US09442847B2
Techniques for increased destaging efficiency by smoothing destaging tasks to reduce long input/output (I/O) read operations are described. A system may comprise a processor device operable in the computing storage environment. The processor device calculates a current number of the destaging tasks and calculates a desired number of the destaging tasks. The processor device smoothes the destaging of the of the destaging tasks between the desired number of the destaging tasks and the current number of the destaging tasks by accelerating the calculating of the current number of the destaging tasks and the desired number of the destaging tasks, according to either a time interval or a variable recomputed destaging task interval, for reaching the desired number of the destaging tasks by decrementing the current number of destaging tasks or incrementing the current number of destaging tasks.
US09442845B2
The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies and discloses a method and an apparatus for encoding a data address, so that attacks can be effectively prevented and resources and costs required to handle a bank conflict are reduced. In solutions provided by embodiments of the present invention, an exclusive-OR operation is performed on one or more bits of a received uncoded address by using multiple preset transform polynomials; and an encoded address is obtained according to a result of the exclusive-OR operation. The solutions provided by the embodiments of the present invention are applicable to designs that require a large-capacity DRAM, high performance and high reliability, and have an anti-attack demand.
US09442838B2
A method of operating a memory device that includes groups of memory cells is presented. The groups include a first group of memory cells. Each one of the groups has a respective physical address and is initially associated with a respective logical address. The device also includes an additional group of memory cells that has a physical address but is not initially associated with a logical address. In the method, a difference in the future endurance between the first group of memory cells and the additional group of memory cells is identified. When the difference in the future endurance between the first group and the additional group exceeds a predetermined threshold difference, the association between the first group and the logical address initially associated with the first group is ended and the additional group is associated with the logical address that was initially associated with the first group.
US09442837B2
Atomically updating shared data in a transactional memory system comprising transactional memory storage and a transactional memory enabled processor. The computer creates a pointer stored in a stable memory location that is used to locate a shared data stored in a second memory location. The computer accesses the shared data and loads the pointer used to locate the accessed shared data into transactional memory storage. The computer updates the accessed shared data using copy-on-write, whereby the updated shared data is stored in a third memory location, and performs the atomic update of the shared data by updating the pointer such that it locates the updated shared data stored in the third memory location.
US09442831B1
A computer is configured with a simple boot flag testing module. The simple boot flag testing module sets a simple boot flag data structure to a first value. The simple boot flag testing module then causes the computer to reboot. Following the reboot, the simple boot flag testing module determines if the value of the simple boot flag data structure is equivalent to a second value. If the value of the simple boot flag data structure is not equivalent to the second value following the reboot of the computer, the simple boot flag testing module stores data indicating that the test of the simple boot flag processing module with the first and second values has failed. This process may then be repeated for various combinations of first and second values. Once testing completes, the stored data may be used to present the results.
US09442830B1
Described are techniques for testing software. The techniques may include identifying, at a first point in time, first code that has been modified, identifying, using first mapping information, a testing set of one or more test cases wherein the first mapping information identifies each test case of the testing set as a test case used to test the first code, running the testing set, generating coverage information in accordance with executing; analyzing the coverage information, generating second mapping information in accordance with said analyzing, and updating the first mapping information in accordance with the second mapping information.
US09442823B2
A method for identifying code segments and associated software developers in a software development environment is disclosed. A software development tool detects a memory error in a first code segment. The software development tool associates the memory error with a first software developer that is associated with the first code segment. The software development tool identifies a second code segment related to the first code segment. The software development tool associates the memory error with a second software developer that is associated with the second code segment.
US09442819B2
A method and apparatus for storing trace data within a processing system. The method includes configuring at least one Error Correction Code, ECC, component within the processing system to operate in a trace data storage operating mode, generating trace data at a debug module of the processing system, and conveying the trace data from the debug module to the at least one ECC component for storing in an area of memory used for ECC information.
US09442817B2
Performance of server that is managing a group of servers, such as in a cloud, is analyzed by identifying patterns of threads executed in the server. A command is issued, repeatedly over a time period, to an operating system of the server to return a resource consumption value representative of the amount of computing resources consumed by one or more threads. The returned resource consumption values are stored and used to generate points on a graph which depicts the amount of computing resources consumed by the one or more threads over the time period and provide task breakdowns and latency information for each of the tasks.
US09442809B2
According to the present invention, it is possible to construct a backup configuration of a particular application data, without influencing data of another application. A management computer is coupled to a host computer on which an application operates, and to a storage apparatus that includes a plurality of volume groups each having one or more logical volumes. At least one of the logical volumes is allocated to the application. The management computer includes a volume group overlapping use determination part and a backup policy determination part. When the backup of the volume group to which one logical volume belongs is configured, the volume group overlapping use determination part determines whether there is another application that uses the volume group. The backup policy determination part determines whether there is set, for another volume group, backup policy information same as that set for the application.
US09442805B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for recovering a volume table and data sets from a volume. Content from a backup volume table comprising a valid backup of a volume table from backup of the volume is processed to generate a recovery volume table for a recovery volume. The data sets in the volume are processed to determine whether they are valid. The valid data sets are moved to the recovery volume. A data recovery operation is initiated for the data sets determined not to be valid.
US09442799B2
A memory controller can include an error correction module for extended lifetime memory that tracks at least one sized block of non-fault consecutive bits within the disabled page as spare blocks and reuses the spare blocks from the disabled pages as an error correction resource for active blocks. The active blocks can store data, data and metadata, or metadata only (e.g., error correction metadata). A method for extended lifetime memory can include, for an active block of metadata containing at least one fault, using at least one spare block to correct the data of the active block. For an active block of data containing at least one fault, the data can be initially corrected via XOR correction with a first spare block and then ultimately corrected via XOR correction with a second spare block.
US09442798B2
A page buffer suitable for continuous page read may be implemented with a partitioned data register, a partitioned cache register, and a suitable ECC circuit. The partitioned data register, partitioned cache register, and associated ECC circuit may also be used to realize a substantial improvement in the page read operation by using a modified Page Data Read instruction and/or a Buffer Read instruction, including in some implementations the use of a partition busy bit.
US09442776B2
A transactional memory system salvages a hardware transaction. A processor of the transactional memory system records information about an about-to-fail handler for transactional execution of a code region, and records information about a lock elided to begin transactional execution of the code region. The processor detects a pending point of failure in the code region during the transactional execution, and based on the detecting, stops transactional execution at a first instruction in the code region and executes the about-to-fail handler using the information about the about-to-fail handler. The processor, executing the about-to-fail handler, acquires the lock using the information about the lock, commits speculative state of the stopped transactional execution, and starts non-transactional execution at a second instruction following the first instruction in the code region.
US09442772B2
A global interconnect system. The global interconnect system includes a plurality of resources having data for supporting the execution of multiple code sequences and a plurality of engines for implementing the execution of the multiple code sequences. A plurality of resource consumers are within each of the plurality of engines. A global interconnect structure is coupled to the plurality of resource consumers and coupled to the plurality of resources to enable data access and execution of the multiple code sequences, wherein the resource consumers access the resources through a per cycle utilization of the global interconnect structure.
US09442767B2
The system and method generally relate to reducing heat dissipated within a data center, and more particularly, to a system and method for reducing heat dissipated within a data center through service level agreement analysis, and resultant reprioritization of jobs to maximize energy efficiency. A computer implemented method includes performing a service level agreement (SLA) analysis for one or more currently processing or scheduled processing jobs of a data center using a processor of a computer device. Additionally, the method includes identifying one or more candidate processing jobs for a schedule modification from amongst the one or more currently processing or scheduled processing jobs using the processor of the computer device. Further, the method includes performing the schedule modification for at least one of the one or more candidate processing jobs using the processor of the computer device.
US09442764B2
A technique for allocating a global resource in a distributed grid environment includes: receiving from slave resource managers use and demand data associated with the global resource by each consumer in a respective region; compute an allocation of the resource for each consumer and for each region by determining a total amount of the resource to allocate, estimating a need by each consumer for the resource based on the use and demand data, determining an allocation of the total amount of the resource among the consumers based on the estimated need; subdividing the allocation for each consumer among each region where the consumer utilizes the resource; and computing a total allocation of the resource for each region; and communicating to each slave resource manager an amount of the resource allocated to each consumer in each respective region and the total allocation of the resource for the region.
US09442762B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for authenticating a processing system accessing a resource. An association of processing system identifiers with resources, including a first and second resources, is maintained. A request from a requesting processing system in a host is received for use of a first resource that provides access to a second resource, wherein the request is generated by processing system software and wherein the request further includes a submitted processing system identifier included in the request by host hardware in the host. A determination is made as to whether the submitted processing system identifier is one of the processing system identifiers associated with the first and second resources. The requesting processing system is provided access to the first resource that the processing system uses to access the second resource.
US09442747B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for specifying user defined or translator definitions to use to interpret mnemonics in a computer program. A mnemonic is processed in the computer program having a user defined definition and a translator definition. The mnemonic is interpreted according to the user defined definition in response to previously processing a mnemonic command specifying the mnemonic and the user defined definition. The mnemonic is interpreted according to the translator definition in response to previously processing a mnemonic command specifying the mnemonic and the translator definition.
US09442741B2
Methods, terminals, servers, and systems for data processing are provided. After establishing a connection with a first terminal, a second terminal obtains identification information of the first terminal and sends a driving request containing the identification information of the first terminal to a back-end server, such that the back-end server determines for the first terminal a driving data address matched with the identification information of the first terminal according to the identification information. The second terminal receives the driving data address sent from the back-end server, and obtains driving data corresponding to the driving data address. The second terminal sends the driving data to the first terminal for the first terminal to load the driving data.
US09442734B2
In an embodiment, a processor may include a completion time determination circuit. The completion time determination circuit may be configured to receive one or more source operands of a vector memory operation used to produce the addresses of the vector elements accessed by the vector memory operation. The completion time determination circuit may be configured to determine a completion time for the vector memory operation (e.g. based on a number of TLB accesses, a number of cache accesses, and/or other aspects of the vector memory operation). The completion time determination circuit may provide the completion time to an issue circuit, which may use the completion time to schedule operations dependent on the vector memory operation, if any.
US09442725B2
Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems assign a plurality of branch instructions within a computer program to a plurality of prime numbers. Each branch instruction is assigned a unique prime number within the plurality of prime numbers. A run-time branch trace value is determined to be divisible, without a remainder, by a first prime number of the plurality of prime numbers. The run-time branch trace value was generated during execution of the computer program. An output is generated indicating that a first branch instruction assigned to the first prime number was executed.
US09442721B2
A method and system to provide user-level multithreading are disclosed. The method according to the present techniques comprises receiving programming instructions to execute one or more shared resource threads (shreds) via an instruction set architecture (ISA). One or more instruction pointers are configured via the ISA; and the one or more shreds are executed simultaneously with a microprocessor, wherein the microprocessor includes multiple instruction sequencers.
US09442719B2
Embodiments of the present invention include a method, a computer program product, and a computer system for generating an alert as to a potential regression. In one embodiment, a server computer system receives an instruction from a first location to associate a first changeset with a record, wherein the first changeset has associated metadata, and associates the first changeset with the first record. The server computer system receives an instruction from a second location to modify the first changeset by merging a second changeset with the first changeset and sends an alert to the second location to indicate that merging the changeset may cause a regression.
US09442716B2
A method for adjusting a variable rate of requesting software data for a computer system onboard a vehicle is provided. The method determines a number of ignition cycles executed after first software data has been retrieved; and when the number of ignition cycles is greater than a threshold value, reduces a frequency for generating a software request, to obtain a reduced frequency.
US09442711B2
A communication device includes: a receiving unit that receives metainformation indicating an update from an update information providing device to provide information related to the update; a determining unit that determines, on the basis of the received metainformation, whether an update needed for the communication device exists; a notifying unit that notifies, when the update exists, a user of existence of the update; an operation unit that receives, when the update exists, a selection operation as to whether the update is to be executed from the user; and an update processing unit that executes, when the selection operation to execute the update is received by the operation unit, the update on the basis of the received metainformation.
US09442706B2
Methods, systems and devices are disclosed to examine developer supplied graphics code and attributes at run-time. The graphics code designed for execution on a graphics processing unit (GPU) utilizing a coding language such as OpenCL or OpenGL which provides for run-time analysis by a driver, code generator, and compiler. Developer supplied code and attributes can be analyzed and altered based on the execution capabilities and performance criteria of a GPU on which the code is about to be executed. In general, reducing the number of developer defined work items or work groups can reduce the initialization cost of the GPU with respect to the work to be performed and result in an overall optimization of the machine code. Manipulation code can be added to adjust the supplied code in a manner similar to unrolling a loop to improve execution performance.
US09442703B2
A system and method for defining an interactive user interface having one or more states and one or more interactive elements. An exemplary implementation of the method comprises the steps of inputting one full screen graphics of an interactive user interface for each state of the interactive user interface; defining an area within the interactive user interface for each of the one or more interactive elements, and automatically generating computer readable code or graphics enabling a graphic display of each state of each interactive element. The method may further comprise the step of storing the geometric properties and positional information of the defined area of the interactive user interface corresponding to each of the one or more interactive elements. The stored geometric properties and positional information can be used to facilitate the editing and modification of the interactive user interface.
US09442702B1
A device receives information that identifies a parameter associated with a masked block that represents elements of a block diagram model that, when executed, simulates a behavior of a system. The masked block is associated with a first user interface that allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the masked block. The device receives an indication that the parameter is to be associated with a derived block that represents the elements of the block diagram model. The derived block inherits one or more properties from the masked block. The device creates the derived block, and associates the derived block with the parameter and a second user interface that allows a value of the parameter to be specified for the derived block. The device outputs or stores information that identifies the parameter, the derived block, and the association between the parameter and the derived block.
US09442693B2
A method of utilizing a speech assistant, the speech assistant designed to provide a voice input and speech output capability, the method comprising, enabling the use of the speech assistant for communication with a user, and terminating the speech assistant when the communication is complete. The method further comprises receiving a notification from a native application associated with the communication, and activating a sub-portion of the speech assistant, to enable outputting of the notification using speech output, thereby enabling the use of speech output for periodic announcements without enabling the speech assistant.
US09442692B2
Volume limiting systems and methods are operable to limit volume output from media presentation devices. An exemplary embodiment detects a sound using a microphone, wherein the sound corresponds to an audio output of at least one controlled media presentation device, and wherein the microphone is remotely located from the at least one controlled media presentation device; compares a level of the detected sound with a predefined maximum volume limit; generates a volume output limit command in response to the detected sound exceeding the predefined maximum volume limit; and communicates the volume output limit command to the media presentation device. The media presentation device then reduces a volume level of its audio output. In some instances, volume may be limited during user specified periods.
US09442691B2
Within a network-based system, an entity may be identified by an identifier of the entity. An audio generation machine may be configured to generate an audio piece that represents the entity, and the audio generation machine may generate the audio piece based on the identifier of the entity. Hence, the audio piece generated by the audio generation machine may be representative of the entity, and playback of the audio piece may identify the entity, reference the entity, highlight the entity, suggest the entity, or otherwise call the entity to mind (e.g., for one or more listeners of the audio piece). Thus, the generated audio piece may function as an audio-based avatar of the entity (e.g., a representative of the entity within a virtual world). Furthermore, the audio piece may be shared (e.g., in a social networking context or a social shopping context).
US09442688B2
A system and method of use is provided that monitors the position of a vehicle seat and automatically adjusts the location of a vehicle display based on the current seat position, thereby helping to alleviate the eye strain, fatigue, neck and back pain that often accompany the improper use of a monitor for an extended period of time.
US09442677B2
Example embodiments relate to access of a digital version of a file. In example embodiments, a location identifier printed in association with a printed version of a file is received. A digital storage location on a server computing device corresponding to the location identifier may then be accessed. A digital version of the file corresponding to the printed version of the file may then be accessed from the digital storage location.
US09442676B2
The present disclosure discloses a method for determining a drive letter, including: obtaining a number of a port connecting a redundant array of independent disk RAID controller to an exchange chip and a location number, of a disk, meeting a report condition in each RAID group under the control of the RAID controller, where the location number, of the disk, meeting the report condition is a location number, of a disk, on a preset location after location numbers of all disks included in each RAID group when each RAID group is configured, are sorted according to a preset sequence; and determining a drive letter corresponding to each RAID group according to the number of the port connecting the RAID controller to the exchange chip and the location number, of the disk, meeting the report condition in each RAID group.
US09442675B2
Embodiments disclosed include redirecting data from a defective data entry in memory to a redundant data entry prior to data access. Related systems and methods are also disclosed. The memory is configured to receive a memory access request. The received memory access request comprises a data entry address. The memory uses the data entry address to access data stored in a data array in the memory in a first data access path. It is possible that the rows or columns in the memory may be defective as a result of a manufacturing process. In the event that a row or column at the data entry address in the data array is defective, a data entry redirection circuit redirects the memory access request to a redundant row or column in the data array prior to data access.
US09442674B1
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for using a plurality of sub-buffers and a free segment list to allocate segments to a plurality of threads to use for writing data. Groups of threads are assigned to sub-buffers. At least one segment of data is indicated in each of the sub-buffers. The threads assigned to one of the sub-buffers write to the at least one segment indicated in the sub-buffer to which the threads are assigned. A free segment list indicates segments which are not indicated in one of the sub-buffers. In response to one of the segments in a containing sub-buffer comprising one of the sub-buffers becoming a full segment having less than a threshold amount of free space, the indication of the full segment in the containing sub-buffer is replaced with one of the segments indicated in the free segment list.
US09442673B2
The storage method according to the present invention includes: partitioning raw data into several data blocks; calculating, according to a preset mapping algorithm, three consecutive virtual storage partitions to which a first data block is mapped, where a virtual storage partition is a partition obtained by dividing a virtual storage area, each of the virtual storage partitions is mapped to one physical disk, physical disks have consecutive sequence numbers, and sequence numbers of three physical disks that are mapped to the three consecutive virtual storage partitions are in an arithmetic sequence with a non-zero common difference; and storing, according to the calculated three consecutive virtual storage partitions and the three physical disks that are mapped to the three consecutive virtual storage partitions, the first data block and a first copy and a second copy of the first data block in the three physical disks in sequence.
US09442671B1
Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for distributively storing a data object from a client node to a logical storage group in a network. The method includes selecting a plurality of storage nodes in the network. Portions of storage available at each selected storage node are then allocated as storage units. Further, the data object may be divided by the client node into a plurality of chunks. Each respective chunk is then encoded by the client node as a plurality of fragments. Storage units allocated at each selected storage node are then assigned to the logical storage group to store respective fragments of the data object.
US09442670B2
The embodiments described herein include systems, methods and/or devices that may enhance the endurance of a storage system including a storage medium. The method includes: dividing a plurality of flash memory devices into logical chunks each logical chunk including one or more flash memory blocks; assigning a weight to each of the flash memory devices for a distribution algorithm, where the weight is based on at least a number of available logical chunks; and storing data in the logical chunks in accordance with the distribution algorithm. The method includes detecting a trigger condition for a respective flash memory device. In response to detecting the trigger condition, the method includes: decreasing the weight of the respective flash memory device; updating the distribution algorithm to reflect the decreased weight of the respective flash memory device; and rebalancing data stored in the plurality of flash memory devices in accordance with the updated distribution algorithm.
US09442668B1
Adaptive power management for a data storage device (DSD). A command rate is determined for service requests received by the DSD and a latency is determined for the DSD in performing service requests. The command rate and the latency are used to determine a probability of receiving no service requests within a time interval and power states of the DSD are managed based on the probability of receiving no service requests.
US09442666B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to optimizing reconstruction of operation data in volatile memory of solid-state storage subsystems. In various embodiments, operation data is stored in the volatile memory with persistent backup data of the operation data in the non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, operation data includes a superblock table that is used to identify most or all groups of blocks (superblocks) within the storage device that certain firmware components operate on. Sometimes operation data in the volatile memory is lost or corrupted due to a power interruption or system shutdown. To optimize the reconstruction of the superblock table or other similar operation data in the volatile memory, embodiments of the invention use a “snapshot entry” to identify the latest entry information, allowing the controller to quickly identify the most updated physical locations of the operation data portions and complete the reconstruction in an efficient manner.
US09442664B2
For efficient FlashCopy backup target volume allocation from a shared resource pool while ingesting a FlashCopy backup in a repository, for dynamically allocating a target volume for the new FlashCopy backup, a global pool of FlashCopy backup target volumes and a consistency group in the global pool of FlashCopy backup target volumes is maintained for use by a new FlashCopy backup upon encountering a collision while an existing FlashCopy target volume containing older FlashCopy backups are being ingested into the repository for dynamically allocating a target volume for the new FlashCopy backup.
US09442642B2
Technologies are generally described for providing a tethered selection handle for direct selection of content on a touch or gesture interface. Touch or gesture input on a computing device may be detected to begin content selection, and a start handle may be displayed near the initial input location. An end handle may be displayed to indicate an end of the selection. After the selection, the end handle, a portion of the end handle, or a separate indicator may be displayed at a location of user's current interaction point to indicate to the user that the computing device is aware of the movement of the user's interaction point away from the end handle, but the content selection had not changed. The newly displayed indicator may be tethered to the end handle to further indicate the connection between the end of the selected content and the user's current interaction point.
US09442639B2
A method, device and system for displaying, via a user interface, an ambiance setting for a bathing system. The user interface is configured to display at least one display page on a display screen. The method comprises displaying on the display screen, a plurality of ambiance settings selectable by a user of the user interface, receiving, at a processor, an indication of a selected ambiance setting from the plurality of ambiance settings displayed on the display screen and in response to the selected ambiance setting, displaying on the display screen a first operational setting for at least one first type of bathing unit component and a second operational setting for at least one second type of bathing unit component. The first operational setting and the second operational setting are pre-programmed in association with the selected ambiance setting.
US09442638B2
A device may be configured to display a first item in a region of a user interface based on a first value of an index that is associated with the first item. Sensor data may be received from a sensor indicating an angular change of orientation of the device. The index may be incremented to a second value based on the sensor data. The second value may be associated with a second item. The second item may then be displayed in the region of the user interface based on the index being incremented to the second value.
US09442636B2
Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method and apparatus for displaying marine electronic data. In one implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform various actions. In one implementation, the actions may include displaying a plurality of possible marine electronic data types to be displayed. A selection to display one of the plurality of possible marine electronic data types in the plurality of possible marine electronic data types may be received. A plurality of possible combinations of marine electronic data types to be displayed with the one of the plurality of possible marine electronic data types may be displayed. A selection from the plurality of possible combinations may then be received. A combination of marine electronic data that correspond to the selection from the plurality of possible combinations may be displayed.
US09442630B2
A method for navigating an interactive menu including a first number of selectable items in a virtual environment. The method includes: providing a grid on a delimited portion of a plane in the virtual environment, the grid including locations equal to the first number; providing plural navigation directions within the grid and arranging each menu item on a respective location of the grid according to an item-grid arrangement, adjacencies along the navigation directions among grid items determine corresponding adjacency relationships; determining adjacency relationships along the navigation directions among items located on borders of the delimited portions; shooting a first item in close-up, enabling its selection; receiving a navigation command identifying a navigation direction along which a second selectable item is located, and altering the item-grid arrangement to relocate the items in different grid locations based on the received navigation command to shoot the second item in close-up.
US09442628B2
A method can include displaying a user interface on a display of a mobile device. The user interface can include a scrollable payroll data section with multiple selectable fields and a data entry section configured to accept input of payroll data for the multiple fields. The method can further include simultaneously displaying the scrollable payroll data section and the data entry section and, in response to an input, simultaneously scrolling through one or more of the multiple selectable fields of the payroll data section while maintaining the payroll data section in place. A device and computer-readable medium can be configured to implement the method and variations thereof.
US09442624B2
A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a touchscreen configured to receive a touch input; and a controller configured to partition the touchscreen into a first display region and a second display region, when the touchscreen is in a locked state and is touched with a first pointer and a second pointer, reduce sizes of the first and second display regions when the first and second pointers are dragged in opposite directions, and unlock the touchscreen or display a password input object for unlocking the touchscreen based on whether a password for unlocking the touchscreen is set, when a moving distance of at least one of the first and second pointers is greater than a preset moving distance or a size of at least one of the first and second display regions is smaller than a preset size.
US09442616B2
In an intersecting region of a bundle of wirings in a column direction and a bundle of wirings in a row direction, a column wiring block region arranged with detection column wirings and first floating wirings and a row wiring block region arranged with detection row wirings and second floating wirings are disposed in a staggered manner. The bundle of wirings in the column direction includes a first compensation region arranged with the detection column wirings which connect between the detection column wirings in the column wiring block regions adjacent to each other in a diagonal direction. The bundle of wirings in the row direction includes a second compensation region arranged with the detection row wirings which electrically connect between the detection row wirings in the row wiring block regions adjacent to each other in a diagonal direction.
US09442614B2
Two-dimensional sensor arrays incorporating piezoresistive materials are described.
US09442612B2
A common touch panel controller is used for performing touch detection by driving both a touch panel superimposed on a display panel of a touch panel display portion for display, and a touch sensor superimposed on a touch key pattern of a touch key input portion for buttons. A control circuit capable of switching detection characteristics of a detection circuit common to the both in accordance with detection from the touch panel display portion and detection from the touch key input portion is adopted in the touch panel controller.
US09442609B2
A sensing method is used for a capacitive sensing device, wherein the capacitive sensing device has a plurality of capacitive sensing components, each of which is charged or discharged by a charging component respectively. The sensing method comprises the steps of: a first sampling step of sampling at least one of charging or discharging time of a capacitive sensing component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components to determine a first sample time for the component sampled, wherein the component sampled and at least one another component of the plurality of capacitive sensing components are charged or discharged simultaneously during the first sampling step; a first comparing step of comparing the first sample time for the component sampled with a reference time; and an outputting step of outputting a trigger signal in the event that the first sample time exceeds the reference time.
US09442607B2
An interactive input system comprises imaging devices with different viewpoints and having at least partially overlapping fields of view encompassing a region of interest. At least two of the imaging devices have different focal lengths. Processing structure processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to detect the existence of a pointer and determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.
US09442601B2
The present invention provides an information processing apparatus enables the operation such that the relation between the image displayed on the display unit and the operation of the user is close to the actual operation and an information processing method. The information processing apparatus includes a display control unit which displays an image at a display unit, a closeness value acquisition unit which acquires a closeness value regarding contact or closeness between an operation entity and a surface of the display unit, an area detection unit which performs a ternary process to the closeness value and detects a first area and a second area being different from the first area in accordance with the ternary-processed closeness value, and a centroid position calculation unit which calculates respective centroid positions of the first area and the second area.
US09442600B2
An optical device and a projection system incorporating same is disclosed. The optical device includes a light management element. The light management element includes an electrically conductive light absorber that is disposed in a display area for controlling a viewing angle of light transmitted through the display area. The conductive light absorber is configured to generate a signal in response to a touch in the display area. The signal is capable of being used to determine information related to the touch.
US09442598B2
A method for detecting interference in an input device, the method involving: driving a transmitter signal onto a transmitter sensor electrode of the input device; receiving a resulting signal from a receiver sensor electrode of the input device; sampling a first value associated with the resulting signal during a first half of a sensing cycle; sampling a second value associated with the resulting signal during a second half of the sensing cycle; generating an interference value based on the first value and the second value; determining, based on the first value and the second value, an input in a sensing region of the input device; and comparing the interference value to a noise threshold.
US09442590B2
A display device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The display device comprises an input unit configured to receive a command for generating an event and a fingerprint; a control unit configured to generate the event in accordance with the command and process the generated event; and a display unit configured to display a user menu, wherein the input unit includes a touch recognition layer for recognizing a touch input and a fingerprint recognition layer for recognizing a fingerprint, the touch recognition layer and the fingerprint recognition layer being formed in a single body with the display unit and receiving a command for generating an event of a temporary unlock fingerprint setting mode and a first fingerprint different from a registered fingerprint, the control unit implements the temporary unlock fingerprint setting mode in accordance with the command for generating the input event, sets the input first fingerprint to a temporary unlock fingerprint, and unlocks the display device if the temporary unlock fingerprint is input thereto, and the temporary unlock fingerprint is released in accordance with a predetermined condition.
US09442579B2
A touch device warning method and a touch device warning system are provided. The touch device warning method provides multiple judgment mechanisms. The multiple judgment mechanisms include the mechanism of judging whether a touch device is triggered by a touch pen, the mechanism of judging whether the touch device is moved and the mechanism of judging whether an untouched time period of the touch pen and the touch device exceeds a predetermined time. Once the conditions of the judgment mechanisms are satisfied, the touch device warning method warns the user of taking back the touch pen. Consequently, the possibility of losing the touch pen is reduced, and the occurrence of the erroneous judgment is avoided.
US09442575B1
A free space input standard is instantiated on a processor. Free space input is sensed and communicated to the processor. If the free space input satisfies the free space input standard, a touch screen input response is invoked in an operating system. The free space input may be sensed using continuous implicit, discrete implicit, active explicit, or passive explicit approaches. The touch screen input response may be invoked through communicating virtual touch screen input, a virtual input event, or a virtual command to or within the operating system. In this manner free space gestures may control existing touch screen interfaces and devices, without modifying those interfaces and devices directly to accept free space gestures.
US09442569B2
An operation apparatus includes a touch detection section, a vibration section, a setting section and a control section. The touch detection section is provided on an exterior part, and outputs a signal when touched by an user. The vibration section is provided on the touch detection section in an overlapping manner, and vibrates when the touch of the user is detected by the touch detection section. The setting section is configured to set a function to be carried out when the touch detection section is touched. The control section is configured to determine a touch position of the touch detection section, provided on the touch detection section of the determined touch position, and configured to cause the vibration section to vibrate, and output a signal used to cause the function.
US09442563B2
A portable device (e.g., a wireless device such as a cell phone) is provided with a flexible keyboard and a flexible display screen. Such flexible components may be stored in the housing of the portable device when not in use. The flexible display screen and flexible keyboard may be expanded from the housing when the flexible components are utilized by a user. Non-flexible display and input components may be provided on the exterior of the portable device such that the device may be used, in some form, while the flexible components are stored. In one embodiment, a portion of the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) may be utilized when the flexible display (or flexible keyboard) is stored in said first housing.
US09442562B2
Several embodiments of image processing systems and methods are disclosed herein whereby at least one characteristic of an image displayed on a target display is changed according to information regarding the viewer's position—e.g. distance to the target display, the visual angle the target display's subtends of the viewer's field of view. In one embodiment, luminance and/or contrast may be changed depending on the information regarding viewer's position relative to the target display.
US09442558B2
In one embodiment an apparatus includes a multiplicity of processor components; one or more device components communicatively coupled to one or more processor components of the multiplicity of processor components; and a controller comprising logic at least a portion of which is in hardware, the logic to schedule one or more forced idle periods interspersed with one or more active periods, a forced idle period spanning a duration during which the multiplicity of processor components and the one or more device components are simultaneously placed in respective idle states that define a forced idle power state during isolated sub-periods of the forced idle period. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
US09442553B2
An information processing apparatus is communicatively connected to a plurality of image sensors that capture images of surroundings of a control target device which is to be a target of power controlling. The information processing apparatus includes an attribute information generation unit and a management unit. The attribute information generation unit generates, by using the images captured by each of the image sensors, attribute information of the control target device which is under jurisdiction of at least one of the image sensors. The management unit manages the attribute information of the control target device generated by the attribute information generation unit in association with the control target device and the at least one of the image sensors having jurisdiction over the control target device.
US09442552B2
It is proposed a method for regulating the activity of a core running at a given clock rate. The method comprises: monitoring (S100) a value of a parameter of the core, the parameter being a critical parameter for a safe operating of the core; determining whether the monitored value reaches a trigger value; when the monitored value reaches the trigger value (S120): modifying the clock rate of the core (S130) by decreasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; and running the core at the clock rate modified (S140) by decreasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; when the monitored value reaches a second time the trigger value (S170): modifying the clock rate of the core (S180) by increasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock; and running the core at the clock rate (S190) modified by increasing the ratio of active cycles of the clock.
US09442547B2
An information processing apparatus includes a first control unit configured to control a processing unit; a first power supply that supplies power to the first control unit; a switching unit configured to switch on or off the first power supply; a second control unit configured to operate according to a setting and control the switching unit; a second power supply that supplies power to the second control unit; and a setting change unit configured to perform the setting of the second control unit so that the switching unit switches off the first power supply when a voltage of the second power supply is lower than a preset voltage, and perform the setting of the second control unit so that the switching unit switches on the first power supply when the voltage of the second power supply is equal to or higher than the preset voltage.
US09442546B2
A computing system and method for respectively displaying information corresponding to host computer under booting state or standby state is disclosed in the present invention. In the method, the computing system is provided to determine whether the host computer is under a booting state or a standby state. When the host computer is under the booting state, a display module of the computing system displays the control information of the baseboard management controller. When the host computer is under the standby state, the display module displays the information about BIOS Power-on self-test (POST).
US09442543B2
A network, in particular in a motor vehicle, wherein the network includes a central subscriber and at least one first subscriber, wherein the central subscriber and the at least one first subscriber are interconnected by way of at least one first cable. The central subscriber has at least one signal coupling unit and at least one energy coupling unit, wherein by way of the signal coupling unit an AC voltage can be impressed on at least one first line of the first cable, or can be tapped from the signal coupling unit. Also disclosed is a method for operating a network.
US09442540B2
A multi-node computer system, comprising: a plurality of nodes, a system control unit and a carrier board. Each node of the plurality of nodes comprises a processor and a memory. The system control unit is responsible for: power management, cooling, workload provisioning, native storage servicing, and I/O. The carrier board comprises a system fabric and a plurality of electrical connections. The electrical connections provide the plurality of nodes with power, management controls, system connectivity between the system control unit and the plurality of nodes, and an external network connection to a user infrastructure. The system control unit and the carrier board provide integrated, shared resources for the plurality of nodes. The multi-node computer system is provided in a single enclosure.
US09442532B2
A portable electronic device includes a main body having an optical device, a cover, a bezel, and a cover mechanism including a rod, a driving handle movably disposed on the bezel, and a rotating member. The bezel has an opening for exposing the optical device and is connected to the cover for containing the main body. The rod has a covering portion and a first linkage portion and is pivoted to the bezel. The rotating member is rotatably disposed between the bezel and the cover and has a second linkage portion. The first and second linkage portions are movably connected to the driving handle. When the rotating member rotates, the second linkage portion drives the driving handle to drive the rod to rotate via the first linkage portion, so as to make the covering portion move to cover or not cover the opening.
US09442531B2
A mobile device protecting system and method are disclosed, in which an accelerometer sensor detects a tri-axis acceleration data, a trigger signal is transmitted to the mobile device when the tri-axis acceleration data is according with a falling status, so that a data of the mobile device is acquired to serve as a backup data and the backup data is stored in a backup space of the mobile protecting device, achieving in a technical efficacy of enhancing a protection result of the mobile device.
US09442529B2
An electronic device with a fold mode and an unfold mode includes a display module and an input module. The display module includes a first connecting component, a second connecting component and a flexible displaying panel. The second connecting component rotates relative to the first connecting component via a first direction to form as the fold mode or the unfold mode. The flexible displaying panel is disposed on the first connecting component and the second connecting component. The flexible displaying panel is bent to be U-shaped when the display module is formed as the fold mode. The flexible displaying panel is flat when the display module is formed as the unfold mode, and a planar normal vector points toward a second direction. The input module is rotatably connected to the display module via a third direction.
US09442527B2
Apparatus, system and method for docking and/or undocking a remote device, A docking body includes a docking cavity and an access cavity, for providing lateral support, guidance and access for the remote device. Communications is configured to receive a control signal based on a sensed condition, wherein the sensed condition may include a proximity and/or position of a user's hand relative to the docking body, and/or an operating parameter of a vehicle. A coupling apparatus is provided for magnetically coupling the body of the remote device to at least a portion of the docking body. The coupling apparatus may be configured to modify the strength of the magnetic coupling based on the control signal to assist in insertion/removal. Under illustrative configurations, the docking body and the coupling apparatus allow for oblique insertion and oblique removal of the body of the remote device.
US09442525B2
Wearable devices are provided. The wearable device may include a body enclosed by: a front shaped as a rounded square or a rounded rectangle; a back opposite to the front; and an upper side, a lower side, a left side and a right side, which couple the front and back and are between the front and back. The wearable device may also includes: an upper band coupled to the upper side; a lower band coupled to the lower side; a display placed on the front of the body; a camera module disposed on the upper side; and a key disposed on the lower side, the key being operated by being pressed.
US09442518B2
Implementations of a mounting wedge for a flexible material are described. According to various embodiments, a flexible material such as a fabric is laminated to a surface of a device, such as a portable computing device. At least some embodiments utilize a mounting wedge to secure an edge of the flexible material to the device, as well as for a mounting surface for a component of the device.
US09442513B2
An apparatus for positioning service element interface devices is provided. A gate is affixed to a computing rack by a gate hinge that rotates on a first axis. A tray is affixed to the gate. The tray has a first side and a second side that are opposite exterior surfaces of the tray. A first display and a first keyboard are affixed to the first side. A second display and a second keyboard are affixed to the second side. The first keyboard and the first display provide a first interface that is redundant with a second interface provided by the second keyboard and the second display.
US09442505B2
An electric power control apparatus, an electric power control method, and an electric power feeding system by which the maximum operating point of a generating element such as a solar battery can be controlled to be maintained, and electric power loss can be avoided. The electric power control apparatus is provided with an electric power path switch unit to which a plurality of generating elements can be connected, and a voltage conversion unit that converts a voltage level which is generated by the generating elements and supplied via the electric power path switch unit. The electric power path switch unit includes a first connection switching function which switches between series connection and parallel connection for the plurality of generating elements, and a second connection switching function which switches between connected and non-connected to an input side of the voltage conversion unit for the generating elements connected in series or parallel.
US09442501B2
A semiconductor device including a voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator may include a multipath amplifier stage, a driver stage coupled to the multipath amplifier stage, a dynamic compensation circuit coupled to the multipath amplifier stage, and a current compensation circuit. The dynamic compensation circuit may be operable to provide a varying level of compensation to the multipath amplifier stage, where the varying level of compensation proportional to a current level associated with the load; and the current compensation circuit may be operable to allow a minimum current level at the driver stage.
US09442491B2
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
US09442486B2
An apparatus controller for prompting a rider to be positioned on a vehicle in such a manner as to reduce lateral instability due to lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The apparatus has an input for receiving specification from the rider of a desired direction of travel, and indicating means for reflecting to the rider a propitious instantaneous body orientation to enhance stability in the face of lateral acceleration. The indicating may include a handlebar that is pivotable with respect to the vehicle and that is driven in response to vehicle turning.
US09442484B2
An apparatus for switching between driving modes of a vehicle with an automatic driving system, including: an input unit for receiving an input to switch from automatic driving mode to manual driving mode; a speed sensor for determining a current speed of the vehicle; a display unit on which a first indicator indicating a current speed of the vehicle when the vehicle is in an automatic driving mode is displayed; a pedal sensor for determining a current displacement distance of an accelerator pedal; a controller for determining a virtual speed according to the current distance displacement of the accelerator pedal when an input is received that requests switching of the automatic driving mode of the vehicle to a manual driving mode if the vehicle is in the automatic driving mode and displays a second indicator indicating the virtual speed on the display unit, and for switchings the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode when the virtual driving speed is similar to the current speed of the vehicle.
US09442472B2
Multiple lattice points arranged in a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system that takes first, second and third operating conditions as axes are associated with cores arranged in a lattice shape. A program for calculating a control value at the associated lattice points is allocated to the cores. Each core with which a lattice point is associated is configured so that, in a case where an operation space on the three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system to which a current operating point belongs is a space defined by eight adjacent lattice points including a lattice point associated with the relevant core, the relevant core calculates a control value at the lattice point associated therewith by means of the calculation program and sends the control value to an interpolation calculation core. Further, if the operation space is not defined by the eight adjacent lattice points, the relevant core suspends calculation of the control value.
US09442471B2
Described is a procedure for controlling the shape of a complex metal profile obtained by a successive series of a plurality of bends of a metal sheet on a panel bender machine equipped with a data processing and functions control unit for the machine comprising the entering in the processing unit of data relative to a drawing of the complex profile with physical coordinates, as well as data relative to the thickness of the metal sheet and the distance from the axis of the panel bender machine of the metal sheet-profile edge, and conversion of the drawing supplied with physical coordinates into a digital image with imaging coordinates. The nominal profile processed as above is shown on a suitable display superimposed on the image of the complex profile of the metal sheet acquired by a suitably positioned TV camera. A visual control the correspondence between the two superimposed profiles is then performed on the display. From this comparison it is possible to make corrections to the bending parameters of the panel bender machine.
US09442469B2
A washer-dryer is provided with a time shift function for performing timer presetting processing on the basis of a time shift computation result which indicates an operation start time suitable for operation. The washer-dryer includes: an input operation unit for allowing a user to perform operations for operating the washer-dryer; a display unit for displaying information relating to the operation of the washer-dryer; and an operation control unit for controlling the operation of the washer-dryer on the basis of the time shift computation result. When a start button on the input operation unit is operated by the user, the operation control unit automatically performs the timer presetting processing on the basis of the time shift computation result and also displays a timer preset time at the display unit.
US09442465B2
An electronic timepiece includes a solar power source, a voltage stabilizer circuit that generates a constant voltage by using power supplied from the solar power source, and a control circuit that clocks the time by driving a rotating body at first hand operation speed and at second hand operation speed which is faster than the first hand operation speed. The control circuit selects a voltage of the solar power source so as to drive the rotating body in a case of the first hand operation speed, and selects at least any one voltage of the constant voltage and the voltage of the solar power source so as to drive the rotating body in a case of the second hand operation speed.
US09442462B2
Personalized wall clocks and kits for making the same are disclosed herein. A kit includes an image receiving medium to receive thereon a personalized digital printed image. The image receiving medium includes a digital ink/toner receiving layer or has a digital ink/toner receiving surface structure. The kit also includes a foldable material which includes a face portion having two opposed surfaces and at least four sides. One opposed surface is to receive the image receiving medium. The foldable material includes a foldable extension extending from each side of the face portion. Each foldable extension is to be folded no less than four times toward another of the opposed surfaces to form a three-dimensional supporting frame. The kit includes a hand-moving mechanism.
US09442455B2
An image forming apparatus includes a support column having one end fixed to an apparatus body and the other end that turnably supports an operation unit, an opening and closing member that moves between a closed position to hide an inside of the apparatus body and an open position to expose the inside, and a lock unit that holds the operation unit at a first holding position to hold the operation unit within a moving area of the opening and closing member and a second holding position to hold the operation unit outside the moving area of the opening and closing member. The lock unit releases the operation unit in cooperation with opening of the opening and closing member in a state in which the operation unit is held at the first holding position, and moves the operation unit to the second holding position while keeping the operation unit released.
US09442454B2
Fluctuations in chargeability in an initial state are expected to be small. If a charging member is new, an image forming apparatus performs a supply operation for supplying a developer or a lubricant prior to an image forming operation in such a manner that the developer or the lubricant adheres to a surface of the charging member.
US09442447B2
An image forming apparatus includes image carriers; an exposing unit that forms latent images on the image carriers; a developing unit that develops the latent images with toners of different colors from each other; a first transfer unit that forms a color image by superimposing and transferring the developed images onto a second image carrier; a test pattern forming unit that forms, on the image carriers, test patterns to be transferred onto the second image carrier; and test pattern detection units capable of detecting the test patterns transferred onto the second image carrier in different positions from each other in a main-scanning direction. The test pattern forming unit selectively switches, depending on a width of the test patterns in the main-scanning direction, whether to form each of the test patterns in a position detectable by the corresponding one of the test pattern detection units.
US09442444B2
In a fixing device, on a receiving surface of a separating plate provided at a downstream side of a nip part formed between the fixing roller and the pressing roller, a catch part is formed in an edge part facing the nip part. When a direction of a sheet ejected from the nip part comes close to the fixing roller, a front end part of the sheet is caught by the catch part, and the sheet is largely bent or leaps up. A position detector detects the bending or leaping up of the sheet and recognizes that the direction of the sheet ejected from the nip part comes close to the fixing roller. The controller decreases force for pressing the fixing roller and the pressing roller or a fixing temperature, whereby the direction of the sheet ejected from the nip part is deviated from the fixing roller.
US09442440B2
A fixing device fixes an image on a sheet, and includes a rotatable member having an electroconductive layer; a helical coil provided inside the rotatable member and having a helix axis extending in a generatrix direction of the rotatable member; a magnetic member provided inside a helical configuration portion formed by the coil, the magnetic member not forming a loop outside the rotatable member; and a controller for controlling electric power supplied to the coil. The electroconductive layer generates heat by electromagnetic induction caused by the magnetic flux produced by an alternating current through the coil to fix the image on the sheet by the heat from the rotatable member. The controller limits the maximum electric power supplied to the coil, in accordance with the temperature of the magnetic member.
US09442438B2
An image forming apparatus includes a charging device configured to uniformly charge a surface of a photoconductive element; an image writing device configured to write an image in the charged photoconductive element by light to form an electrostatic latent image; a developing device configured to visualize the formed electrostatic latent image as a toner image; a transfer device configured to transfer the toner image to a sheet recording medium; a fixing device configured to fix the transferred toner image onto the medium; and a surface information detecting device configured to detect surface information of a fixing member of the fixing device. The surface information detecting device radiates optical spots on a surface of the fixing member in a direction crossing a conveying direction, receives reflected light of each optical spot, and detects the surface information of the fixing device based on the detection results of the reflective lights.
US09442425B2
A developing apparatus includes a developer bearing member which bears a developer, a developing container that includes a developer circulation path, a conveying member which is rotatably installed in the circulation path, and an outlet which is formed on a side surface of the circulation path facing the conveying member to discharge the developer. The conveying member includes a rotating shaft and a helical blade portion which is formed around the rotating shaft. The conveying member has a first region including a region facing the outlet and a second region adjacent to the first region at an upstream in a conveying direction of the conveying member. The helical blade portion is not formed in the first region, a protruding portion protruding from the rotating shaft is formed in at least a part of the first region, and the helical blade portion is formed in the second region.
US09442422B1
A powder storage container includes a storage container body, a movable member, and a restricting portion. The storage container body stores powder therein, and includes a supply portion that supplies the powder. The movable member is provided to the storage container body, and is movable between a closed position at which the supply portion is closed and a supply position at which the supply portion is able to supply the powder. The restricting portion is provided on an inner side with respect to an outer peripheral shape of the movable member to restrict movement of the movable member to the supply position.
US09442421B2
A powder storage device includes a powder container that has an opening at one end, stores powder therein, and has, on an inner peripheral surface, a rib configured to transport the powder toward the opening with rotation of the powder container, a lid member that is configured to cover the opening, has an outflow opening through which the powder flows, and is held in a non-rotatable state, and a driving-force transmission member interposed between the powder container and the lid member and having a driving-force receiving portion penetrating the lid member in a rotation axis direction, the driving-force transmission member transmitting a rotating force to the powder container.
US09442413B2
In one aspect of the present invention, exposure timings for a plurality of light beams are adjusted on the basis of a toner concentration of a boundary part between line images formed by one light beam and line images formed by another light beam neighboring the one light beam and a toner concentration of a part except the boundary part in a pattern image. Here, in the pattern image, line images extending in the main-scan direction of a photoreceptor are formed while having a predetermined pitch in the sub-scan direction of the photoreceptor and also the boundary part is arranged so as to be shifted from the sub-scan direction of the photoreceptor, by an image forming section.
US09442412B2
An image forming apparatus includes a forming unit and a controller. The forming unit includes a developing unit and a multi-beam scanning unit. The multi-beam scanning unit includes an N number of light sources for the developing unit. The controller causes the multi-beam scanning unit to form marks on a surface of at least one photosensitive body. The controller adjusts an interval between an electrostatic latent image and another electrostatic latent image based on a level of a signal outputted from the sensor according to the endmost scan lines of each of the marks.
US09442390B2
A fluid handling structure for a lithographic apparatus, the fluid handling structure having, at a boundary from a space configured to contain immersion fluid to a region external to the fluid handling structure: a meniscus pinning feature to resist passage of immersion fluid in a radially outward direction from the space; a plurality of gas supply openings in a linear array at least partly surrounding and radially outward of the meniscus pinning feature; and a gas recovery opening radially outward of the plurality of gas supply openings in a linear array.
US09442388B2
A lithographic projection apparatus is disclosed for use with an immersion liquid positioned between the projection system and a substrate, Several methods and mechanism are disclosed to protect components of the projection system, substrate table and a liquid confinement system. These include providing a protective coating on a final element of the projection system as well as providing one or more sacrificial bodies upstream of the components. A two component final optical element of CaF2 is also disclosed.
US09442383B2
An EUV mirror arrangement (100) has a multiplicity of mirror elements (110, 111, 112) which are arranged alongside one another and jointly form a mirror surface of the mirror arrangement. Each mirror element has a substrate (120) and a multilayer arrangement (130) applied on the substrate and having a reflective effect with respect to radiation from the extreme ultraviolet range (EUV), said multilayer arrangement comprising a multiplicity of layer pairs (135) having alternate layers composed of a high refractive index layer material and a low refractive index layer material. The multilayer arrangement has an active layer (140) arranged between a radiation entrance surface and the substrate and consisting of a piezoelectrically active layer material, the layer thickness (z) of which active layer can be altered by the action of an electric field. For each active layer provision is made of an electrode arrangement for generating an electric field acting on the active layer.
US09442381B2
A method of operating a projection exposure tool for microlithography is provided. The projection exposure tool has a projection objective for imaging object structures on a mask into an image plane using electromagnetic radiation, during which imaging the electromagnetic radiation causes a change in optical properties of the projection objective. The method comprises the steps of: providing the layout of the object structures on the mask to be imaged and classifying the object structures according to their type of structure, calculating the change in the optical properties of the projection objective effected during the imaging process on the basis of the classification of the object structures, and using the projection exposure tool for imaging the object structures into the image plane, wherein the imaging behavior of the projection exposure tool is adjusted on the basis of the calculated change of the optical properties in order to at least partly compensate for the change of the optical properties of the projection objective caused by the electromagnetic radiation during the imaging process.
US09442380B2
A radiation source (e.g., LPP—laser produced plasma source) for generation of extreme UV (EUV) radiation has at least two fuel particle streams having different trajectories. Each stream is directed to cross the path of an excitation (laser) beam focused at a plasma formation region, but the trajectories are spaced apart at the plasma formation region, and the streams phased, so that only one stream has a fuel particle in the plasma formation region at any time, and so that when a fuel particle from one stream is generating plasma and EUV radiation at the plasma generation region, other fuel particles are sufficiently spaced so as to be substantially unaffected by the plasma. The arrangement permits potential doubling of the radiation intensity achievable for a particular fuel particle size.
US09442376B2
A positive resist composition is provided comprising a polymer comprising recurring units having a carboxyl or phenolic hydroxyl group substituted with an acid labile group and recurring units of furaneol ester, and having a Mw of 1,000-500,000. The resist composition has a satisfactory effect of suppressing acid diffusion and a high resolution, and forms a pattern of good profile and minimal edge roughness after exposure.
US09442374B2
There is provided a coloring composition including: a colorant; and a resin, wherein a content of the colorant is 50% by mass or more based on total solids of the coloring composition, and a solid acid number of a resin having a highest solid acid number among all kinds of resins contained in the coloring composition, is 80 mg KOH/g or less.
US09442371B2
A method of producing a structure containing a phase-separated structure, including a step in which a layer including an Si-containing block copolymer having a plurality of blocks bonded is formed between guide patterns on a substrate; a step in which a solution of a top coat material is applied to the layer and the guide patterns so as to form a top coat film; and a step in which the layer including the Si-containing block copolymer and having the top coat film formed thereon is subjected to annealing treatment so as to conduct a phase separation of the layer; in which a solvent of the solution of the top coat material contains no basic substance.
US09442369B1
An electro-deposition apparatus deposits a first pattern of a lithographic mask. The electro-deposition apparatus then deposits a second pattern of the lithographic mask, at least partially offset from the first pattern. The resulting lithographic mask includes a first pattern having a minimum feature resolution size and maximum pitch, and a second pattern having the same minimum feature resolution size and maximum pitch. The first pattern and second pattern are at least partially offset such that a fractional portion of the second pattern is realized and light transmission is more precisely controlled.
US09442361B2
The present invention provides an additional effect system and method, the additional effect system including: a plurality of projection surfaces installed in a single theater; and an additional effect device for implementing an additional effect other than images projected on the plurality of projection surfaces, wherein the additional effect device provides the additional effect depending the images projected on the plurality of projection surfaces.
US09442353B2
A projector (1) includes a light source device (2), a light modulating device (5) configured to modulate a light beam emitted from the light source device, a projection optical device (7) configured to project the light beam modulated by the light modulating device, and a flexible printed circuit board (6), one end of which is connected to the light modulating device (5). The light source device (2) includes a light emitting device mounted on the flexible printed circuit board (6). The flexible printed circuit board is bent, whereby the light source device is disposed in an emission position where the light source device (2) emits the light beam to the light modulating device (5).
US09442336B2
This invention envisages having flexible wiring substrate terminals serving to connect with the wires for preventing dielectric breakdown caused by static electricity during the manufacturing process, and reducing the number of the flexible wiring substrate terminals. On a mother TFT substrate, signal lines extend over each liquid crystal cell in a manner flanking a scribe line between the adjacent liquid crystal cells. The signal lines of each liquid crystal cell are connected with connecting lines striding the scribe line. This reduces the number of static electricity countermeasure wires extending from the flexible wiring substrate terminals of each liquid crystal cell. Once completed, the individual liquid crystal cells are separated from one another, with no adverse effects caused by the connecting lines.
US09442335B2
A display module and a display device are provided. The display module includes a display panel and a front frame. The display panel includes a display region and a non-display region both located at a side of a light emitting surface, wherein, the non-display region disposed at a peripheral area of the display panel and provided with a test pad electrically connected to wiring a of the display region. The front frame includes a front plate disposed opposite to at least a portion of the non-display region, and having an electric conduction portion for conducting away a current and an insulation portion for insulating the electric conduction portion from the test pad on the display panel. The present invention can avoid LCD screen noise and flicker because the test pad of the display panel contact with the front frame.
US09442334B2
The present invention proposes an array substrate includes two or more pixel structure areas formed by different lenses, with each pixel structure area comprising a plurality of sub-areas, and each sub-area comprising a plurality of pixel structures. Since pixel structures in the sub-areas next to a junction of two pixel structure areas are distributed based on density, a brightness of sub-areas next to the junction can be displayed in uniformity.
US09442327B2
A liquid crystal display device can include a first substrate including first and second pixel regions; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a thin film transistor in each of the first and second pixel regions; a pixel electrode on the first substrate and in each of the first and second pixel regions, the pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor; a common electrode on the first substrate or the second substrate; first and second column spacers on the second substrate and corresponding to the first and second pixel regions, respectively; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates, wherein a first relative position of the first column spacer in the first pixel region is different from a second relative position of the second column spacer in the second pixel region.
US09442325B2
The present invention includes liquid crystal held between an array substrate including a display area and a color filter substrate, a seal material pasting the both substrates together outside in plan view of the display area, and column spacers between the both substrates. The seal material includes a seal periphery surrounding the display area, and seal extending portions forming an injection port of the liquid crystal by extending the seal periphery outside in plan view of the display area from both end of a partial opening. The seal periphery includes no spacer therein, and the seal extending portions include spacers therein.
US09442324B2
A source line is provided on a layer above a substrate, and as a whole, extends in a first direction while meandering along the main surface of the substrate. An alignment film is provided on a layer above the source line, and specifies the alignment direction of a liquid crystal. A first protruding section along the source line is formed on the surface of the alignment film. In a cross-section that is parallel to the first direction and perpendicular to the substrate, and that passes through the source line, the inclination of an inclined end face on one side of the first protruding section in the first direction is steeper than the inclination of each inclined end face on the other side of the protruding section.
US09442317B2
A display device according to the present disclosure may include a display panel, a backlight source disposed at the light-entering side of the display panel and an adhesive layer laminated between the display panel and the backlight source. The adhesive layer may have a frame structure and may be disposed at the periphery of the display area of the display panel. The frame structure may have at least one opening, so that the adhesive layer may have an unclosed frame structure.
US09442311B2
An eye-mountable device includes an enclosure material, a capacitive sensor system, and a controller. The enclosure material has a concave surface and a convex surface. The concave surface is configured to be removeably mounted over a cornea and the convex surface is configured to be compatible with eyelid motion when the concave surface is so mounted. The capacitive sensor system is disposed within the enclosure material. The capacitive sensor system has at least one capacitance value that varies with changes in a gazing direction of the cornea. The controller is disposed within the enclosure material and electrically connected to the capacitive sensor system. The controller is configured to measure the capacitance value of the capacitive sensor system to detect the changes in the gazing direction.
US09442309B2
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing a variable optic insert into an ophthalmic lens. The variable optic insert may have surfaces within that have differing radii of curvature. A liquid crystal layer may be used to provide a variable optic function and in some embodiments, the liquid crystal layer may comprise droplets that are nano-scaled. An energy source is capable of powering the variable optic insert included within the ophthalmic lens. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast-molded from a silicone hydrogel. The various ophthalmic lens entities may include electroactive liquid crystal layers to electrically control refractive characteristics.
US09442284B2
An electrowetting display device includes a first substrate comprising a wall pattern surrounding a pixel electrode disposed in a display area of the first substrate, a spaced apart second substrate comprising a common electrode and a dam member disposed in a peripheral area surrounding the display area. The dam member has sealable openings (a.k.a. sealable dam spillways) through which there is discharged an excess portion of an excessively supplied wetting layer, the discharge of the excess occurring while the first and second substrates are brought together about top and bottom portions of a sealing ring that seals them together.
US09442280B2
An operation microscope includes: an ordinary light path that guides light from an observation target to an eyepiece; a first secondary light path branched off from the ordinary light path; a second secondary light path merging with the ordinary light path; an imaging unit that images the observation target using light from the first secondary path; a display unit that displays an image based on an image signal from the imaging unit toward the second secondary path; and a reflector provided at a branch point of the ordinary light path and the first secondary light path in such a manner as to be capable of pulling off the branch point, and that bends the ordinary light path by reflection. The first secondary light path extends from the branch point along an extension of the ordinary light path before being reflected.
US09442275B2
An optical image capturing system, from an object side to an image side, comprises a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element, a fifth lens element, and a sixth lens element. The first lens element has a positive refractive power and may have a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements has a refractive power and the object-side and image-side surfaces of these lens elements are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a negative refractive power and may have a concave image-side surface. The object-side surface and the image-side surface of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and at least one of the two surfaces has inflection points. When specific conditions are satisfied, the optical image capturing system may has a large aperture value and a better optical path adjusting ability to acquire better imaging quality.
US09442264B1
Tight buffered optical fibers and cables containing tight buffered optical fibers are described. A tight buffered optical fiber may include an optical fiber, which may include a core and cladding. At least one protective layer may be formed around the optical fiber, and at least one buffer layer may be formed around the at least one protective layer. The buffer layer may include a thermoplastic polymer blended or mixed with a siloxane slip agent that permits the buffer layer to be stripped from the underlying optical fiber.
US09442263B1
Components for incorporation into cable, such as communication cables, are described. At least one cable component, such as an optical fiber buffer tube, may be formed from a polymeric resin that has been nucleated or otherwise combined with a thermoplastic elastomer. The cable component may then be incorporated into a cable that includes at least one transmission element.
US09442259B2
A method for producing an optical assembly includes the steps of forming an optical semiconductor device including a substrate, a recess and an first optical waveguide, the optical semiconductor device having a principal surface, the recess extending from the principal surface to a middle portion of the substrate; forming an optical waveguide device including a through-hole and a second optical waveguide; positioning the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device so that the principal surface of the optical semiconductor device and a back surface of the optical waveguide device face each other; aligning the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device by inserting a guide pin into the through-hole and the recess so that the first optical waveguide is optically coupled with the second optical waveguide; and joining the optical semiconductor device and the optical waveguide device to each other.
US09442257B2
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The cable includes a jacket having an elongated transverse cross-sectional profile that defines a major axis and a minor axis. Strength components of the cable are anchored to the connector. The fiber optic connector includes a multi-fiber ferrule defining a major axis that is generally perpendicular to the major axis of the jacket and a minor axis that is generally perpendicular to the minor axis of the jacket. Certain types of connectors include a connector body defining a side opening that extends along a length of the connector body; a multi-fiber ferrule configured for lateral insertion into the connector body through the side opening; and a cover that mounts over the side opening after the multi-fiber ferrule has been inserted into the connector body through the side opening.
US09442255B2
Systems and methods are described for creating a very cost effective optical/electrical interface connecting system with high tolerance to misalignment. Low cost sealed optical devices can be fabricated with easily detachable top cable assemblies. This approach can be used for hermetically sealed optical devices without the need for hermetic fiber feed-through. The system also has features that enable fiber optic components to operate and survive in harsh environments, particularly in large temperature extremes.
US09442240B2
A light guide plate and a light source module are described. The light guide plate includes a main body, first stripe microstructures and second stripe microstructures. The main body includes a light incidence surface, a light-emitting surface and a light reflective surface opposite to the light-emitting surface. The light incidence surface is connected between the light-emitting surface and the light reflective surface. The light-emitting surface includes a first microstructure region and a second microstructure region arranged sequentially, and the first microstructure region is near the light incidence surface. The first stripe microstructures are disposed in the first microstructure region and extending along a direction from one side near the light-incident surface to the other side away from the light-incident surface. The second stripe microstructures are disposed in the second microstructure region along the direction. A gradient of each second stripe microstructure is gradually varied along the direction.
US09442238B2
A background module includes a light-emitting element, a light guide plate, and a light shielding structure. The light guide plate includes a reflective material layer. The reflective material layer is disposed on a top surface of the light guide plate and located near the light-emitting element. After a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is introduced into the light shielding structure, a portion of the light beam is reflected back into the light shielding structure by the reflective material layer. On the other hand, a portion of the light beam is transmitted through the reflective material layer and absorbed by the light shielding structure. Consequently, the possibility of causing light leakage will be minimized.
US09442226B2
The present invention relates to a reflection plate for a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a reflection plate for a backlight unit in a liquid crystal display device, which is made of a thermoplastic thermal conductive resin composition having a thermal conductivity of at least 0.35 W/mK, thereby effectively solving the thermal problem of the backlight unit, and having excellent properties such as shock resistance, heat resistance, mechanical strength, and the like, as well as having excellent reflectivity, thereby improving the durability of the liquid crystal display device.Furthermore, the present invention relates to a backlight unit of a liquid crystal display device, comprising a reflection plate positioned at a lower portion of a lamp of the backlight unit for reflecting the light coming out of the lamp, a supporting rod for the lamp, and a lower plate functioning as a heat sink, wherein the reflection plate and the lower plate are made of the same material, thereby effectively solving the thermal problem of the backlight unit, and simplifying the manufacturing process.
US09442224B2
A lens array for imaging image elements in an object plane, and a method of making a lens array. The lens array includes lenslets formed in or on one side of a transparent or translucent material with the image elements disposed on the opposite side, and has a gauge thickness corresponding to the distance from the apex of each lenslet to the object plane. Each lenslet has a set of lens parameters. The gauge thickness and/or at least one lens parameter is or are optimized such that each lenslet has a focal point size in the object plane which is either substantially equal to the size of the image elements in the object plane, or varies from the size of the image elements by a predetermined amount.
US09442221B2
A precursor sol of aluminum oxide contains a polycondensate formed by the hydrolysis of an aluminum alkoxide or an aluminum salt, a solvent, and an organic aluminum compound having a specific structure. An optical member is produced by a process including a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base. A method for producing an optical member includes a step of immersing an aluminum oxide film in a hot water with a temperature of 60° C. to 100° C. to form a textured structure made of aluminum oxide crystals, the aluminum oxide film being formed by feeding the precursor sol of aluminum oxide onto a base.
US09442219B2
Roofing granules include a core having an average ultraviolet transmission of greater than sixty percent and an average near infrared reflectance of greater than sixty percent and a UV coating layer on the exterior surface. The coating provides UV opacity, while the core provides near infrared reflectance.
US09442216B1
A sensor comprising a light emitter and light detector directly covered and encapsulated by a layer of light blocking compound. The light blocking compound can be thick enough between the light emitter and light detector to block substantially all light emitted by the light emitter from reaching the light detector directly, but be thin enough above the light emitter and light detector to allow at least some level of light emitted by the light emitter to escape out of the sensor, be reflected by another object, re-enter the sensor, and survive passing through the light blocking compound to enter the light detector.
US09442210B2
Disclosed are methods and systems for towing multiple source cables with spreader lines coupled to the source cables using open collars. An example system for multi-cable towing may comprise a plurality of source cables coupled to a survey vessel. The example system may further comprise a plurality of energy sources, wherein each o the energy sources is coupled to a respective one of the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of spreader lines extending between the source cables. The example system may further comprise a plurality of open collars coupling the spreader lines to the source cables, wherein the open collars are slidably coupled to the source cables.
US09442208B2
Computing device, computer instructions and method for de-ghosting seismic data related to a subsurface. The method may include receiving input seismic data recorded by seismic receivers that located at different depths (zr), generating migration data (du) and mirror migration data (dd) from the input seismic data, deriving a ghost free model (m) based on simultaneously using the migration data (du) and mirror migration data (dd), generating primary (p) and ghost (g) datasets based on the ghost free model (m), simultaneously adaptively subtracting the primary (p) and ghost (g) datasets from the migration data (du) to provide adapted primary (p′1 and p′2) and adapted residual (r′1 and r′2) datasets, and generating a final image (f) of the subsurface based on the adapted primary (p′1 and p′2) and the adapted residual (r′1 and r′2) datasets. In certain embodiments, the input seismic data d includes both hydrophone data and particle motion data.
US09442195B2
A time of flight camera device comprises an light source for illuminating an environment including an object with light of a first wavelength; an image sensor for measuring time the light has taken to travel from the light source to the object and back; optics for gathering reflected light from the object and imaging the environment onto the image sensor; driver electronics for controlling the light source with a high speed signal at a clock frequency; and a controller for calculating the distance between the object and the illumination unit. To minimize power consumption and resulting heat dissipation requirements, the light source/driver electronics are operated at their resonant frequency. Ideally, the driver electronics includes a reactance adjuster for changing a resonant frequency of the illumination unit and driver electronics system.
US09442189B2
A multichannel UWB-based radar life detector includes a transmitting antenna and three receiving antennas for forming three radar echo signal channels. A 2-dimensional positioning method thereof includes: a1) amplifying weak life signals of stationary human by the channels, providing an 8-point integration method with an interval of 4 points to radar echo signals by distance; then breaking the integrated signals for decomposition and reconstruction in such a manner that target echo signals and three distance signals are formed; providing digital filtering and differential to the target echo signals for amplifying the weak but useful life signals; a2) 1-dimensionally distinguishing the signals by distance, analyzing spatial frequency according to the filtered and differentiated target echo signals as well as the distance signals for obtaining three target projection signals in the three channels; and a3) identifying the 2-dimensional position information of the targets according to the projection signals, forming an image.
US09442188B2
A multi-static radar system for monitoring water surface targets is provided. The multi-static radar system may include a first and second radar, a state machine, and a signal processor. The radars may be located in separate locations and synchronized using timing signals. The state machine may be configured to determine, using the timing signals, start times and end times of radio frequency signal modulations for each radar. A concept of negative pseudo-range is provided, whereby the modulation start times are configured to allow pseudo-negative time delays at as many as half of the radar receivers, thereby doubling the multi-static echo detections. The signal processor may be configured to simultaneously receive and process the echoes of the radar signals received at the radars to determine position and velocity vectors for the monitored water surface targets.
US09442178B2
Apparatus and methods for tracking various assets. The apparatus includes a hybrid tracking device (HTD) for tracking an associated asset. The HTD includes a personal area network (PAN) transceiver to couple the HTD to a gateway, proxy or slave HTDs. The HTD may include a sensor to generate sensor information. Alternatively, the sensor information is generated remotely. The sensor information includes a determined location and/or information characteristic of an HTD or its environment. Sensor information from one sensor is used to represent HTDs separated by the PAN. The HTD may also include a wide area network (WAN) transceiver to communicate with an asset tracking server.
US09442173B2
A system for NMR assessing a sample or a series of samples in turn which comprises means for applying a static magnetic field in a first direction through the sample, pre-polarizing means for first applying a magnetic field in substantially the same direction to the sample, means for applying an alternating excitation magnetic field in a second different direction through the sample, means for sensing energy emitted by the sample in response to the excitation magnetic field, and means arranged to provide an indication of an assessment of the sample based on the energy emitted by the sample in response to the excitation magnetic field.
US09442172B2
A wireless energy transfer system includes a foreign object debris detection system. The system includes at least one wireless energy transfer source configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field. The foreign object debris may be detected by at least one field gradiometer positioned in the oscillating magnetic field. The voltage of the at least one field gradiometer may be measured using readout circuitry and a feedback loop based on the readings from the gradiometers may be used to control the parameters of the wireless energy source.
US09442169B2
A measuring system, having a magnetic device for generating a magnetic field and having a magnetic field sensor with a sensor surface for detecting a flux density of the magnetic field penetrating the sensor surface at least in a first spatial direction, whereby the magnetic field sensor is fixedly positioned relative to the magnetic device. The magnetic device can have at least one permanent magnet and a flux concentrator made of a ferromagnetic material. The permanent magnet has at least two pole surfaces and an outer surface. The flux concentrator can have a smaller dimensions than the outer surface of the permanent magnet. The flux concentrator can be positioned within the outer surface of the permanent magnet and the flux concentrator and the permanent magnet can have a magnetic force closure.
US09442164B2
Detecting circuits are connected in parallel to respective on/off mechanical contacts or on/off semiconductor devices of a motor contactor and/or a brake contactor of a driving circuit supplying driving electric power from a three-phase alternating-current power supply circuit to a three-phase alternating-current electric motor and a brake through the motor contactor and the brake contactor, respectively. The detecting circuits output pulse signals synchronized with the alternating current from the alternating-current power supply circuit. A signal processing circuit processes the pulse signals from the detecting circuits and detects a normal or abnormal condition of each on/off mechanical contact or on/off semiconductor device of the motor contactor and/or the brake contactor.
US09442160B2
A probe assembly includes a wiring base plate arranged on a lower surface side of a reinforcing plate and a probe base plate arranged on a lower surface side of the wiring base plate. The probe base plate includes a plurality of probes on a lower surface thereof and a plurality of anchor portions on an upper surface thereof, respectively. The anchor portions are set so that a height of the anchor portion arranged at a center portion of the probe base plate may be greater than a height of the anchor portion located at a peripheral portion of the probe base plate. Between the respective anchor portions and the reinforcing plate are arranged a plurality of brace portions corresponding to the plurality of anchor portions and determining a space between the probe base plate and the wiring base plate together with the anchor portions.
US09442157B2
A controller capable of detecting input power and generating a protection signal for a power converter, including: a high voltage start-up pin for connecting with an output terminal of an external start-up circuit; a sample-and-hold circuit for periodically sampling a voltage signal at the high voltage start-up pin to generate a detected signal; a brownout detector for generating a first power-fault signal according to the detected signal; an AC-off detector for generating a second power-fault signal according to the detected signal; and an OR gate having a first input end coupled with the first power-fault signal, a second input end coupled with the second power-fault signal, and an output end providing a third power-fault signal.
US09442155B2
A system and method of testing High Brightness LED (HBLED) is provided, and more particularly, a system and method of Controlled Energy Testing of HBLED with improved accuracy and repeatability is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a programmable constant power source for providing a constant power to a Device Under Test (DUT), in this case, an HBLED, wherein the programmable constant power source adjusts an output voltage or an output current to ensure that a given amount of power is supplied to the HBLED for a predetermined amount of time and to provide precise control of a junction temperature of the HBLED for the duration of the test sequences; a Parametric Measurement Unit (PMU) including a processor for executing a plurality of HBLED test sequences, and a spectrometer for measuring a set of HBLED parameters including power and color (wavelength) of an optical output of the HBLED; and a controller for coordinating timing of acquiring the set of measured HBLED parameters. In another embodiment, a photodetector is implemented to measure the integrated power of the optical output of the HBLED.
US09442152B2
A fault location system for a distribution network is disclosed. The fault location system includes at least one sensor and a fault location evaluation apparatus. The at least one sensor is located on the distribution network, for sensing current and dividing the distribution network into at least two regions. The fault location evaluation apparatus includes a fault region determination unit for determining which one of the at least two regions is a fault region where a fault occurs therein by calculating the sensed current from the at least one sensor.
US09442142B2
A sensor arrangement, in particular for a non-contacting measurement, comprises a signal generator (SRC) which is connected to a first electrode (EL1). A first detector (Det1) is connected to the first electrode (EL1), and is designed for a capacitive measurement by means of the first electrode (EL1). A second detector (Det2) is connected to a second electrode (EL2) and is designed to use the first and the second electrodes (EL1, EL2) to carry out a capacitive measurement. A method for operation of the sensor arrangement is likewise specified.
US09442140B2
Exemplary embodiments are related to switching power converters. A switching power converter may comprise a plurality of control unit configured for average current mode control, wherein each control unit of the plurality comprises a dedicated proportional control unit. The switching power converter may further comprise an integrator coupled to each control unit of the plurality of control unit and configured to convey a signal to each control unit.
US09442137B2
A method for determining electrical characteristics at a point of regulation to which plural energy providing/production units are connected via a common node is provided. The electrical characteristics at an output terminal of each of the plural energy providing/production units are measured in order to obtain plural measured electrical characteristics. Circuit configuration information about a configuration of a circuitry connected between the plural energy providing/production units and the point of regulation is obtained. Electrical characteristics at the point of regulation are calculated based on the plural measured electrical characteristics and the circuit configuration information.
US09442132B2
A drying system, which can be implemented in an atomic force microscopy (AFM) machine according to the invention, includes an elastomer having elasticity and disposed between an AFM scan head device and a platen to form a chamber. A sample supporting substrate is disposed in the chamber and for placement of a specimen. A gas inlet pipeline extends from an outside of the chamber to an inside of the chamber to introduce a drying gas into the chamber. A gas outlet pipeline extends from the inside of the chamber to the outside of the chamber to exhaust the drying gas out of the chamber. Using the mechanism of introducing and exhausting the drying gas can exhaust the moisture out of the chamber, so that the relative humidity (RH) is decreased below 5% and a constant internal pressure is held in the space to become stable.
US09442129B2
An automatic analyzer cleans dispensing nozzles that dispense a sample or reagent using a rinse tank. The rinse tank includes first and second rinse liquid discharge ports arranged along the bottom and top of the rinse tank, respectively. The first rinse liquid discharge ports face the top of the rinse tank. The second rinse liquid discharge ports supply rinse liquid to flow to an exterior of the dispensing nozzles when aligned therewith. Each dispensing nozzle is rinsed by moving from a first position aligned with one of the first rinse liquid discharge ports to a second position aligned with one of the second rinse liquid discharge ports.
US09442120B2
Use of urine biomarkers for diagnosing nephropathy, monitoring nephropathy progress, and assessing efficacy of a nephropathy treatment. These urine biomarkers include leukocyte-associated Ig-like receptor-2, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, their fragments, and combinations thereof.
US09442118B2
This invention provides biosensors, cell models, and methods of their use for monitoring heme, oxygen or ATP. Biosensors can include targeting domains, sensing domains and reporting domains. Biosensors can be introduced into cells reprogrammed to represent experimental or pathologic cells of interest. Model cells expressing the biosensors can be contacted with putative bioactive agents to determine possible activities.
US09442116B2
Disclosed is a method of predicting clinical tumor outcome by providing gene expression from a tumor sample. The method utilizes a novel genetic screen to identify genes that contribute to chemotherapeutic responsiveness, using formalin fixed paraffin embedded clinical samples of epithelial cancer, specifically serous ovarian cancer. The method is useful in predicting tumor responsiveness to chemotherapeutics, including alkylating agents, cisplatin, antimetabolites, plant alkaloids, and antitumor antibiotics. A microarray screen showed formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples can identify genes related to chemotherapeutic response with 86% efficiency.
US09442112B2
The invention provides methods, kits, compositions, and devices useful for detection of antibodies that bind to Ehrlichia antigens and/or for differentiation of certain Ehrlichia species from others. In particular, the invention provides methods and kits useful for identifying species of Ehrlichia using populations of isolated peptides.
US09442111B2
The disclosure provides for methods and apparatuses relating to technology for monitoring chemical and/or biological reactions. Some methods provided herein relate to utilization of NAPPA technology to create large protein arrays suitable for use in combination with various ISFET arrays to enable massive parallel assays of kinase activity and inhibition. Some devices provided herein relate to CMOS chips which utilize the NAPPA array technology to build protein inventories of interest upon an ISFET architecture. Further devices provided herein are capable, inter alia, of processing the arrays created by the combination of NAPPA technology and ISFET architecture.
US09442105B2
Engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs comprising: one or more layers, wherein each layer contains one or more liver cell types, the one or more layers cohered to form a living, three-dimensional liver tissue construct. In some embodiments, the constructs are characterized by having at least one of: at least one layer comprising a plurality of cell types, the cell types spatially arranged relative to each other to create a planar geometry; and a plurality of layers, at least one layer compositionally or architecturally distinct from at least one other layer to create a laminar geometry. Also disclosed are arrays and methods of making the same. Also disclosed are engineered, living, three-dimensional liver tissue constructs for use in the augmentation or restoration of one or more liver functions, by in vivo delivery of tissue or utilization of tissue in an extracorporeal device.
US09442103B1
A method for preventing circumvention of a intoxication test includes defining a detection time envelope with a first sensor activated in response to the presence of a human test subject proximate the first sensor and sensing with a second sensor for a change from an ambient condition caused by the presence of the human test subject proximate the second sensor. The intoxication test is validated when a change from the ambient condition is detected by the second sensor during the time envelope defined by the first sensor.
US09442093B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for detecting anomalies in cables within a tire structure. A plurality of magnetic field sensitive sensors are aligned within a magnetic field provided by a magnet. The alignment of sensors and magnet is such that flux lines from the magnet are generally parallel to the plane occupied by the magnetic sensors. A tire cable anomaly present between the magnetic field sensitive sensors produces a detectable difference in signals produced by the magnetic field sensitive sensors as a result of the formation of perpendicular flux patterns produced by the anomaly. A signal processing circuit receiving input signals from the sensors evaluates differences between the signals from each of the plurality of sensors by pairing the output signal from each sensor with the output signal from each of the others of the plurality of sensors and produces an output signal upon the differences meeting selected criteria. The output signal may include an externally measurable signal and/or may include a visual signal indicating presence of a tire anomaly.
US09442092B2
The current invention is directed towards a rapid, reproducible test for the fungal virulence factors and associated affected compounds so that patients at risk for autism, cerebral palsy and other human diseases can be quickly identified, treated and possibly prevented. This includes a multitude of test protocols for both the mycotoxin gliotoxin and its relationship with glutathione—and relates the two molecules by a novel paradigm known as the Glutathione-Gliotoxin Index—(GGI) or Disease-Disorder Susceptibility Index—D/DSI, which indicates the Autism Susceptibility Index—(ASI). One testing device and protocol includes a cellular phone application with modification to test for susceptibility to autism and other disease states. Of particular relevance for autism is the role of glutathione depletion by gliotoxin, then by the anti-pyretic acetaminophen in the peri-vaccination period, which each result in oxidative stress and metal intoxication, by disrupting the metallothionein system, amongst other biochemical pathways and numerous enzyme systems.
US09442091B2
Described are methods of reducing the incidence and/or magnitude of artifacts in denaturing nucleic acid capillary electrophoresis (CE). Methods and systems described serve to dismiss non-denatured DNA from the tip of the capillary after sample injection and prior to electrophoretic separation of loaded nucleic acids. Among the methods disclosed are the application of a brief reverse-polarity pulse to the capillary prior to separation but after removal of the capillary from the sample reservoir, and transiently heating the capillary to cause expansion of the separation matrix after removal of the capillary from the sample reservoir.
US09442074B2
Disclosed are fibers comprising one or more branded fibers which exhibit surface markings in a repeated pattern along the length of the branded fibers. The branded fibers can be incorporated into yarns or fiber bands to represent supply chain information of the yarns, fiber bands, and/or articles made from the yards or fiber bands. In a specific example, branded fibers can be incorporated into an acetate tow band. The branded fibers can be recovered from a cigarette filter, the repeated pattern decoded, and supply chain information associated with the acetate tow used to make the cigarette filter, such as manufacturer, customer, ship to location, and even the acetate tow bale, can be obtained.
US09442063B2
The present invention includes generating a three-dimensional design of experiment (DOE) for a plurality of semiconductor wafers, a first dimension of the DOE being a relative amount of a first component of the thin film, a second dimension of the DOE being a relative amount of a second component of the thin film, a third dimension of the DOE being a thickness of the thin film, acquiring a spectrum for each of the wafers, generating a set of optical dispersion data by extracting a real component (n) and an imaginary component (k) of the complex index of refraction for each of the acquired spectrum, identifying one or more systematic features of the set of optical dispersion data; and generating a multi-component Bruggeman effective medium approximation (BEMA) model utilizing the identified one or more systematic features of the set of optical dispersion data.
US09442062B2
A photoacoustic wave measurement instrument includes a light output unit, a photoacoustic wave detection unit and a photoacoustic wave generation member. The light output unit outputs light. The photoacoustic wave detection unit receives a photoacoustic wave generated by the light in a measurement object, and converts the light into an electric signal. The photoacoustic wave generation member is arranged between an light output end of the light output unit and the measurement object, receives the light, and generates a known photoacoustic wave.
US09442053B2
The invention relates to a test system for dynamically and/or cyclically load testing a material sample, a component, or an assembly, hereinafter referred to as sample. The test system is provided with a test frame, to which a bearing and a counter bearing are attached. At least one actuator comprising a multifunctional solid state transducer material system is connected to the counter bearing, directly or indirectly, to which, also directly or indirectly, a fastener provides firm fixation of the sample. Likewise, on the bearing side, a fastener firm fixation of the sample such that the at least one actuator is able to introduce dynamic and/or cyclical mechanical loads into the sample, which act along a load path extending lengthwise between the bearing and the counter bearing and through the sample.
US09442052B2
A torsion tester including a plurality of driving units configured to connect with and rotate three or more input/output shafts of a test body, respectively, and a controller configured to control the plurality of driving units to be driven with one of individually-set rotational frequencies and individually-set torques, respectively.
US09442050B2
Provided are methods and compositions for reducing or eliminating pH excursions in cation and anion exchange chromatography.
US09442048B2
Systems and methods for sensing gas are disclosed. In one aspect, a system to monitor an output of a gas source comprises a chamber comprising a plurality of input ports to receive inputs from a plurality of gas sources, and means for repeatedly blocking one of the plurality of input ports for a period of time, detecting which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, collecting data from a plurality of samples from the enclosure while the one of the plurality of input ports is blocked, and storing the data in a memory in association with an indicator of which one of the plurality of input ports is blocked. Other embodiments may be described.
US09442047B2
A segmented sampling apparatus is designed to extract a sample from a source and deliver the sample to a collector for storage or analysis. The sample is extracted from the source at a sample withdrawal or extraction rate but is delivered to the collector at a faster rate. Air is injected into or drawn into the apparatus which allows for an expedited sample delivery rate.
US09442042B2
A combustion diagnosis device for a diesel engine having a plurality of cylinders, including an engine speed sensor for detecting a rotational speed of each cylinder, an injection correction amount calculation unit for calculating an amount of correction for fuel injection of each cylinder in accordance with the engine speed sensor, a rotational fluctuation calculation unit for calculating a rotational fluctuation of each cylinder in accordance with the engine speed sensor, and a combustion state determination unit for determining a combustion state of a determination-target cylinder in accordance with the rotational fluctuation when the correction amount calculated by the injection correction amount calculation unit reaches an upper limit threshold value.
US09442036B2
A method of monitoring the integrity of a fluid connection between first and second fluid containing systems based on at least one time-dependent measurement signal from a pressure sensor in the first fluid containing system. The pressure sensor detects first pulses originating from a first pulse generator in the first fluid containing system and second pulses originating from a second pulse generator in the second fluid containing system. A parameter value representing a distribution of signal values within a time window is calculated by analyzing the measurement signal in the time domain and/or by using information on the timing of the second pulses in the measurement signal. The parameter value may be calculated as a statistical dispersion measure of the signal values, or from matching the signal to a predicted temporal signal profile of the second pulse. The integrity of the fluid connection is determined from the parameter value.
US09442032B2
A microelectromechanical pressure sensor structure wherein the length of the diaphragm is at least three times the width of the diaphragm. The oblong diaphragm experiences a minimized difference between lateral bending of the wafer and of the diaphragm along the width of the diaphragm. In a perpendicular direction, the diaphragm is at least three times longer due to which it accurately aligns with the bending form of the wafer. Due to this, the total error caused by bending of the structure is significantly reduced and a more robust structure is achieved. At the same time, the longer diaphragm provides mode deflected area for detection and thus significantly improves sensitivity of the device.
US09442024B2
A multi-mode temperature measuring device includes a first case, a second case, an IR sensing element and a wave-collection element. The first case has a measuring portion and a bottom portion, which are located at opposite sides of the first case. The measuring portion has a first through hole. The second case is connected with the first case and is rotatable from a first position to a second position. The IR sensing element is disposed at the measuring portion and corresponding to the first through hole. The wave-collection element is disposed in the second case and has a second through hole. When the second case is located at the first position, the second through hole is disposed opposite to the first through hole. When the second case is located at the second position, the second case is fixed at the bottom portion of the first case.
US09442023B2
An electronic temperature sensor for measuring the junction temperature of an electronic power switch (4) of a static converter (8) includes an injection source of a calibrated measurement current (20) and a differential voltage measurement amplifier (76; 276). The electronic temperature sensor includes a first series connection (26) element and a second series connection (28) connected respectively to the inlet terminals (78, 80) of the differential voltage amplifier (76; 276). The first and second series connection elements (26, 28; 224, 226) are configured to protect the amplifier against a high voltage, have essentially identical electrical characteristics and are included in the set formed by resistances and high-voltage (HV) rapid diodes.
US09442012B2
Examples of an imaging sensor include a two-dimensional staring sensor with spectral filter strips for multispectral overhead imaging. The sensor may also include a panchromatic sensor with block or strip filters. The sensor may be used to collect multispectral color image data at a sampling resolution from overhead imaging platforms such as airplanes or satellites. The sensor can be used to provide video images. If a panchromatic sensor is included, the sensor may be used to collect panchromatic image data. Examples of methods for processing the image date include using the panchromatic image data to perform multi-frame enhancement or panchromatic sharpening on spectral images to improve their quality and resolution.
US09442007B2
A system and method for monitoring and operating one or more light emitting devices is disclosed. In one example, light intensity within a dual elliptical reflecting chamber is sensed and operation of a fiber curing system is adjusted in response to an amount of sensed light energy.
US09442006B2
Method for measuring shape of wavefront of optical radiation field generated by radiation source, includes: (a) setting diaphragm positions in pinhole diaphragm having diaphragm opening movable transversely to radiation source's optical axis, wherein a partial beam from radiation field passes through diaphragm opening at each diaphragm position and is imaged on optical sensor by imaging optics device; (b) recording lateral positions of partial beam relative to optical axis of imaging optics device, wherein lateral positions each with one of the diaphragm positions of pinhole diaphragm are recorded by optical sensor, and determining the shape of wavefront from recorded lateral positions of partial beam, wherein beam incidence range of the partial beam which is invariable for all diaphragm positions is set on imaging optics device with a pentaprism arrangement including at least first pentaprism and positioned between pinhole diaphragm and imaging optics device. A wavefront shape measuring device is also described.
US09442005B2
A non-contact method of measuring an insertion loss of a DUT connector is disclosed. The DUT connector has a first ferrule with a first optical fiber and a first end face. The method utilizes a reference connector having a second ferrule with a second optical fiber and a second end face. The method includes: axially aligning the first and second ferrules so that the first and second end faces are confronting and spaced apart to define a gap with an axial gap distance d; measuring values of the insertion loss between the first and second optical fibers for different gap distances d>0; and estimating a value for the insertion loss for a gap distance of d=0 based on the measured values of the insertion loss when d>0.
US09442000B2
A method for ascertaining and monitoring fill level of a medium in a container using a travel time measuring method, wherein transmission signals are transmitted toward the medium and reflection signals are received. The received reflection signals are registered as echo signals in an echo function dependent on travel time. Based on known measuring device- and container-specific reflection planes, possible reflection regions in the echo function are calculated by means of an evaluation algorithm. In the calculated reflection regions, the disturbance echo signals and/or the multiecho signals in the echo function are classified, wherein non-classified reflection signals are ascertained and checked as wanted echo signals by means of a search algorithm, wherein, from a position and/or an amplitude of at least one wanted echo signal, fill level is determined, and wherein the measured value of fill level is output.
US09441995B2
A measurement system and method of use include a fluid conduit for routing a base fluid therethrough, a gas conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for mixing a gas into the base fluid to form a foamed bi-phase fluid, a foam conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the gas conduit to receive the bi-phase fluid therein, a first sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the base fluid in the fluid conduit, a second sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the gas in the gas conduit, a third sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the bi-phase fluid in the foam conduit, and a processor for receiving data representing the measurement from at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, analyzing the data, and calculating a parameter of the bi-phase fluid based upon the data.
US09441992B2
Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic induction sensor that is used with a position indicator and includes coils for electromagnetic coupling with the position indicator. The electromagnetic induction sensor includes: a sensor board main body that includes an insulating substrate and a surface sheet attached to a side of a first surface of the insulating substrate, on which side a position is indicated by the position indicator; at least part of conductors forming the coils being formed on a second surface of the insulating substrate opposite from the first surface; and an overlay member that includes a magnetic powder material layer and is adhered to the side of the second surface of the sensor board main body.
US09441990B2
Some embodiments may include a capacitive rotary position encoder for the absolute determination of a rotary position about a rotary spindle. The rotary position encoder may include a transceiver unit, comprising a first arrangement of N electrically conductive, capacitive sensitivity areas which are embodied as angle segments over a defined angle range, which are distributed uniformly over the circumference, an electrically conductive reference area and an evaluation circuit, by means of which an electrical capacitance value between the reference area and one of the sensitivity areas is determinable. In some embodiments the sensitivity areas and the reference area are embodied as conductor track structures on a first electronics printed circuit board. A counterpart may be situated opposite the transceiver unit and rotatable relative thereto about the rotary spindle and may include a reference coupling area arranged opposite the reference area, and an arrangement of electrically conductive code areas connected thereto.
US09441988B2
A computerized method for determining one or more statistically likely geographical locations of an anomaly in a region or zone of a water utility network, the water utility network comprising at least a network of pipes for delivering water to consumers and a plurality of meters positioned within the water utility network including a plurality of meters capturing data regarding the water delivering within the region or zone of the anomaly, the method comprising. The method includes receiving anomaly event data, the anomaly event data representing an indication of an anomaly occurring or having occurred within a region or zone of the water utility network, the anomaly event data being associated with meter data produced by one or more of the meters. The method also includes performing a plurality of tests on the anomaly event data each designed to statistically determine a likely geographical location of the anomaly within the region or zone, the performance of each test producing a result. The results of the plurality of tests to generate scores for the determined likely locations for the anomaly are combined. The one or more of the determined likely locations are presented to a user.
US09441986B2
The technology described herein includes a system and/or a method for global hypothesis tracking. In some examples, a method generates one or more paired segments based on track data representing kinematic data of target objects. Each paired segment includes a list of tracks incompatible with the paired segment, which are tracks sharing common track data, and a likelihood score. The method generates a transition probability between each pair of the paired segments based on the list of tracks incompatible with the paired segment and the likelihood score associated with each paired segment. The method further generates one or more multi-segment tracks based on the one or more paired segments also based on the transition probability between each pair of the paired segments.
US09441983B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a point of interest record based on normalizing an entry record; calculating a similarity score based on comparing a plurality of the POI record to each other; and generating an affinity group with a control unit based on the similarity score meeting or exceeding an edge weight threshold for displaying on a device.
US09441981B2
Disclosed are a method and a system of variable bus stops across a bus route in a regional transportation network, according to one embodiment. A method of a bus server includes analyzing a current geospatial location of a mobile device responsive to a pick up request of a prospective bus passenger, associating a closest street intersection with the current geospatial location of the mobile device, and determining if a bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device. A message may be communicated to the mobile device based on the determination of whether the bus route traverses the closest street intersection. A bus associated with the bus route may be instructed to pick up the prospective bus passenger when the bus route traverses the closest street intersection associated with the current geospatial location of the mobile device.
US09441979B2
In various example embodiments, a system and method for interactive applications that use location-based information from a light sensor network are presented. In example embodiments, data indicating a destination location inside a geofence is received. The geofence represents a boundary around multiple private beacon nodes, which are associated with a light sensor network, and their associated beacon communications ranges. Navigation and tracking outside the geofence is based on at least one of global positioning system (GPS) signals and beacon signals received by the mobile device from at least one public beacon device within a beacon communications range of the mobile device located outside the geofence. Navigation and tracking inside the geofence is based on the beacon signals received by the mobile device from at least one private beacon node within the beacon communications range of the mobile device located inside the geofence and a virtual map including an area within the geofence.
US09441978B2
A database for a navigation system has digital elevation model data defining a three-dimensional surface. The database stores, for plural tiles of a tiling, a first array including three-dimensional coordinates of vertices of plural triangulated irregular networks, TINs, for the respective tile, and a plurality of second arrays. Each second array respectively defines triangular faces of a TIN and includes a plurality of vertex indices of the vertices to define triangular faces of the respective TIN. A method of outputting a three-dimensional representation of a terrain and a method of generating the database are also described.
US09441977B1
Methods and systems for transmitting location data from a collection device installed in a vehicle to an external device. One method includes receiving, with the collection device, a plurality of instances of location data for the vehicle, wherein each of the plurality of instances of the location data includes a coordinate, a time, and a quality value, and storing, in a memory module of the collection device, the plurality of instances of location data. The method also includes receiving, with the collection device, a request from the external device, the request associated with a time period, determining, with the collection device, a set of location data from the plurality of instances of location data based on the time period, and transmitting the set of location data to the external device.
US09441969B2
A multi-core transport system for a resonant fiber optic gyroscope is provided. The transport system has a transport fiber configured to transmit a clockwise signal and a counterclockwise signal, wherein the transport fiber has at least a first core and a second core. The first core and second core are configured such that when the first core imparts a first effect on the clockwise signal, the second core imparts a second effect on the counterclockwise signal, wherein the second effect substantially mirrors the first effect. The system further comprises a first coupler configured to optically couple the clockwise signal to the first core, and the counterclockwise signal to the second core; and a second coupler configured to optically couple the clockwise signal from the first core to a resonator, and the counterclockwise signal from the second core to the resonator.
US09441963B2
A multifunction laser leveling tool (1) is provided. The multifunction laser leveling tool (1) comprises: a housing (2); a pendulum (28) supported by the housing (2) via a universal joint so that the pendulum (28) is pivotable with respect to the housing (2) around a first axis (24) and a second axis (26) perpendicular to the first axis (24); a locking means (4) which is able to fixedly lock the pendulum (28) to the housing (2) and to release the pendulum (28) therefrom, wherein when the pendulum (28) is released, the pendulum (28) is in a plumb orientation and the first and second axes (24,26) lie in a horizontal plane; a first laser beam emitter (36) attached to the pendulum (28) for emitting a first laser plane; an angle sensing means (44) attached to the pendulum (28) for measuring the orientation of the pendulum (28); a display module having two sections (6,8) attached to the housing (2) for displaying the measured orientation of the pendulum (28).
US09441949B2
A method for generating M demodulation signals is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes: providing M input signals, injecting each input signal into at least one first interferometer, and detecting M demodulation signals. The method also includes choosing M positive integers that are not all equal to zero and computing M demodulation signals. The ith demodulation signal being the product of Ri+1 functions, Ri being the chosen integer that corresponds to the first delay of the ith first interferometer, and the pth function being equal to St,p(t)=S(t=pτi), where p is an integer between 0 and Ri, τi is the first delay introduced by the delay line of the ith first interferometer, and S is a transform of the signal at the output of the ith first interferometer.
US09441943B2
The invention is a method of determining the position and the speed of the rotor in a synchronous electric machine using a state observer of the currents of the electric machine and the injection of signals. Thus, the invention provides position information which is accurate, notably at low speed, without using a position detector. The invention also is a control method and system for controlling a synchronous electric machine which accounts for the position determined for the rotor.
US09441941B2
A deformation measurement sensor for measuring pressures and shearing forces according to the present invention includes: a plurality of beams shaped like a lattice; a strain gauge attached to each of the plurality of beams for measuring a deformation rate; a frame connected to the end of the lattice shape for surrounding the plurality of beams; and holes for arranging lines and formed in the intersections of the plurality of beams, whereby it is possible to precisely measure the deformation rate depending on the pressures or shearing forces exerted to a plurality of areas.
US09441917B1
A shroud and method for fixedly covering a pipe with a camouflage scheme using thermoplastic shrink wrap, hydro dipping, or multi-layered panels. The shroud serves to securely and permanently encapsulate a substantial portion of a pipe with a camouflage scheme to make the pipe less conspicuous by blending in with the environment. Fastening mechanisms, including hook and loop fasteners, magnets, adhesives, and frictional fittings are used to fasten an inner fastening film of the shroud to an external surface of the pipe. The shroud further includes an outer film having a camouflage scheme, such as mottled camouflage. The color and pattern display on the camouflage scheme creates a visual effect that integrates the pipe with external or interior environment. In this manner, the pipe is less visible. The camouflaging effect is effective for enhancing the aesthetics of a garden, or hiding the pipe for strategic purposes.
US09441911B2
Apparatus for storing therein a firearm includes a firearm case including walls. Alignment structure extends from one of the walls positioned to abut against a rear surface of one of firearms of a given line of firearms placed in the firearm case such that a distance from the alignment structure that abuts against the firearm to a front surface of the firing pin of the firearm is equal for all the given line of firearms of the given manufacturer that have different barrel lengths. A safety rod of a fixed length is insertable into the barrel of the firearm, the fixed length being such that an end of the safety rod always reaches the front surface of the firing pin, regardless of the barrel length.
US09441901B1
A muzzle brake attachment for a firearm. The muzzle brake utilizes an inner perforated tube approximating or slightly larger than the bore diameter of a firearm barrel, and an un-perforated or substantially un-perforated outer shield tube. The muzzle brake substantially routes exhausted propellant gases out of the forward end of the muzzle brake, effectively controlling felt recoil while stabilizing the muzzle.
US09441898B2
A device for converting a semi-automatic self-loading handgun into a full automatic weapon, wherein the handgun (3) comprises a slide (5) and an own trigger (11) and the handgun (3) is fixed in a front part of a case (2), in which an operating trigger (6) is arranged in a part of the case (2) behind the handgun (3), and the device comprises a means arranged between the operating trigger (6) and the own trigger (11) causing repeated and series activations of the own trigger (11) when the operating trigger (6) is in pulled state.
US09441890B2
A fin for a heat exchanger is provided that may include a fin body having a first heat exchange area, and a second heat exchange area, which is disposed to be adjacent to the first heat exchange area; a fin collar that passes through the fin body and protrudes from the fin body; and a plurality of fin portions formed at or on the fin body and having different shapes from each other.
US09441889B2
Thermal energy storage devices, systems, and thermal energy storage device monitoring methods are described. According to one aspect, a thermal energy storage device includes a reservoir configured to hold a thermal energy storage medium, a temperature control system configured to adjust a temperature of the thermal energy storage medium, and a state observation system configured to provide information regarding an energy state of the thermal energy storage device at a plurality of different moments in time.
US09441884B2
An apparatus for automatically drying wet floors includes a controller, a moisture detector that is operable to detect the presence of moisture at a first location and transmit a moisture detection signal to the controller in response to detecting the presence of moisture at the first location, and a blower. The blower is operative to turn on and off for drying the wet floors by directing moving air toward the first location in response to an operating signal from the controller. The controller outputs the operating signal to the blower based on the moisture detection signal.
US09441878B2
A cryogenic air separation method and apparatus in which first and second liquid streams are produced. The first liquid stream has a higher oxygen content than air and can consist of a higher pressure distillation column bottoms and the second liquid stream, for instance, air, has a lower oxygen content than the first liquid stream and an argon content no less than the air. The second liquid stream is subcooled through indirect heat exchange with the first liquid stream and both of such streams are introduced into the lower pressure column. The second liquid stream is introduced into the lower pressure column above that point at which the crude liquid oxygen column bottoms or any portion thereof is introduced into the lower pressure column to increase a liquid to vapor ratio below the introduction of the second liquid stream and therefore, reduce the oxygen present within the column overhead.
US09441872B2
A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage chamber, a main door pivotably mounted to the cabinet while including an opening provided at an inside of the main door, and a stepped portion provided around the opening, a sub-storage chamber mounted at the inside of the main door, a sub-door mounted to the main door, to allow a user to have access to the sub-storage chamber, the sub-door having opposite side surfaces with front portions protruding forwards of a front surface of the main door while having a greater width than the opening and stepped portion between the front portions of the side surfaces, to cover the stepped portion by the side surfaces, and a hinge pivotably mounted to the main door and coupled to the sub-door while being bent at an intermediate portion thereof, to pivotably support the sub-door with respect to the main door.
US09441869B2
A circuit allows an energy efficient DC design to drop in to an AC application and interface directly with the AC signals in a cost effective manner. The circuit is implemented without any use of mechanically switched contacts. All switching of current is done through solid state devices. Positional feedback and speed of the motor is provided through an optically encoded output gear eliminating the need for mechanical position switches to determine motor rotational position.
US09441851B2
When using at least one of heat exchangers related to heat medium that exchange heat between a heat source side refrigerant and a heat medium as an evaporator, in a case where an air-conditioning apparatus has detected, in the heat exchanger related to heat medium that functions as the evaporator, an evaporating temperature of the heat source side refrigerant which causes the temperature of the heat medium passing through this heat exchanger related to heat medium to become equal to or lower than a freezing temperature, the air-conditioning apparatus performs a heat medium anti-freezing operation by blocking entry of the heat source side refrigerant into the heat exchanger related to heat medium that functions as the evaporator, and causing the heat source side refrigerant to flow to a bypass pipe.
US09441849B2
An air conditioning system and a controlling method of the same are provided. A controlling method of an air conditioning system includes an information collecting step configured to collect the state information or the operation information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit in a preset period by using the gateway, an information transferring step configured to selectively transfer the information collected in the information collecting step to the data collecting server in a preset period, an information storing step configured to transfer the operation information or the state information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit out of the information transferred in the information transferring step to the data storage server and to store the transferred information in a preset period; and an information outputting step configured to output the state information or the operation information of the outdoor unit or the indoor unit transferred in the information transferring step to the output unit at predetermined intervals shorter than the preset period using the data collection server, when there is information transfer requirement.
US09441840B2
A heating apparatus can have a sealed combustion chamber and a burner. The heating apparatus can have an air shutter that controls the amount of air that mixes with fuel directed toward the burner. The air shutter can be controlled by rotating a shaft that connects to the air shutter. The heating apparatus can also have a system of channels along its front face which direct air along the front face.
US09441829B2
Portable electronic devices are provided. A device may include cover glass with a light mask. The light mask may be microperforated to allow light to pass through the light mask. The microperforations may allow light to pass through the light mask. The devices may include sensors and light emitters that receive and transmit light through the microperforations. The devices may include a variable cantilever spring as part of a button assembly. The spring may be flattened against itself without exceeding its elastic limit. The devices may include display modules. The display module may include structures that block light from leaking out of the module. The structures may include opaque tapes, opaque enclosures for the display module, and other suitable structures.
US09441824B2
An LED floodlight fixture LED light fixture including a plurality of heat-sink-mounted LED-array modules, each module engaging an LED-adjacent surface of a heat-sink base for transfer of heat from the module, and at least one venting aperture through the heat-sink base to provide air ingress to the heat-dissipating surfaces adjacent to the aperture. The LED light fixture may include a plurality of heat sinks, each heat sink with its own heat-dissipating surfaces and heat-sink base which has one of the LED-array modules engaged thereon. The heat-sink base is wider than the module thereon such that the heat-sink base includes a beyond-module portion. The venting aperture(s) is/are through the beyond-module portion of the heat-sink base. The inventive light fixture may include a housing and an LED assembly which includes the heat-sink-mounted LED-array modules. The LED assembly and the housing form a venting gap therebetween to provide air ingress along the heat-sink base to the heat-dissipating surfaces.
US09441823B1
A modular, lighted artificial tree that includes a base portion for supporting the artificial tree and a first tree portion. The first tree portion includes a trunk portion having a first end and a second end, and forms a trunk wall, the trunk wall defines a trunk cavity and a plurality of apertures. The first end of the trunk portion is configured to couple with the base portion. The first tree portion also includes a plurality of branches coupled to the trunk portion; a first tree portion power-supply wiring harness within the trunk cavity and extending from the first end of the trunk portion to the second end of the trunk portion; a first light string operably coupled to the power-supply wiring harness. The first wire and the second wire pass through a common aperture to electrically connect to the wiring harness.
US09441804B2
In a headlight of a motorcycle, a holder, first light sources and second light sources are arranged inside a lamp unit. The lamp unit is formed with a housing and an outer lens. The first light sources are main low beam light sources supported by the holder. The second light sources are subordinate low beam light sources that are supported independently by a housing other than the holder, the housing not permitting adjustment of the optical axis, and produce a smaller amount of light than the first light sources.
US09441803B2
Disclosed is a vehicular headlamp which includes a lamp unit placed in a lamp unit outer case constituted by an outer cover and a lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light emitting diode provided as a light source; a circuit substrate mounted with the light emitting diode and having a connection terminal for supplying power to the light emitting diode; a projection lens configured to project light emitted from the light emitting diode and irradiate the projected light forwardly; and a cover member placed to surround the light emitting diode and include a colored part of which an inner peripheral surface is formed as an incident surface, on which a part of the light emitted from the light emitting diode is incident, and in which a predetermined color other than a yellow color is given to a surface other than the incident surface.
US09441802B1
The present disclosure is directed to a dual mode backlight system and related method. The system may include a circuit card including a first array of lights for use in a day mode and a second array of lights for use in a night mode. The system may also include a heat sink which may be connected to the circuit card, and a light filter assembly. The light filter assembly may include a light filter plate and a plurality of light filters disposed within the light filter plate, where the light filters are configured for filtering light from the second array of lights. The system may also include a diffuse reflector connected to the light filter assembly, wherein the light filter assembly and diffuse reflector create an optical seal between the first array of lights and the second array of lights.
US09441792B2
Transfer chamber gas purge apparatus are disclosed. The transfer chamber gas purge apparatus has a transfer chamber adapted to contain at least a portion of a transfer robot, the transfer chamber including side walls, a chamber lid, and a chamber floor, wherein the chamber lid has a plurality of distributed chamber inlets. The plurality of distributed chamber inlets may include diffusing elements. Laminar purge gas flow may be provided above the substrate. Systems and methods including a plurality of distributed chamber inlets are disclosed, as are numerous other aspects.
US09441787B2
A rotatable apparatus includes a casing and a protector for closing an opening. The casing includes first and second casing faces intersecting at angle θ1. The first casing face is provided with an opening. The protector includes first and second protector faces abutting and intersecting each other at angle θ2. The protector is fixed to only the second casing face. The angle θ2 is larger than the angle θ1 when the protector is removed from the casing. The protector is attached to the casing in such a manner that the second protector face is fixed to the second casing face, and that the first protector face is elastically deformed so that an edge part of the first protector face, which is located on the side opposite to the second protector face, closely contacts the first casing face.
US09441783B2
An improved mounting structure for keypads is provided. The mounting structure can include first and second frame members and first and second spring-loaded members. Respective first and second ends of the first spring-loaded member can couple a first end of the first frame member to a first end of the second frame member, and respective first and second ends of the second spring-loaded member can couple a second end of the first frame member to a second end of the second frame member. Each of the first and second frame members can include at least one mounting device for mounting a second device thereto, and each of the first and second spring-loaded members can include at least one affixation mechanism for affixing the apparatus to a third device.
US09441781B2
A multi-axis positioning device adapted to hold and position an electronic device such as a smart phone. A system using the positioning device and a smart phone adapted to utilize the smart phone to provide positioning commands to the positioning device. The system may provide positioning commands based upon pre-programmed instructions, or may position based upon analysis of the images being taken in real time.
US09441773B2
An annular band is adapted for wrapping around an outer diameter of a pipe. The band has two end members including tightening fasteners, which when tightened together, tighten the and against the pipe. The end members include alignment elements that mate with each other upon tightening of the tightening fasteners. The alignment elements axially align the end members with each other.
US09441772B2
A borehole pipe protection apparatus includes a sheet of material having an inner surface and an outer surface and a longitudinal direction and a width direction defined by two edges of the sheet along the longitudinal direction. A fastening structure is configured to join the two edges to form a seam as the sheet of material is wrapped in the width direction around a pipe that is configured to be installed into the borehole to form a sock along the longitudinal direction. The sock is configured to be installed in the borehole with the pipe about which it is wrapped, yet to remain for a service life in non-bonding contact with the pipe. A method for protecting pipe during and after insertion into a borehole is also described.
US09441768B2
A field joint coating unit for coating a cutback area along a pipeline in which the apparatus includes an extruder having an extrusion outlet positioned adjacent and facing the cutback area so that a protective sheet can be extruded having a width that exceeds an axially extending width of the cutback area, and a mechanism supporting the extruder and its tank, the extrusion outlet, and a roller for compressing the protective sheet onto the cutback area in which the mechanism rotate the extruder, the tank, the extrusion outlet, and the roller about the pipeline as the protective sheet is extruded while maintaining the position of the extrusion outlet relative to the cutback area.
US09441766B2
A hose comprising a tubular body of flexible material arranged between an inner and outer helically wound wire. The hose further comprises an elongate member having opposing longitudinal edges, the elongate member being helically wound around the tubular body such that the opposing longitudinal edges of the layer are in an adjacent or overlapping arrangement, wherein each longitudinal edge includes a formation capable of interengaging with a cooperating formation on the opposing longitudinal edge, wherein the elongate member is provided at least one reinforcing member which extends along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
US09441761B2
A telescoping mast with a cable system configured to secure the cable within the space between mast sections, wherein in the stowed configuration, the cable has an expanded zigzag arrangement, and in the deployed configuration, the cable has a compressed zigzag arrangement.
US09441759B1
An improved device which attaches to the back of a lathe or workbench which provides variable positionability of a dust collector port or other accessories. The device utilizes a track with a sliding bracket and an adjustable arm attached to the sliding bracket. The improved device allows for better positioning of any accessory and does not inhibit any other operation at the work station.
US09441755B2
A valve provides multiple channels that allow alternating, or in some cases, simultaneous, fluid flow functions to a port of an instrument, without the requirement of manual manipulation of the valve by the user. A floating member such as a ball having magnetic affinity for a portion of the valve is positioned in a home, or normal, position by a magnetic field, where it remains until acted on by fluid pressure. The ball in the home position opens other channels of the device. Under fluid pressure in the channel in which the ball's home position is located, the ball is displaced, obstructing at least one of the other channels, while opening the channel to permit a fluid flow through the channel. When the fluid pressure in the channel is terminated, the ball returns to the home position, and other ports are opened.
US09441753B2
A printed circuit board electrorheological fluid valve and method with spaced, bonded, epoxy printed circuit board laminates defining flow channels therebetween. Electrodes are formed on opposite surfaces of the flow channels and surface pads on a laminate are electrically connected to the electrodes for applying a voltage thereto controlling the flow of electrorheological fluid in the flow channels.
US09441743B2
A bistable fluid valve is characterized by two valve chambers which are arranged adjacent to one another and are closed off with respect to one another by a partition and each have an inlet opening and an outlet opening situated opposite one another, by an S-shaped elastic strip element which extends through both valve chambers, is articulatedly mounted in the region of the partition and can assume two positions in which it sealingly closes off either one or the other outlet opening, and also by an actuation element which is fastened to the strip element and by means of which the strip element can be switched between the two positions. The fluid valve according to the invention comprises only a single movable component of very low mass, which can thus operate in a fast-reacting manner.
US09441740B2
A cartridge seated plug valve includes a hollow body with an inlet, an outlet, and a cylindrical valve chamber. A C-shaped rotor with an elastomeric coating is rotatably held in the valve chamber by a valve cover and a base. A valve facing with an elastomeric gasket is held adjacent to the inlet, with a central aperture of the valve facing aligned with the inlet, and the elastomeric gasket held in compression about an inlet seal surface at a perimeter of the inlet, by facing channels in the cover and base. In a closed position, the rotor is oriented with the elastomeric coating of the plug segment sealing the central aperture. The valve is opened by rotating the main stem, changing an orientation of the rotary plug, and moving the plug segment away from the inlet.
US09441739B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein thus provide improved flush valves that are designed with improved venting features and improved inlet designs. The described venting features and inlet designs, either alone or in combination, can help prevent ingestion of waste into the interior of the valve.
US09441730B2
A shift lever assembly for an automatic transmission vehicle may include a shift lever installed rotatably front/rearward and left/rightward with respect to a shift lever housing through a ball joint, a cable bracket disposed on a front of the shift lever and connected to the shift lever housing to be moved front/rearward with respect to the shift lever housing, and a cable connection protrusion is provided on a tip end of the cable bracket to connect with a shift cable, and an engaging lever disposed on the front of the shift lever for connecting the shift lever and the cable bracket. The shift lever assembly can have a reduced size and prevent formation the shaking angle of the shift cable, and accordingly, improve the power transmission efficiency and a transmission efficiency of the shift cable.
US09441726B1
A lubrication system (300, 400) for a transfer case (200) includes a pump (240) in fluid communication with a lubricant source (243) and a power transfer assembly as well as a valve (302, 402) positioned along a fluid flow path between the lubricant source (243) and the power transfer assembly. The valve (302, 402) includes a valve inlet (306), a first valve inlet (406), a first valve outlet (308, 408) that does not restrict flow of the lubricant along the fluid flow path in a first state, a second valve outlet (310, 410) that is operable to restrict flow of the lubricant along the fluid flow path in a second state, and a control that is operable to open the first valve outlet (308, 408) in the first state and open the second valve outlet (310, 414) in the second state.
US09441723B2
A steel gear 1 includes a generally cylindrical outer peripheral ring portion 2, on an outer peripheral surface 20a of which a toothed shape 10 is formed, and a flange portion 3 provided to extend radially inward from an inner peripheral surface 20b of the outer peripheral ring portion 2. The outer peripheral ring portion 2 includes a first projecting portion 21 that projects toward one side in the axial direction with respect to a coupling position at which the first projecting portion 21 is coupled to the flange portion 3, and a second projecting portion 22 that projects toward the other side in the axial direction with respect to a coupling position at which the second projecting portion 22 is coupled to the flange portion 3. The axial length of the first projecting portion 21 is longer than the axial length of the second projecting portion 22. The outer peripheral ring portion 2 includes a carburized layer 4 formed in a surface layer of the toothed shape 10, and a thermal history layer 5 formed in a region including the carburized layer 4 and at a depth, in the inward direction from the outer peripheral surface 20a, larger than the depth of the carburized layer 4, the thermal history layer 5 having a history of being heated through high-frequency induction heating until becoming austenite. The depth T of the thermal history layer 5 in the inward direction from a tooth bottom 104 of the toothed shape 10 is larger at the second projecting portion 22 than at the first projecting portion 21.
US09441722B2
A mechanical system, forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, the mechanical system comprising: a support element; a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element; and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes an inner cavity in which the roller is at least partially arranged and which is adapted to contain an oil bath for lubricating the roller. Examples of applications for the mechanical system include a follower device, an injection pump or a valve actuator.
US09441721B2
A strain wave gearing unit is provided with an internal gear, which surrounds the periphery of a cup-shaped external gear, and a bearing. An annular gap is formed between the inner ring of the bearing and the internal gear. The gap communicates with the sliding portions of the bearing and the section where the two gears mesh. An annular filter member made of non-woven fabric is fitted in the gap. Foreign matter such as abrasion powder, which is contained in lubricant that flows in the gap, is trapped by the filter member. The present invention can prevent penetration of abrasion powder generated in the sliding portions into the meshing section via the gap.
US09441719B2
A lock-up device is disposed between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic pressure being increased in a space on a turbine-side of the piston to turn the clutch part from the clutch-on state to a clutch-off state and to block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.
US09441716B2
In a stepless transmission 1, each lever crank mechanism 20 includes a rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4 capable of adjusting the radius of rotational motion of a cam shaft 51. The rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4 includes: a cam disc 5 that rotates in a state of being eccentric with respect to a rotational center axis P1; a rotary disc 6 rotatable in a state of being eccentric with respect to the cam disc 5; and a pinion shaft 7. A pair of cam discs 5 are provided in each rotational radius adjusting mechanism 4. Cam discs 5 of adjacent rotational radius adjusting mechanisms 4 are formed integrally with each other as an integral cam portion 5c so as to extend across the adjacent rotational radius adjusting mechanisms 4.
US09441708B2
A high-efficiency drive system including a transmission for a hybrid electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a gear set having first, second and third elements. A non-friction clutch assembly is non-hydraulically controlled to change between a first coupling state for coupling the output shaft of an electrical machine to a transmission output shaft and an uncoupling state for uncoupling the output shaft of the electrical machine from the transmission output shaft. The clutch assembly is also non-hydraulically controlled to change between a second coupling state for coupling the output shaft of a non-electrical machine to the transmission output shaft and the uncoupling state for uncoupling the output shaft of the non-electrical machine from the transmission output shaft.
US09441707B2
Some embodiments provide release apparatuses comprising: a body comprising a first mating section and a second mating section connected to first and second tethers; and a plurality of movable locking shoes secured with the first mating section and movable between a first position configured to lock the first mating section and the second mating section together and a second position configured to allow the first mating section and the second mating section to disconnect; wherein each of the plurality of locking shoes comprises a locking surface configured to contact an engagement surface of the second mating section and maintain a position of the first mating section with the second mating section when the plurality of locking shoes are in the first position, and wherein the locking surface of each of the plurality of locking shoes is formed at a contact angle between about 18 degrees and 24 degrees.
US09441698B2
A hydraulic shock absorbing apparatus includes: an inner tube; and an outer tube that is placed outside the inner tube, in which a space is defined between an outer circumferential surface of the inner tube and an inner circumferential surface of the outer tube, and a protruding portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube toward the outer tube or a protruding portion protruding from the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube toward the inner tube is provided in the space, and the protruding portion is formed over an entire circumference of the outer circumferential surface of the inner tube or the inner circumferential surface of the outer tube, and has a waveform when viewed from a direction crossing the outer circumferential surface or the inner circumferential surface.
US09441691B2
Disclosed herein is an electric disk brake including: a carrier in which a pair of pad plates for pressing both sides of a rotating disk together with wheels are installed to make advance and retreat; a caliper housing that is slidably installed in the carrier and has a cylinder in which a piston is installed to make advance and retreat due to brake hydraulic pressure; an adjuster disposed in the piston; a push rod that is installed in the cylinder and is screw-coupled to the adjuster; a ramp unit that is installed to penetrate the rear of the cylinder, converts a rotation motion into a rectilinear motion by receiving a rotation force from an actuator that generates a parking brake force, and presses the push rod toward the piston; and an elastic member that is disposed in a spring case formed between an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder and the push rod and provides an elastic force to the push rod, further including a connector having one end coupled to a rotating ramp plate of the ramp unit so that the connector is rotated together with the rotating ramp plate, and having the other end connected to a final output gear among a plurality of gears configured to decelerate a rotation force generated from the actuator so that the rotation force is transferred only in a direction in which a brake force is generated in the rotating ramp plate, wherein at least one hole is spaced by a predetermined distance apart from a center of the connector in a radial direction and is formed in an arc shape, and protrusions are formed in the final output gear to penetrate the at least one hole and to rotate, and the connector includes: a first coupling part that penetrates a center of the final output gear and is coupled to the rotating ramp plate; and a second coupling part, which extends from the first coupling part in a radial direction and in which the at least one hole is formed in the radial direction of a center of the second coupling part.
US09441689B2
In a method for adjusting a parking brake, which includes an electromechanical braking device having an electric brake motor, the brake motor is braked upon reaching an end position.
US09441688B2
A brake disc includes a friction ring and a pot arranged concentrically in an opening of the friction ring. The pot has a pot gearing system with at least one pot tooth space, on which a flap is molded, which projects radially in the direction of a corresponding annular tooth of an annular gearing system of the friction ring and radially overlaps the annular tooth on a first axial end.
US09441685B2
A disc brake for a motor vehicle and a corresponding brake lining are provided. The disk brake includes a brake caliper straddling a brake disc, at least one brake lining with a lining carrier plate and friction lining, and a brake carrier fixed to the vehicle having carrier flanges supporting the lining carrier plate on entry and exit sides. The entry-side carrier flange and the adjacent lining carrier plate support surface interlockingly engage with one another, and the exit-side carrier flange and a corresponding contact contour of the lining carrier plate form a support surface inclined at an angle relative to the Y-axis in certain areas or at least in the radially highest area of the lining support on the brake carrier.
US09441670B2
Provided is a sintered bearing (1) including an inner layer (2) and an outer layer (3) formed by integral molding, the sintered bearing (1) having a bearing surface (A) formed on an inner peripheral surface (2a) of an inner layer (2). The inner layer (2) is made of sintered metal containing Fe and a hardness increasing element (such as Ni or Mo). The outer layer (3) is made of sintered metal containing Fe and no hardness increasing element. A concentration gradient of the hardness increasing element is present at an interface between the inner layer (2) and the outer layer (3).
US09441666B2
A roller bearing that includes an outer ring, a first inner ring, and a first sealing ring that is disposed axially adjacent of the outer ring is provided. The roller bearing also includes a first retaining ring that is attached to the outer ring. The first sealing ring is fixed between the first retaining ring and a first clamping ring.
US09441663B2
A method of using a retention clip to secure hardware is provided. The retention clip may include a support surface having an aperture extending through the support surface. The retention clip may further include two anti-rotation surfaces extending from the support surface in a non-parallel direction, and at least one angled tab extending from the support surface in a non-parallel direction towards the aperture of the retention clip. The at least one angled tab may be elastic below a preset load placed on the at least one angled tab, and the at least one angled tab may deform and lose its elasticity above the preset load.
US09441661B2
Embodiments of the invention provide threaded elements alone, in mating pairs, or in conjunction with other elements. Embodiments of the invention also provide for design and fabrication of such threaded elements without violating minimum feature size design rules or causing other interference issues that may result from the fabrication of such thread elements using a multi-layer multi-material electrochemical fabrication process.
US09441656B2
The present invention is a clip for use with a strut that at least partially surrounds a hanger rod for the purpose of providing stiffness to the hanger rod. The clip includes a handle portion, a rod-clamping portion, and a fulcrum spaced away from the handle portion. The fulcrum is for being mounted to the strut. The rod-clamping portion is for forcing the hanger rod into tight engagement with an engagement surface of the strut in response to the handle being actuated to an operational position. The present invention also relates to a hanger rod stiffening system that uses a clip and a strut, whereby a handle of the clip is actuated to force a rod-clamping portion of the clip into tight engagement with an internal surface of the strut.
US09441655B2
A method for producing a connector, in particular for repair, in particular in the field of aviation and aerospace, including the steps of: providing a base layer; attaching a first layer of fiber composite material having a first rigidity to the base layer; attaching a second layer of fiber composite material having a second rigidity to the first layer, offset therefrom, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity; and riveting the first layer to the base layer and riveting the second layer to the first layer and to the base layer.
US09441654B2
A locator/fastener has a first outer member with a precision-machined external body portion, a retention head protruding from a first end, and a multi-diameter throughbore. A fastener, which may take the form of a cap screw, floats in the throughbore of the locator with the threaded portion protruding from a second end of the locator. A receiver has an internal precision-machined surface which contacts the precision-machined body portion of the locator and a threaded bore which receives the protruding fastener. By separating the locating and fastening functions, a quick connect disconnect device is created which does not bind or gall. A hangar system allows a sub-base plate to be attached to a base using the locator-fastener disclosed herein.
US09441647B2
Pressure piston actuators and systems for control of wastegate in a turbocharger pressure that include the pressure piston actuators are disclosed. The pressure piston actuator includes a housing defining a chamber and a pathway leading to the chamber, a piston disposed within the chamber, a rod connected to the piston by a ball-and-socket joint, and a spring disposed in the chamber to bias the piston, and hence the rod, into a retracted position. Then, when fluid is introduced into the chamber, the fluid applies pressure to the piston. Once the pressure overcomes the bias of the spring, the piston, and hence the rod, moves into an extended position. For the system, the pressure piston actuator has the connector on the end of the rod opposite the ball-and-socket joint connected to the valve portion of a wastegate of a turbocharger.
US09441645B2
A system has an actuator having a rotor or a linear piston, and ports for hydraulic fluid, an electro-mechanical sensor sensing position of the rotor or linear piston, a valve having a 1 plug in a bore of a valve body, the plug having cross bores aligning with passages within the valve body communicating inlet and outlet ports depending on relative position of the plug in the bore of the valve body, a servo motor to move the plug around or along the axis to different positions to align individual ones of the cross bores with individual ones of the passages communicating with individual ones of the ports, and a programmable controller coupled to the electro-mechanical sensor and to the servo motor, the controller enabled to control the servo motor to accomplish programmed movement and position of the rotor or linear piston of the hydraulically-driven actuator.
US09441644B2
Hydraulic actuation systems having variable displacements and energy recovery capabilities include cylinders with pistons disposed inside of barrels. When operating in energy consuming modes, high speed valves pressurize extension chambers or retraction chambers to provide enough force to meet or counteract an opposite load force. When operating in energy recovery modes, high speed valves return a working fluid from extension chambers or retraction chambers, which are pressurized by a load, to an accumulator for later use.
US09441642B2
Disclosed is a structure for reducing noise of a ventilating fan. The structure includes an orifice plate fixed on a scroll casing and is shaped to be an annular and semi-surrounding hollow structure in order to match with the shape of an air inlet of the scroll casing, and to cover only the air inlet of the scroll casing. The noise generated by an air blower of the ventilating fan can be directed along a bell mouth of the scroll casing of the ventilating fan after being emitted from the air inlet of the scroll casing, and then can be smoothly sucked by the orifice plate. The sucked-in noise can repeatedly collide with the orifice plate and be diffused, thereby the energy being gradually weakened and the sound pressure thereof being decreased.
US09441640B2
A pump for a water cooler is positioned inside or outside an electronic device having heating parts in order to cool heat generated by the heating parts via a circulating refrigerant.
US09441631B2
A suction duct for a compressor such as a scroll compressor may include a plastic ring body with a metal screen heat staked in a window of the ring body to filter refrigerant gas entering the motor cavity. the ring body may be in surrounding relation of the motor and resiliently compressed in the housing through intermittent contact with the inner housing surface to better seal around the inlet port. Oil drain channels and stabilizing ribs may be along the outside surface of the ring body.
US09441628B2
An electric pump unit for a transmission, which supplies a hydraulic pressure to the transmission, includes: a pump which takes in and discharges oil; and a pump driving electric motor including a motor shaft connected to the pump, a motor rotor fixedly provided on the motor shaft, and a motor stator disposed around a circumference of the motor rotor. The pump and the electric motor are integrated with a lid that tightly closes an opening in a recess portion which is formed on a transmission housing of the transmission and into which the oil is introduced, and are accommodated within the recess portion.
US09441621B2
A machine includes at least two compressors that is controlled by a compressor controlling apparatus. By using an inverter for the at least two compressors, the use of elements is minimized and the compressor capacity may be increased, and the operation efficiency of the system may be enhanced. As an example, a plurality of operation modes may be used according to a load or cooling capacity of the two compressors. The two compressors are separately or simultaneously operated by using the inverter, thus simplifying the configuration of the system, and reducing cost.
US09441610B1
A blade mounted radar system comprises a wind turbine having a hub and blades extending therefrom; a radar antenna configured to transmit and/or receive a radio frequency (RF) signal; and a processor in electrical communication with the radar antenna and configured to generate the RF signal for transmission and/or to process the received RF signal. The radar antenna is affixed to one of the blades of the wind turbine such that relative motion is defined between the radar antenna and a target within a line of sight of the radar antenna. The problem of the ground based radar line of sight being obscured by the wind turbine is mitigated in this setup, as radar and turbine coexist in the same structure. Improved performance and additional capability are enabled by elevated installation and vertical SAR imaging capability. Doppler capabilities are extended using known motion of the antenna relative to stationary objects.
US09441608B2
A wind turbine device comprising a base frame which supports a vertical axis wind operated rotor, the axis being associated to a user device and being contained in a matchingly-dimensioned cylindrical casing exhibiting two openings, respectively an inlet and an outlet, aligned perpendicular to the rotor axis, the casing being driven to rotate about the axis by a member sensitive to the direction of the wind, such that the inlet opening is always facing into the wind.
US09441607B2
In one embodiment, a marine current power generation device has rotary blades, rotating shaft, power generator, guide bearings, thrust collars and thrust bearings. The guide bearing has a second slide surface being slidable relative to the first slide surface of the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing has a fourth slide surface being slidable relative to the third slide surface of the rotary plate of the thrust collar. The materials of the first and third slide surfaces include ferrous materials, stainless materials, Ti, Ti alloy, Co, or Co alloy. The materials of the second and fourth slide surfaces include a resin material filled with a first fibrous member and a second fibrous member. The second fibrous member is smaller than the first fibrous member.
US09441594B2
A valve actuator assembly includes a valve member movable between a first seat and a second seat. A spring member biases the valve member toward the first seat, and an actuator is positioned to move the valve member toward the second seat against the bias of the spring member when the actuator is energized. A controller is in control communication with the actuator and is configured to provide a first current to the actuator for an energizing period, identify a lack of return contact between the valve member and the first seat during a post-energizing period, and provide a second current to the actuator that is higher than the first current in response to the lack of return contact.
US09441583B2
An air filter assembly for a machine is disclosed. The air filter may have a filter medium, and a side wall connected to the filter medium on a first side of the filter medium. The side wall may have a first engagement feature and a second engagement feature. At least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may project from the side wall. The first engagement feature and the second engagement feature may be configured to slidingly engage a filter housing.
US09441578B2
A manifold distributes gases into intake ducts of a motor vehicle combustion engine. The intake ducts are distributed in at least two distant groups, each duct of one group supplying one and the same cylinder of the engine as a duct of the other group. The manifold includes a manifold casing through which a flow of intake gases can flow, and an injection duct for injecting a flow of recirculated exhaust gases into the flow of intake gases. The casing is capable of directing the flow of intake gases and the flow of recirculated exhaust gases toward the intake ducts of the engine, and the injection duct is arranged inside the manifold casing so as to be able to be positioned between the two groups of intake ducts.
US09441575B2
A thermal energy recovery system. The system includes a Stirling engine having a burner thermal energy output. Also, a superheater mechanism for heating the thermal energy output and an expansion engine coupled to a generator. The expansion engine converts the thermal energy output from the burner to mechanical energy output. The generator converts mechanical energy output from the expansion engine to electrical energy output. The expansion engine may also includes vapor output. Some embodiments of the system further include a condenser for condensing the vapor output, a pump for pumping the vapor output and a boiler in fluid communication with the pump. The pump pumps the vapor output to the boiler.
US09441570B2
Additional approaches for the reduction of particulate emissions in gasoline engines using optimized port+direct injection are described. These embodiments include control of the amount of directly injected fuel so as to avoid a threshold increase in particulates due to piston wetting and reduction of cold start emissions by use of air preheating using variable valve timing.
US09441569B2
Systems and methods are provided for an engine. The system comprises a direct injection engine having a cylinder in which a piston is slidingly supported to form in combination with a cylinder head a combustion chamber; a fuel injector for the cylinder having a catalytic coated tip portion that projects into the combustion chamber; and an electronic controller to control the operation of the engine and operates the engine in a heating mode of operation if heating of the fuel injector tip is requested. Various methods for heating the fuel injector tip are proposed including operating the engine on a reduced number of cylinders and varying one or both of fuel injection timing and quantity of fuel injected and the ignition timing in order to increase the temperature of combustion.
US09441564B2
Methods and systems are provided for estimating an impact of PCV hydrocarbons on an output of an intake oxygen sensor. In one example, a method may include disabling EGR flow when the impact of PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor is above a threshold. The impact of the PCV hydrocarbons on the output of the intake oxygen sensor may be based on a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and a DPOV sensor when EGR is flow and a difference between the output of the intake oxygen sensor and expected blow-by when EGR is not flowing.
US09441561B2
A fuel control system for a multiple fuel internal combustion engine may include at least one cylinder pressure sensor associated with each cylinder of the engine. A data collection module may be configured to receive real-time cylinder pressure measurements from each of the at least one cylinder pressure sensors and calculate one or more actual combustion parameter values from the real-time cylinder pressure measurements. A comparison module may be configured to receive the calculated one or more actual combustion parameter values from the data collection module and compare the calculated one or more actual combustion parameter values for each cylinder to theoretical combustion parameter values to determine any difference therebetween, wherein the theoretical combustion parameter values are derived independently from any actual combustion parameter values based on real-time sensor measurements. A process control module may be configured to control fuel injection of at least two different types of fuel supplied to each cylinder in order to reduce any difference between the calculated actual combustion parameter values for each cylinder and the theoretical combustion parameter values.
US09441555B2
A method for running of a vehicle having a combustion engine which can selectively be connected to a driveshaft (104, 105) for propulsion of the vehicle, the vehicle can be run in a first mode (M1) with the engine connected to the driveshaft (104, 105) and in which fuel supply to the engine is substantially shut off, in a second mode (M2) with the engine disconnected from the driveshaft (104, 105) and a third mode like the first mode, but with the fuel supply not cut off. On a downgrade, determining whether running in the first mode (M1) will result in a speed increase, and then running in the second mode (M2) if running it in the first mode (M1) would cause a speed increase.
US09441548B2
Each of a cross sectional shape of a contacting portion of a stopper arm and a cross sectional shape of an outer peripheral surface of a pedal shaft is formed in a circular shape, wherein a curvature radius is equal to each other. Each of a cross sectional shape of a stopper surface of a supporting body and a cross sectional shape of an inner peripheral surface of a bearing portion is formed in a circular shape, wherein a curvature radius is equal to each other. A distance between a center of a first virtual circle formed by the contacting portion and a center axis of the pedal shaft is made to be equal to a distance between a center of a second virtual circle formed by the stopper surface and a center axis of the bearing portion. An angle of the stopper arm with respect to the supporting body is not changed, even when the center axis of the pedal shaft is displaced with respect to center axis of the bearing portion.
US09441546B2
The combustor has a laser ignitor mounted to the casing, remotely from the liner of the combustion chamber. The laser ignitor has an igniter beam path for igniting the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber, the igniter beam path extending at least partially across the air plenum surrounding the liner and into the combustion chamber through a corresponding beam path aperture provided in the liner.
US09441544B2
The present application provides a combustor for use with a gas turbine engine. The combustor may include a number of micro-mixer fuel nozzles, a fuel manifold system in communication with the micro-mixer fuel nozzles to deliver a flow of fuel thereto, and a linear actuator to maneuver the micro-mixer fuel nozzles and the fuel manifold system.
US09441542B2
The present application provides an inlet air cooling system for cooling a flow air in a gas turbine engine. The inlet air cooling system may include an inlet filter house, a transition piece, an inlet duct, and an inlet ultrasonic water atomization system positioned about the inlet filter house, the transition piece, or the inlet duct to cool the flow of air.
US09441527B2
A supporting mechanism supports a first and second exhaust treatment devices for treating exhaust gas from an engine and is provided with a base member, a first supporting member, and a second supporting member. The base member includes first and second connecting parts, and first and second pipe members. The base member supports the first and second exhaust treatment devices. The first supporting member supports one side of the base member. The second supporting member supports the other side of the base member. The first connecting part is joined with the first supporting member. The second connecting part is joined with the second supporting member. The first and second pipe members are disposed side by side on a common horizontal plane. An opening section is formed by the edges of the first pipe member, the second pipe member, the first connecting part, and the second connecting part.
US09441526B2
A regeneration device that performs regeneration treatment of a particulate matter removing filter estimates a trapping amount of particulate matter trapped in the filter by two systems. Specifically, there are provided an estimating unit that estimates a first estimated trapping amount based upon a rotational speed of an engine and a fuel injection quantity and an estimating unit that estimates a second estimated trapping amount based upon a differential pressure across the particulate matter removing filter. The regeneration device determines whether or not the regeneration treatment is executed based upon whether or not at least one of the two estimated trapping amount is equal to or more than a preset trapping amount threshold value. Further, the regeneration device determines that there is a malfunction in the regeneration device in a case where the second estimated trapping amount is larger than the first estimated trapping amount.
US09441518B2
An example system includes a diaphragm pump having a suction port and a discharge port, a urea suction line fluidly coupling a urea supply to the suction port, and a urea discharge line fluidly coupled to the discharge port. A recirculation line fluidly couples the urea discharge line to the urea suction line, and has a flow regulator operationally coupled thereto. A controller is configured to interpret a prime loss condition of the diaphragm pump, and to provide a flow regulator command in response to the prime loss condition.
US09441515B2
A hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. A first NOX purification method which injects hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve by a predetermined period to thereby remove NOX which is contained in the exhaust gas and a second NOX purification method which makes the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst rich to make the exhaust purification catalyst release the stored NOX when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a first allowable value are selectively used. Hydrocarbons are injected from the hydrocarbon feed valve by the predetermined period, and when the NOX which is stored in the exhaust purification catalyst exceeds a second allowable value which is smaller than the first allowable value, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which flows into the exhaust purification catalyst is made rich.
US09441514B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a diesel engine in which an engine body, a DPF case and an SCR catalyst case can be placed compactly. In the diesel engine including the engine body, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case, a DPF is accommodated in the DPF case and an SCR catalyst is accommodated in the SCR catalyst case, the DPF case and the SCR catalyst case are mounted on the engine body, the DPF case is supported by the engine body through an exhaust gas introducing pipe, and the SCR catalyst case is supported by the DPF case through an exhaust gas relay pipe.
US09441504B2
The present invention generally relates to a system that enables one to both: (i) address various thermal management issues (e.g., inlet air cooling) in gas turbines, gas turbine engines, industrial process equipment and/or internal combustion engines; and (ii) yield a supercritical fluid-based heat engine. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes at least one working fluid selected from ammonia, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or other suitable working fluid medium. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes carbon dioxide or ammonia as a working fluid to achieve a system that enables one to address inlet cooling issues in a gas turbine, internal combustion engine or other industrial application while also yielding a supercritical fluid based heat engine as a second cycle using the waste heat from the gas turbine and/or internal combustion engine to create a combined power cycle.
US09441503B2
A waste heat utilization apparatus is provided with a Rankine cycle and a power transmission mechanism that transmits power regenerated by an expander to an engine. The power transmission mechanism includes an expander clutch that interrupts or permits the transmission of the power from the expander to the engine. The expander includes a rotational speed sensor that detects a rotational speed of the expander. An increase in friction of the expander is detected on the basis of an increase in the rotational speed of the expander detected by the rotational speed sensor when the expander clutch is disconnected.
US09441501B2
A turbine is provided and includes a turbine shell including shrouds at multiple stages thereof, and constraining elements, disposed at least at first through fourth substantially regularly spaced perimetrical locations around the turbine shell, which are configured to concentrically constrain the shrouds of the turbine shell.
US09441499B2
A system for passively varying an axial position of an inner casing of a gas turbine pursuant to changing pressure in a flowpath during transient engine operation. The system may include: a connection assembly slidably connecting the inner casing to the outer casing for axial movement of the inner casing between a first position and a second position; means for pressurizing the annulus relative to a flowpath pressure; biasing means for axially preloading the inner casing toward the first position; and an inner casing receiving surface configured to receive a pressure in the annulus for axially loading the inner casing in opposition to the axial preload of the biasing means.
US09441496B2
A disclosed structural guide vane for a gas turbine engine includes a strut defining a plurality of channels and a cover attached over the plurality of channels. The strut includes a first side defining a first surface of an airfoil and a second side including a plurality of channels. At least one of the plurality of channels defines a wall thickness of a portion of the first side that varies in a chord wise direction.
US09441492B2
An aircraft rotor blade having a root portion having a through seat and designed for connection to the rotor; and a main portion extending from the root portion. The blade is produced by polymerizing an assembly having a main structure of composite material, and a composite material covering defining the outer surface of the blade. At the root portion, the main structure has a contoured block; and a lamina member extending about at least part of the block, and having a first part adhering to a first peripheral portion of the block, and a second part spaced apart from and facing a second peripheral portion of the block to form the seat; the lamina member having a pre-preg of continuous unidirectional fibers.
US09441491B2
Disclosed are a shroud impeller of a centrifugal compressor and a method of manufacturing the same where the shroud impeller includes a rotary hub connected to a driving shaft, a plurality of blades radially provided about a rotational axis of the rotary hub, and an integral shroud bonded onto top ends of the blades.
US09441466B2
The present invention discloses a wellbore perforating apparatus. The apparatus includes a tubular body and a perforating charge. The tubular body has a wall defining an interior space and an exterior space and the wall has a cavity. In some embodiments, the cavity may be shaped to define a charge socket that receives a perforating charge. The perforating charge is configured in the cavity at a location inside the wall. The perforating charge is configured to discharge toward and into the interior space and penetrate into the exterior space by perforating the wall across the interior space from the location of the perforating charge.
US09441463B2
A downhole well screen has a base pipe with a filter mounted thereon with the filter comprising plurality of spaced layers including a screen layer. A longitudinally extending channel is formed in the well screen by plastically deforming the filter. The channel is selected to be of a size and shape to accommodate well control lines.
US09441461B2
Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).
US09441448B2
A down hole tool or plug includes a segmented back up ring acting to minimize extrusion of a seal in an axial direction thereby promoting radial expansion of the seal into engagement with the internal diameter of a casing string. The segments of the ring are joined to a ring body having a passage thereby by a junction having, as its outer dimension, the outside diameter of the tool and an inside dimension provided by a groove opening into the passage.
US09441447B2
Apparatus and methods of treating a subterranean formation including introducing a coiled tubing string into a wellbore to a wellbore zone, wherein the string comprises a packer on a bottom hole assembly; introducing an acid fracture treatment through the string; introducing bridging fluid comprising particulates through the string; circulating a portion of fluid in the wellbore; introducing a final portion of fluid with a higher concentration of particulates to further form and consolidate bridge-packer, wherein the concentration of particulates in the final portion of fluid is higher than the introducing the bridging fluid comprising the particulates; squeezing the bridging fluid to isolate a perforation into the zone; moving the string to next zone; and repeating introducing and moving.
US09441433B2
A remotely actuated clamping device for a borehole seismic sensing system. The remotely actuated clamping device includes a clamping mechanism configured to engage a surface of a borehole by actuation of the clamping mechanism. The remotely actuated clamping device also includes a fluid based actuator configured to actuate the clamping mechanism. The fluid based actuator includes a chamber configured to be kept at a pressure that is isolated from an ambient pressure of the borehole. The fluid based actuator also includes a piston within the chamber. The chamber receives a pressurized fluid to move the piston within the chamber to actuate the clamping mechanism. The pressure used to actuate the clamping mechanism is independent of the ambient pressure of the borehole. Also disclosed are methods of operating the device.
US09441431B2
This device includes a cable (32) having a smooth outer surface (40). The cable (32) includes a central conductor (42) and an annular outer sheath (44).The outer sheath (44) includes a polymer matrix (56) and mechanical reinforcing fibers (58, 60) embedded in the polymer matrix (56).The central conductor (42) includes a solid cylindrical metal core (48) having a smooth outer surface (52), a breaking strength greater than 300 daN and a lineic electrical resistance greater than 30 mohms/m.
US09441429B2
In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module comprising a first work surface; and a second module comprising a second work surface; wherein the first module is disposed above the second module. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a modular drilling system, the system comprising a first module; and a second module; wherein at least one of the first and second modules comprises oilfield process equipment disposed on the module around a center point.
US09441425B2
A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section.
US09441424B2
A connector (10) for securing an elongate member such as an umbilical (12) a female receiving member such as an I-tube (14), has an elongate bend stiffening portion (25) and a securing portion (26) connected to the bend stiffening portion and continuous passage (36) extends through the bend stiffening portion and the securing portion. The securing portion has one or more securing members (e.g. steel balls (40)) displaceable radially outwardly into engagement with the inner face of the tube, thereby securing the connector to the I-tube.
US09441411B2
A door jamb wrap for use on a door jamb of an exterior door. The door jamb wrap covers openings next to the door that are commonly found on door jambs edges open at the bottom. The door jamb wrap includes a bracket having an “L” shape that can be configured to cover the openings by fastening to the door jamb.
US09441410B1
An opening system for a building wall includes a peripheral frame, a mullion, a pair of frameworks disposed in an empty space of the peripheral frame, a plurality of hinges swingable mounting the frameworks to the peripheral frame within the empty space, and a pair of latching assemblies. The latching assemblies having transversely-extending latch mechanisms that are disposed in respective ones of the frameworks and axially offset from one another so that one of latch mechanisms of one of the frameworks is latchably engageable with a portion of an adjacent one of the lateral sides of the mullion and the other one of the latch mechanisms of the other of the frameworks is latchably engageable with an adjacent portion of the one of the frameworks being located past the rear side of the mullion.
US09441397B2
Systems, methods and devices relating to lock assemblies for doors are disclosed. The lock assemblies include an end cap that couples a tail piece, cam or other latch operating mechanism to the plug of the lock assembly so that the latch operating mechanism rotates with rotation of the plug to operate a latch. The end cap includes a plug engaging portion that is configured to interfit with an end cap receiving portion of the plug to axially and rotatably fix the end cap to the plug.
US09441396B2
A key safe (10) includes a main container (14) defining an access port (20), an antechamber (16) and a primary hook (22) located within the antechamber (16). The antechamber (16) is movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14) via the access port (20), and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber (16) or the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14). The key safe (10) further includes a plurality of secondary hooks (26) located within the main container (14), which secondary hooks (26) are not directly accessible to a user. In use, transport means (18) transport keys between the primary hook (22) and a secondary hook (26) when the antechamber (16) is in the second position.
US09441394B1
A shade cover or “solar fly” is provided for reducing the thermal radiation effects of the sun on an associated shelter. By blocking the sun's rays to a significant degree, the outer surface temperature of an associated shelter is reduced, which results in less heat transfer into the interior space thereof. The shade cover and associated shelter may be cooperatively configured to employ natural convection to aid in reducing heat transfer into the interior space of the associated shelter. Natural convection known as the chimney effect may be used to reduce heat transfer into the interior space of the associated shelter. Such reduction of heat transfer into the interior space reduces the air conditioning load needed to maintain the interior space of the associated shelter at ambient temperatures of, for example, 76-84 degrees Fahrenheit among others.
US09441392B2
A partition mount system includes an integrated plunger assembly. The integrated plunger assembly is constructed and arranged to be integrated into an interior of an end of an extension pole, for example a standard telescoping extension pole. Mounting of the plunger in an interior portion of the pole in this manner provides for a sleek design that is relatively lightweight. Assuming that the pole in which the anchor is mounted is part of a telescoping pole system, the anchor and plunger do not interfere with full travel of the interior pole with respect to other poles in the telescoping system. In this manner, operation of the telescoping pole system is not inhibited by the integrated plunger assembly.
US09441391B2
An earthquake protection pod for providing a safe space primarily for office personnel has a structure which may be sized to fit beneath a desk, which can support considerable weight and which provides a small crush zone in its structure to take the initial surge of a massive overload. Legs support a frame by sockets which have a crush zone for vertical impact loads. The pod is assembled on site.
US09441390B2
The storage tank construction method includes a step of forming a side wall while a temporary opening is provided, a step of fitting precast concrete slabs into respective inner and outer wall sides of the temporary opening to close the inner and outer wall sides of the temporary opening, and a step of pouring concrete between the precast concrete slabs using the precast concrete slabs as molds to block the temporary opening.
US09441388B2
A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space.
US09441380B2
The invention relates to floor covering comprising two different impact sound attenuating layers 5, 6.
US09441361B2
A product composition that, suitably dispersed in paints or mixed in building products, allows to improve the thermal insulation of the building wall surfaces, is described. The application process of said composition, for the thermal insulation of wall surfaces, is also described.
US09441355B2
In a system and method for retaining or detaining a fluid beneath a ground surface, a plurality of modules, each having at least one vertically disposed side portion supporting a horizontally disposed roof are provided. The plurality of modules, each being in fluid communication, either directly or indirectly, with each of the other modules, are arranged in an assembly having a plurality of rows and columns. Each of the rows and columns contain at least one flow obstructer such that fluid flow through each of said rows and columns is circuitous.
US09441353B1
The reinforced toilet plunger and case is a toilet plunger with an enhanced handle that screws into the top of the traditional toilet plunger handle. The enhanced handle allows the user to use a more practical and comfortable grip when using the reinforced toilet plunger and case. The reinforced toilet plunger and case further discloses a decorative canister in which the reinforced toilet plunger is stored. The decorative canister includes a door for access and a sanitary tray located in the bottom of the canister to absorb drippings from the plunger that may occur after use. The reinforced toilet plunger and case comprises a reinforced toilet plunger and a decorative canister.
US09441350B2
A ground engaging tip comprising a ground engaging portion and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes an interior surface that includes a coupler pocket. The interior surface has a base wall, a first coupler face wall, and a second coupler face wall. The first and second coupler face wall extend from the base wall to an opening of the coupler pocket. The first and second coupler face wall include a distal planar portion adjacent the base wall. The first and second coupler face include a first convex portion adjacent the distal planar portion, a concave portion adjacent the first convex portion, and a second convex portion adjacent the first concave portion such that the concave portion is disposed between the first convex portion and the second convex portion.
US09441347B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for controlling power for a work machine. An example method disclosed herein includes identifying an energy storage level of an energy storage device; identifying a transmission setting of the work machine; and determining whether to control a function of the work machine using power from the energy storage device or power from a second power source different from the energy storage device based on the energy storage level and the transmission setting.
US09441340B2
A method for applying a water soluble soil stabilizer to soil wherein the soil stabilizer is added to a solid carrier.
US09441339B2
Provided herein is an admixing apparatus and system that in various arrangements may be utilized to produce deicing solutions including salt brines. To facilitate cleaning of the interior of the device, a mixing hopper is utilized that includes a side access opening that allows for readily accessing the interior of the hopper and removing any sediment that has accumulated herein.
US09441334B1
A controller receives inputs from a user interface that sets a speed for moving a tow point of an asphalt paving machine at a speed higher than a normal operating speed. The controller also receives signals from a user interface that moves the tow point in a selected direction at the set speed.
US09441332B2
This invention is in the field of road construction as it relates to improving the quality and lifetime of asphalt roads and pavement surfaces. The invention relates to methods and compositions utilizing co-polymers in combination with soil to form improved subgrade soil binder compositions for supporting asphalt roads and pavement surfaces.
US09441327B2
A dimensionally stable paper and paper products, a production method for such paper, and uses of substances for conveying, modifying or improving dimensional stability of paper.
US09441318B2
The present invention provides a processing method of non-woven intrinsically with enhanced deodorant feature from bamboo. The process uses mixture of wasted coffee residue and bamboo pulp as raw material. The process uses N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMMO) as primary solvent and 1, 3-phenylene-bis 2-oxazoline (BOX) as additive stabilizer. A cellulose solution is firstly formed by the wasted coffee residue, bamboo pulp, NMMO and BOX aforesaid. Secondly, via grinding, blending, dissolving and thermal dehydrating, the cellulose solution is converted into spinning dope. Thirdly, via meltblown method, the dope is extruded out of spinnerets in a die assembly by a metering gear pump to form thread bundle. Finally, the thread bundle is orderly treated by coagulation with regeneration via ejecting mist aerosol of water, rinsing, bleaching, re-rinsing, drying, winding-up and the like to create continuous filaments, then final product for nonwoven with deodorant feature is produced by the filaments from bamboo cellulose.
US09441312B2
A method for producing a diamond single crystal includes implanting an ion other than carbon into a surface of a diamond single crystal seed substrate and thereby decreasing the transmittance of light having a wavelength of 800 nm, the surface having an off-angle of 7 degrees or less with respect to a {100} plane, and homoepitaxially growing a diamond single crystal on the ion-implanted surface of the seed substrate using a chemical vapor synthesis under synthesis conditions where the ratio NC/NH of the number of carbon-containing molecules NC to the number of hydrogen molecules NH in a gas phase is 10% or more and 40% or less, the ratio NN/NC of the number of nitrogen molecules NN to the number of carbon-containing molecules NC in the gas phase is 0.1% or more and 10% or less, and the seed substrate temperature T is 850° C. or more and less than 1000° C.
US09441304B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous composition for and a process for etching copper and copper alloys applying said aqueous composition. The aqueous composition comprises a source for Fe3+ ions, at least one acid, at least one triazole or tetrazole derivative, and at least one etching additive selected from N-alkylated iminodipropionic acid, salts thereof, modified polyglycol ethers and quaternary ureylene polymers. The aqueous composition is particularly useful for making of fine structures in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, IC substrates and the like.
US09441300B2
Aqueous catalysts of nanoparticles of precious metals and stabilizers of flavonoid derivatives are used to electrolessly plate metal on non-conductive substrates. Such substrates include printed circuit boards.
US09441298B2
Described are apparatus and methods for forming films comprise indium and arsenic. In particular, these films may be formed in a configuration of two or more chambers under “load lock” conditions. These films may include additional components as dopants, such as aluminum and/or gallium. Such films can be used in metal/silicon contacts having low contact resistances. Also disclosed are devices including the films comprising indium arsenide.
US09441297B2
The invention relates to a process for applying solid layers (14) to an object (12) to be coated by means of at least one radiation source (2), in particular a laser radiation source, which comprises at least the step of removal of a sample (4) in the solid state in at least partially different sections (6) by means of at least one beam (8) emitted by the radiation source (2) to at least partly convert the sample (4) into a gaseous state (10) which deposits at least partially on the object (12) to be coated in order to form a solid layer (14), where at the same time the alignment of a trace of the emitted beam (8) is altered during the step of removal of the sample and the sample (4) is moved.
US09441294B2
A high quality thin film is formed by forming a layer in which remaining residues are suppressed for each cycle. When a substrate sequentially passes through a first processing region, a second processing region, and a third processing region by rotating a substrate placement unit, a first layer is formed on the substrate while the substrate passes through the first processing region, a second layer is formed by reacting plasma of a reactive gas with the first layer while the substrate passes through the second processing region, and the second layer is modified by plasma of a modifying gas while the substrate passes through the third processing region.
US09441289B2
Provided is a high-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy sputtering target of which the purity is 6N or higher and in which the content of the respective components of P, S, O and C is 1 ppm or less, wherein the number of nonmetal inclusions having a particle size of 0.5 μm or more and 20 μm or less is 30,000 inclusions/g or less. As a result of using high-purity copper or high-purity copper alloy from which harmful inclusions of P, S, C and O system have been reduced as the raw material and controlling the existence form of nonmetal inclusions, the present invention addresses a reduction in the percent defect of wirings of semiconductor device formed by sputtering a high-purity copper target so as to ensure favorable repeatability.
US09441287B2
There is provided a surface-coating material having excellent cracking resistance and peeling resistance, and having excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance properties; and a poppet valve coated with the surface-coating material. The Ni—Cr—Co-based alloy comprises 40.0 to 50.0 mass % of Cr, 10.0 to 20.0 mass % of Co, 0.5 to 5.0 mass % of Nb, 0.01 to 5.0 mass % of Fe and 0.1 to 3.0 mass % of Si, with the remainder being 26.0 to 40.0 mass % of Ni and unavoidable impurities. The Ni—Cr—Co-based alloy may additionally comprise one or more elements selected from Mo, W, Mn, Ti, Al, B and C in a total amount of 5.0 mass % or less. The content of each of Ti and Al is 3.0 mass % or less and the content of each of B and C is 1.0 mass % or less. In the poppet valve, at least a face portion is coated with the Ni—Cr—Co-based alloy.
US09441286B2
An oil-impregnated sintered bearing which does not tend to produce squealing noises is provided. The oil-impregnated sintered bearing can be used as a bearing of an electric motor that may be intermittently used for a short time, such as a bearing of a window regulator motor. The oil-impregnated sintered bearing includes pores that include middle-sized pores with circle-equivalent diameters of 45 to 63 μm at 0.9 to 2.5%, interparticle pores with circle-equivalent diameters of 63 to 75 μm at 0.1 to 1.2%, and large interparticle pores with circle-equivalent diameters of larger than 75 μm at not more than 3%, with respect to the total number of the pores.
US09441279B2
A system for producing maple syrup or birch syrup from maple or birch water, comprising an evaporating pan under controlled pressure, a condenser immersed in maple or birch water in the evaporating pan, and a compressor, pressurizing vapor generated by evaporation of maple or birch water in the evaporating pan, the condenser directing the pressurized vapor provided by the compressor to the maple or birch water within the evaporating pan, thereby further evaporating the maple or birch water and further generating vapor.
US09441274B2
In vitro method and kit for prognosis or prediction of the response of rheumatoid patients to treatment with TNF-α factor blocking agents, which comprises determining, in a blood sample from said patients, the expression level of at least one of the eight genes selected from the group: HLA-DRB3, EAT2, GNLY, CAMP, SLC2A3, IL2RB, MXD4 and TLR5 or combinations thereof and comparing said expression level to the expression values obtained from responsive and non-responsive patients who showed responsiveness to the treatment and those who showed non-responsiveness thereto.
US09441255B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions for increasing the production of one or more cellulases from a fungal host cell. The disclosure is based, on the surprising discovery that mis-expression of the transcriptional regulator clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell was able to induce expression of cellulase genes under non-inducing or starvation conditions, resulting in increased secretion of cellulases from the cell. Advantageously, mis-expression of the transcription factor clr-2 in a filamentous fungal cell cultured in the absence of cellulose or cellobiose results in increased secretion of cellulases. The disclosure relates inter alia to a method of degrading cellulose-containing material, to a method of increasing the production of one or more cellulases from a fungal cell and to a method of reducing the viscosity of a pretreated biomass material, by contacting pretreated biomass material with a fungal host cell containing at least one recombinant nucleic acid encoding clr-2 or a related transcription factor.
US09441251B2
The present invention relates to mutant microorganisms having a high ability to produce fermentation products, and methods for producing fermentation products using the same, and more particularly, to mutant microorganisms having a high ability to produce fermentation products such as lactic acid, succinic acid and ethanol, which has a deletion of genes selected from the genome of enteric bacteria and involved in respiration, electron transport, redox reactions and the like, and methods of producing fermentation products in high yield by culturing the mutant microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. The present invention provides mutant microorganisms, which have a deletion of genes involved in the redox pathways and regulation of microorganisms and having the property of producing a high concentration of lactic acid, succinic acid or ethanol with significantly reduced production of other fermentation products under anaerobic conditions, and a method of producing lactic acid, succinic acid or ethanol in high yield by culturing the mutant microorganisms.
US09441248B2
The invention provides for a novel type of biofuel; a method for cleaving anchors from photosynthetic organisms; and a method for producing biofuels using photosynthetic organisms, the method comprising identifying photosynthesis co-factors and their anchors in the organisms; modifying the organisms to increase production of the anchors; accumulating biomass of the organisms in growth media; and harvesting the anchors.
US09441245B2
The present invention provides new stable packaging cell lines and producer cell lines as well as methods to obtain them, and a new method to produce lentiviral vectors using such cell lines. New methods and packaging cell lines of the invention are generated using a baculo-AAV hybrid system for stable expression of structural and regulatory lentiviral proteins, such system comprising a baculoviral backbone containing an integration cassette flanked by AAV ITR, in combination with a plasmid encoding rep protein. This system allows to obtain a stable integration of the structural and regulatory HIV-1 proteins gag/pol and rev. The system allows to obtain a first intermediate including only the structural and regulatory HIV proteins gag/pol and rev, to be used as starting point to obtain stable packaging cell lines as well as producer cell lines.
US09441242B1
Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a toxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated toxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4-7, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 3, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US09441232B2
A Zea mays regulatory region is shown, which provides improved seed preferred, and particularly pericarp preferred expression in plants. Methods of use are also shown in preferentially expressing a heterologous protein to the pericarp tissue of a plant. The sequence is particularly useful in expression of heterologous proteins to the pericarp of monocotyledonous plants, particularly cereals, and maize.
US09441230B2
Disclosed is a shuttle vector that can be used for Corynebacterium and E. coli, containing: a repressor selected from a group consisting of a lacI repressor and a tetR repressor; a promoter selected from a group consisting of a trc promoter, a tetA promoter and a LacUV5 promoter; a replication origin pBL1 derived from Corynebacterium glutamicum; and a replication origin ColE1 of E. coli. A host cell transformed with the shuttle vector can effectively produce industrially useful substances. Also, the shuttle vector may be used to easily insert various combinations of target genes and, as a result, a variety of vectors can be prepared effectively.
US09441226B2
Methods and compositions that down regulate the activity of orexins to treat panic disorder and panic-like responses associated with hypercapnic conditions are disclosed.
US09441223B2
A method that includes measuring the expression level of at least one transposon in a biological sample from a subject; and determining whether the measured transposon expression exceeds a predetermined level, and if so, administering to the subject a transposon inhibitor in an amount effective to reduce the expression level of a transposon.
US09441217B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides and recombinant DNA constructs of plastidial sugar epimerases useful for conferring improved agronomic performance including yield and drought are disclosed. Compositions (such as plants or seeds) having these recombinant DNA constructs, and methods utilizing these recombinant DNA constructs are also disclosed.
US09441214B2
The invention relates to a polypeptide comprising the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or an amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a variant polypeptide or variant polynucleotide thereof, wherein the variant polypeptide has at least 96% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 or the variant polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide that has at least 96% sequence identity with the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional polypeptide and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods for using the polypeptide in industrial processes. Also included in the invention are cells transformed with a polynucleotide according to the invention suitable for producing these proteins.
US09441213B2
Described herein are molecules, constructs and methods for the production and secretion of polypeptides of interest by host cells, preferably bacterial host cells, and more particularly gram positive bacteria. In particular, the present invention is related to a polynucleic acid encoding a fusion protein and to uses thereof for the secretion of heterologous or homologous polypeptides of interest by a bacterial host cell, preferably Clostridium bacteria. The present invention further relates to methods and constructs for the production and secretion of heterologous or homologous polypeptides of interest proteins by host cells using such polynucleic acids and fusion proteins.
US09441206B2
This invention relates to a HEK293 cell line that grows under animal component-free suspension conditions. The cell line is ideal for rapid and scalable production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) and supports production of all serotypes and chimera of AAV.
US09441205B2
Reverse engineering has offered new ways of studying the pathology of RNA viral infections, new more efficient devices of synthesizing recombinant viruses and developing vaccines and also demonstrated the versatility and efficiency of RNA dependent RNA polymerase RDRP system as an expression system. However, the currently used methods require a repertoire of complex, difficult-to-use tools. Present invention describes, a simpler plasmid based mammalian expression system that uses the RDRP enzyme activity for expression of recombinant proteins or RNA from viral minigenomes and rescue of recombinant viruses from cDNAs encoding entire genome(s) of negative stranded RNA viruses. This system will be useful for expression of recombinant proteins, therapeutic RNA molecules including anti-sense and/or selecting interfering RNA and Ribozymes. This system can also be used for gene therapy and producing recombinant viruses for production of new vaccines.
US09441204B2
Genetically modified bacteriophage and methods of using the same to detect bacterial types of interest are provided.
US09441203B2
A medium is described for the protein-free and serum-free cultivation of cells, especially mammalian cells, whereby the medium contains a proportion of soy hydrolysate.
US09441201B2
A method of culturing mesenchymal stem cells is provided. The mesenchymal stem cells are cultured in a medium that includes a cell-depleted Wharton's Jelly filtrate. The cell-depleted Wharton's Jelly filtrate is prepared by mincing umbilical cord tissue that includes Wharton's Jelly, subsequently diluting the umbilical cord tissue, subsequently filtering the umbilical cord tissue to generate a filtrate, and sedimenting Wharton's Jelly stem cells from the filtrate to generate the cell-depleted Wharton's Jelly filtrate.
US09441192B2
Gas permeable devices and methods are disclosed for cell culture, including cell culture devices and methods that contain medium at heights, and certain gas permeable surface area to medium volume ratios. These devices and methods allow improvements in cell culture efficiency and scale up efficiency.
US09441178B2
This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials comprise carbon nanotubes suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.
US09441176B2
A method for mineralizing siloxane derivatives from a liquid organic phase by adding a base in the form of an alkaline hydroxide.
US09441170B2
A reactor has two chambers, namely an oil feedstock chamber and a source chamber. An ion separator separates the oil feedstock chamber from the source chamber, wherein the ion separator allows alkali metal ions to pass from the source chamber, through the ion separator, and into the oil feedstock chamber. A cathode is at least partially housed within the oil feedstock chamber and an anode is at least partially housed within the source chamber. A quantity of an oil feedstock is within the oil feedstock chamber, the oil feedstock comprising at least one carbon atom and a heteroatom and/or one or more heavy metals, the oil feedstock further comprising naphthenic acid. When the alkali metal ion enters the oil feedstock chamber, the alkali metal reacts with the heteroatom, the heavy metals and/or the naphthenic acid, wherein the reaction with the alkali metal forms inorganic products.
US09441159B2
A raw material composition containing a hindered phenol compound having a specified structure and a compound constituting a liquid crystal material is prepared, the raw material composition is brought into contact with a purifying agent after being dissolved in an organic solvent or without the addition of an organic solvent to the raw material composition, and then the purifying agent is removed, and when a composition after the purifying agent is removed does not contain the organic solvent, the composition is provided as a target composition, and when the composition after the purifying agent is removed contains the organic solvent, the organic solvent is distilled off to provide a target composition.
US09441157B2
This disclosure refers to the fabrication of an active oxygen-absorbing compound composed of a sodium erythorbate and a non-organic salt of a transition metal encapsulated through the sol-gel method in a silica matrix. This compound can be part of the package's structure for oxidation-sensitive products or contained in the surrounding atmosphere to decrease the oxygen concentration. This application describes the method for the fabrication of the oxygen-absorber, as well as its encapsulation and incorporation in polymeric matrixes.
US09441156B2
A nanocrystal capable of light emission includes a nanoparticle having photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 30%.
US09441152B2
A method of servicing a wellbore in a subterranean formation comprising preparing a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a resin material, a silane coupling agent, and an aqueous base fluid, placing the wellbore servicing fluid in the wellbore and/or subterranean formation, and allowing the wellbore servicing fluid to harden therein.
US09441148B2
The invention relates to a method of treating a hydrocarbon containing formation, comprising: (a) providing a composition to at least a portion of the hydrocarbon containing formation, wherein the composition comprises an anionic surfactant based on an alkoxylated primary alcohol having a branched aliphatic group, which group has an average carbon number of from 9 to 15 and an average number of branches of from 0.5 to 2.5, and having an average of at least 0.5 mole of alkylene oxide groups per mole of primary alcohol; and (b) allowing the composition to interact with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon containing formation. Further, the invention relates to the hydrocarbon recovery composition that is used in said method.
US09441146B2
The invention is directed to a process for extracting materials from biological material, which process is characterized in that the naturally occurring biological material is treated with an extractant consisting of a deep eutectic solvent of natural origin or a an ionic liquid of natural origin to produce a biological extract of natural origin dissolved in the said solvent or ionic liquid.
US09441145B2
Curable material comprising silylated polymers containing urethane groups, and use thereof in sealants, adhesives, binders and/or surface modifiers.
US09441142B2
Hydrophilic adhesive compositions are disclosed that contain a surfactant that is miscible, but not fully soluble in the polymer matrix of the adhesive. This permits the surfactant to continuously replenish at the surface of the adhesive as other surfactant is removed, such as when it is carried away by an aqueous sample flowing over that surface in an in-vitro diagnostic device, resulting in adhesive compositions that are inherently hydrophilic on their surfaces and do not rely on the bloom mechanism of known hydrophilic adhesives. This provides greater design options for in-vitro diagnostic device manufacturers, including the use of hydrophilic adhesive spacers in lieu of or in combination with hydrophilic top covers.
US09441141B2
A novel transparent double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device is provided, that, under the constraint of holding down the thickness of the adhesive sheet to 250 μm or less, can relieve a distortion arising within the adhesive sheet after laminating even if a member has a stepped portion of 50 μm to 100 μm in height on the laminating surface.Proposed is a transparent double-sided adhesive sheet for image display device which is used for the purpose of laminating an image display device constitutive member having on a laminating surface a stepped portion of 50 μm to 100 μm in height and a flat surface portion, and another image display device constitutive member, wherein a thickness of the maximum thickness portion of the adhesive sheet is 250 μm or less, and a gel fraction (a) at a position in contact with a stepped portion after laminating is 10% or greater and smaller than a gel fraction (b) at a position in contact with a flat surface portion.
US09441124B2
The present disclosure provides novel aqueous ink-jet inks containing an aqueous vehicle, a pigment and an alternating polyurethane as a binder.
US09441117B2
This invention pertains to mixtures and methods that can be used to produce materials comprising an electrically and/or thermally conductive coating as well as compositions that are materials that possess an electrically and/or thermally conductive coating. The mixtures and methods can be used to fabricate transparent conductive films and other transparent conductive materials.
US09441115B2
The present invention relates to a water-based pore sealing agent enhancing PCB coating anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion properties, consisting of, by weight, 4-12 parts of a corrosion inhibitor, 15-25 parts of a mixed surfactants system, 10-20 parts of an ion chelating agent, 6-15 parts of a pH regulator, 20-40 parts of a builder, and the rest being purified water. When used to perform pore sealing on a PCB, the water-based pore sealing agent is diluted with purified water first to be diluted 10-100 times, preferably, 100/8-100/3 times. The pH value is 7-11, and is preferably 7.5-9.5. The surface tension is 18-28 dyn/cm. The pore sealing treatment uses a immersion process, and preferably ultrasonic waves are added at the same time to assist in cleaning the pores. For the pore sealing treatment, the temperature is 20-60° C., and the time is 60-150 seconds. After pore sealing, the temperature for drying the coated piece is 80-150° C., and the time is 60-120 seconds. The PCB treated with the water-based pore sealing agent of the present invention undergoes the neutral salt spray test, the nitric acid vapor test, the mixed gas test, and the sulfur dioxide and bonding tensile strength test, and the results have indicated that the anti-oxidation and anti-corrosion properties of the coating thereof are significantly enhanced.
US09441113B2
A method of recovering carbon black includes the step of providing a carbonaceous source material containing carbon black. The carbonaceous source material is contacted with a sulfonation bath to produce a sulfonated material. The sulfonated material is pyrolyzed to produce a carbon black containing product comprising a glassy carbon matrix phase having carbon black dispersed therein. A method of making a battery electrode is also disclosed.
US09441112B2
Compositions useful for preparing pressure sensitive adhesives, coatings, and/or films are provided, along with methods of making and using the same. The compositions are made from renewable, plant-based materials. The compositions comprise plant oil triglycerides that are polymerized and crosslinked to yield polymer matrices. Plant-based carriers and/or tackifiers can be used in the invention, including epoxidized plant oil triglycerides, acrylated epoxidized plant oil triglycerides, and dihydroxylated plant oil triglycerides. Natural tackifiers such as rosin esters and terpenes can also be used in the compositions. Dihydroxylated plant oil triglyceride tackifiers for use in biobased and synthetic adhesives are also provided.
US09441110B2
Polymer composition (C) containing (i) a poly(aryl ether sulfone) material (M12) composed of a poly(biphenyl ether sulfone) (P1) and, optionally in addition, a poly(aryl ether sulfone) (P2) containing recurring units with arylene groups linked to each other via a secondary, ternary or quaternary carbon atom, and (ii) a per(halo)fluoropolymer material (M34), composed of a per(halo)fluoropolymer (P3) of which at least 2.0 wt. % of the recurring units are derived from a per(halo)fluoromonomer other than tetrafluoroethylene, and a polytetrafluoroethylene (P4).Shaped article, especially aircraft interior component, comprising the polymer composition (C).
US09441107B2
A shaped product obtained by allowing a polymer (A) and a compound (B) to undergo hydrosilylation reaction, the polymer (A) and the compound (B) being contained in an uncrosslinked composition including the polymer (A), the compound (B) and a functional filler (C), wherein the polymer (A) is crosslinked by the compound (B) and the resulting crosslinked product is filled with the functional filler (C) dispersed therein, the polymer (A) includes (A1) a polymer of a perfluoropolyether skeleton having one alkenyl group and (A2) a polymer of a perfluoropolyether skeleton having two hydrosilyl [SiH] groups, the compound (B) includes (B1) a compound having two alkenyl groups and/or (B2) a compound having three hydrosilyl groups, and in the uncrosslinked composition, the content of the polymer (A) is 50 to 98 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymer (A) and the compound (B), and the content of the functional filler (C) is 50 to 500 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the polymer (A) and the compound (B).
US09441103B2
A composition includes an first anhydride-grafted polyethylene; and a cross-linking agent that includes a second anhydride; and a first material including minoxidil, melatonin; pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate); or a (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl derivative, where the composition is a master batch configured to cross-link a silane-grafted polyethylene material; and the composition is tin-free.
US09441098B1
This invention relates to a tire for promoting a combination of winter service at low temperatures and for promoting wet traction with tread of rubber composition containing blend of high Tg and low Tg synthetic elastomers. The high Tg elastomer is comprised of high vinyl polybutadiene rubber and the low Tg elastomer is comprised of cis 1,4-polybutadiene rubber.
US09441086B2
A curable silicone composition containing a curable organosiloxane composition, silver, and at least one electrically conductive metal other than silver, the curable silicone composition being characterizable by a total silver concentration of from 50 to less than 60 weight percent and a thixotropic index that is adjustable from 3 to 10 measured according to TI Test Method while the composition remains curable to an electrically conductive silicone adhesive having a volume resistivity of less than 0.001 Ohm-centimeter measured according to Volume Resistivity Test Method without increasing the total concentration of electrically conductive metal in the curable silicone composition to 72 weight percent or higher, the electrically conductive silicone adhesive, an electrical device comprising the electrically conductive silicone adhesive, and a method of manufacturing the electrical device.
US09441079B2
Presently described are block copolymers suitable for use as a low adhesion backsize (“LAB”) coating. The block copolymers comprise at least one polyorganosiloxane block and at least one polyolefin block. The polyolefin block is semi-crystalline having a melt point of at least 110° C. The block copolymer typically has the structure: A[-L-B]n wherein A is a polyorganosiloxane block and B is a polyolefin block. L is a covalent bond or a divalent linking group. In some embodiments, L is the reaction product of an amine or hydroxyl and an anhydride.
US09441066B2
An oxygen scavenger composition for food packaging application comprising (I) a polymeric resin, (II) one or more oligomeric photosensitizers, (III) a metal salt, preferably Cu stearate or Mn stearate; (IV) a sacrificial oxidizable substrate, and optionally (V) additional components.
US09441060B2
Provided herein are ethylene copolymers, methods for making such copolymers, and compositions made from such copolymers. The ethylene copolymers have 70 wt. % to 85 wt. % of units derived from ethylene and at least 12 wt. % of units derived from at least one α-olefin having 3 to 20 carbon atoms. The copolymers preferably further have a weight-average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 50,000 to about 200,000 g/mol, melting point of at least 100° C., ratio of Mw/Mn of about 1.5 to about 3.5, a content of group 4 metals of no more than 25 ppm, and a ratio of wt ppm Group 4 metals/wt ppm Group 5 metals of at least 3. Such copolymers may be particularly useful as viscosity modifiers for lubricating oil compositions.
US09441059B2
The present application provides, among other things, compounds and methods for metathesis reactions. In some embodiments, a provided compound has the structure of formula I, II or III. In some embodiments, R1 of formula I, II or III comprises an electron-withdrawing group. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods for preparing provided compounds.
US09441048B2
High affinity antibodies were made to gangliosides expressed on tumor cells. The antibodies can be used analytically, diagnostically, therapeutically, and theranostically. The antibodies may be used to target cytotoxic reagents to tumor cells, thus minimizing full-body toxicity. The antibodies may also be used with out added cytotoxin. The antibodies may be detectably labeled or labelable for analytic and diagnostic purposes. The combination of specificity and affinity of the antibodies render them particularly useful.
US09441043B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods of use of anti-IGF-1R antibodies or antibody fragments. Preferably the antibodies bind to IGF-1R but not IR; are not agonists for IGF-1R; do not block binding of IGF-1 or IGF-2 to isolated IGF-1R, but effectively neutralize activation of IGF-1R by IGF-1 in intact cells; and block binding of an R1 antibody to IGF-1R. The antibodies may be murine, chimeric, humanized or human R1 antibodies comprising the heavy chain CDR sequences DYYMY (SEQ ID NO:1), YITNYGGSTYYPDTVKG (SEQ ID NO:2) and QSNYDYDGWFAY (SEQ ID NO:3) and the light chain CDR sequences KASQEVGTAVA (SEQ ID NO:4), WASTRHT (SEQ ID NO:5) and QQYSNYPLT (SEQ ID NO:6). Preferably the antibodies bind to an epitope of IGF-1R comprising the first half of the cysteine-rich domain of IGF-1R (residues 151-222). The anti-IGF-1R antibodies may be used for diagnosis or therapy of various diseases such as cancer.
US09441038B2
Proteins that bind IL-1α and IL-1β are described along with their use in compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing IL-1-related disorders and for detecting IL-1α and IL-1β in cells, tissues, samples, and compositions.
US09441033B2
The invention describes methods and kits for detecting and determining current and future synthetic cannabinoids from the JWH and RCS families. Unique antibodies derived from novel immunogens enable said methods and kits.
US09441027B2
This document provides methods and materials related to natriuretic polypeptides and the use of natriuretic polypeptides to treat cardiovascular and/or renal conditions. For example, chimeric polypeptides having at least one amino acid segment (e.g., N-terminus tail, ring structure, C-terminus tail, or a combination thereof) of a natriuretic peptide (e.g., ANP, BNP, CNP, URO, or DNP) and an amino acid segment of an angiotensin polypeptide (e.g., Ang-(1-7)) are provided.
US09441021B2
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of hypoallergenic major birch pollen allergens by means of one or more chromatographic purification steps using essentially unbuffered aqueous bases as eluent and subsequent neutralization. The hypoallergenic major birch pollen allergens are distinguished by a lack of, but at least by reduced immunoglobulin E binding with simultaneous retention of therapeutically relevant T-cell stimulation. They can therefore be employed as low-side-effect therapeutic agents for specific immunotherapy.
US09441007B2
Disclosed herein are nucleosides, nucleotides and analogs thereof, pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more of nucleosides, nucleotides and analogs thereof, and methods of synthesizing the same. Also disclosed herein are methods of ameliorating and/or treating a disease and/or a condition, including an infection from a paramyxovirus and/or an orthomyxovirus, with a nucleoside, a nucleotide and an analog thereof.
US09441005B2
The present disclosure provides novel imidazoquinoline derived compounds, derivatives thereof, analogues thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of making and using such compounds. The present disclosure also provides TLR7 agonists and TLR7/TLR8 dual agonists, probes, tissue-specific molecules, adjuvants, immunogenic compositions, therapeutic compositions, and self-adjuvanting vaccines including the imidazoquinoline derived compounds, derivatives thereof, analogues thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Derivatives of the imidazoquinoline derived compounds also include dendrimers and dimers of the imidazoquinoline derived compounds, and methods of making and using the dendrimeic and dimeric imidazoquinoline derived compounds. The present disclosure also provides dual TLR2/TLR7 hybrid agonists that include imidazoquinoline derived compounds of the present disclosure.
US09441004B2
The invention provides a method for releasing capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells, comprising the step of treating the cells with acid. The invention further provides a process for purifying capsular polysaccharide from S. aureus type 5 or type 8 cells comprising this method. Other processing steps may be included in the process, such as enzymatic treatment, e.g. to remove nucleic acid, protein and/or peptidoglycan contaminants; diafiltration, e.g. to remove low molecular weight contaminants; anion exchange chromatography, e.g. to remove residual protein; and concentration.
US09441003B2
The present invention is concerned with a staining dye for staining a biological cell, comprising dye molecules with a positively charged polar head group for attraction to cell membrane of the cell and for refraining the dye molecules from entering the cytoplasm, and one or more hydrophobic groups for interaction with phospholipids of the cell membrane. The dye molecules are phosphorescent transition metal polypyridine complexes having a metal center and ligands which are non-organic fluorophores.
US09441001B2
There is provided herein a method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate comprising reacting paraformaldehyde, at least one dialkyl phosphite and at least one trialkyl phosphite, in the presence of at least one amine catalyst.
US09440999B2
The invention relates generally to transition metal salts, more specifically to iron, nickel, cobalt, manganese and ruthenium salts, activated with silylhydrides, and their use as efficient hydrosilylation catalysts.
US09440990B2
The present invention provides a compound useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of neurodegenerative disease and the like, or a salt thereof. The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US09440972B2
This invention relates to novel Pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives of Formula (I): and their use as TRPC5 modulators, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as agents for the treatment of TRPC5 receptor mediated disorders or conditions. R1, R2, R3 and R4 have meanings given in the description.
US09440959B2
The present invention relates a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which process comprises converting a compound of formula (IV): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, into the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09440958B2
The present invention provides compounds of the formula I: its enantiomers, diastereomers, racemic mixtures thereof, prodrugs, crystalline forms, non-crystalline forms, amorphous forms thereof, solvates thereof, metabolites thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, wherein the ring A substituent groups are fully defined in the following disclosure. The compounds of formula I are inhibitors of metalloproteases such as matrix metalloproteases and sheddases, and are useful in treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, neoplastic diseases, allergies and all those diseases wherein inhibition of MMPs is desirable.
US09440950B2
Described herein are compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Compounds described herein are useful for inhibiting arginine methyltransferase activity. Methods of using the compounds for treating arginine methyltransferase-mediated disorders are also described.
US09440934B1
A method of manufacture of the primary explosive material copper(I) 5-nitrotetazolate (DBX-1) by a synthesis starting with 5-aminotetrazolate (5-AT); wherein, the synthesis provides intermediates acid copper salt of 5-NT and sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate (NaNT) sodium 5-nitrotetrazolate (NaNT)—that are both, free of any 5-aminotetrazolate (5-AT) starting material—such that the subsequent production of the DBX-1 is not inhibited. Further, this method utilizes an internal filter within the reactor—to minimize handling of explosively dangerous intermediates.
US09440931B2
Form-III crystal of 2-{4-[N-(5,6-diphenylpyrazin-2-yl)-N-isopropylamino]butyloxy}-N-(methylsulfonyl)acetamide and a method of producing the crystal are provided. The Form-III crystal exhibits diffraction peaks in its X-ray powder diffraction spectrum at least at the following angles of diffraction 2θ when the spectrum is obtained by using Cu Kα radiation: 9.3 degrees, 9.7 degrees, 16.8 degrees, 20.6 degrees, and 23.5 degrees. The Form-III crystal can be produced by crystallizing the subject compound from an ester solvent or an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The crystal may be administered as an active ingredient to a subject for the purpose of treating or preventing certain diseases, disorders, and symptoms, or for promoting angiogenesis or gene therapy. The targeted diseases and disorders include transient ischemic attack, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic gangrene, peripheral circulatory disturbance, connective tissue disease, reocclusion/restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, and diabetic nephropathy.
US09440930B2
Substituted bicyclic dihydropyrimidinones of formula 1 and their use as inhibitors of neutrophil elastase activity. An exemplary compound is
US09440928B2
The invention relates to a process for the synthesis of N-substituted cyclic alkylene ureas by reacting a multifunctional aliphatic amine A having at least two amino groups which may be primary or secondary, at least one of which is a primary amino group, —NH2, and at least one of which is a secondary amino group, >NH, the other hydrogen group whereof having been substituted by a hydrocarbyl group which in turn may be substituted by a hydroxyl group, or an amino group, or a carboxyl group, or a ketone carbonyl group, or a hydrazide or hydrazone group, or a mercaptan group, and at least one further functional group selected from the group consisting of primary or secondary amino groups and hydroxyl groups, and an aliphatic organic carbonate component C selected from the group consisting of dialkyl carbonates CD and of alkylene carbonates CA.
US09440913B2
Novel compounds below are useful for preventing or treating diseases caused by protozoans. At least one of a compound represented by Formula (I) (wherein, X represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; R1 represents a hydrogen atom; R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-7 alkyl group; R3 represents —CHO, —C(═O)R5, —COOR5 (wherein R5 represents a C1-7 alkyl group), —CH2OH or —COOH; and R4 represents a C1-16 alkyl group having one or more substituents on a terminal carbon atom and/or non-terminal carbon atom(s), a C2-16 alkenyl group having one or more substituents on a terminal carbon atom and/or non-terminal carbon atom(s), or a C2-16 alkynyl group having one or more substituents on a terminal carbon atom and/or non-terminal carbon atom(s)), an optical isomer thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is used.
US09440911B2
The invention relates to a hydrophilically modified multifunctional amine AC which has more than one primary amino group per molecule, and at least one group per molecule derived from the reaction of an epoxide group with a reactive group selected from the group consisting of secondary amino groups >NH, hydroxyl groups —OH, mercaptan groups —SH, amide groups —CO—NHR, where R can be hydrogen or an alkyl group having from one to twelve carbon atoms, hydroxyester groups, and acid particularly carboxyl groups —COOH, sulphonic acid groups —SO3H, and phosphonic acid groups —PO3H2, and preferably, also moieties which are compatible with an epoxy resin, as well as a process for its preparation, and a method of use thereof.
US09440907B2
Provided is a method for producing a 2-alkenylamine compound efficiently and at low cost, using a primary or secondary amine compound and a 2-alkenyl compound as the starting materials therefor. The 2-alkenylamine compound is produced by adding Bronsted acid when 2-alkenylating by reacting the primary or secondary amine compound with the 2-alkenyl compound, and 2-alkenylating in the presence of a catalyst comprising a complexing agent and a transition metal precursor stabilized by a monovalent anionic five-membered conjugated diene.
US09440900B2
A production method of α,α-difluoroacetaldehyde according to the present invention includes reaction of an α,α-difluoroacetic acid ester with hydrogen gas (H2) in the presence of a ruthenium catalyst. It is possible to selectively obtain α,α-difluoroacetaldehyde as a partially reduced product of the hydrogenation reaction by the adoption of specific reaction conditions (in particular, reaction solvent and reaction temperature). This hydrogenation process can be alternative to the industrially unpractical hydride reduction process.
US09440898B2
In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.
US09440897B2
The invention provides a process for the preparation of monoethylene glycol from sucrose comprising the steps of: i) hydrolyzing sucrose to form a reaction product stream comprising glucose and fructose; ii) separating the reaction product stream comprising glucose and fructose into a fructose or fructose derivative rich stream and a glucose rich stream; and iii) contacting the glucose rich stream with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst system with catalytic hydrogenation abilities to produce a product stream comprising monoethylene glycol.
US09440894B2
A process for upgrading residuum hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a residuum hydrocarbon fraction and hydrogen with a first hydroconversion catalyst in a first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system; solvent deasphalting a vacuum residuum fraction to produce a deasphalted oil fraction and an asphalt fraction; contacting the deasphalted oil fraction and hydrogen with a second hydroconversion catalyst in a second hydroconversion reactor system; recovering a second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system; and fractionating the first effluent from the first ebullated bed hydroconversion reactor system and the second effluent from the second hydroconversion reactor system to recover one or more hydrocarbon fractions and the vacuum residuum fraction in a common fractionation system.
US09440892B2
Methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing in high yield aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from a mixture of oxygenates comprising di- and polyoxygenates are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing aromatic chemicals and liquid fuels from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like; and methods, catalysts, and reactor systems for producing the mixture of oxygenates from oxygenated hydrocarbons such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like. The disclosed catalysts for preparing the mixture of oxygenates comprise a Group VIII metal and a crystalline alumina support.
US09440889B2
The invention relates to processes for reducing ammonia loss and odor from organic material or waste to the atmosphere. A plasma generator is applied to upgrade organic waste and manure with a mixture of acidic nitrates and nitrites. The present invention also relates to an acidic nitrate solution, suitable for reducing ammonia loss and odor from organic material or waste to the atmosphere, and a process for producing such an acidic nitrate solution. The invention further comprises plants for reducing ammonia loss and odor from organic material or waste to the atmosphere.
US09440881B2
A method for designing and manufacturing micro reinforced concrete that produces a composite material that shares physical properties with both the reinforcing material and the concrete. Micro reinforced concrete is a two-part system that made of micro reinforcements, which are twisted steel fibers, and a concrete matrix. The micro reinforcements are added at a specified dose to an ordinary concrete matrix to create the micro reinforced concrete.
US09440879B2
A graphene coated optic fiber is disclosed. An optic fiber core is encapsulated within a graphene capsule. An optic fiber having cladding layer encapsulated within a graphene capsule is also disclosed. The graphene capsule may comprise a single layer of graphene, bi-layer of graphene, or multiple layers of graphene. An optical circuit is disclosed that transmits ultraviolet light across an optic fiber encapsulated with graphene.
US09440878B2
A down-drawable glass ceramic. The glass ceramic has a composition which yields a liquidus viscosity that enables formation of the parent glass by down-draw techniques such as fusion-draw and slot-draw methods. The resulting glass ceramic is white or translucent in appearance with high strength achieved through heat treatment of the fusion-formed glass.
US09440877B2
The present disclosure relates to fusion formable highly crystalline glass-ceramic articles whose composition lies within the SiO2—R2O3—Li2O/Na2O—TiO2 system and which contain a silicate crystalline phase comprised of lithium aluminosilicate (β-spodumene and/or β-quartz solid solution) lithium metasilicate and/or lithium disilicate. Additionally, these silicate-crystal containing glass-ceramics can exhibit varying Na2O to Li2O molar ratio extending from the surface to the bulk of the glass article, particularly a decreasing Li2O concentration and an increasing Na2O concentration from surface to bulk. According to a second embodiment, disclosed herein is a method for forming a silicate crystalline phase-containing glass ceramic.
US09440872B2
A method is provided for treating brine recovered from a coal seam gas operation. The process entails directing brine recovered from a coal seam gas operation to a mixed reactor and mixing an alkaline earth reagent with the brine. This results in the precipitation of alkaline earth salts and silica, which form alkaline earth salt crystals having silica adsorbed thereto. Thereafter, the alkaline earth salt crystals and adsorbed silica are directed to an evaporator that produces a concentrate having the alkaline earth salt crystals and adsorbed silica.
US09440871B2
A treatment agent for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment agent including: Scuticociliatida, wherein the treatment agent treats salt-containing organic waste liquid; and a treatment method for salt-containing organic waste liquid, the treatment method including: bringing Scuticociliatida and salt-containing organic waste liquid into contact with each other to treat the salt-containing organic waste liquid.
US09440866B2
An efficient method and system for the electrochemical treatment of waste water comprising organic and/or inorganic pollutants is disclosed. The system comprises an electrolytic cell comprising a solid polymer, proton exchange membrane electrolyte operating without catholyte or other supporting electrolyte. The cell design and operating conditions chosen provide for significantly greater operating efficiency.
US09440865B2
An oil absorbing article which includes an oil absorbent material which is stable against melting at a temperature of at least about 100° F. in an aqueous environment; a receptacle for holding the oil absorbent material having a porous material which is stable against melting at a temperature of at least about 100° F. in an aqueous environment and which permits the passage of water and oil components through the receptacle; and a flexible handle attached to the receptacle for hanging the oil absorbent article in the aqueous environment. Also, a method for using the oil absorbing article by placing the article in an aqueous environment having a temperature of at least about 100° F. and which is contaminated with oil components for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the oil components.
US09440863B2
A method for removing acid-gases from water includes introducing acid into a flow of aqueous solution having acid-gases and associated conjugate bases having an initial pH to lower the pH. The lowered pH solution has a stripping gas passed therethrough, resulting in a vapor phase of liberated acid-gas and stripping gas vapors, and a liquid phase comprising a lower concentration of acid-gases and associated conjugate bases than the aqueous solution. The liberated acid-gas and stripping gas vapors are collected and treated to remove acid-gas components, resulting in clean stripping gas product. The liquid phase is separated and collected with a second treating step, resulting in a final aqueous product having a lower concentration of acid-gases and associated conjugate bases than the liquid phase.
US09440854B2
A composition and a method for producing mesoporous carbon materials with a chiral or achiral organization. In the method, a polymerizable inorganic monomer is reacted in the presence of nanocrystalline cellulose to give a material of inorganic solid with cellulose nanocrystallites organized in a chiral nematic organization. The cellulose can be carbonized through thermal treatment under inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon) and the silica may subsequently be removed using aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or hydrogen fluoride (HF) to give the stable mesoporous carbon materials that retain the chiral nematic structure of the cellulose. These materials may be obtained as free-standing films with very high surface area. Through control of the reaction conditions the pore-size distribution may be varied from predominantly microporous to predominantly mesoporous materials. These are the first materials to use cellulose as both the structural template and carbon source for a mesoporous carbon material. These are also the first carbon materials to combine mesoporosity with long-range chiral ordering. Possible applications for these materials include: charge storage devices (e.g. supercapacitors and anodes for Li-ion batteries), adsorbents, gas purifiers, light-weight nanocomposite materials, catalyst supports (e.g., for chiral transformations), gas storage, and as a hard-template to generate other materials, preferably with chiral structures.
US09440851B2
An on-board Flex-Fuel H2 Generator provides devices and the methods of operating these devices to produce H2 and CO from hydrocarbons and bio-fuels. One or more parallel autothermal reformers are used to convert the fuels into H2 over the Pt group metal catalysts without external heat and power. The produced reformate is then cooled and the dry gas is compressed and stored in vessels at a pressure between 1 to 100 atmospheres. For this system, the pressure of the storage vessels and the flow control curves are used directly to control the amount of the reformers' reformate output. To improve thermal efficiency of a mobile vehicle or a distributed power generator, a portion of the reformate from the storage vessels is used to mix with the primary fuels and air as part of a lean burn fuel mixture for the engine/gas turbine. Also, this on-board Flex-Fuel H2 Generator can provide H2 to regenerate the NOx and diesel particulate traps for diesel engines, and/or it can provide H2 for a mobile or a portable fuel cell power generator.
US09440846B2
An integrated MEMS system in which CMOS and MEMS devices are provided to form an integrated CMOS-MEMS system. The system can include a silicon substrate layer, a CMOS layer, MEMS and CMOS devices, and a wafer level packaging (WLP) layer. The CMOS layer can form an interface region, one which any number of CMOS MEMS devices can be configured.
US09440833B2
An engine-powered forklift truck including a work device which is hydraulically driven by an oil hydraulic pump whose driving source is an engine, and including a load handling interlock mechanism which brings a work device operation into a locked state by turning a key switch off or turning a seat switch off, includes: a release control apparatus configured to, when the locked state exists, release the locked state on condition that the key switch is ON, the seat switch is ON, and the engine is rotated under a predetermined engine speed or more.
US09440832B2
A counterweight balancing system for filming cranes that are mounted on a vehicle and used to film moving images. The filming crane (1) has a rotating center (4) with a counterweight system (2), on one side, and a filming camera (3), on the other side, which oscillate as if on a balance. A pantograph mechanism enables the counterweight system (2) to be maintained in relation to the ground, in the event of any ascending or descending movement of an arm, holding the filming camera (3), as a result of the system being equipped with articulated points (6, 7, 8 and 9), fixed shafts (10 and 11) and shafts (9 and 9′) movable in relation to a central shaft of the crane (5), thereby forming the pantograph mechanism.
US09440828B2
A holding device for lifting and/or moving an article including at least one substantially planar outer surface is designed for mounting on an implement carrier, which includes a carrier part. The holding device can be mounted on, and released from, the implement carrier. At least one holding unit can come into contact with the article and can grip the article by surface contact between the at least one holding unit and one outer surface of the article to be lifted and/or moved. The carrier part includes at least one backstop against which the article can rest when the article is to be released from the at least one holding unit while the at least one holding unit is movably mounted to the carrier part. The holding device also includes at least one actuator for moving the at least one holding unit relative to the at least one backstop.
US09440826B2
The invention relates to an extension device, lifting device or jack that can be locked in a raised configuration and used to safely support a raised load. An extension device according to the invention comprises a housing having a closed first end and an open second end, a support member inside the housing projecting from the first end thereof, a piston slideably mounted in the housing around the support member, means for extending the piston out of the second end of the housing, means for retracting the piston into the housing, and a locking mechanism for releasably locking the piston to the support member, wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more locking members mounted on the support member operable to be selectively moved in and out of locking engagement with the piston.
US09440821B2
A blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade of a wind turbine is provided. The device comprises a first frame which is essentially horizontally aligned in a designated operating position and a second frame which is essentially horizontally aligned in the designated operating position and a blade gripping assembly with a number of blade gripping tools. Thereby, the first frame and the second frame are connected to each other via a swivel or other similar type connection, the connection realized to permit a yawing movement of the second frame relative to the first frame. The first frame comprises a rectangular carrying structure with at least four connectors for connection to a lifting device, which connectors are positioned essentially at the corners of the rectangular structure. Further, the invention concerns a method of operating a blade gripping device for gripping a rotor blade of a wind turbine.
US09440820B2
A method is provided for removing an escalator truss from an escalator well-way having an upper landing and a lower landing, the escalator truss having a first end and a second end. The method includes placing a first forklift below the first end of the escalator truss under the upper landing, placing a second forklift at a second end of the escalator truss, lifting a lifting frame with the first forklift into contact with the first end of the escalator truss, connecting the first end of the escalator truss to the lifting frame, connecting the second forklift to the second end of the escalator truss with a lifting mechanism, raising both the first end and the second end of the escalator truss with the forklifts and moving both forklifts in a same direction to move the escalator truss away from the escalator well-way. A method of installing an escalator truss and lifting frame are also provided.
US09440817B2
An apparatus for storing, rotating and feeding a high pressure hose, including: a first rotatable drum with a helical groove; a second rotatable drum; and at least one actuator for rotating the first and second drums. For rotation of the first and second drums in first and second opposite directions, respectively, a hose and a cable are coilable into the helical groove such that the hose is in compressive engagement with the cable and the first drum. For rotation of the first and second drums in the second and first directions, respectively, the hose is uncoilable from the first drum and displaceable beyond the apparatus and the cable is coilable about the second drum.
US09440815B2
A sorting machine (1) for sorting flat articles on edge, which machine has sorting outlets (2) for stacking the sorted flat articles, each of which sorting outlets is equipped with a stacking actuator (5) and with at least one slide plate (4) having a front face (40) against which the flanks of the flat articles slide while the flat articles are being stacked, the sorting machine (1) being provided with a noise damper and reducer (8, 12) for damping and reducing noise generated by the flat articles while they are being stacked, at least a portion of the noise damper and reducer (8) being provided on the slide plate (4).
US09440810B2
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a sheet conveyance passage, a main tray, a downstream tray, and an elastic member. The main tray includes a first fastening portion and a first support portion, and is pivotable about an axis of the first support portion to thereby be openable and closeable with respect to the housing. The downstream tray includes a second fastening portion, and a second support portion disposed further inside the housing than the first support portion, the downstream tray overlapping the main tray, and being pivotable about an axis of the second support portion and thereby relatively movable with respect to the main tray. The elastic member is expandable and contractible and fastened on the first fastening portion of the main tray and the second fastening portion of the downstream tray.
US09440805B2
A seed container rack system for dispensing a selected variety of seeds from a plurality of seed containers. The seed container rack system generally includes a support frame having a lower frame for supporting at least one lower seed container and an upper frame for supporting at least one upper seed container above the upper edge of the lower seed container. A lower conveyor is positioned within a lower portion of the support frame to receive seed from the lower seed container and the upper seed container. A chute having an upper end and a lower discharge end extends from beneath the upper seed container to a side of the lower seed container to transfer the seed from the upper seed container to the lower conveyor.
US09440803B1
An indicator system is provided for use with a blown-in dust transfer system. A dust collector collects dust, where it accumulates at an airlock feeder. When the feeder moves, accumulated dust is dispensed into an introduction chamber. A blower moves air through an introduction chamber where the dust particles become entrained in the moving air. The dust and air mixture are moved into a removable storage container where the dust particles fall out of the moving air. Return air that is mostly devoid of dust returns to the introduction chamber. Between the storage container and the introduction chamber is a sensor that detects dust in the return air. If the level of dust reaches a certain amount the sensor detects it and an operator is notified that the storage container is full.
US09440802B2
The invention relates to a plant for the transport of granular material comprising at least one container for granular material to be transported, at least one receiver-meter group, at least one conveyance duct, depressurization-pressurization means arranged to suction/inject a gaseous medium from/into said at least one container, and at least one vacuum duct between a receiver-meter group and said depressurization-pressurization means, thereby creating a flow of said granular material and said gaseous medium in said at least one conveyance duct and a flow of gaseous medium between said at least one receiver-meter group and said depressurization-pressurization means.
US09440795B2
An apparatus and method for processing food products is provided. The product conditioning system includes an inlet assembly, a pressurizeable tunnel and an outlet assembly. The inlet and outlet assembly pressure vessels include a pair of vertically extending parallel screws for transporting food products from one end of the pressure vessel to the other. The pressurizeable tunnel includes a heating stage having microwave sources for irradiating food products so as to pasteurize or sterilize prepackaged food. The pressurizeable tunnel further includes a heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage. Both the heat maintenance stage and product cooling stage include vertically extending pressure vessels. Within each pressure vessel, two pairs of parallel rotating screws are positioned for moving food products through a liquid environment at a desired temperature for continued pasteurization or sterilization in the heat maintenance stage, and product cooling within the cooling stage.
US09440790B2
In an infrastructure that uses a mobile order fulfillment system, robotic drive units may be dispatched and instructed to bring inventory holders to a workstation where at least one of the inventory holders is packed and prepared for shipment. The robotic drive units are then instructed to move the prepared inventory holder to a transport vehicle such as a truck. Fiducial marks may be removably placed within the transport vehicle to aid navigation of the robotic drive units. At a destination facility, additional robotic drive units may be instructed to move the inventory holders from the truck and place the inventory holders at appropriate storage locations.
US09440770B2
A plastic pallet for receiving flexible bulk containers comprises at least one pair of tunnel-shaped receptacles for the fork tines of a forklift, with the tunnel-shaped receptacles connecting two opposite sides of the plastic pallet. Each tunnel-shaped receptacle has a tunnel bottom that is formed by bottom ribs spaced by bottom air gaps. Each tunnel-shaped receptacle also has a tunnel vault that is formed by vault ribs spaced by vault air gaps. In each of the tunnel-shaped receptacles, the bottom ribs and vault ribs are staggered and dimensioned in such a way that a bottom rib is arranged below a vault air gap and a vault rib is arranged above a bottom air gap.
US09440769B2
A platform is described for use in a logistic system such as by being placed onto the loading surface of a vehicle in a conveying or haulage direction (A) and by being taken from the loading surface of a vehicle in the same direction. The platform has dimensions that are substantially adapted to the loading surface of the vehicle. The platform has at least one first platform element and one second platform element, which can be locked to each other and released from each other. The first platform element has a locking element and the second platform element has a locking receptacle provided facing the locking element in such a way that the locking receptacle of the second platform element can engage with the locking element of the first platform element.
US09440764B2
A method of deploying a retail ready container from a single container blank utilizes a container having a container body portion and a protective cover portion. The container in the assembled state is configured so that the finished sides of left and right side cover panels are respectively positioned adjacent to and opposed from respective finished sides of left and right side container body panels. The container is deployed in a retail environment by lifting the protective cover portion upwardly with respect to the container body portion in a pivotal movement, at least partially tearing the frangible connections between the respective container body panels and cover panels.
US09440759B2
The invention relates to labeling and/or printing devices, methods and systems for applying coding and/or labeling to containers that are stacked or otherwise organized in a group (e.g., containers stacked on a pallet). In embodiments of the invention, labeling and/or printing devices are mounted on carriages that are capable of moving in a vertical direction to apply labels as they move. Horizontal movement is imparted either by moving such carriages in a horizontal direction adjacent to the containers, or by moving the containers themselves (or the pallet holding them) in a horizontal direction adjacent to such carriages. Multiple carriages with labeling devices may be provided to provide simultaneous labeling to more than one side of a group of stacked containers. Embodiments of the invention are capable of providing labeling of containers that are uniformly or non-uniformly grouped or stacked.
US09440752B1
A method for increasing density of a region of a porous, phenolic bonded (“PPB”) body adjacent to a selected surface to increase failure tensile strength of the adjacent region and/or to decrease surface recession at elevated temperatures. When the surface-densified PPB body is brought together with a substrate, having a higher failure tensile strength, to form a composite body with a PPB body/substrate interface, the location of tensile failure is moved to a location spaced apart from the interface, the failure tensile strength of the PPB body is increased, and surface recession of the material at elevated temperature is reduced. The method deposits and allows diffusion of a phenolic substance on the selected surface. The PPB body and the substrate may be heated and brought together to form the composite body. The phenolic substance is allowed to diffuse into the PPB body, to volatilize and to cure, to provide a processed body with an increased surface density.
US09440751B2
An acquisition circuit for a vehicle or other system is provided. The system, for example, may include, but is not limited to a control moment gyroscope, and a fully differential ground isolated acquisition circuit communicatively connected to the control moment gyroscope and configured to acquire a differential data signal on the control moment gyroscope and output the differential data signal to at least one output node. The acquisition circuit may include, but is not limited to a ground reference correction circuit configured to recenter the differential data signal on at least one output node, and at least one ultra-high impedance output circuit coupled between the ground reference correction circuit and the input differential circuit.
US09440732B2
A spring assembly elongate along a longitudinal direction includes a first spring that includes a first spring member and a first elongate member that extends from the first spring member along the longitudinal direction. The spring assembly includes a second spring including a second spring member and a second elongate member that extends from the second spring member along the longitudinal direction. The second elongate member extends through the first spring member, and the first elongate member extends through the second spring member such that the first and second spring members are spaced apart with respect to each other along the longitudinal direction.
US09440731B2
A method for aiding navigation is provided, implemented in a flight management system, for the construction of a vertical trajectory of an aircraft following a predetermined lateral trajectory between a departure point and an arrival point; the departure point and arrival point furthermore being characterized by predefined altitudes, respectively Hd and Ha, and predefined speeds, respectively Vd and Va. The method comprises the steps of: selection of a transition manoeuvre in terms of altitude and speed from a predetermined list of manoeuvres; determination of a manoeuvre point PM on the lateral trajectory, of altitude Hd and of speed Vd, from which the transition manoeuvre must be initiated so as to allow the aircraft to reach at the arrival point the predefined speed Va and the predefined altitude Ha.
US09440730B2
Latching apparatus and methods are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a first latch portion including a first tooth and a first pin disposed in a first aperture defined by the first tooth and a second latch portion including a second tooth and a second pin disposed in an second aperture defined by the second tooth. The second tooth of the second latch portion is to mesh with the first tooth of the first latch portion to substantially orient the first pin and the second pin along an axis. The example apparatus further includes an actuator adjacent a first end of one of the first latch portion or the second latch portion to move the first pin and the second pin along the axis to lock the first latch portion to the second latch portion.
US09440727B2
A telescoping aircraft door is disclosed having first and second panels that slide relative to one another to extend and retract as the door closes and opens, respectively. The first panel is hinged to the door frame in a traditional manner, and the second panel is fixed to the door frame by a linkage that limits the arc of the second panel. By selecting the location and length of the linkage, the relative movement of the two panels can be predictably controlled to reduce the depth of the door when closed and the length of the door when opened.
US09440724B2
A boat maneuvering system, including a first power source having a first controller, a first operating device having a second controller configured to receive a first operation instruction and to output a first control signal for controlling the first power source, a second power source provided separately from the first power source, and a second operating device provided separately from the first operating device for operating the first and second power sources. The second operating device includes a third controller provided on a communication path connecting the first and second controllers, the third controller being configured to receive the first control signal, generate a second control signal, and output the second control signal to the first controller, and to receive a second operation instruction via the second operating device, generate a third control signal, and output the third control signal to the second power source.
US09440715B2
Board for traveling in ocean surf and method of fabricating same. The board includes a platform having a generally planer configuration. The platform includes a pair of relatively deep anti-slip knee wells of sufficient depth in the top surface thereof for allowing a surfer to make radical changes in board motion using his knees. According to an embodiment of the board, a channel extends along a portion of a bottom surface of the platform or optionally along the entire bottom surface of the platform for stabilizing the platform's trajectory, increasing the speed of the platform, and adding drive and direction to the platform while maneuvering in the ocean surf.
US09440711B2
A self-securing, vertically mounted marine anchor stowage device may comprise a bracket, forming a generally U-shaped channel and having an alignment guide designed and configured to capture the shaft of a marine anchor, a plurality of mounting slots which, in coordination with mounting hardware such as U-bolts, washers and nuts, enable the anchor stowage device to be mounted to a vessel, and a plurality of adjustment slots which, in coordination with bolt, washer and wing nut combinations, provides a means of adjustably mounting one or more rollers within the U-shaped channel, the bolts forming axes about which the rollers may rotate, the anchor stowage device being designed and configured to accommodate vertical stowage of an anchor by capturing the shaft of the anchor between the bracket and the one or more rollers, the anchor being held in the stowed condition solely by the force of gravity.
US09440693B2
A method of producing a forged steel part is disclosed. The method includes providing a steel billet that can be selectively hardened to different hardness levels by varying the air cooling rate. The method also includes heating the steel billet to an austenization temperature of the steel billet. The method further includes hot forging the steel billet to form the steel part including a first region and a second region. The method yet further includes selectively cooling the hot forged steel part by air cooling the first region at a first cooling rate and air cooling the second region at a second cooling rate that is less than the first cooling rate.
US09440689B1
An aerodynamic underbody fairing or “skirt” that is attached to the rear wheels or “bogeys” of a truck cargo body which typically can be slidably adjusted forward and aft along the cargo body. The various embodiments allow for a skirt that attaches to the bogeys of a truck cargo body and extends rearward to the rear plane of the trailer, and is of a retractable nature to allow for slidable adjustment of bogeys forward and aft along the cargo body for the purpose of continuing streamlined flow along the side of a truck cargo body already equipped with a side skirt forward of the bogeys. In the various embodiments of the invention, the retractable nature of the invention allows for a continuous skirt surface in-plane with the side of the truck cargo body extending from the bogeys to the rear plane of the truck cargo body, regardless of bogey position.
US09440666B2
A system includes an energy management system configured to be communicatively coupled with a communication system of a vehicle that travels on a trip along a route. The energy management system is configured to be removably coupled with the communication system such that the energy management system is mechanically disengageable from the communication system. The energy management system is further configured to receive data parameters from the communication system and to generate at least one of a trip plan or a control message for the vehicle based on the data parameters. The trip plan and/or the control message dictates tractive and braking efforts of the vehicle during the trip. The energy management system is configured to communicate the trip plan and/or the control message to the communication system for the communication system to implement for controlling movement of the vehicle during the trip.
US09440656B2
A system and method for providing engagement of a dog clutch differential on a vehicle are disclosed. The system may comprise a power source, a dog clutch differential, a CVT and a controller. The dog clutch differential may have first and second members and may distribute torque between first and second output shafts. The second member may be moveable between a disengaged and an engaged position. When the second member is in the engaged position, the first and second output shafts may rotate together. The CVT may be configured to receive power from the power source and to provide output torque to the dog clutch differential. The CVT may receive a torque or speed or ratio command that is independent of engine speed. The controller may, in response to an activation trigger, move the second member to the engaged position when the output torque from the CVT is about zero.
US09440655B2
A method for enabling a user of a hybrid vehicle to assign different modes of operation to different segments of a particular route instead of, for example, simply operating the vehicle in an electric mode until its battery is depleted and then switching to an engine or charge-sustaining mode. This method may be useful in situations where a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is being frequently driven on a particular route whose distance exceeds the PHEV's electric mode range. The customized route, complete with operating mode selections for certain route segments, can be stored at the vehicle and automatically implemented when the vehicle recognizes the stored route. Other potential features include evaluating the route after it has been developed and/or driven and providing the user with some feedback so that they can make it more efficient.
US09440654B2
A method of controlling a hybrid vehicle having a hybrid powertrain with an engine and a motor/generator includes receiving data indicative of anticipated future vehicle operating conditions, and determining via a controller optimal operating parameters for the engine and for the motor/generator based at least partially on the data. A controller then commands a powertrain operating strategy for the engine and the motor/generator based on the determined optimal operating parameters. The data received can be from active onboard sensing systems and from vehicle telematics systems.
US09440653B2
A drive control device for a vehicle including an engine and a clutch device provided in a power transmission path between the engine and a drive wheel includes: a normal traveling unit causing the vehicle to travel while the engine is connected to the drive wheel; a free-run coasting unit disconnecting the engine from the drive wheel during traveling and causing the vehicle to coast while the engine is stopped; a neutral coasting unit disconnecting the engine from the drive wheel during traveling and causing the vehicle to coast while the engine is autonomously operated; and a coasting switching control unit setting an upper limit value of an upward gradient of a road surface, at which the neutral coasting is stopped, such that the upper limit value is larger than an upper limit value of the upward gradient of the road surface, at which the free-run coasting is stopped.
US09440652B1
An autonomous vehicle may be configured to receive, using a computer system, a plurality of remission signals from a portion of a lane of travel in an environment in response to at least one sensor of the vehicle sensing the portion of the lane of travel. A given remission signal of the plurality of remission signals may include a remission value indicative of a level of reflectiveness for the portion of the lane of travel. The vehicle may also be configured to compare the plurality of remission signals to a known remission value indicative of a level of reflectiveness for a lane marker in the lane of travel. Based on the comparison, the vehicle may additionally be configured to determine whether the portion of the lane of travel in the environment is indicative of a presence of the lane marker.
US09440634B2
A control device for a vehicle includes a control unit configured to: implement a first travelling mode of engaging a power connecting/disconnecting device at a time an accelerator opening is greater than a fully closed state and not greater than a first opening; implement a second travelling mode of releasing the power connecting/disconnecting device at a time the accelerator opening is greater than the first opening and smaller than a second opening; implement a third travelling mode of stopping a fuel supply to an engine with the power connecting/disconnecting device engaged at a time the accelerator opening is fully closed; and control an output of the engine so that a vehicle deceleration at a time of implementing the first travelling mode gradually changes.
US09440628B2
A brake device for a vehicle includes: a cylinder body in which brake oil is compressed; a first piston pressurizing brake oil while moving along the inside of the cylinder body; a connection part having a smaller outer diameter than the first piston, and including one side connected to the first piston and the other side extended to the outside of the cylinder body; a pipe line part connecting the cylinder body and a wheel brake, and transferring the brake oil compressed through the movement of the connection part to the wheel brake; and a valve controlling the flow of the brake oil transferred along the pipe line part.
US09440627B2
Systems and vehicles for calculating trailer brake control parameters are disclosed. A system for calculating a trailer brake control parameter includes one or more processors, one or more memory modules communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, and machine readable instructions stored in the one or more memory modules. The one or more memory modules include the trailer brake control parameter. The machine readable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to receive an image including a trailer, determine a trailer characteristic from the image using image analysis logic stored in the one or more memory modules, and calculate the trailer brake control parameter based on the trailer characteristic.
US09440625B2
A parking lock arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission has a blocking arrangement actuatable between a release position and a blocking position. The blocking arrangement is designed to immobilize a motor vehicle in the blocking position. The parking lock arrangement has an arrangement for actuating the blocking arrangement. The actuating arrangement has a cam disc supported on a housing and driveable for rotation and has an actuating cam portion that extends over a first circumferential region of the cam disc that is greater than 5° and less than 180°. The actuating arrangement has a lever supported pivotably on the housing and coupled to the blocking arrangement. The lever is connected to a driving feature that is coupled to the cam disc, such that, when the cam disc is rotated, the driving feature is taken along by the actuating cam portion in such a way that the lever is pivoted in order to actuate the blocking arrangement.
US09440622B2
A reaching tool device is disclosed that enables users to reach the roof of their vehicle without any hassle. The reaching tool device comprises an elongated arm, a handle secured to the arm, and at least one interchangeable head secured to the arm, opposite the handle. The elongated arm can be telescopically extended lengthwise and secured in a desired position via a push-spring button. The handle is removably secured to an end of the elongated arm via a pivoting hinge which allows the arm to pivot about the handle. Once the arm is in position, it can be secured in the desired position. The interchangeable head comprises a round or rectangular sponge, a brush, a scrubber, etc. and also a pivoting and rotating ball swivel that allows the interchangeable head to rotate and pivot and lie flat at an angle when in use.
US09440621B2
Flat wiper blade for use in windscreen wiper modules of vehicles, essentially consisting of a wiping rubber in addition to two spring rails, extending in the longitudinal direction of the wiper blade, spaced apart from one another and receiving the wiping rubber in a subsection between them, which each respectively project over the wiping rubber on the wiper blade longitudinal sides and with at least one jet or injection strip provided on one longitudinal side of the wiper blade, having at least one injection or washing duct with a large number of jet or injection openings for application of a washing and cleaning fluid to a vehicle windscreen and which, with use of clip-like fixtures spanning the wiper blade on the upper side of the wiper blade, is retained on the external peripheries of the spring rails.
US09440618B2
A vehicle opening monitoring device for monitors and indicates the presence of unclosed openings of a vehicle when the vehicle is being locked. The device includes a vehicle having a plurality of openings. Each of the openings has a closed position and an open position. A vehicle locking assembly is coupled to the vehicle for locking doors of the vehicle. Each of a plurality of monitors detects when an associated one of the openings is in the closed position. Each monitor is communicatively coupled to a processor operationally coupled to the vehicle locking assembly. The processor allows locking of the vehicle locking assembly when the monitors detect all the openings are in the closed position.
US09440616B2
An actuator is provided for raising the front hood of a vehicle having at least one extension part, by whose extension movement the front hood of the vehicle can be raised or is raised. It is provided that the extension part is at least partially formed by a planar formation, which is deformable from a first shape (e.g., a starting shape) into a second shape (e.g., an intermediate shape or final shape) to raise the front hood. Furthermore, a motor vehicle is provided that has an actuator for raising the vehicle front hood and a pedestrian protection system for a vehicle.
US09440614B2
An airbag module assembly includes a module housing that defines a storage chamber. A thrust neutral inflator device is at least in part disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device releases airbag inflation gas within the storage chamber in a cross-car manner. In specific embodiments, the cross-car release of the airbag inflation gas involves substantially all the airbag inflation gas being released at an angle of no more than ±60° and preferably at an angle of no more than ±50° from horizontal when viewed in a top planar view of the inflator device disposed within the housing.
US09440613B1
An active bolster includes a plastic trim wall that deploys toward a passenger compartment and a plastic-molded bladder member joined with the trim wall by a hot weld seam to form an inflatable bladder. The bladder member includes at least one substantially circumferential pleat for unfolding in response to an inflation gas. A reaction member is joined to a central region of the bladder member to provide a reaction surface. The pleat has a peak disposed proximate to the reaction member and an outer band between the peak and the weld seam at least a portion of which extends perpendicularly to the reaction member. A buffer zone is formed circumjacent the outer band between the trim wall and the reaction member. The pleat has a vent opening formed in the outer band providing an unobstructed path for inflation gas from the inflatable bladder to the buffer zone.
US09440608B2
A seat passenger determination apparatus includes: a first determination processing unit configured to determine a passenger is not seated on a vehicle seat by having gotten out of the vehicle and transfer the mode to a not-seated recognition mode when a load variation width detected by a load detection apparatus falls within a first threshold value in a state in which a non-fastened state of a seatbelt is detected; and a second determination processing unit configured to determine the passenger is not seated on the vehicle seat by having gotten out of the vehicle and transfer the mode to the not-seated recognition mode when the load variation width detected by the load detection apparatus falls within a second threshold value which is larger than the first threshold value during a predetermined time when the fact that the seatbelt has changed from the fastened state to the non-fastened state is detected.
US09440607B1
A bumper includes a bumper reinforcement beam and a reinforcement bracket positioned on a front side of the bumper reinforcement beam at an outboard end of the bumper reinforcement beam. An energy diverting bumper structure is positioned on a front side of the reinforcement bracket. The energy diverting bumper structure is connected directly to the reinforcement bracket and is connected indirectly to the bumper reinforcement beam through the reinforcement bracket.
US09440605B2
A rental vehicle has features that can be activated or deactivated wirelessly. Additional features can be purchased and activated after a customer has paid for an initial set of features and started to use the vehicle. Configuration of the vehicle is automated by transmitting a configuration message to the vehicle.
US09440594B1
A motor vehicle is provided. That motor vehicle has a storage area and a hybrid mechanic creeper/utility cart integrated into the storage area.
US09440593B2
The vehicle mounting structure comprises an electronic device, a first bracket, a drive train and a first vibration isolating bush. The electronic device is fixed on the drive train via the first bracket, and the electronic device and the drive train define a gap therebetween. The first vibration isolating bush is provided between the first bracket and the electronic device.
US09440555B2
An exemplary assembly includes a blend structure moveable between a first position and a second position. The blend structure in the first position permits a first flow of air. The blend structure in the second position permits a second flow of air. The first flow includes more air that has moved through an engine compartment of an electrified vehicle than the second flow.
US09440553B2
An energy management method for a vehicle having an energy store and consumers, in which the energy reserve in the energy store is detected and a predicted actual range of the vehicle is calculated, a graphic object which visualizes the predicted actual range is generated and displayed, a user input is detected with which a setpoint range is set in that the graphic object is changed by an input device, after the setting of the setpoint range, on the basis of the difference between the setpoint range and the predicted actual range it is calculated by which changes in state of at least one subset of the consumers the setpoint range can be achieved, and the calculated changes in state are output as a proposal. Also disclosed is an energy management device for carrying out this energy management method.
US09440548B2
A system and method for managing and controlling charging of electric vehicles via charging stations over an advanced metering infrastructure is provided. Smart meters are deployed in the charging stations. Electric vehicle clusters which are logical representations of at least the charging stations are created. Policies for controlling electric vehicle charging based on data obtained using the electric vehicle clusters are generated. Further, it is analyzed if meter data obtained from the smart meters using the electric vehicle clusters comply with the generated policies. The meter data is obtained using the electric vehicle clusters identified with electric vehicle charging events. Policy violation action data is generated by applying predetermined rules if it is determined that the policies are violated. The policy violation action data is then sent to the identified electric vehicle clusters for controlling electric vehicle charging.
US09440546B2
A vehicle and a vehicle battery charging system are disclosed. The vehicle charging system includes a parking structure having solar collector. The solar collector is configured to collect and concentrate solar energy. The concentrated solar energy is then transferred to a solar panel located on the vehicle in order to charge a battery of the vehicle.
US09440537B2
A method to control functions displayed on a display unit of a vehicle uses gestures carried out in three-dimensional space. When a first gesture carried out in three-dimensional space is detected it is determined whether the detected first gesture is allocated to an activation of an operation of a function. If it is determined that the detected first gesture is the gesture allocated to the activation of the operation of the function, then the function is activated. Next a second gesture carried out in three-dimensional space is detected and it is determined whether the detected second gesture is a gesture allocated to the operation of the function. If it is determined that the detected second gesture is the gesture allocated to the operation of the function then the operation of the function is performed.
US09440533B2
A control apparatus for a vehicular 4-wheel drive system provided with: primary drive wheels to which a drive force is transmitted from a drive power source; auxiliary drive wheels to which the drive force is selectively transmitted; a first clutch configured to selectively place a first power transmitting path in a power transmitting state and a power cutoff state; and a second clutch disposed in a second power transmitting path to selectively place the second power transmitting path in a power transmitting state and a power cutoff state. The first and second clutches are placed in fully released states to establish a 2-wheel drive mode. The control apparatus includes a first-clutch control portion configured to bring the first clutch into a partially engaged state when a predetermined condition in which the vehicular 4-wheel drive system generates or is considered to generate a noise is satisfied in the 2-wheel drive mode.
US09440532B1
A lubrication system (300) for a transfer case (200) includes a shaft (302) having a lubricant inlet port (306) and a hollow bore (304) for transporting lubricant within the shaft (302), a pump (310) having a pump housing (312) and one or more pumping elements (318) that are disposed in the pump housing (312), and a clutch assembly (330). The clutch assembly 330 has an engaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318) to cause operation of the pump (310), and a disengaged position in which rotational force from the shaft (302) is not transferred to the one or more pumping elements (318). An actuator (370, 410) is operable to cause the clutch assembly (330) to move between the engaged position and the disengaged position.
US09440516B2
A transit window assembly for a vehicle includes a panel. A support frame is attached to the panel. An egress frame is removably attached to the support frame. A mounting frame is attached to the vehicle. The egress frame is linked to the mounting frame. A release actuator is attached to the egress frame. A latching mechanism is coupled to the release actuator latching and unlatching the panel relative to the mounting frame preventing and allowing movement of the panel relative to the mounting frame between open and closed positions. The latching mechanism is attached to the egress frame and mounting frame and retains the panel in two directions.
US09440514B2
A vehicle air-conditioning system (1) includes an HVAC unit (2) in which a first refrigerant evaporator (7) and a second refrigerant condenser (8) are disposed in an air channel (6) communicating with a vehicle interior space; and a heat pump cycle (3) in which a refrigerant compressor (9), a refrigerant switching device (10), a first refrigerant condenser (11) that exchanges heat with the outside air, a first expansion valve (14), and a first refrigerant evaporator (7) are connected in sequence and in which the second refrigerant condenser (8) is connected in parallel with the first refrigerant condenser (11) via the refrigerant switching device (10). An exhaust-heat recovery circuit (23) equipped with a second refrigerant evaporator (18) disposed in a ventilation channel (19) from the vehicle interior and a second expansion valve (17) is connected in parallel with the first expansion valve (14) and the first refrigerant evaporator (7) of the heat pump cycle (3).
US09440506B2
A modular control system is adapted to adjust an aftermarket system in a vehicle via the vehicle head unit. The head unit includes a user interface operable by the user to control the aftermarket system. An aftermarket control unit is in communication with the user interface of the vehicle head unit, the aftermarket control unit receiving an aftermarket control signal from the vehicle head unit as a results of an input by the user at the head unit. The aftermarket control unit is in communication with the aftermarket system, wherein the aftermarket control unit may operate the aftermarket system in response to the user input. The aftermarket system may be an air suspension system.
US09440504B2
A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The mid-frame portion is coupled to the rear frame portion and the front frame portion. The vehicle further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame. The front frame portion is removably coupled to the mid-frame portion with a plurality of frame members extending between the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion.
US09440498B2
A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.
US09440497B2
A tire for a heavy goods vehicle, having a tread having a tread surface provided in the new state with at least one groove delimited by opposing side walls, this groove opening onto the tread surface in a discontinuous manner by way of a plurality of portions that are open towards the exterior of the tread, these open portions having two ends that are extended under the tread surface by channels having inlets connected to the ends of the open portions, these inlets to the channels having a mean surface area S. This tread is such that each open portion on the tread surface is provided at each of its ends with a closure device for partially closing the cross section of the inlets to the channels when the tire is running and for leaving a passage unclosed.
US09440496B2
Tread for a tire for a heavy goods vehicle of total thickness E and of total volume V, having at least one continuous groove comprising: at least two wearing layers in the thickness of the tread, each having a thickness at most equal to 75% of the total thickness E of the tread, a plurality of external cavities and a plurality of internal cavities positioned radially and entirely on the inside of the tread surface in the new state, each internal cavity being connected to an external cavity by a connecting channel, and having a total voids volume Vc at least equal to 7% and at most equal to 12% of a volume equal to the sum of the total volume V and of the total voids volume, and having an effective voids volume Ve for each wearing layer less than the total voids volume Vc, and satisfying the equation: 0.4 St
US09440492B1
A selectively deployable wheel assembly attachment for attaching to a conventional animal cage, often in pairs, to allow the cage to be rolled when desired without compromising the cage's general stability on a flat surface. The selectively deployable wheel assembly attachment includes a wheel assembly which includes a conventional wheel which is connected to an axle member and a fixed attachment mechanism which includes an attachment plate and an attachment elbow. In some embodiments, the selectively deployable wheel assembly attachment additionally includes an auxiliary support assembly which includes an adjustment plate and an adjustment loop for providing enhanced stability when the wheel assembly is in its deployed position.
US09440490B2
A spare stub assembly has a circular flange attached to a spindle that has been inserted within a hole centrally located in the central flange. A set of holes are disposed symmetrically about the large flat surface of the flange. The back end of the spindle is placed within a tubular member that has a corresponding second flange attached at an end thereof. This second flange likewise has a central hole and a set of holes disposed symmetrically about the large flat surface of the second flange. The back end of the spindle is inserted within the hole in the second flange associated with the tubular member and onwards therein; this is followed by the bolts and locking nuts application between the two sets of flanged holes thereby locking the two flanges together and permitting easy replacement of a worn spindle. Another spare stub assembly attached similarly to a third flange that is itself attached to the other end of the tubular member opposite the first flange is an option.
US09440487B2
Some embodiments are directed to a generally planar wheel, including a multi-layer cardboard body having at least one layer of a high-density cardboard sheet sandwiched between at least two layers of low-density cardboard sheet.
US09440485B2
A paint caddy includes a base having at least two walls and a pole coupled to and extending upwardly from the base. The base has at least one base support extending between the walls for capturing and supporting a paint tray therebetween. The pole has at least a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion, with the substantially horizontal portion serving as a handle for carrying a paint tray. A hook extends from the pole and is positioned below and spaced from the handle.
US09440479B2
A sheet processing apparatus includes a processing table to which a printed sheet is transported, a positioning member that positions the sheet, a cutter that cuts the positioned sheet into a binding margin portion and an image portion, and a taping unit that joins the binding margin portion and the image portion together with a tape in a state in which a gap is formed therebetween.
US09440476B2
A layered printing plate that attains a high degree of clarity and improved clean out. The printing plate may include an oleophilic substrate, a laser absorbing imaging layer and an oleophobic silicon layer. One embodiment utilizes an amine resin rather than a traditional polymer as the basic organic matter of the imaging layer, adds of colloidal silica into the imaging layer to improve the cleanout properties, and utilizes a substrate that absorbs IR radiation rather than reflects it.
US09440453B2
An embossing apparatus comprises an embossing die comprising a printed relief pattern, and a resilient surface for pressing media against the embossing die to emboss features corresponding to the printed relief pattern on the media, in which the printed relief pattern comprises a number of layers of a deposited material, and in which a number of layers of the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern comprises a deposited material with a relatively lower coefficient of adhesion than layers of the deposited material disposed under the deposited material closest to the top of the printed relief pattern. A printed relief pattern for embossing media comprises a number of preliminary layers, the preliminary layers comprising a first material, and a number of terminal layers, the terminal layers comprising a second material, in which the second material has a lower adhesive coefficient than the first material.
US09440452B2
A printer is provided which includes: a recording head having multiple nozzles; two or more sensors that read a print medium into an image thereof and calculate a total moving distance based on the image; an instruction unit that instructs a timing for discharging liquid droplets from one or more of the nozzles; a sensor position calculator that calculates a position of each of the sensors; a nozzle position calculator that calculates a position of each of the nozzles; an acquisition unit that acquires image data of a specified area within an image to be printed; a determination unit that determines whether or not to discharge the liquid droplets from each of the nozzles; and a transmitter that transmits data of one or more of image elements and information on one or more of the nozzles determined to discharge the liquid droplets to a controller.
US09440438B2
The controller is configured to: drive a color ink ejection head and a functional ink ejection head to print test images on a sheet in a plurality of types of test patterns between which a positional relationship of a dot of a color ink and a dot of a functional ink to be formed on the sheet is varied; determine an overlapping degree of the dot of the color ink and the dot of the functional ink in the respective printed test images on a basis of a color attribute of the respective printed test images; and control the functional ink ejection head in printing on a basis of a control content corresponding to at least one test pattern selected of the plurality of types of the test patterns on a basis of the determined overlapping degrees.
US09440432B2
In an image recording device, in a case where a J-th nozzle (H2 [3]) of a certain image recording head (H2) among plural image recording heads (H1, H2) is in a discharge defect state, a dot size of an image recording droplet discharged from a J-th nozzle (H1 [3]) of an image recording head (H1) other than the image recording head (H2) is changed to a size within dot sizes used in normal image recording in a high-speed image recording mode, which is larger than a dot size of an image recording droplet to be discharged from the discharging nozzle (H2 [3]). In a low-speed image recording mode, the dot size of the image recording droplet discharged from the discharging nozzle (H1 [3]) is changed to a size which is larger than the largest dot size among dot sizes used in the normal image recording.
US09440427B2
A device for two-sided printing of sheet-shaped printing substrates includes an impression cylinder on which the printing substrate is guided through more than 360°. As a result of being guided through more than 360°, the second side of the sheet is moved into an effective region of an ink application unit that has already printed a first side of the printing substrate as it was guided on an upstream impression cylinder.
US09440426B2
An ink proofing system may include a hand holdable support member, an anilox roll coupled to the support member and an impression roll coupled to the support member. A photopolymer printing plate with an etched outer surface can be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the impression roll. An adjustment device coupled to the support member can be provided to set a fixed nip between the printing plate and the ink-receiving substrate.
US09440421B1
Various embodiments of a bonding machine structured and programmed for bonding or laminating one or more materials is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bonding machine comprises a support bar and one or more bonding arms movably coupled to the support bar. Each of the bonding arms may include a heating bar including one or more heating elements, and an actuator configured to provide movement of the bonding arm between the support bar and a material to be processed. At least one of the bonding arms may be programmed to operate with a temperature setting, pressure setting, application timing setting, timing sequence setting, or center position setting which is independent of at least one of the other bonding arms.
US09440414B2
A composite, radius filler noodle for a co-cured spar or stringer used in aircraft construction has a unidirectional composite core and pluralities of pre-preg fabric strips stacked in layers surrounding the core.
US09440406B2
The present invention relates to a method of forming at least one circumferential belt layer of a pneumatic tire comprising: winding the strip for a half length of an outer circumferential length of the crown portion of the carcass along the tire equatorial plane from a widthwise inner side of the belt end region; winding the strip for the remaining half length while shifting the strip for the width of the strip from a widthwise inner to outer side; winding the strip for the outer circumferential length of the crown portion of the carcass along the tire equatorial plane; winding the strip for the half length of the outer circumferential length of the crown portion of the carcass while shifting the strip for the width of the strip from the widthwise outer to inner side; and winding the strip for the remaining half length along the tire equatorial plane.
US09440389B2
Apparatus for performing an injection molding cycle, comprising: a manifold routing injection fluid to two or more gates, an actuator associated with each gate, each gate having a downstream sensor that senses a selected condition of the injection fluid material, a controller, the downstream sensors establishing a standard elapsed time, the controller including instructions that compares the standard elapsed time with a calculated amount of elapsed time associated with each of the gates and that adjust the velocity or position of each of the actuators.
US09440384B2
An acid status indicator for a battery, in particular for a lead-acid rechargeable battery, having a sight glass and a holder for holding the sight glass and for attaching the acid status indicator to a housing of the battery, wherein the sight glass and the holder are produced by two-component injection molding, with the holder being produced by insert molding of the sight glass.
US09440382B2
A method of manufacturing a PTFE stretched film that has higher tensile strength at its breaking point. In the method, a resin composition is obtained by mixing an emulsion of PTFE (A) with a number average molecular weight of 5×106 or more and an emulsion of PTFE (B) with a number average molecular weight of 1×106 to 4×106 so that the solid content ratio (A/B) of the PTFE (A) and the PTFE (B) is 99/1 to 10/90. The mixed emulsion is subjected to compression molding in a melted state under a reduced-pressure atmosphere to obtain a film.
US09440381B1
A manually operated tablet press is provided. The manually operated tablet press includes a plurality of components that can be arranged into a stored configuration and into an operable configuration, whereby a user can produce a user-tailored dose or the combination of doses in the operable configuration, and wherein practical arrangement of the tablet press facilitates efficient reprocessing thereof. The tablet press provides a die, a press and a die-press interface for forming a user-tailored dose tablet pill wherein said components are practically arranged to use, reprocess and store.
US09440370B2
Re-circulating system for slurried abrasive/liquid feed to multiple abrasive water jet cutting heads
A water abrasive slurry supply system permits abrasive recovery and reuse and allows for constant controlled supply of abrasive slurry to multiple cutting heads in series or in parallel from a remote common slurry mix/supply tank. By keeping the slurry mix always in constant motion the abrasive is not allowed to settle out of suspension. The velocity required to maintain suspension in the recirculating loop is 6 to 7 feet per second.
US09440362B2
A robotic arm includes first and second bent links and a tool link pivotally connected in order, first to third wheels, and first to fourth imaginary axes intersecting at a center of spherical rotation. The first bent link and wheel are driven to rotate about the first and third imaginary axes respectively. A first flexible rope is wound around the first and second wheels and fixed to the second bent link for driving the second wheel and bent link to rotate about the second imaginary axis when the first wheel rotates. A second flexible rope is wound around the second and third wheels and fixed to the first bent link for driving the third wheel and the tool link to rotate about the fourth imaginary axis when the second wheel rotates. The robotic arm is relatively smaller, obstructs the operator less and produces a wider sphere of action.
