US09618406B2
A sensor element (1) includes a substrate (2) and a strain-sensitive element (3) which is preferably applied to the substrate by means of thin-film technology and is used for measuring the deformation of the substrate (2) when pressure is applied or a force is introduced, the strain-sensitive element (3) including XAlOyN1-y, wherein X is a metal with a high melting temperature in the range of greater than 1400° C. and 0
US09618403B2
Strain sensors are provided that include a flexible substrate, a sheet affixed to the flexible substrate, and two or more microelectrodes printed at spaced locations onto either the sheet or the flexible substrate, wherein the sheet includes a carbon nanotube network, the sheet having a top side and an opposing second side. The two or more microelectrodes are printed at spaced locations onto the top side of the sheet or onto a side of the flexible substrate facing the second side of the sheet. Methods are provided for fabricating a strain sensor wherein the sheet is arranged between the printed microelectrodes and the flexible substrate or wherein the second side of the sheet is arranged atop or across the printed microelectrodes. Methods are also provided for measuring strain in a structure via the strain sensors affixed or integrated therein.
US09618401B2
The technology provides an external device for estimating a core body temperature of a human subject. The wrist monitor device includes a casing sized and shaped to fit onto a wrist of a human subject. The casing has a first face and a second face. In addition there is a cavity in the casing that houses a heat trap. The heat trap has an opening oriented to receive incoming thermal energy from the skin and a shell of a thermal-insulation material that has an inner thermal energy-reflective surface. Detected temperature data is compiled in a database and used to estimate whether an identified individual has a core body temperature indicative of a fever.
US09618400B2
In one aspect, a temperature detection circuit includes a first circuit configured to provide a first signal and a comparator circuit configured to provide a warning signal in response to the first signal if a temperature reaches a temperature value. The first signal enables determination of a parameter of a magnetic sensor.
US09618397B2
A multi-stage temperature indicating device having a first elongate housing and an indicator assembly, the indicator assembly being slidably positioned in a first bore of the first elongate housing and having a middle indicator stem and an inner indicator stem. The multi-stage temperature indicating device also has a means for urging an inner indicator stem, to a second set stroke, out of the middle indicator stem, and for sliding the middle indicator stem, to a first set stroke, out of the first elongate housing.
US09618389B2
Apparatuses and methods are provided that minimize the effects of dark-current pulses. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided where a first pixel is struck (i.e., a primary pixel). Pixels struck within a fixed time frame after the primary pixel is struck are referred to as secondary pixels. After a short fixed time frame has expired, the number of primary and secondary pixels is added. If the count exceeds a threshold, the primary pixel was activated by the first (or early) photon from a true gamma event. If the threshold is not met then it is likely the primary pixel generated a dark pulse that should be ignored.
US09618388B2
An adjustment circuit for measuring an optical parameter is disclosed. The adjustment circuit includes an optical sensing module for detecting an optical signal and converting the detected optical signal into a voltage signal; an amplification module for amplifying the voltage signal; an A/D conversion module for converting the amplified voltage signal into a digital signal; a control module for analyzing the digital signal for generating an analyzed result; a signal generating module for outputting a frequency square wave signal according to the analyzed result; and an adjustment module for adjusting an amplification factor of the amplification module according to the frequency square wave signal. The circuit of the present disclosure is easy, and an automatic measurement can be implemented.
US09618385B2
Provided is a measuring apparatus capable of measuring a vibration amount weighted with characteristics of vibration transmission to a human ear and capable of evaluating correctly an electronic device having a vibrator.A measuring apparatus 10 configured to evaluate an electronic device 100 that transmits vibration sound to a human ear by pressing a vibrator 102 held in a housing 101 thereto, including an ear simulator 50 that mimics a human ear, and a vibration detection unit 55 disposed on a periphery 52 of an artificial ear canal 53 formed in the ear simulator 50.
US09618384B2
An acoustic measurement system for detecting locked blade assemblies in a gas turbine having a plurality of blade assemblies. The system includes at least one acoustic sensor for detecting acoustic energy generated as a result of movement of the blade assemblies during a turning gear operation. In addition, the system includes a housing for holding the acoustic sensor, wherein the housing is mounted to an outer diffuser of the gas turbine. The housing also includes a rotatable joint for enabling rotation of the acoustic sensor. Further, the system includes a data acquisition unit that detects an absence of acoustic energy wherein the absence of acoustic energy is indicative of locked blade assemblies. The blade assemblies are locked due to wedging of a sealing pin between the blade assemblies. The acoustic energy is detected in a frequency range of approximately 0.9 kHz to 10 kHz.
US09618359B2
Various systems and methods for improving map and navigation data are described herein. An electronic navigation system for improving map and navigation data comprises a database access module to access a database of physiological information to obtain a biometric value, the biometric value associated with a location and a time; a processing module to determine whether the biometric value violates a threshold; and a display module to display a notification on a map when the threshold is violated, the map including an area around the location associated with the biometric value, and the notification displayed proximate to the location associated with the biometric value.
US09618353B2
A device 20 for requesting a vehicle to a location associated with the device. The device 20 comprises input means 126 arranged to generate a vehicle request upon receipt of a user input, said device 20 being arranged to allow at least a second vehicle request to be generated using the input means before the vehicle associated with a first vehicle request has departed from the location associated with the device. The device 20 is arranged, for each vehicle request, to generate a message indicative of the status of the vehicle request and to display the generated message on a display 124. The device is arranged to stop displaying the message on the display 124 when the requested vehicle departs from the location.
US09618351B1
Methods and apparatuses for power saving during sensor-assisted Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation using a mobile device are presented. The methods may include receiving location improvement data for a geographic location, the location improvement data including a value corresponding to improvement in accuracy for location data for the geographic location. The mobile device may utilize the location improvement data to determine whether to utilize inertial sensors in the mobile device to improve the accuracy of the position fix.
US09618348B1
A loading machine may include a position sensor associated with a bucket. The position sensor may be configured to generate position and orientation data of the bucket. The loading machine may also include a computer including a spotting location module in communication with, at least, the position sensor. The spotting location module may be configured to: receive the position and orientation data of the bucket generated by the position sensor; determine a spot point based on the received position and orientation data of the bucket; store the spot point; and associate the stored spot point with a subsequent location when the loading machine relocates.
US09618341B2
Visual codes are scanned to assist navigation. The visual code may be a Quick Response (QR) code that contains information useful to calibrating a variety of navigation-based sensors such as gyroscopes, e-compasses, and barometric pressure sensors. In an embodiment, an imaging device, an gyroscope, and a processor are elements of a system. The processor is coupled to the imaging device and the gyroscope. The processor causes the imaging device to scan a visual code. Based on scanning the visual code, the processor causes the gyroscope to be calibrated.
US09618336B2
There is provided a measuring device that includes a first measuring unit that measures a distance between a measurement reference point and an intersection of a plane and a line passing through the measurement reference point, a calculator that calculates angles formed by the plane and the intersection; and a second measuring unit that measures an object using data of the distance or the angles.
US09618329B2
An optical inspection probe for obtaining and providing images of an object to be inspected. The optical inspection probe comprises an imaging assembly for capturing an image of an object and an illumination assembly for producing a light beam directed toward the object. The optical inspection probe is configured such that the light beam converges to a focal point at a first focal plane.
US09618319B2
Volumetric distribution of a micromechanical parameter of a biological tissue, such as viscoelastic parameter or tissue stiffness, is determined, with microscopic resolution, from optical data representing light scattered by sequential layers of the tissue and, optionally, displayed to visualization. A particular layer of the tissue is defined through coherence-gating of light received at the optical detector. Coherence-gating is achieved with the use of an interferometer the sample arm of which contains the tissue, illuminated with defocused light, and an optical length of a reference arm of which is repeatedly adjusted, within a coherence length of used light, to ensure that each of the sequential optical interferograms represents light scattered only by a particular tissue layer a position of which is re-defined through the tissue via such adjustment.
US09618311B2
A blast treatment method for blasting an object includes: a step in which an explosive is detonated inside a pressure vessel (30) which has an elasto-plastic metal, thereby imparting to the pressure vessel (30) an initial load wherein the primary and secondary stress generated in at least a portion of the pressure vessel becomes high enough to be in a plastic region exceeding the elastic region, thereby generating a shakedown state in the pressure vessel (30); and a subsequent step in which a treatment explosive (50) is detonated within the pressure vessel (30), thereby blasting the object (10).
US09618299B1
An arm is attached to a mounting body at a first attachment. The arm is configured and arranged to move between an open position and a closed position. The arm has a first surface that in combination with a second surface on the mounting body forms a cavity for holding a fixed blade knife in a locked position when the arm is attached to the mounting body at a second attachment.
US09618291B1
A gun rest system includes a weighted substance and a rifle. A mount is provided and the rifle is positioned on the mount thereby facilitating the mount to restrain the rifle. The mount is substantially hollow such that a selected amount of the weighted substance is positionable within the mount. Thus, the mount absorbs recoil from the rifle when the rifle is fired.
US09618288B2
A firearm trigger assembly is disclosed. The disclosed assembly may include a trigger, a disconnect, and a hammer, each of which may be configured to be spring loaded when installed in a firearm receiver. Installation of the trigger assembly in a firearm receiver may include pivotally coupling the trigger and disconnect to the firearm receiver using a trigger pivot pin, and pivotally coupling the hammer to the firearm receiver using a hammer pivot pin. The trigger may include an integral sear feature configured to provide a mechanical stop to the hammer. The disconnect may be configured to be at least partially located in a disconnect slot located alongside or adjacent to the trigger sear feature when the disconnect is pivotally coupled to the trigger. The disconnect and hammer may each include integral cam features configured to buffer hammer contact during firearm recoil.
US09618280B2
A heat exchanger (10) comprises an alternating stacking of first plates (12) and second plates (14) provided respectively with first corrugations (16) separated by a first pitch (P1) and second corrugations (18) separated by a second pitch (P2), which is different from the first pitch (P1). Between the plates, first flow channels are defined having a first cross sectional area adapted to a first fluid (F1) which alternate with second flow channels having a second cross sectional area adapted to a second fluid (F2). The invention applies in particular to heat exchangers for motor vehicles.
US09618277B2
A thermal energy storage installation including a thermal energy storage tank and a spider diffuser system mounted in said tank. The TES tank comprises an outer wall having a generally cylindrical inner surface surrounding a hollow internal space in the tank. The spider diffuser system comprises a centrally disposed manifold structure that is disposed in vertically spaced relationship relative to a thermocline formed in a temperature stratifiable liquid in the space during operation of the tank. The manifold structure has an internal chamber and includes an opening for introduction of a said liquid into the chamber or discharge of a said liquid from the chamber. The spider diffuser system also includes a diffuser pipe assembly comprising a plurality of elongated diffuser legs. Each of the legs is attached to the manifold structure so as to extend generally radially outwardly from the structure and toward the inner surface of the tank. Each of the legs has an internal channel in fluid communication with the chamber. Each leg also has a plurality of apertures distributed along the length thereof, which apertures intercommunicate the channel with the space.
US09618275B1
A heat pipe with a capillary structure that consists of heat conductive capillary grooves in the condenser region that meet with a porous wick in the evaporator section. The embodiments include several structures of the interface at the junction of the porous wick and the capillary grooves. One such interface is a simple butt joint. Others have interlocking shapes on the wick and the grooves such as parts of the wick that fit into or around the grooves.
US09618272B2
This invention provides a temperature and humidity independent control air conditioning system, comprising a high temperature cooling unit, a low temperature cooling unit, a humidity processing unit, and an indoor unit, wherein the coolant with a first temperature provided by the high temperature cooling unit flows into the indoor unit and then its temperature becomes a second temperature; the coolant with a third temperature provided by the low temperature cooling unit flows into the humidity processing unit; the coolant with the second temperature is divided to the low temperature cooling unit. With this invention, temperature and humidity independent control can be realized with high efficiency.
US09618271B2
A device for the exchange of heat between a first and a second medium with pairs of trays stacked one on top of the other in a stacking direction is provided, wherein a first flow chamber that can be flowed through by a first medium is provided between the two trays of at least one pair of trays or several pairs of trays and a second flow chamber that can be flowed through by a second medium is provided between two pairs of trays adjacent to one another, wherein the first flow chamber has first flow path with flow path sections that can be flowed through consecutively in opposite directions for the first medium, which are separated from one another by a division wall arranged between the at least two trays of the at least one pair of trays, and wherein the second flow chamber has a second flow path for the second medium.
US09618267B2
Graphite is produced from powder as a carbon source by means of a graphitization furnace. The graphitization furnace is comprised of: an electrically conductive crucible including a hollow configured to house the powder; an electrode including a columnar shaft and a head provided at an end of the shaft, the head having a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, a hemisphere, a column with a rounded edge, a cone, and a cone with a rounded tip; and a power source configured to apply electric current to the powder through the crucible and the electrode.
US09618255B2
A personal safety system in the form of a refuge chamber includes at least one main room and a cooling device provided for cooling the ambient air of the main room in the form of a CO2 cooling system (10). The CO2 cooling system (10) has a heat exchanger (28) and a first and a second pressure reducer (20, 32) upstream and downstream of heat exchanger (28), respectively. The heat exchanger (28) has a plurality of alternatingly or cyclically usable cooling coils. A process is provided for the operation of such a refuge chamber.
US09618237B2
An air conditioner includes a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, an indoor heat exchanger, a converting unit, an accumulator, and injection module, a supercooling valve, and an injection valve. The injection module expands and vaporizes a portion of refrigerant flowing from the indoor heat exchanger to the outdoor heat exchanger in the heating operation. The supercooling valve is disposed between the injection module and the accumulator and is opened to direct the portion of the refrigerant vaporized in the injection module to the accumulator in the heating operation and then closed after a predetermined time passes. The injection valve is disposed between the injection module and the compressor and is opened when the supercooling valve is closed in the heating operation, thereby injecting the portion of the refrigerant vaporized in the injection module to the compressor.
US09618226B2
An air-conditioning system integrated with an application program (APP) of a smart portable device comprises at least an air-conditioning controller, an APP and a plurality of air-conditioning devices. The air-conditioning controller comprises a temperature sensor, provided for sensing an environment temperature so as to transmit a temperature signal. The APP is installed on a smart portable device such that the APP can transmit an operation signal to the air-conditioning controller according to the temperature signal via the smart portable device. The air-conditioning controller further transmits a control signal to the plurality of air-conditioning devices such that the air-conditioning devices can be operated according to the control signal.
US09618222B1
The SmartVent and Atmospheric Controller Apparatuses, Methods and Systems (“SmartVent”) transforms user desired environmental setting and SmartVent measurement inputs via SmartVent components into SmartVent adjustment messages and environmental change outputs. In one embodiment, a SmartVent system may include a self-regulating HVAC system, comprising a plurality of smart HVAC vents disposed in wireless communication with a remote computing device. Where the remote computing device a includes a memory and a processor disposed in communication with the memory, configured to record calibration data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents. The calibration data may include temperature and flow rate data from each of said plurality of smart HVAC vents. The system may generate calibration tables in accordance with the recorded calibration data and transmit instructions to each of the plurality of smart HVAC vents to optimize thermal conditions and energy efficiency of the HVAC system, in accordance with said calibration tables.
US09618218B2
Provided is an air conditioner which comprises multiple outdoor units, the air conditioner being configured so that, with the use of a low cost configuration, required refrigeration machine oil is supplied to all the outdoor units through refrigerant piping and so that the air conditioner has increased reliability. An air conditioner is provided with multiple indoor units and with four outdoor units which are connected to the multiple indoor units through refrigerant piping. A line of first refrigerant piping leading from the multiple indoor units is branched into two lines of second refrigerant piping, each of the two lines of second refrigerant piping is branched into two lines of third refrigerant piping, and the four lines of third refrigerant piping are respectively connected to the four outdoor units.
US09618212B2
An oven includes a compartment enclosed on all sides and defining an interior therein, a heating element operable to heat air within the interior of compartment, and a fan disposed in fluid communication with the interior of the compartment. The fan is operable to cause air to flow across the heating element and toward the front region of the compartment. The oven includes a plurality of profile elements disposed on a panel at the front region of the compartment. The profile elements are structurally configured to direct air received at the panel from the fan back toward the fan through the interior of the oven in a more uniform spatial distribution than would result from a flat panel.
US09618210B2
A user interface for an induction heating cooker, a method of controlling the same and an induction heating cooker thereof are provided. The user interface, if a drag touch signal of a drag touch from one position to another position on a display unit is sensed, is configured to change power levels of all of coils in operation to a predetermined reference power level and displays the changed power level. The induction heating cooker is configured to supply the coils with a power corresponding to the reference power level, thereby controlling all of the coils with one drag touch and enabling enhanced security while in a rapid manner.
US09618209B2
A fuel injector for a combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector includes a gas outer tube, a gas inner tube, a liquid tube, and a heat shield. The gas outer tube and the gas inner tube form a gas fuel annulus. The gas inner tube and the liquid tube form a liquid fuel annulus. The liquid tube forms an air cavity. The heat shield extends within the liquid tube forming an insulating gap between the heat shield and the liquid tube.
US09618196B2
The present invention relates to the technical field of heating equipment, and particularly to a steam generator, comprising a shell and a heater fixed inside the shell, a gasification chamber for generating steam being formed between the heater and the shell, the gasification chamber being provided with a water inlet and a steam outlet. The gasification chamber comprises stepped or labyrinthic steam passages. As the gasification chamber inside the steam generator provided by the present invention comprises stepped or labyrinthic steam passages, heat both inside and outside the heating element is fully utilized, the steam passage is lengthened, and both the pressure and temperature are increased; consequently, high-temperature steam may be provided. Moreover, the time for ejecting steam is greatly shortened just several seconds from feeding water to ejecting steam, with high heat utilization efficiency. Moreover, the steam generator is small in size.
US09618189B1
A luminaire can comprise an optic that extends lengthwise within a linear cavity of a frame of the luminaire. The optic can comprise a diffuser, such as a sheet of diffusing acrylic material, for example. The optic can have edges located at opposing ends of the linear cavity. The luminaire can comprise a cover for each of the two ends of the linear cavity. The covers can cover the edges of the optic, so that at each cavity end, there is an overlap between the optic and the cover. The overlap can provide a gap that compensates for thermal expansion and contraction of the optic relative to the frame, which may have a metal composition. One or more magnets can removably attach the cover to the frame of the luminaire.
US09618187B2
An LED light fixture is provided and includes a housing with a circular main body portion with a rear wall. A plurality of fins integrally extends from an outer surface of the rear wall of the main body portion. A spindle with an internal bore integrally extends from the outer surface of the rear wall of the main body portion wherein the spindle is positioned among the fins. A light engine assembly is positioned within the main body portion and includes a plurality of LED light modules mounted to a printed circuit board. Each module comprises a LED and a lens extending from the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board resides against an inner surface of the rear wall. An separate enclosure configured to enclose power management components is connected to a rear portion of the housing proximate the fins. The enclosure includes a housing wall arrangement and leads that extend through both an opening in the housing wall and the internal bore of the spindle, past the rear wall of the main body portion and to the printed circuit board.
US09618183B2
A light-emitting system for emitting light, comprising: (a) at least one light-emitting diode (LED) configured to emit LED light; (b) at least one optical element optically coupled to said at least one LED and configured to direct a first fraction of said LED light along a first optical path and a second fraction of said LED light along a second optical path; and (c) a color modification element disposed along said second optical path and configured to modify the spectrum of said second fraction of said LED light to emit modified light.
US09618181B2
A light emitting module includes a circuit board, a light emitting device mounted on the circuit board, and a lens dispersing light emitted from the light emitting device. The lens includes a lower surface formed with a concave section defining a light incident surface through which light enters the lens, an upper surface through which light exits the lens, and legs coupled to the circuit board and disposed farther outside the lens than an area of the upper surface. The light emitting device is disposed within the concave section of the lens.
US09618180B2
An area light source device has a transfer-molded optical member, and a light source disposed in a position facing at least one of end faces of the optical member. Light incident to the optical member from the light source is output through a light exit surface of the optical member. A cutting back clearance portion is provided in at least one of corner portions of the end face of the optical member.
US09618177B2
A ventilation structure of a light fixture for a vehicle comprising a light fixture for a vehicle at which a suction port and an exhaust port are provided; a tube member having an upstream side opening portion into which traveling wind, that is taken-in when a vehicle travels, is introduced, and a downstream side opening portion from which the traveling wind is discharged; and a communication tube, one end portion thereof is connected to the exhaust port of the light fixture for a vehicle, and other end portion thereof is connected between the upstream side opening portion and the downstream side opening portion of the tube member, the other end portion extends into an interior of the tube member and opens toward a downstream side in a direction of passage of the traveling wind.
US09618176B2
The invention relates to a ventilation system for vehicle lighting systems having a housing opening with a protruding opening wall and a ventilation body, which is fixed to the housing opening by engagement with an inner part. The ventilation body and the housing opening have walls for forming a ventilation duct with a plurality of direction changes between an edge of the ventilation body and an aperture of the housing opening, wherein an inner part and an outer part which surround the opening wall of the housing opening have walls, which respectively sectionally lie circumferentially sealingly against the opening wall of the housing opening, and wherein the ventilation body and the housing opening are formed such that the ventilation body can be brought from an unlocked position into a locked position or vice versa by rotation according to a predetermined angle of rotation relative to the housing opening.
US09618168B1
An LED tube lamp includes a glass tube, two end caps, a power supply, and an LED light strip. The glass tube includes a main body region, two rear end regions, and two transition regions connecting the main body region and the rear end regions. The end cap is disposed at one end of the glass tube and the power supply is provided inside the end cap. The LED light strip is disposed inside the glass tube and has LED light sources disposed thereon. The LED light strip includes a bendable circuit sheet mounted on inner surface of the glass tube. The bendable circuit sheet of the LED light strip is formed with a freely extending end portion at one end, and the freely extending end portion is electrically connected to the power supply. The glass tube and the end cap are secured by a hot melt adhesive.
US09618167B2
A lighting fixture can comprise a flexible substrate and an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to the flexible substrate. In various embodiments, the array of LEDs can be disposed at one region of the flexible substrate, with another area of the flexible substrate free from LEDs. Light emitted from the LED array can be incident upon the area that is free from LEDs, and that area can manage the incident light to achieve a desired effect. Accordingly, the flexible substrate can filter, diffuse, refract, transmit, diffract, imprint information upon, or otherwise purposely manipulate light generated by associated LEDs The flexible substrate may be manipulated into different forms for different lighting fixtures styles and models and for different applications.
US09618162B2
A LED lamp for use in an existing light fixture having an electrical receptacle comprises an at least partially optically transmissive enclosure and a base having an external size that may be the same size or smaller than an external size of the electrical receptacle. A LED assembly is operable to emit light when energized through an electrical path from the base. The base comprises a universal mounting mechanism for mounting the lamp to the light fixture. A surge protector and an electrical connector are positioned at least partially in the base and are in the electrical path. A heat sink comprises a first portion in the enclosure for supporting the LED assembly and a second portion external of the enclosure for dissipating heat. The base is connected to the heat sink.
US09618155B2
A lubrication unit for delivering lubricant in a system and a method for controlling the unit. The lubrication unit includes a reservoir, a motor, and a pump. The lubrication unit has a flow rate sensor mounted downstream from the pump for measuring a flow rate of lubricant. The lubrication unit includes a control unit operatively connected to the flow rate sensor and the motor for controlling operation of the motor. The control unit includes an input selector for selecting at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of a volume and a flow rate of lubricant pumped by the pump. The control unit adjusts motor speed to obtain the selected characteristic.
US09618153B2
An adjustable mounting clip for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone or smart phone. The mounting clip may be adapted to be supported by a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod. The mounting clip may support a variety of electronic device types with an automatically adjusting variable device receiver. The mounting clip may be adapted to retract into a compact stowed position when not in use.
US09618144B2
A duct includes a number of wall sections which are at least partly produced from fiber material and a binder agent. Together, the wall sections define a closed, elongate flow space. The wall sections which meet one another are united by the intermediary of at least one longitudinal fold or joint line. In the fiber material and the binder agent of the duct, there are disposed longitudinal rigidifying elements. On the outside of the duct, there are longitudinal bead-liked projections which include the fiber material and the binder agent.
US09618134B2
The present invention provides a lockout device and system that can be attached directly to open piping undergoing maintenance or repair and that can be directly under the supervision of the individual that is performing the maintenance.
US09618130B1
A multifunctional valve features a pumping function and a vacuuming function. The valve can be implemented in any closed container having a removable lid or a bag having a resealable zipper or any other similar sealable feature. The valve also features a tethered plug to additionally provide sealing. The valve incorporates a spacer or washer when used in thin walls to provide support. When the valve is used with a bag, the spacer or washer incorporates footing so that the valve does not collapse on its own when the valve is used in conjunction with a vacuum pump or a gas pump.
US09618124B2
The present invention relates to a mechanical seal assembly, comprising: a rotating seal ring (2) and a stationary seal ring (3), which define a sealing gap (4) thereinbetween, a shaft bush (6), on which the rotating seal ring (2) is arranged, a carrier ring (5), which is arranged on the shaft bush (6) and at least partly covers the rotating seal ring (2) on the outer circumference thereof, a first O-ring (8) and a second O-ring (9), which are arranged between the rotating seal ring (2) and the carrier ring (5) and define an interspace (15) on the outer circumference of the rotating seal ring (2) between the carrier ring (5) and the rotating seal ring (2), and at least one connecting opening (11), which connects the interspace (15) to an outer circumferential surface of the carrier ring (5).
US09618118B2
An air seal assembly for an aircraft control surface comprises a bulb-type air seal, a mounting bracket and a fastener. The bulb-type air seal has a hollow bulb portion, a T-shaped mounting extension, and a first through hole extending through the T-shaped mounting extension. The mounting bracket has a T-shaped channel configured to slidingly receive the T-shaped mounting extension of the air seal and a second through hole. The fastener has a head at one end and an opposite exposed end sized for extending through the first through hole in the T-shaped mounting extension and through the second through hole in the mounting bracket. The exposed end is accessible to tighten the fastener against the bracket to keep the air seal in place within the T-shaped channel.
US09618117B2
An oil seal has a lip seal member, a slinger and a dust cover. The slinger has a thread groove carrying out a pumping action toward a diametrically outer side. The dust cover achieves a dust shake-off action by a centrifugal force at the shaft rotating time, and a labyrinth seal action by forming a micro gap in relation to the lip seal member. The lip seal member has a main lip and a dust lip. The elastic dust lip has a first bellows portion receiving an atmospheric pressure by an inner surface and receiving an internal pressure between the lips by an outer surface, a second bellows portion receiving the atmospheric pressure by an outer surface and receiving the internal pressure between the lips by an inner surface, and a lip end. A pressure receiving area of the first bellows portion is greater than the second bellows portion.
US09618114B2
A hydraulic control system for a vehicle having a continuously variable transmission in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically, and an engagement device which is connected to the continuously variable transmission in series and in which a torque transmitting capacity thereof is changed hydraulically. The hydraulic control system comprises a selecting means that selects a command pattern for setting an engagement pressure of the engagement device out of a plurality of patterns when an initial pressure is lower than a steady pressure for a normal running of the vehicle. The selecting means is configured to select the command pattern in such a manner that the torque transmitting capacity of the engagement device does not exceeds the torque transmitting capacity of the continuously variable transmission, based on at least any of conditions of the initial pressure that is lowered to be lower than the steady pressure, and a rotational speed of the continuously variable transmission.
US09618099B2
A tensioner comprising a shaft, a base, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a first spring urging a first damping member into a frictional engagement with the pivot arm, the first spring engaged with the base, the first damping member imparting a damping force greater in a first pivot arm direction than in a second pivot arm direction, and a second spring disposed in the pivot arm and urging a second damping member into a frictional engagement with a base surface, the base surface comprises an arcuate form having a radius that is variable from a minimum value to a maximum value.
US09618088B2
A multi-speed transmission in planetary design for a vehicle with a housing includes a first shaft provided as a drive and a second shaft provided as an output that is arranged axially parallel to the drive. Three planetary gear sets and additional shafts along with six shifting elements are provided, through which the actuation of several gears are realized. Machine elements are provided for the transfer of torque between the drive and the output. The first shaft is connectable, as a drive, to the sun gear of the third planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the second planetary gear set, to the planetary gear carrier of the third planetary gear set, and is connectable or connected to the sun gear of the first planetary gear set. The second shaft is connected or connectable, as a drive, to the first machine element and to the second machine element.
US09618086B2
Disclosed is a dual-clutch transmission, using two input shafts (1, 2) and two driving shafts (3, 18), realizing seven forward gears (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7) and a reverse gear (R), eliminating a special reverse gear shaft for the reverse gear (R), and using eight synchronizers (S1, S2, S3, S4) to control the switching of all of the eight gears, namely the seven forward gears (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D6, D7) and the reverse gear (R), wherein part of the gears share a driving gear, so that the quantity of total parts and the axial length of the transmission are reduced; since the diameters of driven gears (14, 15, 16) of low-speed gears are relatively large, engagement sleeves of the corresponding synchronizers (S2, S3) can be arranged on the inner sides of the driven gears (14, 15, 16) according to structural arrangement requirements, so that an axial space is greatly saved; and the reverse gear shaft and a gear thereon are eliminated, the saved space facilitates the arrangement of a gear shaft fork mechanism, the supporting point of a gear shift fork can be close to the centers of the driving shafts (3, 18) and a gear shift execution mechanism in the absence of obstructions of the reverse gear shaft and the gear thereon, which is beneficial to the force distribution of the shift fork mechanism.
US09618083B2
The invention relates to an adjustment mechanism that includes a set ring gears which are arranged coaxially towards a central axis and which each include a cylindrical toothing system, two eccentric wheels with beveloid gears which mesh with the cylindrical toothing systems of the ring gears, eccentric axes which are inclined at an angle towards the central axis, and a central shaft that is driven by a drive shaft onto which the eccentric wheels are mounted. The set of ring gears include a center ring gear that is circulating and two outer neighboring ring gears which are solidly fixed.
US09618082B2
A worm gear includes a worm formed with a through hole through which a shaft transmitting the rotation of a motor is inserted, and a worm wheel configured to mesh with the worm and transmit the rotation to an output shaft. Given that a normal pitch is denoted by E and a width of a recess in the direction of a worm axis by H, the worm is configured such that H/E≧0.6 (1) is met.
US09618078B2
A vibration isolator includes: a pair of opposing members fixed to a vehicle body of the vehicle to be located on both sides of a protrusion protruding from an outer circumferential edge of the power train in a direction perpendicular to the principal axes of inertia to oppose to each other in the direction about the principal axes of inertia; a precompressed part provided on part of each of the opposing members facing the protrusion to be precompressed by the opposing member and the protrusion in the direction about the principal axes of inertia; and a contacting part provided on part of each of the opposing members facing the protrusion to be spaced from the protrusion, and contacts the protrusion when the power train vibrates in the direction about the principal axes of inertia.
US09618074B2
A tubular-shaped shock absorbing member arranged at a side end portion of a vehicle, includes outer and inner wall portions each extending in a vehicle height direction and a vehicle front-and-rear direction, the inner wall portion being arranged on a center portion side of the vehicle, an upper wall portion connected to upper end portions of the inner and outer wall portions, a lower wall portion connected to lower end portions of the inner and outer wall portions, and a horizontal rib connected to the inner and outer wall portions. A distance between the upper and lower wall portions is decreased as approaching from the inner wall portion side to the outer wall portion side. A thickness of a part of the horizontal rib connected to the outer wall portion, is larger than a thickness of a part of the horizontal rib connected to the inner wall portion.
US09618073B2
A shock absorber comprising a tubular first portion in the form of a shock absorber casing telescopically receiving a tubular second portion in the form of a piston is disclosed. The first portion has an alignment member which encapsulates a friction element wrapped around said second portion. The alignment member is longitudinally movable in between a first stop bearing and a second stop bearing. The novel friction element has a plurality of tips or protrusions which extend, parallel to the longitudinal direction of the piston, towards the two stop bearings and which hit either of said bearings during the oscillatory back and forth movement of the alignment member during operation.
US09618068B2
In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides wet rotating disc engagement systems, e.g., a wet brake systems and/or wet clutch systems, for mobile platforms and/or stationary platforms, wherein the system comprises a plurality of first heat pipes having evaporator ends disposed within a plurality of first discs of the wet rotating disc engagement system and/or a plurality of second heat pipes having evaporator ends disposed within a plurality of second discs of the wet rotating disc engagement system. Additionally, condenser ends of the first and/or second heat pipes are disposed within oil retained within an oil reservoir of the wet rotating disc engagement system.
US09618064B2
In one aspect, a computer-implemented method for preventing centrifugal clutch lock-ups within a work vehicle transmission may generally include transmitting a signal associated with disengaging a clutch of the transmission, wherein the clutch includes a hydraulic actuator having a pressure relief valve. The method may also include monitoring a pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the actuator relative to a predetermined pressure threshold and monitoring a rotational speed of a clutch can associated with the clutch relative to a predetermined speed threshold, wherein the speed threshold is defined relative to a lock-up speed associated with the clutch can. In addition, the method may include transmitting a lock-up signal associated with limiting the rotational speed of the clutch can and/or providing an indication that a clutch lock-up is likely to occur when the pressure exceeds the pressure threshold and the rotational speed exceeds the speed threshold.
US09618055B2
A constant-velocity joint includes an inner member. The inner member has holders that hold respective roller assemblies. Each of the holders has contact regions, which are held in abutment against an inner circumferential wall surface of an inner roller of a corresponding one of the roller assemblies, and non-contact regions, which are spaced from the inner circumferential wall surface of the inner roller. The contact regions are formed by first through fourth lobes, and the non-contact regions are formed by first through fourth recesses, for example. Hypothetical tangential lines L1 and L3, which are tangential to the first lobe and the third lobe, extend parallel to the longitudinal directions of respective guide grooves. Hypothetical tangential lines L2 and L4, which are tangential to the second lobe and the fourth lobe, extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal directions of the guide grooves.
US09618039B2
A sleeve bearing comprising a tubular body having an inner surface annularly about a longitudinal axis and an outer surface radially outward from the inner surface. The sleeve bearing includes a first side surface between the inner surface and the outer surface, and a second side surface between the inner surface and the outer surface. The sleeve bearing includes a first inner edge between the first side surface and the inner surface, and a second inner edge between the second side surface and the inner surface. The sleeve bearing includes lubricant reservoirs in the inner surface elongated along an elongation axis. An angle between the elongation axis and the inner edge is between 0 and 90 degrees. The lubricant reservoirs are in an interrupted pattern annularly around the inner surface so a portion of the inner surface between the first inner edge and the second inner edge is uninterrupted.
US09618032B2
The present invention relates to a vacuum absorber, wherein: the assembly of the respective components of the vacuum absorber can be improved and a smooth operation can be carried out; and the vacuum absorber can be firmly and easily attached to an attachment surface by a vacuum absorbing method and an adhesive method. To this end, the present invention provides a vacuum absorber comprising: a cover having a plurality of fixing pieces and a locking protrusion; a suction plate having a central shaft; and a height-adjusting member having an inner plate provided with a plurality of guide portions and an elastic locking piece, and a lateral plate, wherein a plurality of guide groove portions, into which the respective guide portions are inserted, and the locking protrusion sliding along the top of the respective guide portions are respectively protruded from the top of the inner side of the cover, a coupling groove portion is formed on the top of the suction plate, a coupling protrusion and a support portion having a shaft hole are formed on the inner plate of the height-adjusting member, and an adhesive member is attached to the bottom of the suction plate.
US09618018B2
The present disclosure relates to a hydraulic system for construction equipment, and more particularly, to a hydraulic system, in which an actuator is controlled by a pump/motor. The hydraulic system for construction equipment according to the present disclosure includes logic valves in first and second hydraulic lines provided to an actuator, respectively, and when it is desired to operate the actuator in a state where an operation of the actuator is stopped by closing the logic valves, a pressure difference may be resolved by increasing pressure in sections of a pump/motor and the logic valves in advance even if a load is applied to the actuator, and thus the actuator may implement a desired operation without being affected by the load. That is, it is possible to improve operation controllability of the actuator.
US09617999B2
A magnetic coupling, in particular a magnetic coupling pump, includes an inner rotor and an outer rotor which each carry magnets. Disposed between the inner and outer rotors is a double-wall containment shroud, which includes an outer shroud and an inner shroud. Each of the inner and outer shrouds includes a flange, a middle section and a bottom section, wherein a gap is disposed between the middle section and the bottom section. The inner shroud is connected by its flange to the flange of the outer shroud. The gap is filled at least in sections with a solid material.
US09617986B2
A hermetic compressor includes: a main bearing (126) which supports a main shaft (120) of a shaft (119); and a thrust ball bearing at an upper end portion of the main bearing (126). A rotor (116) is fixed to the main shaft (120) via a flange. A rotor core (117) has a magnetic center displaced upward relative to the magnetic center of a stator core (115) so that a downward magnetic attractive force is applied between the rotor (116) and the stator (114). Accordingly, a contact load between steel balls and upper and lower races in the thrust ball bearing is appropriately maintained.
US09617985B2
A compressor having a simplified structure includes a rotation shaft having a spiral groove formed in an outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft, and a cap member that accommodates a lower portion of the rotation shaft so that the rotation shaft can rotate in the cap member. The cap member may be fixed to one of a stator and a frame such that the cap member does not rotate together with the rotation shaft. Through the simplified structure, oil stored in a sealing case can ascend, and noise caused by rotation of the rotation shaft can be reduced.
US09617980B2
A wind power generating system includes: a wind mill, an induction rotating machine coupled to a rotating shaft of the wind mill; a power converting device that supplies exciting current to the induction rotating machine; a heat medium circulating structure that circulates a heat medium that receives heat generated by the induction rotating machine; a heat accumulator that accumulates heat of the heat medium; a thermal power generator that converts, into electric power, the heat of the heat medium accumulated in the heat accumulator; and an armature control unit that controls the exciting current in accordance with electric power demand of an electric power system. The armature control unit performs one or both of power generation mode control in which the induction rotating machine is operated as a power generator and heat generation mode control in which the induction rotating machine is operated as a heat generator.
US09617978B2
A method for preventing a lateral oscillation of a tower of a wind power installation having at least two rotor blades with adjustable attitude angles includes determining a manipulated variable for setting the attitude angles on the basis of information about a pitch torque and a yaw torque of the head of the tower. In this context, a counteracting torque is generated which counteracts the pitch torque and the yaw torque without exciting a lateral oscillation of the tower if the attitude angles are set on the basis of the manipulated variable.
US09617967B2
Methods and systems are provided for closed-loop adjusting a laser intensity of a laser ignition device of a hybrid vehicle. The laser intensity applied over consecutive laser ignition events is decreased until a flame quality is degraded for a threshold number of cylinder combustion events. The laser intensity is then increased to improve flame quality and the closed-loop adjustment is reiterated.
US09617966B2
A high frequency plasma ignition device for the ignition of a fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a series resonant circuit of an electric inductor and an electric capacitor connected in series, and a high frequency generator with a first electrical terminal and a second electrical terminal for the resonant excitation of the series resonant circuit, a first electrical contact point being provided in which one end of the capacitor and one end of the inductor are connected to one another electrically. An electrical connecting device connects the high-frequency generator to the inductor and to the capacitor such that an output signal of the high-frequency generator is applied to the series resonant circuit. An electric voltage is applied across the capacitor for igniting a plasma between free ends of a first and second electrode. An electric voltage is further applied to maintain the plasma after ignition.
US09617963B2
In a fuel injection valve, it is possible to obtain spray in which the penetrating force of injected fuel is suppressed.The fuel injection valve includes a valve seat that forms a gap with a valve body, the gap allowing fuel to pass therethrough, and multiple injection holes that are located further downstream from the gap. The fuel to which pressure is applied flows out from the injection holes.When the flow velocity of the fuel in the gap formed between the valve body and the valve seat is indicated by meters per second, the flow velocity is set to be greater than a value obtained by multiplying the square root of the pressure applied to the fuel by 28. In this manner, the flow velocity in the gap increases, and flow velocity distribution inside the injection hole is uniformized, thereby suppressing an increase in penetration.
US09617951B2
An air flow guide/diverter is disclosed for mounting to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine. The air diverter directs cooling air to multiple locations on the cylinder head. The air diverter includes a main diverter shield having a proximal end extending from a cooling source to a distal end extending to the rear of the internal combustion engine. The air diverter includes a first arcuate member attached to the main diverter shield between the proximal end and the distal end of the main diverter shield, and a second arcuate member connected to the main diverter shield near the distal end of the main diverter shield. The air flow guide creates multiple channels of air to provide more efficient cooling with little added cost.
US09617944B2
A method of controlling a concentration of hydrocarbons in exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine includes sensing an oxygen percentage of the flow of exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine and determining a concentration of hydrocarbons in the flow of exhaust gas. An engine control module may then adjust the sensed oxygen percentage of the exhaust gas based on the determined concentration of hydrocarbons in the flow of exhaust gas to define a corrected oxygen percentage. The control module may then control at least one of a hydrocarbon injection rate for in-cylinder combustion of the internal combustion engine, and a hydrocarbon injection rate for a post combustion exhaust gas treatment process, based on the corrected oxygen percentage, to control the concentration of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas.
US09617939B2
A method is provided for determining the velocity of a pintle assembly in a solenoid fuel injector during a closing stroke of the pintle assembly, such that a braking step is performed during the closing stroke, which includes operating an injector driver with a current regulator to establish a braking current in the solenoid coil. The velocity of the pintle assembly is derived from the duty-cycle of the current regulator during the braking step. A method of operating a solenoid fuel injector, in particular for gaseous fuel, using the so-determined pintle velocity is also provided.
US09617938B2
An abnormality diagnosis apparatus includes: an exhaust gas purification apparatus arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine and including a selective catalytic reduction catalyst; a supply apparatus supplying an additive such as ammonia to the exhaust gas purification apparatus; an EGR apparatus recirculating a part of exhaust gas from the exhaust passage at a downstream side of a position of supplying the additive to an intake passage; calculating means for calculating a NOx inflow amount into the exhaust gas purification apparatus using a parameter indicating an operating state of the internal combustion engine; diagnosing means for diagnosing an abnormality in the exhaust gas purification apparatus using the calculated NOx inflow amount as a parameter; and correcting means for, when a part of the exhaust gas is recirculated, increasingly correcting the calculated NOx inflow amount in accordance with an amount of the additive to be recirculated together with exhaust gas.
US09617934B2
A method for torque control of an internal combustion engine includes a pressure sensor that is associated with at least one, but at the most two cylinders of the internal combustion engine, whereby an cylinder internal pressure for the cylinder associated with the pressure sensor is detected. The method carries out an adjustment of injection characteristics for the injectors allocated to the individual cylinders of the internal combustion engine by way of a method which is independent from the detected cylinder pressure. A torque control for the internal combustion engine is performed based on the detected cylinder pressure.
US09617932B2
A transpiration fuel treatment apparatus, which can lower the internal pressure of a fuel tank in a relatively short time at the time of refueling, is provided. The transpiration fuel treatment apparatus comprises a fuel tank, a first sealing valve for sealing up a transpiration fuel within the fuel tank, and a second sealing valve for sealing up the transpiration fuel within the fuel tank at a position different from the position of the first sealing valve. The first sealing valve and the second sealing valve are opened before refueling of the fuel tank is started.
US09617928B2
Systems are provided for EGR mass and air mass estimation during steady state and transient operations. By utilizing a combination sensor comprising of a manifold absolute pressure sensing element and a differential pressure sensing element sharing a common pressure chamber with connections to the intake manifold, errors in EGR mass estimation may be reduced.
US09617915B2
A method of operating a combined cycle power generating system to increase the operating flexibility of the plant. The method also includes operating a thermal storage unit in a heat storing mode and in a heat releasing mode.
US09617909B2
Methods and systems are provided for controlling a condensate level in a charge air cooler. In one example, a method may include adjusting an air flow to a membrane in response to a condensate level in the charge air cooler.
US09617900B2
A deterioration diagnosis device for an exhaust gas purification apparatus which performs inducement processing when the internal combustion engine is operated at a lean air fuel ratio, measures, by means of air fuel ratio sensors, the air fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into the SCR catalyst and the air fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing out from the SCR catalyst during a period while the inducement processing is performed, and diagnoses deterioration of the SCR catalyst based on a difference between the measured values of these sensors, wherein an amount of hydrogen produced by each of a three-way catalyst and an NSR catalyst is estimated based on the deterioration degree thereof, and an air fuel ratio of exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine is feedback-controlled so that the air fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into one of the three-way catalyst and the NSR catalyst in which the hydrogen production amount thus estimated is larger than that in the other becomes a target value.
US09617899B2
Various systems and methods are described for a particulate matter sensor coupled to an exhaust system of an engine. One example method comprises, during a measurement mode, generating a particulate flow rate based on the sensor and adjusting one or more engine operating parameters based on the flow rate. The method further includes, during a reduced contamination mode, heating the sensor to repel particulate from the sensor, and not adjusting the one or more operating parameters based on the sensor.
US09617896B2
A catalyst unit may include a carrier, a channel opening portion through which exhaust gas passes, a skin portion that is formed along a circumference and integrally formed with the channel opening portion, and a skin addition portion that is formed with a second thickness on an outside surface of the skin portion. A fabrication device of the catalyst unit may include a container, a masking member, and an elastic member, wherein plugging material flows through opened channels and does not contact the masking member. A manufacturing method of the catalyst unit may include covering the masking member and inserting plugging material into an opened channel. A channel corresponding to a dead zone is plugged and the catalyst coating layer is not formed in the plugged channels, thus reducing the cost of the catalyst.
US09617895B2
A device includes a pipeline section for an exhaust gas flow. The pipeline section has an inlet end, an outlet end, a rectilinear section and a protuberance having an opening for installing a metering device for a liquid additive (in particular urea/water solution) in the rectilinear section. The protuberance has a height and an extent and the extent is at least twice as large as the height. At least one respective disk-shaped honeycomb body is disposed at each of the inlet end and the outlet end. A central axis of the opening is oriented toward one of the disk-shaped honeycomb bodies. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
US09617893B2
In an internal combustion engine, a hydrocarbon feed valve and an exhaust purification catalyst are arranged in an engine exhaust passage. A first NOX removal method which reduces NOX contained in an exhaust gas by a reducing intermediate which is generated by injecting hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon feed valve within a predetermined range of period and a second NOX removal method in which an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst is made rich by a period which is longer than this predetermined range are used. The switching temperatures ST and ST0 of the exhaust purification catalyst at which temperature an NOX removal method is switched from the second NOX removal method to the first NOX removal method, are made lower if the amount of NOX in the exhaust gas flowing into the exhaust purification catalyst increases.
US09617885B2
A method is made available for monitoring a pressure sensor (18) in a pressure-controlled delivery and metering system for a liquid reactant of a catalytic converter, in particular of an SCR catalytic converter. The delivery and metering system is provided for delivering the reactant from a tank (10) and for metering the reactant via a pressure line (16) and a metering module (19). In order to monitor the pressure sensor (18) which is located in the pressure line (16), a flow rate measurement is carried out in the pressure line (16) and/or in a return path (17) taking into account the relationship between the pressure p and the corresponding flow rate v.
US09617877B2
A valve opening and closing timing control device includes: a driving-side rotating body coaxial with a rotational axis and rotated in synchronization with an internal combustion engine crankshaft; a driven-side rotating body coaxial with the rotational axis and integrally rotated with a valve opening and closing cam shaft; a connecting member screwed into the cam shaft for connecting the driven-side rotating body to the cam shaft and having a pump port to which a fluid is supplied, an advance angle port communicating with an advance angle chamber, and a retarded angle port communicating with an retarded angle chamber; a spool accommodated within a space of the connecting member to reciprocally move between advance angle, neutral, and retarded angle positions along the rotational axis; and an actuator causing a pressing force to act along rotational axis and operates the spool to be in the neutral, advance angle, or retarded angle positions.
US09617875B2
Within the process a supercharged first combustion chamber is followed by: a first turbine, a second combustion chamber, a second turbine, and a preheating heat exchanger. Primary bleed water vapor coming from the secondary process, or a mixture of the bleed water vapor and air coming from the supercharger, are preheated. Secondary-process feed water is vaporized in a waste heat boiler. The combustion gases are expanded in the second turbine to a pressure 0.5 bar lower than that of the surrounding atmospheric pressure. The remaining combustion gases are compressed by a combustion-gas supercharger to the surrounding atmospheric pressure.
US09617861B2
The invention relates to a guide vane arrangement and a method for mounting a guide vane. The guide vane arrangement has at least one guide vane having a radially inner journal, which engages in a borehole of a bushing. The bushing is disposed in a borehole of an inner ring segment. The journal is connected to the bushing in a rotation-resistant manner and a slide mounting is provided between the bushing and the inner ring borehole. For mounting the guide vane in an inner ring segment, the journal of the guide vane is introduced into the borehole of the bushing. Further, the journal is fastened to the bushing in a rotation-resistant manner, and the bushing is slide-mounted with the inner ring segment. The slide mounting is conducted prior to or simultaneously with or after the fastening of the journal to the bushing in a rotation-resistant manner.
US09617855B2
A reaction-type turbine according to the present invention is configured in that a portion of a rotary shaft module which penetrates through a side with an inlet portion of a housing has a diameter larger than the diameters of other portions. Thus, the pressurized area in which a working fluid applies pressure to a rotary shaft in the direction opposite to the working fluid flow direction increases, thus increasing force in the direction opposite to the working fluid flow direction. As a result, axial direction force applied to the rotary shaft in the working fluid flow direction may be reduced. Therefore, the reaction-type turbine of the present invention has the advantages of eliminating the necessity of installing a separate thrust bearing for supporting axial force in the working fluid flow direction.
US09617848B2
This application describes methods and apparatus for downhole monitoring in real-time. The method involves interrogating an unmodified optic fiber (102) arranged along the path of a well bore (106) to provide a distributed acoustic sensor and sampling data gathered from a plurality of sensing portions of the fiber. The sampled data is then processed to provide a real-time indication of the acoustic signals detected by the sensing portions of the fiber. The real-time indication provides information to an operator or controller of the downwell process with real-time feedback data regarding what is happening during the downwell process which allows the identification of any problems and adjustment of the process parameters.
US09617842B2
A method of completing a well includes, pumping treating fluid into a tool string in the well, displacing drilling mud within the tool string with the treating fluid, and treating an earth formation with the treating fluid.
US09617840B2
A downhole steam generation system may include a burner head assembly, a liner assembly, a vaporization sleeve, and a support sleeve. The burner head assembly may include a sudden expansion region with one or more injectors. The liner assembly may include a water-cooled body having one or more water injection arrangements. The system may be optimized to assist in the recovery of hydrocarbons from different types of reservoirs. A method of recovering hydrocarbons may include supplying one or more fluids to the system, combusting a fuel and an oxidant to generate a combustion product, injecting a fluid into the combustion product to generate an exhaust gas, injecting the exhaust gas into a reservoir, and recovering hydrocarbons from the reservoir.
US09617839B2
A method for forming extended wormholes in a subsurface formation comprising locating producer wells, injection wells, and guard wells in a field; determining a flux rate for a formation-dissolving fluid such as an acid, the flux rate being dependent upon different variables including the composition of the rock matrix making up the subsurface formation and the type of acid selected; injecting a guard fluid into the subsurface formation, through at least one guard well to form designed pressure boundaries and injecting the acid into the formation at a rate to reach the determined flux rate and thereby forming an extended network of wormholes through the subsurface formation in a defined direction or plane, with or without guard wells.
US09617833B2
Techniques for evaluating a fluid flow through a wellbore include identifying an input characterizing a fluid flow through a wellbore; identifying an input characterizing a geometry of the wellbore; generating a model of the wellbore based on the inputs characterizing the fluid flow and the geometry of the wellbore; simulating the fluid flow through the wellbore based on evaluating the model with a numerical method that determines fluid flow conditions at a first boundary location uphole and adjacent to a perforation of a plurality of perforations in the wellbore and at a second boundary location downhole and adjacent to the perforation; and preparing, based on the fluid flow conditions determined with the numerical method, an output associated with the simulated fluid flow through the wellbore for display to a user.
US09617832B2
Disclosed are expandable bullnose assemblies. One bullnose assembly includes a body and a bullnose tip arranged at a distal end of the body, a compression ring arranged about an exterior of the body and configured to axially translate with respect to the body upon being actuated, and a plurality of collet fingers coupled to and extending between the compression ring and the bullnose tip, each collet finger being pre-compressed such that each collet finger is predisposed to bow radially outwards, wherein, when the compression ring is actuated, the plurality of collet fingers move radially outward from a first diameter to a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.
US09617826B2
A catch-and-engage tool conveyed with a well casing for use in a wellbore comprising an outer housing having flow ports therethrough, a functioning apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a movable member/sleeve and a holding device, a blocking apparatus disposed within the outer housing comprising a blocking member configured to block one or more flow ports in a first position, a seating apparatus positioned upstream of the blocking apparatus configured to form a seat in the tool. When a ball deployed into the well casing passes through the tool in a downstream direction and moves back in an upstream direction, the restriction element engages onto the holding device and moves the movable member such that a port in exposed to uphole pressure and the blocking member travels to a second position in a reverse direction unblocking flow ports and enabling fluid communication to the wellbore.
US09617825B2
A tool equalizes a packer or bridge plug before it can release the slips and sealing element of the packer or bridge plug with a reconfigurable grip tool. In one configuration the grip tool is latched only into the equalizing mechanism for the packer or bridge plug. Having equalized the pressure and while still latched to the equalization mechanism the tool is reconfigured with a force and locked into a second configuration. From that position the grip tool can latch and move the release mechanism for total release and retrieval to the surface. Release force undermines a ratchet lock for the slips to allow extension as the sealing element extends axially and radially retracts. If the slips fail to release with undermining of the ratchet lock then a set down force can be applied to re-engage the lower slip cone to push it from the lower slips for a release.
US09617818B2
A system, including an inner body, an outer body disposed about the inner body, and a grooved seal, wherein the grooved seal includes a sealing face and first and second side faces, wherein the first side face includes a first groove, the second side face includes a second groove, and the sealing face includes a third groove, wherein one of the inner body or the outer body includes an annular channel, and the grooved seal is disposed in the annular channel to seal an annular space between the inner body and outer body, wherein the sealing face seals against one of the inner body or the outer body, the first side face having the first groove seals against a first sidewall of the annular channel, and the second side face having the second groove seals against a second sidewall of the annular channel.
US09617804B2
The invention relates to a drill rod magazine for vertical storage of drill rod elements, having a box-like basic frame which has a support area, vertical side walls and at least one horizontal receiving shelf, which is designed to receive and hold the drill rod elements. The basic frame has a laterally open access area, via which the drill rod elements can be inserted into the basic frame. It is provided according to the invention that the side walls are arranged parallel to each other and each have at least one pivot bearing with a horizontally orientated pivot axis, the at least one receiving shelf is mounted pivotably with respect to the side walls, and the basic frame is designed to be collapsible, wherein the basic frame can be unfolded from a folded-up position into an operating position.
US09617794B2
A drill bit having a bit body with a longitudinal axis extending therethrough and a plurality of blades extending from the bit body is disclosed. Each blade has an outer face and at least one side wall. The drill bit has at least one junk slot, wherein each junk slot is defined by the bit body surface and the side walls of adjacent blades. At least one nozzle bore is formed in the bit body, wherein each nozzle bore has an intersecting surface between the bit body surface of a junk slot and an inner surface of the nozzle bore. At least one formation evacuation channel extends through the intersecting surface of at least one of the nozzle bores, wherein each formation evacuation channel has a base surface, and wherein the formation evacuation channel extends partially around the circumference of the nozzle bore.
US09617790B2
A downhole drilling motor comprises a first elastomer stator molded to an inner surface of a housing in a drillstring where the first elastomer stator has a first number of lobes. A dual purpose, helical shaped hollow member is positioned within the first elastomer stator, where the dual purpose hollow member has a second number of lobes formed on an external surface to form a first rotor. The second number of lobes is one less than the first number of lobes. A second elastomer stator is adhered to an inner surface of the dual purpose helical shaped hollow member, where the second elastomer stator has a second helical shaped cavity with the second number of lobes. A second helical shaped rotor is positioned within the second helical cavity, and has a third number of lobes one less than the second number of lobes.
US09617788B2
The present invention generally relates to a folding step stool that is, in one embodiment, mounted and stored within a cabinet. Children and short adults are typically not tall enough to readily access a kitchen or bathroom sink. Accordingly, many homes have a portable step stool located in the kitchen or bathroom. While effective, one problem with such a portable step stool is storage of the stool when not in use. Aspects of the present invention are directed to a folding step stool that may be mounted within an interior of a cabinet. When not in use, the entirety of the folding step stool may be disposed within an interior of the cabinet to permit closure of the cabinet door. Likewise, when needed, the cabinet door may be opened and the step stool may be deployed to provide one or more steps for use in accessing a counter or sink above the cabinet.
US09617787B2
The invention relates to a shading device for an architectural opening comprising a shade, a drive unit for extending and retracting the shade between a first and second end position, a spindle, a first end stop, stationary connected to the spindle near a first end of the spindle and at least one travelling nut, movably arranged on the spindle and operatively connected to the drive unit so as to move towards, respectively away from the first end stop as the shade is extended, respectively retracted. The travelling nut is articulated in circumferential direction into segments, with at least two segments being detachably connectable to each other at one of their ends.
US09617776B2
A motor driven door assembly is provided, the motor driven door assembly includes a door frame, a motor assembly connected to the door frame and having a motor directly connected to a first portion of a door hinge, and a door connected to the door hinge. The door hinge includes a second portion supported by a bearing assembly that carries substantially all of the door's weight, and the motor directly drives the door hinge to open or close the door.
US09617765B1
An automatically locking sash lock for a double-hung window including a handle and cover affixed to the exterior of a lock housing that contains a bolt and a pair of plungers, each of which defines at least one end with a biased face. The bolt and plungers are in mechanical communication through a pair of couplings that define a longitudinal groove for receiving the plunger and a finger for engaging the bolt. A method of locking a window is also provided.
US09617752B2
A tower structure for a wind power plant permits very high hub heights in a cooperation of internal prestress, guying, and a torsionally rigid tower shaft. The tower structure has a tower shaft, a foundation and a transition piece in a he region of an upper end of the tower shaft. Guy elements are inclined towards a longitudinal axis of the tower shaft, and extend radially outside an outer skin of the tower shaft. Tension members are radially inside the outer skin to prestress the tower shaft vertically at least in sections. The tower shaft is made of prestressed concrete in a region between the transition piece and the foundation. To control resonance behavior, prestressing and guy elements are acted upon with a variable tensile stress which varies and influences natural frequencies of the tower structure such that no interferences occur between excitation frequencies and the natural frequencies, and such that an aerodynamic absorption is also possible.
US09617748B2
A system, process and device include reusable rack that supports a number of prefabricated modular housing units, each of the plurality of prefabricated modular housing units includes: a modular unit electrical subsystem; a modular unit potable water subsystem; a modular unit wastewater subsystem; and a modular unit docking connector coupled to the respective modular housing unit and coupled to each of the respective modular unit subsystems. The rack supports the plurality of prefabricated modular housing units. The rack includes: a rack electrical subsystem; a rack potable water subsystem; a rack wastewater subsystem; and a plurality of locations for supporting the plurality of modular housing units. Each of the plurality of locations including a respective rack docking connector coupled to the rack and coupled to each of the respective rack subsystems.
US09617739B2
A system for supporting exterior panels on a substrate of a building structure. The system has a plurality of polymeric bracket members, and each of the bracket members have at least one anchor section, at least one web section and at least one support section. The polymeric bracket members provide a thermal break from the exterior panel to the substrate of the building structure. A plurality of exterior cladding units are held in place by the bracket members. A plurality of vents are disposed between the panels and the exterior panels, and a plurality of vents are also disposed between the panels and the substrate, thereby forming a ventilation system.
US09617738B2
An auxiliary securing support for attaching an exterior wall material to a building frame having a plurality of vertical frame members through a securing member includes a main body and a protrusion. The main body has an elongated shape, includes a planar portion to which the securing member is fixable, and is fixable to at least one of the vertical frame members. The protrusion protrudes in a direction crossing the planar portion so as to come into contact with an upper side portion of the exterior wall material and that has a length such that the protrusion is not exposed on an external surface of the exterior wall material.
US09617733B2
A curtain wall structure that can provide a continuous sealing plane through the use of a dual density gasket and that offers improved sealing and thermal insulation properties. The curtain wall structure also provides a structural reinforcement element assembly that is integrated into a mullion of the curtain wall structure to provide a better load bearing capacity. A curtain wall water drainage cross element assembly is also provided to prevent water from flowing vertically inside the curtain wall system. An expansion joint assembly is also provided and designed as two movable parts allowing provides a sound free vertical displacement of components by means of no direct metal to metal contact between sliding parts.
US09617730B1
An adaptive bearing energy absorber has at least one core post, two supporting boards, multiple first material layers, and multiple second material layers. Each one of the at least one core post is composed of at least one sliding unit. At least one of the at least one sliding unit of each one of the at least one core post is a sliding assembly. Each one of the at least one sliding assembly has two ends, at least one sliding block, and at least one sliding cover. The at least one sliding cover is slidable relative to the sliding block, and each one of the at least one sliding cover has at least one limiting flange protruding from the sliding cover to limit the sliding range of the at least one sliding block relative to the sliding cover.
US09617728B2
An acoustic panel for indoor use, where the panel is a molded synthetic foam and is designed to absorb sound waves. The acoustic panel can take the form of a barrier, partition, or screen, and can mimic the effect that soft furnishings would normally have. The acoustic panel can be designed to absorb unwanted noise.
US09617722B2
A manhole base assembly and a method for making the same, in which a non-cylindrical, low-volume concrete base is fully lined to protect the concrete against chemical and physical attack while in service. This lined concrete manhole base assembly may be readily produced using a modular manhole form assembly which can be configured for a wide variety of geometrical configurations compatible with, e.g., varying pipe angles, elevations and sizes. The form assembly is configurable to provide any desired angle and elevation for the pipe apertures using existing, standard sets of form assembly materials, and may also be used in conjunction with industry-standard cylindrical casting jackets for compatibility with existing casting operations. The resulting system provides for flexible construction of a wide variety of lined manhole base assemblies at minimal cost, reduced concrete consumption and reduced operational complexity. The modular nature of the production form assembly also facilitates reduced inventory requirements when various manhole base assembly geometries are needed.
US09617716B2
A work vehicle includes: a hydraulic pump driven by an engine; a rotational speed detection unit that detects an actual rotational speed of the engine; an exhaust gas purification device that purifies nitrogen oxide in exhaust gas discharged from the engine using a reducing agent solution stored in a reducing agent tank; a torque control unit that decreases output torque of the engine according to decrease of a detected remaining amount of the reducing agent solution; and a storage device that stores a threshold value not less than an engine rotational speed at which the hydraulic pump starts discharge, wherein when the actual rotational speed of the engine is not more than the threshold value, the torque control unit does not decrease the output torque of the engine regardless of the remaining amount of the reducing agent solution detected by the remaining amount detection device.
US09617715B2
A construction machine including an internal combustion engine controlled based on a torque command, an electric motor mechanically connected to the internal combustion engine, and an electric energy storage device that supplies electric power to the electric motor, the construction machine performing work by driving a hydraulic pressure generator using the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, the construction machine including: a speed control device that controls a speed of the electric motor based on a speed command; and a torque limiter that limits the torque command relative to a torque target, wherein the torque command is limited by the torque limiter in such a manner that a rate of change with time of the torque command is limited to be equal to or less than a predetermined value.
US09617693B1
An industrial mat having a supporting structure; an upper layer provided above the supporting structure for forming an upper surface of the mat, a lower layer provided below the supporting structure for providing a lower surface of the mat; and lifting elements attached to the upper layer, the lower layer or the supporting structure. The lifting elements include D-shaped members, O-shaped members, U-shaped members, eyelets, hooks, circular or polygonal rings, chains, or cables that are configured and dimensioned for attachment to attached to the supporting structure or the upper or lower layer with sufficient strength to provide certified overhead lifting of the mat for installation and reclamation thereof.
US09617686B2
A surfactant treated bleached softwood kraft pulp fiber, useful as a starting material In the production of cellulose derivatives including cellulose ether, cellulose esters and viscose, is disclosed. Methods for making the kraft pulp fiber and products made from it are also described.
US09617685B2
A process of making a paper or nonwoven article is provide. The process comprising: a) providing a fiber furnish comprising a plurality of fibers and a plurality of binder microfibers, wherein the binder microfibers comprise a water non-dispersible, synthetic polymer; wherein the binder microfibers have a length of less than 25 millimeters and a fineness of less than 0.5 d/f; and wherein the binder microfibers have a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the fibers; b) routing the fiber furnish to a wet-laid nonwoven process to produce at least one wet-laid nonwoven web layer; c) removing water from the wet-laid nonwoven web layer; and d) thermally bonding the wet-laid nonwoven web layer after step (c); wherein the thermal bonding is conducted at a temperature such that the surfaces of the binder microfibers at least partially melt without causing the fibers to melt thereby bonding the binder microfibers to the fibers to produce the paper or nonwoven article.
US09617675B2
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to an automated laundry system. The system includes a number of perforated clothes drums, each of which holds a single load of laundry, and a washer/dryer unit. The washer/dryer unit includes a loading rack for queuing the drums for subsequent washing, a clothes washing component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the loading rack and wash the respective loads of laundry therein, a clothes drying component adapted to sequentially receive the drums from the clothes washing component and dry the loads of laundry therein, and a holding rack for sequentially receiving the drums from the clothes drying component and holding the drums for a period of time.
US09617674B2
A washing machine including a drying function for drying laundry items received therein is provided. The washing machine may include an air circulating device that circulates air through a tub of the washing machine and heats air for re-supply to the tub, and an air discharge device that discharges a portion of moist air from the tub to an outside of the tub.
US09617667B1
A sinker equipped with lubrication oil channeling and separating structure is an element of a knitting machine which includes at least a dial, a sinker disc, an oil ejection nozzle to sprinkle lubrication oil and a yarn feeder. The dial includes a plurality of needle troughs to hold respectively a knitting needle. The sinker disc includes a plurality of sinker troughs to hold the sinker. The sinker includes a base located in the sinker troughs, a driving nub located above the base, a knitting portion located at a front end of the base, an oil sprinkling zone interposed between the base and the knitting portion, and a lubrication oil channeling and separating structure interposed between the knitting portion and the oil sprinkling zone. The lubrication oil channeling and separating structure includes a separating slot, a flow channeling portion and an oil blocking portion that are around the separating slot.
US09617666B2
A coffee yarn and a fabric using the same are provided herein and the fabric includes a plurality of coffee yarns and a plurality of weaving yarns. The coffee yarns are arranged in parallel and each one of the coffee yarns includes a yarn body and multiple coffee particles. The yarn body has a wavy strip shape and includes a plurality of bending sections and a plurality of non-bending sections. The coffee particles are embedded within the yarn body. A density of the coffee particles in the bending sections is greater than a density of the coffee particles in the non-bending sections. The weaving yarns are arranged in parallel and the weaving yarns are alternately weaved with the coffee yarns.
US09617665B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to reinforcement materials for use in reinforcing flexible tank walls, and particularly to hybrid textiles and weaving patterns that have been found particularly useful with such hybrid textiles.
US09617664B2
The present invention relates to a polyester fiber that can be applied to a fabric for airbag, particularly, to a polyester fiber having an elongation of 0.4% or less at the stress of 1.0 g/d, an enlongation of 4.0% or less at the stress of 4.0 g/d, and an enlongation of 7.0% or less at the stress of 7.0 g/d, and an initial modulus of 105 to 130 g/d; a method of preparing the same; and a fabric for airbag prepared therefrom. Since the polyester fiber of the present invention decreases stiffness remarkably and secures superior mechanical properties by having a high strength, high elongation, and high shrinkage, it is possible to provide superior packing property, dimensional stability, and air-tight effect, and to protect passengers safely by minimizing the impact applied to the passengers, when it is used for the fabric for airbag.
US09617654B2
Provided are low friction coatings with improved abrasion, wear resistance and methods of making such coatings. In one form, the coating includes: i) an under layer selected from the group consisting of CrN, TiN, TiAlN, TiAlVN, TiAlVCN, TiSiN, TiSiCN, TiAlSiN and combinations thereof, wherein the under layer ranges in thickness from 0.1 to 100 μm, ii) an adhesion promoting layer selected from the group consisting of Cr, Ti, Si, W, CrC, TiC, SiC, WC, and combinations thereof, wherein the adhesion promoting layer ranges in thickness from 0.1 to 50 μm and is contiguous with a surface of the under layer, and iii) a functional layer selected from the group consisting of a fullerene based composite, a diamond based material, diamond-like-carbon and combinations thereof, wherein the functional layer ranges from 0.1 to 50 μm and is contiguous with a surface of the adhesion promoting layer.
US09617649B2
A porous structure (1) provided with a pattern that is composed of a conductive polymer, which comprises a porous body (2) and a pattern (3) that is composed of a conductive polymer and arranged on the porous body (2). The porous body (2) is preferably a gel, and a dopant may be added to the pattern (3) that is composed of a conductive polymer. If an agarose gel is used as the gel (2) and a PEDOT electrode (3A) is used as the pattern (3) that is composed of a conductive polymer in the porous structure (1) which is provided with the pattern (3) that is composed of a conductive polymer, the porous structure (1) can be used as an electrode for cell stimulation. The porous structure (1) provided with the pattern (3) that is composed of a conductive polymer can be produced by an electropolymerization method.
US09617647B2
A composition comprising at least one source of metal ions and at least one additive obtainable by reacting a polyhydric alcohol comprising at least 5 hydroxyl functional groups with at least a first alkylene oxide and a second alkylene oxide from a mixture of the first alkylene oxide and the second alkylene oxide or a third alkylene oxide, a second alkylene oxide, and a first alkylene oxide in aforesaid sequence, the third alkylene oxide having a longer alkyl chain than the second alkylene oxide and the second alkylene oxide having a longer alkyl chain than the first alkylene oxide.
US09617643B2
A method of plating a metal on a hydrophobic polymer, especially in the shape of small particles, involves: (a) contacting a surface of hydrophobic polymer substrate with a polycation such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) to create a treated surface; (b) contacting the treated surface with a catalyst; and then (c) immersing the surface in a electroless metal plating bath to create a coating of metal on the surface. Metals include copper, silver, gold, nickel and cobalt. Catalysts are selected from compounds containing palladium, platinum, tin, copper, or nickel salts. Damaging surface treatments such as etching by plasma or acid are avoided.
US09617641B2
The invention provides a method for providing an Au-containing layer onto a surface of a work piece, which method comprises: providing 510 a deposition fluid comprising Au(CO)Cl; depositing 520 the fluid on at least part of the surface of the work piece; and directing 530 a charged particle beam toward the surface of the work piece onto which at least part of the fluid is deposited to decompose Au(CO)Cl thereby forming the Au-containing layer on the surface of the work piece. By using Au(CO)Cl as a precursor for charged particle induced deposition, a gold Au layer may be deposited with a very high purity compared to methods known in the art.
US09617638B2
Disclosed are methods of depositing films of material on semiconductor substrates employing the use of a secondary purge. The methods may include flowing a film precursor into a processing chamber and adsorbing the film precursor onto a substrate in the processing chamber such that the precursor forms an adsorption-limited layer on the substrate. The methods may further include removing at least some unadsorbed film precursor from the volume surrounding the adsorbed precursor by purging the processing chamber with a primary purge gas, and thereafter reacting adsorbed film precursor while a secondary purge gas is flowed into the processing chamber, resulting in the formation of a film layer on the substrate. The secondary purge gas may include a chemical species having an ionization energy and/or a disassociation energy equal to or greater than that of O2. Also disclosed are apparatuses which implement the foregoing processes.
US09617628B2
An austenitic stainless steel having low nickel and molybdenum and exhibiting comparable corrosion resistance and formability properties to higher nickel and molybdenum alloys comprises, in weight %, up to 0.20 C, 2.0-9.0 Mn, up to 2.0 Si, 16.0-23.0 Cr, 1.0-5.0 Ni, up to 3.0 Mo, up to 3.0 Cu, 0.1-0.35 N, up to 4.0 W, up to 0.01 B, up to 1.0 Co, iron and impurities, the steel having a ferrite number of less than 10 and a MD30 value of less than 20° C.
US09617613B2
A base material of a ferrous material is heated to an AC1 point, which is a temperature to cause austenite appearance, or higher, and austenite appears in the base material 1a and 1b (S101). An amount of a strain assuming that an Mf point, which is a temperature where the base material becomes martensite completely, is decreased to be less than room temperature is introduced into the base material (S102). The all ferrous material becoming martensite on the occasion of cooling the ferrous material to room temperature is prevented. The base material is cooled to room temperature at a cooling rate where a line extrapolated a cooling curve of the base material intersects with a region where martensite is produced on the CCT diagram (S103). Austenite remains in the manufactured ferrous material at room temperature.
US09617602B2
Described herein are modified androgen receptor polypeptides that are resistant to inhibition by an androgen receptor inhibitor. Described herein are compositions, combinations, and kits containing the modified androgen receptor polypeptides and methods of using the modified androgen receptor polypeptides. Also described herein are methods of using the modified androgen receptor polypeptides as screening agents for the identification and design of third-generation androgen receptor modulators. Also described herein are third-generation androgen receptor modulators that inhibit the activity of the modified androgen receptor polypeptides. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such androgen receptor modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions, including cancers, such as castration resistant prostate cancers, that are mediated or dependent upon androgen receptors.
US09617600B2
The invention provides methods and kits useful for predicting or assessing responsiveness of a patient having B-cell lymphoma to treatment with anti-CD40 antibodies.
US09617598B2
Methods and compositions for amplifying the whole genome of a single cell are provided.
US09617594B2
Apparatus and methods for producing ultrashort optical pulses are described. A high-power, solid-state, passively mode-locked laser can be manufactured in a compact module that can be incorporated into a portable instrument for biological or chemical analyses. The pulsed laser may produce sub-100-ps optical pulses at a repetition rate commensurate with electronic data-acquisition rates. The optical pulses may excite samples in reaction chambers of the instrument, and be used to generate a reference clock for operating signal-acquisition and signal-processing electronics of the instrument.
US09617592B2
In one aspect the disclosure relations to means and methods for identifying a protein or a DNA encoding the protein, involved in the production of a product by a micro-organism. In the methods the micro-organism is cultured under different culture conditions each of which exhibit a different level of the product that is produced by the micro-organism. The genetic expression of the genes of the micro-organism is compared with the level of the product, and groups of DNAs are identified that are involved in the production of the product by the micro-organism.
US09617590B2
This disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for preparing DNA molecule for sequencing. Generally, the method includes fragmenting the DNA molecule into double-stranded fragments; amplifying at least a portion of the double-stranded fragments; circularizing the fragments so that the first end of the fragment comprises a first loop connecting the strands and the second end of the fragment comprises a second loop connecting the strands; annealing a first sequencing primer to the first loop oriented to sequence at least a portion of one strand of the fragment; and annealing a second sequencing primer to the second loop oriented to sequence at least a portion of the other strand of the fragment. In another aspect, this disclosure describes a method for sequencing a DNA molecule. Generally, the method includes fragmenting the DNA molecule into double-stranded fragments; amplifying at least a portion of the double-stranded fragments; circularizing the fragments so that the first end of the fragment comprises a first loop connecting the strands and the second end of the fragment comprises a second loop connecting the strands; and sequencing at least one of the DNA strands.
US09617589B2
A microfluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells; and a plurality of solid supports, and each of the solid supports has a reagent attached thereto. The reagent is attached to the solid support via a labile reagent/support bond such that the reagent is configured to be cleaved from the support via a cleaving operation.
US09617588B2
Polymorphisms are present throughout an organism's genome, and understanding which alleles are present in a particular organism's genome can be advantageous. When probing the identity of these alleles, one must minimize incorrect readings due to inefficiencies in the system. In hydrolysis probe applications, these inefficiencies may be due to over-activity of an exonuclease functionality that excises nucleotides from probes that are only partially, complementary to a region of a target. The present invention provides a mixture that contains a plurality of polymerases including one that has a 5′→3′ exonuclease functionality and one that lacks or substantially lacks it, each in a sufficient relative amount and concentration to increase efficiencies of the system.
US09617585B2
This invention provides novel compositions and processes for analyte detection, quantification and amplification. Nucleic acid arrays and libraries of analytes are usefully incorporated into such compositions and processes. Universal detection elements, signaling entities and the like are employed to detect and if necessary or desirable, to quantify analytes. Amplification of target analytes are also provided by the compositions and processes of this invention.
US09617582B2
A system and method for detecting a biomarker in exhaled breath condensate nanodroplets comprises noninvasively collecting exhaled breath condensate nanodroplets of a subject, and analyzing said nanodroplets utilizing immuno-quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect one or more target biomarkers.
US09617578B2
An analyte sensor for measuring physiological parameters, a method for making the analyte sensor, and method of measuring a level of an analyte in a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, the analyte sensor includes a crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer in contact with a surface of an electrode, and an analyte sensing component embedded within the crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer. The crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer has methacrylate-derived backbone chains of first methacrylate-derived units, second methacrylate-derived units and third methacrylate-derived units. The first and second methacrylate-derived units have side chains that can be the same or different, and the third methacrylate-derived units in different backbone chains are connected by hydrophilic crosslinks. The crosslinked, hydrophilic copolymer has an analyte permeability that is substantially temperature independent. The analyte sensor generates signals that are substantially temperature independent over a range of temperatures.
US09617574B2
Described herein is a process for producing saccharides and ethanol from biomass feedstock that includes (a) producing an enzyme composition by culturing a fungal strain(s) in the presence of a lignocellulosic medium, (b) using the enzyme composition to saccharify the biomass feedstock, and (c) fermenting the saccharified biomass feedstock to produce ethanol. The process is scalable and, in certain aspects, is capable of being deployed on farms, thereby allowing local production of saccharides and ethanol and resulting in a reduction of energy and other costs for farm operators. Optional steps to improve the biomass-to-fuel conversion efficiency are also contemplated, as are uses for byproducts of the process described herein.
US09617573B2
The present disclosure provides engineered transaminase polypeptides useful for the synthesis of chiral amine compounds under industrially relevant conditions. The disclosure also provides polynucleotides encoding the engineered transaminase polypeptides, host cells capable of expressing the engineered transaminases, and methods of using the engineered transaminases for the production of chiral amine compounds.
US09617572B2
This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, or 1,7-heptanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate produced from chorismate or benzoate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the anaerobic benzoyl-CoA degradation pathway enzymes.
US09617569B2
Provided is a genetically engineered yeast cell with lactate production capacity, including an enzyme that catalyzes conversion of acetaldehyde to acetyl-CoA and an enzyme that catalyzes conversion of pyruvate to lactate, which activities are increased compared to a parent cell of the yeast cell, as well as a method of producing the genetically engineered yeast cell and method of producing lactate using the genetically engineered yeast cell.
US09617565B2
[Problem] To provide an alcoholic fermentation yeast having resistance to limonene, which is a fermentation inhibitor, and a method for producing ethanol using the alcoholic fermentation yeast. [Solution] An alcoholic fermentation yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Deposition No. NITE BP-890), which has resistance to limonene and can grow in the presence of limonene at a concentration of 0.1-0.5 wt %, and a method for producing ethanol using the alcoholic fermentation yeast.
US09617561B2
Novel simian adenovirus 41 and two isolates thereof are described. Various uses of these isolates, including construction of a recombinant vector which comprises simian adenovirus 41 sequences and a heterologous gene under the control of regulatory sequences are provided. A cell line which expresses simian adenovirus 41 gene(s) is also disclosed. Methods of using the vectors and cell lines are provided.
US09617560B2
The invention provides an adenovirus or adenoviral vector characterized by comprising one or more particular nucleic acid sequences or one or more particular amino acid sequences, or portions thereof, pertaining to, for example, an adenoviral pIX protein, DNA polymerase protein, penton protein, hexon protein, and/or fiber protein.
US09617555B2
Compositions and methods include genetically encoding and expressing a novel delta-9 desaturase in plant cells. In some embodiments, methods of expressing nucleic acids in a plant cell to take advantage of the delta-9 desaturase enzyme's activity, such that the percent composition of saturated fatty acids in plant seeds is decreased and there is a concomitant increase in Δ9 fatty acids. In other embodiments, amino acid sequences have delta-9 desaturase activity. Methods can involve expression of delta-9 desaturase in plant cells, plant materials, and whole plants for the purpose of increasing the amount of mono unsaturated fatty acids in whole plants, plant seeds, and plant materials, for example, seeds.
US09617549B2
The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and preferably wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome.
US09617547B2
ProblemThe purpose of the present invention is to provide: a stereo isomer of a novel CpG oligonucleotide, which has excellent stability; and a CpG oligonucleotide which has a capability of producing interferon-α (IFNα).SolutionThe present invention relates to an oligonucleotide which contains two to four sequences each represented by the formula 5′-X1X2CpGX3X4-3′ (formula (I)) and has a length of 14 to 32 nucleotides. In formula (I), CpG represents a non-methylated CpG residue having a phosphate skeleton modification, X1X2 represents any one of AA, AT, GA and GT, and X3X4 represents any one of TT, AT, AC and CG. The oligonucleotide has at least one phosphate skeleton modification at an S-form stereoisomer located at a site other than the CpG.
US09617544B2
The invention provides multifunctional supramolecular self-assembled nanoparticles (SSNPs) comprising a set of rationally designed components that collectively facilitate efficient intestinal absorption of siRNA. The nanoparticles can induce potent TNF-α silencing in macrophages. Single gavage of SSNPs in mice depleted systemic TNF-α production at an siRNA dose as low as 50 μg/kg, and protected the mice from lipopolysaccharide-induced hepatic injury.
US09617542B2
Disclosed is a dsRNA construct that relates to a method to control Lepidopteran moths via double-stranded RNA interference of the PBAN/Pyrokinin gene.
US09617535B2
Compositions and methods of treatments of cells are provided for altering the phenotype of a cell by administering an oligonucleotide complex to the cell, the complex having two strands and chemical modifications.
US09617527B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US09617526B1
The invention is directed toward non-wild-type organophosphorus acid anhydrolases having three site mutations, method of production, and method of use to effectively degrade toxic chemical compounds such as (Ethyl({2-[bis(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}sulfanyl)(methyl)phosphinate (“VX”).
US09617506B2
Described are embodiments for expanding cells in a bioreactor. In one embodiment, methods are provided that distribute cells throughout the bioreactor and attach cells to specific portions of a bioreactor to improve the expansion of the cells in the bioreactor. Embodiments may be implemented on a cell expansion system configured to load, distribute, attach and expand cells.
US09617505B2
The cleaning agent for a diesel engine includes a mixed solution obtained by blending a solvent that exhibits solubility and has an ignition point of 238° C. or more, and lubricating oil such as mineral oil in a predetermined ratio. The solvent and the grease are selected such that the cleaning agent has a higher ignition temperature characteristic than the ignition characteristic of light oil, and an evaporation characteristic that takes eight minutes or more to vaporize 2.5 cc of the cleaning agent in a heated state at 120° C.
US09617501B2
A method of treating a fabric, where the method includes a washing step and a rinsing step. A multi-component fabric treatment system, wherein the system includes a first component comprising a detergent composition, and where the system further includes a second component comprising a softener composition.
US09617497B2
A lubricating oil composition for refrigerating machines contains a base oil and an additive in a form of a naphthalimide compound. A refrigerant used in a refrigerating machine in which the composition is used is unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon (unsaturated HFC) having a GWP of 1000 or less. When the present lubricating oil composition for refrigerating machines is used in refrigerating equipment such as an open-type automobile air-conditioner, an electric automobile air-conditioner, a gas heat pump, other air-conditioning equipment, a refrigerating machine, a vending machine, a showcase, a water-heating system and a refrigerating/heating system, it is possible to detect the leakage of a refrigerant with a long-lasting stability. Therefore, when an unsaturated freon refrigerant with a poor stability is used in the above-listed equipment, the present lubricating oil composition for refrigerating machines is significantly advantageous.
US09617494B2
A method for improving deposit control, while maintaining or improving demulsibility performance, in an engine lubricated with a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil that has a particular phenate/carboxylate detergent mixture present in a particular amount in the formulated oil. A lubricating engine oil having a composition including a lubricating oil base stock as a major component; and a phenate/carboxylate detergent mixture as a minor component. The lubricating oils of this disclosure are useful in marine crankcase systems, in particular, marine system oil applications for two-stroke marine diesel engines.
US09617486B2
A method of converting carbon containing compounds such as coal, methane or other hydrocarbons into a liquid hydrocarbon fuel utilizes a high pressure, high temperature reactor which operates upon a blend of a carbon compound including CO2 and a carbon source, a catalyst, and steam. Microwave power is directed into the reactor. The catalyst, preferably magnetite, will act as a heating media for the microwave power and the temperature of the reactor will rise to a level to efficiently convert the carbon and steam into hydrogen and carbon monoxide.
US09617484B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for hydrotreating hydrocarbons. A method includes heating a start-up oil in a stripper liquid fraction heat exchanger during a start-up period, and heating a reactor with the start-up oil. The start-up oil is discharged from the reactor when the start-up period ends, and a standard operating period begins after the start-up period. A reactor effluent is produced by introducing a hydrocarbon stream into the reactor during the standard operating period, where hydrogen sulfide is produced from an organic sulfur compound in the hydrocarbon stream. Steam is produced in the stripper liquid fraction heat exchanger during the standard operating period.
US09617475B1
A liquid crystal composition includes at least one first compound represented by Formula I: wherein each of L1 to L8 are independently a hydrogen or a fluorine; is a cyclohexyl group, a phenyl group, tetrahydropyran, 1,3-dioxane, a fluorocyclohexyl group, a fluorophenyl group, fluorotetrahydropyran, or fluoro-1,3-dioxane; n is 0 to 2, and when n=2, each is independently a cyclohexyl group, a phenyl group, tetrahydropyran, 1,3-dioxane, a fluorocyclohexyl group, a fluorophenyl group, fluorotetrahydropyran, or fluoro-1,3-dioxane; each of R1 and R2 is independently a C1˜2 alkyl group; and R′ is hydrogen, a C1˜5 alkyl group, a C2˜5 alkenyl group, or a C1˜5 alkoxy group.
US09617471B2
Provided is a chemically and thermally stable phosphor having different light-emitting characteristics than a conventional phosphor and having high light-emitting intensity even when combined with an LED of 410 nm or lower. The phosphor comprises an inorganic compound in which an inorganic crystal including A element, D element, X element (A is one or more elements selected from Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; D is one or more elements selected from Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hf; and X is one or more elements selected from O, N, and F), and, if necessary, E element (where E is one or more elements selected from B, Al, Ga, In, Sc, Y, and La) includes Li element and M element (where M is one or more elements selected from Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Yb).
US09617467B2
A Light Emitting Diode (LED) fluorescent cover comprises the following components by weight: 90-96% of single-component solid silicone rubber, 3-8% of fluorescent powder and 1-2% of vulcanizer; and the preparation method includes the following steps: step 1): using mixed compound of the single-component solid silicone rubber, as well as the fluorescent powder and the vulcanizer as raw material to mix, standing for 2-4 h after mixing with open mill or internal mixer; step 2): controlling temperature, pressure and vulcanization time of vulcanizing machine according to size of the fluorescent cover mold, using the vulcanizing machine to carry out first vulcanization to the raw material that is obtained from the step 1) and placed in the fluorescent cover mold; step 3): with combined action of blower gun, taking the fluorescent cover out slowly; step 4): baking the semi-finished product in a closed space at a temperature of 150-200° C. for 1-2 h.
US09617464B2
In an embodiment of the disclosure, mixtures of different carbon length alcohols are used as the primary feedstock for Guerbet alcohols. Specifically, embodiments relate to a method of synthesizing mixed molecular weight additives from a mixture of primary alcohols comprising, receiving a mixture of primary alcohols having greater than two different chain length primary alcohols and reacting the mixture of primary alcohols in a single reactor to produce a mixture of at least five Guerbet alcohols. The mixture of Guerbet alcohols can then be used to produce an additive or surfactant composition comprising additives or surfactants of different molecular weights.
US09617459B2
This invention relates to water-based well drilling fluids. It has been found that cellulose based particles, which comprise cell wall material and their networks of cellulose based fibers and nanofibrils can be used to produce suspensions having viscosity and rheological properties particularly suitable for use as a drilling fluid. It is assumed that the organization of the cellulose fibrils, as it exists in the parenchymal cell walls, is at least partly retained in the cellulose based particles of the invention, even though part of the pectin and hemicellulose is removed there from. Breaking plant-based pulp down into this kind of cellulose based particles involves fewer and gentler processes than to break the pulp down further into cellulose nanofibrils, and therefore the present cellulose based particles can be produced much faster and at lower cost than completely unraveled cellulose nanofibrils. The well drilling fluids based on the cellulose material of this invention are stable over a wide range of operating temperatures.
US09617457B2
The invention relates to thermally conductive thermoplastic compositions with balanced processing capacity, i.e. with a balanced proportion of melt volume flow rate to heat distortion resistance, comprising a thermoplastic, an expanded graphite, at least one phosphorus compound, and also ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer.
US09617453B2
Substantially solvent-free aqueous polyurethane dispersions and methods of making and using the same are provided. The substantially solvent-free aqueous polyurethane dispersions are provided in a substantially solvent-free system of a prepolymer made by reacting at least one polyol, at least one polyisocyanate, at least one isocyanate-reactive compound comprising one or more ionic or potential ionic groups, and at least one isocyanate chain terminating agent.
US09617451B2
The present invention provides an adhesive composition having excellent strength in a cracked state, and is an adhesive composition characterized by containing a polyimide (A),a polyfunctional epoxy compound (B), an epoxy curing agent (C), and inorganic particles (D), the ratio of the polyimide (A) in a nonvolatile organic component being 3.0 wt % or more and 30 wt % or less, the ratio of the epoxy curing agent (C) in the nonvolatile organic component being 0.5 wt % or more and 10 wt % or less, and T/M being 400 or more and 8000 or less, where T is the total number of grams of the nonvolatile organic component, and M is the number of moles of epoxy groups in the nonvolatile organic component.
US09617441B2
An ink set including at least a yellow ink, a magenta ink, a cyan ink, and a black ink and that each contain water, a surfactant, and a colorant. When each of the surfactant contents in each of the total masses of the yellow ink, the magenta ink, the cyan ink, and the black ink is represented respectively by S1, S2, S3, and S4, S1 satisfies 1.0 mass %≦S1≦2.5 mass %, S1-S2 satisfies 0.1 mass %≦S1-S2≦0.8 mass %, S3-S2 satisfies 0.0 mass %≦S3-S2≦0.5 mass %, S3-S4 satisfies 0.2 mass %≦S3-S4≦1.2 mass %, and S3 and S4 are each 0.1 mass % or more.
US09617409B2
The present invention describes methods for preparing a pigment particle dispersion. Specifically, a premix composition including pigments, dispersants and a liquid carrier is milled by a solid milling agent to predetermined particle size. The solid milling agent is solubilized in the liquid carrier which eliminates the need for separating the solid milling agent from the dispersion.
US09617396B2
The invention relates to a method for in-situ synthesis of silicon nanoparticles in a thermosetting polymeric matrix, the thermosetting and thermoset matrices obtained in this way and a material including same. The method includes the following steps: a) forming an aqueous-phase/organic-phase inverse emulsion, wherein the aqueous phase includes at least a basic catalyst and the organic phase includes at least a non-cross-linked (co)polymer precursor chosen from an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic epoxy resin precursor, a polyester-imide precursor, an unsaturated/epoxy polyester (co)polymer precursor, a polyether/epoxy (co)polymer precursor and a polyurethane precursor; b) introducing, into the inverse emulsion formed in step a), at least one silicon precursor forming a complete network whereof the rate of hydrolysis is greater than the cross-linking speed of the (co)polymer and c) stirring the mixture obtained in step b) and heating to a temperature between 20° C. and 70° C.
US09617393B2
The present invention relates to a method of producing lignin with reduced amount of odorous substances comprising the steps of: i) dissolving isolated lignin into an alkali solution; ii) adding to the solution C1-C4-alcohol in an amount of less than 30% by weight, based on the dry weight of the isolated lignin; and iii) re-precipitating lignin by acidifying the solution. The invention also relates to a lignin product with reduced odor obtained and/or obtainable by the method and to the use of the obtained lignin as a component in polymer blends, an additive or filler in building materials, as binding agent in adhesives, and/or for the production of a carbon fiber, especially in indoor applications.
US09617391B2
The present invention relates to a halogenated polysilane as a pure compound or mixture of compounds each having at least one direct Si—Si bond, whose substituents consist exclusively of halogen or of halogen and hydrogen and in whose composition the atomic ratio substituent:silicon is greater than 1:1.
US09617384B2
The invention relates to a seeded particle of polyamide (PA) powder composed of a shell made of PA-6, PA-12 or PA-6/12 and of a core made from PA-6, paA-11, PA-12 or PA-6/12, PA 6,12, PA-6,6, PA-8 or PA-4, the core and the shell being either of identical polyamide nature but of different molecular weight, or of different polyamide nature. The particle for which the shell has a melting temperature Tf1 and a crystallization temperature Tc1 and for which the core has a melting temperature Tf2 and a crystallization temperature Tc2, is characterized in that the difference in absolute value between Tf1−Tc1 and/or between Tf2−Tc2 is greater than the difference in absolute values between the melting temperature and the crystallization temperature of a particle of powder seeded by a mineral filler and for which the shell is made of PA6, PA12 or PA6/12.
US09617379B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a carbonate compound and methacrylic acid or an ester thereof, containing a step (a1) of obtaining hexachloroacetone and hydrogen chloride from acetone and chlorine molecule, a step (a2) of obtaining a dialkyl carbonate and chloroform from hexachloroacetone and an alkyl alcohol, a step (b1) of obtaining 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol from chloroform and acetone, a step (b2+b3 or b4) of obtaining methacrylic acid or an ester thereof and hydrogen chloride from 1,1,1-trichloro-2-methyl-2-propanol and water or an alcohol, and a step (c1 or c2) of obtaining chlorine molecule by reacting hydrogen chloride with oxygen molecule.
US09617375B2
A method and system for oxygen molecule scavenging is disclosed. The system employs as a novel copolymer as the reducing agent for oxygen molecules. The copolymer is the polymerization product of cyclic aliphatic monomer and unsaturated functional polymer.
US09617372B2
A sulphur-comprising polyaromatic polyamine compound can be used as a monomer or prepolymer, when n is different from zero, in the synthesis of polyurea. The compound corresponds to the formula (I): H2N—Ar1—NH—CH2—CH(OH)—(CH2)m—O—Z1—O—(CH2)m—CH(OH)—CH2—[X]n—HN—Ar2—NH2 in which X represents the string: —HN—Ar3—NH—(CH2)—CH(OH)—(CH2)m—O—Z2—O—(CH2)m—CH(OH)—(CH2)— and in which n represents an integer equal to zero or different from zero; m, which are identical or different, represent an integer within a range from 1 to 10; Z1 and Z2, which are identical or different, represent a divalent bonding group comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms; and Ar1, Ar2 and Ar3, which are identical or different, each represent a phenylene group, at least one of these phenylene groups bearing one, two, three or four groups of formula —Sx—R in which “x” is an integer from 1 to 8 and R represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group which can comprise a heteroatom and which comprises from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
US09617363B1
A method of making a low-fluoride reactive PIB composition includes (a) providing a modified C4 feedstock by way of blending a mixed C4 feedstock with a second feedstock having a lower LB/IsoB ratio; or providing a C4 feedstock with an LB/IsoB index of less than 10%; (b) feeding the modified C4 feedstock or the C4 feedstock with an LB/IsoB index of less than 10% to a CSTR with a homogeneous catalyst comprising BF3 and a modifier selected from alcohols, ethers and mixtures thereof; (c) polymerizing the modified C4 feedstock or the C4 feedstock with an LB/IsoB index of less than 10% in the reactor while maintaining the reactor at a temperature above −15° C. and utilizing a residence time less than 45 minutes to produce a crude PIB composition in a polymerization mixture; and (d) recovering a purified PIB composition from the polymerization mixture having a molecular weight, Mn, from 250 to 5000 Daltons and an alpha vinylidene content of at least 50 mol %. The crude PIB composition suitably has a fluoride content of less than 100 ppm and the purified PIB composition has a fluoride content of less than 20 ppm in preferred embodiments. In the most preferred embodiments, ammonium salts are used to neutralize the catalyst and fluoride salts are sublimed from the product at elevated temperatures.
US09617361B2
A modified polymer body 1 has a polymer body 2 composed of a polymer material containing a carbon-carbon double bond and first binding parts 3 and second binding parts 4 bound to the surface of the polymer body 2. The first binding parts 3 are such that an organic group 6 having a functional group is bound via an isocyanuric acid skeleton 5 to the surface of the polymer body 2. The second binding parts 4 are such that an organic group 7 having a functional group is directly bound to the surface of the polymer body 2 without interposing an isocyanuric acid skeleton 5.
US09617360B2
Process for the preparation of (co) polymers of conjugated dienes which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one bis-imine complex of cobalt having general formula (I) wherein: —n is 0 or 1; —Y represents a group —CR′R″— wherein R′ and R″, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or a linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl group; or a divalent aromatic group optionally substituted; —R1 and R2, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from a linear or branched Ci-C2o/preferably C1-C15, alkyl group optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted; or R1 and R2 can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 4 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; R3 and R4, equal to or different from each other, represent a hydrogen atom; or they are selected from a linear or branched Ci-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups optionally halogenated, cycloalkyl groups optionally substituted, aryl groups optionally substituted; or R2 and R4 can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched Ci-C2o, preferably C1-C15 alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; or R1 and R3 can be optionally bound to each other to form, together with the other atoms to which they are bound, a cycle containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, optionally substituted with linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, said cycle optionally containing other heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, silicon, phosphorous, selenium; X1 and X2, equal to or different from each other, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, iodine; or they are selected from linear or branched C1-C20 preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups, —OCOR5 groups or —OR3 groups wherein R5 is selected from linear or branched C1-C20, preferably C1-C15, alkyl groups.
US09617357B2
In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of preparing a solid support for a transition metal catalyst is disclosed. The solid support may have a unique morphology that may be derived from contacting the magnesium compound and an electron donor in the presence of a fluorinated organic compound to form the solid support. The solid support may be used to form an enhanced catalyst. The enhanced catalyst may be used, in combination with an organoaluminum compound, as a Ziegler-Natta (ZN) catalyst. The ZN catalyst including the enhanced catalyst may be used to form a UHMWPE.
US09617353B2
A method for protecting an electrical or electronic device against liquid damage, the method comprising a preliminary step of applying a continuous power plasma to the electrical or electronic device, followed by exposing the device to pulsed plasma comprising a compound of formula (I) where R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, haloalkyl or aryl optionally substituted by halo; and R4 is a group X—R5 where R5 is an alkyl or haloalkyl group and X is a bond; a group of formula C(O)O(CH2)nY where n is an integer of from 1 to 10 and Y is a bond or a sulphonamide group; or a group (O)pR6(O)q(CH2)t where R6 is aryl optionally substituted by halo, p is 0 or 1, q is 0 or 1 and t is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 10, provided that where q is 1, t is other than 0, for a sufficient period of time to allow a polymeric layer to form on the surface of the electrical or electronic device. Devices protected by this method are protected from contamination by liquids, in particular environmental liquids.