US09909543B2

An air intake system for a work vehicle may generally include an intake duct defining a passageway for directing air in a flow direction through the system. The duct may also include a pre-cleaner slot defined between inner and outer surfaces of the duct and a support ledge extending circumferentially around at least a portion of an inner perimeter of the duct. The system may also include a pre-cleaner configured to be installed within the intake duct by inserting the pre-cleaner through the pre-cleaner slot in a direction extending generally perpendicular to the flow direction. In addition, the air intake system may include a cover configured to be coupled to the intake duct such that the cover extends over the pre-cleaner slot when the pre-cleaner is installed within the intake duct.
US09909537B2

A gas injector, for injecting gaseous fuel, includes a valve body having a first valve seat and a second valve seat, and a closing element, which has a first sealing region, a second sealing region, a hollow region, which is delimited by a bottom and a wall, and an outlet opening configured in the bottom, the first valve seat sealing at the first sealing region, and the second valve seat sealing at the second sealing region, and at least one through opening being provided in the wall of the closing element, so that the gaseous fuel is able to be expelled both from the inner hollow region and the outer region of the closing element.
US09909531B2

A thrust reverser actuation system for a jet engine having a turbine engine surrounded by a nacelle to define an annular air flow path between the turbine engine and the nacelle, with a thrust reverser having a movable element to reverse the direction of at least a portion of the air flow along the air flow path, where the thrust reverser actuation system includes a hydraulic actuator configured to be operably coupled to the movable element, and a remote actuator that controls the inhibit function of the hydraulic system.
US09909522B2

An illustrative example method of controlling an engine of a vehicle, includes determining a target pressure curve for a cylinder of the engine for a first combustion cycle, determining a heat release model for the cylinder for the first combustion cycle, determining a mass flow of fuel from the heat release model to achieve the target pressure curve during the first combustion cycle, and automatically controlling opening of an injector of the cylinder of the engine during the first combustion cycle to provide the determined mass flow of fuel to the cylinder. The method includes determining a real pressure curve during the first combustion cycle and automatically adjusting at least one of the heat release model or the mass flow for a second, subsequent combustion cycle based on a difference between the target pressure curve and the real pressure curve.
US09909519B2

An internal combustion engine system includes: an in-cylinder pressure sensor; a crank angle sensor; and a seal portion that seals a space between an outer face of a housing and a wall surface of a cylinder head. A slope that is a ratio of the amount of decrease in a heat release amount relative to the amount of increase in a crank angle is calculated in a period during an expansion stroke from a combustion end point until an opening timing of an exhaust valve. The existence or nonexistence of an abnormality in the sealing function of the seal portion is determined based on whether or not a ratio of the amount of decrease in the slope to the amount of increase in an engine speed is greater than a threshold value.
US09909508B2

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to a system including: a computing device in communication with a combustion system, wherein the computing device is configured to perform actions including: issuing an input to the combustion system; determining whether one of a dynamic output and an emission output corresponding to the input to the combustion system exceeds a first boundary condition; and adjusting the input to the combustion system by one of a first step change and a second step change; wherein the first step change corresponds to the dynamic output and the emission output not exceeding the first boundary condition, and the second step change corresponds to one of the dynamic output and the emission output exceeding the first boundary condition, the second step change being less than the first step change.
US09909501B2

An acoustic structure for a gas turbine engine comprising a noise reduction layer and a fire protector layer connected to the noise reduction layer. The noise reduction includes a perforated inner wall adapted to be in contact with a first fluidic environment, and a noise reduction adjacent to the inner wall. The fire protector layer includes a non-perforated outer wall adapted to be in contact with a second fluidic environment having potentially a fire, a fire protector adjacent to the outer wall, and a pressure resisting wall disposed between the fire protector and the noise reduction. The second fluidic environment is under a pressure lower than a pressure of the first fluidic environment. The inner and outer walls are load-bearing walls of the acoustic structure.
US09909500B2

A self-purge system includes an additively manufactured purge valve assembly in communication with a fuel passage to selectively purge the fuel passage.
US09909492B2

An opposed-piston engine that forms an inviscid layer between pistons and the respective cylinder walls. In an aspect, the opposed-piston engine utilizes a Scotch yoke assembly that includes rigidly connected opposed combustion pistons. In an aspect, the Scotch yoke assembly is configured to transfer power from the combustion pistons to a crankshaft assembly. In an aspect, the crankshaft assembly can be configured to have dual flywheels that are internal to the engine, and can be configured to assist with an exhaust system, a detonation system, and/or a lubrication system.
US09909489B1

An internal combustion engine may have an engine block having a plurality of cylinders. The internal combustion engine may also have a piston reciprocatingly mounted with each cylinder and defining a combustion chamber therebetween. The internal combustion engine may also be configured with a fuel injector communicating fuel to the combustion chamber, the fuel creating a plurality of flame plumes when ignited. The internal combustion engine may also have a piston crown extending from the piston and defining a piston bowl, the piston crown including a circumferential wall terminating in a top ledge. Further, the internal combustion engine may include a plurality of fluid passageways in the piston crown, each fluid passageway including an ingress in the top ledge and an egress in the circumferential wall proximate the piston bowl.
US09909476B2

A method and system for controlling an exhaust gas flow in an engine system are provided. The method includes detecting operating conditions of an engine and operating a valve that is disposed on a line bypassing a catalyst unit based on the operating conditions such that exhaust gas bypasses the catalyst unit. The operating conditions include a vehicle speed, an engine rotation speed, a fuel injection amount, an accelerator pedal signal, a coolant temperature, or a lambda value of exhaust gas.
US09909475B2

There is provided an EGR cooler having a core portion in which a large number of flat tubes through which exhaust gases pass are stacked one on another in an interior of a hollow cylindrical shell to be joined to the shell for heat exchange between the exhaust gases and a cooling fluid which flows around the tubes, a cylindrical inlet header which is joined to an upstream side of the shell in relation to a gas flow at one end thereof, and a cylindrical outlet header which is joined to a downstream side of the core portion in relation to the gas flow at one end thereof, characterized in that the inlet header and the outlet header are joined to an outer surface of the shell, and the tubes are joined to an inner surface of the shell at those joint portions.
US09909471B2

An acoustic panel is provided that includes a first layer, a perforated second layer, a core and a noise attenuating feature. The core forms a chamber between the first and the second layers. The noise attenuating feature projects partially into the chamber. The noise attenuating feature is formed integral with the first layer, the second layer and/or the core.
US09909470B2

A crankcase ventilation system for a turbocharged engine has full bi-directional flow for an idle state and a boosted state. A PCV valve provides air flow from the crankcase to the intake manifold in the idle state. A restriction in a first vent line limits fresh air into the crankcase in the idle state. A PCV bypass permits a one-way flow into the crankcase via a second vent line bypassing the PCV valve in the boosted state. A pressure relief valve in communication with the first vent line is configured to bypass the restriction in the boosted state when a pressure in the crankcase exceeds a threshold pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the PCV bypass is configured to bypass both the PCV valve and a pull separator (i.e., oil separator at the second vent line) in the boosted state.
US09909461B2

A waste heat recovery system is disclosed. The waste heat recovery system may include a turbine expander. The turbine expander may include a turbine blade rotatably coupled to a shaft and the shaft may be rotatably engaged with a nozzle ring. The nozzle ring may include a de Laval-nozzle. The waste heat recovery system may additionally include a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor may be located fluidly upstream of the de Laval-nozzle and fluidly downstream of an evaporator. The pressure sensor may be configured to measure pressure of a working fluid and transmit a working fluid pressure signal. Further, the waste heat recovery system may include an electronic controller. The electronic controller may be configured to receive the working fluid pressure signal and transmit a working fluid flowrate adjustment signal in response to the working fluid pressure signal.
US09909458B2

A method for installing a mounting hole through a wall of a fan case of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) installing a pilot hole through the wall of the fan case at an angle perpendicular to an outer surface of the wall, 2) inserting a boss through the pilot hole, 3) bonding the boss to the wall of the fan case, and 4) installing the mounting hole through the boss at an off-axis angle with respect to the angle perpendicular to the outer surface of the wall.
US09909454B2

An exhaust-gas turbocharger (1) having a compressor (2) which has a compressor housing (3), a turbine (4) which has a turbine housing (5), a bearing housing (6) between the compressor housing (3) and the turbine housing (5), and a control capsule (7) which has a housing (8) on which is provided a retaining device (9) which interacts with a fastening device (10) on the turbocharger in order to fix the control capsule (6) to the compressor housing (3), the turbine housing (5) or the bearing housing (6). The retaining device (9) is arranged on an outer circumferential region (11) of the control capsule (7), and the fastening device (10) fixes the retaining device (9) in a non-positively locking manner.
US09909447B2

A method for manufacturing a turbomachine casing from composite material including: creating a semi-rigid protective layer from dry glass fibers that protects against galvanic corrosion, arranging the protective layer on a profiled mandrel by applying the protective layer against the annular radial flange thereof, forming and densifying the fibrous reinforcement on the mandrel while covering the protective layer.
US09909445B2

A system is provided for a turbine engine. The system includes a rotor assembly and a monitoring system. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor blades connected to a shaft. The monitoring system includes a processing system. This processing system is adapted to receive blade data indicative of a rotational position of at least a first of the rotor blades. The processing system is also adapted to process shaft data with the blade data to provide torque data indicative of a torque to which at least a portion of the rotor assembly is being subjected, where the shaft data is indicative of a rotational position of the shaft.
US09909444B2

A turbomachine fitted with a device for gathering the information recorded during operation of the former by a strain gauge positioned on a fan blade borne by a fan disc of the turbomachine, the device including a hollow cylindrical pipe positioned inside one of the rotating shafts of the turbomachine in order to guide at least one wire for transmitting this information, wherein the device further includes a part for attaching the pipe to the rotating shaft.
US09909440B2

A seal for a turbomachine is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a rotatable shaft having a stepped outer circumferential surface that defines one or more annular protrusions axially-spaced thereon. A seal is radially-offset from the rotatable shaft and has one or more annular recesses that extend radially-outward from the inner circumferential surface of the seal. A plurality of holes are defined in both the inner circumferential surface and the one or more annular recesses of the seal, the one or more annular recesses being axially-spaced from each other and configured to receive the one or more annular protrusions in an interlocking fit.
US09909428B2

Turbine buckets include a pressure side, a suction side opposite the pressure side, and a bucket squealer tip attached to the pressure side and the suction side. The bucket squealer tip includes a plurality of high hot hardness shroud-cutting deposits deposited on its exterior surface that have a hardness of at least about 1100 kg mm−2 and a melting temperature of at least about 1500° C.
US09909427B2

One aspect of the disclosure provides for a turbine airfoil. The turbine airfoil may include a trailing edge having: a set of cooling channels having a first cooling channel fluidly connected to a second cooling channel; a first section having a first pin bank cooling arrangement, the first section fluidly connected to the first cooling channel; a second section having a second pin bank cooling arrangement, the second section fluidly connected to the second cooling channel and being radially inward of the first section; and a pressure side panel having a third pin bank cooling arrangement, the pressure side panel fluidly connected to the first cooling channel.
US09909409B2

A method of determining the in situ pressure of a light hydrocarbon in a shale source rock formation comprising: providing an inclusion comprising the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion; using Raman spectroscopy to determine the density and composition of the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion; and calculating a pressure of the light hydrocarbon in the shale source rock formation based upon the density and composition of the light hydrocarbon trapped within the inclusion.
US09909406B2

A system and a method to providing a drilling service are described. The system includes a processor to identify two or more tasks associated with the service and one or more procedures associated with each of the one or more tasks. The system also includes an output interface to output commands to complete the one or more procedures associated with each of the two or more tasks, the commands being directed to actors that complete the one or more procedures, the actors including a downhole tool, a surface tool, or a human operator.
US09909404B2

Compositions include (1) aggregating compositions capable of forming deformable partial or complete coatings on formation surfaces, formation particle surfaces, downhole fluid solid surfaces, and/or proppant surfaces, where the coatings increase aggregation and/or agglomeration propensities of the particles and surfaces to form particles clusters or pillars having deformable coatings, and (2) aggregation stabilizing and/or strengthening compositions capable of altering properties of the coated clusters or pillars to form consolidated, stabilized, and/or strengthened clusters or pillars. Methods for stabilizing aggregated particle clusters or pillars include (1) treating the particles with an aggregating composition to form aggregated clusters or pillars and (2) treating the aggregated particle clusters or pillars with a stabilizing or strengthening composition to form consolidated, stabilized, and/or strengthened clusters or pillars.
US09909396B2

A system for use with a subterranean well can include a tubular string with a fluid discharge apparatus, the fluid discharge apparatus including a curved flow path which directs a fluid to flow less toward a structure external to the tubular string. A fluid discharge apparatus can include a generally tubular housing having a longitudinal axis, and at least one curved flow path which directs fluid to flow more parallel to the longitudinal axis from an interior of the housing to an exterior of the housing. A method of mitigating erosion of a structure external to a discharge port in a well can include directing a fluid to flow through a curved flow path, thereby reducing impingement of the fluid on the structure in the well.
US09909394B1

A gripper assembly for gripping coiled tubing with lower and upper ball carriers. A first gripper portion and a second gripper portion each have a channel for a bore through the gripper portions. Gripper portions can rotate in relation to each other. Rotation causes the gripper portion to close around an object that passes through the bore. With a translational force, the gripper portions rotate relative to each other to grasp an object.
US09909389B2

A flapper valve includes a body having first and second end, and a flapper pivotably coupled to the body and movable between a closed position, where the flapper prevents fluid flow through the body, and an open position, where fluid flow is allowed through the body. A first torsion spring is coupled to the body at the second end and provides a spring arm that engages and urges the flapper to the closed position. A support beam is coupled to the body and includes an axial extension that extends axially past the second end. A closure beam having a first beam end is pivotably coupled to the axial extension and a second beam end is engageable with the flapper. A second torsion spring is coupled to the axial extension and engageable with the closure beam to urge the closure beam into engagement with the flapper.
US09909388B2

A valve can include a closure device which selectively permits and prevents fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the valve, an incremental displacement device which incrementally displaces the closure device in response to pressure differentials between the interior and the exterior of the valve, and an accelerator device which accelerates displacement of the closure device in response to a predetermined pattern of the pressure differentials. A method of operating a valve in a well can include applying a predetermined pattern of pressure differentials between an interior and an exterior of a tubular string in which the valve is connected, thereby incrementally displacing a closure device of the valve, and accelerating displacement of the closure device in response to the predetermined pattern of pressure differentials, thereby displacing the closure device to a selected one of an open and a closed position.
US09909387B2

Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a semi-autonomous insert valve. The semi-autonomous insert valve includes a body, a closure mechanism coupled to the body, an autonomous actuation mechanism coupled to the body, and a control system disposed in the body. The body engages an inner wall of a subsurface safety valve and causes a subsurface safety valve closure mechanism to open, allowing fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The closure mechanism selectively allows fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The autonomous actuation mechanism actuates the closure mechanism independently from a subsurface safety valve actuation mechanism that actuates the subsurface safety valve closure mechanism. The control sub-system includes one or more transceiving devices that can wirelessly communicate signals. The control sub-system closes the closure mechanism in response to losing signal communication between the transceiving devices and a signal source.
US09909382B2

In some embodiments, a subsurface wiping plug apparatus includes an internal bore that extends for less than a length of the apparatus. A ported case encloses internal components of the apparatus such that each port of the case is configured to couple the internal bore to an external side of the case. A plug capsule is coupled to an end of the ported case. The plug capsule contains an internal wiping plug that is releasable by internal pressure.
US09909373B2

An apparatus and method to raise and lower a well rod string is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate that engages a temporary polished rod clamp and lifting means and legs affixed to a well head. The lifting means provide elevation of the well rod string to adjust the position of the polished rod clamp relative to the carrier bar of a pumping unit.
US09909364B2

In order to control the light or air permeability of an elastic extensible screen (1) disposed between an area to be protected and an external area, and having a permeability that varies with a pulling force exerted on the screen, a motorized mechanism (3) adjusts the pulling force on the screen in response to a setpoint signal, which can be determined on the basis of one or a plurality of signals from one or a plurality of sensors (12, 14, 15), in particular light sensors.
US09909361B2

A covering for an architectural covering is provided. The covering may include a rotatable outer roller, a rotatable inner roller, a first shade secured to the outer roller, and a second shade secured to the inner roller. The outer roller may define an elongated slot extending along a length of the outer roller and opening to an interior of the outer roller. The inner roller may be received within the outer roller and may define a central longitudinal axis. The first shade may be retractable onto and extendable from the outer roller. The second shade may extend through the elongated slot and may be retractable onto and extendable from the inner roller. The elongated slot may be substantially horizontally aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the inner roller when the first shade is in a fully extended position.
US09909355B1

A cover is provided to protect steps leading to a cab of a vehicle from accumulation of mud, snow, ice and other debris when the vehicle is driven. The cover is pivotally mounted for movement between an open position allowing a vehicle operator to climb the steps and a closed position covering the steps from top to bottom to maintain cleanliness of the steps as the vehicle is driven. The cover can be opened and closed from the top of the steps, either manually or with an actuator. The cover is normally closed when the vehicle is moving and open when the vehicle is stationary.
US09909354B1

A door apparatus includes a door frame, a boom mounted rotatably to the door frame, a truck mounted reciprocally to the boom, and a door mounted rotatably to the truck. The door is in a closed position received by the door frame, when the boom is rotated toward the door frame and the Door is rotated to an infacing position relative to the door frame. The door is in an open position withdrawn from the door frame, when the boom is rotated away from the door frame. The truck is disabled from reciprocating along the boom and the door is disabled from rotating, when the door is in the closed position. The truck is enabled for reciprocating along the boom and the door is enabled for rotating, when the door is in the open position.
US09909350B2

The purpose of this invention is to provide a vehicular reflective optical sensor that has improved control reliability. Said vehicular reflective optical sensor is provided with a control unit (6) that: emits detection light (3) at prescribed intervals from a light-emitting unit (2) on an exterior panel of a vehicle towards a detection region (1) set outside said vehicle; tests for a threshold-exceeded state in which the amount of light in a light reflection (4) received from the detection region (1) by a light-receiving unit (5) exceeds a prescribed detection threshold; and, if it is detected that a detection target has entered the detection region (1), outputs a detection-confirmation signal. The control unit (6) uses, as the aforementioned detection threshold, the sum of a predetermined fixed value and an adjustment value comprising a summary statistic for the amounts of light in an appropriate number of light reflections (4) preceding the light reflection (4) on which the comparison is being performed.
US09909349B2

A system for monitoring a vehicle used in providing a service is disclosed. The system detects when the service is complete, and upon detecting that the service is complete, the system determines, from one or more sensors of the vehicle, that an object which should have been removed from the vehicle after completion of the transport service, remains in the vehicle. The system then automatically initiates performance of a remedial action.
US09909348B2

A leaf, of a sliding window or sliding door, has a top profile that is provided with at least one hardware component and which has a side profile perpendicular to the top profile, whereby the top of the top profile has a groove with undercut flanks extending in the longitudinal direction of the top profile, whereby the hardware component or hardware components is or are fastened to a first part of a connecting piece, whereby the first part has a shape that is at least partly complementary to the groove, the first part being held in the groove and locked in the longitudinal direction of the groove.
US09909335B2

Buckling restrained braces may include a core rod and a buckling restraining tube concentrically surrounding at least a majority of a longitudinal length of the core rod. The buckling restraining tube may be configured to inhibit buckling of the core rod upon compressive loading of the core rod. An end plate assembly may be attached, and longitudinally movable with respect, to an end of the core rod, the end plate assembly being located at a longitudinal end of the buckling restrained brace. A sleeve member may concentrically surround an end of the buckling restraining tube, the sleeve member affixed to the end plate assembly. A spring may be located laterally between the core rod and the sleeve member of the end plate assembly and longitudinally between, and in contact with, an end of the buckling restraining tube and a portion of the end plate assembly.
US09909330B2

The present apparatus and method relates in general to sealing a hole in a floor with a precast plug. A precast plug is created by pouring a wet aggregate mix into a form mold and thereafter inserting a pre formed rod into the uncured mixture, positioning it such that the center of the rod rests in the center of the form mold and the ends of the rod extend outward near the top of the form mold. The mix is then cured. The precast plug may then be transported to the hole that it is destined to fix. Grooves may be carved on either side of the hole to accommodate the rod's ends. The interior of the hole and the exterior of the plug may then be covered with a sealant, after which the plug may be inserted into the hole. Once the sealant cures, the hole is fully repaired.
US09909314B2

The elongated double-fold foldable structural truss has a quadrilateral framework extending along a longitudinal direction. It includes four chord beam units disposed parallel to one another. Each chord beam unit includes two spaced-apart and juxtaposed beams running parallel to one another. The beams define between them a first open channel that is opened on one of the inner sides of the chord beam unit. The structural truss further includes four web units having brace members. The brace members of at least two of the web units are telescopic. The telescopic brace members are all in their extended position when the structural truss is in its unfolded position and being all in their retracted position when the structural truss is in its folded position. The foldable structural truss is very compact in its folded position.
US09909311B2

A ceiling system includes a grid support member, and first and second ceiling panels abutted at a joint. In the factory-supplied condition, each panel has a facing sheet already adhesively bonded to a central region of the panel. Perimeter portions of the facing are left un-bonded to an annular peripheral region of the surface surrounding the central region. This allows seams to be made in the field. The facing sheet comprises a cantilevered flap extending beyond a peripheral edge of the panel. During field installation, the flap of a first panel extends across the joint overlapping the second panel's un-bonded facing sheet in the peripheral region. The double thickness of facings is cut to form a seam laterally offset from the joint, which is concealed. A field applied or activated adhesive bonds the facing to the peripheral regions of each panel. A related installation method is disclosed.
US09909310B2

An acoustical tile having a wet laid mineral fiber basemat, a non-woven porous fiberglass veil adhered to the basemat and covered with a light reflecting air permeable coating, at least 90% of the weight of the basemat comprising mineral wool and binder, a weight of the binder being less than 1/11 of the weight of the mineral fiber, the basemat having a density of between about 11.4 and about 14.2 lbs/cubic foot, the mineral fiber having an average diameter of between 4.5 and 8.3 microns, the composite of the basemat, veil and coating exhibiting good NRC and CAC performance values.
US09909301B2

A method and apparatus for making a water drainage-promoting wrap for applications such as housewrap and roofing underlayment. A substrate, which may be breathable or non-breathable, is conveyed through a nip between a rotating sleeve and a roll, the sleeve having a plurality of apertures therein. A fluid resin composition is fed into the sleeve and is fed out through the apertures in the sleeve as it rotates and as the substrate moves through the nip, forming spaced-apart spacer elements on a face of the substrate. The spacer elements are then dried or cured.
US09909299B2

Pins are stored on a truss body and are used to secure connections between separate truss bodies when creating a truss structure, which itself may act as a support for displays, lighting systems, and/or sound systems. Each of the pins is tethered to a pin holder so as not to be lost or damaged. The pin holder retains the pins on the truss body and thereby reduces the likelihood of collisions that occur between the tethered pins and truss members while the truss assembly is in transit. This in turn increases the likelihood that the structural integrity of the pins, the truss members and the tether is maintained during transit. The pin holder and tether allow the correct number of pins to be shipped to the venue where the truss structure is to be constructed.
US09909293B2

A portable toilet particularly suited to be a roll-out toilet positions a toilet with its holding tank at a rear wall, a sink at an opposed front wall, a urinal on one of the side walls and an access door through the opposing sidewall to provide access to the enclosure formed by the, front, rear and side walls. By connecting the drain from the sink to the urinal so that the water draining from the sink must pass through the urinal and then pass from the urinal to a toilet holding tank via a drain line connecting the urinal to a toilet holding tank the sink drain water is collected and will tend to wash and thereby clean the urinal.
US09909287B2

A bath spout faucet assembly having a handle portion and a hub portion. The handle portion includes a bore disposed therein. The handle portion may also include a cylindrically-formed slot located around the bore. The hub portion is sized to fit into the cylindrically-formed slot of the handle portion. The cylindrically-formed hub portion forms an opening that is configured to be in communication with the bore in the handle portion, and is configured to receive a stem portion of a valve assembly. The bore in the handle portion is configured to receive the stem portion and the handle portion is configured to rotate the stem portion.
US09909281B2

In a backhoe that is a construction machine in which a swash plate angle of a variable capacity hydraulic pump driven by an engine is controlled based on a difference between an actual engine speed of the engine and a target engine speed calculated from an accelerator position, the engine is controlled through isochronous control when the actual engine speed of the engine is equal to or higher than a maximum torque engine speed with which a maximum torque of the engine is able to be output, and the engine is controlled through droop control when the actual engine speed of the engine is lower than the maximum torque engine speed with which the maximum torque of the engine is able to be output.
US09909267B1

This application is for an improved paver head for smoothing and finishing poured concrete surfaces. It includes a strike-off plow for initial leveling of concrete, an auger for mixing and smoothing surface imperfections, a roller for smoothing and leveling, and a finish blade for final surface finishing of a poured concrete surface.
US09909255B2

The object of the invention is a traction sheave elevator and a rope that contains metal as a load-bearing material, such as the suspension rope of an elevator, which rope comprises at least one or more strands laid from metal wires and which rope is lubricated with a lubricant. Another object is the use of the aforementioned lubricant for lubricating the rope. The lubricant comprises at least oil and thickener, which thickener in the lubricant comprises at least 10% or more of the mass of the lubricant.
US09909249B2

A laundry treating apparatus is provided that may include a laundry accommodation device that provides a space in which laundry is accommodated; a circulation passage provided outside of the laundry accommodation device, and providing a space in which air circulates to an inside of the laundry accommodation device; a heat exchanger provided in the circulation passage; a filter device provided in the circulation passage, that filters foreign materials introduced to the heat exchanger; and a washer provided between the heat exchanger and the filter device, that sprays washing water to each of the heat exchanger and the filter device.
US09909248B2

A washing machine appliance and lid assembly is provided. Washing machine may include a cabinet, a basket, and a door. The cabinet may define an opening. The basket may be mounted within the cabinet. The basket may define a wash chamber beneath the opening to receive one or more clothing articles to be washed. Door may be pivotally attached to the cabinet. The door may be selectively movable between an open position permitting access to the opening and a closed position restricting access to the opening. The door may include an integral frame and a discrete panel. The integral frame may define an aperture above the wash chamber.
US09909245B2

A method for controlling additive deposition in a washing machine appliance includes transmitting, after a first agitation of a load within a tub of the washing machine appliance, an additive deposition signal to a user of the washing machine appliance. The method further includes beginning a timer, the timer set to run for a predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether a door of the washing machine appliance has been opened after transmitting the additive deposition signal and during the predetermined time period. The method further includes determining whether the door has been closed when the door has been opened during the predetermined time period, and performing a second agitation of the load when the door has been closed. The method further includes performing the second agitation when the door has not been opened during the predetermined time period after the predetermined time period has been reached.
US09909240B2

Processes for preparing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers, and the fibers and articles produced therefrom. Exposed surfaces of the fibers are subjected to a treatment that enhances the surface energy at the fiber surfaces. Such treated surfaces are subsequently coated with a protective coating immediately after the treatment to increase the shelf life of the treatment. The coating comprises at least one poly(alkyl-oxide) polymer.
US09909235B2

A method for manufacturing a continuous carbon fiber from a precursor material. According to this method, a precursor material including a continuous natural fiber and carbon nanofillers is used, said natural fiber being obtained from at least one plant constituent such as a cellulose. A process for manufacturing a continuous carbon fiber from a precursor material, including a step of carbonization of said precursor material, in which the precursor material includes a continuous natural fiber and carbon nanofillers, said natural fiber being obtained from at least one plant constituent, wherein it also includes a step of sizing the precursor material before the carbonization step.
US09909234B2

A cellulose fiber can reduce environmental burden while providing an enhanced modulus of elasticity easily and reliably. A composite material contains the cellulose fiber. A method of producing the cellulose fiber includes preparing a solution where needle-shaped phases each comprising a cellulose I crystal structure are dispersed in a matrix phase comprising a cellulose II crystal structure. The cellulose fiber includes the matrix phase and the needle-shaped phases contained in the matrix phase and the needle-shaped phases are oriented along an axial direction.
US09909223B1

Provided are methods for producing expanded metal structures with solid margin separated by aperture regions, and applications thereof. The solid and aperture regions are formed by controlling the actuation of the punch sequence, including by the use of actuated and non-actuated regions along the metal sheet. By way of non-limiting examples, the solid margins facilitate uniform connections to form electrodes, e.g., for use in an electrolytic cell for a water purification system, or electrochemical processes in general, and they facilitate indexing of the expanded metal for downstream processing.
US09909218B2

A method and apparatus for local beam processing using a beam activated gas to etch material are described. Compounds are disclosed that are suitable for beam-induced etching. The invention is particularly suitable for electron beam induced etching of chromium materials on lithography masks. In one embodiment, a polar compound, such as ClNO2 gas, is activated by the electron beam to selectively etch a chromium material on a quartz substrate. By using an electron beam in place of an ion beam, many problems associated with ion beam mask repair, such as staining and riverbedding, are eliminated. Endpoint detection is not critical because the electron beam and gas will not etch significantly the substrate.
US09909206B2

Embodiments of process kits and process chambers incorporating same are provided herein. In some embodiments, a process kit includes a deposition ring configured to be disposed on a substrate support designed to support a substrate having a given width, including: an annular band configured to rest on a lower ledge of the substrate support; an inner lip extending upwardly from an inner edge of the annular band, wherein an inner surface of the inner lip and an inner surface of the annular band together form a central opening having a width that is less than the given width, and wherein a depth between an upper surface of the annular band and an upper surface of the inner lip is between about 24 mm and about 38 mm; a channel disposed radially outward of the annular band; and an outer lip extending upwardly and disposed radially outward of the channel.
US09909198B2

The low alloy steel for oil country tubular goods according to the present invention has a chemical composition containing, by mass percent, C: 0.56 to 1.00%, Si: 0.05 to 0.50%, Mn: 0.05 to 1.00%, P: at most 0.025%, S: at most 0.010%, Al: 0.005 to 0.100%, Mo: 0.40 to 1.00%, V: 0.05 to 0.30%, and O: at most 0.010%, the balance being Fe and impurities, wherein the yield stress thereof is at least 862 MPa, and the half-value width of a [211] crystal surface obtained by X-ray diffraction is at most 0.50°.
US09909190B2

Disclosed is the provision of a method for assisting the detection of pancreatic cancer, the method assisting the detection of pancreatic cancer with high accuracy. In the method for assisting the detection of pancreatic cancer, the amounts of (1) miR-122-5p and (2) at least one miRNA selected from the group consisting of miR-16-5p, miR-19b-3p and miR-25-3p, all of which are contained in a test sample separated from a living body, are used as indicators. A larger amount of miR-122-5p and a smaller amount of at least one miRNA selected from the group consisting of miR-16-5p, miR-19b-3p and miR-25-3p than those in a healthy individual indicates that the living body is more likely to have developed pancreatic cancer.
US09909189B2

This invention concerns the discovery of two distinct PCA3 mRNA sequences. One of these sequences corresponds to a short PCA3 mRNA molecule whereas the other PCA3 RNA molecule is longer as it comprises an additional sequence between exon 3 and exon 4a. The short RNA is associated with prostate cancer whereas the long RNA sequence is associated with a non-malignant state of the prostate. Based on the differential expression levels of these two PCA3 RNA sequences, protocols for the diagnosis of prostate disease are provided. The invention also relates to therapeutic approaches to prostate cancer.
US09909181B2

The present invention relates generally to the detection or diagnosis of post-traumatic stress states in a subject, and provides methods, reagents, and kits useful for this purpose. Provided herein are biomarkers that are indicative of and/or diagnostic of post-traumatic stress states including PTSD.
US09909179B2

The present invention provides methods for analysis of genomic DNA and/or RNA from small samples or even single cells. Methods for analyzing genomic DNA can entail whole genome amplification (WGA), followed by preamplification and amplification of selected target nucleic acids. Methods for analyzing RNA can entail reverse transcription of the desired RNA, followed by preamplification and amplification of selected target nucleic acids.
US09909175B2

The present invention relates to methods for determining the sequence bias of a sequencing technique. Furthermore, the invention relates to methods to reduce or enhance sequence bias during sequencing of nucleic acids via techniques involving adaptor ligations. Specifically the method relates to use of a degenerate RNA sequence to analyze sequence bias when generating small RNA libraries, and to the use of modified adaptors for cloning of small RNAs with degenerate or specific sequences to reduce or enhance sequencing bias, as well as various nucleic acid molecules relating thereto or derived therefrom.
US09909172B2

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for non-thermal cycling of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In one aspect, a method for cycling PCR includes receiving an electrolytic fluid including ions, primers, polymerase enzymes, nucleotides, and a double-stranded nucleic acid in a fluid chamber having a first electrode and a second electrode, applying an electric field across the first and the second electrodes to generate a first pH level of the electrolytic fluid to denature the double-stranded nucleic acid to at least partial single strands, and applying a second electric field across the first and second electrodes to produce a second pH level of the electrolytic fluid, in which the second pH level enables binding of a polymerase enzyme and a primer with a corresponding segment of the single strands.
US09909167B2

A method for analyzing planar sample is provided. In some cases the method comprises: (a) incubating the planar sample with a capture agent that is linked to an oligonucleotide, wherein the capture agent specifically binds to complementary sites in the planar sample; (b) reading a fluorescent signal caused by extension of a primer that is hybridized to the oligonucleotide, using fluorescence microscopy. Several implementations of the method, and multiplexed versions of the same, are also provided.
US09909165B2

A method for processing a nucleic acid, in which the nucleic acid is exposed to an aqueous medium which includes a polyol in sufficient proportion for at least a portion of the nucleic acid to enter or remain in an extra-solution phase. Thus, a polyol may be used to bind a nucleic acid which is in solution to a solid support or to wash a nucleic acid on a solid support while maintaining it on the support. The polyol may for example be a C2-C10 alkanediol.
US09909156B2

Methods for the improved acylation of chemical substrates using LovD acyltransferases, thioesters having acyl groups, and (i) thiol scavengers and/or (ii) precipitating agents are presented. An improved method for the production of simvastatin using (i) activated charcoal as a thiol scavenger and/or (ii) ammonium hydroxide as a precipitating agent is also presented.
US09909152B2

Fungi, such as Aspergillus niger, having a dolichyl-P-Man:Man(5)GlcNAc(2)-PP-dolichyl mannosyltransferase (Alg3) gene genetic inactivation, increased expression of a loss of aflR expression A (LaeA), or both, are described. In some examples, such mutants have several phenotypes, including an increased production of citric acid relative to the parental strain. Methods of using the disclosed fungi to make citric acid are also described, as are compositions and kits including the disclosed fungi. Further described are Aspergillus terreus fungi overexpressing the LaeA gene and the use of such fungi for the production of itaconic acid.
US09909145B2

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions for producing a sesquiterpene alcohol comprising contacting a sesquiterpene with a p450 polypeptide with monooxygenase activity.
US09909140B2

Compositions and methods for conferring insecticidal activity to host cells are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in host cells. Compositions also comprise transformed host cells. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:4, 5, 6, 13, or 14, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, 3, 11, or 12, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
US09909137B2

The present invention is directed to an improved poppy straw, concentrate of poppy straw and opium of Papaver somniferum for the production of thebaine containing little or no oripavine, codeine or morphine. The present invention also provides plants, stands and seeds of Papaver somniferum and methods for the production of thebaine.
US09909134B2

Compositions and methods are provided for altering carbon partitioning in biomass isolated from Duckweed.
US09909132B2

A formulation is provided for application to a host plant to reduce, inhibit or impair one or more of growth and development of the host plant. A method of inhibiting growth plant growth and development is also provided as a means of controlling weedy species. The method comprises: selecting a suitable gene for growth suppression in a target plant; identifying an at least one target site accessible to base pairing in the suitable gene; identifying an at least one divergent site in the at least one target site; designing a construct complementary to the at least one divergent site; adding an at least one RNAi inducer to the construct; and delivering the construct to the target plant.
US09909110B2

Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides having meganuclease activity are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, yeast, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the meganuclease sequences. Various methods of employing the meganuclease sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing a meganuclease with increased activity at a wide range of temperatures, methods for producing a yeast, plant, plant cell, explant or seed comprising a meganuclease with increased activity.
US09909092B1

This disclosure describes a biochemical reactor with fixed feed conduit. The biochemical reactor may include a tank configured to house immobilized carriers and fluid. The biochemical reactor may include a circulation conduit at least partially disposed within the tank. The circulation conduit may include a circulation inlet opening and a circulation outlet opening. The biochemical reactor may include one or more vanes disposed proximate to the circulation outlet opening. The one or more vanes may be configured to cause the immobilized carrier and the fluid exiting the circulation outlet opening to enter into a helical pattern. The biochemical reactor may include a feed conduit having a feed outlet. The feed outlet may be disposed between a first end and the circulation inlet opening. The feed conduit outlet may be immovable with respect to the circulation inlet opening.
US09909089B2

A device for distributing a fermented liquid uniformly over a fermented cap includes a joint member, an impeller, a shaft and a flow conditioner. The joint member has a top opening, a bottom opening, a side opening, a through-opening extending from the top opening to the bottom opening and a side-through-opening extending from the side opening to the through-opening. The impeller includes a one-piece conical shaped body that has a central-through-opening. The shaft extends through the through-opening of the joint member and through the central-through-opening of the impeller. The flow conditioner extends from the bottom of the joint member and surrounds the shaft. The bottom of the flow conditioner is shaped to match the shape of the fermentation tank.
US09909076B2

The present invention relates to a gasification process for efficiently co-producing synthesis gas and high-grade coal from water-containing coal, and to an integrated drying and gasification system for realizing the same.
US09909074B2

An oxidative treatment process, e.g., oxidative desulfurization or denitrification, is provided in which the oxidant is produced in-situ using an aromatic-rich portion of the original liquid hydrocarbon feedstock. The process reduces or replaces the need for the separate introduction of liquid oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, organic peroxide and organic hydroperoxide in an oxidative treatment process.
US09909071B2

The disclosed embodiments relate to a process ideal for small scale (distributed) gas to liquids production by recycling and processing some side (non-targeted) products. During operation, the system produces a range of hydrocarbon outputs. The disclosed embodiments recycle non-targeted outputs to maximize the output of targeted hydrocarbon products. Recycled outputs include waxes, light gases and syngas. These embodiments allow for, but are not limited to, the efficient production of high cetane diesel fuel through the recycling of long-chain hydrocarbon wax and short-chain light. Process efficiency is further increased through the recycling of tail-gas produced from catalytic reactions.
US09909069B2

Recycling spent hydrophobic polymeric media can beneficially utilize waste oil to dissolve the media. The method employs simple equipment and materials, many or all of which are already on location in various industrial operations such as fracking operations or food production factories. The method does not call for landfilling spent media, thus reducing the environmental impact and reducing expense. Transport costs for spent media and disposal fees can likely decrease. The resulting product can be sold to refineries for further processing and repurposing, thus generating additional revenue.
US09909063B2

Provided is a composition for etching polymeric materials comprising an aqueous solution including an alkali metal salt and glycine.
US09909061B1

The present invention discloses a nitroxide fluorescent powder comprising an inorganic compound containing M, A, B, O, N, and R elements; in which the M element is at least one of Ca, Sr, Ba, Mg, Li, Na, and K, the A element is at least one of B, Al, Ga, and In, the B element is at least one of C, Si, Ge, and Sn, the R element is at least one of Ce, Eu, Lu, Dy, Gd, and Ho, characterized in that the inorganic compound forms a crystal in a crystalline phase, and the oxygen atom content in the crystal in a crystalline phase is in an increasing structural distribution from a core to surface of the crystal. The nitroxide fluorescent powder and the nitroxide illuminant of the present invention have the advantages of good chemical stability, good aging and light decay resistance, and high luminescent efficiency, and are useful for various luminescent devices. The preparation method of the present invention is easy and reliable and useful for industrial mass production.
US09909057B2

A method of treating a subterranean formation includes providing a treatment fluid comprising particles of at least one of a hydrolysable in-situ acid generator and a hydrolysable in-situ chelating agent generator. The treatment fluid is combined with a carrier fluid and is introduced into a subterranean formation. The particles are placed in fractures or microfractures where, upon the hydrolyzing of the acid or chelating agent generator, etching of the faces of the fractures or microfractures occurs.
US09909039B2

There is provided a curable composition comprising one or more reactive components that cure upon exposure to suitable conditions, the curable composition comprising: (i) at least one aromatic nitroso or at least one aromatic nitroso precursor compound or combinations thereof; and (ii) a film former component comprising at least one non-halogenated hydroxy group-containing resin together with at least one crosslinking agent.
US09909035B1

A dual-adhesive double-sided adhesive tape, having a first double-sided tape that includes a first adhesive on each side of a first support and a second double-sided tape that has a second adhesive on each side of a second support. The first double-sided tape is attached to the release layer of the second double-sided tape. This dual-adhesive double-sided adhesive tape can be simply made by joining the first double-sided tape to a release layer of the second double-sided tape. The dual-adhesive double-sided adhesive tape of the present invention is suited for use in a method of mounting an article on a working surface. The article is provided with the dual-adhesive tape with the release liner of the first tape being removed so that the article can be temporarily mounted to determine the correct location before mounting the article by the second tape.
US09909034B2

The present invention relates to a method for bonding shoe textiles or industrial textiles to each other, the method including the steps of: melting an adhesive resin to apply the adhesive resin to the surface of a partial coating roller having a desired pattern engraved thereon, the adhesive resin being any one selected from the group consisting of urethane resin, an EVA resin, a nylon resin, and a polyester resin; transferring the melted adhesive resin applied to the partial coating roller to the textile; and bonding the textile to which the melted adhesive resin is transferred to another textile.
US09909033B2

The invention relates to a suspension of cerium oxide particles, of which the particles (secondary particles) have an average size of at most 200 nm, these secondary particles consisting of primary particles whose average size measured by TEM is of at most 150 nm with a standard deviation of at most 30% of the value of said average size, and for which the ratio of the average size measured by TEM to the average size measured by BET is at least 1.5. This suspension is prepared from a solution of a cerium III salt, comprising a colloidal dispersion of cerium IV, which is brought into contact, in the presence of nitrate ions and under an inert atmosphere, with a base; the medium obtained is subjected to a thermal treatment under an inert atmosphere and then acidified and washed. The suspension can be used for polishing.
US09909031B1

A method and composition for generating a shingle roof coating is described. The method includes oxidizing an asphalt feedstock to a softening point greater than 205° F. and a penetration less than 15 dmm at 77° F. to generate an oxidized asphalt feedstock. The method then proceeds to mix an elastomeric polymer and an asphalt flux to generate a first concentrate. The first concentrate is then heated separately from the oxidized asphalt feedstock. The method then mixes the first concentrate with the oxidized asphalt feedstock and heats the combined first concentrate and the oxidized asphalt feedstock to generate the shingle roof coating. The amount of elastomeric polymer in the first concentrate is adjusted based on the type of asphalt feedstock such that the resulting shingle roof coating includes 0.5% to 6% by weight of the elastomeric polymer.
US09909029B2

Disclosed are nonaqueous coating material compositions comprising (A) at least one polyhydroxyl-group-containing compound, (B) at least one polyisocyanate-group-containing compound having free or blocked isocyanate groups, and (D) at least one catalyst for the crosslinking of silane groups, where component (B) comprises at least one structural unit —NR—(X—SiR″x(OR′)3−x)  (I), and at least one structural unit —N(X—SiR″x(OR′)3−x)n(X′—SiR″y(OR′)3−y)m  (II), wherein in component (B) (i) more than 30 mol % and less than 70 mol % of the originally present isocyanate groups have undergone reaction to form structural units (I) and (II), (ii) more than 25 and less than 36 mol % of the originally present isocyanate groups have undergone reaction to form structural units (II), and (iii) component (B) has at least one polyisocyanate group-containing compound (B2) having free or blocked isocyanate groups and having an acyclic, aliphatic polyisocyanate parent structure.
US09909013B2

A composite powder includes a sulfonated polyester matrix and a plurality of silver nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix and methods of making thereof. Various articles can be manufactured from such composite powders.
US09909010B2

The present invention relates to interference pigments based on multicoated flake-form substrates which have on the surface of the substrate a layer sequence comprising (A0) optionally a high-refractive-index coating consisting of a layer of TiO2, (A) a high-refractive-index coating consisting of a mixture of TiO2 and Fe2O3, which may optionally be doped with one or more further oxides, (B) a high-refractive-index layer consisting of SnO2, (C) a high-refractive-index coating which absorbs in the visible wavelength region, and optionally (D) an outer protective layer, and to the use thereof, in particular in paints, coatings, industrial coatings, automobile paints, automotive refinish paints, coil coating, powder coatings, printing inks, plastics, pigment pastes, pigment preparations and in dry preparations, such as, for example, granules.
US09909006B2

Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a compatible blend of i) 60 to 85 weight percent of a linear poly(arylene sulfide), ii) 15 to 40 weight percent of a polyetherimide sulfone; and iii) 1 to 3 weight percent of a novolac resin having an average of 2 or more epoxy groups per molecule. Weight percent is based on the total weight of the composition. An article made from the composition has a tensile strength greater than or equal to 70 megaPascals (MPa), as determined by ASTM D638, an impact strength of greater than or equal to 3 kiloJoules per square meter (kJ/m2), as determined by ASTM D256, and an elongation at break greater than or equal to 3 % as determined by ASTM D638. Methods of making the composition are also disclosed.
US09908995B2

A nanocomposite composition having a silicone elastomer matrix having therein a filler loading of greater than 0.05 wt %, based on total nanocomposite weight, wherein the filler is functional graphene sheets (FGS) having a surface area of from 300 m2/g to 2630 m2/g; and a method for producing the nanocomposite and uses thereof.
US09908993B1

Embodiments of a hybrid fiber layup used to form a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite, and a fiber-reinforced polymeric composite produced therefrom are disclosed. The hybrid fiber layup comprises one or more dry fiber strips and one or more prepreg fiber strips arranged side by side within each layer, wherein the prepreg fiber strips comprise fiber material impregnated with polymer resin and the dry fiber strips comprise fiber material without impregnated polymer resin.
US09908987B2

High-melting antimicrobial polymer fibers and antimicrobial fabrics comprising such fibers are prepared by preparing a masterbatch of polymer pellets (e.g., PET), silver and copper salts, and a compounding agent which provides free flowing polymer pellets which can be prepared in advance, with a long shelf life. Polymer masterbatches prepared by the methods of the invention can produce limited color or off-white antimicrobial fibers and fabrics using conventional melt spinning manufacturing methods. Fabrics incorporating fibers of the present invention are potent inhibitors of Athlete's foot fungi, gram negative and gram positive bacteria, and drug resistant pathogens.
US09908985B2

There is provided a method for preparing microporous hollow fiber membranes comprising melt-extruding a polymer-salt blend followed by salt leaching. Microporous hollow fiber membranes are also disclosed.
US09908970B2

Provided herein are polymeric α-hydroxy aldehyde or α-hydroxy ketone reagents which can be conjugated to amine-containing compounds to form stable conjugates in a single-step reaction. In selected embodiments, the polymeric reagent itself incorporates an internal proton-abstracting (basic) functional group, to promote more efficient reaction. The substituent is appropriately situated, via a linker if necessary, to position the group for proton abstraction, preferably providing a 4- or 5-bond spacing between the abstracting atom and the hydrogen atom on the α-carbon. Also provided are methods of using the reagents and stable, solubilized conjugates of the reagents with biologically active compounds. In preferred embodiments, the polymeric component of the reagent or conjugate is a polyethylene glycol.
US09908967B2

The present teachings relate to new semiconducting polymers including an optionally substituted naphtho[1,2-d:5,6-d]bis[1,2,3]thiadiazole moiety, an optionally substituted naphtho[2,1-d:6,5-d]bis[1,2,3]thiadiazole moiety, or a chalcogen analog thereof. The present polymers can be used to prepare thin film semiconductor components which can be incorporated into various electronic, optical, and optoelectronic devices.
US09908965B2

The invention relates to a caulking or filling device having fire-break properties and made of an elastic material comprising polyurethane foam. The foam is obtained by reacting at least one polyol having a molecular weight of 4000 to 7000 g/mol and an OH index of 20 to 40 (mg KOH/g), and an isocyanate in the form of a prepolymer or quasi-prepolymer comprising between 5 and 25% of free NCO functions.The elastic material comprises at least 50 wt % of flame-retarding agents. The invention also relates to the use of the device for making seals or fillings having fire-stopping characteristics.
US09908962B2

Methods are provided to produce new mechanoresponsive healing systems. Additionally, various embodiments provide a two tier self-healing material system concept that provides a non-intrusive method to mitigate impact damage in a structure ranging from low velocity impact damage (e.g., crack damage) to high velocity impact damage (e.g., ballistic damage.) The various embodiments provide the mechanophore linked polymer PBG-BCB-PBG. The various embodiments provide methods for synthesizing PBG-BCB-PBG.
US09908960B2

A star-shaped vinyl ether polymer, comprising a central core and an arm portion bonded to the central core, wherein: the arm portion comprises a repeating unit derived from a vinyl ether monomer; the star-shaped vinyl ether polymer comprises a structure represented by the following Formula (1): —Y—Ar1—N═N—Ar2  (1); wherein Y represents an ether bond, a thioether bond, a group —NH—, or a group —OR1—*, R1 represents an alkylene group, * represents a position bonded to Ar1 in Formula (I), Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, and Ar2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aromatic hydrocarbon group; and particularly the central core is formed by crosslinking of a polyfunctional coupling agent, wherein the polyfunctional coupling agent is a compound represented by the following Formula (3): wherein R5 to R8 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R9 represents a divalent organic group.
US09908959B2

A polyacrylamide resin has at least one kind of a first unit represented by the following formulas (1) to (4) and a second unit represented by the following formula (5). (In the above-described formulas (1) to (4), R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a benzyl group; R2 and R3 are independent and represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, an ethyl group, or a benzyl group; and X represents an anion). (In the above-described formula (5), R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and R5 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal ion, or an ammonium ion).
US09908956B2

An ethylene/α-olefin copolymer comprising units derived from ethylene; and units derived from at least one α-olefin; wherein the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer has a density in the range of from 0.90 to 0.94 g/cc; a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.05 to 50 dg/min; an Mw/Mn of from 3 to 5; and from 300 to 500 vinyl unsaturations per 1,000,000 carbon atoms in the ethylene/α-olefin copolymer is provided. Also provided is a process for producing an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer comprising: (1) polymerizing ethylene and one or more α-olefins in a polymerization reactor; (2) thereby producing an enhanced melt strength ethylene/α-olefin copolymer having from 300 to 500 vinyl unsaturation units per 1,000,000 carbon atoms, a density in the range of from 0.90 to 0.94 g/cc; a melt index (I2) in the range of from 0.05 to 50 dg/min; and a Mw/Mn of from 3 to 5.
US09908955B2

A copolymer with high chemical homogeneity, consisting of (A) 50 to 30% by weight of ethylene, (B) 50 to 70% by weight of C4- to C24-hydrocarbyl ester of (meth)acrylic acid, (C) 0 to 5% by weight of (meth)acrylic acid and (D) 0 to 10% by weight of copolymerizable monomers, obtainable by polymerizing a mixture of 80 to 60% by weight of ethylene, 20 to 40% by weight of (meth)acrylic acid and 0 to 10% by weight of copolymerizable monomers in a backmixing, continuous polymerization apparatus, and subsequently polymer-analogously esterifying the resulting copolymer with C4- to C24-hydrocarbinols. The inventive copolymer is suitable for improving the cold flow properties of fuel oils, for lowering the lower mixing temperature of cold flow improver additives into fuel oils, and for improving the filterability of fuel oils comprising cold flow improver additives.
US09908954B2

The present technology relates to a process for polymerizing or copolymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of free-radical polymerization initiators, wherein the polymerization is carried out in a continuously operated tubular reactor at temperatures from 100° C. to 350° C. and pressures from 180 MPa to 340 MPa, with a specific reactor surface area Asp of 2 m2/(t/h) to 5.5 m2/(t/h), and the tubular reactor has a specific ratio RDsp of 0.0050 MPa−1 to 0.0069 MPa−1 and an inner surface which has a surface roughness Ra of 2 μm or less.
US09908945B2

The invention provides methods of using sequence based analysis and rational strategies to modify and improve the structural and biophysical properties of single chain antibodies (scFvs), including stability, solubility, and antigen binding affinity. These methods and strategies can be used individually or in combination. The methods of the present invention also include the use of a database comprising scFv sequences from an experimentally screened scFv library of antibodies that have been selected to have superior solubility and stability. The invention also provides methods of using the properties found for these selected antibodies in a general approach for reshaping scFv antibodies to improve stability and solubility properties of a single chain antibody fragment.
US09908939B2

The present invention relates to an anti-CSF-1R antibody and binding fragments thereof, DNA encoding the same, host cells comprising said DNA and methods of expressing the antibody or binding fragment in a host cell. The present invention also extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibody or a binding fragment thereof and use of the antibody, binding fragment and compositions comprising the same in treatment.
US09908938B2

The present invention relates to bispecific molecules that are capable of localizing an immune effector cell that expresses an activating receptor to a virally infected cell, so as to thereby facilitate the killing of the virally infected cell. In a preferred embodiment, such localization is accomplished using bispecific molecules that are immunoreactive with an activating receptor of an immune effector cell and to an antigen expressed by a cell infected with a virus wherein the antigen is detectably present on the cell infected with the virus at a level that is greater than the level at which the antigen is detected on the virus by the bispecific molecules, and to the use of such bispecific molecules in the treatment of latent viral infections.
US09908932B2

Provided herein are methods shifting the isoelectric profile of a recombinant protein product and the use of such methods in the manufacture of recombinant protein products. Also provided are recombinant protein products produced by such methods.
US09908926B2

A region of the TRPM8 protein that functions as a temperature switch (FIG. 1) has been identified, and can be expressed, purified and applied in combination with other proteins. The function of the switch is maintained even when the region or domain is isolated from the entire protein. As the protein domain is a temperature switch, it can be used to control other proteins and signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo; and 2) TRPM8 is a therapeutic target that is being pursued primarily for intervention in pain (neuropathic and inflammatory) and cancer.
US09908925B2

A pharmaceutical formulation comprises insulin having a variant insulin B-chain polypeptide containing an ortho-monofluoro-Phenylalanine substitution at position B24 in combination with a substitution of an amino acid containing an acidic side chain at position B10, allowing the insulin to be present at a concentration of between 0.6 mM and 3.0 mM. The formulation may optionally be devoid of zinc. Amino-acid substitutions at one or more of positions B3, B28, and B29 may additionally be present. The variant B-chain polypeptide may be a portion of a proinsulin analog or single-chain insulin analog. The insulin analog may be an analog of a mammalian insulin, such as human insulin. A method of lowering the blood sugar of a patient comprises administering a physiologically effective amount of the insulin analog or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof to the patient.
US09908916B2

The peptide of the present invention performs a function, which is the same as or similar to that of natural interleukin (IL)-3, and has superior skin permeability due to the small size thereof. In addition, the peptide of the present invention suppresses the activation of NF-κB and nuclear transition by inhibiting the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-RANK signaling pathway, and suppresses the expression of a RANKL or an inflammatory cytokine-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), cathepsin K, or TNF receptor type 1 or type 2, thereby inhibiting osteoclast differentiation depending on the treatment concentration. Moreover, the peptide of the present invention can contribute to osteoblast differentiation by promoting the expression of osteoblast differentiation markers such as osteocalcin (CON), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone sialoprotein (BSP), or osteopontin (OPN). Therefore, the superior activity and stability of the peptide of the present invention are useful for medicines, sanitary aids, or cosmetics.
US09908909B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a crystal of a cyclic phosphonic acid sodium salt (2ccPA) with high purity and excellent storage stability and a method for producing the crystal. The present invention provides a crystal of a cyclic phosphonic acid sodium salt (2ccPA) represented by formula (1):
US09908902B2

A flame retardant filler having brominated silica particles, for example, imparts flame retardancy to manufactured articles such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), connectors, and other articles of manufacture that employ thermosetting plastics or thermoplastics. In this example, brominated silica particles serve both as a filler for rheology control (viscosity, flow, etc.) and a flame retardant. In an exemplary application, a PCB laminate stack-up includes conductive planes separated from each other by a dielectric material that includes a flame retardant filler comprised of brominated silica particles. In an exemplary method of synthesizing the brominated silica particles, a monomer having a brominated aromatic functional group is reacted with functionalized silica particles (e.g., isocyanate, vinyl, amine, or epoxy functionalized silica particles). Alternatively, a monomer having a brominated aromatic functional group may be reacted with a silane to produce a brominated alkoxysilane monomer, which is then reacted with the surface of silica particles.
US09908900B2

Described are methods of forming protected boronic acids that provide in a manner that is straightforward, scalable, and cost-effective a wide variety of building blocks, such as building blocks containing complex and/or pharmaceutically important structures, and/or provide simple or complex protected organoboronic acid building blocks. A first method includes reacting an imino-di-carboxylic acid and an organoboronate salt. A second method includes reacting a N-substituted morpholine dione and an organoboronic acid.
US09908898B2

The present invention relates to novel fused Imidazobenzothiazole derivatives, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and their isomers, steroisomers, atropisomers, conformers, tautomers, polymorphs, hydrates, solvates and N-oxide. The present invention also encompasses pharmaceutically acceptable compositions of said compounds and process for preparing novel compounds. The invention further relates to the use of the above-mentioned compounds for the preparation of medicament for use as pharmaceuticals.
US09908896B2

p38 and JNK mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase al losteric inhibitors are useful for treatment and/or prophylaxis of degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Compounds are used in a method for treatment and/or prophylaxis of the diseases and for use in therapy in general. The compounds bind to the region composed of amino acids at positions 170-199 of Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (Uniprot accession nr Q16539 or SEQ ID No 1) and/or Mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 (Uniprot accession nr Q15759 or SEQ ID No 2), SEQ ID NO.1 and SEQ ID NO.2 being the amino acid sequences of MAPK14 (ρ38α) and MAPK11 (ρ38β), respectively. The specific region composed of amino acids at positions 170-199 is herein disclosed as SEQ ID HO.4 for Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 and SEQ ID NO.5 for Mitogen-activated protein kinase 11 and are believed to be new inhibitory binding sites.
US09908894B2

The present invention relates to novel methods for the preparation of 1,3-benzodioxole heterocyclic compounds and intermediates for the same. The compounds are useful as PDE4 inhibitors.
US09908888B2

The present invention is related to processes for preparing chiral substituted pyrazolyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines of Formula III, and related synthetic intermediate compounds. The chiral substituted pyrazolyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines are useful as inhibitors of the Janus Kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) for treatment of inflammatory diseases, myeloproliferative disorders, and other diseases.
US09908884B2

The present invention relates to novel pyrimidine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, pyrrolo-pyridine, pyridine, purine and triazine compounds which are able to modulate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), including Her-kinases, and the use of such compounds in the treatment of various diseases, disorders or conditions.
US09908880B2

Imidazoquinolines of formula I that contain substituted amine or amide functionality at 1-position and that are effective as Toll like Receptor 7 activators are disclosed. These compounds are useful as anticancer agents.
US09908879B2

The present application provides novel compounds and methods for preparing and using these compounds. In one embodiment, the compounds are of the structure of formula (I), wherein R1-R4 are defined herein. In a further embodiment, these compounds are useful in method for regulating one or both of the P2X3 or P2X2/3 receptors. In another embodiment, these compounds are useful for treating pain in patients by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient. In another embodiment, these compounds are useful for treating respiratory dysfunction in patients by administering one or more of the compounds to a patient.
US09908877B2

A fluorophore and methods of detecting cations and hydrophobic environments using the fluorophore are disclosed. The fluorophore includes an imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium ion core and has the formula where R1, R2, R3 and X− are as defined in the specification, and n is an integer from 1 to 4.
US09908869B2

A compound having the following formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: where: R″ is a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C4)alkyl group; n′ is 1 or 2; n is 1, 2, or 3; R independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a group selected from a (C1-C3)alkyl group, a —CN group, a hydroxyl group, a —NR1R2 group, a —COOR1 group, a (C1-C3)fluoroalkyl group, a —NO2 group, a (C1-C3)fluoroalkoxy, and a (C1-C4)alkoxy group; R′ is a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, or a group selected from a (C1-C3)alkyl group, a —COOR1 group, a —NO2 group, a —NR1R2 group, a (C1-C4)alkoxy group, and a CN group; R1 and R2 are a hydrogen atom or a (C1-C3)alkyl group; with the proviso that when R and R′ are not simultaneously a hydrogen atom: when n is 1, R is not a methyl group in an ortho or para position with respect to N, when R′ is a hydrogen atom, R is not a bromine atom or a chlorine atom, and when R is a hydrogen atom, R′ is not a methyl or ethyl group, a —COOH group, a —COOC2H5 group, or a bromine atom that is in an ortho position of the bond linked to NR″.
US09908862B2

Provided herein are methods of producing dialkylfurans, such as 2,5-dimethylfuran, and other alkyl furans, such as 2-methylfuran. For example, 2,5-dimethylfuran may be produced by reducing (5-methylfuran-2-yl)methanol or 2-(chloromethyl)-5-methylfuran.
US09908854B2

The invention provides a process for synthesising a compound of formula V wherein: n is 0, 1 or 2; and R is H or or a physiologically acceptable salt, tautomer, stereoisomer or mixture of stereoisomers thereof. The process utilizes a N-benzyl protected histidine rather than the unprotected form of histidine. The process of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) deprotecting a N-benzyl protected histidine of formula 11 to form N-benzyl histidine of formula 12; (b) converting compound 12 to (S)-3-(1-benzyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-2-(dimethylamino)propanoic acid of formula 13; (c) converting compound 13 to (2S)-N,N,N-2-trimethylethanaminium-3-(1-benzyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid of formula 14; (d) brominating the imidazole ring of the compound of formula 14 to form 5-bromohercynine lactone (reactive intermediate); and (e) converting the 5-bromohercynine lactone of step (d) to (β-amino-β-carboxyethyl)ergothioneine sulfide of formula 15. The process optionally further includes one of steps (f) to (h): (f) converting the compound of formula 15 to a sulfoxide; (g) converting the compound of formula 15 to a sulfone; or (h) converting the compound of formula 15 to ergothioneine (ESH).
US09908848B2

Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions which inhibit N-acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA). Described herein are methods for synthesizing the compounds set forth herein and methods for formulating these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions which include these compounds. Also described herein are methods of inhibiting NAAA in order to sustain the levels of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and other N-acylethanolamines (NAE) that are substrates for NAAA, in conditions characterized by reduced concentrations of NAE. Also, described here are methods of treating and ameliorating pain, inflammation, inflammatory diseases, and other disorders in which modulation of fatty acid ethanolamides is clinically or therapeutically relevant or in which decreased levels of NAE are associated with the disorder.
US09908846B2

This invention relates to novel isonitriles, including arylsulfonyl isonitriles, and methods for their synthesis. The isonitriles include a conjugated ring system. The structure is designed with the flexibility to have multiple substitution patterns. The isonitriles may be used in applications including, but not limited to, pharmaceutical compositions.
US09908845B2

The present disclosure relates to HIF-2α inhibitors and methods of making and using them for treating cancer. Certain compounds were potent in HIF-2α scintillation proximity assay, luciferase assay, and VEGF ELISA assay, and led to tumor size reduction and regression in 786-O xenograft bearing mice in vivo.
US09908839B2

A process comprising reacting a mono- or di-carboxylic acid and/or acid anhydride with a glycol ether in the presence of phosphoric acid to produce a glycol ether ester product having low color and low VOC content.
US09908834B2

The present invention provides processes for preparing a prostacyclin analog of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R10 is a linear or branched C1-6 alkyl. The processes of the present invention comprise steps that generate improved yields and fewer byproducts than traditional methods. The processes of the present invention employ reagents (e.g., the oxidizing reagent) that are less toxic that those used in the traditional methods (e.g., oxalyl chloride). Many of the processes of the present invention generate intermediates with improved e.e. and chemical purity; thereby eliminating the need of additional chromatography steps. And, the processes of the present invention are scalable to generate commercial quantities of the final compound.
US09908833B2

The present technology discloses processes for producing carboxylic acid. In some embodiments, the processes include contacting methanol and carbon monoxide in the presence of a liquid reaction medium under carbonylation conditions sufficient to form a carbonylation product, including acetic acid and acetaldehyde. The liquid reaction medium may include a carbonylation catalyst selected from rhodium catalysts, iridium catalysts and palladium catalysts; and water in a water concentration in a range of 1 wt. % to 14 wt. % based on the total weight of the liquid reaction medium. In certain embodiments, the processes comprise contacting at least a portion of the carbonylation product or a derivative thereof with a micro-porous material such as a silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO) to selectively convert at least a portion of the acetaldehyde to crotonaldehyde.
US09908832B2

Provided is a decarboxylating carboxylic acids of cannabinoids in hemp extract or hemp biomass in which the hemp extract or hemp biomass is heated to a temperature of 40° C. to 100° C. in the presence of one or more divalent or monovalent reagents.
US09908830B2

A method for preparing a phenolic oligomer antioxidant with a very small residual content of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is provided.Specifically, the method for preparing the phenolic oligomer antioxidant relates to a method which is capable of a BHT-free phenolic oligomer antioxidant or a phenolic oligomer antioxidant containing a trace amount of residual BHT by removing the precursor of BHT as much as possible by performing the concentration under the reduced pressure while injecting an inert gas to an intermediate product and/or removing BHT by performing the concentration under the reduced pressure while injecting an inert gas to the final product.
US09908827B2

Disclosed are adsorption complexes that include 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) and a metal coordination polymer network (MCPN), wherein the MCPN is a porous material, and the 1-MCP is adsorbed into the MCPN. Also disclosed are kits for containing 1-MCP that include the adsorption complex in a 1-MCP-impermeable package. Also disclosed are methods of releasing 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) from the kit that include the application of aqueous fluids, heat, and/or pressure.
US09908825B1

This invention relates to a process for converting acyclic C5 hydrocarbons to cyclopentadiene in a reactor system, wherein the process comprises: providing to the reaction system a feedstock comprising acyclic C5 hydrocarbons; providing to the reaction system a particulate material comprising a catalyst material; contacting the feedstock and the particulate material in at least one reaction zone under reaction conditions to convert at least a portion of the acyclic C5 hydrocarbons to a first effluent comprising cyclopentadiene; wherein the feedstock flows counter-current to a direction of a flow of the particulate material.
US09908822B2

This invention relates to the process for obtaining sheets made from seaweed that, when wrapped around a coal mine, wax mine or ink loads, give rise to the cylindrical and elongated cover of pencil or pen made based on algae, salt, bentonite and water, with a final layer of cotton thread optionally, tinctured with natural plant elements and having seeds at its rear end.The process for the production of films made from algae by heat treatment with the addition of salt and bentonite for making covers of pencil or pen comprises the following steps: i) boiling seaweed containing collagen for gelatinization together with salt and bentonite; ii) poring the gelatinized algae into the bowl and dip a graphite for writing; iii) subjecting to temperature for drying the algae and obtaining sheets; iv) cutting the sheets, according to the size of graphite for writing, leaving a space at the rear end to place the seeds; and iv) wrapping the graphite for writing with pieces of wet sheets to obtain a particular shape.
US09908820B2

Methods for fabricating a ceramic matrix composite are disclosed. A fiber preform may be placed in a mold. An aqueous solution may be added to the fiber preform. The aqueous solution may include water, carbon nanotubes, and a binder. The preform may be frozen. Freezing the preform may cause the water to expand and separate fibers in the fiber preform. The carbon nanotubes may bond to the fibers. The preform may be freeze dried to remove the water. The preform may then be processed according to standard CMC process.
US09908816B2

A powder is disclosed having a coarse fraction representing more than 60% and less than 85% of the powder, as a weight percentage on the basis of the oxides, and that is constituted of particles having a size greater than or equal to 50 μm, referred to as “coarse particles”, the powder comprising at least 5% of coated grains having a size greater than or equal to 50 μm, as a weight percentage on the basis of the oxides of the powder, and a fine fraction, forming the balance to 100% as a weight percentage on the basis of the oxides, constituted of particles having a size of less than 50 μm, referred to as “matrix particles”. The powder can be applied in combustion chambers in which the temperature may reach 1400° C.
US09908815B2

A heat-resistant member includes a member that is a target to be protected and a protective layer arranged on the whole or part of a surface of the member. The protective layer includes an oxide ceramic containing an Fe3O4 phase in which a solute component capable of forming a spinel-type oxide with Fe is solid-dissolved.
US09908803B2

Transparent glass sheets having increased mechanical strength include an inner layer surrounded by surface compressive layers wherein the difference of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the inner layer and the surface compressive layer is greater than 50×10−7° C.−1 and wherein the surface compressive layer has a compressive stress of at least about 300 MPa.
US09908802B2

Treating an organic effluent is disclosed. The effluent is fed in a continuous flow at a rate q via a first chamber maintained at a first pressure and/or directly through a first narrowing to a second chamber or container maintained at a second medium pressure by the injection of air into the second chamber at a rate Q in order to obtain an emulsion in the second chamber. A head loss is generated in the emulsion optionally modified by a second and/or third narrowing or a feed valve for a third chamber maintained at a third pressure in the region immediately downstream of the second or third narrowing and/or valve. A flocculant is injected into the region of the third chamber. The emulsion at atmospheric pressure then being degasified and the emulsion thus degasified being recovered in a filtration or decanting device.
US09908792B1

A portable unit for treating potable water in municipal and similar water lines to reduce and remove undesirable disinfectant byproducts such as trihalomethanes. The unit has a housing with water and air inlet and outlet arrangements. The water inlet arraignment is connectable to the municipal water line to deliver water into the housing where it is sprayed substantially horizontally into the housing along a duct through a splash screen and up against a splash plate. The splash plate redirects the water spray laterally outwardly, rearwardly, and downwardly onto an inclined ramp that guides the water downwardly into the lower part of the housing where it is collected or held until it is pumped back into the municipal water line. In operation, the THM treatment unit is self regulating based on fluctuating downstream water demand and beneficially operates in at least two modes automatically to meet the demand and safety considerations.
US09908791B2

The steam condensation and water distillation system including a first part having an evaporation compartment in which water received from a water source is evaporated and which has a vacuum environment and a first column in which high density water is accumulated; a steam line passing through the evaporation compartment; a condensation pool; a second part having a condensation compartment in which the steam is transferred and which has a vacuum environment, a second column to receive distilled water formed by the condensation of the steam, and a distilled water compartment positioned in the condensation compartment and having clean water; a first distilled water line in connection with the distilled water compartment and the second column; and a second distilled water line by which distilled water is transferred for utilization.
US09908784B2

A molecular sieve having the structure of SSZ-99 is synthesized using 1,1-diethylpyrrolidinium cations as a structure directing agent.
US09908778B2

A freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite is described, as well as a method of producing a freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite including: providing a freestanding thin film of amorphous carbon, heating the freestanding thin film to a high temperature in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum; and allowing the freestanding thin film to cool down, as a result of which a freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite is formed. The films can be used, for example, as phase plates in a Transmission Electron Microscope.
US09908773B2

A method for packaging a microelectronic device in an hermetically sealed cavity and managing an atmosphere of the cavity with a dedicated hole, including making said cavity between a support and a cap layer such that a sacrificial material and the device are arranged in the cavity; removing the sacrificial material through at least one release hole, and hermetically sealing the release hole; making a portion of wettable material on the cap layer, around a blind hole or a part of said outside surface corresponding to a location of said dedicated hole; making a portion of fuse material on the portion of wettable material; making the dedicated hole by etching the cap layer; and reflowing the portion of fuse material with a controlled atmosphere, forming a bump of fuse material which hermetically plugs said dedicated hole.
US09908765B2

A method for distributing product using a consumer refillable packaging in a retail environment comprises manufacturing a liquid product at a point of manufacture. The liquid product is then transferred to a retail location in a refillable canister, which is mounted in a storage room as part of a delivery subsystem for communicating the liquid product from the storage room to a refill station in a retail floor space. Consumers operate the refill station to refill a refillable container with the liquid product from the canister in the storage room via the refill station.
US09908759B1

A rolling vehicle jack for elevating a vehicle includes a base. A spring is coupled to a top of the base and is positioned in an internal space of the base. A sphere is rollably coupled to the spring and selectively extensible through a penetration that is positioned through a bottom of the base. A lift is coupled to and selectively extensible from the top of the base. An actuator, positioned in the internal space, is coupled to the base and operationally coupled to the lift. The sphere is configured to roll on a surface such that the base is reversibly positionable under a vehicle. The actuator is positioned to motivate the lift to extend vertically from the base, wherein the sphere is retracted into the base. A vehicle that is positioned above the lift is raised and is positioned for maintenance, such as changing of tires, wheels and tracks.
US09908756B2

A constant pulling force winch control system includes a sensor that senses a degree of winding of a winch cable around a winch drum, and a control system configured to control a winch motor to achieve a constant pulling force on the winch cable based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor. The sensor may be a position sensor that measures a position of the winch cable relative to a centerline of the winch drum as the degree of winding. The position sensor may sense an angular position of a tension plate relative to a tensioner shaft to measure the degree of winding. The winch motor may be a hydraulic winch motor or an electric motor, and the control system is configured to control the power applied to the hydraulic winch motor to achieve the constant pulling force based on the degree of winding sensed by the sensor.
US09908752B2

Disclosed is a torque limiting and conical braking assembly for a power winch. In the process of outputting power by a power supply and transmitting the power to a reduction mechanism, a torque limit mechanism formed by a torque shaft, a friction pad, a brake pad, a disc-shaped elastic element, an adjustable positioning ring and a positioning screw ring and a conical braking mechanism formed by a brake block, a disc-shaped rim, a wedge block and a bump are installed, so that when the reverse torque produced by the carrying load of the power winch exceeds the torque bearable by the power supply, the power transmission is cut off immediately and a conical braking effect is produced to protect the transmission mechanism from being damaged.
US09908751B2

A telescopic boom for a crane has at least two telescopable telescoping sections in the form of lattice pieces, each of which exhibits a hollow structure that has in essence the shape of a box. The bottom chords of adjacent sections have in each instance a pinning structure to provide for pinning to each other during normal crane operations. By way of the design of at least the outer telescoping section, at least some of the force that is introduced into the pinned joint can be dissipated into the top chord of the boom.
US09908749B2

A block including first and second generally identical side plates that engage one another and rotatably capture a sheave between them. The side plates may includes interlocking tabs to secure the engagement between the side plates or a separate clip may be used to engage elements of the side plates to secure the plates to each other.
US09908747B2

An escalator or a moving walkway has at least one interior space that is delimited relative to the environment of the escalator or the moving walkway by at least one cladding component. The at least one cladding component includes at least one multi-layer composite steel plate, wherein the at least one composite steel plate has at least one load-bearing layer of low-alloy steel and at least one cover layer of corrosion-resistant steel. The at least one cover layer is arranged at one of two side surfaces of the at least one composite steel plate. The at least one cover layer of the at least one cladding component when mounted on the escalator or the moving walkway is oriented towards the environment.
US09908740B2

The present invention is a part of a yarn transfer system used for transferring yarn from a full bobbin to an empty bobbin typically fitted on a winder frame. The invention broadly comprises a yarn traverse device used in transferring a continuously arriving yarn onto an empty bobbin for commencing of winding process during bobbin changeover process in automatic turret winder without any stoppage. This is achieved with the provision of an actuation device that facilitates axial movement of the yarn traverse device. In the present invention, during the bobbin changeover operation, the yarn traverse device is moved axially through the actuation device and allows the traverse guide—while maintaining its normal traverse speed at all times—to move beyond the normal yarn winding zone such that the advancing yarn is within the reach of the yarn grasping device of the ready-to-be-wound empty bobbin. After the yarn transfer is completed, the traverse device moves back to the normal winding zone.
US09908736B2

A sheet processing apparatus in which a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets discharged onto an intermediate processing tray is received in a receiving portion of a stapler and bound with use of a staple, and a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets discharged onto the intermediate processing tray is received in a receiving portion of a staple-less binding unit having a gap in the thickness direction of the sheets smaller than that of the receiving portion of the stapler and bound without using a staple, wherein when the stapler performs the binding process, the staple-less binding unit is arranged in a position shifted in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet discharge direction from a region on the intermediate processing tray, through which the sheets discharged by a sheet discharging portion pass.
US09908735B2

A tape dispenser includes a plastic injection molded frame with a resiliently flexible finger that helps prevent the free end of a roll of tape from accidentally retracting, falling back, and frustratingly sticking to the coiled portion of the tape. To avoid this problem, a distal end of the finger presses against the inner diameter of a cardboard or plastic spool about which the tape is wrapped. Friction between the finger's distal end and the spool's inner diameter inhibits reverse rotation of the spool. To avoid breaking the finger while forcefully loading the roll of tape into the dispenser during assembly, a lateral backstop surface on the dispenser prevents the spool from bending the finger too far in a laterally outward direction. To avoid breaking the finger during subsequent rough use, another backstop surface prevents the spool from bending the finger too far in a radially downward direction.
US09908730B2

A method for processing a thin glass is provided. The thin glass is subjected to a tensile stress σapp smaller than 1.15 · Min ⁡ ( σ _ a - Δ a ⁢ 0.4 · ( 1 - ln ⁡ ( A ref A App ⁢ Φ ) ) , ⁢ σ _ e - Δ e ⁢ 0.4 · ( 1 - ln ⁡ ( L ref L App ⁢ Φ ) ) ) , wherein σa is a mean value of tensile stress at break for fractures in a surface of samples of the thin glass under bending stress, wherein σa is a mean value of tensile stress at break for fractures emanating from an edge of the samples, wherein Lref is an edge length and Aref is a surface area of the samples, wherein Δe and Δa denote standard deviations of the mean values σe and σa, respectively, and wherein Aapp is a surface area of the thin glass, Lapp is a summated edge length of opposite edges of the thin glass, and Φ is a predefined maximum fracture rate within a period of time of at least half a year.
US09908729B2

A rolled paper dispenser including a first arm having a base portion and an end portion; a first mounting bracket attachable to a wall and disposed in a cavity of the base portion of the first arm; first and second bushing members that are rotatable relative to one another, such that the end portion of the first arm and the first bushing member are selectively rotatable relative to the second bushing member and the first mounting bracket; a second arm including a second cavity; a second mounting bracket attachable to the wall and disposed entirely in the second cavity; and an elongated member configured to receive the rolled paper product, the elongated member detachably coupled to the end portion of the first arm by a fastener extending through the elongated member, such that the elongated member rotates with the end portion of the first arm relative to the second arm.
US09908727B2

A sheet conveyance apparatus includes a first conveyance unit conveying a sheet, the first conveyance unit including a first rotary member, and a second rotary member contacting with the first rotary member at a contact portion, a second conveyance unit arranged downstream, in a sheet conveyance direction, of the first conveyance unit, a bent conveyance guide forming a sheet conveying path between the first conveyance unit and the second conveyance unit such that the sheet conveying path is bent, and a swing guide provided upstream, in the sheet conveyance direction, of the bent conveyance guide, and guiding the sheet to the bent conveyance guide at a downstream side, in the sheet conveyance direction, of the contact portion. A center of rotation of the swing guide is provided coaxially as a rotation axis of the first rotary member.
US09908722B2

A top mounted silo unloader utilizes a belt conveyor to move collected silage from the center of the silo structure to the door of the silo chute for discharge of the silage from the silo. The silo unloader uses a vertical auger mounted on top of the silage collection apparatus to receive silage therefrom and elevate the silage for discharge onto the belt conveyor for discharge from the silo. The silage collection apparatus includes an auger and an inboard paddle to discharge silage into the vertical auger. The belt conveyor includes a height adjustment mechanism that facilitates alignment of the belt conveyor with a selected door where a support member engages the door sill to keep the belt conveyor aligned as the silo unloader lowers with the depletion of silage from the surface as the belt conveyor is pivotally supported from the unloader frame to permit vertical movement.
US09908719B2

A suction failure recovering process of a component mounting method includes: executing an imaging process in which an image of a pitch-fed pocket of a carrier tape is obtained; executing a pocket position detection process in which a pocket position is detected; and executing a positional displacement determination process in which it is determined whether the detected pocket position falls into a permissible range or not. When it is determined that the pocket position does not fall into the permissible range, the imaging process, the pocket position detection process and the positional displacement determination process are executed sequentially and repeatedly until the pocket position falls into the permissible range. When it is determined that the pocket position falls into the permissible range, a suction position is corrected based on the pocket position at a time point at which the pocket position falls into the permissible range.
US09908718B2

Device and process for picking up a formable and/or collapsible part (30) that employs the forces of a vacuum (44) and generally distributes the vacuum force uniformly over a large portion of the surface of the part (30). The device preferably provides support for the part (30) at regular intervals, for example using a distributor plate (14) having many small openings (26). The device preferably employs a porous layer (12) such as an open cell foam between the distributor plate (14) and the part (30). The porous layer (12) may perform for one or any combination of the following: further distribute the vacuum forces, cushion the part (30) against the distributor plate (14), or further distribute the support for the part (30).
US09908712B2

A system and method for servicing a rotor of a generator are presented. The system includes a carriage for carrying the rotor. At least one carriage steering device are arranged on the carriage for steering the carriage when traversing along a removal skid during servicing the rotor. The carriage steering device is attached to the carriage in a way that it is accessible from above the carriage. The carriage steering device is adjustable such that a center of the carriage aligns to a center rail of the removal skid when traversing along the removal skid during servicing the rotor.
US09908710B2

A magnetic conveyor belt module integrates a magnetic element into the body of the module to attract conveyed articles to the body. A magnet seat below the top surface of the body seats the magnetic element, so that the magnetic element is between the top surface and bottom surface of the module body. A retainer engages the magnet seat to retain the magnetic element in the seat.
US09908701B2

The present invention is directed to a system and method for storage and retrieval of items including a control server and a database. The database receives the shelving configuration information of a particular user environment and the control server is operable to issue travel control signals to a robotic carriage within configuration parameters retrieved from the database. An alternate configuration includes a robotic carriage. The robotic carriage further comprises a base, at least one arm, and a motor. The arm is secured to the base and presents a resting surface for the items. The motor is cooperatively secured to the robotic carriage, enabling controlled travel by the robotic carriage.
US09908696B1

Example pallet-conveyor systems may include a conveyor system configured with a delivery track arranged to move pallets to a delivery area, a recirculation loop, and a diverter mechanism. The system may include a computing system that selects an item for the recirculation loop based on future demand and causes a robotic device to maintain pallets of the selected item in the recirculation loop. The computing system may further receive an item request and determine that a requested item is available from the recirculation loop and responsively cause the diverter mechanism to divert the requested item from the recirculation loop to the delivery track. The computing system may also cause robotic devices to obtain and load pallets of remaining requested items onto the conveyer system for the delivery area, and cause pickers to remove one or more items from pallets at the delivery area in order to fulfill the item request.
US09908675B2

Disclosed herein are water-soluble films and resulting packets including a water-soluble film coated by a powder, wherein the powder includes a mixture of a powdered lubricant and an active agent. Optionally, the active agent may be encapsulated, e.g. microencapsulated, for release of the active agent through mechanisms including, but not limited to, mechanical rupture, melt, ablation, dissolution, diffusion, biodegradation, or pH-controlled release. Active ingredients described include enzymes, oils, flavors, colorants, odor absorbers, fragrances, pesticides, fertilizers, activators, acid catalysts, metal catalysts, ion scavengers, bleaches, bleach components, fabric softeners and combinations thereof. Examples of packet fills include laundry detergents, bleach and laundry additives, fabric care, dishwashing, hard surface cleaning, beauty care, skin care, other personal care, and foodstuffs.
US09908660B2

A blank of foldable sheet material for forming a container is provided. The blank includes a top panel, a front tuck flap extending from a front edge of the top panel, and a top side panel extending from a side edge of the top panel. The blank also includes a bottom panel, a front panel extending from a front edge of the bottom panel, and a corner portion. The corner portion includes a minor diagonal panel extending and a major diagonal panel. The corner portion also includes a corner panel hingedly connected to the minor and major diagonal panels. The front panel is configured to engage the front tuck flap to at least partially define a first releasably secure closure of the container, and the top side panel includes a front edge configured to engage the minor diagonal panel to at least partially define a second releasably secure closure of the container.
US09908655B2

Novel adaptive stylus winding assemblies for use in winding surgical sutures in tray packages are disclosed. The stylus winding assemblies have a pivotally mounted stylus member and a biasing element to facilitate winding a suture into a suture track of a suture tray. The winding assemblies provide for reliable product supply, quality improvements and cost reductions.
US09908651B2

A method for treating packages includes ink jet printing designs on packages, arranging packages on a treatment position of a package transport path, and at least intermittently charging the packages, during printing thereon, with a gaseous sterilizing agent.
US09908649B2

According to one embodiment, a paper sheet processing apparatus includes a supply unit, a pick-up mechanism, an inspection device, a stacking device, and a wrapping device configured to wind a band around a stacked paper sheet bundle and wrap the stacked paper sheet bundle. The wrapping device includes a clamp mechanism configured to curve the stacked paper sheet bundle by pressing both side portions of the stacked paper sheet bundle, a band winding device configured to wind a wrapper band around the curved stacked paper sheet bundle, and a heater configured to heat-seal an end of the wrapper band. The clamp mechanism includes a press member configured to adjust a degree of curvature of the stacked paper sheet bundle.
US09908648B2

A control system for a wrapping apparatus may include a packaging material dispenser configured to dispense packaging material for wrapping a load. The control system may also include at least one sensor assembly configured to generate a signal based on instantaneous demand for packaging material at the load. The control system may further include a controller configured to control operation of the packaging material dispenser based at least in part on the signal.
US09908646B2

An apparatus (1) for inserting at least one sort of conveyed products (2) into containers (3) accommodating a specific number of products (2). The apparatus (1) has at least two placing robots (4a, 4b, 4c) defining a transfer area (15), at least one transport device (6) for transporting the products (2), and at least one transport device (7) for transporting the containers (3). The transport device (6) for the products (2) has at least one separation point (5) in the direction of travel (14) within the transfer area (15), said separation point dividing the transport device (6) for the products (2) into at least two transport portions (6a, 6b) that can be actuated independently of one another.
US09908643B2

A passive thermal system for use in aerospace vehicles includes a first passive thermal panel having at least one internal resident heat pipe, wherein the first passive thermal panel is further configured to provide an embedded interface between a portion of the resident heat pipe and at least one heat pipe extending from a neighboring passive thermal panel. The embedded interface is facilitated via an internal channel that is adjacent to the internal resident heat pipe. The channel is dimensioned and arranged to receive a portion of a heat pipe extending from a passive thermal panel that will be situated adjacent to the first passive thermal panel. The embedded interface is also facilitated by an arrangement that imparts a compressive force to the non-resident heat pipe that urges it against the resident heat pipe.
US09908639B1

An in aircraft computer renders graphical representations of airfield range marker extensions to a runway extended centerline, even when the runway extended centerline is not rendered. Crossbars of the runway extended centerline are extended as arc segments to the center of the display with chevrons indicating the relative location of the airfield. Distance marker billboards are replicated at the end of the extended arc segments. As the aircraft approaches the airfield, crossbars closer to the airfield are extended. Vertical markers maintain billboards corresponding to range rings around an airfield in a visually prominent location, even when the proximal portion of such range ring is not visible in the display.
US09908638B1

A ballistic parachute is released to slow descent of a cabin and an airframe where the airframe supports a plurality of rotors and the cabin removably attaches to the airframe. A ground condition is detected and it is decided whether to detach the airframe from the cabin. The airframe is detached from the cabin in response to the decision.
US09908632B1

This disclosure describes an unmanned aerial vehicle that may be configured during flight to optimize for agility or efficiency.
US09908629B2

A system and method that reduces the descent velocity of an aerial vehicle, the system including a control system, an inflation device, and a deployable, inflatable cage. The control system detects a descent condition, such as an uncontrolled descent and activates the inflation device to inflate the cage to at least partially encase the aerial vehicle and protect the vehicle during descent and landing. The inflatable cage includes a main fill tube, a perimeter tube, and support tubes. The support tubes are connected between the main fill tube and the perimeter tube, and enable gas to flow from the inflation device through the support and perimeter tubes and into the perimeter tube. A drag inducing material enclosure is connected to the inflatable cage and structured to induce drag to reduce a descent speed of the aerial vehicle.
US09908625B2

An occupant restraint system includes a plurality of occupant residences each including a restraint assembly having a latch mechanism manually movable between a latched state and an unlatched state and an electric lock mechanism movable from an unlocked state to a locked state when the latch mechanism is in the latched state. The control console includes an electronic display of the plurality of occupant residences and a user interface for actuating the electric lock mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state. An occupancy tabulation system is constructed and arranged to send a signal to the control console indicative of occupied residences of the plurality of occupant residences for displaying an occupied condition associated with the occupied residences on the electronic display.
US09908617B2

An air vehicle includes an airfoil designed for transonic flight. The airfoil has a region of supersonic flow during transonic flight. A surface of the airfoil has upstream and downstream orifices at or within the region. The air vehicle further includes an active flow control system for controlling air vehicle motion during transonic flight by controlling flow through the orifices to alter strength and location of a shock wave in the region. The system creates an aerodynamic imbalance to move the shock wave.
US09908612B2

A wing includes a wing tip hinged to a main wing section. The wing tip includes a stub spar extending past an end of the wing tip. When the wing tip is extended, the stub spar extends into the main wing section to react a moment load across a length of the stub spar.
US09908609B1

Aspects of the disclosure relate to terminating flight of a balloon that may include separating a connection between a balloon envelope and a payload of the balloon. In one example, a payload separation apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket arranged to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. In another example, a system includes a flight termination assembly having a cutting edge configured to cut an opening in the envelope and a payload separation apparatus. The apparatus includes a first shaft configured to attach to the envelope, a second shaft configured to attach to the payload, a pair of arms, and a bracket configured to secure the pair of arms to the first shaft. The system also includes a controller configured to activate the cutting edge.
US09908608B2

Innovative new systems and method of operating the systems, wherein the system comprises an airborne platform comprising an unmanned balloon; a payload that is separate from the unmanned balloon; a transceiver; first and second flight termination devices; at least two separate power sources for the first and second flight termination devices; a sensor; a processor; a pump; a valve; and a tether that when broken separates the unmanned balloon and the payload, are disclosed herein.
US09908606B1

A drive-by-wire control system for steering a propulsion device on a marine vessel includes a steering wheel that is manually rotatable and a steering actuator that causes the propulsion device to steer based upon rotation of the steering wheel. The system further includes a resistance device that applies a resistance force against rotation of the steering wheel, and a controller that controls the resistance device to vary the resistance force based on at least one sensed condition of the system.
US09908605B2

Provided is a technology that facilitates a calibrating operation. A ship steering system for outdrive device includes an outdrive device, a control device that provides an instruction about a turning direction of the outdrive device, and a ship steering lever that instructs the control device about a traveling direction of a hull, and is provided with a monitor capable of displaying an image for matching an actual traveling direction with the traveling direction of the hull according to the instruction from the ship steering lever. The monitor shows the direction in which the ship steering lever is tipped, and indicates that the operation is proper if the direction in which the ship steering lever is tipped corresponds to a pre-set direction.
US09908602B1

A water bike apparatus powered by at least human energy or a motor and comprising motion-inducing flotation elements with steering elements and with no stationary flotation elements necessary for flotation of the apparatus.
US09908596B2

A device comprising a substantially vertical post member that can be adjusted longitudinally within a fin box and remain vertical, riding adjustably in a longitudinally oriented slot and thereby protrudes from the bottom of a standard fin box customarily installed in personal watercraft such as a surfboard, sailboard, paddleboard, and the like. The securable end of a removable fin is dropped over the post and held in place by a nut, clip, hook, or clamp.
US09908594B2

A flotation system includes one or more floatation modules, each having a first section and a second section, each having an internal core made of a buoyant material. The first section includes two end faces and a projection extending from one of the end faces. The projection has a contoured profile. The second section includes two end faces and a reciprocal recess in one of the end faces. The end faces of the first section engage the end faces of the second section such that the projection engages the reciprocal recess in a mating engagement. A stop collar may be disposed adjacent each end of the floatation module. The floatation system may be attached to a tubular string that is lowered into a marine riser to reduce a load applied to a rig disposed over the marine riser.
US09908588B2

A vehicle drivable by motor power and/or pedal power, in particular to an electric bicycle, including: a crank mechanism having a crank spindle; an output drive element that delivers a drive torque for the vehicle, in particular to a chain or the like; an electric drive system having a reduction linkage; and a steplessly adjustable planetary linkage, an output element of the steplessly adjustable planetary linkage transferring the drive torque to the output drive element.
US09908586B2

A bicycle rim brake is basically provided with a first brake arm and a hydraulic actuation device. The first brake arm includes a first coupling portion configured to pivot about a first pivot axis, a first actuated portion and a first mounting portion. The first mounting portion is configured to mount a first friction member and extends from the first coupling portion. The hydraulic actuation device is operatively coupled to the first actuated portion of the first brake arm. The hydraulic actuation device includes a cylinder housing defining a hydraulic chamber, a first piston movably disposed in the hydraulic chamber of the cylinder housing, and a first sealing member provided on the cylinder housing so as to at least partially support the first piston in the hydraulic chamber.
US09908584B2

A motorcycle having a crankcase supporting a crankshaft of an engine, a driving force transmission device at an intermediate position between the crankshaft and a driving wheel to transmit rotational force from the crankshaft, and a swing arm that swingably supports the driving wheel, wherein the driving force transmission device includes a continuously variable transmission provided with an endless flexible member stretched between a drive pulley and a driven pulley, and a continuously variable transmission case covering the continuously variable transmission, and wherein the swing arm includes a pivot portion provided on one end side of the swing arm to be swingably attached to a vehicle body frame or the crankcase, and a driving wheel support portion provided on another end side of the swing arm to rotatably support the driving wheel.
US09908578B2

A motorcycle with an integrated drum set positioned about the trike, the motorcycle having a rear-steering assemblage for allowing the integrated drum set to be played by a forward rider.
US09908577B2

A two-wheeled vehicle is provided including a frame, front and rear ground-engaging members each supporting the frame, a straddle-type seat, a handlebar for steering the vehicle, at least one light device configured to operate in a hazard mode, an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members, a tilt sensor, and a vehicle control unit in communication with the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to detect a tilt angle of the vehicle based on output from the tilt sensor. The vehicle control unit is operative to determine a tip-over condition of the vehicle based on the detected tilt angle exceeding a threshold tilt angle. The vehicle control unit activates the hazard mode of the at least one light in response to the determination of the tip-over condition.
US09908573B2

Technology is provided for a self-balancing robot that transitions from a three-wheeled mode to a two-wheeled self-balancing mode. The robot includes a body and a pair of drive wheels located at a first end portion of the body. Each drive wheel is coupled to a drive assembly operative to propel the robot along a surface. A third wheel is located on the body at a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A main arm is coupled to the body, wherein the main arm is rotatable to confront the surface and lift the third wheel away from the surface, thereby standing the body up onto the pair of drive wheels in preparation for self-balancing.
US09908572B2

A track roller frame is provided for an endless track. The track roller frame includes a shaft including a body portion and a flange. A first bearing assembly rotatably supports a first rim portion on the shaft and a second bearing assembly rotatably supports a second rim portion on the shaft. Each of the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly includes a first leg that extends in the axial direction and is disposed along the body portion of the shaft and a second leg that extends in the radial direction and is disposed along the flange. A respective inner surface of each of the first rim portion and the second rim portion that faces the bearing assembly includes a plurality of lubricant pockets for receiving lubricant. Each of the lubricant pockets is configured and arranged such that lubricant contained therein is in fluid communication with the bearing assembly.
US09908566B2

A high strength hot rolled steel sheet with an excellent combination of tensile strength of at least 550 MPa and formability, including weight percent at most 0.15% of C, at most 0.5% of Si, between 0.5 and 2.0% of Mn, at most 0.06% of P, at most 0.008% of S, at most 0.1% of Al sol, at most 0.02% of N, between 0.02 and 0.45% of V, between 0.05 and 0.7% of Mo, optionally between 0.01 and 0.1% of Nb, balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the steel sheet has a precipitation strengthened and substantially single-phase ferritic microstructure, wherein the volume fraction of the ferrite phase in said microstructure is not lower than 97%, and wherein the precipitates in the microstructure comprise fine precipitates of composite carbides containing Mo and V and optionally Nb.
US09908555B2

A steering control device for an eco-run vehicle drives an actuator so that a transfer ratio between a steering angle and an actual rudder angle is variable. The steering control device includes: a control part that controls a drive of the actuator; an eco-run determining part that receives an eco-run signal and notifies the control part that the eco-run signal is received; and a nonvolatile memory in which a control information on the actuator is able to be written. The control part executes a control restriction that restricts a drive of the actuator, and disables a writing of the control information on the nonvolatile memory, when the eco-run determining part receives the eco-run signal.
US09908552B2

A child transport carrier includes a lower frame member having a forward end and a rear end, an upper frame member having a forward end and a rear end, and a rear frame coupling the lower frame member to the upper frame member. The rear frame includes a lower rear frame member having a lower end coupled to the rear end of the lower frame member and an upper rear frame member having an upper end coupled to the rear end of the upper frame member. A first joint assembly couples the lower rear frame member and the upper rear frame member. The rear frame is configured to fold between an unfolded in-use position and a folded storage position. An exterior angle formed by the lower rear frame member and the upper rear frame member is less than 180 degrees in the unfolded in-use position.
US09908545B2

A method includes determining a location of a vehicle system traveling on a track during a first trip relative to a curve in the track. The method also includes monitoring a temperature profile at a contact interface between a wheel of the vehicle system and a rail of the track that contacts the wheel as the vehicle system traverses the curve in the track. The temperature profile is based, at least in part, on a first speed profile of the vehicle system during the first trip. The method further includes analyzing the temperature profile to detect a flanging event between the wheel and the rail as the vehicle system traverses along the curve in response to the temperature profile indicating that a flange of the wheel engages a side of the rail.
US09908543B2

A sensing system includes a leading sensor, a trailing sensor, and a route examining unit. The leading sensor is onboard a first vehicle of a vehicle system that is traveling along a route. The leading sensor measures first characteristics of the route as the vehicle system moves along the route. The trailing sensor is disposed onboard a second vehicle of the vehicle system. The trailing sensor measures second characteristics of the route as the vehicle system moves along the route. The route examining unit is disposed onboard the vehicle system and receives the first characteristics of the route and the second characteristics of the route to compare the first characteristics with the second characteristics. The route examining unit also identifies a segment of the route as being damaged based on a comparison of the first characteristics with the second characteristics.
US09908540B2

A method for making a railcar having a span bolster is disclosed. The method involves fabricating and joining the components of the span bolster in a manner such that a camber is built into span bolster. A camber is cut into longitudinal supports that span the length of the bolster. A jig is used to shape top and bottom plates prior to attaching the plates to the longitudinal supports, thus forming the bolster. Truck assemblies are attached to the bolster and a railcar body mounted to the combined unit.
US09908539B2

The table (10) includes a plate (12) extending, in a longitudinal direction, between a first lateral edge (12A) bearing first removable attachment elements (14) to a lateral wall of the compartment, and a second free lateral edge (12B), and a central leg (18) extending between a first end (18A) connected to the plate and a second end (18B) including second removable attachment elements (20) to the floor of the compartment. The first end of the central leg is connected to the plate through a pivot connection (26) allowing pivoting of the central leg for folding it back towards one of the first or second lateral edges of the plate, and the plate includes, at the other one of the first or second lateral edges of the plate, at least one supporting member (28) on which the plate is intended to be supported when the plate is laid on the floor.
US09908534B2

An operating method for a vehicle includes a driving in manual mode, in which a longitudinal movement and a lateral movement are controlled by a human driver, and a driving in autonomous mode, in which the longitudinal movement and the lateral movement are controlled by an automated system. In the method, an alerting of the human driver is activated in particular in autonomous mode when the automated system receives a first distance that separates the vehicle from an end of the zone in which the autonomous mode is authorized. An automatic stopping of the vehicle before reaching the zone end is activated in autonomous mode when the human driver does not resume control of the vehicle after receiving the first distance from the automated system.
US09908531B1

A method and apparatus for detecting a size of a person at an exterior of the space to be occupied are provided. The method includes: detecting, at an exterior of a vehicle, a size of a person approaching the vehicle to enter the vehicle; and adjusting a position of at least one from among a vehicle control, a vehicle mirror, and a vehicle seat based on the detected size of the person approaching the vehicle. The method and apparatus may be used to detect the size of a person intending to occupy a vehicle and to adjust positioning of various elements and controls based on the detected size prior to entering the vehicle.
US09908530B1

The method, system, and computer-readable medium cause the monitoring of a vehicle operator during the course of vehicle operation to determine whether the vehicle operator is impaired and causes a mitigating response when an impairment is determined to exist. The vehicle operator, the environment surrounding the vehicle, or forces acting on the vehicle may be monitored using a variety of sensors, including optical sensors, accelerometers, or biometric sensors (e.g., skin conductivity, heart rate, or voice modulation). When the vehicle operator is determined to be impaired, an alert or other mitigating response is implemented, based on the sensor data. In some embodiments, mitigating actions may be taken to avoid vehicle operator impairment. In further embodiments, a training period may be used to generate a profile for the vehicle operator. In yet further embodiments, information regarding multiple types of impairments may be used to determine and implement an appropriate mitigating response.
US09908527B2

A materials handling vehicle includes at least one contactless obstacle sensor that scans at least two speed zones, each speed zone being defined in an area at least partially in front of a forward traveling direction of the vehicle and being associated with a unique predetermined maximum speed greater than zero (0) miles per hour. A controller that receives information obtained from the at least one obstacle sensor and, if the vehicle is traveling under remote control, the controller is configured to limit the vehicle speed to the predetermined maximum speed of a corresponding one of the at least two speed zones based upon the detection of an obstacle in that speed zone.
US09908525B2

A travel control apparatus includes: a detection device configured to detect an object ahead in a travel direction of a vehicle; and a vehicle control device configured to perform a vehicle control in which the object is regarded as a control reference when a lateral movement speed of the object is directed to a travel lane of the vehicle, wherein even when the lateral movement speed of the object is directed to the travel lane of the vehicle, when the object is detected in right and left ends of a detection range of the detection device, the vehicle control device prevents the vehicle control.
US09908523B2

A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, a first MG (motor generator), a second MG, a battery electrically connected to the first MG and the second MG, an engine ECU configured to control the engine, and a hybrid ECU (Electronic Control Unit) configured to control the first MG and the second MG and communicate with the engine ECU. When an abnormality of communication with the engine ECU is not found and a history of an abnormality of the engine main body is not found and electric power generated by the first MG during cranking of the engine is lower than electric power receivable by the battery during MD (Motor Drive) running (fail-safe running) in which the engine is stopped, the hybrid ECU achieves recovery to normal running in which actuation of the engine is permitted, with cranking of the engine by power generation torque of the first MG.
US09908522B2

A control device of a vehicle enables an engine to be operated at an operating point with a good fuel consumption efficiency, to perform power generation, without causing a sense of incongruity about noise or vibrations to a driver. With the control device, the engine is operated so that generated power of a generator increases in response to electric power required of the vehicle. Thus, the engine can be operated at an operating point with a satisfactory fuel consumption efficiency. When in an acceleration state, the engine is operated so that the increase amount of generated power is set to be larger than when in a deceleration state. When in the deceleration state, the engine is operated so that an increase in generated power is suppressed and an increase in noise is curbed.
US09908517B2

A primary piston of a tandem master cylinder includes: a body provided with a skirt, having in the rear thereof a cavity for the plunger and the push rod connected to the brake pedal and in the front a cavity defining the primary chamber. The piston is made of a plastic material and at least one magnet is built into the body of the piston.
US09908514B1

A heat distribution system is configured to melt snow that is proximate wheels on an automobile. The heat distribution system has a heat exchanger attached to the automobile and configured to heat air flowing past the heat exchanger creating hot air. A fan is proximate the heat exchanger and configured to move the hot air. A manifold is proximate the heat exchanger and configured to receive the hot air from the fan. A first duct, a second duct, and a transverse duct are joined to the manifold. A third duct and a fourth duct are attached to the transverse duct. Each duct terminates in a nozzle. The hot air is pushed through the manifold and out the nozzles melting the snow.
US09908512B2

A vehicle includes a pane of glass and a flush mount washer assembly. The flush mount washer assembly includes a panel, and the panel includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The panel defines an aperture through the outer and inner surfaces. The assembly further includes a mount coupled to the inner surface of the panel. The assembly also includes a nozzle secured to the mount. The nozzle includes a show surface substantially aligning with the aperture and positioned such that the show surface does not extend beyond the outer surface of the panel to create a flush exterior appearance of the panel.
US09908510B2

The invention concerns an assembly for producing a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10), including an end fitting (14) of a wiper arm (12) adapted to move a wiper (16), a connection interface (50), and an intermediate part (40) called clamp, said assembly being adapted to occupy a working position in which said interface (50) is free relative to said end fitting (14) and a so-called service position in which said interface (50) is retained in an oriented manner inside said end fitting (14) by said clamp (40).The invention also relates to a connection device for a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10) comprising such an assembly as well as a vehicle windscreen wiping system (10) comprising a wiper (16), a wiper arm (12) and such a connection device.
US09908503B2

In a belt retractor (10) having a belt tensioner (16) and a force-limiting device, the belt tensioner (16) includes a pivoted pinion gear (24) associated with a belt reel (14), a drive unit (18) and an oblong force-transmitting element (22) movable by the drive unit (18) supported at least partly in a tubular portion (21) and adapted to be engaged in the pinion gear (24) so as to rotate the pinion gear (24) in a tensioning direction (A). The force-transmitting element (22) includes a bending portion (30) which is provided at the rear end of the force-transmitting element (22) viewed in the tensioning direction and which is designed to be pressure-resistant in the longitudinal direction (L) of the force-transmitting element (22) but to be flexible in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L).
US09908500B2

An airbag device 1 includes a retainer 14, a bag body 12, and an inflator 13. The retainer 14 is installed on the inner side of a deployment wall 15 of an instrument panel 11 that is openable by breaking. The retainer 14 has a bottom wall 14B arranged opposite to the deployment wall 15, and a front side wall 14F continuous with the bottom wall 14B. The bag body 12 is folded in a deployable manner, and is held in the retainer 14 in the folded state. The inflator 13 is installed in the front side wall 14F of the retainer 14, and generates gas to be fed into the bag body 12 when impact is inputted. All folded parts of the bag body 12 are arranged on the side closer to the deployment wall 15 than an end part of the inflator 13 on the side of the bottom wall 14B of the retainer 14.
US09908498B2

A front airbag (10) comprising a cut including two substantially triangular side portions (30, 32) facing toward each other by a respective side which form at least the side walls (18, 20) and at least portions of the upper and lower walls (22, 24) as well as a central portion (44) located between the side portions (30, 32) which is adjacent to the sides of the triangular side portions (30, 32) facing each other and forms at least the front wall (16), wherein in the area of the side walls (18, 20) a respective transitional portion (34, 36) is present between a side portion (30, 32) and the central portion (44), wherein at least one connecting portion (46, 48, 50, 52) projecting from the central portion (44) or the side portions (30, 32) in an outspread state of the cut is provided for the transitional areas (34, 36) associated with the lower and/or upper wall (22, 24) and wherein the connecting portion (46, 48, 50, 52) of the finished front airbag (10) is connected both to the central portion (44) and to at least one side portion (30, 32).
US09908483B2

A device for fastening a paneling part to a body structure, particularly an interior body panel, of a motor vehicle and the body structure with an inner side facing toward the paneling part and an outer side facing away from the paneling part. The device includes a first fastening component for fastening to an opening in body structure. The first fastening component has a first section for bearing on the outer side of the body structure and a second section for arrangement in the area of the inner side of the body structure. A second, rod-like fastening component fastens the paneling part to the second fastening component. The second section of the first fastening component is constructed in such manner that the second section can be passed through the opening in the body structure.
US09908479B2

A supporter for a vehicle includes a pair of brackets separated from each other so as to face each other, one end of each of the brackets being fixed to a holding part held inside of the vehicle, and cubes installed between the brackets so as to be rotatable, the cubes having a polyhedral shape, and one or more holding holes formed on at least two surfaces of the cubes. The supporter selectively supports or holds various goods, such as cup holders, various articles and electronic devices, according to the sizes of the goods, thereby efficiently using space and increasing user convenience.
US09908478B2

A roof-mounted bicycle rack assembly for a motor vehicle includes a deployable bicycle carrier slidably attached to an underside of a roof panel of the motor vehicle. The bicycle carrier includes at least one bicycle support configured to deploy from and retract into a cooperating holder disposed on the roof panel underside. The bicycle support may include at least one tube or rail and the cooperating holder may include at least one sleeve or track configured to receive at least a portion of the at least one tube or rail therein.
US09908477B1

A mount can be used readily with a rented golf cart to mount a washing device to the rear of the golf cart. The washing device can include a club head washer, a ball washer, or both. The mount does not require special fasteners and can be used with a wide variety of golf carts that hold golf bags on a rack at the rear of the cart. The mount fits in the golf bag rack where the golf bags are carried by the cart. The feet of the mount are placed into the rack before the golf bag or bags are added. The golf bag or golf bags hold the mount in place. The weight of a typical golf bag or a pair of golf bags is sufficient to hold the mount in the mounted configuration. The mounting method is quick and requires no separate fasteners.
US09908473B2

A vehicular vision system includes a side-mounted camera mounted at a side portion of vehicle and having a field of view exterior of the vehicle. The side-mounted camera includes a video output configured for transmitting to a control a stream of video captured by an image sensor of the side-mounted camera. The stream of video is transmitted to the control via a serial data bus linking the side-mounted camera to the control. The control includes a serial data interface for communication with at least one electronic device of the vehicle. The control sends instructions to the side-mounted camera via the serial data bus linking the side-mounted camera to the control. The control receives messages from the at least one electronic device of the vehicle via the serial data interface.
US09908468B2

An apparatus and method for generating a collision warning to a driver of a host vehicle. The method estimates geometry of a lane of a road in which the host vehicle is traversing and further identifies, via a non-line-of-sight sensor, at least one remote vehicle traversing ahead of the host vehicle in the estimated lane of the road. The host vehicle tracks, via a line of sight sensor, a preceding vehicle traversing directly ahead of the host vehicle in the estimated road-lane and detects a speed of a slowest remote vehicle of the at least one identified remote vehicles. The host vehicle predicts a motion of the preceding vehicle based on the detected speed of the slowest remote vehicle and an inter-vehicle distance, and generates a warning to the driver of the host vehicle based on the predicted relative motion of the preceding vehicle to the host vehicle.
US09908466B2

In a general aspect, a system includes circuitry for providing an engine harmonic scaling module and a summer. The engine harmonic scaling module is configured to receive a torque signal and a throttle signal, process the torque signal to generate a calibrated torque value, process the throttle signal to generate a throttle percentage value, determine a control parameter based on an examination of the calibrated torque value and the throttle percentage value, determine, based on the control parameter, a harmonic-specific scaling factor for each of one or more engine harmonic signals of a plurality of engine harmonic signals, and apply the corresponding harmonic-specific scaling factor to each of the one or more engine harmonic signals to generate corresponding scaled engine harmonic signals. The summer is configured to generate, from the scaled engine harmonic signals, a combined engine harmonic signal.
US09908463B2

A storage device includes a storage body having an opening and a lid for selectively opening and closing the opening of the storage body. The storage body has a light emitter and a power receiving portion connected to the light emitter. The lid has a power supplying portion, which is configured to supply power to the power receiving portion by the direct current resonance method. The light emitter emits light to interior of the storage body at a first luminance when the opening is closed by the lid. When the lid opens the opening so that the distance between the power receiving portion and the power supplying portion is reduced, the light emitter changes the luminance to a second luminance, which is different from the first luminance.
US09908462B2

An illumination device for the rear license plate of a motor vehicle includes a carrier wall bearing the license plate, to which a wall area forming a projection is connected, which projects rearwards above the license plate with an approximately horizontal surface. An aperture is located on the projection side and a switchable light source is located thereabove. The aperture is covered by a transparent lens, with an overlapping edge of the lens fastened from below to a contact edge surrounding the aperture. Light radiated by the light source through the lens is radiated through the surface inside the overlapping edge to the license plate. The lens has a light-guiding and/or light-deflecting element which is arranged such that light is also passed to at least a partial area of the rear overlapping edge of the lens and radiated at a predetermined luminance, to the license plate.
US09908461B2

Embodiments of the present invention can provide an accessory control system, a light control system, and/or a brake light control system for golf carts and/or other vehicles, including trailers, motorized vehicles, and non-motorized vehicles. Embodiments relate to a control system that can be easily installed on a golf cart and/or other vehicles. Specific embodiments relate to a light system that has few is any wires connecting the light system to, or interfering with, any existing electrical circuitry of the gold cart. Specific embodiments can be installed on any golf cart, such as in the same location(s) as prior light systems. Embodiments of the subject light system can be rear tail lights, rear braking lights, front running lights, and/or front headlights.
US09908460B2

Presented is a motor vehicle light with a light source, a light conductor, which comprises a bordering decoupling volume opposite of a first side and a second side lying opposite the second side, wherein the second side comprises decoupling elements, which decouple light distributed about a principal propagation direction, and wherein the motor vehicle light comprises a colored shield which is positioned behind the second side in a direction opposite to the principal propagation direction. The shield is a black shield.
US09908449B2

A cup holder for holding a beverage container includes a case having a first floor member in a receiving chamber, and a sidewall; a second floor member with a base end side rotatably supported by the sidewall inside the case, and a free end rotatable between a first position where the free end is positioned on a lateral side of a rotary shaft, and a second position where the free end is positioned below the rotary shaft; and an urging device urging the second floor member toward the first position. The second floor member rotates toward the second position when the second floor member receives a load larger than a predetermined load from above at the first position, and holds the beverage container together with the first floor member at a third position where the second floor member is rotated to a second position side more than the first position.
US09908444B2

The child safety seat for a vehicle in accordance with the invention comprises an outer shell enclosing a seating area for a child and a protective element. The protective element comprises a housing component and an impact component, wherein the housing component is embedded into the outer shell and the impact component is mounted to the housing component, is configured to be enclosed at least partially by the housing component, and is configured to protrude laterally from the outer shell in a direction facing away from the seating area. Preferably, the housing component or the impact component comprises a deformable region adapted to cushion forces impacting on the impact component.
US09908437B1

An improved seating system is provided for vehicles, including military vehicles. Center-facing seats are staggered to provide for a narrow vehicle profile, improved ingress and egress, and increased blast survivability. Seats may be reclined or reclinable, and seats may have seat pans upwardly movable away from a center aisle between rows of seats to increase an effective width of the aisle for improved ingress and egress.
US09908428B2

A method and charging system for effectively performing measurement of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for selection of a charging mode between an electric vehicle and a charger are disclosed. The method for determining a charging mode of an electric vehicle includes measuring a duty ratio of a control signal applied to a communication line of a charger connector by a first controller for controlling slow charging and a second controller for controlling quick charging, transmitting measurement results obtained from each of the first controller and the second controller to a third controller in charge of a battery, determining a final duty ratio using the measurement results by the third controller, transmitting the determined final duty ratio to the first controller and the second controller, and starting charging in a mode corresponding to the final duty ratio.
US09908427B2

A first and second charging equipment for charging electric vehicles share a current capacity. A controller coupled with the first and second charging equipment limits a total amount of current drawn through the first charging equipment and the second charging equipment to not exceed the current capacity. The controller communicates a first and second current limit to the first and second charging equipment respectively to cause a first and second electric vehicle to limit their current draw to not exceed the first and second current limit respectively. A sum of current to be drawn at the first and second current limit does not exceed the current capacity.
US09908425B2

Arrangements directed to the wireless charging of a battery, particularly a battery for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, are described. A wireless charging system can includes a charging station and a charge receiver. The charge receiver can be provided on a vehicle. The charging station can include a movable charge transmitter. The system includes a sensor that can detect a relative position of the charge receiver. The system can include a processor operatively connected to the charge transmitter. The processor can cause the position of the charge transmitter to be adjusted within the housing based on a relative location of a charge receiver such that the charge transmitter and charge receiver are in substantial charging alignment.
US09908423B2

A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a slidable bar, a connecting bar attached to the slidable bar and a charging device carried by the connecting bar and movable with the slidable bar.
US09908419B2

A vehicle including a high-voltage electric battery assembly including first and second battery cell modules and DC/DC electric power converter assembly is described. The DC/DC electric power converter assembly selectively converts electric power from the first battery cell module and the second battery cell module. A second end of the DC/DC electric power converter is electrically connected to a low-voltage system. The low-voltage system includes a first subsystem configured to provide a critical vehicle operation. A controller includes algorithmic code executable to monitor the high-voltage battery assembly, including, upon detecting a fault in the first battery cell module of the high-voltage battery assembly, controlling the DC/DC electric power converter assembly to electrically convert electric power from the second battery cell module to low-voltage electric power that is transferred to the first subsystem.
US09908408B2

A dig system which allows for a vehicle to perform a dig maneuver, without sacrificing drivability. An actuator places the dig system in one of four different modes of operation, where the front wheels are placed in either a first configuration or a second configuration, where the front wheels are positioned at a desired steering angle, and one of the front or rear wheels is braked and prevented from rotating. The transfer case transfers power to one or more of the non-braked wheels, and disconnects from the remaining wheels. One or more of the non-braked wheels are rotated such that the vehicle pivots about an axis which extends through one of the wheels. One of the rear wheels is braked when performing a front dig maneuver, and one of the front wheels is be braked when performing a reverse dig maneuver.
US09908399B2

The present disclosure relates to a device for influencing an air flow within an engine compartment of a motor vehicle. The device comprises an adjusting means for adjusting the device between two end positions. The device is allocated to a part region of the engine compartment so that in one of the end positions, an air flow that is provided in the engine compartment is in part or entirely either guided into the part region or guided away from the part region.
US09908393B2

An apparatus for raising and lowering a vehicle cover is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible member having a first end and a second end, the flexible member configured to flex so that, with the first end positioned adjacent to a vehicle and the second and positioned generally higher than the vehicle, the second end raises the vehicle cover up from the vehicle and lowers the vehicle cover down towards the vehicle. The second end of the flexible member is configured to retain the vehicle cover.
US09908390B2

A door system includes a door panel and a door panel frame. The door panel frame includes a peripheral web, an outer flange extending outwardly from the web, a seal flange extending inwardly from the web, and a guard flange extending inwardly from the web. The seal flange is outboard of the guard flange. Lower portions of the seal flange may include perforations there through to allow water that may accumulate between the seal flange and the guard flange to exit the frame outwardly.
US09908388B2

Systems and methods are directed to providing power to a transport refrigeration system (TRS) using an undersized main power source in combination with a secondary power source. The systems and methods allow the undersized main power source to be used with a TRS that requires a power more than a maximum threshold power of the undersized main power source to operate at a full cooling capacity. The secondary power supplements the undersized main power to allow the TRS to operate at the full cooling capacity. Optionally, a tertiary power source can supplement the undersized main power source, or the undersized main and secondary power sources to run the TRS.
US09908379B2

The present application relates to a control system (49) for controlling a motor vehicle suspension (3). The suspension (3) has a plurality of adjustable height suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) and a suspension control means (53) is provided to control the suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) has a receiver for receiving height data form height sensors (41, 43, 45, 47) to provide height measurements for each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). A suspension modelling means is provided for modelling the height of each suspension unit (19, 21, 23, 25). The control system (49) is configured to detect an unrequested suspension height change when the difference between the modelled height and the measured height of one or more suspension units (19, 21, 23, 25) exceeds a threshold. The present application also relates to a motor vehicle; and a method of detecting an unrequested suspension height change.
US09908378B1

The Trailer Anti-Theft Locking Post is a device that is used to lock a trailer or other hitched device so that the trailer cannot be moved. The device may be anchored into concrete or secured unto the ground. A post reversible extends upward providing a means to lock a trailer or hitched device. When a user desires to move the trailer, the trailer is unlocked, and the post is reversibly retracted beneath the ground level, which puts the device out of sight and out of the way.
US09908375B2

Systems and methods disclosed herein may be useful for use in a wheel assembly which includes a heat shield. In this regard heat shield for a wheel may include a first member; a second member positioned radially of the first member defining an annular cavity between the first member and the second member; an opening in at least one of the first member and the second member configured to provide fluidic communication between the annular cavity and an outside of the annular cavity; and a mounting feature in operable communication with the first member and the second member configured to attach the heat shield to the wheel.
US09908369B2

An auxetic wheel according to the invention comprises a line defining an axis of rotation; and a plurality of concentric rings of unit cells surrounding the axis, each unit cell being constructed of a plurality of members defining a Negative Poisson's Ratio (NPR) structure. The outermost ring of unit cells is arranged to facilitate rolling terrain contact, such that the stiffness of the structure in the localized region of loading due to terrain contact increases as the wheel rotates. A layer of material may be disposed between the concentric rings of unit cells which in preferred embodiments comprise a plurality of nested-V shapes. A cover may be provided over the outermost ring of unit cells forming a tire which may, or may not, be inflated.
US09908368B2

Provided is a rubber composition containing a high stratified or tabular clay mineral content, wherein the dispersion of the stratified or tabular clay minerals is improved, thus reducing air permeability and improving flex resistance. Also provided is a tire using the rubber composition. An example of the rubber composition is a rubber composition containing a rubber component (A), a stratified or tabular clay mineral (B), and a glycerin fatty acid ester composition (C).
US09908357B2

In accordance with one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus comprises a processor, a decoloring section, a shift roller, a paper discharge section and a paper discharge roller. The processor determines whether or not to execute either a decoloring job or a non-decoloring job. The decoloring section decolors an image on paper formed with decolorable coloring agent. The shift roller moves paper for decoloring job or paper for non-decoloring job in a direction orthogonal to a paper discharge direction of the paper on a same plane for a given distance to sort it. The paper discharge section stacks discharged papers. The paper discharge roller discharges the paper sorted by the shift roller to the paper discharge section.
US09908356B2

A carbonless copy note pad includes a stack of note sheet sets. Each of note sheet sets includes first and second paper sheets, first and second adhesive layers, a color-developing coating layer, and a coarse particle coating layer. The color-developing coating layer is formed on at least one of the first and second paper sheets. The coarse particle coating layer is formed on a lower surface of the second paper sheet, and has a roughened surface to prevent a scribbling pressure applied to a writing surface of the first paper sheet of a topmost one of the note sheet sets from affecting a next one of the note sheet sets.
US09908352B2

A liquid ejection system includes a liquid ejection head configured to ejecting liquid, a liquid storage container that includes a liquid storage portion capable of storing the liquid that is to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, and a ventilation unit that constitutes at least a portion of an air introduction portion that is in communication with the liquid storage portion and is configured to introducing air into the liquid storage portion, and is detachable from the liquid storage container. The ventilation unit includes an introduction passage that constitutes at least a portion of a path of air flowing toward the liquid storage portion in the air introduction portion, and an air chamber that constitutes at least a portion of the introduction passage. The ventilation unit is arranged in the periphery of the liquid storage container.
US09908349B2

According to an embodiment, a printer includes a battery, a display, a memory and a processor. The memory stores a predetermined residual capacity of the battery of the printer and amount information of a printing medium on which a predetermined printing data can be printed with the predetermined residual capacity in association with each other in advance. The processor controls the display such that the amount information corresponding to the predetermined residual capacity stored in the memory is displayed on the display, in a case where determining that the residual capacity of the battery is reduced to less than the predetermined residual capacity.
US09908346B2

A printer apparatus includes a print head, a platen roller, and a frame, wherein printing is performed on recording paper situated between the print head and the platen roller, wherein a projection is formed at a side face of the print head, wherein a side face of the frame has a groove formed therein for receiving the projection, wherein the groove includes a first area constituting an entrance to the groove, a second area for positioning the projection and formed such as to extend in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first area extends, and a slanted part formed between the first area and the second area, and wherein the slanted part is an edge of the groove and extends in a direction different from both a direction in which the projection moves in the first area and a direction in which the projection moves in the second area.
US09908337B2

There is provided a recording apparatus that can easily set a state in which liquid accommodation units are filled with a liquid for recording while suppressing increases in an installation area. A recording apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that performs recording by ejecting ink onto sheets of paper, a discharge unit in which a discharge opening that includes a discharge region at which the sheets of paper, on which recording was performed by the liquid ejecting head, are discharged, is formed, and liquid accommodation units that are capable of accommodating the liquid that is supplied to the liquid ejecting head, in an apparatus main body, in which the liquid accommodation units are provided with injection openings through which it is possible to inject ink into the liquid accommodation units, which are provided in a positions that are below the discharge unit in a perpendicular direction (−Z direction) and overlaps with the discharge unit in the perpendicular direction.
US09908335B2

A fluidic dispensing device includes a housing, and a fluid channel in the housing. The fluid channel has a channel inlet, a channel outlet, and a passage between the channel inlet and the channel outlet. The channel inlet is in fluid communication with an inlet port of a chamber. The channel outlet is in fluid communication with an outlet port of the chamber. The passage is in fluid communication with an opening in an exterior wall. The fluid channel has a first corner structure in the passage. A stir bar is located in the chamber to generate a fluid flow through the fluid channel when rotated. A first flow director member is positioned adjacent the channel inlet. The flow director member has a first surface structure that directs a portion of the fluid flow toward the first corner structure in the passage.
US09908332B2

Ink property sensing on a printhead is described. In an example, a substrate for a printhead includes a cap layer having bores. Chambers are formed beneath the cap layer in fluidic communication with the bores. Fluid ejectors are disposed in at least a portion of the chambers. At least one ion-sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) is disposed in a respective at least one of the chambers. An electrode is disposed in each of the chambers having an ISFET and capacitively coupled to said ISFET through a dielectric.
US09908330B2

A liquid discharge apparatus includes: a head unit that has nozzles that discharge a column-shaped liquid; a liquid droplet generating unit that applies cyclically changing energy to positions of the column-shaped liquids discharged from the nozzles, which are separated from the nozzles, and that generates liquid droplets; and a direction changing unit that changes a flying direction of at least some liquid droplets of the generated liquid droplets.
US09908310B2

A surface of an electronic device includes a reduced friction surface that comprises a glass beaded film. The glass beaded film includes glass beads disposed in a polymer layer or in an adhesive layer, where a portion of the glass beads protrude from a surface of the polymer or adhesive layer. The reduced friction surface is disposed over at least a portion of the surface of the electronic device.
US09908299B2

A connecting port arrangement for use in an apparatus for producing a composite material component comprising a base member attached to a surface of a foil adapted to seal a mold of the apparatus for producing a composite material component. The base member is provided with a channel extending therethrough. The connecting port arrangement further comprises a punch member adapted to be inserted into the channel formed in the base member and provided with a cutting device suitable to cut at least one opening into the foil.
US09908284B2

A method for producing a roll of stretch film comprises the steps of passing a stretch film web over a first roller, and winding the stretch film web around a second roller against the first roller, where the first roller has a surface for enabling the introduction of air into the wound stretch film web.
US09908281B1

The disclosure relates to forming shaped thermoplastic articles having smooth peripheries. Many thermoplastic articles have sharp edges formed upon molding or cutting the article from a feedstock sheet. Such sharp edges can damage thin plastic films or flesh which they contact, and smoothing the edges is desirable. Described herein are methods of forming a smooth periphery for such sharp-edged articles by rolling over the sharp edge. The smoothing operation is performed by forming a deflectable flange including a bend region separated from the potentially sharp peripheral edge by a spacer, deflecting a portion of the deflectable flange, and softening at least one bent portion of the deflectable flange to yield a smooth periphery upon cooling.
US09908278B2

A blow molding device for a rotary bottle blowing machine includes: a support base including a power-input shaft and a mold-insert control shaft which are pivotally disposed on the support base and extend along an axial direction; a drive source for driving the power-input shaft and the mold-insert control shaft to rotate; and a mold assembly with a first and second movable mold inserts pivotally disposed on the support base. The mold assembly makes the first and second movable mold inserts pivot toward or away from each other, rotation of the power-input shaft makes a bottom mold unit move in the axial direction, and can lock the first and second movable mold inserts. A method for using the blow molding device includes steps of mold opening or closing, mold lifting, and mold locking, and these steps are performed by using a single drive source.
US09908275B2

An improved, high-capacity die assembly (10) for a food or feed extruder (12) is provided and is particularly useful for the production of high quality aquatic feeds. The die assembly (10) includes a mount (20), which is secured to the discharge end of an extruder barrel (14), with a plurality of tubular die components (22, 24) coupled with the mount (20). Each component (22,24) includes wall structure (38) defining an outwardly diverging tubular chamber (40) with a die plate assembly (50) coupled to the outer end of the wall structure (38). A flow diverter element (54) is located within each chamber (40) and has a large diameter end adjacent the assembly (50) and a smaller diameter end closer to the chamber inlet. The assembly (50) has a plurality of openings (52) outboard of the element (54).
US09908273B2

Apparatus and methods for storage and transmission of recipe data (process parameters) for the molding of articles in an injection molding apparatus. A controller includes a flow control microcontroller (MCU) that receives recipe data from a recipe storage microcontroller (MCU) mounted to a mold of an injection molding machine, the recipe storage MCU storing the recipe data defining process parameters for the molding of articles in the mold. The flow control MCU executes instructions for controlling valve pin motions according to the recipe data. In one embodiment, a human operator interface is provided for transmitting data to and/or from at least one of the recipe storage and flow control MCU's, allowing the operator to monitor, modify and/or control the process parameters during a molding cycle and/or to create a modified or new recipe for subsequent storage on the recipe storage MCU.
US09908268B2

A baffle tank is disclosed which is designed to filter a fluid along with a method of forming the baffle tank. The baffle tank has a bottom wall joined to at least one sidewall to form an enclosure having a first chamber in fluid communication with a second chamber. The first chamber has a top wall with an enlarged opening formed therein. The first chamber also has an inlet for receiving incoming fluid. The second chamber has a top wall with an enlarged opening formed therein. The second chamber also has an outlet through which fluid can be discharged. A first baffle is formed by at least a portion of the sidewall of the first chamber. The first baffle is joined to at least a portion of the sidewall of the second chamber. The first baffle extends downward from the top walls of the first and second chambers and has a lower end positioned above the bottom wall. A second baffle is formed in the second chamber and extends upward from the bottom wall and has an upper end positioned below the top wall of the second chamber. The lower end of the first baffle is located closer to the bottom wall than is the upper end of the second baffle.
US09908266B2

A method of forming synthetic dry adhesives is provided that includes using a combined wedge indenting and orthogonal machining process to form tapered mold cavities in a mold, filling the tapered mold cavities with an elastomeric adhesive, curing the elastomeric adhesive in the tapered mold cavities, and removing the elastomeric adhesive from the mold, where a plurality of tapered lamellar ridges extend from a surface of the elastomeric adhesive.
US09908259B2

A control strategy for producing high quality extrudates, including the steps of monitoring the temperature of a ceramic precursor batch by measuring the temperature of the batch material either directly or indirectly by measuring the temperature of a component of the extruder proximate to the die and transmitting the temperature data to an extrusion control system which comprises a master controller (106), at least one slave controller (110) and an optional supervisory controller. The supervisory controller determines batch temperature setpoint (102) in order to achieve the desired temperatures for extruding a certain type of batch material based on real time temperature inputs and stored parameters such as batch composition, process throughput, extruder cooling capacity, and the like. The master controller (106) receives batch temperature setpoint from the supervisory controller, and monitors batch temperature and in turn regulates at least one slave controller (110) which controls the flow of coolant (112) to portions of an extruder (114) in contact with the batch material.
US09908252B2

A food cutting assembly for cutting a food item into a plurality of cubes includes a stand that may be positioned on a support surface. A box is coupled to the stand and a drawer is slidably positioned within the box. A plurality of cutting units is provided. A selected one of the cutting units is removably coupled to the box. The selected cutting unit may have a food item placed thereon and the selected cutting unit selectively cuts the food item. A press is movably coupled to the stand. The press is urged downwardly toward the selected cutting unit to press the food item through the selected cutting unit. Thus, the selected cutting unit cuts the food item.
US09908248B2

A manual tool capable of unfolding only one work accessory comprises a handle (11, 21), a first work accessory (12, 22) and a second work accessory (13, 23) that are connected to the handle through a pivot and can be unfolded and folded, and an associated accessory (14, 24). The associated accessory can transform the working state from a folding state to an unfolding state. When the first work accessory and the second work accessory are both folded, the associated accessory does not prevent any work accessory from unfolding; and when one of the two work accessories is unfolded and the other one is folded, the associated accessory prevents the other one from unfolding, so as to ensure that only one work accessory can be unfolded during use, thereby eliminating the safety risk caused by unfolding multiple work accessories at the same time.
US09908230B2

A tool assembly includes a first part, a second part, an operation member, two second tool units, and two first connection members. The first part has a first space, two first rails, two first engaging portions, two second spaces and two first connection portions. The second part has a head and a receiving portion which is insertion in the first space and includes receiving units for receiving first tools therein. Two second rails are formed on the second part and slidably engaged with the first rails. The operation member is connected to the second part. The two second tool units are pivotably connected to the two first connection portions and located in the two second spaces. The second tool units each have second tools which are pivotable about the first connection portion corresponding thereto. The first tools can be removed from the receiving units and connected to the operation member.
US09908228B2

A hammer drill includes a housing, a first ratchet fixed to the housing, a spindle rotatably supported by the housing about an axis, and a second ratchet coupled for co-rotation with the spindle. The second ratchet is engageable with the first ratchet in response to rearward displacement of the spindle to impart a hammering action on the spindle. The hammer drill further includes a thrust bearing having an arm extending away from the axis, and a selector ring having a post extending toward the arm. The selector ring is rotatable between a first position in which the post is engageable with the arm to limit the rearward displacement of the spindle and prevent engagement of the first and second ratchets, and a second position in which the post is misaligned with the arm to permit the rearward displacement of the spindle and engagement of the first and second ratchets.
US09908219B2

A clamp apparatus includes a pair of first and second clamp arms. A driving force transmission mechanism transmits a driving force of a drive unit, whereby the first clamp arm is operated to rotate via a link arm, while simultaneously, the second clamp arm is rotated, and after being rotated through a predetermined angle, under moving action of a roller, which is inserted into a cam groove of a link plate, rotation of the second clamp arm is stopped and maintained in advance with respect to the first clamp arm. Consequently, after positioning of a workpiece has been carried out by the second clamp arm, rotation of which is stopped, the first clamp arm continues to be rotated, whereby the workpiece is clamped.
US09908215B1

A method of processing a polycrystalline diamond material includes exposing at least a portion of a polycrystalline diamond material to a processing agent for processing at least a portion of the polycrystalline diamond material. The method further includes applying a body force to the volume of processing agent while at least the portion of the polycrystalline diamond material is exposed to the processing agent, and heating at least one of the processing agent and at least the portion of the polycrystalline diamond material exposed to the processing agent during application of the body force to the processing agent.
US09908202B2

This application discloses a multilayer aluminum material comprising an aluminum alloy core and aluminum alloy cladding, wherein the aluminum alloy cladding contains 0.1-1.0 wt % Cu, 0.1-0.5 wt % Fe, 0.1-1.0 wt % Mn, 3-15 wt % Si, 0.005-0.15 wt % Ti and >3-≦7 wt % Zn, remainder Al. The aluminum alloy cladding can also optionally contain one or more of 0.001-0.3 wt % Mg, 0.001-0.01 wt % Ni or 0.001-0.05 wt % of at least one of Sr, Ca or Na. A process for producing the material is also described. The material can be produced in sheet form and is suitable for brazing application. The metal forms fabricated from the multilayer aluminum material by a process comprising brazing steps are also described.
US09908191B2

A clamping mechanism for a circular saw machine contains a base; a support holder including two parallel sliding rails; an inner clamp device including a fixing mount, a first horizontal clamping module, and a first upper clamping module; an upper clamping module including a first positioning seat, a first affixing protrusion, and an auxiliary pressing projection; an outer clamp device including a moving pedestal, a second horizontal clamping module, and a second upper clamping module, the moving pedestal having an external clamp arm and a second clamp block, the second upper clamping module having a second movable fixing block; the second upper clamping module including a second positioning seat and a second affixing protrusion; a driving device including a servo motor and a drive column. The fixing mount has an internal clamp arm and a first clamp block, the first horizontal clamping module has a first movable fixing block.
US09908183B2

The invention relates to a deburring tool for deburring edges (1, 1a, 1b), of any desired shape, of recesses in workpieces (19) using at least one cutting blade (2, 2a, 2b, 2′), wherein the deburring tool is in the form of a slotting and/or drawings tool which is rotated incrementally about its longitudinal axis and is driven displaceably in an oscillating manner in the direction of its longitudinal axis.
US09908176B2

The invention relates to a continuous casting nozzle assembly (10) for casting, in particular for upward vertical casting, of a metallic, in particular a non-ferrous, pipe, which is suitable for uninterrupted casting, which nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle (11), a mandrel (12) and a cooler (15). Surface roughness of at least part, in particular of the dwindling area (Z), of inner surface of the nozzle (11) of the nozzle assembly (10) is 1-8.0 Ra, advantageously 3-5 Ra.
US09908165B2

A method is disclosed for pressure forming a metal preform including shock annealing of the preform and subsequently preheating the preform prior to pressure forming. Shock annealing may be carried out as differential shock annealing in which different regions of the preform are annealed to different degrees. Preheating may be carried out by differentially preheating, optionally shock preheating, different regions of the preform for preheating at least those regions of the preform which will be subject to elevated expansion during pressure forming. Shock annealing by induction heating can lower energy consumption, reduce processing times and allow for larger expansion of the preform.
US09908163B1

An apparatus for bending a metal work piece, the apparatus including a press support frame and a bending anvil disposed on the press support frame. A clamp press can be mounted to the press support frame, the clamp press positioned to selectively clamp the work piece over the bending anvil when the work piece is positioned on the bending anvil. A bending press unit can be mounted to the press support frame, the bending press unit including a bending roller oriented to engage the work piece during a bending operation when the work piece is clamped over the bending anvil. The bending press unit is operable to move the bending roller with respect to the press support frame in a first direction and a second direction, the first direction being substantially perpendicular to the second direction. A method of bending a metal work piece with the bending apparatus.
US09908159B2

A washing method of a water treatment apparatus is provided. The washing method includes a wash water inflow operation in which wash water flows into circulation members, and a circulation washing operation in which a circulation modulation circulates the wash water through passages of the water treatment apparatus.
US09908157B2

The invention relates to a thermal barrier coating removal method. A metal component (32) having a thermal barrier coating is located in a vessel (12) for containing an inert liquid reservoir. The vessel (12) has a releasably sealable closure (14) so as to allow the vessel interior to be maintained at an elevated pressure in use. The vessel is heated and the liquid therein is maintained at a temperature greater than 100° C. for an extended period of time such that thermal barrier coating breaks up as a result of internal stress caused by a crystal structure change in the thermal barrier coating.
US09908156B2

A device for packaging and dispensing a chemical product is provided. The device may include a first portion connected to a second portion. Counterpoising locking features may secure the first portion and the second portion. A support member is disposed within the lower portion and adapted to support the product. The device may include a flexible enclosure contoured to and enclosing the rigid body and the product. The flexible enclosure may enclose a portion of the housing and the product, after which heat is applied to shrink the flexible enclosure. A handle may provide for ease of installation and/or removal of the device from a solid chemical dispensing system.
US09908155B2

A vacuum powered surface cleaning apparatus which is capable of cleaning an adjacent surface to remove debris without external leaking, dripping or misting. The vacuum powered surface cleaning apparatus includes an eductor assembly to create a vacuum within the device to naturally induce a flow of cleaning fluid which is imparted onto the adjacent surface to be cleaned. The expended cleaning fluid and debris are expelled from the apparatus through the eductor to external atmosphere or to an external waste or recycling container. Removal of the adjacent surface opens the internal chamber which causes a loss of partial vacuum which ceases flow of cleaning fluid, thereby eliminating the possibility of external dripping or misting.
US09908154B2

A stamping system includes a press machine having installed an upper die with an upper die surface and a lower die with a lower die surface. The upper die surface and the lower die surface each have a non-planar geometry. The press machine presses a workpiece between the upper die surface and the lower die surface during a pressing operation. A die cleaning machine is provided having a brush configured to remove foreign debris from at least one of the upper die surface and the lower die surface during a cleaning operation, wherein the die cleaning machine is configured to maneuver the brush in various orientations relative to the press machine to clean the non-planar upper die surface or the non-planar lower die surface.
US09908153B2

The present invention is related to methods and systems for collected item information for stored items. In one embodiment, a networked food storage system comprises a first sensor configured to read information from item tags coupled to items, wherein the items are stored or intended to be stored in a storage unit. A data store is configured to store food preferences for at least a first user. Instructions, stored in computer readable memory, are configured to: cause a first user interface to be displayed to the first user via which the first user can request a meal suggestion; retrieve preference information for the first user from computer readable memory; retrieve information read from at least a first item tag; and provide a meal suggestion based at least in part on preference information for the first user and item tag information.
US09908151B2

An apparatus for processing value documents, in particular banknotes, comprises more processing zones respectively having at least one cover for covering an internal space of the processing zone in question. An interior lighting means is provided and at least one region of the cover or adjacent to the cover is semitransparent. The internal space can thus be viewed through the semitransparent region only when the interior lighting means is switched on. Upon detecting an error in the bank note processing, the interior lighting means of the processing zone in question lights up automatically, thus guiding the operator directly to the location of the problem.
US09908149B2

A screen system for improving a vibrating shaker apparatus for separating drilling fluid and drill cuttings is described. The screen system comprises a dual screen having a coarse mesh upper screen attached to a finer mesh lower screen with a channel between the two screens. One or both of the screens may be wedge shaped to affect the flow rate of drilling fluid and drill cuttings across the screen. The screen systems can be installed in existing shaker apparatuses using various attachment systems, such as wedge clamping systems, hydraulic or air pressure clamping systems, or hook screen systems.
US09908148B2

A system for monitoring the fluid front on a shaker table is disclosed. The system comprises a shaker table or shaker table screen configured to be adjusted based on information compiled by a processor and at least one camera configured to monitor said shaker table. The camera may be operably connected to a processor. The processor may be configured to perform detection and localization of the fluid front on the shaker table using machine vision techniques.
US09908147B2

An adjustable nozzle assembly for a sieve box and a sieve box including same, including a support assembly and nozzles. A pair of elongated support members may be received through openings in support collars. Nozzles may be operatively connected to the collars. The support assembly, which may include collars and rods, are configured to provide at least one of lateral movement and rotational movement of the nozzles. At least one of the first elongated support member and the second elongated support member may be configured to move when coupled to the sieve box to adjust a spray angle of the nozzles. Pivoting of the one rod about the other rod adjusts the angle at which the nozzles are disposed. The rods may be externally threaded, and the collars may be internally threaded, such that when the rods are rotated, the collars translate laterally along the rods to move the nozzles.
US09908145B2

A method of manufacturing an object. A thermoplastic matrix material is melted to transform it into liquid matrix material. The liquid matrix material is fed into a chamber via one or more matrix inlets. A fiber is also fed into the chamber via a fiber inlet. The fiber in the chamber is contacted by the liquid matrix material. A coated fiber is extruded from an extrusion outlet of the chamber onto a substrate, the coated fiber comprising the fiber with a coating of the liquid matrix material, the substrate comprising a previously extruded coated fiber. The fiber moves in and out of the chamber at the same velocity relative to the chamber. The coating fuses with the previously extruded coated fiber and solidifies after it has fused with the previously extruded coated fiber. Relative movement is generated between the extrusion outlet and the substrate as the coated fiber is extruded from the extrusion outlet.
US09908144B2

A coated paperboard (100) comprising: a base substrate (102) having a brightness of about 65 or less measured using TAPPI T452 and a coating (104) on at least one side of the base substrate, wherein the base substrate comprises: one or more opaque layers (114) including a white filler, wherein the opaque layer covers the base substrate so that visibility of the base substrate through the opaque layer is substantially eliminated; a barrier layer (116) covering the opaque layer; wherein the barrier layer substantially prevents aqueous fluids from contacting the opaque layer, and wherein the coated paperboard has a brightness on the side of the base substrate with the coating of about 65 or more measured using TAPPI T452, and a wet brightness drop, on the side of the base substrate with the coating, of about 30 or less, measured using the wet brightness drop test.
US09908136B2

A sprinkler base is provided comprising a platform component and a flow component. The flow component may have a tubular body encompassing a flow passage. A fluid inlet and a first fluid outlet may communicate with each other via the flow passage. The first fluid outlet may be arranged to receive a sprinkler head extending perpendicularly to an axis of the tubular body. The platform component may include mounting means to hold the tubular body of the flow component. Restraint means may be provided to retrain the tubular body against rotation about the axis of the tubular body relative to the platform component in one of a plurality of rotational positions.
US09908132B2

The present invention is directed to a dispensing pump for dispensing material from a container having a chaplet comprising a rotating ring and a stationary ring, wherein the rotating ring is connected to an actuator and the stationary ring is connected to an actuator assembly; a rotating ring affixed to the actuator wherein the rotating ring comprises a cut-out arc having an angle between about 45 degrees to about 345 degrees, wherein the remaining portion of the rotating ring is an uncut portion; a stationary ring attached to the actuator assembly a key protruding from the stationary ring which fits along the cut-out arc of the rotating ring; wherein the actuator rotates with the rotating ring until the uncut portion of the rotating ring is stopped by the key wherein the actuator starts to unscrew from the rotating ring until the actuator is released.
US09908114B2

A disposable fluidic cartridge has a recess therein. A mechanically-actuated mechanism is disposed within the recess for effecting an operation of the fluidic cartridge. The cartridge further comprises a machine-readable identification code on a breakable label covering at least a portion of the recess such that the portion of the breakable label covering the recess may be broken upon insertion of a mechanical actuator into the recess to actuate the mechanically-actuated mechanism. This renders the identification code unreadable and prevents reuse of the cartridge.
US09908113B2

Methods and devices are provided for sample collection and sample separation. In one embodiment, a device is provided for use with a formed component liquid sample, the device comprising at least one sample inlet for receiving said sample; at least a first outlet for outputting only a liquid portion of the formed component liquid sample; at least a second outlet for outputting the formed component liquid sample at least a first material mixed therein.
US09908101B2

The present invention provides a process and catalyst for the direct and selective conversion of ethane to ethylene. The process provides a direct single step vapor phase selective dehydrogenation/oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane to ethylene over Mo supported nanocrystalline TiO2. The process provides ethane conversion of 65-96% and selectivity of ethylene up to 100%. The process may be conducted in the presence or absence of oxygen.
US09908100B2

The invention relates to a method for the production of a TiO2 material comprising: preliminary mixing a titanium alkoxide with an acid; adding water, a phase separator and of an N source to the mixture thereby obtaining a TiO2 gel; washing the TiO2 gel with isopropanol; drying and calcining the TiO2 gel to produce the material. The invention also relates to a TiO2 material exhibiting an absorbance in the visible spectrum and in particular a light absorption at 500 nm which is greater than 50% of the light absorption at 400 nm, and its use as photocatalyst for the degradation of pollutants in air or water and water splitting into H2, under radiation in the visible spectrum.
US09908099B2

Disclosed herein are activated carbon having a particle size distribution of d95 ranging from 1 μm to 28 μm and a d95/d50 ratio ranging from 1.5 to 3, compositions comprising such activated carbons and methods of making the same, and methods of mercury removal from flue gas generated from coal combustion by injecting activated carbon into the flue gas.
US09908098B2

A flow-through filter article, as defined herein, including: a honeycomb and at least a portion of the honeycomb having a surface modification comprising: a first adsorbent comprising an activated carbon; a second adsorbent for a volatile organic compound, as defined herein; and a binder. Also disclosed is a method of making and using the filter article.
US09908097B2

Butadiene is made from a butene rich feed by passing a superheated butene rich feed including superheated steam and oxygen at a temperature of at least about 343° C. (650° F.) over a catalyst bed having a depth of over about 69 cm (27 inches) of granules of ferritic oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst. Inlet conditions being controlled such that the oxidative dehydrogenation reactions initially occur in the lower most layers of catalyst. Process control includes monitoring the temperature throughout the bed and increasing the inlet temperature in response to a drop in the temperature in the active layer, when the active layer of oxidative dehydrogenation catalyst begins to become deactivated so that the reaction zone moves upwardly in the oxidative dehydrogenation bed.
US09908093B2

This invention relates to a process for converting a carbonaceous material to a desired product comprising methane, methanol and/or dimethyl ether, the process comprising: gasifying the carbonaceous material at a temperature in excess of about 700° C. to form synthesis gas; and flowing the synthesis gas through two or more reaction zones in a microchannel reactor to convert the synthesis gas to the desired product.
US09908088B2

A hollow fiber membrane fluid transport device is disclosed wherein the fibers are comprised of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the potting materials are comprised of fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer based materials. The potting of the device utilizes a compressed chemically resistant fluorocopolymer and or fluoroterpolymer film, allows for ease of manufacture without destruction of the PTFE hollow fibers, with high packing densities, and without the processing complexity of pre-melting, extruding, or chemical crosslinking of any polymeric adhesives. Furthermore, the PTFE hollow fibers can be treated with a fluoropolymeric solvent solution before the chemically resistant film is applied to enhance the adhesion of the PTFE fiber to the film. PTFE hollow fibers, and its respective fluoro-co and terpolymers as potting films impart high packing densities, superb chemical resistance and temperature resistance without membrane contamination, or low fiber pull strength, as is sometimes observed with standard potting materials such as polyurethane and epoxy.
US09908086B2

The present invention is an integral multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer made by cocasting or sequentially casting a plurality of polymer solutions onto a support to form a multilayered liquid sheet and immersing the sheet into a liquid coagulation bath to effect phase separation and form a multilayered composite membrane having at least one ultrafiltration layer.
US09908084B2

A process for removing heavy metals from process fluids includes passing a heavy-metal-containing process fluid, including a reductant selected from hydrogen and carbon monoxide, at an inlet temperature ≦125° C. over a sorbent including (i) 4-75% by weight of one or more sulphided copper compounds selected from sulphided basic copper carbonate, sulphided copper hydroxide, sulphided copper oxide or mixtures of these, (ii) optionally a support material, and (iii) a binder and the binder content of the sorbent is in the range 5-30% by weight, wherein essentially all of the sulphided copper is in the form of CuS and the total metal sulphide content of the sorbent, other than copper sulphide, is ≦5% wt.
US09908083B2

An absorption-type carbon dioxide removal/condensing apparatus is removes or condenses carbon dioxide so that the apparatus secures high recovery efficiency. The apparatus has a honeycomb rotor holding a carbon dioxide absorbent, which is divided into at least a processing zone and a reproduction zone. After anyone of reproduction air for heating and a processing air is humidified by a humidifying device, both airs are ventilated into the zones, respectively. Thereby, the apparatus can improve absorption performance and density performance. If the honeycomb rotor is further divided into at least first and second processing zones, an air to be processed is humidified by a humidifier to ventilate into the first processing zone, and then a portion or all of the processing air which passed through the first procession zone is passed through the second procession zone (second pass).
US09908082B2

Ionization systems configured with a catalyst-bearing sleeve provide improved filtration while keeping ozone levels within acceptable limits. Modular configurations provide for serviceability and replaceability. System controls monitor particulates, temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors and adjust an ionization level accordingly for optimal performance.
US09908071B2

A control system for a variable flow filtration system that is configured for receiving an operating condition of a variable speed impeller of the variable flow filtration system; determining a threshold filter force associated with the received operating condition to determine an increased threshold filter force proportionally to increases in the received operating condition; receiving one or more real-time environmental conditions of the variable flow filtration system; modifying the determined threshold filter force based on the received one or more real-time environmental conditions; receiving a real-time filter force imparted by a filter of the variable flow filtration system on a load cell or other filtration system component, the filter force being imparted by a flow of gas or fluid driven by the variable speed impeller; comparing the received real-time filter force to the modified determined threshold filter force; and generating a filter status notification based on the comparison.
US09908063B2

An extraction apparatus comprises an extraction vessel configured to remove an extracted material from a source material in contact with a process fluid to form a mixture. The apparatus further comprises a separation chamber and a process fluid circulation conduit, the conduit comprising a separation portion configured to receive the mixture and permit a portion of the extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber. The apparatus further comprises a temperature regulator configured to permit re-circulation of a temperature regulation fluid and regulate the temperature of the process fluid.
US09908059B2

A very low pressure and entirely mechanical sea water desalination device is described, which may be built and operated at a fraction of the current costs for the desalination of sea water. The desalination device is used to purify polluted or otherwise impure water and is a device is easily scaled and can be used in a very small facilities up to the largest facilities for desalinating or purifying water. The device operates with sunlight and ambient heat, and therefore will be very inexpensive to operate in desert and tropical regions; and slightly more expensive to operate in cooler regions, yet still substantially less expensive than the existing systems. The device reduces the cost of potable water made from sea water or other polluted sources to a level which is comparable to or less than the cost of such water received from traditional local fresh-water sources.
US09908058B2

An apparatus includes a housing, a rotational motor situated within the housing, an eccentric load adapted to be rotated by the rotational motor, and a plurality of legs each having a leg base and a leg tip at a distal end relative to the leg base. The legs are coupled to the housing at the leg base and include at least one driving leg constructed from a flexible material and configured to cause the apparatus to move in a direction generally defined by an offset between the leg base and the leg tip as the rotational motor rotates the eccentric load.
US09908053B2

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for detecting unusual performance in a game. The game has a participant. The method calculates for the participant, a performance metric. The method compares the performance metric to a threshold value. Based on the comparison, the method optionally connects to a server. In some embodiments, the connection is for uploading a set of data from the participant to the server. The server, of some embodiments, broadcasts to the participant. The broadcast is a one-way transmission. In some embodiments, the broadcast includes a distribution based on a set of sample participants. In these embodiments, the set of sample participants comprises a representative sample of all the participants in the game. The threshold value, of some embodiments, is based on the broadcast and in some embodiments, the broadcast includes a histogram. The connecting occurs, in some embodiments, when the performance metric exceeds the threshold value. The connection, for some embodiments, includes a two-way connection. In some embodiments, the method also tracks for the participant, a participant improvement factor. The participant improvement factor is based on an average performance level for the participant. The method stores the participant improvement factor. The threshold value, in some of these embodiments, is based on the participant improvement factor. The method of some embodiments tracks for the game, a game improvement factor. The game improvement factor is based on an average performance level for several participants in the game. The method stores the game improvement factor. The threshold value, in some of these embodiments, is based on the game improvement factor. In some embodiments, the method examines the uploaded data for particular characteristics. In some embodiments, the particular characteristics indicate the likelihood of cheating activity.
US09908052B2

A technique for dynamically generating game activities for a game (e.g., a role-playing game) includes loading game information about the game into a data processing system (e.g., a question answering system). Context data (e.g., a question) is received from a client (e.g., a player of the game, a user of the game, another system, or a game engine). In response to receiving the context data, a game activity is dynamically generated based on the context data and the game information. The game activity is then initiated in the game and presented to the client.
US09908048B2

Systems and methods for executing a game presented on a screen of a head mounted display include executing a game. The execution of the game renders interactive scenes of the game on the screen of the HMD. Images identifying a shift in gaze direction of the user wearing the HMD, are received. The gaze shift is detected during viewing of the interactive scenes presented on the HMD screen. Real-world images that are in line with the gaze direction of the user, are captured from a forward-facing camera of the HMD. A portion of the screen is transitioned from a non-transparent mode to a semi-transparent mode in response to the shift in the gaze direction such that at least part of the real world images are presented in the portion of the screen rendering the interactive scenes of the game. The transparent mode is discontinued after a period of time.
US09908042B2

A guitar-shaped video game controller includes a body having a shape that resembles a guitar body, and a neck that is pivotally coupled to the guitar body via a hinge so that the neck can pivot between an extended position and a folded position relative to the guitar body. A latch assembly is actuatable to selectively lock the neck in the extended position to the body. A cable extends between and electrically connects the neck and the body to maintain an electrical connection between the neck and the body when the neck is in the extended and the folded positions.
US09908040B2

A game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the game controller includes a main body, a trigger device, and a first adjustment mechanism. The trigger device has a trigger body coupled to the main body and that pivots along a pivotal axis relative to the main body. The first adjustment device has a first surface that contacts a second surface of the main body at a first point of contact when the trigger body is moved. The first adjustment device is movable along a first axis such that the first point of contact is adjusted along the first axis.
US09908037B2

An electronic gaming die includes an enclosure, a flexible substrate, a number of light emitting diodes, a sensor, a processor and a battery. The enclosure has N sides where N is equal to or greater than 4. The flexible substrate folds into N sides and fits into an interior of the enclosure, wherein each side has an inner face, an outer face and is assigned an integer from 1 to N. The light emitting diodes are disposed on the outer face of each side of the flexible substrate, wherein the number of light emitting diodes equals the integer assigned to the side of the flexible substrate. The sensor, processor and battery are disposed on one of the inner faces of the flexible substrate.
US09908030B2

Climbing aids for use on snow comprising a climbing skin and one or both of a climbing skin tip and tail are disclosed. At least the climbing skin tip and/or tail is comprised of a flexible sheet that may be composed of a plastic polymer. Embodiments are disclosed in which the sheet is resilient and curved in a generally transverse direction to transfer forces towards the edges of the climbing aid to reduce entry of snow between the climbing aid and the undersurface of a ski or snowboard.
US09908029B2

The invention relates to a sports item (1), comprising a carrier (3) for a coupling device (25) for accommodating a user and including at least one distributing device (2) for the loads and/or forces to be transmitted to the sports item (1), which at least one distributing device (2) connects the carrier (3) to the sports item (1) via a joint arrangement, the latter having at least one pivoting arm (4, 5; 6, 7), which is pivotably connected, in each case via a joint (8, 9; 10, 11), to the sports item (1) at one arm end of the pivoting arm and to the carrier (3) at the other arm end of the pivoting arm, wherein the carrier (3) is movable from a starting position, counter to the restoring force of at least one elastic restoring element, to a balancing position in which the carrier is brought closer to the sports item (1). The sports item (1) according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one restoring element is an elastically deformable spring element (12; 13), which is held at one end on the carrier (3) and at the other end on the sports item (1).
US09908022B1

Certain embodiments of the disclosure combine an insulated cooler and toss game kit, such as a washer toss game. Two insulated halves form a pair of target portions when separated or can be combined to form a case. Game playing pieces, such as washers, and target cylinders are stored within the case. The two halves are configured to allow contents, such as beverages, food and/or temperature control materials to be stored in the interior volume.
US09908005B2

The present invention is directed to golf balls having improved aerodynamic performance due, at least in part, to the selection of the plan shapes of the dimples thereon. In particular, the present invention is directed to a golf ball that includes at least a portion of its dimples having a plan shape defined by low frequency periodic functions along a closed simple path. In addition, the present invention provides methods for designing dimples having a plan shape defined by a low frequency periodic function along a closed simple path.
US09908003B1

An exercise pad has a base and a pad body. The base is annular and is composed of multiple curved base units. Each base unit has a concave top surface, a bottom surface, an inner edge, two ends, and a curved recess. The ends of the base unit are provided respectively with at least one connection recess and at least one connection post. The curved recess is defined in the bottom surface, and the curved recesses of the multiple base units form an annular recess. The pad body is inflatable, is combined with the base, and has a convex bottom and an annular connection flange. The convex bottom is complementary in shape with the concave top surfaces of the base units. The annular connection flange is formed around a bottom edge of the convex bottom and extends into the annular recess.
US09907996B1

An exercise apparatus may provide a novel linkage assembly suitable for linking circular motion to relatively more complex, generally elliptical motion. Left and right rocker links may be rotatably mounted on a frame rotatable about a first axis. Left and right rocker linkages may be mounted on the frame rotatable about a second axis. Left and right force receiving members may be movably connected between respective rocker links and rocker linkages in such a manner that the force receiving members move through paths of motion which are fixed, adjustable or variable.
US09907995B1

An exercise device has guide links each having a first attachment point pivotally attached to an upper part of a frame. Foot support links each have a foot receiving area to support a user's foot and are pivotally connected to a second attachment point of one of the guide links so that when the guide links pivot relative to the frame, the foot support links move in a path of travel having a horizontal component of motion. A first and a second control pulley are each pivotally connected to a respective one of the guide links and offset from the first pivot axis so as to move in an arc. A first and a second flexible element each couple the vertical drive assembly to a respective one of the foot support links. Each flexible element has a midportion extending about a respective one of the control pulleys.
US09907992B2

A resistance mechanism for an exercising device is provided. The resistance mechanism comprises a housing configured to engage the exercise device. The housing is configured to translate a resistance from a resistance generator to the exercise device. The resistance mechanism also comprises a resistance adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a level of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism. Adjustment in a first direction increases a provided resistance, and adjustment in a second direction decreases the provided resistance. The resistance generator comprises a flywheel coupled to an indexing wedge. The resistance mechanism is configured to, when the adjustment mechanism adjusts in the first direction, push against the indexing wedge in a linear direction towards and against a brake arm, causing the brake arm to engage the flywheel, thereby increasing the level of resistance provided by the resistance mechanism to the outdoor exercise device.
US09907982B2

A method of diagnosis and treatment of tumors using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound is provided. The method of diagnosing the presence of a tumor in a patient comprises the steps of subjecting a tumor to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to cause the tumor cells to release cellular material and evaluating the cellular material for a tumor marker. The method of treating a tumor in a patient can also comprise the step of subjecting a tumor to high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) to provoke an immune response.
US09907977B2

The present disclosure relates to the cross-linking of eye tissue. Embodiments of the disclosure relate to the activation of a photosensitizer and/or nanoparticles for the cross-linking of eye tissue.
US09907975B1

A method for transdermally treating selected tissue and/or for facilitating the release and/or differentiation of stem cells, including exposing the selected tissue to laser light having a wavelength between approximately 600 and 1400 nm, and maintaining such exposure of the selected tissue or bone to the laser light for a period of time sufficient to deliver a laser light dosage of at least 3 Joules/cm2 per treatment and maintaining such exposure for a period of time sufficient to deliver a laser light dosage of at least 1000 Joules per treatment within a 24 hour period of time. The method also includes upcollimating the laser light such that the laser delivers to the selected tissue a substantially coherent beam of laser light having a cross-sectional area of at least 5 cm2, and, further, delivering the laser light to a depth of at least 5 mm in the selected tissue.
US09907969B2

An external device is provided for use with an intraocular device configured to be implanted entirely in an eye of a subject. The external device includes a mount configured to be placed in front of the eye and a sensor coupled to the mount and configured to sense a level of ambient light. The external device additionally includes an external power source coupled to the mount and configured to (i) emit toward the eye non-visible light that is outside of 380-750 nm, and (ii) modulate the non-visible light based on the level of ambient light sensed by the sensor. Other application are also described.
US09907967B2

Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include a device for conveying power from a location external to a subject to a location within the subject The device may include a flexible carrier, an adhesive on a first side of the carrier, a coil of electrically conductive material associated with the flexible carrier, and a mechanical connector extending from a second side of the carrier opposite the adhesive. The mechanical connector may be configured to be received by and retained by a receiver associated with a housing configured for mounting on the carrier.
US09907964B2

Medical devices provide metallic connector enclosures. The metallic connector enclosures may be constructed with relatively thin walls in comparison to polymer connector enclosures to aid in miniaturizing the medical device. The metallic connector enclosures may be constructed with interior surfaces that deviate less from an ideal inner surface shape in comparison to polymer connector enclosures to allow for better concentricity of electrical connectors. The metallic connector enclosures may include a panel that allows access to the cavity of the connector enclosure where set screw blocks, lead connectors, spacers, seals, and the like may be located. Furthermore, the lead connectors within the metallic connector enclosures may be separated from the metallic connector enclosure by being positioned within non-conductive seals that reside within features included in cavity walls of the connector enclosure. Similarly, set screw blocks may be separated from the metallic connector enclosure by non-conductive spacers present within the cavity.
US09907963B2

An external component housing is described for a cochlear implant system. A signal processing stage is contained within the housing for generating an electrical signal for an implanted portion of the system. An external coil is also within the housing for transmitting the electrical signal transcutaneously through the skin of a patient to the implanted portion. An impact absorber shields the system components from the impact energy associated with a mechanical impact to the housing.
US09907957B2

The invention is a system and method for detecting the status of a rechargeable battery included within an implantable medical device. The medical device can incorporate a status indicator which signals the user concerning the battery status, e.g., low battery level. The signal may be audible or it may arise from an electrical stimulation that is perceptually distinguished from the operative, therapeutic stimulation. The external programmer may also incorporate a second battery status indicator that is visual, audible, or physically felt. Battery status data may be conveyed on visual displays on the external programmer by uploading this information from the medical device using a bi-directional telemetry link. Such battery status data are helpful to the user to indicate when the battery should be recharged and to the clinician to monitor patient compliance and to determine end-of-useful life of the rechargeable battery.
US09907953B2

A leadless pulse generator is disclosed herein. The leadless pulse generator has a body, a helical anchor, an electrode, and a sleeve. The body includes a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end. The helical anchor distally extends from the distal end. The electrode is at the distal end. The sleeve distally extends from the distal end and has a proximal face and a distal face opposite the proximal face. The proximal face is adjacent the body. The sleeve coaxially extends about the helical anchor and further has a biased state wherein the distal face is near a distal tip of the helical anchor. The sleeve is configured to compress such that the distal face displaces proximally towards the proximal face upon the distal face being forced against the cardiac tissue in the course of the helical anchor screwing into the cardiac tissue.
US09907946B1

Apparatus and methods of dispensing fluid intravenously to a subject, and of flushing a line of an intravenous fluid administration apparatus, are provided. The apparatus may include a chamber including a plurality of connector ports and be configured to operate in fluid communication with an upstream source via a first connector port and, during operation, pass therethrough to downstream tubing, under a first pressure condition, first fluid from the upstream source via a second connector port. A third connector port may be configured to connect to an end of tubing or a valve connector such that, during operation, the chamber is configured to, under a second, higher pressure condition, pass therethrough to the downstream tubing a second fluid from a second fluid source via the third and second connector ports, prevent first fluid flow into the downstream tubing, and prevent second fluid flow through the first connector port.
US09907934B2

Some embodiments of a medical device anchor system include an anchor device that secures a medical instrument (such as a catheter) in place relative to a skin penetration point using subcutaneous anchors.
US09907928B2

A therapeutic environmental light and image system and related methods are provided. A controller controls a lighting system and one or more images displayed on a display monitor to create a virtual window in a patient recovery room that simulates characteristics of a real window. Optionally, circadian full-spectrum light cycling is delivered via a prescriptively-selected circadian light cycle, which may or may not be configured based on the images provided on the display monitor. Additionally, ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source may be dosed to the patient to favorably impact biologic functions and other health aspects of the patient, to facilitate patient recovery.
US09907923B2

An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.
US09907922B2

An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.
US09907897B2

An automated peritoneal dialysis system provides various features including prescription-driven dialysis fluid preparation, an integrated disposable fluid circuit, and sensor capabilities that allow accurate filing and draining control with high safety margins. Features include a peritoneal fluid circuit with a pressure sensor at either end and methods and devices for using the pressure signals. Other features and embodiments are disclosed.
US09907889B2

Illustrative embodiments of new and useful systems and methods for reduced-pressure therapy are described. One example embodiment is a manually-actuated pump for applying reduced-pressure therapy. The pump generally comprises a charging chamber, a regulated chamber, and a regulator passage between the charging chamber and the regulated chamber. A valve body controls fluid communication through the regulator passage, and a regulator spring may be engaged with the valve body to bias the valve body against a differential between a pressure in the regulated chamber and an ambient pressure. The regulator passage may have a bore size adapted deflect the valve body to cause an audible indication of a leak.
US09907887B2

A manually operable pump for the effective removal of fluids to include blood, blood clots, fluid, and air from a body cavity of a subject is provided. The manually operable pump is adapted to be connect to a range of fluid conduits and is equipped with one-way valves that effectively permit flow of fluid through the pump in only one direction. The sensitivity of the one-way valves is such that when properly positioned, fluid can flow through the valves and out of the pump without manual compression of the pump and with the aid of gravity power alone.
US09907882B2

Methods of making and osteoinductive compositions are provided. The method includes mixing isolated periosteum tissue with a demineralized bone matrix to form the osteoinductive composition. The periosteum tissue is isolated from the surface of large bones such as femur, tibia, humerus or a mixture thereof. The demineralized bone matrix can include a plurality of surface demineralized or fully demineralized bone fibers, bone chips, bone particles or mixtures thereof. In the osteoinductive composition the substantially isolated periosteum tissue is from about 0.5% wt. to about 10% wt. A method for repairing a bone defect is also provided. The method of treatment includes applying to the bone defect a substantially effective amount of a mixture of isolated periosteum tissue and demineralized bone matrix.
US09907874B2

Ionization systems configured with a catalyst-bearing sleeve provide improved filtration while keeping ozone levels within acceptable limits. Modular configurations provide for serviceability and replaceability. System controls monitor particulates, temperature, humidity, and other relevant factors and adjust an ionization level accordingly for optimal performance.
US09907872B2

The present invention is generally related to an apparatus and method for sanitizing a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, in particular the invention relates to a system, method and device that attach to a CPAP device and sanitizes all of the parts of the CPAP device, including the inner areas of the hose, reservoir and face mask most prone for bacteria buildup. The device has an ozone operating system and one or more ozone distribution lines that distributes ozone to a CPAP device and a non-permeable bag for sanitizing a CPAP mask.
US09907868B2

A process for the preparation of complexes containing 68Ga wherein a buffer formic acid/formate in the presence of compounds capable to sequester metal cations is used in the complexation reaction.
US09907866B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing a liquid pharmaceutical formulation containing a complex of macrocyclic chelate with a lanthanide and a mol/mol amount of free macrocyclic chelate of between 0.002% and 0.4%, advantageously between 0.02% and 0.3% and very advantageously between 0.025% and 0.25%, the macrocyclic chelate advantageously being chosen from DOTA, NOTA, DOTAGA, D03A, BT-D03A, HP-D03A and PCTA, and is preferably DOTA, the said process comprising the following successive steps: b) preparation of a liquid pharmaceutical composition containing, firstly, the complex of macrocyclic chelate with a lanthanide, and, secondly, free macrocyclic chelate and/or free lanthanide; c) measurement in the pharmaceutical formulation obtained in step b) of the concentration of free macrocyclic chelate Cchl and/or of free lanthanide Ciani; d) adjustment of Cchl and/or of Ciani so as to obtain Cchl=Ct chi and Ciani=0, wherein Ct chi is the target concentration of free macrocyclic chelate in the final liquid pharmaceutical formulation.
US09907858B2

The present disclosure provides various molecular constructs having a targeting element and/or an effector element. Methods for treating various diseases using such molecular constructs are also disclosed.
US09907857B2

Provided are transmembrane complexes that contain a protein transduction domain (PTD) from the N-terminus of IgE-dependent histamine-releasing factor (HRF) and a target substance that is to be delivered into a cell. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules encoding the transmembrane complex and methods of delivering the target substance into a cell interior by contacting the transmembrane complex with a cell. Also provided are transfection kits containing the PTD and the target substance.
US09907855B2

The invention relates to (among other things) N-optionally substituted aryl-2-oligomer-3-alkoxypropionamides and compositions comprising the same. A compound of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits one or more advantages over corresponding compounds lacking the oligomer.
US09907849B2

The present disclosure describes combination therapies comprising an antagonist of Programmed Death 1 receptor (PD-1) and a Listeria based strain that expresses prostate-tissue specific antigen (PSA), and the use of the combination therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer.
US09907842B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of cancer, especially carcinomas, such as lung carcinoma. The invention discloses peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides that can be used to stimulate a CTL response against lung and other cancers.
US09907841B2

Methods for prolongation of climax time in a patient in need thereof are presented, as are methods for treating premature ejaculation by local administration of a Clostridial neurotoxin, such as botulinum neurotoxin, to the patient, are provided.
US09907831B2

The disclosure provides, among other things, compositions that bind to and inhibit the biological activity of soluble biomolecules, as well as pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are a number of applications (e.g., therapeutic applications) in which the compositions are useful.
US09907829B2

The present invention relates to stable aqueous formulations comprising at least 5 mg/mL CD-RAP and a charged amino acid, said amino acid preferably having a net charge at a pH between about 6 and 8. The ingredients of the formulation preferably provide stability over repeated freeze-thaw cycles. In a preferred aspect, the formulation is for use in therapy, preferably for use in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, preferably osteoarthritis. Furthermore, a kit comprising the formulation of the invention is provided.
US09907824B2

The present invention relates to a formulation comprising extracts of Hedera helix and Pelargonium sidoides for use in the treatment, prevention of, or the alleviation and/or elimination of the symptoms of various respiratory tract diseases, as well as a method for preparing this formulation.
US09907810B1

The present invention provides a method for the treatment of immune mediated or immune related diseases or disorders, infectious diseases, metabolic disorders and cancer in mammalian subjects. This method comprises the administration of a naturally occurring, mammalian intermediary metabolite or T cell receptor ligand, preferably a glucosylceramide, to a mammalian subject. In a preferred embodiment, such mammalian subjects are human beings.
US09907805B2

This invention relates to compounds that are agonists of the muscarinic M1 receptor and which are useful in the treatment of muscarinic M1 receptor mediated diseases. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds and the therapeutic uses of the compounds. Compounds provided are of formula I, where n is 1 or 2; p is 0, 1 or 2; q is 0, 1 or 2; and R1-R6 are as defined herein.
US09907790B2

Crystalline forms of 5-(4-cyclopropyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-N-(6-(4-isopropyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridin-2-yl)-2-fluoro-4-methylbenzamide (Compound I) were prepared and characterized in the solid state: Also provided are processes of manufacture and methods of using the crystalline forms.
US09907784B2

There is provided the use as reducing agents of alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds capable of forming cyclic dimers. There is also provided corresponding methods of reducing reducible compounds, particularly reduction-activated prodrugs. Examples of the alpha-hydroxycarbonyl compounds used are dihydroxyacetone, glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, erythrose, xylulose, erythrulose or 3-hydroxy-2-butanone.
US09907783B2

The present invention includes compositions and methods for the treatment of skin conditions by administration of a cyclolignan such as picropodophyllin and/or a derivative, metabolite, analog, prodrug, pharmaceutically acceptable salt, or hydrate thereof.
US09907772B2

Use of polyunsaturated fatty acid derivatives as medicaments or functional foods. The present invention relates to the use of 1,2-fatty acid derivatives in the treatment or prevention of common diseases whose etiology is based on alterations (of any type) of the cell membrane lipids, for example, changes in levels, in the composition or in the structure of these lipids. In addition, for diseases in which the regulation of lipid composition and of the structure of the membranes (or proteins that interact with membranes) causes the reversion of pathological state.
US09907759B2

The present invention provides a method for preparing a film comprising a high amount of a sildenafil free base uniformly dispersed therein and having a suitable thickness and size, as well as flexibility providing good handling stability and being not prone to breaking. The present invention also provides a sildenafil free base-containing film prepared from the method.
US09907751B2

Oral liquid colchicine formulations are described herein. Methods of using the oral liquid colchicine formulations are also provided.
US09907744B2

The present invention relates to a consumer goods product comprising a consumer goods product ingredient and a lignin oligomer, wherein the lignin oligomer: (a) comprises less than 1 wt % sulphur content; (b) has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 800 Da to 1,800 Da; and (c) has a molar ratio of aromatic hydroxyl content to aliphatic hydroxyl content in the range of from 1.2 to 1.9, wherein the consumer goods product ingredient is an emulsifier, and wherein the lignin oligomer is in the form of an emulsion, and wherein the consumer goods product is selected from skin treatment composition, oral care treatment composition, and detergent composition.
US09907743B2

The present invention relates to a composition for dyeing keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising one or more fatty substances, one or more alkylpolyglucoside nonionic surfactants and/or one or more oxyethylenated C8-C30 fatty acid esters of sorbitan, one or more (poly)alkoxylated fatty alcohol(s), and/or one or more (poly)glycerolated fatty alcohol(s); one or more oxidation bases chosen from (2,5-diaminophenyl)ethanol and also acid salts thereof or solvates thereof such as hydrates, optionally one or more couplers, optionally one or more basifying agent(s), one or more chemical oxidizing agent(s), and whose fatty substance content represents in total at least 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition and more particularly at least 25% by weight relative to the total weight of the said composition.
US09907740B2

A method for increasing muscular volume of a muscle in a human is provided. The method comprises injecting a composition comprising hyaluronic acid (HA) into one or more than one location of a muscle, thereby increasing the muscular volume as compared to before the injection. The muscle may be an arm, leg, chest, back or buttock muscle, or any other desired muscle. A method for altering a contour of a muscle in a human is also provided, which comprises obtaining an image of the contour of the muscle, determining a new contour, injecting an HA composition into one or more than one location of the muscle to obtain the new contour, thereby altering the contour as compared to before the injection. A use of a composition comprising HA for increasing muscular volume of a muscle in a human is also provided, where the composition is for injection into muscle.
US09907737B2

A composition which includes a) ferulic acid ethyl ester and b) one, two or more aryl alkanols. The combination of components a) and b) has an antimicrobial effect on products such as cosmetics.
US09907731B2

A self-paced, ergonomic feeding bottle with a substantially-straight back sidewall and an “S”-shaped curved front sidewall; where the curved front sidewall comprises two sections: (1) a convex chest section near the top, and (2) a concave handle section near the bottom, comprising a concave crook and a thin waist. The top-heavy bottle has a single plane of symmetry located between the right and left hand sides of the bottle. An anti-vacuum valve can be inserted into a vent hole. Side positioning markers can be used to achieve zero hydrostatic pressure during use. Anti-roll pads are part of the front sidewall.
US09907727B2

A vial gripper and gripper assembly having a base and a clamp extending therefrom made from an elastomeric material. The clamp adapted to retain a vial, ampoule, or other containers therein typically used in the hospital or clinical setting. The gripper assembly includes an elevated body having a guide wherein a gripper is insertable, and wherein the assembly may be further securely stored within a unit tray.
US09907721B2

Systems and methods for use with haptic devices. A control system for haptic devices determines a first course of action based on a user's motion. Prior to implementing the first course of action, the control system determines if the first course of action would lead to instability in the haptic device which could cause an unsafe situation such as failure of its components. If the first course of action would lead to instability, the control device determines a second course of action that would not lead to instability and implements this second course of action. To assist in this second course of action and to prevent potential oscillation in the haptic device, the control system also selectively dampens a projected action of the haptic device. A haptic device using such a control system is also disclosed.
US09907711B2

Described here are body liners and methods for treating accidental bowel leakage using one or more body liners. The body liners may be formed from one or more liner layers and in some instances may comprise one or more adhesive regions to connect the body liners to the skin of a wearer. The body liners may be configured to absorb fluid, and may selectively distribute fluid relative to the body liner.
US09907708B2

The subject of the invention is a wound care article for extraction and control of wound fluids, comprising at least one first fluid-absorbing structure (1; 10; 36), which is surrounded by a liquid-permeable, first enclosure (2), and a liquid-permeable, second enclosure (3) comprising two enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2). The wound care article is thus characterized in that the first enclosure (2) is covered or supported on at least one of its flat sides (4.1, 4.2) by at least one fluid-absorbing material layer (6.1, 6.2; 6.3), which is arranged (FIG. 1a) between the first enclosure (2) and one of the enclosing surfaces (13.1, 13.2) of the second enclosure (3).
US09907706B2

The present invention provides machinery used to create products (for instance disposable products). The machinery is operated at high speed, with the machine occupying a small footprint. Materials can be fed into the manufacturing process vertically (from above or below), using assembly stations to feed completed components into the system at appropriate stations. Additionally, restocking of raw components can be accomplished by robotic means of transferring the raw material from staging areas into infeeding or splicing stations, without the need for human operators.
US09907700B2

The invention is a tympanic membrane pressure equalization tube. The tube has a distal end and a proximal end and a tube lumen. A medial flange is located at the distal end of the tube and has 2 or more retention elements and a space between each retention element. A lateral flange is located at the proximal end of the tube. The outside diameter of the medial flange is greater than the outside diameter of the lateral flange and the diameter of the medial flange is between about 2.0 and 5.0 mm and the diameter of the lateral flange is between about 1.75 mm and 4.0 mm.
US09907694B2

Described is a medicament delivery device comprising a body adapted to be placed on the eye and a reservoir formed in the body containing a medicament. The body has a first surface adapted to contact at least a portion of the eye and be centered around a cornea. At least one projection is formed on the first surface. The projection includes a channel adapted to create a fluid flow path for the medicament from the reservoir to a terminal end of the projection.
US09907691B2

A contraceptive intrauterine device having a support structure configured for transcervical implantation in a uterus, an active element coupled to the support structure, the active element having a core including copper that is at least partially coated with an outer layer including gold or gold alloy. A contraceptive intrauterine device having a support structure configured for transcervical implantation in a uterus, an active element coupled to the support structure, the active element including a copper core that is at least partially plated or coated with an outer layer including gold or gold alloy, wherein the copper core is configured to release copper ions after the device is implanted in a uterus, and wherein the gold or gold alloy outer layer is configured to control the release rate of copper ions release by the core. Methods for preventing conception by implanting said contraceptive intrauterine devices.
US09907688B2

A care unit can include a base member and a plurality of petal members. Each petal member can extend from a first end, engaged with the base member, to a second end, spaced from the base member. Inward-facing surfaces of at least two petal members and the base member can collectively define a cavity for receiving at least a portion of the patient. The care unit can further include one or both of a therapy component, configured to provide a treatment to the patient, or a sensor component, configured to monitor a condition of the patient. The therapy component can be coupled to, or integrated with, one or both of the base member or a petal member and can include an optical light source, a thermal energy source, an oxygen or air source, a sound wave source, a sound wave-cancelling source, or a pulsating source, for example.
US09907685B2

A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold has a pattern including an asymmetric closed cell connecting links connecting the closed cells.
US09907681B2

A radially-expandable stent (20) is shaped so as to define one or more tether interfaces (50), a lower-securement portion (56), and a higher-securement portion (64). The lower-securement portion (56) extends (a) along at least a contiguous lower-securement axial segment (58) of the stent (20) and (b) circumferentially around a contiguous lower-securement circumferential portion (60) of the stent (20), which lower-securement axial segment (58) and lower-securement circumferential portion (60) include the one or more tether interfaces (50). The higher-securement portion (64) extends (a) along at least a contiguous higher-securement axial segment (65) of the stent (20) and (b) circumferentially around between 215 and 330 degrees of a circumference (C), at all circumferential locations other than those of the lower-securement circumferential portion (60). The stent (20) is shaped so as to define a plurality of outward protrusions (70) at respective circumferential locations (72) around the higher-securement portion (64), and not around the lower-securement portion (56). One or more tethers (34) are coupled to the one or more tether interfaces (50), respectively, and to one or more tissue anchors (30), respectively.
US09907677B2

A stable shock absorbing prosthetic foot that transfers energy between heel strike and toe-off. A toe plate is separated from one or more other plates by a bumper assembly located at each of the toe end and heel end of the foot. Certain embodiments of the shock absorbing foot of the present invention are designed for use with a prosthetic ankle. A torsion adapter may also be used to attach a prosthetic foot of the present invention to the remainder of a prosthesis.
US09907676B2

A prosthetic foot has a plate-like foot member with a core section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a first material fiber, an upper section disposed above the core section, the upper section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a second material fiber, and a lower section disposed below the core section, the lower section substantially defined by one or more layers comprising a third material fiber, where the upper, lower and core sections together define a total thickness of the plate-like elongate foot member. An idealized ratio of the cross sectional area of each section can be determined such that under an applied load provided to the hybrid layup, the ratio of maximum stress of a given section over the flexural strength of that given section is approximately equal for all sections of the hybrid layup. The hybrid layup arrangement can be configured to have a greater strength, but generally the same stiffness, as a similar foot member made of carbon fiber.
US09907663B2

An implant system includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion includes a hydrogel. The second portion includes a porous material and the hydrogel in pores of the porous material. The third portion includes the porous material. The first portion is free of the porous material. The third portion is free of the hydrogel. Methods of making and using the implant system.
US09907662B2

A total knee replacement whose bearing surfaces are derived from an anatomically representative femur and a modified baseline tibial surface. The contacting femoral and tibial bearing surfaces include the inter-condylar as well as condylar regions. The modified baseline tibial surface is generated by modifying a baseline tibial surface. For example, the baseline tibial surface can be flattened mathematically to generate the modified baseline tibial surface.
US09907656B2

To provide a prosthetic member that is less likely to degrade its mechanical properties even when using it in the presence of squalene, and a method of producing the same. The prosthetic member in the present invention includes a substrate exhibiting excellent antioxidant properties and including an antioxidant and a polymer material, and a polymer film(s) covering a surface of the substrate and comprising a (meth)acrylate compound. The method for producing the prosthetic member in the present invention includes the steps of: forming a substrate comprising an antioxidant and a polymer material, cleaning a surface of the substrate with a cleaning liquid, and covering the cleaned surface of the substrate with a polymer film(s) comprising a (meth)acrylate compound.
US09907650B2

A valve prosthesis and implantation device, and methods for use are provided. The devices may be used for transcatheter delivery of an aortic valve prosthesis or transapical delivery of a mitral valve prosthesis. The implantation device utilizes movable claspers for both positioning and anchoring the valve prosthesis, reducing the extent of imaging needed during the implantation procedure.
US09907636B2

A light irradiation device that emits a light patch of uniform intensity. The device may be a dental light wand. The device has a light source, a lenslet array and an optional relay lens. The light source may be a laser or a collimated LED. Each lenslet of the lenslet array has two convex surfaces, a front convex surface, and a rear convex surface that is opposite to the front convex surface. The front convex surface has a focal point on the principal plane of the rear convex surface. The focal length of the front convex surface differs from the focal length of the rear convex surface. Light beams emitted by the light source pass through the lenslet array, and if a relay lens is present then pass through the relay lens, forming a light patch of uniform intensity.
US09907633B2

An oral care system for cleaning teeth and gums includes a housing, an oral hygiene unit, and a gooseneck arm attached to the housing and releasably coupling the oral hygiene unit to the housing, the gooseneck arm being adjustable to hold the oral hygiene unit at a defined position and orientation relative to the housing. The oral hygiene unit has a mouthpiece having at least one arcuate channel adapted to receive and surround the teeth. The mouthpiece includes at least two modalities chosen from a group consisting of a mechanical modality, an iontophoretic modality, and a disinfection modality, wherein the mechanical modality brushes the teeth and gums and dislodges food debris, the iontophoretic modality breaks up plaque buildup, and the disinfection modality removes the food debris and plaque. The oral care system includes a control unit which controls transmission of the modalities and tracks utilization of the system.
US09907617B2

A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a housing, a cleaning agent within the housing, and a movable septum in the housing that maintains the cleaning agent within the housing until receipt by the housing of the site of the medical implement. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
US09907613B2

A dipole microwave applicator emits microwave radiation into tissue to be treated. The applicator is formed from a thin coax cable having an inner conductor surrounded by an insulator, which is surrounded by an outer conductor. A portion of the inner conductor extends beyond the insulator and the outer conductor. A ferrule at the end of the outer conductor has a step and a sleeve that surrounds a portion of the extended inner conductor. A tuning washer is attached to the end of the extended inner conductor. A dielectric tip encloses the tuning washer, the extended inner conductor, and the sleeve of the ferrule. The sleeve of the ferrule and the extended inner conductor operate as the two arms of the dipole microwave antenna. The tuning washer faces the step in the ferrule, and is sized and shaped to cooperate with the step in balancing and tuning the applicator.
US09907602B2

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a medical device with a handpiece that provides enhanced comfort of use, maneuverability, and for a variety of hand-held options to the user. Embodiments of the invention include handpieces that include a grip panel comprised of a friction-enhancing material to facilitate gripping of the handpiece by an operator. In addition, embodiments of the invention include handpieces having a generally symmetrical configuration in order to facilitate grasping by an operator's left or right hand.
US09907595B2

Systems and methods for height restoration and stabilization of a bone structure. An expandable member is directed in a contracted state to a first target site within the bone structure. The expandable member is transitioned from a contracted state to an expanded state within the bone structure. A curable material is delivered to a second target site within the bone structure while the expandable member remains in the expanded state within the bone structure at the first target site. The expandable member is transitioned from the expanded state to the contracted state. The expandable is removed member from the bone structure. Transitioning the expandable member to the expanded state may alter the vertebral body from a fractured height to a restored height greater than the fractured height. The curable material may be delivered within the vertebral body while the first expandable member maintains the vertebral body at the restored height.
US09907594B2

A bone cement system according to the present disclosure includes a housing, a dispenser housing, a plunger, and a pressure release system. The housing has a proximal end, a distal end, and a throughbore that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The dispenser housing is received in the throughbore and is adapted to receive bone cement. The plunger is releasably coupled to the proximal end of the housing and received into the dispenser housing so that movement of the plunger relative to the dispenser housing dispenses bone cement from the distal end of the housing. The pressure release system is coupled to the housing and includes a body that is movable within a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the housing, without translating the body along the longitudinal axis of the housing, to reduce the pressure of bone cement exiting the distal end of the housing.
US09907589B2

A surgical plate device that incorporates a screw locking mechanism in each screw hole by which the surgical plate device is affixed to a bony segment. The screw locking mechanism includes a tab structure emanating from an interior portion (or either surface) of the surgical plate that is biased into a portion of the corresponding screw hole. When a screw is inserted into the screw hole, the head of the screw temporarily biases the tab structure out of the screw hole, until the head of the screw passes below the plane of the tab structure, at which point the tab structure rebounds into the previously occupied portion of the screw hole, thereby covering a portion of the head of the screw and preventing it from “backing out.”
US09907583B2

A system for reducing deformities of the vertebrae in the spine includes a first reduction assembly, a second reduction assembly, and a reduction drive assembly. The first reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a first reduction tower that attaches to a first vertebra. The second reduction assembly is configured for attachment to a second reduction tower that attaches to a second vertebra. The reduction drive assembly includes an arcuate rack gear operably coupling the first reduction assembly to the second reduction assembly to translate the first reduction assembly relative to the second reduction assembly along an arcuate path in a first plane.
US09907567B2

A rotary catheter comprising a motor-driven flexible shaft rotatably disposed in a flexible tube having a fluid channel between them, a distal portion of the flexible shaft extending out of the tube and being free to move radially relative to the tube enabling the fluid channel to ingest large particles eased by motions between the rotating flexible shaft and the flexible tube, and pump means containing a thrombolytic drug connected to the fluid channel for infusing the drug through the fluid channel to the obstruction. An asymmetrical tip that is affixed to a distal end of the shaft has a substantially narrower cross section than its effective diameter so that fluid can flow alongside the tip and reach the area that the tip impacts the obstruction with the side of the tip and the tube aspirates fluid and the resulting particles into the channel.
US09907548B2

Described herein is a simplified placement system and method for a tissue graft or “suture anchor”, threaded, knotless or otherwise, by which a surgeon may introduce one or more sutures into a hole in a boney tissue, apply a precise amount of tension to the sutures to advance a soft tissue graft to a desired location, and then advance the anchor into the bone, preferably while maintaining the requisite pre-determined suture tension and without introducing spin to the suture. The simplified placement system and method of the present invention allows the surgeon to establish the graft position and, while maintaining that position, secure the anchor without changing the suture tension or causing a shift in the graft position and furthermore, when the anchor is threaded, without spinning of the suture. In certain preferred embodiments, the distal end of the device includes a resiliently deformable polymeric distal element, optionally including a “split” suture-capturing loop, that allows for the retention of multiple sutures. In other embodiments, the distal end may further include a depth or penetration-limiting element formed of a suitable metallic or polymeric material that serves to prevent the distal end of the device from excessively penetrating, damaging or tearing a tissue graft of interest.
US09907543B2

Methods, devices, and systems are described herein that allow for improved sampling of tissue from remote sites in the body. A tissue sampling device comprises a handle allowing single hand operation. In one variation the tissue sampling device includes a blood vessel scanning means and tissue coring means to excise a histology sample from a target site free of blood vessels. The sampling device also includes an adjustable stop to control the depth of needle penetration. The sampling device may be used through a working channel of a bronchoscope.
US09907539B2

Sparse tracking is used in acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. The tracking is performed sparsely. The displacements are measured only one or a few times for each receive line. While this may result in insufficient information to determine the displacement phase shift and/or maximum displacement over time, the resulting displacement samples for different receive lines as a function of time may be used together to estimate the velocity, such as with a Radon transform. The estimation may be less susceptible to noise from the scarcity of displacement samples by using compressive sensing.
US09907530B2

Methods and systems for operating x-ray system. One system includes an x-ray source having a plurality of exposure parameters and a controller for the x-ray source. The controller for the x-ray source is configured to receive image characteristic information and automatically adjust the plurality of exposure parameters based on the image characteristic information. The image characteristic information can include an identifier of a predefined sequence of images, an identifier of an image type, a set of values of the plurality of exposure parameters, and a unique identifier of a holder for an x-ray receptor.
US09907521B2

The invention relates to medical imaging and, more specifically, to intraoral dental radiology. The sensor according to the invention includes a series (SPHx) of detection photodiodes for detecting the arrival of an X-ray flash. The series of photodiodes occupies the location of a central column of the matrix of pixels. The signal of the missing pixel in each row can be reconstructed by interpolating the signals provided by the adjacent pixels of the row. The detection photodiodes are identical to the photodiodes of the active CMOS pixels. They are all electrically connected on one side to a reference potential and on the other side to a detection conductor (CD) extending along the series of photodiodes. This detection conductor is connected to a detection circuit (DX) delivering a signal for triggering the capture of an image when the detected current or the variation in this current exceeds a threshold showing that an X-ray flash has been initiated.
US09907520B2

Digital tomosynthesis systems, methods, and computer readable media for intraoral dental tomosynthesis imaging are disclosed. In some aspects, an intraoral tomosynthesis imaging system includes an x-ray source array for positioning outside a mouth of a patient, wherein the x-ray source array contains multiple x-ray focal spots that are spatially distributed on an anode, an area digital x-ray detector for positioning inside the mouth of the patient, a geometry calibration mechanism for connecting the x-ray detector to the x-ray source array, an x-ray collimator for confining x-ray beams to a region of interest, a controller for regulating x-ray radiation and synchronization of the x-ray radiation with the x-ray detector, such that multiple 2D projection images of the ROI are acquired without mechanical motion of the x-ray source array, the x-ray detector, or the mouth of the patient, and a computer program and workstation for 3D tomosynthesis image reconstruction and display.
US09907519B2

A radiation protection device attaches to the C-arm of a fluoroscope and shields and collimates the X-ray beam between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. One embodiment has a radiation shield of X-ray opaque material that surrounds the C-arm of the fluoroscopy system, the X-ray source and the image intensifier. A padded slot fits around the patient's body. Another embodiment has conical or cylindrical radiation shields that extend between the X-ray source and the patient and between the patient and the image intensifier. The radiation shields have length adjustments and padded ends to fit the device to the patient. The radiation protection device may be motorized to advance and withdraw the radiation shields. A blanket-like radiation shield covers the patient in the area surrounding where the X-ray beam enters the body.
US09907518B2

An X-ray imaging guiding system for positioning a region of interest of a patient for X-ray image acquisition includes an X-ray detector arrangement, and graphical positioning information. The graphical positioning information includes a graphical target anatomy representation. The graphical target positioning information is provided in spatial relation with the X-ray detector arrangement. The graphical target anatomy representation indicates a target position of a respective anatomy of the patient for a determined X-ray image acquisition. Further, the graphical positioning information is adaptable in accordance with the determined X-ray image acquisition.
US09907514B2

Described is an infant monitoring and alerting system capable of determining an absence of movement by an infant. When an absence of movement is detected the monitor attempts to stimulate movement using stimuli that may include a vibration, an audible alert, or a visual alert. If no movement is detected in response to the stimuli, the monitor may provide another instance of stimuli which may include stimuli at an elevated intensity or additional and/or different stimuli. The additional instance of stimuli may further attempt to stimulate movement by the infant and may also function as an alert to the caregiver that their attention may be required.
US09907513B2

A medical device system includes a needle having a tip including a permanent magnet, and a magnet sensing device including a plurality of sensors configured to detect the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. The magnet sensing device is operable to localize a position of the permanent magnet relative to the magnet sensing device and to indicate a path of the needle on a display.
US09907511B2

Breaths of a subject are identified based on the concentration of carbon dioxide at or near the airway of the subject. Troughs corresponding to inhalation are identified and plateaus corresponding to exhalation are identified. A breath is identified responsive to a trough being followed by a plateau.
US09907501B2

Correction for initial variation in thickness of a polymer layer and for changes in the coating thickness that occur after implantation of a biosensor and therefore provides substantial increase in the accuracy and lifetime of implantable sensors is done using a factor derived from the decay of potential.
US09907497B2

Devices and methods are provided for continuous measurement of an analyte concentration. The device can include a sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, each having at least one characteristic that is different from other sensor(s) of the device. In some embodiments, the plurality of sensor elements are each tuned to measure a different range of analyte concentration, thereby providing the device with the capability of achieving a substantially consistent level of measurement accuracy across a physiologically relevant range. In other embodiments, the device includes a plurality of sensor elements each tuned to measure during different time periods after insertion or implantation, thereby providing the sensor with the capability to continuously and accurately measure analyte concentrations across a wide range of time periods. For example, a sensor system 180 is provided having a first working electrode 150 comprising a first sensor element 102 and a second working electrode 160 comprising a second sensor element 104, and a reference electrode 108 for providing a reference value for measuring the working electrode potential of the sensor elements 102, 104.
US09907496B1

The present invention relates to a biological probe structure, as well as apparatuses, systems, and methods employing this structure. In particular embodiments, the structure includes a hermetically sealed unit configured to receive and transmit one or more optical signals. Furthermore, the structure can be implanted subcutaneously and interrogated externally. In this manner, a minimally invasive method can be employed to detect, treat, and/or assess the biological target. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
US09907493B2

There are provided an endoscope system processor device, an endoscope system, an operation method for an endoscope system processor device, and an operation method for an endoscope system for calculating objective diagnostic information, which is easier to understand than the oxygen saturation, based on the oxygen saturation. The endoscope system processor device includes: a receiving unit that receives an image signal obtained by imaging an observation target with an endoscope; an oxygen saturation calculation unit that calculates an oxygen saturation based on the image signal; a pixel specification unit that specifies an out-of-range pixel in which the oxygen saturation deviates from a specific range set in advance; and a diagnostic information calculation unit that calculates diagnostic information as a numerical value using information of the out-of-range pixel.
US09907483B2

A system and method is disclosed for measuring muscle reflexes (e.g., a bulbocavernosus reflex) as a tool for identifying/diagnosing dysfunctions (e.g., spinal cord abnormalities, bladder voiding dysfunction, and sexual organ dysfunction) non-invasively by using mechanical stimulation. The system and method includes a probe having a predetermined patient contacting portion, wherein when the contacting portion is moved into contact with a particular area of the patient (e.g., the patient's genitals), the contact induces a muscle reflex. The probe detects the pressure resulting from the contacting portion being abruptly and forcibly brought into contact with the particular area. Such detection is used to electronically initiate capture of electrical responses from a plurality of electrodes placed on the patient's skin in proximity to the particular area. Such electrical responses are processed to determine characteristics of the patient's reflexes of one or more muscles adjacent to the electrodes.
US09907481B2

A data collection unit obtains physiological data from a subject interface on a subject. The subject interface can be connected to the data collection unit. When the subject interface is connected to the data collection unit, subject interface contacts on the subject interface make contact with data collection unit contacts on the data collection unit. Some of the data collection unit contacts are for communicating physiological data from the subject interface to the data collection unit. Some of the contacts are for powering the data collection unit upon the subject interface being connected to the data collection unit and for powering down the data collection unit upon the subject interface being disconnected from the data collection unit.
US09907477B2

A system for managing care of a person receiving emergency cardiac assistance includes one or more capacitors arranged to deliver a defibrillating shock to a person; one or more electronic ports for receiving a plurality of signals from sensors for obtaining indications of an electrocardiogram (ECG) for the person; and a patient treatment module executable on one or more computer processors using code stored in non-transitory media and to provide a determination of a likelihood of success from delivering a future defibrillating shock to the person with the one or more capacitors, using a mathematical computation applied to a vector value defined by signals from at least two of the plurality of signals.
US09907472B2

A disease diagnosis and skin age measurement apparatus includes: a first light collection unit; a second light collection unit; a spectrometer configured to measure a spectrum of the light which is collected by the second light collection unit; a spectrum data comparison unit for disease diagnosis configured to compare the spectrum measured by the spectrometer and reference spectrum data for disease diagnosis; a CCD; an image data comparison unit configured to compare the digital image converted by the CCD and a reference image; a disease diagnosis unit configured to determine whether there is a disease in the body tissue; and/or a spectrum data comparison unit for skin age measurement configured to measure skin age by comparing a spectrum measured by the spectrometer and reference spectrum data for skin age measurement, wherein the light projected onto the body tissue is collimate light.
US09907466B2

An optical coherence tomography imaging device (1) for imaging a retina of a human subject comprises a base (10) having a planar contact surface (11), an optical unit (30) providing a sample beam to scan the retina of the human subject and a head support (80) to be contacted by a head portion of the human subject, the head support (80) defining an entrance position of the sample beam entering an eye of the human subject. An angle between the sample beam at the entrance position and the planar contact surface (11) of the base (10) is 50 to 90°. This arrangement ensures that the head rests in a stable and well defined position with respect to the OCT optics. The risk of negative effects on the imaging process due to head movements, in particular due to movements during the scan time of the OCT device is considerably reduced. Furthermore, the device may assume a compact form factor.
US09907465B2

Improvements to user interfaces for ophthalmic imaging systems, in particular Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) systems are described to improve how diagnostic data are displayed, analyzed and presented to the user. The improvements include user customization of display and reports, protocol driven work flow, bookmarking of particular B-scans, accessing information from a reference library, customized normative databases, and ordering of follow-up scans directly from a review screen. A further aspect is the ability to optimize the contrast and quality of displayed B-scans using a single control parameter. Virtual real time z-tracking is described that maintains displayed data in the same depth location regardless of motion.
US09907463B2

Disclosed embodiments integrate a camera into an intraoral mirror. Integrating a camera into an intraoral mirror provides an efficient way to record and display what is visible to the healthcare provider in the mirror.
US09907459B2

Embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.
US09907450B2

A dishwasher, a door assembly for the dishwasher and a method of drying the dishware in the dishwasher are provided. The dishwasher may include a tub portion adapted to hold dishware, a heating element proximate a bottom of the tub portion and configured to heat air inside the tub portion during a drying cycle, and a blower configured to direct the air and vaporized water into a duct having an inlet proximate the top of the tub portion. The heat causes the air to rise toward a top of the tub and collect vaporized water from the dishware. The duct is configured to receive the air and the vaporized water. The dishwasher includes a sensor configured to measure a humidity level. A control unit is in communication with the sensor and selectively actuates and de-actuates at least one of the heating element and the blower, based on the humidity level.
US09907449B2

An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a robot body defining a forward drive direction, a controller supported by the robot body, a drive supporting the robot body and configured to maneuver the robot across a surface in response to commands from the controller, a pad holder disposed on an underside of the robot body and configured to retain a removable cleaning pad during operation of the cleaning robot; and a pad sensor arranged to sense a feature of a cleaning pad held by the pad holder and generate a corresponding signal. The controller is responsive to the signal generated by the pad sensor, and configured to control the robot according to a cleaning mode selected from a set of multiple robot cleaning modes as a function of the signal generated by the pad sensor.
US09907448B2

A dirt pick-up device for a floor cleaner is provided, including a carrying part fixable to the floor cleaner and a holding part releasably connectable to the carrying part with a suction strip held on the holding part, the carrying part and the holding part locked to each other by a locking device, the dirt pick-up device including an actuating element which is transferable from an unactuated position to an actuated position for transferring the locking device to an unlocked position in which the holding part is releasable from the carrying part. The dirt pick-up device can include or form a grip element held on at least one of the holding part and the suction strip, and in the unactuated position, the actuating element can be at a greater distance from the grip element than in the actuated position. A floor cleaner with a dirt pick-up device is also provided.
US09907447B2

An electric vacuum cleaner in which a dust container inside an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaning unit can be fluidically connected to a station using propulsive force of the cleaning unit moving to a dust discharge position. The cleaning unit includes a body case, and a primary dust container including: a container body accumulating dust collected by the cleaning unit; a disposal port discharging dust from inside the container body; and a disposal lid opening and closing the disposal port. The station includes a dust transfer pipe connected to the disposal port of the primary dust container; a lever hooked by the disposal lid while the cleaning unit is homing, opening the disposal lid and connecting the disposal port and the dust transfer pipe; and a secondary dust container in which dust discharged from the primary dust container through the dust transfer pipe is accumulated.
US09907438B2

An article for use in a water receiving structure is disclosed. The article is directed to keeping water inside a water receiving member and preventing water splash and water damage to adjacent surfaces.
US09907430B2

Devices and methods for infusing liquids and/or brewing beverages are described. The present invention relates to an apparatus for brewing beverages comprising a vessel, said vessel comprising a sealable chamber for holding a brewing material and a liquid, and a filter assembly connected to the sealable chamber; a liquid supply and conduit for introducing at least a portion of said liquid supply into said sealable chamber; and a vacuum source and conduit for reducing pressure in said sealable chamber.
US09907427B2

A system and a method for making a beverage from a mixture of liquid and solid particles are disclosed. The liquid and solid particles are introduced into a chamber so as to allow the liquid to infuse with the flavor or quality of the solid particles. A piston having an integrated filter is in sealed contact with the chamber, and can be vertically displaced within the chamber. When the piston is displaced downward, air is forced from below the filter and into the mixture sitting above the filter, agitating the mixture. When the piston is displaced upward, the mixture is drawn from above the filter. This separates the spent solid particles from the infused liquid, which collects in the chamber, thereby making the beverage. Also described are a driving mechanism for displacing the piston, a dispensing mechanism for releasing the beverage, and a wiping mechanism for wiping spent solid particles.
US09907420B2

Disclosed herein are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; and a surface dividing the back portion into an upper cavity, inside the back portion, and a lower cavity. In some embodiments, the lower cavity is inside the back portion, while in other embodiments, the lower cavity is an exterior cavity. Also disclosed are food pouch containers comprising a back portion having an interior cavity; a front portion; a top hole; means for contouring the food pouch from a bottom thereof; and means for contouring the food pouch from at least a side thereof.
US09907419B1

This invention is a fitted bed sheet that converts to a completely flat bed sheet by releasing the elastic and zippers placed on each corner. This allows this bed sheet to be easily folded like a flat sheet and easy to store. This bed sheet is designed to be reversible and convertible—one side creates a more traditional look and the other has a more ornamental design.
US09907415B2

An article divider assembly is provided with a support bracket adapted to be mounted to a retail display. A divider member extends from the support bracket and is sized to extend between a pair of articles at an upper region of the pair of articles to divide the articles without blocking an outward face of the articles. The divider member comprises a proximal end mounted to the support bracket and a distal end extending away from the support bracket. A display bracket is mounted to the distal end of the divider member.
US09907409B2

A bunk bed equipped with a guard rail, has a bed board frame, two side bed frames respectively disposed at the front and rear sides of the bed board frame to support the bed board frame and a guard rail disposed at the side of the bed board frame. The guard rail includes a first rail frame, a second rail frame and a rotating mechanism. The rotating mechanism connects the first rail frame and the second rail frame, such that the two rail frames rotate relatively in the horizontal direction or the longitudinal direction. The first rail frame is locked to the second rail frame by a lock mechanism to form a guard rail entirety. The rotating mechanism moveably connects the first rail frame and the second rail frame, the first rail frame and the second rail frame are locked by a lock mechanism to form a detachable guard rail.
US09907406B1

A tool that includes the components to raise a bed mattress above its mating box spring. This provides the space around the perimeter of the mattress to easily tuck a fitted sheet, mattress cover and/or blanket. It eliminates the need for lifting an unusually heavy mattress while attempting to perform the task at hand.
US09907403B2

An armrest assembly includes a mounting plate disposed on a support column and having an elongated moving slot for a first pivot shaft to movably extend therethrough, an armrest plate having a sliding slot elongated transverse to the moving slot such that the first and second pivot shafts extend through and are slidable along the sliding slot to allow the armrest plate to be horizontally movable and turnable relative to the mounting plate, and a retaining unit disposed to produce a magnetically attractive force that generates resistance against a relative movement of the armrest plate to the mounting plate.
US09907402B2

An adjustable armrest assembly for a stool or chair comprises an armrest base, an armrest support member and an adjustment assembly. The armrest base is connectible to the stool or chair and has a first opening. The armrest support member has a first end with a second opening. The first end is positionable with the second opening aligned with the first opening. The armrest support member has a second end opposite the first end and extending distally to support an armrest. An adjustment assembly is positionable to extend through the second opening and the first opening to define a pivot axis and an adjustable pivot connection between the support member and the base. The assembly is movable within at least one of the first opening and the second opening to laterally reposition the pivot axis. A variable friction member applies a selected degree of resistance to the adjustable pivot connection.
US09907401B2

A wall mounting device especially made for the 360 Degree Rotating Easel so that the easel can be mounted on a wall to save space and the need for a tripod-based floor or tabletop easel. The wall mount also enables variable height adjustments of the mounted work piece by means of a sliding inner arm encased by the wall mount chassis which then attaches to the wall and the easel.
US09907399B2

A device for releasably connecting a furniture pull-out to a guidance unit that movably guides the pull-out in a furniture body comprises: a base part; and an adjuster arranged on the base part and comprising a plurality of components movable in relation to one another, the adjuster enabling a position of the furniture pull-out to be set in at least one spatial direction relative to the guidance unit, the adjuster including a spring-loaded contact pressure mechanism configured to press the guidance unit against the device in a fitted and working condition.
US09907389B2

This disclosure generally relates to a hammock strap. The hammock strap includes an elongated length of strap material that is separated into a first strap and a second strap. The first strap and the second strap are woven together at one or more separation points to form eyelets between the first strap and the second strap.
US09907384B2

An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprises a housing and a resilient liner adapted to hold the fluid disposed in the housing. A fluid transfer mechanism is in fluid communication between the liner and an applicator assembly mounted on the housing for dispensing the fluid on the skin of the user. The applicator assembly includes an actuator movable relative to the housing so as to activate the fluid transfer mechanism when the actuator is reciprocated. A fluid delivery element is held in contact against skin of a user for applying the fluid onto the skin. The fluid delivery element is supported on the actuator to be movable together with the actuator by varying contact pressure with the skin. Each movement of the actuator generates continuous negative pressure within the liner for drawing fluid through the fluid transfer mechanism and collapsing the liner.
US09907382B2

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a spray head and a body cleaning device, the spray head comprising: a spray head body comprising a panel provided with spray holes, the panel being provided with a plurality of brush rods, each of which forming a spheroid at an end portion thereof that faces away from the spray head body. The spheroid is made of an elastic material. The spray head, during its use, can penetrate through hair to thoroughly clean the scalp and the bottom portion of the hair near the scalp.
US09907381B2

A hair wrap envelopes the hair. The hair wrap comprises a cap portion, a pouch, and side walls. The cap portion has at least one attachment means. At least two elongated ties located on opposite sides of the side walls are adapted to be twisted for securing the wrap on the user's head. A material loop is located on a back base of the pouch to hold the ties in place. An attachment means located on a bottom edge of the pouch mates with the attachment means of the cap portion. A crown loop located on the top section is adapted to hold the pouch after the pouch is twisted and lifted toward the top section. The pouch is adapted to lay untwisted when the wrap is in an extended position, and to be twisted and lifted upward when the wrap is in a wrapped position.
US09907377B2

A luggage tracking and surveillance system uses a zipper pull attached to a conventional suitcase closure zipper and a retaining fastener attached to conventional fastening straps securing contents inside the suitcase. An observer is not aware of the specially designed zipper pull and retaining fastener because they mimic the appearance of their conventional counterparts. The external zipper pull communicates wirelessly with the retaining fastener inside the suitcase when a zipper pull touch sensor senses that the suitcase has been opened. This awakens a retainer fastener power supply and activates a recording system in the fastener to create a record of the person who opened the suitcase. The retaining fastener can also sense the presence of a human and independently activate the recording system. Recorded still pictures, video, and audio, along with location information supplied by GPS circuitry in the zipper pull and/or retaining fastener, are transmitted to a remote database.
US09907374B2

This disclosure includes displays for financial transaction cards, and related methods. Some embodiments of the disclosed displays include an upper hanging tab configured to be releasably coupled to a financial transaction card; a lower enclosure detachably coupled to the hanging tab and defining an opening; and a card holder movably disposed within the enclosure and accessible through the opening, the card holder configured to be releasably coupled to a financial transaction card. In some of the disclosed displays, at least one surface of the enclosure comprises a sandpaper texture.
US09907372B2

A portable organization bag with removable pockets comprises a flexible main body having one or more removable storage compartments. The portable organization bag with removable pockets can be traversed between a first storage position securable to a surface and a second transportable position that can be transported away from the surface. Preferably, the main body comprises a dividing plate which separates the main body into a first portion and second portion.
US09907370B2

A collapsible canopy apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a canopy mounted onto a collapsible frame. The frame includes flexible and resilient spring members that are biased in an upright position. The spring members include arcuate regions that define the arcuate shape of the frame. The spring members are interconnected at flex points that enable the spring members to fold relative to one another by twisting and bending actions. These actions enable a user to collapse the frame into a folded, storable configuration. A harness disposed in an interior of the canopy includes a waistband and shoulder straps for enabling a user to fasten the canopy to his or her torso and suspend the canopy therefrom. The shoulder straps include fasteners configured to removably attach to the interior of the canopy. Slide ribs disposed on an interior of the canopy enable vertical adjustment of the waistband.
US09907353B2

A energy sole including a base structure extending a length of a shoe sole, a flexion extending from the base structure, a toe arm extending forward from the flexion, and a heel arm extend rearward from the flexion.
US09907348B2

Provided is a functional headband having an integral cushion band that is applied to welding masks, protective masks, safety helmets, medical helmets, etc. The functional headband includes a main band configured to be worn on a wearer's head, supporting bands connected with the main band and configured to be placed on the wearer's head, adjustment bands connected with both ends of the main band and configured to be adjusted in length, a length adjustment lever configured to adjust the length of the adjustment bands, and cushion bands formed integrally at the supporting bands to cover the wearer's head, thereby supporting the wearer's head in a double supporting structure.
US09907336B2

A porous carbon material suitable for incorporation in smoke filters for cigarettes has a BET surface area of at least 800 m2/g and a pore structure that includes mesopores and micropores. The pore volume (as measured by nitrogen adsorption) is at least 0.9 cm3/g and from 15 to 65% of the pore volume is in mesopores. The pore structure of the material provides a bulk density generally less than 0.5 g/cc. The material may be produced by carbonizing and activating organic resins and may be in the form of beads for ease of handling.
US09907327B2

A refrigerator with an ultraviolet LED may be provided that includes: a first wall surface; a second wall surface; a reflector disposed between the first wall surface and the second wall surface, and comprising an inner curved surface and an outer surface disposed on the first wall surface and the second wall surface; a first base disposed on a first end of the inner curved surface of the reflector; a second base disposed on a second end of the inner curved surface of the reflector; a first ultraviolet LED being disposed on the first base, and configured to emit ultraviolet lights to the inner curved surface of the reflector; and a second ultraviolet LED being disposed on the second base, and configured to emit ultraviolet lights to the inner curved surface of the reflector.
US09907320B2

This invention relates to a machine for making, storing and dispensing yogurt, comprising a tank for processing a certain quantity of milk, a device for inoculating milk ferments inside the tank, a cylinder for keeping and storing the yogurt, which is connected to the processing tank, a tap for dispensing the yogurt coming from the keeping and storing cylinder; the machine also comprises a heating and cooling unit connected to the processing tank and capable of causing the milk to reach a first pasteurization temperature, a second inoculation temperature, at which a certain quantity of milk ferments is inoculated in the processing tank through the inoculating device, and a third fermentation temperature of the milk ferments; the heating and cooling unit is also connected to the keeping and storing cylinder to cool the yogurt coming from the processing tank and to bring it to a fourth cooling temperature and to a fifth storing and dispensing temperature.
US09907315B2

A paw selector for maintaining poultry paws in an ordered, indexed manner so that each paw can be matched with the carcass from which it was removed is provided. The paw selector has a tray coupled to a rotatable shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the walls of the tray to rotate, thereby urging paws on the tray over a stationary tray bottom. Upon reaching a void in the tray bottom, the paws drop through the void on a lower tray or into a predetermined receptacle for further processing. At least on sensor can maintain correlation between the paw and the carcass from which it was removed for disposal of any rejected paws.
US09907313B2

A system for overturning tanks, in particular tanks of kneading machines, includes a vertical supporting structure, an overturning unit, which is mobile along the structure between a lowered position and a raised position and can turn about an axis transverse to the vertical direction, and a system for driving the movement of said unit between said lowered position and said raised position. A further actuation system is provided for governing the movement of rotation of said unit independently of said movement between said lowered position and said raised position.
US09907311B2

This Invention Patent application consists of a fabric to be used in textile applications, which makes those items more comfortable and increases their bactericidal capacity, both in the number of types that it fights, and in the time that this capacity is effective, using a mixture of fibers and performing a series of treatments prior to the final manufacture of the textile goods that reinforce the properties of the fabric.
US09907306B2

Compositions and processes for controlling nematodes are described herein, e.g., nematodes that infest plants or animals. The compounds include certain 2,5-substituted tetrazoles.
US09907299B2

A catapult system for casting a lure from a fishing pole includes a fishing rod that has a line and a reel. The line has a lure that is coupled thereto such that the lure may be cast outwardly from the fishing rod. A catapult is removably coupled to the fishing rod. The catapult engages the lure such that the catapult selectively casts the lure outwardly from the fishing rod.
US09907298B2

A fish gig is provided. The fish gig may include a retractable barb, wherein the retractable barb is operably connected to a handle configured for extending and retracting the retractable barb.
US09907295B2

The present invention relates to a cover assembly for a poultry feeder including a pivotal cover member that engages a peak of the cover assembly. The peak is formed by an elongated portion of a plurality of support members that are connected to one or more support rings. Extending upwardly from the peak is an elongated member that also engages the pivotal cover member.
US09907270B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01057497. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01057497. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01057497 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01057497 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907269B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01050536. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01050536. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01050536 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01050536 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907267B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01057383. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01057383. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01057383 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01057383 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907264B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01052085. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01052085. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01052085 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01052085 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907259B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01063916. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01063916. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01063916 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01063916 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907257B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01063892. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01063892. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01063892 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01063892 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907248B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01057390. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01057390. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01057390 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01057390 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907246B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01056904. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01056904. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01056904 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01056904 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09907243B1

A novel watermelon hybrid plant, designated TURNPIKE is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of watermelon hybrid TURNPIKE, to the plants and plant parts of watermelon hybrid TURNPIKE, and to methods for producing a watermelon plant by crossing the watermelon hybrid TURNPIKE with itself or another watermelon plant. The invention further relates to methods for producing a watermelon plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other watermelon plants derived from the watermelon hybrid plant TURNPIKE.
US09907242B2

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid SV5873HE and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid SV5873HE and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US09907238B2

The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for generating and optimizing irrigation protocols. The disclosure extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for optimizing water usage in growing plants for yard and crops. The disclosure also extends to methods, systems and computer program products for providing automated irrigation.
US09907230B2

A reel (108) for an agricultural harvesting head (104) has thrust bearings at the ends of its bat supports (128) that counteract sagging of the reel under the force of gravity.
US09907229B2

Granule conveying apparatus (12) comprising two screw conveyors (21,22) are provided. Each screw conveyor comprises flighting (26,36) mounted to a shaft (27,37) and a cylindrical volume (61,62) associated therewith. Each cylindrical volume (61,62) has a length defined by the associated shaft (27,37) and a diameter defined by the associated flighting (26,36). One end of each of said two screw conveyors meet at an elbow or junction (52) where the direction of material conveyance is changed. The conveyor shafts (27,37) are supported independently from one another. The shaft of one of said two screw conveyors intersects the cylindrical volume associated with the other one of said two screw conveyors at the elbow. The close proximity of the two screw conveyors at the elbow region reduces power consumption.
US09907225B2

A tapping body for a head for a hedge trimmer that includes a lower portion (2), destined to be tapped or pressed onto the ground, and a side portion (3) which is so structured as to be arranged through a lower opening (11) of a casing (10) of the head; a projecting part (4), which protrudes externally to the side portion (3) and is provided with a lower waved profile (41).
US09913419B2

A feeder is provided with a pushing member that pushes the carrier tape against a rail, an engaging member engageable with indexing holes of the carrier tape, and an interlocking mechanism that moves an engaging member upwards by interlocking with the upwards movement of the pushing member. The engaging member engages with indexing holes of the carrier to restrict the movement of the carrier tape to the insertion section side. The interlocking mechanism separates the engaging member from the indexing holes of the carrier tape by interlocking upwards movement of the engaging member with upwards movement of the pushing member, allowing movement of the carrier tape in the conveyance direction.
US09913413B2

This disclosure relates to a multi-piece shield comprising a fence, a lid, and an insert. The lid attaches to the fence, which is attached to the circuit board. The lid is a relatively thick, flexible material for supporting the insert. The lid has a recess so that the insert can be recessed into the lid to position the insert closer to the circuit for enhanced heat absorption. The insert is made of a thicker heat absorbing material than the lid, again to facilitate heat absorption. The insert can be press-fit into the recess of the lid. The lid can have a dovetail configuration to retain the insert in the lid.
US09913407B2

The vertical data center module is a multistory compact footprint data center unit that exploits vertical air movements, both downward and upward, to efficiently sustain conventional low-cost air-cooled computing systems. It integrates a hybrid cooling system that can benefit from an air-side economizer without compromising its compact footprint. For polluted urban environments, this air-side economizer comprises an air-to-air heat exchanger to effectively limit the amount of outside air that can enter the module and come into contact with sensitive computing systems. Through side-to-side, side-to-back or back-to-back juxtaposition, multiple units can be assembled in clusters on a colocation site to create large-scale vertical data center complexes, effectively maximizing real estate use and cost effectiveness by fully exploiting all three dimensions.
US09913400B2

The present application describes various embodiments regarding systems and methods for providing efficient heat rejection for a lightweight and durable compact computing system having a small form factor. The compact computing system can take the form of a desktop computer. The desktop computer can include a monolithic top case having an integrated support system formed therein, the integrated support system providing structural support that distributes applied loads through the top case preventing warping and bowing. A mixed flow fan is utilized to efficiently pull cooling air through the compact computing system.
US09913398B1

A cable management device is applicable to a cable management assembly. The cable management device includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a wall. A cable management space is defined by the first component and the second component. The second component is configured to be opened or closed relative to the first component. The second component includes two portions. When the second component is closed relative to the first component, the wall of the first component is engaged between the two portions of the second component.
US09913397B2

A device includes a housing supported by a rack in a manner such that the housing is drawable from a front surface of the rack; a cable whose one end is connected to an electronic device contained in the housing, where a portion of the cable in a longitudinal direction thereof is contained between a rear end portion of the housing and a rear surface of the rack; and a cable guide that guides the cable between the rear end portion of the housing and the rear surface of the rack, where the cable guide is unfoldable from a folded state between the rear end portion of the housing and the rear surface of the rack according to a drawing operation of the housing. The cable guide holds the cable at a height which differs from a height of the one end of the cable.
US09913379B2

A component-embedded substrate includes: a resin substrate having a mount surface and a peripheral surface surrounding a perimeter of the mount surface; a first mounted component mounted on the mount surface; a second mounted component mounted on the mount surface and spaced from the first mounted component; a first chip-type electronic component disposed in the resin substrate; and a second chip-type electronic component disposed in the resin substrate and spaced from the first chip-type electronic component. The first and second chip-type electronic components are spaced from each other along a cross direction crossing an arrangement direction along which the first mounted component and the second mounted component that are arranged with respect to each other. The first and second chip-type electronic components are each arranged to cross the cross direction.
US09913378B2

Electronic sub-assembly comprising a carrier layer and a mounting area with at least one electronic component, wherein the carrier layer has at least in portions a material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion to adjust the coefficient of thermal expansion of the carrier layer, and wherein at least one compensation layer is provided on the carrier layer adjacent to the installation area, on which compensation layer an electrically insulating, thermally conductive layer and at least one electrically conductive layer are provided.
US09913376B2

An exemplary bridging inter-connector establishes electrical connections between conductors on a PCB and aligned conductors on a first board mounted to the PCB. A flexible non-conductive sheet covers at least a portion of these conductors. Separated conductive strips on the sheet that are dimensioned to align with and engage at least a portion of both the aligned conductors. A thin film of a bonding agent is disposed on the separated conductive strips and located to engage at least a portion of both aligned conductors to form a conductive connection.
US09913375B2

A method includes forming a multi-stacked electronic device having two or more electronic components, each of the electronic components includes a leadframe, the leadframes of each electronic component are physically joined together using a non-solder metal joining process to form a joint, and the joint is located outside a solder connection region.
US09913372B2

The wiring board of the present disclosure includes an insulating layer, and a wiring conductor existing so as to be adjacent to both main surfaces of the insulating layer; the insulating layer includes at least two particle-containing resin layers containing insulating particles in an insulating resin, and a particle-free resin layer formed of an insulating resin; and the particle-free resin layer is interposed between the particle-containing resin layers.
US09913367B2

A wiring board of an embodiment includes a through via, a first insulating film disposed around the through via, a second insulating film disposed around the first insulating film, a third insulating film disposed around the second insulating film and a resin disposed around the third insulating film. The resin includes fillers. The second insulating film has a relative permittivity lower than a relative permittivity of the first insulating film. The third insulating film has a relative permittivity higher than a relative permittivity of the second insulating film.
US09913366B2

Embodiments are directed to a method for manufacturing a smoke detector, comprising: manufacturing a substrate that comprises a guard ring configured to surround an ion chamber collector plate pin connection point, a surface mount component connection point, and a trace coupling the ion chamber collector plate pin connection point and the surface mount component connection point, and coupling a surface mount component to the substrate at the surface mount component connection point.
US09913363B2

A structure for delivering power is described. In some embodiments, the structure can include conductors disposed on two or more layers. Specifically, the structure can include a first set of interdigitated conductors disposed on a first layer and oriented substantially along an expected direction of current flow. At least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a first voltage, and at least one conductor in the first set of interdigitated conductors may be maintained at a second voltage, wherein the second voltage is different from the first voltage. The structure may further include a conducting structure disposed on a second layer, wherein the second layer is different from the first layer, and wherein at least one conductor in the conducting structure is maintained at the first voltage.
US09913362B2

Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies with bond protection are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly. In enhanced embodiments, the conductive trace(s) is a chemically compromisable conductor susceptible to damage during a chemical attack on the adhesive within the external bond region(s).
US09913361B2

A method for assembling an integrated circuit device includes positioning a thermal interface material (TIM) on top of an electronic component, positioning a load frame onto a printed circuit board, the load frame having an open region for the electronic component to extend through, and positioning a heat sink onto the TIM. The method further comprises fastening a first screw fastener, resulting in a TIM bond line between the heat sink and the electronic component, and actuating a second screw fastener disposed within a bore of the heat sink and threaded into the load frame. The second screw fastener, upon being tightened expands radially to lock the heat sink into the load frame. The first screw fastener, upon the tightening of the second screw fastener, connects the heat sink and the load frame to the printed circuit board.
US09913360B1

A resonant apparatus such as a resonant waveguide module in an RF particle accelerator includes an unbrazed joint that provides a reliable vacuum seal and RF contact between resonators with precisely controlled internal geometry. The joint can be disassembled and reassembled without degradation. Hard, stainless steel end faces include knife edges pressed into a copper central component, such as a gasket. The knife edges extend the waveguide interiors without gaps or interruptions. The central component serves as a coupling iris or other functional component of the resonant apparatus, thereby allowing the central component to have substantial dimensions that inhibit mechanical distortions thereof. The waveguides and knife edges can be copper plated. Embodiments include embedded passages and/or recesses used for cooling, radiation shielding, magnetic focusing coils, and/or electron optics element formed by permanent magnets.
US09913352B2

A light socket adaptation system and method. A light socket adapter module comprises a female end designed to accept a light bulb, a male end designed to be placed in an existing light socket, WIFI transmit/receive circuitry, Bluetooth LE transmit/receive circuitry, a processor that processes instructions received via one or more of the WIFI transmit/receive circuitry and the Bluetooth LE transmit/receive circuitry, wherein the instructions are received from one or more of a remote server system and a mobile computing device, wherein the processor executes Bluetooth LE instructions to cause the light socket adapter module to detect Bluetooth LE enabled devices within a detection proximity of the light socket adapter module, and power supply control circuitry controllable by the processor, wherein the power supply control circuitry controls power supplied to a light bulb positioned in the female end of the light socket adapter module.
US09913343B1

A system allows a light fixture to have a wider range of color temperatures (CCT) while limiting the warmest temperature reached at full intensity. The CCT of the light output may be controlled independently of intensity across a certain range of CCT and dependent on intensity across another range. In an implementation, both intensity and CCT may be adjusted from a single handle, where the interface positions may be divided into multiple zones. In another implementation, intensity may be adjusted from a first handle, while CCT may be adjusted from a second handle. The CCT of the light output may be limited to cooler levels when the intensity is higher, and/or the intensity of the light may be limited to lower levels when the CCT is warmer.
US09913337B2

Disclosed is a control circuit of an LED lighting apparatus, which compensates for power for light emission of a lamp including LEDs. The control circuit can generate a compensation signal corresponding to change of power provided to the lamp, and uniformly maintain the power by controlling a current provided to the lamp in response to the compensation signal. Thus, the control circuit can compensate for the power change of the lamp due to a power supply environment factor in a building, region, or country or a temporarily unstable power supply environment factor, such that the lamp can emit light at uniform luminance.
US09913333B2

A light source and method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a plurality of Segmented LEDs connected in parallel to a power bus and a controller. The power bus accepts a variable number of Segmented LEDs. The controller receives AC power and provides a power signal on the power bus. Each Segmented LED is characterized by a driving voltage that is greater than 3 times the driving voltage of a conventional LED fabricated in the same material system as the Segmented LED. The number of Segmented LEDs in the light source is chosen to compensate for variations in the light output of individual Segmented LEDs introduced by the manufacturing process. In another aspect of the invention, the number of Segmented LEDs connected to the power bus can be altered after the light source is assembled.
US09913330B2

A light-emitting diode (LED)-based solid-state lamp using an LED driving circuit with an electric current control operates normally for a regulated power from either a compact fluorescent (CFL) electronic ballast or AC mains. The LED driving circuit together with a matching circuit is configured to optimize resonant characteristics of the CFL electronic ballast used and enhance lamp compatibility without flickering, which in turn reduces possibility of overheating and fires due to incompatibility. With a cycle-by-cycle current control and power switching at a constant on-time and varied off-time, an over-rated surge current is limited, preventing occasional fire hazards occurred in both the CFL electronic ballast and the LED lamp.
US09913327B2

According to one aspect, a control system for an LED luminaire includes a dimming control circuit that develops an analog dimming command signal that is variable between zero volts and ten volts to command LED brightness. The control system further includes a modulation circuit coupled to the dimming control circuit. The modulation circuit modifies the analog dimming command signal so as to include digital data for further commanding a parameter of LED operation.
US09913323B2

A door for a microwave appliance. The door includes an outer glass panel ranging over a complete outer side of the door and an inner glass panel ranging over at least a central portion of an inner side of the door. The door includes a door frame covering at least the circumferential sides of the oven door and a wave choke system. The outer glass panel, the inner glass panel and the door frame form a casing of the door, wherein the wave choke system is arranged inside the casing of the door. The wave choke system is arranged in an outer portion of the interior of the door and circumferentially enclosed by the door frame. The wave choke system is arranged adjacent to an outer side of the inner glass panel.
US09913320B2

An induction heating system includes an induction heating head assembly configured to move relative to a workpiece. The induction heating system may also include a temperature sensor assembly configured to detect a temperature of the workpiece and/or a travel sensor assembly configured to detect a position, movement, or direction of movement of the induction heating head assembly relative to the workpiece, and to transmit feedback signals to a controller configured to adjust the power provided to the induction heating head assembly by a power source based at least in part on the feedback signals. In certain embodiments, the induction heating system may also include a connection box configured to receive the feedback signals, to perform certain conversions of the feedback signals, and to provide the feedback signals to the power source. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, the induction heating system may include an inductor stand assembly configured to hold the induction heating head assembly against the workpiece.
US09913314B2

Systems and methods are presented for the dynamic aggregation of communications network bandwidth. Communication devices are bonded in a community in which the communication resources of a bonded device can be used to transfer data on behalf of another bonded device. In an exemplary embodiment, communication devices are bonded wirelessly to share wireless wide area network communication channels. Bandwidth aggregation is performed dynamically based on user communication requirements and the current states of the bonded communication devices. Methods are presented by which communication devices can be automatically bonded when a predetermined bonding condition is satisfied. The methods and systems of the invention optimize utilization of communication resources in a cost-effective manner that provides a user high quality service as well as location mobility.
US09913310B2

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a device for establishing layer-2 entities for D2D communication system, the method comprising: configuring a sidelink radio bearer over which the UE transmits data to a peer UE; establishing RLC (Radio Link Control) and PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) entities for the sidelink radio bearer; and transmitting configuration information of the sidelink radio bearer via a sidelink to the peer UE, wherein the UE is directly connected to the peer UE via the sidelink.
US09913309B2

Techniques are disclosed for discovery of Wi-Fi serial bus and Wi-Fi docking services. Such networks include (but are not limited to) IEEE 802.11 networks.
US09913303B2

Systems and methods for network curation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method comprises scanning, by a mobile device, an area to identify a network device for accessing a network, receiving, by the mobile device, a network identifier associated with the network device, providing a curation indicator request to a curation server, the curation indicator request comprising the network identifier, receiving a curation indicator from the curation server, the curation indicator being retrieved, based on the network identifier, from a database of a plurality of curation indicators, the curation indicator associated with a likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, comparing the curation indicator to an access setting, the access setting indicating acceptability of network access based on the likelihood of intent to publicly share the network by the network device, and accessing the network via the network device based on the comparison.
US09913302B2

A method of interfacing with a serving device from a wearable device worn by a user, the method includes establishing a lossless and wireless data link between the serving device and the wearable device. The method further includes collecting, by the wearable device, audio data from one or more microphones of the wearable device. The method also includes sending, by the wearable device, the collected audio data to the serving device through the lossless and wireless data link. The method may further include providing, by the serving device, speech recognition services associated with the audio data.
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