each represent a nitrogen atom, etc.; B3 represents NR15, etc.; R1 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group, etc., optionally substituted with one or more atoms or groups selected from group X; the pairs R2 and R3 and R5 and R6 are the same or different, and represent a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group, etc., optionally substituted with one or more atoms or groups selected from group X; R4 represents a C1-C6 chain hydrocarbon group, etc., optionally substituted with one or more atoms or groups selected from group W; and n represents 0, 1, or 2.
US09328118B2
[Problem] On the basis of a cathepsin S inhibitory effect, an excellent agent for treating or preventing autoimmune disease, allergic disease, graft rejection of an organ, bone marrow or tissue, systemic lupus erythematosus, or the like is provided.[Means for Solution] It was found that a nitrogen-containing bicyclic heterocyclic compound has the excellent cathepsin S inhibitory effect, thereby completing the invention. The compound of the present invention has the cathepsin S inhibitory effect, and can be used as an agent for preventing and/or treating autoimmune disease, allergic disease, graft rejection of an organ, bone marrow or tissue, systemic lupus erythematosus, or the like.
US09328109B2
Process for the preparation of a benzohetero-[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with brominated heteroaryl groups which comprises reacting at least one dihalogenated benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound with at least one brominated heteroaryl compound. Said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with brominated heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the synthesis of compounds useful in the construction of solar concentrators (LSCs—“Luminescent Solar Concentrators”). Furthermore, said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with brominated heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used in the synthesis of photoactive polymers useful in the construction of photovoltaic devices (or solar devices) such as, for example, photovoltaic cells (or solar cells), photovoltaic modules (or solar modules), on both rigid or flexible supports. Furthermore, said benzohetero[1,3]diazole compound disubstituted with brominated heteroaryl groups can be advantageously used as precursor of monomeric units in the synthesis of semiconductor polymers.
US09328103B2
The present invention is directed to novel compounds of Formula I. The compounds of the present invention are potent tyrosine kinase modulators, and are suitable for the treatment and prevention of diseases and conditions related to abnormal activities of tyrosine kinase receptors.
US09328099B2
The instant invention provides compounds of formula I which are JAK inhibitors, and as such are useful for the treatment of JAK-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD and cancer.
US09328098B2
To provide a new bipolar organic compound. In particular, to provide a bipolar organic compound having excellent heat resistance and to provide a bipolar organic compound which is electrochemically stable. Further, to provide a light emitting element and a light emitting device of which a driving voltage and power consumption are reduced by using a new bipolar organic compound. Further, to provide a light emitting element and a light emitting device which have excellent heat resistance by using a new bipolar organic compound. Further, to provide a light emitting element and a light emitting device which have a long life by using a new bipolar organic compound.
US09328094B2
Some substituted biaryl ring systems may be useful in light-emitting devices, such as those comprising a light-emitting diode. For example, substituted bipyridinyl or substituted phenylpyridinyl may be useful in these devices. The substituted biaryl ring system may have at least two different substituents, including one on each ring on the biaryl system. The first substituent may include optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine, optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl, and optionally substituted carbazolylphenyl. The second substituent may include optionally substituted benzimidazol-2-yl, optionally substituted benzoxazol-2-yl, and an optionally substituted benzothiazol-2-yl.
US09328092B2
The present invention relates to novel acrylamide compounds of formula (I): wherein A, X, R1, and Y are as defined herein, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and process of their preparation. The compounds of formula (I) are useful in the treatment of various disorders that related to Histamine H3 receptors.
US09328087B2
Methods of preparing a class of oxazolidinones useful to impede bacterial growth are disclosed.
US09328083B2
The present invention belongs to the field of natural medicine and pharmaceutical chemistry, and specifically relates to novel 2-aminated methylene or 2-esterified methylene tanshinone I derivatives of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a process for the preparation of these compounds, compositions containing such compounds and their use in preparing antineoplastic medicaments. When X is nitrogen, formula I indicates 2-aminated methylene tanshinone I; when X is oxygen, formula I indicates 2-esterified methylene tanshinone I.
US09328082B2
The invention provides oxaspiro[2.5]octane derivatives and analogs, methods for preparation thereof, intermediates thereto, pharmaceutical compositions, and uses thereof in the treatment of various disorders and conditions, such as overweight and obesity.
US09328081B2
Chemical entities that are curcumin derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment of cancer are described.
US09328073B2
The invention described herein pertains to substituted indenoisoquinoline compounds as described herein, wherein RA, RD, W, X and Y are defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising the indenoisoquinoline compounds, their synthesis, and methods for their use in the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.
US09328072B2
The present invention relates to compounds defined by formula I wherein the variables R1, R2, R3, R4, and m are defined as in claim 1, possessing valuable pharmacological activity. Particularly, the compounds are inhibitors of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) 1 and thus are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by inhibition of this enzyme, such as metabolic diseases, in particular diabetes type 2, obesity, and dyslipidemia.
US09328062B2
The invention provides an imide compound represented by the following Formula (1) and an insecticide including the imide compound: wherein, each of A1, A2, A3, and A4 represents a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, or an oxidized nitrogen atom; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may be substituted, or a C2-C4 alkylcarbonyl group which may be substituted; each of G1 and G2 independently represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; each X may be the same as or different from one another and represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a C1-C3 alkyl group, or a trifluoromethyl group; n represents an integer from 0 to 4; and each of Q1 and Q2 represents a phenyl group, naphthyl group, or a heterocyclic group, each of which may be substituted.
US09328061B2
The present invention provides organic molecules and methods thereof for reactions between organoboron reagents and double bonds, such as imines or carbonyls, to stereoselectively provide chiral products including amines and alcohols, entities useful for the preparation of biologically active molecules.
US09328056B2
A method for preparing a carbonic ester includes reacting carbon dioxide and a C1 to C10 alcohol with an organometallic compound represented by Formula 1. With the method, carbonic ester can be prepared in high yield without recycling the organometallic compound. M(OR1)4 [Formula 1] wherein M is a Group IV or Group XIV element and each R1 is independently a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon group.
US09328043B2
The present invention relates, in part, an improved process for the production of certain hydrofluoroolefins, particularly 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf). In certain non-limiting embodiments, the invention relates to methods for improving process efficiency during the fluorination of 1,1,2,3-tetrachloropropene, 2,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene, and/or 1,1,1,2,3-pentachloropropane to 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene by separating and recycling unreacted HF, unreacted starting materials, and/or certain process intermediates from the 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene product stream.
US09328039B2
Selective hydrogenation of a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon feed containing at least 2 carbon atoms per molecule and having an end point of 250° C. or less, by contacting said feed with a catalyst having an active phase of at least one metal from group VIII deposited on a support formed by at least one oxide, said catalyst being prepared using a process involving at least: i) contacting said support with at least one solution containing at least one precursor of metal from group VIII; ii) contacting said support with at least one organic compound formed from at least one cyclic oligosaccharide composed of at least 6 α-(1,4)-bonded glucopyranose subunits; iii) calcining to obtain metal from group VIII in oxide form; i) and ii) possibly being carried out separately, in any order, or simultaneously.
US09328016B2
Scratch-resistant glass substrates including a hard, scratch-resistant layer over a major surface of the substrate are disclosed. The layer may exhibit a hardness, as measured using a Berkovich indenter, of at least 10 GPa and an x-ray amorphous structure along at least a portion of the thickness of the layer. The layer may optionally exhibit an optical transparency of at least 70% and/or a compressive stress of at least 10 MPa.
US09328003B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for separating metals from a liquid medium, the method uses a copolymer derived from at least two monomers: acrylic-x and an alkylamine, wherein said polymer is modified to contain a functional group capable of scavenging one or more compositions containing one or more metals are disclosed. The treated liquid is then passed through a filtration system. The scavenging effect of the combination of the treatment with the filtration is unexpectedly greater than the sum of its parts.
US09328002B2
A discharge unit includes an alternating high-voltage generator, a pair of electrodes in water, the pair being configured to receive a voltage from the high-voltage generator, and an insulating divider configured to separate the pair of electrodes from each other in the water, and having a small discharge hole defining a path of current to flow between the pair of electrodes. The voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes to generate an electric discharge in the discharge hole.
US09327996B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery, having excellent tap density, at excellent production efficiency, and a positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery. The method for producing a positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery including a step of conducting a main firing after increasing mass percent of all metals in lithium-containing carbonate by 1% to 105% compared to the mass percent of all metals before a preliminary firing, by conducting the step of a preliminary firing to the lithium-containing carbonate, which is a precursor for positive electrode active material for lithium ion battery, with a rotary kiln.
US09327993B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing nanoparticles at least partially consisting of rare earth fluoride, characterized in that said fluoride is produced, in a solution, from a salt of the corresponding rare earth element and from a charge-transfer complex of formula (I), where Ra, Rb, and Rc are as defined in claim 1.
US09327992B2
A pigment particle composition which comprises calcium carbonate particles and pigment particles, its method of manufacture and its use. According to the present invention, the calcium carbonate particles are carbonated so that they bind to each other, in which case calcium carbonate structures are generated, which comprise pigment particles and which form essentially opaque and stable pigment-calcium carbonate aggregates. It is possible to manufacture the composition by atomizing calcium hydroxide-bearing pigment slurry into a carbon dioxide-bearing gas, in which case the calcium hydroxide is carbonated in order to precipitate the calcium hydroxide particles to be attached to each other and the carbonation is continued until essentially all of the calcium hydroxide has been converted into calcium carbonate. The composition is suitable for use, among others, in paints, coating materials, fillers, polymers and printing inks.
US09327987B2
The invention describes a process for removing nonmetallic impurities from metallurgical silicon. A melt is produced from metallurgical silicon and halide-containing silicon. As a result, the impurities are sublimed out and removed from the melt in the form of nonmetal halides. Compared with the known process, in which gaseous halogen is blown through an Si melt, the novel process can be carried out in a particularly simple and efficient manner.
US09327973B1
Embodiments of apparatuses and methods for reforming of hydrocarbons including recovery of products are provided. In one example, a method comprises separating a reforming-zone effluent into a net gas phase stream and a liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The net gas phase stream is separated for forming an H2-rich stream and a first intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream. The H2-rich stream is contacted with an adsorbent to form an H2-ultra rich stream and a PSA tail gas stream. The PSA tail gas stream and at least a portion of the liquid phase hydrocarbon stream are cooled and contacted with each other to form a H2, C2− hydrocarbons-containing gas stream and a cooled second intermediate liquid phase hydrocarbon stream.
US09327970B2
A synthesis gas and nanocarbon production method has a lower hydrocarbon decomposition step for decomposing lower hydrocarbon to produce hydrogen and nanocarbon, a carbon dioxide reduction step for reacting a part of the nanocarbon produced with carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide, and a mixing step for mixing the hydrogen and carbon monoxide produced in a predetermined ratio, thereby nanocarbon and a synthesis gas having a desired gas ratio can be simultaneously produced easily.
US09327963B2
An encapsulation structure comprising at least: a hermetically sealed cavity in which a micro-device is encapsulated, a substrate of which one face delimits one side of the cavity, at least two trenches formed through said face of the substrate, the interior volumes of each of the trenches communicating together, first portions of getter material covering at least in part side walls of the trenches without entirely filling the trenches, and completely covering the trenches at said face of the substrate, an opening formed through one of the first portions of getter material or through the substrate and making the interior volumes of the trenches communicate with an interior volume of the cavity.
US09327962B2
A micromechanical structure of a MEMS device, integrated in a die of semiconductor material provided with a substrate and having at least a first axis of symmetry lying in a horizontal plane, has a stator structure, which is fixed with respect to the substrate, and a rotor structure, having a suspended mass, mobile with respect to the substrate and to the stator structure as a result of an external action, the stator structure having fixed sensing electrodes capacitively coupled to the rotor structure; a compensation structure is integrated in the die for compensation of thermo-mechanical strains. The compensation structure has stator compensation electrodes, which are fixed with respect to the substrate, are capacitively coupled to the rotor structure, and are arranged symmetrically to the fixed sensing electrodes with respect to the first axis of symmetry.
US09327961B2
The present invention relates to the field of electrodynamic speakers. Particularly, the present invention relates to an electrodynamic speaker structure having MEMS technology. More particularly, the invention relates to such a structure comprising stator-forming means, diaphragm-forming means, and resiliently shape-changing means for connecting such means.
US09327960B2
A volume sensing beverage container cap system for a beverage container including a cap that couples with the beverage container, a processor, flexible seal valve with a slit, handle, timer and an inclinometer. The inclinometer detects a tilt angle of the container when the container is tilted, and when tilted at the detected tilt angle, the timer measures an amount of time the container is tilted, and the processor determines a volume of fluid dispensed from the container based on the tilt angle and the amount of time the container is tilted. The handle rotatably couples with the cap and moves from a first closed position, to a second carrying position, and to a third open position. In the first closed position, the handle moves to cover the slit of flexible seal valve, and in the second carrying position and the third open position the handle uncovers the slit.
US09327943B2
A stairwell lift installed in or nearby a stairwell connecting in between upstairs and downstairs includes at least two supporting columns, a passenger space, at least two sliding portions, and at least one driving mechanism. Each supporting column has a column top portion and a column bottom portion, wherein the two column bottom portions are oppositely disposed on a space in or nearby the stairwell. The passenger space is disposed between the two supporting columns. Each sliding portion is respectively fixed on a side of the passenger space and encased each supporting column. The driving mechanism is disposed above the top of two supporting columns for driving the passenger space along the supporting columns up to the upstairs or down to the downstairs.
US09327942B2
An elevator rope sway detection method and a detection device using the same capable of detecting an elevator rope sway, generated by a building shake caused by an earthquake or strong wind, with high accuracy by preventing incorrect detections in detecting the elevator rope sway. A rope detector including a rope sway detector sends detection information detected by the rope detector to a rope determiner. A rope sway determination mechanism includes a detection signal memorization unit, a detection signal calculation unit, and a rope sway determination unit to determine that a rope sway occurs if the detection information sent from the rope detector fulfills a predetermined condition. A result determined by the rope sway determination unit is sent to an elevator controller, which performs an operation corresponding to the determined result.
US09327941B2
An elevator installation includes a cage, a counterweight, a drive and at least one support element. The cage and the counterweight are supported by the support element, which is driven by the drive to move the cage and the counterweight in opposite directions. The support element includes at least one test element, wherein the test element is contacted by at least one contacting device and connected with a measuring device so that an electrical resistance of the test element is determinable by the measuring device, wherein the electrical resistance of the test element changes due to stretching of the test element so that through measurement of the electrical resistance of the test element at least one of the following states of the elevator installation is ascertainable: loading of the cage, a slack support element, a tension difference between at least two support elements and damage of the support element.
US09327936B2
Provided is a sheet folding device including a folding roll that is rotatably provided and includes a large diameter portion of which a diameter is greater than a diameter of another portion, and performs a folding process while pressing the large diameter portion onto a sheet, and a contact portion displacement unit that makes a position of a contact portion that is a portion coming into contact with the large diameter portion in the sheet when the sheet on which the folding process has been performed by the folding roll passes through the folding roll again different from a position of the contact portion when the sheet passes through the folding roll for the last time.
US09327933B2
A device for conveying a spring string (31) has a first spring conveyor (3) and a second spring conveyor (4). By means of a sensor device, in operation, lengths of a plurality of segments of the spring string differing from one another are detected, while the spring string (31) is guided past a sensor (5) of the sensor device arranged in the conveying direction upstream of the second spring conveyor (4). A control device (9) is provided which sets, in an operating state of the device (1) in which both the first spring conveyor (3) and the second spring conveyor (4) convey the spring string (31), time-sequentially a plurality of relative conveying speeds between a conveying speed of the second spring conveyor (4) and a conveying speed of the first spring conveyor (3), depending on the detected lengths.
US09327928B2
The present disclosure discloses a media transition unit for altering orientation and/or direction of travel of media that defines a first edge and a second edge, which is shorter than the first edge. The media transition unit includes a first module having a first sensor and a first conveyor belt, and a second module having a second sensor and a second conveyor belt. The first module receives the media traveling along a first direction perpendicular to the first edge. The received media is detected by the first sensor that prompts the first conveyor belt to transport the media at a first speed in a second direction perpendicular to the second edge. Upon detecting the media adjacent to the second module, the second sensor prompts the second conveyor belt to transport the media at a second speed along the second direction. The second speed exceeds the first speed.
US09327919B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for conveying powder. A container is provided for the powder, where the powder defines a surface in the container. A suction means has a suction opening for sucking in the powder from the surface. A moving means serves for producing a relative movement between the suction opening and the surface of the powder. During the relative movement, the powder is sucked in, a speed of the relative movement being variable in such a way that there is a constant mass flow.
US09327911B2
A bulk feeder including a storage section storing multiple electronic components in a loose state and a supply passage guiding the electronic components stored in that storage section to an electronic component supply position while arranged in a single line. The supply path, as well as arranging electronic components stored in the storage section in a single line by relying on magnetic force of permanent magnets, includes a magnetic force dependent supply passage for indexing from the storage section, and an air pressure dependent supply passage indexing electronic components indexed from the magnetic force dependent supply passage to the supply position by relying on positive pressure or negative pressure air blown from air passages. By combining the appropriate advantages of magnetic force and air pressure respectively, it is possible to perform supply of electronic components ideally and practicality of the bulk feeder is improved.
US09327910B2
A reciprocating assembly for applying vapor steam to the surface of a multi-width conveyor belt, having a frame to support the belt, to clean and sanitize the conveyor belt, includes, a housing having two ends, with the housing enclosing an endless chain member positioned within the housing and powered by a motor member, with the chain member having a cam member extending outwardly from the endless chain, a reciprocating block member supports a nozzle, with the block member having a cam guide notch structurally arranged to be engaged by the cam member extending from the endless chain member. The housing ends are engageable with vertical housing supports to mount the assembly to the conveyor belt frame to predeterminely control the reciprocating movement of the nozzle between the edges of the conveyor belt.
US09327904B2
A method for resorting piece goods assortments and in particular packaging unit assortments, includes the steps of supplying a first type of piece goods to a redistribution unit; supplying a second type of piece goods, which is different from the first type, to the redistribution unit; and picking up individual piece goods or groups of piece goods using a pick-up element of the redistribution unit, wherein the pick-up element picks up both piece goods of the first type and also piece goods of the second type and deposits these piece goods in such a way that a piece goods assortment consisting of piece goods of the first type and piece goods of the second type is formed.
US09327899B2
An aerosol container (1) comprising a body (50) and cone (60) and encasing a composite spout (30) and bag (40) combination. The composite spout (30) has a metal tubular section (10), adapted to accommodate a valve arrangement (70, 75) and a polymer fishtail section (20), adapted to form a leak-proof seal with the bag (40). A product is filled into the bag (40) and propellant is filled into the sealed chamber defined between the outside of the bag (40) and the internal surface of the body (50)/cone (60).
US09327898B2
A method and product for producing a soft sounding aerosol spray from a particulate suspension, said method and product involving a spray channel having an exit orifice of internal diameter of from 0.5 to 0.8 mm and a terminal section leading to the exit orifice of internal diameter from 0.5 to 0.8 mm for a length of 5 mm or greater, the terminal section of the spray channel including the exit orifice having a tubular internal surface free from obstacle.
US09327891B2
Disclosed is a tamper resistant blister pack having a paperboard assembly attached to, and surrounding, at least a part of a flange on the blister (window element). An upper ply of the assembly is attached to an upper side of the flange. Additionally, although in some instances not necessary, a lower ply is attached to the lower side of the flange. The plies of the assembly have a paperboard layer, an upper film layer laminated to an upper side of the paperboard layer and a lower film layer laminated to a lower side of the paperboard layer. These layers and their attachment to the blister provide tear resistance without crisscrossing film orientation. Methods of making the pack are also disclosed.
US09327890B1
A bottle stacker is disclosed for vertically stacking two or more narrow neck bottles. The bottle stacker may include a body having at least one sidewall separating a top surface from a bottom surface. At least one bottom recess may be defined in the bottom surface that is adapted to engage a top surface of a lower bottle to be stacked. At least one opposing top recess may be defined in the top surface that is adapted to engage a bottom surface of an upper bottle to be stacked. At least one through hole may connect the at least one bottom recess and the at least one top recess together in which a neck of the lower bottle to be stacked is inserted. At least one pair of opposing mating members may be on the at least one sidewall.
US09327887B2
A delivery receptacle for receiving objects (such as parcels, mail or other deliveries) deposited into the receptacle at residences or other building and locations, and securing the objects within the receptacle from unauthorized access. The receptacle has an input opening and a lid which can be moved between an open position which provides access to the input opening and a closed position which covers the input opening. The receptacle has a locking mechanism which may configured for any one of a plurality of operating modes, including a single-delivery mode which does not require an access code to the lid automatically locks after the delivery and a multi-delivery mode which requires the entry of a security code into a code-operated device to unlock the lid, open the lid, place the delivery into the receptacle, and close the lid which automatically locks closed.
US09327881B1
An All-In-One Lid Dispenser contains condiments and additives to be added to a beverage or food container. Raised sections on the top panel of the lid are depressed by the consumer which causes punches to separate the dispensing flaps from the bottom panel. The condiments or additives which are contained in between the top and bottom panels flow through the dispensing flap holes into the beverage or food.
US09327872B2
A product container includes a top portion defining an opening, a bottom portion defining a base, and a central portion including a plurality of sidewalls extending between the top and bottom portions. Three of the sidewalls include discrete planar facets that collectively define a narrowed waist portion, at which the product container has smaller dimensions or a smaller cross sectional area compared to the top portion and the bottom portion. The narrowed waist portion is configured to be gripped by a user for lifting the product container (even when wearing gloves), and a flat product label may also be placed on the product container at the narrowed waist portion. The narrowed waist portion provides a natural gripping location as well as clearance between abutting product containers when multiple abutting product containers are located on a shelf.
US09327861B2
A plastic container has a mouth region and a main body adjoining the mouth region in a longitudinal direction (L) of the plastic container. The main body has a peripheral wall extending around in a circumferential direction of the plastic container. A container base adjoining the main body has a central region and a plurality of reinforcing ribs which, starting from the central region, extend in the direction of the circumferential wall. A stepped portion extending at least partially in the circumferential region of the plastic container is provided in a circumferential region of the container base which extends in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal direction (L), wherein a vertical position of this stepped portion varies in the longitudinal direction (L).
US09327860B2
A preform 20 for a large container, used for producing a large container which is made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin and which is formed by stretch blow molding, is formed by injecting molding to have a wall thickness of 6 mm to 9 mm and have a longitudinal axis length longer than that of the large container which is a final molded product.
US09327848B2
A shield comprised of carbon nanotube materials is used to provide a level of protection to a spacecraft. Shield segments are produced in a facility in space. The segments are transported from the facility to a vicinity of a spacecraft hull. The segments are assembled over the hull to substantially cover an area of the hull.
US09327834B2
Overhead bin assembly for transport vehicles (e.g., transport category aircraft) are provided with a generally U-shaped bin shell having a bottom wall, an outboard end wall and an upper wall defining an interior stowage space having an inboard opening opposite the end wall. A pair of separated transverse bin supports defining a bin space therebetween may be provided along with a bin door for closing the inboard opening. A cantilever hinge may be provided so as to connect the bin door to the transverse bin support in a cantilever manner to allow for pivotal movement of the bin door between closed and open positions relative to the inboard opening. An arcuate recessed wall may be positioned inboard relative to the upper wall of the bin shell (e.g., as a unitary (one-piece) extension thereof) such that the bin door is received within the recessed wall when in the open position thereof.
US09327822B1
The present invention provides an aircraft having variable airframe geometry for accommodating efficient flight. The aircraft includes an elongated fuselage, an oblique wing pivotally connected with said fuselage, a wing pivoting mechanism connected with said oblique wing and said fuselage, and a brace operably connected between said oblique wing and said fuselage. The present invention also provides an aircraft having an elongated fuselage, an oblique wing pivotally connected with said fuselage, a wing pivoting mechanism connected with said oblique wing and said fuselage, a propulsion system pivotally connected with said oblique wing, and a brace operably connected between said propulsion system and said fuselage.
US09327814B2
A joint is provided for a double bladed paddle which allows for the angle between the blades to be adjusted relative to one another. The joint is formed from joining a female body recessed into a first shaft with a male body extending from a second shaft. The female body encloses a spring mechanism abutted by teeth of a crown with receiving grooves. The male body has protuberances which fit within the receiving grooves leading to the spring mechanism which when pushed in by the male body allows the protuberances to move past the receiving grooves and rotate to slot into the pockets formed between the teeth of the crown.
US09327811B2
A marine vessel comprising: at least one buoyant tubular foil; and at least one baffle plate positioned about the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil so as to protrude into the flow of water passing by the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil, whereby to create a high-pressure zone fore of the at least one baffle plate and a low-pressure zone immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate, whereby to create a dense stream of supercavitated water immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate.
US09327807B1
A transparent and buoyant aquatic recreation board is provided. The board includes an elongated buoyant body having front and rear ends and upper and lower surfaces extending between the front and rear ends. The body is constructed of a substantially transparent material. A support frame is disposed within the body and provides support to the body against collapsing. The support frame has a main spar extending between the front and the rear ends of the body, a first plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a first longitudinal side of the main spar at spaced intervals, and a second plurality of transverse spars extending laterally outward from a second longitudinal side of the main spar at spaced intervals.
US09327806B2
Provided is an arctic drill ship in which a weather tight structure protecting a drill floor and a drilling work area from outside air is coupled to a side strake around the drilling work area. It is possible to economically and easily manufacture the weather tight structure which minimizes the influence of outside air on the drilling operation in the polar regions, and it is possible to efficiently support the hull longitudinal strength and the weather tight structure with the use of the side strake structure solely. Therefore, a structure which may cause a disturbance in the drilling work area is minimized, and it is unnecessary to install a separate structural reinforcement part for a drilling workspace in the polar regions. In addition, the drilling workspace in the polar regions can be effectively ensured, and a spatial limitation in an upper portion of a moonpool can be solved.
US09327801B2
A battery-assisted bicycle includes a driving unit that accurately detects a failure in each of a torque detector, a crank rotation detector, and a motor rotation detector. The driving unit includes a crankshaft to which pedals are to be connected, a motor rotation detector that detects rotation of an electric motor, a torque detector that detects a torque generated at the crankshaft, a crank rotation detector that detects rotation of the crankshaft, and a sensor failure detector that detects a failure in at least one of the motor rotation detector, the torque detector, and the crank rotation detector based on detection results from the motor rotation detector, the torque detector, and the crank rotation detector.
US09327796B2
A scooter having shock-absorbing members mounted on the front and rear sides of the scooter, thereby allowing a quick recovery when changing directions while riding or when riding over an obstacle on the road, and minimizing an impact transmitted along the road surface during running and a fatigue transmitted to a user even in long term riding.
US09327792B2
A transmission system for vehicles, including bicycles, is disclosed. The system aligns a chain or other drive means to a center of each of a plurality of provided sprockets, allows for a smaller, lighter and more durable shifter/controller, and reduces various complications associated with cable slack and shifting. A derailleur is provided with linear actuated features to directly translate drive means from one position to another along a desired path.
US09327782B2
A fifth wheel includes a top plate having a throat that is adapted to receive a kingpin of a trailer. The fifth wheel is equipped with a locking mechanism including a jaw slidably connected to the top plate and slidable between a closed position where the jaw blocks passage of a kingpin out of the throat of the fifth wheel and an open position where a kingpin may pass into and out of the throat of the fifth wheel. The jaw has an edge adapted to engage a kingpin positioned in the throat of the fifth wheel when the jaw is in the closed position. A bias device urges the jaw towards the closed position. The fifth wheel further includes a mechanism for moving the jaw between the open and closed positions. Further, the top plate of the fifth wheel is configured to allow service and/or replacement of the jaw from the top of the fifth wheel while it is assembled to a vehicle.
US09327780B1
A center deflector for a front bumper of a truck or tractor vehicle includes a thickened portion extending upward from the inner deflector surface and extends laterally across a deflector section, preferably spanning substantially an entire width of the deflector section thereof. The thickened portion comprises a cross-sectional shape having a height that gradually declines from an intermediate maximum height to a reduced height along a rear edge thereof, and preferably resembles an airfoil. The thickened portion may include a hollow interior containing a pressurized gas.
US09327779B1
A removable front spoiler for a vehicle includes a body member, a fastener and a clip. The body member has a shape configured to disrupt airflow, the body member including a horizontal mounting member extending in a car forward direction and being configured to mount directly to an underside of a vehicle body part, and a vertical wind deflection member adjacent the horizontal mounting member and being configured to face in a direction away from the vehicle body part. The horizontal mounting member includes an opening extending through the horizontal mounting member. The fastener is configured to extend in a vertical direction through the opening and into the vehicle body part. The clip is configured to couple to the fastener so as to couple the body member to the vehicle body part.
US09327778B2
A motor vehicle (1) has a device (5) that projects into the wheel house (3) to reduce the flow of air into the wheel house (3) while the motor vehicle (1) is moving. The device (5) may extend from an underbody panel (4) of the motor vehicle (1) and may be pivotable about a longitudinal axis (6) of the motor vehicle (1) on a side of the underbody panel (4) that faces the wheel house (3). Alternatively, the device (5) is connected to a chassis component (7) of a wheel (2) arranged within the wheel house (3).
US09327776B2
A rear spoiler device (10) for a vehicle (1) has at least one rear door (8, 9), wherein the rear spoiler device (10) has at least one side spoiler (16, 17) with at least one side air guide element (32), which can be moved between a driving position for contour extension and aerodynamic air guidance when the rear door (8, 9) is closed, and a base position when the rear door (8, 9) is open. The side spoiler (16, 17) furthermore has a swing arm (30) with a first pivot joint (31) for pivotable fixation to the rear door (8, 9), the side air guide element (32) is mounted pivotably on the swing arm (30) via at least one second pivot joint (34), and the side air guide element (32) has a locking arrangement on its front end region (32a) for releasable and lockable fixation to the truck (1).
US09327771B2
An adjustable vehicle tailgate device adjusts to multiple positions including pivoting both outwardly and inwardly to lay flat within the vehicle bed. The device includes a vehicle having a bed defined by a bottom wall and a pair of spaced sidewalls. A tailgate has a pair of opposite ends. Each of a pair of hinge pins extends from an associated opposite end of the tailgate proximate a bottom of the tailgate such that the tailgate is pivotable between the sidewalls. Each of a pair of latch pins extends from an associated opposite end of the tailgate proximate a top of the tailgate. Each latch pin engages an associated sidewall holding the tailgate in a static position. Each of the opposite ends of the tailgate is positioned in spaced relationship to an associated one of the sidewalls wherein the tailgate is pivotable inwardly towards the bed.
US09327766B2
A pin assembly for a retractable pin mechanism of a slider box of a heavy-duty vehicle includes a pin guide attached to the slider box. A pin is connected to a retraction mechanism and engages the pin guide. The pin includes an integral inboard and outboard stop. The integral inboard and outboard stops of the pin limit movement of the pin with respect to the pin guide and serve as a positive stop for the pin during retraction and extension of the pin when the retraction mechanism is activated or deactivated by the operator of the vehicle.
US09327759B2
In a control unit, a control part is operated by electric power from an ignition power supply, and controls operations of relays and inverters. A first end of a boosting part is electrically connected between at least one relay and a corresponding inverter. A second end of the boosting part is electrically connected to the control part. The boosting part boosts a voltage at the first end, and outputs the voltage boosted from the second end. An abnormality detecting portion detects an abnormality of the boosting part. When the abnormality detecting portion detects an abnormality of the boosting part, the control part controls the at least one relay to which the first end of the boosting part is connected to shut off a flow of electric power from a main power supply to the boosting part and to the inverter corresponding to the at least one relay.
US09327753B2
A wheel assembly includes a bottom base fixed with an axle, a wheel assembled to a bottom end of the bottom base, and a mounting base fixed with a mounting sleeve. The axle protrudes out of a top end of the bottom base, and is inserted into the mounting sleeve to assemble the bottom base to the mounting base. A resilient buffering member is sleeved on the axle and is clamped between the mounting sleeve and the bottom base. The resilient buffering member has at least one protruding portion that projects downward from a bottom surface thereof and that abuts against the bottom base.
US09327744B2
Train detection security system and method for detecting a moving train are provided. The train detection security system includes one or more sensor units fixed to a rail of a rail track. The sensor units are arranged for detecting a first signal induced by a moving train and propagated through the rail. The system further includes a control unit including a signal processor arranged for receiving first sensor output signals representing the first signals from each of the one or more sensor units, processing the first sensor output signals and generating a train warning signal representing characteristics of the moving train based on envelope characteristics of the first sensor output signals.
US09327743B2
A system comprises a speed detector, a marker sensor, a controller, a sensor unit, and a processor. The speed detector is configured to generate speed data associated with a movement of a vehicle. The marker sensor is configured to generate marker data based on a detection of an object along a wayside of a guideway. The controller is configured to calculate a distance the vehicle moved, generate location information, and generate an indication the vehicle is stationary. The sensor unit comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. The sensor unit is configured to generate sensor data based on information gathered by one or more of the accelerometer, the gyroscope, or the magnetometer. The processor is configured to process the sensor data to determine a vehicle position based on the sensor data and the location information. The controller is further configured to compare the location information with the vehicle position.
US09327736B2
A method of manufacturing a vehicle body frame including a roof structure, side structures that face each other, and a floor structure is provided. The method includes a primary joining step of butt-joining only a first set of face plates among inner face plates and outer face plates of a plurality of panel boards that form the side structures, and manufacturing intermediate bodies of the side structures; a structure joining step of joining the roof structure, the floor structure, and the intermediate bodies; and a secondary joining step of joining, after the structure joining step, a second set of face plates among the inner face plates and the outer face plates of the plurality of panel boards that form the intermediate bodies to complete the side structures.
US09327731B2
A method of controlling a brake system for a vehicle. A foundation brake may be applied to provide a foundation brake torque. Vehicle speed data, vehicle inclination data, and foundation brake pressure data may be obtained. A foundation brake torque profile may be determined that includes a set of vehicle speed values, a set of foundation brake pressure values, and a set of foundation brake torque values.
US09327717B2
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, negative torque of an electric machine is adjusted to mimic negative torque of an engine during engine braking so that the vehicle may transition from regenerative braking to engine braking in a seamless manner.
US09327711B2
A control device for a hybrid vehicle automatic transmission. The hybrid vehicle being capable of EV travel in which drive wheels are driven by only a rotary electric machine with the internal combustion engine stopped. The control device having an electric oil pump control device to drive an electric oil pump that supplies oil to the friction engagement element. A neutral control device performs disengagement control on the friction engagement element. A drag determination device determines whether conditions under which drag of the friction engagement element occurs are met because of a shortage in amount of oil to be supplied to a cancellation oil chamber of the friction engagement element by the electric oil pump during the EV travel started from a state in which the hybrid vehicle is stationary. Drag elimination control device provides a command to start the internal combustion engine.
US09327708B2
Systems and methods for improving engine torque response are presented. In one example, engine idle speed is increased to shorten engine torque response based on engine operating conditions. The methods and systems may be useful for operating an engine that is supplied a gaseous fuel.
US09327706B2
Systems and methods for improving operation of a hybrid vehicle are presented. In one example, an engine is rotated to increase pressure within a fuel rail. The engine is rotated without combusting air and fuel within the engine.
US09327705B2
In a method and a device for steering a vehicle towards an object, an optimization of such steering leads to a close and accurate approach. In a method for controlling a vehicle having a drive unit and a braking device during a parking operation leading up to an object, the vehicle is brought to a parking speed up to a first distance of the vehicle from the object, the parking speed maximally corresponding to the drive speed that is achievable using the idling speed, the speed is maintained, and after the first distance has been reached, the braking device decelerates to standstill up to a second distance to the object, which corresponds to the stopping distance. Furthermore, a device is adapted for implementing the method.
US09327698B2
A tractor park brake force sensing system includes a force sensor switch that is actuated if a tensile force applied to a linkage between a park brake lever and a park brake is adequate to compress a spring in the linkage a pre-specified amount as the park brake lever is moved to a park brake set position. A controller connected to the force sensor switch and to a tractor motion sensor turns on a solid indicator light if the force sensor switch is actuated, and flashes the indicator light if the park brake lever is moved to the park brake set position and the tractor motion sensor indicates the tractor is moving.
US09327696B2
A hydraulic braking system has a brake actuator including hydraulic pumps that generate a W/C pressure by sucking and discharging a brake fluid from a master reservoir, and suck the brake fluid discharged from the W/C side for decompressing a W/C pressure during anti-lock braking. Further, open-when-self-priming valves that suck the brake fluid by themselves from the master reservoir in the hydraulic pumps are provided. Further, an accumulator is provided in a pipe connecting the hydraulic pumps and the W/C, and an accumulation to the accumulator is performed by the hydraulic pumps. Then, communication and cut-off of a pipe connected to the accumulator are controlled by lower limit indicating valves.
US09327693B2
A collision avoidance system of a vehicle includes a camera disposed at a vehicle and having a field of view exterior of and rearward of the vehicle. An image processor is operable to process image data captured by the camera. Responsive to image processing of captured image data, the collision avoidance system is operable to determine an approach of a vehicle rearward of the vehicle and to determine an excitation level depending on a difference between the speed of the approaching vehicle and the speed of the equipped vehicle and a distance between the approaching vehicle and the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the determined excitation level, the collision avoidance system may provide an alert to the driver of one or both vehicles, prepare for impact, control a vehicle braking system, vehicle steering system and/or vehicle acceleration system and/or communicate information to the approaching vehicle via a telematics system.
US09327685B1
A vehicle anti-theft system to sense the presence of an intruder in proximity to a vehicle via motion sensors which activates one or more cameras and sends real-time video to a remote location accessible by a user to monitor their vehicle.
US09327682B2
Disclosed is a safety belt system for vehicle seats, including: a vehicle seat part which includes a seat portion, and a backrest; a safety belt which includes a shoulder belt, and a waist belt, and restricts a body of an occupant; a headrest which is connected with the backrest by a rotation shaft, and protects a face or neck region of the occupant from the shoulder belt using a cushion having both convex sides; a sensor which senses impact of the vehicle; and a rotation locking unit which prevents the headrest from being rotated when the sensor senses an accident signal that is equal to or greater than a predetermined output.
US09327678B1
A vehicular seat belt assembly includes a pair of lateral webbing strips that extend laterally across the passenger's lap, proximal ends being manually connectable and dis-connectable from each other. A vertically extending webbing strip includes a pair of upper body strips that are configured to contact opposite sides of a front of the passenger's upper body. A sensor is configured to provide data indicative of whether the proximal ends of the pair of lateral webbing strips are connected together. A harness assembly includes a harness webbing that is attached to one of the pair of lateral webbing strips, and a wire harness that is connectable to the sensor, the wire harness extending along the harness webbing.
US09327670B1
A rollover protection apparatus unlocks and lowers from a raised position to a lowered position suitable for clearing a low hanging obstacle when an operator applies a force to an operator lever or pedal. The rollover protection apparatus returns to the raised position when the operator ceases applying force to the operator lever or pedal.
US09327666B2
A vehicle includes a floor structure and one or more tubular rocker structures. Each rocker structure includes an outer cladding and/or an inner structure extending across an interior space of the rocker structure. At least one acceleration sensor is connected to a central portion of the floor structure to detect acceleration resulting from a crash event. The vehicle may also include pressure sensors that detect changes in pressure in the door cavities that result from side impacts. The cladding and/or inner structure of the rockers reduce the time required to detect acceleration due to a side impact on the rocker structures.
US09327664B2
An end of a stay material made of a tubular aluminum alloy extruded material is expanded by electromagnetic molding to form a flange for producing a bumper stay. The flange width is increased without cracking and a decrease in the thickness. A stay material having a circumferential wall undulating in a waveform pattern is used. A circumferential length L (one round length along waveform pattern) of the outer periphery wall along the circumferential direction of the stay material is longer than a circumferential length L0 of a simple cylindrical circumferential wall having the same outer diameter (circumscribed circle) (L>L0). L−L0 is an excessive line length. Since the circumferential wall has the excessive line length, when the end of the circumferential wall is expanded to form the flange, the flange having a large diameter can be formed.
US09327658B2
A power conversion device in an electric vehicle that uses a short-circuit capacitor and is capable of detecting a short circuit of the capacitor by using a simple structure. The power conversion device includes an inductor connected on a main battery side with a switching member provided between the inductor and a power line. The power line connects a first capacitor and a second capacitor as well as an electric load in parallel. A controller is provided for controlling the on/off of the switching member. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are each a small capacitor configured to be short-circuited upon application of an excess voltage. The power conversion device is provided with a detection member for detecting a short circuit of any one of the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The detection member is connected in series to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
US09327656B2
The present invention discloses a vehicle interior material that is integrally formed, the vehicle interior material comprising an impact absorbing rib that is extended from a counter surface facing a vehicle body panel, an insertion portion that is inserted into a hole formed on the vehicle body panel; and a base portion that has a thick portion that is thicker than the impact absorbing rib, is extended from the counter surface, and is integrated with the insertion portion at a tip portion of the base portion.
US09327650B2
A cup holder assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle. The cup holder assembly includes a catch configured to assist with the blind installation of the cup holder assembly into an opening of the instrument panel. The catch is further configured to provide cantilevered support so as to help maintain the cup holder in a fixed relationship when a cup is mounted therein. The catch engages an elongated portion of a reinforcement bracket so as to limit the advancement of the cup holder assembly during installation.
US09327644B2
Provided is a sound generating device (20) for a vehicle, including: a plurality of pressure sensors (21a to 21d) for detecting air pressures of an air intake sound of an engine (12) and outputting the air pressures as sound pressure signals; a signal processing unit (24) for performing processing of changing the sound pressure signals in accordance with a driving condition of a vehicle (10); and loudspeakers (28a and 28b) for outputting the sound pressure signals as the air intake sound of the engine (12). Then, the plurality of pressure sensors (21a to 21d) are provided at an interval in a circumferential direction of an outer periphery of an air intake duct (15) at positions in a vicinity of an air flow meter (18) on an air cleaner (16) side with respect to a center of the air intake duct (15), the air intake duct (15) connecting the air cleaner (16) to a throttle body (17).
US09327631B2
A seat cushion frame for a vehicle includes a composite material containing reinforcing fibers which extend in at least the frame extension direction is integrated with an injection molded thermoplastic resin. The weight of the entire seat cushion frame can be greatly reduced, the rigidity and strength required for each section of the frame can be readily secured, required functions such as submarine prevention or the like, can be fulfilled, the number of components can be greatly reduced, and the overall structure can be greatly simplified.
US09327630B1
A seat back cushion for a vehicle includes a back surface including a plurality of indentations, the plurality of indentations including a plurality of generally vertical indentations and a plurality of generally horizontal indentations.
US09327623B2
A system includes a shear member and an energy absorber. The shear member is configured to couple a seat portion to a base structure of a vehicle. The shear member is configured to sustain a first load without fracture and configured to inelastically deform under a second load. The second load is greater than the first load. The energy absorber is coupled to the seat portion and coupled to the base structure. The energy absorber is configured to absorb the energy following deformation of the shear member.
US09327612B2
An emergency power supply system for a fuel cell-powered vehicle is provided. In particular, the system includes a low voltage DC-DC converter (LDC) designed to convert an output voltage from either a fuel cell stack, or a bi-directional high voltage DC-DC converter into a low voltage and supply the low voltage to a low voltage battery, a DC-DC converter designed to convert an output voltage from either the fuel cell stack or the bi-directional high voltage DC-DC converter into a low voltage, and a fuel cell controller designed to determine whether to supply an output voltage from the DC-DC converter to an output voltage supply line of the low voltage battery.
US09327608B2
A subsurface mounted inductive charging coil system for electric vehicles accommodates the gap distance between primary charging coil and secondary coil on the vehicle with an extendable primary coil carrier. The system protects the primary coil when exposed by mounting on a deformable and elastic structure. By keeping the primary coil normally hidden in a deformable and elastic structure several advantages are obtained. The extendable structure is preferably a low pressure inflatable bladder or membrane in the floor for carrying, protecting, and extending the primary coil.
US09327605B2
The present method relates to a method of charging a traction battery of a vehicle from an external AC power supply system. The traction battery is coupled, via an inverter, to an electric alternating-field machine such that the AC power supply can be connected to the phase windings of the alternating-field machine. The method includes a step of synchronizing the rotational speed of the alternating-field machine with the frequency of the AC power supply. Then the AC power supply is connected to the phase windings of the alternating-field machine and the inverter, which is electrically coupled to the alternating-field machine, is operated as a step-up converter.
US09327601B2
A high-voltage (“HV”) system for a vehicle is provided, and includes a HV source providing HV power, a low-voltage source, a high-voltage interlock loop (“HVIL”) switch, and at least one control module. The low-voltage source provides a low-voltage power that is less than the HV power. The HVIL switch is in communication with the low-voltage source. The HVIL switch includes a reed relay and a magnetic element. The magnetic element is selectively positioned within an actuation distance from the reed relay. The HVIL switch is in a closed circuit condition when the magnetic element is positioned within the actuation distance from the reed relay, and is in an open circuit condition when the magnetic element is positioned outside of the actuation distance from the reed relay. The at least one control module is in communication with and monitors the HVIL switch.
US09327598B1
A transmission has four planetary gear sets, four interconnecting members and six torque-transmitting mechanisms selectively engageable in different combinations of four to establish ten forward speed ratios. One of the six torque-transmitting mechanisms is a mechanical on-off clutch that engages to prevent rotation of a first member of a first of the planetary gear sets rotates in a first direction, and freewheels when the first member rotates in an opposing second direction. When engaged, the first member is grounded to a stationary member.
US09327591B2
The SOC of a power storage device provided in an electrically powered vehicle is controlled not to fall out of a SOC control range. When a SOC estimate value reaches a control lower limit value during vehicle traveling, a power generating structure provided in the vehicle starts to charge the power storage device. In the case of low temperature and/or deterioration of the power storage device, i.e., in the case where decrease of performance of the power storage device is concerned, the control lower limit value is increased as compared with that in a normal state. As a result, decrease of driveability and decrease of startability of an engine in the hybrid vehicle, both otherwise caused by insufficient output electric power from the power storage device, can be avoided.
US09327586B2
A vehicle includes an electric motor disposed downward of a battery. The vehicle is provided with a motor control unit configured to receive electrical power from the battery and to supply the electrical power of the battery to the electric motor, and a case that accommodates the motor control unit. The case is positioned downward of the battery and forward of the electric motor, and is arranged in a posture in which the length in the front-rear direction of an accommodating portion in the case is less than the vertical height thereof in a side view of the vehicle body. Accordingly, a compact longitudinal layout of the electric motor and the motor control unit that controls the electric motor is achieved.
US09327584B2
A glass run capable of preventing noises from intruding into an automobile compartment from an interior of an automobile door via glass runs during running of an automobile. The glass run includes extruded parts and molded parts. Each of the extruded parts and the molded parts has a bottom wall, an outer side wall, and an inner side wall, which define a generally U-shaped cross-section. An outer seal lip and an inner seal lip respectively extend from open ends of the outer side wall and the inner side wall towards the interior of the glass run. A barrier rib is formed in at least one position of the molded parts between the inner side wall and the inner seal lip or between the outer side wall and the outer seal lip.
US09327582B2
The present invention is aimed to provide a working machine provided with: a condenser unit including a condenser of an air conditioner and a cooling fan for cooling the condenser, the condenser unit being disposed in a side of a cabin; and a protection cover covering above the condenser unit, capable of reducing propagation to an operator side of an air intake sound caused by inhalation of air in the protection cover through an air intake vent when the cooling fan causes a wind. In this working machine, each of air intake vents for taking cooling air into the protection cover is formed in an upper surface side of the protection cover and in each of wall parts oriented in a direction opposite to a direction visible from an operator in the cabin.
US09327576B2
A valve assembly for a suspension system includes a housing including a first port, a second port, and a third port, the housing defining a first flow path extending between the third port and the first port and a second flow path extending between the third port and the second port. The valve assembly further includes a first check valve having a first crack pressure positioned within the housing along the first flow path and a second check valve having a second crack pressure positioned within the housing along the second flow path. A difference between the first crack pressure and the second crack pressure provides a corresponding difference in pressures at the first port and the second port.
US09327574B2
A vehicle control device includes a variable-damping-force shock absorber, a sprung vibration damping control device, an unsprung vibration damping control device, a driving state-determining device, a damping force distribution factor-calculating device, and a damping force control device that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of an unsprung vibration damping control amount and a sprung vibration damping control amount, and that, when the driving state-determining device determines that the vehicle is turning, calculates the damping force control amount on the basis of an unsprung vibration damping control amount so as to maintain the damping force distribution factor, and controls the damping force of the variable-damping-force shock absorber on the basis of a greater of a calculated damping force control amount and the sprung vibration damping control amount.
US09327568B1
A wheelhouse structure, including: an arm section of a suspension arm that is supported by a suspension member so as to be capable of oscillating in a vehicle vertical direction about a support axis disposed inside an engine room, and that extends from the support axis toward a side of a wheelhouse; a wheelhouse side cover that partitions the engine room from the wheelhouse, and that has a lower portion at which is formed an opening portion having a size that allows oscillation of the arm section of the suspension arm; and an arm side cover that is integrally provided at the support axis side of the arm section, and that blocks a gap between a peripheral edge of the opening portion and the arm section as viewed along an axial direction of the support axis.
US09327563B2
This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece. A dual pressure equalizing valve is connected to the air passageways and embedded into the wheels or intermediate piece.
US09327552B2
A deflector is arranged to prevent differential oil, as lubrication oil, leaking from a gap between a rod of an axle and a shaft portion of a drive shaft and passing through a unit bearing, from attaching to an inner periphery of a brake drum. A guide groove unit is formed on an inward surface of a hub in a vehicle-width direction so as to guide the differential oil leaking into an internal space defined inside of the deflector to outside of the brake drum.
US09327545B2
A handheld precise liquid marker. The handheld precise liquid marker preferably creates a substantially perfect dot when marking one or more surfaces and is preferably used for multiple applications such as marking a dimple of a golf ball surface and/or providing a proper amount of dosage for medicinal applications. The handheld precise liquid marker may also comprise a liquid delivery system for dispensing a precise amount of ink or liquid onto various surfaces, a projecting/retracting mechanism, and an audible and/or tactile physical feedback mechanism. The projecting/retracting mechanism may controllably retract or protrude a nib into and out of the housing, and the audible/physical feedback mechanism may provide either a physical and/or audible click once a desired amount of ink or liquid transfers onto the surface.
US09327539B2
A dye sublimation printing method for a light transmissive medium includes the following steps. First, a ribbon is provided above the light transmissive medium. Then, the light transmissive medium is moved. During the period that the light transmissive medium is moved, at least one first dye zone of the ribbon is heated, so that the dye in the first dye zone is transferred onto the light transmissive medium.
US09327528B2
A printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing unit, a conveying unit, a driving source driving the conveying unit, a feeding unit, a discharging unit, a control unit, a switching mechanism switching a driving state of the feeding unit and a restricting mechanism restricting backward feeding of the discharging unit. The control unit changes a timing of feeding the subsequent printing medium in accordance with a printing start position of the subsequent printing medium.
US09327524B1
A dryer for drying an ink image formed on a recording medium is provided. The dryer includes a selective heating dryer, a uniform heating dryer, and a controller. The selective heating dryer is disposed on an upstream side of a feeding path of the recording medium, and performs a first-time drying of the ink image under an output condition in which an amount of cockling becomes equal to or less than a given amount. The uniform heating dryer is disposed on a downstream side from the selective heating dryer on the feeding path, and performs a second-time drying of the ink image after the selective heating dryer performs the first-time drying. The controller changes the output condition of the selective heating dryer in accordance with image information of the ink image, when the ink image is formed with a conductive-particle-containing ink.
US09327521B2
A recording apparatus includes a plurality of line heads that discharge light curable inks onto a recording target material, a plurality of first light irradiators that are located at downstream side of transportation direction relative to the respective line heads in the transportation direction and emit light to the recording target material, a drum that is located at the downstream side relative to the first light irradiators in the transportation direction and forms a part of the transportation path, and a second light irradiator that is located opposite to a portion of the drum with which the transported recording target material makes contact and emits light to the contact portion. In the recording apparatus, the first light irradiators emit light for provisionally curing the discharged light curable inks, and the second light irradiator emits light for permanently curing the light curable inks, which have been provisionally cured, on the drum.
US09327508B2
A printing apparatus has a cartridge carrier and with a locking-and-ejection mechanism. The cartridge carrier has a cavity for insertion of an ink cartridge, and the locking-and-ejection mechanism is arranged on an outside of a side part of a cartridge carrier. This locking-and-ejection mechanism has a locking mechanism with a locking lever biased by a spring force produced by a first spring. The locking lever can be tilted around a rotation axis situated on the outside of the side part. The locking-and-ejection mechanism also has an ejection mechanism with a lifting plate biased by a spring force produced at least by a second spring. The lifting plate is rotatable on the outside of the side part, and the rotation axis of the lifting plate is stationary on the outside of the side part. The locking lever has a first locking mechanism and a second locking mechanism to the lock the first locking mechanism, and an actuator is operable to unlock the locking of the second locking mechanism. The lifting plate is rotatable by a sufficient amount that the locking lever is held in the unlocked position after an ejection of an ink cartridge.
US09327503B2
A liquid absorber that is constituted mainly by fibers, includes fusion bondable resin, and is configured to absorb liquid, includes a first surface having a largest surface area, and a second surface perpendicular to the first surface. The second surface includes a surface low in degree of fusion bond of the fusion bondable resin and a surface high in degree of fusion bond of the fusion bondable resin that has a higher degree of fusion bond of the fusion bondable resin than the surface low in degree of fusion bond, and at least a part of the surface low in degree of fusion bond absorbs the liquid.
US09327501B2
An inkjet-head includes a first flow path member in which a plurality of first flow paths are formed; and a second flow path member in which a plurality of second flow paths are formed and to which the first flow path member is bonded. The second flow paths have intra-joint-surface flow paths, respectively, which are formed by surrounding, with a first adhesive, a peripheral edge of a groove formed in the second flow path member and bonding the first flow path member thereto. A joint space is formed and includes a plurality of the intra-joint-surface flow paths due to surrounding, with a second adhesive, an outer periphery of the intra-joint-surface flow path and bonding the second flow path member and the first flow path member. At least a part of the second adhesive is formed further inside of a straight line connecting an end of one intra-joint-surface flow path on the outer side and an end of another intra-joint-surface flow path on the outer side in joined surfaces.
US09327497B2
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a channel unit including: a discharge port; a first channel through which liquid to be supplied to the discharge port flows; and a second channel communicated with the first channel and the discharge port; an actuator including a first and second electrodes and a piezoelectric layer, and being configured to apply pressure to the liquid in the second channel; and a signal supply unit configured to selectively supply a discharge driving signal and a non-discharge driving signal to the actuator. The discharge driving signal includes a first voltage signal which drives the actuator to discharge the liquid from the discharge port, and the non-discharge driving signal includes a plurality of second voltage signals each of which drives the actuator not to discharge the liquid from the discharge port.
US09327490B2
A screen printing machine and method, the screen printing machine comprising: a print head (111) which is operable to drive a material through a printing screen (109) and deposit the material onto a workpiece (w); an imaging unit (121) which comprises a vision camera (123) for imaging at least one of the printing screen (109) and the workpiece (w), and a positioning mechanism (125) which is operable to position the vision camera; and an end effector (141) which is operable to perform an operation on the workpiece and is coupled to the vision camera, such as to be moved commonly therewith by the positioning mechanism, wherein the screen printing machine is operable in one of a first mode in which the print head is operated to print material deposits on the workpiece, and a second, mode in which the end effector is actuated to perform an operation on the workpiece at defined positions.
US09327489B2
A method for controlling feature characteristics in a flexographic printing system that forms a printed pattern on a substrate by applying ink from an ink reservoir using a flexographic printing plate mounted on a plate cylinder. An imaging system is used to capture an image of the pattern printed on the substrate, and the captured image is analyzed to determine a feature characteristic of one or more features of the printed pattern. A control system automatically controls an amount of solvent used to replenish the ink in the ink reservoir responsive to the determined feature characteristic.
US09327485B2
A laminating unit to manufacture a multi-layer composite (2) in a laminating machine (1), comprising a laminating rotating roll (16), laminating a first web (3) onto a second web (4), is characterized in that it further comprises: driving means (42), rotating (R) the roll (16); gripping means (39, 41), maintaining the first web (3) in contact with the roll (16); first detection means (43, 46) emitting first detection signals (44, 47) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the first web (3); second detection means (48, 51) emitting second detection signals (49, 52) in accordance with detected longitudinal positions of the second web (4); and control means (53), regulating a rotation speed of the driving means (42) and of the roll (16) as a function of the first and second signals (44, 47, 49, 52), to convey, correct longitudinally positions of the first web (3), and laminate the first web (3) in register onto the second web (4).
US09327479B1
Adhesive sheet material arc application squeegees and methods for using the same are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment of the disclosure, an adhesive sheet material arc application squeegee comprises an at least one base and an at least one cover. The at least one base comprises an at least one edge, a first gripping surface and a second gripping surface. The at least one edge comprises a convex arc. According to at least one embodiment of the disclosure, the method of using an adhesive sheet material arc application squeegee comprises securing a portion of adhesive sheet material to a surface and applying the adhesive sheet material to the surface with the adhesive sheet material arc application squeegee.
US09327477B2
Some embodiments of the present invention include elastomeric films with a basis weight of about 40 gsm or less or about 25 gsm or less. Other embodiments include elastomeric laminates comprising the elastomeric film bonded to one or more substrates (such as nonwoven fabrics). Methods of the making the elastomeric films and elastomeric laminates are also provided.
US09327469B2
The invention relates to a rotary tablet press comprising: a rotatingly drivable rotor, having a die plate comprising die holes and assigned to the die holes upper and lower punches, rotating synchronously with the die plate, whose axial movement is controlled by upper and lower control cams, having at least one filling station comprising at least one filling device for filling the die holes with material to be pressed, having at least one compression station disposed downstream of the filling station in the rotational direction of the rotor, comprising at least one pressing device which presses the upper and/or lower punches into the die holes when passing through the compression station in order to press the filled material in the die holes, and having at least one ejector station, disposed downstream of the compression station in the rotational direction of the rotor, comprising an ejector device for ejecting the pressed tablets in the die holes, characterized in that at least one vibration generator is provided in the circumferential direction of the upper and lower punches between the filling station and the ejector station that at least temporarily vibrates the upper and/or lower punches at least at the compression station and/or at the filling station and/or at least at an upper control cam and/or at least at a lower control cam.
US09327468B2
A rod-shaped FRP bar is manufactured with a fiber and a resin by using a nozzle (100) which includes an outer nozzle (11) having a penetration hole at its center and a plurality of middle nozzles (12) disposed at an inlet of the outer nozzle 11 so that one middle nozzle is located inside another middle nozzle with an interval. Fibers are supplied through a center hole of the middle nozzle located at an innermost location, through intervals between the middle nozzles and through intervals between the middle nozzles and the outer nozzle, thereby making a hybrid FRP bar (1) having a section in which the fibers configure a plurality of fiber distribution layers from the center of the FRP bar toward the outside.
US09327467B2
A composite mandrel includes a generally elongated mandrel body comprising a resilient mandrel core and an elastomeric mandrel outer layer disposed outside the mandrel core. A method for fabricating a contoured stiffened composite panel is also disclosed.
US09327462B2
Cans, bottles and/or other containers used to hold a carbonated beverage can include internal features to promote and/or control bubble formation.
US09327461B2
A method for manufacturing a plastic fuel tank including: a) inserting a plastic parison including two distinct parts into an open two-cavity mold; b) inserting a core, bearing at least part of a reinforcing element configured to create a link between the two parison parts, inside the parison; c) pressing the parison firmly against the mold cavities, for example by blowing through the core and/or creating suction behind the cavities; d) fixing the part of the reinforcing element to at least one of the parison parts using the core; e) withdrawing the core; f) closing the mold, bringing its two cavities together to grip the two parison parts around their periphery to weld them together; g) injecting a pressurized fluid into the mold and/or creating a vacuum behind the mold cavities to press the parison firmly against the mold cavities; and h) opening the mold and extracting the tank.
US09327455B2
Method and mold for producing air ducts (P) from plastic material, especially soft plastic material, with a hardness of between Shore 5 and Shore 65, of the type comprising a hollow main body (P1) provided with at least one protuberance or nipple (P2) that projects from the exterior wall of the main body (P1), the method comprising the steps of injection-molding at least one nipple (P2) from plastic material inside a first cavity (1) of a mold (M); interconnecting the first cavity (1) with a second cavity (3) arranged in the same mold (M) and located adjacent to said first cavity (1), in order to form a single volume; and blow-molding a hollow body from a moldable plastic-material parison inside the second cavity (3).
US09327452B2
Various embodiments related to three dimensional printers, and reinforced filaments, and their methods of use are described. In one embodiment, a void free reinforced filament is fed into an conduit nozzle. The reinforced filament includes a core, which may be continuous or semi-continuous, and a matrix material surrounding the core. The reinforced filament is heated to a temperature greater than a melting temperature of the matrix material and less than a melting temperature of the core prior to drag the filament from the conduit nozzle.
US09327451B2
This process for manufacturing an object by solidifying a powder (P) includes steps of: a) depositing a powder layer (P) on a working zone (Z); b) compacting this layer; c) solidifying a first zone (7) of the compacted layer using a laser; d) solidifying at least one second zone (11, 12, 13) of the compact layer, this second zone (11, 12, 13) making contact with the zone (7) solidified in step c), under solidifying conditions chosen so that this second solidified zone (11, 12, 13) is less strong than the first solidified zone (7); e) repeating steps a) to d) until the object (1) is obtained; and f), after step e) and when the object (1) is finished, removing the second zones (11, 12) with respect to the first zones (7).
US09327446B2
A joint including a substrate, optionally a metal substrate, and a body of material joined to the substrate, the body of material typically having a composite portion. An outer surface of the substrate is provided with a fastening projection for fastening the substrate to body of material, where the fastening projection has a stem and a plurality of branches having dendritic geometry projecting into the material of the body.
US09327442B2
A device for producing plastic containers may include a heating element for heating plastic parisons, a transport system for transporting the plastic parisons along a pre-defined transport path, and a shaping element arranged along the transport path, downstream of the heating device. The shaping element shapes the plastic parisons to form plastic containers. The device has a sterilization element that applies a free-flowing medium to a wall of the plastic parisons in order to sterilize said wall, the sterilization device being arranged along the transport path of the containers such that the sterilization takes place after the heating process applied to the containers in the heating device and before the end of the shaping process in the shaping element.
US09327439B2
An extrusion die for laminating at least two kinds of resins in the width direction is provided. The extrusion die has not less than 10 nozzles arranged in the width direction and not less than 10 holes such that the holes surround each of the arranged nozzles, or alternatively, the extrusion die has not less than 10 holes arranged in the width direction.
US09327433B2
The invention relates to a process for compacting a polymeric powder in a press, wherein the polymeric powder is supported during compaction by a powder carrier, characterized in that said powder carrier comprises a layer of thickness (T), said layer comprising a material with a static coefficient of friction (COF), and wherein T×COF is at least 10 μm. The invention also relates to a compacted polymeric powder obtainable with the above process.
US09327424B2
Electric saw being powered by an external power supply through a multicore cable. The multicore cable includes electrical wires for supplying power to the motors of the electric saw and communication wires for data communication between the electric saw and the power supply. Two motors of the electric saw are three phase permanent magnet motors, with an outer rotor and an inner stator. Each of the two motors has three Hall Effect sensors located around the outer rotor.
US09327422B2
A saw guide for increasing a gap between deck boards is an apparatus that includes a base panel, a blade hole, a front guide tab, a back guide tab, a binding clamp, and an alignment rail. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a circular handheld saw to more precisely widen the gap between two deck boards. The circular handheld saw is mounted onto the base panel by the binding clamp. The blade of the circular handheld saw is positioned within the blade hole, and the alignment rail is used to properly orient the blade. The front guide tab and the second guide tab are located on opposite sides of the base panel and are used to guide the cutting direction of the circular handheld saw.
US09327419B2
An apparatus (1) for cutting and/or etching articles (4) having a flat surface on which designs and/or writings (11A, 11B, 11C) are reproduced has an operating group (5) arranged above a work plane (2), which work plane (2) is provided with an upper surface (3) for receiving the articles. The operating group is movable along the work plane (2) in order to operate on the articles (4) for cutting and/or etching the articles (4). A first optical device detects designs and/or writings (11A, 11B, 11C) reproduced on the articles arranged on the work plane (2). The apparatus (1) has a second optical device (9) arranged with respect to the surface (2) such as to detect the orientation as well as the position of the articles (4) on the work plane (2) as well as the designs and/or the writings (11A, 11B, 11C) reproduced on the articles.
US09327416B2
A novel application of the atomic layer deposition (ALD) process for producing a conformal coating on a razor blade is disclosed where a uniform, conformal, dense coating is deposited on an entire surface of a blade flank and at least a portion or an entire surface of a blade body. To improve the shaving ability of the coated blade edge (e.g., decrease the blade tip radius), the ALD-produced coating may be etched during, after, or both during and after, the ALD process.
US09327413B2
A locking mechanism for a folding knife is provided. More specifically, the locking mechanism is a two-piece backlock that maintains the folding knife's extended position and prevents the blade from inadvertently closing when the knife is in use in the extended position and impedes the folding knife from inadvertently opening when the knife is in a closed position of storage. The locking mechanism generally comprises a backlock, a toggle, and a biasing member. The toggle rotates between two positions and engages with the tang of the blade and the backlock.
US09327407B2
A control system for a mobile robot (10) is provided to effectively cover a given area by operating in a plurality of modes, including an obstacle following mode (51) and a random bounce mode (49). In other embodiments, spot coverage, such as spiraling (45), or other modes are also used to increase effectiveness. In addition, a behavior based architecture is used to implement the control system, and various escape behaviors are used to ensure full coverage.
US09327403B2
A method of commanding a remote vehicle includes executing a command on a controller of the remote vehicle based on a kinodynamic fixed depth motion planning algorithm to use incremental feedback from evaluators to select a best feasible action. The method also includes determining servo commands corresponding to the best feasible action for one or more actuators of a drive system or a manipulation system of the remote vehicle and commanding the one or more actuators of the remote vehicle based on the servo commands. The best feasible action includes actions within a fixed time horizon of several seconds from a current time each time a feasible action is selected.
US09327396B2
A tele-operation system enabling a robot arm to move by following a motion of a motion of a hand of a user without an additional mechanical apparatus, the tele-operation system including a slave robot having a robot arm, a master console configured to detect a gesture of a user, and to control the slave robot from a remote place so that the slave robot moves by following the gesture of the user.
US09327391B2
A tool for crimping a ring member on a pipe is provided. The tool includes a first arm having a plurality of slots on a first side and a second slot on a second side. Each slot of the plurality of slots is a different size diameter, and the at least one second slot has a different size. The tool further includes a second arm operably coupled to rotate. The second arm having a plurality of slots on a third side and at least one fourth slot on a fourth side. Each of the plurality of slots are sized and positioned to cooperate with each other when in the first position to crimp the ring member. The at least one fourth slot is sized and positioned to cooperate with the at least one second slot when in the second position to crimp the ring member.
US09327385B2
A method of making a near-net superhard material body includes preparing granules from a mixture of superhard powder, binders, and fluids, compacting the granules to form a soft green complex-shaped body, heating the soft green body in a furnace to form a hard green body free from residual binders, embedding one or more of the hard green bodies in a containment powder or a containment means and forming a pressure cell, sintering the cell at high pressure and high temperature, and removing the containment powder from the cell or removing the inserts from the containment means to reveal one or more near-net bodies.
US09327384B2
A manufacturing method includes forming one or more grooves in a component that comprises a substrate with an outer surface. The substrate has at least one interior space, and each groove extends at least partially along the substrate and has a base. The manufacturing method further includes forming one or more access holes through the base of a respective groove, to connect the groove in fluid communication with the respective hollow interior space. The manufacturing method further includes forming at least one connecting groove in the component, such that each connecting groove intersects at least a subset of the one or more grooves. The manufacturing method further includes disposing a coating over at least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate, such that the groove(s) and the coating together define one or more channels for cooling the component. The coating does not completely bridge the connecting groove, such that the connecting groove at least partially defines an exit region for the respective cooling channel(s).
US09327382B2
A carrier for a double-side polishing apparatus comprising at least: a metallic carrier base that is arranged between upper and lower turn tables having polishing pads attached thereto and has a holding hole formed therein to hold a wafer sandwiched between the upper and lower turn tables at the time of polishing; and a ring-like resin insert that is arranged along an inner peripheral portion of the holding hole of the carrier base and is in contact with a peripheral portion of the held wafer, wherein an inner peripheral end portion of the holding hole of the carrier base has an upwardly opening tapered surface, an outer peripheral portion of the ring-like insert has a reverse tapered surface with respect to the tapered surface of the holding hole of the carrier base, and the resin insert is fitted in the holding hole of the carrier base through the tapered surface.
US09327381B2
Disclosed herein is a device for cutting a glass sheet, continuously supplied after a melting and solidification process, into quadrangular glass substrates. The glass sheet cutting device includes two or more cutters for cutting a glass sheet into quadrangular glass substrates, a defect inspector for scanning the glass sheet to three-dimensionally check defect positions in a length direction, a width direction and a thickness direction of the glass sheet, a position adjuster for moving at least one of the cutters to a portion of the glass sheet at which few defects are distributed, and a controller for informing the position adjuster of positions of the cutters based on the scanned results received from the defect inspector.
US09327374B1
A fixture for a milling machine to position and manipulate related work pieces. The fixture has a first sub fixture powered to rotate a rotary plate and a second sub fixture. The fixture includes one of a first plate fixture and a second plate fixture for the mounting of work pieces. The rotary plate is mounted to the first sub fixture such that the rotary plate can be rotated by the first sub fixture. The rotary plate attaches to one of the first plate fixture and the second plate fixture. The rotary plate includes a first precision surface adapted for mounting of the first plate fixture and a second precision surface adapted for mounting of the second plate fixture. The fixture includes a tailstock plate mounted to the second sub fixture. The tailstock plate attaches to one of the first plate fixture and the second plate fixture.
US09327367B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for guiding bands to be joined to one another along their longitudinal edges, comprising guide elements which form tracks for guiding the bands that are configured such that the bands approach one another in the transport direction and the longitudinal edges thereof rest on one another at a non-overlapping contact point. At least one of the tracks may be configured to undulate with a wavelength of ¼≦λ≦2, such that transverse displacement of the band guided thereon occurs. The axes of rotation and/or longitudinal central axes of the guide elements may also be inclined towards one another at different angles of inclination in relation to a horizontal plane of reference, such that the band guided on said track is rotated about its longitudinal axis in the transport direction.
US09327359B2
A tap tool assembly includes a tap, a retaining member and a sleeve. The tap has a thread cutting section and a shaft section. The retaining member is fixed to the shaft section of the tap adjacent to a first end of the thread cutting section. The sleeve has a central bore extending therethrough. A surface of the sleeve defines the central bore and has a shoulder. The sleeve is coupled to the shaft section of the tap for movement between a first position completely covering the thread cutting section and a second position exposing at least a portion of the thread cutting section, with the sleeve being biased to move toward the first position.
US09327348B2
Preparation methods, compositions, and articles useful for electronic and optical applications are disclosed. Such methods reduce metal ions to metal nanowires in the presence of bromide ions, IUPAC Group 14 elements in their +2 oxidation state, and optionally chloride ions. The product nanowires are useful in electronics applications.
US09327346B2
A “cold box” process for forming a foundry shape by curing a binder in a foundry mix operates by sequentially introducing a first vaporous curing catalyst to a pattern containing the formed foundry mix, followed by introducing at least a second vaporous curing catalyst. By arranging the amounts of the respective vaporous curing catalysts and the contact times, as well as by using the less active vaporous curing catalyst first, the total amount of curing catalyst used to effect the cure is reduced. Carrier gas may be used with the respective vaporous curing catalysts. Typically, the vaporous curing catalysts are tertiary amines having between three and six carbon atoms.
US09327344B2
Various embodiments include methods and related systems for laser-assisted casting. Some embodiments include a method including: performing laser ablation to a preliminary wax casting model to form a modified wax model including at least one cooling hole absent from the wax casting substrate; coating the modified wax model to form a mold shape around the modified wax model; and removing the modified wax model to leave a casting mold including the at least one cooling hole.
US09327339B2
An apparatus configured to make blanks that would be used to assemble a CVT belt formed from such blanks. The CVT is assembled by arrange a body portion of the blanks on an inner periphery, a head portion on an outer periphery, and a neck portion, which connects the head and body. The apparatus has a die that has an opening shape conforming to a planar shape of the element to be formed. An ejector that has a sectional shape conforming to the opening shape of the blanking blade and is located inside the blanking blade. A punch that has a sectional shape conforming to the opening shape of the blanking blade and moves downward into the blanking blade to blank the element together with the blanking blade, and a pusher that is located around the punch and presses the flat plate-like material against the die.
US09327335B2
Retainers for holding tools and methods for controlling the motion of a locking member, such as a resiliently-biased locking ball, in a retainer. The locking member is disposed in a passage that intersects another passage configured to receive the tool. A portion of the locking member has a contacting relationship with the tool in order to hold the tool within its passage. The retainer further includes a constraint member, which may be a threaded member or a non-threaded member, that occludes the passage containing the locking member. During a stamping operation using the tool, the constraint member mechanically constrains motion of the locking member within its passage by contact with the locking member.
US09327325B1
A portable resonance induction cleaning method for cleaning a process tubular, heat exchanger, or both can include providing a liquid and air to a portable resonance induction cleaning apparatus, and regulating flow of the liquid therein using the air; thereby providing pressurized pulses of the liquid having a resonance. The method can include engaging a hose assembly or hydraulic ram with the portable resonance induction cleaning apparatus, and engaging the hose assembly with the process tubular or sealing the hydraulic ram to the heat exchanger. The method can include continually expelling the pressurized pulses of the liquid into the process tubular or heat exchanger until a standing column of the liquid is formed. The standing column of the liquid can receive the resonance and transmit the resonance through the process tubular or heat exchanger for removing fouling.
US09327308B2
A dispenser system employs a packaging module for use with moisture sensitive materials. The packaging module comprises an outer carton and an inner bladder, which is substantially impermeable to moisture and is filled with one part of an adhesive. The carton is loaded on a mobile cart and the one part adhesive is supplied to a pump/mixer without exposure to moisture in the atmosphere. The packaging and dispensing system can be used in conjunction with mechanized adhesive application equipment for the construction trades.
US09327304B2
An installation for dip coating articles, which are movable up to and away from at least one dip tank with the aid of a transport system. In order to be dipped and removed, they are moved onto a rotary platform of at least one stationary rotary station and are dipped into and removed from the treatment liquid by rotation of the rotary platform. Each article is fastened with the aid of a fastening device to a skid which interacts with the transport system. The fastening device has a holding structure for the article and at least two rockers which are U- or V-shaped and are fastened in a pivotable manner to the holding structure at their vertex. The two arms of the U or V have a slot into which one guide pin fastened to the skid engages and slides in the corresponding slot upon rotation of the skid.
US09327291B2
Underwater mineral dressing units, systems and methods are provided. Material is milled in a water-immiscible liquid which is heavier than water and lighter than the product material. Gangue material is removed by the milling and floats on the water-immiscible liquid to be removed without further processing. Product containing material sinks and is further milled to remove additional gangue material, until the required level of extraction is achieved. Cascades of milling rolls in the water-immiscible liquid allow ever improving extraction of the product material. The rolls are arranged to regulate material flow through the system to remove floating gangue while directing sinking product material to further processing.
US09327281B2
Tetrahedral [MoO4]2− readily binds CO2 to produce a robust [MoO3(κ2-CO3)]2− that can affect the reduction of CO2 to formate.
US09327278B1
A process is disclosed for an improved catalyst regeneration process to improve catalyst stability and hence increase overall catalyst life. The process includes passing a spent catalyst stream to a first, or upper, combustion zone to partially regenerate the catalyst through controlled combustion of the carbon on the catalyst. The first combustion zone will burn off a high fraction of hydrogen at lower temperatures generating a large fraction of H2O. The partially regenerated catalyst is passed to a second, or lower, combustion zone to burn off the remaining coke at the needed high severity operation. The second combustion zone will burn off the remaining coke at a higher temperature and higher oxygen gas inlet concentration.
US09327267B2
A powder-based adsorbent and a related method of manufacture are provided. The powder-based adsorbent includes polymer powder with grafted side chains and an increased surface area per unit weight to increase the adsorption of dissolved metals, for example uranium, from aqueous solutions. A method for forming the powder-based adsorbent includes irradiating polymer powder, grafting with polymerizable reactive monomers, reacting with hydroxylamine, and conditioning with an alkaline solution. Powder-based adsorbents formed according to the present method demonstrated a significantly improved uranium adsorption capacity per unit weight over existing adsorbents.
US09327266B2
A reinforced absorbent polymer is provided for improving mechanical properties without degrading their absorption performance. The reinforced polymer includes an absorbent polymer; and at least one fiber for reinforcement disposed in the polymer.
US09327253B2
A foam pump includes a fluid cylinder, an air cylinder, and a mixing chamber, in which the fluid cylinder is adapted to draw a fluid therein in a priming stroke, and to pump the fluid into the mixing chamber in a dispensing stroke, in which the air cylinder is adapted to draw air therein in a priming stroke, and to pump the air into the mixing chamber in a dispensing stroke, in which the mixing chamber includes a fluid throughflow axis, in which the fluid cylinder and the air cylinder are co-axial with one another and are aligned on a second axis which is substantially normal to the fluid throughflow axis, in which the fluid cylinder and the air cylinder are provided with a common piston member, and in which the foam pump includes spring means adapted to bias the common piston member to perform a priming stroke of the fluid cylinder and the air cylinder.
US09327249B2
Systems and methods are provided for humidifying a gas stream. Methods for providing a humidified gas stream comprise providing a dry gas, directing the dry gas to a humidification device, humidifying the dry gas to provide a humidified gas stream having an amount of moisture in excess of a predetermined amount, directing the humidified gas stream to a cooling device, cooling the humidified gas to a predetermined temperature, and directing the cooled humidified gas to a point of usage. Systems for providing a humidified gas stream comprise a dry gas stream, a humidification device configured to receive and humidify the dry gas stream to form a humidified gas stream having an amount of moisture in excess of a predetermined amount, and a cooling device configured to receive and cool the humidified gas stream to a predetermined temperature to form a cooled humidified gas stream.
US09327246B2
There is provided a honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure having higher pressure resistance than conventional ones and being capable of reducing production costs. The honeycomb-shaped ceramic separation-membrane structure is provided with a honeycomb-shaped base material, an intermediate layer, and a separation layer. At least part of a ceramic porous body has a structure where aggregate particles are bonded to one another by an inorganic bonding material component. In the ceramic separation-membrane structure, an internal pressure fracture strength capable of fracturing the structure by application of water pressure inside the cells is 7 MPa or more.
US09327239B2
A catalysed filter for filtering particulate matter from exhaust gas comprising one or more catalyst poisons and emitted from a positive ignition internal combustion engine, which filter comprising a porous substrate having a total substrate length and having inlet surfaces and outlet surfaces, wherein the inlet surfaces are separated from the outlet surfaces by a porous structure containing pores of a first mean pore size, wherein the porous substrate is coated with a washcoat comprising a plurality of solid particles, wherein the porous structure of the washcoated porous substrate contains pores of a second mean pore size, wherein the second mean pore size is less than the first mean pore size, which washcoat being axially arranged on the porous substrate as a first zone comprising the inlet surfaces of a first substrate length less than the total substrate length and a second zone comprising the outlet surfaces of a second substrate length less than the total substrate length, wherein the sum of the substrate length in the first zone and the substrate length in the second zone≧100%, wherein the washcoat of at least the second zone is a three-way catalyst washcoat comprising one or more precious metal supported on a high surface area oxide, and an oxygen storage component and wherein: (i) a specific surface area of washcoat in the first zone>second zone; or (ii) both a washcoat loading and a specific surface area of washcoat in the first zone>second zone.
US09327235B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising a single-stage conversion of an atmospheric pollutant, such as NO, NO2 and/or SOx in a first stream to one or more mineral acids and/or salts thereof by reacting with nonionic gas phase chlorine dioxide (ClO20), wherein the reaction is carried out in the gas phase. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method comprising first adjusting the atmospheric pollutant concentrations in a first stream to a molar ratio of about 1:1, and then reacting with an aqueous metal hydroxide solution (MOH). Another aspect of the invention relates to an apparatus that can be used to carry out the methods disclosed herein. The methods disclosed herein are unexpectedly efficient and cost effective, and can be applied to a stream comprising high concentration and large volume of atmospheric pollutants.
US09327234B2
A flue gas desulfurization process and system that utilize ammonia as a reactant, and in which any hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans within the ammonia are separated during the desulfurization process so as to prevent their release into the atmosphere. The process and system entail absorbing acidic gases from a flue gas with a scrubbing media containing ammonium sulfate to produce a stream of scrubbed flue gas, collecting the scrubbing media containing the absorbed acidic gases, injecting into the collected scrubbing media a source of ammonia that is laden with hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans so that the injected ammonia is absorbed into and reacted with the collected scrubbing media, stripping the hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans from the collected scrubbing media by causing the hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans to exit the collected scrubbing media as stripped gases, and collecting the stripped gases without allowing the stripped gases to enter the stream of scrubbed flue gas.
US09327233B2
A method of producing trona suitable for flue gas desulfurization comprising mechanically mining a trona ore deposit containing insoluble impurities; crushing the mined trona ore to create a mixture of uncalcined trona-rich particles and impurities-rich particles; beneficiating the crushed uncalcined trona ore to obtain a trona-rich, impurities-depleted ore fraction; and drying the trona-rich ore fraction under non-calcining conditions to yield a dry uncalcined trona ore. A preferred embodiment includes concurrently milling and drying the trona-rich, impurities-depleted ore fraction to recover a low moisture content trona product having a high NaHCO3:Na2CO3 ratio, useful for the efficient dry injection desulfurization of flue gas streams.
US09327230B2
A gas cleaning system including a wet scrubber (14) for removal of sulphur dioxide from a gas and an oxidation basin system (42) for receiving effluent generated in the removal of sulphur dioxide from the process gas. The oxidation basin system (42) comprises an oxidation basin (43) for containing the effluent during treatment thereof, an oxygen supply system (47) for supplying oxygen to the effluent in the oxidation basin (43), and a contacting system for bringing the effluent into contact with an enzyme which catalyzes the oxidation of bisulphite and/or sulphite ions.
US09327229B2
SOx removal equipment 15 which reduces sulfur oxides from flue gas 12 from a boiler 11, a cooler 16 which is provided on the downstream side of the SOx removal equipment 15 so as to reduce the sulfur oxides from the flue gas and decrease a gas temperature, CO2 recovery equipment 17 which includes an absorber for bringing CO2 in the flue gas into contact with a CO2 absorption liquid so as to be reduced and a regenerator for causing the CO2 absorption liquid to emit CO2 so as to recover CO2 and regenerate the CO2 absorption liquid, and ammonia injection equipment 22 for reducing a mist generation material which is a generation source of mist that is generated in the absorber of the CO2 recovery equipment before introducing the flue gas to the CO2 recovery equipment, are included.
US09327217B2
This invention relates to a multilayer filter. The filter comprises at least a first layer comprising a plurality of openings and at least a second permeable layer overlaying the first layer and reducing the size of the openings. The filter may further comprise one or more successive layers overlaying the second layer, wherein each layer further successively reduces the size of the openings. The filter may be used for separation of particles from fluid or gas. There is also provided a method for fabricating a multilayer filter.
US09327209B2
A separations tray assembly for use in a fluid-fluid exchange column. The separations tray assembly is of the type where a first fluid, in a continuous phase, is directed across successive trays in a serpentine flow path. A second fluid, in a dispersed phase ascends through apertures in the tray thus inducing interaction and mass transfer with the first fluid. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the separations tray further includes a diffuser skirt, having apertures disposed therein, operatively coupled to a fluid channel. The diffuser skirt is operable to direct the first fluid to cover substantially an entire volumetric cross-flow window between successive separations trays and to induce stirring and mixing of the first fluid and the second fluid to effect efficient mass transfer.
US09327207B2
The spherical desalination device includes a hollow spherical transparent shell serving as a distillation chamber or still. Water initially flows through an underground system for geothermal heating, then flows into the hollow shell. The water flows from the upper portion of the shell, filling a series of concentric circular trays arranged in a conical stack within the shell. Water cascades from the smallest diameter uppermost tray to the largest lowermost tray, in sequence. Sunlight focused on the transparent shell causes the water to evaporate, and condensation collects upon the interior surface of the shell. A resilient seal extends about the lower rim of the largest and lowest evaporator tray, and is located at the equator of the hollow shell. The shell is rotated by an external motor, thereby drawing the internal surface of the shell across the seal to remove collected condensation from the internal surface of the shell.
US09327200B2
Objectives, an environment, and/or a theme associated with a virtual space may be managed based on characters made accessible responsive to corresponding tokens being detected. Tokens, including a first token associated with a first character or a second token associated with a second character, may be detected based on signals received from one or more token readers. The first character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the first token being detected and the second character may be made accessible in the virtual space responsive to the second token being detected. Responsive to one or both of the first token being detected or the second token being detected, a given objective associated with the virtual space may be effectuated in the virtual space, an environment of the virtual space may be modified, and/or a theme of the virtual space being modified.
US09327196B2
A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method are provided for displaying feed-based information in an online game. Player feeds are received in a game networking system. A specification for displaying information from the player feeds in the game networking system is accessed. A first player profile is accessed for a first player in an online game, the first player profile identifying one or more characteristics of the first player. The first-player profile is used with the specification to determine a first display profile for displaying information from the player feeds to the first player. The feed-based information is generated for the first player by using the first display profile to access the player feeds, and the feed-based information is then displayed to the first player through a user interface of the online game.
US09327188B2
A plurality of gaming terminals each having a terminal display on which a plurality of symbols are lined up, a plurality of upper displays forming a single common effect image display screen constituted by gaming terminal areas corresponding to the respective gaming terminals, and a center controller are included. The center controller determines whether a common game is being run when an independent special game is started, and produces an effect in the gaming terminal area corresponding to the gaming terminal, only when the common game is not being run.
US09327185B2
Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including a representation of a ball queue. In one example, a display for a bingo game represents a queue of one or more upcoming ball calls for the bingo game. In some embodiments, a ball queue may include partial information about an upcoming ball call (e.g., an indication of a corresponding bingo card column but not a bingo number).
US09327183B1
A method for conducting a game includes receiving an ante wager and optional side wagers. A player hand, a dealer hand, and a community set are dealt. A first option is conducted for the player to place a raise wager or check. After the first option, a portion of the community set is exposed, followed by a second option to place a raise wager or check, unless a raise wager was previously received. A portion of the dealer hand is exposed, followed by a third option to place a raise wager or fold, unless a raise wager was previously received. The remainder of the community set and dealer hand are exposed, a final player hand and final dealer hand are formed, and wagers are resolved based on a comparison of the final player hand to the final dealer hand, and whether the final dealer hand has a qualifying holding.
US09327180B2
A gliding or rolling board, having a length measured along a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, a width measured along a transverse direction between a first slide and a second slide, and a height measured between a bottom and a top, the board including a first zone for receiving a foot or a boot, and a second zone for receiving a foot or boot. Between the receiving zones, the board includes a first flexing zone located toward the first receiving zone, as well as a second flexing zone located toward the second receiving zone.
US09327179B2
A piece of footwear, such as ice skating boots, is provided wherein a skating blade system is operable to be pivoted, tilted and/or rotated about at least two axes so as to enable the skating blade to be vertically aligned with the knee/upper portion of the lower leg (e.g., proximal portion of the tibia) of the skater so as to maintain proper balance. The adjustable skating blade system can provide the corrected foot with adequate balance relative to the skating blade during typical ice skating maneuvers. The skating blade system may include a skating blade and at least one mounting system. The mounting system may be provided on the underside surface of the sole and/or heel platform of the skating boot. The mounting system may be positioned at the heel, toe, and/or the mid-foot positions of the underside surface of the sole and/or heel platform of the ice skating boot.
US09327173B2
A head 4 includes a head main body h1, a socket 10, an attachment member 11, and a weight body 12. The head main body h1 includes a socket housing portion 14. The socket 10 is attached to the socket housing portion 14. The socket housing portion 14 includes a first opening K1 through which the socket 10 can be housed. The attachment member 11 is mechanically joined to the head main body h1. The attachment member 11 is disposed so as to block at least a part of the first opening K1. The attachment member 11 controls the falling off of the socket 10 from the first opening K1. The socket 10 includes a held portion 10b. The held portion 10b is pressed by the attachment member 11. The socket 10 is formed of a polymer.
US09327171B2
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve assembly, and a club head. The shaft sleeve assembly is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve assembly is removably coupled to the club head includes portions coupled by a flexible coupling.
US09327166B2
Multi-layered golf balls containing a dual-core structure are provided. The core structure includes an inner core (center) comprising a foam composition, preferably foamed polyurethane. The outer core layer is preferably formed from a non-foamed thermoset composition such as polybutadiene rubber. The core layers have different hardness and specific gravity levels. The specific gravity (density) of the foam inner core is preferably less than the density of the outer core layer. The core assembly preferably has a positive hardness gradient extending across the entire assembly. The core structure and resulting ball have relatively good resiliency.
US09327161B1
A portable spotting device that can be moved by a single person from one piece of exercise equipment to another is described. The portable spotting device has a central tower having a vertical support, a powered lifting device and an actuator portion. A powered lifting device, such as an electric motor, may be coupled to the vertical support and drive a cable spool, whereby a cable is attached to the actuator portion. The electric motor, configured as a wench may move the actuator portion up and down along the vertical support. A horizontal extension attached to the actuator has a pair of adjustable arms the extend forward to retain and lift a weight, such as a weight bar. An actuator pedal allows a weight lifter to control the height of the adjustable arms while lying on a bench.
US09327153B2
A multi-purpose exercise device includes a first side assembly having a first side assembly short side with an angled first side assembly front foot, a first side assembly long side with an angled first side assembly back foot, and a first elbow provided between the first side assembly short side and the first side assembly long side. The multi-purpose exercise device further includes a second side assembly located parallel to the first side assembly, the second side assembly having a second side assembly short side with an angled second side assembly front foot, a second side assembly long side with an angled second side assembly back foot, and a second elbow provided between the second side assembly short side and the second side assembly long side. At least one brace is provided for connecting the first side assembly to the second side assembly.
US09327151B2
Method and a fire-fighting extinguisher nozzle for providing a spray of fine droplet mist of liquid into a space, room or a cavity, comprises a number of openings in the exterior surface of the nozzle. Openings communicate with a liquid source through at least one small diameter drilled hole in a nozzle material, enabling liquid in the form of a mist to be directed at least partly in lateral direction and/or at least partly in a sector axially out from the nozzle. The nozzle is also being associated with trigger mechanism, initiating the mist creating effect by allowing an extinguishing liquid to be sprayed out the openings of the nozzle when heat or fumes are detected. Some of the drilled holes are configured in such way that a deflecting surface is provided inside the drilled holed in the nozzle material in the vicinity of the outlet, causing formation of the mist spray of crushed liquid consisting of fine, minute droplets just inside the drilled holes.
US09327147B2
A roof anchor comprises a pliable member including an interconnecting portion interconnecting a first portion and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion each include a securing portion with a plurality of apertures and a connecting portion with an aperture. A first notch and a second notch are proximate the junctures of each securing portion and connecting portion. The first notch and the second notch extend inward from opposing sides and toward proximate a middle of the respective first and second portions, and an aperture is between each first notch and second notch.
US09327144B2
A powder composition comprising a particulate phase containing a plurality of edible grains.
US09327131B2
Evaluation of an implanted electrical lead condition includes comparing electrogram template features with test electrogram features. The evaluating also includes determining the implanted electrical lead condition based solely on the electrogram comparison. The compared test electrogram features and template electrogram features may be atrial amplitudes and ventricular amplitudes. The sensing may be with a quad polar lead. The compared test electrogram features and electrogram template features may account for different patient postures and/or may account for respiration modulation.
US09327130B2
Method and system for non-linear modeling of physiological behavior, such as R-R intervals, in implantable devices, such as a rate responsive pacemakers, comprising a comprehensive modeling and optimization methodology based on fractional calculus and constrained finite horizon optimal control theory that allows for allows for fine-grain optimization of pacemaker response to heart rate variations; and the theoretical basis on which a hardware implementation of the fractional optimal controller that can respond to changes in the heart rate dynamics. Present invention describes a fractal approach to pacemaker control based on the constrained finite horizon optimal control problem. This is achieved by modeling the heart rate dynamics via fractional differential equations. Also, by using calculus of variations, the invention describes how the constrained finite horizon optimal control problem can be reduced to solving a linear system of equations. Finally, the invention describes the theoretical basis on which a hardware implementation become possible.
US09327128B2
A therapeutic neurostimulation system configured for providing therapy to a patient. The neurostimulation system comprises a neurostimulation lead having an array of electrodes arranged along a longitudinal axis configured for being implanted along a spinal cord of a patient, a neurostimulation device configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to active ones of the electrode array, and control/processing circuitry for instructing the neurostimulation device to configure an active electrode as a cathode, and two active electrodes longitudinally flanking and laterally offset from the cathode as anodes, selecting a ratio of stimulation amplitude values for the two anodes based on a known longitudinal location of the implanted neurostimulation lead relative to the spinal cord, and instructing the neurostimulation device to distribute the electrical stimulation energy between the two anodes in accordance with the selected stimulation amplitude value ratio.
US09327115B2
An implant device for stimulating osteogenesis and osseointegration comprises a hollow annular housing member, a pulsed current modulator, and a coil connected to the current modulator. The current modulator and at least a portion of the coil are mounted within the housing member. A frequency of the pulsed current is selected to generate an electromagnetic field of a predetermined flux density that penetrates, and propagates radially outwardly from, the housing member for a sufficiently large propagation distance to stimulate osteogenesis and osseointegration, by means of the generated electromagnetic field, of a bone region in which the implant device is implanted and which is disposed radially outwardly from the housing member.
US09327108B2
A flexible circuit electrode array device comprising: a polymer layer; wherein the polymer layer includes one or more metal traces, an electrode array; one or more bond pads; and the electrode array is located on the opposite side of the polymer layer. A method for backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: applying polymer film on a substrate; processing the front side; releasing the polymer film from substrate; flipping over the polymer film and fixing it onto the substrate; processing the backside; and final releasing of the polymer film from the substrate. Another aspect of the method involves backside processing of a flexible circuit electrode device, comprising: processing the front side without releasing the polymer; processing the backside by sacrificial substrate method, or by laser drilling method; and releasing the polymer film from the substrate.
US09327107B2
A system for a neurostimulation device comprises a user input device configured for receiving an electrode morphology having at least one electrode, memory storing at least one basis electrode model, and at least one processor configured for modeling at least one electrode by recalling the at least one basis electrode model from the memory, and using the recalled at least one basis electrode model multiple times to construct a model of the at least one electrode.
US09327104B2
A system for delivering a therapeutic agent to a nasopharyngeal mucosa target comprises a foam generating mechanism, a gas, a therapeutic agent in liquid form that inhibits mucus production, and a delivery device. Actuation of the foam generating mechanism entraps gaseous bubbles from the gas in the liquid thereby forming a foam. The therapeutic agent is dispersed in the foam which has an expanded configuration adapted to fill a nasopharyngeal space and deliver the therapeutic agent to the mucosa targets. The delivery device is for delivering the foam to the nasopharyngeal space. The foam may also have a collapsed configuration for removal from the nasopharyngeal space or for concentration of the therapeutic agent onto the mucosa.
US09327099B2
A medical tube harness that a subject wears to organize, orient and support medical tubes and reduce the potential for unintentional tugging, kinking, and/or dislodging of the tubes as they extend from a subject's internal cavities, organs, orifices and/or anchor sites on the subject. The harness can improve patient comfort and safety, and can provide multiple locations for strategic tube placement.
US09327092B2
A mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein.
US09327083B2
Provided is a medicament delivery device (100) comprising a tubular housing (110), having a proximal end (111) and an opposite distal end (112), an actuator means (119, 120), slidably and coaxially arranged inside the tubular housing (110) wherein is provided an inter-locking mechanism (119, 413) between the a cap (410) and the housing (110), enabling the cap (410) to freely spin, i.e. it is impossible to open the cap (410), until the medicament delivery device (100) has been properly activated by an activator means (160).
US09327078B2
A system and method to automatically initiate an injection procedure of a medicament into a patient. In the system, a delivery assembly includes an injector for infusing the medicament into the patient. Further, the system includes a monitor for detecting a parameter characteristic of the procedure, for instance, a pressure indicative of a partial vacuum between the injector and the injection site, a pressure exerted by the patient against the delivery assembly, a conductance, a capacitance, or an optical blood reading. Also, the system includes a timer for determining compliance of the parameter within a predetermined range during a first time interval. In response to the timer, an actuator initiates the injection procedure at the expiration of the first time interval. Further, the actuator may stop the injection procedure if the parameter is outside the predetermined range during a second time interval.
US09327076B2
An electronically and remotely controlled pill (500) or medicament delivery system is provided. The pill (500) includes a housing (102); a medicament reservoir (104) for storing a medicament; an electronically controlled release valve or hatch (106) for dispensing one or more medicaments stored in the medicament reservoir (104) while traversing the gastrointestinal tract; control and timing circuitry (108) for opening and closing the valve (106); and a battery (109). The control and timing circuitry (108) opens an closes the valve (106) throughout a dispensing time period in accordance with a preset dispensing timing pattern which is programmed within the control and timing circuitry (108). RF communication circuitry receives control signals for remotely overriding the preset dispensing timing pattern, reprogramming the control and timing circuitry (108) or terminating the dispensing of the medicament within the body. The pill (500) includes an RFID tag (508) for tracking, identification, inventory and other purposes.
US09327072B2
A medical pump or the like provides for a multi-function flow monitor that provides for capacitive plates positioned on opposite sides of the IV line to sense changes in the electrical environment within the IV line to deduce IV line pressure, the presence of IV fluid bubbles, the presence of the IV line within the pump, and/or correct pump operation. Each of these conditions may be determined by different analysis of the capacitance across the capacitive plates.
US09327065B2
Disclosed herein are several embodiments of a negative pressure appliance and methods of using the same in the treatment of wounds. Some embodiments are directed to improved fluidic connectors or suction adapters for connecting to a wound site, for example using softer, kink-free conformable suction adapters.
US09327063B2
A reduced-pressure canister includes a canister body having a fluid reservoir, an inlet for receiving fluids from a patient, and an integral hydrophobic filter formed within a side or top portion of the canister body. The integral hydrophobic filter has a plurality of pores in the canister body that are covered by a hydrophobic coating. Other canisters, methods, and systems are also presented.
US09327056B2
Provided are devices for bone tissue engineering, comprising a metal or metal-based composite member comprising an interior macroporous structure with porosity varying from 0-90% (v), the member comprising a surface region having a surface pore size, porosity, and composition designed to encourage cell growth and adhesion thereon, to provide a device engineered for a particular recipient subject. Engineered devices may further comprises a gradient of pore size, porosity, and material composition extending from the surface region throughout the interior of the device, wherein the gradient transition is continuous, discontinuous or seamless to promote cell in-growth. Additional aspects provide methods for bone tissue engineering, comprising use of a metal or metal-based composite member comprising an interior porous structure, wherein the pore size, porosity and material composition is selected to provide a device having an optimal density and/or elastic modulus and/or compression strength for a specific recipient. Fabrication methods are provided.
US09327049B2
The present invention relates to an anti-adhesion polymer composition capable of supporting growth factor, which effectively exhibits anti-adhesion function and, at the same time, has an excellent adhesive property so as to be able to easily and continuously adhere to a wound site, has antibacterial and hemostatic properties, and is composed of an injectable formulation suitable for use in minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery or the like. The anti-adhesion polymer composition capable of supporting growth factor comprises: 24-50 wt % of a polyethyleneglycol-polypropyleneglycol-polyethyleneglycol (PEG-PPG-PEG) block copolymer having a polyethyleneglycol (PEG) content of 65-85 wt % and a molecular weight of 6,000-20,000 Da; 0.03-5 wt % of gelatin; 0.03-5 wt % of chitosan; and distilled water.
US09327047B1
A UVC radiation system for producing decontaminated air which flows into the surroundings of the system while blocking UVC radiation from entering the surrounding environment. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first housing forming a first air chamber and having multiple side walls each having one or more UVC lamps adjacent thereto. Each side wall has air vent openings in a pattern which confronts substantially the entire length of the one or more adjacent lamps. A second housing surrounds the first housing and lamps and forms a second air chamber having one or more walls containing an air filter to permit air to flow through the filter into the surrounding environment and to prevent UVC radiation from entering the environment.
US09327041B2
The system contains a container, comprising a plurality of sides, each side having a plurality of fluid permeable openings, wherein the plurality of sides form a substantially enclosed unit. The system contains at least one lid. The system contains at least one latch unit for movably attached to a first side of the plurality of sides at a proximate end of the latch unit. The system contains a lid restraint, formed at a distal end of the latch unit whereby the lid restraint restrains the lid when engaged with the lid. Lastly, the system contains at least one locking element formed along the latch unit for engagement with the first side, wherein engagement of the locking element limits the mobility of the latch unit.
US09327029B2
An antimicrobial therapeutic hydrogel composition comprises a pharmaceutical and/or medical grade silver salt, and an Aloe vera gel or extract. The composition could also include stabilizing agents, a non-ionic surfactant, polyol, and hydrophilic hygroscopic polymers. The resulting product has potent antimicrobial activity against bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses. The antimicrobial therapeutic composition can serve as a treatment for burns and as a wound/lesion dressing that either donates or receives moisture to provide a physiologic environment for accelerated wound healing and the relief of pain.
US09327028B2
A pharmaceutical composition and method for providing a reduction in side effects for human patients in need of therapy comprising the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising acetylcysteine is disclosed.
US09327026B2
Compositions and methods for immunization against human breast cancer are disclosed. In one embodiment the multivalent antigenic composition is provided comprising immunogenic polypeptides selected from the group consisting of human α-lactalbumin, αS1 casein, β-casein and κ-casein.
US09327022B2
The invention relates to antibodies specific to serum albumins. More specifically, the invention relates to camelid single domain antibodies and pentabodies binding to serum albumins of various species with various affinities.
US09327020B2
The present invention relates to the use of trisaccharide derivates comprising a substituted trisaccharide core, which trisaccharide core is fully substituted with fatty acid ester groups, and optionally one or more anionic groups as adjuvants, to the trisaccharide derivates as such, to a method for preparing such trisaccharides, to trisaccharides obtained with such method, to adjuvant compositions comprising such trisaccharide derivates and to a vaccine or kit comprising such adjuvant compositions.
US09327011B2
Peptide 6 and in particular, Peptide 021, may be used to treat tauopathies, such as frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism linked to chromosome-17 (FTDP-17) tau, corticobasal degeneration, Pick disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, Guam Parkinsonism dementia complex, dementia pugilistica also known as traumatic encephalopathy or traumatic brain injury, ceroid neuronal lipofusinosis, Hallerworden Sptaz disease, Alzheimer's disease, and adults with Down syndrome.
US09327009B2
The present invention relates to synthetic peptide inhibitors (Seq ID No. 67-71) useful as anti-HIV therapeutics. The invention also relates to a novel screening method for screening anti-HIV molecules. The present invention relates to a synthetic peptide useful as anti-HIV therapeutic. The invention also relates to a novel screening method for screening of anti-HIV therapeutics. In particular, the present invention relates to reporter gene constructs for the detection of the HIV Nef and host ASK1 protein interaction. Furthermore, the invention relates to a functional interaction for Nef-ASK1 proteins prepared in a recombinant manner, a method for identifying of Nef-ASK1 interaction which causes activation of pathway to activate apoptosis presumably causing immune evasion for HIV in infected cells. The reporter gene construct according to the present invention, after it had been introduced into cells, in the presence of HIV Nef and host ASK1 proteins result in the expression of reporter luciferase protein which may be used for quantitative/qualitative interaction of HIV Nef and host ASK1 protein. The both interacting construct cloned in fluorescence expression vector when transfected in eukaryotic cells inhibits ASK1 mediated apoptosis and were reversed by the inhibitors. Furthermore, the invention was used to identify the inhibitor for the interaction of Nef-ASK1 in the cell.
US09327005B1
Compositions and methods for dietary supplements that contain a cold-water extract of humic shale and/or an extract of the apple fruit or skin of the apple fruit that is/are effective to modulate in vivo cytokines, oxygen consumption rate, extracellular acidification rate, and ATP production.
US09327004B2
The present invention relates to topical compositions containing fermented extracts of Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) ingredients for improving the appearance and skin condition of the user. The topical compositions of the present invention are tailored for different users of different skin compositions according to TCM principles. The fermented TCM extracts are characterized by reduced odor and/or color in comparison with unfermented TCM extracts and are therefore more suitable for use in cosmetic products.
US09327003B2
The present invention provides a method of using Polygonum multiflorum or extracts thereof to enhance stem cell mobilization in a subject, including hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and bone marrow stem cells (BM-SCs). In one embodiment, a blended composition of plant parts, fruits, mushrooms, microorganisms, maternal fluids, and extracts thereof are used to promote mobilization of stem cells, resulting in migration of the stem cells to specific sties of maintenance and repair within tissues and/or organs. Increased circulation of HSCs and/or BMSCs and migration towards sites of maintenance promotes the natural regeneration mechanisms in the body.
US09327000B2
Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance.
US09326991B2
Embodiments of the present invention include nucleoside 5′-monophosphate derivative compounds, their preparation and their uses. In some embodiments, nucleoside 5′-monophosphate derivative compounds are useful to treat viral infections.
US09326984B2
Alkyl-piperazine-phenyl 4 (3H)-quinazolinones compounds of general formula (I) below are provided that are pharmacologically active and able to act on the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A serotonin receptors in a manner that promotes the control, relief or cure of disorders associated with these receptors, and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds for the treatment of disorders associated with these receptors. These compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions are useful in the treatment of conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, addictions, aggressiveness, impulsiveness, panic, psychotic, eating and sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and female sexual dysfunctions, including loss of sexual desire, inhibition of sexual desire and absence of sexual desire, among other disorders associated with these receptors.
US09326982B1
An extended release composition for an analgesic active pharmaceutical ingredient which may be an opioid, preferably hydrocodone as the only active ingredient. The extended release composition preferably comprises a extended release composition which may be in the form of beads contained in an oral dosage form such as gelatin capsules. The composition is designed to release hydrocodone in a way such that the increase in hydrocodone exposure in hepatically impaired patients is not clinically significant. The oral dosage units are supplied as part of a kit, which also includes a primary package and a package insert all sold as a commercially marketed product. The primary package and package insert are contained in an optional secondary package and the package insert does not contain a warning, a dosing instruction, or a dosing table specifically directed to patients suffering from mild, moderate or severe hepatic impairment, and preferably explicitly states that dosing adjustment is not required for mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
US09326981B2
The invention features methods involving the use of sublingual film formulations of apomorphine for treating Parkinson's disease. The methods involve providing the sublingual film formulation and administering the sublingual film formulation sublingually in the mouth of a subject by contacting sublingual mucosal tissue with the film.
US09326980B2
The embodiments herein provide a nano-carrier system for delivering a long-acting injectable drug of buprenorphine and a method of synthesizing the same. The buprenorphine entrapped nanoparticles are prepared using a lipid/phospholipid core which is coated by a polymer. The lipid and phospholipid are dissolved in organic solvent. This solution is transferred into an aqueous phase consisting of distilled water or a buffer. A solution of polymer is added drop wise. The drug entrapped nanoparticle formation is achieved by diffusion of the organic solvent within the aqueous solvent to obtain the nanoparticles. The drug gets entrapped within the nanoparticles via the anti-solvency effect of the aqueous matrix. The resulting drug nanocarriers are capable of releasing the drug in a slow rate upon injection. The synthesized drug carrying nanoparticles are cryopreserved stored for future administration. For better storage, the nanodispersion is dried to form a powder.
US09326977B2
Compositions comprising isolated ido-BR1 are described for use in therapy or prophylaxis, including the treatment of inflammatory diseases (for example as anti-inflammatory drugs) and to reduce inflammation. Also described are methods for monitoring the quality of a Cucurbitaceae extract, to processes for producing a Cucurbitaceae extract as well as to Cucurbitaceae extracts obtainable by such processes.
US09326975B2
The present invention provides novel substituted pyrazolone compounds, pharmaceutical acceptable salts and formulations thereof useful in modulating the protein tyrosine kinase activity, and in modulating cellular activities such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising such compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders in mammals, especially humans.
US09326974B2
A method of treatment and/or prevention of cancer comprises administering agents which cause increased intracellular granularity in cancer cells, at least in an amount sufficient to inhibit proliferation of such cells and preferably in an amount sufficient to lead to cancer cell death. The method is particularly directed to refractory cancer, particularly hormone refractory prostate cancer. The agents identified cause increased intracellular granularity in the cancer cells, and also convert adherent cancer cells to non-adherent cancer cells, leading to cancer cell death. Using the present invention, cancer cells undergo increased intracellular granularity at relatively low agent concentrations, while also inhibiting cell proliferation. Increased concentrations lead to conversion of adherent cancer cells to non-adherent cancer cells, then to cell death. While the exact mechanism of cancer cell degradation and death is not completely understood, the treated cancer cells, including refractory prostate cancer cells, give indications of cell death through an autophagic mechanism. Pharmaceutical compositions related to the presently disclosed methods are also disclosed.
US09326970B2
Compounds, formulations, and methods are provided containing the choline ester of a reducing agent, especially lipoic acid or derivatives thereof. The compounds may be administered via a topical ocular route to treat or prevent oxidative damage.
US09326963B2
The invention provides intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) solutions with low carbohydrate for the treatment of malnutrition in dialysis patients. The IDPN solutions of the invention are particularly advantageous for the treatment of malnutrition in patients who are diabetic or suffer from other glucose management related pathologies or patients who require strict fluid management.
US09326951B2
A composition containing a macrophage inhibitor may be administered in an effective amount to prevent, inhibit or reduce restenosis, thrombus or aneurysm formation in implanted polymeric vascular grafts. The composition may be administered prior to vascular graft implantation, at the same time as vascular graft implantation, following vascular graft implantation, or any combination thereof. Exemplary macrophage inhibitors include bisphosphonates, anti-folate drugs and antibodies, preferably in a controlled release or liposomal formulation.
US09326945B2
Compositions comprising crystalline apixaban particles having a D90 equal to or less than 89 μm, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, are substantially bioequivalent and can be used to for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of thromboembolic disorders.
US09326944B2
The invention relates to the field of pharmaceutical formulations. More particularly it is directed to freeze-dried formulations of Fibroblast Growth Factor 18 (FGF-18) compound and to methods of producing such formulations. The freeze-dried formulations according to the invention are stable upon storage for an appropriate period of time. They can be used, after reconstitution, for the treatment of cartilage disorders such as osteoarthritis or cartilage injury.
US09326935B2
The present invention provides a novel palatable pharmaceutical composition in the form of aqueous solution of atomoxetine. The oral aqueous solution of this invention will significantly reduce the potently bitter taste of atomoxetine, and further avoid swallow issue for young and elderly patients.
US09326934B2
Compositions are disclosed that afford drug delivery from two-part polymer compositions that rapidly form covalent linkages when mixed together. Such compositions are particularly well suited for use in a variety of tissue related applications when rapid adhesion to the tissue and gel formation is desired along with drug delivery. For example, the compositions are useful as tissue sealants, in promoting hemostasis, in effecting tissue adhesion, in providing tissue augmentation, and in the prevention of surgical adhesions.
US09326924B1
Provided are compositions comprising succinic acid, aconitic acid, and a carrier, wherein the succinic acid and aconitic acid are present in a ratio of from about 0.9:1 to about 40:1. Also provided are methods of disrupting a biofilm comprising applying to a surface having a biofilm a composition of the present invention.
US09326918B2
Method for adjusting or improving or optimizing the usage properties of filler(s)-containing, flowable dental material, which involves relating to at least one measuring value representing the tackiness to at least one measuring value representing the texturing or plasticity or consistency. Flowable, usage-optimized, usually non-polymerized dental composites contain, as fillers, at least one glass filler and at least one filler from the group of chipped polymers or pre-polymer fillers based on ground polymer that is pre-polymerized together with inorganic particles,and, as additive(s),at least one compound represented through formula H—Y—Z (I),where: Y=—O—, —S—, —CO—, —OSi(OR1)2—, —OE Z=H, OH, SH, NH2, COOH, COOR2 E=—CnHmOp- R1=H, C1-C4-Alkyl R2=C1-C15-Alkyl, interrupted by one or more O atoms. C2-C14-Alkyl, n=2 bis 5 m=4 bis 11 p=n.
US09326910B2
A method and apparatus that affect vacuum to massage a volume of the skin and one or more types of skin treatment energies coupled to the massaged volume to treat the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue and produce a desired treatment effect. The method and apparatus are based on coupling an array or a number of arrays being an assembly of skin treatment units with each skin treatment unit including a hollow cavity and a number of different energy to skin applying elements operative to receive skin treatment energy from a source of such energy and couple or apply the received energy to a treated segment of skin.
US09326906B2
An orthopedic or therapeutic support pillow is provided for use by a patient to support an arm and shoulder while the patient is resting in a generally prone position on a resting surface. The pillow includes a back section for positioning and supporting the pillow on resting surface, the back section having a central memory foam section to adapt to the contour of the body of the patient. The pillow further includes a pair of side arms extending from the back section, each side arm including contoured areas and a plush thickness to support the body, arms, and shoulders. The back section includes shoulder support zones to engage and support the shoulders of the patient when reclining on the pillow.
US09326902B2
An enclosure for enclosing an area including a frame and a canopy assembly. The frame includes an upper laterally-extending support, a first upstanding support coupled to a first end of the upper support, and a second upstanding support coupled to a second end of the upper support. The upper support is length-adjustable. The canopy assembly is connectable to the frame for defining an enclosed area, and includes a plurality of collars removably connectable to the frame, and at least one panel holdable in a plane defined by the supports of the frame. The circumference of at least one such collar is adjustable so that when the length of the upper support is adjusted, the collar circumference can be adjusted to accommodate the change in length.
US09326897B2
A sanitary tampon 10 includes an absorber 11 and a strand member 12 extending out from a tail end of the absorber 11 in a direction of insertion inside the vagina. A hook unit 20 is configured from a member different from the strand member 12 and distended outside from a circumferential surface 12e of the strand member 12 is provided in the strand member 12.
US09326891B2
The present invention generally relates to methods for deploying intraocular shunts without the use of an optical apparatus that contacts an eye, such as a goniolens. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve inserting into an eye a deployment device configured to hold an intraocular shunt, determining that a distal portion of the device is properly positioned within the eye without use of an optical apparatus that contacts the eye, and deploying the shunt from the device.
US09326887B2
Methods and devices treating an autonomic nervous system associated disease condition in a subject are provided. Aspects of the invention include inducing one or more physiological response selected from the group consisting of sweating, gastric emptying, enhanced heart rate variability and enhanced quantitative sensory test responsiveness in a manner sufficient to modify the autonomic nervous system so as to treat the subject for the disease condition. The methods and devices find use in a variety of applications, e.g. in the treatment of subjects suffering from conditions arising from disorders of the autonomic nervous system.
US09326884B2
A convex ostomy device, including i) a moldable pressure-sensitive thin center region covered on both sides with an adhesive; and ii) a thick region outside of and thicker than the center region, covered on both sides with the adhesive.
US09326880B2
Device embodiments and methods for using same are disclosed for treatment of static ankle plantar flexion. The device includes a sock configured to contain a patient's foot, the sock having a loop at an upper portion and a mechanical link coupled to the loop. The device further includes an adjustable plate, and an adjustable strap that is configured to selectively attach to the mechanical link. A cavity is formed by the sock and the adjustable strap that is configured to hold the adjustable plate when the strap is engaged to the mechanical link.
US09326879B2
The present invention provides bariatric therapy systems. One system includes a gastrointestinal implant device and a delivery mechanism therefor. The device can include a sleeve for placement into a small intestine and to minimize absorption of nutrients by its walls. An anchoring mechanism coupled to a proximal end of the sleeve and designed to be secured within the stomach can be provided. A passageway extending through the anchoring mechanism and the sleeve can also be provided, along which food can be directed from the stomach to the small intestine. The delivery mechanism can include a housing for accommodating the device, and a deploying balloon situated within the housing and which can be actuated to direct the sleeve of the device from within the housing to the site of implantation. Methods for providing bariatric therapy are also provided by the present invention.
US09326876B2
Delivery catheters and systems are adapted for delivering multiple discreet prostheses in body lumens. An exemplary delivery catheter comprises a sheath, a pusher for moving the prostheses relative to the sheath, and a valve member for selectively retaining the prostheses in the sheath. For balloon expandable stents, an elongated shaft and an expandable member are slidably disposed in the sheath, and the prostheses are positionable on the expandable member for deployment in the body lumen. The valve member allows a selected number of prostheses to be deployed from the sheath while retaining other prostheses within the sheath.
US09326867B2
Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities. In some instances, such systems and methods include a modular component, wherein the modular component is configured to attach to a femoral component, and wherein the femoral component is configured to attach to a distal portion of a femur. In some cases, the modular component includes an articular surface that is configured to increase a surface area of an articulation surface of a proximal portion of a posterior condyle of the femoral component. Other implementations are also discussed.
US09326856B2
A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, an annulus section adjacent the proximal end and an aortic section adjacent the distal end. The stent is formed of a plurality of struts. A cuff is coupled to the stent. The cuff has one or more features configured to reduce abrasion and/or perivalvular leakage.
US09326855B2
A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a support shaft around which a compartment is defined, an inner shaft extending through the support shaft and adapted to slide relative to the support shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof, the inner shaft having a lumen therethrough, and a distal sheath operatively connected at a distal end to the inner shaft and slidable therewith. The compartment may receive the valve in an assembled condition, and may be selectively covered and uncovered by the distal sheath. A first flow path may provide flow communication between the lumen of the inner shaft and the compartment.
US09326853B2
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems used to deliver a prosthetic heart valve to a deficient valve. In one embodiment, for instance, a support structure and an expandable prosthetic valve are advanced through the aortic arch of a patient using a delivery system. The support structure is delivered to a position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve (the support structure defining a support-structure interior). The expandable prosthetic valve is delivered into the aortic valve and into the support-structure interior. The expandable prosthetic heart valve is expanded while the expandable prosthetic heart valve is in the support-structure interior and while the support structure is at the position on or adjacent to the surface of the outflow side of the aortic valve, thereby causing one or more native leaflets of the aortic valve to be frictionally secured between the support structure and the expanded prosthetic heart valve.
US09326841B2
Biocompatible coatings and spin finishes that can be applied to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers, and medical devices made from PHA polymers, have been developed. The coatings impart good lubricity to PHA polymers, particularly to fibers and braids made from these materials, making the coatings ideal for use on medical devices such as PHA braided sutures. The spin finishes can be applied to PHA fibers to facilitate their manufacture, and also for their conversion to other products, including medical textiles. The spin finishes serve to protect multifilament fiber bundles, and keep them intact following extrusion, and also to impart lubricity to the fiber bundles and monofilament fibers so that they are not damaged in subsequent processing steps particularly in textile processing. The coating reduces tissue drag of, for example, braided sutures.
US09326834B2
The present application describes a method for designing and manufacturing a denture device for a patient. A method is described for designing a virtual denture and manufacturing a functional fitting replica denture from the virtual denture. An apparatus comprising a functional fitting replica denture is prepared having denture teeth having a fit substantially similar to the final denture. The methods and apparatus described herein reduce the number of visits required to manufacture the final denture.
US09326832B2
Secondary part for securing an impression cap (72) releasably on a tooth implant (10). The secondary part (40) is secured on the latter by means of a screw connection. The secondary part (40) has elastically deformable spring fingers (44) that cooperate with a wall (76) of the impression cap (72). The wall (76) is dimensionally stable. With a good fit of the impression cap, the device can thus have a slender configuration, such that it is also suitable in particular for use in the front area of the lower jaw.
US09326827B2
The present invention relates to medical devices, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a medical device that allows a surgeon to personally adjust the aperture of the light beam being projected from his or her surgical headlight during surgery, as often as necessary and without compromising the sterile field.
US09326818B2
A catheter has a distal assembly with at least one loop, if not two, with ring electrodes. The distal assembly has an elongated support member covered by an extruded form having two lumens, one sized for nonslip tight fit with the support member. A single continuous puller wire for bidirectional deflection is pre-bent into two long portions and a U-shape bend therebetween. The U-shape bend is anchored at a distal end of a deflectable section which is reinforced by at least one washer having at least two holes, each hole axially aligned with a respective lumen in the deflectable section. Each hole is centered with a lumen so that each puller wire portion therethrough is straight and subjected to tensile force only. A proximal end of the support member is flattened and serrated to provide a better bonding to the distal end of the deflectable section.
US09326815B2
A steerable catheter sheath for use in directing a catheter into a desired position is provided. The sheath includes an elongated member configured to receive the catheter therein. The distal end of the elongated member is steerable in two directions, each direction having a different bent configuration, e.g., a sharp curve in one direction and an open arching curve in the other direction. A resilient structure having different bending properties in each of its lateral sides is carried in the distal portion of the elongated member and causes the asymmetric bending. In one embodiment, the resilient structure includes a hypotube with a plurality of notches and slits in the sides. In another embodiment, the resilient structure is covered in an outer coating having different durometer portions. The sheath is particularly useful for accessing left and right pulmonary veins when a transeptal entry approach is used into the left atrium.
US09326814B2
Lesion size or volume prediction shortly after the onset of an ablation procedure can inform or control the ablation procedure. The prediction and/or control is made without regard to an actual detected temperature in the vicinity of the ablation electrodes. As a consequence, the system has utility with irrigated catheter constructions and other situations in which local irrigation in the vicinity of an ablation site would otherwise interfere with a prediction or control scheme that solely relies upon temperature measurements.
US09326810B2
A multi-button electrosurgical apparatus includes a housing having a passage extending therethough, a distal end configured to support an electrode; at least four switches disposed on a surface of the housing configured to be selectively activated by a user; and three wires connected between the housing and a connector, the connector configured to be operatively coupled to an electrosurgical generator, a first wire being coupled to the electrode and configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the electrosurgical generator, a second wire being coupled to a first switch and configured to generate a first activation signal and a third wire being coupled to a second switch and configured to generate a second activation signal, wherein a third and fourth switch are coupled to the first wire and the second or third wire via a respective reactive switching element configured to generate third and fourth activation signals.
US09326809B2
An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue comprises an elongate tube (3) having a proximal end and a distal end, and having a distal end face (12). The tube comprises one or more first apertures (14) located at the distal end face (12) and one or more second apertures (13) located along the periphery of the tube between the proximal and distal ends. The tube provides a conduit though which ionizable gas can be supplied to the distal end of the tube, and includes at least one electrode (4) for ionizing the ionizable gas exiting either the first or second apertures.
US09326803B2
A retaining mechanism for use in affixing a stratum to bone is disclosed. The mechanism comprises a stratum comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a hole extending between the two surfaces. The hole has a central longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the two surfaces. The retaining element comprises a first position that permits a fastener to be passed through the hole, a second position that at least partially overlaps the hole, and a spring element. The spring element is configured to engage the stratum, configured to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the hole when the retaining element moves between its first and second positions, and configured to engage the retaining element to help maintain the retaining element in its second position to help prevent inadvertent backing out of the fastener after it has been fully inserted into the hole.
US09326791B2
The distal portion of a shape-memory filament extends from a needle containing at least one filament gripping element. To implant the shape-memory filament in tissue, the needle is inserted into a cannula with a flexible and removable hook. During partial withdrawal of the needle, the hook holds the distal portion of the filament stationary to deposit a section of filament in the distal portion of the cannula. The needle is re-advanced, pushing the section of the shape-memory filament to coil or fold within the tissue. Rotation of the needle with the filament gripping element further tightens the coiled or folded filament. Partial withdrawal, re-advancement, rotation and pushing of the needle are repeated to fill, pack, strengthen, enlarge or augment the tissue with the shape-memory filament.
US09326788B2
A robotically controlled surgical tool including a lockout mechanism is provided. The surgical tool may comprise an instrument mounting portion. The instrument mounting portion includes a housing, a plate, a shaft assembly comprising an end effector, and a coupler to couple the shaft assembly to the instrument mounting portion. The end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first and second jaw members defining a channel therebetween, and a blade slideably receivable within the channel to cut tissue located between the first and second jaw members. The surgical tool may include an actuation mechanism to actuate the end effector to provide reciprocating movement of the blade within the channel. A lockout mechanism is coupled to the actuation mechanism. The lockout mechanism may selectively enable reciprocating movement of the blade. An interface mechanically and electrically couples the instrument mounting portion to a robotic manipulator.
US09326785B2
A connector for connecting an instrument tip with a laparoscopic tube end, the connector including a base forming a body of the connector, the base having a lumen configured to accommodate an instrument tip actuator therein, and a seal permanently bonded to an inner surface of a proximal end of the base and configured to deform upon connection of the connector with the tube end.
US09326782B2
An arterial device, system and method are provided for use with a patient undergoing a cardiac procedure. The system is configured for enabling one or more arterial devices to be accommodated in the aorta of the patient in use of the system, and a perfusion lumen arrangement provides therethrough a target perfusion flow into the aorta having a target perfusion flow rate that is significantly greater than a nominal perfusion flow rate, by an excess perfusion flow rate. A suction lumen arrangement provides therethrough a suction flow out of the aorta at a suction flow rate. The target perfusion flow rate and the suction flow rate may be concurrently and selectively controlled to cause embolic debris that may be present in the aorta to be diverted to the suction inlet, while providing the nominal flow rate to the body circulation of the patient.
US09326776B2
A surgical clip applier is provided having a cartridge carrying multiple surgical clips with a manual graspable actuator configured to sequentially deliver clips to the jaws of the clip applier. Both the cartridge and the jaws are connectable to a scissors-like handle assembly arranged to translate motion from finger loops to the jaws to open and close the jaws and thus close or crimp a delivered clip between the jaws.
US09326775B2
A system for obesity control includes a sheath and a plurality of medical devices. The sheath has a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The medical devices are disposed within the lumen. Each medical device includes a shell defining a cavity, the shell being movable between a deformed state and an unstressed state; a magnet disposed within the cavity; and a filler material disposed within the cavity. The filler material conforms to a shape of the shell when the shell is in the unstressed state. The filler material changes state to maintain a shape of the shell in the deformed state.
US09326761B2
An access device includes a body, a first tube, a second tube, and a mechanism. The first and second tubes extend through the body. The mechanism operably couples the first and second tubes such that at least one tube is pivotable about an axis with respect to the other tube. The body may form a substantially fluid-tight seal at the incision. In another embodiment, the access device further includes a third tube extending through the body and the mechanism operably couples the tubes together such that at least two tubes are pivotable about the axis with respect to the remaining tube.
US09326759B2
Occluder devices for occluding an anatomical aperture, such as an atrial septal defect (ASD) or a patent foramen ovale (PFO) comprise two sides connected by a central tube. The occluder devices are formed from a tube, which is cut to produce struts in each side. Upon the application of force, the struts deform into loops. The loops may be of various shapes, sizes, and configurations, and, in at least some embodiments, the loops have rounded peripheries. In some embodiments, at least one of the sides includes a tissue scaffold. The occluder devices include a catch system that maintains its deployed state in vivo. When an occluder device is deployed in vivo, the two sides are disposed on opposite sides of the septal tissue surrounding the aperture and the catch system is deployed so that the occluder device exerts a compressive force on the septal tissue and closes the aperture.
US09326756B2
Improved hand assemblies and methods combining a number of the separate known devices used in transseptal catheterization procedures, including sheaths, dilators, and needle assemblies (including a puncture device and a stylet, for example). The hand assemblies provide cooperating members that reduce the overall complexity and increase safety of transseptal catheterization procedures.
US09326751B2
An in vivo apparatus includes a flexible shaft having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length sufficient to access a patient's renal artery relative to a percutaneous access location. An energy guide apparatus is provided at the distal end of the shaft and dimensioned for deployment within the renal artery. An ex vivo apparatus includes an arrangement configured to localize the energy guide apparatus within the renal artery, and an energy source configured to direct ablative energy to target tissue located a predetermined distance from the localized energy guide apparatus. The target tissue includes perivascular renal nerve tissue adjacent the renal artery.
US09326750B2
Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs a transmission ultrasound toward a subject and a received signal obtained by receiving a reflected ultrasound from the subject, a transmission unit, a receiving unit and a puncture needle position detection unit which obtains a puncture needle echo information indicating an angle and a position of the puncture needle from the plane-wave received signal, and an ultrasound image is displayed on the basis of the received signal, the transmission unit applies the driving signal to the ultrasound probe so that a plane-wave transmission ultrasound is output from the ultrasound probe, and the receiving unit receives a plane-wave received signal which is obtained in such a way that the plane-wave transmission ultrasound is transmitted from the ultrasound probe, reflected by a puncture needle to be the reflected ultrasound and received by the ultrasound probe.
US09326737B2
An approach for providing diagnostic information regarding one or more impacts sustained by one or more users while the one or more users are participating in a team activity is described. A diagnostic platform detects one or more impacts sustained by a user, wherein the user is part of a team with one or more other users engaged in a team activity. The diagnostic platform generates a recommendation for a level of participation of the user, the one or more other users, or a combination thereof in the team activity based on the one or more impacts, a severity level of the one or more impacts, or a combination thereof. The diagnostic platform further presents the recommendation, a representation of the severity level, a representation of the level of participation, or a combination thereof in a user interface.
US09326736B2
Methods and systems for visualizing mechanical ventilation information are provided. One system includes a user interface for a medical system having a ventilator is provided. The user interface includes a memory storing one or more sensor measurements for a patient and a processor. The processor is programmed to display a visualization of a tidal volume determined from one of the sensor measurements of the patient and display a visualization of lung compliance for the patient, wherein the tidal volume visualization and the lung compliance visualization are displayed concurrently.
US09326733B2
A biopotential signal acquisition system comprising an analog readout unit configured to receive an analog biopotential signal and to extract an analog measured biopotential signal and an analog reference signal, and an ADC unit configured to provide a digital version of the analog measured biopotential signal and the analog reference signal. The system also includes a first digital filter unit comprising a cascaded integrator-comb filter configured to provide a first digital filtered version of the digital measured biopotential signal and the reference signal, and a second digital filter unit configured to calculate a digital motion artifact estimate based on the first digital filtered version signals.
US09326729B2
An electrode catheter is provided with a catheter shaft (10), an operating handle (20) provided with a connector (70), a tip electrode (31), ring-shaped electrodes (32 to 34), lead wires (41 to 44) connected to the tip electrode (31) and the ring-shaped electrodes (32 to 34), respectively, and a pull wire (50) fixed to the tip electrode (31). The catheter shaft (10) is constituted of a shaft proximal end portion (11) formed of a metal tube having a spiral slit (115) formed in a tip portion, a shaft distal end portion (12) formed of a resin tube of multi-lumen structure, and a resin covering layer (13) covering outer peripheries of the shaft proximal end portion (11) and a rear end portion of the shaft distal end portion (12). The lead wires (41 to 44) and the pull wire (50) extend through different lumens of the resin tube constituting the shaft distal end portion (12). This electrode catheter can exhibit good kink resistance, torque transmissibility and pushability in the entire shaft.
US09326716B2
In aspects of the present disclosure, a no coding blood glucose monitoring unit including a calibration unit is integrated with one or more components of an analyte monitoring system to provide compatibility with in vitro test strip that do not require a calibration code is provided. Also disclosed are methods, systems, devices and kits for providing the same.
US09326715B1
The invention is directed to a hyperspectral/multispectral system referred to as the OxyVu-1 system. The hyperspectral imaging technology performs spectral analysis at each point in a two-dimensional scanned a producing an image displaying information derived from the analysis. For the OxyVu-1 system, the spectral analytical methods determined in superficial tissues approximate values of oxygen saturation (HT-Sat), oxyhemoglobin levels (HT-oxy), and deoxyhemoglobin levels (HT-deoxy). The OxyVu-1 system displays the tissue oxygenation in a two-dimensional, color-coded image. The system contains a system console, a cart, system electronics, CPU, monitor, keyboard, pointing device and printer. The hyperspectral instrument head with support arm contains broadband illuminator, camera and spectral filter for collecting hyperspectral imaging cube. The single use OxyVu Check Pads and Targets are used to perform an instrument check prior to patient measurements. The OxyVu Target is placed within the intended field of view and is used as a fiduciary mark for image registration and for focusing.
US09326710B1
Apparatus and methods employing contact lenses having electrochemical sensors that have adjustable analyte-sensing sensitivity are provided. In some aspects, level of the analyte or biological substance is detected and a number of sub-electrodes of the sensor are turned on or off based on the level of the analyte or biological substance. The sensitivity of the sensor is adjusted based on the number of sub-electrodes that are turned on or off. In some aspects, the current level from the sensor is employed in determining the number of sub-electrodes to turn on or off. In one aspect, a contact lens includes: a substrate; a power component; a circuit and an adjustment circuit. The circuit can include a potentiostat; and a sensor electrically coupled to the potentiostat, and configured to sense a level of an analyte. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjustable by the adjustment circuit.
US09326707B2
Methods and apparatus including determining a rate of occurrence of a glycemic excursion event, determining a frequency of an alarm activation associated with the glycemic excursion event, determining an analyte level associated with the alarm activation, and setting an alarm parameter based on one or more of the determined rate of occurrence of the glycemic excursion event, the frequency of the alarm activation associated with the glycemic excursion event or the determined analyte level are provided.
US09326703B2
A manipulation device is programmable with different parameters associated with different manipulation exercises for different types of simulated patients. A measuring system determines the success or failure for any of the programmable manipulation exercises and tracks specific results that precisely track how close a student comes to specific target force values. This allows a student to more accurately track performance improvements and more effectively focus practice sessions on problem manipulation techniques. The measurement system not only measures the time and force values associated with the manipulation exercises but also measures angular displacement of the manipulation apparatus during the manipulation exercise. This allows the student to not only determine if a proper amount of force was applied during the manipulation exercise but also to determine if the force was maintained in the same direction and angle.
US09326701B2
In a method and imaging apparatus to automatically determine imaging planes for an imaging procedure to visualize a percutaneous intervention of a patient along a trajectory to a target point, data are obtained that represent a reference coordinate system with three orthogonal reference planes, and data also are acquired that represent the trajectory. One of the reference planes is determined as a selected reference plane based on the arrangement thereof relative to the trajectory. A first imaging plane is defined such that the trajectory lies therein, and such that it has a defined arrangement in relation to the selected reference plane. A second imaging plane is defined such that the trajectory lies therein, and such that it is orthogonal to the first imaging plane. A third imaging plane is defined such that it is orthogonal to the first imaging plane and second imaging plane, and includes the target point.
US09326697B2
A method, system, and device for detection of an arrhythmia, and discrimination between different types of arrhythmia, for example to determine whether to administer an electric shock to the heart, the device comprising a wearable monitor with electrodes that detect the electrical activity of a beating heart, attached to an embedded monitoring system having an amplifier, a microprocessor, a data storage device, and a power supply, all disposed on a substrate having large distal end portions that attach to the electrodes and a narrow intermediate portion that attaches to the monitoring system.
US09326696B2
Disclosed is a system having an implanted component and external component which are configured to provide a test of wireless communication in order to assess the success or failure of such communication and to store attributes related to such test in a memory log. To provide the communication test the implantable and external components can attempt wireless communication according to communication test parameters which relate to number of times to retry communication, duration of sending communication test signals, durations of waiting for communication test signals and the schedule of the communication tests. The schedule of tests may be period or may change over time in order to become more or less frequency according to a programmable schedule that may also decrease if the communication tests are successful and indicate patient compliance in keeping the external components close by. The communication tests can assist in determining if the patient is maintaining external components within a suggested proximity (e.g. 6 feet) of the patient and may assist to determine if transmission or reception difficulties are the source of communication failure. A physician programmer can provide for programming, conducting, summarizing and assessing the results of communication tests.
US09326690B2
A patient monitor configured to display patient information in a display area. The patient information is indicative of at least one physiological parameter of a patient and includes at least one unitary display element in the display area that indicates simultaneously both a quantitative value and a reliability indication of the physiological parameter. An appearance of the display element transitions so as to represent a plurality of different reliability levels, including at least a first reliability level, a second reliability level, and at least one intermediary reliability level between the first and second reliability levels.
US09326684B2
Systems and methods for measuring a physiological parameter of blood in a patient are provided herein. An example method includes establishing with a magnetic array, an first magnetic field along tissue of the patient inserted into the magnetic array and a second magnetic field perpendicular to the tissue, emitting optical signals into further tissue of the patient during at least a first alignment of the magnetic array around the tissue, detecting characteristics of the optical signals, and identifying a value of a physiological parameter based on at least the characteristics of the optical signals.
US09326679B2
A medical system includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a tomographic image of an object to be examined based on a combined beam generated by combining a return beam returning from the object to be examined illuminated with a measuring beam and a reference beam corresponding to the measuring beam, a focus position changing unit configured to change a focus position on the object to be examined;an optical-path-length difference changing unit configured to change a difference in optical path lengths between the measuring beam and the reference beam, and a control unit configured to control the optical-path-length difference changing unit so that the difference in the optical path length is within a predetermined range and then receive an instruction to the focus position changing unit to make a change.
US09326678B2
A tomographic-image pickup unit is controlled so as to capture a tomographic image in response to a signal input from a signal input unit. Then, a display unit is controlled so as to display the captured. tomographic image. An eyeground-image pickup unit is controlled so as to capture a two-dimensional image in response to a signal input from the signal input unit while the tomographic image. is displayed on the display unit. Therewith, the user can more easily perform imaging, and the time load on the subject is reduced.
US09326676B2
A tomographic image capturing apparatus includes a fixation lamp configured to guide a line of sight of a subject's eye, and a control unit configured to control a projection position of measuring light according to a predetermined position on a fundus of the subject's eye and a projection position of the fixation lamp.
US09326674B2
An optical tomographic imaging apparatus includes a measurement light optical path length changing unit configured to change an optical path length of measurement light. In a case where any one of a plurality of imaging regions of an object (for example, a region of an anterior eye of a subject's eye and a region of a fundus of the subject's eye) is selected, the optical tomographic imaging apparatus can control the measurement light optical path length changing unit according to a size of an imaging range of a tomographic image corresponding to the selected imaging region.
US09326670B2
A Glottiscope for assisting with the insertion of an endotracheal tube or an Eschman like stylet into a patient is claimed. The Glottiscope comprises a blade which defines an internal passage for receiving an endotracheal tube or an Eschman like stylet, the blade having a proximal end and a distal end and means for viewing the patient's glottis, wherein the viewing means is disposed at the distal end and in use, below the point of emergence of an endotracheal tube or a stylet/guide (to rail road the endotracheal tube) in the internal passage to provide a view of the patient's glottis, the blade being adapted to direct the viewing means towards the center of the patient's glottis.
US09326669B2
The claimed subject matter provides systems and/or methods that facilitate improving visualization associated with intubation. A dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade can be controlled to configure to normal anatomic variants and pathologic abnormalities to facilitate placing of an endotracheal tube into a patient's trachea. Further, cameras can be integrated into and/or mounted upon the dynamically articulating laryngoscope blade. The cameras can enable stereoscopic visualization of the laryngeal aperture allowing for depth perception. Moreover, the cameras can be moved independently of the blade allowing for optimal viewing of the laryngeal opening.
US09326651B2
A vacuum cleaner with a flexible head portion and combined suction and blowing mechanism to agitate debris. An external pressured air source is used to provide a source of pressured air for the blowing mechanism. The head portion has blowing and suction nozzles arranged such that the suction nozzles surround the blowing nozzles or vice versa. The blowing and suction nozzles may be in parallel rows and may have almost perpendicular trajectories. The blowing mechanism may be operated according to an alternating pulsing pattern corresponding to different blowing nozzle groups to create a repeating and bidirectional agitation effect onto stubborn debris in the area between the nozzle groups. The flexible head portion is formed by a grid of head portion units attached to each other by a joining mechanism. The flexible head portion has a concave shape in its relaxed state and can at least partially conform to irregular surfaces.
US09326649B1
A specially designed toilet seat accessory that is operated via hydraulics and an integrated, electronic foot pedal to provide consumers a sanitary and convenient hands-free method of lifting and lowering the toilet seat.
US09326648B2
A system for consecutively dispensing paper sheet material from a stub roll and a primary roll which utilizes a pivoted transfer door to locate a lead end portion of the primary roll in dispensing position responsive to disengagement between the transfer door and a pivoted lever supporting the stub roll.
US09326645B1
The invention describes a cleaning system in the form of a mitt having cleaning pads attached by reversible fastening means so that pads may be electively and consecutively attached, removed, or replaced. Furthermore, the invention provides a means for introducing, retaining, dispensing, and distributing a fluid, such as water or a liquid cleaning product, so that a removable pad may be irrigated with a regulated dose of fluid prior to use. The invention also describes a cooperative enclosure that can store a plurality of cleaning pads. Features of the compatible enclosure serve to physically guide the body of the mitt into alignment with a replacement pad.
US09326637B2
A container includes an emulsifying device having a milk suction pipe, a nozzle for supplying hot or emulsified milk with a discharge end outside the container, a steam inlet and an air inlet. The container is thermally insulated so as to better preserve the milk.
US09326634B1
An information handling system (IHS) includes a coffee design application. The IHS receives first input information from a user that specifies a coffee design mode. The IHS receives second input information from a user that enables the IHS to define a unitless brew formula line ratio of water weight to coffee weight. The IHS displays a brew formula line on a universal brewing control chart graph, the brew formula line being dependent on the brew formula ratio. The IHS operates in a selected one of a brew water volume mode, a desired coffee yield mode and a ground coffee weight mode. The IHS converts input values to selected units and resultant output values to selected units in real time. The IHS projects a target total dissolved solids (TDS) % value on the brew formula line and plots a universal brewing control chart.
US09326632B2
A valve structure includes a housing having an interior chamber, a first conduit connecting the interior chamber with a cooking chamber of a cooking device and having a first discharge cross-section, a second conduit connecting the interior chamber with the outside environment and having a second discharge cross-section, and at least one valve seat within the interior chamber having at least one valve seat opening which cooperates with at least one valve disc. The at least one valve disc moves between a closed position on the valve seat opening, and an open position spaced apart from the valve seat opening by changes in pressure in the cooking chamber. The valve operates to allow bidirectional flow of fluid to relieve over pressure and underpressure conditions, and enables automatic balancing of low pressure or vacuum in the cooking chamber.
US09326622B2
A block system includes a plurality of blocks connected side by side into a configuration, each block including a front, a rear, sides, lips, and fastener accommodating spaces; a plurality of adjacent fasteners connecting side by side blocks together. Each fastener disposed in the fastener accommodating spaces of side by side blocks without overlapping adjacent fasteners.
US09326620B1
Disclosed are embodiments of display modules, assemblies of display modules, and systems of display modules. Display modules have a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a predetermined pattern and providing a highly uniform visual effect. Alignment and complementary alignment features enable the alignment of adjacent display modules and the creation of large displays from a plurality of aligned display modules. Features to grip and retain a support frame are provided. Modules and systems have features that permit installation and removal from the front side of the display. A system of modular support frames works cooperatively with the display modules, adapting to different mounting environments, and thereby providing large modular displays with desirable properties.
US09326619B2
A multi-function baby carrier is disclosed. Embodiments include a lightweight, portable baby carrier capable of supporting a baby safely and securely. Embodiments also include a lightweight, portable baby carrier capable of being held with a single hand and function as a portable baby swing. Embodiments further include a lightweight, portable baby carrier capable of being used, together with the weight of the baby, for resistance-training.
US09326607B2
A rotatable armrest contains a body, a connecting mount, a joining member, and a cover. The body includes an inner rod and an outer rod. The inner rod has a rotating seat, a through hole, a first groove, a second groove, and two retaining shoulders. The connecting mount includes a locking rib and a column, the column has a slot and two notches. The joining member includes a first segment mounted in the through hole of the inner rod and a second segment fixed in the first groove of the inner rod, the first segment has two engaging blocks formed on an outer peripheral side thereof and a lock protrusion formed therein and accommodated in the slot, the second segment has a trench for receiving the cover, and the trench has a cutout which has two threaded orifices passing through the lock protrusion of the joining member.
US09326604B1
An inventory system for wire shelving is provided which includes a pivoting divider unit that subdivides individual bins of a shelving system into front and rear sections accessed through an open front side of the bin. The divider unit hinges between an upright position and a forwardly-lowered position. When fully stocked, the bin includes articles which are located in both the forward and rearward bin sections with the divider unit oriented in the upright position between adjacent articles. As articles are removed from the front bin section, eventually the divider unit is exposed. The divider unit is then manually tilted forwardly or lowered to allow continued removal of articles from the rear bin section. This lowered orientation of the divider unit indicates that the front bin section is now empty and restocking is due. The divider unit rotatably engages with the wire shelving and includes hinge clips which releasably lock the divider unit in the upright orientation.
US09326601B2
The present invention provides a modular system for at least one of displaying and storing at least one article. The modular system includes at least a pair of elongated support brackets having magnetic protrusions; at least one elongated cross member having downwardly facing end stops and means for positioning each of the at least one elongated cross member and the at least said pair of elongated support brackets in a generally horizontal plane during use of the modular system. The at least a pair of elongated support brackets are disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship with each other. The at least one elongated cross member is sized to at least span a distance between the at least pair of elongated support brackets. Additionally, the at least one elongated cross member may at least rest on a top edge of each of the at least the pair of elongated support brackets during use of said modular system.
US09326600B1
Shelving is provided which is easy to assemble and will fit a variety of spaces. Lateral members of various lengths and widths are connected to elongated extruded stanchions to form different shelving configurations. While bracing and adjustable feet make the shelving suitable for many applications such as with uneven floors, walls and ceiling heights.
US09326595B2
Tweezer-applicators having an applicator arranged linearly with tweezers are disclosed. The applicator may comprise a substantially flat rectangular shaped group of bristles that are arranged substantially straight along a linear axis of the tweezer-applicator. By virtue of having an applicator arranged substantially straight along the linear axis and in line with the tweezers, a user may grip the tweezers without the applicator interfering with a grip of a user and provide the user with precision while applying product to a portion of a body.
US09326581B1
An implement for abrading or filing a nail of a person, such as a fingernail or a toenail, includes a body that has a first side, a second side, and a peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has a peripheral groove formed therearound that has a floor that continuously varies in depth based on a radial position. A perimeter abrading surface is applied to the floor of the groove. A first abrading surface is applied to the first side of the body, preferably via a removable disk that adheres with an adhesive to the first side of the body. A second abrading surface, preferably via a second removable disk that adheres with the adhesive to the second side of the body, is preferably applied to the second side of the body, the second abrading surface having a different abrasiveness or grit than the first abrading surface.
US09326576B2
A cover is described that is magnetically attached to a tablet device. The cover includes at least as flap. In the described embodiment, the flap includes a plurality of segments where the first segment includes a first plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a first edge of the flap and where a second segment includes a second plurality of edge attach magnets arrayed along a second edge of the flap opposite the first edge.
US09326575B2
A mobile office comprising a wheeled luggage with telescoping handle; a top surface comprising an integrated seat; multiple internal and external storage compartments; a removable organizer drawer; and a removable table with extendable legs.
US09326571B2
The present invention relates to a jewelry (100) having decorative elements (90) in the jewelry (100) that are mobile and can be changed allowing the personalization of the jewelry (100). The plurality of decorative elements (90) is mounted and un-mounted into/from the main frame (10) through the lock system (40) provided at the main frame (10). The main frame (10) forms a track for the elements to oscillate freely. The lock system (40) allows the decorative elements (90) to be secured into the main frame (10). A secondary frame (20) provides firmness to jewelry (100). A flip-over safety lock (70) is provided to further secure the decorative elements (90) and at the same time to hide the mechanical arrangements.
US09326567B2
Systems for producing traction, wherein each traction system is an apparatus that provides traction on snow and ice covered surfaces.A pair of Back Country skis each are mounted with an apparatus; having DC powered controls, tilt switch, pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas powered pneumatic actuators operating gripping parts; controlled by a servo unit. A pair of foot wear (hiking boots) having a DC powered servo-solenoid-valve units controlling pressurized CO2, gas powering pneumatic rotors, operating, hydraulic pumps, actuators with gripping parts. A pair of snowmobile skis each having an assembly of parts; driven by an hydraulic rotor that pivots the skis, adjusting their position when cornering, providing traction, according to a snowmobile steering system. And is powered and controlled by at least one of: hydraulic steering system, an electro-hydraulic steering system; an electric power steering system using an electric motor instead of hydraulic rotor.
US09326557B2
A glove is formed from elastomer having Mooney viscosity, ML(1+4)(100° C.) of 100-220, that contains 25-30 weight % of acrylonitrile, 62-71 weight % of butadiene and 4-8 weight % of unsaturated carboxylic acid, and does not contain sulfur crosslinking agents or vulcanization accelerators. The unsaturated carboxylic acid comprises a first fraction of substituents and a second fraction of substituents, the first fraction of substituents forming cross-links via bonds with each other, and the second fraction of substituents forming cross-links via bonds with a bivalent metal. Glove properties include thickness 0.05-0.15 mm, swelling ratio 240-320, tensile stress 22-35 MPa, elongation to break 480-620%, and tensile stress at 500% elongation 15-35 MPa. By chlorine treatment of both inner and outer surfaces of the glove, the inner surface has decreased tackiness and the outer surface has increased smoothness. Content of metal and metallic salt impurities and an anion contained in the glove is decreased.
US09326554B2
Functional pants include a pant body, two front bands, two rhombic bands and two back bands. The two rhombic bands are disposed corresponding to the wearer's gluteus medius muscles that work to extend and lift the legs during a long-distance running. The rhombic bands are adapted to enhance the extensibility and reduce fatigue of the gluteus medius muscles. The front and back bands alternatively impart a stretching force to the wearer when the wearer's legs are repeatedly kicking and lifting during running, enabling the wearer to run with less effort. Thus, the functional pants have a significant effect on reducing fatigue, and are suitable for long-distance runners.
US09326549B2
An electronic cigarette includes a shell and a mouthpiece. The external wall of the shell has an air inlet. An atomizer and a liquid-supply are in contact with each other. The air inlet, atomizer, and an aerosol passage are interconnected.
US09326548B2
An electronic cigarette includes a battery assembly and an atomizer assembly within a housing with the battery assembly electrically connected to the atomizer assembly. The housing has one or more air inlets. A liquid storage component is in contact with a porous component of the atomizer assembly, with the porous component having a run-through hole. A heating wire is in an air flow path through the run-through hole.
US09326542B2
Technology for utilizing, as a raw material for food or beverage products, malt sprouts having been removed as the cause of odd taste, despite containing nitrogen sources and various active substances in high proportion, in the production of beer or whiskey is provided by a process for producing a food or beverage product wherein a malt sprout of controlled particle size are used as a raw material. In particular, a process for producing a food or beverage from malt sprouts wherein the ratio of particles of less than 150 μm size is 60 wt. % or less. This process for producing a food or beverage products preferably comprises the steps of immersing malt sprouts in a liquid so as to leach malt sprout components with the liquid and, after the leaching, removing the residual malt sprouts.
US09326535B2
Methods for reducing the environmental impact of animal waste are described. In particular embodiments, the methods comprise administering to an animal an enzyme, such as alkaline phosphatase, that is effective to reduce the amount of a detrimental compound, such as ammonia or phosphorous, that is present in or released from animal waste. Also provided is a method for increasing phosphorus digestion in an animal. Compositions suitable for use in such methods are also described.
US09326526B2
A shaped food product, such as a sausage, having a central opening into which at least one condiment may be placed prior to consumption and methods of preparing, eating, and manufacturing such a food product. The condiment may be placed after the cooking of the food product, prior to the cooking of the food product, or as part of the cooking of the food product.
US09326522B2
[Problem]A microbial pesticidal composition containing viable spores of a bacterium belonging to the genus Bacillus and a chemical pesticide, in which the spores can be preserved stably in a living state for a long period of time, and a method for preserving the spores stably in a living state for a long period of time, are provided.[Dissolution Means]Viable spores of Bacillus subtilis and/or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens are blended with at least one member selected from a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide silicic acid salt, and a metal hydroxide silicic acid salt.
US09326513B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising a combination of components A) and B), wherein component A) is a compound of formula (I) and the component (B) is a further fungicide, insecticide or herbicide.
US09326512B2
A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing flurochloridone and zinc pyrithione is provided. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the growth of or controlling the growth of microorganisms in a building material by adding such a synergistic antimicrobial composition. Also provided is a coating composition containing such a synergistic antimicrobial composition, and a dry film made from such a coating composition.
US09326509B2
The present invention relates to plant-protecting active ingredient mixtures comprising, as active components, a neonicotinoid and one or two fungicides selected from pyraclostrobin and boscalid, in synergistically effective amounts and to a method of improving the health of plants by to the plants or the locus thereof by applying said mixtures.
US09326503B2
Agrochemical compositions comprising (a) one or more branched alkyl polyglycosides, and (b) one or more biocides are disclosed. The compositions display improved solubility in water, and reduced foam generation.
US09326502B2
The invention relates to the production of nitrogen containing polymers from aziridines, to the use of these nitrogen containing polymers for stabilizing iodine containing compounds, to compositions comprising at least the nitrogen containing polymers and also iodine containing compounds, and to the use of these compositions as biocides and/or for controlling microorganisms.
US09326496B2
An adjustable holding assembly is provided to support a tubular member and includes a base assembly adapted to be mounted to a support surface. The base assembly includes a vertical shaft defining a vertical pivot axis, and a horizontal shaft rotatable about the vertical shaft and defining a horizontal pivot axis. A holder is adapted to receive the tubular member and is pivotally mounted to the base assembly so that the holder is simultaneously rotatable about the vertical pivot axis and the horizontal pivot axis. A single latching arrangement is carried by the horizontal shaft and is configured for selective engagement and disengagement with the base assembly to permit a one-handed adjustment of the holder simultaneously about the vertical pivot axis and the horizontal pivot axis or separately about either the vertical pivot axis or the horizontal pivot axis to multiple angular locked positions with respect to the base assembly.
US09326493B2
Disclosed is an automatic feeding system for an underwater fish farm, which includes a marine base facility standing vertically in the sea; an underwater fish farm installed on an outer surface of the marine base facility; a storage tank installed inside the marine base facility to store feed to be supplied to the underwater fish farm; a feed transfer device transferring the feed discharged through an outlet of the storage tank; a feed supply device mixing seawater with the feed transferred by the feed transfer device and supplying the mixture to the underwater fish farm; a controller installed inside the marine base facility to control operations of the feed transfer device and the feed supply device; and an illumination device installed in the underwater fish farm to illuminate an inside of the underwater fish farm.
US09326480B2
A robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to the supplemental arm. The gripping portion comprises at least one nozzle and is operable to rotate such that during a first mode of operation, the nozzle is positioned away from the top of the gripping portion, and during a second mode of operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.
US09326476B1
A novel maize variety designated X08D421 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08D421 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08D421 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08D421, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08D421. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08D421.
US09326471B1
A novel maize variety designated X08D384 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08D384 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08D384 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08D384, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08D384. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08D384.
US09326470B1
A novel maize variety designated X08D357 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X08D357 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08D357 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08D357, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08D357. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08D357.
US09326469B2
A celery cultivar, designated ADS-25, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of celery cultivar ADS-25, to the plants of celery cultivar ADS-25 and to methods for producing a celery plant by crossing the cultivar ADS-25 with itself or another celery cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a celery plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic celery plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to celery cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from celery cultivar ADS-25, to methods for producing other celery cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from celery cultivar ADS-25 and to the celery plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid celery seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar ADS-25 with another celery cultivar.
US09326464B1
The invention provides seed and plants of Tagetes patula variety ‘PAS1077387’. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds, and tissue cultures of Tagetes patula variety ‘PAS1077387’, and to methods for producing a marigold plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another marigold plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the gametes of such plants.
US09326462B2
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a soil moisture sensor for interrupting an irrigation schedule of an irrigation controller. The moisture sensor comprises a relatively flat body with two lower electrodes and two lower anchoring barbs. A receiver receives moisture readings from the sensor and compares moisture data to a predetermined moisture interrupt value or limit, over which irrigation is interrupted.
US09326454B2
A plant-cultivating method is provided which comprises a red light irradiation step (A) and a blue light irradiation step (B), wherein the step (A) and the step (B) are independently carried out for a predetermined period of time under cultivation conditions such that amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as fertilizer ingredients as used at the step (B) are smaller than amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium as fertilizer ingredients, respectively, as used at the step (A). Preferably, fertilizer ingredients are applied in amounts such that a growth medium at the step (B) contains 10-15 me/L of nitrogen, 1-4 me/L of phosphorus and 2-6 me/L of potassium, and a growth medium at the step (A) contains 15-20 me/L of nitrogen, 3-6 me/L of phosphorus and 6-9 me/L of potassium.
US09326453B2
A core harvester storage rack assembly includes a frame including a first end and a second end, a plurality of wheels operatively coupled about a lower portion of the frame, a jack operatively coupled to an upper portion of the frame, the jack including a seat adapted to engage with an elevator assembly of the core harvester at a first point, a brace operatively coupled to the first end of the frame, the brace adapted to engage the elevator assembly of the core harvester at two spaced-apart points proximate a forward portion of the core harvester elevator assembly, so as to provide three points of support for the core harvester elevator assembly; and the second end of the frame is adapted to removably hold a conveyor assembly of the core harvester.
US09326446B2
A clutch assembly attachable to a rotational output shaft of the engine, wherein the clutch assembly is configured to drive at least one implement of a lawn maintenance vehicle is provided. The clutch assembly includes a first pulley fixedly attached to the output shaft, a second pulley independently rotatable relative to the first pulley, and a belt extending between the first and second pulleys and an idler pulley that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. The clutch assembly further includes a third pulley directly connected with the second pulley, wherein rotation of the second pulley is directly transferred to the third pulley, and rotation of the third pulley provides an output rotation of the clutch assembly.
US09326441B2
A device for calibrating the product dispensed by a distributor (5) of granular materials comprises a calibration aperture (9) formed in a through-conduit (8) for the granular material between the distributor (5) of the seed and a device (4) for transporting the material, and a gate (10) associated with the calibration aperture (9) and movable between a calibration position, in which the aperture (9) is open and the material from the distributor (5) is conducted via the aperture (9), and a distribution position, in which the aperture (9) is closed and the material is conducted therebeyond along the through-conduit (8), wherein a motorized actuator (11) is connected to the gate (10) so as to make the gate (10) movable between those positions.
US09332685B2
An electronic component mounting apparatus includes a loading unit which loads a printed circuit board. This apparatus includes a first substrate moving unit which moves the printed circuit board, loaded by the loading unit, in the Y-direction. This apparatus includes a substrate holding unit which temporarily holds the printed circuit board moved by the first substrate moving unit. This apparatus includes a component mounting unit which mounts an electronic component on the printed circuit board. This apparatus includes a second substrate moving unit which moves the printed circuit board with the electronic component mounted thereon in the Y-direction. This apparatus includes an unloading unit which moves the printed circuit board, moved by the second substrate moving unit, in the X-direction to unload it. This invention can provide an electronic component mounting apparatus which is compact in its conveyance direction for conveying a printed circuit board.
US09332684B2
A substrate standby unit that is capable of keeping only one substrate 4 on standby in a substrate sorting mechanism 40 that moves the substrate 4 from the print inspection device M2 to the component installation device M4, a memory device 60 that stores a substrate ID on the substrate 4 that is on standby in the substrate standby unit, and a substrate ID management unit 46 that updates the substrate ID that is stored in the memory device 60 accompanying the transfer of the substrate 4 from the print inspection device M2 to the substrate standby unit are included. The substrate ID stored in the memory device 60 and the inspection result data associated with this substrate ID and stored in an inspection result data memory unit 45 are transmitted to the component installation device M4.
US09332680B2
An electrical gasket provides an electrical seal between first and second components in an electrical module. The electrical gasket includes an attachment portion for fixedly attaching the electrical gasket to one of the first and second components and a plurality of spring members for engaging the other of the first and second components to make mechanical and electrical contact between the first and second components such that the electrical seal is provided between the first and second electrical components. One of the components of the module can be an EMI shield or printed circuit board of the module, and another of the components can be the module housing.
US09332679B2
A fan assembly for an electrical device which comprises a number of heat generating electrical components mounted in an enclosure that includes a front wall, a rear wall and two generally parallel sidewalls. The fan assembly comprises a plurality of fans which are arranged in a row that extends generally perpendicularly between the sidewalls. Each fan comprises an axis of rotation which is oriented at an angle relative to the sidewalls, and the fan assembly further includes a plurality of inlet plenums which each communicate with an inlet end of a corresponding fan and a plurality of exhaust plenums which each communicate with an outlet end of a corresponding fan. In operation, the fans generate an airflow which is distributed through the enclosure by the inlet and exhaust plenums to thereby cool the electrical components.
US09332675B2
A heat dissipating assembly suited for an electronic device is provided. The electronic device has at least one heat source. The heat dissipating assembly includes a first tube, a second tube, and a fluid. The first tube has an inlet and an outlet, wherein a bore size of the inlet is smaller than a bore size of the outlet. Heat generated from the heat source is transferred to the first tube. Two opposite ends of the second tube are connected to the inlet and the outlet such that the first and the second tubes are formed into a closed loop. The fluid is filled in the closed loop. The fluid in the first tube transferred from the inlet toward the outlet absorbs the heat and is transferred to the second tube for heat dissipating. An electronic device is also provided.
US09332664B2
The present disclosure provides a wiring device with integrated DC output interfaces alongside AC output interfaces. The wiring device converts AC power received from the grid into DC power that can be used directly by DC loads. In certain example embodiments, the wiring device includes USB receptacles as the DC output interfaces. The wiring device also includes various power management enhancement features. Some such features include crimping and soldering electrical wires directly to the AC output contacts and a midframe for insulating certain components inside the wiring device from heat generated by other components.
US09332663B2
An electronic device opened by magnetic force includes a bottom cover, a top cover, at least one engaging module, a conductive logo, and at least one electromagnet. The top cover is capable of being opened and closed relative to the bottom cover. The top cover has a first engaging portion. The engaging module is disposed at the bottom cover and has a magnetic attraction portion, an elastic element and a second engaging portion. When the conductive logo is electrified, the electromagnet generates magnetism for attracting the magnetic attraction portion to drive the second engaging portion to be separated from the first engaging portion thus deforming the elastic element to allow the top cover to be opened. When the conductive logo is stopped from being electrified, the elastic element is restored to allow the second engaging portion to return to the original position.
US09332644B2
A high-frequency transmission line includes a laminate including dielectric layers, a first signal line provided in the laminate, a second signal line provided in the laminate and positioned on a first side in a direction of lamination relative to the first signal line, so as to cross the first signal line when viewed in a plan view in the direction of lamination, a first ground conductor positioned on a second side in the direction of lamination relative to the first signal line, a second ground conductor positioned on the first side in the direction of lamination relative to the second signal line, and an intermediate ground conductor provided between the first and second signal lines in the direction of lamination, so as to overlap with crossing portions of the first and second lines when viewed in a plan view in the direction of lamination. An area of overlap of the first ground conductor with the first signal line is smaller than an area of overlap of the second ground conductor with the first signal line. An area of overlap of the second ground conductor with the second signal line is smaller than an area of overlap of the first ground conductor with the second signal line.
US09332641B2
A connection structure of a circuit board is disclosed. In one aspect, the connection structure includes a first circuit board, a second circuit board and an adhesive member. A first connection pad and a second connection pad are disposed on the first circuit board. The second circuit board has a first surface facing the first circuit board. A plurality of third connection pads and fourth connection pads are disposed on the first surface of the second circuit board in a staggered pattern. The adhesive member is disposed between the first and second circuit boards. At least one of the third and fourth connection pads is electrically connected to a wire which is disposed on a second surface of the second circuit board opposite to the first surface of the second circuit board.
US09332638B2
An electrically conductive path is configured from a first copper plate, a second copper plate, and solder. The first copper plate has a first bent section extended from a first joining section joined to an electrically insulative board and bent toward the rear surface of the electrically insulative board. The second copper plate has a second bent section which is extended from a second joining section joined to the electrically insulative board, is bent toward the front surface of the electrically insulative board, and is disposed so as to cover, together with the first bent section, the inner wall surface of a base-material through-hole. Through-holes are provided in the portions of the second copper plate which face the inside of the base-material through-hole. Solder is filled between the first bent section and the second bent section.
US09332637B2
A ultra low loss dielectric thermosetting resin composition has at least one cyanate ester component (A) and at least one reactive intermediate component (B) that is capable of copolymerization with said component (A). The invention is a cyanate ester resin of the form: Tn-[W-(Z)f/(H)1−f-W]n−1-[W-(Z)f/(H)1−f-(OCN)f/(R)1−f]n+2, wherein T is a 1,3,5-substituted-triazine moiety (C3N3); W is a linking atom between triazine and either component A or component B; Z is component (A); H is component (B); OCN is a cyanate ester end group; R is a reactive end group of component B; n is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and f is a weight or mole fraction of component A. The composition exhibits excellent dielectric properties and yields a high performance laminate for use in high layer count, multilayer printed circuit board (PCB), prepregs, resin coated copper (RCC), film adhesives, high frequency radomes, radio frequency (RF) laminates and various composites.
US09332635B2
A display panel includes a periphery area, an active display area adjacent to the periphery, a driving chip disposed out of the active display area for driving the active display area, and a plurality of wires electrically connecting the driving chip and the active display area. The width of at least one wire at a portion adjacent to the driving chip is smaller than the width of the at least one wire at the other portion adjacent to the active display area.
US09332633B2
There is provided a transparent conductive film which comprises: a film substrate; a plurality of transparent conductor patterns formed on the film substrate; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer wherein the transparent conductor patterns are embedded. The plurality of transparent conductor patterns respectively have a two-layer structure wherein a first indium tin oxide layer and a second indium tin oxide layer are laminated on the film substrate in this order, and the first indium tin oxide layer has a greater tin oxide content than the second indium tin oxide layer does. The first indium tin oxide layer has a smaller thickness than the second indium tin oxide layer does.
US09332632B2
Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement graphene-based thermal management cores and printed wiring boards incorporating graphene-based thermal management cores. In one embodiment, a graphene-based thermal management core includes: a layer including at least one sheet of graphene; a first reinforcement layer; and a second reinforcement layer; where the layer including at least one sheet of graphene is disposed between the first reinforcement layer and the second reinforcement layer.
US09332624B2
A gantry scanner system comprises a radiation source, a plurality of detectors and a support frame supporting the detectors. The support frame includes an elongate support member arranged to support the detectors, cable support means arranged to support power cables or signal cables connected to the detectors, and cover means arranged to cover the support member, the cable support means and the detectors.
US09332618B2
An LED lamp includes LED chips, a translucent cover housing the LED chips, a motion sensor unit, a condensing lens, and a power unit. The motion sensor unit includes a light receiving element for light of a predetermined wavelength. The lens condenses light of the predetermined wavelength onto the light receiving element. The power unit controls the state of operation of the LED chips based on an output from the motion sensor unit. The motion sensor unit includes a light shielding member disposed to overlap the light receiving element in an optical axis direction of the condensing lens and also to surround the light receiving element as viewed in the optical axis direction. The light shielding member is made of a material having a lower light transmissivity than that of the condensing lens for a range of wavelengths including the predetermined wavelength.
US09332615B1
A cord dimmer switch includes a main body, a power cord and a rotating part. The main body includes a circuit device installed in the main body, a through hole formed at the top of the main body, and a rectangular notch formed on a corresponsive adjacent side of the main body. The power cord is connected to both ends of the main body for supplying power to the circuit device and a lamp, and the circuit device has a dimming column. The rotating part is connected to the dimming column to drive the dimming column to rotate synchronously. The rotating part includes a turntable corresponsive to the rectangular notch and a knob corresponsive to the through hole, a part of the periphery of the turntable is protruded out from the rectangular notch, and the top edge of the knob is protruded out from the through hole.
US09332614B2
Various examples directed to LED driver circuits capable of detecting the removal of an LED load are disclosed. In one example, the LED driver circuit may include a bleeder and load disconnect detection circuit having a bleeder circuit and a bleeder controller coupled to control the bleeder circuit. The bleeder controller may cause the bleeder circuit to draw a bleeder current that functions to supplement a load current drawn by an LED load to cause an input current of the LED driver circuit to be greater than a minimum holding current of a dimmer circuit. The bleeder controller may be further configured to detect a disconnect of the LED load based on the input current of the LED driver circuit, the bleeder control signal, and/or the bleeder current. In response to detecting a disconnect of the LED load, the bleeder controller may disable operation of the bleeder circuit.
US09332608B2
A lighting apparatus includes at least one light emitting device, such as one or more LEDs, detection circuitry coupled to a power input of the lighting apparatus and arranged to detect a characteristic of a modulation of the power input, supervisory circuitry, such as a processor, coupled to the detection circuitry, and a network interface, coupled to the supervisory circuitry, to communicate over a network. The supervisory circuitry is adapted to receive a message that includes brightness information over the network, receive information regarding the characteristic of the modulation of the power input from the detection circuitry, and control a brightness of the at least one light emitting device based on the brightness information and the information regarding the characteristic modulation of the power input.
US09332606B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) lighting control system including: a central control device configured to transmit a lighting control signal, which is based on a unidirectional or bidirectional communication protocol, to a plurality of channels; a converter configured to be connected to one of the channels and determine whether the lighting control signal is based on the unidirectional communication protocol or the bidirectional communication protocol in response to the lighting control signal including channel information of the converter; and a driver configured to be connected to the converter and control the operation of a plurality of LED modules in accordance with a control data signal transmitted by the converter.
US09332604B2
The invention provides an LED converter for operating a load comprising at least one LED series with at least one LED, preferably with multiple LEDs, wherein the LED converter on the primary side comprises a resonant converter supplied with a direct current voltage. Said converter has a half-bridge constructed of two reciprocally clocked switches and providing a supply voltage for the LED series through a serial/parallel resonance circuit connected to the midpoint of said bridge. The LED converter has a control unit that is arranged for adjusting the clocking frequency of the half bridge. To control or regulate the power transferred by the LED converter to the LED series, the control unit is arranged to vary the frequency of the clocking in a frequency corridor that is delimited on at least one side, and to vary the amplitude of the direct current voltage supplying the resonant converter if a change of the load and/or the change of a setpoint value for the power would lead to a frequency operating point outside the frequency corridor.
US09332599B2
The present invention provides a technology related to an improvement in the performance of releasing heat generated in a semiconductor light-emitting device. In a light-emitting module including a semiconductor light-emitting device provided with at least a semiconductor light-emitting element and a phosphor, and a circuit board, on the circuit board, at least a semiconductor light-emitting device including a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements each having a different path of a drive current to be supplied thereto, or a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting devices each having a different path of a drive current to be supplied to the semiconductor light-emitting elements is mounted. The circuit board is provided with a base material portion formed using a heat-conducting material, and a power supply conductor layer for supplying the drive currents of the semiconductor light-emitting elements to the semiconductor light-emitting device. The power supply conductor layer is planarly formed using a heat-conducting material, so as to cover a planar surface of the base material portion, and the planar region of the power supply conductor layer is planarly divided by an insulator for each drive current path.
US09332598B1
A method and light emitting diode (LED) illumination device comprising multiple emitter modules are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes bringing to a level insufficient to produce illumination the respective drive currents of all except one of multiple emission LED elements within respective first and second emitter modules for the duration of a measurement interval within respective first and second series of measurement intervals. The measurement intervals are interspersed with periods of illumination, and the first and second series of measurement intervals are separated by respective first and second offsets from a timing reference. An embodiment of an illumination device includes multiple emitter modules, where each emitter module includes multiple emission LED elements and one or more photodetectors. The illumination device further includes a lamp control circuit adapted to perform steps of the method.
US09332597B2
A microwave heating apparatus for heating a load by means of microwaves is provided. The microwave heating apparatus has a cavity arranged to receive a piece of food to be heated, a first microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves at the cavity bottom for energizing a browning function in the cavity, a second microwave supply system configured to supply microwaves into the cavity for exciting cavity modes and a control unit configured to control the first and second microwave supply systems based on a food category and/or a cooking program. The first supply system has at least one microwave source and at least one antenna arranged in a lower part of the cavity and the second microwave supply system has at least one microwave source and at least one feeding port arranged in an upper part of the cavity. The present invention is advantageous in that a microwave heating apparatus with an improved crisp function is provided.
US09332593B2
A heating element including a current conductor through which electric power is conducted and electricity converted into heat by a voltage drop across an ohmic resistor. The heating element is a planar or a strip-shaped structure and is provided with at least one support layer and an adhesive layer, while the current conductor is designed as an additional, current-conducting layer which is arranged between the support layer and the adhesive layer. The support layer, the current-conducting layer, and the adhesive layer are transparent.
US09332591B2
An apparatus is provided for applying electromagnetic energy to an object in an energy application zone via one or more antennas at a plurality of modulation space elements (MSEs), in which each MSE may affect a field pattern excited in the energy application zone and is controllable by the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor that determines an amount of energy to be supplied to one or more of the antennas at each of the plurality of MSEs, select at least one power supply protocol for each of the plurality of MSEs, in which at least two of the power supply protocols selected for different MSEs differ, and cause electromagnetic power supply to one or more of the antennas in at least a subset of the plurality of MSEs, based on the determined amount of energy and based on the selected power supply protocol.
US09332581B2
The Bluetooth wearable device can include a single ring which fits over the user's thumb or other finger. The wearable device interfaces with specialized software to provide two primary functions. First, the ring in combination with specialized software maps the rest of the user's hand in order to take input from fingers that are not currently wearing a device. Two contact points touch the screen of a device and conduct the electric current along the user's skin to interact with a capacitive screen. Second, the ring acts as a broker to connect a paired device with a touchscreen device. Between the twin contacts is a color sensor. The software on the touchscreen device displays a color to indicate how the devices should establish their connection. Using this information, the ring initiates the connection.
US09332573B2
A method and service network element are provided that provide for bearer control in a group call. The method and service network element receive a trigger to adjust a quality of service (QoS) level of an uplink bearer established for a group call, identify, based on a profile associated with each user device of multiple user devices participating in the group call, one or more user devices of the multiple participating user devices as candidates for a quality of service (QoS) adjustment of an uplink bearer, and adjust a QoS level of an uplink bearer, of the multiple uplink bearers, of a participating user device of the multiple participating user devices identified as a candidate for a QoS adjustment.
