US09645403B2
A reflective imaging element that may be manufactured in a convenient method and obtain a high quality aerial picture is provided. A reflective imaging element of an embodiment includes a first reflective element and a second reflective element including a light receiving surface to receive light from a projected material and an emitting surface, parallel to the light receiving surface, to emit the light from the projected material. When a ratio of light contributing to imaging out of the light from the projected material is defined as a ratio of amount of light and an incident angle of the light from the projected material when the ratio of amount of light is highest to the light receiving surface is defined as a maximum incident angle, the maximum incident angle of the first reflective element and the maximum incident angle of the second reflective element are different from each other.
US09645400B2
The present invention provides a three-dimensional image display device for improving the visibility with prevention of moiré phenomena. The display device includes an image panel having a pixel repeatedly arranged in a first direction. The pixel consists of k sub-pixels where k is natural number. The average of the center distances between adjacent sub-pixels in the first direction is Psub. The display also includes a barrier panel arranged before or behind the image panel, a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other. The barrier panel is arranged between the first and the second substrate. The display device further includes a plurality of walls extended in a second direction crossing the first direction arranged with an interval Pw in the first direction, where m is a natural number but not a multiple of k, and Pw=mPsub.
US09645398B2
A head mountable display (HMD) system comprises an eye position detector comprising one or more cameras configured to detect the position of each of the HMD user's eyes; a dominant eye detector configured to detect a dominant eye of the HMD user; and an image generator configured to generate images for display by the HMD in dependence upon the HMD user's eye positions, the image generator being configured to apply a greater weight to the detected position of the dominant eye than to the detected position of the non-dominant eye.
US09645397B2
In a virtual reality or mixed reality environment, an HMD device is configured to use surface reconstruction data points obtained with a sensor package to identify a location of a floor of a real world environment in which the device operates by sorting the data points by height into respective buckets where each bucket holds a different range of heights. A bucket having the greatest number of data points that are below the height of a user of the HMD device is used to identify the height of the real world floor, for example, by calculating an average of height values of data points in that bucket. A floor for the virtual reality environment may then be aligned to the identified height of the real world floor.
US09645396B2
A head-mounted peripheral vision display and associated methods display information to a user without distraction. A plurality of light display elements are positioned within an area of peripheral vision of at least one eye of the user such that the information is imparted to the user without a need for repositioning or refocusing of the eye. The information may be determined from data received from one or more sensors and an illumination pattern is determined based upon the performance information. The light display elements are controlled to display the illumination pattern to the user.
US09645387B2
The invention relates to a cutoff mechanism (5) for an optical module comprising a housing (100) and a driving motor (30) provided with an armature resistance and being arranged to cause the movement of a light beam cutoff shield (10), said housing (100) being made of a plastic material, characterized in that said armature resistance is comprised between 25 and 120 Ohms.The invention also relates to an optical module comprising such cutoff mechanism (5).
US09645374B2
Various light-scanning systems that can be used to perform rapid point-by-point illumination of a focal plane within a specimen are disclosed. The light-scanning systems can be incorporated in confocal microscopy instruments to create an excitation beam pivot axis that lies within an aperture at the back plate of an objective lens. The light-scanning systems receive a beam of excitation light from a light source and direct the excitation beam to pass through the pivot point in the aperture of the back plate of the objective lens while continuously scanning the focused excitation beam across a focal plane.
US09645373B2
Fluorescence is generated from an irradiated point on an inspection surface of a sample and the fluorescence is collected by an objective lens. Here, because of the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens, the fluorescence going out from the objective lens travels along a path shifted from the irradiation light and changed substantially into a non-scan light by a galvano-scanner. The fluorescence passes through a dichroic mirror into a plane-parallel plate after light of unnecessary wavelength is removed by a filter. The plane-parallel plate is driven in synchronization with the galvano-scanner by a computer and corrects the shift and inclination of the optical axis generated by the magnification chromatic aberration of the objective lens. Then, the fluorescence forms an image of the irradiation point of the inspection surface of the sample on a pin hole of a pin hole plate by using a collective lens.
US09645372B2
An LED comprises a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first semiconductor layer, the active layer, and the second semiconductor layer are stacked in that order and located on a surface of the substrate. A number of first three-dimensional nano-structures are located on a surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer. The first three-dimensional nano-structures are linear protruding structures, a cross-section of each linear protruding structure is an arc. The present disclosure also relates to an optical element.
US09645368B2
An embodiment of this invention provides a zoom lens that includes, in order from an object side to an image-forming side, a first lens group having positive refraction power; a second lens group having negative refraction power; a third lens group having positive refraction power; and a fourth lens group having positive refraction power; wherein the second lens group and the fourth lens group move along an optical axis for zooming between a wide-angle end and a telephoto end.
US09645362B2
A 1-2nd lens group includes two aspherical resin lenses, and thereby it is possible to perform effective correction in order to suppress aberration fluctuation to be reduced. At this time, a glass lens is disposed between the two lenses, and thereby it is possible to control an incident light angle to the resin lens and to reduce power of the resin lenses, and it is possible to prevent variations of shapes of the resin lens. Even in a case where the second optical group is configured of one mirror, it is possible for a primary image to have appropriate aberration and to hereby reduce aberration for a good image which is finally projected onto a screen through the second optical group.
US09645357B2
A six-piece optical lens for capturing image and a six-piece optical module for capturing image are provided. In order from an object side to an image side, the optical lens along the optical axis includes a first lens with refractive power, a second lens with refractive power, a third lens with refractive power, a fourth lens with refractive power, a fifth lens with refractive power and a sixth lens with refractive power. At least one of the image-side surface and object-side surface of each of the six lens elements is aspheric. The optical lens can increase aperture value and improve the imagining quality for use in compact cameras.
US09645352B2
The image pickup apparatus has a focus lens that adjusts focus on a subject, an operating section (an MF operation ring) that accepts user's operation, and a focus-lens driver that drives the focus lens in response to the user's operation. The focus-lens driver drives the focus lens so that a rotation amount at the operating section, which is required for moving a focus position by unit distance, is maintained at a constant level with no regard to a subject distance.
US09645349B1
A compact LIDAR pointing assembly can comprise a body, first and second ferrules, and a clip component that can be used to maintain an engagement between the first and second ferrules and an alignment of light emanating from the first and second ferrules relative to received light propagating along an optical axis of the assembly. The ferrules can be pivoted to adjust the orientation of the light emanating from the ferrules.
US09645344B2
A cable supporting device includes a channel member having a top flange, a bottom flange, and an outer wall defining an inward facing channel. The channel extends around a curved back section, a first side section, and a second side section. A cross brace extends from the first side section to the second side section. The cable supporting device is used in a distribution system to store excess cable.
US09645343B2
Suspension clamps for fiber optic cables having a preferential bend are disclosed. The suspension clamp includes a body having a clamping region with a first radius R1 adjacent to the clamping region and a second radius R2 adjacent to the first radius R1 where the first radius is greater than the second radius R2. In one embodiment, the suspension clamp is formed from an first (upper) portion having an attachment structure and a second (lower) portion where the body is generally symmetric about the clamping region.
US09645338B2
Disclosed are optical ports and devices using the optical ports. The optical port includes a mounting body having a first pocket and at least one mounting surface for securing the optical port, one or more optical elements, and a first alignment feature disposed in the pocket, wherein the alignment feature includes a piston that is translatable during mating. The one or more optical elements may be an integral portion of the mounting body or a discrete lens. In other embodiments, the mounting body may include a plurality of pockets and one of the pockets may include a magnet for securing a plug to the optical port. The optical port may optionally have a minimalist optical port footprint so that the complimentary mating optical plug engages a portion of the frame during mating.
US09645337B2
A modular connector infrastructure includes device connector modules having optical connectors to optically connect to respective subsets of electronic devices in a system. The device connector modules are removably connected to the electronic devices.
US09645336B2
Optical connections for optical communication having in-line optical paths and magnetic coupling portions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical connection includes a lens block having an optical interface portion that defines an in-line optical path without an optical turn for optical signals propagating through the lens block, and a magnetic coupling portion disposed about at least a portion of the lens block. In another embodiment, a method of making an optical connection that includes providing a circuit board having one or more active components and placing a lens block on the circuit board. The lens block includes an optical interface portion defining an in-line optical path. The method further includes placing at least one magnetic coupling portion about the lens block. The at least one magnetic coupling portion is configured as a bulk magnetic material. Electronic devices and fiber optic cable assemblies are also disclosed.
US09645330B2
This optical module comprises a substrate, light-emitting elements, a ferrule, an optical receptacle, through-holes and an adhesive. The optical receptacle includes two support units, and an optical receptacle body that has a first optical surface and a second optical surface. The through-holes include two first through-holes surrounded by the leading ends of the support units and the ferrule, and two second through-holes which are surrounded by the optical receptacle body, the support units and the ferrule. Thus, even using the adhesive to fix the optical receptacle and the ferrule to the substrate, it is possible to optically connect multiple optical transmission bodies with multiple light-emitting elements or multiple light-receiving elements in a suitable manner.
US09645310B2
The invention is an active double-clad fiber comprising the following four layers: a high refractive index small diameter core; an inner annular clad layer doped with active ions surrounding the core; an outer annular clad layer surrounding the inner clad layer; and an annular low refractive index outer coating layer surrounding the outer clad layer. The structure of the fiber of the invention and the properties of the materials of its layers provides high discrimination against higher modes, thereby maintaining single mode operation in laser systems. The diameter of the core of the fiber of the invention is much smaller than the diameter of the large single transverse mode that it guides, thereby allowing guiding and amplification to take place mainly in the inner doped clad layer.
US09645306B2
The present invention proposes a backlight module including a back bezel made of memorizing alloy materials and a heating apparatus for heating the back bezel. The back bezel is curved upon a condition that a temperature is equal or over a predetermined temperature. The back bezel is flattened upon a condition that the temperature is under the predetermined temperature. The predetermined temperature indicates to a threshold temperature of deformation of the memorizing alloy materials. The present invention also proposes an LCD device and an OLED display device. The backlight module, the LCD device and the OLED display device of the present invention are capable of switching a surface between a plane and a curve at will.
US09645298B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device. The backlight module comprises a light bar, a light guide plate and a reflector sheet. The light guide plate and the reflector sheet are adhered to each other. An anti-reflection structure is provided on at least one side of the light guide plate and/or the reflector sheet. The anti-reflection structure is used for reducing light reflected by the reflector sheet which is emitted from the light sources. The anti-reflection structure includes anti-reflection structures. A first anti-reflection structure is located on one side of the light guide plate and/or the reflector sheet close to the light bar, while a second anti-reflection structure is located on other sides of the light guide plate and/or the reflector sheet. The present invention may improve the luminescence uniformity of the backlight module.
US09645288B2
A film for a display device and a method of manufacturing the film, the film including transparent layers; and scattering layers, the transparent layers and scattering layers being alternately arranged with a predetermined cycle, wherein a plurality of patterns are non-periodically formed in an upper surface or a lower surface of the film.
US09645287B2
A system for providing flexible optical aperture shapes in an optical inspection system (e.g., an optical wafer inspection system) is described. The system includes one or more mechanisms for providing multiple optical aperture shapes along an optical beam path in the optical wafer inspection system. The multiple optical apertures shapes are stacked or overlapped to combine the shapes and form a single combined optical aperture shape along the optical beam path.
US09645284B2
Disclosed is a precipitation gauge including a precipitation receiving member having a water collecting part provided in a shape of a funnel at a lower portion of a cylindrical body and a drain tube, a photodetector installed on an inner sidewall of the cylindrical body to detect snow collected in the precipitation receiving member, heating parts installed on a bottom surface of the water collecting part and a wall of the drain tube to receive a snow signal detected by the photodetector for operation of the heating parts, a rotatable fluid supply unit coupled on a connection tube coupled with the drain tube of the precipitation receiving member perpendicularly to the drain tube, and a flow rate measuring unit provided in a discharge tube coupled with the connection tube provided at a lower portion of the rotatable fluid supply unit to measure a flow rate.
US09645283B2
According to an embodiment, weather prediction apparatus divides prediction target area into grids and performs weather prediction for each grid. The apparatus includes receiver, calculator and corrector. Receiver receives observation value in each grid at a first time interval. Calculator sets first observation value received by receiver as initial value and calculates prediction value in each grid using advection model at a second time interval shorter than first time interval. When receiver receives second observation value after first observation value, corrector corrects advection model based on difference between second observation value and prediction value corresponding to observation time of second observation value.
US09645266B2
The resonant frequency of an example transducer can be adjusted by changing the effective mass of a backing mass using a tuning module. The tuning module includes a electrical source, a switch, and an electromagnetic coil connected in series as an electrical circuit. The electromagnetic coil is mechanically attached to the backing mass, and is disposed within a reservoir of a magneto-rheological fluid enclosed within a casing. When the switch is closed, the electrical source applies a voltage and current to the electromagnetic coil, and induces a localized magnetic field within the magneto-rheological fluid. In response to this localized magnetic field, the magneto-rheological fluid increases in viscosity, assumes properties comparable to a viscoelastic solid, and become affixed to the electromagnetic coil. As the electromagnetic coil is mechanically attached to the backing mass, the solidified magneto-rheological fluid increases the effective mass of the backing mass. As a result, the resonant frequency of the transducer is altered.
US09645260B2
Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for counting detection events via a photon counting detector array is provided. A first instance where an amplitude of an electrical signal exceeds an event threshold is detected. The first instance is generated responsive to a first detection event at a detector cell. An event counter is disabled from counting other detection events at the detector cell for a first blocking interval. At a conclusion of the first blocking interval, the amplitude of the electrical signal is determined. Responsive to determining that the amplitude of the electrical signal is below the event threshold, an adjustment is made to an event count based upon the first detection event. Responsive to determining that the amplitude of the electrical signal exceeds the event threshold, the event counter is disabled from counting other detection events at the detector cell for a second blocking interval.
US09645252B2
A method for extracting photon depth-of-interaction of an incident photon in a crystal with a reflective coating optically coupled to all sides of the crystal, except for an opening, wherein a photodetector is optically coupled to the opening. A pulse shape of a photodetector output as a result of detection of scintillation photons from the crystal generated by the incident photon is measured, wherein the reflective coating optically coupled to all sides of the crystal, except for an opening optically coupled to the photodetector reflects the scintillation photons passing to all sides of the crystal, except for the opening optically coupled to the photodetector. The pulse shape is used to determine photon depth-of-interaction within the crystal.
US09645248B2
A vehicle-based radio frequency (RF) hardware component comprises first and second antennas, a digitizer, a serializer, and a serial output. The first antenna receives, over-the-air, a first analog Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signal in a first frequency band. The second antenna receives, over-the-air, at least a second analog GNSS signal in a second frequency band, wherein the first frequency band and the second frequency band are separate and distinct. The digitizer digitizes the first analog GNSS signal into a first digitalized GNSS signal and digitizes the second analog GNSS signal into a second digitized GNSS signal. The serializer serializes the digitized GNSS signals into a serialized output signal. The serial output communicatively couples the digitized GNSS signals, as the serialized output signal, directly from a location in a vehicle of the radio frequency hardware component to a separate communication device that is also coupled with the vehicle.
US09645247B2
A method is described for estimating the coordinated universal time (UTC). The method involves receiving, by a satellite navigation receiver, signals broadcast by a global navigation satellite service (GNSS) satellite. The signals encode a first time of week (TOW) value. The method also involves estimating a first week number (WN) value and a first relationship between the UCT and a reference time of an onboard clock of the GNSS satellite (OFFSET) from time parameter values stored at a local memory. The method determines a first estimate of the UTC from the first TOW value, the first WN value, and the first OFFSET.
US09645242B2
Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of collaboratively correct location errors. For example, a device may include a collaborative location error corrector to collaboratively correct location errors for at least one group of two or more wireless communication devices, the location error corrector is to receive from at least a first wireless communication device of the group an error report indicating an error in an estimated location of the first wireless communication device, to determine correction information based at least on the error report from the first wireless communication device, and to provide the correction information to at least a second wireless communication device of the group.
US09645240B1
A method for optically scanning, measuring and displaying a point cloud is provided. The method includes emitting, by a laser scanner, an emission light beam and receiving a reflection light beam that is reflected from an object. A control device determines for measurement points projected on a plane corresponding to a screen, wherein at least some measurement points are displayed on a display device. One or more pixels are gap filled to generate a visual appearance of a surface on the display device. Wherein the gap filling includes a first horizontal search in a first direction of a first measured point of the measurement points followed by a second horizontal search in a second direction of the first measured point. The gap filling further includes a first vertical search in a third direction of the measured point, followed by a second vertical search in a fourth direction.
US09645238B1
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a proximity sensor, an electronic apparatus and a method for manufacturing a proximity sensor. The proximity sensor comprises a substrate, a sensor chip, a light-emitting device, a non-transparent isolation structure and a non-transparent molding material, wherein the sensor chip is located on the substrate and electrically coupled to the substrate; the light-emitting device is located on the sensor chip and electrically coupled to the sensor chip; the non-transparent isolation structure is located on the sensor chip and isolates the light-emitting device from a sensor region of the sensor chip; and the non-transparent molding material at least partially covers the substrate, the sensor chip and the non-transparent isolation structure, such that a portion of the proximity sensor which is located right above the sensor region and the light-emitting device is not covered by the non-transparent molding material.
US09645232B2
An adaptive sensing system can comprise an optical or infrared camera to generate image information relating to a region of observation, a passive sensor to receive electromagnetic radiation, an active sensor to emit and receive electromagnetic radiation, an image processing unit configured to detect the presence of human beings and objects other than human beings in the region of observation based on the generated image information and a control unit. When presence of a human being is detected, the control unit controls the passive sensor so as to receive electromagnetic radiation from at least the region where the human being is detected, and when presence of an object other than a human being is detected, the control unit controls the active sensor so as to transmit and receive electromagnetic radiation to and from at least the region where the object is detected.
US09645225B2
Apparatus and methods are directed to calibrating a delay within a wireless access point for determining a position of a mobile station. One method includes receiving an initial packet at an eavesdropping device, receiving a response packet, sent by another entity, at the eavesdropping device, computing a time difference based upon the packet arrival times, and providing the time difference to a position determination entity. Another method includes providing a request to appropriate eavesdropping devices to send information, receiving, from each appropriate eavesdropping device, a time difference which represents a difference in a time of arrival of a packet transmitted by the wireless access point and a time of arrival of a packet transmitted by the mobile station, determining a processing delay estimate based upon the time differences, and determining a position of the mobile station based upon the processing delay estimate and the received time differences.
US09645221B1
A method on a first mobile device is described. Information is received that includes i) location information for a second mobile device at a geographical location proximate to the first mobile device, and ii) user information selected by a user of the second mobile device. An image location is determined, within an image, that indicates a relative location of the second mobile device based on an orientation of the first mobile device and the location information for the second mobile device. The image is augmented to include a visual identifier that corresponds to the second mobile device at the image location. The augmented image is displayed.
US09645217B2
A method of determining a positioning error of a CNC machine is provided and an system thereof. A calibration element is placed within the CNC machine. A first sensor reading is taken of the calibration element. A second sensor reading is taken and the sensor is moved in a manner that the difference between the first and second sensor data decreases until the difference becomes less or equal to a pre-determined threshold value. A positioning error of the tool head is determined based on the movement of the sensor.
US09645211B2
A GRASE-type PROPELLER sequence called Steer-PROP is disclosed. This sequence exploits a serious of steer blips together with rewinding gradient pulse to traverse k-space. Steer-PROP improves the scan time by a factor of 3 or higher compared to FSE-PROPELLER, provides improved robustness to off-resonance effects compared to EPI-PROPELLER, and addresses a long-standing phase correction problem inherent to GRASE based sequences. Steer-PROP also enables intra-blade, inter-blade, and inter-shot phase errors to be separately determined and independently corrected.
US09645205B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a magnetometer system. The system includes a sensor cell comprising alkali metal particles and a probe laser configured to provide a probe beam through the sensor cell. The system also includes a detection system configured to implement nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) detection of a vector magnitude of an external magnetic field in a first of three orthogonal axes based on characteristics of the probe beam passing through the sensor cell and to implement electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) detection of a vector magnitude of the external magnetic field in a second and a third of the three orthogonal axes based on the characteristics of the probe beam passing through the sensor cell. The system further includes a controller configured to calculate a scalar magnitude of the external magnetic field based on the magnitude of the external magnetic field in each of the three orthogonal axes.
US09645196B2
A test structure (200) in an integrated circuit (100) includes a probe pad (210) disposed at a surface of a die (102) of the integrated circuit, a transmission gate (202) for connecting portions of an electronic circuit within the integrated circuit in response to a momentary signal applied to the probe pad, a first inverter (221) having an input coupled to the probe pad and having an output coupled to a control input of the transmission gate, and a second inverter (222) having an input coupled to an output of the first inverter and having an output coupled to another control input of the transmission gate. The output of the second inverter is coupled to the input of the first inverter. Upon power-up, the transmission gate is open. After the momentary signal is applied to the probe pad, the transmission gate closes and remains closed until power is disconnected.
US09645192B2
A ground fault interrupter circuit and a method for operating a ground fault interrupter that includes configuring the ground fault interrupter to perform a plurality of self tests. The ground fault interrupter may be configured to perform a ground fault self test, a grounded-neutral self test, and a trip circuit self test.
US09645180B1
The accuracy of photovoltaic simulation modeling is predicated upon the selection of a type of solar resource data appropriate to the form of simulation desired. Photovoltaic power simulation requires irradiance data. Photovoltaic energy simulation requires normalized irradiation data. Normalized irradiation is not always available, such as in photovoltaic plant installations where only point measurements of irradiance are sporadically collected or even entirely absent. Normalized irradiation can be estimated through several methodologies, including assuming that normalized irradiation simply equals irradiance, directly estimating normalized irradiation, applying linear interpolation to irradiance, applying linear interpolation to clearness index values, and empirically deriving irradiance weights. The normalized irradiation can then be used to forecast photovoltaic fleet energy production.
US09645176B2
A device for measuring a chopped current capable of flowing in a circuit having an H-bridge structure including a first branch and a second branch is disclosed. The device includes two transformers respectively connected to a branch and each comprising a primary circuit configured for the flow of a chopped current and a secondary circuit, two demagnetizing circuits, and two measuring circuits respectively connected to the terminals of the secondary circuit of an associated transformer, and respectively including at least one unit which comprises two switch connected in reverse, the two switches being respectively implemented by a transistor and being capable of being controlled. The measuring circuits include a common measuring resistor connected via a terminal to the ground, and via another terminal to the source of the first transistor of the first measuring circuit and to the source of the first transistor of the second measuring circuit.
US09645171B1
A traveling wave detector and method of traveling wave signal detection employ a plurality of detector diodes connected according to different polarities with respect to adjacent ones of the detector diodes. The traveling wave detector includes a transmission line having an input end and a terminal end and the plurality of detector diodes connected as stated above and spaced apart along the transmission line. The traveling wave detector further includes a plurality of direct current (DC) blocks to define a series conduction path. The method of traveling wave signal detection includes rectifying a received incident signal using the traveling wave detector to produce a video signal at each of the detector diodes and summing the video signals along the series conduction path to produce an output video signal.
US09645139B2
Provided herein are methods for identifying a compound having cell-protective (e.g., neuroprotective) activity. Compounds identified therefrom are also provided. These compounds can be used to treat various diseases, disorders, or conditions associated with, for example, unwanted cell death.
US09645137B2
This invention relates to methods of identifying, synthesizing, optimizing and profiling compounds that are inhibitors or activators of proteins, both naturally occurring endogenous proteins as well as certain variant forms of endogenous proteins, and novel methods of identifying such variants. The method accelerates the identification and development of compounds as potential therapeutically effective drugs by simplifying the pharmaceutical discovery and creation process through improvements in hit identification, lead optimization, biological profiling, and rapid elimination of toxic compounds. Implementation results in overall cost reductions in the drug discovery process resulting from the corresponding increases in efficiency.
US09645129B2
The present invention includes a method for determining the level of deep gas in a near surface formation that includes: measuring CO2, O2, CH4, and N2 levels in percent by volume from one or more surface or near surface geological samples; adding the water vapor content to the measured CO2, O2, CH4, and N2 levels in percent by volume; normalizing the gas mixture to 100% by volume or 1 atmospheric total pressure; and determining the ratios of: O2 versus CO2 to distinguish in-situ vadose zone CO2 from exogenous deep leakage CO2; CO2 versus N2 to distinguish whether CO2 is being removed from the near surface formation or CO2 is added from an exogenous deep leakage input; or CO2 versus N2/O2 to determine the degree of oxygen influx, consumption, or both; wherein the ratios are indicative of natural in situ CO2 or CO2 from the exogenous deep leakage input.
US09645128B2
There has been a need for coelenterazine analogs that exhibit luminescence properties different from those of known coelenterazine analogs. The present invention provides the compound represented by general formula (1).
US09645123B2
Low-pressure mixing of fluids includes a pumping system having a pump and a fluidic inlet port through which fluid is introduced to the pump. A fluid proportioning system is in fluidic communication with the fluidic inlet port of the pumping system to deliver thereto a fluid stream comprised of multiple different fluids. The fluid proportioning system includes a manifold having a plurality of inlet ports, an outlet port connected by tubing to the fluidic inlet port of the pumping system, and an outlet conduit providing an internal fluidic passageway to the outlet port. Each inlet port is fluidically coupled to a fluid source to receive one of the different fluids and to the outlet conduit to deliver thereto the received fluid for delivery out of the manifold through the outlet port to the fluidic inlet port of the pumping system.
US09645122B2
A gyro sensor includes a vibrator and a drive circuit. A PWM drive signal is applied to a pair of electrodes of the vibrator. The drive circuit outputs a high level signal and a low level signal to the electrodes as the PWM drive signal. The high level signal and the low level signal have potentials higher and lower than that of the reference signal, respectively. The drive circuit outputs the high level signal to one of the pair of electrodes and the low level signal to the other of the pair of electrodes.
US09645121B2
A nonlinear dynamic focusing control method includes: (1) using a minimum length in a scan line having the minimum length and a maximum length as an initial location and assigning a focal point on the scan line; (2) calculating half depth of focus of the focal point, and the initial location plus the half depth of focus of the focal point being the location of this focal point on the scan line; (3) determining an initial calculation location of the next focal point by adding the half depth of focus of the focal point from the location of this focal point on the scan line in the direction of the maximum length; and (4) determining if the initial calculation location of the next focal point is greater than the maximum length.
US09645112B2
An auto-cleaning and auto-zeroing system (1) comprises a first conduit for flow of ambient gas (16) and a 2nd conduit (22) for flow of ambient air (18). A cleaning chamber (12) removes impurities from ambient air (18). The 1st conduit (20) and 2nd conduit (22) are connected to a valve, operated by the continuous motor, which continuously draws ambient gas (16) or cleaned and filtered ambient air (18) through the system. Cleaned and filtered ambient air (18) enters the ionization chamber (10) to carry out a cleaning (flushing) and a cleaning (ionization) cycle. In this manner, contaminants and pollutants left in the ionization chamber (10) from the measurement of ambient gas (16) are flushed out and removed.
US09645107B2
Ion-selective electrodes (ISE's) optimized for analyte determinations and provides methods and apparatus for conditioning ion selective electrodes. The conditioning methods and apparatus are particularly useful for ISE's selective for, difficult to condition, less stable and temperature sensitive products, an are based on a concentration gradient and/or a short exposure to an increased temperature.
US09645100B2
An X-ray fluorescence analysis apparatus is provided with: an excitation source configured to excite an analysis target sample to emit a characteristic X-ray; an X-ray detector configured to detect the characteristic X-ray emitted from the analysis target sample; and an electromagnetic wave shield and a heat shield that are sequentially arranged from the analysis target sample toward the X-ray detector. The electromagnetic wave shield is provided with a through hole portion on which a through hole through which the characteristic X-ray passes is formed, the through hole having a size equal to or smaller than 50 μm. The heat shield is provided with a window portion through which the characteristic X-ray is passed through.
US09645092B2
A device and method for inspecting the deposition of hot melt onto an object to be assembled. A comparison is made between sensed images of the object after application of the hot melt and a predetermined standard to determine if the construction integrity of the object made with the hot melt is within the range established by the standard. Composite images from a sensor operating in the infrared band and another sensor reveal physical features of the object, as well as provide registration information about the placement of the hot melt on the assembled object. Composite images also present a way to visually ascertain ongoing or past production operations in order to trace problems with the raw material used for the object, as well as for the construction process of the object with the hot melt.
US09645090B2
Beginning with a sheet of optically transparent material, one may fabricate a great many shaped optical wafers, each in the form of a thin and essentially flat piece of optical material having a narrow cross-sectional width relative to length, and a sharply narrowed tip at one end. The fabrication process involves passing a sheet of optically transparent material through one or more operational steps wherein cutting, shearing, embossing, microperforating, or a combination thereof is performed. The fabrication process may further include a cladding operation, a tip texturing operation, and an analyte-reactive reagent deposition operation. The completed optical wafers are separated and each may be mounted into a user-operated device along with systems for educing a fluid sample to be expressed from a living organism, for bringing the tip of the optical wafer into contact with the fluid sample, and for illuminating and assaying the fluid sample.
US09645077B2
Optical spectrometer apparatus, systems, and methods for analysis of carbon-14 including a resonant optical cavity configured to accept a sample gas including carbon-14, an optical source configured to deliver optical radiation to the resonant optical cavity, an optical detector configured to detect optical radiation emitted from the resonant cavity and to provide a detector signal; and a processor configured to compute a carbon-14 concentration from the detector signal, wherein computing the carbon-14 concentration from the detector signal includes fitting a spectroscopic model to a measured spectrogram, wherein the spectroscopic model accounts for contributions from one or more interfering species that spectroscopically interfere with carbon-14.
US09645072B2
A sealing arrangement and a method for testing the integrity of a sealing arrangement of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first annular sealing element and a second annular sealing element in a joint between two elements of a flexible pipe, with a region of the joint therebetween; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing element and the second sealing element through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 0.2 MP or greater.
US09645060B2
Devices and methods are disclosed herein for separating a supernate from a suspension. The apparatus consists of a sample zone, a controllable gate, and an analysis zone. The sample zone holds the suspension. The analysis zone passively transports a supernate formed from the suspension by capillary transport. A controllable gate prevents the suspension in the sample zone from flowing into the analysis zone. The controllable gate can be triggered after the supernate has separated from the suspension to allow the supernate to flow into the analysis zone.
US09645057B2
A process for determining one of the presence, absence, or total of microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) in a sample. According to the process, a biological sample containing complex matrices is obtained. The sample is first combined with a resin to adsorb complex matrices from the sample. The resin is removed from the biological sample. The sample so prepared is then analyzed by flow cytometry.
US09645056B2
Disclosed are a pretreatment solution for immunohistochemical staining, which elutes a paraffin-containing embedding medium from a glass slide with a tissue specimen embedded in the medium, and retrieves antigenicity of the tissue specimen, and which is usable three or more times, and a pretreatment solution concentrate for immunohistochemical staining which allows ready preparation of the pretreatment solution and a method of immunohistochemical staining using the same. The pretreatment solution contains an antigen retrieving agent, particular nonionic surfactants, and cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof, with the balance being not less than 80 mass % of water. The content of the antigen retrieval agent is such that the pH of the pretreatment solution is in a predetermined range, and the content of cyclodextrin or a derivative thereof is a particular amount.
US09645055B2
A sampler has a sample chamber for a sample forming from a molten material, at least one lower cooling body, at least one upper cooling body, at least one inner cooling body, and at least one filling part. The sample chamber is surrounded jointly at least by the lower cooling body and the inner cooling body, such that at least the sample chamber can be cooled by at least the lower and inner cooling bodies. The filling part merges into the sample chamber by a filling opening. Between a region of the outer surface of the inner cooling body and a region of the outer surface of the upper cooling body opposite the outer surface of the inner cooling body, the sampler has at least one gap for conducting at least one gas. The volume of the respective cooling bodies is larger than the volume of the gap.
US09645049B2
A soot generating device suitable for calibration purposes and a method of using the device for calibrating a soot measuring apparatus are presented. The soot generating device includes a wick located relative to a burning zone, a gas diffusion shield surrounding the burning zone that allows a continuous stream of air into the combustion zone, and a fuel supply for delivering fuel to the wick.
US09645046B2
A method implemented using a processor based device includes obtaining a measured electrical signal from an electrical device coupled to a mechanical device and generating a signal signature representative of a fault in the mechanical device based on the measured electrical signal. The method also includes determining a diagnostic parameter based on a harmonic frequency of the signal signature and determining the fault in the mechanical device based on the diagnostic parameter.
US09645036B2
A method of inspecting pressure switch for inspecting if stability and the pressure switch's setpoint are within the standard range includes steps of: providing a standard pressure generator and a pressure detector, and connecting the standard pressure generator to the pressure switch and the pressure detector. Then, provide an inspector, and create data which includes a setpoint pressure value and a pressure switch operation condition. Next, electrically connect the inspector to the pressure switch and the pressure detector. Next, standard pressure generator applies pressure on the pressure detector and the pressure switch. Record the set pressure value and the reset pressure value of the pressure switch and calculate error values between the set pressure value, the reset pressure value and the default pressure value, and judge if stability and the pressure switch's setpoint are within the standard range according the error values.
US09645034B2
The present invention concerns a method of operating a wind power installation, wherein the wind power installation has an aerodynamic rotor in the form of a horizontal-axis rotor having a hub with at least one rotor blade, and provided on the rotor is at least one load measuring means for detecting a wind loading on the rotor, the method includes the steps: rotating the rotor of the wind power installation without or with a slight wind loading for calibration of the load measuring means and in that case recording a load measurement with the load measuring means, and calibrating the load measuring means based on the load measurement and previously known weight forces occurring at the rotor.
US09645031B2
A transmitting device which is disposed in a tire hollow region, and which transmits tire information relating to the state of the tire, comprises: a sensor which detects, as tire information, a state of a gas which is filled in the hollow region of a tire which is surrounded by the tire and a rim; a transmitter which wirelessly transmits the tire information; and a casing which houses the sensor and the transmitter therewithin. The casing further comprises a through hole which passes through a wall of the casing, and which extends in an orthogonal direction to a sensor detection face of the sensor. The surface area of an outer side aperture part of the through hole is 0.8 mm2 or less, and the sensor detection face faces an inner side aperture part of the casing inner side of the through hole without obstructing with the space.
US09645029B2
A pressure sensor system comprises a force feedback loop. The force feedback loop is configured to receive a measured pressure sensor signal and generate a feedback signal based on the measured pressure and an electrostatic force. The electrostatic force is generated based on the feedback signal and combined with the measured force keeping the resultant sensor signal stable.
US09645023B2
The present invention relates to the field of pressure sensor technologies, and discloses a discrete pressure sensor and an electronic device. The pressure sensor includes a pressure sensing chip and a force centralization sensing board component that is bonded onto the pressure sensing chip. The force centralization sensing board component has a hollowed area, the hollowed area has a force centralization position for centralizing force applied on the force centralization sensing board component, and the force centralization position is disposed against the pressure sensing chip. After pressure is applied in the hollowed area of the force centralization sensing board component, force is centralized to the force centralization position, conveyed to the pressure sensing chip in a centralized manner, and converted into control information to control an external electronic device through a circuit or the like of the electronic device. The discrete pressure sensor has a simple structure, and does not have a high requirement on assembly precision. In an actual application, the discrete pressure sensor is directly bonded onto an inner side of a front panel of the electronic device, and a user may control the electronic device through the discrete pressure sensor by touching and pressing positions in the hollowed area corresponding to the front panel. The discrete pressure sensor has a low requirement on installation, and is applicable in a wide scope.
US09645017B2
A system and method for conducting heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning Analytics is disclosed. The system uses one or more wireless pneumatic thermostats (WPT) and/or various other sensors in communication with a control device to maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, optimize, or otherwise adjust an installed pneumatic HVAC system.
US09645013B2
At least one indicator light is located on the body or probe sections of a thermometer to indicate to the user that adjustments should be made to the timing or probe cover positioning of the thermometer. Additionally or alternatively the thermometer retains and displays information from previous uses, and in particular displays information pertaining to how long ago the last temperature measure was taken. Additionally, the thermometer may include additional buttons which can function to toggle the display to provide various types of information to the user, or toggle between thermometer usage modes, icon display, and LED color, among others. In another aspect, an internal body section with an access door provides access to a button allowing the user to toggle the interface of the thermometer, such as whether the temperature output is in degrees Fahrenheit or degrees Centigrade.
US09645008B2
An electronic device may be provided with light sensors. The electronic device may have an electronic device housing in which a display is mounted. The display may have a transparent layer such as a transparent display cover layer, a thin-film transistor layer, or a color filter layer. An opaque masking layer such as a layer of black ink may be used to cover an inner surface of the transparent layer in an inactive area of the display. Sensor window openings may be formed in the black ink layer. A layer of ink may be formed in each sensor window opening. Each layer of ink may have a diffuse reflectivity that is matched to that of the black ink. A diffuser layer such as a polymer coating layer with light-scattering particles may be coated on the inner surface of the layer of ink in a sensor window opening.
US09645001B2
Apparatus features a signal processor module that responds to signals containing information about sensed sound propagating through a slurry flowing in part, including overflow pipes, of cyclones operating in parallel on a cyclone battery, and determine corresponding signaling containing information about the performance of individual cyclones based upon the signals received. The signal processor forms part of a non-invasive acoustic-based passive monitoring system having cyclones and sensors attached thereto. The signal processor module provides the corresponding signaling as output or control signaling, e.g., for controlling the cyclone battery.
US09644999B2
A magnetic field sensor includes a comparator coupled to receive a calculated threshold value based upon a temperature signal, a stored value of a temperature coefficient signal, and a stored value of a measure threshold signal, and also coupled to receive a signal representative of a magnetic field signal. The comparator is configured to compare the calculated threshold value with the signal representative of the magnetic field signal to generate an output signal. A corresponding method is associated with the magnetic field sensor.
US09644996B2
Obtained is a controller for an air-conditioning apparatus with which indication by light can be effectively performed. The controller includes a light source 21 capable of emitting light in a plurality of colors and a light guiding member 22 that diffuses the light emitted from the light source 21 so as to increase an indication area, thereby performing light indication in an indication region 22a. By increasing the light indication area, light indication can be effectively performed, and accordingly, visual recognition by the user can be easily performed.
US09644994B2
A magnetic sensor for detecting the position of a magnet in an X direction includes two magnetic sensor elements which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a Y direction and are disposed to face the magnet in a Z direction, in which a soft magnetic body is provided to be located between the magnet and the two magnetic sensor elements and to be located between the two magnetic sensor elements, the two magnetic sensor elements are provided in a range in which magnetic flux which is generated from the magnet saturates magnetization of free magnetic layers of the two magnetic sensor elements, magnetization directions of fixed magnetic layers of the two magnetic sensor elements are the same as each other, and a bridge circuit is configured with the two magnetic sensor elements.
US09644991B2
A sensor data collection system includes a plurality of sensors operatively coupled to a corresponding set of endpoints, the endpoints configured to communicate sensor data to a central data collection point via a data communication protocol. A proxy service-enabled endpoint facilitates interoperability with the data collection system for the benefit of endpoints that are otherwise incompatible with the data communication protocol. The endpoint includes a remote endpoint interface module configured to receive communications from at least one of the incompatible endpoints containing incompatible endpoint sensor data. A remote endpoint virtualization module operatively coupled to the remote endpoint interface module and associated with the at least one of the incompatible endpoints. The remote endpoint virtualization module is uniquely addressable according to a corresponding virtual endpoint address, and configured to store the incompatible endpoint sensor data and to communicate that data to the central data collection point via the data communication protocol.
US09644990B2
Systems and methods for improving sink rate alerting for rotary wing aircraft. In one example, the system includes a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, a processor that is in signal communication with the user interface device and the radio altimeter. The processor receives an altitude value, a position value for the aircraft and landing zone (LZ) information. The processor determines if the aircraft is on an approach to land at an LZ that is raised above surrounding terrain based on the received position value and LZ information. The processor receives sink rate information for the aircraft and generates a sink rate alert based on the received sink rate information and the aircraft altitude value if the sink rate information is greater than a sink rate value adjusted according to the LZ information. An output device outputs the generated sink rate alert. The LZ information includes an altitude value.
US09644989B2
A method of operation of a navigation system includes: receiving a notification associated with a remote location; detecting a user location for locating a device; detecting the user location at the remote location based on the notification; receiving an operation at the remote location when the user location is different from the remote location; and generating an alert based on the operation for displaying on the device.
US09644987B2
Disclosed herein is a method for controlling an electronic apparatus, wherein the control method may include determining a bidirectional link among a plurality of links forming a map data, the bidirectional link defines a two-way road as one link; generating a virtual link by moving the determined bidirectional link based on the width of a road; and displaying a guide screen using the generated virtual link.
US09644986B2
A drive support system includes a motion information acquiring unit 1 that acquires motion information of a driver of a vehicle; a vehicle information acquiring unit 2 that acquires vehicle information about a state of the vehicle; a controller 4 that decides drive support contents corresponding to the motion pattern matching the motion information of the driver and to the state of the vehicle the vehicle information indicates from the support condition data that records drive support contents corresponding to a motion pattern of a driver to be provided with the drive support and the state of the vehicle; and an information presentation unit 6 that presents the drive support contents the controller 4 decides.
US09644980B2
A system adapted to determine a projected range of a vehicle is described. The system includes: a storage element adapted to store a set of parameters associated with a vehicle; a map evaluation element adapted to retrieve information regarding a geographic area associated with a position of the vehicle; and a processing element adapted to determine the projected range of the vehicle based at least partly on the set of parameters and the retrieved information. An automated method of projecting a range of a vehicle includes: generating a set of range projection links; generating a monochrome bitmap based at least partly on the set of range projection links; rendering the set of range projection links within the monochrome bitmap; and tracing the rendered links to generate a polygon outline of the range of the vehicle. An automated method of caching map data for vehicle range projection is described.
US09644979B2
A travel support device includes a mode planner. The mode planner selects one of a first mode, in which the state of charge of a battery is not maintained, and a second mode, in which the state of charge of the battery is maintained, based on a road load in each section on a travel route, thereby planning a travel mode. The mode planner selects from the travel route a first priority section, which is a section to be planned by giving priority to the first mode as a travel mode based on information on the travel route. The mode planner replans the travel mode when the vehicle is currently traveling at the first mode and also the remaining charge of the battery is less than the remaining charge of the battery necessary for traveling in the thus selected first priority section.
US09644974B2
A system includes one or more computer processors configured to receive structure data for a building, receive location data relating to a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the building, receive data from the sensors, and determine one or more of a safe space within the building and a safe evacuation route through the building as a function of the building structure, the location of the plurality of sensors, and the sensor data. The system further includes a plurality of display units positioned throughout the building and configured to display one or more of a message relating to an event within the building, an instruction on where to proceed in the building, and symbols indicating a direction for evacuation out of the building as a function of one or more of the safe space and the safe evacuation route.
US09644968B2
A system and method synthesizing images of a locale to generate a composite image that provide a panoramic view of the locale. A video camera moves along a street recording images of objects along the street. A GPS receiver and inertial navigation system provide the position of the camera as the images are being recorded. The images are indexed with the position data provided by the GPS receiver and inertial navigation system. The composite image is created on a column-by-column basis by determining which of the acquired images contains the desired pixel column, extracting the pixels associated with the column, and stacking the columns side by side. The composite images are stored in an image database and associated with a street name and number range of the street being depicted in the image. The image database covers a substantial amount of a geographic area allowing a user to visually navigate the area from a user terminal.
US09644966B2
An integrated optical circuit comprises a first waveguide section of a first material having a first index of refraction, a second waveguide section diffused with a second material, different from the first material, the second waveguide section having a second index of refraction; and a third waveguide section of the first material. A portion of the first waveguide section at a first interface is angled at a first angle and a portion of the second waveguide section is angled at the first angle. A portion of the first waveguide section at a second interface is angled at a second angle and a portion of the third waveguide section is angled at the second angle. The first angle and second angle are selected such that the angle of incidence of light at the first and second interfaces is greater than the Brewster's angle.
US09644960B2
The invention relates to a laser beam horizontal trueness testing device for a laser beam projection device for construction and/or interior design work. The laser beam projection device is equipped with a beam self-leveling functionality. The laser beam horizontal trueness testing device has a telescope with an attenuating filter, a magnifying objective, and a flat image sensor for capturing an image of a laser beam incident on the objective. Components of the laser beam horizontal trueness testing device further include a natural inclination compensator and an analyzing unit which is designed to automatically ascertain an image position of the laser beam captured in the image by processing the image. According to the invention, the flat image sensor is arranged on an image plane of the objective, and the analyzing unit is additionally designed to quantify the laser beam horizontal trueness.
US09644951B2
The invention belongs to the field of measuring tools, particularly relates to a pointer-type angle measuring device with wireless power supply for lighting for measuring angle state of an object. The invention includes a housing, a dial, a pointer and an electronic circuit. Wherein, the electronic circuit includes a wireless power supply circuit and a wireless power receiving and lighting circuit, and the wireless power receiving and lighting circuit is set on the pointer. The invention is characterized in that the pointer can illuminate, and the invention is convenient for people to use in a low light environment, to measure angle of the object.
US09644940B2
A system and method for the monitoring of ammonia in a fluid. The ammonia monitoring system includes an ammonia sensor that is configured to detect trace amounts of ammonia (NH3) in a fluid (i.e., gas or liquid) that is pumped through it in real time. The real time ammonia sensor includes an interferometer configured to track the amount of ammonia that is pumped into the real time ammonia sensor. The ammonia monitoring system, via the real time ammonia sensor, is further configured to detect ammonia levels in industrial poultry houses and provide electronic feedback to the building's ventilation control system.
US09644933B2
The invention relates to a folding rule (G) which comprises at least four sections (1, 2, 3, 4) that are hinged together, at least the fourth section (4) having two scales (SK1, SK2) for angle measurement and the first section (1) having at least one reading mark (M). The first scale (SK1) for angle measurement and the reading mark (M) are located on the respective section (4, 1) such that the reading mark (M) points to the value of the first scale (SK1), which corresponds to the angle (α) to be measured between the sides (O1, O2) that rest on the second section (2) or on the fourth section (4) when the first section (1) and the fourth section (4) are aligned in parallel and a first lateral edge (1.1) or a second lateral edge (1.2) of the first section (1) rests on a first lateral edge (4.1) of the fourth section (4). The second scale (SK2) for angle measurement and the reading mark (M) are located on the respective section (4, 1) such that the reading mark (M) points to the value of the second scale (SK2), which corresponds to the angle (α) to be measured between the sides (O1, O2) that rest on the third section (3) or on the fourth section (4) when the first section (1) and the fourth section (4) are aligned in parallel and a second lateral edge (1.2) of the first section (1) rests on a second lateral edge (4.2) of the fourth section (4). The invention further relates to a method for angle measurement by means of the folding rule (G).
US09644932B2
A stun grenade includes a fuze assembly secured to a housing adjacent gas outlet ports. The fuze assembly includes a fuze body having contact surfaces located in the flow path of the gas from the outlet ports so that gas flowing from the outlet ports impinges on the contact surfaces. The contact surfaces of the fuze body extend at an angle of no more than about 50 degrees to the first direction.
US09644931B1
Ammunition case priming tool, associated components, and methods of use. The priming tool can be adjustable to adjust a primer seating depth in the ammunition case. An actuation mechanism includes an actuator and a primer driver drivable by the actuator for seating the primer in the case. A stop engages the primer driver to limit travel of a priming head in a priming direction to determine seating depth of the primer. The priming tool can be configured for the priming head to return to a consistent home position.
US09644927B2
The archery arrow having improved flight characteristics of the present invention is designed to improve the accuracy of the arrow which is equipped with a dampening medium within the central bore of the arrow shaft. The dampening materials in an embodiment may include, but not be limited to, silicon, epoxies or urethanes and selection of various dampening materials may provide for varying degrees of stiffness. The dampening effects of internal dampening materials decrease the initial deflection distance of the arrow and also serves to decrease the deflection with each oscillation. In addition, the dampening medium adopted in the present invention provides for an arrow having a selectable center of gravity location that has improved flight characteristics. Thus, the dampening materials adopted in the present invention provide for a selected location of center of gravity and a desired attnuation of oscillations.
US09644924B2
An archery backstop includes a collapsible frame used to receive a front board and a rear board. The front board is formed from a medium density fiberboard while the rear board is formed from an extruded polystyrene insulation. The frame is collapsible about a pair of hinges formed on the frame, allowing the frame to be folded in half when transported. A pair of magnetic locks disposed on the frame maintains the backstop in a collapsed position, while a rotatable locking mechanism disposed on the frame maintains the frame in an open position during use. The frame further includes an adjustable hanger bar support to allow for various configurations and placements of a target to be attached to the backstop.
US09644923B2
A composite, protective fabric, and garments made thereof, are disclosed. The composite fabric has microflex layers of woven para-aramid yarn placed in proximity to metallic mesh layers of woven stainless steel mesh. The individual poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide fibers in the para-aramid yarn have a denier of less than or equal to 2 dtex. The metallic mesh layers are woven from stainless steel fibers having a diameter of 0.2 mm or less and have a mesh aperture of 0.45 mm or less. The garments made using the fabric include glove, bullet proof vests and chain-saw resistant trousers.
US09644917B1
The tool for extracting stuck gun-cleaning tool is a device that is adapted for use with small arms. The tool for extracting stuck gun-cleaning tool is further adapted for use with a handle. The tool for extracting stuck gun-cleaning tool is a tool designed to be inserted in the barrel of a small arm. The tool for extracting stuck gun-cleaning tool captures and removes the remnants of broken small arm cleaning brushes that are left in the barrel of a small arm. The tool for extracting stuck gun-cleaning tool comprises a base and a shaft.
US09644915B2
A module to provide assistance in pulling of a trigger of a non-fully automatic firearm. The module includes a finger extension which engages the trigger and is powered by a compact motor such as an electrically driven solenoid. Further, the rate of trigger pulls and other parameters thereof are determined according to a processor of the module that is programmed to direct the solenoid. Thus, a user of the firearm may remain focused on sights and targeting while the act of achieving a trigger pull is accomplished by the extension of the module. Therefore, accuracy and safety of may be enhanced for the firearm.
US09644909B2
Disclosed is a firearm configuration for a handgun. The firearm configuration is designed to reduce the recoil forces encountered by a user upon firing the weapon. It further includes a recoil plate that absorbs forces generated by the slide during firing. Recoil forces are reduced by lowering the firearm's center of mass and by aligning a recoiling mass with the user's arm and trigger finger.
US09644900B2
An evaporation heat transfer tube has a tube main body and a step-like structure; outer fins are arranged at intervals on the outer surface of the tube main body and an inter-fin groove is formed between two adjacent outer fins; the step-like structure respectively abuts against the bottom plane and one of the side walls of the inter-fin groove. The step-like structure has a first surface, a second surface and at least one flange formed by the intersection of the two surfaces, wherein the first and the second surface intersect respectively with the side wall and the bottom plane.
US09644897B2
Provided is a heater core which has a simple structure using a pipe connector formed by coupling a first plate and a second plate, thereby facilely manufacturing it, and also which can have a smaller size, since an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are disposed to be adjacent to each other.
US09644896B2
A fin-and-tube heat exchanger comprises: fins (31) which each have flat sections (35), first sloped sections (36), and second sloped sections (38); and heat transfer pipes (21). If a flat plane which is in contact, from the side opposite the crest of a ridge (34), with the upstream end and downstream end of the first sloped sections (36) in the air flow direction is a reference flat plane (H1), the angle between the reference flat plane (H1) and each of the second sloped sections (38) measured in a region upstream of a through-hole in the air flow direction is θ2, then the range of θ2 is determined by the relationship 0°<θ2
US09644895B2
Provided is a substrate processing apparatus. The substrate processing apparatus includes a chamber providing an inner space in which a process with respect to a substrate is performed, a heating plate on which the substrate is placed, the heating plate being fixedly disposed within the chamber, a heater spaced from a lower portion of the heating plate to heat the heating plate, and a lift module lifting the heater.
US09644887B2
A heat exchanger assembly, a refrigerator, and a method of controlling a refrigerator are provided. The heat exchanger assembly may include a heat exchanger provided on or at a side of a refrigerator body, the heat exchanger including a refrigerant tube, in which a refrigerant may flow, and at least one heat exchange fin, in which the refrigerant tube may be inserted, a temperature sensor disposed on or at an inlet-side or an outlet-side of the heat exchanger to detect a temperature of the refrigerant, and a sensor holder to fix a guide tube disposed on or at an inlet-side or outlet-side of the refrigerant tube and the temperature sensor in a state in which the guide tube is in contact with the temperature sensor.
US09644883B2
A fluidized bed conveyor belt freezer system including at least one wire mesh conveyor belt in a freezer housing with a plurality of coil arrays and centrifugal fan assemblies that produce a high volume of cold air directed directly upward to a plurality of adjustable vanes mounted under the belt. The vanes are longitudinally aligned and evenly distribute the volume of cold air through the conveyor belt to efficiently fluidize, freeze the product transported on the conveyor belt. The volume of cold air in the fan chamber is produced by a plurality of fan assemblies that draw cold air from the coils, uniformly mixed and delivered to the entire length of the bottom of the conveyor belt. The vanes are adjusted to distribute the cold air in the fan chamber through the conveyor belt to prevent blowouts. The fan motors are mounted externally on the freezer housing for easier servicing.
US09644877B2
Frequency of a compressor is controlled so that an evaporating temperature reaches a target evaporating temperature during cooling operation, and, when refrigerant stagnation in a condenser of an outdoor unit is detected during cooling operation, a stagnation-resolving operation is implemented. The stagnation-resolving operation includes stagnation suppression control in which the target evaporating temperature is reduced within a range in which an evaporator does not freeze so as to increase a refrigerant circulation volume in the condenser, and stagnation-avoidance priority control which is implemented when implementation of the stagnation suppression control is not able to resolve stagnation, and in which an opening degree of an expansion valve is controlled to be opened and the target evaporating temperature is further reduced so as to further increase the refrigerant circulation volume.
US09644875B2
An air-conditioning system includes at least one outdoor unit including a compressor, a four-way valve, and an outdoor heat exchanger, at least one indoor unit including an indoor unit expansion valve and an indoor unit heat exchanger, and at least one humidity control device including a humidity control device expansion valve, a humidity control device heat exchanger, and first and second water adsorption/desorption devices. The compressor, the four-way valve, the outdoor heat exchanger, the indoor unit expansion valve, the indoor unit heat exchanger, the humidity control device expansion valve, and the humidity control device heat exchanger are connected to each other with pipes so as to constitute a refrigerant circuit.
US09644874B2
A method for controlling a supply of refrigerant to an evaporator (5) of a vapor compression system (1), such as a refrigeration system, an air condition system or a heat pump, is disclosed. The vapor compression system (1) comprises an evaporator (5), a compressor (2), a condenser (3) and an expansion device (4) arranged in a refrigerant circuit. The method comprises the steps of: Actuating a component, such as an expansion valve (4), a fan or a compressor (2), of the vapor compression system (1) in such a manner that a dry zone in the evaporator (5) is changed; measuring a temperature signal representing a temperature of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (5); analyzing the measured temperature signal, e.g. including deriving a rate of change signal; determining a temperature value where a gain of a transfer function between the actuated component and the measured temperature drops from a maximum value to a minimum value, in a decreasing temperature direction; defining the determined temperature value as corresponding to a zero superheat (SH=0) value of refrigerant leaving the evaporator (5), and controlling a supply of refrigerant to the evaporator (5) in accordance with the defined SH=0 temperature value, and on the basis of the measured temperature signal. The method steps may be repeated at certain time intervals in order to provide updated determinations of the SH=0 temperature value. The method allows the SH=0 point to be determined purely on the basis of the measured temperature signal. Subsequently, the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator (5) can be controlled purely on the basis of the measured temperature signal.
US09644862B1
An air duct filter apparatus for filtering air discharged from an air duct into a room, vehicle or other space at a duct opening in a surface. The apparatus has a venting device, such as a register or vent, that fits within the duct opening. A pair of filter brackets on the venting device support an air filter behind a venting area, typically having louvers, of the venting device. Preferably, the air filter is sized to frictionally engage the filter brackets so it will be held in place but be easily removable from the brackets. A pair of duct brackets are mounted to the surface on opposite sides of the duct opening. A connecting mechanism connects the venting device with the duct brackets in a manner that allows the venting device to be pulled away from the surface to inspect, clean or replace the air filter without using tools.
US09644856B1
A system and method for monitoring and controlling an energy demand by an HVAC system utilizes a control device that is operably installed in the HVAC system. The system performs the following steps: receiving, in a control device, values of one or more parameters related to performance of the plurality of powered components; comparing the received values with corresponding predetermined threshold values; determining overloading of the electrical grid by a powered component based on respective values of one or more parameters being less than the corresponding predetermined threshold values for the powered component; and selectively controlling the operation of the powered component without disrupting operation of the remaining plurality of powered components.
US09644842B2
A glow plug (1) provided with heater (2); tubular main metal shell (4) with shaft hole (43); conductive member (3) extending in the shaft hole toward a rear end side GK; metal terminal member (5) with one part (55) positioned in the shaft hole and another part (56) protruding from a rear end (48) of the main metal shell toward the rear end side GK, the terminal member including an enclosing portion (51) opened toward a front end side GS housing a rear end portion (32) of the conductive member and having electrical continuity with the rear end portion, the terminal member being disposed in the shaft hole while spaced apart from an inner peripheral surface 43m of the main metal shell; and sealing member (7) made of an insulator and airtightly sealing and insulating between the inner peripheral surface and the terminal member in the shaft hole.
US09644841B2
A chimney section and a chimney system for handling gases is disclosed. The chimney section is rounded but non-circular in cross sectional shape and includes at least one flange on one end of the section body. The chimney section may be formed from a single piece of material, wherein the section body and flange are integrally formed with one another. In the chimney system, the junction between two adjacent chimney sections may consist of a flange interface, which is formed by the adjacent flanges on opposing ends of two adjacent chimney sections. A V-band may be placed over the flange interface to further seal the interior of the chimney sections, and a sealant may be placed in various positions of the chimney system to hermetically seal the interior thereof from the exterior. In another embodiment of the chimney system, insulation is added to create an insulated chimney system.
US09644837B2
A power tool includes a tool body including a motor having an output member that drives an accessory. A chuck is coupled for rotation with the output member relative to the tool body and configured to retain the accessory. The chuck has a chuck body that defines at least one light pipe formed therethrough. A light source disposed on a light ring coupled to the tool body and includes at least one light. Each at least one light source aligns with each of the at least one light pipe intermittently during rotation of the chuck.
US09644828B1
An improved LED lighting system is provided for overhead ceiling lighting, as well as for other uses. The LED lighting system comprises elongated linear lamps having an LED luminary as a source of illumination and configured to operate as a node of an automated networked lighting system. The linear LED lamps have internal modular network connectors and control components so that they can receive control data and power signals over a single network cable according to a standardized power and data network communications architecture such as Ethernet. The system includes connector assemblies designed to securely mount the networkable linear LED lamps to conventional tube lamp lighting fixtures or to another support housing and to provide integrated power and data connectivity to internal components of the lamps. In one form, the disclosed system includes a network enabled snap-fit connector assembly mounted to a lighting fixture and configured to provide Ethernet power and data connectivity to the lamp. The LED lamps have first and second mechanical connectors at opposite ends of the lamp body, and the snap-fit connectors are configured to secure the lamps to an overhead lighting fixture or other support structure as an incident of the lamp ends moving relative to the mounting connectors in a substantially straight path that is transverse to the length of the body into an engaged position. The snap-fit connectors are also configured to form a network connection with an internal modular network connector associated with the lamp with the lamp mounted in its operative state on a support. In another form, a clipping mechanism is provided for mounting linear networkable LED lamps to an overhead grid ceiling system.
US09644824B2
A light assembly that includes a cover, a housing coupled to the cover, and a lamp base coupled to the cover. The light assembly also includes a first circuit board disposed within the housing. The first circuit board has a plurality of light sources thereon. A heat sink is thermally coupled to the light sources and is disposed within the housing. The heat sink includes openings therethrough. Each of the outer edges is in contact with the housing. The light assembly also includes an elongated control circuit board assembly electrically coupled to the light sources of the first circuit board and the lamp base. The control circuit board extends through the openings. The control circuit board has a plurality of electrical components thereon for controlling the light sources.
US09644823B2
Display module mounting configurations and methods are disclosed. A frame for an LED module can comprise a first face configured for coupling with an LED circuit board, a second face configured for mounting to a support chassis, and one or more translating structures coupled to the second face. Each translating structure can be configured to engage a feature of the support chassis effectuating a translation of the LED module to avoid contact or interference with an adjacently-positioned LED module, mounted to the support chassis, during a mounting or a dismounting procedure. The LED module can also include one or more securing structures coupled to the second face. An LED module can include a circuit board including a plurality of LEDs, and the frame.
US09644813B2
Disclosed is a lighting device which comprises: an optical member comprising a protruding optical pattern forming a gap with an adjacent layer; at least one light emitting unit inserted into the optical member; and a resin layer formed on the optical member and the at least one light emitting unit, whereby it is possible to obtain an effect that the shapes of light change depending on the viewing angle when viewing the light source by producing various protruding optical patterns, an effect that the whole thickness can be reduced, and an effect that the degree of design freedom can be enhanced when designing products thanks to an enhanced flexibility.
US09644809B2
A light source unit includes a socket, a heat dissipation member, a board and a semiconductor light emitting element. The socket has a first thermal conductivity and includes a portion that defines a first side and a second side. The heat dissipation member has a second thermal conductivity being higher than the first thermal conductivity. The board is disposed on the first side. The semiconductor light emitting element is supported by the board. The socket is an injection-molded member. The heat dissipation member includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on the first side, extends in a first direction, and supports the board. The second portion includes a portion extending in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, as a result of being subjected to bending processing. A part of the second portion is disposed on the second side.
US09644807B1
Apparatuses and systems are illustrated relating to solid-state light sources with enhanced designs. The enhanced design may include bending the leads of an LED about ninety degrees to point all LED tips along horizontal planes. The enhanced design is implemented in an electronic window candle product.
US09644802B2
Lighting equipment is provided that enables illumination light having a stable FCI to be obtained, without influence from the lighting conditions. To this end, lighting equipment 1 performs control of lighting a first light-emitting element 12a while substantially not lighting a second light-emitting element 12b when a red light-emitting element 12c is lit under first lighting conditions where a peak wavelength of light from the red light-emitting element 12c has a first value, and of lighting the second light-emitting element 12b while substantially not lighting the first light-emitting element 12a when the red light-emitting element 12c is lit under second lighting conditions where the peak wavelength of the light from the red light-emitting element 12c has a second value, the second value being greater than the first value.
US09644801B2
A light-emitting section (2) and a transparent member (1) which is arranged on a side of a surface (SUF2) of the light-emitting section (2) and exhibits transparency with respect to laser light (L) are provided, and the transparent member (1) includes a plurality of scattering microregions (MP) which isotropically scatter the laser light (L) passing therethrough and increase a light-emission spot size of the laser light (L).
US09644800B2
A LED linear lamp that eliminates the cave effect by transmits the majority of its light downwardly in a main illumination direction and a lesser amount of light upwardly in a secondary illumination direction that is in a direction opposite to the main illumination direction. The LED linear lamps of the invention have one or more circuit boards with LEDs positioned thereon. These circuit boards with LEDs are positioned in a light transparent or translucent tube. Down lighting in the main illumination direction is provided by having some LEDs facing downwardly in the primary illumination direction, while up lighting is provided by having some LEDs facing upwardly or by provision of light transmission holes in the circuit board to permit some light leakage upwardly.
US09644786B2
A pet feeder has a pneumatic lifting system with a rotatably mounted feeding tray. A support structure has an end connected to a surface of a feeding tray located opposite another end connected to a retaining structure. A capturing structure is connected to a cylinder. The capturing structure has an upper capturing portion having a primary opening located opposite a lower capturing portion having a secondary opening. The upper capturing portion has a primary retaining lip and the lower capturing portion has a secondary retaining lip forming a track. The retaining structure is retained within the capturing structure. The retaining structure is configured to travel along the track of the capturing structure and to rotate the tray around the perimeter of the cylinder. The pet feeder can have audio capabilities, a programmable timer, a feeding alert system, and a removable tray.
US09644785B2
A stand for a musical keyboard is both stable in a deployed configuration and conveniently compact and portable in a collapsed configuration. The separation of the arms and legs may not change in width as the height of the stand is adjusted. The stand has two “floating” V's, one for the arms and one for the legs. These components slide vertically in slots in a central column and are locked in place with clamps that wrap around the column. To adjust the height of the stand, a user loosens either or both the top and/or bottom clamp (arm clamp or leg clamp) and slides the associated floating V up or down along the center column, then re-tightening the clamp when adjustments are finished. For transport and storage, the user loosens each clamp and rotates the arms or legs in, towards the column.
US09644783B2
The present invention is directed to a compact and pocketable camera support that attaches to an outer separate case or directly to the camera, tablet or phone body. This system uses one or more legs and/or other support features that fold away from the base of the invention and support the device whether it is a camera, phone or laptop/tablet computing device.
US09644780B2
A fluid conduit includes a flexible member having a tubular wall and a plurality of geometric segments located adjacent to the tubular wall. The geometric segments are disposed about a central axis of the conduit and spaced apart relative to each other to define a gap therebetween. The gap is sized to be closed by contact between adjacent geometric segments upon a predetermined flexure of the flexible member. A method of forming the conduit includes forming a flexible member with a tubular wall and forming a plurality of grooves about the central axis in the tubular wall. The geometric segments in one embodiment are formed from the intersections of a first plurality of helical grooves formed at a first angle relative to the central axis and a second plurality of helical grooves formed at a second angle mutually opposite from the first angle.
US09644776B2
In a prefabricated electrically heatable media line having at least one pipeline part with an integrated electrically conductive device and having at least one connecting device, in particular a plug, screw or coupling device, the pipeline part and the electrically conductive device extend as far as or close to that end of the connecting device which is averted from the pipeline part or close to, in front of or in a connection contour. In a method for producing a media line, a pipeline part is produced with at least one integrated electrically conductive device and the integrated electrically conductive device is exposed in at least one end region of the pipeline part, permanent electrical contact is made with said integrated electrically conductive part by a contact-making device, and the contact-making device is routed out at the outer face of the pipeline part in order to form a connection to an electrical energy source.
US09644768B2
A sealing assembly has an expansion band having an arcuate band portion and a pair of threaded end portions formed at opposing ends of the arcuate band, in which the arcuate band and threaded end portions are monolithically formed as a single piece. Fixed within respective threaded end portions are a pair of oppositely threaded nuts adapted to receive a bolt having correspondingly oppositely threaded ends. Rotation of the bolt causes the threaded end portions to be simultaneously driven apart or drawn toward one another (depending on the rotation direction of the bolt) to thereby expand or contract the overall outer profile of the arcuate band portion. The monolithically formed expansion band may be made of an inexpensive, non-rusting material such as nylon 66, and glass fibers and/or additives may be employed to impart strength and flexibility.
US09644767B2
A pipe support structure comprised of a series of blocks mounted on a base to create opposing ridges arrayed on opposite sides of a central drainage channel. The ridges have a rounded curved outer surface and create intervening valleys that are sloped to direct fluid flow into the central drainage channel. The ridges are arranged and oriented so that the curved outer surface of the ridges support the pipe on its peripheral underside above with the drainage channel and create a space between the bottom of the pipe and the base. The blocks may be angled to further facilitate desired drainage into the drainage channel.
US09644764B2
An offshore fluid transfer system comprising a boom (2100) and at least one movable fluid conveying pipe (3000) attached to the boom, said movable pipe (3000) comprising, starting from its anchorage point, a length for extension, then an outer valve (3210) for coupling to a third party loading pipe, a maneuvering cable called outer maneuvering cable (4100) maneuvered from the boom (2100) being furthermore linked to the free end of the movable pipe at a point referred to as cable anchorage point, characterized in that the anchorage point is rigidly connected to the outer valve (3210). The invention also relates to the corresponding method.
US09644761B2
A fluid pumping system with energy recovery features may be used to provide feed water to a reverse osmosis unit. The system includes an electronic controller unit that regulates the output of three hydraulic pumps. Each hydraulic pump drives the movement of a piston in a cylinder. The pistons collectively deliver a generally constant flow of high pressure feed water to the reverse osmosis unit. Concentrate valve bodies direct concentrate from the reverse osmosis unit to the back sides of the pistons to reduce the work required from the hydraulic pumps. The concentrate valve bodies are designed to open and close based upon the flow of concentrate through the valve bodies. The piston and cylinder are designed for exposure to sea water and RO brine.
US09644754B2
There is provided a valve structure including a valve case provided with a suction port and discharge ports, valve bodies provided for opening and closing the discharge ports and a drive body for driving the valve bodies, where the valve bodies are provided with, at one end thereof, a blocking portion for closing the discharge port and at the other end thereof, an elastic member portion generating an elastic force for moving the blocking portion for opening and closing the discharge port, the rod-like drive body having a convex portion on its side is inserted into through-holes provided on the valve bodies in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the blocking portion moved by an elastic force, and the blocking portion is moved in the direction intersecting the drive body by the rotation of the drive body, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the discharge port.
US09644749B2
For sealing the steering column opening in a body panel located between passenger cell and engine compartment, an assembly consists of at least one steering column mounting bearing, at least one body panel flange and at least one elastomer suspension, via which the steering column mounting bearing is suspended from the body panel flange. The body panel flange is expanded housing-like into at least one series-specifically designed reducing piece, the elastomer suspension being at least partially embodied as a series-independent universal suspension. At least two damping chambers located between the reducing piece and the steering column mounting bearing are formed with the elastomer suspension.
US09644748B2
The invention relates to a seal for a sawing machine (1) for separating electronic components (12), comprising: an elongate form-retaining holder (20,22), a flexible, elongate expandable body (8,9)and a pressure source (24) for a medium, wherein the elongate expandable body (8,9) is provided with a strengthened elongate edge (21) which lies clear of the form-retaining holder (20,22) The invention also relates to a sawing machine (1) for separating electronic components (12) provided with such a seal.
US09644737B2
A method controls a transmission in a motor vehicle. The method involves displaying transmission information on a primary display, determining when a hand is approaching a gear selector, and initiating a display of, and then displaying, gear selection information on a secondary display when the hand is approaching the gear selector, before the hand touches the gear selector, the secondary display being a multi-use changeable display that, at different times, displays information for different systems of the motor vehicle. The method may therefore provide the information to the driver when it is needed, before the gear is shifted.
US09644735B2
A speed sensor is integrated with a bearing of a transmission. The speed sensor may sense rotation of a bearing cage using a proximity sensor or may sense passage of the rolling elements themselves using an acceleration sensor. The speed of the shaft supported by the bearing is calculated from the speed sensor reading. The shaft speed may be used to control a slipping clutch during a shift event. When the transmission is in a fixed gear ratio, inconsistent speed sensor reading may indicate a preload issue.
US09644727B2
In a wave gear device, the inner race and the boss are fixed together by a laser welded part formed along the entire periphery thereof. The laser welded part also functions as an oil seal for sealing the inner race and the boss. The boss and the inner race are fixed together in a manner that a required axial length is short, and that machining and assembling steps are reduced. Oil seal members are not required to seal the boss and the inner race.
US09644719B2
A step actuator includes a housing, a stator in the housing, a rotor including a magnet provided radially inward of the stator and a nut member inserted into the magnet and protruding through one side of the housing, a bearing rotatably supporting the nut member, a screw member coupled with the nut member to linearly move as the rotor rotates, and a mounting member supported on one side of the housing to support the screw member in such a manner that the screw member is linearly movable. The nut member includes an end portion passing through the bearing and a coupling portion extending from the end portion to couple with the bearing.
US09644718B2
A shift arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission has a housing. At least two push rods are mounted on the housing so as to be movable in an axial direction between a neutral position and a shift position. The push rods can each be coupled to a shift clutch. At least two return rods are mounted on the housing. The return rods are each coupled to one of the push rods so that a push rod and the return rod associated therewith are moved in opposite axial directions. A shift cam of a shift member can be aligned with a push rod or with a return rod for the purpose of selecting, and can transmit a pushing force to a selected rod. A driving feature is arranged on the shift member and can transmit a pushing force in order to move an unselected rod into the neutral position.
US09644711B2
An automotive multistage transmission may include an input shaft and an output shaft, a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, and a fourth planetary gear set each including three rotary members and transmitting torque between the input shaft and the output shaft, and at least six shifting members connected to the rotary members of the planetary gear sets.
US09644709B2
The present invention relates to a speed transmission device for a hybrid type motor vehicle comprising a primary transmission shaft (34) connected to a thermal engine (10) through a disengaging coupling (38) and carrying at least two primary toothed wheels (50, 52) cooperating with at least two secondary toothed wheels (54, 56) carried by a secondary transmission shaft (36) connected to an axle shaft (20) of the vehicle and to an electric machine (12).According to the invention, one (54) of the secondary toothed wheels is carried by secondary shaft (36) through a one-way coupling (58).
US09644694B2
A wheel locking or parking brake assembly for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the wheel locking or parking brake assembly includes a plate member affixed to a wheel or axle having a plurality of closely spaced holes in a circular configuration or a circumferential flange with a peripheral extension or lug; an electrically powered pin advancing and retracting device; the pin adapted to engage and pass into any of the holes or advance in the path of the extension or lug; electric power supply and electric current polarity reversing device, wherein in operation, the pin remains in either an advanced or retracted position depending on the direction of the current when the electric power was switched off.
US09644690B2
A wedge clutch, including: an inner race having a radially outermost surface sloping radially outward from a first axial side to a second side; an outer race located radially outward of the inner race; a wedge plate radially disposed between the inner and outer races, the wedge plate including a radially innermost surface sloping radially outward complementary with the radially outermost surface of the inner race; and an actuation assembly arranged to displace the inner race in the first axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a locked mode in which the inner race, the wedge plate and the outer race are non-rotatably connected and in the second axial direction to place the wedge clutch in a free-wheel mode in which the inner and outer races are rotatable with respect to each other.
US09644679B2
A slewing bearing, in particular for a vehicle, comprises an inner ring, an outer ring, at least one row of rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a sealing feature that define between the rings a closed annular space within which the rolling elements are disposed. The bearing also comprises at least one seal that is fixed to the outer ring and comprises at least one sealing lip that is oriented towards the outside of the bearing, and at least one deflector that is fixed to the outer ring and comprises a deflecting part that is at least partially offset axially towards the outside with respect to the sealing lip of the seal.
US09644672B2
A tapered roller bearing includes an outer ring having an outer-ring raceway surface that increases in diameter from a first side toward a second side in an axial direction, an inner ring having an inner-ring raceway surface and also having a cone back face rib that is located on the second side of the inner ring in the axial direction and that protrudes outward in a radial direction, a plurality of tapered rollers, an annular cage, and a reservoir portion provided on the second side of the outer ring in the axial direction and having a recessed groove that is formed on an inner periphery of the reservoir portion and in which lubricant is stored. The recessed groove has a recess and protrusion at its bottom.
US09644666B2
An electrically insulating cage nut (10) having a nut body (12) which is held in a cage (14), in which the nut body (12) has a cylindrical attachment (16) and a broadened holding element (18), and the cylindrical attachment (16) has an internal thread (20) and extends through an opening (22) in the cage (14) to the outside, wherein the internal diameter of the opening (22) is substantially larger than the external diameter of the cylindrical attachment (16), but is smaller than the external size of the holding element (18), and an insulator apparatus (24) is arranged between the cage (14) and cylindrical attachment (16), wherein the insulator apparatus (24) is formed integrally, and in consequence the cage nut (10) consists of only three components (12, 14, 24).
US09644665B2
A method for correcting translational misalignment between male and female fastener members to prevent false threading, the method comprising: inserting a lead end of a male fastener member into a female fastener member, wherein the female fastener member comprises: at least one female fastening thread formed in an interior of the female fastener member, at least one female lead thread formed in the interior of the female fastener member, the at least one female lead thread having a groove in the crest, and wherein the male fastener member comprises: a shank that has a lead end for insertion into the interior of the female fastener member; at least one male fastening thread formed on the exterior of the shank as a plurality of thread windings adapted to mate with the at least one female fastening thread; at least one male lead thread formed on the exterior of the shank at the lead end that is at least a half winding around the shank and comprises a curved profile defined by an arc having a radius approximately equal to a radius of an arc that is tangent to both flanks of a thread profile of the at least one male fastening thread and below the pitch line of the at least one male fastening thread; and rotating the fastener members relative to each other while the at least one male lead thread of the male fastener member passes over and does not thread into the groove in the crest of the at least one female lead thread of the female fastener member.
US09644660B2
An assembly improving, lower mass fastener head that is easier to handle and reduces the amount of material that is required in manufacturing the fastener comprises three lugs at multiples of 60 degrees around an axis of a threaded body. Those portions of a hex head that are not necessary for application and transmission of torque, nor necessary to resist axial loading, nor necessary to axially stabilize the fastener head within current driving tooling may be removed. Compatibility with existing hex head tools is maintained while improving handling of the fastener by an assembler and reducing material used in the fastener head.
US09644658B2
The present invention relates to a fixing device and finds particular, although not exclusive, utility in providing an anchoring point in plasterboard cavity walls or ceilings for the purpose of affixing other items thereto, in which the fixing device may be used in plasterboard walls of varying thickness without risk of over-insertion and loss of the fixing device in the cavity behind the plasterboard.
US09644653B2
A lightweight board having an upper covering layer, which extends in a longitudinal direction, a lower covering layer, which extends parallel to the upper covering layer and is spaced apart from the upper covering layer in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, a light middle layer, which extends between the upper covering layer and the lower covering layer, and a bar, which extends between the upper covering layer and the lower covering layer and consists of wood or wood-based material. To simplify the production of a connection arrangement, the bar has a machine-worked tongue profile and/or groove profile, which is formed for mechanical locking in the longitudinal direction and in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction with a corresponding profile of a further component. The invention also relates to a corresponding connection arrangement and a corresponding method for producing a connection arrangement.
US09644651B2
The method for controlling the hydraulic system of construction machinery according to the present disclosure includes an engine speed prediction step, in which a variable rated engine speed, which varies within a range larger than a fixed rated engine speed and smaller than a high idle engine speed for the fixed rated engine speed and a virtual engine speed, which is to be input later, are predicted to output a virtual engine speed value predicted before an actual engine speed is input. Accordingly, when an operation load is applied, pump torque may initially have a margin, and even though an engine speed is decreased due to the operation load, it is possible to prevent an engine speed decrease phenomenon in which the engine speed becomes remarkably smaller than the rated engine speed.
US09644645B2
A hydraulic servovalve having two stages and feedback members in which the movable power distribution member has clamp means for clamping the feedback member, while allowing a clamped portion of the feedback member at least one freedom of movement relative to the movable distribution member.
US09644643B2
A three stream aspirator includes an upstream passage for receiving and discharging a motivator stream, a low pressure passage for receiving and discharging a low pressure stream, and a Venturi for receiving and discharging the motivator stream and for drawing the low pressure stream through the low pressure passage. The aspirator body also includes a mixing passage for receiving and mixing the motivator stream and the low pressure stream, and a first aspirator outlet, located at the end of the mixing passage, configured to discharge the mixed stream from the aspirator. The aspirator body further includes an isolated passage for receiving a high pressure stream, wherein the high pressure stream is isolated from any other stream while within the aspirator; and a second aspirator outlet, adjacent to the first aspirator outlet, from which the high pressure stream is discharged.
US09644638B2
The mainline electric oil pump assembly relates to the field of assemblies for pumping oil in main oil pipelines. The aim of the present invention is to create a mainline electric oil pump assembly with improved technical and economic characteristics, reduced noise and vibrations, and increased reliability, service life and performance. The main distinguishing features of the proposed assembly which contribute to the achievement of the aforementioned aim are: the non-splined, zero-backlash seating of the impeller on a smooth shaft, the use of roller bearings seated in a non-splined, zero-backlash fashion on the smooth shaft, the use of mechanical seals seated in a non-splined, zero-backlash fashion on the smooth shaft, the use of self-correcting adjustable spherical supports under the supporting feet of the pump, and the boring of the seating surfaces of the pump housing for the rotor in a single set-up operation.
US09644634B2
A method for synchronously inhibiting subcritical vibrations of magnetic levitation molecular pump rotor, by use of synchronously sampling signals of subcritical vibrations of the rotor generated after the rotor of the magnetic levitation molecular pump touches down so as to obtain the amplitude and the phase of subcritical vibrations of the rotor, based on which a compensation force is output for inhibiting subcritical vibrations of the rotor. Through using the present method, an accurate synchronous for signals of subcritical vibrations and fast inhibition for subcritical vibrations of the rotor is achieved.
US09644624B2
A piezoelectric fan includes a vibration sheet, piezoelectric elements, a reinforcing sheet having one principal surface bonded to the vibration sheet and the other principal surface bonded to the piezoelectric element, and a fixing sheet. The vibration sheet is fixed to the inside of an electronic device by the fixing sheet which is disposed at one end of the vibration sheet. The total thickness of the reinforcing sheet and a region of the vibration sheet in which the piezoelectric elements are disposed is greater than the average thickness of a region of the vibration sheet in which the piezoelectric elements are not disposed. The coefficient of linear expansion of the vibration sheet is higher than that of the first and second piezoelectric elements. The reinforcing sheet is formed of a material having a coefficient of linear expansion and a modulus of elasticity identical to the vibration sheet.
US09644621B2
The arrangement of the present invention is applied to a compressor which comprises a bearing hub housing a crankshaft and presenting at least a first and a second bearing portion, spaced apart by a circumferential recess. The crankshaft presents at least a first and a second support portion, spaced apart by a circumferential recess, which is offset from the circumferential recess of the bearing hub. At least one of the bearing portions and support portions has an axial extension superior to that required for radially bearing the crankshaft, the first and second bearing portions defining, with the first and second support portions, respectively, a first and a second radial bearing regions having the axial extensions required for a radial bearing for the crankshaft, presenting lower loss by viscous friction.
US09644616B2
A disc-type concentrator comprises a disc rack vertical post, a disc rack, a rotating shaft, a rotating reflection mirror, a power driving device, and a control system. The rotating shaft is arranged on the disc rack and rotatably connected with the disc rack. The rotating reflection mirror is arranged on a side of the rotating shaft and fixedly connected with the rotating shaft. The power driving device is arranged on the disc rack or on the back surface of the rotating reflection mirror and driving the rotating reflection mirror to rotate. The control system is connected with the power driving device and controlling the working state of the power driving device.
US09644614B2
A lightning protection system for a wind turbine with a tower, a nacelle, a blade hub and a blade attached to the blade hub is provided. The lightning protection system includes an inner conductor inside the blade, an outer conductor arranged outside the blade and in electrical communication with the inner conductor, a collecting conductor arranged at the front end of the nacelle and in electrical communication with the outer conductor and a down-conductor connected to ground and in electrical communication with the collecting conductor. The outer conductor and the collecting conductor have substantially a same distance to the rotational axis. Further, a wind turbine with such a lightning protection system is provided.
US09644601B2
A linear generator includes a permanent magnet array having at least two magnets arranged end-to-end. A set of conductive coils is arranged around the permanent magnet array. A four-phase full wave rectifier is configured to accept alternating current inputs from the set of conductive coils and to produce one or more direct current outputs. A summing circuit is configured to aggregate the one or more direct current outputs from the rectifier to produce a combined, rectified direct current output.
US09644600B2
A power generation apparatus for underwater power generation including at least two balloons completely submerged under a water surface of a water body, wherein a first balloon is filled with a gas and a second balloon is initially empty, a first and a second flexible hose, a plurality of hose reels, a plurality of pulleys, a cord connecting the first balloon and the second balloon, a pump connected to the first flexible hose and the second flexible hose in an airtight manner, a first valve, a second valve, at least two pressure sensors and at least two flow rate sensors, a generator. The apparatus further includes a power controller that reads data from the at least two pressure sensors and the at least two flow rate sensors to control the opening of the first valve, the second valve, and a pumping direction of the pump.
US09644593B2
Systems and methods for managing cold-crank events. In an embodiment, a method may include detecting a cold-crank event and setting a switching circuit to a non-conductive state, where the switching circuit is configured to couple a first regulator to a memory circuit such that setting the switching circuit to the non-conductive state de-couples the memory circuit from the first regulator. The method may also include setting the switching circuit to a conductive state in current limitation mode during a recovery period following the cold-crank event to re-couple the memory circuit to the first regulator. In another embodiment, an electronic device include a switching circuit, a first regulator coupled to a first terminal of the switching circuit, a second regulator coupled to a second terminal of the switching circuit, a logic circuit coupled to the switching circuit, and a memory circuit coupled to the second terminal of the switching circuit.
US09644584B2
A vehicle fuel supply structure with an improved fuel filter for easy maintenance of the fuel filter. A vehicle fuel supply structure includes fuel in a fuel tank that is sucked by a fuel pump and supplied to a fuel injection valve disposed in a throttle body via a secondary fuel filter adapted to filter the fuel to remove foreign matter therein. A regulator is provided for regulating fuel pressure. The secondary fuel filter, the regulator and the fuel injection valve are connected by fuel pipes. A third fuel filter is installed at least in an inlet side connecting portion between the regulator and a regulator inlet side fuel pipe, of the fuel pipes, on the side where fuel enters the regulator.
US09644583B2
A fuel pipe protective structure includes a fuel pipe, a connecting member, and a protective member. The protective member is to protect a connection between the fuel pipe and the connecting member. The protective member includes a base and a cover. The base is to be connected to a vehicle body wall that defines an engine compartment. The cover is to be interposed between the connection and an internal combustion engine so as to cover the connection. The cover includes a guide. The guide is configured to cause the protective member to be plastically deformed in order to displace the connection in a receding direction in which the connection moves to avoid being caught by the internal combustion engine in a case where the internal combustion engine moves toward a vehicle interior upon collision of the vehicle.
US09644579B2
A fuel supply system has a pressure chamber which communicates with a fuel gallery. The pressure chamber receives the fuel from the feed pump or the returned fuel from the fuel gallery. The fuel in the pressure chamber receives heat energy from the engine E so that the fuel is brought into gas-liquid phase. A volume change of the fuel in liquid phase in the fuel gallery can be compensated by a volume change of the fuel in gas phase or gas-liquid phase in the pressure chamber. Thus, the pressure pulsation in the fuel gallery is absorbed in the pressure chamber.
US09644570B2
An internal combustion engine includes in one aspect a source of a pressurized working medium and an expander. The expander has a housing and a piston, movably mounted within and with respect to the housing, to perform one of rotation and reciprocation, each complete rotation or reciprocation defining at least a part of a cycle of the engine. The expander also includes a septum, mounted within the housing and movable with respect to the housing and the piston so as to define in conjunction therewith, over first and second angular ranges of the cycle, a working chamber that is isolated from an intake port and an exhaust port. Combustion occurs at least over the first angular range of the cycle to provide heat to the working medium and so as to increase its pressure. The working chamber over a second angular range of the cycle expands in volume while the piston receives, from the working medium as a result of its increased pressure, a force relative to the housing that causes motion of the piston relative to the housing.
US09644568B2
Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.
US09644567B2
An engine includes a control means that calculates a standard injection time based on the target number of revolutions of the engine and a standard injection amount being a fuel injection amount of the engine and corrects the standard injection time based on at least a correction amount, and a fuel injection control unit calculates a coolant correction amount based on the target number of revolutions, the standard injection amount, and a coolant temperature of the engine, and when the coolant temperature is less than a first predetermined temperature, the fuel injection control unit corrects the standard injection time only based on the coolant correction amount.
US09644564B2
Methods and systems are provided for addressing pre-ignition that may be induced in response to actions taken to mitigate a cylinder misfire. An amount of engine load limiting applied may be adjusted to reduce the likelihood pre-ignition while also addressing component over-temperature issues. By limiting an engine load while shutting off fuel in a misfiring cylinder, and while combusting a lean air-fuel mixture in the remaining cylinders, pre-ignition induced by the misfire-mitigating lean combustion conditions can be reduced.
US09644561B2
Various approaches are described for air-fuel ratio control in an engine. In one example, a method include adjusting fuel injection from an anticipatory controller responsive to exhaust oxygen feedback of an exhaust gas sensor positioned upstream of an exhaust catalyst, the anticipatory controller including a first integral term and a second integral term, the second integral term correcting for past fuel disturbances. In this way, it is possible to provide fast responses to errors via the anticipatory controller, while corrected known past fueling errors, on average, via the second integral term.
US09644540B2
A collector 3 that collects particles P contained in a fluid includes: a bent pipe 31 that guides the fluid flowing from a first direction X in a second direction Z; a branch pipe 32 that causes the fluid guided in the second direction Z to branch into the second direction Z and a third direction Y; a collection pipe 34 in which the particles P in the fluid guided in the second direction Z by the branch pipe 32 are collected; and a reduction-expansion pipe 33 which is arranged between the bent pipe 31 and the branch pipe 32 and of which the flow path is narrowed while being biased to an inlet side of the bent pipe 31.
US09644529B2
A supercharged internal combustion engine may include a twin-flow turbine with variable vane geometry. One example method to operate the device permits optimized operation of the internal combustion engine at low exhaust gas flow rates.
US09644521B2
A method for operating an exhaust gas purification system of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system has an SCR catalyst where a reducing agent containing ammonia is metered into the exhaust gas at a predeterminable metering rate which is produced from a base value and an adaptation factor which corrects the base value. A test procedure checks and, if appropriate, adjusts the adaptation factor where a first nitrogen oxide value is compared with a second nitrogen oxide value of the exhaust gas, where the first and the second nitrogen oxide value are determined by the same nitrogen oxide sensor disposed downstream of the SCR catalyst. The first nitrogen oxide value is determined when the metering of the reducing agent is switched off and the second nitrogen oxide value is determined when the reducing agent is metered at a test metering rate which can be predetermined.
US09644517B2
An exhaust treatment device for treating exhaust includes a main body defining an interior, an inlet, and an outlet; an inlet arrangement disposed at the inlet; an aftertreatment substrate disposed between the inlet and the outlet; a restrictor arrangement disposed between a first closed end of the main body interior and the aftertreatment substrate; and a dosing arrangement configured to inject reactant into the exhaust. The restrictor arrangement defines a restricted passageway that extends towards the first closed end so that exhaust entering the main body interior from the inlet is swirled around the restricted passageway before entering the restricted passageway and passing to a second chamber prior to the aftertreatment substrate.
US09644511B2
A fuel gas cooling apparatus includes a cooling duct which causes a cooling gas to flow out into a mixing duct, and a difference of maximum dimensions in a height direction of a flow inlet and a flow outlet with respect to a passage length of the mixing duct is smaller than a difference of maximum dimensions in the height direction of a flow inlet and a flow outlet with respect to a passage length of an expanded duct, or a difference of maximum dimensions in a width direction of the flow inlet and the flow outlet with respect to the passage length of the mixing duct is smaller than a difference of maximum dimensions in the width direction of the flow inlet and the flow outlet with respect to the passage length of the expanded duct.
US09644507B2
An oil pan structure (1) includes a lower structure (2) fixed to a lower portion of an engine block, a main oil pan (3) provided under an engine block with the lower structure being between the main oil pan and the engine block, a sub oil pan (5) that is provided in the main oil pan (3) and forms a first chamber (6) and a second chamber (7) inside the main oil pan (3). The sub oil pan (5) is separated into an upper body (5a) and a lower body (5b). The upper body (5a) is formed together with the lower structure (2) by injection molding.
US09644505B2
A rotary valve internal combustion engine has a piston connected to a crankshaft and reciprocatable in a cylinder, a combustion chamber being defined in part by the piston. The engine has a rotary valve rotatable in a valve housing fixed relative to the cylinder, the rotary valve having a valve body containing a volume defining, in part, the combustion chamber and further having a wall part thereof a port giving, during rotation of the valve, fluid communication successively to and from the combustion chamber via inlet and exhaust ports in the valve housing, wherein the rotary valve is rotatable about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft, the valve being mounted in a bearing arrangement which restrains the valve from movement in the axial direction but permits movement in the radial direction.
US09644500B2
An electricity-water co-generation system and method, the method comprising: step 1, heating saline water by spent steam, crystallizing a calcium magnesium compound in the saline water, then filtering the saline water; step 2, distilling the descaled water, and discharging strong saline water; step 3, converting the heat energy of the saturated steam into electric energy, dividing condensed water generated by releasing heat energy of the saturated steam into two parts, one part being output as fresh water; step 4, heating the other part of condensed water, and converting the heat energy of the overheated steam into electric energy, then feeding spent steam to heat the saline water and distilling the descaled water at a high temperature. The system comprises a descaling device, a mixed heat exchanger, a residual heat generator and a thermal power generation device, and the working process of the system is accordance with the method.
US09644496B2
The present application provides a radial diffuser exhaust system for use with a gas turbine engine. The radial diffuser exhaust system may include a radial diffuser positioned within an asymmetric exhaust collector. The asymmetric exhaust collector may include a closed end chamber and an exhaust end chamber. The closed end chamber may have a first size, the exhaust end chamber may have a second size, and the first size may be smaller than the second size.
US09644491B2
A single bolting flange arrangement for variable inlet guide vane (VIGV) connection includes a connection arm connected to a stem of the VIGV to rotate the VIGV. The connection arm is driven by a drive pin received in a slot of the connection arm. The connection arm has a bolting flange and the stem of the VIGV is fastened to one side of the single bolting flange by a bolt/nut assembly.
US09644489B1
An abradable turbine component, a method of creating a turbine component with an abradable mesh structure, and a gas turbine engine are provided. The abradable turbine component includes a turbine component surface for coupling to a turbine casing, and a deposited abradable mesh structure coupled to the turbine component surface. The abradable mesh structure includes interlacing strands of material, each strand including a height relative to the turbine component surface. At least two of the plurality of interlacing strands include a height different from each other. The method includes applying a bond coat layer followed by a thermal barrier coating layer. An abradable mesh structure is deposited on top of thermal barrier coating wherein the abradable mesh structure includes interlacing strands of material wherein at least two of the interlacing strands include a height different from each other. A gas turbine engine including the abradable turbine component is also provided.
US09644484B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating a surface, such as a gas turbine surface, with a filming agent using an inlet bleed heat manifold. A filming control system includes a storage tank configured to contain a filming agent; an inlet bleed heat manifold; and a supply conduit coupled to the storage tank on a first end and the inlet bleed heat manifold on a second end; wherein the filming control system is configured to deliver the filming agent from the storage tank and to discharge the filming agent through the inlet heat bleed manifold and the filming agent includes siloxane, fluorosilane, mercapto silane, amino silane, tetraethyl orthosilicate, succinic anhydride silane, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing.
US09644480B2
A fluid pressure rotary machine includes a cylinder block that is fixed to a rotary shaft and includes a plurality of cylinder bores, a piston disposed to be free to slide in each cylinder bore such that a volume chamber is defined thereby, a swash plate that causes the piston to reciprocate such that the volume chamber expands and contracts, and a valve plate that slides against the cylinder block and includes an intake port and a discharge port communicating with the volume chamber. The valve plate includes a sliding surface formed to project in a spherical shape against the cylinder block. The cylinder block includes a sliding surface formed as an indentation corresponding to the shape of the sliding surface of the valve plate. A minute gap is formed between the sliding surface of the valve plate and the sliding surface of the cylinder block in an outer edge position.
US09644479B2
The invention is a device for sampling fluids under pressure from a well which comprises a chamber for retaining the fluid within a sample chamber (01). The chambers includes a first piston which allows or prevents fluid inflow into the lower part of the chamber. The first piston is displaced by means comprising an elastic element (20) disposed in a chamber filled with oil and connected to the piston by a rod (04). Sampled fluid transfer means allows control of the descent of a second piston (02) from the upper part to the lower part of the chamber so that the fluid remains at constant pressure in chamber during the transfer.
US09644473B2
A sensing system comprises at least one gauge disposed in a wellbore, a sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge, and a debris barrier coupled to the sensing link. The debris barrier comprises a housing coupled to the sensing link, and a barrier element configured to reduce the transport of particulates from the wellbore into the sensing link.
US09644467B2
A method of recovering heavy oil from a subterranean reservoir. The method includes injecting steam into a subterranean reservoir to heat heavy oil in the subterranean reservoir and thereby produce heavy oil of reduced viscosity; injecting a multi-purpose agent into the subterranean reservoir; and producing the heavy oil of reduced viscosity from the subterranean reservoir after injecting the steam and the multi-purpose agent. The multi-purpose agent comprises an ester of the formula RxCOORy wherein Rx is a straight chained or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, Ry is a straight chained or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, C is carbon and O is oxygen.
US09644464B2
A downhole tool, and method of using the downhole tool, for enhancing recovery of heavy oil from a formation. The downhole tool includes an outer core having at least one ceramic portion. At least one electromagnetic antenna is disposed within the outer core. The at least one electromagnetic antenna is operable to emit electromagnetic radiation to heat the at least one ceramic portion.
US09644450B2
A well choke, and an actuation mechanism for the well choke are described. The actuation mechanism includes a linearly translating drive mechanism which is coupled to a valve member drive assembly through a fluid coupling which facilitates a change in the overall length of the actuation mechanism. Fluid in the fluid coupling can be released in response to fluid pressure exerted on the valve member when it is proximate a valve seat of the choke, to achieve this change in length. In some embodiments, the fluid coupling will provide a retained fluid column and the valve member drive assembly will include a piston with in the fluid coupling which is movable from a fully extended to a compressed, by the release of fluid from the coupling in response to pressure in the chamber reaching a threshold level.
US09644448B2
The isolation tool works at depth in the bore of a pipe whose upper end is to be severed and replaced. The tool isolates the lower pipe bore from the upper bore so that flammable downhole fluid is prevented from reaching a welding site along the pipe wall. The tool incorporates: means for establishing a pair of axially spaced apart annular seals engaging the pipe inner surface; means for venting downhole fluid to ground surface; and means for monitoring for seal leakage. The tool is primarily mechanical in nature. It finds use in connection with off-shore platform riser renewal operations.
US09644446B2
A ball launcher has a body and a ball conveyor. The body has a sidewall defining axial bore, an attachment for attaching to a tubing string, and at least one radial port that provides access though the sidewall to the axial bore. The ball conveyor is carried by the body adjacent to an associated radial port. The ball conveyor comprises an inner bore in communication with the associated radial port and extends laterally outward from the body. A shaft extends along the inner bore, the shaft having a helical flight having at least one turn around the shaft, the flight and a bottom portion of the inner bore defining a ball receiving space large enough to receive a ball to be launched. A drive source rotates the shaft in a first direction to cause the flight to advance one or more balls toward the radial port.
US09644439B2
A valve assembly for use in an inner tube member of a core barrel head assembly positionable within a drill string of a drilling apparatus. The piston member of the valve assembly is located between a fluid pressure communication port and a fluid flow port to hold the retracting case in an up position and the latches retracted. After an increased fluid pressure has pushed the piston member past the annular element or bushing, the piston member substantially restricts fluid flow through the bushing and allows the retracting case to move to a down position and extend the latches. If the latches are not extended due to an obstruction or misalignment, the retracting case will prevent the piston member from completely passing through the bushing, thus maintaining high fluid pressure due to the flow ports remaining closed, and indicating to the driller that the latches have not properly latched.
US09644431B2
In embodiments a drilling rig system includes a rig unit having rig equipment and a rig electrical subsystem configured for electrical communication with the rig equipment and including a rig electrical subsystem input transformer, an electrical system including a primary power supply subsystem remote from the rig unit, and an intermediate electrical subsystem.
US09644429B2
The present disclosure provides a drill bit having cutters of different geometries, such as the combination of round cutters and scribe cutters. The drill bit includes at least one radial location at which both a round cutter and a scribe cutter are disposed. Thus, the drill bit leverages the high cutting efficiency of the scribe cutter as well as the high impact resistance of the round cutter. Additionally, the round cutter and the scribe cutter have the same maximum distance from the drill bit. Thus, the round cutter and the scribe cutter which share the same radial location contact the rock formation at substantially the same time when used in a drilling operation.
US09644424B2
A motorized shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided that can be actuated by touching its hem bar. The motorized shade, such as a roller shade, comprises a shade material extending from a top end to a bottom end, a hem bar assembly connected to the bottom end of the shade material, and a shade drive unit operably connected to the top end of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises a touch sensing module adapted to detect a user touching the hem bar assembly and transmit a control signal in response to the detected touch. The shade drive unit comprises a motor and a motor control module adapted to receive the control signal and control the motor to open or close the shade material. The control signal can be wirelessly transmitted from the touch sensing module to the motor control module.
US09644418B2
To further strengthen the security function of a money storage device, a money storage device which stores collected money is configured to: receive a locked state releasing instruction signal that instructs releasing of a locked state, from a money storage device managing server which manages the money storage device, via a communication network and a repeater by using wireless communication; and release the locked state in response to the reception of the locked state releasing instruction signal.
US09644417B2
Electro-mechanical and electronically controlled access devices are described for controlling access to a building, premises or area in a secure manner such that a subject who is deemed ineligible for access will be barred entry. The devices contain multiple rotatable and moveable door panels. The door panels can be controlled by various drive mechanisms in order to control the passage through the device. The direction of flow through a device according to these embodiments is electronically controlled and may be changed at any point in time. At any instant in time, the flow through the device is unidirectional. Multiple devices can be stacked together to form clusters, which can be controlled according to traffic, time of day, or other factors.
US09644413B2
There is provided a seat opening/closing structure for a saddle riding vehicle that suppresses the cost and simplifies the structure to enhance usability. A seat hinge 31 has a vehicle-body-side hinge 51A provided to a vehicle body side, and a seat-side hinge 52 which is turnably secured to the vehicle-body-side hinge 51A through a hinge pin 55. The seat-side hinge 52 has a projecting portion 52h extending to the vehicle-body-side hinge 51A, the vehicle-body-side hinge 51A is provided with a leaf spring 64 having a top portion 64a with which the projecting portion 52h can come into contact, and the projecting portion 52h gets over the top portion 64a of the leaf spring 64 when the seat is opened, whereby the seat-side hinge 52 is supported by the leaf spring 64 and the seat is kept under an open state.
US09644412B2
This invention provides a hinge assembly having variable friction resistance. The hinge assembly includes an elongated element having a generally cylindrical surface extending longitudinally. It also includes at least one torque element having a generally cylindrical surface compressively engaged with the cylindrical surface of the elongated element, the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element having end portions. An actuator of the hinge assembly is configured for changing friction resistance generated by the at least one torque element by changing the relative position of the end portions of the at least one torque element, thus reducing compressive engagement between the cylindrical surface of the at least one torque element and the cylindrical surface of the elongated element.
US09644408B2
A barricade device and a method of barricading a door are disclosed. The device and method may be used to barricade a door, and thereby prevent an intruder from entering a sheltering space, such as a classroom, storeroom, or hallway. The barricade-device may have a pivotable stop-device that is pivotable from a location adjacent to a door. The pivot-location may be at an elevation that is lower than a door handle on the door. The stop-device may be pivotable from a reserve-position to a stop-position. In the reserve-position, the stop-device does not barricade the door. In the barricade-position, the stop-device barricades the door.
US09644405B2
A device for preventing unauthorized opening of a door comprises a bracket, a main handle, and a wedge. The bracket is adapted for mounting the device to a door. The main handle is pivotably attached to the bracket. The main handle has a pivot end attached to the bracket and an opposing grasping end. The main handle is selectively pivotably movable upward and downward. The main handle is adapted such that pivoting the main handle upward moves the grasping end toward the door and pivoting the main handle downward moves the grasping end away from the door. The wedge is pivotably affixed to the main handle and biased toward the door when the main handle is in a downward position. The main handle is adapted to push a distal end of the wedge at least partly under a bottom surface of the door when the main handle is pivoted downward.
US09644404B2
An adjustable cinching striker assembly for installation on a vehicle. The adjustable striker assembly includes a mounting frame for selectively mounting the adjustable striker assembly to the vehicle, and a striker moveably coupled to the mounting frame. A motor is coupled to the striker for moving the striker with respect to the mounting frame from an uncinched position to a cinched position, movement of the striker defining a cinching direction. The cinched position is adjustable with respect to the mounting frame.
US09644403B2
A system for controlling a locking module for a vehicle door having an electronic latch mechanism is provided. An electronic handle switch is operatively connected to the door and a controller. The electronic handle switch is configured to at least partially control operation of the electronic latch mechanism. The locking module is configured to block the electronic handle switch, thereby preventing the door from being unlatched. The locking module is enabled when one or more predefined operating parameters are met. The controller disables the locking module when one or more entry conditions are satisfied. At least one sensor is operatively connected to the controller, the sensor being configured to indicate one of two states, a first state and a second state. The entry conditions include at least one sensor indicating the second state.
US09644398B1
An intelligent door lock system includes a position sensing device configured to be coupled to a drive shaft of a lock device. The position sensing device senses position of the drive shaft to assist in locking and unlocking a lock of a lock device. A circuit is coupled to an engine with a memory. A haptic device is coupled to the circuit. The haptic device provides a visual indication that the lock has reached a final position. A device converts energy into mechanical energy and is coupled to the drive shaft. The positioning sensing device, the circuit, the position sensing device and the device that converts energy operate to rotate the drive shaft to lock and unlock the lock device.
US09644389B2
A tent apparatus includes foot pipes, at least two beam members, girders, pulleys, cloth tubes, and a canopy. A first beam member and a second beam member are fastened perpendicular to a first pair of foot pipes and a second pair of foot pipes opposing each other respectively. The girders including internal guide rails are fastened perpendicular to the beam members. The pulleys traverse the internal guide rails of the girders. Each pulley includes a handle and wheel members in rolling communication with an internal guide rail, and a receptor member to receive and connect a cloth tube. The canopy is positioned over the cloth tubes. The canopy, attached to one of the beam members and in sliding communication with the girders, is stretched across the upper ends of the two pairs of foot pipes when the pulleys are rolled within the internal guide rails of the girders.
US09644387B2
A portable shelter including a base, a collapsible support member that is projectable substantially diagonally upward and rearward from the portion of the base, a collapsible base support member that is projectable first diagonally downward to a bend and then forward from the portion of the base, and another collapsible support member or a spreader bar that is attachable to an end portion of the collapsible base support member, wherein the collapsible support member, the another collapsible support member or the spreader bar, and the collapsible base support member include a frame.
US09644385B2
An umbrella stand may include a receptacle for receiving a portion of a mast of an umbrella and a base portion configured to interface with a ground surface. A movable joint is disposed between the receptacle and the base portion. A frictional force present between components of the movable joint is great enough to maintain a position of the receptacle relative to the base portion under the weight of the umbrella and mast, and is small enough that the receptacle can be repositioned relative to the base portion by application of a manual force to the mast of the umbrella. The movable joint may be lockable into different positions.
US09644382B1
A spa and swim spa cover lifter having a footplate with an elongated undermount that becomes secured under a spa or swim spa for added lifter stability and strength during the raising and lowering of a spa cover. The upper structure of the cover lifter is quickly and easily separated from the footplate, allowing its prompt removal for spa maintenance without the burden/expense of emptying and refilling the spa. The upper structure comprises two vertically-extending supports each having two permanently attached L-shaped brackets providing lateral sway reduction for the vertically-extending supports under load. Three fasteners removably secure each vertically-extending support and its two associated brackets to the wider/exposed end of the footplate. The bottom part of each fastener is permanently fixed to the footplate, preferably by welding. A pre-assembled body comprising adjustable spa cover support arms and lifting-assist/lowering-assist means is fixed to the vertically-extending supports using two height adjustment knobs.
US09644380B1
A window unit and replacement window cladding method and system which is provided as a single unit to be installed as a complete new window that fits over the head, side jamb and sill of an existing window frame and the old window frame that is cladded with head jamb, side jamb, and sill cover assemblies defining an opening in which one or more sash units is pivotally secured forming a replacement window unit, without any loss of glass size and egress, and without disturbing the building interior.
US09644374B2
A louver cover for a pergola, arbor and the like has pivotal elongated slat assemblies that move between an open upright position and a closed position covering the pergola. The cover is secured between upright supports and cross beams of the pergola. Each slat assembly has a pivotal shaft mounted for pivotal movement between parallel cross beams. The pivotal shaft carries at least one slat member, which is movable between an upright position when the cover is open and a closed position when the slat assemblies extend in covering relationship over the pergola. In one embodiment, each slat assembly has a slat member with S-shaped profile, and in another embodiment the slat assembly has two mirror image slat members of J-shaped profile.
US09644373B2
A tool for facilitating the cutting of shingles having a base plate and a tubular member. The tubular member comprises a slot on the horizontal surface of the tubular member that extends the entire length of the tubular member and that is offset from the center of the tubular member. The base plate comprises a semicircular cutout with a terminal point that coincides with the center point on the first side edge of the tubular member. The first side of the tubular member is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the base plate so that the tubular member is off-center on the base plate.
US09644363B2
A linear drain assembly includes at least one end attachment attachable to a longitudinal end of a drain body. The at least one end attachment has a permanent structural cover, a first drain channel formed below the cover and extending in a longitudinal direction along the at least one end attachment. The first drain channel has a closed end extending in both the longitudinal direction and a transverse direction across the first drain channel. A first slotted channel is formed in the cover and extends in the longitudinal direction along the at least one end attachment. The first slotted channel is in fluid communication with the first drain channel. The closed end of the first drain channel is arranged to direct debris moving through the first drain channel toward the first slotted inlet.
US09644358B2
The invention contemplates automatic cleaning of an entire toilet bowel using an electrically powered motor that simultaneously spins flexible, but rigid, circular brushes that are substantially the same length as the height of the bowl in both vertical and horizontal directions, not only around the bowl, but also along the height of the bowl, with special attention to the two parts of the bowl that collect the most rust and debris: at the “water line” and “under the rim”. The longer one waits to clean a toilet bowl, the more likely an anti-rust chemical will be required to soak the water line and under the rim for a few minutes prior to brushing; and before administering chemicals, the toilet should be flushed. Automatically flushing, releasing chemicals, and soaking before cleaning (and then repeating until all debris is removed) requires a programmable microprocessor and debris sensor(s) to truly operate automatically.
US09644357B2
A system for preventing overflow of a toilet includes a sensor, a processor and an actuator. The sensor senses a parameter caused by fluid dynamics within the toilet during a flush cycle. The parameter may involve vibration, sound, pressure, fluid flow rate or other detectible characteristics of the toilet. The processor uses information regarding the parameter that is gathered by the sensor to evaluate the condition of the flush cycle to determine if an impeded flush condition exists. In the event of an impeded flush condition, the processor directs the actuator to close a valve, which may be the toilet flapper valve in some embodiments. Also disclosed are methods for preventing toilet overflow, detecting an impeded flush condition and calibrating the system.
US09644339B2
A damper operation control device of a working vehicle, includes: a boom pivotably supported on a vehicle body; a bucket pivotably supported on a tip end of the boom; a lift cylinder which drives the boom; an accumulator connected to the lift cylinder through a branched oil passage; a switching valve connected to the branched oil passage between the lift cylinder and the accumulator, the switching valve switching between a connected state and a disconnected state between the lift cylinder and the accumulator; and a controller which performs switch control of the switching valve, wherein the controller includes: a state detecting unit which detects whether the bucket is in a loaded state; and a switching valve control unit which switches the switching valve to the connected state when the state detecting unit detects that the bucket is in the loaded state.
US09644329B2
A method of making hot mix asphalt using recycled asphalt in which tertiary air is mixed with products of combustion at an exit of a refractory-lined chamber to produce hot controlled temperature process air, the temperature of the tertiary air being increased while the temperature of the products of combustion is decreased to adjust a temperature of the hot controlled temperature process air. Particles of the recycled asphalt are heated by exposing the particles to the hot controlled temperature process air in the rotary counter-flow dryer and mixer and moisture is removed from the recycled asphalt with the hot controlled temperature process air.
US09644327B2
A mat for a hybrid sport or decorative turf, having a form of a woven fabric, with a single-sided cover pile made of olefin synthetic yarns such as polyethylene and/or polypropylene and/or polyester, according to a ⅜W or 5/12W or 7/16W weave structure, comprising pile burls interlaced with weft, wherein the ends of the burls form synthetic grass blades. The mat has from 5000 to 20000 pile burls per m2, a warp density from 54 to 72 ends/10 cm, a weft density from 30 to 80 ends/10 cm and a pile height from 20 to 140 mm, wherein each pile burl (3) is interlaced at least two times over three weft fibers (5), and wherein the total surface mass of the mat is from 753 to 2105 g/m2.
US09644325B2
A cross-over switch system for switching a monorail vehicle between two fixed guideway beams is provided. The cross-over switch system includes two articulated beams and a median beam. Each one of the two articulated beams, constructed of a chain of pivotably interconnected segments, and is pivotably connected to a different one of the two parallel fixed guideways. The median beam, which is pivotable in its center, is located at a median distance between the two parallel fixed guideway beams. When in a switching mode, the median beam is pivoted and each segment of each articulated beam is also pivoted so that each one of the articulated beam abuts an opposed end of the median beam.
US09644322B2
A solid article formed from poly alpha-1,3-glucan and wood pulp is disclosed as are methods for making the solid article. The articles are not water sensitive and are useful for producing strong molded articles from wood pulp.
US09644288B2
Non-destructive pretreatment methods are generally provided for a surface of a SiC substrate with substantially no degradation of surface morphology thereon. In one particular embodiment, a molten suspension mixture (e.g., including KOH (or KOH eutectic) and a buffering agent) is applied directly onto the surface of the SiC substrate to form a treated surface thereon. An epitaxial film (e.g., SiC) can then be grown on the treated surface to achieve very high (e.g., up to and including 100%) BPD to TED conversion rate close to the epilayer/substrate interface.
US09644286B2
A silicon carbide single crystal manufacturing apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a pedestal on which a seed crystal is disposed, an inlet of source gas, a reaction chamber extending from a bottom surface of the vacuum chamber toward the pedestal, a first heating device disposed around an outer periphery of the reaction chamber, a second heating device disposed around an outer periphery of the pedestal, and an outlet disposed outside the first and second heating devices in the vacuum chamber. After the source gas supplied from the reaction chamber is supplied toward the pedestal, the source gas is let flow outward in a radial direction of the silicon carbide single crystal between the reaction chamber and the silicon carbide single crystal and is discharged through the outlet.
US09644284B2
A method for coating, a composition suitable for coating and a coating generated with the method of coating on anodizable metallic surfaces, especially on magnesium rich and aluminum rich surfaces, is disclosed. The composition is an aqueous solution including alkali metal or ammonium cations, phosphorus containing anions and silicon containing anions as well as optionally a peroxide or a compound of Al, Ti, Zr or any mixture of them. Preferably, the anodizing is carried out with a micro-arc oxidation process.
US09644283B2
A method of treating a metallic surface of an article including the steps of providing an article having a metallic surface; texturizing the surface using a laser to create a controlled pattern across the surface; and anodizing the surface. The controlled pattern may include a series of pits etched in a predetermined repeating pattern across the surface, such as an array of dots or a grid. The controlled pattern may also include a series of pits etched in a predetermined pseudo-random pattern across the surface.
US09644282B2
A manufacturing method of an electronic component allows an intermediate inspection during a manufacturing process and includes forming element electrodes and feed lines such that pad portions of the element electrodes and the corresponding one of the feed lines faces each other via a gap in a plan view, and such that the feed lines are located below the pad portions 11b. Electrolytic plating is performed while power is supplied to the feed lines to form a plating film that electrically connects the feed lines and the pad portions. The mother substrate is singulated to obtain an electronic component.
US09644278B2
The recycling hydrogen generator comprises a chlorine filtration and safety feature system wherein alternative size and type housing compartments, anodes, cathodes and an attached vibration system recycle or remix electrolyte residue for use as new electrolyte and permit the free passage of hydrogen into the external storage tank with electric cut-off switch safety feature for control of the rate and amount of hydrogen produced for individual and home use, and wherein the breakable window safety feature instantly remixes said dangerous chlorine gases with said liquid electrolytic residue in case accident endangers the said housing.
US09644260B1
A portable sputtering apparatus for repairing the damaged surface on aircrafts comprises: a cylindrical chamber, having a top chamber plate and a bottom chamber plate. The cylindrical chamber comprises a welded flange for attachment to a high vacuum system and a first tube and flange assembly for attachment to an inert gas bottle. The top chamber plate comprises a cathode housing, comprising a cathode coated with the material to be sputtered onto the surface of the aircraft, and a second tube and flange assembly for discharge of pressure within the chamber. The bottom chamber plate comprises a second housing that attaches to the surface of an aircraft. Within the second housing is a metal sheet, having an aperture that allows sputtered material to flow onto the surface of the aircraft. The material to be sputtered may be carbon composite or copper.
US09644256B2
A mask assembly and a thin film deposition method using the same are provided.The mask assembly includes a mask frame including first to fourth sides. The first to fourth sides form a rectangle. Inner sides of the rectangle define a window. The mask frame has a plurality of substrate seating portions provided to project toward the window from at least two corners. The two corners face each other in a diagonal direction. The mask assembly includes four corners positioned where the first to fourth sides of the mask assembly meet each other. A mask includes a plurality of openings for deposition. The plurality of openings are arranged to correspond to the window.
US09644255B2
A surface treatment method for a metal material is provided which includes applying diluted sulfuric acid to a surface of the metal material that is composed primarily of iron, performing a heat treatment on the metal material in the presence of at least one of CO, CO2 and organic gas under nitriding conditions under which a nitrided layer is formed in a superficial layer of the metal material after the application of the diluted sulfuric acid to form a carbon film which includes at least one of carbon nanocoils, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofilaments on a surface of the nitrided layer of the metal material.
US09644253B2
A method includes providing an electronic assembly, where the electronic assembly has at least one electrical connection that includes at least a surface that is substantially pure tin metal and the pure tin metal has tin whiskers formed thereon and the pure tin metal has a thickness. The method includes exposing the tin metal to at least one mitigating agent selected to interact with the tin metal to oxidize the tin whiskers and mechanically removing substantially all the oxidized tin whiskers from the electronic assembly. The electronic assembly is exposed to the mitigating agent under appropriate conditions to oxidize the tin whiskers.
US09644248B2
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a seamless quenched and tempered steel pipe having a wall thickness (WT) higher than or equal to 35 mm and lower than or equal to 80 mm. Embodiments of the steel pipe can comprise C, Mn, Cr, Ni, Mo, Al, Ca, N, Nb, Ti, Zr, and Ta. Further, for some embodiments of the steel pipe wherein, defining a first parameter P1=50×C+Cr+10×Mo+70×V, the chemical composition can satisfy a first condition P1≦8.0.
US09644244B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.
US09644241B2
Provided are methods and compositions for identifying a miRNA profile for a particular condition, such as pancreatic disease, and using the profile in assessing the condition of a patient.
US09644232B2
Provided herein are methods for the collection and amplification of circulating nucleic acids from a non-cellular fraction of a biological sample. Circulating nucleic acids are extracted from the non-cellular fraction and are circularized to generate single-stranded nucleic acid circles, which are then subsequently amplified by rolling circular amplification using random primers to produce an amplified library. Devices for the collection of a non-cellular fraction from a biological sample are also provided. The device includes a filtration membrane and a dry solid matrix, which is in direct contact with the filtration membrane.
US09644223B2
A hyperthermostable endoglucanase including an endoglucanase catalytic domain, the endoglucanase catalytic domain including: (A) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1; (B) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence in which at least one amino acid is deleted, substituted, or added in the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having hydrolytic activity using p-nitrophenyl-β-D-cellobioside as a substrate at least under conditions of a temperature of 100° C. and a pH of 5.5; or (C) a polypeptide including an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 1, and having hydrolytic activity using p-nitrophenyl-β-D-cellobioside as a substrate at least under conditions of a temperature of 100° C. and a pH of 5.5.
US09644222B2
A method for pretreating biomass is provided, which includes, in a reactor, allowing gaseous ammonia to condense on the biomass and react with water present in the biomass to produce pretreated biomass, wherein reactivity of polysaccharides in the biomass is increased during subsequent biological conversion as compared to the reactivity of polysaccharides in biomass which has not been pretreated. A method for pretreating biomass with a liquid ammonia and recovering the liquid ammonia is also provided. Related systems which include a biochemical or biofuel production facility are also disclosed.
US09644221B2
A method of producing a chemical includes culturing cells in a culture solution in a fermentor to ferment a feedstock to produce a chemical; supplying the culture solution containing the chemical produced in the culturing to a plurality of separation membrane units arranged in parallel; filtering the culture solution supplied in the supplying to separate a permeate containing the chemical; refluxing a retentate that is not filtered in the filtering to the fermentor; and supplying a gas containing oxygen to the plurality of separation membrane units while a supply amount is changed to at least two different values to perform scrubbing, wherein the supply amount and supply time of the gas containing oxygen supplied in the culturing and the supplying the gas are set so that a kLa value is within a predetermined range from an optimal kLa value for the cells cultured in the culturing.
US09644219B2
A method for converting flue gas into useable bio-oil based compounds using algae includes mixing flue gas with water, infusing the mixture with a lipid trigger and nutrients, distributing the mixture into processing cells, exposing the mixture to light, promoting the algae to the top of the processing cells for harvest, skimming the algae from the surface of the water, and extracting bio-oil from the algae.
US09644209B2
The present invention relates to a multi-conjugate of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a preparing method of the same, more precisely a multi-conjugate of siRNA prepared by direct binding of double stranded sense/antisense siRNA monomers or indirect covalent bonding mediated by a cross-linking agent or a polymer, and a preparing method of the same. The preparing method of a siRNA multi-conjugate of the present invention is characterized by simple and efficient reaction and thereby the prepared siRNA multi-conjugate of the present invention has high molecular weight multiple times the conventional siRNA, so that it has high negative charge density, suggesting that it has excellent ionic interaction with a cationic gene carrier and high gene delivery efficiency.
US09644206B2
Various embodiments are directed to transgenic plants, including transgenic tobacco plants and derivative seeds, genetically modified to impede the transport of Cadmium (Cd) from the root system to aerial portions of transgenic plants by reducing the expression levels of HMA-related transporters. Various embodiments are directed to transgenic tobacco plants genetically modified to stably express a RNAi construct encoding RNAi polynucleotides that enable the degradation of endogenous NtHMA RNA variants. Reduced expression of NtHMA transporters in transgenic plants results in substantially reduced content of Cadmium (Cd) in the leaf lamina. Various consumable products that are substantially free or substantially reduced in Cd content can be produced by incorporating leaves derived from transgenic tobacco plants modified to reduce the expression of NtHMA transporters.
US09644205B2
The present invention provides nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, transgenic cell and methods of making and using the same, wherein the nucleic acid construct includes a synthetic promoter designed using selected PDX-1 activation sites such as those observed in the human insulin promoter (HIP). In illustrative working embodiments of the invention, an exogenous nucleic acid fragment encoding thymidine kinase is operably linked to the synthetic promoter which is then shown to regulate the expression of this polypeptide.
US09644200B2
A method for preparing a sample by utilizing a shearing force in the presence of a size stabilizer to break apart the sample to obtain nucleic acid molecules in a usable size range. Once nucleic acid molecules are obtained, magnetic nanoparticles are used to concentrate and clean the nucleic acid molecules for further testing.
US09644195B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions, methods and kits for purifying a serine protease and serine proteases purified with the compounds, compositions and methods.
US09644189B2
The present disclosure relates to non-naturally occurring polypeptides useful for preparing Ezetimibe, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods of using the polypeptides.
US09644187B2
The purity and titer of virus stocks used for virus clearance studies have a significant influence on study outcome, and impact how well the scale-down model represents the production-scale process. Impurities in virus stocks are particularly important in the testing of small virus retentive filters because these impurities may cause a filter to foul prematurely, leading to underestimation of the true throughput capability of the filter and consequent inappropriate sizing of the production scale unit. In addition, impurities can also affect the levels of virus clearance observed by altering the fouling mechanisms and subsequent fluid passage through the virus filter. Described herein are methods for making, producing and using high purity virus stocks having high titer.
US09644182B2
Described is a method of expanding human progenitor cells by suspension culturing under non-static conditions. The culturing method provides a three-dimensional space for the rapid expansion of desirable progenitors. By this method, a new compartment of multipotential progenitor cells has been identified, which give rise under differentiation conditions to progeny including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myoblasts, adipocytes, and other non-hematopoietic cell types. Their use in cell and tissue-based engineering is described.
US09644181B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a cell population comprising myocardium-committed cells that differentiate into and survive as myocardial cells under a myocardial tissue environment. Specifically, the method is characterized in that adipose-tissue-derived multi-lineage/multi-potent progenitor cells are cultured in the presence of a polyamine. The present invention further relates to a cell population comprising the myocardium-committed cells, a cell preparation comprising the cell population, or a cell sheet. The present invention further relates to a method for treating a heart disease, which comprises administering the cell population to a subject.
US09644173B2
Methods of cleaning equipment such as hand tools dirtied by bituminous mixture. A biodiesel emulsion comprising biodiesel, water and emulsifier(s), is applied to the surface of the equipment for a period of time (e.g., at least about 15 minutes) and optionally agitated. The biodiesel emulsion produces cleaning properties comparable to straight biodiesel, at a cost reduction, due to the replacement of biodiesel with water.
US09644170B2
This invention discloses new krill oil compositions characterized by having high amounts of phospholipids, astaxanthin esters and/or omega-3 contents. The krill oils are obtained from krill meal using supercritical fluid extraction in a two stage process. Stage 1 removes the neutral lipid by extracting with neat supercritical CO2 or CO2 plus approximately 5% of a co-solvent. Stage 2 extracts the actual krill oils by using supercritical CO2 in combination with approximately 20% ethanol. The krill oil materials obtained are compared with commercially available krill oil and found to be more bioeffective in a number of areas such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant effects, improving insulin resistances and improving blood lipid profile.
US09644168B2
A lubricating oil composition for refrigerating machines contains a base oil and an additive in a form of a coumarin compound. 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 chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant with a poor stability is used in the above-listed equipment, the present lubricating oil composition for refrigerating machines is significantly advantageous.
US09644164B2
The disclosed invention relates to a dispersant composition comprising at least one block derived from (i) a polyester of a hydroxy substituted carboxylic acid and at least one block derived from (ii) a polyalkylene glycol terminated by a amine group or a hydroxyl group. The invention also provides lubricating compositions containing the described dispersant as well as methods of making and using the described dispersant, including method of making the dispersant, methods of lubricating an engine with a lubricant containing the described dispersant, and methods of reducing sludge formation in an engine.
US09644161B2
Hydrocarbon streams, such as crude oil streams, may have reduced drag when an effective amount to reduce drag of a drag reducing composition is added to a liquid hydrocarbon, where the drag reducing composition includes a drag reducing latex comprising at least one plasticizer in an amount effective to improve the ability to pump the latex into a hydrocarbon composition or stream with assured flow of the latex. Latex formulations are known to cause agglomerated particles during pumping operations, and the agglomerated hard particles tend to plug check valves in injection pump equipment, but the inclusion of at least one plasticizer reduces or prevents such problems.
US09644152B2
A bottom fraction of a product of a hydrocatalytic reaction is gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions. In one embodiment, an overhead fraction of the hydrocatalytic reaction is further processed to generate higher molecular weight compounds. In another embodiment, a product of the further processing is separated into a bottom fraction and an overhead fraction, where the bottom fraction is also gasified to generate hydrogen for use in further hydrocatalytic reactions.
US09644146B2
The present invention provides a composition for forming a liquid crystal layer which enables to achieve takt time reduction and high display quality. The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention includes a liquid crystal material, and a monomer, the monomer being a compound having a structure that generates ketyl radicals when undergoing a hydrogen abstraction reaction caused by exposure to light.
US09644138B2
A highly efficient process is disclosed for making proppants from generally non-spherical or discretized raw material, such as naturally occurring sand or pelletized refractory material. In one embodiment of the process, the discretized material is heated by a counter-current flow of hot gas in a first Moving Bed Gas-Solids Direct Contact Heat Exchanger (MBGSDCHX). The heated discretized material is then further heated to a transformative temperature by a raw material transformation means to a partially or fully melted state in which the discretized raw material assumes generally spherical shapes. The spheres are then cooled by a counter-current flow of cold gas in a second MBGSDCHX. The cooled spheres are then size-classified for use as proppants. In an alternate embodiment, refractory raw material is melted and then discretized into molten drops. The molten drops are cooled and frozen into generally spherical shapes. The cooled spheres are used as proppants.
US09644135B2
Method involving consolidation compositions comprising an aqueous-based fluid, a silane-based resin, a silane-based amine curing agent, and a delaying agent. The silane-based resin is an epoxy-functionalized alkoxysilane selected from the group consisting of: (3 glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, (3 glycidoxypropyl)triethoxysilane, 5,6 epoxyhexyltriethoxysilane, (3 glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane, (3 glycidoxypropyl)methyldimethoxysilane, and (3 glycidoxypropyl)dimethylethoxysilane. The silane-based amine curing agent is selected from the group consisting of: a polyamine, a hydrophobically modified polyamine, a polyimine, a hydrophobically modified polyimine, a polyalcohol, a hydrophobically modified polyacrylamide, a hydrophobically modified polyacrylate, and any combination thereof. The delaying agent is selected from the group consisting of: methyltrichlorosilane, dimethyldichlorosilane, trimethylchlorosilane, and any combination thereof.
US09644123B2
An anchoring adhesive includes effective amounts of an isocyanurate compound and a vinyl ester compound that react and cure to form a composition having high compressive strength, high tensile strength and low shrinkage. The anchoring adhesive can be used to firmly bond anchor pins to boreholes in concrete, steel, wood, and other substrates.
US09644116B2
The invention could be a windshield repair kit comprising a laminate having a protective barrier film, an adhesive layer, and a peel-able cover, the protective barrier film having at least one side to which the adhesive layer is applied, the adhesive layer being capable of cured in a presence of a UV light; the peel-able cover removably covering one or more exposed portions of the adhesive layer; a covering that removably receives the laminate, the covering reducing the transmission of UV light to the adhesive layer to a level that prevents the UV activation of the adhesive layer while the laminate is within the covering.
US09644114B2
Disclosed herein are compounds having the formula: R1—(CO—NH—R2—R3)n and polymers made by moisture curing the compound. R1 is an organic group, a dimeric fatty acid chain, a dimeric linoleic fatty acid chain, a trimeric fatty acid chain, a saturated form of any thereof, a residue of a phenalkamine compound, or a residue of a polyamine. Each R2 is an aliphatic group or an aminoaliphatic group. Each R3 comprises an alkoxysilane group. The value n is a positive integer. The compound may be made by reacting a polyester with an amine having an alkoxysilane group or reacting a polyacid with an isocyanate having an alkoxysilane group. Also disclose are compounds made by reacting an amido amine with an epoxy compound.
US09644110B2
A method of producing a structure containing a phase-separated structure, including forming a layer containing a block copolymer on a substrate; applying a top coat material to the layer containing the block copolymer to form a top coat film; and subjecting the layer including the block copolymer having the top coat film formed thereon to annealing treatment so as to conduct a phase separation of the layer, the top coat material including an organic solvent component and a polymeric compound containing a structural unit having either a dicarboxylic acid or a salt of a dicarboxylic acid, and the organic solvent component containing water and an alcohol having 3 or more carbon atoms.
US09644108B2
Waterborne coatings are described having an acceptable balance of properties both during the storage of coating, application and drying. The period in which irregularities in a freshly applied coating can be repaired without resulting in brush marks is referred to as the open time. Aqueous coatings generally employ dispersed high molecular weight polymers as binders. These binders often provide short open times when the coating is dried since the dispersed polymer particles tend to be immobilized quickly in the edge region of an applied coating. As a result, the viscosity of the coating increases rapidly, which leads to a limited window of workability. The instant invention provides additives that are not volatile but that will extend the time that the film is malleable after it is applied without interfering with other attributes, such as the resistance of the coating to freezing while in the can prior to application.
US09644101B2
Inorganic pigment containing calcium carbonate, aqueous suspension containing same, and uses thereof
The present invention concerns the technical sector of mineral pigments containing a product formed in situ by the double and/or multiple reaction between a calcium carbonate and the reaction product or products of the said carbonate with one or more moderately strong to strong H3O+ ion donors and the reaction product or products of the said carbonate with gaseous CO2 formed in situ and/or coming from an external supply, and at least one aluminum silicate and/or at least one synthetic silica and/or at least one calcium silicate and/or at least one silicate of a monovalent salt such as sodium silicate and/or potassium silicate and/or lithium silicate, and/or at least one aluminum hydroxide and/or at least one sodium and/or potassium aluminate, containing less than 0.1% by weight silicate of a monovalent salt such as sodium, potassium or lithium silicate or mixtures thereof, relative to the dry weight of calcium carbonate, having a pH greater than 7.5 measured at 20° C., and their uses in papermaking applications such as mass filling and/or the coating of paper and more particularly of printing paper, in particular for offset printing, or digital printing such as inkjet and/or laser printing.
US09644098B2
Provided is a curable resin composition capable of forming a cured product that has excellent heat resistance and transparency and, in particular, offers excellent barrier properties to a corrosive gas.The curable resin composition according to the present invention includes a polyorganosiloxane (A), an isocyanurate compound (B), and a silane coupling agent (C). The polyorganosiloxane (A) is an aryl-containing polyorganosiloxane. The polyorganosiloxane (A) preferably includes a polyorganosiloxane having a number-average molecular weight (Mn) of 500 to 4000 as determined by gel permeation chromatography and calibrated with a polystyrene standard.
US09644095B2
The instant invention discloses a polylactic acid stereocomplex composition containing pure stereocomplex crystals and a process for its manufacture. The composition according to this invention comprising (a) 30-70 wt % poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA). (b) 70-30 wt % poly (D-lactic acid) (PDLA) and (c) 0.01-10 wt % nucleating agent, which can be obtained by solution and melt blending. Stereocomplex crystals are preferentially formed according to the invention, and the homocrystals (a crystal form) for the PLLA or PDLA homopolymer can't be observed. The melting temperature of the composition according to the invention is at least 200° C., which is about 30-50° C. higher than the PLLA or PDLA homopolymer.
US09644087B2
Barrier films are prepared from a blend of two high density polyethylene blend components and a high performance organic nucleating agent. The two high density polyethylene blend components have substantially different melt indices. Large reductions in the moisture vapor transmission rate of the film are observed in the presence of the nucleating agent when the melt indices of the two blend components have a ratio of greater than 10/1. The resulting barrier films are suitable for the preparation of packaging for dry foods such as crackers and breakfast cereals.
US09644086B2
Provided are a resin blend for melt processing, a pellet and a method of preparing a resin article using the same. The resin blend may include a first resin, and a second resin having a difference in solubility parameter from the first resin at 25° C. of 0.001 to 10 (J/cm3)1/2. The resin blend can improve mechanical and surface characteristics of a resin article. Further, since coating or plating is not required for manufacturing a resin article, a manufacturing time and/or cost can be reduced, and productivity can be increased.
US09644082B2
An object is to improve both slow crystallization and brittleness that are drawbacks of polyhydroxyalkanoates, so that processability in mold processing, such as injection molding, is improved, processing speed is increased, and ductility is imparted to a resulting molded article. Provided is an aliphatic polyester resin composition including a polyhydroxyalkanoate (A), an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (B), and pentaerythritol (C), wherein the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (B) has a vinyl acetate content of 65 to 95 wt %, and the polyhydroxyalkanoate (A) and the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (B) are compatible.
US09644076B2
The present invention relates to novel cross-linkers for hydrogels, in particular for hyaluronan hydrogels, corresponding hydrogels including said cross-linkers and various applications thereof. The cross linker of the invention is a bi- or multifunctional cross-linker comprising or consisting of an aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system with 3-6 C atoms which is coupled via functional groups on at least 2 ring positions with at least 2 terminal groups capable to form a covalent bond with thiol or amino groups, in particular with thiol groups in a thiol-en reaction. The cross-linker may be charged or uncharged. In a specific embodiment, the terminal groups are coupled to carboxy groups of the aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system via an ester or amide bond. More specifically, the cross-linker of the invention is a derivative of pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid or a corresponding pyridinium salt thereof wherein 2 terminal groups are coupled to the carboxy groups of the pyridine or pyridinium core via an ester or amide bond. In a preferred embodiment, the cross-linker if N3,N5-bis(2-acrylamidoethyl) pyridine-3,5-dicarboxamide or a 3,5-bis((2-acryl-amidoethyl) carbamoyl)-1-methylpyridin-1-ium-halogenide.
US09644073B2
A method for producing a polysilane includes a disproportionation reaction of a methylchlorodisilane mixture to form chlorine-containing oligosilane, a substitution reaction of the chlorine atoms contained in the oligosilane by the reaction with a primary amine and a cross-linking reaction of the oligosilanes using a chain former to form polysilanes. The obtained polysilanes are infusible and are very suitable for being spun to form green fibers and processed to form silicon carbide fibers and fiber composites. The method is characterized in that it can be carried out cost-effectively and quickly and with very high yields.
US09644069B2
A polymer of fluorine-containing sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The polymer is formed by processing a nucleophilic polycondensation between a fluorine-containing monomer having an electron-withdrawing group and a multi-phenyl monomer. A main structure of the polymer of fluorine-containing sulfonated poly(arylene ether)s has a first portion with fluoro or trifluoromethyl substituted phenyl groups, and a second portion with sulfonated phenyl groups.
US09644066B2
The present invention describes cyclic amine compounds useful for catalysts for polyurethane form-forming compositions. The cyclic amine compounds of the invention provide distinct benefits for reaction compositions, methods, and polyurethane foams based on their desirable physical and catalytic properties.
US09644056B2
A compound represented by formula (I): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; R2 represents a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group; Xa and Xb each independently represent an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; X11 represents a C1-C12 divalent saturated hydrocarbon group where a hydrogen atom can be replaced by a fluorine atom; and A1 represents a C1-C12 divalent saturated hydrocarbon group or *-A2-X1-(A3-X2)a-A4-, where * represents a binding site to an oxygen atom, A2, A3 and A4 each independently represent a C1-C12 divalent hydrocarbon group, X1 and X2 each independently represent —O—, —CO—O—, —O—CO— or —O—CO—O—, and “a” represents 0 or 1.
US09644051B2
Catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins comprising Mg, Ti and an electron donor of formula (I) In which X and Y are selected from, R1, and —OR1 and —NR2, B is oxygen or sulphur S is sulphur, R1 is selected from C1-C15 hydrocarbon groups, optionally contain a heteroatom selected from halogen, P, S, N, O and Si, which can be fused together to form one or more cycles, R is hydrogen or R1 and A is a bivalent bridging group with chain length between the two bridging bonds being 1-10 atoms.
US09644046B2
A method for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a good balance between the hysteresis loss properties and the wet skid resistance, practically sufficient abrasion resistance and breaking strength, and high processability when formed into a vulcanized product is provided. A method for producing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer, comprising: a polymerization step of polymerizing a conjugated diene compound, copolymerizing conjugated diene compounds, or copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound with an aromatic vinyl compound using an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound as a polymerization initiator to obtain a conjugated diene-based polymer having an active end, and a modifying step of reacting a compound represented by following formula (1) with the active end of the conjugated diene-based copolymer.
US09644037B2
Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind ataxia telangiectasia-mutated and RAD3-related kinase phosphorylated at position 1989 (pT1989 ATR), antigen binding fragments, conjugates thereof, and the use of these antibodies, antigen binding fragments and conjugates are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, vectors including these antibodies, and isolated host cells transformed with these nucleic acids and vectors. Methods are also disclosed for using these antibodies, such as to detect pT1989 ATR, or to determine the dose of an agent of use to treat a subject. The antibodies are also of use for identifying ATR inhibitors.
US09644032B2
Provided herein are antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, that bind to OX40. Also provided are uses of these proteins in therapeutic applications, such as in the treatment of cancer. Further provided are cells that produce the antibodies, polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies, and vectors comprising the polynucleotides encoding the heavy and/or light chain variable region of the antibodies.
US09644030B2
Antibodies that specifically bind to VLA-1 integrin and methods of using these antibodies to treat immunological disorders in a subject. Also included are crystal structures of complexes formed by VLA-1 antibodies and their ligands, and VLA-1 antagonists and agonists identified by using the structure coordinates of these structures.
US09644024B2
Polynucleotides encoding fusion proteins comprising fragments of toxin A and toxin B from Clostridium difficile are described, as well as vectors and host cells containing such polynucleotides.
US09644023B2
The present application generally relates to multi-specific molecules that bind to multiple bacterial virulence factors, methods for producing these binding molecules, and the use of these binding molecules to treat bacterial infections. In particular, the binding molecules comprise at least two binding domains, preferably an antibody or antibody fragment and an alternative scaffold. The first binding domain is capable of binding to a glycosylated staphylococcal surface protein, preferably an SDR-containing protein. The second binding domain is capable of binding to a staphylococcal leukotoxin, preferably LukAB, LukD or LukE. These multi-specific binding compounds have killing activity against staphylococci and, thus, can be used in the treatment and/or amelioration of a Staphylococcus infection, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
US09644019B2
The present invention relates to the use of an Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase Inducer (EMMPRIN) inhibitor for preventing and/or treating cardiac damage arising after an ischemic process followed by reperfusion. The authors of the present invention have observed that EMMPRIN expression increases in subjects who have suffered ischemia/reperfusion, ascertaining that an EMMPRIN inhibitor is capable of reducing the cardiac damage caused after ischemia followed by reperfusion, both in vitro and in vivo.
US09644017B2
The invention relates to novel insulin analogs having a basal time-action profile, which are characterized by the following features: a) the B chain end consists of an amidated basic amino acid residue such as lysine or arginine amide; b) the N-terminal amino acid residue of the insulin A chain is a lysine or arginine radical; c) the amino acid position A8 is occupied by a histidine radical; d) the amino acid position A21 is occupied by a glycine radical; and e) one or more substitutions and/or additions of negatively charged amino acid residues are carried out in the positions A5, A15, A18, B-1, B0, B1, B2, B3 and B4.
US09644015B2
A codon optimized nucleic acid sequence for Interferon Alpha-2a is provided which can be used for expression of Interferon Alpha-2a in E. Coli.
US09644013B2
A polypeptide capable of strongly inducing and activating dendritic-cell-like cells for treating or prevent cancer by immunotherapy, and DNA encoding the polypeptide. The polypeptide is a polypeptide (a) or (b) consisting of a partial region of the REIC/Dkk-3 protein.
US09644012B2
A method of producing a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide is comprising the steps of expressing in a suitable host a fusion protein, obtaining a mixture containing the fusion protein, and optionally isolating the fusion protein. The fusion protein is comprising at least one solubility-enhancing moiety which is derived from the N-terminal (NT) fragment of a spider silk protein. It is further comprising at least one moiety which is a desired non-spidroin protein or polypeptide. Each solubility-enhancing moiety is linked directly or indirectly to the desired protein or polypeptide moiety.
US09644009B2
An L-amino acid is produced by culturing a microorganism of the family Enterobacteriaceae which has the ability to produce an L-amino acid and which has been modified so as to increase the expression of the evgA gene, the gadE gene, and/or the ydeO gene. These genes encode a transcription factor involved in the EvgAS two-component system regulon. The culture takes place in a medium, and the L-amino acid is collected from the medium or cells.
US09644005B2
A novel Tistrella mobilis strain having Accession Deposit Number NRRL B-50531 is provided. A method of producing a didemnin precursor, didemnin or didemnin derivative by using the Tistrella mobilis strain, and the therapeutic composition comprising at least one didemnin or didemnin derivative produced from the strain or modified strain thereof are also provided.
US09644003B2
The present invention relates to a RTN4B-related polypeptide, a monoclonal antibody thereof, a monoclonal antibody-producing hybridoma cell strain, and, preparation and applications thereof. The RTN4B polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence presented by SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention further discloses a monoclonal antibody, a hybridoma cell strain to produce the monoclonal antibody prepared by the RTN4B polypeptide, and the related application in the treatment or prevention of tumors thereof.
US09644001B2
A vector that includes a cell-penetrating peptide linked to a therapeutic agent. The therapeutic agent can be a cytotoxic agent, an anti-viral agent, an anti-bacterial agent, or an anti-parasitic agent.
US09643996B2
Processes and apparatuses for producing biologically-active, protein-rich microparticles under ambient conditions are disclosed. A protein solution is atomized and collected in a dehydration solvent that is being mixed. The resulting protein microparticles retain high specific activity without the need for large amounts of stabilizing excipients.
US09643995B2
In the present invention, different strategies are used to improve the bioavailability of triterpene glycosides and triterpenes including, for example, (a) a covalent approach involving modification with polyethylene glycol and (b) a formulation approach involving non-covalent encapsulation in antibody targeted pol(DL-lactic acid) nanoparticles.
US09643992B2
Provided are ginsenoside C-K polymorphic forms and a method for preparing same. The ginsenoside C-K polymorphic forms are crystal form D and crystal form H.
US09643986B2
Compounds, methods of use, and processes for making inhibitors of complement factor D comprising Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or composition thereof are provided. The inhibitors described herein target factor D and inhibit or regulate the complement cascade at an early and essential point in the alternative complement pathway, and reduce factor D's ability to modulate the classical and lectin complement pathways. The inhibitors of factor D described herein are capable of reducing the excessive activation of complement, which has been linked to certain autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as ischemia-reperfusion injury and cancer.
US09643984B2
Disclosed herein are methods for preparing [1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridines, particularly (R)-6-(1-(8-fluoro-6-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1,6-naphthyridin-5(6H)-one, and precursors thereof, such as a method comprising reacting (R)—N-(3-fluoro-5-(1methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) pyridin-2-yl)-2-(3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-5-oxo-1,6-naphthyridin-6(5H)yl) propanehydrazide (“HYDZ”): (HYDZ) under conditions sufficient to form (R)-6-(1-(8-fluoro-6-(1-methyl-IH-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1,6-naphthyridin-5(6H)-one (“A”): (A)
US09643978B2
Disclosed herein are thiophene compounds of formulae (I), (I′), (II), (II′), (II″), and (II′″), methods for making such compounds, and methods for making β-R-substituted fused thiophene compounds by coupling such compounds.
US09643977B2
Described herein are compositions that inhibit the production of TNFα downstream of CD40 activation. As such, also described are various methods of using compositions exhibiting this activity for the treatment or prevention of inflammatory diseases associated with TNFα production or CD40 activation.
US09643973B1
A crystalline form of diclosulam of formula (I), the crystal preparation process, the analyses of the crystal through various analytical methods and using the crystal to prepare stable agrochemical formulation. The invention also describes the use of various solvents towards the crystalline form preparation conditions.
US09643966B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof which may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of various conditions. The present invention also provides methods of preparing such compounds and compositions, and methods of using the same.
US09643960B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed in embodiments relating to induction of cell death such as in cancer cells. Compounds and related methods for synthesis and use thereof, including the use of compounds in therapy for the treatment of cancer and selective induction of apoptosis in cells are disclosed. Compounds are disclosed that have lower neurotoxicity effects than other compounds.
US09643958B2
To deprotect an alcoholic hydroxyl group protected by a t-butyldimethylsilyl group without influencing a functional group unstable to an acid. In the presence of a solvent, an alcohol having a hydroxyl group protected by a t-butyldimethylsilyl group is deprotected in the presence of an acid or an acid salt having a pKa of from 1.0 to 3.0 in water.
US09643955B2
The present invention is directed to 2-pyridyloxy-3-nitrile-4-substituted compounds which are antagonists of orexin receptors. The present invention is also directed to uses of the 2-pyridyloxy-3-nitrile-4-substituted compounds described herein in the potential treatment or prevention of neurological and psychiatric disorders and diseases in which orexin receptors are involved. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The present invention is also directed to uses of these pharmaceutical compositions in the prevention or treatment of such diseases in which orexin receptors are involved.
US09643948B2
The present invention suggests 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides of formula (I), wherein X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I and mixtures thereof, preferably Cl, processes for the preparation of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides, the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides for the preparation of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic esters of formula (II), the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides for the preparation of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamides of formula (III), and also the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides as agents for the blocking of amines.
US09643946B2
The present invention relates to: a compound selected from the group consisting of a tricyclic compound having the structure of formula I, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an isomer, a solvate and a precursor thereof; and a use thereof. The compound effectively controls GPR40, and thus, can be effectively used for the prophylaxis or treatment of diseases associated with GPR40, for example, diabetes and many other diseases.
US09643945B2
2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid and methyl acetate are prepared in a continuous process by introducing a 5-methoxymethylfurfural-containing feedstock, an oxygen-containing gas, an oxidation catalyst and an acetic acid-containing solvent into a reactor; allowing 5-methoxymethylfurfural to react with oxygen and acetic acid in the presence of the oxidation catalyst to yield 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid as main product and methyl acetate; withdrawing 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid-containing product from the reactor and recovering 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid product; and withdrawing a vaporous stream containing methyl acetate from the reactor.
US09643943B2
The present disclosure relates to a method of preparing propylene oxide comprising the steps: (a) oxidizing alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol with air to form a first reaction mixture comprising hydrogen peroxide and acetophenone; (b) reacting propylene with the first reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst to form a second reaction mixture comprising propylene oxide; (c) separating the propylene oxide from the second reaction mixture to form a third reaction mixture; (d) heating the third reaction mixture to decompose hydrogen peroxide, whereby a fourth reaction mixture is formed; (e) hydrogenating the acetophenone in the fourth reaction mixture with hydrogen to form a fifth reaction mixture comprising alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol; and (f) separating alpha-methylbenzyl alcohol from the fifth reaction mixture and returning the methyl benzyl alcohol to step (a).
US09643942B2
This method for a manufacturing a 1,1-disubstituted hydrazine compound represented by a formula (II) involves reacting a hydrazino compound represented by a formula (I) with a compound represented by a formula: R-Hal in an aprotic polar solvent in the presence of a base selected from an alkali metal hydroxide and alkaline-earth metal hydroxide in an amount of 1.0 to 3.0 equivalents based on the hydrazino compound. In the formulae, X represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, —CH2— or the like, and each of RX represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, a fluoroalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or the like. An arbitrary C—RX that forms the ring is optionally substituted with a nitrogen atom. Hal represents a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, or an iodine atom, and R represents a substituted or unsubstituted organic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.
US09643940B2
A compound that can be a therapeutic agent for underactive bladder which has low risk of side effects and can be administered orally is provided. Furthermore, a crystal which is advantageous in view of the stability, long-term storage, handleability, easiness of the drug preparation or the like as a drug substance of medicaments is provided. Since a salt of 2-[(2-{(1R,5R)-2-oxo-5-[(1E,4S)-7,8,8-trifluoro-4-hydroxy-4-methyl-1,7-octadien-1-yl]cyclopentyl}ethyl)thio]-1,3-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid or a diastereomeric mixture thereof and 4-piperidinemethanol is a chemically very stable crystal, it can be stored for a long time, and is very useful as a drug substance of medicaments.
US09643938B2
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of substituted cycloserine compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 is C1-C8alkyl, C1-C8haloalkyl, C3-C6cycloalkyl, aryl or aryl substituted by one to five R11, or aryl-C1-C4alkylene or aryl-C1-C4alkylene substituted by one to five R11; and each R11 is independently C1-C4alkyl, C1-C4haloalkyl, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4haloalkoxy, cyano or halogen; The invention also relates to intermediates produced by the processes. Compounds of formula (I) are useful intermediates for the production of compounds in the agricultural and pharmaceutical fields.
US09643931B2
The present invention provides a process for the efficient preparation of enzalutamide.
US09643928B2
The present disclosure relates to crystalline forms of {[1-cyano-5-(4-chlorophenoxy)-4-hydroxy-isoquinoline-3-carbonyl]-amino}-acetic acid (Compound A), the process of preparing crystalline forms of Compound A, the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and the methods of use thereof.
US09643927B1
Described are processes for the synthesis of certain compounds, useful for treating diseases, e.g. eye disease, such as glaucoma and ocular hypertension, in a subject.
US09643920B2
The present invention provides crystal forms A and B of 4-(3S-(1R-(1-naphthyl)ethylamino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)phenylacetic acid having excellent stability and use as pharmaceutical ingredients. The present invention also provides industrially advantageous processes for producing these crystalline compounds.
US09643916B2
The instant invention provides for novel cationic lipids that can be used in combination with other lipid components such as cholesterol and PEG-lipids to form lipid nanoparticles with oligonucleotides. It is an object of the instant invention to provide a cationic lipid scaffold that demonstrates enhanced efficacy along with lower liver toxicity as a result of lower lipid levels in the liver. The present invention employs low molecular weight cationic lipids with one short lipid chain to enhance the efficiency and tolerability of in vivo delivery of siRNA.
US09643915B2
The present invention includes methods for the synthesis of sphingomyelins and dihydrosphingomyelins. The present invention also includes methods for the synthesis of sphingosines and dihydrosphingosines. The present invention further includes methods for the synthesis of ceramides and dihydroceramides.
US09643910B2
The present invention relates to an extraction column 1 having a vertically aligned column body 2 which is cylindrical at least in sections and forms a column cavity 3 having a horizontal maximum extent, with provision in the column body 2 of at least one first feed 4 for an extractant, at least one second feed 5 for the fluid to be extracted and at least one outlet 6 for the extract mixture and at least one outlet for the raffinate. In the inventive extraction column 1, a vertically aligned divider 7 arranged within the column cavity 3 subdivides the column cavity 3 into a plurality of vertically aligned and horizontally divided regions, the horizontal maximum extent of each region being less than the horizontal maximum extent of the column cavity 3. The invention further relates to a process for extracting a constituent from a fluid by means of such an extraction column 1.
US09643897B2
A process for oxygenate conversion using a family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites that is a layered pentasil zeolite with a silica or fluorine modified surface. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula: Mmn+Rrp+Al1-xExSiyOz where M is an alkali, alkaline earth, or rare earth metal such as sodium or potassium, R can be a mixture of organoammonium cations and E is a framework element such as gallium, iron, boron, or indium. These zeolites are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out oxygenate conversion processes.
US09643891B2
Feed material comprising uniform solution precursor droplets is processed in a uniform melt state using microwave generated plasma. The plasma torch employed is capable of generating laminar gas flows and providing a uniform temperature profile within the plasma. Plasma exhaust products are quenched at high rates to yield amorphous products. Products of this process include spherical, highly porous and amorphous oxide ceramic particles such as magnesia-yttria (MgO—Y2O3). The present invention can also be used to produce amorphous non oxide ceramic particles comprised of Boron, Carbon, and Nitrogen which can be subsequently consolidated into super hard materials.
US09643882B2
Borosilicate glasses, preferably for use in the pharmaceutical sector, are provided. The borosilicate glasses are outstandingly suitable for the use as pharmaceutical primary packaging, such as phials or ampoules, since the aqueous or water-containing medicaments kept in the containers do not attack the glass significantly, and so the glass releases no, or only few, ions. The borosilicate glasses have the following composition in % by weight or consist thereof: SiO271-77; B2O39-12; Al2O35.5-8; Na2O6-8; K2O0.1-0.9; Li2O0-0.3; CaO0-1.5; BaO0-1; F0-0.3; Cl-0-0.3; and MgO + CaO + BaO + SrO 0-2.
US09643872B2
A roll forming apparatus includes at least one forming roll being spaced from a forming body to define a gap. The forming roll includes a working zone portion having a working zone surface with a length extending along a rotation axis of the forming roll and a thermal resistance boundary extending at an acute angle relative to the rotation axis. In further examples, methods include the step of feeding a stream of molten glass through the gap to form a glass ribbon including a formed thickness. The thermal resistance boundary facilitates substantial uniform radial expansion of the working zone surface relative to the rotation axis across the length of the working zone surface in response to heating of the working zone portion by the molten glass.
US09643870B2
A melter apparatus includes a floor, a ceiling, and a substantially vertical wall connecting the floor and ceiling at a perimeter of the floor and ceiling, a melting zone being defined by the floor, ceiling and wall, the melting zone having a feed inlet and a molten glass outlet positioned at opposing ends of the melting zone. The melting zone includes an expanding zone beginning at the inlet and extending to an intermediate location relative to the opposing ends, and a narrowing zone extending from the intermediate location to the outlet. One or more burners, at least some of which are positioned to direct combustion products into the melting zone under a level of molten glass in the zone, are also provided.
US09643869B2
Processes and systems for producing molten glass using submerged combustion melters, including densifying an initial composition comprising vitrifiable particulate solids and interstitial gas to form a densified composition comprising the solids by removing a portion of the interstitial gas from the composition. The initial composition is passed from an initial environment having a first pressure through a second environment having a second pressure higher than the first pressure to form a composition being densified. Any fugitive particulate solids escaping from the composition being densified are captured and recombined with the composition being densified to form the densified composition. The densified composition is fed into a feed inlet of a turbulent melting zone of a melter vessel and converted into turbulent molten material using at least one submerged combustion burner in the turbulent melting zone.
US09643865B2
Some waters have high sulfate contents, such as acid mine drainage (AMD), which makes them unsuitable for use in fracturing fluids and difficult to dispose. Such waters may be treated with a solution of barium chloride to react with the sulfate ion of the sulfates and precipitate the sulfates as barium sulfate. Not all of the sulfates needs to be removed for the reclaimed water to be useful in formulating a fracturing fluid. The by-product of the reaction is almost pure barium sulfate, which is an inert, commercially valuable material that may be used in drilling fluids, paint and other industries.
US09643864B2
A method and liquid purifying device for controlling concentration of ions in a liquid includes generating a main stream of liquid in a main channel and applying a transverse electric field to the main stream by electrodes that are electrically in direct contact with the liquid flowing in the main channel. Further, a product stream of liquid is derived from a central region of the main stream, and waste streams of liquid are derived from regions of the main stream closer to the electrodes.
US09643856B2
Methods and systems for making ammonia are provided. The method can include heating a first compressed syngas to produce a heated first syngas. The heated first syngas and a second compressed syngas can be combined to produce a combined syngas. The combined syngas can be reacted within a first ammonia converter and a second ammonia converter to produce an ammonia product. Heat from the ammonia product can be transferred to a first heat transfer medium to produce a first cooled product and a second heat transfer medium. Heat from the first cooled product can be transferred to a third heat transfer medium to produce a second cooled product. Heat from the second cooled product can be transferred to the combined syngas to produce a third cooled product. The third cooled product can be separated to produce a purified ammonia product and a recycle gas.
US09643841B2
An antenna system includes an elongated conductive plane and an elongated dielectric layer that is disposed on the conductive plane. An elongated graphene nanoribbon is disposed along an axis and is coupled to the dielectric layer at a graphene/dielectric interface. A feeding mechanism is coupled to the conductive plane. The feeding mechanism is configured to accept a signal that excites surface plasmon polariton waves at the graphene/dielectric interface. In a method of making a surface plasmon polariton wave antenna, an elongated conductive plane is formed. An elongated dielectric layer is applied on a surface of the conductive plane. An elongated graphene nanoribbon is applied to the dielectric layer. A signal source is coupled to the elongated conductive plane.
US09643839B2
An electromechanical switching device includes a first electrode, comprising layers of a first 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a first surface; a second electrode, comprising layers of a second 2D layered material, which layers exhibit a second surface opposite the first surface; and an actuation mechanism; wherein each of the first and second 2D layered materials has an anisotropic electrical conductivity, which is lower transversely to its layers than in-plane with the layers; the first electrode includes two distinct areas alongside the first surface, which areas differ in at least one structural, electrical and/or magnetic property; and at least one of the first and second electrodes is actuatable by the actuation mechanism, such that actuation thereof for modification of an electrical conductance transverse to each of the first surface and the second surface to enable current modulation between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US09643830B2
A closure (10) for use with a beverage keg (20) is disclosed. The closure (10) comprises an inlet, a barrier (1) and a housing (2) that defines a venting hole (11). The barrier (1) seals the venting hole (11). The closure (10) comprises an unvented configuration in which a keg to which the closure is fitted can be pressurized. The closure (10) also comprises a vented configuration in which the barrier (1) is unsealed from the venting hole (11) to permit depressurization of the keg (20).
US09643820B2
An exemplary device for preventing travel of an elevator car when a car door is open includes a receiver that remains in a fixed position relative to a hoistway wall. A stop member moves responsive to the car door moving toward an open position such that the stop member engages the receiver to prevent movement of the elevator car when the door is open.
US09643815B2
A brake device having a block member, a first and second brake member movable relative to each other, and at least one adjustment member positioned between the block member and the first brake member to adjust the distance there between.
US09643809B2
The invention relates to a guide wheel arrangement for guiding two-dimensional material webs, in particular for guiding material webs or material sheets. The guide wheel arrangement comprises a guide wheel comprising an inner central hub section and an outer guide ring, which is connected to the inner hub section in a rotationally fixed manner for guiding the two-dimensional material elements, as well as an insert bushing which is to be arranged on a shaft and is concentrically inserted into the inner hub section, wherein the insert bushing is connected to the guide wheel in a rotationally fixed manner.
US09643807B2
A sheet feed device includes a removal sheet feed tray, a bottom plate provided in the sheet feed tray, and can be lifted up together with one or more papers stacked thereon so as to make an uppermost paper positioned at an upper limit position, a sheet feeder that feeds out the papers stacked on the bottom plate sequentially from the sheet feed tray, a sheet detection member that detects whether or not at least one paper is stacked on the sheet feed tray, an upper limit detection member that detects whether or not the uppermost paper is positioned at the upper limit position, and an evacuator that evacuates the sheet detection member and the upper limit detection member to an evacuation position where the sheet detection member and the upper limit detection member never interfere a removal and an installation of the sheet feed tray.
US09643804B2
There is provided a feed apparatus including: a support unit supporting a sheet; a feed roller; a first arm; a recess portion; a second arm; a biasing member; an operation lever; and an engagement portion. The engagement portion is configured to be separated from the second arm at the first position in a case that the feed roller abuts against the support surface. The engagement portion is configured to be engaged with the second arm in a case that the first arm swings in a direction in which the feed roller is separated from the support surface. The second arm is configured to swing from the first position to the second position in conjunction with swing of the first arm in a direction in which the feed roller is further away from the support surface.
US09643800B2
A system supports an outlet, within a storage silo, of a pneumatic conveyor. The outlet comprises a horizontal section, a vertical section, and an elbow interconnecting the sections. The system comprises a vertical support for suspending and centering the outlet, and a horizontal support for selectively supporting the outlet upon the silo floor. The horizontal support has clamp assemblies mounted on the horizontal section, and sets of removable support legs respectively attachable to the clamp assemblies. The horizontal support also has elbow clamp assemblies adjacent the elbow, and an elbow brace and a subframe each interconnecting the elbow clamp assemblies. Each of the support legs has a locking pin for locking that leg in a deployed position, and a storing hole for placing that leg in a stored position. The system further comprises a deflector, and sets of stanchions therefor respectively attached to the clamp assemblies of the horizontal support.
US09643799B2
A pneumatic conveyor is operable to convey fine material and includes a pressure vessel and a pneumatic injection port. The pressure vessel presents a chamber operable to receive fine material and to be selectively pressurized with air to pressurize and convey the fine material. The pressure vessel includes an inclined wall that extends upwardly relative to an outlet, with fine material in the chamber being collected by the inclined wall and urged toward the outlet. The injection port fluidly communicates with the chamber, with the injection port located adjacent the outlet to inject compressed air into the flow of pressurized fine material.
US09643796B2
An article arraying device including a robot; a vision sensor for obtaining position information of each of randomly arranged articles; an arrangement pattern generating section for generating an arrangement pattern by using the position information, the arrangement pattern including pattern elements in a regular arrangement, in such a manner that any one of the pattern elements coincides with a position of a reference article in the randomly arranged articles; a picking motion generating section for generating a picking motion by using the position information, the robot picking up by the picking motion an article other than the reference article; an arraying motion generating section for generating an arraying motion, the robot placing by the arraying motion the picked-up article in a position juxtaposed to the reference article in accordance with the arrangement pattern; and a robot controlling section for controlling the picking motion and the arraying motion.
US09643792B2
A material handling system includes an array of independently controlled positioning devices, a positioning table which support and manipulate workpiece attributes such as position, orientation, velocity and/or acceleration of workpieces on the table. The positioning devices are arrayed such that no single positioning device supports more than one workpiece at a time, thereby allowing for simultaneous and independent control of each workpiece.
US09643791B2
Device and a corresponding method for orienting containers having a noncircular cross-section, in particular bottles, which are transported along a transport path by way of neck handling, the device including at least one rotary device arranged along the transport path, the rotary device being stationary and including one or more stationary resilient rotary elements which are suitable for orienting a container in a specified direction.
US09643786B1
A telescoping belt tightener for conveyors includes an elongated outer body and a slider tube inserted in one end, with the slider tube able to slide into and out of the outer body to varying lengths. An adjuster at an opposing end can be turned to extend or retract the slider tube from the outer body. A bearing collar, with a bearing cavity that fits a spherical bearing, is attached to the slider tube. A collar shield snugly fits with the bearing collar to keep contaminants from entering the bearing cavity. One or both ends of the outer body include a stopper for keeping contaminants from entering the outer body. The outer body is round and without standing surfaces on which food and debris could accumulate. The outer body and adjuster are unitary parts without crevices in which contaminants can collect. The belt tightener is well-suited for food-grade applications.
US09643768B1
Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide for a wheeled apparatus suitable for storing liquids, such as water for consumption, when ordinary drinking water may be scarce or unavailable. Embodiments disclosed herein can be collapsed and stored in a small profile arrangement during periods when the apparatus is not in use. Embodiments may include wheels so that the apparatus may be assembled in one location and rolled to a water source, and rolled to shelter when full of water. Embodiments may provide a hose to connect the apparatus to a standard household faucets or spigots. Once the apparatus is filled, it can be rolled to storage location while awaiting future needs. After an emergency situation passes, the apparatus may be drained and re-packed for storage.
US09643764B1
A cable tie has a buckle member, an engaging band, and an insertion band. The buckle member has an engaging hole and an engaging block. The engaging block is resilient, is formed in the buckle member, and extends into the engaging hole. The engaging band is selectively inserted into the engaging hole and has two side faces and a thickness. At least one of the side faces has a channel having multiple unidirectional teeth. The insertion band is integrally formed on and extends from the buckle member and has a thickness. The insertion band is stacked with the engaging band when the insertion band and the engaging band are inserted into the engaging hole in the buckle member. The sum of the thicknesses of the insertion band and the engaging band is substantially equal to the height of the engaging hole.
US09643761B1
A child-resistant container includes a lid and a base. The lid includes a peripheral flange that defines a lifting tab. The base includes an upper peripheral rim. A skirt extends downwardly from the upper peripheral rim to a lower edge thereof. A bend line extends between two adjacent sides of the base to define a corner portion of the base that accommodates the lifting tab when the container is closed forming a child-resistant opening mechanism. The bend line facilitates bending of the corner portion of the base to gain access to the lifting tab.
US09643760B2
Provided is a cap structure of a vessel, which is coupled with the vessel to close or open the vessel. The cap structure includes an inner cap having a cylindrical shape and coupled with an upper end portion of the vessel to open or close the vessel, an outer cap having a cylindrical shape and fitted around an outer-diameter surface of the inner cap such that the outer cap is coupled with the inner cap, a component inserted into the outer cap and the inner cap, and a detachable unit to fixedly couple the component with the inner cap or the outer cap or separate the component from the inner cap or the outer cap without separating the inner cap or the outer cap from the vessel. The cap opens or closes the vessel by fixedly attaching the component to the cap disassembled from the vessel or separating the component from the cap.
US09643759B2
A closure for a container including a base having a passageway extending therethrough. At least a portion of the base is configured to attach to at least a portion of an opening of a container such that the passageway is in registry with at least a portion of the opening. A cap is movably attached to the base. The cap is movable between a first position in which at least a portion of the cap blocks at least a portion of the passageway and a second position in which the cap is spaced-apart from at least a portion of the passageway to allow contents from within the container to pass therethrough. A seal is positioned on one of the cap and the base.
US09643758B2
A beverage container closure or lid adapted for closing an open end of a beverage container. The lid is couplable to the beverage container and includes a selectively openable stopper that when closed, creates a fluid-tight seal between the beverage container and the environment. The stopper may be opened by pressing a button disposed on a side of the beverage container closure. The stopper is subsequently automatically closed when the button is released. Thus, the user may open and close the beverage container closure using a single hand without the need to remove the beverage container closure from the beverage container. The beverage container closure includes an actuating lever configured to press the button when a user applies a force to the lever. By utilizing the mechanical advantage provided by the lever, a user is able to selectively open and close the stopper using a relatively low amount of force.
US09643757B2
In one embodiment, a lid structure with latches is configured for sealing use with container vessels of different materials having differing manufacturing dimensional tolerances, such plastic vessels and glass vessels. Another feature of a lid and vessel combination is the provision of a lid receptacle feature, configured to capture the base of a vessel in a stacking arrangement, without utilization of special features on the vessel base. A method of merchandising lids and vessels is described, wherein a lid is provided for separate purchase, a plurality of vessels of different materials is provided for separate purchase which are configured to match to the lid.
US09643754B2
An envelope includes an envelope body having a first pair of substantially parallel edges that extend in a transverse direction and a second pair of substantially parallel edges that extend in a longitudinal direction, a face and a back. An openable region is formed in the envelope body and is spaced from the first and second pairs of parallel edges that is partially bounded by a line of weakness. The openable region being partially separable from the envelope body to provide a hanging feature. A barrier film is exposed after separation of the openable region from the envelope body. The barrier film is at least partially sealed to the envelope body about at least a portion of the openable region.
US09643753B2
The invention herein relates to a container device and system with an adjustable base and a method of adjusting said base within said container. The device is comprised of a hollow container, a platform and a rotating key with slit opening. The key is nested between the container and the platform wherein the slit opening of the key is sleeved over protrusions extending from the platform. The protrusions interconnect with the container by matching threaded linings along their contacting surfaces. Rotation of the key causing the platform to move in the same direction along its threaded connection with the container, and therefore lateral movement along the length of the container by travel along said threaded lining.
US09643749B2
A carton for containing at least one article is described herein. The carton includes a plurality of side panels that extend at least partially around an interior of the carton, a handle for grasping and carrying the carton formed in at least two side panels of the plurality of side panels, and a protective feature for providing access to grasp the handle. The protective feature includes at least one protective panel arranged in the interior of the carton relative to the handle and the at least two side panels.
US09643730B2
An aircraft door 18 which closes an opening of a storage space 16 for storing a RAT 13 as an accessory and which is opened in association with deployment of the RAT 13 from the storage space 16, the door including: a door body 20 that opens and closes the opening, and whose front surface faces an outside and whose rear surface faces the storage space 16 in a closed state; and a fence 24 that rises from the rear surface of the door body 20. In a traveling direction of the aircraft, the fence 24 is located anterior to a position where the RAT 13 is stored. The fence 24 prevents an airflow Air from passing through between the RAT 13 and the door body 20 in an initial stage where the door 18 starts to be opened, thereby suppressing the aerodynamic force in the closing direction acting on the door body 20.
US09643723B2
A cargo management system is provided comprising a slide bushing supported cargo shuttle, an actuator coupled to a bushing slide plate; an aft shuttle drive belt coupled to the slide bushing supported cargo shuttle; and a forward shuttle drive belt coupled to the slide bushing supported cargo shuttle. Also disclosed is a slide bushing supported cargo shuttle comprising a housing, a bushing slide plate extendable from the housing via an actuator and a top surface of the bushing supported cargo shuttle and a power drive unit coupled to the top surface.
US09643716B2
An air vehicle, an actuator assembly and a method of manufacture are provided in order to incorporate the actuator assembly within the outer mold line of the air vehicle. In regards to an air vehicle, the air vehicle includes a primary structure and a movable structure configured to be controllably moved relative to the primary structure. The air vehicle also includes an actuator assembly configured to cause the movable structure to be positioned relative to the primary structure. The actuator assembly includes an actuator housing and an actuation mechanism. The actuation mechanism is at least partially disposed within the actuator housing and is configured to provide for relative movement between the primary structure and the movable structure. At least a portion of the actuator assembly is built into at least one of the primary structure and the movable structure so as to be within an outer mold line of the air vehicle.
US09643713B2
A method of manufacturing a stiffened panel having a skin and at least one substantially elongate stiffener having a longitudinal groove forming a cavity. At least one storage device for storing and releasing electrical energy. The longitudinal groove is filled with at least one storage device for storing and releasing electrical energy. The storage device is covered with a skin which forms the cavity together with the longitudinal groove of the stiffener. A stiffened ring can be derived from the method.
US09643711B2
A multilayer laminate for use as a flame barrier in an aircraft comprising (i) a polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, (ii) an adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 2 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C., (iii) an inorganic refractory layer, and (iv) aramid paper comprising from 50 to 90 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 10 to 50 weight percent of meta-aramid binder wherein the inorganic refractory layer of (iii) comprises platelets in an amount of at least 85% by weight with a dry areal weight of 15 to 50 gsm and a residual moisture content of no greater than 10 percent by weight.
US09643686B2
A rope clasp device for securing a rope eliminates the need for a knot in a rope by selectively clasping and encasing at least one portion of a rope in a toothed clamp. The rope clasp device comprises a base, at least one, but generally two swinging doors, and a lock. The swinging doors are pivotably coupled to the base in order to be moved between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, a pair of channels for passage of a rope is defined between the base and the doors. The channels are defined by a plurality of clasping teeth to retain the rope therein.
US09643681B2
A tricycle having limited steering includes a front wheel mounted to a lower end of a wheel fork. A support tube is connected to a frame. A seat is mounted to the frame. A rear axle is included. Rear wheels are mounted to the rear axle. An upper end of the wheel fork extends upwards and into the support tube. A mudguard has front and back portions configured to extend over portions of the front wheel and side portions configured to extend over portions of the lower end of the wheel fork. A projection has an upper end arranged above an annular surface of the mudguard.
US09643677B2
A saddle-ride type vehicle, with rear frame provided with right and left side panel parts, and an upper cross part provided between upper parts of the right and left side panel parts. A rear fuel tank is a resin tank molded to have a bent surface with a boundary between a lateral surface part and a bottom surface part of the rear fuel tank bent, and the bent surface of the rear fuel tank 38 is fastened and fixed to the side panel parts. An upper part of the rear fuel tank is fastened and fixed to the upper cross part.
US09643674B1
A motorcycle includes a structure for making the lighting devices inconspicuous while still fulfilling the function and protecting the lighting devices. A horizontally opposed engine includes cylinder heads with cylinder head covers covering the cylinder heads. A pair of left and right lighting devices for lighting the front of vehicle are provided. The lighting devices are provided on the cylinder head covers.
US09643672B2
A child's ride-on toy comprising a push rod and a removable cart connected to the child's ride-on toy is described. The push rod of a child's ride-on toy typically extends upward and rearward from a connector at the rear of the frame of the child's ride-on toy to a handle at a height that may be easily manipulated by an adult. The push rod may be manipulated by an adult to control the speed and direction of the child's ride-toy or removed and connected to the cart for use of the cart independently of the ride-on toy.
US09643665B2
A splitter system for a vehicle includes a splitter body having a first splitter-body side and a second splitter-body side. The vehicle includes a vehicle body arranged along a longitudinal body axis and having a first vehicle body end configured to face oncoming ambient airflow. The splitter body is mounted at the first vehicle body end to generate an aerodynamic downforce thereon when the vehicle is in motion. The splitter system has a first winglet operatively connected to a first splitter-body side and a second winglet operatively connected to a second splitter-body side, wherein the first and second winglets are configured to control movement of the ambient airflow relative to the splitter body. A mechanism is configured to selectively shift each of the winglets in a direction transverse to the longitudinal body axis, to thereby adjust the aerodynamic downforce generated by the splitter body on the first vehicle body end.
US09643664B2
An underbody panelling part of a wheel axle near the wheelhouse of a motor vehicle includes a substantially flat main part, a first mounting point provided on the main part, which first mounting point can be rotatably connected to a transverse link of the motor vehicle, and a second mounting point provided on the main part, which second mounting point can be coupled to a wheel carrier or a steering rod. The underbody panelling part can be pivoted about the first mounting point when the wheel carrier is pivoted. A subassembly having the underbody panelling part is also provided.
US09643654B2
A vehicle body bottom structure includes a dash lower for separating a vehicle compartment from a power mounted room as well as separating the vehicle compartment from a wheel house, a front pillar which is erected at a vehicle-widthwise end portion of the dash lower, and a gusset which is bridged between the dash lower and the front pillar. The gusset is joined to the dash lower at one end thereof, and is spaced apart from the dash lower as the gusset approaches the front pillar, to be joined to the front pillar at the other end thereof, and a crushing space of a substantially triangular shape in a plan view is formed in a portion surrounded by the dash lower, the front pillar, and the gusset.
US09643649B2
A driving support apparatus includes: a travel possible region detecting device configured to detect a travel possible region of a vehicle; a travel controller configured to carry out locus control based on a target locus; and a controller configured to decide a road center of a curve, which is located forward of a traveling direction by a pre-read distance which is set according to a vehicle speed of the vehicle from a driver's own vehicle position of the vehicle, as a reference point, at the time the curve exists forward of the traveling direction, decide a position offset from the reference point to inside of the curve by a lateral displacement which is set according to a radius of curvature of the curve at the reference point, as a target point, and create the target locus so as to pass through the driver's own vehicle position and the target point.
US09643644B2
An actuator includes a motor, a rotation transmitting member, a reverse input preventing device, a converting device, and a rod. The motor includes a rotating shaft. The rotation transmitting member is configured to transmit rotation of the rotating shaft. The reverse input preventing device includes an input member and an output member. The reverse input preventing device is configured to prevent external force input to the output member from being transmitted to the input member. The converting device includes a nut that rotates according to the rotation of the output member. The converting device is configured to convert a rotary motion of the nut into a linear motion. The rod is configured to advance and retract according to the linear motion of the converting device. The input member and the rotation transmitting member are integrated. The output member and the nut are integrated.
US09643642B2
A vehicle steering apparatus includes a steering reaction force generating device including a steering reaction force motor, a turning device including a turning motor, a clutch device including an electromagnetic solenoid configured to mechanically engage and disengage the steering reaction force generating device and the turning device, a turning motor temperature sensor configured to detect a motor temperature value of the turning motor, a current integrated value acquiring unit configured to acquire a current integrated value of the turning motor, an abnormality diagnostic unit configured to diagnose whether the turning motor temperature sensor is normal, and a drive control unit configured to control the drive of the electromagnetic solenoid on the basis of the current integrated value of the turning motor acquired by the current integrated value acquiring unit if the abnormality diagnostic unit diagnoses the turning motor temperature sensor as being in an abnormal state.
US09643639B1
The stair-climbing hand truck is an improved hand truck that includes a back plate with a plurality of secondary wheels that may be used to roll the hand truck along a floor surface or up or down a flight of stairs. The back plate is rigidly affixed to the vertical frame of the hand truck. Moreover, the back plate is acutely oriented behind the vertical frame. The back plate has at least one wheel on opposing sides, which adaptively interact with a ground surface to roll the entire assembly. The vertical frame and the back plate are supported with primary wheels that are located adjacent to where the vertical frame meets a load plate. The primary wheels have a diameter larger than the wheels of the back plate.
US09643628B2
A transport trolley (CT) comprises: a pair of legs (J1) each having a lower end to which there is coupled a plate (PT1) on which at least one wheel (R1) is mounted so as to rotate in a transverse direction, first load supporting means (S1) coupled to the lower ends of the legs (J1), first coupling means (MC1) on which the lower ends of the legs (J1) are mounted so as to rotate in the transverse direction such that they can move from a folded-out position to a folded-away position, and on which the plates (PT1) are mounted so as to rotate such that wheels (R1) thereof can pivot and move from a folded-out position to a folded-away position approximately parallel to the folded-away legs (J1), and second coupling means (MC2) designed to force the legs (J1) and the wheels (R1) to be substantially simultaneously either in their folded-away position or in their folded-out position.
US09643624B2
Railroad tank cars are provided that include an inner tank, an outer tank, and tank to tank clearance between the inner tank and the outer tank. Insulation and spacers can be located within the tank to tank clearance. The inner tank can shift within the outer tank, and spacers can crush, under significant force loading, such as impact forces generated during a collision or derailment. The inner tank, insulation, spacers, and outer tank thus form an energy absorbing system that reduces the likelihood that the inner tank will be breached, and that a hazardous material contained therein will be released, under such conditions.
US09643617B2
A method and an apparatus for estimating a friction coefficient in a moving vehicle analyze image data from a forward-looking vehicle camera to produce a camera friction coefficient μk, and analyze tire slip and tire vibration based on a wheel speed signal to produce a wheel friction coefficient μw. The camera and wheel friction coefficients are both considered to produce a proactive estimated friction coefficient that is primarily based on the camera friction coefficient μk, whereas the wheel friction coefficient μw is taken into account to check plausibility of the camera friction coefficient μk.
US09643608B2
A vehicular power transmission device that includes a parking gear that is drivingly coupled with wheels; a parking pawl that is capable of meshing or unmeshing with or from the parking gear; a hydraulic pressure actuator that unmeshes the parking pawl from the parking gear when a release hydraulic pressure is supplied; a first oil pump that generates a hydraulic pressure; a second oil pump that generates a hydraulic pressure, the second oil pump having a capacity smaller than the first oil pump; a hydraulic pressure control device that is capable of deriving the release hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic pressure generated by the second oil pump or the hydraulic pressure generated by the first oil pump and supplying the release hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic pressure actuator; and a control unit.
US09643603B2
A travel control device includes: a vehicle detection device configured to detect a position of a peripheral vehicle that travels in a periphery of a host vehicle in a lane, in which the host vehicle travels, or a lane adjacent to and heading in a same direction of the host vehicle; a generation device configured to assign a potential field to a predetermined region, which is adjacent to the position of the peripheral vehicle, the potential field indicating a degree of psychological pressure received by a driver of the host vehicle, and configured to generate a potential distribution that represents a distribution of the potential field of the peripheral vehicle on a road; and a control device configured to control a travel condition of the host vehicle that the host vehicle travels in the potential field relatively low in the potential distribution.
US09643600B2
To provide a vehicle control system capable of promptly achieving a travel motion along a travel path. A yaw moment control amount is imparted according to a traveling-direction virtual line extending from an ego vehicle in a traveling direction and a formed angle between the traveling-direction virtual line and a travel-path defining line.
US09643595B2
An output shaft is arranged to be lateral and parallel to engine input shafts and a motor input shaft. An engine side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the engine input shafts to the output shaft is provided. A motor side gear mechanism for transmitting a power of the motor input shaft to the output shaft is provided. An input side clutch engages and disengages the engine input shafts and the motor input shaft. When the input side clutch is engaged, the power transmission between a position where the engine side gear mechanism is arranged on the engine input shafts and a position where the motor side gear mechanism is arranged on the motor input shaft is invariably possible.
US09643592B2
A vehicle propulsion system includes a plurality of power sources coupled to a final drive of the vehicle propulsion system. A controller is programmed to determine a desired power demand from the power sources and operate a number of the power sources to produce the desired power demand. The controller identifies a least efficient power source of the power sources and controls the least efficient power source to produce power at an optimum operating point of the least efficient power source. The controller also identifies a power output of the least efficient power source corresponding to the optimum operating point, compares the power output of the least efficient power source to the desired power demand, identifies a remaining power demand from the comparison, and controls another power source to produce the remaining power demand.
US09643578B2
The embodiment provides a vehicle control unit including a torque increment setting module related to a drive source brake torque control and an anti-lock braking control module related to an anti-lock braking control. The torque increment setting modules includes a first setting module and a second setting module. The first setting module sets the torque increment based on at least a slip amount of a wheel when the drive source brake torque control is in execution but the anti-lock braking control is not executed. The second setting module sets the torque increment based on a parameter other than the slip amount when both the drive source brake torque control and the anti-lock braking control are in execution.
US09643577B2
A vehicle control device controls a vehicle that has an electric oil pump, executes idling stop control for stopping a drive source when predetermined conditions are satisfied, and is capable of applying a braking force in a state where a brake pedal is released. The vehicle control device determines whether or not the vehicle is stopped, determines whether or not the electric oil pump is driven, and executes the idling stop control when stop of the vehicle is determined, driving of the electric oil pump is determined, and the braking force is applied to the vehicle. Application of the braking force is started after the vehicle is determined to be stopped and the electric oil pump is determined to be driven.
US09643570B2
Disclosed is a system for detecting an operating state of a vehicle engine, for example, in order to arm or disarm a vehicle alarm system. The system comprises: an input coupled to a power line of a vehicle; means to filter out relatively high frequency transient noise components of a signal received from the power line; a first detector for receiving the filtered signal and detecting when transient noise associated with the power line rises above a first threshold and generating a first detection signal in response thereto; a second detector for receiving the filtered signal and detecting when the transient noise falls below a second threshold, which is lower than the first threshold, and generating a second detection signal in response thereto; and means for generating a first output signal in response to the first detection signal and a second output signal in response to the second detection signal.
US09643567B2
A backrest for a back seat of a motor vehicle is pivotable between a usage and folded position. A lateral part is arranged next to the backrest in usage position and forms a gap therebetween. A safety belt adjacent to the gap rests on a contact surface of the lateral part. A guide element is arranged in the gap and mounted in the lateral part for moving from an operative position partially projecting out of the gap and too a non-operative position completely retracted in the gap and vice versa. The guide element projects over the contact surface in the operative position. The guide element is moved from the operative position into the non-operative position against a spring force when the backrest pivots into the usage position.
US09643560B2
A touch sensor usable in a portion which an airbag comes out of, such as the center portion of a steering wheel, and an airbag cover integrated input device including the touch sensor are provided. More specifically, a touch sensor attached to an airbag cover provided outside the airbag, and having end portions that form an insertion portion which the airbag passes through during the deployment of an airbag system is provided. Moreover, an airbag cover integrated input device in which the airbag cover has a thin wall portion that tears open during the deployment of the airbag system, and the end portions of the touch sensor are placed along the thin wall portion of the airbag cover is provided.
US09643553B2
Provided is an impact absorber capable of effectively absorbing impact even if an impact receiving position deviates from a desired position. An impact absorber according to an aspect of the present disclosure has a front wall for receiving impact, a rear wall opposed to the front wall, and surrounding walls for connecting the circumferences of the front wall and the rear wall, wherein thin portions are formed at corner portions for connecting the front wall and the surrounding walls.
US09643551B2
A device for keeping a computer of a motor vehicle in a standby mode and for switching over to an active mode, with at least one electrical switch connected so that a change of an initial state of the switch constitutes an event that triggers the switching of the computer, and an electrical circuit incorporating each electrical switch, and an electrical power supply designed to exhibit two states: a power supply conducting steady state of each electrical switch wherein no power is consumed, obtained in the absence of a signal on its control input or upon the reception of a control signal of logic level “0”, and a blocked state wherein power is consumed, obtained in the presence of a control signal of logic level “1” on its control input.
US09643542B2
The present disclosure relates to a cross bar for a vehicle article carrier that may be releasably secured to a support rail. The cross bar has an end support at each end thereof for securing the cross bar to the support rail. Each end support has a main body configured to engage with a portion of the support rail, an opening in the main body, and a latching element moveably supported from the main body. A threaded member is used for controlling engagement of the latching member with the support rail. The threaded member has a head portion which engages with portions of a spring clip secured in the opening. This helps prevent loosening of the threaded member after it has been tightened.
US09643536B2
A light-emitting composite arrangement for stationary arrangement in an interior of an aircraft is provided. The light-emitting composite arrangement has a base layer, a covering layer and a core portion at least partially provided between the base layer and the covering layer. The covering layer can be a prepreg layer. A lighting device is integrated in the core portion. The covering layer is cured with the lighting device integrated in the core portion.
US09643534B1
A method of modulating a vehicle's brake light activation causes the vehicle's brake light to flash on and off according to a specified modulation sequence during brake activation. Modulation of the brake light during a subsequent brake activation during a timeout duration after the initial brake activation. The modulation sequence may be modified through user input, continual brake activation, and braking force detected.
US09643522B2
An orthopedic seat cushion for placement on a seat for supporting the weight of an occupant includes an envelope comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet sealed together to define an interior volume. The interior volume is subdivided into a plurality of depressible cells wherein adjacent cells are in fluid communication with one another. The envelope has an opening penetrated through the upper sheet and lower sheet, wherein the opening has a front end and a back end and is configured to allow clearance for a sensitive area of the occupant. At least one cell has a height dimension that inhibits the sensitive area from contacting the seat when the at least one cell is depressed by the weight of the occupant.
US09643518B2
A seat for a motor vehicle includes a back part and a sitting part. The back part includes at least one detachable main part, which is adapted to be entirely separated from the rest of the seat. The detachable main part also includes, at the rear, storage fixed to the detachable main part.
US09643516B2
A vehicle drive battery attachment structure including a battery case disposed at the vehicle rear of a vehicle cabin, a rear side member that is provided at a side portion of a vehicle body rear section and extends along a vehicle front-rear direction, and a bracket that is fixed to the battery case, that includes a low strength portion and a high strength portion in a row along the vehicle front-rear direction, that is fixed to the rear side member at both vehicle front-rear direction end sides of the low strength portion and the high strength portion respectively, and in which the low strength portion is set with lower strength with respect to vehicle front-rear direction load than the high strength portion.
US09643511B2
An apparatus for estimating a state of charge (SOC) of a battery in an electric vehicle is provided. The apparatus may include a driving history data storage configured to store driving history data for each category among categories generated based on a frequency of appearance of road data, a driving profile generator configured to categorize road data associated with a driving route for each of the generated categories and generate a driving profile with respect to the driving route based on the driving history data corresponding to the categorized road data, and a battery SOC estimator configured to estimate the SOC of a the battery with respect to the driving route based on the driving profile.
US09643509B2
An apparatus for providing a multi-voltage output of a low voltage DC-DC converter of an eco-friendly vehicle may include a transformer converting AC power of the high voltage into AC power of a first voltage, a rectifying unit generating the AC power of the first voltage as DC power of a first voltage, a first voltage output unit supplying the first voltage to a first electric field load of the eco-friendly vehicle from the DC power of the first voltage, a converter converting the DC power of the first voltage into DC power of a second voltage having a voltage value different from the first voltage, and a second voltage output unit supplying the second voltage from the DC power of the second voltage to a second electric field load.
US09643501B2
Deterioration of a power storage unit included in a vehicle is prevented or the power storage unit that has deteriorated is repaired, and the charge and discharge performance of the power storage unit is maximized to be maintained for a long time. Attention has focused on a reaction product formed on an electrode surface which causes malfunction or deterioration of a power storage unit such as a lithium-ion secondary battery. In the power storage unit used for a vehicle that runs on the power of an electric motor, rapid discharge occurring in the acceleration of the vehicle or the like tends to promote the solidification of the reaction product. The reaction product is removed by application of an electrical stimulus, specifically, an inversion pulse voltage.
US09643498B2
A system supplying electrical power to a vehicle including: a network of electricity consuming units; a first electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a first maximum voltage when unloaded less than a maximum network voltage; a second electrical accumulation battery connected to the network, exhibiting a second maximum voltage when unloaded greater than the maximum voltage when unloaded of the first battery, and a minimum acceptable voltage when unloaded below the maximum network voltage; a drivable alternator connected to the network, configured to deliver to the second battery an electrical energy under a setpoint voltage drivable to various setpoint values; an electronic management facility, configured to impose at least two different setpoint voltages successively on the alternator when the vehicle is running, a low alternator voltage greater than the first maximum voltage, and a high alternator voltage greater both than the minimum voltage and than the low alternator voltage.
US09643497B2
A bicycle control apparatus is basically provided with a memory device and a control device. The control device is programmed with an automatic switching function and a manual switching function. The automatic switching function automatically switches an assist ratio, which is a ratio of a manual drive force to a drag force of an electric assist motor, based on a relationship between a threshold value that is stored and a reference value that is indicative of one of a bicycle traveling environment and a bicycle traveling state. The manual switching function switches the assist ratio based on a manual operation. The control device is further programmed to update the threshold value is updated based on the reference value when switching the assist ratio by the manual switching function.
US09643495B2
A pantograph device of a trolley-type truck includes: a base frame; a bottom frame rockably attached to the base frame; a top frame rockably attached to the vicinity of the top end portion of the bottom frame through a connecting shaft; a collector shoe rockably supported in proximity to the top end portion of the top frame; a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering the bottom frame, attached to the base frame; and a spring which acts so as to rotate the top frame upward through the connecting shaft. By erecting the bottom frame by the hydraulic cylinder, the tensile force produced in the spring is increased and the top frame is rotated upward through the connecting shaft. This makes it possible to obtain a wide movable range without use of a long and strong spring and enhance the followability to overhead wires without increasing pressing force.
US09643494B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell which generates electrical energy by reacting a hydrogen gas from a hydrogen gas supply source and an oxidizing agent gas from an oxidizing agent gas supply source, a hydrogen circulating pump which is provided in a hydrogen circulation path and transfers hydrogen gas of the hydrogen circulation path to the fuel cell, and control means. When the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply source to the fuel cell is discontinued, the control means discontinues the supply of oxidizing agent gas from the oxidizing agent gas supply source to the fuel cell and activates the hydrogen circulating pump such that electrical energy generated in the fuel cell is supplied to the hydrogen circulating pump.
US09643486B2
A tank recess for motor vehicles comprising a recess body having a device for fastening to a vehicle body opening from outside and having a tank feed line sealing portion, characterized in that the recess body has a fold-over sealing edge on the base portion, such that a flange on an inner metal plate of the vehicle body opening is encompassed by the fold-over sealing edge, such that in the installed position the sealing edge is able to be placed sealingly around the flange of the vehicle body opening.
US09643475B2
Apparatus for use in handling windscreens for example for installation in a vehicle, includes a windscreen anchor assembly comprising a windscreen anchor device and a support arm extending away from the windscreen anchor device. A mount assembly is provided for supporting the windscreen anchor assembly. The mount assembly includes a mount structure for engaging with the support arm such that the support arm can slide bodily in its longitudinal direction with respect to the mount structure.
US09643472B2
A control part controls a first opening-and-closing part to close either one of a first outside air introduction port and a first inside air introduction port when it is determined that outside air introduced from the first outside air introduction port flows into a passenger compartment through the first inside air introduction port, and controls a second opening-and-closing part to close either one of a second outside air introduction port and a second inside air introduction port when it is determined that outside air introduced from the second outside air introduction port flows into the passenger compartment through the second inside air introduction port.
US09643463B2
Rail gear may facilitate a vehicle traversing on the rails of a railway. The rail gear may comprise a first rail guidewheel and a second rail guidewheel in rotatable connection with an axle. The rail gear may also comprise a first mount that is restricted from rotating with respect to the axle and a second mount that is configured to rotate with respect to the axle.
US09643461B2
The present invention relates to a structure for mounting a hook bracket formed of an aluminum alloy extrusion to a bumper reinforce having a hollow cross-section, and further reduces the weight of the hook bracket and the weight of the mount structure without deteriorating towing performance. The hook bracket has a cut that is formed in an extrusion cross-section (a cross-section perpendicular to the direction of extrusion) and extended from the rear end of a shaft portion into the hollow in the bumper reinforce. Further, an internally threaded hole is formed. The shaft portion of the hook bracket is penetrated through a hole formed in front and rear walls of the bumper reinforce and fillet-welded to the front and rear walls. The shaft portion is not fillet-welded to the rear wall at a position where the cut is formed.
US09643457B2
A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with a center main groove on the tire equator and a shoulder main groove on each side of the center main groove. The center main groove and the shoulder main groove extend zigzag and continuously in the tire circumferential direction so that a crown land portion defined between the center main groove and the shoulder main groove has an axial width alternately increasing and decreasing along the tire circumferential direction. The crown land portion is provided with a shallow crown circumferential groove extending zigzag and continuously in the tire circumferential direction, and crown sipes extending from the center main groove to the shoulder main groove across the shallow crown circumferential groove. Zigzag apexes of the shallow crown circumferential groove are respectively positioned between the crown sipes.
US09643453B2
A non-pneumatic wheel with reinforcement bands that provide structural support for the wheel and a method of manufacture of such a wheel are described. The reinforcement band forms part of an annular reinforcement structure that includes a core that is cast in place between annular reinforcement bands. The core can be impregnated with a matrix material. The matrix material can also be used to form one or more elements of the non-pneumatic wheel.
US09643451B2
A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.
US09643450B2
The present invention relates to a wheel rim extender device (1) removably mountable on a wheel (3) having a tire retaining rim (27) for engaging an outer surface of a tire (5). The device (1) has an annular member (11) for location adjacent a sidewall (7) of a tire (5) mounted on the wheel (3). The annular member (11) comprises an edge portion (33a, 33b) which defines an outer circumference of the annular member (11) and a support portion (35a, 35b), disposed radially inward of the edge portion (33a, 33b), for mounting on the wheel (3), wherein the edge portion (33a, 33b) has a greater flexibility than the support portion (35a, 35b). The invention also relates to the combination of a wheel rim extender device (1) and a wheel (3).
US09643442B2
A page-turning device for turning a page of an opened book, page-turning device including an adhesive part which adheres to the page of the book; an arm part with the adhesive part provided on a top end, the arm part making the adhesive part go to and fro between a departure position and a destination position such that the adhesive part adheres to the page at the departure position and separates from the page at the destination position; and a drive unit which rotates the adhesive part in relation to the arm part. The drive unit rotates the adhesive part before the adhesive part reaches the destination position so that an adhering portion of the adhesive part is changed, and stops rotation of the adhesive part when the adhesive part adheres to the page.
US09643439B2
A portable printing cabinet having a housing with a substantially enclosed interior and an opening formed in a side surface thereof, a printing device located within the interior of said housing, and a paper tray positioned outside of the housing and in communication with the opening of the housing is provided.
US09643438B2
A printer cartridge pin exposure and removal apparatus for the removal of embedded pins within a printer cartridge. The printer cartridge is positioned within a cartridge mount and securely held in a fixed position through a clamping mechanism. A first pin extracting mechanism and a second pin extracting mechanism are positioned about opposite ends of the printer cartridge. A first drill and a second drill are supported by and aligned with the printer cartridge through a first drill aligner and a second drill aligner respectively. The first drill aligner moves the first drill towards the printer cartridge, while the first drill drives a first drill bit in order to penetrate the printer cartridge. Similarly, the second drill aligner moves the second drill towards the printer cartridge, while the second drill drives a second drill bit in order to penetrate the opposite side of the printer cartridge.
US09643437B2
A simple configuration avoids exposure of a star wheel that prevents the media from lifting up when the media conveyance path opens. A platen top unit 20 that supports first and second star wheels 25A, 25B is separated from an opening and closing platen unit 8, and is supported movably vertically. when the platen unit 8 is moved to the open position 8B to open the third conveyance path section 10c of the conveyance path 10 when a paper jam occurs, for example, the head elevator 17 is controlled to raise the platen top unit 20 and retract the first and second star wheels 25A, 25B supported by the platen top unit 20 to a position removed from easy contact with the user's hands.
US09643434B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording portion; a liquid reservoir portion; a medium ejection route that is provided, at an end portion thereof, with a medium outlet from which the medium is ejected; an ejection roller that ejects the medium from the medium outlet; and a stacking member that stacks the medium. The medium ejection route includes, in an interval where the medium having been subjected to recording by the recording portion is transported to the medium outlet, a reversing curved route along which the medium is curved in a state where a recorded face of the medium faces an inner side of the curve, and the liquid reservoir portion is disposed, in a vertical direction, at a further antigravity direction side position than a position of the medium ejection route and a position of a movement trajectory drawn by the medium during a period until its stack on the stacking member.
US09643432B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a transporting unit which can transport a medium along a first direction; an ejecting unit which can eject liquid; a cutting unit which is provided on a downstream side in the first direction compared to the ejecting unit, and can cut the medium; and a control unit which can execute an ejecting operation in which the liquid is ejected onto the medium using the ejecting unit, and a cutting operation in which the medium is cut using the cutting unit, in which the control unit executes a post-cutting transport operation in which the medium is transported using the transporting unit between executing of the cutting operation and executing of the ejecting operation.
US09643425B2
A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a liquid discharge section configured to discharge liquid supplied from a liquid container in accordance with a drive signal; a sensor configured to measure a remaining quantity of the liquid in the liquid container; a measurement section configured to identify a measurement consumption quantity being a variation quantity of the remaining quantity in a measurement period; an estimation section configured to estimate an estimated consumption quantity of the liquid in accordance with print contents in the measurement period; a comparison section configured to make a comparison between the measurement consumption quantity and the estimated consumption quantity; if the measurement consumption quantity is smaller than the estimated consumption quantity by comparison of the comparison section, an inspection section configured to inspect whether or not there is a discharge defect in the liquid discharge section; and if the inspection section determines that there are no discharge defects, an adjustment section configured to adjust an amplitude of the drive signal.
US09643424B2
A printing apparatus includes: an ink discharge head discharging UV ink; a sub-tank storing the UV ink; a supply pump sending the UV ink to the sub-tank from an ink cartridge; an ink circulation path having a forward circulation path through which the UV ink supplied to the ink discharge head from the sub-tank flows, and a backward circulation path through which the UV ink returning to the sub-tank from the ink discharge head flows; and a receptacle that has an opening opened upward and is provided inside the sub-tank. Here, a backward-path downstream-side end which is an end portion of the backward circulation path on the sub-tank side is positioned below the opening inside the receptacle and a forward-path upstream-side end which is an end portion of the forward circulation path on the sub-tank side is positioned below the receptacle inside the sub-tank.
US09643420B2
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a discharge portion capable of discharging a liquid, a carriage movable along scanning directions between a first position and a second position, a tube that is connected to the discharge portion and that supplies the liquid to the discharge portion, a frame provided at such a position as to be able to contact the tube, and a tube support portion that is provided between the frame and the carriage and that has a supporting surface capable of supporting the tube. The carriage includes an inclined portion that is inclined so as to move the tube toward the supporting surface when the carriage moves along the scanning directions while the tube is not supported by the supporting surface.
US09643419B2
An adaptor includes an adaptor main body capable of being mounted with respect to a liquid accommodation body mounting portion of a printer to which an ink cartridge configured to accommodate ink is mounted in an attachable or detachable manner; a memory cell MC that is updated by a control portion of the printer, and maintains information about whether or not the printing operation is possible in the printer; an electrical terminal that is used in communication between the memory cell and the printer; and an operation button that outputs an update signal that updates information about whether or not the printing operation is possible to information permitting the printing operation of the printer with respect to the memory cell, when the information about whether or not the printing operation is possible maintained in the memory cell does not permit the printing operation of the printer.
US09643418B2
A liquid discharging apparatus includes multiple nozzle rows, in which a plurality of nozzles capable of discharging liquid onto a medium are arranged, that are arranged in an intersection direction intersecting with a nozzles-arranged direction where the nozzles are arranged, a shielding portion that shields an area between the nozzle rows, and a collecting portion that collects mist which is attached to the shielding portion and is generated due to discharging of the liquid from the nozzles.
US09643415B2
The present invention aims at providing a piezoelectric substrate that is less susceptible to the influence of adhesive after being subjected to connection, as well as an assembly, a liquid discharge head, and a recording device, each of which uses the piezoelectric substrate. The piezoelectric substrate of the present invention is a flat plate shaped piezoelectric substrate including a piezoelectric ceramic layer, a plurality of first electrodes, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The second electrode includes an outer peripheral part disposed so as to surround the entirety of the first electrodes, and a protrusion extending from the outer peripheral part toward the inside of the outer peripheral part when the piezoelectric substrate is viewed from above. The second electrode and the third electrode are electrically connected to each other at the protrusion. The outer peripheral part is used for an electrical connection with the outside.
US09643414B2
A device to discharge liquid includes a liquid discharging head to discharge the liquid and a drive waveform generating device to generate and output a drive waveform including continuous multiple drive pulses to discharge the liquid from the liquid discharging head that are continuously arranged in chronological order to form a single droplet. The continuous multiple drive pulses include an inflation waveform element to inflate an individual liquid chamber of the liquid discharging head and a contraction waveform element to contract the inflated individual liquid chamber to discharge the liquid. When the wave element between the continuous multiple drive pulses is determined as the holding wave element between pulses, the voltage held by the holding waveform element is higher than the initial voltage of the inflation waveform element of the first drive pulse and the ending voltage of the contraction waveform element of the last drive pulse.
US09643404B2
A pigment dispersion composition contains a pigment, a polymerizable compound, and a compound having a structural unit represented by Formula (A), a structural unit represented by Formula (B), a structural unit represented by Formula (C) derived from polyalkylene oxide having a number average molecular weight of equal to or greater than 300 and less than 5,000, and a structural unit represented by Formula (D), in which a mass ratio [(B)/(C)] is 20/80 to 60/40.
US09643402B2
In a method for printing a metal-tone printed matter, a metallic ink which includes metal particles dispersed in a solvent is applied onto a smooth printing surface of a printing medium to provide a metallic ink layer containing a metal layer having the metal particles accumulated on a printing surface side closer to the smooth printing surface in the metallic ink layer. The printing medium is reversed to transfer the metallic ink layer onto a material to be transferred while making a smooth surface of the metal layer as a display surface.
US09643396B2
A peeling device which peels a superposed substrate obtained by bonding a first substrate and a second substrate together, from one end portion of the superposed substrate toward the other end portion thereof, includes a first holding unit configured to hold the first substrate of the superposed substrate, a second holding unit configured to hold the second substrate of the superposed substrate, and a moving unit configured to move the first holding unit away from the second holding unit. The moving unit is configured to move in at least a peeling direction of the superposed substrate.
US09643395B2
Systems and methods for forming radius fillers for composite structures are disclosed herein. The systems include a sheet-locating structure that has a first support surface and a support surface edge. The systems further include a second support surface, a separation device, a conveyance structure, and a layup surface. The methods include locating a sheet of composite material on a first support surface and translating the sheet of composite material such that a first portion of the sheet is supported by the first support surface and a second portion of the sheet extends past the support surface edge. The methods also include supporting the second portion of the sheet with a second support surface and separating the second portion of the sheet from the first portion of the sheet to form a strip of composite material. The methods further include conveying the strip of composite material onto a layup surface.
US09643387B2
Provided is a stretched laminate for manufacturing a thin polarizer while increasing the degree of orientation of a polyvinyl alcohol-iodine complex without problems such as breakage. In addition, there are provided a method of manufacturing a thin polarizer having superior optical characteristics by using the stretched laminate, a thin polarizer manufactured by the method, and a polarizing plate including the thin polarizer.
US09643386B2
Provided are a low emissivity film and a window having the same. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the low emissivity film may include a first substrate, a first metal oxide layer, a first reflective layer, a second metal oxide layer, and a second substrate. The first metal oxide layer may reflect light having a wavelength of infrared rays. The light having a first wavelength is reflected by cavity effect of the first metal oxide layer, the first reflective layer, and the second metal oxide layer, and the light having a second wavelength may pass through the low emissivity film. Thus, the low emissivity film may express a color.
US09643383B2
Disclosed are a car interior sheet manufactured by using a defective product (defective hygiene product) among hygiene products such as tissues or diapers including wet-strength paper made of pulp including plastic or super absorbent polymer (SAP). The car interior sheet is manufactured by attaching surface layers such as a nonwoven fabric to both surfaces of a base layer thereof including 30-50 weight % of a pulverized material, 5-15 weight % of additives, and 30-50 weight % of thermoplastic resin. The car interior sheet represents a low manufacturing cost, and does not generate environmental hazardous materials. The car interior sheet represents superior impact resistance at high and low temperatures, has a superior moisture absorption rate due to the SAP, so that the car interior sheet is rapidly dried after the moisture has been absorbed.
US09643372B2
An apparatus for pelletizing renewable raw materials, such as stalk material, having a feeding device for feeding the materials to be pelletized and having at least one press drum pair that is settable into opposite rotational movements, wherein the feeding device has a drivable conveyor belt which conveys the material to be compressed into the region of a feed hopper between the press drum pair, and which wraps around one of the two press drums regionally over an angle of at least 20° in order to form a precompaction region, and wherein the precompaction region has a constant width with respect to its length, said width corresponding more or less to the width of the press drums.
US09643368B2
The disclosed embodiments generally relate to extruding multiple layers of micro- to nano-polymer layers in a tubular shape. In particular, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to a method for producing a Bragg reflector comprising co-extrusion of micro- to nano-polymer layers in a tubular shape.
US09643364B2
A method and apparatus for injection molding plastic parts is described. In one embodiment, at least two materials are simultaneously injected into a mold. The resulting molded part can include at least two different regions. Each region can have distinct physical properties. Positions of the regions within the molded part can be at least partially controlled by controlling flow fronts of the at least two materials within the mold.
US09643362B2
The subject disclosure is directed towards technology managing three-dimensional object fabrication in full color. In order to transform the object's model into an instruction set for a fabrication device, a fabrication manager computes color values corresponding to geometry within a later of the object's model. After determining an amount of each colored material to deposit, the fabrication manager generates coordinated instructions configured to deposit a combination of colored materials according to the geometry and efficiently transitioning between colored materials during object fabrication.
US09643360B2
The invention relates to a self-hardening material for layerwise construction of three-dimensional components, whereby the material comprises at least one particulate material and a separately applied bonding agent for bonding the particulate material, and has a setting time which is at least several times as long as the application time of a particulate layer.
US09643349B2
A housing includes first and second housing elements coupled by an insert molded split. The insert molded split includes an injection guide that extends between a first aperture of the first housing element and a second aperture of the second housing element and material injection molded around the injection guide. A method for producing an insert molded split in a housing includes selecting an injection guide, inserting the injection guide into a first aperture of the first housing and the second aperture of the second housing, and injection molded material into and/or at least partially around the injection guide to form the insert molded split.
US09643344B2
It is presented a method for producing a cured polymer structure from a polymer compound which is UV curable and partly UV transparent. The method comprises injecting the polymer compound into a mold (2), which mold (2) has at least one wall (7) defining a mold space (6) for receiving the polymer compound in the mold space (6). The at least one wall (7) of the mold (2) is UV transparent and comprises a thermoplastic polymer. The polymer compound is then irradiated through the at least one wall (7), by means of at least one UV semiconductor light source, thereby curing the polymer compound to form the cured polymer structure. An assembly for producing a polymer structure and a mold (2) is also presented herein.
US09643343B2
A method is provided of molding recycled EPS and other suitable expanded bead materials using a powder adhesive and steam. The method allows for molding EPS parts with over 5% and up to 100% recycled content. The method involves using an adhesive to fuse the regrind EPS particles under pressure from steam. The adhesive may be in powder form and preferably comprises small particles having a high surface area per unit weight and high static so the adhesive powder sticks to the surface of the regrind EPS particles during a dry blending step.
US09643339B2
A sheet manufacturing apparatus includes a defibration unit and a sheet forming unit. The defibration unit includes a rotating unit and a housing including a cover portion and a fixing unit attached to the cover portion and spaced apart from the rotating unit in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the rotating unit so as to form a gap between the rotating unit and the fixing unit. The defibrating unit is configured to cause the rotating unit to rotate and dry-defibrate a defibration object. The sheet forming unit is configured to form a sheet by depositing defibrated material. The rotating unit includes rotating plates base sections located on a side of a central rotation axis and protruding sections protruding out in a direction drawing away from the central rotation axis, and the rotating plates is stacked such that the protruding sections are in contact in the axial direction.
US09643327B2
A combination shaving and trimming device includes a powered trimmer and a wet-shaving razor attachment adapted for mounting over the trimmer. The wet shaving razor attachment includes a connecting member for mounting over the trimmer for wet shaving using the trimmer as the handle. A grip insert is provided that removably attaches to the connecting member for wet shaving independent of the trimmer. The combination shaving and trimming device and the grip insert include alignment guides providing one way attachment of the connecting member to the trimmer as well as one way attachment of the grip insert to the connecting member.
US09643324B1
A modular robot mechanism utilizing fixed drives, power sources, power delivery cables and electrical components for 4 or more axes in a protective enclosure while making it possible to provide spatial positioning and tilting degrees of freedom to an end effector suitable for using in a consumer product. Furthermore a robotic head mechanism is disclosed that creates additional degrees of freedom or states by combination of existing axes with spring loaded lock mechanisms eliminating need for conventional electrically actuated solenoid or pneumatic grippers making it possible for use as a home appliance. A method to control the robot mechanism and additional axis utilizing a matrix to decouple the input position to the remote actuator and Cartesian motion produced at the end effector.
US09643323B2
Provided is a robot hand that is capable of gripping an object and manipulating the gripped object in a manner similar to that of a human hand, and that makes it possible to reduce the number of actuators. This robot hand is provided with: a first actuator (31) that imparts driving force to a first finger link (11) so that the first finger link (11) pivots relative to a base section (1); and a second actuator (32) that imparts driving force to at least one of a second finger link (12) and a third finger link (13) so that the second finger link (12) pivots relative to the first finger link (11) and the third finger link (13) pivots relative to the second finger link (12).
US09643319B2
An environment recognition device (20) is provided with a first opening (20c1) through which a harness (20g) passes on a side surface of a frame (20c) below an environment recognition unit (20a). An upper base (10) below the frame (20c) is provided with a second opening (10b) through which the harness (20g) passes. A coupling mechanism (21) configured to couple the environment recognition unit (20a) and the upper base (10) supports the frame (20c) such that the frame (20c) is rotatable about an axis parallel to an upper surface of the upper base (10). A cover (21a) covers the first opening (20c1), the second opening (10b), and part of the harness (20g) extending between the first opening (20c1) and the second opening (10b).
US09643313B2
Automated apparatus for performing maintenance functions on airfoil-shaped bodies having short chord lengths, the apparatus being movable in a spanwise direction along the airfoil-shaped body. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a blade crawler capable of supporting any one of a plurality of end effectors for performing a set of maintenance functions on an airfoil-shaped body, such as a blade component. Included in these functions are multiple options for nondestructive inspection, drilling, grinding, fastening, appliqué application, scarfing, ply mapping, depainting, cleaning, and painting devices that are attached as the end effector for the blade crawler. As a whole, the blade crawler reduces maintenance time, labor hours and human errors when robotic maintenance functions are performed on blade components.
US09643311B1
An extension handle for bull floats and other tools is presented with an octagonal shaped handle. A connector end is provided to allow for additional lengths of extension to be added to the handle.
US09643304B2
An insertion tool is used to insert a threaded coil insert into a threaded opening of a support structure. The tool includes a rotatable mandrel body having an axial longitudinal passage and a projection slot. A plunger is disposed in the passage forward of a spring which urges the plunger forward. The plunger in turn urges a drive projection. A front end of the plunger includes an inclined surface that slidingly and inclinedly engages an inclined surface of the drive projection. The urging of the drive projection by the plunger along their respective inclined surfaces causes relative sliding movement of the drive projection so that the drive projection translates linearly through the projection slot in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal passage.
US09643301B2
An impact device for power transmission includes an impact unit and a hydraulic pressure adjusting unit. The impact unit has a hydraulic cylinder which is installed with a piston assembly and an output shaft therein for outputting torque through the output shaft by utilizing a hydraulic pressure provided in the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic pressure adjusting unit is disposed in the hydraulic cylinder and operative to adjust the hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic cylinder. Therefore, the impact device for power transmission can generate a hydraulic torque pulse, and the magnitude of the output torque can be adjusted by the hydraulic pressure adjusting unit.
US09643298B2
The thickness of the thin bidirectional ratchet wrench of the present disclosure is preferably less than or equal to 30.0 mm, it can be used in narrow spaces easily, achieves two working modes, and can convert between them conveniently and stably. During use of the thin bidirectional ratchet wrench of the present disclosure, the input torque that the operator exerts is a clockwise torque or a counterclockwise torque, the output torque of the output end of the thin bidirectional ratchet wrench of the present disclosure is a clockwise torque or a counterclockwise torque, alternatively.
US09643295B1
A hand-held sanding block used by a hand of a user, replaceably holds sheet sandpaper, prevents the sheet sandpaper held therein from unintentional removal therefrom during use, and does not collapse under heavy pressure from the hand of the user during use. The hand-held sanding block includes a body. The body is used by the hand of the user, replaceably holds the sheet sandpaper, prevents the sheet sandpaper held therein from unintentional removal therefrom during use, and does not collapse under the heavy pressure from the hand of the user during use.
US09643285B2
A soldering flux is disclosed which exhibits improved shape retention properties during printing, can inhibit sagging upon heating, and exhibits high electrical reliability between conductors. The soldering flux contains an epoxy resin, an organic carboxylic acid and, as a heat-resistant shape-retaining agent, and a plastic having a linear structure, wherein the epoxy resin and the organic carboxylic acid are blended so that the quantity of carboxyl groups in the organic carboxylic acid is 0.8 to 2.0 equivalents relative to 1.0 equivalent of epoxy groups in the epoxy resin, and the total quantity of the epoxy resin, the organic carboxylic acid and the plastic having a linear structure is 70 mass % or more relative to the total mass of the flux.
US09643279B2
The present invention relates to tooling and methods for disposing, coating, building up, repairing, or otherwise modifying the surface of a metal substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading of a consumable metal material against the substrate. Embodiments of the invention include friction-based fabrication tooling comprising a non-consumable member with a throat and a consumable member disposed in the throat, wherein the throat is operably configured such that during rotation of the non-consumable member at a selected speed, the throat exerts normal forces on and rotates the consumable member at the selected speed; and comprising means for dispensing the consumable member through the throat and onto a substrate using frictional heating and compressive loading. Embodiments of the invention also include fabrication methods using the tools described herein.
US09643278B2
A hose assembly includes a plurality of lines for supplying a welding torch with operating media, such as welding current, welding wire, protective gas and/or control signals. The lines include a coolant line for feeding cooling medium of a coolant source to a welding torch. The hose assembly has a coupling element for detachably connecting to a welding unit or to a welding torch. A further coupling element for the coolant line is integrated in the coupling element. The coupling and decoupling direction of the further coupling element is orientated transverse to the longitudinal axis of the hose assembly. The coupling elements can each be coupled and decoupled independently from each other. A plug element is used in the coupling element. The coolant line has a plug connection.
US09643270B2
A wire machining method includes: a wire electrode set as cutting wires provided in parallel with a distance between the cutting wires of which a predetermined regional part faces a workpiece; a machining power source that generates a pulse-shaped machining voltage; and plural feeder units that are electrically connected to the plural cutting wires respectively of the wire electrode and supply the machining voltage between the cutting wires and the workpiece respectively. In the parallel cutting wires, the feeder units are arranged such that a direction of a current passed to at least a part of the cutting wires becomes a direction different from a direction of a current passed to other cutting wires.
US09643257B2
[Object] To provide a cutting tool having good chipping resistance and good wear resistance.[Solution] Provided is a cutting tool 1 including a base body 2 whose surface is coated with a coating layer 6 made of CraM1-a (C1-xNx) (here, M is at least one element selected from Ti, Al, Si, W, Mo, Ta, Hf, Nb, Zr, and Y, 0.01≦a≦0.4, and 0≦x ≦1), a cutting edge 5 is formed on an intersection ridgeline between a rake face 3 and a flank face 4, and the coating layer 6 for the cutting edge 5 has a Cr content ratio greater than a Cr content ratio of the coating layer 6 for the flank face 4.
US09643255B2
Disclosed herein is a flexible single piece active element for use in connection with aspirating electrosurgical ablators, particularly those configured for bulk tissue vaporization. The active electrode elements of the present invention provide a simple construction suitable for use with a wide array of electrosurgical components and adjustable to wide range of angled positions to permit access to a variety of tissues, in an array of diverse environments and address a host of ablation needs. Additionally, the novel geometry and positioning of both ablation surface and aspiration ports permit aspiration flow to remove primarily waste heat rather than process heat, to thereby improve vaporization efficiency and reduce procedure time. Thus, active electrodes and ablation devices of the present invention maximize efficiency and adaptability while minimizing manufacturing cost and device profile.
US09643250B2
A composite particle comprises a core, a shielding layer deposited on the core, and further comprising an interlayer region formed at an interface of the shielding layer and the core, the interlayer region having a reactivity less than that of the core, and the shielding layer having a reactivity less than that of the interlayer region, a metallic layer not identical to the shielding layer and deposited on the shielding layer, the metallic layer having a reactivity less than that of the core, and optionally, an adhesion metal layer deposited on the metallic layer.
US09643247B2
Disclosed, among other things, is a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain and degas molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel is pulled through the vessel by the pump as it is degassed. This helps maintain a generally constant flow of molten metal through the degassing vessel. Other aspects relate to a system and method for efficiently performing maintenance on components positioned in a vessel.
US09643243B2
A pressure casting machine can be configured to mold a molten material into a workpiece. The pressure casting machine can include a vacuum chamber and a pressure casting mechanism coupled to the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber can include a processing section having a top wall and a bottom wall opposite to the top wall, a first gate configured to seal the processing section, and a first vacuum pump coupled to the processing section. The pressure casting mechanism can include a first driver positioned adjacent to the top wall, a first core received in the processing section and coupled to the first driver, a second core received in the processing section, and a plurality of pushing members received in the processing section. The second core can be coupled to the bottom wall and opposite to the first core. The pushing members can be coupled to the top wall.
US09643237B1
The compound die includes a working surface with a coarse end for forming coarse threads and a fine end for forming fine threads. The coarse end has coarse crests and coarse roots thereon angled at a coarse thread pitch angle for the screw to be formed. The fine end has fine crests and fine roots formed into a working surface thereof at an angle matching a pitch angle for the fine threads of the screw to be formed. A transition is provided between the coarse end and fine end where each of the coarse roots is aligned with one of the fine roots. A screw such as a bolt is roll formed by first being rolled between a standard die parallel with the compound die and a course end of the compound die, followed by rolling between the standard die and the fine end of the compound die.
US09643229B2
A method and apparatus for forming aerosol cans for metered dose inhalers.
US09643227B2
Drawing unit for drawing at least one long metal product (P), configured to make the at least one long metal product (P) advance along a nominal axis of feed (A) and provided with at least a first motorized roll (13) and with at least two second rolls (14) operating at the periphery of the first roll (13) and defining, with the latter, respective passage gaps (15). The at least two second rolls (14) are located one on one side and the other on the other side of the axis (N) orthogonal to the nominal axis of feed (A) that passes through the center of rotation of the first roll (13). The second rolls (14) are associated to movement members (21) to move the second rolls (14) in a parallel form with respect to each other and in a direction substantially orthogonal to said nominal axis of feed (A) in order to adjust the passage gaps (15). The passage gaps (15) have, during use, along the straight line (R) that joins the center of the first roll (13) with the center of the respective second roll (14), an amplitude (G) that is bigger in size than the nominal diameter (D) of the metal product (P).
US09643223B2
A method for treating contaminated water or other contaminated media has been developed. Bioremediation enhancing agents (BEAs) such as yeast metabolites (YM) and other yeast derived products are used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated material. Polysaccharides are also an effective BEA when used alone or in combination with the yeast derived products. The BEAs may work with microbes and electron donors to improve the rate of contaminant degradation and to increase the efficiency of electron donor utilization. A number of electron donors are also disclosed.
US09643217B2
An apparatus includes a sprinkler configured for spraying liquid and a member with a nano-coating surface. The nano-coating surface is configured to receive liquid sprayed from the sprinkler. The apparatus further includes a sensor associated with the member and the sensor is configured to detect a signal directly or indirectly corresponding to a film deposition on the nano-coating surface. Moreover, the apparatus has a controller coupled with the sensor and the sprinkler, wherein the signal detected by the sensor is transmitted to the controller and the controller is configured to command the sprinkler spraying liquid on the nano-coating surface while a value of the signal reaches a threshold value.
US09643216B2
A cleaning device, according to one embodiment, for cleaning a substrate by being rotated, includes: a cleaning member configured to clean a substrate; and a sleeve configured to be provided along a circumference of the cleaning member, a lower part of the sleeve being divided into a plurality of chucking claws each of which holds a portion of a side face of the cleaning member, wherein at inside of each of the plurality of chucking claws, a plurality of protrusions are provided substantially parallel to a rotation direction of the cleaning member, an end of each of the plurality of protrusions is configured to contact the side face of the cleaning member.
US09643213B2
Screen assembly for a vibrating separator, the screen assembly including a frame having a pair of parallel opposed sides and a pair of parallel opposed ends, a convex underside of the frame, a reverse-crowned top side of the frame opposed to the convex underside, and at least one screen cloth layer fixed to the top side of the frame for separating solid materials from liquids, where the deck of the vibrating shaker has a profile which is substantially planar or crowned.
US09643212B2
Provided are capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) modules. A CMUT module includes a CMUT chip which includes a plurality of first electrode pads on a first surface thereof; a flexible printed circuit (FPC) which is disposed on the first surface of the CMUT chip, the FPC including a plurality of first holes which are configured to expose the plurality of first electrode pads; a plurality of second electrode pads formed on the FPC so as to correspond to the plurality of first electrode pads; and a plurality of wires which connect each respective one of the plurality of first electrode pads to the corresponding one of the plurality of second electrode pads.
US09643210B2
An inkjet printhead includes a front face having a polymer coating, the polymer coating including an oleophobic grafted polymer having a crosslinked fluoroelastomer and a perfluorinated fluorosilicone grafted to the crosslinked fluoroelastomer. The polymer coating has an ink contact angle of at least about 45 degrees and an ink slide angle of less than about 35 degrees.
US09643205B2
In order to reliably supply a lubrication liquid to a lubricating brush portion by a simple configuration, a tire lubricator device of a tire testing machine of the present invention includes a lubricating brush portion that contacts a bead portion of a rotating tire and applies a lubrication liquid thereto; a tank that hermetically stores the lubrication liquid therein; a first pipe that connects the tank to the lubricating brush portion so as to supply the lubrication liquid stored in the tank to the lubricating brush portion; and a second pipe that is connected to the tank so as to supply pressurized air into the tank from the outside.
US09643201B2
A method and apparatus for depositing a fluid over an interface. A nozzle may comprise a body having a first end and a second end, an input located at the first end of the body, an output located at the second end of the body, and a plurality of channels located within the body. The input may be configured to receive a fluid. The plurality of channels may have a configuration that causes the fluid received through the input to flow through the plurality of channels and exit the output to form a deposition having a desired shape over an interface.
US09643196B2
In a method of controlling a rotary sprinkler, a first angular position and a first watering distance are accessed from memory using a controller. A first electric motor is driven using the controller based on the first angular position. A head comprising at least one nozzle is rotated to the first angular position responsive to driving a first electric motor. A second electric motor is driven using the controller based on the first watering distance. A valve is positioned in a first valve position responsive to driving a second electric motor. Water is discharged through the valve and the at least one nozzle. The head is held at the first angular position for a first time period based on the first watering distance.
US09643192B2
A filtering assembly for air and gaseous fluids in general is provided comprising a duct, which can be crossed by a gaseous fluid carrying pollutants. The filtering assembly comprises: at least one filtering station to remove toxic gases and solid particle pollutants of dimensions preferably greater than 50 μm; at least one conductive grille, having at least one hole which faces and is proximate to at least one conductive filament being kept at a negative electric potential for the emission of electrons, which can be paired with pollutants of the solid particles and micro-organisms type of dimensions preferably between 10 nm and 50 μm, at least one accumulation plate downstream of the grille, maintained at a positive electrical potential for the stable collection of pollutants paired with the electrons at least one emission source of ions, for the restoration of electric charge of the gaseous fluid, flowing over the source.
US09643183B2
The centrifugal channel device includes a channel body, a collecting unit and a waste liquid tank. The channel body includes a first surface and a second surface relatively disposed. The channel body includes a sample inlet, a sample channel, an isolation tank, a reagent inlet, a reagent channel and a mixing channel. The sample inlet is disposed on the first surface. The sample channel is connected to the sample inlet. The isolation tank is adjacently disposed and communicates with the sample channel. The reagent inlet is disposed on the first surface. The reagent channel is connected to the reagent inlet. One end of the mixing channel is connected with the sample channel and the reagent channel. The collecting unit has an opening and an overflow hole. The opening communicates with another end of the mixing channel. The waste liquid tank communicates with the opening of the collecting unit.
US09643181B1
A microfluidic system-on-a-chip includes signal processing, light generation and detection, and fluid handling functions formed on a single substrate. The disclosed integrated system has a smaller footprint than device structures where individual components are manufactured separately and then assembled. Moreover, the integrated system obviates alignment challenges associated with conventionally packaged architecture.
US09643174B2
Provided is a temperature responsive adsorbent prepared by immobilizing a copolymer containing at least N-isopropylacrylamide to a base material surface. The copolymer has at least a strong cation exchange group. In addition, the copolymer contains the strong cation exchange group in an amount of 0.01 to 5 mol % relative to N-isopropylacrylamide in terms of monomer.
US09643167B2
The present invention provides a zeolite-containing catalyst having excellent shape, fluidity and mechanical strength as a catalyst for a fluidized bed reaction. The present invention provides a zeolite-containing catalyst which is a particulate catalyst containing zeolite and silica, wherein the catalyst has an average particle diameter of 20 to 300 μm and the ratio of the void area in the cross-section of the particle is 30% or less relative to the cross-section area of the particle.
US09643164B2
A Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, useful for conversion of synthesis gas to olefins, is prepared from a catalyst precursor composition including iron oxide and an alkali metal on a substantially inert support, and then treated by a process including as ordered steps (1) reduction in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere at a pressure of 0.1 to 1 M Pa and a temperature from 280° C. to 450° C.; (2) carburization in a carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere at a pressure from 0.1 to 1 M Pa and a temperature from 200° C. to less than 340° C.; and (3) conditioning in a hydrogen- and carbon monoxide-containing atmosphere at a pressure from 0.1 to 2 MPa and a temperature from 280° C. to 340° C. The resulting catalyst exhibits at least one improvement selected from (1) increased overall activity; (2) reduced break-in time; (3) slowed rate of deactivation; and (4) increased time to onset of deactivation; when compared to an otherwise identical catalyst precursor composition treated by one or some, but not all, of the given steps and/or under different conditions.
US09643160B2
An emissions control device for a compression ignition engine is described. The emissions control device comprises: (a) a first catalyst comprising an electrically heatable substrate and a first composition disposed on the electrically heatable substrate, wherein the first composition comprises alumina and a first platinum group metal (PGM); and (b) a second catalyst comprising a substrate and a second composition disposed on the substrate, wherein the second composition comprises alumina and a second platinum group metal (PGM); wherein the loading of the first composition is less than the loading of the second composition.
US09643158B2
A metal suboxide having a specific surface area of greater than or equal to about 1.5 m2/g is prepared by preparing a metal suboxide precursor, and heat-treating the metal suboxide precursor.
US09643156B2
An oxygen-absorbing film (1) is composed of an oxygen-absorbing layer (2) and thermoplastic resin layers (3) provided on both surface of the oxygen-absorbing layer (2), wherein the oxygen-absorbing layer (2) comprises both a thermoplastic resin and an oxygen-deficient cerium oxide, and the content of the oxygen-deficient cerium oxide exceeds 50 wt % and is less than 85 wt %. The oxygen-absorbing layer is formed preferably from a resin composition which contains an oxygen-deficient cerium oxide in an amount exceeding 50 wt % and which exhibits a melt flow rate of 1.0 to 18.0 g/10 min.
US09643154B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a carbon dioxide adsorbent and a carbon dioxide capture module including the adsorbent prepared thereby.
US09643150B2
Reactor installation tools and methods for installing reactor components in a reactor tube are described herein. A reactor installation tool can include a releasable attachment assembly for securing the tool to a reactor or support for holding reactor components. The tool can include a movable cylinder that can be actuated to engage and push on a reactor component in an interior region of the reactor for positioning the contents of the reactor in a desired location. The tool can further include means for supply blasts of compressed gas to an interior region of the reactor to aid in the expansion and positioning of the reactor contents. A skirt seal can be used to ensure that the blasts of compressed gas are contained in the interior region of the reactor.
US09643146B2
A unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture, a mercaptan oxidation apparatus, and a method of processing a liquid/gas phase mixture are provided. In an embodiment, a unit for processing a liquid/gas phase mixture includes a vessel that is adapted to receive the liquid/gas phase mixture and a distributor that is disposed in the vessel. The distributor is adapted for flow of the liquid/gas phase mixture into the vessel, and the distributor includes a first outlet pipe that is horizontally disposed within the vessel. The first outlet pipe includes top orifices and bottom orifices that are spaced along the first outlet pipe, and the first outlet pipe is in fluid communication with the vessel through the top orifices and the bottom orifices. The top orifices have a smaller cross-sectional area than the bottom orifices.
US09643132B2
Present application relates to a mixing device (10) for mixing a first gas with a second gas, the second gas being corrosive to the mixing device. The mixing device comprises a first gas guiding part (12) having a first gas guiding inlet part (14) and a first gas guiding outlet part (16), a second gas guiding part (18) having a second gas guiding inlet part (20) and a second gas guiding outlet part (22), the second gas guiding outlet part arranged in the first gas guiding part so that the first gas and the second gas are mixed and a guide vane configured to establish a swirling motion in the first gas. Further disclosed is a related method.
US09643129B2
Various methods of making a reinforced membrane, devices for making the membranes, and the resulting membranes are described. The methods typically provide a reinforcing structure that includes filaments extending around the circumference of the membrane but without the filaments being part of a braided or woven structure. Some of the reinforcing structures also include longitudinal filaments. The methods and devices can be used to make a supporting structure in line with membrane formation steps, and also allow for a reinforced membrane to be produced that has a ratio of inside-to-outside diameters of 0.5 or more.
US09643123B2
Methods and compositions useful, for example, for physical solvent carbon capture. A method comprising: contacting at least one first composition comprising carbon dioxide with at least one second composition to at least partially dissolve the carbon dioxide of the first composition in the second composition, wherein the second composition comprises at least one siloxane compound which is covalently modified with at least one non-siloxane group comprising at least one heteroatom. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials and ethylene-glycol based materials have high carbon dioxide solubility but suffer from various problems. PDMS is hydrophobic but suffers from low selectivity. Ethylene-glycol based systems have good solubility and selectivity, but suffer from high affinity to water. Solvents were developed which keep the desired combinations of properties, and result in a simplified, overall process for carbon dioxide removal from a mixed gas stream.
US09643115B2
A vibrating screen is provided for separating excess water from particulate materials such as sand, gravel, iron ore, sludge or other particulate material and/or for grading, classifying or sorting particulate material by size. The vibrating screen includes a frame upon which is mounted a deck having a plurality of apertures therein, the frame being mounted on a base and being provided with vibration generating means for imparting vibration to the deck, wherein the frame includes pair of substantially parallel side walls between which the screen is mounted, each side wall including a pair of spaced apart side members defining outer faces of the side wall, at least one intermediate member being located between the side members, wherein the at least one intermediate member incorporates a plurality of apertures and/or cut-outs therethrough.
US09643109B2
A filter device has a filter element (3) received in a filter housing (1) and has a holding device (19) for detachably fixing the filter element in the filter housing (1). Corresponding threads (23, 33) form a screw connection between a housing cover (5) of the filter housing (1) and the filter element (3). A sealing device (29, 35) imparts a sealing action between the filter element (3) and the housing cover (5). The screw connection is formed by threads (23, 33) situated in the interior (22) of the filter element (3). The thread (33) assigned to the filter element (3) is situated on a connecting pipe piece (31) that, as a constituent part of an end cap (17) of the filter element (3), extends into the inner filter cavity (22) of the filter element (3). The thread (23) assigned to the housing cover (5) is situated on a receiving pipe piece (21), which can be screwed to the connecting pipe piece (31) of the filter element (3). The receiving pipe piece is formed by a separate component in the form of a pipe piece (21) attached to the housing cover (5).
US09643106B2
A screen decanter for screening solids from waste water in a waste water treatment system comprising a drain manifold and a plurality of cylindrical cartridges mounted to the drain manifold, each of the cylindrical cartridges having an outer screen defining a cavity. Each of the cartridges includes a drain standpipe disposed within the cavity in communication with the drain manifold. Each drain standpipe includes a plurality of patterned openings arranged in at least one row along the length and partial circumference thereof and preferably comprises three rows of patterned openings, each row being disposed at a 120° rotational angle from the adjacent row of patterned openings. Each drain standpipe is disposed at a 30° rotational angle from its neighbor drain standpipe such that no row of patterned openings in any of said drain standpipes faces directly at any other row of patterned openings in any other drain standpipe.
US09643102B2
The humidification-dehumidification desalination system includes a humidifier, a dehumidifier, and a carrier gas that is humidified in the humidifier and condensed in the dehumidifier to produce purified water. The humidifier preferably includes multiple stages in a staircase configuration in which at least one stage has a perforated or porous plate and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bottom of the plate into the “liquid to be purified” atop the plate. The dehumidifier may also include multiple stages in a staircase configuration in which at least one stage has a perforated or porous plate and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bottom of the plate into the purified liquid atop the plate. In both the humidifier and the dehumidifier, the liquid travels downward from one stage to the next stage. The system may be operated in a closed loop, so that the carrier gas is recirculated from the dehumidifier to the humidifier.
US09643097B2
Disclosed are toy robots having a frame, base and building accessories and kits therefor. The toy has a system of blocks, gripping appendages, gears and pop-up joints threaded together by an elastic cable held in tension. This configuration allows the toy to stand tall or short, be configured in myriad poses In or outside its frame, on or off its accessories, and can allow for the discovery of a secret cavity.
US09643094B2
A flying simulator ride in accordance with present embodiments may include a suspended rotator ring capable of motion in six degrees of freedom. The flying simulator ride may also include a passenger support system suspended from the rotator ring wherein the passenger support system includes a first passenger support unit; and a second passenger support unit, wherein at least one of the first passenger support unit or the second passenger support unit are configured to move relative to one another to assume a stacked configuration and a loading configuration, wherein a distance between the rotator ring and the first passenger support unit is decreased in the stacked configuration relative to the loading configuration.
US09643093B2
Example apparatus and methods concern managing the encoding and storing of game clips that are automatically generated to record video game highlights. Encoding game clips for smooth streaming using adaptive bit rates requires significant processing resources and storing the multiple bit rate encodings consumes significant storage. Therefore, example apparatus and methods compute a predicted popularity for a game clip based on user factors (e.g., status), video game factors (e.g., popularity), game clip factors (e.g., importance of event, uniqueness of event), or other factors. Predicted popularity may differ from actual popularity, therefore the popularity score may be recomputed using actual observations (e.g., number of views of the game clip). Additionally, actual observations may identify correlations between the factors used to predict popularity and the factors that actually determine popularity. Therefore, the prediction function may be dynamically updated to improve the prediction function and thus to improve the user experience.
US09643087B2
A game system is designed so that, when an operation input that sequentially selects a plurality of player characters from a plurality of player characters placed in a character selection area has been performed, and it has been determined that the sequentially selected player characters satisfy a selection allowance condition that is set based on an attribute, each of the sequentially selected player characters attacks an enemy character, and the player character that has attacked the enemy character is deleted from the character selection area. The same number of player character as the player character deleted from the character selection area is additionally placed in the character selection area, and an attribute of each player character that is additionally placed in the character selection area is determined according to a given rule.
US09643081B1
A portable sensor unit for capturing motion and/or other data may be securely mounted on objects such as a user's limb, a vehicle, or other items. The sensor unit may then collect motion and/or other data from the object to which it is affixed, and may provide this data to a data logger which stores the data. The data logger may subsequently communicate the data to a gaming system which may tailor the motion characteristics of a virtual object to resemble those of the real-world object from which the motion data was captured. Thus, a user can (for example) capture motion data from a vehicle, with this data being supplied to a video gaming unit which provides a virtual vehicle having the same acceleration/deceleration, handling, and other characteristics.
US09643080B2
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide an asynchronous social event in a computer-implemented game. The social event may for example be a virtual party that is staged in a game instance of a host player and may comprise automated attendance of player characters associated with one or more guest players. An event invitation may be sent to the guest players, with the player characters of guest players who accept the invitation being displayed as automatically attending the social event. The social event may be played back to the guest players asynchronously upon request.
US09643077B2
A method, system and apparatus for carrying a user including a board for supporting the user, a ground-contacting member coupled with the board, a motorized drive assembly coupled with the ground-contacting member and one or more sensors coupled with the drive assembly. In operation, the drive assembly adjusts the velocity of the ground-contacting member based on one or more distances of the board from a surface below the board as detected by the sensors. As a result, the system is able to maintain a desired velocity when ascending, descending or traversing uneven ground without the need for excessive and sometimes impossible tilting of the board.
US09643076B2
A skateboard truck assembly having a base, a hanger, a first bushing pin, and a second bushing pin. The base configured for attachment to a skateboard deck, having a first bushing pin receiving passageway formed in a medial portion thereof and a second bushing pin receiving passageway formed in a rear portion thereof. The hanger adapted to be connected to the base and having a first and second bushing seat. The first bushing pin adapted to extend through the first bushing seat, to be carried by the first bushing pin receiving passageway, and to carry a first bushing adapted to be positioned at least partially within the first bushing seat. The second bushing pin adapted to be fixedly carried by the second bushing pin receiving passageway and to carry a second bushing adapted to be positioned at least partially within the second bushing seat.
US09643075B2
Traction systems for skis producing traction on snow and ice covered surfaces; the skis selected from a group consisting a pair of Back Country skis each are mounted with an apparatus; having DC powered controls, tilt switch, pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2) gas powered pneumatic actuators operating gripping parts; controlled by a servo unit. And further consisting a pair of snowmobile skis each having an assembly of parts; driven by an hydraulic rotor that pivots the skis, adjusting their position when cornering, providing traction, according to a snowmobile steering system. And is powered and controlled by at least one of: hydraulic steering system, an electro-hydraulic steering system; an electric power steering system using an electric motor instead of hydraulic rotor.
US09643067B2
A trainer is disclosed which is useful for developing skill in sports of coordination including for instance beer-pong.
US09643057B2
The present invention relates to compositions for golf equipment that can be applied as a thin paint layer to block oxygen and moisture from underlying structural layers. The compositions include a polymer component present in a resin system, a stabilizing component, and porous particles.
US09643056B2
A compressible core with an RFID tag is described. The compressible core comprises an RFID integrated circuit, and an inlay material sandwiched between a top hemisphere and a bottom hemisphere. The RFID integrated circuit includes a memory that stores a unique identifier. The inlay material includes an RFID antenna electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit. The top hemisphere of the compressible core is separated from the bottom hemisphere of the compressible core. The inlay with the RFID antenna and the RFID integrated circuit placed between the top and bottom hemispheres. The top hemisphere, the inlay and the bottom hemisphere are joined together forming a compressible core. Additionally, the molded shell encapsulates the compressible core.
US09643054B2
A secondary ascender system for use in rope climbing and with other rope climbing systems that provides a knee ascender permitting full range of motion and energy capture from two legs by encasing an interior portion of the length of an elastic cord used for tending the knee ascender within a load bearing member. The load bearing member connects a foot attachment to an ascender and transfers loads applied to the foot attachment and via the elastic cord during tending to the ascender to advance up the rope.
US09643049B2
A shatter proof enclosure and mount for a motion capture element that couples to equipment, where the enclosure and optionally the mount is shatter proof or shatter resistant. Exposed areas of the enclosure or mount or both that are subject to impact may be covered with a protective layer that prevents fragments of the enclosure or internal components from exiting the layer, even in the event of an impact. For example, the protective layer may incorporate flexible materials such as silicone rubber. Alternatively, the protective layer may be rigid but effectively unbreakable, using materials such as polycarbonate. The protective layer may also include a mesh that prevents internal components from existing the enclosure.
US09643047B1
A sit-up bench apparatus includes a base set, two supporting rod sets, two elastic sets and an extending rod set. The base set includes a seat body and a pivotal base. The aperture is formed at one end of the pivotal base. The supporting rod set is pivotally disposed at the pivotal base and includes a supporting rod and a first cylinder. The first cylinder is connected with the supporting rod. The elastic set is disposed at the pivotal base and connected between the two supporting rod sets and the base set. The elastic set includes a spring and an extending rod set. One end of the spring is coupled to the pivotal base. The extending rod set is disposed in the aperture and includes a supporting wheel disposed at one end of the extending rod set.
US09643043B1
A method with associated device for exercising core muscles of a patient who must maintain core strength or rebuild it from a very low level. The device has two handles separated by a transmission bar. A first handle is provided for the caregiver to hold, with both hands, and the opposing handle is provided for the patient to hold, again with both hands. The device enables the patient to pull herself from a supine position to a sitting position as the caregiver holds it stationery or, if the patient is lacking strength, to move the device slowly away from the patient. The caregiver can stand close to the bed corners and repeat the process to enable the patient to gain strength in the oblique muscles necessary to initiate rolling on the bed. The device, when used interactively with the patient, encourages the patient and provides feedback to the caregiver regarding the patient's fatigue level.
US09643039B2
A trampoline including: a frame adapted to rest on the ground or be mounted on a plurality of spaced apart legs; a plurality of spaced apart flexible and resilient plates connected to said frame against relative movement therebetween and extending upwards therefrom; a jumping mat extending between said spaced apart flexible and resilient plates and being operatively connected at or adjacent its periphery thereto, said plates being arranged for movement inwards and outwards towards the opposite side of said mat in response to a user jumping on said mat; and plate support means operatively connected to said frame and arranged to engage said plurality of plates intermediate said frame and said mat.
US09643035B2
A safety device for a fall restraint includes an anchoring member (1) to which the fall restraint can be coupled directly or indirectly, and a fastening element for a firm and durable connection to an object (10). The fastening element is formed by a flexible fastening flap (11) which extends laterally from the device and which is intended and adapted to bring about the firm and durable connection to the object.
US09643032B2
Dehydroascorbic acid and polymeric/monomeric derivatives and isomers thereof are useful for artificially coloring the skin and more particularly as a skin self-tanning agent; the dehydroascorbic acid may be formed “in situ” from ascorbic acid or a derivative or salt thereof via chemical oxidation and/or via enzymatic oxidation, and a two-component agent thereof includes a) a first component (B) containing, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least ascorbic acid or a derivative or salt thereof; b) a second component (C) containing, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one chemical oxidizing agent and/or one enzymatic oxidizing agent; components (B) and (C) being stored separately.
US09643031B2
The present invention relates to polygalactomannan compositions, and more particularly cationic guar gum compositions, which, when crosslinked with glyoxal, from discrete guar particles which are capable of being easily dispersed in water which permits subsequent processing of the guar, such as washing. The guar and its derivatives are desirable for use in applications such as personal care, household care products and the like.
US09643022B2
A medical device control unit may include at least one processing device, a circuit electrically coupled to the at least one processing device, and a flexible housing configured to contain the at least one processing device and the circuit. The flexible housing may include at least one connection portion configured to engage a connector protruding from a flexible carrier, and at least one electrical contact electrically coupled to the circuit and configured to establish an electrical connection with an exposed electrical contact on the flexible carrier when the connection portion is engaged with the at least one connection portion.
