US09720743B2

General-purpose distributed data-parallel computing using a high-level language is disclosed. Data parallel portions of a sequential program that is written by a developer in a high-level language are automatically translated into a distributed execution plan. The distributed execution plan is then executed on large compute clusters. Thus, the developer is allowed to write the program using familiar programming constructs in the high level language. Moreover, developers without experience with distributed compute systems are able to take advantage of such systems.
US09720741B2

A system for maintaining a two-site configuration for continuous availability over long distances may include a first computing site configured to execute a first instance associated with a priority workload, the first instance being designated as an active instance; a second computing site configured to execute a second instance of the priority workload, the second instance being designated as a standby instance; a software replication module configured to replicate a unit of work data associated with the priority workload from a first data object associated with the active instance to a second data object associated with the standby instance, and a hardware replication module configured to replicate an image from a first storage volume to a copy on a second storage volume, wherein the first storage volume is associated with the first computing site, and the second storage volume is associated with a third computing site.
US09720740B2

Resource management in MapReduce architecture and architectural system. The present invention provides an apparatus for resource management in the MapReduce architecture including a memory, a processor communicatively coupled to the memory, and a module for resource management in the MapReduce architecture configured to carry out the steps of a method. The method includes the steps of: determining a ratio r of an input data amount of a Map task, an output data amount of the Map task, and an average size R of a record in Map output results; determining a memory size Memory_size that can be allocated to the Map task corresponding to a Map slot; determining an input split size appropriate for the Map task according to the determined r, R and Memory_size; and allocating an input split with the input split size in a MapReduce job to be processed to the Map task occupying the Map slot.
US09720737B2

A computer system displays a user interface display with a user input mechanism that can be actuated in order to identify a set of resources, and corresponding capacities. A team configuration is stored in memory and reflects the configuration of the resources and corresponding capacities that were identified. A task dependency structure is obtained, and is indicative of an underlying project. Resources from the stored team configuration, and corresponding capacities, are assigned to the tasks in the task dependency structure and the team configuration is updated, in memory, to reflect the assignments. A display is generated that shows the state of the underlying memory, and that is indicative of a remaining capacity and a consumed capacity.
US09720736B2

A system according to certain aspects improves the process of managing jobs and allocating resources to those jobs. The system can include a job manager that processes and generates resource allocation requests for a plurality of jobs and a resource allocator that allocates computing resources for the plurality of jobs based on the resource allocation requests. The process of allocating resources may involve locking one or more resource objects before allocating the computing resources for the plurality of jobs and unlocking the locked resource objects after the computing resources have been allocated for the plurality of jobs.
US09720731B2

Techniques are disclosed for allocation of resources under the control of resource managers and the choice and coordination of resource acquisition protocols to communicate with these resource managers. The resource managers may be distributed and heterogeneous. For example, a technique for use by a service provider for allocating one or more resources from multiple resources associated with multiple resource managers based on at least one service agreement offer from a service client comprises the following steps/operations. At least one service agreement offer is obtained. A resource allocation is automatically determined based on the obtained service agreement offer. The automated step/operation of determining the resource allocation comprises: (i) coordinating selection of a resource acquisition protocol from among multiple resource acquisition protocols for use in communicating with the multiple resource managers to acquire one or more resources associated therewith; and (ii) evaluating a performance associated with one or more of the multiple resource acquisition protocols.
US09720722B2

A hypervisor determines a target CPU usage of a virtual machine in responding to a request to allocate guest memory. Then the hypervisor receives a first balloon request for a first quantity of guest memory to be ballooned. The hypervisor transmits a second balloon request for guest memory to be allocated to a balloon of the virtual machine, where the second quantity of guest memory is a first fraction of the first quantity of guest memory. The hypervisor then determines a first quantity of time that the virtual machine took to execute the second balloon request and waits a second quantity of time. The hypervisor then transmits a third balloon request for a third quantity of guest memory to be allocated to the balloon of the virtual machine, where the third quantity of guest memory is a second fraction of the first quantity of guest memory.
US09720720B2

A virtualization manager receives a request to change a current number of virtual functions associated with at least one physical interface that provides virtual function capability to a new number of virtual functions. Responsive to determining that that new number of virtual functions is not greater than a maximum number of virtual functions for the at least one physical interface, configuring, by the virtualization manager, the at least one physical interface with the new number.
US09720718B2

An approach for remotely managing virtual network appliances (VNAs) includes establishing a management virtual circuit (VC) to a hypervisor running on a server at a customer premise, remotely deploying one or more VNAs to the hypervisor, and remotely managing the hypervisor and the one or more VNAs via the management VC.
US09720710B2

Embodiments relate to systems, devices, and computer-implemented methods for provisioning, managing, and executing tasks. An agent program can be configured to receive task data, determine a task definition corresponding to the task data, retrieve the task definition, and execute the task definition using the task data. The agent program can additionally be configured to set a time-to-live for the task definition and locally delete the task definition when the time-to-live elapses.
US09720703B2

A system and computer program product provide processor initialization in different platform environments via a single code set. The system includes: in response to detecting a power-on operation of the processor, a microcontroller retrieving hardware procedures (HWP) framework code from a storage and triggering execution of the HWP framework code on the processor. The execution of the HWP framework code generates a HWP framework that comprises a plurality of application programming interfaces (APIs) which govern how all communication processes involving hardware procedures can be accomplished. The system further includes the microcontroller performing one or more initialization procedures by communicating one or more attribute data via the HWP framework to configure the processor for operation within a specific platform environment in which the processor is to be operated. The HWP framework includes standard interfaces and enables direct updates to hardware procedures without requiring a new flash code or a firmware patch.
US09720700B1

A secure storage device includes a physical key input device, a secure memory and a controller. The controller arbitrates access by a host to securely configure the device based on the device's mode of operation. The controller determines whether the device is in a configuration-ready mode based on information within the device. Only when the device is in the configuration-ready mode, the device may be configured by the host. When a device is in a non-configuration-ready mode, the device is prevented from being configured by the host, but the device can be set to the configuration-ready mode, for example, by nullifying configuration data (e.g., PINs), by creating new encryption key(s), and by setting the mode to the configuration-ready mode. A null PIN is unusable to unlock the device after being locked. A new encryption key is unusable to decrypt data previously stored in the device, making such data unrecoverable.
US09720698B2

An OS bootloader or other code or data requested by firmware during a boot sequence is cached inside ROM or another non-volatile memory location. Firmware uses this cached version, instead of retrieving the OS bootloader or other code from a peripheral location to speed up the boot sequence. Embodiments also create additional room in the cache based on pre-determined rules if the cache doesn't already include the requested data and doesn't have enough room to store the requested data at the time of the firmware's read request.
US09720696B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for mapping the architected state of one or more threads to a set of distributed physical register files to enable independent execution of one or more threads in a multiple slice processor. In one embodiment, a system is disclosed including a plurality of dispatch queues which receive instructions from one or more threads and an even number of parallel execution slices, each parallel execution slice containing a register file. A routing network directs an output from the dispatch queues to the parallel execution slices and the parallel execution slices independently execute the one or more threads.
US09720694B2

A method, system, and computer program product of utilizing branch prediction logic in a system that processes instructions that include a branch are described. The method includes identifying the branch as conventionally predictable or not conventionally predictable, and based on the branch being identified as not conventionally predictable according to the identifying, either foregoing branch prediction and reallocating, using a processor, the branch prediction logic to another thread of the instructions or performing, using the processor, the branch prediction and speculative execution of one or more of the instructions following the branch to obtain prediction information. Based on the performing the branch prediction and the speculative execution, the method also includes verifying a match between a branch end according to the instructions and a branch end according to the branch prediction prior to providing the prediction information to a second processor processing the instructions.
US09720692B2

Method, apparatus, and program for performing a comparison operation. An apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, the execution resources store a result of a comparison between valid data elements of a first and second operand.
US09720686B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for melding mediation and adaptation modules of a service component architecture (SCA) system. A method for melding mediation and adaptation modules of an SCA system can include selecting each of a mediation module and an adaptation module in an integrated development tool executing in memory by a processor of a computer and loading respectively different descriptor files for each of the mediation module and the adaptation module. The method further can include combining descriptors from the different descriptor files into a single descriptor file for a melded module. Finally, the method can include modifying names and wiring descriptors in the single descriptor file for the melded module to account for a combination of the mediation component and the adaptation component in the melded component.
US09720684B2

Software configuration management for a software system under development includes receiving a change to the software system under development from a first user, determining a merit score for the first user, wherein the merit score is calculated according to success of prior changes received from the first user, and comparing, using a processor, the merit score for the first user with a merit threshold for the software system under development. The change is accepted for inclusion in a build of the software system under development responsive to determining that the merit score for the first user complies with the merit threshold.
US09720681B2

A method of operation of a device programming system includes: providing a target programmer, having a programming bus; coupling an electronic device, having a non-volatile memory, to the target programmer by the programming bus; and programming a data image into the non-volatile memory by the target programmer includes: subscribing to a broadcast message, receiving a logical block, of the data image, by the broadcast message for programming the non-volatile memory, and sending an unsubscribe message after receiving the logical blocks of the data image from the broadcast message.
US09720678B2

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a network switching method, a version upgrade method, and a terminal device, which relate to the field of communications technologies. A terminal receives a user instruction that instructs the terminal to access a network of a target operator. If an operator of a network currently accessed by the terminal is different from the target operator, a preset file is read to obtain image information corresponding to the target operator. A target image file corresponding to the target operator is obtained according to the image information and version switching is performed according to the target image file. The preset file includes image information that corresponds to all image files of operators stored in the terminal in one-to-one correspondence.
US09720677B2

Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for implementing updates to source code executing on a plurality of compute nodes are provided. Embodiments include receiving, by a compute node, a broadcast update-notification message indicating there is an update to the source code executing on the plurality of compute nodes; in response to receiving the update-notification message, implementing a distributed barrier; based on the distributed barrier, halting execution of the source code at a particular location within the source code; based on the distributed barrier, updating in-place the source code including retaining workpiece data in memory of the compute node, the workpiece data corresponding to the execution of the source code; and based on completion of the updating of the source code, resuming with the retained workpiece data execution of the source code at the particular location within the source code where execution was halted.
US09720675B2

Illustrated is a system and method to receive an instruction to access a set of identified data structures, where each identified data structure is associated with a version data structure that includes annotations of particular dependencies amongst at least two members of the set of identical data structures. The system and method further comprising determining, based upon the dependencies, that a version mismatch exists between the at least two members of the set of identified data structures, the dependencies used to identify a most recent version and a locally cached version of the at least two members. The system and method further comprising delaying execution of the instruction until the version mismatch between the at least two members of the set of identified data structures is resolved through an upgrade of a version of one of the at least two members of the set of identified data structures.
US09720660B2

A system and methods for generating metadata based on source code are disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, a computer system receives a command to compile source code, and in response to the command, generates an executable and a metadata file based on the source code, where the metadata file comprises information pertaining to at least one of a scalar type of the source code, a variable of the source code, or a function of the source code.
US09720655B1

Methods, systems and computer program products for user interface event orchestration are provided. A computer-implemented method may include defining a business domain object, associating the business domain object with a user interface component type, defining a rule for an event of the user interface component type, generating an event handling routine providing the defined rule in a programming language, and associating the generated event handling routine with a user interface component of an application interface.
US09720653B2

In order for an in-app service providing system comprised of an in-app service server and a content server to provide a customized service to a user, when the in-app service server receives user information from a user terminal of the user, it checks whether or not the received user information has been previously stored. When the user information has been stored, user log information corresponding to the user information is received from the content server, and the in-app service server selects content to be provided to the user based on the user information and the user log information. When the content server generates a template including content, the in-app service server provides the template to the user terminal, thus providing a user-customized service.
US09720652B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating software complexes. In one aspect, a method includes defining a software complex that is to include a group of software members that share information inherent to the software complex and act on that information. The defining includes receiving selections of design aspects as superordinate design inputs for the software complex and storing the superordinate design inputs in a source data store. The superordinate design inputs are compiled in the source data store using a software complex architectural language compiler. An in-memory model of the software complex is generated as an output of the compilation. Software member emitters are selected. For each selected software member emitter, a software member of the defined type of the selected software member emitter is generated.
US09720643B2

An audio management method and apparatus, which relate to the field of communications technologies. The method includes: when it is detected that there is a first web page audio to be automatically played, determining whether there is an audio being played and whether a priority of the first web page audio is lower than a priority of the audio being played; when yes, intercepting automatic play of the first web page audio; otherwise, playing the first web page audio. A priority of a first web page audio to be automatically played and a priority of a web page audio being played are compared to decide whether to play the first web page audio, so that the problem of a conflict between web page audios is solved, and a user is not required to perform operations one by one.
US09720633B2

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention performs image processing on image data in units of pages stored in a page memory on the basis of parameter setting, transferring the image data to a buffer at a first speed, transmitting the image data, which is read out from the buffer at a second speed, to an image forming unit, and executing parameter setting for image processing performed when image data for a subsequent page is transferred after the image data for a single page has been transferred but before image data for the subsequent page is started to be transferred, wherein the first speed is faster than a second speed.
US09720630B2

A recording device 12 has a recording unit 31 that records on roll paper; a connection unit 40 that connects to a barcode reader BR; and a control unit 30 that records information identifying a configuration parameter with the recording unit 31, and when a reading result is input from the barcode reader BR after the configuration parameter information is recorded, sets the value of the configuration parameter based on the input reading result.
US09720623B2

Techniques for management of data in multi-storage systems allow managing storage of data in one of the multiple storages (e.g., a HDD) based on the information associated with the storage and/or access of data (e.g., logical hits of data in a cache memory) in another one of the storages (e.g., a cache memory) of the multi-storage system. In one aspect, information associated with storage and/or access of data in a volatile (or non-persistent) storage environment is provided for managing the storage of data in a non-volatile (or persistent) storage environment. By way of example, data access information associated with a volatile storage environment (e.g., logical hits of data in a cache) can be effectively communicated to a non-volatile storage environment, for example, as information that can be indicative of data temperatures. Moreover, the information obtained from a non-volatile storage environment can be persistently stored for and/or in the non-volatile environment (e.g., stored as persistent data temperatures), thereby preserving and allowing the information to be used to more effectively manage the storage of the data in the non-volatile storage itself and/or the multi-storage system including the (volatile storage) as a whole.
US09720616B2

A Green NAND SSD Driver (GNSD) driver executes on a host to increase data-retention of flash memory attached to a Super Enhanced Endurance Device (SEED) or Solid-State Drive (SSD). Host accesses to flash are intercepted by the GNSD driver using upper and lower-level filter drivers. A retention-check timer causes a retention routine to be periodically executed. The routine sends high-level commands to the SEED that causes the SEED to refresh either all data or just data blocks with older write dates. Data is refreshed by moving to a new physical block. The retention routine can track write dates of logical blocks and command a SSD to move logical blocks with older write dates. A retention card has a controller that performs the retention routine when not connected to a host, while a SEED power card allows the SEED to refresh data when no host is attached to the SEED.
US09720615B2

A computer-implemented method for writing data to a sequential storage medium, includes: writing plural data blocks sequentially to the sequential storage medium; and writing a data pattern to an area on the sequential storage medium, the area being an area to which none of the plural data blocks is written, the data pattern including plural bit patterns appearing in none of the plural data blocks, and thus representing that none of the plural data blocks is written to the area and representing specific information regarding the sequential storage medium.
US09720614B2

A method and associated systems for efficient management of cloned data. One or more processors create a “child” clone of a “parent” software image. The child and parent contain identical information organized into identical sets of file blocks. To conserve storage, each child block initially points to a physical storage location already in use by a corresponding parent block, rather than requiring additional storage of its own. The first time a child block is updated, however, it will require additional physical storage. At the time of the child's creation, the processors reserve a number of physical blocks sufficient to store the contents of all child file blocks likely to be updated. A child file block is identified as likely to be updated by analyzing past volatility of a corresponding file block of the parent or of corresponding file blocks of other children of the same parent.
US09720613B2

A system and method for allocating storage devices within a multi-node data storage system. The system maintains a data structure including a generation number indicating an incarnation of the data structure, a highest cylinder ID index value observed to be in use within the data storage system, and a safe index value indicating a lowest cylinder ID index value for use when allocating a new cylinder index. Following receipt of an allocation request, the system assigns a cylinder ID index to the allocation request, the cylinder ID index being greater than the safe index value. The assigned cylinder ID index is compared to the highest cylinder ID index value observed to be in use within said data storage system, and when the cylinder ID index is greater than the highest cylinder ID index value, increments the generation number and highest cylinder ID index value maintained within the data structure.
US09720610B2

A memory device includes a plurality of memory modules and a plurality of control lines. Each memory module includes a plurality of memory units. Each memory unit includes: a plurality of memory cell groups, each of which includes at least one memory cell; a plurality of first bit lines, each of which is coupled to the at least one memory cell of a respective memory cell group; a second bit line; and a plurality of controllable circuits, each of which has an input terminal coupled to a respective first bit line, an output terminal coupled to the second bit line, and a control terminal. Each control line is coupled to the control terminal of a corresponding controllable circuit of each of at least one memory unit of each memory module. The memory device consumes relatively small power.
US09720604B2

Methods and systems are provided where a memory controller for non-volatile memory transfers data to and from random access memory over a second double data rate bus, and a host system access the random access memory over a first double data rate bus. The memory controller may transfer the data in response to a command received by the memory controller from a host system via a block storage protocol bus. Alternatively or in addition, the memory controller may transfer the data as part of caching data internal to the non-volatile memory.
US09720600B2

An apparatus is connected to a first storage and a second storage which is accessed at an access speed lower than an access speed of the first storage. The apparatus accesses each of blocks stored in the second storage, and counts, for each of the blocks, the number of accesses made for the each block. The apparatus determines, based on the number of accesses that has been counted for each of the blocks, a transfer target block that is a target which is to be transferred from the second storage to the first storage, and determines a transfer time at which transfer of the transfer target block is to be performed. The apparatus transfers the determined transfer target block to the first storage at the determined transfer time.
US09720599B2

A magnetic system for solving a quadratic optimization problem by associating each of a plurality of variables of a quadratic optimization problem with a nanomagnet of a nanomagnet array, driving the nanomagnets of the nanomagnet array to an excited state, allowing the nanomagnets of the nanomagnet array to enter a relaxed state after being driven to an excited state, wherein the nanomagnets magnetically couple with one another in the relaxed state to minimize the total magnetic coupling energy of the nanomagnet array, and sensing a magnetic coupling of the nanomagnets of the nanomagnet array to solve the quadratic optimization problem.
US09720587B2

A process is disclosed of operating a user interface device configured to display an image on a display screen and enable user input by a user's finger touch on a touch screen in association with the displayed image, the process including: after the user starts a finger touch on the touch screen, if the user holds the finger at a substantially same location for a duration equal to or longer than a predetermined duration, initiating stationary displaying to display the image stationarily on the display screen, despite any later finger-slide motions on screen; and, after the stationary displaying starts, if a match is made between the finger's contact point on the touch screen and a location of a desirable graphical object included in the image displayed on the display screen, determining that the user has provisionally selected the object.
US09720586B2

An apparatus, method, and computer program product are described that provide for an active digital bezel area on a display of a device. Touch input may be received in a bezel area provided on the display, where user interaction with content presented within the bezel area at a location corresponding to the location of the touch input is initially disabled. A force component of the touch input may be detected and compared to a predetermined force threshold. In cases in which the force component of the touch input exceeds the predetermined force threshold, user interaction with the content at that location may be enabled. In this way, the force exerted by the user in applying a touch input in the bezel area may be considered an indication of the user's intent to interact with corresponding content within the bezel, and such interactions may be provided for accordingly.
US09720578B1

A system and method for facilitating user interactions with a virtual space through a graphical chat interface is disclosed. One or more potential inputs to the virtual space and/or virtual space status information may be determined dynamically for a user participating in a chat session through a graphical chat interface. An activity notification may be generated for the user based one the determined potential inputs and/or the virtual space status information. The generated activity notification may comprise graphical representation for the notification and as well as representation information for one or more controls facilitating the user to provide inputs requested by the activity notification through the graphical chat interface. User acceptance to the activity notification via the graphical chat interface may be received. One or more activity commands may be generated based on the received user acceptance and executed in the virtual space.
US09720574B2

Embodiments provide functionality to provide electronic calendar features and functionalities including personal note-taking features on calendar items, but the embodiments are not so limited. In an embodiment, a computer-based method can be configured to provide a personal note-taking space that enables users to take personal notes on appointment or meeting items with or without sharing the personal notes. Other embodiments are included.
US09720568B2

A method for cropping portions of a document comprises displaying an interactive document workspace with a cropping tool on a sub-area thereof, and rendering one or more formatting indicators spatially associated with the sub-area, the indicators indicating formatting properties of the sub-area.
US09720551B2

A touch window includes a substrate, and an electrode on the substrate. The electrode includes a first mesh line, a second mesh line crossing the first mesh line and a reinforcement part adjacent to the first or second mesh line.
US09720546B2

A force sensitive surface measures force or pressure applied to the surface. The surface may also detect the touch position. The force sensing surface is calibrated with a stylus having a force measuring element. The stylus measures the force information from force applied on the surface and sends the information to the device with the force sensing surface. The device detects the same force and calibrates the force sensing element according to the information received from the stylus. The device may also detect the position of the touch. As the force information obtained from different portions of the surface may be different, the calibration may be repeated for multiple positions on the force and touch sensitive surface. The calibration may also be used to calibrate a position sensing feature on a force sensing surface having multiple force sensors.
US09720545B2

The disclosure is related to a display panel having a touch function and manufacture thereof, and the composite electrode thereof. The display panel comprises a composite electrode. The composite electrode comprises a metal electrode and a metal oxide layer formed on the surface of the metal electrode. Through the above configuration, the dense and insulated metal oxide layer is formed on the surface of the metal electrode of the composite electrode to prevent the composite electrode from forming a short-circuit with the peripheral circuits. Thus the yield for the display panel with a touch function is increased and the cost is reduced.
US09720542B2

A touch-sensing system is disclosed. The system includes a display device having a touch sensor with a matrix of row electrodes and column electrodes. Drive logic drives the row electrodes in a plurality of stylus sync sub-frames. In each, some row electrodes, referred to for that stylus sync sub-frame as sync-driven row electrodes, are driven by the drive logic with synchronization waveforms to synchronize the display device with an active stylus. For each stylus sync sub-frame, the sync-driven row electrodes are differentially driven by the drive logic, in the sense that a synchronization waveform used to drive one of the sync-driven row electrodes is different than a synchronization waveform used to drive another of the sync-driven row electrodes.
US09720538B2

An input device is provided that facilitates improved user interface functionality by determining force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region. The input device includes a processing system, a sensor configured to sense objects in a sensing region proximate a surface, and a plurality of force sensors. The plurality of force sensors are coupled to the surface to provide a plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. The processing system is configured to determine positional information for each the multiple objects sensed by the sensor in the sensing region. Furthermore, the processing system is configured to determine force information for each of the multiple objects from the positional information and the plurality of measures of force applied to the surface. Thus, device and method provides the ability to determine both positional information and force information for each of multiple objects in a sensing region.
US09720531B2

An electronic device capable of applying an appropriate driving signal to a piezoelectric element is provided. The electronic device 1 includes a piezoelectric element 31 and a control unit 40 configured to apply a driving signal to the piezoelectric element 31, and the control unit 40 applies a driving signal so that a voltage of a positive electrode of the piezoelectric element 31 is equal to or greater than a voltage of a negative electrode thereof.
US09720528B2

A display apparatus including: a display unit; an image processor which processes an image signal to display an image on the display unit; a communication unit which communicates with an input apparatus including a button and a touch pad; and a controller which controls the image processor to display a first item corresponding to a current setting state of the display apparatus in response to a first input from the input apparatus through manipulation of the button and to display at least one second item to be selected to change the current setting state on the display unit in response to a second input from the input apparatus through the touch pad, subsequent to the first input.
US09720520B2

An image input/output apparatus and method includes a light source in optical communication with a spatial radiation modulator for projecting an output image and an image sensor for capturing an input image along a shared input/output path. In a described embodiment, the display of an output image and the capture of an input image is effected using a common spatial radiation modulator (SRM) in the form of a deformable mirror device (DMD).
US09720517B2

Included is an instruction unit configured to instruct input of a character as a part of a character string; and a control unit configured to, under a restriction that any of a specific character group is allowed to be input in neither of a plurality of predetermined positions of the character string, upon any of the specific character group being instructed by the instruction unit to be input in at least one specific position of the plurality of predetermined positions, prohibit input by the instruction and, upon any of the specific character group being instructed by the instruction unit to be input in a position different from the specific position, enable input by the instruction.
US09720512B2

A device for the gesture-controlled setting of at least one setting variable on an X-ray source includes at least one recognition unit for anatomically recognizing a body part suitable for gesture control, at least one gesture detection unit for detecting at least one gesture of a body part recognized by the recognition unit, and at least one light source for displaying the at least one setting variable as feedback for a person making the gesture. The at least one setting variable was preset and/or set by using the at least one detected gesture. A method for the gesture-controlled setting of at least one setting variable on an X-ray source is also provided.
US09720509B2

A gesture detection system having a gesture detection apparatus to detect a gesture of a user, and a mobile communication terminal that can communicate with the gesture detection apparatus, includes a storage unit to store first gesture data defining the gesture of the user, and audio or visual data associated with the first gesture data; an obtainment unit to obtain second gesture data representing the gesture of the user; a transmission unit to transmit the second gesture data to the mobile communication terminal; a determination unit to determine whether the gesture defined by the first gesture data is the same as the gesture represented by the second gesture data; a selection unit to select the audio or visual data associated with the first gesture data depending on the determination result; and an output unit to output the audio or visual data.
US09720489B2

The invention relates to a system comprising a main electrical unit (2) and a peripheral electrical unit (3, 4,5), wherein the main electrical unit and the peripheral electrical unit are switchable between a low-power mode and a high-power mode. The main electrical unit is adapted to hand over a control of the system to the peripheral electrical unit, if the peripheral electrical unit is in the high-power mode, and to switch from the high-power mode to the low-power mode, after the control has been handed over. The peripheral electrical unit is adapted to receive the control from the main electrical unit and to control the system, if the peripheral electrical unit is in the high-power mode. This allows the system to be still in operation mode, although the main electrical unit has been switched to the low-power mode, thereby reducing the power consumption of the system.
US09720485B2

This disclosure relates generally to a host-peripheral interface, and more particularly to system and method for dynamically adjusting a low power clock frequency of a host device upon detecting coupling of a peripheral device to the host device. In one embodiment, a method is provided for dynamically adjusting a low power clock frequency of a host device. The method comprises dynamically determining an initial frequency of a low power clock of the host device at which a low power link between the host device and a peripheral device is operational, computing a low power clock frequency range of the host device based on the initial frequency of the low power clock, assessing the low power link in the low power clock frequency range, and adjusting the low power clock frequency to a typical frequency of the low power clock frequency range based on the assessment.
US09720480B2

Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.
US09720479B2

Server information handling system LED indication lights and other illumination devices are selectively illuminated based upon override configuration settings pushed down from a data center administrative tool. A chassis management controller that manages a blade or rack with plural server information handling systems overrides indication light illumination at blade or rack components, such as power supply and I/O modules. Power saved by reducing indication light illumination is allocated to support operation of one or more server information handling systems.
US09720473B2

Methods and systems for supplying more power than a power limit to a powered device (PD) if the PD is capable of receiving power more than the power limit, and receiving power more than the power limit from a power sourcing equipment (PSE) if the PSE is capable of supplying power more than the power limit. The PD and the PSE operates in a power over Ethernet (PoE) environment. The system comprises a power receiving section and a power supply section. The power receiving section comprises a first power-receiving circuit and a second power-receiving circuit, where the first power-receiving circuit is used when receiving power up to the power limit, and the second power-receiving circuit is used when receiving power more than the power limit. The power-supply section comprises a first power-supply circuit and a second power-supply circuit, where the first power-supply circuit is used when supplying power up to the power limit, and the second power-supply circuit is used when supplying power more than the power limit.
US09720466B2

Heat dissipation component includes a fan unit, a first housing, and an airflow-guiding plate. The fan unit includes a fan blade portion, and a fan housing including a first air-guided cap and a second air-guided cap. The second air-guided cap, having a fan inlet, is disposed on the first air-guided cap. The fan blade portion is disposed between the first air-guided cap and the second air-guided cap, and pivotally-connected to the fan housing at the second air-guided cap. The first housing is disposed on a side of the second air-guided cap away from the first air-guided cap. An inlet airway is formed between the first housing and the fan unit. The airflow-guiding plate is disposed between the first housing and the second air-guided cap, and extended from outline of the main fan inlet toward outline of the inlet airway and away from the main fan inlet.
US09720463B2

Method and system are provided for controlling a scalable panel cooling system having multiple cooling panels for cooling heat-generating components housed in a support structure. The method includes: dividing the support structure into areas, each area of the support structure capable of housing a heat-generating component; for each area of the support structure: providing a cooling panel adjacent the area of the support structure; determining whether the area of the support structure is housing an operational heat-generating component; in the case that the area of the support structure is housing an operational heat-generating component, activating the cooling panel adjacent the area of the support structure housing the operational heat-generating component; and in the case that the area of the support structure is not housing a operational heat-generating component, deactivating the cooling panel adjacent the area of the support structure.
US09720462B2

A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a shock mount assembly that is configured to provide impact absorption to sensitive components such as a display and an optical disk drive. The computing device also includes an enclosureless optical disk drive that is housed by an enclosure and other structures of the computing device. The computing device further includes a heat transfer system that removes heat from a heat producing element of the computing device. The heat transfer system is configured to thermally couple the heat producing element to a structural member of the computing device so as to sink heat through the structural member, which generally has a large surface area for dissipating the heat.
US09720460B2

Example implementations relate to power supply chassis. For example, an apparatus may include a power supply chassis. The power supply chassis may include a handle and a sidewall defining a latching slot. The handle may include an inner slot. The apparatus may also include a release lever to slidably connect to the handle via the inner slot. The release lever may include an engagement tab. The apparatus may further include a latching member in physical contact with the engagement tab. The latching member may include a latching fang. The release lever may control a position of the latching fang relative to the latching slot via a rotation of the latching member.
US09720455B2

A display device including: a first body member; a second body member; a hinge coupling the first body member and the second body member; a flexible display panel that is foldable, that is fixed to the first body member and to the second body member, and that is configured to display an image; and a controller configured to: measure a temperature of the flexible display panel; and control the hinge, when the measured temperature is lower than a reference temperature, to: maintain a state in which the first body member and the second body member are folded; or maintain a state in which the first body member and the second body member are unfolded.
US09720451B2

An information handling system opening, such as at a cable port, selectively closes and opens through inflation and deflation of a seal, such as an expanding balloon structure interfaced with a microfluidic reservoir. The seal fills the opening to block contaminants from entering the information handling system and deflates to provide room for cables to pass when desired. Automated sealing of a port is provided in response to detection of contaminants, such as liquids or dust.
US09720435B2

Systems, methods, and apparatus for generating a reference current. A reference current source can include a current generator circuit; a first resistance circuit that has a positive temperature dependence; and a second resistance circuit that has a negative temperature dependence. The first resistance circuit and the second resistance circuit can be connected in parallel to the current generator circuit.
US09720434B2

An electronic device 2 has circuitry 4 which operates in a first voltage domain 6 supplied with a first voltage level VDD1 and a reference voltage level. A voltage regulator 14 generates the first voltage level VDD1 from a second voltage level VDD2 higher than the first voltage level VDD1. At least one power gate 20, 30 is provided for selectively coupling the circuitry 4 to one of the first voltage level VDD1 or the reference level. The control signal 22 for the power gate 20, 30 is generated in a second voltage domain supplied with a higher voltage level VDD2 or VDD3 derived from the second voltage level VDD2 supplied to the voltage regulator 14. Hence, an existing high voltage source within the device 2 can be reused for applying a boosted voltage to power gates to improve efficiency of power gating.
US09720418B2

An autonomous vehicle may be partially controlled or monitored by a remote endpoint assigned to the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle sends one or more assisted driving messages directly to the autonomous vehicle or through a server. The server may identify multiple potential remote driving endpoints and assign one or more of the potential remote driving endpoints to the autonomous vehicle. The one or more potential remote driving endpoints return a command to the autonomous vehicle directly or through the server.
US09720416B1

A determination is made that a vehicle is unoccupied. Detecting of at least one of an unexpected object in the vehicle and an intrusion into a vehicle compartment is performed. A route to a location is selected according to detected object and/or intrusion. The vehicle is navigated to the location.
US09720409B2

A surveying system having a total station integrated into an unmanned ground vehicle communicates with a plurality of mobile communication stations that are located on known site coordinates. By locating the mobile communication stations on known coordinates, the location of the ground vehicle is precisely triangulated and controlled. Construction drawings are loaded into the system, thereby allowing the vehicle to locate itself at specific points designated in the drawings for the marking of on-site construction grid lines.
US09720408B2

Methods and apparatus to detect root causes of alarm patterns in process control systems are disclosed. An example method includes retrieving process control data generated in a process control system during a historical period of time. The process control data includes alarm data associated with alarms activated during the historical period of time. The example method also includes generating an alarm activation timeline for the historical period of time. The alarm activation timeline includes icons representative of the alarms to visually represent a temporal relationship of activation of the alarms, where one of the icons is representative of an alarm that is no longer active. The example method further includes storing the alarm activation timeline in a database.
US09720406B2

A measuring system including: at least one sensor module having a measuring transducer and an electronics module. The electronics module has a data memory, and a superordinated control unit, connected to the at least one sensor module via an interface module. The interface module has a signal processing, and communication, electronics, which converts received signals from a control unit into signals processable by the sensor module and outputs these signals to the sensor module. The control unit is embodied to execute an operating program; the operating program is embodied to read out sensor specific data and, based on the data read out, to provide to a user a guiding through a sequence of steps for performing at least one calibration procedure associated with the sensor module and to operate the sensor module for performing the calibration procedure.
US09720405B2

A POL-axis driving unit, an EL-axis driving unit, a Cross-EL-axis driving unit and an AZ-axis driving unit of an antenna apparatus drive respective axis drive motors controlled by a control unit of a control apparatus, such that the antenna performs an origin detection operation for each axis. The camera control unit controls a camera so as to capture an image of the antenna at each timing before and after the origin detection for each axis. An image acquisition unit of an antenna inspection acquires image data that indicates the image of the antenna captured by the camera and makes storage unit store the image data. A comparing diagnosis unit compares image data before the origin detection for each axis with image data after the origin detection, and diagnoses whether the antenna is in a normal state.
US09720402B2

The present disclosure relates to a method for facilitating monitoring and control of an industrial process by means of a portable device comprising a projector arranged to project process graphics associated with process components of the industrial process. The method comprises a) obtaining, by means of the portable device, process component identification data of a process component; b) obtaining distance data for determining a distance between the portable device and the process component; and c) obtaining a process graphics image based on the process component identification data and the distance data for projection by the portable device, wherein the process graphics image is associated with a portion of the industrial process comprising the process component, and wherein information contained in the process graphics image is based on the distance between the portable device and the process component. The present disclosure further relates to a computer program and to a portable device.
US09720394B2

A method for operating an automation system having automation units, a computer program for implementing the method and a computer system having such a computer program, wherein technology-oriented plant description data is stored in the automation system, the plant description data is organized in an object tree with nodes and edges, and wherein the plant description data comprises references to program data in individual automation programs and nodes of the object tree (36) containing references to program data are stored in or at least also in that automation unit which provides the respective program data.
US09720390B2

A method for determining a generation schedule with contingency constraints for controlling power output levels for a plurality of generators in an electric power system including determining a measure of a sparse, corrective model (C), security-constrained optimal power flow (SCOPF), which reduces a number of post-contingency rescheduling operations for each of a plurality of contingencies, and adjusting a power output level of at least one of the plurality of generators according to the measure of the sparse C-SCOPF upon detecting a contingency in the electric power system.
US09720385B2

A timepiece includes a case that is made of a conductive material, a bezel that is made of a nonconductive material, a patch antenna that is disposed inside the case and at the back side of the dial, and a bezel that is made of a ceramic.
US09720382B2

An electronic timepiece has an outside perimeter part disposed around a dial, hands, and a control unit. Further, 40 to 60 time zone indicators including time difference information representing the time difference between Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the standard time used in each time zone are on the outside perimeter part. The control unit indicates a specific time zone indicator with a hand.
US09720364B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer having an image bearing face to bear an image thereon; a transferer disposed opposing the image bearer, to transfer the image from the image bearing face onto a recording medium at a transfer section between the transferer and the image bearer; a first guide disposed upstream from the transfer section in a direction of delivery of the recording medium, to guide the recording medium to the transfer section; and a second guide upstream from the first guide and spaced away from the first guide, to guide the recording medium to the transfer section. Each of the first guide and the second guide extends in a lateral direction perpendicular to the direction of delivery. A leading end of the second guide in the direction of delivery is inclined from one end to the other end of the second guide in the lateral direction.
US09720356B2

An image forming apparatus includes a developing unit that stores a developer containing a toner and develops an electrostatic charge image on a image holding member by the developer to form a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image on the image holding member onto a recording medium, and a fixing unit that performs an operation of heating and pressing twice or more to the toner image on the recording medium by at least one heating and pressing member which contacts with the toner image, wherein the toner has a sea and island structure of a sea portion containing a binder resin and an island portion containing a release agent, a maximum frequent value and a skewness in distribution of eccentricity B of the island portion is 0.75 to 0.95 and −1.10 to −0.50, respectively, and eccentricity B is defined in the specification.
US09720355B2

An image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a transfer member, and a power source. The image bearer includes a plurality of layers. The transfer member forms a transfer nip between the image bearer and the transfer member. The power source outputs a transfer bias to transfer a toner image from the image bearer onto a recording sheet in the transfer nip. The transfer bias alternates between a transfer-side bias that causes the toner image to move from the image bearer to the recording sheet, and an opposite-side bias different from the transfer-side bias. A duty ratio of a time period, during which the opposite-side bias is output, relative to one cycle of a waveform, is greater than 50%.
US09720351B2

According to one embodiment, an image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer belt, multiple first type photoconductive drums, multiple first type transfer rollers, a second type photoconductive drum, a second type transfer roller, a roller, and a roller moving unit. The multiple first type transfer rollers are arranged at positions that face the multiple first type photoconductive drums. The second type photoconductive drum is arranged at a position where the drum surface of the second type photoconductive drum is not tangent to a common tangent plane. The roller is arranged on the inner peripheral side of the intermediate transfer belt and is arranged between the second type transfer roller and one first type transfer roller. The roller moving unit moves the roller by pressing the roller. The roller moving unit changes the state of abutting of the multiple first type photoconductive drums and the second type photoconductive drum.
US09720349B2

A developer supply kit detachably mountable to a developer supplying apparatus comprising a developer supply container and a developer accommodated therein, wherein the developer supply container includes, a developer accommodating portion accommodating the developer, a discharge opening for discharging the developer accommodated in the developer accommodating portion, a drive receiving portion to which a driving force is inputted from the developer supplying apparatus, and a pump portion operable so that an internal pressure of the developer accommodating portion alternately and repetitively changes between a pressure lower than a ambient pressure and a pressure higher than the ambient pressure, by the driving force received by the drive receiving portion, wherein the developer accommodated in the developer supply container includes toner containing binder resin material and a coloring material, the developer satisfies, 10≦E (mJ)≦80, 0.4≦Ea (mJ)≦2.0, where E is total energy when it is not aerated, and Ea is total energy when it is aerated.
US09720346B2

An image forming apparatus capable of correcting relative position in exposure position between laser beams that scan a photosensitive drum in a scanning direction of the laser beams. A semiconductor laser includes first and second light emitting elements for emitting first and second laser beams. These elements are arranged such that the laser beams expose positions on the photosensitive drum different in the sub scanning direction. A polygon mirror deflects the laser beams to scan the photosensitive drum. Relative position in the scanning direction between images to be formed on the photosensitive drum by exposure by the first and second laser beams is corrected based on correction data. An image data generation section generates drive signals associated with the respective light emitting elements. A semiconductor laser drive circuit causes the semiconductor laser to emit the first and second laser beams, based on the drive signals.
US09720321B2

New lactone-containing photoacid generator compounds (“PAGs”) and photoresist compositions that comprise each PAG compounds are provided. These photoresist compositions are useful in the manufacture of electronic device.
US09720319B2

Provided are a colored composition having excellent heat resistance, excellent solvent resistance, and an excellent voltage holding ratio; a cured film; a color filter; a method for manufacturing a color filter; a solid-state imaging element; an image display device; and a compound. The colored composition includes a colorant comprising a repeating unit having a triarylmethane structure containing a cation, and a counter anion, and a polymerizable compound.
US09720315B2

Provided is a reflective mask blank capable of facilitating the discovery of contaminants, scratches and other critical defects by inhibiting the detection of pseudo defects attributable to surface roughness of a substrate or film in a defect inspection using a highly sensitive defect inspection apparatus. The reflective mask blank has a mask blank multilayer film comprising a multilayer reflective film, obtained by alternately laminating a high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, and an absorber film on a main surface of a mask blank substrate, wherein the root mean square roughness (Rms), obtained by measuring a 3 μm×3 μm region on the surface of the reflective mask blank on which the mask blank multilayer film is formed with an atomic force microscope, is not more than 0.5 nm and the power spectrum density at a spatial frequency of 1 μm−1 to 10 μm−1 is not more than 50 nm4.
US09720311B2

A method of mounting screen material may include a screen mounted to a frame at multiple mounting points. One embodiment may include mounting patches attached along the perimeter of the screen. These mounting patches may be strain relieved in order to enable rolling the screen without sacrificing the in-plane rigidity of the patches when the screen is mounted to a frame. Stated differently, the strain relieved patches may reduce the strain on the screen in the circumstance the screen is rolled onto a core. The mounting patches may be strain relieved by locating notches or slits in the mounting patch.
US09720309B2

An optical projection apparatus includes a light specification setting unit for setting a specification of a light, a shape setting unit for setting a shape made by the light, a position setting unit for setting a position of the shape, a size setting unit for setting a size of the shape, an optical data generation unit for generating optical data based on the specification, the shape, the position, and the size. The optical projection apparatus further includes a light drawing unit for generating light drawing data by performing a drawing process with the optical data, an optical projection unit for projecting the shape at the position with the light drawing data, and a manipulation unit for allowing a user to set one or more parameters indicating the specification, the shape, the position, and the size.
US09720305B2

The present invention is an imaging aid aiding imaging of a predetermined region of a surface of an object having minute concave and convex portions and being subject to intense specular reflection, including: a light source unit that irradiates light; and a cover lid to cover a predetermined region of a surface of the object, where a part of a surface of the cover lid corresponding to a predetermined angular range from a normal line direction directly opposing the predetermined region is a black surface, and another surface of the cover lid corresponding to another angular range is made of a light-source surface diffusing and emitting light irradiated from the light source unit.
US09720304B2

A method, a device, and a terminal are provided for controlling a flash light. In the method, the device obtains position data of an object to be photographed. The device determines a parameter of the flash light with respect to the object to be photographed based on the position data. Depending on different positions of the object to be photographed, different parameters of flash light are provided to the flash light to obtain a clear image.
US09720302B2

At least certain embodiments described herein provide a continuous autofocus mechanism for an image capturing device. The continuous autofocus mechanism can perform an autofocus scan for a lens of the image capturing device and obtain focus scores associated with the autofocus scan. The continuous autofocus mechanism can determine an acceptable band of focus scores based on the obtained focus scores. Next, the continuous autofocus mechanism can determine whether a current focus score is within the acceptable band of focus scores. A refocus scan may be performed if the current focus score is outside of the acceptable band of focus scores.
US09720300B2

A method and apparatus for controlling operation of an electro-optic modulator is disclosed. A first intensity of light is obtained at an input to the electro-optic modulator. A second intensity of light is obtained at an output of the electro-optic modulator. A difference between the obtained first intensity and the obtained second intensity is used to control a biasing of a modulator transfer function of the electro-optic modulator to control the electro-optic modulator.
US09720294B2

The present disclosure discloses liquid crystal panel with short response time and display device. The first pixel electrode and the first common electrode of the liquid crystal panel are respectively provided on the two disparate substrates and corresponding to each other. The second pixel electrode and the second common electrode provided on the first substrate and/or the second substrate with an interval, which are projected between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the second pixel electrode and the second common electrode are insulated from the first pixel electrode and the first common electrode. When the liquid crystal is in the rising state, it only applies voltage to the first pixel electrode and the first common electrode. When the liquid crystal is in the falling state, it only applies voltage to the second pixel electrode and the second common electrode.
US09720287B2

The present invention aims to provide a liquid crystal display device capable of suppressing display defects in the image display portion, improving the display quality in the image display portion and the transmissive portion, improving the visibility in the transmissive portion, and improving the long-term reliability. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal display panel, the liquid crystal display panel including: a transmissive portion (6B) that allows a region behind the liquid crystal display panel to be visible; an image display portion (6A) that includes pixels and is configured to display images; a first liquid crystal layer (5A) provided correspondingly to the image display portion (6A); a second liquid crystal layer (5B) provided correspondingly to the transmissive portion (6B); and a seal (52) surrounding the second liquid crystal layer (5B), the first liquid crystal layer (5A) and the second liquid crystal layer (5B) being separated by the seal (52).
US09720278B2

A rearview assembly for a vehicle includes a housing for attachment to the vehicle, a glass element disposed in the housing and a display disposed behind the mirror element in the housing. The display contains a light source for emitting light, a first brightness enhancement film having a first plurality of prismatic elements extending in a first direction and positioned to receive light emitted from the light source, a diffuser configured to transmit about 97% of light from the first brightness enhancing film, a second brightness enhancement film having a plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction and positioned to receive light exiting the diffuser, and a display element disposed to receive light from the second brightness enhancement film with the display element having a second plurality of prismatic elements extending in a second direction. The first direction is substantially vertical and the second direction is substantially horizontal.
US09720276B2

The present invention provides a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a display apparatus using the same. The LCD panel comprises a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a half wave (λ/2) retarder film, The liquid crystal layer is formed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second substrate comprises a second electrode, wherein the second electrode comprises a trunk portion and plurality of branch portions, and there is a predetermined angle between the trunk portion and the branch portions, and the predetermined angle is less than or greater than 45 degrees. The λ/2 retarder film is bonded to an outer surface of the first substrate or the second substrate. The present invention can improve the color shift problem and the transmittance of the LCD panel.
US09720275B2

A method of manufacturing a color filter is provided. The method includes: forming at least black matrix electrodes, first electrodes, second electrodes and third electrodes insulated from each other on a base substrate; and depositing at least a black matrix layer, a first color filter pattern, a second color filter pattern and a third color filter patter on the base substrate using an electrophoretic deposition process respectively by means of the black matrix electrodes, the first electrodes, the second electrodes and the third electrodes. A color filter and a display device are also provided. The described solution provides a process which is simple, convenient to operate, ease of control, and allows fast film formation.
US09720272B2

A method for producing a display unit includes: inserting a covering glass into a first holder of a positioning device until the covering glass lies on a first contact surface parallel to the covering glass; thereafter inserting a bonding frame into a second holder of the positioning device until the bonding frame lies on a second contact surface parallel to the first contact surface. The bonding frame has a leg parallel to the covering glass, the peripheral edge of which leg directed toward the covering glass surrounds the peripheral edge of the covering glass at a distance forming a groove. Thereafter the groove between the covering glass and the leg of the bonding frame is filled with a first adhesive that connects these two parts to each other, and thereafter the surface of the covering glass facing away from an observer is covered with the layer of transparent bonding mass.
US09720270B2

The display apparatus includes a display panel having a display surface on one surface thereof, a back surface member disposed on the other surface side of the display panel, a light source disposed between the display panel and the back surface member, an outer frame body which covers a peripheral edge part of the display panel and surrounds the back surface member, and an inner frame body which holds the display panel and is provided in the outer frame body, wherein the inner frame body is made of a white color system synthetic resin containing light shielding characteristics. For example, the inner frame body contains a small amount of carbon black in a white color system polycarbonate resin.
US09720253B2

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to therapeutic intervention in patients with eye-length-related disorders to prevent, ameliorate, or reverse the effects of the eye-length-related disorders. Embodiments of the present invention include methods for early recognition of patients with eye-length-related disorders, therapeutic methods for inhibiting further degradation of vision in patients with eye-length-eye-length-related disorders, reversing, when possible, eye-length-related disorders, and preventing eye-length-related disorders. Additional embodiments of the present invention are directed to particular devices used in therapeutic intervention in patients with eye-length-related disorders.
US09720242B2

A laser system comprising a laser configured to emit a laser beam wherein the laser beam is linearly polarized in a polarization plane and an optical assembly comprising a partial reflector having a refractive index and comprising a partially reflective surface. The partially reflective surface is arranged to receive the laser beam at an angle of incidence which lies in a plane of incidence and reflect a portion of the laser beam such that the reflected portion is output from the optical assembly. The partially reflective surface is arranged such that the plane of incidence forms a polarization angle with the polarization plane of the laser beam and the laser beam includes a p-polarized component and an s-polarized component. The angle of incidence and the polarization angle are arranged such that a fraction of the laser beam which is output from the optical assembly, following reflection from the partially reflective surface, is substantially invariant with changes in at least one of the temperature of the partial reflector and a thickness of a contamination layer disposed on the partially reflective surface. The partially reflective surface is arranged to reflect a fraction of the laser beam which is greater than or equal to approximately 0.5% of the laser beam which is incident on the partially reflective surface.
US09720238B2

A method and apparatus of displaying a magnified image comprising obtaining an image of a scene using a camera with greater resolution than the display, and capturing the image in the native resolution of the display by either grouping pixels together, or by capturing a smaller region of interest whose pixel resolution matches that of the display. The invention also relates to a method whereby the location of the captured region of interest may be determined by external inputs such as the location of a person's gaze in the displayed unmagnified image, or coordinates from a computer mouse. The invention further relates to a method whereby a modified image can be superimposed on an unmodified image, in order to maintain the peripheral information or context from which the modified region of interest has been captured.
US09720229B2

A head-mounted display includes a first display portion, a second display portion, and a support portion. The first display portion is capable of presenting an image to an eye of a user. The second display portion is capable of presenting an image to the other eye of the user. The support portion has a band member and a first communication member. The band member connects the first display portion and the second display portion with each other and is curved to be disposed around a head portion of the user. The first communication member is disposed in the band member and electrically connects the first display portion and the second display portion.
US09720228B2

A display assembly (515) includes: (a) an image display system (10) which includes an array of pixels (120) and (b) an array of pixel lenses (115). The array of pixel lenses has each lens positioned to collimate or substantially collimate light from a corresponding single pixel of the array of pixels. The display assembly (515) is used in a head-mounted display apparatus (500) which includes a frame (510) to support the display assembly (515) a desired distance from a user's eyes. The head-mounted display apparatus may also include a beam splitter (520) to reflect images from the display assembly (515) to the user's eyes. The head-mounted display apparatus may provide a wide field of view to the user and may be of the augmented-reality or immersive type.
US09720220B2

A tomography accessory device for supporting a sample relative to the imaging assembly of a microscope has an electric positioning motor supported on the existing sample supporting stage of the microscope. An output shaft of the positioning motor is supported for rotation about an output axis parallel to a plane of the stage and a controller acts to control the motor so as to rotate the output shaft between a plurality of different angular positions about the output axis. An adjustable assembly supports a sample holder relative to the outer shaft such that i) the sample holder is translatable relative to the output shaft along at least one translation axis oriented generally perpendicularly to the output axis, and ii) the sample holder is pivotable relative to the output shaft about at least two pivot axes which are transverse to one another and which are generally perpendicular to the output axis.
US09720215B2

A zoom lens including first to seventh lens units arranged in this order from an object side to an image side is provided. The first to seventh lens units respectively have refractive powers of negative, positive, negative, positive, positive, negative. The first to seventh lens units are disposed along an optical axis of the zoom lens, and a distance between the seventh lens and the image side is fixed, and the first lens unit, the second lens unit, the third lens unit, the fourth lens unit, the fifth lens unit and the sixth lens unit are adapted to move along the optical axis between the object side and the image side.
US09720213B2

An infrared lens unit includes, in order from the object side, an aperture, a lens group, and a band-pass filter which passes a light beam of a prescribed wavelength band of the infrared region. The lens group further includes, in order from the object side, a first meniscus lens which has a positive power and is convex on the object side, a second meniscus lens which has a positive power and is convex on the image side, and a convex lens which has a positive power and is convex on the object side. The lens group further includes a near-telecentric state on the image side, wherein the angle of entry of the light beam into the band-pass filter is either 0° or close to 0°. Thus, it is possible to accurately pass a light beam of a prescribed wavelength band of the infrared region by the lens unit.
US09720212B2

A variable focal length lens system includes: first to fourth lens groups alternately having negative and positive refractive power; and an aperture stop; the first to fourth lens group being arranged to allow a space between the first and second lens groups to be decreased and spaces between the second and third lens groups and between the third and fourth lens groups to be varied, the third lens group travelling to allow image-plane position variation caused by subject position variation to be compensated and satisfying a following conditional expression, 0.05
US09720201B2

Cables are constructed with embedded discontinuities in the cable jacket that allow the jacket to be torn to provide access to the cable core. The discontinuities can be longitudinally extending strips of polymer material coextruded in the cable jacket.
US09720198B2

A strain relief device for armored fiber optic cable is described. The strain relief device can made up of a boot collet and a collet nut. The boot collet can have a collet, flexible boot, boot collet threads, and a camming surface. The collet nut can have collet nut threads and a collet nut slope. The strain relief device operates by having the camming surface engage the collet nut slope, causing the collet to compress onto the armor sheath when the boot collet threads engage the collet nut threads as the collet nut is tightened onto the boot collet.
US09720195B2

Apparatuses, related components, and methods for the quick and easy attachment and release of fiber optic housings to and from equipment racks are disclosed. A fiber optic apparatus comprises a fiber optic housing having a top, a bottom, a right side, and a left side defining at least one interior chamber configured to support fiber optic equipment, and at least one mounting bracket. The at least one mounting bracket is configured to removably attach tool-lessly, and by other than external fastening means, to at least one of the right side or the left side of the fiber optic housing and is also configured to attach the fiber optic housing to an equipment rack. The mounting bracket may be attached to the fiber optic housing by using a snap attachment integral to at least one of the right side or the left side.
US09720191B2

An optical transceiver module and an optical cable module are disclosed. The optical cable module comprises an optical cable and the optical transceiver module connected to the optical cable. The optical transceiver module comprises a substrate, at least one optical receiving device and a plurality of hermetic transmitting devices. The plurality of hermetic transmitting devices are disposed on the substrate, wherein each of the hermetic transmitting devices includes an optical transmitter, and the optical transmitters of the hermetic transmitting devices are completely sealed in one or more than one hermetic housing.
US09720188B2

A clip connects two ferrules together, without a housing, to form a fiber optic connection. The clip has proximal and distal ends which define, and the clip has arms extending along the longitudinal axis to hold a cable-side ferrule in connection with fixed ferrule connected to a photonic module or die. The arms form an opening through which the cable-side ferrule is passed for connecting to the fixed ferrule. The arms have resilient bends forming a spring that can be resiliently extended along the longitudinal axis. The arms have a contact area at their ends which grasp the end of the cable-sided ferrule. The arms resiliently retract to compress the cable-sided ferrule towards the fixed ferrule with a predetermined force. The clip is positioned with respect to the circuit board using a pick and place system. The clip is not taller than either ferrule portion, enabling a limited vertical clearance.
US09720176B2

The present invention provides a low-loss high-repetition-rate pulsed laser modulator comprising: a 2*2, 1:1 coupler; a light delay module; a 1*2, 1:1 coupler. The present invention can modulate a low-repetition-rate pulsed laser to be a high-repetition-rate pulsed laser. The basic principle is: one beam of low-repetition-rate pulsed laser can be divided into two beams with the same light intensity by a 1*2, 1:1 coupler; control the two beams of light to have an optical path difference so that when they are coupled into a 2*2, 1:1 coupler, a double pulse repetition rate can be obtained; In the same way, when the two beams of light from former 2*2, 1:1 coupler, with another different optical path difference are coupled into the next 2*2, 1:1 coupler, a double pulse repetition rate can be obtained again; when we obtain the repetition rate we need, a 1*2, 1:1 coupler instead is connected to couple the two beams of light into one beam with a double repetition rate.
US09720175B2

A fusion splicing apparatus fusion-splices end faces 1a and 3a of a pair of optical fibers 1 and 3 to each other. The apparatus includes a mirror shaft 21 provided with a mirror 23 that is arranged between the end faces 1a and 3a of the pair of optical fibers 1 and 3 that are faced toward and spaced away from each other and is movable between a first position to reflect an image of the end face 1a and a second position to reflect an image of the end face 3a, a first camera 25 that takes the image of the end face 1a reflected in the first position, and a second camera 27 that takes the image of the end face 3a reflected in the second position.
US09720173B2

A method of manufacturing a security feature for identifying objects or documents of value. The method may include the steps of encoding information in a pattern; and ink jet printing a chiral nematic liquid crystal material from a reservoir using a print head on to a substrate in the pattern. Thus, the method forms a patterned array of chiral nematic liquid crystal material deposits. The print head, or the reservoir, or both, may be heated to a temperature above the clearing point of the chiral nematic liquid crystal material. The chiral axes of the chiral nematic liquid crystal material deposits may be aligned substantially perpendicular to the substrate such that a predetermined portion of the electromagnetic spectrum is selectively reflected over other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum by the chiral nematic liquid crystal material deposits.
US09720168B2

A wavelength selective optical switch includes a light input/output unit having a plurality of input/output ports, a polarization plane-independent wavelength dispersion element that splits incident light input from the optical input/output unit into spatially different angles for each wavelength, and synthesizes emergent light from different directions and outputs the light to the optical input/output unit, a condenser element that condenses the light split by the wavelength splitting element, a polarization splitter that splits incident light incident via the condenser element according to a polarization component to result in first and second light beams, aligns a polarization direction by rotating a polarization direction of one of the beams, and synthesizes the incident light by rotating one polarization direction of the emergent light of the same wavelength among the first and second reflected light beams, and a space phase modulation element.
US09720154B2

A pattern phase difference film is manufactured by a process including a laminate body formation step of applying a pattern alignment layer composition on a substrate to form a laminate body, a heat-drying layer formation step of heat-drying the composition to form a heat-dried layer, a pattern alignment layer formation step of irradiating a polarization pattern onto the heat-dried layer to form a pattern alignment layer, and a phase difference layer formation step of forming a phase difference layer including a rod-shaped compound on the pattern alignment layer. During the steps between the heat-drying layer formation step and the phase difference layer formation step, the heat-dried layer and the pattern alignment layer are exposed to the air for four hours or less.
US09720150B2

A color-film substrate and a liquid crystal device are disclosed. The color-film includes a substrate body and a color filter layer on the substrate body. The color filter layer includes duplicated color filter elements arranged in a sequence, and the color filter layer includes a first display area and a second display area arranged in a rim of the first display area. A thickness of the color filter elements of the second display area is larger than a thickness of the photo-resistor of the first display area such that a transmission rate of the display panel corresponding to the second display area is smaller than the transmission rate of the display panel corresponding to the first display area. In this way, the transmission rate of edges of the display panel is reduced and the light leakage problem can be overcome such that the uniformity of the brightness is enhanced.
US09720148B2

A vehicle camera system includes a camera that includes an image sensor, a filter mask, and a control and evaluation device, to which the image sensor outputs an image signal with frames that correspond to different exposure times. The image sensor includes an arrangement of sensor pixels outputting pixel signals, and the filter mask includes an arrangement of filter pixels situated in front of respective ones of the sensor pixels, where different filter pixels have different transmission behavior. The control and evaluation device compares to each other pixel signals (a) contained in the frames of different exposure times, and (b) output by sensor pixels which record light filtered differently by the filter pixels.
US09720134B2

There is provided an optical laminate excellent in adhesiveness between a (meth)acrylic resin film (base material film) having low moisture permeability and a UV absorbing ability and a hard coat layer, and has suppressed interference unevenness. An optical laminate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a base material layer formed of a (meth)acrylic resin film; a hard coat layer formed by applying a composition for forming a hard coat layer to the (meth)acrylic resin film; and a penetration layer formed through penetration of the composition for forming a hard coat layer into the (meth)acrylic resin film, the penetration layer being placed between the base material layer and the hard coat layer, wherein the penetration layer has a thickness of 1.2 μm or more.
US09720128B2

An NMR method and apparatus for analyzing a sample of interest applies a static magnetic field together with RF pulses of oscillating magnetic field across a sample volume that encompasses the sample of interest. The RF pulses are defined by a pulse sequence that includes a plurality of measurement segments configured to characterize a plurality of relaxation parameters related to relaxation of nuclear magnetization of the sample of interest. Signals induced by the RF pulses are detected in order to derive the relaxation parameters. The measurement segments of the pulse sequence include at least one first-type measurement segment configured to characterize relaxation of spin-lattice interaction between nuclei of the sample of interest in a rotating frame (T1ρ) at a predefined frequency. The T1ρ parameter can be measured in conjunction with the measurement of other relaxation and/or diffusion parameters as part of multidimensional NMR experiments.
US09720125B2

A downhole tool is conveyed within a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation, and then utilized to obtain measurements at multiple different depths of investigation within the subterranean formation relative to the wellbore. The obtained measurements are then compared to assess mobility of oil within the subterranean formation.
US09720123B2

Disclosed are methods and systems that include a multiple-tube electrode assembly. An embodiment discloses an electrode assembly, comprising: a carrier body comprising an elongated support; and electrically conducting surfaces longitudinally spaced along the carrier body, wherein the electrically conducting surfaces are electrically coupled in parallel.
US09720119B2

Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, can use, as a part of the filtering mechanism, specially designed nonstationary convolution operators that are implemented in the space-frequency domain as nonstationary filters.
US09720117B1

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing database system processes seismic wave data using database queries. The seismic wave data is obtained from sensors of a reflection seismology survey. The seismic wave data is distributed among nodes of the parallel processing database system. Computations of processing the seismic wave data are performed using relational database queries that execute on the nodes in parallel. These computations performed by the queries include generating a starting Earth model of an area surveyed, and performing iterations of solving a forward problem of generating seismic wave patterns from the starting Earth model, performing local optimization that modifies the starting Earth model, and providing the modified Earth model as input to the forward problem in a next iteration.
US09720116B2

In one aspect, a seismic data acquisition unit is disclosed including a closed housing containing: a seismic sensor; a processor operatively coupled to the seismic sensor; a memory operatively coupled to the processor to record seismic data from the sensor; and a power source configured to power the sensor, processor and memory. The sensor, processor, memory and power source are configured to be assemble as an operable unit in the absence of the closed housing.
US09720108B2

A method is described for correcting a captured macropixel signal of an X-ray detector including a plurality of pixels, combined to form at least one macropixel, to capture discrete signals. A weighted macropixel signal exhibiting improved signal stability but reduced dose efficiency is determined. A variable specifying the relative signal drift of the unweighted macropixel signal compared to the weighted macropixel signal is determined on the basis of the captured macropixel signal and the weighted macropixel signal. In addition, a relative signal drift filtered with respect to time is determined on the basis of the relative signal drift. Finally, a macropixel signal corrected by the time-filtered relative signal drift is determined. A signal capture device is disclosed. Furthermore, an X-ray detector is described which includes the signal capture device according to an embodiment of the invention. A computed tomography system is also described which includes the X-ray detector.
US09720092B2

An apparatus for converting between a geohash code and latitude/longitude coordinates includes a conversion module operative in one of at least first and second modes. In the first mode, the conversion module receives a geohash code, a number of geohash code bits remaining to be processed and an initial input interval, and generates first and second output intervals that are updated after each geohash code bit processed. The latitude and longitude coordinates are generated based on the first and second output intervals, respectively. In the second mode, the conversion module receives a latitude or longitude value, the number of geohash code bits remaining to be processed and the initial input interval, and generates a given one of the first and second output intervals. The conversion module is configured to process data at a rate of one geohash code bit per hardware cycle.
US09720088B2

A measurement device (120) includes a light director and a spatial light modulator (130). The light director is disposed to direct light to the spatial light modulator (130) and the spatial light modulator (130) is disposed to receive light from the light director and to modulate it to form an intensity pattern. An optical element is disposed to receive light which formed the intensity pattern and is arranged to magnify the intensity pattern into a measurement space. A detector (142) is disposed to detect light reflected from the measurement space.
US09720080B1

A combined radar and telemetry system is described. The combined radar and telemetry system includes a processing unit that executes instructions, where the instructions define a radar waveform and a telemetry waveform. The processor outputs a digital baseband signal based upon the instructions, where the digital baseband signal is based upon the radar waveform and the telemetry waveform. A radar and telemetry circuit transmits, simultaneously, a radar signal and telemetry signal based upon the digital baseband signal.
US09720079B2

Transponder transmissions may be monitored through a direct, shielded connection of an RF coupler to a transponder antenna cable. The RF coupler may be added on an antenna cable of an older-style transponder to pick up altitude and reply codes, decode the information and transmit it digitally for use by a separate external monitor. As such, the pilot may be afforded the ability to monitor the older-style transponder's altitude and reply code transmissions to air traffic control so as to determine if a failure of the transponder has occurred. By having the direct connection between RF coupler and the transponder antenna cable, no transmissions of other transponders would be received.
US09720076B2

A time of flight imaging system includes a light source coupled to emit light pulses to an object in response a light source modulation signal generated in response to a reference modulation signal. Each pixel cell of a time of flight pixel cell array is coupled to sense light pulses reflected from the object in response a pixel modulation signal. A programmable pixel delay line circuit is coupled to generate the pixel modulation signal with a variable pixel delay programmed in response to a pixel programming signal. A control circuit is coupled to receive pixel information from the time of flight pixel array representative of the sensed reflected light pulses. The control circuit is coupled to vary the pixel programming signal during a calibration mode to synchronize the light pulses emitted from the light source with the pulses of the pixel modulation signal.
US09720075B2

A system and method for remote object sensing which features a spatially polarization-inhomogeneous light beam that is directed on the remote object. A polarimetry receiver receives the light beam after it contacts the remote object. The changes in the spatially polarization-inhomogeneous light beam from contacting the remote object are a result of spatial features of the remote object. The polarimetry receiver is configured to measure the spatially inhomogeneous electric field of the light beam after it contacts the remote object and compute the changes in the spatially polarization-inhomogeneous light beam in order to detect spatial features of the remote object. The system obtains high-resolution, real-time information concerning important spatial features of the remote object.
US09720072B2

A method is provided that includes a vehicle receiving data from an external computing device indicative of at least one other vehicle in an environment of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to detect the environment of the vehicle. The at least one other vehicle may include at least one sensor. The method also includes determining a likelihood of interference between the at least one sensor of the at least one other vehicle the sensor of the vehicle. The method also includes initiating an adjustment of the sensor to reduce the likelihood of interference between the sensor of the vehicle and the at least one sensor of the at least one other vehicle responsive to the determination.
US09720069B2

A method of measuring a location of a user equipment (UE) located indoors in a wireless network includes receiving signals from a plurality of access points (APs), performing training for machine learning using the received signals or information acquired from the received signals, setting a weight vector to be applied to a relevance vector machine (RVM) method using data subjected to the training for machine learning, and applying RVM regression to the set weight vector and measured strengths of the received signals and determining whether the signals received from the plurality of APs are line of sight (LOS) signals or non line of sight (NLOS) signals.
US09720063B2

Systems and methods for generating a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a tissue are provided. A method includes acquiring MR raw data. The MR raw data corresponds to MR signals obtained at undersampled q-space locations for a plurality of q-space locations that is less than an entirety of the q-space locations and the MR signals at the q-space locations represent the three dimensional displacement distribution of the spins in the imaging voxel. The method also includes performing a joint image reconstruction technique on the MR raw data to exploit structural correlations in the MR signals to obtain a series of accelerated MR images and performing, for each image pixel in each accelerated MR image of the series of accelerated MR images, a compressed sensing reconstruction technique to exploit q-space signal sparsity to identify a plurality of diffusion maps.
US09720053B2

Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system comprising an external magnetic field generator, wherein the external field magnetic field generator is configured to rock an effective annealing magnetic field between a first positive angle and a second negative angle compared to a desired pinning field orientation in an AFM/PL structure.
US09720052B2

A magnetic sensor drive circuit that measures a magnetic field by passing a feedback current, which cancels changes in magnetic flux density using measured magnetic field, through a prescribed coil. The drive circuit includes: a first circuit block which controls the feedback current by using an external power source as a power source; a second circuit block which has an output adjustment circuit adjusting a signal according to the strength of the feedback current to be a signal proportional to the voltage of the power source; a first power source line which supplies the external power source to the first circuit block; a second power source line which supplies the external power source to the second circuit block in parallel to the first power source line; a first low pass filter; and a second low pass filter.
US09720043B2

A method of testing a fuse in apparatus for monitoring electrical insulation surrounding first and second electrical conductors in a cable, the fuse being connected to the conductors, comprises: applying an electrical signal, with respect to a reference, to the fuse from a source; obtaining a value for the resistance of the insulation with respect to the reference; determining if the resistance value is greater than a fuse test resistance threshold and, if it is, causing the application of the signal to cease; and monitoring the decay of the signal to determine if the time for it to decay below a set value exceeds a set time limit, indicative of the fuse being satisfactory, or is less than the limit indicative of the fuse being blown.
US09720039B2

This disclosure describes die test architectures that can be implemented in a first, middle and last die of a die stack. The die test architectures are mainly the same, but for the exceptions mentioned in this disclosure.
US09720029B2

False detection relating to overcurrent is prevented, and it is determined with no dead time whether or not the current of a main element is an overcurrent. By a gate signal indicating conductivity being applied to the gate of a sense element earlier than to a main element when the main element is caused to be conductive, and overshoot caused by a differential circuit of the sense element gate input portion being caused before current flows into the main element, it is possible to prevent false detection relating to overcurrent, and determine with no dead time whether or not the current of the main element is an overcurrent.
US09720027B2

The invention discloses a fault point locating method of hybrid lines based on analysis of comprehensive characteristics of single-end electric quantity and transient travelling waves, which mainly includes steps: phase-model transformation; looking up initial time of failure; extracting timing window data after the initial time; searching a reflected wave from the fault point and a reflected wave from a demarcation point in the timing window; and judging properties of the reflected waves. After failure of a hybrid line with cable and overhead line, by identifying and comparing comprehensive characteristics of the reflected wave from the fault point, primary and secondary reflected waves from the demarcation point in the single-end transient voltage and current travelling waves, it is rapidly judged whether the fault point is located in the overhead line segment or the cable segment, which is used to assist in switching decision for line reclosing.
US09720025B2

In monitoring an isolation of an ungrounded power grid an AC voltage source is connected to the power grid via at least one test resistor. A test signal with a periodic continuous voltage course with regard to ground and with a frequency is applied to the power grid by means of the AC voltage source. A leakage current flowing due to the test signal is measured; and an ohmic isolation resistance is determined from the leakage current. The frequency of the test signal is varied such that an active current part of the leakage current keeps a predetermined recommended value at varying leakage capacitances of the power grid. This provides for a desired level of accuracy at maximum speed of isolation or ground fault detection.
US09720015B2

The disclosure relates to a method and system for intelligent visualization in the monitoring of process and/or system data used in technical processes and in the operation of technical systems. The behavior of signals in the past is analyzed and used for a future optimized visualization. Continuously running online algorithms support the system operator by detecting and correspondingly highlighting deviations from the historically observed signal patterns.
US09720011B2

A monitoring device for monitoring a movement profile of a user in the region of an actuating element of an aircraft or spacecraft, having at least one movement sensor which is configured to detect a first monitoring space of the monitoring device and at the same time a second monitoring space of the monitoring device which differs from the first monitoring space. Also a method for monitoring a movement profile of a user in the region of an actuating element of an aircraft or spacecraft, with: detection of a first monitoring space of the monitoring device by at least one movement sensor; and simultaneous detection of a second monitoring space, which is different from the first monitoring space, by the at least one movement sensor.
US09720010B2

Systems and methods for determining an effective wind speed are disclosed. A system includes a first detector, a second detector and a processing unit. The first detector includes a heated temperature-sensing element having a heater and a first temperature sensor, and a first housing at least partially housing the heated temperature-sensing element. The second detector includes a non-heated temperature-sensing element having a second temperature sensor, a second housing at least partially housing the non-heated temperature-sensing element. The processing unit can be adapted to determine the effective wind speed according to a temperature at the heated temperature-sensing element, a temperature at the non-heated temperature-sensing element, and/or a difference between these temperatures and in accordance with an algorithm or table of values. The heated and non-heated temperature-sensing elements and their respective first housing and second housing are collinear, proximal and parallel to the conductor, and protected from precipitation by a shield.
US09720002B2

The methods described herein enable the evaluation of compounds on subjects to assess their therapeutic efficacy or toxic effects. The target of analysis is the underlying biochemical process or processes (i.e., metabolic process) thought to be involved in disease pathogenesis. Molecular flux rates within the one or more biochemical processes serve as biomarkers and are quantitated and compared with the molecular flux rates (i.e., biomarker) from control subjects (i.e., subjects not exposed to the compounds). Any change in the biomarker in the subject relative to the biomarker in the control subject provides the necessary information to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of an administered drug or a toxic effect and to develop the compound further if desired.
US09719998B2

Water soluble light harvesting multichromophores that have an ultraviolet absorption maximum are provided. In some embodiments, the multichromophores include a conjugated segment including a fused 6-5-6 tricyclic co-monomer and a UV absorbance-modifying co-monomer. The multichromophores may include an acceptor chromophore covalently linked to the multichromophore in energy-receiving proximity therewith. In some embodiments, a specific binding member is covalently linked to the multichromophore. Also provided are methods of evaluating a sample for the presence of a target analyte and methods of labelling a target molecule using compositions including the light harvesting multichromophores. Kits and systems for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
US09719989B2

The present invention relates to a method for detecting food poisoning bacteria, and more particularly, to a method for rapidly and quantitatively isolating food poisoning bacteria contents which contaminate food and the like. The method according to the present invention is characterized by including the steps of: introducing magnetic nanoparticles which can bind to bacteria into a sample for measuring the bacteria so as to bind the magnetic nanoparticles to the bacteria; isolating the magnetic nanoparticles; passing the nanoparticles which are isolated by using magnetism through a solution having high viscosity so as to separate the magnetic nanoparticles to which bacteria are bound from magnetic nanoparticles to which no bacteria are bound; and quantifying the magnetic nanoparticles to which bacteria are bound.
US09719988B2

Methods and compositions are provided for detection of biological substances in nasal specimen.
US09719985B2

A method uses an Dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC) surfactant based bio film that reacts with a material in a known manner, and a device that utilizes such a biofilm, to detect material of interest is provided. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful in detecting/measuring a material.
US09719976B2

A detection device for molten metal is provided. The detection device includes a sample cup having a cavity configured to receive a sample of molten metal and a blob arranged in the cavity. The blob includes a carbide stabilizing element and a hydrogen releasing material including a hydroxide of an alkaline earth metal. The blob is provided for use in detecting phase change temperatures during solidification of a sample of molten cast iron. The blob is also resistant to moisture gain and moisture loss during transport and storage. A method of detecting phase change temperatures of the molten iron or molten cast iron sample using the blob and a method of manufacturing the blob are also provided.
US09719971B2

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic flame ionization detector for use in small scale separations, such as, for example, microfluidic gas chromatography and microfluidic carbon dioxide based fluid chromatography. In some arrangements, the microfluidic counter-current flame ionization detector employs a non-parallel arrangement for the introduction of combustion gases into the combustion chamber. In other arrangements, the detector housing is configured to incorporate at least one of the detector electrodes within the housing using electrically isolating fittings.
US09719969B2

A pre-concentration device is provided for a gas analysis system (10) for collecting molecular contamination in a vacuum environment (11). The pre-concentration device (13) comprises a hollow element (15) having an entrance opening (20) for receiving molecules from the vacuum environment (11) in a collection phase, a gas outlet for transferring collected molecules to a vacuum compatible detector or second preconcentration device in a transfer phase. The device has an inner wall for adsorbing molecules in the collection phase and desorbing molecules in the transfer phase. The device has a filler element (14) that is movable from a first position outside the hollow element in the collection phase to a second position inside the hollow element in the transfer phase which second position leaves open a transfer channel to the gas outlet along the inner wall. Advantageously, the device enables transferring of the organic or inorganic contaminants collected in the device under vacuum conditions, and requires a minimal amount of ultra pure gas for the transport of the contaminants to a detector or further a concentration device, which lowers the lower limit of detection.
US09719968B2

An ultrasound probe which is connected to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an acoustic element for converting an electric signal and an ultrasound to each other, an electric signal processing circuit electrically connected to the acoustic element, a case for storing the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit, an acoustic element board for electrically connecting the acoustic element to the electric signal processing circuit, and a partition part which is arranged to contact with the case and separates the acoustic element and the electric signal processing circuit. A space on the side of the acoustic element in the case separated by the partition part is filled with a first material having lower thermal conductivity than that of a material for forming an inner wall surface of the case. Accordingly, the heat generated by a circuit unit such as the electric signal processing circuit can be more efficiently dissipated.
US09719967B2

The present invention relates to a structural health monitoring system, for example a system used in the non-destructive evaluation of an aircraft structure. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for evaluating one or more anomalies within a structure using a structural health monitoring system that includes at least three transducers arranged in operative contact with the structure such that no two transducers are aligned to be parallel. A transducer excites an elastic wave that propagates through the structure, and reflections from any anomalies within the structure are collected by the three transducers. These collected signals are analyzed to identify an anomaly within the structure. Time of flight techniques are used to determine the location of the anomaly.
US09719965B2

Systems and methods of determining settlement characteristics of a drilling mud are disclosed. Conditions under which heavier elements of the drilling mud settle under the influence of gravity can be determined. Samples of drilling mud can be placed in testing cells, and ultrasonic test pulses can be transmitted through the samples. Responses to the test pulses can be detected and compared to other responses detected at different vertical positions within the testing cell. Settlement can be detected when the responses from different vertical positions are generally dissimilar. An environmental temperature of the testing cell can be changed over a testing time interval, and a settlement temperature can be determined by detecting a divergence in the responses from different vertical positions.
US09719957B2

A first electrode (133) has an exposure portion (133b) exposed to a second measuring chamber (160), and a connection portion (133d) which is disposed at a position not exposed to the second measuring chamber (160) and is connected to the first lead (137) and which is a portion of the first electrode (133) located most distant from the second measuring chamber (160). The entire connection portion (133d) is located in a region A1 which extends from the second measuring chamber (160) over a distance of 1.0 mm or less.
US09719955B2

A hematocrit (HCT) measurement system and measurement method using the same are disclosed. The hematocrit (HCT) measurement system comprises a test strip and a measurement apparatus comprising: a connector transmitting an initial signal generated from a blood sample to the measurement apparatus, a capacitive reactance adjustor disposed between the test strip and the measurement apparatus, a calculation unit for calculating concentration and HCT value of the blood sample, an A/D convertor transforming the corresponding initial signal to a digital signal, and a signal processor processing the digital reacted signal and showing measured results on a display, wherein the HCT value is calculated by voltage partition to prevent the signal waveform voltage being saturated or cutoff, thereby resulting in measured signal distortion.
US09719952B1

This method determines the amount of extracellular fluid surrounding a surface disposed inside a plant, the ion population in that fluid and the identity of the dominant ion in that fluid. The method has four parts: 1) Providing an electrochemical circuit between the surface and external electronics 2) Executing two electrochemical procedures which result in a sequence of measured charge transfer values, 3) Processing the measured charge transfer values into a value proportional to the of extracellular fluid surrounding the surface, a value proportional to the total ion population in the fluid and a value that identifies the dominant ion in the fluid, 4) Generating a set of time/quiescent potential pairs of values which are used to identify the dominant ion type in the extracellular fluid during different time ranges.
US09719946B2

An ellipsometer includes a stage, a light source, a polarizer, a detector, and a processor. The stage is configured to support a substrate including a pattern. The light source is configured to emit illumination toward the substrate. The polarizer is configured to polarize the illumination. The detector is configured to generate, in association with a plurality of azimuthal angles, data corresponding to polarized illumination reflected from the substrate. The processor is configured to: control rotation of the stage in association with sequential inspection of the pattern at the plurality of azimuthal angles, and determine asymmetry of the pattern based on the data. Each azimuthal angle of the plurality of azimuthal angles corresponds to a different rotational state of the stage.
US09719939B2

An apparatus can be used for inspecting printed images for a printing or finishing machine with continuously moved printed products. An illumination unit with a light source illuminates a recording region and an image capture apparatus with at least one camera, for example a line scanning camera, is set up to capture an image inside the recording region, which extends over the width of the printed product, wherein the image capture apparatus is set up to generate a multi-line partial image.
US09719934B2

Disclosed is an assay result reading apparatus for use with an assay in which a detectable substance tends to accumulate within a detection zone of the assay, the reading apparatus comprising: a housing or baffle, having a window therein; a light source which emits light through the window so as to illuminate the detection zone of the assay; and a light detector to detect the amount of light reflected and/or transmitted by the detection zone, which amount is at least partly dependent on the amount of detectable substance accumulated in the detection zone; wherein the shape of the window is adapted to render the reading apparatus less sensitive, preferably insensitive, to minor mis-positioning of the detection zone relative to one or more of the window, the light source and the light detector.
US09719931B2

A nanoplasmonic resonator (NPR) includes a substrate, a first metallic member disposed on the substrate, a second metallic member spaced apart from the first metallic member, and a first insulation layer at least partially disposed between the first and second metallic members. The first insulation layer includes at least one of a notch formed laterally therein such that there is an open gap separating outer edge portions of the first and second metallic members, at least a portion thereof having a toroid shape, and a length extending between the first and second metallic members which are laterally adjacent to each other.
US09719929B2

A microarray analysis method, in which a microarray obtained by arranging probes on a substrate surface having an irregular shape is irradiated with excitation light and fluorescence amounts of the probes excited by the excitation light are obtained as numerical data, includes a step (a) of measuring the fluorescence amounts of the probes to acquire fluorescence image data, a step (b) of receiving reflected light and/or scattered light from the substrate surface to acquire the irregular shape of the substrate surface of the microarray as alignment image data based on the light receiving intensities of the light, and a step (c) of determining positions of the probes on the fluorescence image data based on the alignment image data.
US09719920B2

Scatterometry measurement systems, illumination configurations and respective methods are provided, which comprise illumination beams that have vertical projections on a target plane comprising both a parallel component and a perpendicular component, with respect to a target measurement direction. The illumination beams propagate at an angle to the plane defined by the measurement direction and a normal to the targets surface and generate diffraction images which are off-center at the imaging pupil plane. The eccentric diffraction images are spatially arranged to avoid overlaps and to correspond to measurement requirements such as spot sizes, number of required diffraction orders and so forth. The illumination beams may be implemented using illumination pupil masks, which provide a simple way to increase scatterometry measurements throughput.
US09719902B2

A helmet testing apparatus including a movable member, a sensor coupled to the movable member and configured to acquire compliance data regarding a liner disposed within a shell of a helmet through engagement of the sensor with the liner, and a processing circuit configured to determine a rating for the helmet based on the compliance data and predetermined compliance parameters for the helmet.
US09719899B2

A system and method for verifying the operational condition of a rectangular baler having a baling chamber equipped with a reciprocating plunger, the plunger moving between a fully retracted position and extended position, the baler further equipped with a load sensor suitable for determining the reaction force on the plunger as said plunger is compressing crops. Verifying the operational condition includes measuring the reaction force on the plunger or a parameter related to said reaction force, when the plunger is in a position in which it is not exerting a compressive force on the crop material in the baling chamber, comparing the measured reaction force or the parameter to a predefined reference value, and deriving from that comparison an assessment of the baler's condition
US09719892B1

A sample processing device includes a receiving chamber having a chamber inlet and a chamber outlet. The processing device also includes a metering portion having a metering reservoir fluidly coupled to the chamber outlet, and at least one vessel fluidly coupled to the metering reservoir by a syphon. The syphon is operable to actuate upon a preselected volume of liquid being received at the metering reservoir. The syphon includes a syphon inlet and a syphon outlet, with the syphon outlet being fluidly coupled to the vessel. The preselected volume of liquid corresponds to a volume of liquid necessary to deliver a metered volume of fluid to the vessel.
US09719890B2

The current invention describes in vivo and vitro (cultured) sampling technologies that allow direct temporal and spatial sampling from living ecosystems such as those associated with marine ecology. The optional use of parallel sampling methods, observatory design, provides for the ability to measure the response of individual organisms to a variety of both biotic and abiotic stresses. Sampling in small volumes and close proximity to living organisms has allowed direct measurement of various invertebrate and other aquatic species in marine ecosystems. These sampling techniques are intended to apply to any liquid based ecosystem in an attempt to minimize sampling as a dependent variable in measuring the chemical and biological behavior of the ecosystem. If is intended that this sampling technology be used to directly measure the chemical behavior of a wide variety of organisms; including, plants, animals, and micro-organisms (e.g. algae, plankton). These probes facilitate the direct measurement of metabolism, decomposition, pollution, and stress or stimuli from the local environment. A variety of sampling tips and probes have been developed for discrete and continuous sampling. A variety of sampling probe geometries, sizes, and sampling capabilities are disclosed that enable both contact and non-contact sampling of the chemical environment. The liquid sampling has been optimized for chemical analysis with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Fatty acid and lipid profiling have been demonstrated on a number of species from a cultured aquatic using these techniques.
US09719885B2

The present invention relates to a test arrangement for the crash simulation of motor vehicles, said test arrangement having a first carriage, which is movable substantially horizontally along a longitudinal axis, and a second carriage, which is movable along the longitudinal axis together with the first carriage, wherein the second carriage is attached to the first carriage in such an articulated manner that the second carriage is movable with respect to the first carriage. In order to be able to simulate actual accident conditions better, in the test arrangement according to the invention, in addition to at least one first actuating element and at least one second actuating element, there is also provided at least one third actuating element, which is configured to accelerate the second carriage in a horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
US09719882B2

This optical system includes: a device (106) for generating a plane light wave, called a collimated light wave (OLcol); and a device (114) for deviating the collimated light wave so as to provide a light wave, called a test light wave (OLtest), the deviating device (114) having an adjustable focal length.
US09719880B2

A method for testing the tightness of a housing involves providing a pressure sensor in a housing, sealing the housing, and detecting a pressure level in the housing.
US09719875B2

A pressure sensor may comprise a nylon socket, an upper PCB, a lower PCB, and a hex housing. The nylon socket may include a plurality of co-molded electrical pin conductors extending axially from electrical connectors defined within a top end of the nylon socket for receiving an external electrical cable to a bottom end of the nylon socket. A top side of the upper PCB may have electrical contacts configured to contact the electrical pin conductors. The lower PCB may be connected to the upper PCB by at least one structural member, and electrically coupled to the upper PCB and to strain gauges coupled to a diaphragm. The hex housing may have an interior axial port extending from a bottom of said hex housing to a counterbore for holding the diaphragm, thereby exposing a first side of said diaphragm to the fluid within the axial port.
US09719870B2

A read circuit of an electrical signal produced by a POSFET device comprising a transconductance amplifier connected at an inverting input thereof to the output of the POSFET device; and at least one neuron connected at the output to the transconductance amplifier. The transconductance amplifier is adapted to: receive a signal coming from the POSFET device representative of a force or pressure exerted on the POSFET device, and produce at the output at least one current signal representative of the force or the pressure. The at least one neuron is adapted to receive said at least one current signal and to produce at least one output signal, said at least one output signal being a pulse train having a frequency proportional to said at least one current signal produced by the transconductance amplifier.
US09719868B2

An electronic measurement unit for a polymorphous device, comprising a number of lateral structures, each lateral structure including: a support structure; at least one sensor constrained to the support structure and generating an electrical signal indicative of a deformation of the support structure; and a coupling structure that constrains a corresponding external covering element to the support structure in a releasable manner, so that when the external covering element is constrained to the support structure and an external force acts on the external covering element, the electrical signal is indicative of the external force.
US09719866B2

A sensor failure detection device includes a storage, a predictor, a calculator and a detector. The storage stores temperature information of individual sensors. The temperature information includes measured values of temperatures. The measured values of temperatures are measured by a plurality of sensors. The predictor predicts a temperature distribution by performing a thermal fluid simulation, on the basis of the temperature information received from a remaining sensor. The remaining sensor is a sensor of the plurality of sensors other than the test target sensor. The calculator calculates a difference value between a temperature at a position of the test target sensor in the temperature distribution and a temperature measured by the test target sensor. The detector detects that the difference value is higher than a predetermined value.
US09719864B2

A method for determining the ambient temperature of an electronic device, the device comprising heat-generating components (102) and a temperature sensor (105) positioned within a common casing (101), the method comprising the steps of: in an environment with a controlled ambient temperature: determining (307) a device-specific coefficient of power dissipation change (a) between a first (Emin) and second (Emax) power modes, wherein in the second power mode (Emax) the device dissipates more power than in the first power mode (Emin); and in an environment for which the ambient temperature is to be determined: measuring (203-205) temperatures (Tmin, Tmax) by the temperature sensor (105) for the first power mode (Emin) and the second power mode (Emax), calculating (206) ambient temperature (Tamb) as a function of the measured temperatures (Tmin, Tmax) and the device-specific coefficient of power dissipation change (a).
US09719863B1

A thermomagnetic sensor, measurement system and a method of measuring temperature employ a thermomagnetic probe to measure temperature of a device using a thermomagnetic effect. The thermomagnetic sensor includes a plurality of coils configured to provide a mutual inductance measurement between a selected pair of coils of the plurality and the thermomagnetic probe between the selected pair. The thermomagnetic probe includes a ferromagnetic material having a temperature-dependent magnetic permeability determined from the mutual inductance measurement. A predetermined relationship between the temperature-dependent magnetic permeability and temperature in a range between a maximum magnetic permeability value and a Curie temperature provides a measurement of a temperature local to the thermomagnetic probe.
US09719861B2

A temperature sensor circuit implemented in electronic circuitry that senses the temperature at a site, digitizes the sensed temperature, and then outputs a signal representing such a sensed temperature. The temperature sensor circuit converts a voltage signal that is proportional to the temperature to a first digital value. The temperature sensor circuit converts a voltage signal that is inversely proportional to the temperature to a second digital value. The sensed temperature is determined as a function of a difference between the first and second digital values.
US09719848B2

An optical module comprising: an optical waveguide transports light, the optical waveguide including a first mirror which reflects first light; an adhesive sheet formed over the optical waveguide, the adhesive sheet including a first gap above the first mirror; a first light-transmissive layer formed in the first gap; a lens sheet arranged over the adhesive sheet, the lens sheet including a first lens which is formed above the first light-transmissive layer; and a light-emitting device formed above the lens sheet, the light-emitting device including a light-emitting portion which emits the first light to the first lens.
US09719847B2

A detection circuit detects a signal output from an element that receives an acoustic wave. The detection circuit is configured so as not to conduct a detection operation during a period in which the element does not receive the acoustic wave.
US09719845B2

A method for locking out load cells includes dispensing a fluid into a collapsible bag that is supported within a support housing, the support housing resting on a plurality of load cells that sense the weight of the fluid; manipulating a plurality of lockouts located adjacent to corresponding load cells from a first position to a second position so that the lockouts remove at least a portion of the weight of the fluid from the plurality of load cells; moving the support housing containing the collapsible bag with the fluid therein to a new location; and further manipulating the plurality of lockouts from the second position back to the first position so that the plurality of load cells again sense the full weight of the fluid within the collapsible bag.
US09719843B2

A household scale including a housing intended to be placed horizontally during use, the housing including a support, at least one weight measuring system, connected to a display unit for the result of the measurement, the scale being designed to hold on the support, during use, and a container for holding an item or ingredient. The housing includes a connection to the support enabling the support to hold the container in the following two positions. A stowage position in which the container is attached to the support regardless of the position of the scale in space, and a position of use in which the container is set down on the support not attached to it.
US09719842B2

A method for diagnosing or predicting the risk of shock, the method incorporating an algorithmic combination of optical, electromagnetic, and other sensors, along with their anatomic and temporal patterns. A method for developing the algorithms through iterative optimization using machine learning.
US09719837B2

During a water draw test, horizontal type bidirectional sphere provers with a straight calibrated section of pipe between the detector switches sometimes suffer from sphere launch failure which typically results in a failed water draw test. These types of provers, especially in larger pipe diameters will benefit from an elongate concentric fabricated reducer attached to the outlet of each launch tube. These elongate concentric fabricated reducers result in a successful sphere launch on the first attempt. Assuming all the other components of the prover are properly designed and assembled, a successful sphere launch will result in a successful water draw test on the first attempt saving time, money and reputation.
US09719833B2

A filling level transmitter for measuring a filing level of a liquid includes: a filling level sensor having: an ultrasonic transceiver configured to emit ultrasound, and sensor electronics; a sound-conducting tube having two reflectors spaced apart from one another, the first reflector being configured to deflect ultrasound emitted by the transceiver in the direction of the second reflector, and the second reflector being configured to deflect the emitted ultrasound in the direction of the surface of the liquid. A third reflector is arranged in the second reflector such that emitted ultrasound impacting the third reflector is reflected in the direction of the first reflector.
US09719831B2

Level measuring device which can compensate the distortions, caused by an STC filter, of the received signal, by measuring a reference signal which passes through the receiving branch and also through the STC filter, during the ongoing operation of the level measuring device or during manufacture. For example, after passing through the receiving branch, this reference signal can be fed to a microprocessor which can calculate the correction values of the IF signal therefrom. A switch can be provided which can switch over between the reference signal and the IF signal.
US09719827B2

A system is provided for calculating and displaying an estimated remaining runtime for a portable generator. The system may include fuel sender with capacitive sensors communicating with a control system to display the fuel level and/or remaining runtime that can be recalculated when step changes in system performance are detected.
US09719819B2

A vortex flow transducer for measuring the flow velocity of a fluid flowing in a measuring tube as well as to a vortex flow sensor for the vortex flow transducer. In such case, the vortex flow sensor includes a housing having a central axis and a connecting section, on which a shoulder is embodied, which has a bearing area. In a plane of the shoulder a membrane is arranged, whose edge is positioned over the bearing area and is axially spaced therefrom. The vortex flow sensor includes, furthermore, a flange shaped support system having a radial edge section and a cylindrical axial section, wherein the radial edge section lies with its surface against the shoulder of the platform and the cylindrical axial section extends parallel to the central axis, so that the membrane is supported against the support system upon application of a predetermined pressure on the membrane.
US09719813B2

A connector mechanism for safely and quickly attaching or detaching a sensor. The connector mechanism includes a sensor head assembly comprising a detector body with an internal channel, an open distal end, and a sensor head attachment connector (HAC) located within the channel. The HAC includes a first electrical connection having at least a first contact member and a first key component located in a fixed location relative to the first contact member. The connector mechanism includes a sensor cartridge comprising a cartridge housing with a probe component, a second electrical connection having at least a second contact member configured to mate with the first contact member, and a second key component that is located in a fixed location relative to the second contact member. The first and second key components engage one another before the first and second contact members engage one another.
US09719809B2

An optical unit includes: a first diffraction grating where light from a light source enters; a second diffraction grating that generates interference light as a result of diffracted light rays emitted from the first diffraction grating entering the second diffraction grating; and an optical member including a pair of reflective surfaces that are parallel and opposite to each other, the optical member being configured such that the pair of reflective surfaces respectively reflect ±mth-order diffracted light rays that are diffracted light rays of a specific order among a plurality of orders of the diffracted light rays emitted from the first diffraction grating so as to guide the ±mth-order diffracted light rays to the second diffraction grating, where m is a natural number.
US09719802B2

The present disclosure discloses a transmitter and a monitoring system using this transmitter, the transmitter includes: a multi-to-one multiplexing switch configured to receive a plurality of sensor signals of a plurality of channels through a plurality of input terminals, select one sensor signal from the plurality of sensor signals, and output the selected sensor signal through a output terminal; a first variable gain amplifier configured to receive the selected sensor signal, amplify the selected sensor signal with a gain within a first gain range, and output the amplified sensor signal; a control parameter input terminal configured to receive an input control parameter from outside of the transmitter; and an operating and switching selector configured to perform operations according to the input control parameter, so as to control the multi-to-one multiplexing switch to select the one sensor signal and control the gain of the first variable gain amplifier.
US09719790B2

A geohash based cover for a geometry whose uncertainty is described as a circle with center point and a radius is disclosed. In one example, a geohash cover is computed that does not require any expensive geodesic calculations, providing roughly an order of magnitude improvement in speed up of cover calculation. In another example, distance computations are exact compared to a conventional process. In another example, the geohashes returned by the technique can vary between 4 to 9—with a median 6 (a certain conventional process would always return 9 hashes (all the 8 neighbors and the self geohash)). In another example, results are accurate, while still avoiding expensive geodesic computations.
US09719789B2

An approach is provided for acquiring access rights for one or more restricted access areas. The approach involves determining that at least one potential route for at least one user includes at least one location with one or more access restrictions. The approach also involves initiating at least one query to determine whether the at least one user has at least one access right to the at least one location. The approach further involves generating at least one request to acquire the at least one access right for the at least one user based, at least in part, on one or more results of the at least one query prior to travel in the at least one location, a commencement of the at least one potential route, or a combination thereof.
US09719788B2

A method for determining a spatial orientation of a body, including receiving, by receiving equipment located with the body, at least three electromagnetic signal sets, each of the received signal sets having been transmitted by a different one of at least three separate transmitters at different locations, detecting, for each one of the received signal sets, information that partially defines a direction from the body to the transmitter from which the signal set was received, the detected information including one of two angles that fully define an arrival direction from which the body received the signal set in relation to a body frame, the detected information not including a second of the two angles, and determining the spatial orientation of the body, including yaw, pitch, and roll angles relative to a navigation frame, using the detected information for each one of the received signal sets.
US09719787B2

The navigation solution of a device may be enhanced by perforating multiple pass smoothing. Forward and backward processing of the input data may be performed to derive interim navigation solutions. One or more quantities of the interim navigation solutions may be combined to smooth the quantities. At least one additional pass of forward and backward processing may then be performed using quantities of the navigation solution that were combined to enhance the interim navigation solutions. Next, at least one uncombined quantity of the navigation solution from the enhanced interim navigation solution is combined to provide an enhanced smoothed navigation solution. Additional passes may be performed to combine other quantities of the navigation solution as desired.
US09719783B2

A level sensor (20) for a motor vehicle that comprises a housing (1), a rotor (2) that is rotatably mounted on the housing (1), a circuit board (3) that is enclosed by the housing (1) and contains at least a single stator as well as a connector (4). The level sensor (20) should be improved in such a way that the rotor (2) is easy to mount on the housing (1) and that there is practically no play so that a relative position of the stator as compared to a rotor structure (9) is largely maintained. Overall, the sensor should also be inexpensive to manufacture. This is achieved by the circumstance that the housing (1) exhibits a cylinder (6) with a circular cross-section that is mounted on the outside, that the rotor (2) is made of plastic with the exception of the rotor structure (9) and that the rotor (2) is guided within the cylinder (6) and interlocks with the latter.
US09719780B2

The invention describes an observation device, having two tubular observation parts, wherein the longitudinal axes of the observation parts in the region of the ocular sides are spaced apart by a distance of at least 54 mm. At least one observation part has a flared portion on an external side, wherein the flared portion is located inside a subsection of between 20% and 80% of an overall length of the observation part. The flared portion lies in an annulus section having a normal distance to the optical axis of the objective of between 130% and 250% of the radius the objective lens.
US09719776B2

Systems and techniques for processing materials using wavelength beam combining for high-power operation in concert with interferometry to detect the depth or height of features as they are created.
US09719773B2

The present invention provides a method of measuring a shape of a surface of an object, the method including obtaining shape data for each of a plurality of regions on the surface by a surface measurement for each of the plurality of regions, each of the plurality of regions having a region overlapping another of the plurality of regions, obtaining an error of the surface measurements so as to minimize a difference in shape with respect to the overlapping regions based on the obtained shape data, and obtaining the shape of the surface based on the obtained shape data and the obtained error, wherein the shape data is obtained so as not to include a component having a spatial frequency higher than a threshold determined based on a required precision.
US09719772B2

A fiber optic sensing system for determining the position of an object requires a light source, an optical fiber, a fiber optic splitter, a fiber tip lens, an optical detector and signal processing circuitry. Light emitted by the light source is conveyed via optical fiber and the splitter to the lens and onto an object, such that at least a portion of the light is reflected by the object and conveyed via fiber and the splitter to the detector. Signal processing circuitry coupled to the detector determines the position of the object with respect to the lens based on a characteristic of the reflected light. The system is suitably employed with a hydraulic accumulator having a piston, the position of which varies with the volume of fluid in the accumulator, with the system arranged to determine the position of the piston, from which the volume can be calculated.
US09719771B2

A rotation angle sensor for detecting an absolute rotation angle upon single or multiple revolutions includes a magnetic field sensor and an encoder arrangement. The magnetic field sensor detects at least two orthogonal magnetic field variables. The encoder arrangement is rotatable depending on the absolute rotation angle relative to the magnetic field sensor, such that the magnetic field detected by the magnetic field sensor is dependent on a relative angular position of the encoder arrangement with respect to the magnetic field sensor. The encoder arrangement is furthermore displaceable relative to the magnetic field sensor. The relative angular position and the relative translational position of the encoder arrangement with respect to the magnetic field sensor is determined from the at least two orthogonal magnetic field variables. The absolute rotation angle is determined by means of the relative angular position and the relative translational position.
US09719769B2

A bidirectional displacement detector according to the present invention includes: a displacement detector which includes a first detection element and a second detection element; a base at which the first detection element is provided; an arm which is coupled to the base so as to be rotatable around an arm rotation axis extending in a horizontal direction, and at which the second detection element is provided; and a probe which is coupled to the base so as to be rotatable around a probe rotation axis perpendicular to the arm rotation axis. The probe has a contact part provided at a position away from the probe rotation axis, and a pair of abutment parts which is disposed along a direction of the arm rotation axis and on both sides with the probe rotation axis interposed therebetween and comes into contact with the arm so as to be able to be separated from the arm. Each of the pair of abutment parts is in contact with the arm from the lower side thereof and is biased upward.
US09719767B2

A device for inspecting a profiled work pieces has a toothing, the profile metrologically detectable by the probe element of a profile probe. The profile and the profile probe are moved relative to one another and at right angles or tangentially to the measuring plane of the profile probe. The device measures work pieces having different numbers of teeth, modules and widths, directly after processing, on site and quickly, for accuracy and deviations, without special profiles for the toothing. The probe element of the profile probe can be applied to the profile of the work piece, can be applied to the profile edge of the work piece that is moving away from the probe element by the probe radius of the probe element, and subsequently, by the lateral surface of the probe element facing the profile edge opposite thereof, is configured so the probe element can be displaced from the profile gap.
US09719766B2

A measurement system for determining dimensions of a measurement zone of a physical asset is presented. The system includes a telescoping gauge configured to determine one or more analog measurements corresponding to the measurement zone of the physical asset, where the telescoping gauge includes a sliding arm and a vertical arm. Furthermore, the system includes a data digitizer operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to convert the one or more analog measurements to corresponding one or more digital measurements. In addition, the system includes a wireless unit operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more digital measurements.
US09719760B2

The invention relates to a fin deployment mechanism (1) comprising a base unit (3), deployable fins (8) movably arranged on the base unit (3) and, in the retracted position, bearing against the base unit (3), as well as a gas-generating device, in which the fins in the retracted position are fixed to the base unit, and in which at least one gas duct (6, 7) is arranged in the base unit (3) so as to conduct pressurized gas generated by the gas-generating device to the bottom side of the fins (8), which in the retracted position bear against the base unit (3), in order to create a force which acts on the fins (8) for deployment of the same (8′). The invention further relates to an artillery projectile comprising a fin deployment mechanism.
US09719755B2

An adapter piece for mounting weapon accessory parts on a handheld firearm having a main body which includes mounting elements for detachably attaching the weapon accessory parts. To ensure flexible and accurate mounting of the weapon accessory parts, a fastening element for detachably attaching the main body to a front stock of the handheld firearm is disposed on the main body.
US09719754B2

The present folding stock adapter can be used with many types of military-type assault rifles that typically comprise a receiver extension, buffer and action spring. The present folding stock adapter can be used to add a folding capability to a standard stock allowing it to fold against a rifle's receiver when the weapon is not in use, thus reducing the overall length of the weapon. This reduction in length can facilitate its maneuverability, storage and transport in cramped quarters. The present device can also allow for the quick unfolding of the stock in order to allow the weapon to function and be fire normally.
US09719741B1

A magazine loading device comprises an ammunition delivery interface, a shuttle or escapement, an orientation gate, a staging gate, a plunger, and a magazine receiver. The ammunition may be supplied to the ammunition delivery interface in a number of ways, including utilization of a hopper. The ammunition may be guided into an opening in the shuttle or escapement, which may then transfer the ammunition to an orientation gate. The geometry of the orientation gate is such that the ammunition will always drop through the orientation gate with the projectile down, which in this case is the desired orientation for loading into the magazine. A plunger may then push the ammunition into the magazine.
US09719735B2

A heat exchanger, particularly for a motor vehicle, having a tube/fin bundle with tubes, through which a coolant can flow, and having at least one manifold into which the coolant, coming out of the tubes, can flow, whereby the at least one manifold has a manifold top part and a manifold bottom part, whereby outwardly extending protrusions, which form a passage geometry for receiving the tubes of the tube/fin bundle, are formed on the manifold top part and the manifold bottom part.
US09719730B1

An energy conversion system which utilizes magneto-hydrodynamics for energy based on the Stirling cycle without any moving parts. The energy conversion system generally includes a containment chamber which includes no moving parts. A compressible gas traverses through four distinct sections of the containment chamber to allow for energy conversion based on the Stirling cycle. The first section performs constant volume heating of the medium, the second section performs isothermal expansion of the medium, the third section performs constant volume cooling of the medium, and the fourth section performs isothermal compression of the medium. Electrical conductors installed within the containment chamber and magnetic field placed adjacent to the electric conductors within the containment chamber will extract electrical energy from the moving compressed ionized gas (CIG) using the principle of magneto-hydrodynamics.
US09719728B2

A submersible heat-exchanging apparatus for installation into storage tanks used for containing industrial oils. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical heat-exchange component with one end sealingly engaging a terminal plug and the other end sealingly engaging and communicating with a coupling manifold having opposed inflow and outflow ports. A flow-directing elongate insert is provided with one end configured to engage the coupling manifold interposed the inflow and outflow ports, and the other end provided with an aperture and configured for abutting the terminal plug. The flow-directing elongate insert slidingly contacts and cooperates with the inner walls of the heat-conductive conduit thereby partitioning the heat-conductive conduit into two opposed fluid transmission channels wherein one channel communicates with the inlet port and the other channel communicates with the outlet port. The coupling manifold sealingly engages an aperture provided in the storage tank whereby the heat-exchange component extends into the tank.
US09719726B2

Cooling towers and cooling tower fill configured for the cooling of process water with air by indirect heat exchange, in which the fill is configured with a first set of channels and a second set of channels, said first and second set of channels interleaved with one-another so that heat exchange occurs across material separating said channels from one-another.
US09719720B2

A refrigerator includes a main body, a door configured to open or close a storage compartment, and a beverage receiving chamber that defines a space for reception of a beverage container. The refrigerator includes a light emitting device and a camera arranged with the beverage receiving chamber in its field of view and configured to capture an image of an interior of the beverage receiving chamber. The refrigerator includes a beverage residual quantity sensing device located in the beverage receiving chamber and configured to measure a weight of a beverage. The refrigerator includes a display configured to display a kind and residual quantity of the beverage, and a controller configured to control operation of the camera, receive a weight sensing signal from the sensing device, determine the residual quantity of the beverage based on the weight sensing signal, and provide a user with information on the kind and residual quantity.
US09719718B2

A casing for a device that can be used in the domestic, catering, or retail sectors, in one embodiment a refrigerating device, that has two lateral walls, a top wall, and a rear wall. The casing comprises two lateral casing elements for covering the lateral walls of the device, a top casing element for covering the top wall of the device, and a rear casing element for covering the rear wall of the device. The lateral casing elements and the top casing element each have an angled front edge section for engaging around a front edge of the lateral walls and a front edge of the top wall, respectively. Each lateral casing element includes a retaining profile on a face opposite the angled front edge section, the rear casing element being held in said retaining profiles.
US09719716B1

An anti-ice buildup system for roof vent pipes that is easy to install and that prevents ice buildup in roof vent pipes. The anti-ice buildup system for roof vent pipes generally includes a first segment and a second segment extending downwardly from the first segment. At least a portion of the first segment is adapted to remain outside of a vent pipe and at least a portion of the second segment is adapted to extend downwardly through an upper opening in the vent pipe. The second segment is constructed of a thermal conductive material to conduct heat from the vent air and sunlight.
US09719703B2

Vehicle air comfort systems and methods. The systems and methods may comprise: (1) a plurality of flow tunnels for passage of a heat-transfer fluid; (2) a thermoelectric cooler in thermal communication with the flow tunnels for thermally conditioning the heat-transfer fluid in the flow tunnels; (3) an air inlet for receiving unconditioned air; (4) a thermal exchange assembly for facilitating thermal exchange between the thermally conditioned heat-transfer fluid and the unconditioned air to result in conditioning of the air; and (5) an air outlet for outputting the conditioned air into the vehicle.
US09719699B2

An air conditioner (1A) as a refrigeration apparatus includes: a refrigerant circuit (2) including an evaporator (25), a first compressor (21), a vapor cooler (3), a second compressor (22), and a condenser (23) that are connected in this order; a heat release circuit (4) that allows a heat medium to circulate between the condenser (23) and a first heat exchanger (5) that releases heat to the atmosphere; and a heat absorption circuit (6) that allows a heat medium to circulate between the evaporator (25) and a second heat exchanger (7). The vapor cooler (3) is a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant vapor compressed by the first compressor (21) and the heat medium flowing in the heat release circuit (4) or the heat medium flowing in the heat absorption circuit (6).
US09719690B2

System and methods for controlling an air conditioning (AC) system includes defining one or more zones to achieve control actions based on local conditions to create a localized dynamic system for localized control, wherein zones are defined by considering hot and cool areas of the room or location of heat generating equipment, wherein the zone definition changes dynamically based on time of day or based on occupancy, or wherein zones are defined in a customizable manner based on sensitivity analysis considering energy savings and comfort tradeoff or considering equipment with predetermined temperature restrictions; monitoring through sensor placement at predetermined locations in the room based on importance of the equipment, heat generation zones and proximity to the AC; determining appropriate temperature setpoints based on existing operating conditions; and applying temperature information at the predetermined locations to generate rules for the actuation of AC systems.
US09719685B2

A system and method for flame stabilization is provided that forestalls incipient lean blow out by improving flame stabilization. A combustor profile is selected that maintains desired levels of power output while minimizing or eliminating overboard air bleed and minimizing emissions. The selected combustor profile maintains average shaft power in a range of from approximately 50% up to full power while eliminating overboard air bleed in maintaining such power settings. Embodiments allow for a combustor to operate with acceptable emissions at lower flame temperature. Because the combustor can operate at lower bulk flame temperatures during part power operation, the usage of inefficient overboard bleed can be reduced or even eliminated.
US09719675B2

The present application relates to apparatus for generating steam. It comprises a water inlet (19), a evaporation surface (24), and a heater (26) disposed adjacent to the evaporation surface (24) to heat the evaporation surface (24) to a predetermined temperature such that water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) via the water inlet (19) forms a film on the evaporation surface (24) and is evaporated. The apparatus is configured so that water is fed to one or more regions of the evaporation surface (24), and the temperature of the water fed onto the evaporation surface (24) is lower than the predetermined temperature, so that scale on the or each region of the evaporation surface (24) to which water is fed cools at a different rate at which water on a remainder of the evaporation surface (24) cools. This causes scale on the evaporation surface (24) to break apart and be dislodged from the evaporation surface (24).
US09719649B2

Techniques for encoded data processing which allow for continuous data processing as encoded data changes. Data is decomposed into one or more blocks with each block containing at least one data record. At least one data record within a given block is encoded with a first encoding process selected from one or more encoding processes. The first encoding process is associated with the given data block. Techniques evaluate whether or not to implement an encoding change for a given block when updating a given data record in the given block. Responsive to the evaluation, the given block is re-encoded with a second encoding process. Responsive to the re-encoding, the association of the given block is updated. A map is formed to convert the given data record encoded with the first encoding process to the second encoding process so as to preserve comparative relationships of the given data record.
US09719646B2

A headlamp for vehicles having a projection module containing a first light source for generating a first light bundle, a reflector assigned to the first light source, a lens, and an edge disposed in a focal plane for generating a low beam light distribution. The headlamp also includes a second light source for generating a second light bundle and an optics unit disposed between the lens and the second light source for generating a supplementary light distribution, such that by superimposing the supplementary light distribution and the low beam light distribution, a high beam light distribution is formed. The optics unit is formed by a flat waveguide having a light entry surface for receiving the second light bundle emitted from the second light source. The second light source is disposed in the proximity of the light entry surface, having a light exit surface, and flat sides extending between the light entry surface and the light exit surface, on which entering light can be conducted through total reflection. A light/dark border of the low beam light distribution is formed by the edge of the flat waveguide formed as the front outer edge, which connects the light exit surface and an upper flat side of the waveguide. The upper flat side of the flat waveguide is provided with a light blocking coating, such that an entry of light beams from the first light bundle striking the upper flat side is prevented.
US09719645B2

The invention relates to a motor vehicle headlight having at least one first light source and a headlight lens which comprising, for example, a blank-molded integrally formed body which is made from a transparent material, and which comprises at least one light tunnel and a light-conducting part having at least one optically effective light exit surface, wherein the light tunnel comprises, an optically effective, light entry surface and merges, while forming a kink, into the light-conducting part for imaging the kink as a light-dark boundary by means of light coupled in or radiated into the light entry surface from the first light source, wherein the light tunnel has a transition region in which the surface delimiting the light tunnel at the top rises in the direction of the light-conducting part.
US09719642B1

Apparatus and system for producing light using LED lighting with output within a predetermined desired color temperature range for commercial lighting uses. A preferred embodiment includes a first and second group of LEDs arranged in an alternating matrix configuration, each group of LEDs configured to produce light in a predetermined color temperature range. In a preferred embodiment, an LED light system includes a tubular LED lamp having substantially the same size and dimensions as a traditional fluorescent lamp tube and a control box for controlling power input and power gain to the first, second, or both groups of LEDs.
US09719640B2

A portable lighting system including a ring shaped body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outside wall and an inside wall, the ring shaped body defining a body perimeter, a rim secured to the body and extending away from the outside wall, a plurality of lights secured about the body perimeter, and a power source operatively connected to the plurality of lights. The power source may be a battery or other power source and can power the lights in addition to a controller, camera, transceiver, or sensor. One or more of the lights may be flexibly secured to the body and the body may be secured in place through a variety of ways. A safety ring and/or accessory bracket may be secured atop the portable lighting system.
US09719637B2

A tubular lighting device comprising an elongated heat sink (3), at least one light source (5) mounted on the elongated heat sink (3), and an elongated hollow tubular member (7) with a first and a second end arranged along the elongated heat sink (3). The tubular member (7) comprises a lens (15) and a light exit surface (9). The light exit surface is located in front of the lens (15) and the light exit surface (9) have at least one diffusing portion (11) with a transparent portion on each side of each diffusing portion. The at least one diffusing portion (11) covers an area on the light exit surface (9) corresponding to a light distribution of said lens (15) projected on the light exit surface (9), such that all light is directed by said lens (15) onto the at least one diffusing portion (11).
US09719623B2

A fluid pipeline has a first end and a second end. An elongated heat trace element comprised of first and second heat tubes is aligned and coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The outer surface of fluid pipeline carries a first insulation material covering a first portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of the fluid pipeline further carries a second insulation material covering a second portion of the outer surface and wherein the second portion of the outer surface is different than the first portion of the outer surface. The first and second insulation materials are configured to cover the outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The fluid pipeline further comprises a third insulation material carried over a second outer surface defined by the cooperation of the first and second insulation materials.
US09719622B2

An electrofusion fiting (20) comprises a fitting body (24) and an electrofusion collar (26). The fitting body (24) has an exterior surface (30), an interior surface (32), and a terminal portion (44) extending to a rim (34). The collar (26) has: an inner wall (42) having a heating element (60); a segmented outer wall (40) spaced radially apart from the inner wall; and a linking portion (46) linking the outer wall and inner wall. The fitting body terminal portion is between the inner wall and the outer wall. The collar and fitting body have interfitting features (150, 152) axially retaining the collar against extraction from the fitting body while permitting relative rotation of the collar and the fitting body.
US09719618B2

An annular sealing material seals a pipe joint between a socket and a spigot. The sealing material includes a bulb part which is composed of a first bulb, a second bulb located closer to the inner side of the socket than the first bulb, and a narrow part present between the first and second bulbs. The first bulb is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the socket. The second bulb is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the spigot. The second bulb is inclined towards the pipe center from the first bulb in a natural state before it is provided between the socket and the spigot. The inner diameter of the second bulb is smaller than the outer diameter of the spigot in the natural state. The second bulb is extensible in the pipe diameter direction due to elastic deformation of the narrow part.
US09719616B2

The present general inventive concept, in some of its many example embodiments, relates to a line, in particular for the conduction of gaseous media under high pressure, preferably in the range of 150 bar to 400 bar, very preferably in the range of 200 bar to 350 bar, in particular 200 bar to 250 bar, having at least one high-pressure line and at least one gas recirculation line, characterized in that the gas recirculation line is arranged, preferably coaxially, inside the high-pressure line and the gas recirculation line comprises a stabilization device, in particular in spiral form, preferably a steel spiral, very preferably a normal steel spiral or a stainless steel spiral.
US09719607B2

A magnetic holding brake (1) having at least one turning brake member (4) allocatable to a rotatable part (2) of an actuator (3) and a fixed brake member (6) allocatable to a torque-proof part (5) of the actuator (3). The turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) each at least have one permanent magnet (7, 8) of different polarity. The permanent magnets are lying opposite to each other in a pre-defined relative position of the turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) under exertion of a braking or holding torque. In this manner, the possibility exists that a holding in the so-called “fail as is”-mode is more easily and reliably and at the same time cost-efficiently achievable without wear or further energy demand.
US09719606B1

A vacuum breaker valve is provided, including: a barrel member, a biasing assembly, a water stop gasket and a plate. The biasing assembly is abutted within the barrel member. The water stop gasket is disposed in the barrel member and abuts against the biasing assembly. The water stop gasket has a water stop portion which is deformable to close at least one air passage of the barrel member. The plate is located between the inlet end and the water stop gasket, and its engaging flange structure is blockable, in a direction toward the inlet end, by a shoulder portion of the barrel member. The biasing assembly normally drives the water stop portion of the water stop gasket apart from the at least one air passage to keep the at least one air passage non-closed.
US09719593B2

A hydraulic transmission circuit is provided having at least two elementary hydraulic motors, each having a secondary enclosure and a main duct for fluid feed and a secondary enclosure and a main duct for fluid discharge. A fluid distributor distributes fluid from the main ducts to the elementary motors via the secondary enclosures. A control system controls the elementary motors. Valves connecting the fluid distributor to the secondary enclosures of the first motor put a secondary enclosure into communication with a main duct independent of an operating mode of any other elementary motor.
US09719591B2

A continuously variable transmission cooling fan includes a moveable sheave cover attached to a drive clutch assembly of a continuously variable transmission, with a plurality of fan blades molded into the moveable sheave cover and arranged around the perimeter of the moveable sheave cover. Each fan blade may have a different length, curvature and angle of position than the adjacent fan blades. The continuously variable transmission cooling fan also may include a plurality of openings in the moveable sheave cover located radially inwardly from the fan blades.
US09719589B2

A hydrokinetic torque converter comprises an impeller rotatable about a rotational axis, a coaxial turbine, and a stator disposed between the impeller and the turbine. The stator includes an annular stator hub, an annular radially outer stator rim, a plurality of stator blades radially outwardly extending between the stator hub and the stator rim, and an annular outer stator flange extending radially outwardly from the stator rim thereof and disposed between an impeller core ring and a turbine core ring. The stator further includes a plurality of hydraulic pressure grooves provided on at least one of axially opposite impeller and turbine side surfaces of the stator flange. The hydraulic pressure grooves face at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings so as to create a hydrodynamic lift between the stator and at least one of the impeller and turbine core rings in the axial direction.
US09719578B2

A gear device is provided with a crankshaft including a shaft main body and an eccentric portion, a linking member including external teeth and configured to transmit the rotation of the input gear to the crankshaft, a carrier configured to rotatably support the crankshaft, an oscillation gear oscillating and rotating, and an outer cylinder including internal teeth engaged with the oscillation gear. The carrier and the outer cylinder are configured to concentrically relatively rotate according to the rocking rotation of the oscillation gear. The linking member is configured to selectively take a first position where the external teeth are engaged with a first input gear and a second position where the external teeth are engaged with a second input gear.
US09719575B2

A vibration-damping device (10) of the invention includes a tubular first attachment member (11) and a second attachment member (12); an elastic body (13); a partitioning member (17) that forms a main liquid chamber (14), a first auxiliary liquid chamber (15), and a second auxiliary liquid chamber (16); a first diaphragm (18) that constitutes a portion of the wall surface of the first auxiliary liquid chamber (15); and a second diaphragm (19) that constitutes a portion of the wall surface of the second auxiliary liquid chamber (16) and that has a smaller deformation resistance than the deformation resistance of the first diaphragm (18). The partitioning member (17) is provided with an idle orifice (31) that allows the main liquid chamber (14) and the first auxiliary liquid chamber (15) to communicate with each other and that produces resonance with respect to the input of an idle vibration, and a shake orifice (32) that allows the main liquid chamber (14) and the second auxiliary liquid chamber (16) to communicate with each other and that produces resonance with respect to the input of a shake vibration. An adjustment chamber (24) having an interior capable of being decompressed or compressed with respect to standard pressure or being open so as to be capable of being blocked with respect to the outside, is provided adjacent to the second auxiliary liquid chamber (16) with the second diaphragm (19) interposed therebetween. By including the configuration as described above, damping characteristics against vibrations are exhibited over a wide range of frequencies.
US09719574B2

Shock absorber and method for operating a shock absorber for a bicycle wherein a relative motion of a first and a second component interconnected via a damper device is dampened. The damper device includes a controllable damping valve with a field generating device with which a field-sensitive medium can be influenced for influencing a damping force of the damper device by applying a field intensity of the field generating device. A parameter for the current relative speeds of the first and second components is obtained in real time. For damping, a current field intensity to be set is derived in real time by way of the parameter from a characteristic damper curve and the field intensity to be currently set is generated by the field generating device in real time for setting in real time a damping force which results from the predetermined characteristic damper curve at the parameter obtained.
US09719571B2

A bumper for a closure, such as a tailgate, acts between the tailgate and a frame to bias a striker in to engagement with a latch. The bumper is moved to a retracted position during closing to reduce the force needed to close the tailgate. After latching, the bumper is conditioned to an extended position to assert the bias between the tailgate and frame.
US09719563B2

An axle assembly having a tapered spline arrangement. The axle assembly may include a first shaft that may have a first spline and a clutch collar that may have a clutch collar spline that may be disposed in a hole that may receive the first shaft. The first spline and the second spline may be tapered in opposite directions.
US09719556B2

A journal foil air beating includes: a top foil located to face an outer circumferential surface of a rotating shaft and surround the rotating shaft; a bump foil being an elastically deformable member and located to surround the top foil; a base foil located to surround the bump foil, and a coupling unit configured to couple the first end portion of the top foil, the first end portion of the bump foil, the first end portion of the base foil, and the second end portion of the base foil, wherein the base foil, the bump foil, and the top foil are modularized into one piece by the coupling unit. According to the present invention, the journal foil air bearing may be easily assembled in advance and modularized into one piece, may be very conveniently mounted or disassembled on a bearing housing in a workplace.
US09719545B2

A screw includes a shank and a thread extending spirally around an outer circumference of the shank. The thread includes a plurality of thread convolutions, and a plurality of ribs provided between two adjacent thread convolutions of the thread. A helical groove is formed in the outer circumference of the shank and extends continuously across at least partial of the plurality of thread convolutions of the thread. The helical groove intersects partial of the plurality of ribs, and the helical groove has a width which is 1.5-2.5 times a width of the rib. The helical groove is used to accommodate residues which are generated when the screw is driven in articles to be assembled for speedily driving the screw without degradation of the binding capacity between the screw and the articles.
US09719535B1

A method of flushing a hydraulic system including a fluid circuit and an in-service fluid flowing therein includes fluidly coupling a kidney loop to the fluid circuit such that at least a portion of the in-service fluid may flow therethrough, the kidney loop including a depth media filter and a micro-glass filter arranged in a parallel flow pattern and introducing a solvent cleaner into the in-service fluid at a concentration level between approximately 2.5% and approximately 6%, the solvent cleaner including at least one hydrocarbon group V fluid. The method further includes maintaining a temperature of the in-service fluid between approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit and approximately 155 degrees Fahrenheit and controlling the flow of the in-service fluid at a flow rate between approximately 3 gallons per minute and approximately 6.8 gallons per minute.
US09719534B2

A modular pneumatic robotic actuator, including a first elongated hollow structure and a second elongated hollow structure connected to each other at a moveable joint; an inflatable bladder comprised of an elastomeric material disposed at the joint and immobilized between the first and second hollow structures, wherein the inflatable bladder inflates preferentially away from the joint; and a restraining membrane comprised of an elastomeric material disposed over the bladder and connecting the first and second hollow structures, wherein the restraining membrane is relaxed when the bladder is deflated.
US09719533B1

A gas-powered actuator is provided. The actuator includes a housing and a piston movably positioned within the housing. A cavity is formed in the piston. The housing includes an opening formed therein. The opening is structured to permit insertion of a piston rod into the opening, then into the piston cavity.
US09719530B2

An electrohydraulic control circuit for driving a hydraulically actuated actuating element (5, 6), by means of which a segment (5.3) of a manipulator, in particular of a large manipulator for truck-mounted concrete pumps, can be adjusted in terms of its orientation, wherein there are provided an electrically driven first valve (2.4), which is connected to hydraulic working lines of the actuating element (5.6) for the drive thereof, and leak-free check valves (2.5, 2.6) provided in the working lines of the actuating element (5.6), which valves are arranged on the actuating element (5.6) or on the segment (5.3) associated with this actuating element (5.6) and can be released for the normal operation of the actuating element (5.6), wherein the release of the check valves (2.5, 2.6) is driven by an electronic control unit (ECU) separate from the first valve (2.4) and the check valves (2.5, 2.6).
US09719525B2

This invention relates to a ceiling mounted air circulating apparatus comprising, in combination: a motor; an essentially centrally located radial or axial air impeller; air guiding means; optional airflow enhancement by means of air amplification means; optional centrally located wiring path from an electrical power source to a wiring enclosure suitable for hanging a lighting fixture or chandelier; and decorative embellishments, ail of which are arranged to blend with the architectural style of a space in a manner similar to a decorative ceiling medallion, the plariform of which, when viewed from below may be circular, rectangular, or polygonal. Optionally, the apparatus of the present invention may embody any of the following; heating, cooling, filtration means, positive ion generation means, and / or air sterilization means.
US09719518B2

A ported-shroud centrifugal compressor for a turbocharger includes an inlet-adjustment mechanism in an air inlet for the compressor, operable to move between an open position and a closed position in the air inlet. The inlet-adjustment mechanism includes an axially elongated ring. In the open position, the radially outer surface of the ring is spaced from a tapering inner surface of the air inlet so that air can flow in an annular passage between the tapering surface and the ring, and the ring opens the ported shroud. In the closed position, the ring abuts the tapering surface to close off the annular passage and to close off the ported shroud. Movement of the inlet-adjustment mechanism from the open position to the closed position is effective to shift the compressor's surge line to lower flow rates.
US09719516B2

A rotor assembly for a centrifugal pump includes a rotor and a rotor cover, defining a fluid chamber therebetween, and having openings or channels that are provided in either the rotor cover or the rotor, or both, to direct fluid from the fluid chamber into the rotor or rotor cover of the rotor assembly to provide reduction of increased pressure that is experienced within the fluid chamber, especially at or near the center of the fluid chamber.
US09719512B2

The height measured from the bottom surfaces of support legs is set to be 2.5 or more times as great as the outer diameter of the compressor body, the height of the center of gravity measured from the bottom surfaces of the support legs to the center of gravity is set to be ½ or less the overall height, and the support legs are provided in number of four, based on the fulfillment of Rc/cos θ
US09719511B2

A scroll compressor of the present invention includes a partition plate, a fixed scroll, an orbiting scroll, a rotation-restraining member, a main bearing, a discharge space, a ring-shaped first seal member and a ring-shaped second seal member. A pressure in the medium pressure space is set lower than that in the discharge space and higher than that in the low pressure space. The first seal member and the second seal member are sandwiched by the partition plate by means of a closing member, the fixed scroll can move in an axial direction of the fixed scroll between the partition plate and the main bearing. If a high pressure is applied to the discharge space, the fixed scroll can be pressed against the orbiting scroll.
US09719508B2

A flexible impeller pump includes improved flexible impeller geometry, an impeller shaft having protruding portions that produce a stronger and more durable connection between the impeller shaft and the flexible impeller, a smoother housing cam surface, and wear resistant surfaces that are disposed between end faces of the flexible impeller and adjacent housing end walls.
US09719505B2

A medication pump test device and method of use including a test device for use with a medication pump and a depth indicator, the test device including: an external body portion defining a depth indicator recess operable to receive the fixed portion of the depth indicator; an internal body portion attached to the external body portion, the internal body portion defining a slide spindle passage operable to allow free axial movement of the slide spindle of the depth indicator. The test device maintains the fixed portion of the depth indicator at a fixed axial position along the central axis relative to the medication pump when the fixed portion of the depth indicator is seated in the depth indicator recess, the external contact portion contacts the medication pump, and the internal body portion is seated in the open end of the reservoir compartment.
US09719504B2

A precision pump system having a motor driver for accurately and repeatedly delivering process fluid, (e.g., photo chemicals) using a pumping fluid with minimal process fluid loss to a fabrication process and whereby the motor driver can be easily and quickly replaced without interrupting the fluid flow path. This is accomplished with the use of a process fluid reservoir and a pumping fluid reservoir that are associated with the pump, either integrated with the pump or closely adjacent. In addition, this precision pump system can be remotely monitored, viewed and controlled over the Internet. In addition, trapped process fluid within a downstream filtering block can be recirculated to the process fluid reservoir when trapped gas in the filter is removed. Furthermore, a nitrogen gas source is connected to the process fluid reservoir via a valve in case a need to insert a gas is required.
US09719502B2

A diaphragm pump comprising a housing for receiving and securely holding a motor, the housing comprising an elongate portion having a closed end and an open end, the elongate portion being adapted to securely receive and house a motor; and a collar portion being provided at the open end of the elongate portion; a cover for the housing, the cover being adapted to engage with the housing; a diaphragm plate extending across the open end of the housing between the collar portion of the housing and the cover and being secured therebetween when the cover is engaged with the collar portion of the housing. The diaphragm pump also includes a wobble plate positioned within the collar portion of the housing.
US09719498B2

An energy recovery system for a first machine includes a cylinder member, and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder member and operatively coupled to a frame of the first machine. The piston and the cylinder member together define a chamber configured to receive a hydraulic fluid. The energy recovery system includes an accumulator in fluid communication with the chamber and a first valve assembly for regulating a flow of the hydraulic fluid from the chamber to the accumulator. The energy recovery system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a parameter of a payload that is to be received from a second machine during a work cycle thereof. The controller is configured to control the first valve assembly, during the work cycle of the second machine, to at least partially open the fluid communication between the chamber and the accumulator based on the received signal.
US09719496B2

A solar receiver (100), for capturing solar radiation, comprising a radiation capturing element (3) and a channel (8) around that element, through which channel (8) a pressurized working fluid is passed to absorb thermal energy from the radiation capturing element.
US09719486B2

In a seal device for a hydraulic circuit, in which an oil passage that supplies hydraulic oil to or discharges the hydraulic oil from a hydraulic actuator operated by hydraulic pressure is formed over at least two members that relatively move, and a seal member that seals a gap between the two members in a liquid-tight manner is disposed in an interior of a groove section that is formed in at least either one of the two members, a communication section that allows the groove section to communicate with any portion of the oil passage such that the hydraulic oil in the interior of the groove section moves along with supply of the hydraulic oil to or discharge of the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic actuator is formed.
US09719471B2

The invention relates to a fuel injection valve, comprising a nozzle body (1) and a pressure chamber (3) formed therein, wherein the pressure chamber (3) can be filled with fuel under high pressure and wherein a piston-shaped nozzle needle (5) is arranged in the pressure chamber so as to be movable longitudinally, which nozzle needle interacts with a nozzle seat (7) formed in the nozzle body (1) by means of a sealing surface (6) formed at the end of the nozzle needle on the combustion chamber side and thereby controls the flow of fuel from the pressure chamber (3) to at least one injection opening (8). A sleeve (12) accommodates the end of the nozzle needle (5) facing away from the nozzle seat and bounds a control chamber (20). By means of the pressure of the control chamber, a hydraulic force is applied to the nozzle needle (5) in the direction of the nozzle seat (7). A closing spring (16) is arranged in the control chamber (20). The closing spring is arranged between the sleeve (12) and the nozzle needle (5) under compressive preload.
US09719464B2

A flat gasket has a functional layer with at least one media through-opening and at least one combustion chamber through-opening. A second layer, which is separate from the functional layer. The second layer has a media through-opening that corresponds to the media through-opening in the functional layer and a combustion chamber through-opening that corresponds to the combustion chamber through-opening in the functional layer. The functional layer has at least one combustion chamber sealing bead, which is preferably a full bead, for each combustion chamber through-opening. The second layer has an outer boundary sealing bead and an elastomer sealing profile for each media through-opening.
US09719460B2

The present invention discloses an engine oil pan, which includes a cylinder block, wherein a plurality of arc-shaped grooves are disposed on the second end surface of the cylinder block along the axial direction of a crank shaft; the arc-shaped grooves form arc-shaped bulges in a sunk portion on the first end surface of the cylinder block; the arc-shaped bulges divide the sunk portion into first space and second space; a platform is disposed inside the sunk portion of the cylinder block; and the height of the platform is lower than the height of the arc-shaped bulges. The technical solution employed by the present invention enables lubricating oil in the engine oil pan to flow more effectively, and enables the lubricating oil in the oil pan to be utilized more effectively when the engine is used in any position.
US09719453B2

A method for determining an effective injection time of a valve having a coil drive includes determining an opening time of the valve, determining a closing time of the valve, and determining the effective injection time of the electric actuation of the valve for an injection operation based on the defined opening time and the defined closing time.
US09719449B2

An internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust purification catalyst arranged in an exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and being able to store oxygen in inflowing exhaust gas and an air-fuel ratio sensor arranged at a downstream side of the exhaust purification catalyst in a direction of exhaust flow and detecting an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing out from the exhaust purification catalyst and stops or decreases a feed of fuel to a combustion chamber as fuel cut control. The abnormality diagnosis system calculates a characteristic of change of an air-fuel ratio based on an output air-fuel ratio output from the air-fuel ratio sensor at the time when the output air-fuel ratio first passes a part of an air-fuel ratio region of a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio or more after an end of the fuel cut control, and diagnoses abnormality of the air-fuel ratio sensor based on the characteristic of change of the air-fuel ratio. As a result, the diagnosis system can diagnose the abnormality of deterioration of response of the downstream side air-fuel ratio sensor when necessary without fail when performing fuel cut control.
US09719443B2

A vehicle control system includes an acceleration generating device (engine, T/M) that generates an acceleration applied to a vehicle, and a vehicle control device that controls the acceleration generating device, based on an accelerator pedal stroke representing an operation of an accelerator pedal by a driver, and a vehicle speed of the vehicle. In the vehicle control system or method, the vehicle control device controls the acceleration generating device, based on a required acceleration that is determined based on a relationship between the accelerator pedal stroke and the required acceleration, including, as a condition, an acceleration corresponding to a given accelerator pedal stroke, which is specified by a relationship between the vehicle speed and the acceleration when the accelerator pedal stroke is held at the given value.
US09719429B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling fuel consumption in an internal combustion engine of a vehicle having a driver-actuated accelerator pedal includes an economy mode activation module and a standard fueling module. The economy mode activation module is configured to compare throttle input data with defined limits. The throttle input data is controllable by a driver of the vehicle via positioning of the accelerator pedal. The economy mode activation module is configured to control the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine via an economy fuel map if the throttle input data falls within the defined limits for a defined amount of time. The standard fueling mode activation module is configured to control the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine via a standard fuel map if the throttle input data does not fall within the defined limits for the defined amount of time.
US09719423B2

An inlet air chilling system for use with a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The inlet air chilling system may include an inlet air filter house, an air chilling/heating coil positioned within the inlet air filter house, and an energy recovery/heating coil positioned downstream of the air chilling/heating coil within the inlet air filter house and in communication with the air chilling/heating coil.
US09719419B2

A gas turbine combustor includes: an external cylinder (31); an inner cylinder (32) provided inside the external cylinder (31) to form an air passage (30) between the external cylinder (31) and the inner cylinder (32); a pilot nozzle (35) provided in a center part of the inner cylinder (32) along a direction of a combustor axis (S); a plurality of main nozzles (36) provided on an inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder (32) along a circumferential direction thereof so as to surround the pilot nozzle (35), the plurality of main nozzles (36) premixing fuel with combustion air introduced to the air passage (30) and ejecting the fuel into the inner cylinder (32); and a top hat nozzle (41) provided inside the air passage (30) across a circumferential direction to mix fuel with the combustion air prior to reaching the plurality of main nozzles (36).
US09719417B2

A system and method for the simultaneous sequestration of CO2, production of hydrogen, and production of electricity at any iron and steel industries is described. In one illustrative example, the raw materials particularly used in a blast furnace can also be used for locking CO2 gas in the form of siderite. Siderite, thus formed, can be decomposed to generate pure CO2 gas. Eventually, the generated pure CO2 gas can be sequestered underground, sold or used for oil gas recovery or for other applications.
US09719410B2

One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an engine intake port structure. According to the engine intake port structure of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a chamfer is formed to be offset to either side from an end corner of an intake port. Accordingly, the inflow of a fuel gas is concentrated on a side in which an opening width of the chamfer is wide at the beginning of an opening stage when the intake port is opened/closed by a valve unit, and after the intake port is opened, the opening width is formed to be similar at four sides of the valve unit such that swirls formed in the fuel gas is weakened. That is, complete combustion of the fuel can be anticipated since the length of time during which the fuel gas remains in a combustion chamber is extended.
US09719404B2

A manufacturing method for a muffler includes: a trimming step, of cutting out a dogleg shaped muffler body member; a bending processing step of processing the muffler body member into a tube by advancing the muffler body member between an upper roller and a lower roller of a bending machine while adjusting an advancing direction with a guide and by changing a relative position of the upper roller and the lower roller; a first joining step of joining two ends of the tubularly-processed muffler body member in a long side direction; an insertion step of inserting an inner structural member into the inside of the tubularly-processed muffler body member; a second joining step of joining caps to opening portions of the tubularly-processed muffler body member; and a third joining step of joining an air intake joint and an exhaust pipe to the sealed muffler body member.
US09719393B2

An exhaust system for a dual-fuel engine includes an exhaust treatment component in an exhaust passageway. The exhaust treatment component is configured to treat exhaust from the combustion of a second fuel and not from combustion of a first fuel. A thermal enhancement device is in communication with the exhaust passageway and positioned upstream from the exhaust treatment component. A controller activates and deactivates the thermal enhancement device based on switching from the first fuel to the second fuel, wherein the first fuel has a higher sulfur content than the second fuel. The thermal enhancement device increases the temperature of an exhaust to combust a residual amount of the first fuel present in the exhaust passageway during the switch between the first fuel and the second fuel.
US09719391B2

Methods and systems are provided for controlling and coordinating control of a post-catalyst exhaust throttle and an EGR valve to expedite catalyst heating. By closing both valves during an engine cold start, an elevated exhaust backpressure and increased heat rejection at an EGR cooler can be synergistically used to warm each of an engine and an exhaust catalyst. The valves may also be controlled to vary an amount of exhaust flowing through an exhaust venturi so as to meet engine vacuum needs while providing a desired amount of engine EGR.
US09719386B2

An exhaust after-treatment system including at least one exhaust treatment component (18); and a particulate matter dispersion device (40) located upstream of the exhaust treatment component (18). The particulate matter dispersion device (40) includes at least one nozzle line (61) having a plurality of nozzles (58) formed therein, and the particulate matter dispersion device (40) is operable to inject compressed gas towards the exhaust treatment component (18) to substantially minimize build-up of particulate matter at the exhaust treatment component (18).
US09719380B2

A system and methods for power generation uses non-aqueous solvent. The method includes treating oil sands with a non-aqueous solvent to extract bitumen in an extraction process and separating the non-aqueous solvent from the bitumen in a solvent recovery process. The method also includes heating the non-aqueous solvent, expanding the non-aqueous solvent to generate power, and cooling the non-aqueous solvent. The method further includes recycling at least a portion of the non-aqueous solvent to the extraction process.
US09719377B2

The invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine power plant, including a gas turbine, a HRSG following the gas turbine, an exhaust gas blower, and a carbon dioxide separation plant which separates the carbon dioxide contained in the exhaust gases and discharges it to a carbon dioxide outlet, the gas turbine, HRSG, exhaust gas blower, and carbon dioxide separation plant being connected by means of exhaust gas lines. According to the method a trip of the gas turbine power plant includes the steps of: stopping the fuel supply, switching off the exhaust gas blower, and controlling the opening angle of a VIGV at a position bigger or equal to a position required to keep a pressure in the exhaust gas lines between the HRSG and the exhaust gas blower above a minimum required pressure. The invention relates, further relates to a gas turbine power plant configured to carry out such a method.
US09719375B2

A method of axially separating an annular system, such as a gas turbine engine (10), comprising first (34) and second (36) annular components. An annular array of fastenings (42) couples the first (34) and second (36) components together axially. The first (34) and second (36) components are supported by support tooling. The fastenings (42) are removed to leave one fastening (42) located on each side of the system. One of the remaining fastenings (42) is removed. The relative height of the first (34) and second (36) components is adjusted so that the apertures (46, 48) for the fastening (42) removed at the previous step are aligned. Then the final fastening (42) is removed.
US09719367B2

An exemplary method of controlling fluid flow in a ram air turbine assembly, includes redirecting flow moving in an axial direction against the surface of a drive shaft to flow moving in a radial direction away from the drive shaft to limit flow of the fluid from a hydraulic pump to a generator.
US09719354B2

A gas turbine burns the air compressed in a compressor with supplying fuel in a combustor so as to obtain rotary power by supplying the generated combustion gas to a turbine. The turbine includes turbine vane elements and turbine blade elements that are alternately positioned in a direction in which the combustion gas fluidizes in a turbine cylinder having a cylindrical shape, and a flue gas diffuser having a cylindrical shape and connected to a rear portion of the turbine cylinder. The turbine blade element includes a plurality of turbine blades positioned at equal intervals in the circumference direction. The turbine blades have a throat width on a longitudinal end side made larger than a throat width on a longitudinally intermediate portion side. This efficiently restores the pressure of the flue gas. This improves the efficiency of the turbine so that the performance can be improved.
US09719348B2

The invention relates to a bit holder for an earth working machine, in particular a road milling machine, having a support member onto which an insertion projection is indirectly or directly attached on an insertion projection side, the support member comprising two first and/or two second stripping surfaces that are at an angle to one another, and the support member having a working side that comprises a bit receptacle. In order to achieve a stable and long-lived configuration for such a bit holder, provision is made according to the present invention that the first and/or second stripping surfaces diverge from the insertion projection side toward the working side.
US09719346B2

An apparatus includes a housing. The housing includes a concentrator and a plurality of signal acquisition devices. Each signal acquisition device is coupled to a respective sensor. Each sensor measures an environmental parameter outside the housing. Each signal acquisition device includes an acoustic transducer. Each signal acquisition device includes a controller to accept measurements from the respective sensor, process the measurements and format them into a transmittable form, and transmit the formatted measurements via the acoustic transducer. A concentrator includes an acoustic transducer to receive acoustic transmissions from the plurality of signal acquisition devices, a processor to process the received acoustic transmissions, and a telemetry device through which the processor can transmit the processed transmissions.
US09719343B2

Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly.
US09719342B2

Drill bit assembly imaging systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes directing light conveying an image of a target through a portion of a drill bit assembly and capturing the image via an image sensor disposed inside the drill bit assembly. The example method also include determining drilling information based on the image via an image processor disposed inside the drill bit assembly.
US09719337B2

Heavy oil recovery using downhole radio frequency radiation heating accelerates SAGD thermal recovery processes. In one embodiment, one or more SAGD well pairs traverse a subterranean formation for recovering heavy oil. The SAGD well pairs each create a steam chamber which, over time, expands to allow each steam chamber to interact with one another and in this way, increases the recovery heavy oil from the formation. One or more antennas may be interposed between the steam chambers to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the formation to heat the fluids therein to accelerate expansion of the steam chambers, particularly where antennas are judiciously situated to optimize steam chamber expansion. Where an infill production well is present, the antennas may be situated to accelerate steam chamber communication with the infill production well. Advantages include lower cost, higher efficiencies, quicker and increased hydrocarbon recovery.
US09719334B2

A tool and method employing sand jetting to perforate a wellbore casing at various locations using sandjetting, and to further flush the wellbore in the region of the tool, and to further frac the formation, all without having to remove the tool from the wellbore. An uphole and downhole packer is provided, uphole of which a sand jet port is provided for jetting a fluid stream containing sand. Locking jaw members and a ‘j’ slot subassembly, downhole of both the jet port and frac port, are together used to set and unset the tool in the wellbore for the fracking operation. A slidable sleeve is utilized to open and close the jet port, and a piston member is further provided to set the upper packer member. A bypass port, selectively openable and closeable, is provided to assist in moving the tool uphole during the perforating and fracking process.
US09719331B2

A machine includes a spindle for storing wire, a wire passage structure having an interface coupline, a controllable drive system, a control system, and a pressure-resistant housing. The drive system is configured to feed the wire through the wire passage structure and through the interface coupling, under the control of the control system. The housing encloses the wire passage structure, the controllable drive system, and at least a portion of the control system.
US09719330B2

An apparatus for, and method of, reducing a pendulum motion of a piece of subsea equipment during a landing operation includes a frame assembly arranged for connection to the piece of subsea equipment; a sheet of arrestor material disposed within a perimeter of the frame assembly, and a drive mechanism arranged to move the sheet of arrestor material between a first position and a second position, each position providing a different amount of surface area than the other to create a different drag force on the equipment.
US09719328B2

A downhole tool system includes a downhole tool string configured to couple to a downhole conveyance. The downhole conveyance extends into a wellbore, from a terranean surface, through at least a portion of a subterranean zone. The subterranean zone includes a geologic formation. The downhole tool system also includes a heating device coupled with the downhole tool string. The heating device is configured to transfer heat to the geologic formation in the wellbore at a specified temperature sufficient to adjust a quality of the geologic formation associated with a fluid absorption capacity of the geologic formation.
US09719327B2

A downhole tool for use in a wellbore tubular string comprises a housing having a bore therethrough forming part of a fluid flowpath through the wellbore tubular string, a sliding member operable to slide with respect to the housing, a plurality of magnetic pins, and a corresponding plurality of springs. A sliding line is formed by interfacing surfaces of the sliding member and the housing, and the plurality of pins comprise a locked position and an unlocked position whereby in the locked position at least one pin spans the sliding line to prevent the sliding member from sliding with respect to the housing and in the unlocked position no pins span the sliding line. The plurality of springs biases the pins towards the locked position.
US09719324B2

A system for use with a well can include multiple hydraulic actuators in the well, each of the actuators being connected to a common hydraulic line, and multiple pressure control devices, each pressure control device preventing flow from the hydraulic line to a respective one of the actuators unless a pressure differential across the pressure control device exceeds a predetermined level. A method of controlling operation of multiple hydraulic actuators in a well can include applying pressure to at least one of the actuators, thereby increasing pressure in a common hydraulic line connected to each of the actuators, preventing communication of the increased pressure in the common hydraulic line to additional actuators, and permitting flow from the common hydraulic line to each of the actuators, in response to a pressure differential across the pressure control devices exceeding a predetermined level.
US09719309B2

A vortex induced vibration suppression system for use on a subsea riser system having either a stake or fairing component includes at least one fiber optic sensor mounted on the component. The fiber optic sensor associated with the riser includes at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal. The system may include a plurality of sensors and the plurality of signals produced thereby are combined at a multiplexer for generating a single, composite sensor signal. The signal may be monitored in real time or near real time for observing and monitoring the reaction of the subsea riser to conditions inducing vibration.
US09719305B2

Expandable reamers may include a housing and at least one blade supported by the housing. The at least one blade may be movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The at least one blade may be in the retracted position when a first actuation member is in a first longitudinal position and a second actuation member sleeve is affixed to the first actuation member. The at least one blade may be movable to the extended position when the first actuation member is in a second longitudinal position and the second actuation member is affixed to the first actuation member. The at least one blade may be in the retracted position when the first actuation member is in the second longitudinal position and the second actuation member obstructs an opening in a sidewall of the first actuation member.
US09719288B2

The present invention relates to a door skin comprising an exterior surface having outer portions lying on a first plane, spaced grooves recessed from the plane of the outer portions, and tonal portions having a planar area and a plurality of spaced depressions recessed from the plane of said planar area. The present invention is also directed to a method of etching a plate, for use with a molded die set, for embossing a wood grain pattern in the door skin, and the etched plate formed therefrom.
US09719281B2

A reinforcing arrangement for reinforcing a joint portion between two support units of a foldable furniture object, comprising a first mounting unit which comprises a first mounting body and a first guiding member outwardly protruded from the first mounting body mounting on the first support unit; a second mounting unit which comprises a second mounting body and a second guiding member or a second guiding groove complimentary to and moveably engaging with the first mounting unit to define a maximum extending angle of movement, thereby the first and second support unit are guided to lock into position at an unfolded position at the maximum extending angle and to unlock at a folded position; and a connecting unit pivotally connecting the first support unit and the second support unit between which the two mounting units are positioned, thereby the joint portion is reinforced.
US09719275B1

A pin setting key for setting rotational orientations of pins of a lock. The key includes a bow portion and a blade portion for inserting into a keyway. The blade portion has a longitudinal axis and a bow end and a tip end, with a plurality of bitting positions located between the bow and tip ends. Each of the bitting positions corresponds to one of the pins of the plug such that insertion of the blade portion into the keyway aligns the bitting position with one of the pins. Each bitting position includes at least one bitting surface configured to rotate a pin when the contact surface of the pin contacts the bitting surface. Each bitting surface is offset from a central location of the respective bitting position. Each bitting surface has an axis extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.
US09719272B1

A socket mounted post system including a post with a hollow base portion attached to a spring mechanism. The spring mechanism includes a pillar, the pillar having a finger extending from the hollow base portion. The finger is engageable with a socket that is mountable in a floor. The spring mechanism allows the post to flex angularly relative to a vertical orientation of the post.
US09719269B2

A prefabricated concrete pool including concrete walls and a pan-formed concrete floor, as well as a method of fabricating a prefabricated swimming pool, the method including erecting an external wall form, erecting an internal wall form opposing the external wall form, and positioning pan forms on a floor form.
US09719266B2

A finishing tool with an elongate body having a finish side and a grip side. The finish side provides a finish edge configured to form a flat concrete surface when pulled across partially set concrete. The grip side is configured to be gripped by a user. A radius notch on one end of the finish side is configured to provide a rounded edge transition above the flat concrete surface when pulled across the partially set concrete. The finish edge is configured to be sloped running away from the radius notch. An adjustable form gage can be attached to an opposite end of the elongate body from the radius notch. The adjustable form gage defines a foot with a form surface configured to interface with a form. The adjustable form gage is adjustable within a predetermined range to set the finish edge at a predetermined pitch.
US09719265B2

A floor underlayment for positioning and mounting a heating element beneath a finished floor is described. The floor underlayment comprises a plurality of studs extending upwardly from a base layer, where the outer wall of the studs forms an acute angle with the base layer and a smooth inner wall defines a cavity within each stud. Mounting corridors formed by rows or columns of adjacent studs are sized to receive and retain a heating element.
US09719258B1

A seamless sheet installation system preferably includes a seamless sheet and a plurality of sheet retention devices. The seamless sheet is retained on a tube. A pair of rotating retention devices may be inserted into ends of the roll. Each rolling retention device includes a tube plug and a rotating handle. An end of the seamless sheet is secured to the top eave flange. The seamless sheet is held against a bottom of the eave purlin web with one of the plurality of sheet retention devices. The sheet retention device may have any suitable design. The seamless sheet is rolled out to successive purlins, wrapped over the top flange and anchored to a bottom of the vertical web with one of the plurality of sheet retention devices. The seamless sheet wrapping process is terminated at an opposing eave purlin or a ridge purlin. Insulation is then inserted between adjacent purlins.
US09719255B1

A method and an article of manufacture are disclosed for externally reinforcing various solid structures, such as columns, poles, piles, beams and the like, against buckling under compressive forces and loads. In various embodiments, a seamless multi-layer jacket is constructed around the structural member by wrapping a thin sheet of material around the structural member, as many times as needed, at a distance from the structural member. While maintaining the thin sheet of material wrapped around the structural member, a filler material will fill the annular space between the jacket and the structural member, wherein the structural member, the jacket, and the filler material cooperate to better resist the buckling of the structural member when subject to compressive forces and loads.
US09719250B2

A method and a system for fastening an object to a façade comprising at least one supporting wall made in a hard material coated externally with a thermal insulation coat made in a crumbly material, the object being fastened to the wall by means of a fastening member received in an area for receiving a plot made in a hard material arranged in projection out of the wall. The object is fastened to the wall in an indirect way offsetting towards the outside of the façade the area of the plot. The plot is fastened to the wall by a fastening area extending between the wall and the receiving area. The plot is a straight cylinder extending through the insulation coat.
US09719248B1

A method of sealing a gap between construction slabs by deforming and inserting a sealing member of closed cell foam is described. An assembly including a deformed sealing member and construction slabs is disclosed. Also described is a joint seal configured to seal a gap between constructions slabs, which utilizes a deformed sealing member of closed cell foam installed within the gap.
US09719244B2

An extendable and retractable column which is formed from at least three linked sections or chains. The linked sections include a plurality of individual segments linked end to end. As the linked segments are extended, each of the individual segments of the linked chains engage individual segments of adjacent linked sections to form a column. As the linked sections are retracted, each of the individual segments of the linked sections disengage from the individual segment of the adjacent linked sections and the individual linked sections may be rolled up into a multi-sided form for compact storage.
US09719243B2

A strut connector for use with a hollow strut having at least one a pair of opposed openings formed in the strut. A pair of identical connector portions are rotatably coupled together, with one of the connector portions inverted. Each connector portion is a flat blade having a body portion and an arm portion extending from the body portion. The body portion has a first hole and a second hole. The arm portion has at least one tab extending from the arm portion at an angle. The arm portions are coupled together via the first hole, then rotated to engage respective openings on the strut with the tabs. The second holes are aligned and a fastener secured through the second holes.
US09719230B2

A mobile vacuum system includes a mobile support frame, a vacuum source connected to selectively vacuum materials into a primary collection tank and a secondary collection tank. The primary collection tank is mounted on the frame, while the secondary collection tank is connected to either the frame of the primary collection tank by a boom. The boom, which can be in the form of an articulated arm, allows the secondary collection tank to be moved through a wide range of motion relative to the frame, e.g., for dumping debris from the secondary tank.
US09719229B2

A bucket with a blade-shaped lower front edge includes: a first straight portion horizontally extending from the lower front edge toward an innermost of the bucket; a curve continuous with a rear edge of the first straight portion at a lower edge of the curve, the curve having a predetermined bucket radius; a second straight portion continuous with an upper edge of the curve, the second straight portion being inclined upward toward a bucket opening; a third straight portion bent at a bent portion toward the bucket opening relative to a front edge of the second straight portion, the third straight portion further extending toward the bucket opening; a reinforcing member provided on an exterior surface of the third straight portion to reinforce of the exterior surface; and a connecting portion provided behind the curve.
US09719226B2

A floatable modular device for absorbing oil from a surface, includes a generally disk-shaped floatable cage tapering towards the periphery of the cage in a peripheral region thereof; and a water-repellent strip- or chip-shaped oil absorbent accommodated in the cage, wherein the cage further includes at least one connector, element configured for joining plural ones of the modular devices together, to form an articulate oil absorber in which the individual cages are oriented in parallel to one another. A method of manufacturing the device includes providing a first, grid-like sheet made of plastics, positioning a water-repellent strip- or chip-shaped oil absorbent on the first grid-like sheet, positioning a second sheet on the oil absorbent, and welding the first and second sheets together at their peripheries, with the oil absorbent in between, wherein peripheral regions of the first and second sheets are bent towards one another.
US09719222B2

An apparatus for clearing around an associated stationary object includes a housing having a top wall, a side wall, and at least one opening extending through the side wall. At least one paddle member is mounted to and extends radially outward from an exterior surface of the housing. The paddle member is adapted to clear around the associated stationary object. The apparatus further includes a plurality of elongated cables mounted to a support that is selectively secured to an interior surface of the housing. The elongated cables are adapted to clean around the associated stationary object.
US09719220B2

A gate assembly having a cable extending across a panel, the panel movable between a closed position blocking an entry port and an open position; a latch post secured in the ground on a first side of the entry port, wherein a first end of the cable is connected to the latch post when the panel is in the closed position; and a post device secured in the ground on a second side of the entry port, the panel positioned through a passage of the post device.
US09719217B2

The invention relates to a self-propelled construction machine, in particular a road milling machine or a slipform paver, which can carry out translational and/or rotational movements for a planned project on a terrain. In addition, the invention relates to a method for visualizing the working environment of a construction machine moving on the terrain, in particular a road milling machine or a slipform paver. The construction machine comprises an image recording unit for recording an image segment of the terrain located in a coordinate system (X, Y, Z) dependent on the position and orientation of the construction machine on the terrain, and a display unit for displaying the image segment of the terrain. Moreover, the construction machine comprises a data processing unit which is configured in such a way that a depiction of a part of the project located in the image segment is superimposed on the image segment of the terrain displayed on the display unit, such that the project is visualized in the image segment. The display unit thus displays not only the actual image segment, but also a virtual image of the project, thus widening the perception of the machine operator. As a result, the machine operator can identify on the display unit whether the project forming the basis of the control matches the reality.
US09719214B1

A liquid asphalt heating and mixing system having a double helix heat exchanger positioned within a liquid asphalt storage vessel and being connected to a fluid heater and circulator to feed hot oil through said heat exchanger for heating liquid asphalt within the storage vessel. An eductor mixer is centrally aligned longitudinally with the heat exchanger with an intake end positioned interiorly of the heat exchanger and a discharge end directed away from the heat exchanger. A liquid asphalt pump is connected to the eductor mixer and to the storage vessel to pump liquid asphalt from the storage vessel, through the eductor mixer and back to the storage vessel.
US09719211B2

Provided is a method of producing a structure for producing a casting, including: a process (I) of obtaining a slurry composition containing an organic fiber, an inorganic fiber, a thermosetting resin, and water; a process (II) of obtaining a fiber laminate by subjecting the slurry composition to papermaking; and a process (III) of dehydrating the fiber laminate and thereafter drying the resultant, in which the process (I) includes a process (I-1) of beating a mixture containing the organic fiber and water, a process (I-2) of mixing the mixture obtained in the process (I-1) and water, and a process (I-3) of mixing the mixture obtained in the process (I-2) and the inorganic fiber, the thermosetting resin is mixed in at least any of the process (I-1), the process (I-2), and the process (I-3), and an average fiber length of the inorganic fiber in the structure for producing a casting is 1 mm or longer and 5 mm or shorter.
US09719181B2

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for producing metal clusters; functionalized surfaces; and droplets including solvated metal ions. In certain aspects, the invention provides methods that involve providing a metal and a solvent. The methods additionally involve applying voltage to the solvated metal to thereby produce solvent droplets including ions of the metal containing compound, and directing the solvent droplets including the metal ions to a target. In certain embodiments, once at the target, the metal ions can react directly or catalyze reactions.
US09719178B2

An electrochemical cell for the continuous acidification of alkaline water sources and recovery of carbon dioxide with simultaneous continuous hydrogen gas production having a center compartment, an electrolyte-free anode compartment having a mesh anode in direct contact with an ion permeable membrane, an endblock in direct contact with the anode where the endblock provides a gas escape route behind the anode, an electrolyte-free cathode compartment having a mesh cathode in direct contact with an ion permeable membrane, and an endblock in direct contact with the cathode where the endblock provides a gas escape route behind the cathode. Current applied to the electrochemical cell for generating hydrogen gas also lowers the pH of the alkaline water to produce carbon dioxide with no additional current or power. Also disclosed is the related method for continuously acidifying alkaline water sources and recovering carbon dioxide with continuous hydrogen gas production.
US09719177B2

An etching chamber is equipped with an actively-cooled element preferentially adsorbs volatile compounds that are evolved from a polymeric layer of a wafer during etching, which compounds will act as contaminants if re-deposited on the wafer, for example on exposed metal contact portions where they may interfere with subsequent deposition of metal contact layers. In desirable embodiments, a getter sublimation pump is also provided in the etching chamber as a source of getter material. Methods of etching in such a chamber are also disclosed.
US09719160B1

An austenitic antibacterial stainless steel formulation provides a high strength, highly corrosion resistant, antimicrobial product at a relatively low cost wherein antimicrobial performance is dramatic and greater mechanical properties and corrosion resistance are achieved as well. The alloy may comprise key constituents of Fe, Cr, Ni, and C plus a mischmetal having Ce and La components.
US09719156B2

The present invention relates to an aluminum alloy product for use as a finstock material within brazed heat exchangers and, more particularly, to a finstock material having high strength and conductivity after brazing. The invention is an aluminum alloy finstock comprising the following composition in weight %: Fe 0.8-1.25; Si 0.8-1.25; Mn0.70-1.50; Cu0.05-0.50; Znup to 2.5; other elements less than or equal to 0.05 each and less than or equal to 0.15 in total; and balance aluminum. The invention also relates to a method of making the finstock material.
US09719149B2

A load transport mechanism for moving a heat treating load in a multi-station heat treating system is disclosed. The transport mechanism has a compact construction that allows it to fit in a centrally located stationary transport chamber. The transport chamber is adapted to provide ready access to multiple treating chambers arrayed around the chamber. The transport mechanism includes a load translation mechanism for moving the load linearly and a load rotation mechanism for rotating the load within the transport chamber. A multi-station heat treating system having a centrally located quenching chamber that includes the load transport mechanism is also disclosed.
US09719145B2

The invention provides a transgenic Glycine max event MON87751, plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, progeny plants, and commodity products comprising event MON87751. The invention also provides polynucleotides specific for event MON87751, plants, plant cells, seeds, plant parts, and commodity products comprising polynucleotides for event MON87751. The invention also provides methods related to event MON87751.
US09719127B2

The invention pertains to a novel cell line, an HIV tat-rev dependent GFP-Gaussia luciferase Reporter cell line, known henceforth as the GGR cell line, that detects pseudotype and replication competent HIV (cloned or uncloned isolates, in cell media or human serum) rapidly and with high sensitivity. This GGR cell line provides an improved method of characterizing the entry phenotype of HIV envelope genes, and detecting and examining primary HIV samples in the context of laboratory research, clinical trial monitoring, and medical diagnostics. Examples include, but are not limited to, determining the functional HIV viral load, responsiveness to treatment, characterization of viral co-receptor usage (testing for viral co-receptor usage, i.e., CCR5 vs CXCR4, as required prior to prescribing FDA-approved CCR5 inhibitors), and characterization of other viral or drug resistance phenotypic properties to guide treatment.
US09719124B2

A method of detecting Listeria monocytogenes. The method comprises providing a culture device with a selective culture medium and a detection article comprising a first indicator system. The selective culture medium facilitates the growth of Listeria microorganisms. When a Listeria microorganism is detected in a sample contacted with the culture medium, the detection article is contacted with the culture medium to detect Listeria monocytogenes.
US09719120B2

The present invention relates to polypeptides comprising a carbohydrate-binding module amino acid sequence and an alpha-amylase amino acid sequence as well as to the application of such polypeptides.
US09719118B2

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing caprolactone pathways having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a butadiene pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce caprolactone. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce caprolactone by culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism containing caprolactone pathways as described herein under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce caprolactone.
US09719116B2

Disclosed are compositions and methods related to eukaryotic microorganisms that can produce unsaturated fatty acids which can be purified and used.
US09719112B2

The present invention relates to beta-glucosidase that is mutated to have enhanced activity, and a method for producing bioethanol using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding beta-glucosidase that is mutated to have enhanced activity, beta-glucosidase expressed from the polynucleotide, an expression vector including the polynucleotide, a transformant that is transformed with the expression vector, a method for producing the mutated beta-glucosidase using the transformant, and a method for producing bioethanol using the transformant. The mutant beta-glucosidase of the present invention increases production of glucose much more than the conventional beta-glucosidase, and thus it can be widely used for economic production of bioethanol.
US09719111B2

A multi-stage anaerobic digester is designed to treat a high solids, stackable feedstock. The system may also receive a pumpable feedstock such as a slurry or sludge. In a first stage, the digestate circulates in one direction around a raceway such that the digestate may pass a feed inlet multiple times before leaving the first tank. An optional side stream loop withdraws fibrous material from near the top of the reaceway and return digestate with chopped fibers, preferably lower and further along the raceway. An outlet from the raceway located near, but upstream of the feed inlet discharges partially digested substrate to a second stage, which is operated as a stirred tank reactor. The two stages may be provided in a single tank with an internal wall separating a ring shaped outer portion from a cylindrical inner portion. The digester may be operated in a thermophilic temperature range.
US09719109B2

The invention relates to the use of a protein with recombinase activity to catalyze a site-specific DNA recombination and a method for producing a site-specific DNA recombination. The invention is applicable alone or in combination with other recombinase systems for genetic manipulation, for example in medical research. The objective of the invention is solved by the use of a protein with recombinase activity to catalyze a site-specific DNA recombination at, preferably at two, recognition sites that are identical or reverse complementary to each other. The invention also includes a method for producing a site-specific DNA recombination comprising the steps of a) providing a cell comprising at least two recognition sites that are identical or reverse complementary to each other; and b) contacting a protein with recombinase activity with the recognition sites, thereby producing the site-specific DNA-recombination.
US09719101B2

The invention relates to gene expression regulatory sequences from soybean, specifically to the promoter of a soybean eukaryotic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenasegene and fragments thereof and their use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in a constitutive manner in plants. The invention further discloses compositions, polynucleotide constructs, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds containing the recombinant construct with the promoter, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US09719095B2

Disclosed herein are an expression vector capable of expressing myrcene, an Escherichia coli strain transformed with the vector and having improved capability of producing myrcene and a method for producing myrcene and a method for recycling glycerol using the same. In an aspect, the transformed Escherichia coli strain of the present disclosure can produce myrcene with high purity on a large scale using glycerol or glucose as a carbon source. Also, the Escherichia coli strain of the present disclosure is economical and environment-friendly because it can produce high value-added myrcene using waste glycerol as a carbon source. In addition, the strongly volatile myrcene can be produced and isolated at the same time.
US09719094B2

Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of RNAi technology. By selecting particular RNAi molecules by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of RNAi molecules are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for SEC61G.
US09719089B2

Materials and methods for regulating gene expression using nanoparticles functionalized with antisense oligonucleotides are provided.
US09719079B2

This invention relates to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In some embodiments, the invention is directed to polypeptides having aldolase activity, including pyruvate activity such as, without limitation, HMG and/or KHG aldolase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides in accordance with the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts. In some embodiments, the invention provides polypeptides and biosynthetic pathways that are useful in the production of R-2-hydroxy 2-(indol-3ylmethyl)-4-keto glutaric acid (R-MP) and certain stereoisomers of monatin, such as R,R and S,R monatin, and salts thereof, as well as certain stereoisomers of monatin derivatives, such as the R,R and S,R configurations, and salts thereof.
US09719077B2

The present invention relates to protease variants and methods for obtaining protease variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.
US09719072B2

The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. A polynucleotide encoding a peroxygenase was isolated from Thielavia hyrcaniae.
US09719070B2

Methods are described for predicting ancestral sequences for viruses or portions thereof. Also described are predicted ancestral sequences for adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid polypeptides. The disclosure also provides methods of gene transfer and methods of vaccinating subjects by administering a target antigen operably linked to the AAV capsid polypeptides.
US09719063B2

Disclosed is a system to separate, enrich, and/or purify a cellular population from a biological tissue, such as a tissue sample. For example, an adipose tissue sample can be acquired and disrupted. The disrupted tissue sample can then be separated and purified. The separated components can include multipotent, pluripotent, or other cell populations.
US09719061B2

Disclosed herein is an assembly for selectively aerating a liquid including a base member a reservoir adapted to receive the liquid. The assembly also includes a support member non-rotatably coupled to the base member and a diverter member coupled to the support member and rotatable between a first diverter position and a second diverter position. The diverter member has at least one primary aperture and at least one secondary aperture. The assembly additionally includes an aerator member non-rotatably secured to the diverter member, the aerator member having an aeration aperture. In the first diverter position, a portion of the liquid in the reservoir flows through the primary aperture. In the second diverter position, a portion of the liquid in the reservoir flows through the secondary aperture, and though the aeration aperture.
US09719053B2

The present invention comprises a hard surface cleaning and treatment composition with a synergistic combination of mild surfactants that makes the composition particularly suited for leather, synthetic leather, vinyl and stainless steel. The composition is gentle and non-damaging to leather and synthetic leather, and leaves no sticky residue. The composition can clean food soils such as mustard, ketchup, shortening and grease and requires no personal protective equipment when being used. In addition, a method of preserving a leather surface or article by contacting said surface with said substrate is disclosed as well as specific methods associated with making the composition to form a stable water in oil emulsion.
US09719050B2

The present application relates to anti-foam compositions and methods of making and using such compositions as well as consumer products that comprise such compositions and the use of same. Such anti-foam compositions have low viscosities yet are effective antifoamers.
US09719041B2

A composition that includes one or more compounds represented by the formula R1—O—R2 wherein R1 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl or polyaryl group having from about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms, and R2 is the residue of a substituted or unsubstituted glycol ether having from about 4 to about 40 carbon atoms. The composition has a viscosity (Kv100) from about 1 to about 10 cSt at 100° C. as determined by ASTM D-445, a viscosity index (VI) from about −100 to about 300 as determined by ASTM D-2270, and a Noack volatility of no greater than 50 percent as determined by ASTM D-5800. The disclosure also relates to a process for producing the composition, a lubricating oil base stock and lubricating oil containing the composition, and a method for improving one or more of oxidative stability, solubility and dispersancy of polar additives of a lubricating oil by using as the lubricating oil a formulated oil containing the composition.
US09719038B2

A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier capable of preventing or inhibiting a temporary occurrence of black smoke when a gasifier is started-up. A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier, in which a gasifying agent and a solid carbonaceous fuel are supplied and gasified, includes a start-up burner igniting step of supplying a start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas to a start-up burner and igniting the start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas, under an inert atmosphere in which an inside of the gasifier around the start-up burner is filled with inert gas; and an oxygen-containing-gas supply adjusting step of adjusting the supply of the oxygen-containing gas such that combustion gas obtained after the combustion reaction of the start-up fuel and the oxygen-containing gas becomes the inert gas, which contains little oxygen.
US09719035B2

Corrosion induced by the presence of naphthenic acids in hydrocarbon fluids, particularly where such fluids are at elevated temperatures, may be inhibited or controlled through use of corrosion inhibiting compositions comprising a combination of a minor portion of a phosphorus-based constituent and a major portion of a sulfur-based constituent, nitrogen-based constituent, or combination thereof. In another embodiment the sulfur-based constituent and/or nitrogen-based constituent may be used without any phosphorus-based constituent. Where the compounds are appropriately selected, the compositions may inhibit corrosion to a degree comparable or nearly comparable to the inhibition provided by an equal amount of some conventional phosphorus-based compounds alone, but are significantly less likely to impair catalyst activity in downstream cracking and refinery operations.
US09719031B2

TiO2-supported catalysts include at least molybdenum or tungsten as active components for hydrotreating processes, in particular for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds as well as metals out of crude oil fractions and for the hydrogenation of sulfur oxides.
US09719025B2

A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.
US09719024B2

An intelligent controls system for a field-deployable system for producing dry natural gas (NG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) from a raw gas stream is disclosed. The control system is used to ensure correct specifications of both dry NG (above a desired minimum methane number) and NGLs (below a desired maximum vapor pressure) from any supplied raw natural gas source by controlling three system parameters: inlet gas flow rate, system operating pressure, and separator-reboiler temperature set point. The input parameters include: heat content of the input gas stream, volume of the input gas stream, desired methane number of the NG, and desired vapor pressure of the NGLs. The controls system allows any piece of remote field equipment for performing complex chemical processing to be monitored, controlled, and operated remotely. A large array of distributed field equipment situated around the world can all be controlled primarily through a single interface provided in a central control center.
US09719013B2

A phosphor is disclosed. In an embodiment a phosphor includes an inorganic substance which includes, in its composition, at least an element D, an element Al, an element AX, an element SX and an element NX where D includes one, two or more elements selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, alkali metals and Yb, Al includes one, two or more elements selected from the group consisting of divalent metals not included in D, SX includes one, two or more elements selected from the group consisting of tetravalent metals, AX includes one, two or more elements selected from the group consisting of trivalent metals, and NX includes one, two or more elements selected from the group consisting of O, N, S, C, Cl, and F, wherein the inorganic substance has the same crystal structure as Sr(SraCa1-a)Si2Al2N61.
US09719001B2

The present invention provides a working fluid composition for a refrigerating machine, comprising: a refrigerating machine oil comprising, as a base oil, a mixed ester of (A) a complex ester obtainable by synthesis of at least one polyhydric alcohol selected from neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol, a C6-C12 polybasic acid, and a C4-C18 monohydric alcohol or a C4-C18 monocarboxylic fatty acid, and (B) a polyol ester obtainable by synthesis of from at least one polyhydric alcohol selected from neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol, and a C4-C18 monocarboxylic fatty acid, in a mass ratio of (A) the complex ester/(B) the polyol ester of 5/95 to 95/5; and tetrafluoropropene as a refrigerant, wherein a refrigerant dissolved viscosity, at a temperature of 80° C. and an absolute pressure of 1.6 MPa, is 1.5 mm2/s or more.
US09718989B1

Compositions comprising a) one or more polyester macromers containing one or more chains of the residue of one or more diols and one or more diesters wherein the residue of the one or more diols and the one or more diesters alternate along the chain and a portion of the diesters are 1,1-diester-1-alkenes and at least one terminal end comprises the residue of one of the 1,1-diester-1 alkenes and wherein one or more terminal ends may comprise the residue of one or more diols; and b) one or more polymers having pendant Michael Addition donor groups. Disclosed are coating prepared from these compositions.
US09718987B2

This invention relates to bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acids reacted with vinyl ether compounds to form liquid vinyl-blocked bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acids. These liquid vinyl-blocked bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acids can be mixed with a polyfunctional vegetable oil-based epoxy resin to form a homogeneous curable coating composition. Upon curing at elevated temperature, thermoset coatings are formed which have excellent hardness, solvent resistance, adhesion, and flexibility. The invention also relates to the use of a curable coating composition comprising at least one polyfunctional vegetable oil-based epoxy resin and at least one vinyl-blocked bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acid, which may be coated onto a substrate and cured thermally. Methods of making the vinyl-blocked bio-based polyfunctional carboxylic acids and curable coating compositions and substrates containing the same are also disclosed.
US09718984B2

A composition comprising particulate solid, an organic medium and a dispersant comprising a polyacrylic copolymer functionalized with a polyether and reacted with an aminic polybasic species.
US09718980B2

A coating composition for forming a paper coat includes nano-fibrillated cellulose, pigment, latex, an auxiliary additive, and water. On a dry weight basis, the nano-fibrillated cellulose is in an amount by weight of 0.02 parts to 10 parts in the total composition, the pigment is in an amount by weight of 75 parts to 95 parts in the total composition, the latex is in an amount by weight of 5 parts to 15 parts in the total composition, and the auxiliary additive is in an amount by weight of 0.35 parts to 10 parts in the total composition.
US09718968B2

A coating composition having excellent adhesion between coating layers is provided. This disclosure is particularly directed to a 1K waterborne coating composition having hydrophobic polytrimethylene ether polyol containing crosslinkable functional hydroxyl groups. The 1K waterborne coating composition can be used in a multi-layer coating that can comprise a primer layer, a basecoat layer, and optionally, a clearcoat layer. The 1K waterborne coating composition of this disclosure can provide improved adhesion between coating layers, such as between a primer layer and a basecoat layer, between two or more basecoat layers, or between a basecoat layer and a clearcoat layer. This disclosure is further directed to a coating composition comprising components derived from renewable resources.
US09718964B2

A sacrificial coating on an intermediate transfer member of an aqueous ink imaging system is disclosed. The sacrificial coating is made from ingredients comprising: a waxy starch; at least one polycarboxylic acid cross-linking agent; at least one hygroscopic material; and at least one surfactant.
US09718962B2

The present invention relates to a composition for preparation of latex pads, comprising natural latex, artificial latex, sliver nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, and active carbon mixed in a specified proportion. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing latex pads from the composition.
US09718952B2

A thermoplastic polypropylene composition comprising polypropylene, a hydrogenated block copolymer, 3 to 6 wt % high density polyethylene, a processing oil, and greater than or equal to 3 wt % of a surface modifier comprising an ultra high molecular weight polydialkyl siloxane, an ultra-high molecular weight polydialkyl siloxane in combination with silica, a polyolefin siloxane or a combination thereof, wherein weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition.
US09718946B2

Embodiments of the present technology may include a carbohydrate binder composition. The carbohydrate binder composition may include a carbohydrate, a nitrogen-containing compound, and a catalyst. The catalyst may catalyze a reaction between the carbohydrate and the nitrogen-containing compound. The catalyst may be water soluble in the composition but may become water insoluble after curing the composition.
US09718933B2

The invention is an optical film at least containing cellulose acylate and a compound having a structure denoted by General Formula (I) described below, and a polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display device employing the optical film. R1 and R3 represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, or an aryl group, and R5a and R5b represent an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkenyl group, an aryl group, or a heterocyclic group. R1, R3, R5a, and R5b may have a substituent group.
US09718929B2

Described are amphiphilic polymers that are provided with chelating moieties. The amphiphilic polymers are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic block and a hydrophobic block, with the chelating moieties linked to the end-group of the hydrophilic block. The disclosed polymers are capable of self-assembly into structures such as micelles and polymersomes. With suitable metals present in the form of coordination complexes with the chelating moieties, the chelating amphiphilic polymers of the invention are suitable for use in various imaging techniques requiring metal labeling, such as MRI (T1/T2 weighted contrast agents or CEST contrast agents) SPECT, PET or Spectral CT.
US09718923B2

One method as described herein relates to making a high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer using a small amount of bulky diamine. These high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymers are useful in forming crosslinked polymer membranes with high permeance that are useful for the separation of fluid mixtures. Another method as described herein relates to making the crosslinked membranes from the high molecular weight, monoesterified polyimide polymer containing a small amount of bulky diamine. The small amount of bulky diamine allows for formation of both the high molecular weight polyimide polymer and for covalent ester crosslinks via reaction of the carboxylic acid groups with a diol crosslinking agent. This small amount of bulky diamines reduces chain mobility or segmental motion during crosslinking and reduces large loss of permeance. As such, this method provides a crosslinked membrane with good permeance and selectivity.
US09718922B2

The methods disclosed herein are directed to methods of enhancing formation of a polymer from a monomer on a metal-based nanoparticle under X-ray irradiation and compositions produced by such methods. The method comprises irradiating a monomer solution with X-rays to form the polymer; wherein the monomer solution comprises the monomer, the metal-based nanoparticle, and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers. The methods also include the dissolution metal ions from these same metal-based nanoparticles wherein the solution comprises the metal-based nanoparticle and a solvent capable of generating a hydroxyl radical; and wherein the metal-based nanoparticle is a particle having a greatest dimension between 5 and 100 nanometers.
US09718917B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer based on polyether carbonate polyols. The method comprises a first step, in which at least A) an organic diisocyanate and B) a polyol having a number-average molecular weight Mn>=500 and <=5000 g/mol are reacted to form an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer. In a second step, the prepolymer is reacted with C) one or more chain extenders having a molecular weight>=60 and <=490 g/mol and optionally D) a monofunctional chain stopper or E) an organic diisocyanate, wherein optionally at least F) one catalyst is used in the first and/or second step.; The molar ratio of the sum of the isocyanate groups from A) and, if applicable, E) to the sum of the groups reactive to isocyanate in B), C), and, if applicable, D) is >=0.9:1 and <=12:1, and component B) contains at least one polyether carbonate polyol, which can be obtained by adding carbon dioxide and alkylene oxides to H-functional starter substances. The invention further relates to a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer produced in accordance with the method according to the invention, the use of said thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer to produce extruded or injection molded items, and the items produced by extrusion or injection molding.
US09718913B2

The present invention relates to diene polymers, wherein the diene polymers have, at the start of the polymer chains, tertiary amino groups of the formula (I) or (II) where R1, R2 are the same or different and are each alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl radicals which may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, Z is a divalent organic radical which, as well as C and H, may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, and, at the end of the polymer chains, silane-containing carbinol groups of the formula (III) or metal salts thereof or semimetal salts thereof, where R3, R4, R5, R6 are the same or different and are each an H or alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl radicals which may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, A is a divalent organic radical which, as well as C and H, may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si.
US09718912B2

The present invention relates to diene polymers or diene copolymers, wherein the diene polymers or diene copolymers have, at the start of the polymer chains, tertiary amino groups of the formula (Ia), (Ib), (IIa) or (IIb) where R1, R2 are the same or different and are each alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl radicals which may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, Z is a divalent organic radical which, as well as C and H, may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, and, at the end of the polymer chains, silane-containing carbinol groups of the formula (III) or metal salts thereof or semimetal salts thereof, where R3, R4, R5, R6 are the same or different and are each an H or alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl radicals which may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si, A is a divalent organic radical which, as well as C and H, may contain heteroatoms such as O, N, S and/or Si.
US09718900B2

Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same. A catalyst system can include a non-metallocene catalyst having the structure: wherein M is a group 4 element, each of R13-R20 are independently a hydrogen or a methyl group, wherein at least one of R13-R20 is a methyl group, Ar is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, Ar′ is an aryl group or a substituted aryl group, and each X is, independently, a hydride group, an amide, a benzyl group, a methyl group, a chloro group, a fluoro group, or a hydrocarbyl group.
US09718898B1

A homogeneous polymerization catalyst system for polymerization or copolymerization of at least one alpha olefin has a Lewis acid, an alkyl aluminum in a hexane or a heptane, and at least one dry metallocene. The at least one dry metallocene has a transition metal compound. The Lewis acid is capable of forming an ion pair with the at least one dry metallocene. The homogeneous polymerization catalyst system produces a poly alpha olefin from alpha olefin monomers or mixed alpha olefins. A produced poly alpha olefin has a kinematic viscosity at 100 degrees Celsius ranging from 1 cSt to 1000 cSt.
US09718895B2

To provide a process for producing an acrylic rubber/fluorinated rubber composition, capable of forming a layer excellent in the interlayer-adhesion with a layer formed by crosslinking a fluorinated rubber.A process for producing an acrylic rubber/fluorinated rubber composition having particles of a crosslinked acrylic rubber (B) dispersed in a continuous phase of a fluorinated rubber (A), which comprises kneading a fluorinated rubber (A), a crosslinking agent for an acrylic rubber and a crosslinking coagent for an acrylic rubber to obtain a fluorinated rubber composition containing the crosslinking agent for an acrylic rubber and the crosslinking coagent for an acrylic rubber, and kneading under heating the obtained fluorinated rubber composition and an acrylic rubber (B) in a mass ratio of fluorinated rubber (A)/acrylic rubber (B)=5/95 to 50/50 to crosslink the acrylic rubber (B), and dispersing particles of the crosslinked acrylic rubber (B) in a continuous phase of the fluorinated rubber (A).
US09718886B2

The invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of tumor diseases associated with cells expressing CLDN6, in particular cancer and cancer metastasis using antibodies which bind to CLDN6. The present application demonstrates that the binding of antibodies to CLDN6 on the surface of tumor cells is sufficient to inhibit growth of the tumor and to prolong survival and extend the lifespan of tumor patients. Furthermore, binding of antibodies to CLDN6 is efficient in inhibiting growth of CLDN6 positive germ cell tumors such as teratocarcinomas or embryonal carcinomas, in particular germ cell tumors of the testis.
US09718882B2

This invention pertains to NGF antagonists including antibodies and antibody fragments thereof having binding specificity to human Nerve Growth Factor (“NGF”), and methods of treating pain. Methods of treating pain or eliciting an analgesic effect in an individual comprising administering an effective amount of an NGF antagonist inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA without inhibiting the association of NGF with p75. The methods may further comprise administering an effective amount of a second anti-human NGF antibody or fragment thereof which inhibits the association of NGF with p75, that may further also inhibit the association of NGF with TrkA.
US09718878B2

The invention provides methods for the treatment of coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, and ischemia featuring agents that interfere with the expression or activity of Cthrc1. The invention also provides the use of Cthrc1 peptide as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of acute or chronic cardiac deficiencies. The invention further provides detection and monitoring of Cthrc1 peptide in blood or serum to assess or monitor cardiac function.
US09718875B2

The present invention provides methods for treatment or prophylaxis of viruses, particularly influenza virus, by administration of agents, particularly neutralizing antibodies or active fragments thereof, directly to the respiratory tract, including by intranasal or inhalation administration. The invention provides compositions suitable for intranasal or inhalation treatment and administration. The invention includes methods for treatment or prophylaxis combining intranasal or inhalation administration with intraperitoneal or intravenous administration of antibodies.
US09718873B2

The invention features a novel influenza antibody that specifically binds to influenza hemagglutinin and reduces or inhibits hemagglutinin binding to sialic acid. The invention also provides methods, compositions, and kits featuring the novel antibody and its use in preventing or treating influenza infection.
US09718870B2

The disclosure provides OX40L huIgG4 fusion polypeptide subunits comprising a human IgG4 Fc domain, a trimerization domain, and the receptor binding domain of Ox40 ligand, where the fusion polypeptide subunits can self-assemble into hexameric proteins. Also provided are methods of making fusion polypeptide subunits and hexameric proteins, and methods of use, e.g., treatment of cancer.
US09718868B2

Described herein is insulin, an insulin-like growth factor, parathyroid hormone, a fragment of parathyroid hormone, or a parathyroid hormone related protein that includes at least one bone targeting moiety, wherein the bone targeting moiety is covalently bonded to the peptide. Also described herein are the methods of making these compositions that prevent or treat conditions associated with bone loss and preventing bone fractures, and/or the inability to initiate de novo bone turnover and stimulate bone fracture repair.
US09718862B2

The present invention provides polypeptides and compositions thereof for treating or limiting respiratory syncytial virus infection, and computational methods for designing such polypeptides.
US09718853B2

The present invention provides novel anhydrous polymorph forms of [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(6-(cyclopentylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)]methyl nitrate (compound A), a selective adenosine A1 receptor agonist with a number of therapeutic uses including the treatment of elevated intra-ocular pressure. Also provided are methods for the preparation of the anhydrous polymorphic forms of compound A, pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment.
US09718848B2

A compound of Formula (I) wherein Y1, Y2, X1, X2, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R8, and R9 are as defined herein; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and tautomers thereof, compositions, combinations and medicaments containing said compounds and processes for their preparation. The invention also relates to the use of said compounds, combinations, compositions and medicaments, in the treatment of diseases in which modulation of STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) is beneficial, for example inflammation, allergic and autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cancer, pre-cancerous syndromes and as vaccine adjuvants.
US09718847B2

Heterocyclic compounds of formula (I), methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing such a compound and their therapeutic uses.
US09718843B2

The disclosure provides an improved synthesis for a zinc-lysine complex having the formula [Zn(C6H14N2O2)2Cl]+Cl−, in which a zinc compound selected from ZnO and ZnCl2, is reacted with a lysine compound selected from lysine and lysine.HCl, in aqueous acid. The disclosure also provides oral care and personal care compositions comprising the complex prepared by the synthesis, and methods of using these complexes and compositions.
US09718838B2

The present invention relates to compounds that inhibit activity of the histone lysine methyltransferase, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to treat cancer, such as hematologic and solid tumors.
US09718835B2

The present invention is related to novel 20-sulfonylamidine derivatives of camptothecin (1), method of synthesizing the same, and use thereof as an antitumor agent, for examples an antitumor agent for treating nasopharyngeal, lung, breast or prostate cancer.
US09718831B2

Crystals of a dispiropyrrolidine compound or a salt thereof which inhibits the action of Mdm2 are provided. The present invention provides crystals of (3′R,4′S,5′R)—N-[(3R,6S)-6-carbamoyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl]-6″-chloro-4′-(2-chloro-3-fluoropyridin-4-yl)-4,4-dimethyl-2″-oxo-1″,2″-dihydrodispiro[cyclohexane-1,2′-pyrrolidine-3′,3″-indole]-5′-carboxamide or a salt thereof which inhibits Mdm2 and has anti-tumor activity. The present invention also provides a medicament comprising the same.
US09718825B2

The present invention relates to N-(4-(azaindazol-6-yl)-phenyl)-sulfonamides of the formula I, wherein Ar, n, X, Z, R1, R2 and R3 have the meanings indicated in the claims. The compounds of the formula I are valuable pharmacologically active compounds which modulate protein kinase activity, specifically the activity of serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase (SGK), in particular of serum and glucocorticoid regulated kinase isoform 1 (SGK-1, SGK1), and are suitable for the treatment of diseases in which SGK activity is inappropriate, for example degenerative joint disorders or inflammatory processes such as osteoarthritis or rheumatism. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use as pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US09718808B2

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, which are inhibitors of the ROMK (Kir1.1) channel. The compounds may be used as diuretic and/or natriuretic agents and for the therapy and prophylaxis of medical conditions including cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, heart failure and chronic kidney disease and conditions associated with excessive salt and water retention.
US09718799B2

Isoflavonoids or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof for the treatment of prostate cancer or for the treatment or inhibition of prostate cancer metastasis in a patient in need thereof are disclosed.
US09718798B2

Provided are solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural, including a crystalline form of 5-(chloromethyl)furfural. Provided are also methods for preparing solid forms of 5-(halomethyl)furfural by crystallization using certain solvents.
US09718789B2

Substituted 1,2,3-triazole compounds are disclosed which have utility in the treatment of a variety of neurological disorders. The compounds provided herein have the general structure: wherein R1, R2, R3 and n are as defined herein, including stereoisomers, esters, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions containing a compound provided herein in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, as well as methods relating to the use thereof for treating neurological disorders in a subject in need thereof.
US09718785B2

Compounds of the formula I in which R, Y, R1, X1, X2, X3 and q have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of fatty acid synthase, and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system injury and different forms of inflammation.
US09718784B2

The present invention relates to substituted pyrazole compounds, methods for their discovery, and their research and therapeutic uses, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, chelates, non-covalent complexes, prodrugs, mixtures (including both R and S enantiomeric forms and racemic mixtures thereof) and pharmaceutical formulations thereof.
US09718783B2

4,6-Dibromo-3-hydroxypicolinonitrile may be prepared from furfural in a series of chemical steps selected from cyano-amination, amine salt formation and bromination-rearrangement. 4-Alkoxy-3-hydroxypicolinic acids may be conveniently prepared from 4,6-dibromo-3-hydroxypicolinonitrile in a series of chemical steps selected from bromo substitution, nitrile hydrolysis and halogen reduction.
US09718768B2

The invention relates to a lock-release method to be applied to biomolecules, such as antibodies, to improve the purification, production, stability and storage of biomolecules. A biomolecule is covalently bound to a polymer support comprising a diketone group so that the biomolecule can be purified, produced and/or stored before being released from the support. The diketone group of the polymer support is a 1,3-ketoester, 1,3-ketothioester or 1,3-ketoamide is a group of Formula (1): R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl, or a heterocyclyl group; Y is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or a heterocyclyl group; X is —O, —NR2 or —S, wherein the free valence of —O, —NR2 or —S is bonded to the support optionally via a linker; and R2 is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or a heterocyclyl group. The invention also relates to a polymer support comprising the diketone group.
US09718767B2

A process includes reacting, in a reactor having a fixed bed containing a solid catalyst which contains a heterogeneous ion exchange resin, hydrogen sulfide and ethylene oxide in the presence of the solid catalyst to yield a reaction product which contains beta-mercaptoethanol. A reactor system includes the reactor, an ethylene oxide stream, a hydrogen sulfide stream, a fixed bed containing the solid catalyst placed in the reactor, and an effluent stream containing the reaction product. During steady state operation of the reactor in the process and the reactor system, the hydrogen sulfide and the ethylene oxide are present in a mole ratio in a range of about 9:1 to about 20:1.
US09718766B2

One aspect of the invention provides a composition of novel high penetration compositions (HPC) or a high penetration prodrug (HPP) for treatment of Parkinson's disease. The HPCs/HPPs are capable of being converted to parent active drugs or drug metabolites after crossing the biological barrier and thus can render treatments for the conditions that the parent drugs or metabolites can. Additionally, the HPPs are capable of reaching areas that parent drugs may not be able to access or to render a sufficient concentration at the target areas and therefore render novel treatments. The HPCs/HPPs can be administered to a subject through various administration routes, e.g., locally delivered to an action site of a condition with a high concentration or systematically administered to a biological subject and enter the general circulation with a faster rate.
US09718761B2

The present invention provides a method for producing α-hydroxyisobutyric acid amide by hydration of acetone cyanohydrin under the presence of a catalyst composed mainly of manganese oxide using a reactor in which at least two reaction regions are connected in series, the method being characterized by comprising: a step (B) of cyclically supplying at least a portion of a reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to a first reaction region (I) in the reactor; and a step (b1) of further cyclically supplying at least a portion of the reaction liquid withdrawn from at least one reaction region to at least one reaction region other than the first reaction region. The method is also characterized in that an oxidizing agent is supplied to at least one reaction region in the reactor.
US09718760B2

The invention relates to plasminogen activator-1 (PAI-1) inhibitor compounds and uses thereof in the treatment of any disease or disorder associated with elevated PAI-1. The invention includes, but is not limited to, the use of such compounds to prevent or reduce thrombosis and fibrosis, to promote thrombolysis, and to modulate lipid metabolism and treat diseases or disorders associated with elevated PAI-1, cholesterol, or lipid levels.
US09718759B2

The present invention relates to extracted plant lipid or microbial lipid comprising docosapentaenoic acid, and processes for producing the extracted lipid.
US09718757B2

Methods and systems for the production and isolation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) from a lipid source are described. The method includes extracting a lipid from a lipid source and transesterifying the lipid into a FAME. The method may also include fractionating the FAME from the system. A method of selectively transesterifying a lipid into a FAME is also described.
US09718749B2

The present invention is related to a novel and improved process for the preparation of 3,7-dimethylnonan-1-ol.
US09718738B2

Fertilizer compositions are provided, where a fertilizer composition includes: an inner portion including a nitrogen containing material; and an outer portion covering the inner portion, the outer portion including a release agent (e.g. HTC, BR).
US09718737B2

A coating composition includes water, a plurality of flakes having a maximum dimension less than 0.05 inches, a plurality of inorganic fibers, a thixotropic suspending agent that is insoluble in water, and a resin. Decorative coating on a concrete substrate is also provided.
US09718734B2

Disclosed is a technique for suppressing a firing property and a dust generating property while improving bondability, in a thermal spray material for use in a thermite spraying process. The thermal spray material comprises a refractory material powder and a metal Si powder and capable of being sprayed onto a target surface using oxygen or oxygen-containing gas as a carrier gas and melt-adhered to the target surface based on heat generated by combustion of the metal Si powder, wherein the metal Si powder is contained in an amount of 10 to 25 mass % with respect to the entire thermal spray material, and wherein the metal Si powder has a median size of 10 μm or less, and contains a fraction having a particle size of 2 μm or less in an amount of 8 mass % or less with respect to the entire metal Si powder.
US09718730B1

A reinforcing fiber and reinforced material, which includes a fiber having a first radical wave therein, wherein said first radical wave includes an amplitude of between about 0.5 to 1 cm and a wave run width of about 0.05 to about 0.3 cm, and a leading run and trailing run of at least about 0.75.
US09718720B2

A cooling tube assembly is provided. The assembly includes a cylindrical cooling tube extending from a first end to a second end. The cooling tube has an inner surface, an outer surface, an inner diameter, and an outer diameter. The cooling tube includes a first plurality of throughbores and a second plurality of throughbores located axially between the first plurality of throughbores and the second end of the cooling tube. Each of the second plurality of throughbores is circumferentially offset from each of the first plurality of throughbores. The assembly includes a nozzle extending from a first end to a second end. The first end of the nozzle is located inside the cooling tube. The first plurality of throughbores is located axially between the second end of the cooling tube and the first end of the nozzle.
US09718713B2

A system is provided for removing arsenic from water to safe levels at or below the EPA standards. The system is a hybrid spouted vessel/fixed bed filter system that significantly enhances/improves arsenic removal for drinking water using zero-valent iron (ZVI) particles. Movement of the circulating, iron-containing particles in a dense moving bed that forms on the spouted vessel bottom creates an abrasive “self-polishing” action among them that continuously generates colloidal iron corrosion products. This material then circulates with the water in the vessel and is removed and concentrated in a fixed bed filter. The colloidal material captured and immobilized in the filter has been shown to remove arsenic from contaminated water at very rapid rates.
US09718710B2

According to one embodiment, a treatment apparatus includes a dialysis unit, a treatment unit and a recovery unit. The dialysis unit is configured to dialyze a solution including a phosphoric acid, a silicon compound, and water. The treatment unit is configured to perform treatment of an object to be treated using a dialyzed solution. The recovery unit is configured to recover a solution used in the treatment of the object to be treated and supply to the dialysis unit. The dialysis unit includes a transmission part which allows anions to be transmitted. The recovery unit supplies the solution used in the treatment of the object to be treated, to a region in the dialysis unit. The region is divided by the transmission part.
US09718700B2

A magnetoelectric composition of boron and chromia is provided. The boron and chromia alloy can contain boron doping of 1%-10% in place of the oxygen in the chromia. The boron-doped chromia exhibits an increased critical temperature while maintaining magnetoelectric characteristics. The composition can be fabricated by depositing chromia in the presence of borane. The boron substitutes oxygen in the chromia, enhancing the exchange energy and thereby increasing Néel temperature.
US09718695B2

A visible light sensitive photocatalyst including a compound represented by Formula 1: Aa-xM1xSib-yM2yOc  Formula 1 wherein A is one or more metals selected from Ag, Cu, and Au; M1 is one or more metals selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs; M2 is one or more metals selected from Ge, Sn, Ti, Zr, and Hf, and 1.7≦a≦2.3, 0.7≦b≦1.3, 2.7≦c≦3.3, 0≦x
US09718683B2

A method for assembling multi-component nano-structures that includes dispersing a plurality of nano-structures in a fluid medium, and applying an electric field having an alternating current (AC) component and a direct current (DC) component to the fluid medium containing the plurality of nano-structures. The electric field causes a first nano-structure from the plurality of nano-structures to move to a predetermined position and orientation relative to a second nano-structure of the plurality of nano-structures such that the first and second nano-structures assemble into a multi-component nano-structure.
US09718678B2

According to various embodiments, a package arrangement may include: a first encapsulation material; at least one electronic circuit at least partially embedded in the first encapsulation material, the at least one electronic circuit including a first contact pad structure at a first side of the at least one electronic circuit; at least one electromechanical device disposed over the first side of the at least one electronic circuit, the at least one electromechanical device including a second contact pad structure facing the first side of the at least one electronic circuit; a redistribution layer structure between the at least one electromechanical device and the at least one electronic circuit, the redistribution layer structure electrically connecting the first contact pad structure with the second contact pad structure, wherein a gap is provided between the at least one electromechanical device and the redistribution layer structure; a second encapsulation material at least partially covering the at least one electromechanical device, wherein the gap is free of the second encapsulation material.
US09718677B1

In the present disclosure a semiconductor device comprises a plate including a plurality of apertures. The semiconductor device also comprises a membrane disposed opposite to the plate and including a plurality of corrugations, a dielectric surrounding and covering an edge of the membrane, and a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a metallic conductor comprising a first portion extending through the dielectric, and a second portion over the substrate, where the second portion is bonded with the first portion.
US09718675B2

A microelectromechanical device includes: a body accommodating a microelectromechanical structure; and a cap bonded to the body and electrically coupled to the microelectromechanical structure through conductive bonding regions. The cap including a selection module, which has first selection terminals coupled to the microelectromechanical structure, second selection terminals, and at least one control terminal, and which can be controlled through the control terminal to couple the second selection terminals to respective first selection terminals according, selectively, to one of a plurality of coupling configurations corresponding to respective operating conditions.
US09718667B2

A system for horseback riding comprising an inverse stirrup which allows a horseback rider to use the top of the rider's foot to resist upward or transverse forces so as to maintain the rider's position on the horse. The inverse stirrup is attached to the horse by a circumferential or semi-circumferential strap passing beneath the horse such as the girth strap, or directly to the saddle, such that the system resists upward displacement of the inverse stirrup.
US09718664B2

A closing valve for a container for a fluid includes an outer jacket connected or connectable to an opening in the container or forming part of the container. An inner jacket is accommodated inside the outer jacket and has an opening through which the fluid can be fed to or withdrawn from the container. A closing element is positioned inside the inner jacket or between the inner jacket and the outer jacket and movable between at least a first position closing the opening and a second position clearing the opening, wherein at least the closing element is made from a polymer material. The closing element comprises a sealing member and a spring, which urges the closing element into the first position.
US09718659B2

A lifting device including a body, a sliding member, a pulley, a worm, an elastic member and a connecting member is provided. The sliding member is used to set an object and stays at any position between two positions. The pulley has a fist groove. A curvature radius of the first groove is a constant value. The worm has a second groove. A curvature radius of the second groove is a non-constant value. The elastic member is disposed in the body. When the sliding member is slid between the two positions, the pulley and the worm are rotated in at least one circle. A sum which a first torque generated by a gravity of the object and the sliding member with the curvature radius of the first groove and a second torque generated by a force of the elastic member with the curvature radius of the second groove is zero.
US09718643B2

An elevator alignment tool includes a longitudinal frame having rollers being configured to run along the surface of a guide rail of an elevator construction, which frame includes a bias device for biasing the frame against the guide rail and a connecting part configured to be connected to an elevator car or an installation time platform, which tool further includes a laser mounted to the frame. This alignment tool allows an easy alignment of new guide rails to be installed during elevator installation or an easy verification of the guide rail alignment of a ready built elevator construction.
US09718638B2

A reel frame stand for supporting a reel thereon comprises a first pair of hingedly connected legs oppositely disposed from a second pair of hingedly connected legs; a first axle bearing on the first pair of legs and a second axle bearing on the second pair of legs, and each of the first and second axle bearings comprising a base and a bushing having a cylindrical inner surface surrounding an open channel; an axle having opposing cylindrical portions being rotatably secured within the open channels of the opposing first and second axle bearings to permit selective rotation of the reel supported thereon; a first brace having one end being rotatably secured to one of the legs of the first pair of legs and a second end being selectively securable at one of a plurality of ports on the first pair of legs by a fastener that is sized and configured for engaged receipt within each of the plurality of ports; a second brace having one end being rotatably secured to one of the legs of the second pair of legs and a second end being selectively securable at one of a plurality of ports on the second pair of legs by a fastener that is sized and configured for engaged receipt within each of the plurality of ports; and wherein each of the first and second pairs of hingedly connected legs may be selectively positioned relative to each other in one of a plurality of configurations including a flat configuration, a closed configuration and an open configuration.
US09718636B2

The disclosure discloses a tape cartridge comprising a first tape roll, a second tape roll, a connecting part, and a pair of gripped parts. A first tape consumed by feed-out is wound around the first tape roll. The second tape roll winds a second tape around an axis extending along the first direction and provided on a downstream side of the first tape roll. The second tape is generated by a feeding of the first tape. The connecting part is provided so as to connect the first tape roll and the second tape roll. The pair of gripped parts extends along the second direction, each respectively provided on either side of the connecting part along the first direction. The gripped part comprises a slip preventing part configured to prevent slipping during gripping on an end of the gripped part in the one side along the second direction.
US09718634B2

A sheet thickness detector incorporated in a sheet conveyor and/or an image forming apparatus includes multiple first rollers aligned in a direction perpendicular to a sheet conveying direction, multiple second rollers facing the respective first rollers, a first roller shaft supporting two first rollers, at least one second roller shaft supporting rollers other than the two first rollers, at least one third roller shaft to support at least three second rollers, a first roller shaft holder supporting the first roller shaft to move from the at least one third roller shaft in a contact/separation direction, a biasing member biasing the first roller shaft toward at least one third roller shaft, and a displacement amount detector detecting an amount of displacement of the first roller shaft. A thickness of a sheet between the first and second rollers is detected based on a detection result by the displacement amount detector.
US09718631B2

A sheet container, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a container body, a body side stopper device, a sheet tray, a tray side stopper device, a tray handler, a releasing device, and a tray locking device. The tray side stopper device has a tray side stopper portion to be engaged with the body side stopper device. The releasing device moves the body side stopper device along with movement of the tray handler from the first position to the second position. The releasing device cancels retention of the sheet tray in the container body and the tray locking device prevents the tray handler from canceling the retention of the sheet tray in the container body. The tray locking device regulates movement of the tray handler from the first position to the second position and moves the tray side stopper portion without moving the tray handler.
US09718627B2

The equipment and method for moving containers herein proposed consists in a new concept for moving containers in port terminals based on the stacking of containers from the bottom to the top. Such stacking occurs by using a lifting system specifically designed for such purpose and by supporting the containers stack on fixed elevated support at a determined height from the ground.
US09718626B2

A cleaning mechanism for use with a closed loop conveyor belt supported in continuous traversing fashion. The mechanism includes a housing for supporting the belt, a frame mounted to the housing proximate to the belt. A drive shaft extends between spaced apart locations of the frame and includes a pair of head sprockets adapted for supporting the belt at a selected location. A motor is engaged to an input end of the drive shaft. A counter weighted comb element is pivotally secured to the frame, an upper angled combed edge of the comb element arrayed in spatial non-contacting fashion with a traversing exterior of the belt for capturing elongated shaving debris suspended from the belt. A slave shaft extends between additional spaced apart location of the frame and which is rotated via a linkage with the drive shaft. Pluralities of bristles extend from the slave shaft in a cylindrical arrangement such that selected width extending portions of the bristles are arranged in successive contact with the belt upon rotation of the slave shaft in order to scrub the belt.
US09718620B2

A method for conveying bulk goods and a device for carrying out the method. The conveying device includes a conveying channel and at least two conveying elements arranged loosely in the conveying channel. The conveying elements are mechanically driven in the conveying direction in a first section of the conveying channel, before bulk goods are fed into the conveying channel in a second section of the conveying channel. The bulk goods are conveyed by movement of the conveying elements along the conveying direction in a third section of the conveying channel, wherein in the third section of the conveying channel the first conveying element is pressed by the second conveying element and/or the bulk goods through the conveying channel in the conveying direction.
US09718617B2

When an external force applied condition that an external force that causes a decrease in a rotational speed of an electric motor is applied to the contact member moved by the electric motor is satisfied while the actuation controller is performing a first control for continuously performing a process of providing the electric motor with a command value that depends on an error between an actual rotational speed of the electric motor and a first target rotational speed so as to cause the actual rotational speed to approach the first target rotational speed, then the actuation controller, subsequent to the first control, performs a second control for providing the electric motor with a command value that allows the actual rotational speed of the motor to be equal to, and to fall below, the first target rotational speed at a time of the external force applied condition becoming satisfied.
US09718607B2

The invention relates to a method for preparing a beverage through a capsule inserted in a beverage machine; the capsule comprising an enclosure containing one or more beverage ingredients, wherein a brewing fluid is introduced in the enclosure to brew the one or more beverage ingredients, characterized in that: a discharge wall is placed in association with the enclosure, wherein the discharge wall comprises a discharge member that restrains the brewed liquid from being discharged from the capsule or limits the liquid flow in case the pressure inside the enclosure is below a predetermined value, and the discharge member enables the delivery of the brewed liquid in case the pressure exceeds the predetermined value.
US09718593B2

A food package container may have an integrated spout that can be used to dispense the contents of the container into a consumer's mouth. In some examples, the food package container includes an elongated, flexible-wall container body providing a tubular chamber holding a foodstuff. The container has a spout formed by a narrowing of the container body in a region extending upwardly away from the tubular chamber. For example, spout may be bound on one side by the container body and further bound on an opposite side and on a top edge by a seal joining opposed walls of the container body together. To open the spout, a weakened line may extend laterally across the container body adjacent the top edge of the spout and longitudinally across the container body adjacent the side of the spout bound by the seal.
US09718591B2

A fixing device includes a fixing member and two fixing belts. The fixing member includes a plate, two fixing portions extending from opposite sides of the plate, and a locking portion located between the two fixing portions. The locking portion includes a locking belt extending from the plate and a connecting portion extending from the plate. The locking belt is locked to the connecting portion to form a locking loop. The two fixing belts are fixed to the two fixing portions.
US09718588B2

A container assembly including a container and a metallic closure. The container includes a polymeric body and a polymeric finish. The polymeric finish includes a plurality of threads. A lug lock is associated with each one of the plurality of threads. The metallic closure includes at least three metallic lugs configured to cooperate with the plurality of threads to couple the metallic closure to the polymeric finish.
US09718587B2

A synthetic resin cap comprises: a cap body having a top plate and a cylinder that is vertically lowered from the peripheral edge thereof; and a liner provided on a lower surface of the top plate. The liner has a flat plate; an inter-seal projection that contacts an inner-edge side of an opening end and has an outer-seal projection that contacts an outer-edge side of the opening end. An outer edge of the liner is spaced apart from the cylinder at an internal side and is formed to ensure a space between the outer edge and the cylinder. The outer diameter of the outer-seal projection is smaller than an outer diameter of the opening end.
US09718584B2

A multi-purpose container system includes a first container that has attached to it opposed pairs of legs. Each pair of legs may pivot from a first position to a second position rotated about 180 degrees. In the second position of the legs, the first container may be supported inverted with its opening facing downward. In that orientation, a recessed area is facing upward and has a periphery sized to receive a second container. The second container may be placed with its bottom edges received within the recessed area to support the second container. In that orientation, the second container is significantly elevated from a floor surface. Thus, tools and supplies may be stored within the second container elevated off the floor allowing a workman easy access to the interior of the second container to retrieve tools and supplies while performing work.
US09718583B2

A components (17) packaging structure for pharmaceutical containers, comprising at least one tray (10), which has at least one open side for introducing and extracting at least one supporting shelf (11) which is parallel to a bottom plane (14) of the tray (10) and which rests in correspondence of the inner walls (15) of the tray (10); said supporting shelf (11) has a spatially predetermined distribution of first seats or cavities (13) within which closing components and/or generic accessories of said containers, such as rubber caps (17), nuts (20) with crimping snap or other types of sealing nuts and/or caps, are placed, so that the vertical axis of each closure component is perpendicular to said bottom plane (14) of the tray (10), said structure thus constituting a guarantee of sterility and cleanliness of said closing components and/or generic accessories which are inserted in said seats or cavities (13).
US09718579B2

An assemblable metal pallet having two plinths each provided with a cut-out and with a loading platform and a plurality of components obtained from a single piece of a basic metal profile having a symmetrical shape about the longitudinal central plane and provided with a longitudinal rib of rectangular cross-section and constant height extending from one and the same part with respect to a base plane, and with two outer lateral webs having their edge bent inwards and at least partly coplanar with the top of the rib, the components including a first component composed of a piece of basic profile bent to a C-shape with the aperture facing upwards, a second component composed of a piece of the same basic profile bent to an inverted U-shape, a further component formed from a piece of the same basic profile and constituting a crosspiece for connecting together the plinths.
US09718573B1

A convertible container assembly comprising a convertible container body. The container body includes angular series of conversion demarcations, defining an angular conversion section, and, optionally, at least one storage conversion demarcation, defining a storage conversion section. The angular conversion section includes a portion of a sidewall of the container body and a bottom portion of the container body. The angular conversion section toggles between an expanded configuration having a common horizontal upper rim and a compressed configuration creating a new container body support surface, angling the upper rim. The depth conversion section toggles between an expanded configuration as a container and a compressed configuration collapsing the container for storage. The conversion section can employ a single section or a series of sections, wherein the series of sections enable an accordion styled formation when collapsed.
US09718560B2

An exterior aircraft light unit for emitting light of a first wavelength and light of a second wavelength, different from the first wavelength is disclosed. The exterior aircraft light unit has an integrated optical structure, which in turn has a first light source configured to emit the light of the first wavelength, a second light source configured to emit the light of the second wavelength, the second light source being positioned adjacent to the first light source, and an optical element for shaping a light emission distribution of the integrated optical structure. The optical element is arranged with respect to the first light source and the second light source in such a way that it affects both the light of the first wavelength and the light of the second wavelength.
US09718557B2

When flights meet disaster in the mid-air, the cause of the mishap is unknown immediately. Teams are dispatched in difficult conditions to retrieve the flight data recorder (FDR) also known as black box. Until the black box is found, the exact cause of the crash cannot be determined. Sometimes it may take years to find the black box. For example, Air France flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on Jun. 1, 2009. The cause of the accident remained unknown mainly because the black box was missing. It was found after almost two years in May 2011. The delay in finding the flight data creates risks for future flights if the crash occurred due to a manufacturing defect in the model of the plane. The ability to reach the data without the burden and need for a physical black box has obvious benefits. This idea has been discussed in the literature but no one has put forth a functional and effective method for the implementation of this concept, for example no one has determined an appropriate software scheme that would enable a universal system that doesn't need a black box or which can function in parallel with black box. In this project, a set of algorithms for reliable transmission of flight data in real-time to distributed ground servers is developed. The attached description presents an overall structure of the proposed scheme. We also describe the methods of communicating between at least one plane server, several data servers and at least one central server controlling various components of data transmission, and the algorithms that enable the communication of data. In addition, the proposed packet header formats, the packet type codes and fault tolerance features are described.
US09718554B2

An inflatable life raft system for an aircraft includes a window coupled to a fuselage portion of the aircraft. A mechanism is used to selectively detach the window from the fuselage. An inflatable life raft is deployable to the exterior of the aircraft upon detachment of the window from the aircraft.
US09718553B2

A cooling system for an aircraft includes a first cooling circuit having a first evaporator and a second evaporator, and a second cooling circuit having a third evaporator and a fourth evaporator. One of the first and second cooling circuits includes a first set of valves arranged to direct refrigerant through a first cooling sub-circuit, a second cooling sub-circuit, or both the first and second cooling sub-circuits based on ambient conditions. Two of the evaporators are installed on a first side of the aircraft, and the other two of the four evaporators are installed on a second side of the aircraft opposite the first side, and the first and second cooling circuits reject heat, via a heat exchanger, from their respective cooling circuit to air passing into an engine of the aircraft.
US09718543B2

Systems and methods provide for a guided lift system utilized for maneuvering payloads. According to aspects of the disclosure, a guided lift system may include a lift unit attached to a payload, at least two control tethers attached to the lift unit, and at least two control units fixed in positions and capable of adjusting the lengths of the control tethers. Coordinated length adjustments of the control tethers pulls the lift unit and payload in a desired direction to a desired delivery location.
US09718541B2

A swashplate apparatus is provided and includes a first swashplate including outer and inner bodies and an intermediate portion defining a major groove between the outer and inner bodies, a second swashplate disposable in the major groove to be rotatable relative to the first swashplate, the second swashplate including an interior facing surface radially separated from the inner body to define a minor groove and defining a recess in which the rod end is disposable, a connector disposable in the recess to pivotably couple the rod end to the second swashplate and a plate element disposable in the minor groove and affixable to the interior facing surface of the second swashplate and the connector.
US09718539B2

An aircraft landing gear comprising an axle (3) intended to receive a wheel (4) comprising a rim (6) mounted to rotate on the axle (3) by means of at least one rolling bearing (8). The rolling bearing (8) comprises an inner ring (11) mounted around the axle (3) and an outer ring (12) rotationally secured to the rim (6) of the wheel (4). The landing gear further comprising a measurement device (21) intended to perform measurements of at least one operating parameter of the landing gear. The measurement device (21) is incorporated in the rolling bearing (8) by being secured to one of the inner or outer rings of the rolling bearing (8).
US09718537B2

A piloting system having a control stick configured to control the aircraft with respect to its three piloting axes, namely the pitch axis, the roll axis and the yaw axis, and an auxiliary control device configured to automatically control the aircraft during one of the following phases: a landing phase and a takeoff phase. The auxiliary control device automatically controls the aircraft with respect to at least one of the piloting axes, and the other piloting axes, which are not controlled automatically by the auxiliary control device, then being controlled manually by a pilot with the aid of the control stick.
US09718531B2

A drain for expelling fluids from an interior of an aircraft to an exterior of the aircraft, the drain including a drain tube disposed at the interior of the aircraft having a first end disposed in fluid communication with an aircraft equipment to be drained and an opposite second end, wherein the drain tube terminates at the second end at a location within the interior of the aircraft, a seal which extends between the second end of the drain tube and an outer skin of the aircraft, delimiting a drainage cavity, and a drainage pathway extending from the cavity through the outer skin to the exterior of the aircraft.
US09718530B2

A marine vessel electronic display system includes a first display station that can include a mode selector for permitting selection of a first mode of operation and a processing system causing displays in the first display station to present information related to the selected first mode of operation. The marine vessel electronic display system may include a second display station that can include a mode selector for permitting a user to select a second mode of operation different from the first mode of operation and a processing system causing a display in the second display station to present information related to the selected second mode of operation.
US09718528B2

A personal watercraft body comprises a recess configured to receive similarly shaped cassettes. A first cassette may be motorized to propel the body relative to a body of water. A second cassette may be non-motorized and may include a storage space therein for storing personal items. An insert may be disposed between the cassettes and the recess to orient and fit the cassettes within the body.
US09718520B2

The invention relates to a loading arrangement for ships including a plurality of bales, in particular packaged garbage round bales that are stacked in a hull and that can be loaded and/or unloaded by a crane and/or a transfer device, preferably with gripper tongs for gripping two bales at once in each case. For the gentle unloading and secure gripping of the bales, according to the invention the bales are stacked in multiple transverse rows (5), in particular dual rows, between which in each case a bale stack (6) is arranged that is oriented in a right angled horizontally twisted manner.
US09718519B2

The invention relates to a holding device for fastening, to the stem area of a ship, a ship's boat or an additional component to be detachably carried along, which device comprises a plurality of arms which have a hook-shaped coupling and are rigidly or detachably connected to the ship's boat or additional component, and a plurality of receiving portions which comprise at least one coupling shaft and are mounted on the stem or on an additional part of the ship permanently installed on the stem in such a way that the arms are hooked into the coupling shaft by the hook-shaped coupling and by a rotation of the arm or the receiving portion about the coupling shaft are locked in place when a defined angle of rotation is reached.
US09718513B2

A multi-link suspension includes a frame member, a first member pivotably coupled at a first end to the frame member, and a second member pivotably coupled at a first end to a second end of the first member. A dampener physically couples between the first member and the second member. The dampener limits the rotation of the second member about the second end of the first member to a defined arc. The first member includes a horizontal upper surface to which an electric traction motor providing a shaft output attaches. A power transmission system, such as a flexible belt, couples the shaft output provided by the electric traction motor to a drive hub rotatably attached to a second end of the second member.
US09718510B2

An apparatus is provided to reduce the aerodynamic drag of bicycle frame mounted water bottle and cage systems. Furthermore, the apparatus also improves the safety of bicycle water bottle and cage systems. In an exemplary embodiment, a cage and bottle are provided. The cage is formed with a plurality of hemispheres which can spread apart in order to receive bottles of various diameters. The bottle is longer and thinner than bottles in use today and is formed with dimples on the entirety of its surface. The cap provided with the bottle has minimal threading and is formed with breaks in the threading to allow for the top to be ejected when dropped.
US09718508B2

A method for producing and installing a front end of a motor vehicle, including an arrangement including a structural front surface forming a structure that supports engine-cooling elements, to which structure a front protective molding and the projector headlamps are attached. In addition, the vehicle includes a hood hinged on hinge brackets secured to the vehicle structure, and side wings connected to the front pillar lining of the vehicle structure. The method includes adjusting the structural front surface in the transverse direction to a transverse position determined relative to the hood, placing a gauge device between the hood and the front structural face.
US09718491B2

A steering apparatus for a vehicle may include: a pinion gear rotated in connection with a steering wheel; a rack housing for housing a rack bar which is rotated while engaged with the pinion gear; and a mounting member coupled to the rack housing, wherein the mounting member may be coupled to a subframe while the shape thereof is changed according to the position or shape of the subframe.
US09718485B2

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for warning of exceeding speed limit in railway vehicles, wherein a train speed is estimated after a predetermined time, a remaining time is calculated until a train reaches a speed limit based on the estimated speed, and when the calculated time is smaller than a preset reference value, a warning signal is generated. Thus, an adequate warning can be given to cater to a train operation situation because a TTSLC indicator is used that notifies when an emergency braking will be activated by exceeding a set speed limit value after a certain time lapses, resultantly increasing the train operation frequency and the availability of trains.
US09718483B2

A vehicle restraint system for an auto-rack railroad car which includes an active chock and an anchor chock configured to co-act to secure a vehicle in the auto-rack railroad car. In various embodiments, each chock has a chock body including a substantially diamond shaped elongated tube which includes four integrally connected elongated walls. In various embodiments, for each chock, various components of that chock extend substantially along longitudinal axis that lie in the same or substantially the same vertical plane as the apex and trough of the substantially diamond shaped elongated tube of the chock body. The active and anchor chocks: (a) have a lower height than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (b) have a smaller width than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (c) position the strap and the torque tube closer to the tire of the wheel than any known commercially available vehicle restraints; (d) take up a smaller area of each safe zone adjacent to the wheel than known commercially available vehicle restraints; (e) provide a greater strength to size ratio than known commercially available vehicle restraints; and (f) are easy to operate, install, and remove.
US09718466B2

A driving path planning apparatus for an autonomous vehicle includes a driving information obtainer to obtain crossroad information, current velocity, and velocity setting of the vehicle. A global path planner plans a base frame, and an environment recognizer recognizes obstacle on a path and lane information of the vehicle. The apparatus also includes a velocity profile generator to generate a velocity profile for the vehicle, using current velocity and velocity setting, a candidate path planner to plan candidate paths for the vehicle, using velocity profile and base frame, and a path selector to check whether or not the candidate paths have collision risks and select one candidate path of the candidate paths as a driving path for the autonomous vehicle.
US09718464B2

Even when a motor fails in an EV travel mode in which a clutch is disengaged, an amount of hydraulic oil that is supplied to the clutch can be secured by reducing a transmission leaked amount. Accordingly, the clutch can be engaged, and an oil pump can be driven by power of an engine. Thus, an evacuation travel by the engine is allowed when the motor fails in the EV travel mode.
US09718462B2

A vehicle is provided with a powertrain including a battery-powered electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a powertrain controller. The controller is programmed to permit an upshift of a transmission gear ratio while a powertrain torque demand is less than a forecasted available powertrain torque sustainable over a predetermined upcoming duration of time. The controller is also programmed to inhibit an upshift while the torque demand exceeds the forecasted available powertrain torque to reduce successive gear shifts. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to battery a state of charge being less than a threshold, reduce the forecasted available powertrain torque by an amount sufficient to provide a recharge to a battery. The controller may be further still programmed to reduce the forecasted available powertrain torque by an amount sufficient to restart the engine while the powertrain is operating in an engine-off traction mode.
US09718459B2

A hybrid vehicle includes a power transmission unit configured to switch a power transmission path between an engine, a first MG, and a second MG. The control device is configured such that, during execution of regenerative braking using at least one of the first MG and the second MG while the engine is stopped, when a state amount indicating a state related to a battery has reached a determination threshold, the control device executes a standby operation in which the state of the power transmission unit is brought from a current state closer to a state that enables an engine brake operation in which the engine in a fuel-cut state is rotated using an external force to generate a loss.
US09718452B2

A brake monitoring system and method determine one or more characteristics of a conduit in a first air brake system of a first vehicle system, compare the one or more characteristics of the first air brake system with one or more designated waveform signatures, and distinguish between communication of a brake application signal that is propagated along the vehicle system through the conduit as a decrease in pressure in the conduit and a change in the pressure in the conduit that is not representative of the communication of the brake application signal based on comparing the one or more characteristics with the one or more designated waveform signatures.
US09718448B2

A pedal simulator of the present invention is disclosed. According to an aspect of the present invention, the pedal simulator, which is connected with a master cylinder and receives pedal pressure of the driver and configured to provide a sense of a pedal for a driver, includes: a simulation chamber having one end connected with the master cylinder and the other end provided in the simulator block closed by a damping housing, and configured to store oil; a check valve pressurized by the piston, provided in the simulation chamber to be slideable, and slid; an orifice formed in the simulator block and allowing a flow of oil in the simulation chamber by the sliding check valve; and an accumulator configured to store the oil discharged through the orifice.
US09718444B2

The invention relates to a wiper blade adapter, in particular for a motor vehicle wiper device, comprising a coupling unit (10) which comprises at least one first coupling element (12) and a second coupling element (14) which are provided for coupling at least two different types of wiper arm adapters (100, 110, 120, 130), and housing means (62) which are provided for delimiting at least one part of one of the coupling elements (12). According to the invention, said housing means (62) and the coupling element (12) are embodied such that they form one piece.
US09718438B2

A seat belt device includes a belt reel around which webbing is wound, a winding spring that rotationally biases the belt reel in a winding direction, a motor that is configured to transmit a driving force to the belt reel, a clutch that is interposed between the motor and the belt reel, and which performs connection/disconnection of the motor and the belt reel, a webbing speed detection unit that detects the winding speed of the webbing, a fastened/released state detection unit that detects a fastened state and a released state of the webbing, a basic winding control unit that drives the motor in the winding direction in a rotating manner and puts the clutch into a connected state, and a speed increase correction unit that increases the speed of the motor with respect to the speed of the motor obtained by the control of the basic winding control unit.
US09718437B2

The present invention provides a winder used for a force limiting safety belt, comprising: a winder frame, a reel and a torsion bar. wherein, the winder frame comprises two opposite sidewalls, the corresponding positions of the two sidewalls having circular openings provided, the circular openings having internal toothed segments; the reel comprising a spindle through hole provided along the central axis of the spindle, two detachable end covers provided respectively on the two ends of the spindle, the end covers having external teeth provided along the periphery of the end covers; the torsion bar is divided into two segments in axial direction which are connected to each other by adjoining ends; in a free state, the reel is able to rotate and float provided within the winder frame, two end covers being provided in the circular through opening on the two sidewalls of the winder frame.
US09718435B2

A buckle device includes a buckle body that retains a tongue through which a webbing worn across an occupant is inserted; a fixing plate that is fixed to a vehicle seat and that includes a coupling webbing insertion hole; and a coupling webbing that is formed in a belt shape and that couples the buckle body and the fixing plate together. The buckle device further includes a boot that covers the coupling webbing. Moreover, the boot is provided with an engagement protrusion portion that engages with the coupling webbing insertion hole so as to suppress rattling of the boot against the fixing plate.
US09718433B2

A cold gas generator for a vehicle includes a container for storing gas, and an outlet opening closed by a closure element. The apparatus for operating the cold gas generator has a first terminal for a first connecting line for providing a first operating voltage potential, and a second terminal for a second connecting line for providing a second operating voltage potential. The apparatus also has an electrical coil to actuate, in response to a coil current, a closure device for controlling a gas flow through the outlet opening, the coil being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The apparatus also has a firing device to open the closure element in response to a firing current, the firing device being connected between the first terminal and the second terminal.
US09718423B2

A vehicle bumper structure including: bumper reinforcement at a rear of a bumper cover; an absorber in front of the bumper reinforcement; and a pedestrian collision detection sensor including a pressure tube between the bumper reinforcement and the absorber, wherein a position of a width direction outer end of the bumper reinforcement is set between a first normal line and a second normal line, where a front-rear reference line passes through a width direction outer end of a front hood or apron upper member and extends along a front-rear direction, the first normal line passes through an intersection point between the front-rear reference line and the bumper cover and extends along the direction of a normal line with respect to the width direction outer end of the bumper reinforcement, and the second normal line is offset by 100 mm to a width direction inner side of the first normal line.
US09718416B2

A replacement locator tab is provided for a headliner. That replacement locator tab includes a locator portion and a headliner mounting portion. An adhesive film is provided on a face of the headliner mounting portion. A removable protective film overlies the adhesive film. A headliner incorporating the locator tab is also disclosed as is a method of repairing a headliner in a motor vehicle.
US09718414B2

An assembly for deploying a device from a cavity. The assembly includes a translatable cover and a mounting surface defining an opening sized to receive the translatable cover thereover. The device is received in the cavity beneath the mounting surface and is actuatable between a first device position and a second device position. A plurality of linkages are positioned within the cavity. At least one of the plurality of linkages is coupled to a power source for actuating the plurality of linkages and at least one of the plurality of linkages is coupled to the translatable cover and to the device. Thus, when the power source actuates the plurality of linkages, the translatable cover is translated relative to the mounting surface from a first cover position to a second cover position and the device is actuated from the first device position to the second device position.
US09718412B2

Adjustable portable device holder systems and methods are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, an adjustable portable device holder includes an adjustable clamping element and a rotatable mounting element attached to the adjustable clamping element for removably securing a portable device to the adjustable portable device holder.
US09718397B2

A system and method for configuring an indication device is described. An on-demand service system arranges a transport service for a user to be provided by a driver. The system determines whether the user has specified an output configuration for an indication device in an account of the user. In response to determining that the user has specified an output configuration for the indication device, the system identifies data corresponding to the output configuration and transmits the data to a driver device of the driver to enable the driver device to control the indication device of the driver based on the data.
US09718393B2

In a vehicle lamp, light emitting diodes that emit light are disposed on an inner side of a transparent surface cover. A conductive reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light emitting diodes toward the surface cover is provided between the light emitting diodes and the surface cover. The reflector is disposed so as to be in proximity to the light emitting diodes. A grounding connection terminal is provided on the reflector. The grounding connection terminal is connected to a vehicle body.
US09718379B2

A bracket (2) is provided for fastening to a bodyshell structure (6) of a motor vehicle. The bracket (2) is a bar that is bent to define first and second end sections (10, 28), first and second arcuate sections (11, 19) and a central section (18). The first end section (10) merges into the first arcuate section (11), the first arcuate section (11) merges into the central section (18), the central section (18) merges into the second arcuate section (19), and the second arcuate section (19) merges into a second end section (28). The end sections (10, 28) are parallel, and the central section (18) is perpendicular to the end sections (10, 28). Each arcuate section (11, 19) has plural partially arcuate sections (12, 14, 16, 20, 22, 24, 26), including one that is parallel to the central section (18).
US09718378B2

A method is provided for controlling a longitudinally adjustable and rotatable vehicle seat with upper rails guided in lower rails, motors for respectively driving the upper rails and a seat shell. An aligned displacement of the upper rails relative to the lower rails displaces the seat shell in a straight line. A displacement of the first upper rail relative to the second upper rail rotates the seat shell about a vertical axis. An initial position is stored. The seat shell is moved in a straight line out of the initial position into a starting position. From the starting position the seat shell is rotated by a first angle into an intermediate position. The seat shell is moved in a straight line in the direction of travel into a first central position. The seat shell is rotated by a second angle into an end position.
US09718371B2

A computer program product for recharging a number of battery electric vehicles includes computer usable program code. The computer usable program code is configured to receive, from the number of battery electric vehicles that are to recharge at a number of recharging stations, usage data. The usage data includes a current charge level, a current location, and a planned itinerary that includes a destination. The computer usable program code is configured to determine anticipated electrical loads in the number of sectors of the electrical grid system based on the usage data of the number of battery electric vehicles. The computer usable program code is configured to redistribute the electrical supply on the electrical grid system to at least one recharging station of the number of recharging stations based on the anticipated electrical loads, prior to actual usage defined by the usage data by the number of battery electrical vehicles.
US09718370B2

Systems and methods for charging an electric battery of a vehicle are provided. The vehicle includes a battery for powering an electric motor of the vehicle. A controller of the vehicle is provided to interface with a battery and to enable control of charging of the battery. The vehicle includes a communications interface for enabling wireless communication with a server, and the server is configured to manage a plurality of user accounts for users. The server is one of a plurality of servers, and the servers providing access to cloud services regarding vehicle use and metrics.
US09718360B2

A vehicle, a vehicle display device, and a method for controlling the vehicle display device are disclosed. The vehicle display device includes a display unit and a controller. The display unit displays a wide screen that is divided into a main display region and an auxiliary display region. The controller displays a first visual interface on the main display region, decides the second visual interface for performing a process different from that of the first visual interface according to the first visual interface, and displays auxiliary information related to the second visual interface on the auxiliary display region.
US09718357B2

A vehicular accessory system includes an attachment element adhered at an interior surface of a windshield of a vehicle and an accessory assembly attached to the attachment element. The accessory assembly includes circuitry disposed in the housing, the circuitry including a video camera. The video camera, when the accessory assembly is attached to the attachment element, has a field of view into the interior of the vehicle that encompasses the head of a potential driver of the vehicle. The video camera captures an image of the face of the potential driver and, responsive to image processing by image recognition software of the vehicular accessory system, the vehicular accessory system determines that the potential driver is an authorized driver who is authorized to operate the vehicle and, responsive to this determination, enables the ignition system to allow the motor of the vehicle be started.
US09718352B2

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a system. The system includes a first vehicle, a second vehicle, and an interface between the first vehicle and the second vehicle. The interface is configured to enable the transfer of mechanical power from the second vehicle to the first vehicle when the first vehicle and the second vehicle are stationary.
US09718351B2

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground-engaging members, a frame supported by the ground-engaging members, and a powertrain assembly. The powertrain assembly includes an engine, a shiftable transmission, a continuously variable transmission, and a charger. Additionally, the utility vehicle may include a cooling assembly fluidly coupled to at least the engine and the charger.
US09718347B2

A fueling device comprises a passage-forming member, an opening-forming member configured to form an opening, a filler port open-close mechanism that includes an open-close member configured to open and close the opening, a screwing mechanism that includes an outer circumferential threaded section and an inner circumferential threaded section and a gasket placed between the opening-forming member and the passage-forming member to seal between the opening-forming member and the passage-forming member, wherein the outer circumferential threaded section is provided on outer periphery of the passage-forming member, the inner circumferential threaded section is provided on the opening-forming member and screwed to the outer circumferential threaded section, the opening-forming member is attached to the passage-forming member by screwing the outer circumferential threaded section to the inner circumferential threaded section.
US09718344B2

A hybrid vehicle powertrain includes an internal combustion engine, an electric traction motor and a transmission. A first flexible coupling drivingly connects the internal combustion engine to the transmission, and a second flexible coupling drivingly connects the electric traction motor to the transmission.
US09718339B2

A molded pocket of a cover for a transportation vehicle is provided including a body having a complementary upper portion and lower portion configured to define a cavity. A feature of the transportation vehicle is received within the cavity. The lower portion of the body is affixed to the cover. A coupling mechanism is configured to selectively couple at least a part of the upper portion and the lower portion of the body to transform the body between an open position and a closed position.
US09718333B2

Provided is a water discharge structure for a sunroof device, the water discharge structure being capable of suitably preventing rainwater, etc. from penetrating a stationary roof. A water discharge structure for a sunroof device is configured so as to comprise: a panel body for closing an opening formed in the stationary roof of a vehicle; frame members arranged along edges of the stationary roof and provided with water discharge grooves; brackets mounted to the frame members and supporting the panel body; and water discharge guide plates disposed between the panel body and the brackets and conducting rainwater etc., which have entered along the seal surfaces between the panel body and the edges of the stationary roof, to the water discharge grooves.
US09718331B2

Provided is a vehicle door structure that enables manufacturing cost reduction and weight reduction. A vehicle door structure 1 includes a lock mechanism 40. The lock mechanism 40 locks sliding of a slide door 6 in a fully closed position in which the slide door 6 closes a door opening portion 4 and in a fully open position in which the slide door 6 fully opens the door opening portion 4. The lock mechanism 40 includes the portion to be locked 50 provided to the guided body 18 and the locking portions 60 and 70 provided to the slide rail 17. The portion to be locked 50 protrudes toward the locking portions 60 and 70 and is locked by the locking portions 60 and 70 in the fully closed position or the fully open position.
US09718326B2

A device comprising a first storage compartment, an inlet pipe connected to the storage compartment, the inlet pipe adapted to deliver conditioned air from a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of a motor vehicle to the storage compartment, a first outlet pipe connected to the storage compartment for directing the conditioned air back into the HVAC system, a second storage compartment, and a second outlet pipe connected to the second storage compartment for directing the conditioned air into the second storage compartment.
US09718324B2

A damper control device includes a speed conversion unit configured to convert a damper speed to a control damper speed, and if the damper is accelerating, the damper speed is converted so that signs of the control damper speed and the damper speed accord with each other and an absolute value of the control damper speed becomes an absolute value of the damper speed or more, and if the damper is decelerating, the damper speed is converted so that the signs of the control damper speed and the damper speed accord with each other and the absolute value of the control damper speed becomes the absolute value of the damper speed or less, and a damping force of the damper is controlled by using the control damper speed.
US09718318B2

An apparatus for applying chains to a tire comprises an elongate member having c-shaped opening at a first end thereof and a handle at a second end thereof. The apparatus further includes a slot therethrough adapted to support a key rotatable between a first position contained within the slot and a second position extending perpendicularly from the slot. A method of applying tire chains comprises comprising engaging a link of a tire chain within the c-shaped opening and drawing the link of the tire chain into engagement with a binder located at a distal end of the tire chain. The method further comprises locating the binder within the c-shaped opening, rotating the binder into a closed position with the elongate member, rotating a key out of the slot, engaging the key within a lock in the tire chain and locking the tire chain with the key.
US09718316B2

The invention relates to a universal monitoring device for monitoring one or several state variables of a vehicle tire, comprising at least one sensor for detecting a state variable of the vehicle tire; at least one transmitter for transmitting a wireless coded signal depending on the detected state variable; at least one control apparatus which is in connection with the sensor and the transmitter in order to control the detection of the state variable and the transmission of the signal, wherein a memory is assigned to the control apparatus or is integrated therein, in which a computer program which is executable by the control apparatus is stored, which controls the detection of the state variable and the transmission of the signal. The invention is characterized in that the computer program comprises a plurality of functional modules which can be activated individually or in groups and which are designed to change the content and the coding of the signal to be transmitted depending on their activation or deactivation, a receiver is assigned to the control apparatus for receiving a parameter set, the memory is designed for storing the parameter set received by the receiver, and the computer program is designed to activate and deactivate its functional modules depending on parameters of the stored parameter set, and to determine the change in the content and the coding of the signal to be transmitted by the functional modules depending on parameters of the stored parameter set.
US09718312B2

A tire with a radial carcass reinforcement, having a crown reinforcement, itself capped radially by a tread connected to two beads by two sidewalls, the tread having at least two layers of blended elastomeric compounds that are radially superposed and have a voids ratio that is lower in the central part than at the axially outer parts. A first layer of blended elastomeric compounds of the tread is made up of a first blended elastomeric compound forming a part extending at least into the region of the equatorial plane and of at least two axially outer parts formed of a second blended elastomeric compound, the first blended elastomeric compound having a macro dispersion Z-value higher than 65 and a maximum tan(δ) value, denoted tan(δ)max, lower than 0.120, and the complex dynamic shear modulus G* 1% at 100° C. of the second blended elastomeric compound having a value at least 10% higher than that of the complex dynamic shear modulus G* 1% at 100° C. of the first blended elastomeric compound.
US09718311B2

A pneumatic tire includes: an inner liner having a thermoplastic resin film, a carcass, and an adhesive layer disposed between the inner liner and the carcass, in which the dynamic storage modulus E's at −20° C. of the thermoplastic resin film, the adhesive layer, and the carcass are defined as E1′, E2′, and E3′, respectively, and the relationship among E1′, E2′, and E3′ satisfies E1′>E2′>E3′. This pneumatic tire has excellent anti-crack property in a low-temperature environment of the inner liner.
US09718309B2

The invention relates to a tire provided with a tread, said tread comprising a rubber composition based on at least one diene elastomer, a zinc diacrylate derivative in the form of a zinc salt in which R1, R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or a C1-C7 hydrocarbon group selected from linear, branched or cyclic alkyl groups, aralkyl groups, alkylaryl groups and aryl groups, which are optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms, R2 and R3 being able to form together a non-aromatic ring, and a peroxide. The contents of zinc diacrylate derivative and peroxide are such that the ratio of the peroxide content to the zinc diacrylate derivative content is less than or equal to 0.09, said composition comprising no reinforcing filler or comprising less than 50 phr thereof, the ratio of the filler content to the zinc diacrylate derivative content being less than or equal to 2.
US09718307B2

Disclosed herein is a tire handler for the movement and manipulation of tires and wheels for large vehicles. The tire handler is lifted by a crane or similar hoisting equipment. The tire handler comprises improvements including an automatic leveling system, power adjustable tire control and support arms, and wireless remote operation of powered functions.
US09718303B2

This document describes systems and processes for forming improved synthetic molded slabs suitable for use in living or working spaces (e.g., along a countertop, table, floor, or the like).
US09718299B2

Disclosed are a method and/or a system of a flippable board. In one aspect, the flippable board includes a track capable of attaching to a surface, a first hinge component and a second hinge component attached to the track, and a frame attached to the first and second hinge components along a first vertical end of the frame. The first and second hinge components allow the frame to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The flippable board further includes an adjustable left magnet and adjustable right magnet attached to the first and/or second hinge component, and at least one metal sleeve attached to a second vertical end of the frame capable of connecting to the left magnet and/or right magnet of a secondary flippable board and/or an adjustable surface magnet in order to secure the flippable board in the open and/or closed position.
US09718295B2

Provided is an image transfer material, comprising a support, optionally at least one barrier layer, a melt transfer layer, and an image receiving layer. Also provided is a process for preparing the image transfer material. Further provided is a heat transfer process using the disclosed material. In the heat transfer process, after imaging, the image receiving layer and melt transfer layer are peeled away from the optionally barrier-coated support material and placed, preferably image side up, on top of a receptor element. A non-stick sheet is then optionally placed over the imaged peeled material and heat is applied to the top of the optional non stick sheet. The melt transfer layer then melts and adheres the image to the receptor element. A composition comprising: at least one self-crosslinking polymer, and at least one dye retention aid.
US09718293B1

An embossing seal has a base, a die assembly, a driven shaft assembly, a restoring member, and a pressing handle. The die assembly is mounted in the base. The driven shaft assembly is movably mounted in the base, abuts the die assembly, and has a lower shaft unit, an upper shaft unit, and a cushion member, so as to perform two embossing steps. The restoring member is mounted in the base and abuts the base and the upper shaft unit. The pressing handle is pivotally coupled to the base and abuts the upper shaft unit. With the upper shaft unit driving the lower shaft unit via the cushion member, discomfort to the wrist and elbow of a user can be reduced.
US09718291B2

A printing assembly comprises a medium support surface, a guide assembly and a carriage support structure for moveably supporting a print head carriage on the guide assembly. The guide assembly is arranged to move the print head carriage in a carriage plane, which carriage plane is parallel to the medium support surface. The guide assembly comprises a guide beam; and a guide rail arranged on the guide beam. The guide rail and the guide beam each extend in a scanning direction. The printer carriage support structure comprises a guide frame arranged on the guide rail and the guide frame is moveable in the scanning direction and extends in the scanning direction between a first support position and a second support position. The guide frame is supported on the guide rail at said first support position and at said second support position. A carriage frame is moveably supported on the guide rail through the guide frame. The carriage frame is coupled to the guide frame such that the carriage frame is moveable relative to the guide frame in the carriage plane.
US09718284B2

A sheet ejecting device having a first ejection tray, a first ejection roller to eject the sheet to the first ejection tray, a second ejection tray in a position above the first ejection tray, a second ejection roller to eject the sheet to the second ejection tray, and a first guide and a second guide disposed in widthwise end portions on a lower surface of the second ejection tray, is provided. The first guide and the second guide are configured to contact widthwise end portions of the sheet ejected by the first ejection roller and guide the widthwise end portions of the sheet downward.
US09718277B2

To solve the problem of a liquid supply unit of the related art in that liquid supply may become difficult.The invention provides a tank capable of supplying a liquid to a liquid ejection head, the tank including: a liquid containing portion capable of containing the liquid; and an atmospheric air introducing portion constituting an atmospheric air flow channel capable of introducing atmospheric air into the liquid containing portion, wherein the atmospheric air introducing portion includes a buffer chamber capable of containing the atmospheric air, a liquid retaining member is housed in the buffer chamber, and in a state in which the liquid retaining member is housed in the buffer chamber, a gap that allows the atmospheric air to move between a first communication port and a second communication port of the atmospheric air flow channel is provided within the buffer chamber.
US09718268B1

A printing system comprising two or more groups of ink, wherein each group of ink includes ink based upon a unique formulation. This enables a user to select an ink type for printing an image without requiring extra printers or replacement of printing components. Additionally, the user can print a single image using inks of two different base formulations. The system comprises at least two groups of ink storage containers, each group containing a group of ink volumes, each group of ink volumes having a unique ink base formulation. The system further comprises at least two groups of ink formulation specific print heads, each group being associated with the compatible ink formulation. A controller enables the user to selectively print an image using ink having one or more ink base formulations. The system can use any configuration of ink storage configurations and print heads arrangements.
Patent Agency Ranking