US09665611B2
Techniques for Aligned Run-Length Encoding (ARLE) are described. ARLE is an encoding scheme that transforms sets of same-valued consecutive rows into one or more runs, while enforcing boundaries between the runs at set intervals (e.g. every predetermined number of rows). Consecutive rows that contain the same value, but which cross one or more interval boundaries, are encoded as multiple runs that are divided along those interval boundaries. According to one technique, a database server accelerates query processing by setting the interval size to the word size of the processor performing the predicate comparisons. According to another technique, a database server accelerates row lookup by maintaining an offset array that stores the run offsets into the ARLE data of the run that begins each interval.
US09665607B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for organizing data in a database in a set-oriented manner. Data is organized by linking data in the form of key-value pairs stored in storage media of the database to corresponding key-value pair identifiers. A set having a corresponding set identifier is then associated with one or more of the key-value pair identifiers where the set includes the stored key-value pairs linked to the key-value pair identifiers.
US09665604B2
A method, apparatus, and program product facilitate the management of time domain data in a collaborative petro-technical application environment by associating time domain data in a shared project or repository with a data-specific SRD value. By doing so, when the time domain data is retrieved into a local project or client application for a particular user, the SRD for the time domain data and the SRD for the local project or client application may be used to facilitate conversion of the time domain data for use with the SRD for the local project or client application.
US09665592B2
Segment sizes are controlled by setting the size of a segment boundary in a hash-based backup deduplication system in a distributed computing environment. A subsequence of size K of a sequence of characters S is set. Segment boundaries are set by using the sequence of the decreasingly restrictive logical tests if one of the sequence of the decreasingly restrictive logical tests returns a true value when applied on the sequence of characters S.
US09665587B2
Selective repair of fragmentation in a synthetic backup, based at least in part on a dynamically-determined repair criteria, is disclosed. In various embodiments, a locality measure is computed with respect to a group of segments comprising a portion of a file. The computed locality measure is compared to an at least partly dynamically determined fragmentation repair criteria, and a repair decision is made based at least in part on the comparison.
US09665585B2
A first entry is received at an event log interface. The event log interface is configured to store received entries in an event log. It is determined that there is not enough storage space to store the first entry in the event log. A second entry is identified. The second entry is the oldest entry in the event log based on when the second entry was written to the event log. It is determined that the second entry contains an indicator to preserve. A copy of the second entry is sent to the event log interface to be written to the event log. One or more entries are deleted from the event log. The one or more entries includes the second entry. The first entry is written to the event log. The copy of the second entry is written to the event log.
US09665583B1
In one example, a method for facilitating read-write processes in a read-only environment includes intercepting a write request directed to read-only data, the write request including a data block. A file object construct is then created that is representative of the read-only data, and the file object construct is stored in association with a unique identifier. The data block of the write request is written to a data structure so that the data block is mapped to the file object construct. The file object construct, when retrieved, includes a representation of the read-only data modified in accordance with the write request, but no change is required to be made to the underlying read-only data.
US09665581B1
A method is used in managing file system checking. A logical space is created from a set of cylinder groups. The logical space includes respective unused blocks in each cylinder group of the set of cylinder groups. Each cylinder group of the set of cylinder groups is configured to store metadata and data of a file system. Information required to perform file system checking on the file system is stored in the logical space. File system checking is performed on the file system.
US09665579B2
Computing a date and time format includes obtaining a UT value of a reference time; computing intermediate data including year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, from the UT value of the reference time; computing a difference between a conversion target UT value and the UT value of the reference time using a processor; computing values of hour, minute, and second, based on the difference between the UT values; and generating a character string format representing year, month, day, hour, minute, and second, by combining the intermediate data and the values of hour, minute, and second.
US09665578B2
A method of making a foreign law in usable in a network storage controller includes transparently converting the foreign logical unit to the native format of the file system in place, by progressively increasing the binding between the file system of the storage controller and the foreign logical unit, while the foreign logical unit remains online, without requiring copying of the foreign logical unit.
US09665567B2
A current perceived emotional state of a user is determined. A semantic content of text inputted by the user can also be determined, as can an ongoing context in which the text inputted by the user pertains. A current contextual emotional state of the user is determined based on the text inputted by the user (such as based on the semantic content thereof) and based on the current perceived emotional state of the user. The current contextual emotional state can also be determined based on the ongoing context in which the text inputted by the user pertains. From emoji characters mapped to different contextual emotional states, one or more selected emoji characters are determined that are mapped to the current contextual emotional state of the user. The selected emoji characters are suggested to the user to add to the text inputted by the user.
US09665566B2
Systems and methods are provided for automatically generating a coherence score for a text using a scoring model. A lexical chain is identified within a text to be scored, where the lexical chain comprises a set of words spaced within the text. A discourse element is identified within the text, where the discourse element comprises a word within the text. A coherence metric is determined based on a relationship between the lexical chain and the discourse element. A coherence score is generated using a scoring model by providing the coherence metric to the scoring model.
US09665560B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for representing a plurality of languages in a lexicon based on a unified language model. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention utilize a language model that focuses on commonalities within a particular language and between languages. Such commonalities may be based on rhyming of the words, other patterns within the words, and more generally, prosody of the words, phrases, and/or language overall. Prosody is commonly defined as the rhythm, stress, and intonation of the language when spoken. Using a language model defining such characteristics for one or more languages, embodiments of the present invention can define a lexicon for those one or more languages. In this lexicon, words and phrases of the one or more languages can be represented and classified into groups based on the commonalities between them.
US09665553B1
A computer-implemented technique includes receiving, at a computing device including one or more processors, a source document for a web page from a server, the source document including program code and information representing a table of the web page. The technique includes determining a range of pixel positions for each header cell element of the table, wherein the header cell elements represent cells of a top row of the table. The technique includes receiving input from a user, the input indicating an interaction by the user at a position within the table of the web page. The technique includes selecting a column of the table based on the position of the user interaction and the ranges of pixel positions to obtain a selected column. The technique also includes executing a portion of the program code associated with the selected column.
US09665542B2
A method for determining a median value of an array of pixels in a vision system may be performed in an efficient manner using the parallel computing capabilities of a SIMD processing engine. Each column of an array may be sorted in ascending (descending) order to form a first sorted array. Each row of the first sorted array may be sorted in ascending (descending) order to form a second sorted array. A pixel may be selected as the median value from a diagonal portion of the second sorted array, wherein the diagonal portion bisects a lower value region and a higher value region of the second sorted array.
US09665541B2
An apparatus and method for lossless encoding of video data is provided, including a reversible transform, connected to a plurality of inputs, having a same plurality of orthonormal outputs, wherein the reversible transform comprises rotations combined with internally cancelled scalings that are connected to said orthonormal outputs.
US09665540B2
A data processing apparatus is provided for performing video decoding operations on blocks of video data, the data processing apparatus comprising: a programmable inverse transform unit configured to perform an inverse transform operation on a set of input values in response to a sequence of instructions, the programmable inverse transform unit comprising a first execution path and a second execution path arranged to perform data operations to implement the inverse transform operation, wherein the data operations performed by the first and second execution path are configured in dependence on the sequence of instructions, wherein the programmable inverse transform unit is configured to operate in a first mode in which each instruction in the sequence of instructions is interpreted using a first instruction length and causes the first execution path and the second execution path to be configured independently of each other, and the programmable inverse transform unit is configured to operate in a second mode in which each instruction in the sequence of instructions is interpreted using a second instruction length, the second instruction length being shorter than the first instruction length, and causes the second execution path to be configured in dependence on a configuration of the first execution path.
US09665539B1
Solving computational problems may include generating a logic circuit representation of the computational problem, encoding the logic circuit representation as a discrete optimization problem, and solving the discrete optimization problem using a quantum processor. Output(s) of the logic circuit representation may be clamped such that the solving involves effectively executing the logic circuit representation in reverse to determine input(s) that corresponds to the clamped output(s). The representation may be of a Boolean logic circuit. The discrete optimization problem may be composed of a set of miniature optimization problems, where each miniature optimization problem encodes a respective logic gate from the logic circuit representation. A quantum processor may include multiple sets of qubits, each set coupled to respective annealing signal lines such that dynamic evolution of each set of qubits is controlled independently from the dynamic evolutions of the other sets of qubits.
US09665533B2
A memory appliance system is described and includes a plurality of memory devices storing data in a plurality of containers and a controller. The containers include metadata, relationship information associating a respective container with related containers, and a payload. The controller is configured to perform data operations on the payload of one of the containers, and based on the relationship information associating the respective container with related containers and the payload of related containers.
US09665532B2
Methods and arrangements for performing synchronized collective operations. Communication calls are accepted from at least two distinct processor groups. Edge disjoint spanning paths are created over a collective comprising the processor groups, and the spanning paths are assigned to the processor groups to facilitate communication within each processor group.
US09665527B2
Dynamic bus inversion (DBI) for programmable levels of a ratio of ones and zeros. A transmitting device identifies a number and/or ratio of ones and zeros in a noninverted version of a signal to be transmitted (“noninverted signal”) and a number and/or ratio of ones and zeros in an inverted version of the signal (“inverted signal”). The transmitting device can calculate whether a difference of ones and zeros in the noninverted signal or a difference of ones and zeros in the inverted signal provides a calculated average ratio of ones to zeros closer to a target ratio. The transmitting device sends the signal that achieves provides the calculated average ratio closer to the target ratio.
US09665511B2
A method, an upper computer and a system for programming nodes in a bus network are provided. The method comprises: analyzing a program file to be programmed to obtain data of the program file and a storage address corresponding to the data; broadcasting a routing request message and receiving responding messages returned from a plurality of lower computers, each lower computer corresponding to one node in the bus network; analyzing the responding messages to obtain an operating state of each node among the plurality of layers of nodes; receiving a selected node to be programmed, activating the selected node and transmitting the data and the storage address to a single chip microcomputer corresponding to the selected node when the operating state of each node is a forwarding state; and storing corresponding to the selected node the data in a memory of the single chip microcomputer according to the storage address.
US09665507B2
Apparatus and methods for operation of a memory controller, memory device and system are described. During operation, the memory controller transmits a read command which specifies that a memory device output data accessed from a memory core. This read command contains information which specifies whether the memory device is to commence outputting of a timing reference signal prior to commencing outputting of the data. The memory controller receives the timing reference signal if the information specified that the memory device output the timing reference signal. The memory controller subsequently samples the data output from the memory device based on information provided by the timing reference signal output from the memory device.
US09665503B2
A packet handling system is disclosed that can include at least one main processor; a plurality of offload processors connected to a memory bus and configured to provide security related services on packets prior to redirection to the main processor; and a virtual switch respectively connected to the main processor and the plurality of offload processors using the memory bus, the virtual switch configured to receive memory read/write data over the memory bus.
US09665501B1
A data storage device includes: a controller; an engine for performing at least one of encryption and decryption; and a logic circuit. In response to receiving a memory access command, the controller controls the logic circuit to generate an initialization vector based on initialization information in a first portion of the received command, selects a key from a plurality of keys based on key information in a second portion of the command, and controls the engine to perform at least one of encrypting and decrypting plain text data specified by the received command using the initialization vector and the selected key.
US09665499B2
A system configuration is provided with multiple partitions that supports different types of address translation structure formats. The configuration may include partitions that use a single level of translation and those that use a nested level of translation. Further, differing types of translation structures may be used. The different partitions are supported by a single hypervisor.
US09665497B2
A storage device made up of multiple storage media is configured such that one such media serves as a cache for data stored on another of such media. The device includes a controller configured to manage the cache by consolidating information concerning obsolete data stored in the cache with information concerning data no longer desired to be stored in the cache, and erase segments of the cache containing one or more of the blocks of obsolete data and the blocks of data that are no longer desired to be stored in the cache to produce reclaimed segments of the cache.
US09665490B2
An apparatus includes a fuse array, a stores, and a plurality of cores. The fuse array is programmed with compressed configuration data. The stores is for storage and access of decompressed configuration data sets. One of the plurality of cores accesses the fuse array upon power-up/reset to read and decompress the compressed configuration data, and to store the decompressed configuration data sets for one or more cache memories in the stores. Each of the plurality of cores includes reset logic and sleep logic. The reset logic is configured to employ the decompressed configuration data sets to initialize the one or more cache memories upon power-up/reset. The sleep logic is configured to determine that power is restored following a power gating event, and is configured to subsequently access the stores to retrieve and employ the decompressed configuration data sets to initialize the one or more caches following the power gating event.
US09665487B1
An application is used, by a processor, to provide directives to a tiered data object storage environment for manipulating and managing stored data objects by using an existing policy developed by a history of directives to intelligently estimate which of the data objects are to be migrated between a higher storage tier and a lower storage tier and at what appropriate time, while refraining from migrating data objects with a pending management operation.
US09665485B2
One method includes assigning a pointer from multiple logical blocks to the same original physical block if the multiple logical blocks include the same data. The method further includes receiving a command to write data to the first logical block and determining if the first logical block is a frequently accessed logical block. If the first logical block is a frequently accessed logical block, ownership of the original physical block is assigned to the first logical block. If ownership is established, the method includes copying any data stored in the original physical block to a new physical block, assigning a pointer from a second logical block to the new physical block, and performing the write command on the original physical block. A system includes a processor for performing the above method. One computer program product includes computer code for performing the method described above.
US09665479B2
Implementations disclosed herein provide for a method comprising receiving a read request to read data from a target die of a storage device, and rebuilding the data stored on the target die using data stored on other dies of the storage device, if a current operation to the target die of the storage device prevents the servicing of the read request until completion of the current operation.
US09665477B2
Provided are a computer program product, system, and method for allocating additional requested storage space for a data set in a first managed space in a second managed space. A request for additional storage space is received for a requested data set stored in a first managed space in the storage. A revised amount of storage space for the requested data set comprises at least an amount of space currently allocated to the requested data set in the first managed space and the requested additional storage space. If the revised amount of storage space exceeds a value, then allocation is made of the revised amount of storage space in allocated storage space in a second managed space of the storage. The data set is stored in the allocated storage space in the second managed space.
US09665470B2
An improved testing assessment tool and methodology maps the Testing Maturity Model (TMM) structure to individual test areas, thereby enabling comprehensive and targeted improvement. In this way, the present invention uses the five TMM maturity levels to assess individual areas, rather than merely assigning a single maturity level to the entire organization. Embodiments of the present invention include a quick assessment that includes a relatively small number of questions to be subjectively answered using the TMM hierarchy. Embodiments of the present invention further include a full assessment that includes a relatively large number of questions to be discretely answered, with these results being use to evaluate various testing areas using the TMM hierarchy.
US09665462B2
An arbitration system and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second memory devices, and a resistor coupled in common to the first and second memory devices, the first memory device including a first calibration circuit configured to perform, when activated, a first calibration operation based on the resistor and a first arbiter configured to activate the first calibration circuit responsive, at least in part, to an assertion of a first command or keep the first calibration circuit inactive irrespective of the assertion of the first command.
US09665461B2
A system for obtaining performance data for different performance events includes a first application monitoring performance of a second application executing on a computing system. The first application identifies the type of event to be measured with respect to the second application, issues a first system call identifying the type of event, receives an identifier corresponding to the event type, and causes the second application to begin execution. After the execution of the second application is completed, the first application issues a second system call including the identifier corresponding to the event type, and receives a value of a hardware counter corresponding to the event type from an operating system.
US09665456B2
An information processing apparatus includes a plurality of devices, each including a memory that stores link-status information indicating whether or not an error occurs in a link connected to the each device. When a first device among the plurality of devices fails to receive within a predetermined time period a response for a request that has been transmitted by the first device, the first device obtains the link-status information from relevant devices each related to at least one of transfer of the request and transfer of the response, and identifies a link in which the error has occurred or a device that is connected to the link, based on the obtained link-status information.
US09665455B2
The invention relates to an input module (32) for a programmable logic controller able to be connected to a plurality of elements of an automated chain, the module (32) comprising: inputs (32A, 32B), each input (32A, 32B) being able to receive the signal from at least one element of the plurality of elements, interfaces (40A, 40B), each interface (40A, 40B) being associated with a single input and comprising at least one output (40A6, 40B6) able to operate in three different states, a test block (42), and a processing sub-module (24) able to compare the state of the output (40A6, 40B6) of each interface (40A, 40B) with the state imposed by the test block (42) and to deduce an operating anomaly of the module (32, 34) therefrom.
US09665451B2
The various embodiments described herein include methods and/or devices used to protect data in a storage device. In one aspect, a method includes performing a power fail operation on a first section of the storage device, the first section of the storage device comprising one or more memory group modules. The power fail operation includes supplying power, via one or more energy storage devices, to the one or more memory group modules, where each memory group module includes a respective memory group module controller. The power fail operation also includes supplying power, via an additional energy storage device, to a storage device controller, the storage device controller corresponding to the first section of the storage device. The additional energy storage device is distinct from the one or more energy storage devices and each are distinct from a power source used during normal operation of the storage device.
US09665442B2
A storage system, including: (a) a primary storage entity utilized for storing a data-set of the storage system; (b) a secondary storage entity utilized for backing-up the data within the primary storage entity; (c) a flushing management module adapted to identify within the primary storage entity two groups of dirty data blocks, each group is comprised of dirty data blocks which are arranged within the secondary storage entity in a successive sequence, and to further identify within the primary storage entity a further group of backed-up data blocks which are arranged within the secondary storage entity in a successive sequence intermediately in-between the two identified groups of dirty data blocks; and (d) said flushing management module is adapted to combine the group of backed-up data blocks together with the two identified groups of dirty data blocks to form a successive extended flush sequence and to destage it to the secondary storage entity.
US09665437B2
Computerized methods and systems for automating a process of creating and mounting live copies of data to applications in accordance with workflows that specify procedures for creating and mounting the live copies of data to the applications. The methods and systems comprise executing at least one workflow associated with a data object based on a triggering event, and executing a set of configurable work actions associated with the at least one workflow; creating a snapshot of data volumes associated with the data object; creating liveclone volumes based on the snapshot of the data volumes, and mounting and dismounting the liveclone volumes to and from at least one application.
US09665436B2
The method of the present invention includes the steps of: receiving a command for creating a snapshot of the logical volume; preparing a management table for managing the snapshot; detecting the storage status of the logical volume; and updating the management table without recalling the logical volume from the second level storage to the first level storage when the logical volume has migrated from the first level storage to the second level storage. After the update, the storage table indicates whether creation of a snapshot is required, whether a logical volume has migrated, and whether the second level storage is the storage location of the logical volume.
US09665432B2
A request identifier is employed with various systems and methods in order to enable an application to pause execution during a failure and subsequently resume execution and communication with a storage system once the failure is resolved. An application residing on a node may attempt to access target data on a storage system. The application sends a request to access the target data. The request may be associated with a request identifier that identifies the application. When the storage system experiences a failure, the application receives a failure notification. The application pauses execution as a result of the notification. When the node reestablishes a connection to the storage system, the application resumes execution using the same request identifier. If the resume request is granted, the application is guaranteed that the target data was not modified during the failure.
US09665428B2
A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and storage management computing device that assists with distributing erasure coded fragments in geo-distributed storage nodes includes receiving an object and a storage reliability requirement from a client computing device. Erasure coding is performed on the received object using an erasure coding scheme. An erasure coding group from a plurality of erasure coding groups present in a plurality of geographically distributed storage nodes is determined based on the received storage reliability requirement and the erasure coding scheme. The erasure coded object is distributed to the determined erasure coding group from the plurality of erasure coding groups in the plurality of geographically distributed storage nodes.
US09665422B2
The present technique relates to an information processing apparatus and a method, and a program, capable of reducing a delay time. An information processing apparatus according to the present technique is an information processing apparatus including an estimation unit configured to estimate, on the basis of a transmission buffer waiting time which is a time it takes to accumulate encoded data obtained by encoding image data when encoding the image data which are to be transmitted, a reception buffer waiting time which is a time it takes to accumulate the encoded data before the encoded data are decoded at a transmission destination of the encoded data, and a setting unit configured to set a block length which is a processing unit of error correction processing in such a manner that an error correction reception delay time which is a delay time in the error correction processing performed at the transmission destination of the encoded data does not become more than the reception buffer waiting time estimated by the estimation unit. The present technique can be applied to, for example, an information processing apparatus.
US09665421B2
A bit storage device, integrated circuit, and method are provided. The bit storage device comprises registers to store an actual value, an inverse value, a differential actual value, and a differential inverse value, a validation circuit including validation inputs coupled to outputs of the registers and including a validity output to provide a validity indication, and a write circuit including write circuit inputs coupled to the registers, the write circuit configured to cause, at a first clock edge, the first register to store the actual value and either the second register to store the inverse value or the fourth register to store the differential inverse value, and, at a second clock edge, the third register to store the differential actual value and the other of the second register and the fourth register to store to store the inverse value or the differential inverse value, respectively.
US09665420B2
A system for determining a root cause of an issue in an enterprise comprises a log reader, a time-series converter, a correlator, and a causal engine. The log reader receives data logs as unstructured data from a plurality of assets in the enterprise and converts the unstructured data to structured data. The time-series converter identifies a time scale for each data log, determines a common time scale based on the identified time scales, and converts the data logs to the common time scaled time series. Further, the correlator filters out data logs that do not contribute to a causal analysis to determine the root cause of the problem in the enterprise. Moreover, the causal engine performs the causal analysis using the data logs that were not filtered out to determine the root cause of the problem in the enterprise.
US09665417B2
Controlling a remote procedure call from a client computer to a server computer, the client computer extracts a periodic remote procedure call from among a plurality of remote procedure calls from the client computer and extracts a non-periodic remote procedure call from among the plurality of remote procedure calls from the client computer. The client computer identifies a first information associated with the extracted periodic remote procedure call that is an item whose value is determined to represent data targeted by the periodic remote procedure call. The client computer identifies a second information associated with the extracted non-periodic remote procedure call that is a targeted data value of the item, and sets a priority level, used to select for execution the periodic procedure call, based on the first information and the second information.
US09665408B2
Certain examples are described relating to resource allocation for one or more digital signal processors in a media gateway. Processing of telecommunication calls are allocated to different digital signal processor cores in the media gateway. When more processing resources are required for a call, a determination is made as to whether any of a set of digital signal processor cores are able to provide these resources. Responsive to a particular digital signal processor core being unable to provide the further processing resources, a reallocation process is initiated. This may involve reserving resources on a further digital processor core, releasing the original set of processing resources and allocating the processing of the call to the further digital processor core.
US09665406B2
The streams environment includes a plurality of operators coupled with processing elements including a first processing element coupled with a first operator instructed with a first programming instructions, and a second processing element coupled with a second operator instructed with a second programming instructions. A workload of the first processing element and a workload of the second processing element are measured. A first threshold of the workload of the first processing element, and second threshold of the workload of the second processing element are determined. The first programming instructions and the second programming instructions are compared to determine if the first operator and the second operator are susceptible to fusion. The first operator is de-coupled and fused to the second processing element, in response to determining the first threshold and the determination that the first operator and the second operator are susceptible to fusion.
US09665403B2
Among other things, a machine-based method comprises receiving an application specification comprising one or more algorithms. Each algorithm is not necessarily suitable for concurrent execution on multiple nodes in parallel. One or more different object classes are grouped into one or more groups, each being appropriate for executing the one or more algorithms of the application specification. The executing involves data that is available in objects of the object classes. A user is enabled to code an algorithm of the one or more algorithms for one group in a single threaded environment without regard to concurrent execution of the algorithm on multiple nodes in parallel. An copy of the coded algorithm is distributed to each of the multiple nodes, without needing additional coding. The coded algorithm is caused to be executed on each node in association with at least one instance of a group independently of and in parallel to executing the other copies of the coded algorithm on the other nodes.
US09665397B2
A hardware task manager for an adaptive computing system. The adaptive computing system includes a plurality of computing nodes including an execution unit configured to execute tasks. An interconnection network is operatively coupled to the plurality of computing nodes to provide interconnections among the plurality of computing nodes. The hardware task manager manages execution of the tasks by the execution unit.
US09665396B2
Controlling tasks includes: receiving ordering information that specifies at least a partial ordering among a plurality of tasks; and generating instructions for performing at least some of the tasks based at least in part on the ordering information. Instructions are stored for executing a first subroutine corresponding to a first task, including a first control section that controls execution of at least a second subroutine corresponding to a second task, the first control section including a function configured to change state information associated with the second task, and to determine whether or not to initiate execution of the second subroutine based on the changed state information. Instructions are stored for executing the second subroutine, including a task section for performing the second task and a second control section that controls execution of a third subroutine corresponding to a third task.
US09665387B2
A service provider network includes functionality for allowing a customer to influence the placement of virtual machine instances on server computers by specifying a placement strategy. Placement strategies may be shared among customers of the service provider network, and the placement strategies and the publishers of the placement strategies might be rated. Vendor-agnostic placement strategies might also be utilized to identify a service provider network for executing a virtual machine instance. A placement strategy that includes dynamically evaluated parameters might also be utilized to modify virtual machine instances in a customer fleet on an ongoing basis.
US09665386B2
A method for leveraging hypervisor functionality for maintaining application consistent snapshots in a virtualization environment deployed by the hypervisor includes utilizing the hypervisor to generate a hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot of a virtual machine running in the virtualization environment, taking a storage controller specific application consistent snapshot of the hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot of the virtual machine, and logically deleting the hypervisor-specific application consistent snapshot.
US09665385B1
A storage system for simulation virtual shelves with physical storage shelves is disclosed. The storage system contains a management daemon configured to perform tasks relating to one or more virtual shelves in response to a request for a simulation test, where each physical storage shelf having one or more physical disks. It contains a simulation daemon providing a virtual shelf configuration information to the management daemon when the management daemon interacts with the one or more virtual shelves in response to the request. The storage system also contains a disk driver configured to interface the physical storage shelves with the management daemon. It further contains a simulation driver configured to, in response to the request for a simulation test, process instructions to and from the disk driver and the simulation daemon to simulate access to the one or more virtual shelves, without having to utilize multiple physical storage shelves.
US09665384B2
Aggregation of computing device settings is disclosed. In embodiments, at least one tile is generated for display. The tile represents a system setting and a status of the system setting. The tile also includes one or more user-selectable elements that are selectable to adjust an aspect of the system setting. In addition, the tile is displayed and is presentable in different user interfaces with one or more aspects of the tile differing between two or more of the different user interfaces.
US09665377B2
A processing apparatus, comprising at least a first processing unit and a second processing unit, is proposed. The first processing unit comprises a set of first stateful elements, the second processing unit comprises a set of second stateful elements. A set of synchronization data lines may connect the first stateful elements to the second stateful elements in a pairwise manner. A control unit may control the first processing unit, the second processing unit and the synchronization data lines so as to copy the states of the first stateful elements in parallel via the synchronization data lines to the second stateful elements in response to a synchronization request. A method of synchronizing the processing units is also proposed.
US09665366B2
Techniques are described for generating configuration level signatures. In an embodiment, one or more computing devices are used to generate a first signature for a particular software deployment that is configured at a particular configuration level. The first signature is generated based on digest information that identifies a plurality of deployed source components for the particular software deployment. Mapping data is stored that maps the first signature to the digest information identifying the plurality of deployed source components for the particular software deployment. A second signature is generated based on information that defines target source components for a set of software deployments that includes the particular software deployment. The first signature is compared with the second signature to determine whether the deployed source components satisfy the target source components. An indication of whether the deployed source components satisfy the target source components is stored.
US09665365B2
A method for transparently upgrading derived database objects commences upon analysis of the data dictionary definition for an initial derived database object as compared to the data dictionary definition for a patched derived database object, then determining if a regenerated instance of the derived database object would be logically different from the initial derived database object. The determination is based on comparisons of the definitions of the initial derived database objects and patched definitions of respective database objects. The method produces a regenerated instance of the derived database object when a regenerated instance of the patched derived database object would be logically different from the initial derived database object. The method will suppress the production of a regenerated instance when a regenerated instance of the derived database object would not be logically different from the initial derived database object. Once regenerated or suppressed, a post-upgrade software application accesses the regenerated derived database object instance (if regenerated) or the initial derived database object if the regenerated instance was suppressed.
US09665356B2
Upon receiving application code and an application descriptor of an application, a platform executing on a computer system identifies a capability to be used by the application based on the application descriptor. The platform determines a component that provides the capability based on a component descriptor of the component. The platform then configures the application and the component for execution on the platform.
US09665354B2
A method and apparatus for translating a multithread program code are provided. The method includes: dividing a multithread program code into a plurality of statements according to a synchronization point; generating at least one loop group by combining one or more adjacent statements based on a number of instructions included in the plurality of statements; expanding or renaming variables in each of the plurality of statements so that each statement included in the at least one loop group is executed with respect to a work item of a different work group; and enclosing each of the generated at least one loop group respectively with a work item coalescing loop.
US09665352B2
The COBOL reference architecture (CRA) system and the transactional workflow driver (TWD) provide an efficient and effective way to extend an existing application using modern architecture techniques without rewriting the existing application. The (CRA) system and TWD provide a way to generate new and interchangeable COBOL language functionality for multiple interactive types (e.g., transaction servers and/or transaction managers) running in various computing environments.
US09665348B1
A device may provide an interface for an interactive programming environment and may receive a command to display information about an object. The device may provide, based on the command, the information about the object, using: a first display interface that presents the information about the object in a first format that is applicable to users of the object. A second display interface, for the object, may present the information about the object in a second format, different from the first format, the second format including information about the object that is applicable to authors of the class or to authors of subclasses corresponding to the object. The first and second display interface may present the information, about the object, based on a state of the object and/or based on a display section of the information (e.g., certain information may be presented in a header section of the display).
US09665341B2
A first example playback device includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the first playback device to perform functions. The functions include generating a mixed audio signal comprising one or more components of a first audio stream and one or more components of a second audio stream; and playing the mixed audio signal, where the one or more components of the second audio stream of the mixed audio signal played by the first playback device are played in synchrony with a second playback device configured to play the second audio stream. An example non-transitory computer-readable medium and an example method, both related to the first example playback device, are also disclosed herein.
US09665338B2
A display method is applicable for a display apparatus. The display method includes transmitting preview data outputted by a client terminal to a host terminal such that the host terminal displays a preview image corresponding to the preview data. After the host terminal displays the preview image, if the host terminal outputs a first display permission signal, the display apparatus is utilized to display an image corresponding to an image signal outputted by the client terminal. A display apparatus, a video system and a projector are disclosed herein as well.
US09665329B2
A system-in-a-package including a printed circuit board, a receiver, a processor, a baseband module, an image module and a transmitter. The printed circuit board is configured to be mounted within a printer. The receiver (i) receives a first radio frequency signal wirelessly transmitted to the printer from a network device, and (ii) generates a first baseband signal based on the first radio frequency signal. The processor generates a second baseband signal based on the first baseband signal. The baseband module generates a data signal based on the first baseband signal. The image module processes the data signal to implement physical printing via a print mechanism. The transmitter (i) generates a second radio frequency signal based on the second baseband signal, and (ii) transmits the second radio frequency signal from the system-in-a-package to the network device.
US09665320B2
An information processing system includes one or more information processing apparatuses. The system receives, via a network, mail data including output data or output target data; and determines user identification information to be associated with the received output data or output data generated based on the received output target data from user information stored by using address information of a sender of the mail data or address information in transmission destinations of the mail data. When the user identification information is not determined from the address information of the sender but is determined from the address information in the transmission destinations, the system associates data identification information with the output data and stores them; notifies of the data identification information via a network; and transmits, via a network, the output data associated with the user identification information or the data identification information received via a network.
US09665318B1
A method for minimizing power consumption of a laser printer includes receiving page description language (PDL) data corresponding to a printing task, identifying commands corresponding to the received PDL data, computing a total predicted rendering time corresponding to the identified commands, computing a print deferral time according to the total predicted rendering time wherein the print deferral time corresponds to an amount of time by which printing drum initialization can be deferred without delaying completion of the printing task, and configuring a printing drum to begin operation according to the print deferral time. A computer program product and computer system corresponding to the method are also disclosed.
US09665297B1
A processor core is supported by an upper level cache and a lower level cache that receives, from an interconnect fabric, a write injection request requesting injection of a partial cache line of data into a target cache line identified by a target real address. In response to receipt of the write injection request, a determination is made that the upper level cache is a highest point of coherency for the target real address. In response to the determination, the upper level cache and lower level cache collaborate to transfer the target cache line from the upper level cache to the lower level cache. The lower level cache updates the target cache line by merging the partial cache of data into the target cache line and storing the updated target cache line in the lower level cache.
US09665295B2
Systems, methods and/or devices are used to enable dynamic erase block grouping. In one aspect, the method includes (1) maintaining metadata for each erase block of a plurality of erase blocks in a data storage system, wherein a respective metadata for a respective erase block includes one or more characteristics of the respective erase block, (2) allocating a set of erase blocks, of the plurality of erase blocks, as unassociated erase blocks, (3) selecting two or more unassociated erase blocks in accordance with characteristics of the unassociated erase blocks so as to select unassociated erase blocks with similar characteristics, and (4) grouping the two or more unassociated erase blocks with similar characteristics to form a super block.
US09665292B2
An information handling system includes a plurality of physical disks, a memory to store metadata for the physical disks, and a controller. The controller is configured to communicate with the physical disks and with the memory. The controller to receive a request to enable a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) mode on the physical disks, to allocate a portion of the memory to store the metadata while in the RAID mode, to store the metadata for the physical disks in each of the physical disks and in the portion of the memory, and to update and synchronize the metadata in response to a configuration change of the physical disks.
US09665284B2
In a distributed storage system, a method for extending a number N of data node devices comprises a server receives an instruction of adding X new data nodes into the distributed storage system. Then, the server obtains a number M of the all partitions included in a hash ring and determines that M/(N+X) is lower than a preset threshold. The hash ring is organized according to a distributed hash table (DHT), and includes a plurality of partitions. Each partition is mapping to a data node. Based upon the determination, the server generates new partitions by multiplying partitions mapping to each data node, based upon the determination. After storing mapping relationship between the new partitions and the X new data nodes, the server adds the X new data nodes into the distributed storage system.
US09665283B2
A method of creating a new layer for an information handling system is disclosed. A layering client mounts a new layer at a layer storage medium accessible to the information handling system. A layering file system filter driver redirects a request to create a new file at a target file path to the layer storage medium and updates the file metadata to associate the target file path with the path to file created on the layer storage medium.
US09665279B2
A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device includes a memory configured to store instructions, a plurality of keys configured to receive respective key inputs, and a screen. The portable electronic device also includes a processor configured to execute the instructions to detect a first key input at one of the plurality of keys, enable a preview mode based on the detected first key input. While the preview mode is enabled, the processor is also configured to a second key input at one of the plurality of keys, at least one of the first or second key input being associated with a content preview for one of a plurality of applications, and display on the screen the content preview for the associated one of the plurality of applications.
US09665278B2
Assisting input from a keyboard is described. In an embodiment, a processor receives a plurality of key-presses from the keyboard comprising alphanumeric data for input to application software executed at the processor. The processor analyzes the plurality of key-presses to detect at least one predefined typing pattern, and, in response, controls a display device to display a representation of at least a portion of the keyboard in association with a user interface of the application software. In another embodiment, a computer device has a keyboard and at least one sensor arranged to monitor at least a subset of keys on the keyboard, and detect an object within a predefined distance of a selected key prior to activation of the selected key. The processor then controls the display device to display a representation of a portion of the keyboard comprising the selected key.
US09665276B2
Techniques are described for character deletion on a computing device that utilizes a gesture-based keyboard. The computing device includes a processor and at least one module operable by the processor to output, for display at a presence-sensitive display, a graphical keyboard comprising a plurality of keys and a text editor field. In response to receiving an indication of a gesture that comprises a first path, the module outputs a first character, based at least in part on the first path, associated with a first key and a second character associated with a second key. In response to determining that the gesture further comprises a second path that retraces at least a portion of the first path, the module removes the second character from the text editor field of the presence-sensitive display.
US09665273B2
A device comprising: a display unit displays display screens; an input unit receives a gesture input; a controller detects whether a gesture, input on said input unit, is in a gesture input region where gesture input is accepted on one of the display screens of the display unit, and displays gesture input regions for the display screen when the gesture is not detected in the gesture input region.
US09665267B2
A method for highly efficient and parallel data transfer and display includes employing an aggregation server to receive and filter multiple Internet data feeds, streaming each Internet data feed to a touch screen device as a streamed data segment, displaying each data segment in an interactive stacked ticker display on the remote computing device, and enabling gesture-based interaction with the stacked ticker display.
US09665263B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for providing snap navigation in a scrollable list are presented. Certain items of the content items in the scrollable list may represent natural or desirable breakpoints for scrolling through the list. As a list view scrolls through the scrollable list in response to user input, the list view may suspend scrolling when it reaches a breakpoint content item. In some embodiments, a computing device may determine that a given content item represents a breakpoint in the scrollable list based on a breakpoint rule. The breakpoint rule may be based on any suitable criteria for identifying the content item as a breakpoint for scrolling the list. For example, the breakpoint rule may be based on the content of the content item or a category of the content item.
US09665256B2
Selected regions in dynamic content may be identified. Analytics data may be received that may include a region identifier corresponding to a region from which a selectable element was selected from the content. It may be determined that the analytics data corresponds to a current region of a current version of the network content. Analytics data, which may include a region identifier, may be generated in response to a selection of a selectable element of content located within a region of network content.
US09665246B2
In one example, a method includes outputting, by a computing device and for display, a graphical user interface including a plurality of text suggestion regions. The method further includes receiving, by the computing device, an indication of gesture input detected at a presence-sensitive input device, and selecting, based at least in part on the indication of the gesture input, a candidate character string from a plurality of candidate character strings. The method further includes determining that the candidate character string was previously selected while being displayed within a particular text suggestion region from the plurality of text suggestion regions, and outputting, for display and based at least in part on determining that the candidate character string was previously selected while being displayed within the particular text suggestion region, the candidate character string within the particular text suggestion region.
US09665243B2
A multi-selection system allows selection of multiple displayed items in a GUI, and processes an underlying data set based on the selection. Users may utilize swipes or concurrent point interactions with the GUI to co-select items. The system identifies actions to perform for selected items based on selection criteria associated with the selected items, or mapping data that maps the selected items to actions. The system automatically identifies grouping criteria for data returned from performed actions and displays resulting groups for further user selection. The system provides suggestive visual highlights that identify commonly co-selected items in the interface. The system collects instrumentation items, for historical usage data, that record aspects of users' interactions with the system. As such, the system may identify, from the historical usage data, sets of commonly co-selected items, mappings between combinations of items and one or more actions, productive arrangements of items displayed in GUIs, etc.
US09665241B2
An exemplary method includes a media content search system providing a media content search creation tool in a graphical user interface, detecting a user-submission of one or more user-selectable graphical objects representing one or more media programs to the media content search creation tool in the graphical user interface, and generating a set of media content search parameters based on the one or more media programs represented by the one or more user-selectable graphical objects submitted to the media content search creation tool. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
US09665240B2
Provided herein are method, apparatus, and computer program products for facilitating a learning user interface. The interface may be presented as a plurality of dynamic icons representing a plurality of items. The interface may further be facilitated by accessing, by a processor, business data corresponding to the plurality of items. The interface may be facilitated by determining, by the processor, a visual bias for at least one of the plurality of dynamic icons based on the business data corresponding to the plurality of items and may be facilitated by applying, via the interface, the visual bias to the at least one of the plurality of dynamic icons.
US09665236B2
A user configurable interface view can be generated for a media device or other information handling system that is independent of any interface views defined by media content providers. Generating the user configurable interface view includes identifying content data streams that are included in user interface views defined by the media content providers and then selecting a desired subset of the data content streams. The selected data content streams are then aggregated and the user configurable interface view is generated. The resulting user interface view will be independent of any interface views defined by the media content providers.
US09665231B2
One driving electrode or one set of driving electrode of a touch screen are designated as a base electrode or base electrodes. When the base electrode or base electrodes are provided by a driving signal, the detected signal from the sensing electrodes is designated as a level signal. The level signal is used to adjust the detected signal when other non-base electrodes are provided by the driving signal, whereby the detected image from the touch screen can be leveled.
US09665226B2
A touch display substrate, including: a substrate including a display region and a non-display region; a plurality of common electrode blocks spaced apart from each other; a plurality of wirings; a vertical shift circuit including a plurality of cascaded vertical shift circuit units, and each of the plurality of vertical shift circuit units is connected with wirings corresponding to a column of common electrode blocks, and is configured to sequentially output touch driving signals to the column of common electrode blocks; and a controlling IC configured to output a touch driving signal to the vertical shift circuit; wherein, the plurality of common electrode blocks are divided into n groups of common electrode blocks by columns, and the controlling IC is configured to apply scan pulse signals with different frequencies to the groups of common electrode blocks in different touch scanning time periods.
US09665222B2
An in-cell touch panel and a display device comprising the same are provided. in-cell touch panel, comprising: an array substrate, comprising data lines provided thereon; a plurality of self-capacitance electrodes, which are provided on a same layer and independent of each other on the array substrate, wherein the self-capacitance electrodes are insulated from the data lines; a touch detection chip; and a plurality of wires for connecting the self-capacitance electrodes to the touch detection chip, wherein the wires and the data lines are arranged on the same layer and insulated from each other and have a same wiring direction. The in-cell touch panel has reduced production costs and improved production efficiency.
US09665220B2
A display apparatus including a display panel, a touch panel, a data driver, a common voltage noise predictor and a touch position detector. The display panel includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of pixels. The pixels are electrically connected to the data lines, respectively. The touch panel is configured to output a first touch signal based on a touch event. The data driver is configured to output a data voltage to the data line based on a data signal. The common voltage noise predictor is configured to output a common voltage noise compensating signal based on the data signal. The touch position detector is configured to detect a touch position based on the common voltage noise compensating signal and the first touch signal.
US09665213B2
A system includes a sensor device configured to detect a touch pressure dependent characteristic of a body part of a user while the user touches a touch surface with the body part. The system also includes an image capture device configured to capture an image of the body part of the user while the user touches the touch surface. The system further includes a processor configured to associate the image with an amount of pressure exerted on the touch surface by the user. The processor is also configured to compare the amount of pressure exerted on the touch surface to a desired amount of pressure associated with the user for the sensor device, and initiate compensation for the touch pressure dependent characteristic based upon the comparison.
US09665209B2
The present application is directed to a pointing device and a method for interacting with touch-sensitive devices. The pointing device includes a supporting member, first and second contact points fixed on the supporting member and adapted to be in contact with a touch-sensitive layer in a default state, and at least one movable contact point mounted on the supporting member and movable from the default state to a fully depressed state adjacent to the second contact point to form a combined touch area on the touch-sensitive layer having an offset center that is offset from a center of the second contact point so that the second touch point is shifted to an offset position in alignment with the offset center.
US09665203B2
A capacitive in-cell touch panel and a display device is provided, which may realize the touch function without introducing new film layers, and includes an array substrate, a gate line, a data line and a common electrode layer are disposed on the array substrate. The common electrode layer includes a plurality of touch drive electrode elements and a plurality of touch sense electrode elements insulated from each other. The touch drive electrode elements include a plurality of touch drive sub-electrodes; the touch sense electrode elements include a plurality of touch sense sub-electrodes. The touch drive sub-electrodes or the touch sense sub-electrodes are bridged to each other along a data line direction, and the touch sense sub-electrodes or the touch drive sub-electrodes are directly connected with each other along a gate line direction; or, the touch drive sub-electrodes or the touch sense sub-electrodes are bridged to each other along the gate line direction, and the touch sense sub-electrodes or the touch drive sub-electrodes are directly connected along the data line direction.
US09665197B2
An apparatus including: a display including an array of picture elements which are configurable to provide information to a user; a first sensor for sensing force applied to the display by the user, the first sensor comprising a substantially transparent conductive member extending over at least a portion of the array of picture elements and configured to be deformable by the user, the first sensor being configured to provide an output associated with the deformation of the conductive member.
US09665182B2
A detector (118) for determining a position of at least one object (112) is disclosed, the detector (118) comprising: at least one longitudinal optical sensor (120), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) has at least one sensor region (124), wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is at least partially transparent, wherein the longitudinal optical sensor (120) is designed to generate at least one longitudinal sensor signal in a manner dependent on an illumination of the sensor region (124) by at least one light beam (126) traveling from the object (112) to the detector (118), wherein the longitudinal sensor signal, given the same total power of the illumination, is dependent on a beam cross-section of the light beam (126) in the sensor region (124); at least one illumination source (114) adapted to illuminate the object (112) with illumination light (115) through the longitudinal optical sensor (120); and at least one evaluation device (136), wherein the evaluation device (136) is designed to generate at least one item of information on a longitudinal position of the object (112) by evaluating the longitudinal sensor signal.
US09665177B2
An apparatus and method for enabling the provision of differential haptic feedback to a user based on a particular degree of spatial interaction between a plurality of different user interface elements of a graphical user interface.
US09665176B2
The tactile sensation providing device has a tactile sensation provider (20, 21, 22) that provides a tactile sensation by vibration and a stretchable/contractible sealing member (52) that seals a space (50) on the opposite side of a tactile sensation providing surface 20a of the tactile sensation provider. The sealing member (52) may stretch/contracts, according to vibration of the tactile sensation provider (20, 21, 22), to approach a state where the atmospheric pressure of the space (50) on the opposite side of the tactile sensation providing surface (20a) and the atmospheric pressure of the space outside the tactile sensation providing device are balanced to each other.
US09665170B1
A system and/or method that uses a body posture of a user to determine and modulate a content mode of a virtual reality system. The content mode may define the manner in which virtual reality content is presented to the user and/or the manner in which the user interacts with the virtual reality content. The user's body posture and/or a change in body posture may cause the content mode and/or the virtual reality content to change accordingly. In some implementations, primary content may be presented to the user according to a first content mode in response to the user sitting. Secondary virtual reality content may be presented to the user according to the second content mode in response to the user standing. As such, a user may initiate a change in the virtual reality content and/or the content mode by standing from a sitting posture and/or sitting from a standing posture.
US09665151B1
A method for detecting and classifying powered devices in power over Ethernet/non-power over Ethernet applications is described. In one or more implementations, the method includes deactivating a non-power over Ethernet component for a predetermined time period. The method also includes activating an isolation switch of a powered device after the predetermined time period has elapsed since no characteristic impedance associated with the powered device has been detected.
US09665150B2
When a control circuit of a printer detects a USB connection with a host device when a power switch is in an on state in an initial state, the control circuit performs an initialization process (enumeration) (a first initialization process) which requests bus power, and performs a USB communication process and charging of a secondary cell after the first initialization process is completed (successful). When the first initialization process fails, the control circuit performs an initialization process requesting self power (a second initialization process), and does not perform charging of the secondary cell. Here, the first initialization process includes a request for a greater supply of power than the second initialization process.
US09665124B2
Disclosed are a wearable device and method of controlling the same, which output more suitable image information on the basis of a state in which the wearable device is covered. The wearable device includes a wearable device body, a display unit provided in the wearable device body, a sensing unit included in the wearable device body, and configured to sense a region, in which the display unit is covered by an object, and a region in which the display unit is not covered, and a control unit configured to display first image information in a predetermined first region when the region in which the display unit is not covered corresponds to the predetermined first region, and display second image information in a predetermined second region when the region in which the display unit is not covered corresponds to the predetermined second region, as a result in which a portion of the display unit is covered by the object.
US09665120B2
An adjustment apparatus for adjusting a setting of a sighting device, such as a riflescope or telescope, includes an adjustment knob operatively coupled to an adjustment mechanism, where rotation of the adjustment knob about a rotational axis drives the adjustment mechanism to adjust the setting of the sighting device. The adjustment apparatus further includes a lock mechanism including a first lock element fixed relative to the sighting device and a second lock element selectively movable relative to the first lock element. When the lock elements engage one another, the adjustment knob is in a locked position and restrained from rotating about the rotational axis. The adjustment apparatus may further include a lock-release mechanism operable to disengage the lock elements and allow the adjustment knob to rotate about the rotational axis.
US09665119B2
An interface or throttle control assembly includes a housing and first and second wheel rotatably supported by the housing adjacent to each other. The assembly also includes a pair of tabs, each projecting from a corresponding one of the wheels. The tabs are engagable with each other. The assembly also includes a latch mechanism which mounted on one of the wheels. The latch mechanism is movable to a latched position engaging the other wheel so that the wheels rotate together, and is movable to an unlatched position so that the wheels can be rotated independently of each other.
US09665115B2
A three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC) device can include a first die having a first supply line and a second die having a second supply line, a power header, and a voltage selection logic. The power header can be connected to the first die and the second die and configured to generate a first voltage on a first voltage line and a second voltage on a second voltage line. The voltage selection logic can be connected to the first supply line and the second supply line and configured to select between the first voltage line and the second voltage line for each of the first supply line and the second supply line.
US09665114B2
A regulator applied to regulate a first reference voltage on an output terminal, the regulator includes: a sensing circuit, arranged to sense a variation of the first reference voltage on the output terminal to generate a sensing signal; and a gain stage, arranged to provide an adjusting current to the output terminal in response to the sensing signal for reducing the variation of the first reference voltage, and the gain stage is coupled in parallel to a loading circuit powered by the first reference voltage.
US09665109B2
A device or arrangement may be configured to receive a temperature limit such as an acceptable maximum temperature as well as a tolerance measure such as a number of acceptable events, the events causing the temperature to be outside of the temperature limit. An air comfort device may be operated based on the received temperature limit and the tolerance measure. A potential cost value may be provided based on a temperature limit and tolerance measure. A temperature limit and tolerance measure may be calculated based on a target cost value such that the arrangement may modify a temperature limit and/or tolerance measure to achieve the target cost value.
US09665104B2
A method and apparatus are presented for guiding a store, represented by a dynamic system having transitory nonlinear characteristics, between release from a platform and an activation of a mission autopilot along an optimal path. A nominal reference trajectory is determined that optimizes a desired performance index for the dynamic system using optimal control theory. A feedback control system is implemented that optimizes an original performance index to second order in a presence of disturbances along the optimal path using neighboring optimal control. The feedback control system converges to a linear time invariant regulator approaching the desired operating condition along the optimal path. Finally, control of the store is transitioned to the mission autopilot.
US09665102B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for vehicles to safely closely follow one another through partial automation. Following closely behind another vehicle has significant fuel savings benefits, but is unsafe when done manually by the driver. On the opposite end of the spectrum, fully autonomous solutions require inordinate amounts of technology, and a level of robustness that is currently not cost effective.
US09665101B1
A vehicle configured to operate in an autonomous mode is provided. The vehicle is configured to obtain an indication of a final destination, and, if the final destination is not on a pre-approved road for travel by the vehicle, the vehicle is configured to determine a route from the vehicle's current location to an intermediary destination. The vehicle is further configured to determine a means for the vehicle user to reach the final destination from the intermediate destination.
US09665097B2
A flight control system for an aircraft includes at least one flight control computer that carries out a ground lift dump function that selectively extends a spoiler located on a wing of the aircraft into an airflow passing over the wing. The at least one flight control computer includes arming logic that is responsive to an input signal indicative of an aircraft parameter to automatically arm the ground lift dump function during certain phases of operation of the aircraft. The at least one flight control computer includes spoiler deployment logic that is responsive to an arming signal from the aiming logic which indicates that the ground lift function is armed to deploy the spoiler into its extended position within the airflow passing over the wing of the aircraft to assist in stopping the aircraft while the aircraft is on the ground.
US09665090B2
In one embodiment, a system includes system includes a data collection system configured to collect a data from a control system. The system further includes a configuration management system configured to manage a hardware configuration and a software configuration for the control system based on the data. The system additionally includes a rule engine configured to use the data as input and to output a health assessment by using a rule database configured to store at least one rule, and a report generator configured to provide a health assessment for the control system. The system also includes a rule editor configured to create the at least one rule, update the at least one rule, delete the at least one rule, or a combination thereof.
US09665083B2
Disclosed are methods and devices, among which is a device that includes a finite state machine lattice. The lattice may include a counter suitable for counting a number of times a programmable element in the lattice detects a condition. The counter may be configured to output in response to counting the condition was detected a certain number of times. For example, the counter may be configured to output in response to determining a condition was detected at least (or no more than) the certain number of times, determining the condition was detected exactly the certain number of times, or determining the condition was detected within a certain range of times. The counter may be coupled to other counters in the device for determining high-count operations and/or certain quantifiers.
US09665076B2
Example methods and apparatus to interface with a control a loop are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a loop controller to control a control loop, a sensor to provide a measurement value to the loop controller, a device controller to adjust a control device based on an output from the loop controller, and a loop interface to receive a set point value and send the set point value to the loop controller, wherein the loop interface is different from a host device communicatively coupled to the loop controller.
US09665075B2
Guidance System for controlling output variables of single-input single-output or multi-input multi-output processes, where the process parameters are known or unknown and time-varying. The guidance system of the present invention generates a desired trajectory for a process output variable, and based on said desired trajectory, computes a set point for the derivative variable of said process output variable. This set point is then applied to a model based advanced controller for said derivative variable and the control action generated by said model based advanced controller is applied to the process and guides the process evolution in such a way that said process output variable converges towards said desired trajectory.
US09665062B2
A housing structure includes an exterior cover having an opening through which an interior of the exterior cover communicates with an exterior of the exterior cover, an interior cover disposed inside the exterior cover and facing the exterior cover with a clearance secured therebetween, an inward projection projecting from the exterior cover to the interior cover, and an outward projection projecting from the interior cover to the exterior cover. The inward projection and the outward projection define an airflow passage in the clearance between the exterior cover and the interior cover, and the airflow passage includes multiple bent portions. The outward projection is greater in width than the inward projection in an airflow direction toward the opening, and the airflow direction perpendicular to a direction in which the interior cover faces the exterior cover.
US09665060B2
The noise filter includes a first capacitor that is mounted on a substrate, and includes one end connected to a live side of an AC line of an AC voltage supplied from an AC power supply, a second capacitor including one end connected to a neutral side of the AC line, a first ground pattern to which another end of the first capacitor is connected, and a second ground pattern to which another end of the second capacitor is connected. The first ground pattern and the second ground pattern are not connected electrically on the substrate.
US09665059B2
A CRUM unit which is mountable/dismountable on an image forming apparatus is disclosed. The CRUM unit includes a power extracting circuit configured to, when a clock signal is received from an image forming apparatus, extract power from a high value of the clock signal and store in a capacitive element and a controller configured to operate using the extracted power, wherein the clock signal has a first pulse width in a data section where a data signal is received and transmitted, and has a second pulse width which is different from the first pulse width in an pause section where a data signal is not received.
US09665058B2
An image forming apparatus includes a board which controls an image forming job processor and an image former which performs an image forming job according to a control by the board. The board may include a plurality of power connectors for providing power, a plurality of first signal connectors continuously disposed such that they are spaced apart by a first distance in an exterior angle of the power connectors, a plurality of second signal connectors disposed such that each of them is spaced apart from one another by two or more times the first distance in an exterior angle of the first signal connectors, and a chip including a plurality of third signal connectors continuously disposed such that they are spaced apart by the first distance in an exterior angle of the second signal connectors.
US09665057B2
A driving pulley has a driving pulley body having a peripheral surface formed in a cylindrical shape, and a driving pulley shaft and a gear part, which are coaxial with the driving pulley body and rotate together with the driving pulley body. The driving device has an input gear and a support plate. The input gear is engaged with the gear part to input rotational driving force to the gear part. The support plate has a support hole that supports the driving pulley shaft so as to be rotatable. The support hole is a long hole extending along a concentric circle for an axis center of the input gear and supporting the driving pulley shaft so as to be movable along the concentric circle.
US09665055B2
A sheet conveying apparatus with a belt having a cutaway portion at least at one end portion in a width direction orthogonal to a traveling direction and a thickness direction thereof, a claw member and a driving portion driving the belt. The claw member has a pinching portion configured to attach the claw member to the belt by pinching the belt.
US09665053B2
An image forming apparatus includes an opening and closing unit attached to an image forming apparatus body. The opening and closing unit includes: an exterior member pivotably attached to the image forming apparatus body via a first shaft; a base member provided inside the exterior member and pivotably attached to the image forming apparatus body via a second shaft so as to be able to move with the exterior member; and an extension member attached to the base member in a manner capable of being pulled out and retracted.
US09665049B2
A member for electrophotography includes a substrate, an elastic layer containing a silicone rubber, a surface layer containing a fluorine resin, and an adhesive layer between the elastic layer and the surface layer. The adhesive layer contains a polyimide silicone. When a peel test of the surface layer from the elastic layer is conducted after the member is left in the environment of 260° C. for 10 hours, the elastic layer undergoes a cohesive failure.
US09665046B2
Provided is a belt driving roller for a belt driving device configured to drive and rotate an endless belt with at least one driving roller of a plurality of rollers over which the belt is hung by its internal surface, wherein the belt driving roller includes an electroviscosity retaining member of which surface viscosity force reversibly changes under an effect of an electric field.
US09665023B2
Provided is a toner, including toner particles each containing a binder resin containing a polyester α as a main component, a colorant, a wax, and a crystalline polyester, in which: the polyester α has a polyhydric alcohol unit and a polyvalent carboxylic acid unit; and the polyester α has, as the polyhydric alcohol unit, a polyhydric alcohol unit N derived from an alkylene oxide adduct of a novolac type phenol resin.
US09665017B2
Various embodiments provide systems and methods for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography light source. An exemplary system can include a laser radiation apparatus configured to provide laser radiation. The system can further include an EUV light excitation source material configured to receive the laser radiation to generate an EUV light. The laser radiation can generate droplets from the EUV light excitation source material. The system can further include a collector configured to collect the EUV light. The collector can include a plurality of reflective mirrors surrounding the EUV light excitation source material. The plurality of reflective mirrors can be movable. The collector can further include a mirror control system synchronized with the laser radiation apparatus and configured to set the plurality of reflective mirrors to be in one of a reflective state for reflecting the EUV light and a non-reflective state for preventing contamination by the droplets.
US09665007B2
An EUV collector is rotated between or during operations of an EUV photolithography system. Rotating the EUV collector causes contamination to distribute more evenly over the collector's surface. This reduces the rate at which the EUV photolithography system loses image fidelity with increasing contamination and thereby increases the collector lifetime. Rotating the collector during operation of the EUV photolithography system can induce convection and reduce the contamination rate. By rotating the collector at sufficient speed, some contaminating debris can be removed through the action of centrifugal force.
US09665004B2
Photosensitive materials and method of forming a pattern that include providing a composition of a component of a photosensitive material that is operable to float to a top region of a layer formed from the photosensitive material. In an example, a photosensitive layer includes a first component having a fluorine atom (e.g., alkyl fluoride group). After forming the photosensitive layer, the first component floats to a top surface of the photosensitive layer. Thereafter, the photosensitive layer is patterned.
US09665000B1
The present disclosure provides a method of repairing a mask. The method includes inspecting a mask to identify a defect on the mask; performing a cleaning process to the mask using a non-thermal chemical solution to the mask; and repairing the mask to remove the defect from the mask. The non-thermal chemical solution is cooled by a cooling module to a working temperature below room temperature.
US09664991B1
A projector includes a projector body having a light-permissive aperture, a plurality of lens modules, a lens disassembly sensing module, a light-emitting module and a control module. The lens modules are individually provided for an assembly to the light-permissive aperture. The lens disassembly sensing module is disposed in the projector body and corresponding to the light-permissive aperture. The light-emitting module is disposed in the projector body and configured to emit lights toward the light-permissive aperture. The control module is signally connected to the lens disassembly sensing module and the light-emitting module. The control module is configured to sense, through the lens disassembly sensing module, whether any one of lens modules is being disassembled from the light-permissive aperture and modulate a lighting intensity of the light-emitting module when a lens module being disassembled from the light-permissive aperture is sensed. A light pollution shielding method for the projector is also provided.
US09664980B2
An optical device includes an optical section, a moving section, a shaft section, and an actuator. The optical section includes a light-incident surface on which light is incident. The moving section supports the optical section and the shaft section swingably supports the moving section. The actuator swings the moving section based on a drive signal having a trapezoidal waveform. A swing waveform representative of a trajectory of the moving section as the moving section is swung has a trapezoidal waveform. A maintenance time of a flat portion of the trapezoidal waveform of the drive signal is shorter than a maintenance time of a flat portion of the trapezoidal waveform of the swing waveform of the moving section.
US09664972B2
A lateral electric field type liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate on which pixels are disposed in a matrix shape, each of the pixels including a plurality of signal wirings and a plurality of scanning wirings which intersect each other, a switching element provided in a region adjacent to a portion in which the signal wiring and the scanning wiring intersect or on the scanning wiring, a pixel electrode connected to the switching element, and a counter electrode to which a common potential is supplied from a common potential wiring; a second substrate provided to face the first substrate; and a liquid crystal provided between the first and second substrates, wherein a first electric field shield electrode, which is set to the common potential, is provided between the signal wiring and the first substrate, and the first electric field shield electrode is electrically connected with a first wiring which supplies the common potential to the first electric field shield electrode, within a display region, and an electric field substantially parallel to the first substrate is applied between the pixel electrode and the counter electrode.
US09664971B2
The present disclosure provides an array substrate and a method for producing the same and a liquid crystal display apparatus. The array substrate provided by an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a base substrate; a plurality of sub-pixel regions which are delimited by gate lines and data lines respectively and which are located on the base substrate, each of which is provided with a thin film transistor TFT and a common electrode above the thin film transistor; and an alignment film located above the common electrode, wherein the alignment film has an alignment direction at a predetermined angle to the direction in which the gate lines extend, and a void region is arranged at a location of the common electrode corresponding to the thin film transistor, the direction in which the void region extends being identical to the alignment direction of the alignment film.
US09664969B2
The present disclosure discloses a TFT-LCD display panel based on an HSD structure, including: a sub-pixel unit array; a plurality of pairs of gate lines, with each pair being arranged between two adjacent rows of the sub-pixel units, wherein each gate line includes subsections arranged repeatedly and the subsection is consist of subsection portions with different widths, on the wider subsection portion of which a TFT element connected with a pixel electrode of the sub-pixel unit is placed; a plurality of data lines perpendicular to the gate lines, wherein two or more columns of sub-pixel units are arranged between two adjacent data lines. TFT elements of the present disclosure are placed on the gate lines other than the pixel region, which increases the open rate of the pixel region, and thus improves the penetration rate of the pixels.
US09664965B2
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) device including: a first insulation substrate; gate and data lines positioned on the first insulation substrate and electrically insulated to cross each other; a thin film transistor coupled to the gate line and the data line; a first light blocking member positioned on the data line; a shielding electrode positioned on the first light blocking member; a pixel electrode coupled to the thin film transistor; a second insulation substrate positioned to face the first insulation substrate; a common electrode positioned on the second insulation substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode.
US09664958B2
A display device includes a display panel including a display surface defined by first and second directional axes perpendicular to each other, a first polarizer disposed on the display panel and having a first optical axis parallel to the first directional axis, a liquid crystal lens including lower electrodes disposed on the first polarizer and extending in a third directional axis crossing the first directional axis, an upper electrode spaced apart from the lower electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower electrodes and the upper electrode and aligned between a lower alignment axis and an upper alignment axis, and a second polarizer disposed on the liquid crystal lens and having a second optical axis parallel to the first directional axis, where the lower alignment axis is defined between the first directional axis and the third directional axis on the display surface.
US09664944B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an insulation substrate including a transmissive area and a reflective area, an organic layer positioned on the insulation substrate, and including a triangular pattern in the reflective area, a reflective electrode including reflective patterns corresponding to the triangular pattern of the organic layer in the reflective area, a color filter layer positioned on the reflective electrode, and including an opening for exposing a partial area of the reflective pattern, and a transparent layer disposed inside the opening of the color filter layer.
US09664937B2
A display panel with microcavities each having ends of asymmetric cross-sectional area. An exemplary display panel has a substrate; a pixel electrode formed on the substrate; a first black matrix and a second black matrix each disposed on the substrate; and a supporting member disposed on the substrate over the pixel electrode and the black matrix, the supporting member shaped so as to form a microcavity between the pixel electrode and the supporting member, the microcavity having an upper surface proximate to the supporting member and a lower surface opposite the upper surface. The microcavity has one end positioned over the first black matrix, and another end opposite the first end and positioned over the second black matrix; the lower surface of the microcavity has first and second channels disposed therein, the first channel positioned over the first black matrix, and the second channel positioned over the second black matrix.
US09664934B2
A fabricating method of a liquid crystal device includes a first step of forming light blocking portions in an element substrate, a second step of forming first and second microlenses in a counter substrate, and a third step of disposing the element substrate and the counter substrate so as to face each other, such that the openings and the first and second microlenses overlap each other in a planar view, and bonding the element substrate to the counter substrate such that a liquid crystal layer is interposed therebetween. In the third step, a center of the first microlens and a center of the second microlens are disposed in the same side in at least one direction of the X direction and the Y direction with respect to a center of gravity of the opening, in a planar view.
US09664933B2
A production method of a display substrate, a production control system and a production apparatus are provided. The production method includes: in a process for producing the display substrate by a plurality of procedures, forming marks for recording procedure progress information on the display substrate.
US09664927B2
Pearlescent pigments may be incorporated into one or more regions of a cosmetic contact lens to add a shiny, radiant and iridescent appearance thereto. More particularly, mica based pearlescent pigments coated with an oxide, for example, titanium dioxide or iron oxide, incorporated into one or more regions of the contact lens will result in the one or more regions having a natural, wet reflective appearance.
US09664925B2
Ophthalmic device molds made from at least one highly amorphous vinyl alcohol polymer, ophthalmic devices such as ocular inserts and contact lenses and including silicone hydrogel devices formed using these molds, and related methods are described. The methods of manufacturing ophthalmic devices can use dry or wet demolding processes, or dry or wet delensing processes.
US09664915B2
A display device is provided. The display device includes a display panel generating an image, a phase retarder disposed on the display panel, a first polarizer disposed on the phase retarder, a liquid crystal lens disposed on the first polarizer, and a second polarizer disposed on the liquid crystal lens. The phase retarder has a first optical axis and the first polarizer has a second optical axis crossing the first optical axis. The second polarizer has a third optical axis substantially in parallel to the second optical axis.
US09664913B2
The invention discloses an array substrate, a 3D display panel and a 3D display device. The array substrate includes a plurality of sub-pixel units arranged in an array. Each of the sub-pixel units has a shape of a non-equilateral parallelogram having two short sides and two long sides. The two short sides are the top side and the bottom side. The sub-pixel units in a same row are inclined in the same direction at a same inclination angle with respect to a vertical direction. The top sides of the sub-pixel units in the same row lie on a straight line. The projection of the top side of each of the sub-pixel units in the vertical direction lies on and overlaps with the bottom side of an adjacent sub-pixel unit.
US09664911B2
A parallax barrier, a manufacturing method thereof and a display system are provided, the parallax barrier including: a first substrate and a second substrate cell-assembled; a peripheral cavity wall, used to form a closed cavity; a transparent hydrophilic fluid and an opaque hydrophobic fluid, filled in the closed cavity; a first electrode and a second electrode; a hydrophobic-hydrophilic switching layer, on the second electrode; and barrier walls, disposed on the hydrophobic-hydrophilic switching layer parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other, wherein at least a part of each barrier wall is transparent, and when not being powered on, a thickness of the hydrophobic fluid is not larger than a height of the barrier wall, and when being powered on, a highest place of each accumulation region of the hydrophobic fluid is not higher than a highest place of the corresponding barrier wall.
US09664910B2
An optical device, includes a light-transmitting substrate having an input aperture and first and second major surfaces parallel to each other and edges, one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate which is non-parallel to the major surfaces of the substrate and an external optical arrangement having an output aperture optically attached to the input aperture of the substrate with the part of the substrate located next to the substrate input aperture, being substantially transparent.
US09664907B2
A spatial beam shaper structure and a corresponding optical system are provided. The spatial beam shaper structure comprises a light collecting surface configured for affecting light impinging thereon to provide a substantially smooth light profile of at least one optical property, the light collecting surface having a pattern in the form of multiple surface regions comprising regions of at least two different optical properties arranged in an alternating fashion, wherein an interface region between each two locally adjacent regions of the different optical properties has the at least two different optical properties, to provide substantially smooth transition of said different optical properties within the interface region.
US09664887B2
An illumination module for a coordinate measuring machine for measuring a workpiece by means of an optical sensor, wherein the illumination module comprises a main body having a sensor side and a workpiece side, wherein the sensor side has a first interface device at least for the sensor-side coupling of the illumination module in a defined position, and wherein the illumination module comprises at least one illumination arrangement for illuminating the workpiece. Furthermore, the main body has the form of a ring having a free central region and an edge region, wherein the at least one illumination arrangement and the first interface device are arranged in the edge region.
US09664884B2
A projection zoom lens is essentially constituted by, in order from the magnification side: a negative first lens group; a positive second lens group; a third lens group; a positive fourth lens group; a fifth lens group; and a positive sixth lens group. The distance between the first and second lens groups is shorter, the distance between the second and third lens groups is longer, the distance between the third and fourth lens groups is shorter, the distance between the fourth and the fifth lens groups is longer, and the distance between the fifth and sixth lens groups is longer at the telephoto end than at the wide angle end. A lens having a negative refractive power in the paraxial region is provided most toward the magnification side in the first lens group. The fifth lens group has a negative lens.
US09664883B2
An image display device includes a high-performance projection zoom lens with a very wide field angle and an image display device including a projection zoom lens of a five-lens-group type, which achieves high performance across the entire zoom area. The image display device is configured to project an image onto a target projection surface and display a magnified image of the image, which uses a projection zoom lens having a five-lens-group configuration in which first to fifth lens groups G1 to G5 are arranged from the magnification side toward the reduction side, and each of the constituent lens groups or lenses included in the lens groups has a combination of negative and positive refractive powers, and in the lens configuration, focal lengths of the constituent lens groups, relative travel distances, lens distances to the image display element, and constituent lens shapes are properly selected.
US09664879B2
An imaging lens includes a first lens having negative refractive power; a second lens having positive refractive power; a third lens; and a fourth lens arranged in the order from an object side to an image plane side. The first lens has an image plane-side surface having a positive curvature radius. The first lens has a specific focal length to satisfy a specific conditional expression.
US09664873B2
The disclosure provides a positioning unit for an optical element in a microlithographic projection exposure installation having a first connecting area for connection to the optical element, and having a second connecting area for connection to an object in the vicinity of the optical element.
US09664854B2
A silicon photonics device and system therefor. The silicon photonics device can include a 300 nm SOI (silicon-on-insulator with 300 nm top Si) overlying a substrate member. A waveguide structure can be configured from a portion of the SOI layer and disposed overlying the substrate member. This waveguide structure can include an AWG (Arrayed Waveguide Gratings) structure with 300 nm×300 nm symmetric grating waveguides or an Echelle grating structure characterized by a top silicon thickness of 300 nm. The waveguide structure can also include an index compensator material configured to provide at least two material index ratings in the waveguide structure.
US09664850B2
An apparatus includes an optical fiber bundle that includes a plurality of input optical fibers and a tapered segment. One end of each of the input optical fibers physically connects to a wide end of the tapered segment. The optical fiber bundle is an integral unit. The input optical fibers are multimode optical fibers. Fundamental optical propagating modes of at least two of the multimode optical fibers have different velocities.
US09664847B2
The invention relates to a lighting device (100) for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising a number of light sources (1), at least one attachment optical unit (2), having a light entrance surface (2a) and a light exit surface (2b), wherein the at least one attachment optical unit (2) comprises a plurality of light-guiding bodies (3), and wherein each light-guiding body (3) has a light entrance surface (3a), into which in each case at least one light source (1) feeds light, and wherein the light-guiding bodies (3) lead into the common light exit surface (2b). According to the invention, at least one, preferably exactly one, position holder (4) is provided, by means of which the light entrance surfaces (3a) of the light-guiding bodies (3) of the at least one attachment optical unit (2) are held in position in relation to the light sources (1). Alternatively or additionally, provision can be made for the light exit surface (2b) of the at least one attachment optical unit (2) to be provided with a transparent light plate (5) for the dimensional stabilization of the at least one attachment optical unit (2).
US09664845B2
A double-sided display apparatus comprises: a first display panel and a second display panel arranged opposite to each other; and a first frame and a second frame located in a region between the first and the second display panels. The first frame comprises a first support base connecting with the first display panel and having a hollow structure, and a first sidewall connected to the first support base; the second frame comprises a second support base connecting with the second display panel and having a hollow structure, and a second sidewall connected to the second support base; the first and the second sidewalls are arranged opposite to each other; a surface of the first sidewall facing the second sidewall is provided with a first protrusion part, and a surface of the second sidewall facing the first sidewall is provided with a first position limit part engaging with the first protrusion part.
US09664840B2
A light emitting module is provided. A light emitting unit includes a light emitting surface including a middle light emitting area and a peripheral light emitting area. The peripheral light emitting area is disposed on the opposite sides of the middle light emitting area. The light emitting unit emits light from the light emitting surface. A light guide plate includes a light incident surface adjacent to the middle light emitting area. The width of the light incident surface in a direction is smaller than the width of the light emitting surface in the direction, and the light incident surface is configured to receive part of the light that is emitted from the middle light emitting area, and another part of the light that is emitted from the peripheral light emitting area deviates from the light incident surface. A display device is also provided.
US09664839B2
An illumination device includes a plurality of light-emitting elements (LEEs); a light guide extending in a forward direction from a first end to a second end to receive at the first end light emitted by the LEEs and to guide the received light to the second end; an optical extractor optically coupled to the second end to receive the guided light, the optical extractor including a redirecting surface to reflect a first portion of the guided light, the reflected light being output by the optical extractor in a backward angular range, and the redirecting surface having one or more transmissive portions to transmit a second portion of the guided light in the forward direction; and one or more optical elements optically coupled to the transmissive portions, the optical elements to modify the light transmitted through the transmissive portions and to output the modified light in a forward angular range.
US09664838B2
Provided is an edge-light type illumination device capable of increasing luminance directly thereunder and capable of providing anisotropy to the luminance distribution. Light to be emitted from an emission surface (2d) of a light-guide plate (2) fulfills a condition (1) Etotal/Em>2.0 and a condition (2) Etotal(20°,0°)/Etotal(20°,90°)>1.2. Here, average intensity of light to be emitted from the emission surface (2d) is Em and total light intensity of the light to be emitted in a Z-axis direction is Etotal, the total light intensity Etotal(20°, 0°) of the light to be emitted is ΣΔPi(20°,0°)/Δω when an angle θ of the light to be emitted relative to a Z-axis direction is 20° and an angle φ of the light to be emitted relative to an X-axis direction is 0°, and the total light intensity Etotal(20°, 90°) of the light to be emitted from the emission surface (2d) is ΣΔPi(20°,90°)/Δω when the angle θ of the light to be emitted relative to the Z-axis direction is 20° and the angle φ of the light to be emitted relative to the X-axis direction is 90°.
US09664837B2
A light emission module and a light guide plate and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The light guide plate is configured to guide the light received and has a first lateral surface and a tongue extending from the first lateral surface toward a light source. The tongue has a flat end surface that faces or engages with the light source. The light guide plate receives the light emitted from the light source by the flat end surface, so as to reduce or eliminate the gap between the light source and the light guide plate. Therefore, the loss of light energy during the light traveling in air is effectively reduced, and the intensity of light received by the light guide plate from the light source meets expectation, improving the lighting effect of the light emission module.
US09664829B2
A color filter including a substrate and a red filter pattern is provided. The red filter pattern is disposed on the substrate, wherein the red filter pattern includes a red dye and a fluorescence quencher.
US09664823B2
Reflective target for surveying instruments having a plurality of planar reflective sections arranged to form a shape having a target axis. Each reflective section includes a plurality of prisms, each prism constituted by a corner cube having three surfaces oriented perpendicular to one another and forming a base for receiving incident light, and each of the prisms is oriented such that a common edge formed by two of the three surfaces of the prism is oriented such that the common edge and the target axis or a line parallel to the target axis lie in a common plane.
US09664821B2
An optical element has a plurality of structures including convex portions or concave portions arranged on a base member surface, wherein the arrangement pitch of the structures is 380 nm to 680 nm and the aspect ratio of the structure is 0.62 to 1.09.
US09664820B2
Method for manufacturing an optical lens in which coating solution curing conditions are satisfied and a coating solution is cured. The coating solution curing conditions include the angle of the axis of an optical lens substrate with respect to the horizontal direction falls within a predetermined angle range, and a second condition that the optical lens substrate rotates around the axis at a predetermined rotational speed. The predetermined angle range is between a maximum inclination angle of the axis at which the peripheral edge of a lens surface is positioned at the highest position of the lens surface, and a maximum inclination angle of the axis at which the peripheral edge of the lens surface is positioned at the lowest position of the lens surface. The predetermined rotational speed is a speed at which the coating solution applied to the lens surface is held in a coating position.
US09664813B2
A discrete and safe automated insect monitoring system includes a housing, an interior chamber within the housing, and a light source arranged within the housing to illuminate at least a portion of a floor surface of the interior chamber. A multi-pixel optical sensor is arranged within the housing so that a field of view of the sensor comprehends a substantial portion of the floor surface. A processing circuit arranged within the housing receives optical data from the multi-pixel optical sensor, analyzes the optical data to detect the intrusion of an insect or other object into the interior chamber by comparing most recently received optical data to previously received optical data, and generates an indication in response to detecting the intrusion of an insect or other object. Detection and/or classification results can be wirelessly forwarded to another device, to alert appropriate personnel.
US09664811B2
Disclosed are methods and systems for marine geophysical surveying that include a combined electromagnetic source electrode and deflector. An example embodiment discloses an electromagnetic source assembly comprising: a deflector-source electrode, wherein the deflector-source electrode comprises an electromagnetic source electrode integrated into a deflector; a separate electromagnetic source electrode; and a power source coupled to the electromagnetic source electrode and the separate electromagnetic source electrode.
US09664808B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a wall scanner that includes a housing, a plurality of sensors, a display, and a control section. The housing includes a handle portion and a body portion. The handle portion is adapted to receive a removable and rechargeable battery pack such as a high-voltage lithium-ion (“Li-Ion”) battery pack. The body portion of the housing encloses the plurality of sensing devices, such as, for example, capacitive plate sensors for sensing the presence of a stud behind a surface, a D-coil sensor for identifying the presence of metal behind the surface, and a non-contact voltage sensor for detecting the presence of live wires carrying AC currents. The display is configured to display, among other things, the location of an object behind the surface in real-time, the depth of an object behind the surface, and whether an object behind the surface is ferrous or non-ferrous. The control section includes a plurality of actuation devices for controlling the functions and operations of the wall scanner, such as the scanning mode.
US09664806B2
A method for spatial sampling of a seismic wavefield at the bottom of a water layer at an effective spatial sampling denser than the physical layout of the sensors. The sensors comprise a sensing element for vertical particle motion and a sensing element for rotational motion around a horizontal axis. Stress and wavefield conditions allow the rotational sensing element to yield the transverse horizontal gradient of the vertical particle motion wavefield, used in ordinate and slope sampling to yield improved transverse spatial sampling of the vertical particle motion wavefield.
US09664805B2
A system and method for handling seismic cable having sensor stations thereon is provided. The seismic cable is positionable about the seismic field for measuring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure. The system includes a mobile unit, a reel and a winch assembly. The mobile unit is positionable about the seismic field, and has a platform. The reel is supportable on the platform with the seismic cable disposable about the reel. The winch assembly is carried by the mobile unit and includes a plurality of cable guides. At least one of the cable guides has a passageway with an adjustable dimension for aligning and guiding the seismic cable and the sensor stations passing therethrough.
US09664804B2
An approaching vehicle detection apparatus includes: a sound information detection unit configured to detect sound information around an own vehicle; a sound source detection unit configured to detect a sound source around the own vehicle based on the detected sound information; an approaching vehicle determination unit configured to determine whether the sound source is a vehicle approaching the own vehicle; and a vehicle state changing unit configured to change a vehicle state of the own vehicle to a vehicle state where the own vehicle sound is able to be suppressed when the own vehicle sound generated from the own vehicle is able to be suppressed by changing the vehicle state of the own vehicle.
US09664799B2
A radiation detector may include a scintillator, a light source, and a sensor. The scintillator may include various scintillation materials capable of converting non-visible radiation (incoming radiation) into visible light. The sensor may be placed in adjacent or in close proximity to the scintillator, such that any converted visible light may be detected or measured by the sensor. The light source may be placed in adjacent or in close proximity to the scintillator, such that light from the light source may interact with defects in the scintillator to minimize interference on the conversion of non-visible radiation into visible light caused by the defects.
US09664789B2
A navigation system for a vehicle may include at least one image capture device configured to acquire a plurality of images of an environment of a vehicle and a radar sensor to detect an object in the environment of the vehicle and to provide and output including range information indicative of at least one of a range or range rate between the vehicle and the object. The system may also include at least one processing device programmed to: receive the plurality of images from the at least one image capture device; receive the output from the radar sensor; determine, for each of a plurality of image segments in a first image, from among the plurality of images, and corresponding image segments in a second image, from among the plurality of images, an indicator of optical flow; use range information determined based on the output of the radar sensor together with the indicators of optical flow determined for each of the plurality of image segments in the first image and the corresponding image segments in the second image to calculate for each of a plurality of imaged regions at least one value indicative of a focus of expansion; identify a target object region, including at least a subset of the plurality of imaged regions that share a substantially similar focus of expansion; and cause a system response based on the identified target object region.
US09664780B2
A distance sensor includes: a light receiving area including a first longer side and a second longer side; a photo gate electrode arranged on the light receiving area; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the first longer side; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the second longer side; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the first longer side provided with charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the second longer side provided with the charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; and a potential adjusting means positioned between the first and second longer sides and raises potential of an area extending in a direction in which the first and second longer sides extend to be higher than potential of side areas of the first and second longer sides.
US09664779B2
Methods and systems are provided for object classification for a radar system of a vehicle. The radar system includes a transmitter that transmits radar signals and a receiver that receives return radar signals after the transmitted radar signals are deflected from an object proximate the vehicle. A processor is coupled the receiver, and is configured to: obtain spectrogram data from a plurality of spectrograms pertaining to the object based on the received radar signals; aggregate the spectrogram data from each of the plurality of spectrograms into a computer vision model; and classify the object based on the aggregation of the spectrogram data from each of the plurality of spectrograms into the computer vision model.
US09664775B2
A radar system includes a radar antenna and a controller. The antenna includes a reference element, an alpha element spaced apart from the reference element by one half-wavelength of the reflected signal, and a beta element spaced apart from the reference element by an even number of half-wavelengths of the reflected signal. The controller is configured to determine an alpha phase difference between detected signals from the reference element and the alpha element, determine a beta phase difference between detected signals from the reference element and the beta element, and determine a first virtual phase difference that corresponds to the reflected signal expected to be detected by a first virtual element located halfway between the reference element and the beta element. The first virtual phase difference is based on the beta phase difference divided by two.
US09664764B2
An MRI system acquires a susceptibility-weighted image by acquiring a first RF echo signal in a first echo time for providing an image exclusive of susceptibility-weighting and acquiring a second RF echo signal in a second echo time longer than the first echo time for providing an image including susceptibility-weighting. A compensation gradient field is applied for compensating for field inhomogeneity and in response, a third RF echo signal is acquired in a third echo time longer than the second echo time. First, second and third images are generated in response to data derived from the first, second and third RF echo signals respectively and data of the first, second and third images is combined to provide image data representing an image compensating for magnetic resonance signal attenuation in the second image.
US09664763B2
A method of correcting a magnetic field of an MRI radiotherapy apparatus (300) includes a magnetic resonance imaging system (302) and a radiation therapy system (304). The MRI system includes a magnet (306) for generating the magnetic field within an imaging zone 318. The magnet generates a magnetic field with a zero crossing (346, 404) outside of the imaging zone. The medical apparatus further comprises a gantry (332) configured for rotating a ferromagnetic component (336, 510) about a rotational axis (333). The method comprises the step of installing (100, 200) a magnetic correcting element (348, 900, 1000) located on a radial path (344, 504) perpendicular to the rotational axis. The magnetic correcting element is positioned on the radial path such that change in the magnetic field within the imaging zone due to the ferromagnetic component is reduced. The method further comprises repeatedly: measuring (102, 202, 1204) the magnetic field within the imaging zone; determining (104, 204, 1206) the change in the magnetic field in the imaging zone; and adjusting (106, 206, 1208) the position of the magnetic correcting element along the radial path if the change in the magnetic field is above a predetermined threshold.
US09664754B2
The present invention discloses a design of a single-chip push-pull bridge sensor, composed of magnetoresistive elements, utilizing on-chip permanent magnets. The permanent magnets are oriented to preset magnetization directions of free layers of adjacent sensor bridge arms so that they point to different directions with respect the same sensing direction, enabling push-pull operation. The push-pull bridge sensor of the present invention is integrated on a single chip. Additionally, an on-chip coil is disclosed to reset or calibrate the magnetization directions of the free layers of the magnetoresistive elements.
US09664735B2
A latch circuit having a master latch and a slave latch includes a device used to short either the master latch or the slave latch. The device includes a transistor and a global control used to assert a signal, and is positioned to short an inverter of the master latch or the slave latch. When the signal is asserted by the global control, the inverter is shorted such that the output value of the inverter is the same as the input value. The assertion of the signal is facilitated by another device connected to the master latch and the slave latch that includes the global control and a transistor.
US09664734B2
Methods and systems for monitoring band structure characteristics and predicting electrical characteristics of a sample early in a semiconductor manufacturing process flow are presented herein. High throughput spectrometers generate spectral response data from semiconductor wafers. In one example, the measured optical dispersion is characterized by a Gaussian oscillator, continuous Cody-Lorentz model. The measurement results are used to monitor band structure characteristics, including band gap and defects such as charge trapping centers, exciton states, and phonon modes in high-K dielectric layers and embedded nanostructures. The Gaussian oscillator, continuous Cody-Lorentz model can be generalized to include any number of defect levels. In addition, the shapes of absorption defect peaks may be represented by Lorentz functions, Gaussian functions, or both. These models quickly and accurately represent experimental results in a physically meaningful manner. The model parameter values can be subsequently used to gain insight and control over a manufacturing process.
US09664722B2
A system to perform tests quickly and accurately to wiring harnesses. The system comprises a workstation equipped with an electrical test machine with test terminals disposed on the end of extendable hoses, a connection interface between harness connectors and terminals tests, a working board to perform on it the tests to a wiring harness, one or more projection devices arranged to project images onto the working board and a computer system to supply such projection devices with images to assist the operators performing the tests. The connection interface is formed by adapter modules connectable by one side to the wiring harness connectors and by the other to the test terminals. Test terminals and adapter modules comprise electronic circuits and external identification labels holding identification information.
US09664716B1
The present invention relates to improvements to automatic permanently installed insulation resistance test equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements to insulation test equipment for testing low voltage, medium voltage, and high voltage electrical equipment on the order of the rated voltage level while limiting the maximum output current to a safe level. The preferred test output voltage of the insulation test equipment would have a maximum test output of 5000 VDC, due to design considerations, but the AIRT test output could be made to be higher, up to a maximum of 15,000 VDC. After installation of the insulation test equipment in the control cabinet of the electrical equipment there will be no requirement to open the control cabinet to operate the insulation test equipment. The improvements will also allow personnel to perform an insulation test on electrical equipment without having to manually isolate the electrical equipment from the power source to perform the testing.
US09664715B2
Described is an electrical measuring system with a six-gate circuit and a delay line. An electrical signal is fed from a resonator, at least one of directly and or via the delay line, to the six-gate circuit. The frequency of the signal is computed by the six-gate circuit in dependence on the length of the delay line.
US09664701B2
The present invention relates to a system (10) for handling slides, including a first and at least a second module-receiving area (24 through 28) for receiving at least one module (30, 34) for handling slides each. The first module-receiving area (24) accommodates a coverslipper module (30, 32) for coverslipping thin sections on slides with a mounting medium and a cover slip (48).
US09664699B2
This disclosure concerns plants, plant materials, and the oil characteristics thereof. In embodiments, compositions and methods for determining the total oil content of plant materials are provided. Such methods and compositions may in some embodiments allow for the characterization and screening of oil traits and sub-traits that are difficult or impossible to distinguish by conventional techniques.
US09664696B1
Disclosed herein are embodiments of H2S-reactive compounds, or compositions thereof, which can be used to determine the presence of H2S, and in some embodiments quantify H2S. Also disclosed herein are methods of using the H2S-reactive compounds. The methods can use colorimetric, chemiluminescent, or bioluminescent testing methods to determine the presence of and/or amount of H2S in a sample.
US09664689B2
The present invention provides an immunodiagnostic method for determining procalcitonin and procalcitonin derivatives in a biological sample of a patient, in particular in the monitoring and control of treatment and the monitoring of the progression of a local or systemic bacterial infection, inflammation, sepsis or neurodegenerative disease. In particular, the method detects molecular forms of intact procalcitonin 1-116, or procalcitonin partial peptides derived therefrom that retain amino acids alanine and proline (Ala-Pro, AP) in positions 1 and 2 of the amino terminus of the complete procalcitonin 1-116. The method uses antibodies that selectively bind an epitope comprising amino acids 1 and 2 of procalcitonin 1-116 (SEQ ID NO: 1) and can distinguish between intact procalcitonin 1-116 and for example, procalcitonin 3-116.
US09664686B2
An imaging system (10) and associated method for detection of protein contamination on a surgical instrument (100) that has been treated with a fluorescing stain, wherein fluorophors in the stain are capable of emitting light of an emitted type when both excited by light of an excitation type and in contact with a protein are provided. The system comprises a light tight chamber (14) for receiving the instrument (100). Inside the chamber (14) are both visible light sources (20) and excitation light sources (22) for respectively illuminating the chamber with visible and excitation type light. A digital camera (30) is able to capture a first image of the instrument (100) as illuminated by the visible light, and a second image, of patterns of fluorescence produced by the fluorophors in the stain corresponding to protein contamination. The first and second images are combined to produce a composite image of the instrument (100) highlighting the areas of protein contamination. Associated software can be used to analyse the images so as to determine a level of protein contamination.
US09664682B2
The invention provides methods and kits for diagnosing a growth in a subject by providing a sample of a growth taken from a subject, determining the level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample by an immunoassay, and comparing the level of midkine or pleiotrophin determined from the sample with a control. An increased level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample as compared to the control is diagnostic of a malignant growth, whereas an equivalent or decreased level of midkine or pleiotrophin in the sample as compared to the control is diagnostic of a benign growth. Growth refers to, for example, papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).
US09664681B2
According to the method of evaluating lung cancer, amino acid concentration data on the concentration value of amino acid in blood collected from a subject to be evaluated is measured, and a lung cancer state in the subject is evaluated based on the concentration value of at least one of Orn, Lys, ABA, Arg, Glu, His, Tau, Pro, Ala, Cit and Ile contained in the measured amino acid concentration data of the subject.
US09664680B2
The present invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or prognosing proliferative disorders, especially brain cancers (e.g. gliomas). In particular, the present invention provides a means to conveniently detect malignant tumours merely by assaying or analysing blood (particularly blood serum). Cytokines and/or angiogenesis factors in blood serum have been found to be surprisingly powerful at indicating the presence of brain cancers in a subject. Moreover, spectroscopic analysis, especially ATR-FTIR analysis, of a blood sample has been demonstrated to be surprisingly effective at producing a signature that can be correlated with the presence, extent, severity, or aggressiveness of malignant tumours in a subject.
US09664679B2
Embodiments of the invention provide lateral flow and flow-through bioassay devices based on patterned porous media, methods of making same, and methods of using same. Under one aspect, an assay device includes a porous, hydrophilic medium; a fluid impervious barrier comprising polymerized photoresist, the barrier substantially permeating the thickness of the porous, hydrophilic medium and defining a boundary of an assay region within the porous, hydrophilic medium; and an assay reagent in the assay region.
US09664674B2
A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.
US09664670B2
The invention is in the field of in vitro diagnostics and relates to a method for ascertaining a transmission value for a light signal that is pulsed at a frequency through a specimen in an automatic analysis appliance. It also relates to a transmission measurement apparatus for an automatic analysis appliance, comprising a light source that is pulsed at a frequency and a photodetector having a downstream A/D converter.
US09664667B2
The present disclosure, among other things, methods and systems for digital quantification of single molecule analytes.
US09664665B2
Methods are provided for reservoir analysis. In some embodiments, a reservoir may be analyzed by obtaining abundance ratios at a first measurement station and a second measurement station and determining an abundance ratio trend. Abundance ratios at a third measurement station may be obtained and plotted versus depth with the previously obtained abundance ratios. A change in the abundance ratio trend may be identified and result in further investigation of the reservoir. If the abundance ratio is unchanged, additional abundance ratios may be obtained and plotted versus depth to further evaluate the abundance ratio trend. Methods for reservoir analysis using fluid predictions with and without offset well information are also provided.
US09664660B2
A system and method for providing and/or controlling air flow to an air sensor. As a non-limiting example, an air sensor system may include mechanical and/or electromechanical features (e.g., MEMS features) to control air flow to an air sensor. Various aspects of the disclosure may, for example, be implemented in a personal electronic device.
US09664656B2
A method for monitoring the concentration of a gas in an enclosed space is provided. A gas is injected into the space, by a gas injection system. The concentration of the gas is measured using a gas sensor. The concentration is compared with predetermined limits, and the gas injection system is shut off if the concentration is above one of the predetermined limits. In addition, hardware, software, and signal control elements which perform the monitoring, are continuously monitored for faults, and if a fault is detected, the gas injection system is shut off.
US09664642B2
The ion sensors using TFT or MOSFET are low in the measurement sensitivity so that it is difficult to detect an extremely small amount of sensing-target substance. A TFT ion sensor includes both a gate electrode (a silicon substrate) and a reference electrode, in which the electrostatic capacitance of a gate insulating film (a thermal oxide film) is set to be larger than the electrostatic capacitance of an ion sensitive insulating film. Therefore, it is possible to detect the concentration of ions, hormones, and the like in a sensing-target substance from the shift in the threshold voltage of the gate-source voltage to source-drain current property.
US09664641B2
Embodiments described herein provide for a pH sensor that is configured for use over a pressure and temperature range. The ISFET die of the pH sensor is bonded to the substrate of the pH sensor with a bonding layer that is disposed between the substrate and the ISFET die. The pressure and temperature change across the pressure and temperature range generates an environmental force in the pH sensor. Further, the substrate or the bonding layer or both change volume over the pressure and temperature range, and the substrate or the bonding layer or both are configured such that the volume change induces a counteracting force that opposes at least a portion of the environmental force. The counteracting force is configured to maintain the change in piezoresistance of the ISFET die from the drain to the source to less than 0.5% over the pressure and temperature range.
US09664640B2
An O2 sensor has a sensor element, which includes a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes. The solid electrolyte layer is held between the electrodes, which includes an atmosphere side electrode and an exhaust side electrode. A constant current circuit is installed in an electric path, which connects between the atmosphere side electrode and a ground, to induce a flow of a predetermined constant electric current between the electrodes through the solid electrolyte layer. When the sensor element generates an electromotive force, the constant current circuit conducts an electric current, which is generated while using the electromotive force of the sensor element as an electric power source, to induce the flow of the predetermined constant electric current between the electrodes in an electromotive force range, which is equal to or larger than an electromotive force of the sensor element generated at a stoichiometric air-to-fuel ratio.
US09664639B2
The concentration measurement method includes: introducing a predetermined amount of the biological sample into the capillary; measuring a temperature of the biological sample by applying a first voltage to the electrode unit when the temperature of the biological sample is measured, the first voltage allowing the temperature measurement to be less affected by increase and reduction in an amount of the analyte contained in the biological sample; measuring the concentration of the analyte contained in the biological sample by applying a second voltage to the electrode unit; measuring an environmental temperature in a surrounding of the biological sample; and correcting the concentration of the measured analyte based on the measured temperature of the biological sample and the measured environmental temperature.
US09664632B2
Systems, apparatus and methods for designing and operating a cell-electrode impedance sensor to detect chemical and biological samples, including biological cells. In one implementation, a method of designing a cell-electrode impedance sensor includes determining a cell free cell-electrode impedance and a cell covered cell-electrode impedance based on a design model for the cell-electrode impedance sensor, wherein the design model is based on one or more factors, the factors including properties and elements of a cell-electrode impedance measurement system, using the cell free cell-electrode impedance and the cell covered cell-electrode impedance to obtain a sensor sensitivity of the cell-electrode impedance measurement system, and choosing one or more design parameters of the cell-electrode impedance sensor in the cell-electrode impedance measurement system to maximize the sensor sensitivity.
US09664625B2
An inspection system is disclosed. An optical assembly establishes an optical path between a light source and a detector. The optical assembly has a relatively large amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration, so that light at a first wavelength focuses on one region of a substrate in the optical path, while light at a second wavelength simultaneously focuses on another region of the substrate. The system can operate in a calibration mode to determine one or more wavelengths of light corresponding to regions of interest in the substrate and in an imaging mode to image regions of interest in the substrate.
US09664621B2
Polarization selective surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) includes a plurality of nanofingers arranged as a SERS multimer to exhibit a polarization-dependent plasmonic mode and one or both of a stimulus source and a Raman detector. The stimulus source is to illuminate the SERS multimer with a stimulus signal and the Raman detector is to detect a Raman scattering signal emitted by an analyte in a vicinity of the SERS multimer. One or both of the Raman scattering signal has a polarization state dictated by or associated with the polarization-dependent plasmonic mode and the stimulus signal has a polarization state corresponding to the polarization-dependent plasmonic mode.
US09664619B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for the arrangement of droplets in pre-determined locations. Many applications require the collection of time-resolved data. Examples include the screening of cells based on their growth characteristics or the observation of enzymatic reactions. The present invention provides a tool and related techniques which addresses this need, and which can be used in many other situations. The invention provides, in one aspect, a tool that allows for stable storage and indexing of individual droplets. The invention can interface not only with microfluidic/microscale equipment, but with macroscopic equipment to allow for the easy injection of liquids and extraction of sample droplets, etc.
US09664615B2
A method and apparatus for imaging using a double-clad fiber is described.
US09664605B2
A pulsation detection unit detects, as an actual characteristic, a pulsation frequency of a pressure pulsation, which is caused in fuel pressure, or a physical quantity corresponding to the pulsation frequency, according to a sensor signal from a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor detects a fuel pressure of fuel supplied to a fuel injection valve, which is equipped to an internal combustion engine. A storage unit stores, as a reference characteristic, a reference frequency of a predetermined reference pulsation or a physical quantity corresponding to the reference frequency. A density detection unit detects a fuel density according to a quantity of deviation between the reference characteristic, which is stored in the storage unit, and the actual characteristic, which is detected with the pulsation detection unit.
US09664604B2
The present invention provides a measurement apparatus which includes a probe having a leading edge portion configured to come into contact with a surface to be measured and a holding portion configured to hold the leading edge portion, and measures a shape of the surface by scanning the probe relative to the surface in a state in which the leading edge portion and the surface are in contact, comprising a processing unit configured to correct measurement data at a measurement point on the surface based on data of a scanning distance of the probe and information about abrasion of the leading edge portion caused by scanning of the probe.
US09664602B2
A single use filtering device comprises a filter body formed at least in part of a filter medium configured to hold a sample during filtration and a fastening element configured for releasably mounting the filtering device to a holder. The fastening element being adapted to undergo an irreversible structural alteration during the mounting or removal of the filtering device from the holder to prevent remounting of the filtering device to the holder.
US09664601B1
Method for determining volatile thio-ether compounds in offensive odorous sediment including: pre-treating a sediment sample, extracting volatile thio-ether compounds, separating and purifying the extraction supernatant in a solid phase extraction column, eluting with ethyl acetate, and finally collecting the eluent, which is then concentrated and used for determination by gas chromatography.
US09664591B2
With respect to the evaluation of custom-made eyeglass lenses using a binocular visual acuity function, a measurement value including essentially at least one of or both of a positive relative convergence or a negative relative convergence of the positive relative convergence, the negative relative convergence, a positive relative accommodation, a negative relative accommodation and a vertical fusional vergence is provided as a factor.
US09664588B2
A gripper for a test or isolation plug is provided. The gripper includes at least one gripper segment having a pipe or tube confronting surface with a plurality of separate rows of gripper teeth longitudinally-spaced apart on the surface. Each of the separate rows of gripper teeth comprising an alternating array of individual tips and gaps such that each row is serrated along its length.
US09664572B2
An apparatus comprises a head transducer and a resistive temperature sensor provided on the head transducer. The resistive temperature sensor comprises a first layer comprising a conductive material and having a temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and a second layer comprising at least one of a specular layer and a seed layer. A method is disclosed to fabricate such sensor with a laminated thin film structure to achieve a large TCR. The thicknesses of various layers in the laminated thin film are in the range of few to a few tens of nanometers. The combinations of the deliberately optimized multilayer thin film structures and the fabrication of such films at the elevated temperatures are disclosed to obtain the large TCR.
US09664567B2
A method and apparatus suitable for measuring temperature of a surface of a segment of a rail using a sensor underneath a moving or a stationary rail car. The measurement is based on intensities of infrared radiation emitted by the surface. The method uses relationships among emissivity, radiation intensity and surface temperature without assuming an emissivity value for the surface. The apparatus comprises radiation detectors containing sensing elements, a lens system, and an analog to digital conversion board to convert radiation intensities to temperature.
US09664564B2
Intensity of near-ultraviolet light or visible light of 180 to 700 nm emitted from a solid sample, such as an organic semiconductor, irradiated with an electron beam is measured, while kinetic energy (accelerating energy) of the electron beam is changed in a range of 0 to 5 eV so as to obtain a spectrum. Peaks are detected from the spectrum, and the energy thereof is defined as unoccupied-states energy of the sample. The onset energy of the first peak represents electronic affinity energy (electron affinity) of the sample. Since the energy of the electron beam irradiated onto the sample is 5 eV or less, almost no damage is exerted on the sample even when the sample is an organic semiconductor.
US09664553B1
Embodiments of a system and method for providing a float-based sensor are disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method provide a sealed pipe or tube, also referred to as a barrier chamber, that is located inside a tank (or body of water) to measure a fluid level in the tank, such as a fuel tank, an oil tank, a chemical tank, a water tank, and the like. No fluid is able to penetrate the interior of the sealed pipe to avoid any electrical, mechanical, or chemical problems, or degradation. Embodiments of the system and method use a float having a magnet that magnetically couples to a target located within the barrier chamber's interior. The movement of the target is constrained to one dimension, allowing it to move up and down as the fluid level in the tank (or body of water) moves the magnetically coupled float up and down.
US09664514B2
A laser level assembly includes a base kit and an adjustment unit which is pivotably connected to the base kit. The adjustment unit has a block, a pivotable member, multiple shafts and multiple bearings. The shafts extends through the bearings and the block such that the block is pivotable relative to the connection member of the base kit, and the pivotably member is pivotable to the block. The pivotable member is connected to the laser level. The pivotable member is pivotable about an axis that is perpendicular to the pivotable axis of the connection member. The laser level is always maintained at a position that the laser beam is parallel to a desired plane.
US09664500B2
Embodiments include optofluidic apparatus that may be used to detect and manipulate nanoparticles or biomolecules within a fluid. To achieve that result, the embodiments use a fluidic channel located over a substrate. Particular embodiments also use: (1) an optical waveguide located over the substrate and particularly within the fluidic channel along with an optical resonator that may or may not be located within fluidic channel; and also (2) a phase shifter component coupled to either the waveguide or the optical resonator. Additional embodiments use an MZI or an MZI with an optical resonator to further provide the phase shifter component coupled to one arm of the MZI or the optical resonator.
US09664493B2
The invention relates to a production plant (1), in particular for folding workpieces (2) to be produced from sheet metal, comprising a bending press (3), in particular a press brake, having a press beam (13, 16), at least one bending tool (4), such as a bending punch (5) and bending die (6), which is connected to the press beam (13, 16), and at least one angle-measuring device (46) for determining an angular position of at least one limb (35, 36) of the workpiece (2) formed by a bending operation relative to a reference plane (41, 42). The angle-measuring device (46) comprises at least one inclination sensor (39) having a reference surface (40) and the inclination sensor (39) is mounted by the angle-measuring device (46) so that it can be placed with the reference surface (40) lying in contact with a surface portion of at least one of the limbs (35, 36) of the workpiece (2).
US09664491B2
Connection cables for separable firing unit assemblies comprise a first mating connector at a first end and a second mating connector at a second, opposing end. A stripline cable electrically connects the first mating connector to the second mating connector. Separable firing unit assemblies comprise an initiation device. An electronics assembly is configured to transmit a firing pulse to the initiation device. One of a first mating connector and a second mating connector is coupled to the initiation device and the other of the first mating connector and the second mating connector is coupled to the electronics assembly. A second housing of the second mating connector is configured to receive a portion of a first housing of the first mating connector therein.
US09664488B2
An automatic ammunition reloading system includes an actuation assembly in communication with a control system. The actuation assembly is joined to a reloading press by attaching to a control lever of the ammunition press so as to put the reloading press in operative relation with the actuation assembly. The control system receives input from a control lever position sensor to sense an extremity position of the control lever and to determine an actuation distance of the control lever for a full stroke of the reloading press. The control system controls operation of the actuation assembly so as to oscillate the control lever through the actuation distance.
US09664486B2
A remote treatment system may include a cone assembly including a spine and a cone body at least partially surrounding the spine, a marking payload, a syringe coupled to a portion of the cone assembly and adapted to store a syringe payload for treating a target, and a vanes cup. The vanes cup may have an inner diameter sized to receive an outer diameter of the syringe. The vanes cup may also include stabilization means for stabilizing the remote treatment system. Further, a pressure means within the vanes cup may be configured to apply a pressure against the payload within the syringe. In response to an impact between the cone assembly and the target, the payloads are expressed from the remote treatment system.
US09664484B2
Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a mechanical broadhead for use with an archery bow and arrow. In certain arrangements, a broadhead is provided that maintains the cutting blades in a retracted or closed position during flight of the arrow. Upon target contact, the blades expand outwardly from the closed position.
US09664476B1
An adjustable stock for a firearm includes a fixed body attachable to the firearm and a moveable body slideably connected to the fixed body. The moveable body defines a butt of the stock. A hole may be defined in one of the fixed body and the moveable body that has a first side opening and a second side opening disposed opposite the first side opening. A position selector is disposed in the hole and includes a first selector body and a second selector body. The first selector body includes a body portion shaped as a button having an engagement surface and a protrusion extending away from the body portion. The second selector body includes a body portion shaped as a button having an engagement surface and a protrusion extending away from the body portion. A biasing device is disposed between the first and second selector bodies to bias the first and second selector bodies apart and so that the engagement surface of the first selector body extends from the first side opening and the engagement surface of the second selector body extends from the second side opening. Further, a plurality of locating slots is defined in the other of the fixed body and the moveable body. At least one of the protrusions of the first and second selector bodies engage one of the plurality of locating slots to selectively fix the relative position of the moveable body to the fixed body.
US09664474B2
A crossbow case with an exterior shell and an interior compartment within the exterior shell. The exterior shell is made of ethylene-vinyl acetate. The exterior shell has a thickness in the range of about 1/16 to ¼ of an inch. The exterior shell includes a top member and a bottom member in a hinged configuration.
US09664471B1
An end cap for a semiautomatic pistol is mounted at the breech end of a slide to maintain the striker assembly in place when subject to inertial loads. The end cap includes a body with a base and a cover. A metal plate is mounted between the base and cover to prevent striker blow-out in the event that a primer is pierced. Flexible, resilient projections extend from the base and engage the slide within a recess, the projections extending transversely to the firing axis to counter inertial forces that might otherwise dislodge the end cap and cause a stoppage.
US09664469B2
A shotgun shell magazine to be received within a mil-spec magazine of an M16/AR-15 mil-spec firearm is disclosed. The magazine has an open top end defining a cavity configured to receive one or more shotgun shells. The magazine body includes a feed lip which partially occludes the open top end and a rim edge including a vertical edge strip which defines a gap in communication with the cavity. A follower having a ramped upper surface resides within the cavity. The follower is biased to direct the shotgun shells toward the open top end until the primer end of a top most shotgun shell engages the feed lip. The top most shotgun shell is angled with respect to the open top end and at least a portion of the closed end of the top most shotgun shell lies above a plane created by the open top end.
US09664467B2
An improved gas key assembly for a fire arm, such as an AR 15 or a M4 rifle, having a gas key fastened by fasteners on a bolt carrier assembly where the gas key moves with the bolt carrier when the fire arm is fired, wherein the gas key has a slot for receiving a key element in the slot and the key element has a stem which is seated in the slot and a rail which overlays the fasteners to removably secure the gas key to the bolt carrier and holds gas key resisting unintended separation of the gas key from the bolt carrier. Also the invention includes a method for securing a gas key to a bolt carrier in such a fire arm.
US09664461B2
A condensate drain pan including an inner front wall, an inner back wall and opposed inner side walls defining an inner perimeter, at least two outer front walls, an outer back wall and opposed outer side walls defining an outer perimeter. The condensate drain pan further includes at least one drain pan panel extending between the inner perimeter and the outer perimeter, and at least one drain opening disposed in the outer front wall.
US09664459B2
A heat exchanger includes at least two manifolds which are fluidly connected to one another by multiple tubes, and a porous metal structure which at least partially surrounds the tubes. The heat exchanger has a plate-like form with a front side and a rear side. The metal structure is formed by a multiplicity of sheets which are held in each case between two adjacent tubes and, on at least one of the front and rear sides of the heat exchanger, extend across at least one adjacent tube.
US09664457B2
The present invention is a total heat exchange element in which a spacing member is provided on both sides of a sheet-like partition member to form a flow path and which performs heat exchange between an airflow that flows in a flow path formed on one side of the partition member and an airflow that flows in a flow path formed on another side of the partition member via the partition member, wherein the spacing member is molded integrally with the partition member by using a resin, and the partition member is configured to include a functional layer that has heat conductivity, moisture permeability, and gas shielding property and a heat shrink layer that shrinks at a predetermined temperature or higher.
US09664456B2
To increase a heat exchange capacity of an indoor heat exchanger without increasing a pressure loss inside tubes of an outdoor heat exchanger. A heat exchanger is constituted by an indoor machine equipped with an indoor heat exchanger 10 constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes 12A, which have a spiral grooves 13A formed with a predetermined lead angle Ra on inner faces of the tubes and are made to pierce a plurality of fins 11, and an outdoor machine equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger 20 constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes 22A which have a lead angle Rb of spiral grooves 23A smaller than that of a heat transfer tubes 10A used for the indoor heat exchanger 10 and are made to pierce a plurality of fins 11.
US09664455B2
A heat exchanger is constituted by an indoor machine equipped with an indoor heat exchanger constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes, which have spiral grooves formed with a predetermined lead angle on inner faces of the tubes and are made to pierce a plurality of fins, and an outdoor machine equipped with an outdoor heat exchanger constituted by a plurality of heat transfer tubes which have a lead angle of spiral grooves smaller than that of a heat transfer tubes used for the indoor heat exchanger and are made to pierce a plurality of fins.
US09664451B2
A co-fired generator for use in a continuous-cycle absorption heating and cooling system may provide heat to the interior of an annulus chamber from a first heat exchanger, such as a firetube heat exchanger, supplemented by heat to the exterior of the annulus chamber from a second heat exchanger containing fluid heated by an external source. Some embodiments may circulate fluid heated in a solar-heated collector through the second heat exchanger. Other embodiments may route exhaust gas from a combustion engine through the second heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger may be provided with a plurality of fins to increase the surface area available for thermal transfer between the heated fluid and the annulus chamber.
US09664450B2
A heat exchanger has a core comprising flat tubes with corrugated fins provided in spaces between tubes. An end mounting arrangement includes a mounting bracket for attachment to a housing. A fin support structure comprises a plurality of support walls and a plurality of axial walls, wherein each of the support walls is integrally joined to at least one of the axial walls, each of the support walls is in contact with the endmost corrugation of one of the fins, and each of the axial walls is in contact with one of the plate pairs. The fin support structure may have a corrugated structure, and is mounted at the end of the core at which the mounting bracket is provided, so as to support and minimize damage to the corrugated fins caused by bypass air flowing between the mounting bracket and the core.
US09664442B2
A system and method for the concurrent condensation of a nitrogen-rich vapor and vaporization of an oxygen-rich liquid in a distillation column based air separation unit is provided. The disclosed system includes a condenser-reboiler heat exchanger located between a lower pressure column and a higher pressure column and configured to condense a nitrogen-rich vapor from the higher pressure column and partially vaporize an oxygen-rich liquid from the lower pressure column. Within the condenser-reboiler heat exchanger, the nitrogen-rich vapor flows in an upward direction such that any non-condensables present in the nitrogen-rich vapor will accumulate proximate the upper portion or top of the condenser-reboiler modules where they can be easily removed through venting by means of a venting apparatus having a plurality of perforated tubes.
US09664432B2
A refrigerator includes a main body that defines a storage space, a door configured to open or close the storage space, and a dispenser located in the door and configured to dispense cooled water and purified water. The refrigerator also includes a purified water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the purified water, a cooled water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the cooled water, and a dispensing amount input part that sets an amount of purified water to be dispensed based on the purified water being selected through the purified water input part. The refrigerator further includes a filter device located within the storage space to purify water supplied from a water supply source, and a water tank storing water that has passed through the filter device in a cooled state.
US09664429B2
A refrigerator includes a driving coupler to transmit a driving force and a connecting member to transmit the driving force of the driving coupler to a transfer member. The connecting member is rotated when interference with the driving coupler occurs in a process of connecting with the driving coupler and idles within a predetermined angle range regardless of the transfer member. With this constitution, even when ice cubes are loaded by the transfer member, the connecting member may be smoothly rotated. Thus, the driving coupler and the connecting member may be smoothly connected without an impact.
US09664428B2
A refrigerator with an ice container is provided, and more particularly, a refrigerator with an ice container, in which ice stored in an ice container may be transferred by gravity, and the ice thus transferred may be discharged in a cubic ice state or a broken ice state.
US09664426B2
The present invention is designed to reduce running costs in refrigerant based air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems by using a combination of thermodynamic and hydraulic control to manage the on and off states of the compressor, which is the main energy consuming component. Thermodynamic or temperature control is used to manage comfort levels within the room or space being cooled. Hydraulic control is used to determine when the compressor has completed its useful work in delivering a supply of high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Once temperature and hydraulic conditions are satisfied the compressor can be turned off; thereby delivering a significant reduction in running costs.
US09664414B2
A fluid heater of the continuous flow type, comprising a fluid channel having a first fluid channel section (35), at least one substantially cylindrical metal pipe (2), a heating device (6) preferably having two tubular heating elements (6a, 6b) spaced apart from each other over equidistant circumferential sections of the metal pipe, and heat conducting means for providing a heat-conducting connection to the metal pipe (2), wherein a fluid guiding core (30) made of plastic is disposed in the metal pipe (2) and forms the first fluid channel section (35) between the metal pipe and the fluid guiding core (30), wherein the first fluid channel section (35) runs substantially helically in the form of a groove in an outer surface of the fluid guiding core, and wherein the fluid channel has a first fluid connector for fluid supply means and a second fluid connector for fluid discharge means, wherein the fluid guiding core (30) further comprises a substantially coaxial second fluid channel section (34) disposed therein, which is connected in series to the first fluid channel section (35). In the region of a first end of the metal pipe (2), a fluid connector assembly may be provided which includes both the first fluid connector (24a) and the second fluid connector (24b), such that fluid is supplied and discharged in the region of the same end faces of the metal pipe (2). A sealing plug (50) is provided in the region of the second end of the metal pipe (2).
US09664407B2
In an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus, a downstream edge of each of the blades of the fan of an air-blowing device, when viewed in plan view, intersects any of the members of a motor stay of the air-blowing device irrespective of an angle of rotation of the fan. The motor stays are connected to the mounting portions of a bellmouth in which the fan is disposed, wherein the mounting portions protrude downward from a downstream outlet end of the bellmouth and each include side surfaces, of which at least a first side surface opposing a pressure surface of each of the blades of the fan is at an angle relative to a rotation axis of the fan.
US09664402B2
A controller (2a) sets a target setting temperature for an air-conditioning space 10, compares a value obtained by subtracting an outdoor temperature detected by an outdoor temperature sensor 9 from the target setting temperature, with a first threshold related to the value, compares a value obtained by subtracting the outdoor temperature from an indoor temperature detected by an indoor temperature sensor 8, with a second threshold related to the value, compares a value obtained by subtracting a heat load in the air-conditioning space 10 from a cooling capacity, with a third threshold related to the value, and controls operation of a heat pump type air-conditioning device 2 and a ventilating device 3 on the basis of these comparison results. The first threshold, the second threshold, and the third threshold are set in accordance with the number of people detected by a human detection sensor 5.
US09664399B2
A roof-mounted ventilator comprising a plurality of blades is disclosed. Each blade comprises front and back blade faces and leading and trailing edges. When the ventilator is viewed in side profile, the blades are positioned and configured such that a line of sight into the interior of the ventilator is substantially restricted or obstructed. Restricting or obstructing the line of sight into the ventilator can reduce or prevent various particles, such as water droplets, debris, dust and light, from entering the ventilator interior. For example, rain is thereby forced to strike a face of the blades, thus preventing direct access into the ventilator interior. The blade itself may include additional features, such as a lip that extends along the length of the leading edge, to further prevent particles from entering the ventilator interior, or to redirect the particles away from the ventilator interior in a controlled manner.
US09664391B2
An annular type gas turbine combustor having a plurality of fuel nozzle assemblies (10) on a circumference includes a pilot nozzle unit (12) for spraying a fuel for diffusive combustion from a pilot outer peripheral nozzle (34) into a combustion chamber (8), a main nozzle unit (14) provided so as to surround the pilot nozzle unit (12) for spraying a fuel for premix combustion, and a flow guide (27) disposed on a downstream side of each of the fuel nozzle assemblies (10) and having a sectional area of a passage for air and air-fuel mixture from each of the fuel nozzle assemblies (10), which gradually increase in a downstream direction.
US09664388B2
A glow plug including a metal sheath tube having a closed front end; a heating element accommodated within the sheath tube; insulating powder filling the interior of the sheath tube so as to surround the heating element; a rod-shaped metal lead connected to the heating element and inserted into the sheath tube from the rear end thereof; and a seal member located in a seal portion at the rear end of the sheath tube to hermetically seal the gap between the sheath tube and the lead. The glow plug is characterized in that the sheath tube is formed to have a substantially uniform outer diameter over an axial range including and extending beyond a range where the seal portion is formed, and the sheath tube has an engagement projection formed at the seal portion and deformed so as to protrude radially inwardly.
US09664366B2
Compact light devices are described herein that are advantageously configured to be secured to a surface in order to provide inexpensive lighting forwardly therefrom. The compact light devices can include on and off configurations in order to preserve battery life and allow a user to selectively energize the light source.
US09664365B2
The light fixture includes a frame, a substantially flat light emitting diode (LED) panel disposed within the frame, power circuitry disposed within at least one of a number of channels within the frame, and a central wire-way. The frame includes a bottom assembly and a top assembly coupled to the bottom assembly. The bottom assembly and the top assembly cooperate to form the channels within the frame. The bottom assembly has a back surface. The power circuitry is configured to electrically couple the substantially flat LED panel to an external AC power supply. The central wire-way is disposed adjacent the back surface of the bottom assembly and configured to route wiring to or from the power circuitry disposed within at least one of the channels within the frame.
US09664364B2
A lamp tube module structure is configured with at least one DC light-emitting element and a power conversion apparatus in a lamp tube, where the power conversion apparatus comprises a first fluorescent lamp simulation module and second fluorescent lamp simulation module, the first fluorescent lamp simulation module and second fluorescent lamp simulation module respectively have two power input connection ends, and respectively in electric connection with a bridge rectifier in electric connection with said DC light-emitting element. One of the power input connection ends of the first fluorescent lamp simulation module and/or second fluorescent lamp simulation module is configured to electrically connect a capacitor adapted to reduce and isolate the interaction influence of an electric ballast or other kinds of input power sources on a DC component of said lamp tube module.
US09664363B2
The present disclosure discloses a stereoscopic integrated LED light source module, which comprises a columnar insulated support, a plurality of conducting circuits located on outer surface of the columnar insulated support, a plurality of LED light sources connected the conducting circuits to form a plurality of illumination areas, and a plurality of LED drive elements connected the conducting circuits to form a plurality of drive areas. A plurality of cabling channels are located on outer surface of the columnar insulated support, and the conducting circuits are formed on the cabling channels. This disclosure also discloses a LED lamp which uses the LED light source module stated above and a method for manufacturing the same. The present disclosure increases production efficiency and light emitting angle, and reduces manufacturing cost.
US09664362B2
Lighted artificial tree with multi-terminal electrical connectors for power distribution and control
A dual-output power adapter for a lighted artificial tree having a plurality of tree portions with light strings having lighting elements. The dual-output power adapter includes a power cord including a first power conductor and a second power conductor, the power cord configured to transmit an input electrical power; a housing configured to receive the first power conductor and a second power conductor; power-converting circuitry in electrical connection with the first power conductor and the second power conductor, the power-converting circuitry configured to convert the input electrical power to a first output electrical power; a first pair of conductors for transmitting the first output electrical power; and a second pair of conductors for transmitting a second output electrical power.
US09664357B2
A device for generating multiple collimated light beams includes a carrier and at least two light generation units mounted on the carrier. The light generation units are configured to emit, each from an aperture, light beams at respectively different wavelengths and being arranged, with respect to axes of the light beams, substantially parallel and substantially in a common plane. A first lens is mounted on the carrier intersectingly to the axes of the light beams and has a principal plane. The light generation units have their apertures aligned along an alignment line substantially perpendicular to the axes of the light beams and the principal plane of the first lens is non-perpendicular to the axes of the light beams and is non-parallel to the alignment line.
US09664356B2
An illumination lens includes a light incident surface that defines a cavity and has a flat top surface and lateral flanks, the light incident surface configured to receive light from an underlying light emitting element, a light exiting surface having a central indentation and surrounding toroid, and a bottom surface connecting the light incident surface and the light exiting surface. The lateral flank includes a first region extending from the top surface and a second region extended from the first region, the second region is a curved surface, of which the center of the curvature thereof lies on the illumination lens, an intersection of the second region and a horizontal optical axis forms a first point, and the first point is disposed lower than a second point where the bottom surface and the light exiting surface intersect.
US09664354B1
An illumination assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The illumination assembly includes one or more decorative elements each having a substrate and a film attached thereto. A light source is configured to emit an excitation light. The light source is disposed within a tail-light assembly and the excitation light exits the tail-light assembly through a light transmissive portion towards the decorative element. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the decorative element and is configured to convert the excitation light emitted from the light source into a converted light of a different wavelength.
US09664349B1
A flameless candle includes: a candle body; a projection screen; a supporting portion; a moving portion; an LED; and a magnetic-field-inducing circuit. The projection screen extends upwardly from an upper surface of the candle body, has a flame shape, and has a fixed position with respect to the upper surface of the candle body. The moving portion is supported by the supporting portion and includes: a transparent lens oriented diagonally; an arm extending downwardly; and a magnet on the arm. The LED is oriented to project light upwardly and diagonally such that the projected light travels through the lens, through an aperture of the upper surface of the candle body, and onto an outer surface of the projection screen. The magnetic-field-inducing circuit includes a coil that successively attracts and repels the magnet.
US09664348B1
An electric flameless candle is disclosed; the electric flameless candle includes a case, a translucent shell positioning unit, a translucent shell, a light emitting unit, a connecting unit, an electromagnetic sway module, a circuit board and a power unit. The case includes an opening. The translucent shell positioning unit is located at the opening. The translucent shell is located on the translucent shell positioning unit and includes a translucent shell base. The light emitting unit is located on the translucent shell base and in the translucent case. The connecting unit is connected to the translucent shell base. The electromagnetic sway module is located in the case. The electromagnetic sway module includes a first sway unit and a second sway unit. The second sway unit is connected to the fixing stand and located under the first sway unit. The circuit board is located in the case.
US09664346B2
A lighting unit includes an architectural panel having an overall thickness that is measured between a first surface that is configured to be exposed to light output by the lighting unit and a second surface that is opposite the first surface, and a light fixture embedded in the architectural panel. The light fixture includes a solid state light source, an optic, a power supply and a driver circuit that at least partially embedded in the recess of the panel. The light fixture is configured to output light in an output direction extending out away from the first surface of the panel. The light fixture extends from the first surface of the panel in a direction opposite the output direction by a distance that is less than the overall thickness of the architectural panel.
US09664335B2
A support device on which two types of articles that differ in size are positioned and placed is provided. A first article and a second article having a larger bottom portion than that of the first article are to be placed on a placing surface of a support device. A first positioning member protruding from the placing surface for positioning the bottom portion of the first article and a second positioning member protruding from the placing surface for positioning the second article are provided. The first positioning member is arranged at a position where interference with the second article is prevented when the second article is positioned on the placing surface by the second positioning member, and the second positioning member is arranged at a position where interference with the first article is prevented when the first article is positioned on the placing surface by the first positioning member.
US09664334B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for mounting an interactive/flat panel display device to a wall. According to at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first vertical member including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is at least partially inserted into the second portion. One distal end of the first portion is attached to a first plate and one distal end of the second portion is attached to a second plate. The apparatus further includes a second vertical member including a third portion and a fourth portion. The third portion is at least partially inserted into the fourth portion. One distal end of the third portion is attached to a third plate and one distal end of the fourth portion is attached to a fourth plate. The apparatus further includes a first set of brackets configured to attach the first plate and the third plate to one of a ceiling or a wall, and a second set of brackets configured to attach the second plate and the fourth plate to a flooring. Further, the apparatus includes a mounting bracket to mount the interactive/flat panel display device to the apparatus. The mounting bracket is coupled to at least one of the first vertical member and the second vertical member.
US09664332B2
The present disclosure relates to a securing element for securing objects, such as vehicle seats, or for clamping loads, such as luggage, to a bodywork component and a securing system having a securing element. In order to confer increased strength on the securing element and furthermore to be able to secure it to the bodywork component in an inexpensive manner with a connection of high strength being produced, it is proposed that it has a composition comprising a sheet metal component and an elongate reinforcement element, the reinforcement element being surrounded with respect to the longitudinal direction thereof at least in a region at least in a partially peripheral manner by the sheet metal component so as to be able to transmit force.
US09664331B1
An extendable window prop for supporting double-hung windows includes a pole that is of adjustable length. A crossbar is coupled to and extends perpendicularly from an upper end of the pole. A first rod is coupled proximate to the upper end of the pole and extends substantially perpendicularly from the pole. The first rod is substantially perpendicular to the crossbar. A second rod is coupled to and extends substantially perpendicularly from the first rod distal from the pole. The second rod is transverse to the pole. The crossbar is positioned on the pole such that the crossbar is configured to position a first window. The first window is supported by the pole. The second rod is positioned on the first rod such that the second rod is positioned to abut a frame of the first window that is positioned on the crossbar.
US09664330B2
A method for producing a vacuum insulation material includes producing a core by molding a core starting material composition, containing a talc-based clay mineral, a potassium compound and an organic solvent, into a predetermined shape to yield a core molded body, and firing the core molded body at a temperature that is lower than the melting point of the talc-based clay mineral. The core is vacuum-packaged with a gas barrier packaging material, to thereby produce a vacuum insulation material.
US09664321B2
A clean air duct and retaining clip assembly for installation on a receiving port includes an assembly with a tubular body and a cuff extending from the tubular body. The cuff has a cuff groove, at least the cuff receivable on a receiving port, and a retaining clip only partially received in the cuff groove so as to secure the cuff and the tubular body to the receiving port. A clean air duct assembled to a receiving port is also disclosed. And a related method of assembling a clean air duct to a receiving port with a retaining clip is disclosed.
US09664309B2
An apparatus is provided that mounts both a pump and either an inlet hose or an outlet hose for the pump to vehicle support structure. The pump has a pump housing with a pump inlet and a pump outlet. An inlet hose is attached to the pump inlet, and an outlet hose is attached to the pump outlet. The apparatus includes a compliant pump hose mount that has a hose attachment portion with a hose opening sized so that one of the inlet hose and the outlet hose is supportable by the pump hose mount at the hose opening. The pump hose mount also has a mount portion mountable to the vehicle support structure. The pump is thereby mounted to the vehicle support structure by the pump hose mount so that noise and vibration of the pump are mitigated by the pump hose mount.
US09664307B2
A method of abandoning a pipeline during subsea pipelaying from a pipelay vessel includes suspending the pipe string from a tendon element of an abandonment string and engaging further tendon elements to an upper end of the abandonment string while lowering the pipe string to a handover depth. At the handover depth, tension is applied via a wire to the top of the pipe string at an acute angle to the launch axis. This deflects the pipe string from the launch axis into axial alignment with the wire to transfer the weight load of the pipe string to the wire, whereupon the abandonment string can be decoupled from the pipe string. Recovery of the pipeline from the seabed can be effected by a reverse process.
US09664303B2
A cage for a control valve trim assembly includes a cage body having an opening at one end and a wall extending from the opening, a plurality of cage openings disposed in the wall, and a pressure relief mechanism disposed in the cage wall.
US09664299B2
A device for regulating pressure and/or mass flow of a gaseous or liquid fluid conveyed through a line in a space propulsion system includes a first, piezoelectrically actuatable regulating valve and at least two second, magnetically actuatable regulating valves. The regulating valves are connected to each other and to a line input in such a way that in a nominal mode the pressure and the mass flow of the fluid can be set by the first regulating valve, and a connection or isolation of the first regulating valve with or from the line input can be produced by the second regulating valves. In an emergency mode the pressure and the mass flow of the fluid can be set by the second regulating valves.
US09664298B2
A flow control valve includes a resin housing body, a valve member, a retainer plate, a drive unit, and a protective wall. The resin housing body is substantially cylindrical. The valve member axially moves back and forth in the housing body to regulate a flow rate of a liquid. The retainer plate is fastened to the housing body at a position axially outward from the bearing to retain the bearing in the housing body. The drive unit drives the valve stem at a position outward from the bearing to move the valve member back and forth. The protective wall surrounds an outer circumferential surface of the housing body at a position radially outward from a portion of the housing body that receives the bearing to form an air layer portion between the protective wall and the outer circumferential surface of the housing body.
US09664297B2
Disclosed is a main valve for a hydrant including an internal rigid structure including a top surface, a bottom surface, and a locating feature, the locating feature defined in a one of the top surface and the bottom surface; and an outer shell at least partially enclosing the internal rigid structure and interacting with the locating feature.
US09664291B2
A valve, in particular a pilot-operated proportional directional poppet valve, has a valve housing (7) with a fluid inlet (21) and a fluid outlet (23). The fluid stream between the fluid inlet (21) and the fluid outlet (23) is adjustable by a main piston (27). A pilot valve chamber (37) on a rear face (29) of the main piston (27) has a pilot valve closing member (33) movable by an actuating device (69) to adjust the fluid stream between the pilot valve chamber (37) and the fluid outlet (23). A supply aperture (3) is between the fluid inlet (21) and the pilot valve chamber (37). The opening cross-section of the supply aperture (3) can be reduced by a control element (49).
US09664281B2
A thermal spray coating for piston ring having excellent abrasion resistance, and capable of suppressing abrasion of the opposite member is provided. The thermal spray coating for piston ring according to the invention is a thermal spray coating for piston ring obtained by thermally spraying a powder composition on the outer peripheral sliding surface of a piston ring base material, and the powder composition contains molybdenum particles, nickel chromium alloy particles and chromium carbide particles, and the median diameter of the chromium carbide particles is 5 to 25 μm.
US09664277B1
The present disclosure relates to a control method of a dual clutch transmission for a vehicle and a control system for the dual clutch. The control method includes: a pre-engagement-instructing step in which a synchronizing unit and a sub-gear stage starts to be synchro-meshed; a turn-off intention-determining step that determines whether a driver intends to turn off the neutralizing mode; a gear stage-comparing/determining step that determines whether the sub-gear stage and the main gear stage have been determined to be a same gear stage; a pre-engagement completion-determining step that determines whether the sub-gear stage and the synchronizing unit have been synchro-meshed; a sub-torque-applying step that applies torque to a clutch of a first input shaft on which the sub-gear stage is positioned; and a main torque-applying step in which when the synchronizing unit and the main gear stage are synchro-meshed, torque is applied to a clutch of a second input shaft on which the main gear-stage is positioned and the torque applied to the clutch of the first input shaft is removed.
US09664276B2
An electronic shifter can include a base, a shift lever assembly, a detent system and a clutch system. The shift lever assembly can include a pivot base having a coupling member. The detent system can include a biasing member and a detent member associated with the shift lever assembly. The biasing member can bias the detent member into engagement with a cam member. The clutch system can include a flexible clutch member and a bearing area having a bearing surface. The bearing area can be associated with the base and can receive the coupling member and clutch member to pivotably couple the shift lever assembly to the base. The detent system can apply a downward force onto the coupling member thereby forcing the clutch member against the bearing surface and providing frictional damping of the shift lever assembly during movement thereof proportional with a biasing force of the biasing member.
US09664274B2
A planetary assembly, including a base and a top portion supporting a plurality of planetary gears, said gears extending outwardly over a portion of the base; one or more pairs of alternating steel discs and friction discs extending upwardly on the base below the plurality of gears; wherein each of the steel discs and friction discs have a plurality of indentations corresponding to the plurality of gears, the indentations aligned and sized to allow movement of the steel discs and friction discs above the plurality of gears.
US09664272B2
A vibration isolating structure for a power unit. The power unit includes an internal combustion engine equipped with transmissions. The vibration isolation structure includes torque dampers disposed between transmission gears of the transmission and a power transmission shaft supporting the transmission gears.
US09664271B2
A differential includes a differential case; a side gear; a pinion configured for meshing engagement with the side gear; and a pinion housing configured to support the pinion. The pinion housing includes a first face; a second face opposing the first face; a first projection located on the first face; and a second projection located on the second face. The pinion housing also includes an aperture or hole extending radially inwardly from an outer radial surface of the generally annular ring; and a channel extending from the first face to the second face, wherein the channel is substantially radially aligned with the aperture or hole. In embodiments, the pinion housing includes one or more transfer formations configured to transfer torque from the differential case, and the pinion housing is configured to permit movement in an axial direction between a pair of side gears.
US09664270B1
A hydrostatic transmission includes a pump running surface and a motor running surface connected by internal porting formed in a housing member. A valve is disposed in the housing and connects a sump formed by the housing and the internal porting. A trunnion includes a first arm engaged to a swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of opening the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the internal porting and the sump through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position.
US09664269B2
The present invention provides an infinitely variable transmission for a powered vehicle which includes a power source. The transmission includes an input shaft and an output shaft, the output shaft being spaced from the input shaft. The transmission further includes a variator coupled between the input shaft and output shaft. In addition, at least two planetary gearsets are disposed adjacent to the variator and an input coupler is configured to selectively couple the variator to the power source.
US09664265B2
In exemplary implementations, a target rod is actuated. The target rod is part of a set of threaded, elongated rods, the longitudinal axes of which are substantially parallel to each other. The set of rods has an interior region and a perimeter region. Actuators induce vibrations in a set of perimeter rods. These vibrations are substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Furthermore, the vibrations are transmitted to interior rods, causing a target rod in the interior region to rotate about, and translate along, the longitudinal axis of the target rod. The target rod undergoes stick-slip motion relative to adjacent rods.
US09664264B2
A machine (1) for preparing a beverage comprises: a first part (20) and a second part (30) movable relative to the first part; a motor (51,51′) having a drive member (510, 511) such as a rotating drive axis; one or more mechanical transmission members (52; 521-523; 524-526) for transmitting a movement of the drive member to the movable part (30) for moving the movable part; and a transmission frame (200) for supporting the motor and the movable transmission member(s). The transmission frame is an integral component (200) on which the motor and the transmission members are directly mounted.
US09664263B2
A linear movement device comprising at least two linear movement units which are guided in a movable manner along a shared linear movement axis, wherein the linear movement device comprises a first linear drive and a second linear drive, in such a way that each linear movement unit can be driven in movement along the linear movement axis merely by the first linear drive, merely by the second linear drive, and also by both linear drives together. The first and the second linear drive are coupled to the linear movement units so as to transmit drive force, in such a way that when only one of the first linear drive and the second linear drive is activated, the linear movement units can be driven in movement in a shared direction along the linear movement axis at different speeds.
US09664256B2
The invention relates to a transmission (2) which can be switched between at least three switching stages. A transmission in accordance with the invention has a frame (6) in which a first drive shaft (4) with a first gear (12) non-rotatably mounted thereon and a second drive shaft (20) with a second gear (24) non-rotatably mounted thereon, having longitudinal axes (8, 22) disposed in parallel with one another, are rotatably mounted, and the transmission has a switching device. The first gear (12) is in the shape of a truncated cone at least in regions, with a first end (14) and a second end (16) with different numbers of teeth, and has first main teeth (30) which extend completely from the first end (14) to the second end (16) of the first gear (12). The second gear (24) is in the shape of a truncated cone at least in regions, having a third end (26) and a fourth end (28) with different number of teeth, and has second main teeth (3) which extend completely from the third end (26) to the fourth end (28) of the second gear (24). The switching device is arranged to displace one either first gear (12) and the second gear (24) in parallel and relative to the respective other gear (12, 4) into a first, a second and a third switching position. In the first switching position the first end (14) of the first gear (12) is engaged with the fourth end (28) of the second gear (24), in the second switching position the second end (16) of the first gear (12) is engaged with the fourth end (28) of the second gear (24) and in the third switching position the second end (16) of the first gear (12) is engaged with the third end (26) of the second gear (24).
US09664250B2
A variable frequency damper for a drive shaft of a vehicle may include a mass body made of a metallic material and having mass, a damper body disposed on the drive shaft and to which the mass body is coupled, a banding member which fixes the damper body to the drive shaft, and a rigidity tuning member which is disposed on the banding member to press the damper body, and changes rigidity of the damper body depending on a degree to which the damper body is pressed.
US09664248B2
Electric power steering systems and a method for controlling an electric power steering system are provided. The method, for example, includes, but is not limited to, determining, by a controller, a speed of a vehicle based upon data from a sensor, and adjusting, by the controller, a stiffness of an isolator in an electric power steering system via at least one piezoelectric device embedded in the isolator based upon the determined speed of the vehicle.
US09664240B2
In a motor vehicle drive train arrangement with at least one main drive train for driving a main drive axle, and at least one auxiliary drive train which is driven via the main drive train and connected to a secondary drive axle which can be driven via the auxiliary drive train, the secondary drive axle is linked to the auxiliary drive train without an axle differential and the secondary drive axle includes controllable couplers for selectively coupling the secondary drive axle wheels to the auxiliary drive train.
US09664239B2
Provided is a highly reactive fluid fan clutch device excellent in reaction speed of fan rotation to a control signal even with a weak centrifugal force during low fan rotation. The device of an external control type includes: an annular oil reserving chamber provided in a case that is supported by a rotary shaft having a drive disk fixed thereto; and a valve member for opening and closing an oil circulating flow passage hole of the annular oil reserving chamber by an electromagnet, wherein an effective oil contact area at a torque transmission gap formed between a drive side and a driven side is increased and decreased to control rotation torque transmission from the drive side to the driven side, and an inner wall eccentric to an outer wall of the annular oil reserving chamber is provided in the annular oil reserving chamber.
US09664235B2
The invention provides a coupling assembly for connecting two shafts. A first shaft includes an outward flange on one end thereof with a plurality of first holes extending through the outward flange around an axis of the first shaft. A second shaft is a hollow shaft including an inward flange on one end thereof with a plurality of second holes extending through the inward flange with same diameter of the first holes and aligning with the respective first holes. The coupling assembly includes: a coupling bolt with thread on a first end and a second end thereof, which is inserted in the first hole and the second hole. A first nut is engaged with the first end of the coupling bolt. A second nut engaged with the second end of the coupling bolt. An expansion sleeve is with its inner hole tapering from one end to another end thereof. The expansion sleeve is interposed between the coupling bolt and the first and second hole to secure the coupling bolt relative to the first and second hole; the second nut is formed with one end thereof having a threaded hole to engage with the coupling bolt and with the other end closed, and a profile hole smaller than the threaded hole is centrally formed on the closed end. The coupling bolt is formed with a through hole along the central axis thereof to receive an assembly tool to tighten the second nut relative to the coupling bolt. The invention also relates to a method for coupling two shafts with the coupling assembly. With this invention, it is possible to couple two shafts with access to only one side of the shaft flanges.
US09664230B2
A taper roller bearing includes: an inner ring; an outer ring; taper rollers; and a cage. A first sliding surface is provided in at least one of annular portions of the cage to slide-contact end surfaces of the taper rollers so as to axially position the cage by the end surfaces of the taper rollers. Second sliding surfaces are provided in the pillar portions to slide-contact an outer ring raceway surface so as to radially position the cage by the outer ring raceway surface.
US09664226B2
The invention relates to an assembly unit having an assembly part, which is penetrated by a bore and is to be fastened to a basic structure. The basic structure having a shaft, a head, and a fastener. The fastener having a fastening section on the end thereof facing away from the head, which is held captively and movably in the bore between a first axial position and a second axial position. The assembly unit having a spring, which encompasses the shaft and is formed from a wound spring wire and which holds the fastener captively in the bore. The spring wire is wound in a spiral shape such that the windings thereof do not overlap in the radial direction relative to the spring axis.
US09664219B2
Provided herein is a household appliance with at least one pedestal comprising a threaded rod which can be screwed into a corresponding threaded hole in a base of the household appliance in a longitudinal direction in order to reach a desired effective height of the pedestal. A snap nut made of a resilient material is provided having a threaded bore with a diameter and a thread fitting to the threaded rod so that the snap nut can be screwed along the longitudinal extension of the threaded rod, the snap nut further comprising a slot having a width that is less than the diameter of the bore and which defines a lateral opening of the bore wherein the width of the slot and the resiliency of the material allows the snap nut to be snapped from the side onto the threaded rod.
US09664217B2
A clip for attaching sheeting and trim to a grain bin includes a plate having a strip that is foldable over the plate along a fold line. A pair of slots are positioned at opposite ends between the plate and the strip and extend inwardly from the ends. The strip has four corners that alternate from a 90° corner to a rounded corner.
US09664211B2
Various shape memory polymer (SMP) devices are disclosed. Many of these SMP devices can be used as attachment and/or release mechanisms for any number of different applications. These SMP devices can use various characteristics of the SMP material to allow for various shape changes. These shape changes, in some embodiments, can be used to provide for release and/or attachment devices, for example, SMP bolts, SMP screws, SMP collars, SMP pillars, SMP panels, and/or SMP rivets, to name a few. An SMP device can include a first geometric state and a second geometric shape. The first geometric shape can restrict motion of two distinct objects relative to one another and the second geometrical shape can allow motion of two distinct objects relative to one another.
US09664208B2
An engine control system for a construction machine is disclosed, which can compulsorily stop engine driving when an attachment or the like malfunctions against an operator's intention during the operation of an excavator or the like. The engine control system includes a first step of determining whether pilot signal pressure, which is detected when at least one of an operation lever and a traveling pedal for respectively operating an attachment, a swing device, and a traveling device is operated, exceeds a first set pressure, and a second step of determining whether the pressure on the outlet side of a main hydraulic pump exceeds a second set pressure, wherein if the pilot signal pressure detected in the first step does not exceed the first pressure and the pressure of the main hydraulic pump detected in the second step exceeds the second pressure, engine driving is compulsorily stopped by means of a control signal from the controller.
US09664202B2
A system for cooling a hyperbaric chamber includes a compressor, a first hose, a cooling unit, a second hose, and a hyperbaric chamber. The first hose fluidly connects the compressor to the cooling unit, and the second hose fluidly connects the cooling units to the hyperbaric chamber. Compressed air from the compressor travels through a first pressure relief fitting and a second pressure relief fitting, where the compressed air is depressurized according to the system requirements. During the depressurization, the compressed air cools down because of the depressurization and creates a comfortable environment within the hyperbaric chamber.
US09664201B2
A method of making a reinforcement for reinforcing a leading edge of a blade, the method including depositing a metal coating on the leading edge by thermal spraying in compression. A blade, for example a blade for a turbine engine, a helicopter, or a propeller, can have the leading edge protected by such a reinforcement.
US09664198B2
An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a turbine (2), which has a turbine wheel (3) surrounded by an intake duct (4), and having a VTG cartridge (5), which has a disk (6) and a vane bearing ring (7), which delimit the intake duct (4), and which has a plurality of vanes (8), which are arranged in the intake duct (4) and are mounted in the vane bearing ring (7) by way of rotatable vane shafts (9), which are connected to vane levers (10), the lever heads (11) of which engage into associated grooves (12) in a unison ring (13), which surrounds the vane bearing ring (7) on the outside, and which has an adjusting lever (14) which is operatively connected to an adjusting shaft (15) in order to transmit an adjusting torque to the unison ring (13). The adjusting lever (14) is of planar configuration.
US09664197B2
A plurality ceiling fan kits comprising one or more pre-wired downrods or a set of pre-wired downrods having internal wiring terminating on one or more ends in wire leads made of electrically conductive materials. Different electrical connectors, for use with the ceiling fan kits and pre-wired downrods, are adapted to electrically couple one or more sets of wiring by pushing in the electrically conductive wire leads into a plurality of ports disposed on the electrical connectors. The electrical connectors may include a jumper for switching between a single- and dual-power supply switch configuration and indicia for identifying the insertion of a wire into a corresponding port. A method of mounting a ceiling fan to a structure having an electrical supply, utilizing the pre-wired downrods and the electrical connectors.
US09664190B2
A compressor provided with an oil stabilizing member capable of preventing oil stored in an oil storage space from being scattered is provided. A compressor may include a closed container provided with an inlet port and an outlet port, a compression unit configured to compress refrigerant introduced into an inside the closed container through the inlet port, a driving unit configured to provide a driving force to drive the compression unit, a rotating shaft configured to deliver the driving force to the compression unit, an oil storage space formed at a lower portion of an inside the closed container and configured to store a predetermined oil to come into contact with one end portion of the rotating shaft, and an oil stabilizing member installed so as to move along a surface of oil formed at the oil storage space, thereby preventing the oil from being scattered and thus released through the outlet port, wherein the oil stabilizing member floating on the surface of the oil prevents oil from being scattered upward according to operation of the compressor.
US09664187B2
A pen-type pressure indicator, which can be detachably connected to an air compressor for measuring the pressure of compressed air produced in the air compressor, includes a transparent tube and a slider. The slider can be moved along a first bore and a second bore of the transparent tube. The motion of the slider in the transparent tube is similar to the motion of a piston in a cylinder. The transparent tube is provided with a tapered annular surface, between the first bore and the second bore. In addition to measuring the pressure of the compressed air delivered to an object, when the pressure of the compressed air exceeds a predetermined pressure, excessive air can be released into the environment, without requiring the air compressor to be installed with a safety valve, so that the object can be protected from damages due to overpressure.
US09664185B2
A condensate separator device for a compressor arrangement for the production of compressed air having a separator housing that has a compressor-side inlet connection and an outlet connection for discharging the dehydrated compressed air. A base-side drainage valve is provided for releasing the condensate, which has collected in the separator housing, into the surrounding environment via a release opening. The valve is pneumatically-piloted seat valve able to be controlled by an electro-pneumatic control valve, and this electro-pneumatic control valve of the drainage valve is arranged outside the separator housing and connected to a pilot connection of the drainage valve via a control pressure-line.
US09664183B2
Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to an SMA actuator that includes a cooling device disposed within a torque tube. In one aspect, the cooling device includes a sliding sleeve, an expandable sleeve, and plurality of cooling fins coupled to the expandable sleeve. Axial movement of the sliding sleeve relative to the expandable sleeve facilitates radial expansion of the expandable sleeve and urges the cooling fins into contact with the torque tube. The cooling fins function as heat sinks when in contact with the torque tube to facilitate the removal of heat from the torque tube to increase the cooling rate of the torque tube. During heating of the torque tube, the cooling fins may be spaced apart from the torque tube to reduce the thermal mass that is heated, thus increasing the heating rate of the torque tube.
US09664179B2
A device that produces linear motion by sequentially and in a continuous sequence accelerating inertial thrust masses at well-defined times towards the axis of counter-rotating disks. The inertial thrust masses are contained in cavities placed equidistantly about the periphery of counter rotating capture disks mounted on a common axle. They are radially accelerated by a bi-directional impulse ramps that can be moved to any position around the periphery of the counter rotating capture plates and into and out of the paths of the gyrating thrust masses to any desired depth within the mechanical range of the impulse ramps which simultaneously engage and radially accelerate the inertial thrust masses of each counter-rotating capture plate. The counter-rotating capture plates are each separately driven by a gear assembly powered by an external engine or motor that powers the rotation of the disks. Each radial acceleration of the inertial thrust masses produces an impulse of force that pushes against the mass accelerator with a force equal to the force used to radially accelerate each thrust mass. Each impulse is a vector force and imparts motion along the chosen vector to any object to which the device is attached.
US09664167B2
A valve arrangement comprising: a valve outlet for communication with a low pressure drain; a valve housing provided with a bore for receiving fuel from an accumulator volume; and a valve member having a closed position in which it engages a valve seating defined by the bore to prevent fuel flow from the accumulator volume to the valve outlet. The valve arrangement further comprises a first restricted flow means for restricting the flow of fuel between the accumulator volume and the valve outlet during a first stage of valve opening movement; a second restricted flow means effective during a second stage of valve opening movement to provide a greater restriction than during the first stage; and a third restricted flow means effective during a third stage of valve opening movement to provide a variable restriction to fuel flow dependent on the extent of opening movement of the valve member.
US09664158B2
An apparatus for controlling operation of an electromagnetically-activated actuator includes an activation controller that is one of integrated within a connector assembly of the actuator and integrated into a power transmission cable in close proximity to the actuator. The activation controller comprises a control module configured to generate an actuator command signal, and an actuator driver comprising a bi-directional current driver. The actuator driver is configured to receive the actuator command signal from the control module and generate an activation command signal for controlling the direction and amplitude of the current provided to the actuator.
US09664157B2
An apparatus for controlling a high pressure common rail system of a diesel engine includes an operation condition parameter acquiring module configured to acquire operation condition parameters associated with the high pressure common rail system; a control quantity determining module coupled with the operation condition parameter acquiring module and configured to determine a control quantity for controlling the high-pressure common rail system based on the operation condition parameters, a target value of the fuel pressure within a high pressure common rail tube cavity and a control model designed based on a system physical model, wherein the control quantity is an equivalent cross-section area of the electromagnetic valve of a flow metering unit; and a drive signal determining module coupled to the control quantity determining module and configured to determine a drive signal for driving the flow metering unit based on the determined control quantity.
US09664154B2
A boost purge ejector tee arrangement is integrated into a turbocompressor associated with an engine and includes first and second passages, an inlet port and a nozzle. The first passage is formed into a housing of the turbocompressor and includes an outlet in communication with a turbocompressor inlet. The second passage is formed into the housing and includes a boost air inlet in communication with an internal outlet area of the turbocompressor and intersecting the first passage. The inlet port is associated with the housing and intersects the first passage. The nozzle is positioned in the first passage such that an outlet of the nozzle is proximate the intersection of the inlet port and first passage. During a boost mode of operation, the second passage is adapted to receive boost air flow, which flows through the nozzle thereby creating a vacuum and drawing purge through the inlet port.
US09664153B2
A cylinder head for an engine defines first and second exhaust runners fluidly coupled to an exhaust passage extending transversely in the head to an exhaust port on an exhaust side. The head defines an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage connected to the exhaust passage and extending longitudinally to an EGR port on the exhaust side. The head also defines a cooling jacket passage adjacent to and substantially surrounding the EGR passage to cool EGR gases prior to cooling by an EGR cooler.
US09664150B2
A fresh air system for supplying combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine with fresh air may include a housing, through which at least one fresh air path passes, and a flap mechanism, which includes at least one flap adjustably mounted on the housing. The flap may be rotatably adjustable between a closed position, in which the flap closes off the fresh air path in a fluid-tight manner and an opened position, in which the flap opens the fresh air path for fresh air to flow through. The flap mechanism may include a spring-elastic preload element, which supports itself on the housing and preloads the flap against at least one of the opened position and the closed position.
US09664148B2
An engine system having donor cylinders and non-donor cylinders is disclosed. The engine system may have a first intake manifold configured to distribute air into the non-donor cylinders, and a second intake manifold separate from the first intake manifold and configured to distribute air into the donor cylinders. The engine system may also have a first exhaust manifold configured to discharge exhaust from the non-donor cylinders to the atmosphere, and a second exhaust manifold separate from the first exhaust manifold and configured to recirculate exhaust from the donor cylinders to the first intake manifold. The engine system may further have an orifice configured to regulate a flow rate of air flowing into the second intake manifold, a blower configured to regulate a flow rate of exhaust that is recirculated from the donor cylinders to the first intake manifold, and a controller configured to selectively control at least one of the orifice and the blower in response to a desired exhaust gas recirculation operating condition.
US09664143B2
An internal combustion engine has a supply channel for supplying combustion air. A throttle element is arranged in the supply channel. The engine has a starter device which enables a defined free flow cross section in the supply channel in a starting position. The starter device latches in the starting position and the latching is released by actuating an operator-controlled element. A first ramp controls the free flow cross section of the fuel port depending on the position of the throttle element. The free flow cross section of the fuel opening is controlled by a second ramp. The free flow cross section of the fuel opening, which is set using the second ramp, is greater than a flow cross section set using the first ramp for the same position of the throttle element. A favorable performance of the engine after starting thereof is achieved.
US09664140B2
A combined heat and power system and method, the system including a generator configured to generate power, a power storage configured to store and discharge power generated by the generator, an exhaust conduit configured to receive exhaust from the generator, a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU) disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust conduit and configured to heat a fluid by transferring heat from the exhaust to the fluid, a tank configured to store the fluid heated by the WHRU, a transfer conduit configured to circulate the fluid between the WHRU and the tank, and an evaporator configured to evaporate liquid carbon dioxide using heat recovered from the exhaust.
US09664135B2
An internal combustion engine is configured to operate in a homogeneous-charge compression-ignition combustion mode and a spark-ignition combustion mode employing late intake valve closing. A method for operating the internal combustion engine includes determining an amount of residual gas re-inducted into a combustion chamber from a previous engine cycle and determining an amount of fresh air trapped in the combustion chamber for the present engine cycle based upon the amount of residual gas re-inducted into the combustion chamber from the previous engine cycle. Engine fueling to the cylinder for the present engine cycle is controlled based upon the amount of fresh air trapped in the combustion chamber for the present engine cycle.
US09664134B2
The invention relates to a method for adjusting an injection behavior of injectors in an internal combustion engine, including the following steps: switching off an injector; detecting a crank angle signal of the internal combustion engine; transforming the crank angle signal into the frequency range by way of a discrete Fourier transformation; detecting and storing a quantity of the harmonic of the 0.5th order of the Fourier transform of the crank angle signal, and assigning the quantity to the switched-off injector; switching on the switched-off injector; performing the previous steps sequentially for all injectors of the internal combustion engine; forming an average value of the stored quantities with respect to all injectors, and correcting the control of the injectors using a deviation from the average value of a quantity associated with an injector that is to be corrected.
US09664132B2
Various methods are provided for operating an oxygen sensor. In one example, a method of operating an oxygen sensor including a heater comprises sampling a first heater resistance at a first temperature, and determining a resistance-temperature transfer function relating heater resistance to heater temperature based on the first heater resistance and a second heater resistance at a second temperature, the second temperature different from the first temperature.
US09664131B2
When particulate matter (PM) has accumulated on a diesel particulate filter (DPF), multiple-injection, post injection, and exhaust pipe injection are performed such that a reduction gas is burned in a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) to raise the exhaust gas temperature, burn the PM accumulated on the DPF, and regenerate the DPF. A light-off performance map is prepared, in advance, by determining burning efficiency relative to the DOC temperature during the post injection and the exhaust pipe injection, both when the catalyst is fresh and when the catalyst has deteriorated. The DOC temperature suitable for the exhaust pipe injection is set from a degree of the catalyst deterioration on the basis of the light-off performance map. The multiple-injection and/or the post injection is performed when the DOC temperature is less than the set temperature, and the exhaust pipe injection is performed when the DOC temperature is equal to or greater than the set temperature.
US09664127B2
A method for a fuel system, comprising: during a first condition, directing gasses stripped of fuel vapor from a fuel vapor canister to an engine intake while maintaining a fuel tank isolation valve open. By directing the gasses stripped of fuel vapor the engine intake, a restricted vent line may be bypassed during a refueling event. In this way, premature shutoff events may be mitigated, allowing for a continuous refueling event.
US09664122B2
A dual fuel engine utilizes a compression ignited pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel to ignite a mixture of gaseous fuel and air in each engine cylinder. The gaseous fuel is injected at a relatively low pressure directly into the engine cylinder from a fuel injector. The liquid diesel fuel is injected directly into the engine cylinder from the same fuel injector. In-cylinder dynamic gas blending during the compression stroke can reduce potential hydrocarbon slip that could occur when unburned fuel resides in crevice volumes within the engine cylinder.
US09664112B2
A turbojet is suspended by attachments including hinged links. An attachment includes a support including three branches with passages through which a pin passes, the pin being oriented generally parallel to a direction that is tangential to a casing and being hinged to a central branch of the support by a ball joint.
US09664107B2
A device comprises an engine including a crank shaft with a first end portion, a generator motor including a rotor shaft with a second end portion, a flywheel with first and second connection portions connected to the first and second end portions respectively, and a fastening member. At least one of the connection portions constitutes an alignment connection portion. The first or second end portion constitutes an alignment end portion. One of the alignment connection portion and the alignment end portion includes a concave portion having an alignment inner surface, and the other includes a convex portion having an alignment outer surface. One surface of the alignment inner and outer surfaces is a tapered surface. The fastening member fastens the alignment connection portion and the alignment end portion to each other to bring a tip end of the other surface into pressure contact with the tapered surface.
US09664104B2
Methods and systems are provided for reducing corrosion of a charge air cooler and reducing engine misfire due to condensate formation. In response to charge air cooler outlet temperature, electric fan operation and grille shutter opening is adjusted. Electric fan operation and grille shutter opening may also be controlled in response to vehicle operating conditions.
US09664102B2
A power system including an intake gas cooler and aftercooler positioned gaseously downstream thereof. The intake gas cooler is configured to receive a fresh intake gas for combusting in an engine and a recirculated exhaust gas expelled by the engine for re-combusting therein.
US09664096B2
An electronic control unit executes air-fuel ratio control composed of main feedback correction and sub-feedback correction. The main feedback correction uses an output value of an upstream side sensor in upstream side of a catalyst. The sub-feedback correction uses an output value of a downstream side sensor in downstream side of the catalyst. When there are cylinder-to-cylinder variations in a fuel injection amount of each fuel injection valve, the electronic control unit corrects the fuel injection amount. Each time the degree of the cylinder-to-cylinder variations is lower than or equal to a first predetermined value, the electronic control unit stores the sub-learning value at that point in time as a normal value, and, when the degree of the cylinder-to-cylinder variations is higher than or equal to a second predetermined value, the electronic control unit changes the sub-learning value to the stored normal value.
US09664091B2
A method for troubleshooting in an SCR system which has a dosing unit (250) for dosing of reducing agent into an engine's exhaust duct (290) upstream of an SCR catalytic converter (270) for reduction of NOx content in an exhaust flow from said engine and a DOC unit (259). The method comprises steps of: determining (s310) NOx content in the exhaust flow downstream of said SCR catalytic converter (270); determining satisfactory operation of said SCR catalytic converter (270); progressively altering the dosage of said reducing agent; determining whether said SCR system can reduce NOx content of the exhaust flow downstream of said SCR catalytic converter to a predetermined extent during altered dosing; using the results of determinations as a basis for deciding whether said DOC unit (259) is faulty or not. Also disclosed is a computer program product having the program code (P) for a computer (200; 210) for implementing the method according to the invention. Also disclosed is a device for troubleshooting in an SCR system and to a motor vehicle equipped with the device.
US09664087B2
An exhaust gas heat recovery system may include a housing, a valve member, and a heat exchanger. The housing may include an inlet, an outlet, a first exhaust gas pathway in communication with the inlet and outlet, and a second exhaust gas pathway in communication with the inlet and outlet. The valve member may be disposed within the housing and may be movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the valve member may allow fluid flow through the first exhaust gas pathway and substantially prevent fluid flow through the second exhaust gas pathway. In the second position, the valve member may allow fluid flow through the second exhaust gas pathway. The heat exchanger may be in communication with the second exhaust gas pathway and may include a conduit containing a fluid in thermal communication with exhaust gas when the valve member is in the second position.
US09664086B2
A heatable fluid line is disclosed having a tube, a connector that comprises a housing which is arranged at an end of the tube, and a heating rod that is arranged in the interior of the tube and enters into the housing through an inlet channel having a longitudinal axis and exits out of the housing through an opening arranged in a neck, wherein a seal is arranged in the neck, which seal surrounds the heating rod and is held in the neck by a plug (21).The object is to be able to achieve a reliable assembly in a simple manner.For this purpose, it is provided that the plug (21) comprises at least two parts (22, 23) which are connected to one another by an articulation section (24) having an articulation axis.
US09664085B2
An exhaust purification system includes a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst disposed at an exhaust system of an engine for using ammonia that is generated from urea water as a reducing agent to reduce NOx contained in exhaust gas, a device that injects urea water to the SCR catalyst, an inlet-side electrode that detects capacitance within the SCR catalyst at least from a vicinity of an inlet of the SCR catalyst to a vicinity of an intermediate section in an exhaust gas flowing direction, an outlet-side electrode that detects the capacitance within the SCR catalyst at least from the vicinity of the intermediate section to an outlet of the SCR catalyst in the exhaust gas flowing direction, and a calculation unit that calculates an ammonia adsorption amount within the SCR catalyst on a basis of the capacitances detected from the inlet-side and the outlet-side electrodes.
US09664083B2
An aftertreatment system comprises a reductant storage tank and a SCR system fluidly coupled thereto. A reductant physical level sensor and a tank temperature sensor are operatively coupled to the reductant storage tank. A controller is communicatively coupled with each of the sensors and configured to: interpret a first level output value from the physical level sensor and a first temperature output value from the tank temperature sensor. If the first level output value is below a first threshold, the controller determines if the first temperature output value is below a second threshold. If the first level output value is below the first threshold and the first temperature output value is below the second threshold, the controller determines a virtual reductant level in the reductant storage tank and indicates the virtual reductant level in lieu of a physical reductant level in the reductant storage tank to a user.
US09664071B2
A steam turbine plant of one embodiment includes at least one heater configured to change water into steam to produce high pressure steam and low pressure steam having a lower pressure than the high pressure steam, a high pressure turbine including a turbine or turbines connected to each other in series, and having a first inlet to supply the high pressure steam, a second inlet to supply the low pressure steam and located at a downstream of the first inlet, and an exhaust port located at a downstream of the second inlet, the high pressure turbine being configured to be driven by the steam supplied from the first and second inlets, a reheater configured to heat the steam exhausted from the exhaust port, and a reheat turbine configured to be driven by the steam from the reheater.
US09664063B2
A turbocharger has an exhaust gas turbine, a fresh-air compressor and a bearing seat. A rotor shaft that is equipped with the turbine and the compressor wheel is rotatably mounted in the bearing seat by way of at least one radial bearing. The radial bearing is a floating bush bearing with a hollow-cylindrical floating bush body positioned between a bearing seat of the bearing housing and the rotor shaft. The floating bush body is provided with a defined imbalance in order to counteract an imbalance of the turbo rotor.
US09664043B2
The invention provides a rock wall closure detection apparatus which includes an elongate member, variably extensible between a first wall and a second wall Of an underground excavation which comprises of a first and a second segment which are resiliently axially compressible relatively to one another when the waits close and an indicator module which produces a warning signal when actuated, attached to the first segment and an actuator attached to the second segment wherein on compression of the member, the actuator moves relatively to the module to actuate the module to produce the warning signal.
US09664042B2
An anchor fitted with a self-tapping thread and an anchor rod, whereby at least one axially oriented feed channel for a curable compound is arranged in the anchor rod. A head element on which the self-tapping thread is arranged is fastened to a first end of the anchor rod.
US09664037B2
An assembly for receiving telemetry signals from downhole equipment is located at a top end of a drill string above a drill rig floor. The assembly may be configured to receive multiple types of telemetry signals, for example, two or more of electromagnetic telemetry, mud pulse telemetry and drill string acoustic telemetry signals. The assembly may comprise a cap comprising a coupling and an end separated by an electrically insulating gap region. The end of the cap may be connected to a grounding system for the drill rig.
US09664027B2
Systems, apparatus and methods are described for purposes of initiating a response to detection of an adverse operational condition involving a system including a drill rig and an inground tool. The response can be based on an uphole sensed parameter in combination with a downhole sensed parameter. The adverse operational condition can involve cross-bore detection, frac-out detection, excessive downhole pressure, a plugged jet indication and drill string key-holing detection. A communication system includes an inground communication link that allows bidirectional communication between a walkover detector and the drill rig via the inground tool. Monitoring of inground tool depth and/or lateral movement can be performed using techniques that approach integrated values. Bit force based auto-carving is described in the context of an automated procedure.
US09664026B2
Modular systems for extracting hydrocarbons from subterranean volumes and associated methods are generally described. Methods for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean volume are also described. Some of the described methods comprise flowing a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and water from the subterranean volume to a plurality of fluidically connected separation units and at least partially separating the hydrocarbons from the water using the separation units to produce a first stream comprising higher purity water than the mixture. In certain cases, the method includes fluidically disconnecting at least one of the separation units from the remaining separation units while the separating step is being performed. Some methods include fluidically connecting an additional separation unit to the separation unit while the separating step is being performed.
US09664020B1
A water system for a hydraulic frac station. The water system includes a water source, a water retention pit, a pump, a riser station, and a water recycling system. The pump is configured to channel water from the retention pit to the riser station and to the hydraulic frac station. The water from the retention pit is channeled to the hydraulic frac station, which in turn is channeled to the recycling system via the riser station.
US09664015B2
A system and method comprising at least one ported sleeve assembly and a flapper assembly positioned downwell of the ported sleeve assembly. The system provides for the use of multiple ported sleeve assemblies for each stage of a hydrocarbon producing well that can be opened with a single element, and multiple stages, each have thFracturinge ability to be opened with a single element size.
US09664013B2
Wellbore subassemblies usable to create a flowpath between a formation and a wellbore can include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve positioned internal to and external of a core, the core having sockets containing charge assemblies. Upon actuation of the charge assemblies, the inner and outer sleeves are both simultaneously penetrated to form a fluid flowpath between the interior of the subassembly and the formation exterior to the subassembly. The structure of the subassembly can enable it to be lowed and used as part of a tubular conduit string both before and after perforation, the charge assemblies being unobtrusively embedded within the wall of the subassembly.
US09664010B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a system including at least one computing device for enhancing the recovery of heavy oil in an underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment by performing a method comprising sampling and identifying microbial species (bacteria and/or fungi) that reside in the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment; collecting rock and fluid property data from the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment; collecting nutrient data from the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment; identifying a preferred microbial species from the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment that can transform the heavy oil into a lighter oil; identifying a nutrient from the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment that promotes a proliferation of the preferred microbial species; and introducing the nutrient into the underground, near-surface crude oil extraction environment.
US09664009B2
Methods include the injection of a gelled, gelling or gellable composition into a horizontal section of a well at a location, where produced well gases or a combination of well gases and injected gases are sufficient to move the pill through the horizontal section into heal section, sweeping the horizontal section of accumulated liquids. Once in the heal section, the pill and the accumulated liquids are uplifted to the surface resulting in a cleaned well.
US09664008B2
A downhole tool and method of operation thereof is provided. The downhole tool may be configured to permit fluid communication between a combined flowbore of the casing string and the downhole tool and the subterranean formation or wellbore, or both, after a pressure test has been completed, a second threshold pressure is reached or applied, and a third threshold pressure has been applied to the downhole tool.
US09664007B2
A production sleeve assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a wellbore tubular, a plurality of fluid pathways configured to provide fluid communication within the downhole component, a plurality of electronic actuators configured to selectively provide fluid communication through one or more of the plurality of fluid pathways, and at least one sensor coupled to the plurality of electronic actuators. One or more of the plurality of electronic actuators are configured to selectively actuate to allow or prevent fluid flow through a corresponding fluid pathway of the plurality of fluid pathways in response to the at least one sensor receiving a suitable signal.
US09664001B2
Disclosed herein is a centralizer for being mounted around a centralizer sub body to form a centralizer sub. The centralizer comprises first and second opposing end collars arranged, in use, to be positioned around a longitudinal axis of the centralizer. The centralizer also comprises a plurality of spring bows extending from the first end collar to the second end collar. The first end collar may comprise first and second end regions arranged, in use, to face one another. The first and second opposing end regions may comprise first and second engaging elements respectively. The first end region may be configured to be connected, in use, to the second end region via the first and second engaging elements. Also disclosed is a centralizer sub and an engaging device for use in forming a centralizer.
US09663999B2
A shearing mechanism in which a male component mates into a female component, the male component having a first groove extending around the male component and the female component having a second groove extending around the female component, the first groove and the second groove cooperating when the male component is inserted into the female component to define an annular recess. A shearing component is provided within the annular recess, the shearing component having a shear load that is controlled by the material and size of the shearing component. An opening is provided within one or both of the male component and female component, the opening being aligned with the annular recess. Stress relief is provided.
US09663997B2
An inflow control assembly can be adjusted subsequent to manufacture and prior to being run downhole in a wellbore. The inflow control assembly can include an outer body and a chamber internal to the outer body. The chamber can define a flow path for fluid flow through the inflow control assembly when the inflow control assembly is in a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation. The flow path is injectable with a pre-determined volume of material from a source external to the outer body for reducing fluid flow through the flow path.
US09663994B2
In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate and a preformed polycrystalline diamond table having an upper surface, an interfacial surface, and at least one side surface extending therebetween. The interfacial surface of the polycrystalline diamond table is bonded to the substrate. The polycrystalline diamond table includes bonded diamond grains defining interstitial regions. The polycrystalline diamond table includes a first region extending inwardly from at least a portion of the upper surface and at least a portion of the at least one side surface. The first region spaced from the interfacial surface. The polycrystalline diamond table includes at least a second region extending inwardly from the interfacial surface to the upper surface. The first region includes at least a first infiltrant disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof. The second region includes at least a second infiltrant disposed interstitially between the bonded diamond grains thereof.
US09663992B2
An apparatus for forming a wellbore in a subterranean formation includes a drill bit, a connector connected to the drill bit and configured to transmit torque and thrust to the drill bit, and a drilling motor energized by a pressurized fluid. The drilling motor may include a stator and a rotor disposed in the stator and having a torque transmitting connection to the connector. The apparatus may also include a thrust generator associated with the rotor and having a pressure face in pressure communication with a fluid flowing through the drilling motor and a force application assembly selectively anchoring the stator to a wellbore wall. A related method uses the apparatus to drill a wellbore.
US09663990B2
The application is directed to a ladder assist that may be secured to a ladder for preventing falls when persons are using a ladder. The ladder assist is operationally configured to prevent falls during access and egress of a fixed ladder of a structure, e.g., a fixed ladder of a transportation container or a building.
US09663989B2
Elevated work platforms, as well as associated methods, are provided. In one particular embodiment, an elevated platform apparatus is provided comprising a first rail assembly having a pair of rails coupled with a plurality of rungs, a second rail assembly hingedly coupled with the first rail assembly, a platform configured to rest upon a portion of the first rail assembly and the second rails assembly and a cage associated with the platform. The cage may include at least one bar and at least one gate, the at least one gate being configured to swing in a first direction upon a user stepping on to the platform from the first rail assembly, and then swing back to a closed position after the user is standing on the platform. The at least one gate is also limited from being displaced in a second direction, opposite the first direction, beyond the closed position.
US09663988B2
A hold down device is provided for continuous loop cords or bead chains in a window covering installation. The hold down device engages the cord or chain while the cord or chain is loosely suspended, and prevents operation by encountering the head rail if the cord or chain is operated. Mounting the hold down device in a window covering installation disengages the hold down device from its secured position relative to the cord or chain.
US09663986B2
A spring counterbalance apparatus and method consists of a shade system with a torque profile, where the shade system is connected with a drive shaft. A first spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the first spring system is a standard wound spring system. A second spring system is connected with the drive shaft where the second spring system is a reverse wound spring system and where, in combination, the first spring system and the second spring system produce a counterbalance torque profile approximately equal to the shade system torque profile.
US09663984B2
The invention provides low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective of infrared radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each comprise silver.
US09663971B2
A combination lock includes a casing, a number disk unit, a restriction member located above the number disk unit, and a resilient member cooperated with the number disk unit. The number disk unit has multiple rotary disks and multiple number disks, each number disk has multiple mark areas and multiple grooves located alternatively to the mark areas. The resilient member has multiple engaging portions which are resiliently engaged with the grooves of the number disks so as to ensure that each of the number disks is rotated one mark area and the engaging portion is engaged with the groove to pause the number disk. The combination lock is easily assembled and manufactured.
US09663958B2
A physically crosslinked, closed cell continuous foam structure derived from recycled metallized polyolefin material; polypropylene, polyethylene, or combinations thereof, a crosslinking agent, and a chemical blowing agent is obtained. The foam structure is obtained by extruding a structure comprising a foam composition, irradiating the extruded structure with ionizing radiation, and continuously foaming the irradiated structure.
US09663955B2
A roofing assembly disposed on an underlying support comprising an underlayment assembly disposed in a securing relation to the underlying support. A conduit assembly is disposed on the underlayment assembly and structured to define a path of fluid flow. The path of fluid flow extends along at least a majority portion of said underlayment assembly. The conduit assembly is disposed in a single, continuous, looped relation to the underlayment assembly. A plurality of pan tiles are partially disposed in a confronting relation to the underlayment assembly. At least some of the plurality of pan tiles are partially disposed in an overlying relation to at least a portion of the conduit assembly. The plurality of pan tiles are disposed to have a predetermined spacing in between each other, which is disposed to receive at least a portion of the conduit assembly.
US09663954B1
The present disclosure discloses an interlocking roof tile comprising two groove extending over length of the interlocking roof tile at both lateral ends that create side walls at the distalmost ends of the interlocking roof tile. The grooves are created on top surface of the interlocking roof tile using a press machine that uses pressure to mold the cement into the interlocking roof tiles. The interlocking roof tile's at bottom surface is flat. The interlocking roof tile further comprises at least one nail opening, provided spatially from each other to mount and secure the interlocking roof tile to the roof. In order to couple a plurality of interlocking roof tiles in series, a first interlocking roof tile is placed coupled to the second roof tile such that side wall of the first interlocking roof tile is engaged with the groove of the second interlocking roof tile.
US09663953B2
The present invention relates to a building module, in particular a facade module, roof module or window module, for utilizing solar energy and/or for thermal insulation. The building module comprises an inner pane and an outer pane, wherein an intermediate space is formed between the inner pane and the outer pane. A heat transfer element is arranged in the intermediate space and has at least one functional surface for absorbing thermal radiation and/or for controlling the temperature of the intermediate space. A fluid line is provided in which a heat transport medium is conducted, wherein a thermal contact is formed between the heat transfer element and the heat transport medium in order to exchange heat between the heat transfer element and the heat transport medium. The functional surface and the fluid line, to which the thermal contact is assigned, are arranged juxtaposed to one another when the functional surface is viewed in a perpendicular direction.
US09663947B2
A system for supporting loads from a support structure. The load is supported with threaded rods that are connected from above and below a suspended ceiling of roll-formed sheet metal beams. Clips on the rods connected to the beams pass the load through the suspended ceiling grid without bending or twisting the grid, so that the suspended ceiling remains level, balanced, and intact above the suspended load.
US09663946B2
A curtain wall mullion or transom including a unitary component made of a thermally insulating material bonded to a metal structural segment or fastened, from the inside-out, to an outer side of the metal segment such that a stem of the component extends into a pocket defined by panels of a curtain wall system. The component may be a reinforced fiberglass polymer component and bonded to the metal segment with an adhesive and may isolate the metal structure from the atmosphere outside the curtain wall and may include a seal receiver which abuts a panel of the curtain wall. The metal segment may be made of steel or aluminum or other metal. A pultrusion method is used to make the fiberglass component to have a profile configured to cover an entirety of an outside of the mullion or transom and to have a pair of receivers for receiving seals to abut against panels of the curtain wall.
US09663932B2
A fixture cleaning and deodorizing apparatus including a container assembly with a wick assembly and a solution container, wherein the wick assembly is secured to at least one of the solution container and a dispenser, the dispenser receives at least one of the container assembly and solution container therein, and the dispenser is configured to dispense solution from the solution container; and a fan assembly situated in the dispenser.
US09663920B2
A cab for a work vehicle is equipped with a standard frame and a reinforcing beam. The standard frame includes a main frame and a roof plate. The main frame includes an upper left frame and an upper right frame that extend longitudinally. The upper left frame and the upper right frame are arranged horizontally separated from each other. The roof plate is provided on the upper surface of the main frame. The roof plate is attached to the upper left frame and to the upper right frame. The reinforcing beam is attached to the upper left frame and the upper right frame. The reinforcing beam is arranged above the roof plate and includes an upwardly protruding bend.
US09663919B2
A construction machine in which a fuel tank is mounted to enable the machine to work for a long time through one fueling. The construction machine includes a lower driving structure; an upper frame mounted on the lower driving structure to horizontally swivel; a cab mounted on one side of an upper surface of the upper frame; a mounting portion formed to extend from a rearmost side of a center frame of the upper frame; a counterweight detachably installed on the mounting portion through a fastening member, and having a storage space portion of which a front surface and an upper surface are opened; a fuel tank coupled to the storage space portion and detachably fixed to the mounting portion through another fastening member that fixes the counterweight to the mounting portion in order to separate the fuel tank from the counterweight in a state where the counterweight that is coupled to the fuel tank is mounted on the mounting portion; an engine room mounted in front of the fuel tank of the upper frame; and a hydraulic fluid tank installed on one side of a front portion of the engine room.
US09663918B2
A track assembly for a work vehicle includes an endless track and a drive wheel, the drive wheel defining an inboard side, an outboard side, and a central plane extending therebetween. The drive wheel includes a partition extending between an outer wall and an inner wall. The partition defines an inboard division substantially closed off from an outboard division to reduce an amount of debris or other material from reaching the work vehicle adjacent to which the track assembly may be positioned.
US09663917B2
A hydraulic excavator is equipped with a bucket, a tilt cylinder, a fourth stroke sensor, and a bucket information computing unit. The bucket is able to rotate about the center of a tilt axis. The tilt cylinder causes the bucket to rotate about the center of the tilt axis. The fourth stroke sensor detects a stroke length of the tilt cylinder. The bucket information computing unit obtains a tilt angle of the bucket on the basis of the stroke length detected by the fourth stroke sensor.
US09663916B2
A foundation structure of an offshore plant, such as a wind turbine, comprising at least one foundation element that can be anchored to the seabed without a gravity foundation and without a floating foundation and a support structure fastened thereto for fixing the offshore plant. The foundation element is a pile that can be inserted into the seabed by means of drilling and/or by means of vibratory driving, can be fixed in the seabed by means of an organic and/or inorganic material, and is oriented at an angle from a vertical on the seabed. A method of installing the foundation structure on a seabed includes first anchoring the coupling element by means of piles inserted into the seabed and then connecting the support structure to the coupling element.
US09663914B2
Method and system is described for enhanced oil release management system by using one or more booms, one or more skimmers and one or more floating burners. The method and system may include skimmers to capture a fluid that is supplied to the floating burner.
US09663913B2
An apparatus for forming a water storage material from a biomass input material using supercritical or subcritical fluid processing, the water storage material capable of absorbing a liquid and releasing the liquid. The apparatus utilizes supercritical fluid processing, subcritical fluid processing, charring, or a combination thereof. The apparatus includes a controller configured to control the apparatus. The apparatus further including a processing station configured to hold the biomass input material, and to use the biomass input material for processing into the water storage material.
US09663905B2
A self-propelled construction machine includes a plurality of swing legs, each swing leg being supported from a ground surface by an associated crawler track steerably connected to an outer end of its associated swing leg. Pivotal movement of a swing leg may be accomplished by steering the associated crawler track through a non-zero steering angle until the lateral movement of the crawler track achieves the desired pivoting movement of the associated swing leg.
US09663904B2
In a texture curing machine for the subsequent treatment of freshly produced concrete layers of a predetermined width, in particular concrete roadways extending longitudinally in the direction of travel, comprising a machine frame supported by ground-engaging units, with no less than one texturing device movable transverse to the working direction for applying a texture, by means of multiple texturing tools, into the not yet hardened surface of the concrete layer, and with a controller unit for adjusting the travelling speed in the direction of travel, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the controller unit captures the travelling speed and/or the traversing speed of the texturing device and, during forward or reverse travel, controls the travelling speed and/or the traversing speed of the texturing device in transverse direction in accordance with a specified texturing angle, with the texturing angle ensuing from the relation of the speeds.
US09663903B2
A mat that includes first and second side beams, a core structure located between and connected to the side beams, with the support structure including longitudinal members and having a height that is less than that of the side beams, a plurality of joining rods that attach the side beams to the support structure, with the joining rods passing through the sides of the side beams and the sides of the longitudinal members of the support structure; one or more elongated members attached to the upper portion of the support structure to form with the beams the top surface of the mat, and one or more elongated members attached to the lower portion of the support structure to form with the beams the bottom surface of the mat. If desired, steel plates can be provided between the beams and longitudinal members to increase the strength and ruggedness of the mat.
US09663902B2
An industrial mat that includes a core construction that provides strength and rigidity to the mat, with the core construction including various layers or plies of components at least some of which are typically made of wood or engineered wood; and a durable skin that surrounds and encapsulates at least the wood components of the mat or the entire core construction. The skin has a thickness sufficient to provide environmental resistance to the wood components or to the core construction to which it is applied. The skin also provides abrasion resistance to the boards and mat.
US09663900B2
A multi-ply tissue paper product includes at least two plies made of tissue paper base-sheet with at least one outer ply being a structured outer ply produced by a structuring manufacturing method. The structured outer ply includes a microstructure pattern on substantially at least 80% of the structured outer ply surface. The microstructure pattern is applied by micro-embossing during a converting operation. The structured outer ply is chosen from a through air dried ply produced by a through air drying (TAD) manufacturing method; a dried ply produced by an advanced tissue molding system (ATMOS), or a dried ply produced by a structured tissue technology (SST) manufacturing method. The microstructure pattern includes a first series of protuberances having a density ranging from approximately 30 to 100 protuberances/cm2. The softness property of the structured outer ply is adjusted during a micro-embossing step.
US09663897B2
A method of and an arrangement for introducing fiber suspension or pulp from a pulp vessel to a washing and/or filtering apparatus is based on simultaneous division and degassing of pulp at immediately upstream of the washing and/or filtering apparatus.
US09663896B2
The method is for producing pulp. More particularly, a displacement batch cooking process comprises recovery of a first treatment liquid by draining of the digester, preferably not using a displacement liquid. The method may preferably be used in a prehydrolysis step, wherein the recovery of the by-products is improved. In the recovery step, after the target P-factor in the prehydrolysis stage is reached, the hydrolysate is withdrawn by draining in at least one phase obtaining a strong first liquid and thereafter any residual hydrolysate may be displaced.
US09663895B2
The present invention relates to a process for application of chemicals on textile materials for removing surface chemicals and finishes from textile materials which comprises the following steps: reducing the textile materials to an appropriate size; applying a first catalyzed vapor to the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; penetrating the textile materials at a predetermined temperature; applying a second catalyzed vapor to the textile materials; blending the textile materials; applying a third catalyzed vapor to the textile materials in the one or more blending boxes and dwelling the fabric at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time; and applying a blast of cool air to the one or more blending boxes to stop chemical actions in the textile materials and then transporting the textile materials to next station for further deconstruction processing.
US09663892B2
A laundry washing machine includes an outer casing, a washing tub arranged inside the casing directly facing a laundry loading/unloading opening realized in a front wall of the casing, a rotatable drum arranged in an axially rotating manner inside the washing tub and structured for receiving the laundry to be washed, a detergent dispenser which is housed inside the casing between the washing tub and the top wall of the casing and is structured for feeding into the washing tub a detergent, softener and/or other washing agent mixed with fresh water arriving from the water mains, and a water softening device which is arranged inside the boxlike casing and is structured for reducing the hardness degree of the fresh water supplied to the washing tub. The water softening device in turn includes a water-softening agent container filled with a water softening agent able to reduce the hardness degree of the fresh water supplied to the washing tub, and a regeneration-agent reservoir which is fluidly connected to said water-softening agent container and is structured to receive a salt or other regeneration agent for performing a regeneration of the water softening function of said water softening agents. At least one among the water-softening agent container and the regeneration-agent reservoir is a stand-alone modular component-part which is provided with mechanical coupling means structured for allowing rigid fastening of the stand-alone modular component-part to the detergent dispenser.
US09663889B2
A laundry treating apparatus including a cabinet comprising a laundry introduction hole formed therein to introduce laundry, a drum rotatably provided in the cabinet, the drum comprising a drum introduction hole, formed in a front surface thereof, in communication with the laundry introduction hole, at least three main balancers provided in the drum defining a space where liquid is stored, the balancers being spaced apart at preset angle intervals with respect to a rotation axis of the drum, and a sub balancer provided at the drum to provide a circulation of the liquid, the sub balancer increasing load of the drum locally by flowing the liquid stored in the circulation passage to the lowest point of a drum rotation locus based on a rotation speed of the drum.
US09663884B2
A method for preventing seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches is provided. After normal sewing is terminated with a looper set in a forward movement state, a state in which a needle thread loop caught by the looper is subjected to position-holding at a position closer to a forward movement end of the looper than a descent position of a needle is maintained until the needle descends through the needle thread loop caught by the looper. Thereafter, the position-holding of the needle thread loop is released to permit a sewing action for at least one stitch, thereby allowing the needle thread loop to be self-looped with a needle thread held by the needle. This surely strongly prevents the seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches formed by the single needle, irrespective of the dimension of tension applied to the needle thread and the looper thread.
US09663882B2
An open, lofty nonwoven scouring material comprising natural fibers and a method of making the scouring material is disclosed. The scouring material comprises a three dimensional nonwoven web of entangled fibers comprising natural vegetable fibers and synthetic fibers. Natural vegetable fibers comprise 20 to 80% wt. of the fibers of the web. The synthetic fibers comprise at least first synthetic fibers having a first melting point and second synthetic fibers having a second melting point that is higher than the first melting point. The first synthetic fibers entirely melt and coalesce at mutual contact point of the natural fibers and second synthetic fibers to bond the fibers together and to create voids. The bonded web has a maximum density of 60 kg/m3.
US09663877B2
The card wire comprises a plurality of teeth inclined at an angle with the rib portion. The teeth have a front portion and a back portion joining at the tip of the teeth; and a base segment connecting the front portion to the back portion of the preceding tooth. The front portion is the inner portion of the tooth leaning towards the rib portion. The back portion is the outer portion of the tooth. The front portion comprises at least two undercut segments. The second undercut segment is spaced further away from the tip of the tooth than the first undercut segment. Each undercut segment has an undercut angle, being the minimum of the angles with the longitudinal direction of the card wire, of the tangents to each point of the part of the undercut segment going—when observed from the tip—inwards from the front portion.
US09663874B2
There is provided a device, and related method and uses, for drawing a polymer fiber, the device comprising: a. at least two polymer compartments, wherein each polymer compartment is capable of retaining a polymer solution, and wherein adjacent compartments comprise different polymer solutions; and b. a slider comprising at least one prong, wherein the prong is capable of contacting the different polymer solutions, and wherein the slider is arranged in a retractable manner from the at least two polymer compartments. There is further provided a system and a related method for manufacturing a polymer fiber.
US09663872B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for purifying materials using a rapid directional solidification. Devices and methods shown provide control over a temperature gradient and cooling rate during directional solidification, which results in a material of higher purity. The apparatus and methods of the present invention can be used to make silicon material for use in solar applications such as solar cells.
US09663871B2
A crystal production method according to the present invention includes a film formation and crystallization step of spraying a raw material powder containing a raw material component to form a film containing the raw material component on a seed substrate containing a single crystal at a predetermined single crystallization temperature at which single crystallization of the raw material component occurs, and crystallizing the film containing the raw material while maintaining the single crystallization temperature. In the film formation and crystallization step, preferably, the single crystallization temperature is 900° C. or higher. Furthermore, in the film formation and crystallization step, preferably, the raw material powder and the seed substrate are each a nitride or an oxide.
US09663869B2
A metal part is surface treated using anodization and plating processes to produce different finishes on selective regions of the metal part. The different finishes can contrast in decorative appearance (such as color, shininess and texture) and structural properties (such as wear resistance).
US09663856B2
A plasma processing apparatus including a processing vessel 10 in which a plasma process is performed and a plasma generation antenna 20 having a shower plate 100 which supplies a first gas and a second gas into the processing vessel 10, performs the plasma process on a substrate with plasma generated by a surface wave formed on a surface of the shower plate 100 through a supply of a microwave. The shower plate 100 has multiple gas holes 133 configured to supply the first gas into the processing vessel 10 and multiple supply nozzles 160 configured to supply the second gas into the processing vessel 10, and the supply nozzles 160 are protruded vertically downwards from a bottom surface of the shower plate 100 and are provided at different positions from the gas holes 133.
US09663851B2
A substrate for depositing diamond by CVD, comprising a base body of hard material and a coating layer that holds diamond particles as seed crystal in a matrix and is deposited joined thereto on a surface of said base body, wherein: the seed diamond particles have an average particle size of 1 μm or smaller; the matrix comprises a first metal selected from a first group of Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo and W and/or a first compound between said first metal and a non-metallic substance selected from boron, carbon and nitrogen, said matrix holding the diamond particles distributed therein; and a joint zone developed as a result of a diffusion process and extending over said base body and coating layer comprises either or both atoms of said first metal and a component metal of the hard material.
US09663850B2
The present invention relates to high-nitrogen duplex stainless steels with an excellent eco-index and pitting corrosion resistance, in particular, to providing duplex stainless steels with ferrite-austenite phases, including: 16.5-19.5 wt. % of chromium (Cr), 2.3-3.5 wt. % of molybdenum (Mo), 1.0-5.5 wt. % of tungsten (W), 5.5-7.0 wt. % of manganese (Mn), 0.35-0.45 wt. % of nitrogen (N), with a remainder of iron (Fe). The high nitrogen duplex stainless steels with excellent eco-index and pitting corrosion resistance according to the present invention use manganese (Mn) and nitrogen (N) to exclude or mostly substitute Ni, which increases price instability of the steel grades and environment burden, to result in enhancing economic efficiency, price stability and eco-friendliness.
US09663848B2
The present invention relates to an aluminium casting alloy having (in % by weight) Cu: 6.0-8.0%, Mn: 0.3-0.055%, Zr: 0.18-0.25%, Si: 3.0-7.0%, Ti: 0.05-0.2%. Sr: up to 0.03%, V: up to 0.04%, Fe: up to 0.25%, remainder aluminium and unavoidable impurities, and a casting for a combustion engine. The aluminium casting alloy according to the invention has high mechanical properties after a longer operating duration at high temperatures and at the same time can be cast without any problems. Furthermore, the casting according to the invention has optimised mechanical properties during operation at high temperatures and at the same time can be produced in an operationally reliable manner in terms of casting technology.
US09663843B2
The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly.The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separator for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collector for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.
US09663840B2
A 500 MPa grade longitudinally welded steel pipe with a low yield ratio and a manufacturing method therefor, the components thereof by weight percentages being as follows: C 0.11%-0.16%, Si 0.15%-0.35%, Mn 0.8%-1.5%, V 0.06%-0.15%, Al 0.002%-0.04%, Ti 0%-0.05%, Nb 0%-0.05%, the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, and the carbon equivalent Ceq being not more than 0.4%. According to the above component design, molten steel is subjected to smelting in a converter or electric furnace, and is cast into a slab; the slab is heated at 1,200° C.-1,300° C. and rolled into a plate strip, with the finished rolling temperature of the plate strip being between 840° C.-940° C.; the rolled plate strip is subjected to laminar flow cooling with a water curtain, the laminar flow cooling adopting the manner of rear-section cooling, and is coiled into a plate roll when being cooled to the temperature interval of 500° C.-560° C.; and after welding formation, a heat treatment on the welding seams is carried out at a heating temperature of 950° C.±50° C. The steel pipe of the present invention has the characteristics of an excellent welding property, a high strength and toughness, a low yield ratio and the like, and the yield strength thereof is greater than 500 MPa and the yield ratio thereof is less than 0.85.
US09663839B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet, the method comprising: heating a grain-oriented electrical steel sheet slab; hot-rolling the heated slab; optionally annealing the hot-rolled steel sheet; subjecting the resulting steel sheet to one cold rolling or two or more cold rollings with intermediate annealing therebetween; subjecting the cold-rolled steel sheet to primary recrystallization annealing; and subjecting the annealed steel sheet to secondary recrystallization annealing, wherein the primary recrystallization annealing sequentially comprises an ultra-rapid heating process of heating the steel sheet at an average heating rate of 300° C./sec or higher, a rapid heating process of heating the steel sheet at a lower average heating rate than the average heating rate of the ultra-rapid heating process, but not lower than 100° C./sec, and a general heating process of heating the steel sheet at a lower average heating rate than the average heating rate of the rapid heating process.
US09663838B2
After molten metal has been poured from a ladle 6 into a converter, metal 6b adhering to the ladle 6 is dropped into the ladle 6 on-line, and molten metal is poured from an electric furnace into the ladle 6 into which the metal 6b has been dropped. As a result, the metal 6b is melted and is recovered as a material.
US09663834B2
Provided are methods and compositions useful for detecting viral infection or contamination in a biological sample.
US09663831B2
A method and system for analyzing a microbiome of an individual, comprising: providing a sampling kit to the individual at a location remote from the sample processing network, the sampling kit including a sample container having a lysing component and a sample preservation component and configured to receive a sample from a collection site of the individual; receiving the sample container with the sample from the collection site of the individual; generating a microbiome sequence dataset based upon sequencing nucleic acid content of a microorganism portion of the sample; identifying a set of microorganisms represented in the microorganism portion based upon performance of a mapping operation on portions of the microbiome sequence dataset; generating an analysis based upon a set of features related to the microorganism portion; and transmitting information derived from the analysis to the individual.
US09663827B2
The present invention relates to peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, PNA probe sets and methods for the analysis of Gram positive and Gram negative organisms optionally present in a sample. The invention further relates to diagnostic kits comprising such PNA probes.
US09663824B2
Compositions and methods for identifying and treating patients having altered capacity for LC-PUFA production are disclosed.
US09663821B2
An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.
US09663814B2
A proximity detection method is described that utilizes enzymatic biotinylation to detect targets in a sample, particularly formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples using automated staining platforms. One disclosed embodiment comprises contacting the sample with a first conjugate comprising a biotin ligase and a first specific binding moiety that binds proximally to the first target; contacting the sample with a second conjugate comprising a biotin ligase substrate and a second specific binding moiety that binds proximally to the second target; subjecting the sample to conditions that allow biotinylation of the biotin ligase substrate by the biotin ligase when the first target and the second target have a proximal arrangement; and detecting biotinylation of the biotin ligase substrate. The conditions that allow biotinylation of the substrate include addition of biotin and ATP. The method also may comprise contacting the sample with a streptavidin-enzyme conjugate. Signal amplification also can be used.
US09663812B2
A system is disclosed for thawing a frozen specimen that includes a cryovial containing a frozen specimen, a centrifuge tube containing a medium, and an adaptor for suspending the cryovial over the centrifuge tube in an inverted position, wherein the adaptor has an elongated tubular body defining opposed proximal and distal ends, and it has an axial bore extending from the distal end thereof to the proximal end thereof to define an outer periphery and an inner periphery, and wherein the outer periphery is dimensioned for insertion into the centrifuge tube and the inner periphery is dimensioned to receive the cryovial in an inverted position.
US09663806B2
The invention relates to enzymatic methods for epoxidation of a non-cyclic aliphatic alken, or a terpen.
US09663805B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing 6-aminocaproic acid (hereinafter also referred to as ‘6-ACA’) using a biocatalyst. The invention further relates to a method for preparing e-caprolactam (hereafter referred to as ‘caprolactam’) by cyclising such 6-ACA. The invention further relates to a host cell, a micro-organism, or a polynucleotide which may be used in the preparation of 6-ACA or caprolactam.
US09663804B2
The present invention relates to the use of glycosyl hydrolase family 61 polypeptides in the presence of cutinases for polyester textile manufacture as well as a textile composition comprising glycosyl hydrolase family 61 polypeptides and cutinases.
US09663802B2
Processes are disclosed for economically and effectively removing co-produced oxygenated organic compound from an anaerobic, aqueous fermentation broth used for the bioconversion of syngas to product oxygenated organic compound. Nitrate anion is added to the broth and the broth is contacted with denitrifying microorganisms that bioconvert the nitrate and organic compounds in the broth to reduced nitrogen compound and carbon dioxide.
US09663798B2
The aim is to increase the protein product yield in microbial fermentation. This is achieved by a method which introduces into a microorganism not only a first expression construct which encodes the protein, but also a second expression construct which encodes an auxiliary protease which differs from the protein, is proteolytically active and which comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 50% identical to the amino acid sequence indicated in SEQ ID NO. 1.
US09663797B2
The present invention is based on the finding that the combination of a specific 5′UTR polynucleotide sequence (see SEQ ID NO 1) and the hCD33 secretory leader sequence in an expression cassette for expressing a polypeptide of interest results in a surprisingly better expression level of the polypeptide of interest compared to prior art expression cassettes. Based on this finding, the present invention inter alia provides novel expression cassettes, expression vectors and methods for producing a polypeptide of interest with high yield.
US09663794B2
Provided in the present invention are a separated endogenous rice gene resistant to high temperature (hereinafter referred to as the OsZFP gene for short) and a polypeptide encoded thereby, optimizing rice cells comprising the heat-resistant gene of the present invention or the polypeptide encoded thereby, and the plant cell preparation method thereof. Further provided are new methods and technologies for breeding new varieties of heat-resistant crops, comprising the related regulatory sequence for heat-resistance and a closely linked molecular marker denoting the heat-resistant gene and the sequence thereof.
US09663787B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression and function of small non-coding RNAs. The compositions comprise oligomeric compounds, targeted to small non-coding RNAs. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of small non-coding RNAs as well as downstream targets of these RNAs and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with small non-coding RNAs are also provided.
US09663784B2
The invention provides a single-stranded nucleic acid capable of inhibiting expression of a target gene having a delivery function. The nucleic acid contains, from the 5′-side to the 3′-side, a 5′-side region (Xc), a linker region (Lx), an inner region (Z), a linker region (Ly) and a 3′-side region (Yc) in this order, wherein the inner region (Z) is constituted by linkage of the inner 5′-side region (X) and the inner 3′-side region (Y), the 5′-side region (Xc) is complementary to the inner 5′-side region (X), the 3′-side region (Yc) is complementary to the inner 3′-side region (Y), at least one of the inner region (Z), the 5′-side region (Xc) and the 3′-side region (Yc) comprises an expression inhibitory sequence that inhibits expression of a target gene, and at least one of the 5′-terminus, the 3′-terminus, the linker region (Lx) and the linker region (Ly) is bound to a bio-related substance.
US09663783B2
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for decreasing alpha-synuclein mRNA and protein expression. Also disclosed herein are methods for treating, preventing, and ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases in an individual in need thereof.
US09663780B2
A solid-core ring-magnet having one or more cavities is provided. The magnet can have an overall cylindrical shape or a rectangular-prism shape. In either case, a portion of cavity walls of the magnet are ring shaped, causing the magnetic field lines to emanate from the magnet in the shape of a ring. The diameter of the ring shaped cavities can be constant throughout, constant through a portion of the cavity, variant throughout, or variant through a portion of the cavity. The cavities open to the end of the magnet, and terminate toward the core of the magnet. Also provided are systems and kits having solid-core ring-magnets. Methods of purifying a macromolecule using the solid-core ring-magnets are also provided.
US09663770B2
The invention provides novel reverse transcriptases (RTs) with desirable properties such as increased thermostability, increased thermoreactivity and/or increased resistance to inhibitors. In certain embodiments, the invention provides methods of producing, amplifying and/or sequencing nucleic acid molecules (particularly cDNA molecules) using kits, compositions and/or reactions mixtures containing such novel reverse transcriptase enzymes.
US09663758B2
Described herein is a mycobacterium mutant, comprising at least one mutation in at least one gene sequence encoding global gene regulators (GGRs) selected from the group consisting of sigH, sigL, sigE, ECF-1, and mixtures thereof, wherein the GGR gene is at least partially inactivated. Described herein also is a vaccine based on the mutant and a method of differentiating between subjects that have been infected with mycobacterium and subjects that have not been infected with mycobacterium or have been vaccinated with a mycobacterium vaccine.
US09663756B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus for acoustic separation of cellular supporting materials such as microcarriers or microbubbles from cell culture are provided. In one aspect, a method includes flowing a fluid containing the cellular supporting material and the cells through a flow chamber; driving at least one acoustic transducer to launch an acoustic wave from the acoustic transducer positioned on a first wall of the flow chamber to a reflector positioned on a second wall of the flow chamber to create, in the flow chamber, a multi-dimensional field that includes first spatial locales where acoustic pressure amplitude is elevated from a baseline level when the acoustic transducer is turned off, and second spatial locales where acoustic pressure amplitude is substantially identical to the baseline level when the acoustic transducer is turned off, wherein the first wall is opposite to the second wall; preferentially trapping, and gravity separating, the cellular supporting material or the cells at the first or second spatial locales inside the flow chamber; and collecting cells separated from the cellular supporting material using a first collection duct coupled to the flow chamber.
US09663755B2
Various embodiments of methods and apparatuses for separating sperm, including apparatus having an inlet and an outlet reservoir, and either: i) a radial array of microchannels disposed between the inlet and outlet reservoirs to provide fluid communication therebetween and to direct motile sperm inwardly from the inlet reservoir to the outlet reservoir; or ii) at least one microchannel path disposed between the inlet and outlet reservoirs to provide fluid communication therebetween, the at least one microchannel path having a path inlet adjacent the inlet reservoir, a path outlet adjacent the outlet reservoir, and a junction located between the path inlet and the path outlet for directing a portion of sperm that enter the path inlet towards the outlet reservoir based on wall-swimming behavior of sperm. Methods include filling an apparatus with buffer fluid, introducing semen into an inlet reservoir, and retrieving sperm separated from the semen from the outlet reservoir.
US09663753B2
The invention discloses a system for perfusion culture of cells which comprises: a bioreactor; a filter unit with a retentate inlet end, a retentate outlet end and a permeate outlet port; a reciprocating pump fluidically connected to the retentate inlet end, with the retentate inlet end fluidically connected to the bioreactor via an inlet check valve arranged to allow flow in the direction from the bioreactor to the retentate inlet end and to block flow in the reverse direction, and where the retentate outlet end is fluidically connected to the bioreactor via an outlet check valve arranged to allow flow in the direction from the retentate outlet end to the bioreactor and to block flow in the reverse direction; and where the inlet and outlet check valves are each fluidically connected to a tubing branch point, which is further connected to the bioreactor via a length of tubing. In an alternative embodiment, each of said inlet and outlet check valves is fluidically connected to the bioreactor via separate lengths of tubing. The invention further discloses a pre-sterilized system for perfusion culture of cells which comprises: a bioreactor; a reciprocating pump and a filter unit fluidically connected to the reciprocating pump and fluidically connected to the bioreactor via at least one aseptic connector.
US09663740B2
The present invention generally relates to oil compositions, primarily to fuel oil and petroleum compositions produced there from susceptible to wax formation at low temperatures, to polymeric imides for use with such fuel oil compositions, and to methods for their manufacture.
US09663738B2
Provided is a carbon fuel pneumatic dryer in which synthesis gas generated in a reactor is fed and cooled, including: a feeding part formed as a narrow pipe, via which synthesis gas and carbon fuel are fed; a drying part formed as a pipe having a larger diameter than the feeding part, in which the hot synthesis gas fed via the feeding part is cooled and the moisture content of the carbon fuel is lowered; and a conveying part formed as a pipe having a smaller diameter than the drying part such that the flow velocity of the synthesis gas and the carbon fuel having passed the drying part is increased, wherein the conveying part includes a bend so that the flow direction of the synthesis gas and the carbon fuel is changed.
US09663724B2
Alumina/NiO/ZnO and Alumina/ZnO are synthesized via a novel modified hydrothermal method and investigated for the desulfurization activities. Sulfur compounds such as thiophene, benzothiophene (BT) and dibenzothiophene (DBT) are tested for their removal from model diesel fuel. The prepared composite materials were examined by the means of N2-adsorption, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
US09663722B2
Methods and FCC apparatuses are provided for cracking hydrocarbons. An FCC apparatus includes a riser with a riser outlet positioned within a reactor catalyst collection area. A stripper is coupled to the reactor catalyst collection area, where the riser extends through the stripper, and where the stripper includes a stripper exterior wall. A sleeve is positioned within the stripper between the riser and the stripper exterior wall.
US09663721B2
A process for separating naphtha feed stream and recovering heat from at least one stream from a column by heating other columns. Preferably, both an overhead stream and a bottom stream from a first column heat a second column and a third column. The pressure of the overhead stream is increased, resulting in an increased temperature of the overhead and bottoms streams. The overhead stream can be split into portions to heat other columns.
US09663719B1
Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at locations having substantial quantities of biomass, with the biomass fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into char and bio-fuel constituents.
US09663708B2
Synthetic ceramic proppants are described. Proppants having a monodispersity of 3-sigma distribution or lower are also described, including methods to make these proppants and methods of using these proppants.
US09663707B2
A fracturing fluid containing a hydratable viscosifying polymer and a zirconium acetylacetonate crosslinker provides a green alternative to conventional systems. The zirconium aceylacetonate is dissolved in benzyl alcohol or in a mixture of benzyl alcohol and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4(yl)-methanol. The pH of the fracturing fluid may be between from about 3.5 to about 11.5. The fracturing fluid may contain an acidic buffering agent or a basic buffering agent. The fracturing fluid may be pumped into a well in order to initiate or enlarge a fracture within a subterranean formation penetrated by the well.
US09663705B2
Disclosed and claimed is a method of demulsifying an emulsion comprising water and oil. The method comprises adding an effective amount of a composition comprising at least one substantially fully quaternized ammonium adduct of polyephalohydrin that has a molecular weight from about 500 Da to about 2,500 Da.
US09663704B2
Process for the enhanced recovery of oil comprising introducing into an injection fluid at least one linear or structured water-soluble copolymer obtained by polymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid monomer in free acid and/or salified form with acrylamide derivative monomers having the formula H2C═CR—C(═O)-A in which R is H or CH3 or CH2COOR′, wherein R′ is an alkyl containing not more than 3 carbon atoms, and A is selected from the group consisting of 2-pyrrolidone, pyrrolidine and 4-morpholine, and injecting the injection fluid, which is then viscosified, into a reservoir, and thereafter recovering the aqueous and oily and/or gaseous mixture.
US09663703B2
A powder composition for use in preparing flooding fluid for use in petroleum recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation includes an oxygen scavenger and a polymer material. Methods for preparing flooding fluid and for petroleum recovery from a petroleum-bearing formation employ the powder composition.
US09663701B2
The present invention provides a method of isolating a selected reservoir zone in a subterranean reservoir comprising at least the step of squeezing a treatment fluid into the selected reservoir zone, the treatment fluid comprising: a viscosifying agent; a fluid loss control agent; and a particulate material. The invention further provides a treatment fluid comprising a base fluid; a viscosifying agent; at least 20 kg/m3 of a fluid loss control agent; and a particulate material.
US09663694B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising a mixture of HFC and HFO and having improved lubrication performance. Specifically, the present invention provides a composition comprising HFC and HFO, wherein the composition comprises 1) at least one of HFC-134a and HFC-134 as the HFC, 2) at least one of HFO-1234yf and HFO-1234ze as the HFO, and 3) at least one member selected from the group consisting of HCFC-1122, HCFC-124, CFC-1113, and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyne as a third component.
US09663691B2
Methods and systems are provided for producing ionized alkaline solutions (e.g. ionized alkaline water) that exhibit long-term stability when stored at room temperature.
US09663682B2
Disclosed herein is an article comprising a substrate; upon which is disposed a composition comprising: a first block copolymer that comprises a first block and a second block; where the first block has a higher surface energy than the second block; a second block copolymer that comprises a first block and a second block; where the first block of the first block copolymer is chemically the same as or similar to the first block of the second block copolymer and the second block of the first block copolymer is chemically the same as or similar to the second block of the second block copolymer; where the first and the second block copolymer have a chi parameter greater than 0.04 at a temperature of 200° C.
US09663681B2
An intermediate coating composition used in forming an intermediate coating layer directly overlaid on a surface of an electrodeposition coating layer constructing a vehicle outer panel, the coating composition containing as resin components: (a) 1% to 27% by mass of a polycaprolactonetriol; (b) 20% to 60% by mass of a blocked isocyanate; and (c) 1% to 20% by mass of a melamine resin, each at a percentage content in entire resin components, and the coating composition further containing as a pigment component: (d) 1% to 10% by mass of talc in terms of pigment mass concentration. As the resin component, (e) greater than 0% to 10% by mass of an epoxy resin is preferably contained. A urethane curing catalyst is preferably contained in an amount of greater than 0.01 parts to 2 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the entire resin components.
US09663678B2
A coating composition comprises an emulsion copolymer of a monomer mixture comprising at least one vinyl ester, ethylene, and a stabilizing system. The stabilizing system comprises at least one polyvinyl alcohol. The monomer mixture comprises from 60 to 82 wt % of the at least one vinyl ester and from 18 to 40 wt % of the ethylene based on the total weight of monomers in the mixture. The stabilizing system comprises from 1 to 5 wt % of at least one medium molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol and at least one low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsion copolymer has a solids content from 50% to 60% and a viscosity ranges from 500 to 6,000 mPa·s. and a formaldehyde content of less than 10 ppm as determined by HPLC.
US09663676B2
The present invention provides [1] a process for producing a fine organic pigment having a very small primary particle size, and a fine organic pigment produced by the process; a process for producing a dispersion using the fine organic pigment, and a dispersion produced by the process; and a process for producing an ink using the dispersion. The present invention relates to [1] a process for producing a fine organic pigment, including step 1 of kneading a mixture prepared by blending (A) a raw material organic pigment containing an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom in a molecule thereof, (B) a water-soluble inorganic salt, (C) a water-soluble organic solvent, (D) water and (E) a water-soluble basic compound with each other, in which the water (D) is blended in an amount of not less than 0.6 part by mass and not more than 7.0 parts by mass on the basis of 100 parts by mass of the water-soluble inorganic salt, and the water-soluble basic compound (E) is blended in an amount of not less than 1.5 parts by mass and not more than 35 parts by mass on the basis of 100 parts by mass of the raw material organic pigment.
US09663669B1
An aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition has a pH of 7 to 9, and consists essentially of: (A) a water-soluble dye colorant present in an amount of 2-10 weight %, (B) a water-soluble polymer present in an amount of 1-4 weight %, and an aqueous medium consisting essentially of water. The water-soluble polymer has an acid number or at least 130 and a molecular weight of 5,000 to 20,000. It comprises: (a) 55-80 mol % of recurring units derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted styrenes, (meth)acrylates, and combinations thereof, each (meth)acrylate comprising either a pendant phenyl group or an alkyl ester group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; and (b) 20-35 mol % of recurring units comprising (meth)acrylic acid, all based on total water-soluble polymer recurring units.
US09663666B2
Corrosion of metal conduits by hydrate inhibitor formulations, particularly localized corrosion, is mitigated when the hydrate inhibitor formulation contains an effective amount of at least one hydroxyacid or equivalent selected from the group consisting of hydroxyacids having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and at least one hydroxyl group. The hydrate inhibitor formulation has an absence of methanol, but may include other alcohol solvents, diol or triol solvents, aromatic solvents and ketone solvents.
US09663665B2
Buildings surfaces are often seen subjected to application of heat insulation paint. When the surface of buildings gets dirty, reflectivity of the light lowers, so that the surface of buildings is likely to adsorb heat, resulting in lowering of the heat insulation effect. The present invention has such object of providing a paint that the tasks of prevention of getting dirty and provision of heat insulation are achieved, decomposition of resin is much lowered, and applying the paint is readily carried out. An emulsion type paint comprising: an organic hollow balloon A having on the surface photo-catalyst minute particles stuck by heat fusion, an organic hollow balloon B having on the surface minute particles other than photo-catalyst stuck by the similar manner, and an organic resin, colloidal silica, and water, characterized in that the organic hollow balloon B is higher in specific gravity than the organic hollow balloon A.
US09663662B1
A reactor for converting scrap tire material into output products, while allowing controlling the characteristics of the products within certain ranges, includes a pre-processing zone maintained at a first average temperature, at least one primary processing zone maintained at a second average temperature, at least one secondary processing zone maintained at a third average temperature, a post-processing zone that cools scrap tire material to a fourth temperature, at least one water injector that introduces water into the interior of the secondary processing zones, and potentially also the primary zone, and a transport mechanism that moves, and may mix, scrap tire material across the pre-processing zone, primary processing zone, secondary processing zone, and post-processing zone.
US09663654B2
This disclosure relates to a resin composition that comprises polyalkylene carbonate, polylactide, polyalkyl(meth)acrylate, and cellulose, and has excellent biodegradability and mechanical properties, and yet, exhibits excellent thermal stability. Thus, the resin composition according to the present invention may be used in various application fields such as various films, sheets, disposable products, electronic goods, and interior material for automobiles.
US09663653B2
Provided is a resin composition capable of achieving a higher plating property. The resin composition comprises, relative to 100 parts by weight of a resin component comprising 30 to 100% by weight of a polycarbonate resin and 70% by weight or less of a styrene-based resin, 10 to 100 parts by weight of a glass filler and 2 to 20 parts by weight of a laser direct structuring additive, wherein the laser direct structuring additive comprises a metal oxide particle comprising titanium oxide coated with a composition comprising tin as a main component and antimony.
US09663650B2
A process of preparing a water-based emulsion includes adding a first monomer feed to a reaction vessel in the presence of a first initiator and water to form an acid-functional polymer; neutralizing the acid-functional polymer to form a particulate polymer; and adding a second monomer feed to the reaction vessel in the presence of a second initiator to form an agglomerated polymer; where the process is a one-pot process. The first monomer feed includes a (meth)acrylate monomer, a (meth)acrylic acid monomer, and a styrenic monomer; the second monomer feed includes a hydrophobic monomer; the water-based emulsion includes the agglomerated polymer; the agglomerated polymer includes the particulate polymer; and the agglomerated polymer having an aggregated drupelet morphology. The agglomerated polymers may be used in high opacity emulsions.
US09663642B2
The instant invention discloses fibers. The fibers according to the instant invention comprise a polyethylene composition comprising: (a) less than or equal to 100 percent by weight of the units derived from ethylene; and (b) less than 20 percent by weight of units derived from one or more α-olefin comonomers; wherein the polyethylene composition has a density in the range of 0.920 to 0.970 g/cm3, a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) in the range of 1.70 to 3.5, a melt index (I2) in the range of 0.2 to 1000 g/10 minutes, a molecular weight distribution (Mz/Mw) in the range of less than 2.5, vinyl unsaturation of less than 0.1 vinyls per one thousand carbon atoms present in the backbone of the composition.
US09663640B2
There are provided rubber compositions comprising an elastomer comprising polychloroprene; reinforcing fibers chosen from aramid fibers, carbon fibers, polyester fibers, glass fibers, nylon fibers and mixtures thereof, and/or nanometric filamentary structures chosen from nanowires, nanorods, nanofibers, nanoribbons, nanotubes and mixtures thereof, said nanometric filamentary structures being functionalized or unfunctionalized; and a filler chosen from carbon black and silica. These compositions, when cured, comprises at least one set of characteristics chosen from those described in the application.
US09663638B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition that can provide an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber molded article having excellent properties of non-stickiness, oil resistance, heat resistance, and low-friction properties. The acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber composition of the present invention includes: an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (A); and a fluororesin (B), the fluororesin (B) being a perhalopolymer, the composition formed from a co-coagulated composition obtainable by co-coagulating the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (A) and the fluororesin (B).
US09663637B2
A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an unsaturated heterocycle containing an azolinyl group.
US09663633B2
A reinforced rubber composition based at least on an elastomeric matrix comprising natural rubber, on a reinforcing filler and on a polyaldimine compound of general formula (I), in which the R1, R2 and A elements are variable groups. This composition is intended in particular for the manufacture of semi-finished products for tires.
US09663626B2
Heat-expandable microspheres with high encapsulation efficiency of a blowing agent and good heat-expansion performance, a process for reproducibly producing the heat-expandable microspheres and application thereof are provided. The heat-expandable microspheres comprise essentially a thermoplastic resin shell and a blowing agent encapsulated therein, and contain not more than 500 ppm of silicon, not more than 350 ppm of aluminum and not more than 600 ppm of the total of the silicon and aluminum. The heat-expandable microspheres retain at least 70% of the blowing agent encapsulated therein at the temperature which is the average of their expansion-initiation temperature and maximum expansion temperature.
US09663623B2
An asphalt damping sheet, which comprises the following components in indicated amounts based on the total mass of the asphalt damping sheet: a paint slag-containing waste limestone powder 20-50 parts; soft pitch 1-5 parts; hard pitch 11-15 parts; a non-metallic mineral 29-59 parts; PET short fiber 0.1-1.5 parts; and said non-metallic mineral is selected from the group consisting of quartz sand, pottery clay and mica powder. The technical process in the invention uses the paint slag-containing waste limestone powder generated in dry separation process of overspray adopted by vehicle manufacturer paint shops as filler in the asphalt damping sheets, such asphalt damping sheets can be used in the field of machine manufacturing such as automobiles and ships, and also can be used in the field of building waterproof materials, and the goal of resource recycling is achieved.
US09663618B2
Provided is an optical material composition, with which an optical material is obtained having excellent quality such as excellent color tone and lightfastness, a low level of striae, and high transparency when polymerization-cured. Through use of the optical material composition, which includes a compound represented by formula (1) and an episulfide compound represented by formula (2), the ratio of the compound represented by formula (1) to the combined total amount of the compound represented by formula (1) and the episulfide compound represented by formula (2) being 0.001-5.0% by mass, it is possible to provide an optical material composition for manufacturing an optical material having a high refractive index, the optical material having excellent quality such as transparency, striae, color tone, and lightfastness. (In the formula, m represents an integer of 0-4, and n represents an integer of 0-2.)
US09663612B2
A process of polymerizing wherein the stoichiometric ratio of (f+g)≈(h+i) and f, g, h and i are not equal to 0. Additionally, R1, R2, R3 and R4 can be independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups and combinations thereof and where the combination of R1, R2, R3 and R4 are not all identical. In addition, x and y can be different from each other and independently selected from the group consisting of: alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups, where y=1-3, where y=0-12, where R5 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups, where R6 is selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups, where R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups, —NR9R10 where R9 and R10 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl group, alkoxy group, aryl groups.
US09663607B2
The present invention is a process for preparing an aqueous solution of a hydrophobically modified alkylene oxide poly(urethane-urea-allophanate) thickener by contacting isocyanate reactive groups with a stoichiometric excess of a diisocyanate, followed by reaction with water. The thickener surprisingly shows a maintenance or improvement in hiding in paint formulations while maintaining other critical rheological properties.
US09663605B2
Compositions, coatings, and energy storage fabrications made of support polymers or active waxes in a grafted matrix to an amorphous wax and at least one functional compound and their methods of preparation are presented. Amorphous waxes are typified by paraffin waxes. Functional compounds include various fatty alcohols, fatty acids, ester, amines, and amidoalkylamines. Sulfonated and oxidized ion exchange resins may be grafted to the matrix. The compositions are capable of storing or releasing energy upon a physical phase change transition.
US09663603B2
An object of the invention is to provide a curable composition having a HALS skeleton and capable of producing polymers having excellent weather resistance and outer appearance. The present invention provides a curable composition including at least a monomer component that contains a monomer (A) represented by a certain formula and a monomer (B) polymerizable with the monomer (A). In the curable composition, the content of the monomer (A) is 0.01 to 35 mol % in the monomer component, and the content of the monomer (B) is 65 to 99.99 mol % in the monomer component.
US09663596B2
A catalyst composition comprising a monoester, the compound represented by formula (I) as an internal electron donor, and optionally an additional internal electron donor selected from a group consisting of diesters and diethers, wherein: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are hydrogen, straight, branched and cyclic alkyl having at most 20 carbon atoms and aromatic substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbyl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, R7 is a straight, branched and cyclic alkyl having at most 20 carbon atoms and aromatic substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbyl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and R8 is an aromatic substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbyl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Also described is a process for preparing the polymerization catalyst composition, a polymerization catalyst system comprising the catalyst composition, a co-catalyst and optionally an external electron donor; and use of the catalyst system for polymerization of olefins.
US09663590B2
Process for the polymerization or copolymerization of olefins by bringing the olefins into contact with a catalyst under polymerization or copolymerization conditions in a reactor containing a charge powder. The process includes, prior to introducing the catalyst into the reactor, introducing a scavenger into the reactor which reacts with catalyst poison present. The scavenger is added to the reactor until the charge powder contains a remaining amount of scavenger of between 0.1 and 2.5 moles per ton of charge powder.
US09663589B2
Disclosed herein are processes for providing a biopolymer from a biomass or source of chitin using ionic liquids. The processes involve contacting a biomass or source of chitin with an ionic liquid to produce a biopolymer comprising solution and precipitating the biopolymer from the solution with supercritical CO2, gaseous CO2, or combinations thereof.
US09663585B2
Monoclonal antibodies against DCLK1 and conjugates containing these monoclonal antibodies are disclosed. Methods of producing and using these monoclonal antibodies are also disclosed.
US09663583B2
The present invention relates to an anti-CD19 antibody having a variant Fc region having some specific amino acid modifications relative to a wild-type Fc region which confer one or several useful effector functions. The present invention relates in particular to chimeric, humanized or full human anti-CD19 antibodies comprising such a variant Fc region. It relates advantageously to antibodies with an interesting and valuable glycosylation profile, especially a low fucose level and/or a high oligomannose level and low level of sialylated glycoform. The present invention also relates to the use of these antibodies in the treatment, prevention or management of disease or disorder, such as cancer, especially a B-cell malignancy, and auto-immune disease.
US09663579B2
Methods for achieving clinical response of Crohn's disease in a human patient are described comprising administration of an antibody that has binding specificity for human α4β7 integrin using a safe dosing regimen of these antibody formulations that is easy to follow, and which results in a therapeutically effective amount of the anti-α4β7 antibody in vivo.
US09663578B2
Isolated monoclonal antibodies which bind to human CD32b and related antibody-based compositions and molecules, are disclosed. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies, and therapeutic and diagnostic methods for using the antibodies.
US09663576B2
Disclosed are methods and compositions of anti-B cell antibodies, preferably anti-CD22 antibodies, for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of B-cell associated diseases, such as B-cell malignancies, autoimmune disease and immune dysfunction disease. In certain embodiments, trogocytosis induced by anti-B cell antibodies may determine antibody efficacy, disease responsiveness and prognosis of therapeutic intervention. In other embodiments, optimal dosages of therapeutic antibody may be selected by monitoring the degree of trogocytosis induced by anti-B cell antibodies. Other characteristics of anti-B-cell antibodies that may be monitored include inducing phosphorylation of CD22, CD79a and CD79b; inducing translocation of CD22, CD79a and CD79b to lipid rafts; inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis; increasing pLyn, pERKs and pJNKs; decreasing constitutively-active p38; or inducing mitochondrial membrane depolarization, generation of reactive oxygen species, upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax and downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-xl, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2.
US09663569B2
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of neuroinflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases comprising a single or a combination of several blocking agent(s) of Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP) signaling. The invention further provides methods of treatment of neuroinflammatory or neurodegenerative diseases comprising administering to a patient in need thereof the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.
US09663560B2
Improvement of fiber quality of Upland cultivars (Gossypium hirsutum), while maintaining early maturity and productivity, is a fundamental problem in conventional cotton breeding. Phytochromes play a fundamental role in plant development, flowering and cotton fiber length. Targeted RNAi of PHYA1 genes in cotton suppressed expression of PHYA1 and/or PHYB, resulting in over-expression of the remaining PHYA2/B/C/E genes. This altered expression induced a number of phytochrome-associated phenotypes, including increased root length and mass, increased anthocyanin-pigment, vigorous shoot development and vegetative growth, early flowering, early boll maturity, increased fiber length and increased seed cotton yield compared to control plants. These RNAi phenotypes were stably inherited and expressed through four generations (T0-3) and were transferable from RNAi Coker-312 plants to Upland cultivars via conventional hybridization.
US09663558B2
A polypeptide with improved alkaline stability, which polypeptide comprises a mutant of a B or C domain of Staphylococcus Protein A, as specified by SEQ ID NO 1 or SEQ ID NO 2, or of Protein Z, as specified by SEQ ID NO 3, wherein at least the glutamine residue at position 15 has been mutated to an amino acid other than asparagine. The invention also discloses multimers of the polypeptide, as well as separation matrices comprising the multimers or polypeptides.
US09663556B2
Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) trans-activator of transcription (Tat) derivative polypeptide with increased immunostimulatory properties relative to the native Tat polypeptide, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the Tat derivative polypeptide, and methods of treating cancer using the Tat derivative polypeptide.
US09663553B2
The invention is an integrated process for the isolation and purification of plasma derived clotting Factor VIII, clotting Factor IX, albumin and immunoglobulin without the use of ethanol precipitation. The integrated process comprises of sequential chromatography steps of gel filtration, anion exchange and cation exchange chromatographies, followed by viral inactivation and removal steps. The present invention has the advantage of being a mild process that does not denature or aggregate the proteins and provides high yields of several therapeutic grade plasma proteins from a given volume of plasma.
US09663547B2
Disclosed are Silicon- and Zirconium-containing precursors having one of the following formulae: wherein each R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 is independently selected from H; a C1-C5 linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group; or a C1-C5 linear, branched, or cyclic fluoroalkyl group. Also disclosed are methods of synthesizing the disclosed precursors and using the same to deposit Zirconium-containing thin films on substrates via vapor deposition processes.
US09663545B2
The invention relates to compounds characterized by a general formula (1), wherein X is a group described by a general formula —Kp—Fl—Kq—, wherein Fl is —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, with l being 0 or 1, Kp is a Cp-alkyl with p being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, Kq is a Cq-alkyl with q being 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and wherein n of R1n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, and each R1 independently from any other R1 is —C(═O)OR2, —C(═O)NR22, —C(═O)SR2, —C(═S)OR2, —C(NH)NR22, CN4H2, —NR22, —C(═O)R2, —C(═S)R2, —OR2, —SR2, —CF3, —OCF3, —SCF3, —SOCF3, —SO2CF3, —CN, —NO2, —F, —Cl, —Br or —I, with each R2 independently from any other R2 being a hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl, and wherein OM is an organometallic compound independently selected from the group of an unsubstituted or substituted metal sandwich compound, an unsubstituted or substituted half metal sandwich compound or a metal carbonyl compound and their use in a method for treatment of infections by helminths.
US09663543B2
Compounds, methods of use, and processes for making inhibitors of complement factor D comprising Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or composition thereof wherein R12 or R13 on the A group is a phosphonate (R32) 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.
US09663541B2
A compound useful for the manufacture of a Group 5 metal oxide film is provided. The compound is a Group 5 metal oxo-alkoxo complex represented by the following formula (A), and after preparing a film-forming material solution containing the compound and an organic solvent, a Group 5 metal oxide film can be manufactured using the film-forming material solution: Mα(μ4-O)β(μ3-O)γ(μ-O)δ(μ-ORA)∈(ORA)ζ(RAOH)ηXθYι (A) (wherein M represents a niobium atom, etc.; RA represents an alkyl group; X represents an alkylenedioxy group; Y represents a carboxy group, etc.; α represents an integer of 3 to 10; β represents 0 or 1; γ represents an integer of 0 to 8; δ represents an integer of 2 to 9; ∈ represents an integer of 0 to 6; ζ represents an integer of 6 to 16; η represents an integer of 0 to 4; θ represents an integer of 0 to 2; and ι represents an integer of 0 to 6).
US09663531B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing sordidin, comprising a step of preparing 4-(2-ethyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)pentan-2-one by means of a reaction in which 2-ethyl-2-(pent-4-en-2-yl)-1,3-dioxolane is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst chosen from the group comprising organometallic complexes of transition metals.
US09663517B2
Provided are solid dispersions, solid molecular complexes, salts and crystalline polymorphs involving propane-1-sulfonic acid {3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl}-amide.
US09663514B2
Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein G, p, R1, R2, R3a, R4, and R5 are defined in the specification. This disclosure also relates to materials and methods for preparing compounds of Formula 1, to pharmaceutical compositions which contain them, and to their use for treating disorders, diseases, and conditions involving the immune system and inflammation, including rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and other disorders, diseases, and conditions for which inhibition of SYK is indicated.
US09663507B1
A method of producing crystalline pharmaceutical grade Thiamine hydrochloride by crystallization from an isopropanol-water mixture. The method can be tuned to produce either the hemihydrate or monohydrate forms in a simple and easy manner.
US09663506B2
The present invention provides quinoline carboxamide and quinoline carbonitrile compounds of formula (I) wherein ring A, RQ, -L-, R1, n, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. The compounds of the invention are useful as non-competitive mGluR2 antagonists, or mGluR2 negative allosteric modulators (NAMs), and in methods of treating a patient (preferably a human) for diseases or disorders in which the mGluR2-NAM receptor is involved, including potentially Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia and other mood disorders, pain disorders and sleep disorders, by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, (optionally in combination with one or more additional active ingredients), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and the use of the compounds and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention in the treatment of such diseases.
US09663502B2
The invention provides certain benzoxazine compounds of the Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2, Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd, Rg, and Cy are as defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds of the Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and methods of using the compounds of the Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same for treating diseases or conditions mediated by RORgammaT.
US09663500B2
Pyrazole derivatives of Formula Ia and pharmaceutical compositions thereof that modulate the activity of the PGI2 receptor. Compounds of the present invention and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are directed to methods useful in the treatment of: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and related disorders; platelet aggregation; coronary artery disease; myocardial infarction; transient ischemic attack; angina; stroke; ischemia-reperfusion injury; restenosis; atrial fibrillation; blood clot formation in an angioplasty or coronary bypass surgery individual or in an individual suffering from atrial fibrillation; atherosclerosis; atherothrombosis; asthma or a symptom thereof; a diabetic-related disorder such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy or diabetic retinopathy; glaucoma or other disease of the eye with abnormal intraocular pressure; hypertension; inflammation; psoriasis; psoriatic arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; Crohn's disease; transplant rejection; multiple sclerosis; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); ulcerative colitis; ischemia-reperfusion injury; restenosis; atherosclerosis; acne; type 1 diabetes; type 2 diabetes; sepsis; and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
US09663497B2
Benzoimidazol-2-yl pyrimidines, purification methods for the same, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions mediated by H4 receptor activity, including allergy, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and pruritus.
US09663486B2
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to selectively substituted quinoline compounds that act as antagonists or inhibitors for Toll-like receptors 7 and/or 8, and their use in pharmaceutical compositions effective for treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis.
US09663479B2
A compound of Formula (1) wherein R1 represents hydrogen, halo, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkylhalide group, a C1-C4 alkoxy-C2-C4 alkyl group, a C2-C4 alkenyl group, a C2-C4 alkynyl group or a C3-C7 cyclo alkyl group; R2 represents Formula (1)′ or Formula (1)″ a tautomer thereof; and R3 represents hydrogen, a C1-C4 alkyl group, a C1-C4 alkoxy-C2-C4 alkyl group or a C7 cyclo alkyl group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. Processes to prepare said compounds and novel intermediates are also claimed. Such compound finds utility in treating neuropathic pain and disorders of the central nervous system.
US09663474B2
This invention relates to heterocyclic substituted 2-amino-quinazoline derivatives, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions, and their use in treating viral infections.
US09663471B2
The present invention provides compounds having formula (I): and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, wherein R1, R2 and B are as described generally and in classes and subclasses herein, and additionally provides pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods for the use thereof for the treatment of any of a number of conditions or diseases in which HGF/SF or the activities thereof, or agonists or antagonists thereof have a therapeutically useful role.
US09663463B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a compound having an antagonistic action against μ-opioid receptors, which causes less side effects and thus is highly safe.A compound represented by the general formula (I), or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, provided that R1 and R2 are not simultaneously halogen atoms, R3 represents a C1-C3 alkyl group or a vinyl group, and R4 represents the formula (II): wherein R5 represents a hydroxy group or a C1-C3 alkoxy group, and R6 and R7 are the same or different, and each represents a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom; or the formula (III): wherein Ring A represents a halogen atom(s)-substituted C5-C7 cycloalkyl group which is optionally substituted by a C1-C3 alkoxy group, or a halogen atom(s)-substituted 5- to 7-membered saturated heterocyclic group.
US09663456B2
The present invention relates to novel carbamate intermediate of formula (II), process for its preparation and process for its conversion into 3-[(1R,2R)-3-(dimethylamino)-1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl]phenol, tapentadol and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.
US09663441B2
The invention provides processes for cleaning carbon dioxide-containing process gases from the preparation of vinyl acetate after reaction of ethylene with acetic acid and oxygen in heterogeneously catalyzed, continuous gas phase processes, characterized in that carbon dioxide-containing process gases, for removal of carbon dioxide, are contacted with one or more scrubbing solutions, and one or more scrubbing solutions comprise one or more oxides of metals (metal oxides) selected from the group comprising vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, manganese and arsenic.
US09663426B2
Disclosed are a composite metal catalyst composition capable of increasing efficiency and economic feasibility of a reaction through simplification of a reaction process, and providing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol with high purity for a shorter time while minimizing byproducts; and a method and apparatus for preparing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol with high purity using the same. The present invention provides a composite metal catalyst composition for converting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid into an alicyclic diol compound, the composition containing: a first metal catalyst including a palladium (Pd) compound; and a second metal catalyst including a ruthenium (Ru) compound, a tin (Sn) compound, and a platinum (Pt) compound, and a method and apparatus for preparing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol using the same.
US09663409B2
A water soluble liquid fertilizer concentrate is provided that includes a bio-available phosphorus source, said phosphorus source consisting essentially of a phosphite salt. At least one of a bio-available nitrogen source and a bio-available potassium source are also provided. At least one micronutrient of calcium, magnesium, cobalt, iron, manganese, copper, boron, zinc, or molybdenum is present in the concentrate as an aqueous solute or soluble chelates. In some embodiments, the at least one phosphite salt is present at between 30 to 57 total weight percent dissolved in water and optionally contains a phosphate salt. A process of fertilizing a crop includes diluting the fertilizer concentrate with water to obtain a liquid fertilizer solution. The liquid fertilizer solution is then applied to the crop and after by allowing sufficient time, the fertilizer solution promotes growth of the crop.
US09663407B2
The present invention provides a silicon nitride wear resistant member comprising a silicon nitride sintered compact containing β-Si3N4 crystal grains as a main component, 2 to 4% by mass of a rare earth element in terms of oxide, 2 to 6% by mass of Al in terms of oxide, and 0.1 to 5% by mass of Hf in terms of oxide, wherein the silicon nitride sintered compact has rare earth-Hf—O compound crystals; in an arbitrary section, an area ratio of the rare earth-Hf—O compound crystals in a grain boundary phase per unit area of 30 μm×30 μm is 5 to 50%; and variation of the area ratios of the rare earth-Hf—O compound crystals between the unit areas is 10% or less. Due to above structure, there can be provided a wear resistant member comprising the silicon nitride sintered compact having an excellent wear resistance and processability.
US09663406B2
A method for treating workpieces that consist of porous carbon material with liquid silicon with the formation of silicon carbide, comprising the steps: Preheating porous carbon workpieces under inert gas to the selected operating temperature TB1, feeding liquid silicon to the porous carbon workpieces at an operating pressure pB2 and an operating temperature TB2, and impregnating the porous carbon workpieces with liquid silicon, reaction of the liquid silicon in the workpiece at a temperature TB3 with the formation of silicon carbide that consists of carbon and silicon, gassing the workpiece with inert gas and cooling from the operating temperature TB3 to the conditioning temperature Tk, cooling the workpieces to room temperature, the temperature TB3 being greater than or equal to the temperature TB2, and the workpiece in step d of the method no longer being in contact with liquid silicon outside of the workpiece.
US09663397B2
A broadband emission material according to the present invention includes: a fluoride glass containing 20 to 45 mol % of AlF3, 25 to 63 mol % of alkaline-earth fluorides in total and 3 to 25 mol % of at least one fluoride of element selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Gd and Lu; and ytterbium ions incorporated in the fluoride glass as divalent rare-earth ions so as to serve as a luminescent center, wherein the fluoride glass includes 1 to 15 mol % of at least one halide of element selected from the group consisting of Al, Ba, Sr, Ca and Mg and element selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br and I; and wherein the alkaline-earth fluorides includes 0 to 15 mol % of MgF2, 7 to 25 mol % of CaF2, 0 to 22 mol % of SrF2 and 0 to 5 mol % of BaF2.
US09663384B2
A method for producing high-purity trimanganese tetraoxide from dust containing manganese includes adding sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and a reductant to manganese dust and leaching manganese therefrom; eliminating primary impurities by adding calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)) to the leached manganese solution acquired from the leaching step; eliminating secondary impurities by adding sulfides to the leached manganese solution from which primary impurities have been eliminated; precipitating manganese by using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) so as to control the pH in the leached manganese solution from which secondary impurities have been eliminated, and cleaning and drying the precipitated specimen; and acquiring high-purity trimanganese tetraoxide by injecting the dried specimen with air and heat-treating same under oxidizing conditions. Thus the present invention allows high-purity trimanganese tetraoxide to be produced from dust containing manganese, for use as material for a secondary battery.
US09663377B1
A method is disclosed for synthesizing molecular sieve material designated SSZ-105 using N-methyl quinuclidinium cations or N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane dications as a structure directing agent. SSZ-105 is a disordered aluminosilicate molecular sieve comprising at least one intergrown phase of an ERI framework type molecular sieve and an LEV framework type molecular sieve.
US09663373B2
A reactor for producing phosgene, the reactor comprising: tube located in a shell and a space located between the tube and the shell; a cooling medium located in the space and a catalyst located in the tube or cooling medium located in the tube and a catalyst located in the space; a feed inlet; and a product mixture outlet; wherein the tube comprises one or more of: a mini-tube and a second tube section; a first concentric tube concentrically located in the shell; a twisted tube; an internal scaffold; and an external scaffold.
US09663367B2
Systems and a method for forming carbon allotropes are described. An exemplary reactor system for the production of carbon allotropes includes a hybrid reactor configured to form carbon allotropes from a reactant gas mixture in a Bosch reaction. The hybrid reactor includes at least two distinct zones that perform different functions including reaction, attrition, catalyst separation, or gas separation.
US09663363B2
A multiple stage synthesis gas generation system is disclosed including a high radiant heat flux reactor, a gasifier reactor control system, and a Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) reactor. The SMR reactor is in parallel and cooperates with the high radiant heat flux reactor to produce a high quality syngas mixture for MeOH synthesis. The resultant products from the two reactors may be used for the MeOH synthesis. The SMR provides hydrogen rich syngas to be mixed with the potentially carbon monoxide rich syngas from the high radiant heat flux reactor. The combination of syngas component streams from the two reactors can provide the required hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio for methanol synthesis. The SMR reactor control system and a gasifier reactor control system interact to produce a high quality syngas mixture for the MeOH synthesis.
US09663361B2
The present invention discloses a hydrogen generating composition, reactor, device and hydrogen production method. The composition includes sodium borohydride and a filler. The filler is a substance having a chemical stability and a water solubility of less than 10 g per 100 g of water under an alkaline or neutral condition at a temperature of 130° C. to 140° C. The filler has a bulk volume of 0.02˜16 times the bulk volume of the sodium borohydride. A mass ratio between the filler and the sodium borohydride is less than or equal to 2:1. The filler has a bulk density of less than 16 and has a mean particle size smaller than that of the sodium borohydride. The present invention has a high hydrogen production density, adequate reaction, lower cost and is environmentally friendly, practical and simple to pause and restart.
US09663357B2
A method for fabricating packaged semiconductor devices (100) with an open cavity (110a) in panel format; placing (process 201) on an adhesive carrier tape a panel-sized grid of metallic pieces having a flat pad (230) and symmetrically placed vertical pillars (231); attaching (process 202) semiconductor chips (101) with sensor systems face-down onto the tape; laminating (process 203) and thinning (process 204) low CTE insulating material (234) to fill gaps between chips and grid; turning over (process 205) assembly to remove tape; plasma-cleaning assembly front side, sputtering and patterning (process 206) uniform metal layer across assembly and optionally plating (process 209) metal layer to form rerouting traces and extended contact pads for assembly; laminating (process 212) insulating stiffener across panel; opening (process 213) cavities in stiffener to access the sensor system; and singulating (process 214) packaged devices by cutting metallic pieces.
US09663356B2
A method of making a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device includes etching away a sacrificial material layer to release a mechanical element of the MEMS device. The MEMS device is formed at least partially on the sacrificial material layer, and the etching leaves a residue in proximity to the mechanical element. The residue is exposed to an anhydrous solution to remove the residue. The residue may be an ammonium fluorosilicate-based residue, and the anhydrous solution may include acetic acid, isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or any anhydrous solution that can effectively dissolve the ammonium fluorosilicate-based residue.
US09663354B2
According to a method in semiconductor device fabrication, a first trench and a second trench are concurrently etched in a semi-finished semiconductor device. The first trench is a mechanical decoupling trench between a first region of an eventual semiconductor device and a second region thereof. The method further includes concurrently passivating or insulating sidewalls of the first trench and of the second trench. A related semiconductor device includes a first trench configured to provide a mechanical decoupling between a first region and a second region of the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device further includes a second trench and a sidewall coating at sidewalls of the first trench and the second trench. The sidewall coating at the sidewalls of the first trench and at the sidewalls of the second trench are of the same material.
US09663353B2
In embodiments, a package assembly may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) having an active side and an inactive side. In embodiments, the MEMS may be coupled directly to the ASIC by way of one or more interconnects. The MEMS, ASIC, and one or more interconnects may define or form a cavity such that the active portion of the MEMS is within the cavity. In some embodiments, the package assembly may include a plurality of MEMS coupled directly to the ASIC by way of a plurality of one or more interconnects. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US09663346B1
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, fins coupled to the semiconductor substrate, FinFETs on the fins, a common gate for the FinFETs, a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, the dielectric layer surrounding a cavity with the semiconductor substrate providing bottom confinement of the acoustic cavity by total internal reflection, and an interconnect structure above the FinFETs, the interconnect structure including phononic crystal(s) to confine acoustic energy in the cavity including the cavity and metal layer(s) sandwiched between two dielectric layers. The semiconductor structure may be realized, during FEOL fabrication of a FinFET, by forming a cavity on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Then, after fabrication of the FinFET, forming an interconnect structure for the FinFET. During formation of the interconnect structure, materials of the interconnect structure are used to form a phononic crystal to confine the cavity between the phononic crystal and the semiconductor substrate.
US09663345B2
A multiple pump system is disclosed. The multiple pump system may include a fluid tank and a multiple pump vessel connected to the fluid tank. The multiple pump vessel may include at least one first pump and at least one second pump located therein. In addition, the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense a fluid from the fluid tank at a first pressure, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense the fluid from the fluid tank at a second pressure. The first pressure may be different from the second pressure, such that the at least one first pump may be configured to dispense liquefied natural gas, and the at least one second pump may be configured to dispense compressed natural gas.
US09663335B2
A hydraulic winch assembly uses a control algorithm that separates brake control from drum rotation to permit fine control of load position. Actuation of an operator interface to a first position displacement threshold will release a drum brake but will not activate a hydraulic pump for operating a hydraulic motor coupled to the drum until the operator interface is moved to a second position displacement threshold. During the operating condition when the brake is released but the pump is not operating, the force of a load applied to a cable coupled to the drum may cause the cable to slowly unwind from and rotate the drum, thereby permitting fine control of drum rotation. Additionally, when the pump is activated upon further movement of the operator interface, a speed of the motor may be modulated, such as by a gear ratio command, to permit precise control over lower drum speeds.
