US11023364B2

The invention relates to a method and a system for testing interactive applications on at least one TV device according to at least one test scenario. The test scenario is run and monitored by a test driver system separate from the at least one TV device, wherein the test scenario comprises a series of user interaction steps and at least one target state of the application and/or the at least one TV device to be achieved after a specified user interaction step, the method comprising the steps of: a. integrating a test definition helper library into the interactive application, wherein the test definition helper library is configured to obtain information on the state of the interactive application and/or the at least one TV device; b. providing the modified interactive application to the at least one TV device; c. running the at least one test scenario, wherein the test driver system non-transparently performs the series of user interaction steps on the at least one TV device; and d. comparing the information on the state of the interactive application and/or the at least one TV device obtained by the test definition helper library with the at least one target state after the specified user interaction step.
US11023361B1

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for determining an integration regression between a source system and a target system. An embodiment operates by selecting a first set of messages in a middleware system. The embodiment receives a baseline mapping for the first set of messages from the middleware system. The embodiment creates a test suite based on the first set of messages. The embodiment performs the test suite, wherein the performing generates a second set of messages in the middleware system and a current mapping for the second set of messages. The embodiment compares the first set of messages to the second set of messages based on the baseline mapping and the current mapping. The embodiment determines an integration regression between the source system and the target system based on the comparing.
US11023342B2

Techniques are disclosed relating to cache debug using control registers based on debug commands. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a processor core, debug circuitry, and control circuitry. In some embodiments, the debug circuitry is configured to receive external debug inputs and send abstract commands to the processor core based on the external debug inputs. In some embodiments, the control circuitry is configured to, in response to an abstract command to read data from the cache: write cache address information to a first control register, assert a trigger signal to cause a read of the data from the cache to a second control register, based on the cache address information in the first control register, and send data from the second control register to the debug circuitry. In various embodiments, this may facilitate hardware cache debug using debug circuitry that also controls software debugging.
US11023340B2

Technology is disclosed for storing data in a distributed storage system using a virtual chunk service (VCS). In the VCS based storage technique, a storage node (“node”) is split into multiple VCSs and each of the VCSs can be assigned a unique ID in the distributed storage. A set of VCSs from a set of nodes form a storage group, which also can be assigned a unique ID in the distributed storage. When a data object is received for storage, a storage group is identified for the data object, the data object is encoded to generate multiple fragments and each fragment is stored in a VCS of the identified storage group. The data recovery process is made more efficient by using metadata, e.g., VCS to storage node mapping, storage group to VCS mapping, VCS to objects mapping, which eliminates resource intensive read and write operations during recovery.
US11023337B2

An information processing system includes a plurality of control apparatuses communicably coupled to each other. A first control apparatus of the plurality of control apparatuses includes a first memory configured to store first instructions and a first processor configured to operate using standby power before a power-on selection is made. The first processor executes the first instructions causing a process including collecting first identification information of each of the plurality of control apparatuses other than the first control apparatus. The process includes storing the first identification information in the first memory. The process includes determining a role of the first control apparatus based on a comparison result derived by comparing second identification information of the first control apparatus with the first identification information.
US11023334B2

The data storage system according to certain aspects can implement table level database restore. Table level database restore may refer to restoring a database table and its related data without restoring the entire database. The data storage system may use table metadata index to implement table level restore. A table metadata index may be created for each table, e.g., during a backup of the database. The table metadata index for a table can include any type of information for restoring the table and its related data. Some examples of the type of information included in the table metadata index include the following: container for the table, table backup location, system data, table index, table relationships, etc. Table metadata index can make the restoring of tables fast and efficient by packaging information that can be used to restore a table and its related data in an easily accessible manner.
US11023331B2

Described herein, system that facilitates recovery of an object segment in a geographically distributed storage environment. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise receiving a read request to read an object segment from a first data chunk stored in a geographically diverse data storage system, wherein the first data chunk is inaccessible, executing a GEO recovery process in response to determining that the first data chunk is inaccessible, wherein the GEO recovery process comprises accessing a first slice of data from a second data chunk stored in the geographically diverse data storage system, accessing a second slice of data from a third data chunk stored in the geographically diverse data storage system, and applying an XOR operation to the first slice of data and the second slice of data to determine a third slice of data, and extracting the object segment from the third slice of data.
US11023330B2

A system and method for backing up virtual machines are disclosed. To better use the backup resources, an optimal set of virtual machines needing backup during a time window is generated. The optimal set depends on a total time for backing up each virtual machine needing backup and a cost metric that indicates a cost of not backing up the virtual machine during the time window. The optimal set also meets various system constraints that reflect the backup resource limitations. Performing backups according to the optimal set limits the number of missed backups and the number of service level agreement violations, thereby improving the backup performance without costly additions to its infrastructure.
US11023322B2

A RAID storage-device-assisted parity data update system includes a first RAID primary data drive that DMA's second primary data from a host system, and XOR's it with first primary data to produce first interim parity data for a first data stripe. A second RAID primary data drive DMA's fourth primary data from the host system, and XOR's it with third primary data to produce second interim parity data for a second data stripe. A first RAID parity data drive DMAs the first interim parity data and XOR's it with first parity data to produce second parity data for the first data stripe that overwrites the first parity data. A second RAID parity data drive DMA's the second interim parity data and XOR's it with third parity data to produce fourth parity data for the second data stripe that overwrites the third parity data.
US11023321B2

A RAID storage-device-assisted deferred parity data update system includes a RAID primary data drive that retrieves second primary data via a DMA operation from host system, and XOR's it with first primary data to produce first interim parity data, which causes a RAID storage controller device to provide an inconsistent parity stripe journal entry in the host system. The RAID primary data drive then retrieves third primary data via a DMA operation from the host system, XORs it with the second primary data and the first interim parity data to produce second interim parity data. A RAID parity data drive retrieves the second interim parity data via a DMA operation, and XORs it with first parity data to produce second parity data that it uses to overwrite the first parity data, which causes the RAID storage controller device to remove the inconsistent parity stripe journal entry from the host system.
US11023318B1

A system and method is provided for fast random access erasure encoded storage. An exemplary method includes writing data to an append-only data log that includes data log extents that are each associated with data that is mapped to corresponding offset range of a virtual file of a client and storing the append-only data log as a sequence of data chunks each allocated on one or more one storage disks. Moreover, the method determines an amount of useful data in one or more data chunks and, when the amount of useful data in the data chunk is less than a predetermined threshold, appending the useful data from the data chunk to an end of the append-only data log. Finally, the data log is cleaned by releasing the one or more data chunk from the append-only data log after the useful data is appended to the append-only data log.
US11023314B2

Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for storing blockchain data. One of the methods includes receiving a plurality of blocks from a blockchain node in the blockchain network; for each of the plurality of blocks: determining a first number of blockchain nodes that store a dataset divided from an error correction coding (ECC) encoded version of the block and a second number of blockchain nodes that store a dataset comprised of redundant bits divided from the ECC encoded version of the block; calculating a priority value of the block based on the first number and the second number; and encoding at least a portion of the plurality of blocks using ECC to generate a plurality of encoded blocks based on the priority value.
US11023304B2

An error notification system includes a plurality of data production systems in communication with a monitoring server. Each data production system has a data processor configured to receive input data from a first set of data production systems, process the input data to produce output data, and make the output data accessible to a second set of data production systems. The monitoring server is configured to monitor data transmissions between the data production systems and to identify, for each data transmission, originating and receiving systems. The monitoring server is further configured to map data flow from each originating source system to identify all downstream data production systems. Upon identification of a data error in the originating source system, the monitoring server obtains data error information, assembles a data error notification, and transmits the data error notification to data production systems meeting system notification criteria.
US11023301B1

Systems and methods for providing a unified application programming interface (API) and command line interface (CLI) aggregation platform are provided. For example, the platform may capture and store current version and commands available for API and CLI commands for a plurality of vendors, provide the database, CLI, and interface for defining and abstracting Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), cloud, on-premise and hypervisor-backed virtualized hardware platform API and CLI calls, and create a semantic ontology unifying disparate API and CLI calls. The platform may help implement an instance of computer infrastructure for consolidating, unifying, and obfuscating multiple disparate IaaS, cloud, on-premise and hypervisor-backed virtualized hardware platforms thereby defining a unified method for calling IaaS services using the API and CLI commands from the plurality of vendors through an ontologically driven abstraction tier.
US11023292B1

Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for defining, distributing and enforcing policies for authorizing API (Application Programming Interface) calls to applications executing on one or more sets of associated machines (e.g., virtual machines, containers, computers, etc.) in one or more datacenters. This system has servers that act as a logically centralized resource for defining and storing policies and parameters for evaluating these policies. The servers enforce these policies and distribute the policies and parameters to policy-enforcing local agents that execute near the applications that process the API calls. From an associated application, a local agent receives API-authorization requests to determine whether API calls received by the application are authorized. In response to such a request, the local agent uses one or more parameters associated with the API call to identify a policy stored in its local policy storage to evaluate whether the API call should be authorized. To evaluate this policy, the agent also retrieves one or more parameters from the local policy storage.
US11023291B2

A system and method of supporting point-to-point synchronization among processes/nodes implementing different hardware barriers in a tuple space/coordinated namespace (CNS) extended memory storage architecture. The system-wide CNS provides an efficient means for storing data, communications, and coordination within applications and workflows implementing barriers in a multi-tier, multi-nodal tree hierarchy. The system provides a hardware accelerated mechanism to support barriers between the participating processes. Also architected is a tree structure for a barrier processing method where processes are mapped to nodes of a tree, e.g., a tree of degree k to provide an efficient way of scaling the number of processes in a tuple space/coordination namespace.
US11023289B2

Example methods and computer systems for cloud environment configuration based on task parallelization. One example method may comprise: obtaining a task data structure specifying execution dependency information associated with a set of multiple configuration tasks that are executable to perform cloud environment configuration. The method may also comprise: In response to identifying a first configuration task and a second configuration task that are ready for execution based on the task data structure, triggering execution of the first configuration task and the second configuration task. The method may further comprise: in response to determination that the first configuration task has been completed, identifying third configuration task(s) that are ready for execution based on the task data structure; and triggering execution of the third configuration task(s) by respective third compute node(s).
US11023271B2

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for registering subscribable sub-states in blockchain are provided. One of the methods includes: obtaining a request for registering one or more sub-states of a state, wherein a registered workflow comprises the state; generating a blockchain contract comprising the one or more sub-states; and deploying the blockchain contract in a blockchain. The deployed blockchain contract is executable to update a current sub-state of the state corresponding to the workflow among the one or more sub-states.
US11023261B1

Methods and systems for secure applications running web view applications are disclosed. In some aspects, user data may be secured within a first security domain, that is inaccessible to a web view application running within a second application. The second application accesses the user data via a second security domain, when a request is received from the web view application to display a user interface. The second application then displays a user interface based at least in part, on the user data.
US11023257B2

Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable media for embedding a secondary application object within a loader application are described herein. In some embodiments, a computing platform may initiate a first iOS application comprising a first name and a first instance of UIApplication comprising an NSObject class. Further, the computing platform may embed into the first iOS application, a second iOS application comprising a second name, a second instance of UIApplication, and a first derived class. Next, the computing platform may generate, based on NSObject and the first derived class, a second derived class. Additionally, the computing platform may generate an iPhone Application (IPA) file comprising the first iOS application wherein the first iOS application comprises the second derived class and the second name. Subsequently, the computing platform may distribute via a communication interface, the IPA file.
US11023253B2

An information processing apparatus includes an extraction unit, an acquisition unit, and a presentation unit. The extraction unit extracts pieces of characteristic information of an initialization target program to be installed and initialized. The acquisition unit acquires at least one set value for initializing the initialization target program from at least one different program that has been installed. The acquisition unit acquires the set value in an ascending order of priorities assigned to the multiple different programs in accordance with a degree of matching in the pieces of characteristic information extracted by the extraction unit. The presentation unit presents the set value acquired by the acquisition unit.
US11023250B2

Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for resetting a peripheral device. An apparatus includes a disconnect module that detaches each of one or more device contexts from a peripheral device in response to a reset request for the peripheral device. Each of the one or more device contexts describes a connection between the peripheral device and a process. An apparatus includes an access module that prevents the one or more device contexts for one or more processes from accessing the peripheral device. An apparatus includes a reset module that resets the peripheral device in response to the one or more device contexts being detached from the peripheral device.
US11023245B2

Closed loop performance controllers of asymmetric multiprocessor systems may be configured and operated to improve performance and power efficiency of such systems by adjusting control effort parameters that determine the dynamic voltage and frequency state of the processors and coprocessors of the system in response to the workload. One example of such an arrangement includes applying hysteresis to the control effort parameter and/or seeding the control effort parameter so that the processor or coprocessor receives a returning workload in a higher performance state. Another example of such an arrangement includes deadline driven control, in which the control effort parameter for one or more processing agents may be increased in response to deadlines not being met for a workload and/or decreased in response to deadlines being met too far in advance. The performance increase/decrease may be determined by comparison of various performance metrics for each of the processing agents.
US11023244B2

In one embodiment, a link training controller is to train a link. The link training controller may be configured to: update a first link parameter of a link setting for the link to a first value; write data to the memory; read the data from the memory using the first value of the first link parameter; and in response to a determination that the data read from the memory does not match the data written to the memory, send an in-band link recovery command to the memory via the link to cause the memory to participate in a link recovery protocol with the apparatus. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US11023240B1

The disclosed computer-implemented method may include receiving an input value and a floating-point scaling factor and determining (1) an integer scaling factor based on the floating-point scaling factor, (2) a pre-scaling adjustment value representative of a number of places by which to shift a binary representation of the input value prior to a scaling operation, and (3) a post-scaling adjustment value representative of a number of places by which to shift the binary representation of the input value following the scaling operation. The method may further include calculating a scaled result value by (1) shifting rightwards the binary representation of the input value by the pre-scaling adjustment value, (2) scaling the shifted binary representation of the input value by the integer scaling factor, and (3) shifting rightwards the shifted and scaled binary value by the post-scaling adjustment value. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US11023236B2

Method, apparatus, and program means for performing a string comparison operation. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes execution resources to execute a first instruction. In response to the first instruction, said execution resources store a result of a comparison between each data element of a first and second operand corresponding to a first and second text string, respectively.
US11023234B2

A method includes implementing a collection for a single thread and a sequential data structure. The single thread includes functionality to execute on a parallel processor. The method further includes detecting whether the collection is shared by multiple threads by tracking reachability of the collection, and modifying the data representation and the implementation of the shared collection for synchronization of the multiple threads. The method may also include testing whether the multiple threads are synchronized on the shared collection.
US11023232B2

In an embodiment, the present invention includes a processor having an execution logic to execute instructions and a control transfer termination (CTT) logic coupled to the execution logic. This logic is to cause a CTT fault to be raised if a target instruction of a control transfer instruction is not a CTT instruction. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US11023229B2

The systems and methods provided herein determine at least one first file system path related to a specific software package. A second file system path associated with a computing process running on the computer system is determined, and use of the specific software package on the computer system is detected based on comparing the first file system path with the second file system path. Thus, the present techniques determine the installation director(ies) of the application(s) and then compare active processes to determine whether an application is in use or is only installed.
US11023225B2

A method and apparatus for resource binding are disclosed. In an embodiment, the apparatus includes an acquisition module, for acquiring a data constraint of an Internet of Things (IOT) data input point of an algorithm encapsulation module forming an IOT application, the data constraint defining a requirement which must be met by an IOT resource which can be bound to the IOT data input point; a matching module for, on the basis of the acquired data constraint and descriptions of IOT resources in the IOT, searching amongst the IOT resources for an IOT resource matching the IOT data input point; and a binding module for, upon an IOT resource matching the IOT data input point being found, binding the IOT resource found to the IOT data input point. The use of the method and apparatus can reduce the burden on the user during creation of an IOT application.
US11023223B2

A program update system includes a vehicle including a plurality of in-vehicle devices, and a server provided outside the vehicle. Each of the in-vehicle devices of the vehicle includes a storage unit configured to store one or more programs, an in-vehicle device communication unit configured to perform communication with the server, and an update execution unit configured to update the programs stored in the storage unit. The server includes a server communication unit configured to perform communication with each of the in-vehicle devices, and an update management unit configured to specify the in-vehicle device to be updated in a set of the in-vehicle devices and a program to be updated and execute update processing that makes the server communication unit transmit update data for updating the program to be updated to the in-vehicle device to be updated.
US11023221B2

Techniques for artificial intelligence driven configuration management are described herein. In some embodiments, a machine-learning process determines a feature set for a plurality of deployments of a software resource. Based on varying values in the feature set, the process clusters each of the plurality of deployments into a cluster of a plurality of clusters. Each cluster of the plurality of clusters comprises one or more nodes and each node of the one or more nodes corresponds to at least a subset of values of the feature set that are detected in at least one deployment of the plurality of deployments of the software resource. The process determines a representative node for each cluster of the plurality of clusters. An operation may be performed based on the representative node for at least one cluster.
US11023215B2

The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for accelerating the development and distribution of data science workloads, including a consistent, portable and pre-configured data science workspace for development of data science applications allowing for the creation of a standardized, modular and reusable library of data science code product that can be maintained, extended and reused in a clear and repeatable manner. The code may be submitted to a build and deployment process that ensures consistency across multiple environments in terms of the application code and the operating system environment. Runtime execution may be managed through the authoring of definitions which detail aspects of how the workload should operate within a certain environment.
US11023208B2

A true random number generator includes a latch circuit, a noise circuit coupled to the latch circuit and an equalization circuit coupled to the inputs of the latch circuit, the equalization circuit being configured to maintain the latch circuit in a balanced state and to allow the latch circuit to resolve from a metastable state based on a timing control. A method of generating a random number output includes maintaining a latch circuit in a balanced state by turning on an equalization circuit coupled to the inputs of the latch circuit, coupling at least one noise source to the latch circuit, allowing the latch circuit to resolve from a metastable state by turning off the equalization circuit and repeatedly turning the equalization circuit on and off based on a timing control.
US11023207B1

Embodiments provide a true random number generator. The true random number generator may include a first ring oscillator having a first frequency, a second ring oscillator having a second frequency, a third ring oscillator having a third frequency, and a capacitor connected between the second ring oscillator and the third ring oscillator to provide a capacitive coupling therebetween. The second frequency is lower than the first frequency, and the third frequency is lower than the second frequency. The true random number generator may further include a D-type flip-flop having a data input connected to an output of the first ring oscillator and having a clock input connected to an output of the third ring oscillator, wherein the D-type flip-flop is configured to generate an output signal representing a sequence of random numbers.
US11023202B2

A system and computer-implemented method are provided for enabling an audio interface enhanced autocorrect feature in a mobile device. The method includes detecting activation of an autocorrect feature of a mobile device in response to a portion of text not appearing in a system dictionary, enabling a microphone in response to activation of the autocorrect feature, receiving audio input from a user responsive to a word replacement by the autocorrect feature, and implementing an enhanced autocorrect action based on the audio input.
US11023201B2

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a touchscreen display exposed through a first portion of the housing, a microphone disposed at a second portion of the housing, a speaker disposed at a third portion of the housing, a memory disposed inside the housing, a processor disposed inside the housing, and electrically connected to the display, the microphone, the speaker, and the memory. The memory is configured to store a plurality of application programs, each of which includes a graphic user interface (GUI).
US11023200B2

Systems, devices and methods for delivering audible alerts are described. In one aspect, an event for generating an audible alert for a user is detected. In response to detection of the event for generating for the audible alert, an audible interface device for delivery of the audible alert based on a location of a personal electronic device of the user is selected. It is determined whether a personal electronic device of another user is within a threshold distance of the selected audible interface device. In response to determining that the personal electronic device of another user is within the threshold distance of the selected audible interface device, an audible identifier associated with the user is determined. Alert instructions for the audible interface device are generated and sent to the audible interface device over a wireless network via a communication module. The alert instructions cause the audible interface device to generate the audible alert in accordance with alert data provided in the alert instructions. The generation of the audible alert is preceded by generation of the audible identifier associated with the user to notify the user of the forthcoming audible alert.
US11023194B2

An arrangement includes at least two modules for a video wall including light-emitting components arranged on a carrier, wherein a drive circuit that selectively drives the component at the carrier is provided for each component, row lines and column lines are provided, each drive circuit connects to a row line and a column line, each drive circuit connects to power supply lines, the carrier includes plated-through holes that guide the row lines and the column lines onto an underside of the carrier, the two modules are arranged on a further carrier, the further carrier includes at least one recess, an electrical connector is arranged in the recess, and the electrical connector connects column lines and/or row lines of the two modules to one another.
US11023193B2

A processing apparatus for a print unit configured to print an image by using a printing material includes a processor configured to determine a value related to a remaining amount of the printing material in the print unit, output printing material information based on the determined value related to the remaining amount, and determine whether a replenishment printing material is ordered. The processor is configured to determine an order time to order the replenishment printing material by using the value related to the remaining amount of the printing material, and output the printing material information at a shorter interval before the replenishment printing material is ordered than after the replenishment printing material is ordered.
US11023192B2

An operation terminal connected to an information storage apparatus and an output apparatus, comprising a processor that obtains a file from the information storage apparatus; displays, on a monitor, an image of the obtained file and a button for selecting an output device for outputting the file; displays, after the button has been pushed, a two-dimensional code photographing screen; the two-dimensional code photographing screen for photographing a two-dimensional code by a camera; obtains, after the two-dimensional code is photographed by the camera while the two-dimensional code photographing screen is displayed, information that specifies the output device; wherein the information that specifies the output device is obtained from the photographed two-dimensional code; and sends, to the output device through a network, an output request for outputting the file of the image displayed on the monitor, based on the obtained information that specifies the output device.
US11023184B2

A non-transitory recording medium storing a computer readable program causes a computer included in a portable terminal to communicate with an image forming device to execute: a) a step of acquiring communication information from the image forming device via first wireless communication, the communication information being information for executing second wireless communication; b) a step of executing processing of confirming existence of a user who possesses the portable terminal in the vicinity of the image forming device; and c) a step of, on condition that existence of the user in the vicinity of the image forming device is confirmed in the step b), permitting registration processing of registering the communication information in the portable terminal in order to execute the second wireless communication, the communication information being communication information for the second wireless communication with the image forming device and being acquired in the step a).
US11023181B2

A method for operating multiple client printing systems is described. The method includes creating an administration account. The method also includes instantiating a printing manager instance for each of the multiple client printing systems. The multiple client printing systems are associated with the administration account. The method further includes presenting a data structure comprising an object associated with each of the multiple client printing systems. The method additionally includes determining license usage data for the multiple client printing systems based on the printing manager instances. The method also includes presenting the license usage data.
US11023178B2

A plurality of computing devices are communicatively coupled to each other via a network, and each of the plurality of computing devices is operably coupled to one or more of a plurality of storage devices. The computing devices may use local caches and storing snapshots in a coherent manner when accessing the plurality of storage devices spread across multiple data centers.
US11023174B2

A system and method of combining move commands of an automated data storage library is disclosed that includes receiving a first command from a host system to remove a first data storage cartridge from a data storage drive of the automated data storage library; maintaining the first data storage cartridge within the data storage drive until receiving a second command from the host system to move a second data storage cartridge into the data storage drive; responding to the host system with a successful move completion status of the first data storage cartridge from the data storage drive, even though the first data storage cartridge is maintained within the data storage drive; and updating a cartridge inventory for the host system to indicate that the first data storage cartridge is located in a requested storage slot location after receiving the first command from the host system to remove the first data storage cartridge from the data storage drive, even though the first data storage cartridge is maintained within the data storage drive.
US11023173B2

An exemplary semiconductor device includes an input/output (I/O) circuit configured to combine data corresponding to a write command received via data terminals with a first subset of corrected read data retrieved from a memory cell array to provide write data. The exemplary semiconductor device further includes a write driver circuit configured to mask a write operation of a first bit of the write data that corresponds to a bit of the first subset of the read data and to perform a write operation for a second bit of the write data that corresponds to the data received via the data terminals.
US11023159B2

A method for recovering data on a failed storage device includes detecting that a first storage device has a failure, creating a simulated management module where the simulated management module linked with a second storage device, writing a replica of at least some of the data as stored in the first storage device to a second storage device, creating a permanent management module and deleting the simulated management module.
US11023158B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for storing data. A method for storing data comprises: dividing data to be stored into a first number of data segments; generating a second number of coding segments based on the first number of data segments, such that at least a part of data segments from the first number of data segments can be derived from the second number of coding segments and remaining data segments in the first number of data segments; generating, for each of the first number of data segments, a replication data segment identical to the data segment; and storing the first number of data segments, the first number of replication data segments and the second number of coding segments into a plurality of storage devices. Embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce extra overhead for protecting data while ensuring high data availability.
US11023143B2

Embodiments of application provide a node interconnection apparatus, and a method implemented by the node interconnection apparatus. The node interconnection apparatus includes a computing node and a resource control node, and a device interconnection interface connecting the two. Each of the computing node and the resource control node includes a processing unit and a storage unit, and the resource control node further includes a resource interface for connecting with a network storage device. The resource control node manages storage resource of the network storage device, and when the computing node needs started up, the resource control node obtains operating system startup information from the network storage device and provide the information to the computing node. The computing node can start up without the need for storing startup information locally. Therefore, storage resource inside the computing node is saved.
US11023142B2

A storage module includes a set of memories. Each of the memories in the set of memories may be divided into a set of portions. A controller is configured to transfer data between the set of memories and a host connected through an interface. A set of channels connects the set of memories to the controller. The controller is also configured to select: a memory from the set of memories, a portion from the set of portions for the selected memory, and/or a channel from the set of channels, e.g., connected to the selected memory, based upon an identification (ID) associated with the data. The ID may be separate from the data and a write address of the data, and the selected memory, the selected portion, and the selected channel may be used to store the data.
US11023132B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a nonvolatile memory that includes blocks and a controller. The controller transmits information to the host. The information indicates a first logical address range corresponding to cold data stored in the nonvolatile memory, and a processing amount for turning a cold block that comprises the cold data into a block to which data is writable. The controller reads the cold data from the nonvolatile memory in accordance with a read command that is received from the host and designates the first logical address range, and transmits the read cold data to the host. The controller writes, to the nonvolatile memory, the cold data that is received with a write command designating the first logical address range from the host.
US11023116B2

An electronic device, with a touch-sensitive surface, displays a respective control, which is associated with respective contact intensity criteria, used to determine whether or not a function associated with the respective control will be performed. The device detects a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, corresponding to an interaction with the respective control. In accordance with a determination that the gesture does not include a contact that meets the respective contact intensity criteria, the device changes the appearance of the respective control to indicate progress toward meeting the respective contact intensity criteria that is used to determine whether or not a function associated with the respective control will be performed. In response to detecting activation of the control, the device performs the function associated with the respective control in accordance with the detected gesture including a contact that meets the respective contact intensity criteria.
US11023115B2

A method, system, computer program product, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to control media content play. A media content user interface component that controls playback of the media content in a media player is activated. The component includes a circular progress bar and a progress marker that coincides with the circular progress bar. As the media content plays in the media player, the progress marker moves around the circular progress bar. User input moves the progress marker along the circular progress bar to rewind or fast forward the media content.
US11023109B2

In various embodiments, methods and systems for implementing a multi-device mixed interactivity system are provided. The interactivity system includes paired mixed-input devices for interacting and controlling virtual objects. In operation, a selection profile associated with a virtual object is accessed. The selection profile is generated based on a selection input determined using real input associated with a selection device and virtual input associated with a mixed-reality device. The selection device has a first display and the mixed-reality device has a second display that both display the virtual object. An annotation input for the virtual object based on a selected portion corresponding to the selection profile is received. An annotation profile based on the annotation input is generated. The annotation profile includes annotation profile attributes for annotating a portion of the virtual object. An annotation of the selected portion of the virtual reality object is caused to be displayed.
US11023108B2

A collaborative system that securely enables the tracking of changes in a document and securely prevents changes to the document in addition to associating the document with additional related data.
US11023095B2

An interactive virtual world having avatars. Scenes in the virtual world as seen by the eyes of the avatars are presented on user devices controlling the avatars. In one approach, a method includes identifying a location of an avatar in a virtual world, and a point of gaze of the avatar; adjusting, based on the point of gaze, a lens that directs available light received by the lens so that the lens can focus on objects at all distances; collecting, using the adjusted lens, image data; and generating a scene of the virtual world as seen by the avatar, the scene based on the collected image data, the location of the avatar, and the point of gaze of the avatar.
US11023094B2

Systems and methods are presented for allowing multiple users to collaboratively edit 3-D assets in real-time, using a distributed 3-D editing/rendering software application. The software application may include a lightweight, browser-based user interface that is able to run on computing devices with relatively little memory and processing power. The software application may further include a progressive rendering engine.
US11023092B2

Improved systems and methods for navigating and interacting in virtual communication environments are disclosed. Some of these systems and methods provide a framework that includes one or more virtual areas and supports realtime communications between the communicants. Some of these systems and methods provide an interface that includes navigation controls to navigate virtual areas and interaction controls to interact with other communicants in the one or more virtual areas.
US11023083B2

A touch panel includes first touch electrodes, second touch electrodes, and third touch electrodes. The first touch electrodes include sub electrodes spaced apart from one another in a first direction. The second touch electrodes extend in a second direction crossing the first direction. The second touch electrodes are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. The third touch electrodes extend in the second direction and are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. The third touch electrodes are shaped differently than the second touch electrodes.
US11023074B2

A display device having a touch sensor that enables the size of a bezel area to be reduced is disclosed. The display device is configured such that a display area is spatially divided into first and second touch areas, and first sensing-routing lines, connected to touch electrodes in the first touch area, and second sensing-routing lines, connected to touch electrodes in the second touch area, are not disposed in side and upper bezel areas but are alternately disposed in a lower bezel area. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the size of the side bezel area and the upper bezel area.
US11023072B2

An electronic device and method are disclosed. The electronic device includes: a housing adapted to couple to a first, second and third cover portion, an antenna in the second cover portion, a power management circuit, a wireless communication circuit, an input sensing circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit implements the method, including: receiving power from a first external device coupled to the electronic device, driving, by a processor, an input-sensing circuit of the electronic device based on at least a part of the received power, detecting, by the processor, an input of a second external device using the driven input-sensing circuit, and transmitting, by communication circuitry, a signal related to the detected input via the second external device to the coupled first external device.
US11023071B1

A driving system of touch display panel includes a panel having an active area and a plurality of touch electrodes, and a gate driving circuit connected with a plurality of gate lines. There is at least one gate line not covered by the touch electrodes among the gate lines disposed in a range constituted by vertically adjacent touch electrodes. The gate line not covered by the touch electrode, at least one gate line previous thereto, and at least one gate line next thereto are selected as the gate lines that influence coupling. When driving the gate lines that influence coupling, the gate driving circuit enables a time difference between an active time of each at least one gate line among the gate lines that influence coupling and an active time of a gate line previous thereto to be greater than a predetermined interval.
US11023069B2

A pressure sensor that includes a piezoelectric film having a flat part and a curved part and having opposed first and second main surfaces, a first electrode on the first main surface of the piezoelectric film, and a second electrode on the second main surfaces of the piezoelectric film. When the flat part of the piezoelectric film receives a pressing operation a first output is generated, and when the curved part of the piezoelectric film receives a pressing operation a second output different from the first output is generated.
US11023066B2

A display device may include: a first touch sensor including first sensing electrodes and second sensing electrodes, arranged in a sensing area intersecting each other; a display panel including: pixels arranged in a display area overlapping with the sensing area; and a second touch sensor including photo sensors disposed between the pixels or in the pixels; and a driving circuit configured to drive the first touch sensor and the display panel, wherein the driving circuit may be configured to detect a touch input by comparing a first touch detection value detected by the first touch sensor and a second touch detection value detected by the photo sensors.
US11023064B2

A display device including a first pressure sensor disposed under a display panel that includes an upper surface, a first upper curved portion extended from a first edge of the upper surface, and a first side surface extended from the first upper curved portion. The first pressure sensor is disposed in the first upper curved portion.
US11023059B2

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a touch display panel and a touch display device. By arranging a shielding structure, which is connected to a touch electrode in a region where a touch line and a data line overlap each other or is applied with a shielding signal corresponding to a touch driving signal from an outside circuit, between the touch line and the data line, it is possible to prevent direct capacitance from being formed between the touch line and the data line, and to prevent the capacitance formed due to the data line from causing noise on a touch sensing signal. In addition, by arranging a touch load reduction layer between the shielding structure and the touch line, it is also possible to reduce the capacitance between the touch line and the data line arranged in the horizontal direction, thereby improving touch sensing performance.
US11023049B2

A vehicle gesture system includes a processor connected to a transceiver and programmed to detect a wireless device associated with a vehicle feature settings interface for a first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to detect the wireless device based on received user input at the vehicle feature settings interface of the first vehicle feature. The processor is further programmed to control a setting for the first vehicle feature based on received data associated with one or more gestures made using the wireless device.
US11023042B1

A method for inputting gaze for a display and devices performing the same are disclosed. A method for inputting gaze for a display according to an example embodiment includes sensing gaze of a user and moving symbols displayed on both eyes of the user through the display, determining whether the both eyes move in a vergence manner based on the movements of the symbols to converge or diverge, and determining whether the gaze is directed to the symbols based on the determination result.
US11023040B2

Techniques for interacting with a first computing device based on gaze information are described. In an example, the first computing device captures a gaze direction of a first user of the first computing device by using an eye tracking device. The first computing device determines if the gaze direction of the first user is directed to a first display. Further, the first computing device receives information regarding if a gaze direction of a second user is directed to a second display. If the gaze direction of the first user is directed to the first display and the gaze direction of the second user is directed to the second display, the first computing device continuously updates content on the first display. If the gaze direction of the second user is not directed to the second display, the first computing device pauses the content on the first display.
US11023035B1

In general, the disclosure describes artificial reality (AR) systems and techniques for generating and presenting virtual surfaces within an artificial reality environment and for facilitating user interaction with the virtual surfaces using a physical peripheral device. For example, AR systems are described that generate and render virtual surfaces, such as a virtual pinboard or a virtual drawing surface (e.g., a virtual canvas) in an artificial reality environment, for display to a user. The AR systems enable the user to interact with the virtual surfaces using a physical peripheral device, which may be manipulated and otherwise interacted with by the user to provide input to an AR system through pose tracking of the peripheral device and/or via one or more input devices of the peripheral device, such as a presence-sensitive surface.
US11023024B1

A voltage regulator configuration system includes a voltage regulator module that is coupled to a processing system and that is configured to provide a voltage to the processing system. A Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) that is also coupled to the processing system and the BIOS identifies a processing system mode in which the processing system is operating and identifies a voltage regulator module configuration for the voltage regulator module based on the processing system mode. The BIOS transmits a voltage regulator module configuration command that includes the voltage regulator module configuration to a remote access controller. The remote access controller configures the voltage regulator module with the voltage regulator module configuration.
US11023012B2

An electronic device includes a first body, a first supporting member, and a second body. The first supporting member has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the first end is pivoted at the first body. The second body has a notch, the second end is pivoted at the second body, and the first supporting member is fitted to the notch. The second body and the first supporting member fitted to the notch are closed or opened up with respect to the first body together as the first supporting member is pivotally rotated relative to the first body. When the second body is opened up, the second body and the first supporting member are pivotally rotated relatively to separate the first supporting member from the notch and move a bottom end of the second body to a preset position on the first body.
US11023008B2

A hybrid docking station determines whether native video data exists and can be passed through to a video port or whether a virtual video processor should be activated to provide virtual video data to a video port. For example, a laptop is connected to a hybrid docking station using a USB™ 3.0 connection. The hybrid docking station recognizes that the USB™ 3.0 connection includes a native video data and passes the native video data to a DisplayPort™. By avoiding activating a virtualized video processor and using native video data, the laptop avoids installing software to communicate with the virtualized video processor and communicates with one or more displays using a native video channel. By avoiding installing software, it simplifies IT's and user's usage and experience with universal docking station.
US11023005B2

Disclosed is an AI voice interaction device, including a main body and an earphone detachably connected with the main body. User's voice is picked up by a voice pick-up, digital voice signals are obtained through analog-to-digital conversion, and are further transmitted to a first communication module through an earphone communication module. A body processor implements communication connection with a cloud server, and transmits to the cloud server for voice recognition and semantic analysis. Afterwards, the cloud server implements the functions such as making phone calls, sending short messages through the cellular transceiver, or calls corresponding network data, and transmits the network data back to the wristband-type AI voice interaction device to perform corresponding voice broadcasting according to the network data. Further, a TWS earphone and a wristband-type AI voice interaction system are disclosed.
US11022999B2

A local watch skew compensation device of the present invention is a client device which is synchronized with the other client device to provide a time-aware service including: a local time providing unit which supplies first local time data and second local time data in accordance with a local clock; a media scheduling unit which receives first media data and second media data from the other client device, schedules first playout time of the first media data using the first local time data, and schedules second playout time of the second media data using the second local time data; and a skew monitoring unit which requests global time data to a global time server when a difference between the first playout time and the second playout time exceeds a skew threshold value, and the first media data and the second media data are different types of media data.
US11022998B2

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a computer-implemented method includes determining, for a first sector from multiple sectors of a clock mesh of a semiconductor circuit, a set of mesh wires. The method further includes generating tapping point candidates, selecting a first combination of tapping points, and performing an analog electrical simulation of a clock signal. The simulation includes feeding the clock signal into the clock mesh via the first combination of tapping points via a clock signal transmitter, and measuring delays for the clock signal to reach a set of measuring nodes. The maximum delay from the measured delays is selected, and, in response to the maximum delay being less than a previous delay value, the first combination of tapping points is used to connect sector buffers from the first sector to the clock mesh.
US11022995B2

A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. The power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the one or more controllable devices to disable a flow of electric power to the one or more associated power consuming device.
US11022994B2

A system and method for managing power consumption and storage in a power grid. Measurements are received from a plurality of geographically distributed energy management controllers. Each energy management controllers has energy storage units with stored energy. The measurements comprise the energy production and storage capacity of the energy management controllers and their associated energy storage units. The measurements are processed, e.g., aggregated, and displayed on a graphical user interface. Commands are transmitted to a first subset of the energy management controllers to command the units to discharge their stored energy into a power grid through an inverter. Commands are transmitted to a second subset of the plurality of energy management controllers to store energy in each unit's energy storage unit.
US11022993B2

The disclosure relates to an energy supply apparatus for the overcurrent-protected electric power supply to an electric consumer, including a power supply device configured to provide an electric current for the electric consumer, and a controllable power protection element configured to disable a supply of electric current to the electric consumer when the electric current reaches a first current limit value, wherein the controllable power protection element comprises an adjustable second current limit value set by the power supply device, wherein the power supply device receives an increased power requirement of the electric consumer within a time interval and to control the controllable power protection element for a duration of the time interval to set the second current limit value, and wherein the controllable power protection element disables the supply of the electric current to the electric consumer upon reaching the second current limit value by the electric current.
US11022990B2

The present invention provides a new method and apparatus for receiving signals containing information about a plurality of velocity profiles of a flow in a pipe and about a pressure gradient of the flow over a length of the pipe; and determining information about an injection of a chemical into the flow in the pipe based at least partly on the information contained in the signals.
US11022987B2

A fluid delivery system includes a first pressure sensor disposed on or near a spray gun and configured to monitor a first fluid, and a second pressure sensor disposed on or near the spray gun and configured to monitor a second fluid. The fluid delivery system further includes control system comprising a processor configured to receive a first signal from the first pressure sensor and to receive a second signal from the second pressure sensor. The processor is further configured to derive a pressure difference between the first and the second pressure sensor representative of a fluid pressure difference between the first fluid and the second fluid and to control one or more pumps to obtain a desired pressure difference.
US11022973B2

The present disclosure provides systems and methods to communicate intent of an autonomous vehicle. In particular, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can receive, from an autonomy computing system of an autonomous vehicle, data indicating an intent of the autonomous vehicle to perform a driving maneuver. It can be determined that the intent of the autonomous vehicle should be communicated to a passenger of the autonomous vehicle. Responsive to determining that the intent of the autonomous vehicle should be communicated to the passenger of the autonomous vehicle, a graphical interface indicating the intent of the autonomous vehicle can be generated and provided for display for viewing by the passenger.
US11022970B2

A system, an apparatus or a process may be configured to implement an application that applies artificial intelligence and/or machine-learning techniques to predict an optimal course of action (or a subset of courses of action) for an autonomous vehicle system (e.g., one or more of a planner of an autonomous vehicle, a simulator, or a teleoperator) to undertake based on suboptimal autonomous vehicle performance and/or changes in detected sensor data (e.g., new buildings, landmarks, potholes, etc.). The application may determine a subset of trajectories based on a number of decisions and interactions when resolving an anomaly due to an event or condition. The application may use aggregated sensor data from multiple autonomous vehicles to assist in identifying events or conditions that might affect travel (e.g., using semantic scene classification). An optimal subset of trajectories may be formed based on recommendations responsive to semantic changes (e.g., road construction).
US11022964B2

A method and system to help control body-shop processing of vehicles, based on timing of interaction with a touch-screen display. In an example implementation, a body shop will be equipped with a computing system including a touch-screen display, with the computing system being configured to manage presentation on the display of graphical representations of job-cards for individual body-shop jobs, such as individual vehicles in for repair. With such an arrangement, body shop personnel could drag and drop job cards from one section to another to indicate transitions of jobs between body-shop processing steps. The computing system will then advantageously make use of data regarding the timing of those drag-and-drop operations as a basis to control body-shop processing, such as be predicting a processing duration of a job currently in process and taking action to modify processing of the job based on the predicted duration for instance.
US11022956B2

A method and a system are provided for automatically dressing a grinding wheel used to grind workpieces. A workpiece is scanned to determine dimensions of the workpiece. A computer-readable dimensions datafile is generated containing the dimensions of the workpiece. A processor electronically compares the dimensions of the workpiece with reference or desired dimensions to obtain comparison results, and generates a computer-readable comparison datafile containing the comparison results. The processor transmits the comparison datafile containing the comparison results to a CNC controller, which utilizes the comparison results to control a shaping tool used to shape or dress the grinding wheel so that the grinding wheel produces workpieces having the reference or desired dimensions.
US11022942B2

Isochronous pivot for a resonator including two flexible strips joining attachment points of a first and a second element, defining two strip directions, and a pivot axis, at the intersection of their projections or at their intersection, each strip having a free length between its attachment points, and an axial distance between the pivot axis and the attachment point thereof farthest from the axis, the attachment point ratio X=D/L being greater than one for each strip, the strip directions defining with the axis a first apex angle whose value in degrees is comprised between f1(X)=108+67/(10X−6), and f2(X)=113+67/(10X−6).
US11022938B2

A data generating device sets an initial candidate solution of an intensity spectrum function, a phase spectrum function, and an initial temperature and a cooling rate, generates a neighborhood solution, transforms a first waveform function of a frequency domain including the neighborhood solution and the phase spectrum function into a second waveform function of a time domain including a time-intensity waveform function and a time-phase waveform function and calculates an evaluation value representing a degree of difference between the time-intensity waveform function and the desired time-intensity waveform, sets the neighborhood solution as an n-th candidate solution for a certain probability, and lowers the temperature on the basis of the cooling rate. A decrease in the temperature acts in a direction in which the probability P is lowered when the evaluation value of the neighborhood solution is worse than the evaluation value of the candidate solution.
US11022930B2

An image forming apparatus set (200) includes an image forming apparatus (100) and a mounting base (3) on which the image forming apparatus (100) is placed. The mounting base (3) includes a locking mechanism (R). When the image forming apparatus (100) is placed at a first position in the mounting base (3), the locking mechanism (R) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) relative to the mounting base (3). The locking mechanism (R) includes a first locking mechanism (4) and a second locking mechanism (R2). The first locking mechanism (4) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) in a first direction (D1) relative to the mounting base (3). The second locking mechanism (R2) restricts movement of the image forming apparatus (100) in a second direction (D2) relative to the mounting base (3). The second direction (D2) is opposite to the first direction (D1).
US11022928B2

A cleaning device includes a sheet conveyance roller, and a cleaning unit that cleans a surface of the sheet conveyance roller. The cleaning unit includes a cleaning member that can come in contact with the surface of the sheet conveyance roller, and a pressing roller that presses the cleaning member against the surface of the sheet conveyance roller. The pressing roller includes a low Young's modulus area formed at least on a part of the pressing roller in a radial direction, the low Young's modulus area having a Young's modulus lower than a Young's modulus of the sheet conveyance roller. When the surface of the sheet conveyance roller is cleaned, the pressing roller is pressed against the sheet conveyance roller so as to elastically deform in the radial direction in a state where the cleaning member is sandwiched between the pressing roller and the sheet conveyance roller.
US11022923B2

An image forming apparatus includes: a housing part that is capable of housing a plurality of recording materials in such a manner that one recording material is put on another; a transport part that transports a recording material from the housing part; and a hardware processor that detects a kind of the recording material transported by the transport part, detects an amount of the recording materials housed in the housing part, detects replacement of recording materials housed in the housing part, or addition of recording materials in the housing part, on the basis of a result of the detection by the hardware processor, and, on the basis of a result of the detection by the hardware processor, switches whether or not to execute, by the hardware processor, the kind detection of the recording materials housed in the housing part.
US11022922B2

An image forming apparatus including: a movable intermediate transfer member onto which a toner image borne by an image bearing member is to be transferred; a detection unit configured to irradiate the toner image on the intermediate transfer member with light to detect reflected light; and a control unit configured to adjust a condition for forming the toner image based on a detection result of the detection unit, wherein a plurality of grooves extending along a movement direction of the intermediate transfer member are formed in a surface of the intermediate transfer member in a width direction intersecting the movement direction, and wherein grooves, formed within a range of the intermediate transfer member to which the light is irradiated by the detection unit, among the plurality of grooves are formed so that intervals each between adjacent grooves with respect to the width direction are regularly changed within a predetermined range.
US11022916B2

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes: a driver that presses and separates two rollers via a belt; a detector that detects a position of the belt in an axial direction of one roller of the two rollers; and a hardware processor that calculates, based on a detection result by the detector, a first movement amount of the position of the belt in the axial direction when the belt is made to travel for a predetermined time in a state where the two rollers are separated and a second movement amount of the position of the belt in the axial direction when the belt is made to travel for the predetermined time in a state where the two rollers are pressed.
US11022910B2

A replaceable unit is removably installable in an image forming device. The replaceable unit includes a rotatable input gear that is positioned to mate with an output gear of the image forming device. The replaceable unit includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the replaceable unit and that is operatively connected to the input gear such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member. The replaceable unit includes an alignment guide on the exterior of the replaceable unit. The image forming device includes a sensor supported by a sensor housing. The alignment guide is positioned to contact and move the sensor housing during insertion of the replaceable unit into the image forming device to align the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member for reading the identifying information from the encoded member by the sensor.
US11022909B2

A toner container includes an encoded member that is encoded with identifying information of the toner container and that is operatively connected to an input gear of the toner container such that rotation of the input gear causes movement of the encoded member for communicating the identifying information to a sensor. A first alignment guide on the first side of the toner container includes a top surface that is unobstructed to contact a sensor housing from below when the toner container is installed in an image forming device. At least a portion of the top surface of the first alignment guide inclines upward and rearward for contacting and lifting the sensor housing upward during insertion of the toner container into the image forming device for aligning the sensor with an exposed portion of the encoded member.
US11022904B2

Provided an electrophotographic member having an excellent electroconductivity and being capable of forming a high quality electrophotographic image even in long-term use. The electrophotographic member comprises an electroconductive substrate and an electroconductive layer on the substrate, the electroconductive layer containing a matrix polymer, and a specific imidazolium salt.
US11022900B2

Disclosed is an inspection apparatus for use in lithography. It comprises a support for a substrate carrying a plurality of metrology targets; an optical system for illuminating the targets under predetermined illumination conditions and for detecting predetermined portions of radiation diffracted by the targets under the illumination conditions; a processor arranged to calculate from said detected portions of diffracted radiation a measurement of asymmetry for a specific target; and a controller for causing the optical system and processor to measure asymmetry in at least two of said targets which have different known components of positional offset between structures and smaller sub-structures within a layer on the substrate and calculate from the results of said asymmetry measurements a measurement of a performance parameter of the lithographic process for structures of said smaller size. Also disclosed are substrates provided with a plurality of novel metrology targets formed by a lithographic process.
US11022896B2

Corrections are calculated for use in controlling a lithographic apparatus. Using a metrology apparatus a performance parameter is measured at sampling locations across one or more substrates to which a lithographic process has previously been applied. A process model is fitted to the measured performance parameter, and an up-sampled estimate is provided for process-induced effects across the substrate. Corrections are calculated for use in controlling the lithographic apparatus, using an actuation model and based at least in part on the fitted process model. For locations where measurement data is available, this is added to the estimate to replace the process model values. Thus, calculation of actuation corrections is based on a modified estimate which is a combination of values estimated by the process model and partly on real measurement data.
US11022891B2

A method for removing photoresist bridging defects includes coating a photoresist layer over a dielectric layer formed over a substrate, applying a first developer that results in formation of one or more photoresist bridging defects, and applying a second developer to remove the one or more photoresist bridging defects. The first developer is an aqueous base developer and the second developer is a reverse tone weak developer (RTWD), the RTWD being a mixture of a first (good) solvent and a second (bad) solvent for the photoresist.
US11022890B2

A method for removing photoresist bridging defects includes coating a photoresist layer over a dielectric layer formed over a substrate, applying a first developer that results in formation of one or more photoresist bridging defects, and applying a second developer to remove the one or more photoresist bridging defects. The first developer is an aqueous base developer and the second developer is a reverse tone weak developer (RTWD), the RTWD being a mixture of a first (good) solvent and a second (bad) solvent for the photoresist.
US11022889B2

Methods for manufacturing a semiconductor structure are provided. A substrate is provided. A first lithography is performed according to a first layer mask, to form a plurality of first photonic crystals with a first pitch on a first area of a layer above the substrate. A second lithography is performed according to a second layer mask, to form a plurality of second photonic crystals with a second pitch on a second area of the layer. A light is provided to illuminate the first and second photonic crystals. Light reflected by the first and second photonic crystals or transmitted through the first and second photonic crystals is received. The received light is analyzed to detect overlay-shift between the first photonic crystals corresponding to the first layer mask and the second photonic crystals corresponding to the second layer mask.
US11022888B2

The formation of microporous surfaces through polymer induced phase separation in a photopolymer solvent mixture using photopolymerization via light self-focusing and self-trapping. The self-trapping of light sets fixed regions of brightness and darkness, sustained by the polymerization of light, and then wave guiding within the substrate. Phase separation occurs with the solvent phase separating in the regions of darkness and crosslinking in the regions of brightness. Upon removal of the solvent, precise and uniformly dispersed pores are created in the surface. The pore size and spacing may be tuned by adjusting the weight fraction of the photopolymer solvent mixture as well as through changes in the mask pattern.
US11022887B2

An EUV lithographic structure and methods according to embodiments of the invention includes an EUV photosensitive resist layer disposed directly on an oxide hardmask layer, wherein the oxide hardmask layer is doped with dopant ions to form a doped oxide hardmask layer so as to improve adhesion between the EUV lithographic structure and the oxide hardmask. The EUV lithographic structure is free of a separate adhesion layer.
US11022886B2

The present disclosure provides a method for planarization. The method includes providing a substrate having a top surface and a trench recessed from the top surface; coating a sensitive material layer on the top surface of the substrate, wherein the sensitive material layer fills in the trench; performing an activation treatment to the sensitive material layer so that portions of the material layer are chemically changed; and performing a wet chemical process to the sensitive material layer so that top portions of the sensitive material layer above the trench are removed, wherein remaining portions of the sensitive material layer have top surfaces substantially coplanar with the top surface of the substrate.
US11022880B2

A chemically amplified positive-type photosensitive resin composition capable of suppressing the occurrence of “footing” in which the width of the bottom (the side proximal to the surface of a support) becomes narrower than that of the top (the side proximal to the surface of a resist layer) in the nonresist portion; and the generation of development residue when a resist pattern serving as a template for a plated article is formed on a metal surface of a substrate using the photosensitive resin composition. A mercapto compound having a specific structure is included in the photosensitive resin composition, and includes an acid generator which generates acid upon exposure to an irradiated active ray or radiation, and a resin whose solubility in alkali increases under the action of acid.
US11022873B2

A transparent screen includes a plurality of transparent plates arranged in a front-rear direction; and a screen main body, interposed between the transparent plates, configured to display video images projected from a front side or a rear side of the transparent screen to a user on the front side, and enable a rear background to be visually recognized by the user. In a cross section orthogonal to a part of an outer edge of the transparent screen, the transparent screen has a curved shape, and a length of a center line in a plate thickness direction of the transparent plate on an external side of the screen main body in a curvature radius direction of the curved shape is greater than a length of a center line of the transparent plate on an internal side of the screen main body.
US11022847B2

Provided is a liquid crystal display in lateral-electric-field mode that improves faulty display resulting from static electricity without, in particular, degrading display quality or considerably increasing costs. A liquid crystal display in one aspect of the present invention includes the following: an array substrate and counter substrate processed into a thin plate that is less than 0.5 mm thick; a liquid crystal layer sealed between this pair of substrates; and an alignment film disposed on the counter substrate. The alignment film has a photoconductivity in which the volume resistance value of the alignment film under light irradiation changes to at least not greater than 1/10 of the volume resistance value of the alignment film under no light irradiation.
US11022836B2

The present disclosure relates to a polarizer and a display device. The polarizer includes a polarization layer, a color filter layer located on the polarization layer, wherein the color filter layer includes a quantum dot. The application of the polarizer provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure to the display device can increase the color gamut, the color purity, and the light utilization, thereby improving the display color quality.
US11022834B1

The present disclosure relates to a viewing angle control unit and a display unit including the same, in which the viewing angle control unit includes: a first substrate disposed on a side of the surface of the liquid crystal display unit; a second substrate which opposes the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate; and a seal assembly which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and surrounds the liquid crystal layer and seals and separates the liquid crystal layer from the outside. At least part of the seal assembly is constituted by a seal section and a shade section which are stacked in a direction substantially perpendicular to opposing surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate.
US11022805B2

A head-mounted display apparatus including a light source module, an optical adjustment element, a display module and a lens element is provided. The light source module provides an illumination beam. The optical adjustment element and the display module are disposed on a transmission path of the illumination beam, and the display module is configured to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The optical adjustment element is located between the light source module and the display module. The lens element is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam, wherein a transmission direction of the maximum light-emitting intensity of the illumination beam transmitted from the light source module to the optical adjustment element is different to a transmission direction of the maximum light-emitting intensity of the illumination beam transmitted from the optical adjustment element to the display module.
US11022804B2

A head-mounted display (HMD) includes a frame configured to be fixated to a head, a light-transmissive display unit fixated to the frame and outputting a VR image in a VR mode and an AR image in an AR mode, a light transmission control layer having changed transmittance, a lens unit having a refractive index changed in the VR mode and the AR mode, and a controller control the light transmission control layer to increase transmittance in the AR mode and decrease transmittance in the VR mode.
US11022801B2

Examples of an imaging system for use with a head mounted display (HMD) are disclosed. The imaging system can include a forward-facing imaging camera and a surface of a display of the HMD can include an off-axis diffractive optical element (DOE) or hot mirror configured to reflect light to the imaging camera. The DOE or hot mirror can be segmented. The imaging system can be used for eye tracking, biometric identification, multiscopic reconstruction of the three-dimensional shape of the eye, etc.
US11022794B2

A method of notifying a user about attention from another user in an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) system is provided. The method includes displaying a first image on a first electronic display to a first user of the AR/VR system and, upon detecting a gaze of the first user at a second user of the AR/VR system or the second user's avatar in the first image, notifying the second user about the gaze of the first user by displaying a second image on a second electronic display to the second user, the second image having a visual cue of the gaze of the first user.
US11022782B2

An embodiment provides an imaging lens comprising: a body in which a first opening and a second opening are disposed; a first lens group which is disposed on the body and corresponds to the first opening; and a second lens group which is disposed on the body and corresponds to the second opening, wherein the focal distance of the first lens group is greater than 1.8 times and less than 2.1 times the focal distance of the second lens group.
US11022774B2

A plastic barrel includes an object-end portion, an image-end portion, an inner tube portion and a plurality of protrusions. The object-end portion includes an outer object-end surface, an object-end hole and an inner annular object-end surface. One side of the inner annular object-end surface is connected to the outer object-end surface and surrounds the object-end hole. The image-end portion includes an outer image-end surface, an image-end opening and an inner annular image-end surface. The inner annular image-end surface is connected to the outer image-end surface and surrounds the image-end opening. The inner tube portion connects the object-end portion and the image-end portion and includes a plurality of inclined surfaces. The protrusions are disposed at least on one of the inner annular object-end surface, the inner annular image-end surface and the inclined surfaces, wherein the protrusions are regularly arranged around the central axis of the plastic barrel.
US11022770B2

A bladed chassis system facilitates installation of the bladed chassis system and replacement of the blades at the chassis. Blades can be inserted and removed from the front and/or the rear of the bladed chassis system at the discretion of the user. Blades can be moved between discrete positions. In examples, blades can be one-handedly released from the chassis to allow movement between discrete positions. In examples, accidental movement past a discrete position is inhibited. Accidental removal of the blades from the chassis is inhibited. The chassis and blades cooperate to manage the optical fiber cables routed through a cable port in the chassis to the blades.
US11022767B2

The present disclosure provides a TO-CAN cap. The TO-CAN cap includes a casing, the casing has a hollow cylindrical structure, and an inner wall of the casing has a protrusion portion at a first end portion in an axial direction of the casing; and an optical lens, the optical lens has an optical portion for refracting light and a rib portion at a periphery of the optical portion, a side surface of the rib portion having a concave portion complementary to the protrusion portion, where the casing and the optical lens are connected to each other through the protrusion portion and the concave portion.
US11022765B2

The present disclosure is generally directed to a lens clip that includes an optical lens slot to securely hold an optical lens at a predetermined position to mitigate effects of post-annealing shift. The lens clip includes a base that provides at least one substrate mating surface for mounting to a substrate, and at least first and second arms extending from the base. The first and second arms extend substantially parallel relative to each other and define at least a portion of an optical lens slot. The optical lens slot is configured to receive at least a portion of an optical lens and securely hold the optical lens at a predetermined position to ensure optical alignment of the optical lens, e.g., relative to an associated laser diode or other optical component, during fixation of the optical lens to the substrate using, for instance, UV-curing optical adhesives.
US11022757B1

Embodiments herein describe a photonic platform where an AR coating is disposed between an optical grating and a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the optical grating is disposed within an insulative layer. A first side of the insulative layer provides an optical interface where an external optical source can transmit an optical signal into, or a receive an optical signal from, the grating. A second, opposite side of the insulative layer contacts the AR coating. When the external optical source transmits light through the first side of the insulative layer, some of the light passes through the grating and reaches the AR coating. The AR coating prevents this light from being reflected back to the grating by the semiconductor layer which can cause interference that varies the coupling efficiency of the grating.
US11022756B2

Near normal incidence MUX/DEMUX designs may include an optical demultiplexer coupled to a photonics die, where the optical demultiplexer comprises an input fiber, thin film filters at a first surface of a substrate, a first mirror at the first surface of the substrate, and a second mirror at a second surface of the substrate. The optical demultiplexer may receive an input optical signal comprising a plurality of wavelength optical signals, reflect the input optical signal from the first mirror to the second mirror, reflect the input optical signal from the second mirror to a first of the thin film filters, communicate an optical signal at a first wavelength to the photonics die while reflecting others to the second mirror, reflect the other signals to a second of the plurality of thin film filters, and communicate an optical signal at a second wavelength to the photonics die.
US11022754B2

The present disclosure generally relates to a method for processing optical fibers supported by a multi-fiber ferrule. The method can include laser cutting first and second rows of optical fibers in a first fiber cutting step by directing a laser beam in a first direction relative to the ferrule. The laser beam can cut the second row of optical fibers to a first fiber extension length and cut the first row of optical fibers to a second fiber extension length. The method can also include laser cutting the first row of optical fibers by directing a laser beam in a second direction relative to the multi-fiber ferrule. The laser beam cuts the first row of optical fibers to the first fiber extension length and by-passes the second row of optical fibers such that optical fibers of the second row of optical fibers remain at the first fiber extension length.
US11022751B2

The wavelength response of an arrayed waveguide grating can be tuned, in accordance with various embodiments, using a beam sweeper including one or more heaters to shift a lateral position of light focused by the beam sweeper at an interface of the beam sweeper with an input free propagation region of the arrayed waveguide grating.
US11022746B2

Provided is a linear light source including: a light-transmissive base having a first main surface that has a rectangular shape with long sides and short sides, a second main surface located opposite to the first main surface, a first (long) side surface, and a second (short) side surface; a plurality of light emitting devices, each including a light emitting element, a light-transmissive member and a sealing member. An upper surface of each of the light emitting devices includes an upper surface of the light-transmissive member. A first bonding member bonds the first main surface of the light-transmissive base and the upper surfaces of the light emitting devices. A width of the light-transmissive base is the same as a width of the light emitting devices in a first direction orthogonal to a first side surface of the light-transmissive base.
US11022744B2

A multilayer polymeric film includes a top layer comprising poly(methyl methacrylate); a bottom layer comprising a bottom layer composition comprising poly(methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate, copolymers thereof, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein a glass transition temperature of the bottom layer composition is less than or equal to 140° C.; and an inner layer disposed between an inside surface of the top layer and an inside surface of the bottom layer, wherein the inner layer comprises polycarbonate.
US11022736B2

An embodiment of this disclosure discloses a metal wire grid comprising: a patterned metal layer and a patterned antireflective layer located on the patterned metal layer, wherein a surface of the antireflective layer distal to the patterned metal layer has a plurality of continuous pits. Embodiments of this disclosure further disclose a method of manufacturing a metal wire grid and a display panel.
US11022735B2

There is provided a polarizing plate excellent in durability. A method of producing a polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: preparing a polarizing film laminate including a polarizer and a protective film arranged on at least one side of the polarizer; and shrinking the polarizing film laminate.
US11022733B2

An optical filter having a substrate including a primary bandpass filter at least predominantly on an interference basis and a secondary bandpass filter at least predominantly on an interference basis. Both bandpass filters are designed such that they transmit sufficiently over the entire required angle range in the desired spectral transmittance wavelength interval. The primary bandpass filter contains the small angle shift required by the overall system. It also has a spectral transmittance wavelength interval which is as small as possible according to the requirements of the respective application and restricted by narrow blocking bands. The secondary bandpass filter is designed such that its transmittance wavelength interval is limited by a short-wave edge and a long-wave edge and is adjusted to the primary bandpass filter in such a way that its edges shift over the required angle range only within the blocking bands of the primary bandpass filter.
US11022732B2

The present disclosure provides an optical film for eyewear that allows, when used by a person feeling stressed, easy of production of a space having a color tone that the person psychologically feels healing, and a functional film for eyewear, an optical laminate, and eyewear that each include the optical film. The optical film for eyewear including an optical functional layer, and has that transmitted light from a light source of white light has a pale tone, is provided.
US11022718B2

A system method and apparatus for determining the disposition or orientation of a structural feature or structural feature present in a borehole core, such as a core sample. The apparatus is provided to capture data on structural features present in the core sample. The apparatus includes an orientation arrangement configured to determine the orientation, or change in orientation, of the apparatus, and a data-capturing arrangement configured to capture orientation data generated by the orientation arrangement. The orientation arrangement may include a gyroscope. The apparatus also includes an alignment arrangement operable to align the apparatus with a structural feature relating to the core sample. The alignment arrangement may include an alignment indicator operable to provide visual indication on the surface of the core sample. The method may include real-time delivery of data from the point of acquisition to cloud-based storage.
US11022713B2

A method for dipole modeling may comprise providing an electromagnetic induction tool comprising an electromagnetic antenna, disposing the electromagnetic induction tool in a wellbore, and activating the electromagnetic antenna. The method may further comprise producing a dipole array equivalent of the electromagnetic antenna, where the dipole array equivalent comprises at least two dipoles. Additionally, the method may comprise implementing the dipole array equivalent in a forward model within an inversion process, wherein the inversion process determines an electromagnetic property.
US11022711B2

Methods for correcting eccentering effects on echoes detected from ultrasonic pulses emitted by a transducer of a downhole tool. Echo envelope amplitude, azimuth, and location for each echo is utilized to assess echo amplitude sensitivity to geometric and spatial characteristics of the downhole tool within the wellbore. Echo envelope amplitudes are corrected for eccentering effects based on the assessed sensitivity. A visual representation of the corrected echo envelope amplitudes is the generated. Also disclosed herein are tangible, non-transient, computer-readable media comprising instructions executable by a processor to carry out the methods, as well as systems including downhole tools and processing devices operable to carry out the methods.
US11022710B2

Systems and methods for identifying anomalies in a subterranean formation based on seismic attributes include: receiving a seismic cube and a seismic surface, wherein the seismic cube includes traces recorded at receivers deployed to collect seismic data, and the seismic surface is picked on the seismic cube; extracting seismic wavelets with a selected length from the seismic cube along an intersection with the seismic surface for each spatial coordinate associated with the seismic surface; determining a population trend of the seismic wavelets; and generating a attribute map based on comparing each of the seismic wavelets to the population trend.
US11022702B2

Aspects of the present disclosure may improve the accuracy of the known azimuth determination techniques by employing more than two GNSS antennas positioned on a base station antenna. Techniques may use one or more combinations of the GNSS antennas to determine an azimuth of the base station antenna, which serve to improve accuracy of an azimuth determination.
US11022692B2

A projector projects an uncoded pattern of uncoded spots onto an object, which is imaged by a first camera and a second camera, 3D coordinates of the spots on the object being determined by a processor based on triangulation, the processor further determining correspondence among the projected and imaged spots based at least in part on a nearness of intersection of lines drawn from the projector and image spots through their respective perspective centers.
US11022690B2

A system simultaneously tracks multiple objects. All or a subset of the objects includes a wireless receiver and a transmitter for providing an output. The system includes one or more wireless transmitters that send commands to the wireless receivers of the multiple objects instructing different subsets of the multiple objects to output (via their respective transmitter) at different times. The system also includes object sensors that receive output from the transmitters of the multiple objects and a computer system in communication with the object sensors. The computer system calculates locations of the multiple objects based on the sensed output from the multiple objects.
US11022664B2

Systems and methods for transferring fluid to or from a subject use a set of MRI compatible components that can aspirate intrabody structure and/or fluids. The components include a device guide, a semi-rigid guide sheath configured to slidably extend through the device guide, a stylet releasable coupled to the guide sheath and extending a fixed distance out of a distal end thereof, and a cannula coupled to flexible tubing that is releasably interchangeably held in the guide sheath in lieu of the stylet.
US11022663B2

A system for moving a patient into and from a medical apparatus includes a patient support arranged outside a treatment space of a medical apparatus, a treatment table arranged inside the treatment space in the medical apparatus and a patient bed movable in a longitudinal direction from the patient support to the treatment table and back by means of activation of a transferring mechanism. The patient bed is provided with at least a first communication channel for transferring communication signals.
US11022661B2

A magnetoresistance (MR) element includes a first stack portion comprising a first plurality of layers including a first spacer layer having a first thickness and a first material selected to result in the first stack portion having a first sensitivity to the applied magnetic field. The MR element also has a second stack portion comprising a second plurality of layers, including a second spacer layer having a second thickness to result in the second stack portion having a second sensitivity to the applied magnetic field. The first thickness may be different than the second thickness resulting in the first sensitivity being different than the second sensitivity.
US11022646B2

Localizing hot spots in multi layered device under test (DUT) by using lock-in thermography (LIT) where plural hot spots of electrical circuits are buried in the DUT at different depth layers from a bottom layer to a top layer, comprises applying test signals of multiple frequencies to the electrical circuits of the DUT for exciting the hot spots; imaging a top surface of the top layer of the DUT at timed intervals to obtain IR images of the DUT while the test signal is applied to the electrical circuits wherein the images are in correlation to a propagation of heat from the hot spots in the DUT; detecting the thermal response signals at the timed intervals from the images taken from the DUT; and determining changes in the appearance of hot spot images on the top surface of the DUT in relation to the frequencies of the thermal response signals.
US11022638B2

A method and apparatus for testing shield continuity are provided. In the method and apparatus, a transmitter transmits a first signal in common mode over a plurality of conductors of a cable or cabling installation having a shield. The first signal is transmitted in the common mode at a first end of the plurality of conductors. A receiver receives a plurality of second signals representative of the first signal at a second end of the plurality of conductors, respectively, and outputs data representative of the plurality of second signals. A processor receives the data representative of the plurality of second signals, determines a common mode insertion loss for the cable or cabling installation based on the plurality of second signals, determines, based on the common mode insertion loss, whether the shield is continuous or discontinuous and outputs data representative of whether the shield is continuous or discontinuous.
US11022631B2

A conductor includes a first conductor portion, which is separated from a first imaginary flat plane on which a magnetoresistance effect element is disposed, and through which a current to be measured flows parallel to a first imaginary straight line, a second conductor portion, which intersects the first imaginary flat plane and through which the current to be measured flows parallel to a second imaginary straight line, a bent portion, which is disposed between the second conductor portion and the first conductor portion and is bent in a direction parallel to the first imaginary straight line from a direction parallel to the second imaginary straight line, and a third conductor portion disposed between the bent portion and the first conductor portion. The magnetic field due to the current to be measured flowing through the second conductor portion is perpendicular to the first imaginary flat plane.
US11022630B2

In the field of Rogowski coils for the measurement of current within a conductor there is provided an electrical interface for connection to a Rogowski coil arranged around a primary conductor. The electrical interface includes an input that is configured to sample an input voltage signal from the Rogowski coil. The electrical interface also has an integrator circuit which includes an integrator module that is configured to integrate the sampled input voltage signal to provide an output voltage signal from which can be derived a primary current flowing through the primary conductor. The integrator module employs a transfer function that includes an attenuation factor.
US11022620B2

A method of characterizing a specimen for HILN (H, I, and/or L, or N). The method includes capturing images of the specimen at multiple different viewpoints, processing the images to provide segmentation information for each viewpoint, generating a semantic map from the segmentation information, selecting a synthetic viewpoint, identifying front view semantic data and back view semantic data for the synthetic viewpoint, and determining HILN of the serum or plasma portion based on the front view semantic data with an HILN classifier, while taking into account back view semantic data. Testing apparatus and quality check modules adapted to carry out the method are described, as are other aspects.
US11022613B2

The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods using mass spectrometry for direct profiling of N-linked glycans from a biological sample. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention also disclose novel methods, known as targeted analyte detection (TAD), for improving the detection limit of MALDI-MS. These methods take advantage of the carrier effect of the added standard analytes, which occurs due to the generic sigmoidal shape of the calibration curve. The functionality of TAD depends on the relative enhancement of sensitivity over the increase of the standard deviation at the analysis of target analytes with spiking in exogenous concentration. At certain ranges of exogenous concentration, the increment in the sensitivity overcomes the standard deviation, resulting in an improved LOD. Theoretically, exogenous concentrations approximately at 1 LODorig would generate the optimum LOD improvement. TAD is a cost-effective LOD improvement method, which is not limited to a certain group of analytes, or detection methods or instruments. It can be applied to enhance the detection of any analyte with different detection methods, provided that the analyte of interest can be extracted or is available in synthetic form.
US11022606B2

A cell information acquisition method may include: binding a binding substance to a receptor on a cell membrane surface of a cell, the binding substance being bindable to the receptor; permeabilizing a cell membrane of the cell after the binding; labeling a receptor in an intracellular area of the cell with a binding substance labeled with a first labeling substance after the permeabilizing; causing a specimen including the cell to flow through a flow path after the labeling; irradiating the cell included in the specimen flowing through the flow path with light; and acquiring a signal based on light generated from the first labeling substance in the cell irradiated with light.
US11022601B2

Pre-existing alloreactive memory T cells are a major barrier to the induction of allograft tolerance in organ transplant recipients. The use of Eomesodermin (Eomes) expression in memory T cells to determine the risk of allograft rejection in a subject is described. Also described is the use of Eomes expression in memory T cells of transplant recipients to modify immunosuppressive therapy.
US11022593B2

Sampling devices for sampling an aqueous source (e.g., field testing of ground water) for multiple different analytes are described. Devices include a solid phase extraction component for retention of a wide variety of targeted analytes. Devices include analyte derivatization capability for improved extraction of targeted analytes. Thus, a single device can be utilized to examine a sample source for a wide variety of analytes. Devices also include an isotope dilution capability that can prevent error introduction to the sample analysis and can correct for sample loss and degradation from the point of sampling until analysis as well as correction for incomplete or poor derivatization reactions. The devices can be field-deployable and rechargeable.
US11022587B2

An electrical conductivity detector includes a cell, a pair of electrodes, a voltage application part, an amplification circuit, a phase adjustment value holding part, and a signal processing circuit. The amplification circuit has multiple gains, and amplifies a current flowing between the pair of electrodes using any one of the gains to obtain an amplified signal. The phase adjustment value holding part holds a phase adjustment value determined in advance for each of the gains for canceling a phase difference between amplified signals determined using each of the gains of the amplification circuit. The signal processing circuit calculates electrical conductivity of the liquid flowing through the cell using an amplified signal obtained by being amplified by the amplification circuit and the phase adjustment value which is for the gain used to obtain the amplified signal and is held in the phase adjustment value holding part.
US11022586B2

The invention provides an apparatus and system for the separation and optional analysis of the components of a sample of material, the apparatus and system comprising a cartridge comprising: at least one sample inlet port, at least one resin inlet port and a multiplicity of reagent and purge fluid input ports which are fluidically connected via a multiplicity of control valves to a multiplicity of chromatographic columns which are fluidically connected together in series; and a multiplicity of outlet ports wherein each outlet port additionally comprises an outlet valve which is adapted to control the flow of fluid through said outlet ports; wherein each of said multiplicity of chromatographic columns is aligned with one of said multiplicity of outlet ports so as to allow for fluid flow from said column through said outlet port. The system optionally additionally facilitates the analysis of the components. The invention additionally provides a method for the separation of the components of a sample of material which comprises the use of the apparatus and system of the invention. The apparatus, system and method of the invention are advantageously applied to the separation and analysis of radioactive materials.
US11022584B2

A method and an apparatus for scanning a test object are introduced. A reference object is scanned to build a gain correction map including gain values for scanning points on a surface of the reference object. The test object is also scanned to obtain measurements for scanning points on a surface of the test object. Amplitudes of the measurements obtained for the scanning points on the surface of the test object are normalized using the gain values of the gain correction map. The apparatus has a probe mounted on a mechanical scanner, and a controller controlling the scanning and normalizing operations. The method and apparatus can be used to create an image of the test object for non-destructive testing.
US11022583B2

The invention comprises methods for fabricating and using a plurality of sensors on a substrate surface, such as ultrasonic sensor probes. The methods for fabricating sensors directly on the substrate surface includes the use of a template to dispose sensor material in an array and form a first layer on the substrate surface and a second template to dispose sensor electrode material in a corresponding array to form a second layer on top of the first layer. The invention provides a sensor housing that electrically connects the sensors and a computing device. The sensor housing may comprise a flexible circuit having a plurality of sensor electrode contact points corresponding to each of the sensors, at least one spring plate, a force distribution plate, and a plurality of cable wires attached to the flexible circuit and corresponding to each of sensor electrode contact points.
US11022580B1

A PCB based electrochemical sensor includes a PCB having a first electrode on a first surface of the PCB, and a second electrode on a second surface. A sensing element, such as a conductive wire, is attached to the first electrode. The PCB includes one or more through holes, and the conductive wire is positioned proximate one or more of the one or more through holes. When the PCB based electrochemical sensor is positioned in a solution to be sensed, the solution fills the through holes. The ions within the solution provide a current pathway between the conductive wire and the second electrode through the through holes. A voltage potential between the two electrodes is measured. The measured voltage potential is used to determine a value associated with the solution, such as a pH value.
US11022576B2

A gas sensor with a gas permeable region is disclosed. In an embodiment a gas sensor includes a dielectric membrane formed on a semiconductor substrate having a cavity portion, a heater located within or over the dielectric membrane, a material for sensing a gas, wherein the material is located on one side of the dielectric membrane, a support structure located near the material, a gas permeable membrane coupled to the support structure so as to protect the material, wherein the semiconductor substrate forms the support structure.
US11022563B2

Monitoring of protective glasses (8) in laser machining heads, which are exposed to dust, sputtering and/or soiling, with the aim of predicting the contamination of the protective glass. For this purpose, image sections (19) are captured by means of at least two image capture systems (16) at capture-times, computer-readable image files are stored by means of a frequency-based compression algorithm, and a file size value (kB) is determined for each image file on the basis of its file size. A signal is generated if for a majority of the image capture systems (16) the file size values (kB) decrease and/or are below one of a predefined number of threshold values (20) for a predetermined minimum number of consecutive capture-times.
US11022558B2

The present invention discloses a coagulation analyzer and a coagulation analysis method which relate to the technical field of medical instruments. The coagulation analyzer includes an optical coagulation analysis module, a sample interference analysis module, a magnetic coagulation analysis module, and a test transfer module. The coagulation analyzer uses the sample interference analysis module to determine whether an interferent in the sample has effect on the coagulation test result of the optical coagulation analysis module. If the interferent in the sample has no effect on the coagulation test result, the optical coagulation analysis module is used to perform the coagulation analysis and report the test result. If the interferent in the sample has effect on the coagulation test result, the test transfer module is used to transfer the test to the magnetic coagulation analysis module to perform the coagulation analysis and report the test result.
US11022547B2

A gas sensor comprises a chamber configured to receive a gas; a light source configured to emit a light wave propagating through the chamber in an emission cone; a measurement photodetector and a reference photodetector, each configured to detect a light wave emitted by the light source and having passed through the chamber. The chamber extends between two transverse walls, arranged opposite one another and connected to one another by a peripheral wall extending therebetween, about a longitudinal axis (Z), and comprising a first reflective segment configured to receive a first portion of the emission cone to reflect it toward the measurement photodetector, thus forming a measurement cone converging toward the measurement photodetector. A second reflective segment of the peripheral wall is configured to receive a second portion of the emission cone to reflect it toward the reference photodetector, thus forming a reference cone converging toward the reference photodetector.
US11022545B2

A system and method for multi-spectral gas concentration analysis that includes using a library of multiple sets of optimized spectral sensitivities prepared in advance, and a multi-spectral IR gas analyzer tuned to a set of optimized spectral sensitivity. The multi-spectral IR gas analyzer measures spectral absorption of gas using one or more different sets of optimized spectral sensitivities.
US11022542B2

An on-chip spectroscopic sensor includes a tunable diode laser. A laser driver for drives the tunable diode laser. An analyte test cavity receives a chemical sample and exposes the received chemical sample to light from the tunable diode laser. An optical detector detects light emerging from the analyte test cavity as a result of the laser exposure. A spectral analyzer determines a spectrum of the emerging light, matches and removes one or more known optical fringe patterns from the determined spectrum, and determines a composition or concentration of the chemical sample from the optical fringe pattern-removed spectrum.
US11022539B2

The current invention relates to the task of masking, i.e. determination of boundaries in an image of biological particles and/or elements or parts of biological particles in image cytometry. Methods for masking of a biological particle or element or region of a biological particle in a sample are provided which include staining a first element or region of the biological particle with a first fluorescent dye, staining a second element or region of the biological particle with a second fluorescent dye, recording an image of the fluorescent light signal emitted from the sample, and determining boundaries of the biological particle or element or region of the biological particle based on the fluorescent light signal in the image.
US11022538B2

A quantum flow cytometer detects an analyte with photon-number statistics and includes: a flow cytometer that receives a pump light, an analyte and produces scattered light from the analyte; an intensity interferometer that includes a beam splitter and receives the scattered light; splits the scattered light; and single photon detectors that receive the scattered light, such that the beam splitter and the single photon detectors provide photon number statistics that detects the analyte. A process for detecting the analyte with photon-number statistics includes: receiving the pump light; producing, by the analyte, scattered light from scattering the pump light; splitting the scattered light into first scattered light and second scattered light; detecting, by single photon detectors, the first scattered light and second scattered light; producing, by the single photon detectors, detection signals; and subjecting the detection signals to an analyzer to detect the analyte by photon number statistics.
US11022535B2

A PM detection sensor has a sensor body part made of an insulating member and a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The positive electrode is composed of a plurality of positive electrode segments. The negative electrode is composed of a plurality of negative electrode segments. A deposition surface is formed on the sensor body part. These electrode segments are formed on the deposition surface to be exposed to exhaust gas introduced into the inside of the PM detection sensor. The positive electrode segments and the negative electrode segments are arranged adjacently to and separately from each other, on the deposition surface, along a short width direction and a long width direction of each electrode segment. The short width direction and the long width direction are orthogonal to a normal direction of the deposition surface.
US11022526B1

Systems and methods to monitor a condition of a fracturing component section including a section frame and a hydraulic fracturing component of a hydraulic fracturing unit to pump fracturing fluid connected to the section frame may include a condition monitoring controller configured to receive one or more signals from one or more sensors configured to be connected to the fracturing component section and generate signals indicative of operating parameters associated with operation of the fracturing component. The condition monitoring controller may be configured to generate, based at least in part on the signals, condition signals indicative of approaching maintenance due to be performed, predicted component damage, predicted component failure, existing component damage, existing component failure, irregularities of component operation, and/or operation exceeding rated operation. The systems and methods also may include exchanging the fracturing component for another fracturing component based at least in part on the condition signals.
US11022523B2

A present embodiment relates to a MDL measurement method and the like including a structure for enabling MDL measurement without increasing a processing load. The present embodiment sequentially executes, for N (≥2) spatial modes, light-input operation of inputting light of a predetermined intensity to an arbitrary spatial mode, and intensity measurement operation of measuring an output light intensity of each of the N spatial modes including the arbitrary spatial mode, to generate a transfer matrix relating to transmission loss in an optical fiber as a measurement target, and determine at least a linear value of MDL per unit fiber length by using each component value of the generated transfer matrix.
US11022509B2

A measurement transducer for measuring a force includes a resonator element, which can be excited to at least one resonance frequency, and at least one force application element on which the force is applied and which transmits the force to the resonator element. The force application element is a hollow body defining a top surface, a lateral surface and a cavity. The top and lateral surfaces are mechanically connected and enclose the cavity, which contains the resonator element that is mechanically connected to the lateral surface. The lateral surface defines at least one recessed area that extends into the cavity and prevents transmission of the force from the top surface. The lateral surface defines at least one non-recessed area that transmits the force from the top surface.
US11022502B2

This invention relates to a waveguide with distributed sensors that support traveling ultrasonic wave modes to provide quantitative local distributed sensing of the physical and chemical properties of the medium surrounding the sensor locations and/or the material properties of the waveguide. The plurality of sensors is operably associated with a plurality of wave modes for probing and identifying a plurality of properties simultaneously. The reflected waves are representative of local information about the surrounding media at that sensor location.
US11022498B2

An apparatus for measuring variable in relation to a power cable accessory, including: an RFID tag, including: a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the variable in its environment, an antenna, and an RFID IC electrically connected to the sensor and configured to process and modulate the signal generated by the sensor and transmit the modulated signal to an RFID reader via the antenna, wherein: the RFID tag is shaped to be fitted with the power cable accessory with its sensor in thermal contact with an electrical connector of the power cable accessory and with its antenna external to the electrical connector.
US11022492B2

An optical module 1A includes a mirror unit 2 including a movable mirror 22 and a fixed mirror 16, a beam splitter unit 3, a light incident unit 4, a first light detector 6, a second light source 7, a second light detector 8, a holding unit 130, a first mirror 51, a second mirror 52, and a third mirror 53. The holding unit 130 holds the first light detector 6, the second light detector 8, and the second light source 7 so as to face that same side, and to be aligned in this order. A length of an optical path between the unit 3 and the detector 6 is shorter than a length of an optical path between the unit 3 and the detector 8, and a length of an optical path between the unit 3 and the source 7.
US11022489B2

The invention relates to a portable multi-spectrometry system for chemical and biological sensing in atmospheric air. A portable, spectrometric system integrates multiple spectroscopy theories, combines their advantageous features, and fills the gaps for their limitations. The combined spectrometry system with operations for PLS, IRAS, MAS, MFS, RSS, and MS, will detect particles and chemicals, directly and sequentially, in the same air-stream.
US11022486B2

In various embodiments, a simple, robust molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) based photosensor is provided that is able to detect both light intensity and wavelength. The MoS2 based photosensor may be structured as a field effect transistor (FET) with a back-gate configuration, including MoS2 nanoflake layers, an insulating layer coated, doped substrate, and source, drain and backgate electrodes. The photoresponse of the MoS2 based photosensor exhibits a fast response component that is only weakly dependent on the wavelength of light incident on the sensor and a slow response component that is strongly dependent on the wavelength of light incident on the sensor. The fast response component alone may be analyzed to determine intensity of the light, while the slow response component may be analyzed to determine the wavelength of the light.
US11022483B2

Various embodiments of a light detection device and a method of using such device are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the light detection device can include a housing including a top surface and a bottom surface, where the housing extends along a housing axis between the top surface and the bottom surface; and a support member connected to the housing and adapted to be selectively moved from a closed position to an open position. The support member is further adapted to maintain the light detection device in an upright position when the bottom surface and the support member are in contact with a working surface and the support member is in the open position.
US11022481B2

The invention relates to a load cell for a scale, comprising a measuring device for producing a temperature-dependent weight measurement signal corresponding to an acting weight and at least one temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the load cell, wherein a temperature-compensated weight can be calculated by an evaluating unit from the produced weight measurement signal and the measured temperature. The temperature sensor is designed as a sensor, in particular a thermocouple, that measures a temperature difference between a first point, in particular a measurement point, of the load cell and a second point, in particular a comparison point, of the load cell.
US11022478B2

A filling level indicator for determining a filling level in a tank includes: a resistor network; a contact element arranged spaced apart from the resistor network; and a magnetic element movable relative to the resistor network and the contact element. The contact element has a contact region deflectable by the magnetic element. The contact region is deflectable so as to produce an electrically conductive connection between the contact region and the resistor network. The contact region comprises a planar tape-shaped element that is partially deflectable by a magnetic force of the magnetic element. The contact region has at least two portions that are arranged mutually adjacent to, and mutually spaced apart from, one another.
US11022468B2

A biaxial magnetoresistive angle sensor with a corresponding calibration method for magnetic field error correction, comprising two single-axis magnetoresistive angle sensors for detecting an external magnetic field in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction that are perpendicular to each other, a unit for calculating a vector magnitude of the voltage outputs of the single-axis magnetoresistive angle sensors along the X axis and the Y axis in real time, a unit for calculating a difference between a known calibration vector magnitude and the measured vector magnitude, a unit for dividing the difference by the square root of 2 in order to calculate an error signal, a unit for adding the error signal to the X-axis output and the Y-axis output respectively or subtracting the error signal from the X-axis output and the Y-axis output in order to calculate the calibrated output signals of the X-axis and the Y-axis angle sensors, a unit for calculating an arc tangent of a factor obtained by dividing the calibrated Y-axis output signal by the calibrated X-axis output signal to provide a rotation angle of the external magnetic field. This method for applying the magnetic field error calibration to the biaxial magnetoresistive angle sensor reduces the measurement error and expands the magnetic field application range in addition to improving the measurement precision in a high magnetic field.
US11022463B2

A position sensor includes a magnet that generates a magnetic field, and a magnetic detector that is positioned opposing the magnet to detect an inclination of the magnetic field caused by the magnet. The magnet and the magnetic detector move relative to each other when an operation member is automatically or manually operated. The position sensor detects an operation position of the operation member based on a detection signal of the magnetic detector. The magnet includes two magnets positioned to oppose each other to generate the magnetic field as a parallel magnetic field at a rotation center of a support structure that forms operation axes of the operation member in multiple directions. The magnetic detector is arranged between the two magnets positioned opposing each other.
US11022459B2

A system and method for providing location-based personalized information by using user location history information, whereby battery consumption of a computing device is reduced. The computing device includes: a location finder configured to obtain user location information of a user of the computing device; a display configured to display information indicating a route of the user of the computing device; and a controller configured to track a location of the user by controlling the location finder as the controller senses a change in the location of the user based on the obtained user location information, obtain information corresponding to an initial route of the user based on the tracked location of the user, detect a predicted route of the user from user location history information based on the information corresponding to the initial route of the user, and display on the display unit the predicted route.
US11022451B2

Methods and systems for operating a transport climate control system of a vehicle are provided. The method includes obtaining a state of charge of an energy storage device capable of providing power to the transport climate control system; determining an energy level including the state of charge, receiving a planned route for the vehicle, and receiving route status data associated with the planned route for the vehicle. The route status data includes traffic data, weather data, and/or geographic data identifying areas where the transport climate control system is to be solely powered by the energy storage device. The method further includes determining whether the energy level is sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle based on the planned route and the route data, and when the energy level is not sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle, providing a notification to a user via a display.
US11022449B2

Among other things, a determination is made of and ability of an autonomous vehicle to safely or robustly travel a road feature or a road segment or a route that is being considered for the autonomous vehicle as of a time or range of times. The route conforms to properties of stored road network information. The road feature or road segment or route is eliminated from consideration if the computer has determined that the road feature or road segment or route cannot be safely or robustly traveled by the autonomous vehicle. The determination is based on analysis of performance of the autonomous vehicle.
US11022447B2

An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and computer system for environment based navigation. The method, computer program product and computer system may include computing device which may collect environment map data. The environment map data may include one or more environmental zones. The computing device may receive one or more user environment preferences from a user. The user environment preferences may include a user's preferred environmental zones and non-preferred environmental zones. The computing device may receive a destination from the user and determine one or more routes to the destination. The computing device may compare the one or more determined routes to the environment map data and the user environment preferences and display a list of the determined routes based on the user environment preference data.
US11022440B2

A waveguide optical gyroscope (WOG) is disclosed, which may include: an emitter; an integrated interferometer disposed on a silica planar lightwave circuit (PLC) and comprising a multilayer waveguide loop disposed in a first cladding material and interposed between layers of at least a second cladding material having an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction of the first cladding material; a pump source configured to pump the first cladding material with a signal that compensates for a propagation loss in the multilayer waveguide loop; and a micro-optic component configured to receive an output of the emitter and to guide the output into the integrated interferometer.
US11022439B2

The disclosure relates to a microelectromechanical gyroscope which comprises first and second proof masses which form a first proof mass pair and third and fourth proof masses which form a second proof mass pair. The oscillation of the first and second proof mass pairs is synchronized by a synchronization element which comprises a ringlike body and torsion bars which extend along the x-axis from the ringlike body to the first, second, third and fourth proof masses.
US11022438B2

The present disclosure provides a distance measuring device, a distance measuring system and a distance measuring method. The distance measuring device includes a finger sleeve assembly and a communication component. The finger sleeve assembly includes a first interphalangeal joint and a second interphalangeal joint that is rotatable connected to the first interphalangeal joint. The communication component is disposed on the finger sleeve assembly and is configured to transmit and/or receive a ranging signal.
US11022437B2

A leveling sensor, a load port including a leveling sensor, and a method of leveling a load port using a load port are disclosed. In an embodiment, a sensor includes an accelerometer configured to detect leveling and vibration of a load port and produce a plurality of data; a plurality of indicator lights configured to display a level measurement and a level direction based on the leveling of the load port; a processor configured to process the data produced by the accelerometer; and a wired connection configured to connect the processor to an external device.
US11022435B2

Disclosed are a 3D scanning apparatus and a 3D scanning method. The 3D scanning apparatus includes a projector projecting patterns previously set onto a subject that is to be 3D scanned, a photographing unit photographing each of the patterns projected onto the subject at each of exposure levels previously set, a calculating unit calculating a depth value for each pixel of the subject based on the patterns photographed at each of the exposure levels, and a scanning unit 3D scanning the subject, which is photographed, based on the calculated depth value. The calculating unit calculates the depth value for each pixel of the subject by calculating the depth value for each pixel of the subject at each of the exposure levels and combining the depth values for the pixel, which are calculated at each of the exposure levels.
US11022431B2

A shape calculating apparatus includes a light source and a light guide provided with detection targets to decrease quantity of light guided by the light guide according to a bend shape of the light guide. The apparatus also includes a light detector to detect light quantity information in wavelengths included in light absorption spectra of the detection targets, a calculation unit that makes a calculation relating to a shape of each detection target based on the light quantity information, and a control unit that changes a dynamic range of at least one of an intensity of light input to the light guide and a detection signal output by the light detector for each wavelength range so that a magnitude of the detection signal is within a range between a lower limit threshold and an upper limit threshold of the light detector.
US11022416B2

A tape measure, including a tape measure blade having a cross-sectional profile to increase standout is provided. The profile has a curved shape that increases standout. The tape blade may have a flat width of 30 mm or less and a standout of at least 132 inches. The tape blade may have a flat width greater than or equal to 29 mm and less than 32 mm and a standout of at least 156 inches. The tape blade may have a flat width greater than 32 mm and a standout of at least 168 inches.
US11022415B2

A ballistic transfer system, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing is cylindrical, wherein the housing comprises: a central bore that traverses a length of the housing; a first end; wherein the first end is disposed about a first ballistic apparatus; and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite to the first end, wherein the second end is disposed about a second ballistic apparatus; an alignment insert, wherein the alignment insert is secured into the housing; a first detonation transfer line, wherein a portion of the first detonation transfer line is disposed within the alignment insert; and a second detonation transfer line, wherein a portion of the second detonation transfer line is disposed within the alignment insert.
US11022408B2

A system operative to down a target drone having propellers deployed along a perimeter p, comprising a processor-controlled interceptor drone bearing a processor-controlled flexible elongate intercepting agent cannon and an onboard camera; and an onboard processor to receive sensed wind conditions and to a firing distance d, between interceptor and target drones, given a firing angle A, and wherein the processor is configured to track the target drone using imagery generated by the onboard camera including at least once, when said wind conditions exist, guiding the interceptor drone to a firing position whose distance from the target drone is d, and commanding the cannon to fire at firing angle A, once said firing position is achieved, thereby to use the flexible elongate intercepting agent to down target drones.
US11022405B2

A bullet-proof backpack includes a back protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The back protection section is sized to cover a portion of a user's upper back when the backpack is worn by the user. The bullet-proof backpack also includes a neck protection section having bullet-proof material integrated therein. The neck protection section is movably connected to the backpack and operable to move from a stored position to a deployed position. When the neck protection section is in its stored position, it is stored against a portion of the backpack. When the neck protection section is in its deployed position, it covers a back of the user's neck and a back portion of the user's head when the backpack is worn by the user.
US11022402B1

A printing-reducing strap configured for use with a concealed carry holster is capable of interacting with the concealed carry holster in a manner that reduces printing of a handgun carried by the concealed carry holster by pulling the handgun into the body of an individual who wears the concealed carry holster. The printing-reducing strap includes a first end capable of being secured to a holster body of the concealed carry holster and a second end capable of being secured to a portion of a waistband of the concealed carry holster located adjacent to a handgun receptacle of the holster body. Concealed carry holsters that include printing-reducing straps and methods for reducing printing by handguns carried by concealed carry waist holsters are also disclosed.
US11022398B1

A projectile launching device includes self-timing without cam lean. The projectile launching device preferably includes a rail, a riser, two energy storing components, (such as two limbs), two cams, a launch string, and at least two cables. The ends of the launch string are attached to the two cams. Opposing ends of first and second cables are coupled to the first and second cams. A mid-segment of the first and second cables are slideably engaged with the first and second cable pulleys, respectively. The two cams are preferably built as mirror images of each other at a centerline of the rail. The two cams include a launch string track, having identical, but mirrored, upper and lower cable tracks.
US11022394B1

A gun barrel that has a proximal chamber end, a distal muzzle end, and an internal bore bounded by a bore wall where the internal bore has a cartridge chamber at the proximal chamber end of the barrel, a first rifled bore section distal to the cartridge chamber, a second rifled bore section at the distal muzzle end of the barrel, and a reducing section distal to the first rifled bore section and connecting the first rifled bore section and the second rifled bore section.
US11022392B2

A safety lock for a firearm comprises a casing, a releasable locking member at a second end, and a flexible member between the first end and the second end. When the lock is installed on the firearm, the lock extends along the barrel from the chamber to the muzzle end. When in the locked position, the casing is positioned in the chamber and the flexible member extends along the barrel, an ammunition round from being loaded. The safety lock allows a user to dry fire the firearm.
US11022382B2

The present disclosure relates to a heat exchanger for a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a first slab having a first plurality of tubes extending between a first manifold and a second manifold and a second slab having a second plurality of tubes and a third plurality of tubes. The second plurality of tubes extends between a third manifold and a fourth manifold and the third plurality of tubes extends between the fourth manifold and a fifth manifold, such that the heat exchanger defines a refrigerant path sequentially through the first plurality of tubes, the second plurality of tubes, and the third plurality of tubes.
US11022381B2

A heat exchange system with at least two heat exchange chambers is provided. Each of the heat exchange chambers includes heat exchange chamber boundaries which surround at least one heat exchange chamber interior of the heat exchange chamber. The heat exchange chamber boundaries include at least one first opening for guiding in of an inflow of at least one heat transfer fluid into the heat exchange chamber interior and at least one second opening for guiding out of an outflow of the heat transfer fluid out of the heat exchange chamber interior. At least one heat storage material is arranged in the heat exchange chamber interior such that a heat exchange flow of the heat transfer fluid through the heat exchange chamber interior causes a heat exchange between the heat storage material and the heat transfer fluid.
US11022380B2

A heat pipe with micro tubes (2), includes a solid heat conductor (1) provided therein with two or more parallel micro tubes (2), the micro tubes being filled therein with working medium which exchanges heat through phase change; and the two ends of the heat conductor (1) are sealed and at least one of them is provided with a sealing strip of gradually shrinking shape that is formed from cold welding.
US11022368B2

A refrigerator may include a storage compartment, an inner door which comprises an opening having a size corresponding to a size of the storage compartment, a plurality of door guards, and an outer door which open and close the storage compartment, wherein the inner door comprises a control unit may control an internal environment of the storage compartment.
US11022367B2

An apparatus for emptying and filling horizontal freezers, which includes a first and a second chain actuator, the chain actuators being arranged parallel to each other and parallel to an y axis, the chain actuators having first and second ends, a sliding beam arranged between the first and second chain actuators nearby, or at, the first end of the first and second chain actuators, and a feeding arrangement for retracting the first and second chain actuators from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration and for extending the chain actuators from a collapsed configuration to an extended configuration.
US11022364B2

A refrigerator includes a wall covering assembly having a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of a liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly includes a pattern of ports for providing outwardly directed cooled air to the refrigerator cabinet from a duct assembly. The duct assembly is configured to deliver cooled air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver cooled air to a front portion of the refrigerator cabinet via a downwardly directed air curtain. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly before the cooled air reaches a gasket assembly disposed around the refrigerator doors. Angled venting slots disposed on the wall covering assembly direct air towards inner surfaces of the doors without disruption from the air curtain.
US11022360B2

A heat transfer system for high transient heat loads includes a fluid, a heat exchanger; a compressor downstream of the heat exchanger outlet; a condenser downstream of the compressor outlet, and a thermal energy storage (TES) section downstream of the condenser outlet and upstream of the heat exchanger. The TES section may include a first pressure regulating valve downstream of a TES unit; and a second pressure regulating valve upstream of the first pressure regulating valve.
US11022359B2

An aspect of the present disclosure is generally directed to an ice making appliance that includes: an ice making compartment and an ice maker including an ice mold having a total water capacity. The ice mold includes a plurality of ice wells and is configured to release the ice cubes without the use of a heater and by twisting the ice mold. The ice wells are typically no more than about 12.2 mm in depth from a top surface of the ice mold and have a volume of about 20 mL or less. The ice maker is capable of producing at least about 3.5 lbs. of ice or more in a 24 hour span.
US11022337B2

An air conditioning system for an occupiable structure having a plurality of regions includes a plurality of air condition sensors, an air conditioning unit, and a programmable controller. The air condition sensor assemblies are each located in a respective region of the plurality of regions. The air conditioning unit is adapted to condition air in the occupiable structure. The controller is configured to receive a plurality of condition signals from each one of the plurality of air condition sensor assemblies and output an activate command that facilitates activating the air conditioning unit. The activate command is based on any one of the condition signals and a preprogrammed condition threshold. Each one of the condition signals is associated with a respective programmed time interval of a plurality of programmed time intervals.
US11022332B2

An actuator in a HVAC system includes a mechanical transducer, a processing circuit, a wireless transceiver, and a power circuit. The processing circuit includes a processor and memory and is configured to operate the mechanical transducer according to a control program stored in the memory. The wireless transceiver is configured to facilitate bidirectional wireless data communications between the processing circuit and an external device. The power circuit is configured to draw power from a wireless signal received via the wireless transceiver and power the processing circuit and the wireless transceiver using the drawn power. The processing circuit is configured to use the power drawn from the wireless signal to wirelessly transmit data stored in the memory of the actuator to the external device via the wireless transceiver, wirelessly receive data from the external device via the wireless transceiver, and store the data received from the external device in the memory.
US11022318B1

A gas-fired burner adapted for use on a liquid fuel. A method for essentially smokeless start-up and steady state operation of a gas-fired burner on a liquid fuel. The apparatus integrates a catalytic liquid fuel reformer with a flame burner designed for operation on a gaseous fuel of high Wobbe Index, e.g., natural gas. The method involves reacting a mixture of a liquid fuel and oxidant in a catalytic reformer to obtain a gaseous reformate having a low Wobbe Index; and thereafter combusting the gaseous reformate, optionally augmented with liquid co-fuel and oxidant, in the gas-fired burner under diffusion flame conditions. The invention allows commercial gas-fired appliances to be operated on a liquid fuel, thereby offering advantages in logistics and camp operations.
US11022308B2

A combustor for a turbine engine includes a first liner and a second liner forming a combustion chamber with the first liner. The combustion chamber is configured to receive an air-fuel mixture for combustion therein. The first liner is a first double wall liner with a first wall forming a portion of the combustion chamber and a second wall extending around at least a portion of the first wall to form a liner cavity with the first wall. The first wall defines a first wall orifice and the second wall defines a second wall orifice. The combustor further includes a first insert mounted on the second wall within the second wall orifice and extending through the first wall orifice. The first insert is configured to direct a first air jet through the second wall, through the first wall, and into the combustion chamber.
US11022303B2

A combustion device includes at least one burner, a supporting assembly, and an infrared ray generation mesh wherein, the at least one burner includes a flame outlet, and the infrared ray generation mesh which is corresponding to the flame outlet is disposed on a rear cover of the supporting assembly. An outer surface of the infrared ray generation mesh is exposed outside. The infrared ray generation mesh is heated by flames out of the flame outlet. Whereby, open fire and thermal energy of the infrared ray can be generated so as to effectively increase heating intensity and realize uniformly heating as well.
US11022296B2

An operatory light may comprise a bulb that includes a light emitting diode (LED) module positioned such that when the bulb is installed into a socket of the operatory light and powered, none of the light emitted from the LED is directed directly toward a lens of the operatory light, and only reflected light passes through the lens of the operatory light.
US11022292B2

A lighting device that protects a member related to light emission from heat associated with light emission includes a light source, a first optical member configured to transmit light emitted by the light source, a second optical member, arranged between the light source and the first optical member, configured to transmit light emitted by the light source, and an air-sending mechanism configured to send air suctioned from a first space that is an inner space on a side nearer to the light source than the second optical member and includes the light source to a second space that is a space between the first optical member and the second optical member.
US11022287B2

The present disclosure envisages a luminaire (100). The luminaire (100) comprises at least an array of light-emitting diodes (10), a driver (20) for driving the array of light-emitting diodes (10), a first compartment (30), a second compartment (40), a perforated wall (50), an array of fins (60) and a lid (70). The first compartment (30) houses the array of light-emitting diodes (10). The second compartment houses the driver (20). The second compartment (40) is separated from the first compartment (30) by a perforated wall (50). The array of fins (60) is disposed on an operative external wall surface surrounding the first compartment (30) and/or the second compartment (40) of the luminaire (100). The lid (70) is removably fitted on an operative end of the first compartment (30). The luminaire (100) has an explosion-proof construction, dissipates heat efficiently, is less expensive and is easy to assemble.
US11022283B2

The present invention provides an integrated ring clamp of a flashlight, which includes a ring and a clip, wherein the ring has a base; the clip includes a clamping part and a holding part that can hold and be fixed to a body of the flashlight, the holding part is fixed to the clamping part, and the clamping part is detachably fixed to the base. The present invention also provides a flashlight, which includes a flashlight body and the integrated ring clip, and may further include a flashlight sleeve sleeved on the outer face of the flashlight body and wrapping the same. The integrated ring clamp and the flashlight solve the problem of a structural conflict of the ring and the clip, so that the ring and the clip can be present on the flashlight at the same time, thereby achieving diversified functions.
US11022281B2

A lighting system and related methods are disclosed herein. The lighting system may have a mounting fixture and a light fixture. The mounting fixture is configured to engage a mounting surface. The light fixture is configured to engage the mounting fixture and has a driver configured to drive a light source. A first fastener having a movable elongated member is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in an extended configuration. A second fastener having a quick connect feature is configured to removably couple the light fixture to the mounting fixture in a retracted configuration.
US11022271B2

An optical layer made from a light-permeable material includes a surface and an optical microstructure having a plurality of elevations. The elevations of the microstructure protrude from a reference plane, which is parallel to the surface. The elevations of the microstructure each have a flank section which adjoins the reference plane and forms a uniform angle with the reference plane. The uniform angle is in a range from about 10° to about 26° or in a range from about 13° to about 23° or in a range from about 15° to about 20°. The optical layer according to the invention makes it possible for a light fixture to achieve a high light output rate (LOR) at the same time to produce a preferred light distribution curve (LDC).
US11022264B1

A headlight optical system and a lamp using the same are provided. The headlight optical system is implemented with the refractive optical system of a single lens. The headlight optical system includes a first incident surface, a second incident surface, and an exit surface. The first incident surface is a horizontal plane. The second incident surface surrounds the first incident surface. The inner edge of the second incident surface is connected with the outer edge of the first incident surface. The second incident surface has an inclined angle with respect to the first incident surface. After the light emitted from the polycrystalline light source is incident on the first incident surface or the second incident surface, the refractive optical system refracts and emits the light from the exit surface.
US11022258B2

A solid state lighting lamp (10) for replacing a gas discharge lamp (1) having a light emission area (3) with a given light center length (A) and a given light emission area length (B) is disclosed. The solid state lighting lamp comprises a base portion (11) including a connector (12); an upper portion (13) opposite said base portion; and a plurality of linear arrays of solid state lighting sources (17) mounted on a body (21) and extending in parallel with a central axis (30) of the lamp, each linear array having a central point within 10% tolerance of the given light center length from the connector, wherein, for each linear array: an upper solid state lighting source (17a) lies on an upper virtual conical surface (30) extending from a point of said central axis coinciding with an upper edge of the light emission area under a first internal angle (α) between said central axis and the upper virtual conical surface in a range 40-85°; and a lower solid state lighting source (17b) lies on a lower virtual conical surface (40) extending from a further point of said central axis coinciding with a lower edge of the light emission area under a second internal angle (β) between said central axis and the lower virtual conical surface in a range 40-85°. A luminaire comprising such a solid state lighting lamp is also disclosed.
US11022252B2

An exemplary bilobe or multilobe tank for storing liquefied natural gas includes at least two tank sections, each tank section having a curved upper surface and curved bottom surface, the tank sections being joined to each other so that the tank has an undulating upper surface and an undulating lower surface. Each tank section is connected to an adjacent tank section with at least one connecting duct so that a horizontal flow path is formed between the lowermost points of the adjacent tank sections or between the uppermost points of the adjacent tank sections.
US11022247B2

A conduit embedded in thermoplastic and adhered to a pipeline with a porous material assisting in the adhesion. The porous material is adhered to the pipeline, the porous material having at least some pores occupied by the thermoplastic. The porous material may be a sleeve of fibrous material. The adhesion may be accomplished by positioning a sleeve of fibrous material around a guide, bringing the thermoplastic into contact with the sleeve and heating the thermoplastic to cause the thermoplastic to enter pores of the sleeve. The guide forms a barrier preventing the thermoplastic from reaching a portion of the sleeve, and that portion is adhered to the object. This method may also be applied to adhere a thermoplastic, with or without a conduit, to any object.
US11022242B2

A first ring and a second ring are inserted through the pipe. The pipe is inserted through a fastening member, and a tip of the pipe is inserted into a first concave part of the joint. By screwing a screw part of the fastening member to a screw part of the joint, the first ring and the second ring are pressed against the first contact surface provided to the first concave part, and bite into the pipe to fix the pipe. Further, the pipe fixed by the first ring and the second ring is moved to a joint side by a pressing force to press an orifice plate installed in the joint. Consequently, it is possible to maintain sealability of a flow path in the joint at a plurality of places including a place of the orifice plate.
US11022238B2

Systems and apparatuses include a tubular body of a garden hose assembly. The tubular body includes an inner tube including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface defines an interior passageway of the garden hose assembly. The tubular body further includes an outer tube including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface surrounds the outer surface of the inner tube. The tubular body further includes a reinforcement layer including a helical pattern spiraling in at least one direction around the outer surface of the outer tube. The tubular body further includes an inner cover including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface surrounds the reinforcement layer. The tubular body further includes an outer cover including an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface surrounds the outer surface of the inner cover.
US11022236B2

The invention relates to a long tubular pipe comprising an outer tube, an inner fluid-transporting tube mounted in the outer tube, and a separating member designed to transmit bending efforts between said outer tube and said inner tube when said outer tube is bent, the separating member comprising means for the longitudinal passage of fluid between the inner tube and the outer tube, the separating member comprising a first edge and a second edge together defining an assembly slot, the first edge and the second edge respectively comprising a first connecting element and a second connecting element designed to cooperate mechanically on the outer periphery of the inner tube.
US11022234B2

An automatically resettable press-type switching valve includes a valve housing, an operating portion, a driven rod, a water blocking member, and a resetting member. The valve housing is formed therein with an inlet and outlet passages. A water blocking seat is provided between the inlet and outlet passages. The operating portion drives the driven rod to move axially so as to form a forward pressure difference or reverse pressure difference between two opposing sides of the water blocking member, by which the water blocking member is pushed to move axially with the driven rod. The resetting member is drivingly connected with the water blocking member, when there is no water pressure at a side of the inlet passage, the resetting member drives the water blocking member to separate from the water blocking seat, and the inlet passage is communicated with the outlet passage.
US11022231B2

A solenoid operated valve includes a valve block defining a valve lumen, a poppet slidably disposed within the valve lumen, a solenoid including an annular winding with an internal surface defining a winding lumen and an external surface, and a core including a central core portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular core portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, and an armature including a central armature portion disposed within the winding lumen and an annular armature portion disposed outside the external surface of the winding, wherein the armature is in communication with the poppet so that movement of one is translated into movement of the other. Solenoids for such valves are provided. Also provided are methods of assembling solenoid valves.
US11022230B2

An actuator that controls flow through a fluid path during filling of beverages includes an actuator element that exerts an actuating force. In response to control signals, the actuator element transitions between an elongated state and a resting state.
US11022220B2

A rotary seal apparatus for a rotating drum includes a mounting ring. The apparatus includes seal flaps attached to the ring. The apparatus includes wear pads attached to the seal flaps having a wear side and an exposed side. The apparatus includes eye nuts extending upwards from the seal flaps and from the wear pads. The apparatus includes a first tensioner extending through the eye nuts. The apparatus includes a cover that is disposed over the seal flaps and the exposed side of the wear pads. A method for forming a rotary seal apparatus for a rotating drum.
US11022217B2

A shift-type multi-phase-shifter drive transmission device includes a drive device (3), a shifting mechanism, multiple angle adjustment mechanisms and multiple ruler mechanisms. When the shift-type drive transmission device works, the drive device (3) firstly drives a shifting rack (11) of the shifting mechanism to move to a position which is corresponding to one of the angle adjustment mechanisms, a shifting bulge (111) on the shifting rack (11) is against a driving lever (13) for engaging an active clutch gear (16) with a passive clutch gear (17) of the corresponding angle adjustment mechanism, so as to further drive a transmission screw (19), thus a transmission nut (20) on the transmission screw (19) implements the reciprocating linear motion. The shift-type drive transmission device is able to drive multiple phase shifters through one drive device (3) to perform angle adjustment, which reduces an amount of the drive sources and effectively decreases cost.
US11022209B2

A gear assembly including a first gear disposed at a centerline axis of the gear assembly; a second gear coupled to the first gear in adjacent radial arrangement; and a spraybar assembly disposed between a plurality of the second gear. The spraybar assembly defines an elongated neck extended between the plurality of second gear. A supply opening is defined through the elongated neck and the elongated neck defines a groove extended along a longitudinal direction.
US11022207B2

A hydraulic control unit that delivers hydraulic fluid to a limited slip differential includes a hydraulic control unit housing, a motor and a pump. The hydraulic control unit housing has a manifold housing portion and an accumulator housing portion. The manifold housing portion defines a fluid pathway arrangement for communicating fluid along at least a first fluid pathway. The accumulator housing portion houses an accumulator assembly having a biasing assembly and a piston. The accumulator housing portion and manifold housing portion cooperate to form an accumulator chamber that houses the biasing assembly. The motor is disposed on the first side of the manifold housing portion. The pump is disposed on a second side of the manifold portion, opposite the first side. The pump is configured to pump fluid into the accumulator chamber of the accumulator housing portion.
US11022203B2

A drive arrangement for adjusting an aerodynamic flap on a vehicle. The drive arrangement includes an electric motor, a spur gear mechanism having gear stages, an output shaft, and at least two housing halves. The spur gear mechanism includes at least one self-locking gear stage that does not form the first gear stage nor the last gear stage of the spur gear mechanism. A safety coupling is arranged between the self-locking gear stage and the output shaft to disengage the output drive on overload in order to protect the flap attached thereto from damage.
US11022200B2

A rotary actuator (101) is provided which includes first and second opposing endplates (107); a stator (105) having a first end which is attached to said first endplate, and a second end which is attached to said second endplate; a rotor (103) having first and second eccentrics (125) on a surface thereof; an output attachment ring gear (135) disposed about the periphery of said first and second opposing endplates; a first parallel eccentric gear (131) which is disposed between said first eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a second parallel eccentric gear which is disposed between said second eccentric and said output gear and which meshes with said output gear; a first crosslink (113) which engages said first endplate and said first eccentric gear by way of a first set of surface features (143, 153); and a second crosslink which meshes with said second endplate and said second eccentric gear by way of a second set of surface features. The rotary actuator further includes a star compound gear train which includes a star gear which is in mesh with the output gear across a second mesh, wherein the first mesh is radially separated from the second mesh across an open space.
US11022194B2

A damper assembly for an angle of attack sensor includes a rotor including a conical portion, a damper housing in which the rotor is positioned, the damper housing being configured to be adjusted axially with respect to the rotor and including a tapered interior surface that matches a profile of the conical portion, and a locking mechanism adjacent the damper housing.
US11022192B2

A tone ring attachment for a disc brake rotor. The disc brake rotor has a disc portion that includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced lugs. Each one of the lugs has a groove. A discrete tone ring body has a plurality of bosses. Each one of the bosses is receivable in a respective one of the grooves in the lugs. A dart projection extends from at least one of the bosses. The dart projection engages a respective one of the lugs to inhibit relative axial movement and relative rotational movement in at least one direction between the tone ring and the disc brake rotor. A tab is formed on at least one of the bosses. The tab is engageable with a portion of the lug to inhibit relative rotational movement in a second direction opposite the first direction between the tone ring and disc brake rotor.
US11022190B2

A vehicle control device for a vehicle with a drive source and an automatic transmission including a friction engaging element for transmitting a driving force of the drive source to drive wheels by being engaged by a hydraulic pressure, wherein the vehicle control device is configured to perform an abnormality diagnosis of a solenoid valve for adjusting a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the friction engaging element on the basis of a slip amount of the friction engaging element, and prohibit the abnormality diagnosis of the solenoid valve if a hydraulic pressure upstream of the solenoid valve is below a predetermined hydraulic pressure at which the friction engaging element is engaged, the hydraulic pressure upstream of the solenoid being a source hydraulic pressure to be adjusted by the solenoid valve.
US11022187B2

An engagement device includes: a clutch unit including annular input and output elements disposed so as to face each other in an axial direction, plate-shaped engagement pieces provided in the input element or the output element, and an annular selector plate disposed between the input and output elements to switch a posture of the engagement pieces and switched between an engagement state and a release state; and an actuator operating the selector plate and control the engagement state and the release state of the clutch unit. Further, the actuator includes an actuator main body generating a force for operating the selector plate, and the actuator main body is disposed radially inwards beyond the clutch unit.
US11022180B2

The claimed invention concerns a holding device for application of a sealing member (21) on a shaft (23). The holding device (22) includes a connecting mechanism (26, 27) adapted to connect the sealing member (21) on the shaft (23). The connecting mechanism includes an annular body (24) that comprises an inner surface (24a) which, in an axial direction, is arranged at gradually decreasing radial distance from the shaft (23). The connecting mechanism comprises at least a clamping element (26) arranged in a space between the inner surface (24a) of the annular body and the shaft (23), and a displacement mechanism (27) adapted to displace the clamping member in said axial direction relative to the annular body (24) to a position in which the inner surface (24a) of the annular body presses the clamping element to the shaft. The claimed invention also relates to a mechanical sealing device including such a holding device and a hydrodynamic machine having such a mechanical sealing device for applying a sealing member on a shaft.
US11022178B2

A sealing device includes a seal member and a slinger. The slinger has a slinger fixing part, a first radial part, a first axial part, a second radial part, and a second axial part facing a seal fixing part of the seal member in a radial direction across a first clearance. The seal member has a large-diameter part facing, in an axial direction, an end of the second axial part on the other side in an axial direction across a second clearance. An outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter part and an outer circumferential surface of the second axial part are included in a flow passage surface of a continuous outside flow passage that extends in a straight line along the axial direction. The first clearance and the second clearance communicate with each other, and the sealing device has a labyrinth clearance including the first clearance and the second clearance.
US11022177B2

A slewing bearing providing a first ring, a second ring, the first and second rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, and at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings. The slewing bearing is further provided with a sealing device including at least one seal having an annular heel fixed to the first ring, and a sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with the second ring, and a deflector mounted to a lateral surface of second ring and having a deflecting part that at least partially radially surrounds the sealing lip.
US11022176B2

A slewing bearing including a first ring, a second ring, the first and second rings being in relative rotation around a rotation axis, at least one row of rolling elements arranged between the rings, and at least two seals having each an annular heel mounted on a cylindrical frontal surface of first ring, and an oblique sealing lip in sliding frictional contact with part of the second ring. The slewing bearing further includes a guiding ring axially arranged between the two seals. The guiding ring provides a flange that prevents the reversion of one sealing lip, and an annular axial collar that radially blocks the annular heel of the other seal in a radial outwards direction.
US11022174B2

An oil scavenge system of a rotatable machine having an axis of rotation is disclosed. The oil scavenge system comprises a sump housing, a scavenge conduit, a bearing, and a squeeze film damper. The sump housing is arranged about the axis and at least partly defining a sump. The sump housing has a radially inner surface for directing the flow of oil and defining a collection orifice. The scavenge conduit is in fluid communication with the collection orifice and a downstream location remote from the sump. The bearing is disposed within the sump. The squeeze film damper is positioned proximate the bearing. The squeeze film damper comprises an annular channel and a supply line. The supply line supplies oil to the annular channel. The squeeze film damper further comprises a discharge line. The discharge line is axially aligned with and discharges toward an inner wall of the scavenge conduit.
US11022172B2

A rolling bearing device includes a rotary shaft; a housing; a pair of rolling bearings; an outer ring spacer; an elastic member provided in a bottom side of the housing, the bottom side of the housing being a second axial side of the housing, and the elastic member being configured to urge the rolling bearings, the outer ring spacer, and the rotary shaft toward a first axial side; and a retaining ring that is fitted into a circumferential groove provided on an inner periphery in the first axial side of the housing, the retaining ring being in axial contact with the outer ring of the rolling bearing located on the first axial side, and the retaining ring including at least three arc members arranged in a circumferential direction.
US11022169B2

A flexible driveshaft includes a proximal coupler and a distal coupler each configured to couple to a respective component of an instrument, and a flexible shaft having a proximal end connected to the proximal coupler, a distal end connected to the distal coupler, and a longitudinal axis. The flexible shaft may include a sleeve, and a core having a first end and a second end. The core is housed within the sleeve. The flexible shaft also includes a plurality of coils arranged around the longitudinal axis in at least one layer.
US11022168B1

A locking member is configured to couple to a suction cup and a suction securing nut. The locking member includes a locking ring, and a container retaining housing coupled to the locking ring. The container retaining housing is configured to retain a container.
US11022159B2

A pivot-mounting device has a lower nut (4) is fixing a bolt (2) to an object (A), and an upper nut (3) having a boss (32) rotatably supporting a rotatable member (B) is tightened on the bolt (2). A lower nut (4) includes an engagement recess (41) into which the boss (32) can be fitted with the outer peripheral surface of the boss (32) and the inner peripheral surface of the engagement recess (41) each being a straight cylinder shape. The boss outer peripheral surface (32) is slightly eccentric relative to a female thread hole (3a).
US11022151B2

A hydraulic device is provided. Working fluid stored in a fluid storage portion is supplied by a fluid supply portion to a power output portion. The fluid supply portion is driven by a brushless motor. A bypass flow path portion can be switched between a first state of supplying the working fluid from the fluid supply portion to the fluid storage portion and a second state of blocking the fluid supply portion from the fluid storage portion. A control to switch the bypass flow path portion from the first state to the second state after the brushless motor is started and a control to switch the bypass flow path portion from the second state to the first state when the brushless motor is stopped is performed. Backflow of the working fluid from the power output portion to the bypass flow path portion is prevented by a backflow prevention valve.
US11022141B2

A fan assembly for a refrigerator interior includes a lower housing where a fan that rotates around a rotation axis as a center is installed, the rotation axis extending in an up-down direction; an upper housing that includes an inlet that sucks air from the refrigerator interior; and a side housing that covers a surrounding portion of the fan, wherein any one of the upper housing, the lower housing, and the side housing includes a flow straightening member that straightens a flow of air that is discharged from the fan, and wherein any one of the upper housing, the lower housing, and the side housing includes a discharge port.
US11022136B2

A fan includes a motor base, a bearing, an impeller, a stator and a magnetic element. The motor base has a bearing stand in a center portion thereof. The bearing is accommodated within the bearing stand. The impeller includes a metallic case, a hub, plural blades and a rotating shaft. The metallic case has a top wall and a sidewall. The hub is sheathed around the metallic case. The blades are disposed around an outer periphery of the hub. The rotating shaft is inserted into a central opening of the top wall and penetrated through the bearing stand, wherein no raised ring structure is formed in the top wall of the metallic case, and the rotating shaft and the metallic case are jointed together by a laser welding process. The magnetic element is disposed on an inner wall of the metallic case and aligned with the stator.
US11022135B2

An impeller 40 includes a disk 41 having a disk shape centered on an axis O, a plurality of blades 42 provided on a disk main surface 413 of the disk 41 facing a first side Dau in an axial direction Da at intervals in a circumferential direction around the axis O, and a cover 43 that covers the plurality of blades 42 from the first side Dau and gradually expands in diameter from the first side Dau toward a second side Dad in the axial direction. The cover 43 has a thick portion 49 at a position distant from a first end portion 431 positioned closest to the first side, the thick portion having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first end portion 431.
US11022132B2

A draft inducer blower assembly includes a blower having a fan, a dilution air intake passage, an exhaust gas intake passage, and a discharge passage. The blower is configured to operatively connect to a heater system in a manner to facilitate flow of combustion air into a combustion chamber and to draw dilution air into the blower and to mix the dilution air with the exhaust gases and to facilitate flow of the mixed air and exhaust gases through the vent. The dilution air intake passage is positionable in at least a low flow configuration and a high flow configuration. The dilution air intake passage is more restrictive of intake of dilution air in the low flow configuration than in the high flow configuration.
US11022125B2

A centrifugal compressor includes: a rotor that includes a shaft rotatably disposed inside a casing and impellers fixed to an outer periphery of the shaft; a diaphragm that surrounds the impellers from an outer peripheral side; a suction-side casing head disposed separately from the diaphragm on a side on which fluid is sucked; a temperature controlling mechanism that is provided inside the suction-side casing head and is configured to control ambient temperature through flow of a heating medium; a heat insulating body disposed between the suction-side casing head and the diaphragm; and a locking structure that locks the heat insulating body and the suction-side casing head with each other to be relatively displaceable in a radial direction.
US11022121B2

A compression mechanism of a scroll compressor has a back-pressure chamber defined on a back face of an end plate of a movable scroll. The compression mechanism has an annular space defined at an outer periphery of the end plate of the movable scroll. The movable scroll has a movable-side passage through which a compression chamber intermittently communicates with the back-pressure chamber in accordance with eccentric rotation of the movable scroll. The end plate of the movable scroll has a communication space through which the movable-side passage communicates with the annular space. The communication space includes first and second communication portions located forward and rearward of the movable-side passage in a direction of eccentric rotation, respectively. A first circumferential width of a first opening in the first communication portion is larger than a second circumferential width of a second opening in the second communication portion.
US11022120B2

A scroll compressor includes a casing, a low-pressure space and a compression mechanism. The compression mechanism includes fixed and movable scrolls, a fluid chamber including first and second compression chambers, and an adjustment mechanism. The fluid chamber has different discharge start points between the first and second compression chambers. An oil inflow groove is formed in one sliding surface, and an oil relief passage is formed in the other sliding surface. The oil relief passage includes a communication portion that communicates with the oil inflow groove in a predetermined angular range, lubricating oil flowing from the oil inflow groove into the low-pressure space through the communication portion. The predetermined angular range is from a position between a discharge start point of the first compression chamber and a discharge start point of the second compression chamber to a position after the discharge start of the second compression chamber.
US11022114B2

A screw pump comprises a body which has a cylindrical duct formed therein. A screw shaft is located in the cylindrical duct and is arranged to transport liquid between an inlet and an outlet of the screw pump. The screw shaft has a screw thread which defines a helical liquid path within the cylindrical duct. The body of the screw pump includes a groove extending along an inside surface of the cylindrical duct, the groove defining, in part, a ball-passage which extends alongside the screw shaft and intersects with the helical liquid path. The ball-passage contains a plurality of balls which are guided along the ball-passage by the screw thread when the screw shaft rotates relative to the body.
US11022112B2

A drive apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle includes a motor body including a rotor to rotate about a central axis extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction of travel of the vehicle, and a stator radially outside of the rotor, a housing including a housing portion to house the motor body, oil in a vertically lower region of the housing portion, and a pump to move the oil from the vertically lower region of the housing portion to feed the oil to the motor body. A liquid surface of the oil in the vertically lower region of the housing portion approaches the central axis to bring the oil into contact with the rotor as a result of the vehicle being inclined forward or rearward in the direction of travel.
US11022107B2

A micropump including: a stator (4); a rotor (6) slidably and rotatably mounted at least partially in the stator, the rotor comprising a first axial extension (24) having a first diameter (D1) and a second axial extension (26) having a second diameter (D2) greater than the first diameter; a first valve (V1) formed by a first valve seal (18) mounted on the stator around the first axial extension, in conjunction with a first channel (42) in the rotor that is configured to allow liquid communication across the first valve seal when the first valve is in an open position; a second valve (V2) formed by a second valve seal (20) mounted on the stator around the second axial extension, in conjunction with a second channel (44) in the rotor that is configured to allow liquid communication across the second valve seal when the second valve is in an open position; a pump chamber (8) formed between the rotor and stator and between the first valve seal and second valve seal, and a cam system comprising a cam track (22, 22′) on one of the rotor or stator and a cam follower (36, 36′) on the other of the rotor or stator for axially displacing the rotor relative to the stator as a function of the rotation of the rotor, the cam track comprising a valves-closed chamber-full section (28), a valves-closed chamber-empty section (30), an intake section (32) and an expel section (34). The expel section comprises an expel hold position (34b) defining an intermediate axial position between the valves-closed chamber-full section and valves-closed chamber-empty section for partial delivery of a pump cycle volume during the expel phase.
US11022106B2

A drive system for a pump includes a housing defining an internal pressure chamber, a working fluid disposed within and charging the internal pressure chamber, and a reciprocating member disposed within the internal pressure chamber. A fluid displacement component has first and second surfaces. The first surface is configured to contact the working fluid and the second surface is configured to contact the process fluid. The area of the first surface is greater than the area of the second surface. A pull extends between and connects the reciprocating member and the fluid displacement component. The pull mechanically transfers a pulling force from the reciprocating member to the fluid displacement component.
US11022101B2

This Angular Momentum Engine in this patent application uses three simple systems: angular momentum, centripetal force, and relative motion to convert a rotational centripetal force to a linear centripetal force. This Angular Momentum Engine is an ‘add-on’ to any existing vehicles propulsion system. Centripetal force cannot accelerate a vehicle as once this centripetal force reaches a vehicles ‘net force resistance’, the resistance of a physical object to any change in velocity, the centripetal force becomes tangential. This Angular Momentum Engine centripetal force can only equal a vehicles ‘ ’ net force resistance, therefore acceleration is left to the exiting propulsion system, such as a series or parallel automotive hybrid systems, as an example. Centripetal forces are exponential, as its force is proportional to the square of the speed, while acceleration forces are linear giving this patent design an exponential edge over existing propulsion systems.
US11022099B2

A ram air turbine (RAT) can include a housing and a turbine shaft configured to connect to one or more turbine blades and be turned by the one or more blades. The turbine shaft can be disposed in the housing to rotate relative to the housing along a rotational axis. The RAT can include a first bearing and a second bearing mounted between the turbine shaft and the housing to allow the turbine shaft to rotate relative to the housing. The RAT can include a whirl reduction system configured to dampen or eliminate whirl around the rotational axis.
US11022098B2

A vertical axis windmill system for interacting with ground level winds has a plurality of vertical windmill units. Each vertical windmill unit includes a rotation unit and outer rings. The rings are secured to the vertical support columns. The rotation unit has a plurality of blades equally spaced around a rotatable center shaft. Each blade has a plate extending from the central shaft to an outer end. The plate has a curvature from an upper edge to the lower edge. Each of the blades has a plurality of openings. A plurality of flaps are pivotably mounted to the blade to move from an open position allowing air through the plurality of openings to a closed position limiting air through the plurality of openings. The system has a generator for converting the rotation motion of the rotatable central shaft to electrical energy.
US11022097B2

A turbine having a rotor assembly with substantially cylindrical blades. A scoop may be used to direct a fluid flow into the turbine, thereby causing a pushing force and/or a suction force to be exerted on at least some of the cylindrical blades. Accordingly, the rotor assembly may rotate within the turbine. In an example, the rotor assembly may include a plurality of magnets, which may cause a magnetic field to fluctuate. Copper discs on the turbine enclosure may be used to generate electricity based on the changing magnetic field. In another example, the turbine enclosure may have one or more openings, which may generate a suction or pressure force as the rotor assembly rotates.
US11022085B2

An engine operation detection system includes an engine including a spark plug and a spark plug wire, and an engine run sensor including a signal wire including an antenna, the antenna configured to receive a spark plug signal from the spark plug wire, a data acquisition output wire outputting an engine on/off condition signal, a power supply providing power to the engine run sensing circuit, and an engine run sensing circuit configured to transform the spark plug signal into the engine on/off condition signal output via the data acquisition output wire.
US11022082B2

Provided is a fuel distribution device 1 including a fuel distribution pipe 3, a fuel pipe 4, and a connecting member 5. The fuel distribution pipe 3 has a seat section 21 having a first convex curved surface 24 formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The fuel pipe 4 has a seal section 27 having a second concave curved surface 28 formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof, and a second convex curved surface 29 corresponding to the second concave curved surface 28 is formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof. The connecting member 5 presses the seal section 27 against the seat section 21 from an opposite side of the fuel distribution pipe 3. A radius of curvature SR2 of the second concave curved surface 28 is greater than a radius of curvature SR1 of the first convex curved surface 24.
US11022080B2

A pump assembly for a fluid tank extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a cover at an external end, the cover including a flange that extends radially outward of the longitudinal axis, an insertable end opposite the external end along the longitudinal axis, and a rotatable arm that is flexible such that, when the rotatable arm is resiliently bent such that the rotatable arm has a radial extent, from the longitudinal axis, that is less than the flange, the sender assembly is in a compact state in which the insertable end and the flange would be able to move straight along the longitudinal axis, which is coaxial with a center axis of an opening of the fluid tank, from a position where the insertable end initially enters the opening to a position where the flange engages the fluid tank.
US11022074B2

The present disclosure discloses a throttle and choke control linkage mechanism of carburetor including a choke shaft rotatably installed with a choke valve, a throttle shaft rotatably installed with a throttle, a choke handle fixed on the choke shaft and configured for rotating the choke valve from a fully opened position to a fully closed position, a throttle grip fixed on the throttle shaft and configured for rotating the throttle from an idling position to an opened position, and a fast idle handle rotatably around the choke shaft. The choke handle is further provided with a first surface which is able to link with the throttle grip. When the choke handle is linked with the throttle grip, the choke valve is at the fully closed position, and the throttle is opened with an angle larger than the idling position.
US11022072B2

A divergent flap seal includes a flap seal body with a spine, the flap seal body manufactured of a non-metallic material. A mount is engaged with the spine at the dovetail interface and a resilient member at the dovetail interface.
US11022071B2

There is provided a load distribution panel assembly for a gas turbine engine. The assembly has a panel structure having at least one circumferential structural panel having a first end, and a second end coupled to a fixed structure of the gas turbine engine. The circumferential structural panel has a first compliant portion extending away from the first end, and has a second stiffened portion angled with respect to and extending radially away from the first compliant portion, and terminating at the second end. The second stiffened portion has a closed stiffened cavity portion integral with a perimeter flange portion. The panel assembly converts fore/aft point load(s) applied to it by load applying apparatus(es), to hoop tension and compression loads, and reacts a load offset in in-plane load(s), to provide uniform load distribution of the fore/aft point load(s) to the fixed structure.
US11022070B2

The present invention discloses an ORC container comprising the following components: a container, in particular an ISO container, having arranged therein an ORC device for converting heat energy into electrical or mechanical energy, wherein the ORC device comprises a working medium; a heat introduction device provided on the ISO container and used for supplying heat energy from an aggregate container; and a spacer device arranged on the container, wherein the spacer device is suitable for providing an intermediate space between the ORC container and the aggregate container. The present invention additionally relates to a system comprising an ORC container and an aggregate container as well as to a method for installing such a system.
US11022064B2

An engine includes a cylinder head, an ignition plug disposed in the cylinder head, a head partition wall disposed on the cylinder head to surround a periphery of the ignition plug, an injector disposed in the cylinder head and having an injection hole exposed outside the head partition wall, a cylinder block coupled to the cylinder head, a cylinder formed in the cylinder block, a piston disposed in the cylinder, and a piston partition wall disposed on a crown surface of the piston to face the head partition wall in a sliding direction of the piston. The height of the piston partition wall from the crown surface on the side closer to the injector is less than the height of the piston partition wall from the crown surface on the side farther from the injector.
US11022051B2

A method of operating an internal combustion engine having at least one combustion chamber and an actuator disposed therein being arranged to drive an output shaft of the engine, the method comprising: 5 (i) injecting a water containing fuel into the combustion chamber; (ii) flash boiling the water-containing fuel to form water vapour within the combustion chamber; (iii) thermolyzing the water vapour to form hydrogen gas and oxygen gas; and (iv) combusting the hydrogen gas to drive the actuator within the combustion chamber to 10 thereby drive the connected output shaft of the combustion engine.
US11022044B1

A gas turbine engine including: an engine core including turbine, compressor, and core shaft connecting the turbine to the compressor; a fan; an epicyclic gearbox that: (i) receives input from the core shaft to drive the fan at a lower rotational speed than the core shaft, and (ii) includes a sun gear, ring gear, planet carrier, and planet gears; and a gearbox support. The gearbox has a cross sectional area greater than or equal to 2.4×10−1 m2. A first gearbox support strength ratio of: torsional ⁢ ⁢ strength ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ gearbox ⁢ ⁢ support radial ⁢ ⁢ bending ⁢ ⁢ stiffness ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ gearbox ⁢ ⁢ support ⁢ × cross ⁢ ⁢ sectional ⁢ ⁢ area ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ gearbox is greater than or equal to 7.0×10−3; and/or a second gearbox support strength ratio of: torsional ⁢ ⁢ strength ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ gearbox ⁢ ⁢ support tilt ⁢ ⁢ stiffness ⁢ ⁢ of ⁢ ⁢ gearbox ⁢ ⁢ support ⁢ × planet ⁢ ⁢ gear ⁢ ⁢ spacing ⁢ ⁢ angle ( β ) is greater than or equal to 1.0×10−1, where the angle (β) is 2π/N, and N is the number of planet gears.
US11022037B2

A gas turbine engine includes a turbomachine including a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section arranged in serial flow order and together defining at least in part a core air flowpath. The gas turbine engine also includes a thermal management system including a flowpath heat exchanger coupled to, or integrated into, one or more components of the compressor section, the combustion section, the turbine section, or the exhaust section such that the flowpath heat exchanger is directly thermally coupled to an airflow through the core air flowpath.
US11022033B2

An internal combustion engine includes an output shaft, fan, auxiliary unit, and wraparound drive. The drive has a first wraparound wheel which is drivable by the output shaft and a first wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel, which is drivable by the output shaft via the first wraparound wheel, and via which the auxiliary unit is drivable by the output shaft. The drive has a second wraparound wheel, a third wraparound wheel, a second wraparound belt which wraps around the first wraparound wheel and the second wraparound wheel where the second wraparound wheel is drivable by the output shaft via the second wraparound belt and the first wraparound wheel, and a third wraparound belt which wraps around the second wraparound wheel and the third wraparound wheel such that the fan is drivable by the second wraparound wheel via the third wraparound wheel and the third wraparound belt.
US11022029B2

Cross-port air flow that improves engine fuel economy and reduces pumping losses during part-throttle operation can be implemented in various types of internal combustion engine systems using ports that interconnect the intake ports of different cylinders, thus allowing different cylinders to share combustion air. Cross-port air flow is commenced during part-throttle engine operation to disrupt the primary combustion air flow from each throttle to its associated cylinder, which reduces charge density and engine power. The engine compensates for the reduced power by incrementally opening the throttles, thus increasing the primary combustion air flow, reducing pumping losses and improving fuel economy.
US11022027B2

In an internal combustion engine provided with a combustion chamber defined by an inner circumferential surface of a cylinder, an end surface of a cylinder head facing the cylinder, a crown surface of a piston, an inner surface of an intake valve, and an inner surface of an exhaust valve, for the purpose of improving the anti-knocking performance of the engine, the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, the end surface of the cylinder head, the crown surface of the piston, the inner surface of the intake valve and the inner surface of the exhaust valve include a mirror surface region formed as a mirror surface having an arithmetic average roughness of 0.3 μm or less, and a rough surface region formed as a rough surface having an arithmetic average roughness of 0.3 μm or more.
US11022026B2

Methods and systems are provided for a prechamber. In one example, the prechamber comprises an interior volume fluidly coupled to flow channels of an ignition plug and a bracket. The bracket is configured to move relative to the ignition plug and a cylinder head to misalign the flows channels and block the flow of air to the interior volume.
US11022021B2

Methods and systems are provided for a cooling arrangement. In one example, the cooling arrangement comprises flowing coolant to only an upper portion of a cylinder head during a cold-start. The cooling arrangement comprises flowing coolant to a cylinder block, a lower portion of the cylinder-head, and the upper portion of the cylinder head outside of the cold-start.
US11021997B2

A gas turbine engine according to an example of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft configured to drive a fan, a support configured to support at least a portion of the fan shaft, the support defining a support transverse stiffness and a support lateral stiffness, a gear system coupled to the fan shaft, and a flexible support configured to at least partially support the gear system. The flexible support defines a flexible support transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and a flexible support lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness. The input defines an input transverse stiffness with respect to the support transverse stiffness and an input lateral stiffness with respect to the support lateral stiffness.
US11021992B2

An inter-shaft bearing is supported by a support including a solid rigid body which is non-deformable during normal operation, but which can break in the event of an excessive stress, such as a blade failure. A damper included in the support limits the movements between the two shafts and prevents excessive instability.
US11021990B2

A shroud assembly for gas turbine engine defining an axial direction, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction includes a shroud segment extending substantially along the circumferential direction and including a forward wall and an aft wall spaced along the axial direction from one another and defining a cavity therebetween; and a hanger assembly including a first attachment member and a seal member, the first attachment member attached to one of the forward wall or the aft wall of the shroud segment, and the seal member positioned within the cavity and interference fit against the other of the forward wall or the aft wall of the shroud segment.
US11021979B2

A sector of a sectorized annular nozzle of a turbine of a turbomachine comprises an outer platform having an outer wall connected to a coaxial inner wall via at least one straightening fixed blade. The outer platform includes hooking means that hook the outer platform to a turbine fixed casing. The outer platform includes an outer circular shell, axially offset with respect to the outer wall and integrally formed with the outer wall, and the outer shell is intended to surround an angular portion of a rotor wheel. The hooking means includes an upstream circular edge and a downstream circular edge extending axially, said upstream and downstream edges being respectively configured to attach to an upstream hook and a downstream hook of said turbine casing, and said upstream and downstream edges being oriented in the downstream direction.
US11021971B2

A blade for a gas turbine engine includes a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite structure that provides an airfoil with an exposed exterior airfoil surface and a refractory structure that provides at least an outer portion of a root secured relative to the airfoil.
US11021969B2

An airfoil comprises one or more internal cooling circuits. The cooling circuit can further comprise a near wall cooling mesh, fluidly coupling a supply passage to a mesh plenum. The mesh plenum can be disposed adjacent to the external surface of the airfoil having a plurality of film holes extending between the mesh plenum and the external surface of the airfoil. The mesh plenum can further comprise a cross-sectional area sized to facilitate machining of the film holes without damage to the interior of the airfoil.
US11021968B2

A cast component having reduced cross flow linking cavities and method of casting may include a body. The body may define a plurality of internal flow channels. The plurality of internal flow channels may include a first internal flow channel and a second internal flow channel. The cast component may also include a plurality of linking cavities obstructing unintended fluid communication between the first internal flow channel and the second internal flow channel through the plurality of linking cavities.
US11021964B2

A composite vane includes both a vane body extending in a longitudinal direction between an inner end and an outer end and also at least one fastener base connected to the inner end or to the outer end of the vane body. The vane includes metal reinforcement associated with an organic matrix. The metal reinforcement defines integrally as a single part both a longitudinal core extending between the inner and outer ends of the vane body and also the fastener base, the longitudinal core having the organic matrix overmolded thereon, the organic matrix defining the outside shape of the vane.
US11021961B2

An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a rotor assembly for a turbine engine. The rotor assembly includes an airfoil assembly and a hub to which the airfoil assembly is attached. A wall assembly defines a first cavity and a second cavity between the airfoil assembly and the hub. The first cavity and the second cavity are at least partially fluidly separated by the wall assembly. The first cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of first cooling fluid and the second cavity is in fluid communication with a flow of second cooling fluid different from the first cooling fluid.
US11021958B2

A power turbine rotor assembly including a rotor shaft. The assembly also includes a rotor stack surrounding the rotor shaft. The assembly further includes a nut axially retaining the rotor stack. The assembly yet further includes a Vernier ring engaged with the nut and the rotor shaft, the Vernier ring having an inner ring, a plurality of inner tabs extending radially inward from the inner ring, and a plurality of outer tabs extending radially outward from the inner ring, the Vernier ring formed of at least two ring segments.
US11021946B2

A load measurement sub for measuring a load transferred between the sub and an inner surface of a tubing string includes a housing. The housing includes a central axis, an internal cavity, and a radially outermost surface. In addition, the load measurement sub includes a first load measurement assembly at least partially disposed within a first port extending from the radially outermost surface to the internal cavity. The first load measurement assembly includes a first button extending radially from the first port and the radially outermost surface of the housing. The first load measurement assembly also includes a first load cell. Further, the load measurement sub includes a first biasing member disposed between the first button and the first load cell. The first biasing member is configured to bias the first button away from the first load cell.
US11021945B2

A method for reducing vibrations in a drill tubular coupled to a drill bit configured to drill a borehole in a formation includes: constructing a model of a system having the drill tubular, the model having a mass distribution, a stiffness, and/or a damping of the drill tubular; and calculating a plurality of modes using the model. The method also includes increasing an effective damping of the drill tubular for the plurality of modes by modifying at least one of the mass distribution, the stiffness, and the damping of the drill tubular using a predefined damping criterion, wherein the predefined damping criterion includes a ratio, the ratio having a deflection at the drill bit of at least one mode in the plurality and an eigenfrequency of the at least one mode in the plurality, wherein the deflection at the drill bit is raised to a power other than one.
US11021936B2

Electrically ignitable and electrically controllable explosive material (EIECEM) may be disposed within a shaped charge for deployment downhole. An explosion of the EIECEM is controlled by limiting the duration of excitation at the EIECEM, for example, the duration that an electrical source provides an electrical charge, electrical current or electrical signal. The shaped charge may be insulated from an electrical source to prevent explosion of the EIECEM and coupled to the electrical source to create ignite or explode the EIECEM. A plurality of shaped charges may be disposed downhole and may be ignited or exploded in any suitable order. The EIECEM may be ignited multiple times such that multiple explosions are created. The explosion of the EIECEM creates or extends a perforation or fracture in a formation. The shaped charges may be excited in a predetermined sequence and for a predetermined duration of time.
US11021933B1

A well hole cleaning tool includes a plurality of tubular subcomponents arranged in a string-like fashion, having a plurality of flapper valves disposed above a notched collar, a wash pipe shoe, a bit and a mill. An upper stabilizer is disposed above a lower stabilizer which in turn is disposed above a sand screen. When in operation, the tool creates a vacuum at the lower end which facilitates flow of debris and waste water upward and out of the well hole.
US11021931B1

A sand fallback tool having an outer tubular body with proximal end, a distal end, a chamber therebetween surrounding an axis extending from the proximal end through the distal end, a tubular flow divider supported within the chamber to divide at least a portion of the chamber of the outer tubular body into a central passage along the axis and an annular passage radially intermediate an exterior of the tubular flow divider and an interior of the outer tubular body, and an unobstructed axial settling path from the proximal connector into the central passage. One embodiment further includes a tubular extension coupled to the proximal connector and extending along the axis to terminate at a distal end of the tubular extension received within a proximal end of the tubular flow divider to provide an “S”-shaped flow pathway intermediate the annular passage and the proximal connector of the outer tubular body.
US11021930B2

A diverter tool reduces surge pressure when running casing into a wellbore. The tool is kept open while running the casing so surge pressure can pass out a bypass port. The tool is then closed with a ball that lands in a seat disposed in an interposed condition in a sleeve of the tool's housing. Fluid pressure applied against the seat in the interposed condition engaged with the ball overcomes a first fixture temporarily holding the sleeve open. The fluid pressure shifts the freed sleeve closed. Additional fluid pressure applied against the seat with the captured ball then overcomes a second fixture temporarily holding the seat in the sleeve. Once freed, the seat with the captured ball pivots from the interposed condition to a stowed condition to expose the internal bore of the sleeve to the longitudinal bore of the tool so additional cementing operations can be performed.
US11021925B2

A pressure control device for use in an oil well is described. The pressure control device comprises a support member configured to be located on a mandrel or a tubular, the support member defining at least one conduit throughbore configured to receive a conduit and a flexible cup member mounted to the support member. In use, a conduit can pass through the pressure control device intact.
US11021912B2

A drilling system that includes a drill bit that drills a bore through rock. A shaft coupled to the drill bit, wherein the shaft transfers rotational power to the drill bit. A housing that receives at least part of the shaft. A rotary steering system that controls a drilling direction of the drill bit. The rotary steering system includes a steering sleeve that couples to and uncouples from the housing to control a drilling direction of the drill bit.
US11021911B2

A rotary guiding device includes a rotating shaft to rotationally drive a tool head. The rotating shaft includes upper and lower shaft portions, and a steerable portion, the upper shaft portion and the lower shaft portion are steerably connected by the steerable portion. A non-rotating body is mounted on the upper shaft portion, the non-rotating body is substantially non-rotating with respect to the rotating shaft in circumferential direction when the rotating shaft rotationally drives the tool head. The lower shaft portion includes a rib portion coinciding at least partially in axial direction with the non-rotating body. The non-rotating body includes at least three hydraulic driving mechanisms uniformly distributed along its circumferential direction, the three hydraulic driving mechanisms controllably generate radial drive forces respectively, the radial driving forces act on the rib portion overlapping the non-rotating body so the lower shaft portion can be deflectable relative to the steerable portion.
US11021908B2

A covering for an architectural opening has a dual cord operating system. The covering may include a head rail, blind panels depending from the head rail, and an operating system. The operating system may include a housing connected to the head rail, a first drive assembly rotatably mounted within the housing and operable to move the blind panels between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration, and a second drive assembly rotatably mounted within the housing and operable to move the blind panels between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
US11021906B2

The objective is to propose a production method of multiple panes which can be simple and nevertheless produce a multiple pane in its finished state which does not include any undesired protrusion from an external surface of a glass panel. The production method includes: hermetically bonding, with a sealing member, peripheries of paired glass panels disposed facing each other at a predetermined distance to form a space to be hermetically enclosed between the glass panels; evacuating air from the space through an outlet to make the space be in a reduced pressure state; and dividing, after the space is made be in the reduced pressure state, the space by a region forming member into an outlet region including the outlet and a reduced pressure region other than the outlet region.
US11021900B2

A magnetically levitating door is disclosed herein. The door may have a bracket having a magnet that is repelled from a magnet of a track. The magnet field of the bracket and the magnet field of the track may have different widths. The track may be disposed adjacent to a door opening. The bracket may have a guard in slidable engagement with the track to limit lateral movement of the magnet of the bracket disposed above and repelling the magnet of the track to levitate the door off of the track while preventing excessive lateral forces on the guard. The bracket may have at least one guide in slidable engagement with the track to secure the engagement of the bracket to the track and maintain vertical alignment of the bracket to the track.
US11021888B1

A trailer carrying a utility pole has parallel spaced beams and transverse interconnections at a front and spaced inward from a rear of the beams. Rests on top of the interconnections support a pole-holding channel that is connected to the beams with plural pivoted frames. A wire passes through turning blocks at a rearward end of the channel and near the rearward interconnection, rotating the frames and pulling the channel towards the rearmost transverse interconnection until the channel holds the pole upright. The trailer is lowered and the pole is connected to a prepared supporting block. The channel is detached from the pole. The channel and frames are lowered by releasing the wire, and the trailer is raised and towed away.
US11021876B2

A shingle comprises an overlay, an underlay, and a height increasing material disposed between the overlay and the underlay. The height increasing material includes a first adhesive adhered to the overlay, height increasing granules adhered to the first adhesive, and a second adhesive adhered to the height increasing granules and the underlay. The height increasing material can extend along front ends of tab portions of the overlay, along front cutout edges that extend between tab portions of the overlay, or both.
US11021873B2

A movable partition system includes a movable partition, a floating jamb attached to an end of the movable partition and located within a pocket configured to retain the movable partition when in a retracted position, at least two base plates attached to the floating jamb, and at least two jamb stops attached to opposing interior walls of the pocket. Each of the at least two jamb stops are configured to engage a respective base plate of the floating jamb, wherein the floating jamb, the at least two base plates, and the at least two jamb stops are configured such that disengaging the floating jamb from a secure position within the pocket when the movable partition is in an extended position requires disengaging one of the at least two jamb stops from the respective base plate on each side of the movable partition. Methods of providing a security barrier are disclosed.
US11021868B2

The present invention relates to a finishing panel fixing device, and more particularly, to a finishing panel fixing device that fixes a finishing panel so that the finishing panel can be stably fixed when installing the finishing panel for finishing an indoor or outdoor wall surface or a floor. The finishing panel fixing device according to the present invention is extremely simple to assemble and install, and thus can reduce the time required for assembly, installation, and disassembly. The finishing panel fixing device also enhances fixability with respect to the finishing panel so that movement of the finishing panel due to an external force is prevented, and thus can also be applied to the finishing of an outdoor wall. The finishing panel fixing device can also facilitate maintenance.
US11021866B2

A building and construction method include improved workability not causing variation in quality of buildings, by easily joining materials without special processing by forming mortises. A wooden building constructed by fitting horizontal and vertical members includes lower frames, first upper frames, second upper frames, and side joists as horizontal members; and pillars as vertical members, wherein the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists include mortises at part of the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists in longitudinal direction, the first upper frames include an entire length recessed groove in longitudinal direction, the second upper frames include an entire length protrusion in longitudinal direction, the mortises at the lower frames and the first upper frames are through holes, and the pillars include protrusions at both ends, fitting into the mortises at the lower, first upper and second upper frames, and side joists.
US11021858B2

An impact reducer for drainage stacks includes a first pipe section with a first internal passage having at least five alternating bends along its longitudinal axis, a bypass vent in a second pipe section having a second internal passage parallel to the longitudinal axis and a clean out plug in a third pipe section having a third internal passage at a radial angle with the longitudinal axis. First and second end fittings are located on the impact reducer for connecting the device to a drainage pipe. The impact reducer adjusts the turbulent flow of water falling in the drainage stack, converting the turbulent flow to laminar flow before the lower bend fitting of the drainage stack, which protects the lower bend fitting from impact shock.
US11021854B2

An atmospheric moisture harvesting system, in which water vapor is separated from the air using a liquid desiccant subsystem. The moisture charged liquid desiccant enters a desorber and condensation system, where the moisture is extracted. Cooling and condensation are performed on the extracted water vapor only, thereby saving the energy for cooling air containing the water vapor, as is done in direct cooling systems. The system thus operates as a single stage vapor separation system since the vapor concentration remains in the liquid desiccant which is circulated to the separation and condensation subsystems without air laden with the moisture. Low grade or solar heat can be used as the energy source for the vapor desorption. A heat exchanger utilizes unwanted heat from regenerated desiccant to heat up charged desiccant entering the regenerating stage. The system has substantial energy savings over prior art systems using direct cooling of air.
US11021853B1

A connection system for coupling an implement to a work vehicle. The connection system includes a receiver assembly of the implement, which couples the implement to a connector assembly of the work vehicle. An implement frame includes a first end having a mounting portion and a second end coupled to a mounting assembly of the implement frame. The mounting portion of the implement frame couples the implement directly to a frame of the work vehicle. The receiver assembly is directly coupled to the implement frame. An alignment indicator system provides a visual indication of alignment of the receiver assembly with the connector assembly.
US11021844B2

The safety tripod includes a tripod, a flight driving machine mounted on the tripod to enable the tripod to fly, a landing base for seating the tripod on the ground when the tripod lands, and a standing guide mounted on the tripod to enable the tripod to stand up.
US11021841B2

A railway or tramway track includes track rails arranged on a foundation surface. Noise and vibration reduction elements are arranged between the track rails and outward of the track rails. The noise and vibration reduction elements include at least one non-humic layer that absorbs water, reduces rate of flow and outflow of the water, and allows evaporation of the water.
US11021837B2

A tumble dryer has a drum for laundry, a drive motor for the drum, an air supply to the drum and an air discharge from the drum, a fan, including a fan drive, for generating an air stream to the drum through the air supply and away from the drum through the air discharge, and also heating means for heating the air stream. The temperature of and the moisture in the air which is discharged from the drum are detected. The profile of said temperature and moisture is compared with prespecification curves, which are stored in a memory, for the profile of said temperature and moisture by means of calculation means depending on the drying phase of the laundry. The operating point of the prespecification curve at which the drying program is located is determined in this way. The control arrangement influences the further drying program, on the basis of the operating point, by way of adjusting the temperature and/or the intensity of the air stream.
US11021835B2

Portable stain removal kit (1) for locally removing a stained area on a fabric comprising a container (4) for containing a stain removing material (5) in a solid form, the container (4) being intended to be in direct contact with the stained area when the portable stain removal kit (1) is in use, whereby said portable stain removal kit (1) also comprises a base holder (3) for holding the container (4), and a cover (2) cooperating with the base holder (3) for enclosing the container (4) when the portable stain removal kit (1) is not in use.
US11021832B2

A laundry treating apparatus includes: a tub providing a space for storing water; a drum disposed in the tub in a rotatable manner to provide a space for storing clothing; a detergent box which is disposed outside the tub to provide a space for storing a detergent, and receives supply of water only from the tub; a tub through-hole passing through an inner circumferential surface of the tub; and a connection part having one side communicating with the tub through-hole and the other side communicating with the detergent box so that at least a portion of water moving in the direction of the inner circumferential surface of the tub due to a centrifugal force generated when the drum rotates is introduced into the detergent box, mixed with the detergent, and then discharged back to the inner circumferential surface of the tub again.
US11021819B2

A garment is configured to be worn on a part of the body. The garment includes a fabric panel, a first material, and a second material. The garment includes an inwardly facing side, which faces toward the part of the body when the garment is worn, and an outwardly facing side, which faces away from the part of the body when the garment is worn. The first material is applied to the outwardly facing side to form a first unit of a first pattern, and the second material is applied to the inwardly facing side to form a second unit of a second pattern. At least one portion of the first unit is repeated to cover at least one first region of the fabric panel, and at least one portion of the second unit is repeated to cover at least one second region of the fabric panel.
US11021812B2

Filaments containing a filament-forming material and an additive, such as an ingestible active agent, nonwoven webs, and methods for making such filaments are provided.
US11021811B2

The present invention provides a continuous method for the production of at least one polymeric yarn comprising the steps of: mixing a polymer with a first solvent generating a mixture; homogenizing the mixture; rendering the mixture inert; dosing the mixture to an extruder; immersing the mixture in a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture achieves the surface of the liquid of the quenching bath (30) forming at least one polymeric yarn; drawing at least once the at least one polymeric yarn; washing the polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; heating the at least one polymeric yarn; drawing at room temperature, at least once, the at least one polymeric yarn; and heat drawing, at least once, the at least one polymeric yarn, wherein the mixture comprises: a polymer comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, comprising an intrinsic viscosity of from 5 dL/g to 40 dL/g, and a polydispersity index of from 2 to 10; and a first solvent capable of dissolving the polymer under the process conditions, and comprising a dynamic viscosity, measured at a temperature of 37.8° C., according to ASTM D-445, greater than 10 cP. The present invention further provides a continuous system for the production of at least one polymeric yarn, comprising: means for mixing the polymer with a first solvent generating a mixture; means for homogenizing the mixture; means for rendering the mixture inert; means for dosing the mixture to an extruder; means for immersing the mixture in a quenching bath (30), wherein an air gap is maintained before the mixture achieves the surface of the liquid of the quenching bath (30) forming at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing at least once the at least one polymeric yarn; means for washing for washing the at least one polymeric yarn with a second solvent that is more volatile than the first solvent; means for heating the at least one polymeric yarn; means for drawing at room temperature at least once the at least one polymeric yarn; and means for heat drawing at least once the at least one polymeric yarn, wherein the mixture comprises: a polymer comprising ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, comprising an intrinsic viscosity of from 5 dL/g to 40 dL/g, and a polydispersity index of from 2 to 10; and a first solvent capable of dissolving the polymer under the process conditions and comprising a dynamic viscosity, as measured at a temperature of 37.8° C. according to the ASTM standard D-445, greater than 10 cP. Further, the present invention provides a polymeric yarn made according to the above stated method.
US11021810B2

[Object] It is an object of the present invention to provide a lithium tantalate single crystal substrate which undergoes only small warpage, is free from cracks and scratches, has better temperature non-dependence characteristics and a larger electromechanical coupling coefficient than a conventional Y-cut LiTaO3 substrate. [Means to solve the Problems] The lithium tantalate single crystal substrate of the present invention is a rotated Y-cut LiTaO3 single crystal substrate having a crystal orientation of 36° Y-49° Y cut characterized in that: the substrate is diffused with Li from its surface into its depth such that it has a Li concentration profile showing a difference in the Li concentration between the substrate surface and the depth of the substrate; and the substrate is treated with single polarization treatment so that the Li concentration is substantially uniform from the substrate surface to a depth which is equivalent to 5-15 times the wavelength of either a surface acoustic wave or a leaky surface acoustic wave propagating in the LiTaO3 substrate surface.
US11021805B2

Disclosed is a method for the production of electroplated components. In the disclosed method, an edge layer of a component to be coated is subjected to a mechanical treatment in which the edge layer is deformed at least in portions, consequently the structure of the edge layer being modified at least in portions and hydrogen traps being produced in the modified portions of the edge layer.
US11021802B2

A method of forming a strengthened component includes forming a sacrificial material into a mold of the component having an outer surface, disposing an insert having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite and spaced from the inner surface such that the strengthening insert inner surface abuts the mold outer surface, forming the component by way of electrodisposition of a metallic layer over the exposed mold outer surface and the exposed strengthening insert outer surface, and removing the sacrificial material from the component.
US11021797B2

The invention relates to a stabilized lithium metal powder and to a method for producing the same, the stabilized, pure lithium metal powder having been passivated in an organic inert solvent under dispersal conditions with fatty acids or fatty acid esters according to the general formula (I) R—COOR′, in which R stands for C10-C29 groups and R′ for H or C1-C8 groups.
US11021778B2

An austenitic stainless steel weld metal which has a chemical composition consisting of, by mass %, C: 0.05 to 0.11%, Si: 0.10 to 0.50%, Mn: 1.0 to 2.5%, P: 0.035% or less, S: 0.0030% or less, Co: 0.01 to 1.00%, Ni: 9.0 to 11.5%, Cr: 17.0 to 21.0%, Nb: 0.60 to 0.90%, Ta: 0.001 to 0.100%, N: 0.01 to 0.15%, Al: 0.030% or less, O: 0.020% or less, V: 0 to 0.10%, Ti: 0 to 0.10%, W: 0 to 0.50%, Mo: 0 to 0.50%, Cu: 0 to 0.50%, B: 0 to 0.005%, Ca: 0 to 0.010%, Mg: 0 to 0.010% and REM: 0 to 0.10%, with the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfying [Nb−7.8×C≤0.25].
US11021772B2

The present disclosure discloses a method and device for removing iron in an iron-containing solution in hydrometallurgy. This method comprises the steps of: adding an iron-containing solution in hydrometallurgy into a reactor through a first homogenizing distributor, controlling concentration of the ferric iron in the reactor below 1 g/L, controlling pH of the solution in the reactor to be 2.5˜4, the temperature to be 65˜100° C., and the reaction duration to be 1˜3 hours, performing solid-liquid separation for the solution after reaction, and removing the iron in the iron-containing solution in hydrometallurgy in the form of goethite.
US11021768B2

A method of producing a structure support may include: providing a hollow workpiece composed of a steel material; heating the hollow workpiece to an austenitizing temperature range to provide the steel material with an austenitic microstructure; forming the hollow workpiece into a predefined complex geometry while the hollow workpiece is still in the austenitizing temperature range; and cooling the hollow workpiece with the predefined complex geometry to transform the austenitic microstructure into a martensitic microstructure.
US11021767B2

The present disclosure discloses a method for heat treating an iron-carbon alloy. The method comprises acts of heating the iron-carbon alloy to a first pre-determined temperature at a pre-determined heating rate, holding the iron-carbon alloy at the first pre-determined temperature for a pre-set period of time. The method further comprises acts of cooling the iron-carbon alloy to a second pre-determined temperature at a pre-determined cooling rate and inducing magnetic field on the iron-carbon alloy selectively during at least one of heating and cooling of the iron-carbon alloy. The induction of magnetic field on the iron-carbon alloy results in microstructural changes to improve formation of pearlitic structure in the iron-carbon alloy.
US11021765B2

A surface detection apparatus for a blast furnace is provided. An antenna is fixed to a side of a container attached to an opening portion of the blast furnace and having a bottom surface opened in correspondence to the opening portion. A reflection plate is disposed in the container immediately above the opening portion so as to face the opening portion and the antenna. A tilt angle varying mechanism and a rotation mechanism for the reflection plate are configured as a double pipe structure and are provided at an anti-antenna side of the reflection plate.
US11021756B2

The present invention discloses the use of miR-4714, miR-4521, and miR-1292 as diagnostic markers for osteosarcoma. High-throughput sequencing and QPCR experiments prove that the levels of miR-4714, miR-4521, and miR-1292 in the blood of normal and osteosarcoma patients are significantly different, and therefore miR-4714, miR-4521, and miR-1292 can be used as a molecular marker for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma for developing products for the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. The diagnostic product has the following advantages: non-invasive, rapid, sensitive, and has broad application prospects in clinical practice.
US11021753B2

This disclosure provides mutant genes related to drug resistance and relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and a use thereof, treatment or prevention of drug resistance and relapse of ALL and a use thereof, a use of compound Lometrexol and related inhibitors targeting GART and AITC in prevention and treatment of drug resistance and relapse of ALL, and a kit for evaluation of the risk of drug resistance and relapse of ALL. The mutation gene is a mutant gene of PRPS1. The drug acts on enzymes in purine synthesis pathway and reduces drug resistance and relapse by decreasing the concentration of hypoxanthine. The kit comprises reagents for lysis of sample cells and an instruction. The invention provides a powerful technical means and support for the prevention and treatment of drug resistance and relapse of ALL.
US11021751B2

Provided herein are genetic variants associated with development of a condition of interest (e.g., Alzheimer's disease). Methods of treatment with an active agent (e.g., with a particular active agent and/or at an earlier age) is also provided, upon detecting a genetic variant described herein. In some embodiments, the genetic variant is a deletion/insertion polymorphism (DIP) of the TOMM40 gene.
US11021749B2

The present disclosure provides compositions, methods, systems, and devices for polynucleotide processing. Such polynucleotide processing may be useful for a variety of applications, including polynucleotide sequencing.
US11021731B2

Analyte sensors and methods for fabricating analyte sensors and analyte sensing layers are presented here. In accordance with certain embodiments, a method for fabricating an analyte sensor includes providing a base layer and forming a conductive layer over the base layer. Further, the method includes forming an analyte sensing layer disposed over the conductive layer. The analyte sensing layer includes glucose oxidase entrapped within a thermally-cured polymer matrix and within a UV-cured polymer matrix.
US11021730B2

The present invention is broadly concerned with new in vitro glycosylation methods that provide rational approaches for producing glycosylated proteins, and the use of glycosylated proteins. In more detail, the present invention comprises methods of glycosylating a starting protein having an amino sidechain with a nucleophilic moiety, comprising the step of reacting the protein with a carbohydrate having an oxazoline moiety on the reducing end thereof, to covalently bond the amino sidechain of the starting protein with the oxazoline moiety, wherein the glycosylated protein substantially retains the structure and function of the starting protein. Target proteins include oxidase, oxidoreductase and dehydrogenase enzymes. The glycosylated proteins advantageously have molecular weights of at least about 7500 Daltons. In a further embodiment, the present invention concerns the use of glycosylated proteins, fabricated by the methods disclosed herein, in the assembly of amperometric biosensors.
US11021729B2

The present invention provides engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, as well as polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase and phosphite dehydrogenase enzymes to synthesize a chiral catalyst used in the synthesis of antiviral compounds, such as nucleoside inhibitors. The present invention further provides methods of using the engineered enzymes to deracemize a chiral alcohol in a one-pot, multi-enzyme system.
US11021727B2

Recombinant microorganisms are disclosed that produce steviol glycosides and have altered expression of one or more endogenous transporter or transcription factor genes, or that overexpress one or more heterologous transporters, leading to increased excretions of steviol glucosides of interest.
US11021722B2

There is provided SHC/HAC derivatives, amino acid sequences comprising the SHC/HAC derivatives, nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives, vectors comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives, recombinant host cells comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the SHC/HAC derivatives and applications of the recombinant host cells comprising either SHC/HAC derivatives or WT SHC/HAC enzymes in methods to prepare (−)-Ambrox and SHC/HAC enzymes in methods to prepare (−)-Ambrox.
US11021720B2

A process for producing ethanol includes steps of pre-treatment of the lignocellulosic vegetable raw material, including the steps consisting in destructuring the lignocellulosic vegetable raw material, then in separating, on the one hand, the cellulose (C6) capable of then being hydrolysed (and fermented for the production of ethanol) and, on the other hand, the hemicelluloses capable of then being hydrolysed and the lignins. The hydrolysis of the cellulose and of the hemicelluloses is then carried out in a sequenced manner according to the following steps consisting in: i) beginning the enzymatic hydrolysis of the cellulose by at least one enzyme for a first period with a view to obtaining an intermediate hydrolysate; ii) adding hemicelluloses to the intermediate hydrolysate; iii) continuing the enzymatic hydrolysis of the mixture until a final hydrolysate is obtained at the end of a total period of enzymatic hydrolysis.
US11021713B2

Methods are provided to mutate, in a targeted manner, the genome of a plant cell using a double stranded DNA break inducing enzyme. Also provided are plants, in particular Brassica plants that yield seeds producing oils having a reduced total saturated fatty acid content, and method for making such plants.
US11021709B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for regulating microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis. The invention also relates to compositions and methods for treating or preventing cancer in a subject in need thereof.
US11021702B2

The present invention provides a method of preparing a nucleic acid library, which includes providing a one or more nucleic acid samples, and a one or more of samples of solid state capture material; contacting each nucleic acid sample with a sample of capture material to provide captured nucleic acid samples; and pooling the captured nucleic acid samples to provide the nucleic acid library. The method is particularly suitable for preparing nucleic acids for sequencing, especially next generation sequencing and related methods such as genotyping-by-sequencing.
US11021697B2

The present disclosure relates to a novel acetohydroxy acid synthase, a microorganism comprising the same, or a method for producing an L-branched-chain amino acid using the same.
US11021688B2

Provided herein are methods for directing differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into a three-dimensional multilayered skin composition comprising an epidermal layer, a dermal layer, and a plurality of cells capable of forming a functional hair follicle. Also provided herein are three-dimensional, multilayered engineered skin compositions and methods of using the same for drug screening, for screening compounds for effects on hair growth, and for other applications.
US11021687B2

A population of enteroendocrine cells (EEC) is obtained from a mammalian post-natal cell population, such as a population including post-natal stem cells, by treating the population with a plurality of small molecules that upregulate ChgA and promote differentiation of the cells to form the enteroendocrine cells. The upregulation of ChgA is such that the fraction of cells expressing CGA in the obtained cell population, as measured by a ChgA Immunostaining Assay, is at least about 1.5%. Small molecules that can be used to differentiate the post-natal cells into the enteroendocrine cells can include at least one of a Wnt activator, a Notch inhibitor, a Wnt inhibitor, a MEK/ERK inhibitor, a growth factor, a HDAC inhibitor, a Histone Methylation Inhibitor, a Tgf-β inhibitor, and a NeuroD1 activator. Also, the insulin expression of a population of mammalian cells is increased by treating the population with a plurality of small molecules that increase the insulin expression.
US11021686B2

This invention relates to the efficient generation of cholangiocyte progenitor (CP) cells. Foregut stem cells (FSCs) are cultured in a hepatic induction medium comprising bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and a TGFβ signalling inhibitor to produce a population of hepatoblasts. The hepatoblasts are then cultured in a biliary induction medium comprising fibroblast growth factor (FGF), retinoic acid and a TGFβ ligand to produce a population of cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs). The cholangiocyte progenitors (CPs) may be matured into cholangiocyte-like cells (CLCs) that display functional properties of Common Bile Duct (CBD) cholangiocytes. Methods, kits, cell populations and uses of these cell populations are provided.
US11021679B2

Perfume-containing particles are provided for delighting the consumers with an enhanced olfactory experience during and after the laundering process. Each of such particles contains perfume, polyethylene glycol, and water-soluble or water-dispersible filler particles, while the water-soluble or water-dispersible filler particles are characterized by a particle size of from 5 microns to 150 microns.
US11021672B2

The invention provides a lubricant composition for an eccentrically oscillating speed reducer of planetary gear type, which is capable of extending the life of the speed reducer under high temperatures and keeping low input torque at low temperatures, and includes (a) a base oil containing a synthetic oil, (b) a hydrocarbon wax, and (c) at least one calcium salt selected from the group consisting of a calcium salt of petroleum sulfonic acid, a calcium salt of alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, a calcium salt of oxidized wax, an overbasic calcium salt of petroleum sulfonic acid, an overbasic calcium salt of alkyl aromatic sulfonic acid, and an overbasic calcium salt of oxidized wax.
US11021665B1

A two-stage recycle hydrocracking process may comprise hydrocracking at least a portion of a hydrocarbon feed to produce a first hydrocracked effluent, separating the first hydrocracked effluent into at least four separated effluents, hydrocracking at least a portion of the fourth separated effluent to produce a second hydrocracked effluent, and cooling the second hydrocracked effluent to a temperature less than or equal to 250 degrees Celsius to produce a cooled effluent. The second hydrocracking effluent may have a total concentration of aromatic compounds sufficient to maintain the solubility of heavy polynuclear aromatics in the second hydrocracked effluent and reduce precipitation of the heavy polynuclear aromatics in the second hydrocracked effluent. Processes for reducing or preventing the precipitation of heavy polynuclear aromatics during hydrocracking are also described.
US11021658B2

A method for producing a cracking product having a mixture of hydrocarbons, a thermal cracking feedstock, a cracking product containing a mixture of hydrocarbons is disclosed as is a method involving use of the cracking product for producing polymers.
US11021656B2

Described herein are systems and methods for evaluating and mitigating the fouling potential of a given crude oil. The system and methods enable the refiner to rapidly and readily identify the particular mechanisms by which a crude oil may foul, and to select the optimal chemical treatment and/or crude blend to mitigate fouling potential.
US11021655B2

Systems and methods for removing carbonaceous clinker material from a coke oven are described. A coke oven can be provided including an oven floor, coke, and clinker material deposited on the oven floor. After a temperature of the coke oven has reached a first temperature (e.g., after heating coal in the oven to produce coke), the method includes increasing the temperature of the coke oven to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature for a predetermined amount of time. After the predetermined amount of time, the temperature is reduced to a third temperature that is lower than the first temperature.
US11021651B2

The present invention provides nanostructure compositions and methods of producing nanostructure compositions. The nanostructure compositions comprise a population of nanostructures comprising thiol-functionalized ligands to increase the stability of the composition in thiol resins. The present invention also provides nanostructure films comprising a population of nanostructures comprising thiol-functionalized ligands and methods of making nanostructure films using these nanostructures.
US11021646B2

A method of designing a nanoparticle tailored to support hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation, a method for using nanoparticles to extract hydrocarbon from a subterranean formation, and a nanoparticle structure. The method may include determining environmental conditions of a subterranean formation, defining nanoparticle parameters based on the environmental conditions, and forming a nanoparticle comprising the nanoparticle parameters. The method may include producing a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles by mixing nanoparticles with water and injecting the colloidal suspension of nanoparticles into a subterranean formation. A nanoparticle structure may include a hydrophilic material in a defined three-dimensional shape having a maximum diameter. The nanoparticle may penetrate through an oil-water interface with an optimized contact angle, minimize an interfacial area between oil and water, and create an oil in water emulsion.
US11021637B2

An adhesive for a flexible optical film, especially an acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive for a flexible display device is disclosed. The shear storage modulus (G′(60° C./0.1 Hz)) at the temperature of 60° C. and the frequency of 0.1 Hz and the shear storage modulus (G′(30° C./1 Hz)) at the temperature of 30° C. and the frequency of 1 Hz of the present acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive satisfy the relation: (G′(60° C./0.1 Hz)−G′(30° C./1 Hz))/G′(30° C./1 Hz)>−0.29, and the loss tangent (tan δ(60° C./0.1 Hz)) at the temperature of 60° C. and the frequency of 0.1 Hz and the loss tangent (tan δ(30° C./1 Hz)) at the temperature of 30° C. and the frequency of 1 Hz of the present acrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive satisfy the relation: (tan δ(60° C./0.1 Hz)−tan δ(30° C./1 Hz))/tan δ(30° C./1 Hz)<0.2.
US11021635B2

A cable wrapping tape, in particular for the engine compartment of an automobile, has a strip-like carrier consisting of fabric, said carrier is provided at least on one side with a self-adhering adhesive layer which consists of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the fabric of the carrier consists of a yarn which is formed from a polyamide material and which has a yarn strength of at least 280 dtex. The yarn is formed from 24 to 80 filaments, and the cable wrapping tape meets abrasion class E according to LV 312 both on a mandrel having a 5 mm diameter and on a mandrel having a 10 mm diameter. For increasing the abrasion resistance, it is proposed that the filaments are twisted with one another about a central longitudinal axis (X-X) of the yarn.
US11021629B2

Two-part aqueous coating compositions as well as methods of using thereof are described. The first coating component can comprise one or more polymers and the second coating component can comprise a flocculant. The first coating component and the second coating component can be provided as separate aqueous compositions. The first coating component and a second coating component that can be co-applied (e.g., simultaneously or sequentially) to a surface form a rapid set coating.
US11021627B2

Novel inkjet ink compositions for forming an image in a form of an elastic film attached to a surface of a stretchable and/or flexible substrate and processes utilizing same for inkjet printing color images on various substrates such as colored and absorptive or impregnable stretchable materials, which are characterized by heightened efficiency in process time, ink and energy consumption, as well as products having durable, wash-fast and abrasion-fast images printed thereon by the process, are disclosed. The novel ink compositions comprise a first part, which contains a property-adjusting agent and a carrier, and a second part which contains an emulsified property-sensitive proto-elastomeric film-forming agent, a colorant and a carrier, such that the second part congeals upon contact with the property-adjusting agent. The second part is digitally applied to the substrate less than 1 second following the application of the first part to the substrate.
US11021621B2

The present invention relates to the field of 3D printing technology, and provides a photocurable 3D printing polyimide ink, and a preparation method and application thereof. The photocurable 3D printing polyimide ink includes the following components in the following weight percentages: 40 to 60% of a photocurable polyamic acid, 5 to 40% of an organic solvent, 10 to 50% of a reactive diluent, 1 to 10% of a chain extender, and 1 to 3% of a photoinitiator. The photocurable 3D printing polyimide ink provided by the present invention has excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, relatively high printing accuracy and relatively low shrinkage; a molded device obtained by 3D printing has excellent properties including high accuracy, great dimensional stability, high strength and corrosion resistance, excellent flexibility, high temperature resistance and relatively low shrinkage. The method for preparing the photocurable 3D printing polyimide ink has a simple process and lower energy consumption.
US11021611B2

A composition comprises an alpha, omega-telechelic silyl-terminated polymer and a plasticizer wherein (i) the Fedors Solubility Parameter difference between the polymer and the plasticizer is no greater than 0.8, (ii) the polymer plus plasticizer comprises from 30 to 80 weight percent of the composition, and (iii) the polymer comprises from 10 to 70 weight percent of the combined weight of polymer and plasticizer.
US11021595B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a multicomponent copolymer for use for producing a crosslinked rubber composition and a rubber product excellent in fracture performance (strength and elongation) at high temperatures while maintaining high weather resistance. Further, the invention provides a rubber composition containing the multicomponent copolymer, a crosslinked rubber composition obtained by crosslinking the rubber composition, and a rubber product and a tire using the rubber composition or the crosslinked rubber composition. The multicomponent copolymer of the invention contains a conjugated diene unit, a non-conjugated olefin unit and an aromatic vinyl unit, wherein the main chain is formed of an acyclic structure alone, the content of the aromatic vinyl unit is 3 mol % or more of the whole multicomponent copolymer, and the content of the non-conjugated olefin unit is more than 44 mol % and less than 97 mol % of the whole multicomponent copolymer.
US11021590B2

A silicone-coated filler comprises: a particulate material mainly composed of an inorganic oxide formed by oxidizing a predetermined element; a first silicone structure bonded to a surface of the particulate material by way of a “-‘the predetermined element’-OSi—” structure; and a second silicone structure including a cross-linking structure with a carbon-carbon structure directly bonded to a silicon atom of the first silicone structure, and a polysiloxane structure bonded to the cross-linking structure.
US11021581B2

Vulcanizable elastomeric formulation are disclosed. The formulations comprise at least one elastomer; a vulcanizing agent comprising cyclododecasulfur; and a prevulcanization inhibitor, present in an amount, for example, from about 0.01 phr to about 10 phr. The formulations, when vulcanized, provide articles that exhibit improved durability.
US11021571B2

Provided is a manufacturing method for a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate resin that has superior fluidity and for which a good color and a sufficiently high molecular weight can be achieved. A manufacturing method for a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate resin includes: a step in which a dialcohol compound expressed by general formula (1) and a catalyst are mixed to obtain a catalyst composition; a step in which the obtained catalyst composition is kept in a molten state, and is mixed with an aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer within ten hours after obtaining the catalyst composition, to obtain a prepolymer mixture; and a high molecular weight achievement step in which the obtained prepolymer mixture is heat-treated under reduced pressure conditions to obtain a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate resin.
US11021568B2

A polymer compound which is useful for producing a light emitting device having excellent luminance life is described. The polymer compound contains a constitutional unit having a residue of a compound represented by the formula (1) and a constitutional unit having no residue of a compound represented by the formula (1): In formula (1), Ring A, Ring B and Ring C represent an aromatic hydrocarbon ring, X represents a boron atom, Y1, Y2 and Y3 represent N-Ry, a sulfur atom or a selenium atom, Ry represents a hydrogen atom, an aryl group, a monovalent heterocyclic group or an alkyl group, and n3 is 0 or 1. When n3 is 0, —Y3— is absent.
US11021566B2

The invention relates to a rheology-modifying urethane compound. The compound comprising urethane functions of the invention can be prepared according to a method in several steps which use different compounds comprising isocyanate functions. For the preparation of the urethane compound according to the invention, a monoisocyanate compound, in particular a monoisocyanate compound resulting from the separate condensation of an asymmetric diisocyanate compound with a reactive compound, is reacted with an alkylene glycol compound in the presence of a polyisocyanate compound. The invention also provides coating compositions comprising mineral particles and a urethane compound according to the invention.
US11021562B2

The present invention provides a polyisocyanate composition and the like that contain a polyisocyanate compound represented by general formula (I), (II), (III) or (IV) (wherein the pluralities of R11, R21, R31 and R41 each independently represent an organic group, at least one of the pluralities of R11, R21, R31 and R41 is a group represented by general formula (V) (wherein each of the plurality of Y1 independently represents a single bond or the like, R51 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and the wavy line indicates a bonding site) or the like, and in general formula (III), R32 represents a residue in which one hydroxyl group has been removed from a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol).
US11021558B2

Provided are polymer compositions made by a process comprising: (a) providing a first reactive composition containing: (i) a polymerization initiator that is capable, upon a first activation, of forming two or more free radical groups, at least one of which is further activatable by subsequent activation; (ii) one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds; and (iii) a crosslinker; (b) subjecting the first reactive composition to a first activation step such that the first reactive composition polymerizes therein to form a crosslinked substrate network containing a covalently bound activatable free radical initiator, (c) combining the crosslinked substrate network with a second reactive composition containing one or more ethylenically unsaturated compounds; and (d) activating the covalently bound activatable free radical initiator of the crosslinked substrate network such that the second reactive composition polymerizes therein with the crosslinked substrate network to form a grafted polymeric network and a byproduct polymer. Also provided are precursors to the polymer compositions, processes for preparation of the polymer compositions, and methods of using the polymer compositions, for instance in medical devices.
US11021555B2

A catalyst component for the polymerization of olefins, comprising Ti, Mg, halogen, an electron donor (ID) selected from the group consisting of aliphatic cyclic ethers and alkyl esters of aliphatic monocarboxylic acids and a compound of a metal selected from the group consisting of Zn and Cu, wherein the catalyst component is devoid of Zn—C or Cu—C bonds and the Mg/Ti molar ratio ranges from 4.0 to 50.0.
US11021554B2

In one aspect, a chelating phosphine-phosphonic diamide (PPDA) ligand is described herein for constructing transition metal complexes operable for catalysis of olefin polymerization, including copolymerization of ethylene with polar monomer.
US11021549B2

A method of operating a dump tank of a polymer production process by transferring all or a portion of a content of a polymerization reactor into the dump tank, wherein the reactor contents comprise solid polymer, and liquid and gaseous non-product components, and removing at least a portion of the liquid and gaseous non-product components from the dump tank by: reducing a pressure of the dump tank, subjecting the solid polymer to a first cleaning stage comprising heating the solid polymer by introducing a first heated treatment gas into the dump tank, and subjecting the solid polymer to a second cleaning stage comprising purging the solid polymer by introducing a second heated treatment gas into the dump tank.
US11021546B2

Provided are NCC-based materials, as superb barrier materials for preventing oxygen and humidity from penetrating therethrough.
US11021544B2

The present invention relates to dimers comprising a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein each of said first and second polypeptide comprises at least one immunoglobulin single variable domain (ISVD) and a C-terminal extension comprising a cysteine moiety (preferably at the C-terminus), wherein said first polypeptide and said second polypeptide are covalently linked via a disulfide bond between the cysteine moiety of said first polypeptide and the cysteine moiety of said second polypeptide, in which the dimer outperformed the benchmark constructs, e.g. cognate multivalent and multispecific constructs, in various assays. The present invention provides methods for making the dimers of the invention.
US11021536B2

The described invention provides compositions containing bispecific antibodies that bind to human tyrosine kinase receptor FLT3/FLK2 receptor protein and to CD3 receptor protein expressed on T-cells and use of the compositions containing the bispecific antibodies in the preparation of a medicament for eliminating hematopoietic stem cells/hematopoietic progenitors (HSC/HP) in a patient.
US11021533B2

The present disclosure is directed to antibodies binding to and neutralizing Zika virus and methods for use thereof.
US11021532B1

This disclosure provides superhuman antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that can be administered to an individual that is infected or suspected of being infected with a virus. Superhuman antibodies and antigen-binding fragments provided herein can be capable of treating or curing the virus, and which may provide protection against the virus for up to at least several weeks. Superhuman antibodies and antigen-binding fragments provided herein can be used to diagnose a SARS Cov-2 infection.
US11021531B1

This disclosure provides antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that are derived from 2ghw and that can be administered to an individual that is infected or suspected of being infected with a virus. Antibodies and antigen-binding fragments provided herein can be capable of treating or curing the virus, and which may provide protection against the virus for up to several weeks. Antibodies and antigen-binding fragments provided herein can be used to diagnose a SARS-Cov-2 infection.
US11021528B2

The invention features soluble fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (sFGFR3) polypeptides. The invention also features methods of using sFGFR3 polypeptides to treat skeletal growth retardation disorders, such as achondroplasia.
US11021527B2

In certain aspects, the present disclosure relates to TβRII fusion polypeptides comprising a heterologous portion and a truncated, ligand-binding portion of the extracellular domain of TβRII polypeptide useful to selectively antagonize a TβRII ligand. The disclosure further provides compositions and methods for use in treating or preventing TGFβ associated disorders.
US11021521B2

Mutants of Gram-negative bacteria having outer membranes comprising modified OrbA nanopores absent an N-terminal plug domain are disclosed. The modified OrbA nanopores confer the outer membrane of the bacteria with enhanced permeability. The mutants of Gram-negative bacteria optionally comprise efflux-deficient efflux pumps. The mutants may be used, for example, in a screening method for identifying a compound having an anti-bacterial activity.
US11021515B2

Provided are methods of treating a cancer characterized by the presence of a mutant allele of IDH1/2 comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound described here.
US11021514B2

The present technology relates to compounds, kits, compositions, and methods useful for the treatment of numerous pathologies including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and other neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, defective wound healing, and/or sensorineural hearing and vision loss.
US11021510B2

A compound useful for treating lymphoma, having the structure of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 is H or —C(═O)—O—R3, and R2 is H or —C(═O)—O—R4, provided R1 and R2 are not both H; and R3 and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, and heteroalkyl. In an exemplary compound of formula (I), R1 is —C(═O)—O—CH2—CH3, and R2 is H.
US11021502B2

Compositions and methods of capturing one or more nucleic acid molecules of a cell or subcellular compartment are described. In certain aspects, the compositions comprise a caged molecule comprising one or more photolinkers and an antisense oligonucleotide, which when uncaged hybridizes to a target nucleic acid molecule.
US11021497B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for synthesis of phosphorylated organic compounds, including nucleoside triphosphates.
US11021490B2

The present invention relates to a pyridinium oxazole dyad scaffold of formula (I) and a process for the preparation thereof. The present invention further discloses a pyridine compound of formula (II) which is used for the preparation of formula (I) and a process for preparation thereof.
US11021488B2

The present disclosure provides SL and SL derivatives comprising a polar substituent adjacent to the lactone ring. Additionally, the present disclosure provides methods of using the SL and SL derivatives to inhibit the growth of leukemic cancer cells.
US11021478B2

This invention relates to indolizine derivatives and their use in medicine. In particular, the present invention discloses novel substituted indolizine derivatives of formula I, or an isotopically labeled compound thereof, or an optical isomer thereof, a geometric isomer thereof, a tautomer thereof or a mixture of various isomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, or a prodrug thereof. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds in medicine.
US11021472B2

The present invention relates to the use compounds comprising two or more hydrophobic domains and a hydrophilic domain comprising a polyethylene glycol (PEG) moiety for stabilization of a cell, and methods related thereto.
US11021470B2

Compounds having activity as inhibitors of G12C mutant KRAS protein are provided. The compounds have the following structure (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, stereoisomer or prodrug thereof, wherein R1, R2a, R2b, R2c, R3a, R3b, R4a, R4b, R5a, R5b, R6, A, G1, G2, L1, L2, m1, m2, n, X and E are as defined herein, and wherein at least one of R3a, R3b, R4a or R4b is not H. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and methods to modulate the activity of G12C mutant KRAS protein for treatment of disorders, such as cancer, are also provided.
US11021467B2

The present application provides the compounds of formula (J), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, tautomer, or a mixture thereof, wherein n, W, A′, B′, R1, R2, and R3 are described herein. The compounds are inhibitors to the activities of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and are useful for treating conditions mediated by one or more PI3K isoforms. The present application further provides pharmaceutical compositions that include a compound of formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, isomers, tautomer, or mixture thereof, and methods of using these compounds and compositions for treating conditions mediated by one or more PI3K isoforms.
US11021466B2

Provided herein are small molecule inhibitors for the targeting or IRE1 protein family members. Binding may be direct or indirect. Further provided herein are methods of using IRE1 small molecule inhibitors for use in treating or ameliorating cancer in a subject. Moreover, IRE1 small molecule inhibitors described herein are for the treatment of cancer, where the cancer is a solid or hematologic cancer.
US11021465B2

The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of DNA-PK. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders.
US11021446B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I, a stereoisomer, enantiomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or an amino acid conjugate thereof; wherein variables are as defined herein; and their pharmaceutical compositions, which are useful as modulators of the activity of Farnesoid X receptors (FXR).
US11021442B2

A process for the preparation of freeze-dried 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol including the following steps: a) the reaction of a solution of amifostine with a strong acid, to obtain a solution of 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol, and b) the freeze-drying of the solution of 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]ethanethiol, with or without addition of excipients.
US11021436B2

Provided is, for example, a compound excellent in light fastness and storage stability. The compound is characterized by having a structure represented by the following formula (1) or (2).
US11021428B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing cis,cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid crystals, from which high purity cis,cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid crystals are obtained. The method for producing cis,cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid crystals of the present invention comprises the following steps: Step 1: measuring a mass ratio (cis/trans ratio) of cis,cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid to trans,trans-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid in an aqueous starting material solution comprising the cis,cis-1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid to give an aqueous starting material solution for crystal precipitation having a cis/trans ratio of 10 or more; and Step 2: subjecting the aqueous starting material solution for crystal precipitation obtained in step 1 to crystal precipitation.
US11021422B1

A process for the treatment of a light naphtha feedstock that comprises normal paraffins and iso-paraffins may include separating the feedstock into a first iso-paraffin stream and a normal paraffin stream. The separating may be performed with 5A molecular sieves, a pressure of about 1-3 bars, and a temperature of 100-260° C. A product stream may be provided by subjecting the normal paraffin stream to at least one of steam cracking, isomerizing, and aromatizing.
US11021415B2

A shock tube for propagating and initiating a signal to an explosive charge which includes at least first and second elongate flexible conductors on a body of the detonator to enable two-way communication between the explosive charge and a blasting machine thereby to confirm the status of the detonator prior to sending a fire signal.
US11021412B2

The present invention relates to a humic substance based Si-fertilizer product having storage-stable, bio-available Si, which is produced by forming a mixture of, 45-95% by weight of a humic acid-containing raw material, 5-50% by weight of amorphous silica, and 0.5-10 % by weight of an alkali, all amounts based on the total weight of the dry components, incubated in an aqueous medium, and optionally dried and granulated, wherein the bio-available silicon is in the form of water-soluble chelates of monosilicic acid-humate compounds. The invention also relates to a method of producing humic substance based Si-fertilizer, a method for increasing the uptake of silicon in plants and use of the humic substance based Si-fertilizer.
US11021404B2

Described herein are cold-sintered ceramic polymer composites and processes for making them from ceramic precursor materials and monomers and/or oligomers. The cold sintering process and wide variety of monomers permit the incorporation of diverse polymeric materials into the ceramic.
US11021393B2

A non-frangible glass article strengthened by a dual or two-step ion exchange (IOX) process, where the first IOX step leads to a depth of compressive layer FSM_DOL>0.1·t or, in some embodiments, FSM_DOL>0.15·t, where t is the thickness of the glass, is provided. The glass article has a compressive stress CS1 after the first IOX step at the surface of from 100 MPa to 400 MPa or, in some embodiments, from 150 MPa to 300 MPa. The first IOX step is followed by a second IOX step, leading to a “spike” compressive stress CS2 after the second IOX step at the surface of greater than 500 MPa or, in some embodiments, 700 MPa. The width of the spike generated by the second IOX is between 1 μm and 30 μm, or between 8 μm and 15 μm, using the criteria where the magnitude (absolute value) of the slope of the spike is higher than 20 MPa/μm.
US11021385B2

Sludge dewatering device that makes it possible to achieve a high degree of dryness while retaining a limited energy consumption and limited industrial risks, comprising at least one first plate (21a) equipped with a first electrode (23a), and at least one second plate (21b) equipped with a second electrode (23b), wherein the first and second plates (21a, 21b) define a chamber (22) configured for receiving a sludge to be dewatered (10a), wherein the first and second electrodes (23a, 23b) are configured for establishing an electric field within the chamber (22), wherein the chamber (22) is equipped with at least one discharge port (32, 34), provided in the bottom third of the chamber (22), configured for discharging a filtrate (15a, 16a), and wherein the chamber (22) is equipped with at least one injection port (33), provided in the top third of the chamber (22), configured for injecting the pressurized purge fluid (11a) into the chamber (22).
US11021383B2

Disclosed herein are the methods of using di-cationic or di-anionic compounds, which are derived from primary amine through an aza-Michael addition with an activated olefin, in a corrosion control composition to mitigate corrosion of a surface in a water system. The disclosed methods or compositions are found to be more effective than those methods or compositions including commonly used single quaternary compounds for mitigating corrosion for a metal surface in water systems.
US11021381B2

In a system and process, sludge is treated by two stages of anaerobic digestion in series separated by intermediate thickening and hydrolysis. The hydrolysis product is transferred to the second digester essentially without dilution.
US11021372B2

Disclosed herein are compositions including aluminosilicate zeolite crystals with an 8 ring pore size having a depth dependent silica to alumina molar ratio and processes of making aluminosilicate zeolite crystals with an 8 ring pore size having a depth dependent silica to alumina molar ratio.
US11021370B2

This invention provides an innovative method to manufacture graphene layers or quantities and graphene oxide layers or quantities from graphite, coal slags, asphalt, and other carbon-rich sold materials in nature. The present invention uses controllable microwave irradiation to heat the mixtures of basic material, graphite, or coal slags, or asphalt, or their combinations with ionic liquids and surfactant plus environmentally friendly oxidation agents. This invention can generate the said-products of graphene layers and graphene oxides in a short time period of one second to 300 seconds. The present invention does not involve any concentrated sulfuric acid, nitric acid, nor huge water quantities needed for the purification, unlike the prior art. The as-produced graphene-based materials can be used for preparing conductive films for touch screens, producing graphene carbon fibers and three-dimensional porous graphene nanomaterials, and preparing graphene-based other intelligent nanocomposites for super-light-weight machines and vehicles.
US11021369B2

A carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet containing CNTs, arranged is a randomly oriented, uniformly distributed pattern, and having a basis weight of at least 1 gsm and a relative density of less than 1.5. The CNT sheet is manufactured by applying a CNT suspension in a continuous pool over a filter material to a depth sufficient to prevent puddling of the CNT suspension upon the surface of the filter material, and drawing the dispersing liquid through the filter material to provide a uniform CNT dispersion and form the CNT sheet. The CNT sheet is useful in making CNT composite laminates and structures having utility for electro-thermal heating, electromagnetic wave absorption, lightning strike dissipation, EMI shielding, thermal interface pads, energy storage, and heat dissipation.
US11021367B2

Provided is a porous lithium composite phosphate-based compound containing lithium and having open pores formed in primary particles. As the open pores are formed in the primary particles themselves, a contact area between an electrolyte and the lithium composite phosphate-based compound is maximized, and low conductivity is compensated for, such that a diffusion rate of lithium ions is remarkably increased, and when the lithium composite phosphate-based compound is used as an active material of a secondary battery, the secondary battery may be charged and discharged at a high speed. Additionally, there are advantages in that an electrode density may be significantly increased in addition to the increase in the diffusion rate of the lithium ions, and charge and discharge cycle characteristics may be significantly stable.
US11021365B2

Steam reforming system having a steam cracker and a steam reformer. The steam cracker includes a steam cracking unit to steam crack a feed stream to produce a stream comprising hydrogen, methane and C2+ hydrocarbons; a heat exchanger for cooling the steam cracking product stream; a separation unit for separating the cooled steam cracking product stream into a gas stream including hydrogen and methane and a liquid stream including methane and C2+ hydrocarbons, a demethanizer which is fed the liquid stream producing a third stream containing at least 95% methane and a fourth stream comprising C2+ hydrocarbons. The steam reformer includes a feed preheater which is fed the third stream and steam to provide a preheated stream and a steam reforming unit arranged for heating the preheated stream to at least 800° C. to steam reforming the heated stream and obtain a product stream containing hydrogen and CO2.
US11021363B2

In some embodiments a method of manufacturing a sensor system can comprise forming a first structure having a substrate layer and a first sensor that is positioned on a first side of the substrate layer, bonding a cap structure over the first sensor on the first side of the substrate layer, and depositing a first dielectric layer over the cap structure. After bonding the cap structure and depositing the first dielectric layer, a second sensor is fabricated on the first dielectric layer. The second sensor includes material that would be adversely affected at a temperature that is used to bond the cap structure to the first side of the substrate layer.
US11021359B2

A method of controlling operation of a beverage dispenser, includes the following steps: selecting a water recipe from a plurality of water recipes, wherein each water recipe defines a set concentration of minerals to be solved in the water and wherein the water is mineralized based on the water recipe by adding minerals by a mineralization device; verifying, whether the user is allowed to adjust a user adjustable a property of the water to be mineralized by the mineralization device according to water recipe, wherein the user adjustable property comprises at least one of a set temperature of the water to be mineralized and a set carbonization of the water to be mineralized; preparing the water by at least one water preparation element according to the user adjustable property; and outputting the mineralized water to a user vessel; and further includes at least one of the following steps: activating on a display a temperature user interface element for adapting the temperature of the water to be mineralized in a predetermined temperature range, if the user is allowed to adapt the set temperature within the predetermined temperature range; and activating on the display a carbonization user interface element for adapting the set carbonization of the water to be mineralized in a predetermined CO2 concentration range, if the user is allowed to adapt the set carbonization within the predetermined CO2 concentration range.
US11021343B2

A container is described for storing various tools and items for sewing in an organized manner and facilitating the process of sewing (e.g., for sewn in hair extensions) for example, by distributing thread. In an example embodiment, the introduced container comprises a housing within which one or more spools of thread can be stored on one or more spindles. The housing can be enclosed by a container top that includes a threading hole through which thread from the one or more spools can be extracted from the interior of the housing, while in use. Further, the container top can include a pin and/or needle holder such as a pin cushion. The container may include additional features such as a bracket for holding a pair of scissors and a drawer for stowing extra thread and/or needles.
US11021332B2

A shoe outsole dispensing apparatus having a dispenser located above the conveyor carrying adhesive-coated shoe outsoles that are classified into left outsoles and right outsoles and that are dispensed such that the left outsoles to a first side of the conveyor and the right outsoles to a second side of the conveyor is provided. A controller controls the operation of the dispenser. As a result of the outsoles coated with adhesive being automatically classified as left and right outsoles by the dispenser, and the outsoles are dispensed on opposite sides of the conveyor carrying the outsoles, this has the result that productivity of assembling shoes greatly increased as a result of the ability to dispose outsoles very quickly compared to the prior art operation of manually sorting the outsoles, and also the occurrence of shoe defects due to manual errors may be prevented, thus enhancing shoe quality.
US11021330B2

A roller for a conveyor system comprises a nonlinear bore hole to facilitate retention of the roller on a roller-receiving portion of a corresponding shaft. A nonlinear bore hole comprises a central cylindrical portion for receiving a roller-receiving portion of the shaft and unaligned slots in communication with the central cylindrical portion to prevent migration of the roller from the roller-receiving portion.
US11021327B2

A telescopic material conveyer apparatus has a main boom assembly reinforced by a steel saddle frame connected to a turn table and a lift mechanism, an extension boom assembly adapted by two or more roller assemblies and connecting hardware to travel mechanically within the main boom assembly and to extend therefrom, one or more connected drive motors, a conveyer belt supported by frame architecture and a pulley and drive chain system, at least one hydraulic motor having operative connection to the turntable, lift mechanism and to a belt drive drum, at least one hydraulic valve connected inline in the hydraulic line controlling the belt drive motor, the valve electronically operable via input received from a load sensor integrated within or to the lift mechanism, a programmable load threshold determining open and close operation states of the valve and directing run and stop state operations of the conveyer belt.
US11021320B2

The present invention discloses a foldable double-deck frame container, which comprises a first and second end rails parallel with each other and a first corner post, the first corner post is located at an end of the frame container, the first and second end rails are located between two of the first corner posts, and the second end rail is located above the first end rail, the frame container further comprises a second corner post rotatably connected with the top end of the first corner post so that the second corner post is movable between an vertical position and a folded position. The foldable double-deck frame container according to the present invention has a first corner post and a second corner post, and the second corner post is foldable so as to be folded during the backhaul process from being damaged. Such a frame container has a simpler configuration, lower cost of manufacture, convenience of recovery and a broad range of application.
US11021318B2

The invention discloses a capsule for use in an extraction machine, having a bottom, a side wall and a cover, which together form a chamber for a substance for extraction. The capsule has a deformable area, which is configured to plastically deform in the outward direction under the conditions present during the extraction and to sealingly interact with a capsule holder of the extraction machine.
US11021307B2

A closure assembly with a spout having a body with a seal portion and a tubular neck, and, a rotational plastic cap having a top wall, a downward depending skirt and opposite wing parts, extending in a vertical plane from the skirt over a wing part length. The top portion of the wing parts has a top protrusion extending from the base portion. The top protrusion extends substantially in and/or opposed to the opening direction of the cap such that the top portion of the wing parts extends along the wing part length over/outside the base portion thereof in a direction corresponding or opposed to the opening direction, such that, for a cross-section in a vertical plane of the opening direction, the surface area of the at least one top protrusion contributes at least equally to the inertial moment as the surface area of the base portion.
US11021305B2

The invention includes a child resistant package having a first panel and at least two second panels joined to the first panel. The first and second panels are in different planes, in an embodiment. The package includes a peelable flap portion covering an access point into the package, wherein the peelable flap portion has at least one tab continuous therewith. The at least one tab is disposed on one of the second panels and the access point is disposed in the first panel. In an embodiment, at least one decoy tab is also disposed on one of the second panels.
US11021302B2

A closure includes first and second closure portions. The first closure portion includes a polymeric top wall portion and an annular skirt portion. The skirt portion includes exterior and interior surfaces. The interior surface includes an internal thread formation for mating engagement with an external thread formation of a container and at least one rotation-inhibiting projection. The rotation-inhibiting projection is located to contact the external thread formation. The rotation-inhibiting projection is in the general shape of the letter “C” prior to engagement with the external thread formation of the container. The second closure portion includes a polymeric tamper-evident band.
US11021301B2

The present invention relates to polymeric bags, particularly polymeric drawstring trash bags. The present invention comprises a trash bag having an elastic drawstring. The elastic drawstring trash bag features an integrated short seal comprising an inner seal, an outer seal, and an intermediate seal. The integrated short seal functions to reduce the upper opening of the drawstring trash bag, while the elastic drawstring utilized with the bag provides a bag that allows the bag to fit snugly on many common trash receptacles.
US11021296B2

The present specification discloses a collapsible food container. The container includes a wall portion with an outer surface having a substantially smooth shape. The wall portion is configured to bend from raised position to a collapsed position, with the food container being used to retain food in the raised position and being collapsed for storage in the collapsed position.
US11021295B2

The present invention provides a thinner, movable load bearing structure having indentations, grooves, valleys, channels or other similar depressions on its underside. These depressions are mated with corresponding features for improved loading bearing capabilities. The load bearing structures also includes roughened side edges for improving the strength of the edges. The load bearing structure may be a dunnage platform or a container for storing and/or shipping cargo.
US11021294B2

A seal that forms part of a container for storing and dispensing consumer products is provided. The container can be used for the packaging of pills, tablets or capsules, or as a multi-cavity container for organizing and storing mixed medication for subsequent dispensation according to a predefined dosage regimen. The seal includes a cover film and a barrier film. The cover film has pre-formed lines of separation defining a removable portion per cavity. The barrier film is secured to the cover film by a layer of peelable adhesive and has pre-formed lines of separation defining the periphery of a barrier patch per removable portion. The cover film includes a tamper-indicating line of separation close to an edge of the cover film that is designed to tear if an attempt is made to peel the cover film away from the tray to expose one or more of the cavities.
US11021276B2

A method for producing a packaging material comprises providing a core material layer of fibre-based material having an inner side and an outer side, embossing the core material layer for forming embossed features having an initial height, the embossed features protruding from the outer side of the core material layer to later form a tactile pattern on a side of the package to be formed by the packaging material, and laminating at least one layer to the inner side of the embossed core material layer such that the height of the embossed features is temporarily reduced to a minimum height.
US11021274B1

Small cubesat systems may be available for a lower cost, have a higher reliability, and be much simpler to use than conventional cubesats. A complete turnkey system solution may be provided, including the ground station and remote field units. The satellite, ground station, and field unit may be provided separately as kits that are ready to go out-of-the-box as soon as they arrive. This enables universities, researchers, and hobbyists to obtain and deploy their own functional satellites. Furthermore, theoretical designs and functionality may be rapidly prototyped and demonstrated, which allows for proof-of-concept without needing to build a larger, more expensive satellite system and hope that the new design or functionality works as intended.
US11021270B2

An antenna assembly has a solar layer having one or more solar cells generating solar power, an antenna layer connected to the solar layer and having electronic components utilizing the solar power generated by the solar layer, and a thermal dissipation device dissipating heat locally at the antenna assembly. A large number of antenna assemblies are connected to form an antenna array in which heat is generated locally at each antenna assembly and dissipated locally at each antenna assembly.
US11021268B2

An aircraft boarding apparatus has a passenger bridge that has a confinement structure coupled to the second passenger bridge. The confinement structure exerts a ground-anchoring effect on the second passenger bridge to offset the ultralight configuration of the passenger bridge.
US11021266B2

A vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) storage and launch system includes a UAV pod having a UAV pod processor and a UAV selectively enclosed in the UAV pod, the UAV having only two rotors.
US11021258B1

The design of a novel digital controller for a motor driven aircraft arrestment system of the type used on aircraft carriers is described. The unique control and feedback design of the described controller has many advanced features, which provide many advantages over existing designs for controlling advanced arresting gear systems. Also described is a trajectory generator subsystem which provides the port and starboard side speed and position references used by both an engage phase controller and/or an arrest phase controller of the aircraft arrestment system.
US11021254B2

A multi-rail galley includes a countertop on top of a first storage portion, and a second storage portion above the countertop. The countertop includes a first plurality of rails on a top surface that are configured for receiving at least one countertop insert. The second storage portion has a second plurality of rails beneath a bottom surface of the second storage portion and configured for receiving at least one hanging insert. A method of providing a customizable aircraft galley includes providing a countertop above a storage compartment, the countertop having a horizontal surface facing upwards with a plurality of rails disposed on top of the horizontal surface, installing a galley insert onto one of the plurality of rails via a matching slot in the galley insert, and removing the galley insert from one of the plurality of rails, enabling stowage of the galley insert.
US11021251B2

A nose assembly of an aircraft includes a nose airframe having a nonhorizontal mounting surface and a turret assembly mounted on the nonhorizontal mounting surface. The turret assembly includes a turret device housing rotatable relative to the nonhorizontal mounting surface. The nose airframe includes a nose skin forming a nose fairing having an apex aperture. The nose skin at least partially covers the turret assembly such that the turret assembly is at least partially inset in the apex aperture of the nose fairing.
US11021247B1

Described is system and method for determining a location of a client device. In one implementation, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) receives an image of the UAV, obtained by the client device. The image is processed to determine a source area of the client device. As the UAV navigates toward the area, it scans the area for the client device and/or obtains additional information from the client device to aid in determining the location of the client device.
US11021238B2

A force sensing element is used in a pressure transducer. The force sensing element includes a flat, disc-type spring having a unitary body that circumscribes a central axis, and a plurality of spirals that are continuous with each other and extend radially outwardly from the central axis. The plurality of spirals includes nested symmetrical flights having walls with a non-uniform thickness, and the disc spring is uniformly deflectable along the central axis in response to force acting on the disc-type spring. The spring is configured to have a high accuracy and a high fatigue life such that the spring is suitable for use in high-pressure applications that may require repeatability while operating with over 10 million cycles of unidirectional or bi-directional axial loading.
US11021237B2

A sub-system 200 for an aircraft hydraulic system 20 that includes a first inlet 202 for receiving fluid from a supply 22 of hydraulic fluid, a system valve 210 for controlling fluid flow from the sub-system 200 to a hydraulically-operable system 24 of the aircraft hydraulic system 20, a check valve 220 for permitting fluid flow from the sub-system 200 and preventing or hindering fluid flow into the sub-system 200, a second inlet 240 for receiving fluid from a second supply 28 of hydraulic fluid, and a selector 230. The selector 230 configured to place the system valve 210 in fluid communication with the first inlet 202 when the selector 230 is in a first state, and to place the system valve 210 in fluid communication with the check valve 220 and the second inlet 240 when the selector 230 is in a second state different from the first state.
US11021228B2

A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil having a bulkhead structured to form a leading edge of the airfoil. A first spool is rotatably coupled to the bulkhead, and a second spool is rotatably coupled to the bulkhead opposite the first spool. An airfoil skin has a first end secured to the first spool, a second end secured to the second spool, and a portion extending between the first and second spools to form an exterior surface of the airfoil. The airfoil skin is structured to be windable around the first and second spools such that a configuration of the airfoil is controllable by rotating at least one of the first spool and the second spool so as to wind a portion of the airfoil skin around, or unwind a portion of the airfoil skin from, the at least one of the first spool and the second spool.
US11021226B2

A method for producing a fuselage portion, in particular for an aircraft or spacecraft, has the following method steps: welding a skin portion containing a thermoplastic material with a former containing a thermoplastic material in the region of a predetermined welding zone; and connecting an attachment element, configured as a crack stopper, to the skin portion and to the former in the region of the welding zone.
US11021218B1

An apparatus and method for decreasing the difficulty of executing a “pop-up” maneuver on a water sport board, such as a surfboard, is disclosed. Said apparatus consists of either one or two devices attached to the surfboard at the location where a user places his hands to execute the pop-up maneuver. Said devices move the user's hands away from the deck of the surfboard, creating more space between the surfer and the board during the pop-up maneuver, facilitating the user to swing the user into position and execute the pop-up maneuver.
US11021213B2

A bicycle operating device includes a base, a positioning ratchet, a positioning pawl and a release. The base includes a base plate having first and second oppositely facing surfaces. The positioning pawl is movable between holding and releasing positions. The positioning pawl engages the positioning ratchet to selectively establish predetermined positions of the positioning ratchet while in the holding position. The positioning pawl disengages from the positioning ratchet to permit the positioning ratchet to move in one direction while in the releasing position. The release is movable between first and second positions. The release moves the positioning pawl from the holding position to the releasing position as the release moves from the first position towards the second position. The release contacts the positioning pawl at a contact area disposed between the first and second oppositely facing surfaces while the release is in the second position.
US11021212B2

A bicycle battery unit is configured to reduce the effect of contact with an obstacle. The bicycle battery unit includes a plurality batteries, a housing accommodating the batteries and a protector. The protector is integrally provided on at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing. The protector has a lower hardness than a hardness of the housing.
US11021203B2

Foldable electrical vehicles and related charging infrastructure are described. The foldable electrical vehicle generally includes three structural members (front and rear wheel-bearing structural members and a seat-bearing structural member) that are pivotally interconnected along their lengths such that they may be pivoted between a closed position wherein the three structural members are disposed roughly parallel to each other in a compact folded configuration, and an open riding configuration wherein an angular relation is formed between the structural members.
US11021202B2

A position light-integrated blinker apparatus for a saddle riding vehicle with improved visibility a blinker-light light source; position-light light sources; and a housing which houses both the blinker-light light source and the position-light light sources. A position light light-emitting region formed by illumination of the position-light light sources surrounds a blinker light light-emitting region formed by illumination of the blinker-light light source.
US11021194B2

An air guiding arrangement for a motor vehicle includes: a carrier arranged on a vehicle body, and on which an air guide is mounted such that the air guide is drivable from a retracted home position to an extended maximum position by a drive, a sensor arrangement that monitors the position of the air guide and is connected to a controller so as to transmit data corresponding to the position, the sensor arrangement comprising an electric field sensor arrangement to monitor the position of the air guide, at least one electromagnetic field source is provided in the air guide, and at least one electric field receiver, which is a sensor of the sensor arrangement, is provided in the carrier and/or in the vehicle body.
US11021188B2

A system comprises: a radio frequency (RF) resonator comprising a cavity and a tuning element, the cavity having at least one port, and the tuning element having a length inside the cavity; a processor; a spectrum analyzer coupled to the at least one port, the spectrum analyzer to provide to the processor values of a resonance parameter, the resonance parameter indicative of a resonant wavelength of the RF resonator; and an automotive steering mechanism coupled to the tuning element.
US11021187B2

A steering knuckle is used in a motor vehicle and is typically positioned adjacent a front wheel thereof. The steering knuckle includes a central portion, a steering knuckle arm, an upper portion and a lower portion. The steering knuckle arm, the upper portion and the lower portion may each be contoured with full or partial roulette contoured surfaces (i.e., surfaces defined by roulette curves), and the upper portion may transition from a hollow lower portion to a solid upper portion defining an I-beam. A dual-beam horizontal support is formed in the central portion. The steering knuckle is formed from a casting process, and the roulette curvature of the steering knuckle arm, the upper portion and the lower portion provide draft to the surfaces of the steering knuckle which are perpendicular to the parting line of the casting mold, allowing the steering knuckle to be easily removed from the casting mold.
US11021181B2

The invention relates to a medical transport device for dependent persons. The invention also relates to an auxiliary drive for the motorised transportation of such a medical transport device for dependent persons according to the invention. The invention furthermore relates to a method for transporting such a medical transport device for dependent persons according to the invention.
US11021179B1

A method for detecting whether a point rail is attached to a stock rail is disclosed. The method is performed by using a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. Each of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor is configured to detect whether the point rail is attached to the corresponding one of the pair of stock rails, convert a pressure signal between the point rail and the stock rails into a voltage signal, and transmit the voltage signal to a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to process and transmit the processed voltage signal to a monitoring center having a host computer. The host computer is configured to control an operation of a switch in response to the detected pressure value collected by the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor by using a PID control algorithm.
US11021171B2

An example operation may include one or more of collecting a set of driving data, estimating, from the set of driving data, one or more states that are predictive of an elevated driving risk of an adverse event endangering at least one of a driver, a vehicle's occupants or a vehicle's cargo, determining, from the one or more estimated states, an existence of an elevated driving risk, and alerting at least one of the vehicle, driver or the vehicle's occupants to the existence of the elevated driving risk.
US11021164B2

Disclosed herein is a method and system for detecting, monitoring and/or controlling one or more of mobile services for a mobile communication device (also referred to herein as a Controllable Mobile Device or CMD), and in particular, when the device is being used and the vehicle, operated by the user of the device, is moving. In addition, one aspect of the invention generally relates to a method and system for modifying a user's driving behaviors, in particular to a system and method for modifying a user's unsafe driving behaviors, e.g., using one or more services of a controllable mobile device while driving, by providing a score to the user rating indicating that they are using a mobile device in a distracting way, or driving in a manner that indicates that they are distracted.
US11021159B2

A system includes a computer comprising a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions such that the processor is programmed to determine, based on vehicle lidar sensor data, a reflectivity of an area of a road surface, and to determine whether the area is wet based on the determined reflectivity of the area, a dry-condition reflectivity threshold for the area, and an angle of viewing the area from the lidar sensor.
US11021145B2

A vehicle includes a first motor generator that generates electric power using power of an engine, a battery, and a second motor generator that is connected to drive wheels and is driven by electric power supplied from the battery and the first motor generator. An ECU of the vehicle drives the first motor generator as an electric motor with a regenerative electric power, executes a braking control, in which a load of the first motor generator functions as the engine, when an SOC is equal to or more than a threshold value of a waste electric-power start, and changes the threshold of the waste electric-power start based on a running condition of the hybrid vehicle.
US11021141B2

An electronic brake system of the present disclosure is disclosed. The an electronic brake system may include a reservoir to store oil; a master cylinder having a master piston connected to a brake pedal and a master chamber for discharging oil by a displacement of the master piston; a hydraulic pressure supply apparatus generating hydraulic pressure by an electrical signal output corresponding to a displacement of the brake pedal to supply to wheel cylinders of the respective wheels; a hydraulic control unit transmitting the hydraulic pressure discharged from the hydraulic pressure supply apparatus to the wheel cylinders of the respective wheels; and a redundancy control apparatus generating hydraulic pressure using a motor and a pump to transmit to at least one of the wheel cylinders.
US11021137B2

A jack (1), which is extensible, comprising: a first tubular body (5), a second tubular body (30) slidably associated with the first tubular body (5) and movable along a predetermined longitudinal direction (A), a third tubular body (95) slidably associated with the second tubular body (30) and movable along the longitudinal direction (A), a base (115) for support associated with an end (105) of the third tubular body (95) distal from the second tubular body (30), characterized in that it comprises an automatic safety device (145) provided with a lockbolt (150) movable between a first position, wherein it allows relative sliding between the third tubular body (95) and the second tubular body (30), and a second position wherein it prevents the third tubular body (95) from sliding relative to the second tubular body (30).
US11021133B2

The disclosure includes embodiments for theft deterrent for a connected vehicle using Basic Safety Message (BSM)-based Vehicle-to-Anything (V2X) communication. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, by a V2X radio, a wireless message that is transmitted by a first connected vehicle whose ignition is disengaged. In some embodiments, the method includes determining, based on a payload of the wireless message, that the first connected vehicle is being subjected to criminal activity. In some embodiments, the method includes taking a remedial action responsive to determining that the first connected vehicle is being subjected to criminal activity. In some embodiments, the remedial action is operable to deter the occurrence of the criminal activity (i.e., stop the first connected vehicle from being stolen) or gather visual evidence of the criminal activity.
US11021132B2

Disclosed are a rear occupant protection apparatus and a control method thereof for controlling a seat belt, or an airbag, based on the state of a rear occupant and a vehicle driving environment to safely protect the rear occupant. The rear occupant protection apparatus includes a first monitoring unit configured to monitor a state of a rear occupant, a second monitoring unit configured to monitor a surrounding situation of a subject vehicle, and a controller configured to control the first and second monitoring units, wherein the controller controls the first and second monitors units to monitor the state of the rear occupant and the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle when the rear occupant wears a seat belt, and controls the seat belt seat belt worn by the rear occupant based on at least one of the state of the rear occupant or the surrounding situation of the subject vehicle.
US11021131B2

A safety belt arrangement for a vehicle, with a belt force limiting unit which is constructed as a piston/cylinder assembly having a piston tube and a piston, which in the event of the belt force being limited is displaceable by a force limiting path in the piston tube, while expanding and plastically deforming the latter, whereby the belt force exerted on a vehicle occupant is limited to a predefined level of force. According to the invention, at least one tube element, which can be pushed telescopically onto the piston tube to form a double tube structure, is provided for setting the force level course over the force limiting path.
US11021130B2

A curtain airbag of a vehicle is provided adjacent to the roof of the vehicle in a folded state, is configured to have a shape that unfolds downward between an inner side surface of the vehicle and an occupant when the vehicle crashes, and includes an outer panel that proceeds toward the side surface of the vehicle and an inner panel that proceeds toward the occupant upon expansion. The curtain airbag further includes a head support part configured to have a shape in which an expansion thickness, which is defined by the outer panel and the inner panel in a portion that the head of the occupant contacts due to the car crash, gradually increases toward the front of the vehicle, so as to prevent the head of the occupant from rotating while moving toward the front of the vehicle. The curtain airbag may effectively stop the head of the occupant from rotating while moving toward the front of the vehicle during a vehicle crash.
US11021129B2

An occupant restraint device including: right and left airbags stored inside right and left sides of a seat back of a vehicle seat, respectively; right and left tension cloths connected to outer surfaces of the right and left airbags, respectively; and a lower tension cloth disposed inside a seat cushion of a vehicle seat, the lower tension cloth being continuously connected between lower parts of the right and left tension cloths. The lower tension cloth is movable in right and left directions with respect to an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat. When the right and left airbags are expanded and deployed, the right tension cloth, the left tension cloth, and the lower tension cloth are configured to push the expanded and deployed right and left airbags toward the occupant.
US11021126B1

An apparatus for resisting entry of objects through a windshield of a vehicle that has a passenger cabin. The apparatus includes an instrument panel that is located between the windshield and the passenger cabin, and an airbag that is deployable into an area above the instrument panel to resist entry of objects into the passenger cabin.
US11021118B2

A method for manufacturing a wire harness includes: disposing a trunk harness, a branch harness and control boxes on a workbench and attaching the trunk harness and the branch harness to the control boxes; connecting the control boxes to an external device via the branch harness; and switching operation mode of at least one of the control boxes to an information writing mode for inputting information for operating the electric component to be connected to the branch harness into the at least one of the control boxes and then inputting the information from the external device into the at least one of the control boxes via the branch harness.
US11021117B2

A system for implementing strobing of existing vehicle hazard lights including an interface to a vehicle wiring harness configured to receive input to an existing vehicle flasher module, and a strobing circuit that responds to an activation signal from the vehicle wiring harness that is indicative of a hazard flasher deployment event by producing an electrical output through the interface to the vehicle wiring harness that causes a strobing of existing vehicle hazard lamps.
US11021112B2

A display control device is provided, which includes an image storing section for storing a plurality of captured images in association with image capturing locations on a road, and a display control section for causing a captured image to be successively displayed, the captured image corresponding to each of a plurality of positions that are identified based on a user operation, where the display control section causes the captured image and an object related to an image capturing location of the captured image to be displayed such that the object is arranged on a position of a display screen corresponding to the image capturing location.
US11021110B1

A tying apparatus includes a padding assembly and a binding assembly. The padding assembly is located on a vehicle roof. The binding assembly is operable to tie an object supported on the padding assembly to the vehicle roof. The binding assembly includes a strap and a buckle. The strap is operable to form a loop. The buckle is operable to keep the strap in the form of the loop.
US11021108B2

A vehicle step apparatus comprises a first extending and retracting device comprising a first mounting bracket, a first step bracket, and a first arm assembly configured to drive the first step bracket to move between a first extended position and a first retracted position; a second extending and retracting device comprising a second mounting bracket, a second step bracket, and a second arm assembly configured to drive the second step bracket to move between a second extended position and a second retracted position; a step mounted on the first and second step bracket; a first permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the first mounting bracket and coupled with the first arm assembly to drive the first arm assembly; and a second permanent magnet direct current motor mounted on the second mounting bracket and coupled with the second arm assembly to drive the second arm assembly.
US11021096B2

The disclosure relates to a method for illuminating a road area by a motor vehicle having the following steps: determining a trajectory relating to a future movement of the motor vehicle on a road, calculating a light distribution for a headlamp of the motor vehicle as a function of the determined trajectory in such a manner that a course of the trajectory is projected onto the road as part of the light distribution, and emitting a brightness distribution corresponding to the light distribution by the headlamp onto the road. In order to facilitate an improved overview of the driving of the motor vehicle, the light distribution is additionally calculated as a function of the determined trajectory in such a manner that, based on the light distribution in addition to the trajectory, an acceleration of the motor vehicle parallel to its longitudinal direction is also symbolized.
US11021093B2

In one embodiment of the invention, a food and drink holder configured to be removably mounted to a cup holder attached to seats or an arm rest is provided that includes a drink receptacle. The drink receptacle includes a generally cylindrical sidewall having a central axis, and the sidewall is configured to be removably mounted in an opening in the cup holder. The food and drink holder also includes a food receptacle having a pair of sidewalls, a front wall, an end wall, a bottom wall, and a top end.
US11021090B2

A seat assembly is provided having a seat bottom and at least one bladder mounted to the seat bottom adjacent a forward surface and filled with a compressible material. The bladder is moveable between a storage position and at least one leg-support position. A valve is in fluid communication with the at least one bladder. A vacuum pump in fluid communication with the valve. The compressible material is compressed under vacuum pressure generated by the pump when the valve is closed in the storage position. The compressible material is expanded when the valve is open to move the at least one bladder to the leg-support position.
US11021087B2

In a vehicle seat, a seat back includes a backrest on which an occupant sitting on a seat cushion leans his/her back, and banks supporting the back of the sitting occupant on both sides. Urethane pads configuring the banks are formed in a shape protruded to the front with respect to a urethane pad configuring the backrest, the back face sides of the urethane pads configuring the banks formed in the shape protruded to the front are formed in a recessed shape with respect to a back face side of the urethane pad configuring the backrest, and on the portions of the back face sides of the urethane pads configuring the banks formed in the recessed shape, protrusions having faces at the same height as the back face side of the urethane pad configuring the backrest and extended to the portions formed in the recessed shape are formed.
US11021083B2

A seat lock device includes: a hook member; and a cam plate. The hook member includes: a hook inclined edge surface and is rotationally biased by contact with a striker entering; an engaging groove into which the striker entering fits after crossing the hook inclined edge surface to bring the hook member into a locked position; a restraining pin; and an interlock pin, the cam plate is set to a limiting position when the hook member engages with the striker and is switched to an allowing position when the striker enters and when an operation performed to release an engagement of the striker, and the cam plate includes: a cam surface that contacts with the restraining pin to rotationally bias the hook member; and an interlock surface with which the interlock pin contacts when the hook member has turned from the locked position.
US11021075B2

Systems and methods for automatically servicing autonomous vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a computer implemented method includes obtaining data associated with one or more reference mechanisms located on an autonomous vehicle. The method includes identifying information associated with the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the data associated with the one or more reference mechanisms located on the autonomous vehicle. The information associated with the autonomous vehicle includes an orientation of the autonomous vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle maintenance plan for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the information associated with the autonomous vehicle. The method includes providing one or more control signals to implement the vehicle maintenance plan for the autonomous vehicle based at least in part on the orientation of the autonomous vehicle.
US11021073B1

A power management system for an electric vehicle is provided which maintains power to the various vehicle ‘always-on’ components and subsystems during periods of vehicle non-use without requiring the low voltage battery to undergo frequent charge/discharge cycling. The system uses a secondary DC/DC converter that has a lower output voltage, and operates at a higher efficiency, then the primary DC/DC converter. As a result of this system, the life of the low voltage battery is prolonged and power consumption efficiency is improved, thereby minimizing range loss while the car is parked.
US11021068B2

A method for controlling a vehicle that includes a motor configured to provide a driving/braking force to the vehicle and a friction braking mechanism configured to provide a friction brake force to the vehicle includes a target calculation step of calculating a target torque of the motor in accordance with a displacement of an accelerator pedal, a gradient estimation step of estimating a gradient torque to cancel a disturbance due to a gradient of a road surface where the vehicle is travelling, a command calculation step of calculating a torque command value of the motor based on the gradient torque and the target torque, a control step of controlling a torque of the motor in accordance with the torque command value, and a stop control step.
US11021055B2

A motor module for modularly making a front and/or rear electric axle, comprising an electric motor generator and a gear train enclosed in a gearbox case permanently fixed to a stator of said electric motor-generator, the module having an L-shape. Electric axle comprising a pair of L-shaped modules for making a T-shaped front electric axle and a U-shaped rear electric axle.
US11021053B2

A work vehicle and a commodity tank configured for mounting on a work vehicle and storing material are provided. The commodity tank includes an inboard portion extending vertically and configured to be positioned at an inboard location of the work vehicle. The commodity tank further includes an outboard portion extending horizontally from an upper end of the inboard portion and configured to extend at least partially over a ground-engaging member of the work vehicle.
US11021050B2

The invention provides a vehicle engine system comprising: a fuel pump for selectively delivering fuel under high pressure; an accumulator having a first chamber for receiving an output from the fuel pump and a second chamber for receiving an oil feed, wherein as one chamber is filled up the other chamber is compressed; wherein on vehicle acceleration the fuel pump delivers fuel to a common rail fuel injection system, and on vehicle braking the fuel pump delivers fuel to the first chamber of the accumulator to thereby put the oil in the second chamber under pressure, and wherein on subsequent acceleration the oil chamber delivers an output under pressure.
US11021049B2

An engine mount control apparatus that is an active noise vibration control apparatus according to the present disclosure is characterized by being provided with a housing that has an outer core, an inner core that is disposed inside the outer core, and an electromagnetic coil that is positioned between the outer core and the inner core and by a portion between the outer core and the inner core being filled with a magneto-rheological elastomer containing magnetic particles. The present disclosure enables the maintenance of good static load support performance.
US11021048B2

A window weather strip arrangement for covering at least sections of a window well of a motor vehicle includes a window weather strip carrier which can be secured on a vehicle skin and has a reinforcing core and a carrier sleeve accommodating the reinforcing core. The window weather strip arrangement further includes a window weather strip secured to the window weather strip carrier. The window weather strip carrier has a vehicle skin receiving portion for receiving sections of the vehicle skin and the window weather strip is secured to the window weather strip carrier on a side of the window weather strip carrier facing away from the vehicle skin receiving portion. A lamp is arranged in a lamp-receiving opening of the window weather strip and the reinforcing core protrudes out of the carrier sleeve overlapping with at least sections of the lamp-receiving opening, such that at least sections of the reinforcing core function as a reflector for the lamp.
US11021047B2

This invention is relevant to a bed cover of pickup truck. The bed cover of pickup truck includes one bed cover. The bed cover includes at least two plates. The adjacent plates are connected by rotating shaft structure. The rotating shaft structure includes a plate-like pedestal, two connectors which form a rotary connection with the pedestal. This invention provides a bed cover of pickup truck with simple structure and great leading function. The drainage channel in the invention are big and will not cause syphonage. Thus the leading function will be better, requirement of the assembly accuracy will be lower and the production will be easier.
US11021046B2

A retractable overhead assembly for a vehicle having a retractable cover (912) under tension and an integrated stiffening rod that includes attachment features (916) to selectively connect to a windshield area. The retractable system is self contained within an extrusion keeping the overall package size small and the installation/removal simple. The retractable cover creates a sun shade over the vehicle front cockpit and/or rear passenger area when deployed, and is retractable to a stowed position. The retractable overhead assembly is installable under any hard or soft top assembly configuration, and does not impede use or operation of the hard top or soft top assembly.
US11021043B2

The present disclosure includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) door diagnostic system. The system has a rotatable hard stop lever that contacts, and restricts movement of, both a first airflow control door and a second airflow control door beyond a stop position when both the first airflow control door and the second airflow control door are present and moving in sync. When one of the first and second airflow control doors is not present or the first and second airflow control doors are not in sync, only one of the first and second airflow control doors will: contact the hard stop lever at the stop position, rotate the hard stop lever, and move beyond the stop position. The HVAC door diagnostic system generates a failure notice when the first airflow control door or the second airflow control door moves beyond the stop position.
US11021041B2

An integrated thermal management system includes a cooling circuit having a component thermal conditioning circuit, a battery thermal conditioning circuit, a cabin heating circuit, a cabin cooling circuit and a valve group configured for selectively interconnecting or isolating the component thermal conditioning circuit, the battery thermal conditioning circuit, the cabin heating circuit and the cabin cooling circuit.
US11021039B2

A seal assembly of an air handling system includes a housing formed by a first housing portion coupled to a second housing portion. The first housing portion has a plurality of ribs formed in a waffle pattern. The housing receives a portion of the fluid conduits. A seal engages an outer surface of the housing and receives the fluid conduits.
US11021037B2

The present invention relates to a thermal management system including: a refrigerant circulation line including a refrigerant circulator, a first heat exchanger, a first expander and a third heat exchanger, wherein refrigerant circulates in the refrigerant circulation line; a heating line for heating the interior by circulating cooling water exchanging heat with the refrigerant through the first heat exchanger; and a cooling line for cooling heating sources by exchanging heat between the cooling water and air or exchanging heat between the cooling water and the refrigerant.
US11021036B2

A battery electric vehicle includes a passenger cabin, a refrigerant circuit adapted to cool the passenger cabin, a powertrain including a high voltage powertrain component, a coolant circuit adapted to cool the high voltage powertrain component and a control module. The refrigerant circuit includes a condenser and an evaporator. The coolant circuit includes a radiator downstream from the condenser. The control module is configured to recirculate cabin air to the passenger cabin in response to data indicating temperature of the high voltage powertrain component exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature in order to reduce the air outlet temperature at the condenser and the air inlet temperature at the radiator. A related method to cool a high voltage powertrain component of a battery electric vehicle is also disclosed.
US11021028B2

At least one underfill part is formed so that a central axis of the arm component coincides with a load line of the arm component. The central axis of the configuration is a line connecting centroids of cross-sectional shapes with one another in an axial direction of the arm component, the cross-sectional shapes being shapes on cross-sectional planes perpendicular to an axis of the arm component. The load line of the arm component is a line on which a load is imposed in the arm component.
US11021025B2

A tire assembling device includes a main body, a holding portion, an abutting surface, a guiding portion, a pressing portion and a protrusion. The main body has a top surface. The holding portion is connected to one side of the main body. The abutting surface connected to another side of the main body is for abutting against a rim surface of the rim. The guiding portion located between the abutting surface and the top surface is extended inclinedly corresponding to a radial direction of the rim. The pressing portion extended from the guiding portion toward a reference direction is protruded from the abutting surface and connected to the top surface. The protrusion protruded from the pressing portion forms a hook portion with an upper edge of the pressing portion and the abutting surface. The hook portion is for hooking a first edge of the rim.
US11021018B2

A tire includes a tread portion including first to third main grooves continuously extending in a tire circumferential direction. The first main groove has a groove centerline arranged on a side of the inboard tread edge with respect to a tire equator and the groove centerline is located at an axial distance L1 from the tire equator of from 5% to 25% of a tread half width. The second main groove is arranged between the first main groove and the inboard tread edge and has a groove centerline located at an axial distance L2 from the tire equator of from 35% to 65% of the tread half width. The third main groove is arranged between the tire equator and the outboard tread edge and has a groove centerline located at an axial distance L3 from the tire equator of from 25% to 55% of the tread half width.
US11021002B2

Provided are a near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid having an absorption ability in a near infrared region, a clear contrast, and applicable to offset printing, and a method for producing the same, an anti-counterfeit ink composition using the near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid and an anti-counterfeit printed matter using near infrared absorbing fine particles. Also provided are a near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid containing a solvent of one or more kinds selected from petroleum-based solvents; near infrared absorbing fine particles in an amount of 2 mass % or more and 25 mass % or less, selected from one or more kinds of hexaboride fine particles expressed by a general formula XBa, and a dispersant soluble in the solvent and having a fatty acid in its structure, and an anti-counterfeit ink composition containing the near infrared absorbing fine particle dispersion liquid.
US11020998B2

Printed matter that includes a light-transmissive substrate, a laminated clear layer, and a light adjustment layer. The laminated clear layer is disposed above a main surface of the substrate, and is composed of clear element layers that are light-transmissive. The light adjustment layer has a function of adjusting an amount of light transmitted therethrough and is disposed on the laminated clear layer and/or interposed between a plurality of the clear element layers. The adjustment layer includes light reflective particles and covers a portion of a surface of a layer thereunder. Each of the light reflective particles is granular and has a light reflective surface. The light adjustment layer, in terms of surface area ratio in plan view, covers from 2% to 50% of the surface of the layer thereunder.
US11020995B2

To provide a head leading member with which it is possible to inexpensively lead a head with a high level of accuracy. A head leading member is a head leading member, provided in a printing machine that includes a head to discharge ink toward a working surface, for leading the head in a main travelling direction; and the head leading member comprises; a frame extending in the main travelling direction; a base member fixed to the frame, and having a guiding reference surface that is performed with a manufacture so as to be planar along the main travelling direction, in a state of being fixed to the frame; and a guide member extending in the main travelling direction and being supported on the guiding reference surface of the base member, in order to lead the head in the main travelling direction.
US11020993B2

An example media handling system includes a web media holder with a core hub capable of coupling to a core of a web media roll, a sensor to take a measurement at the circumferential surface of the web media roll, and a controller to determine a length of the web media roll. In that example, the controller may determine the length of the web media roll based on a first distance measurable by the sensor when the core hub is in a first orientation, a second distance measureable by the sensor when the core hub is in a second orientation after a number of rotations with respect to the first orientation of the core hub, and reference value corresponding to the core.
US11020992B2

Provided is a printing apparatus including a support portion configured to support a medium, a printing unit configured to carry out printing onto the medium supported by the support portion, a support portion moving unit configured to move at least a part of the support portion in a facing direction in which the support portion and the printing unit face each other to change a support position of the medium in the facing direction, a detected unit having position information in the facing direction, the detected unit being configured to move in the facing direction together with the support portion, a detector configured to detect the position information, and a control unit configured to detect a position of the support portion in the facing direction, based on the position information detected by the detector.
US11020989B2

A roll paper steering device includes a guide rail fixed to a main body frame, a guide engaged with the guide rail, a holding shaft fixing member supported by the guide rail via the guide, a roll paper holding unit including a roll shaft and mounted to the holding shaft fixing member, a movable member configured to adjustably mount to the holding shaft fixing member, a nut member that includes an internal thread portion that screws into the external thread portion and that is fixed to the main body frame in a posture where the axis of the external thread portion is parallel with the guide rail, a first adjustment unit configured to adjust the posture of the holding shaft fixing member, and a second adjustment unit configured to adjust the position at which the movable member.
US11020987B2

An ink pressure modulation method is presented in a direct-to-shape printing system for applying images on the exterior of an axially symmetrical media object that has a contoured, varying exterior surface, such as occurs on curved wine bottles and sports equipment like bats. The method varies ink pressures based on the movement positions of each print head as they move over the surface of the media object. A movement-based formula is presented to allow for continuous updating of pressures in ink tank manifolds to allow independent changes in pressure to each inkjet print head during printing.
US11020986B2

A print apparatus includes a conveyor configured to convey a sheet along a conveyance path in a first direction. The print apparatus also includes a print head on the conveyance path, a main scan direction of the print head crossing the first direction. The print apparatus further includes a print controller configured to control the print head that in a first print mode prints images on the sheet using a first print reference position on a first end of the print head in the main scan direction and a first image direction parallel to the first direction, and in a second print mode prints images on the sheet using a second print reference position on a second end of the print head in the main scan direction and a second image direction parallel and opposite to the first image direction.
US11020981B2

A liquid ejection device includes a liquid supply unit configured to supply liquid to a liquid ejection head, a first supply passage, a second supply passage, a return pipe and a short-circuit pipe serving as a liquid flow passage, and a pump mechanism. A controller executes an ejection control for supplying the liquid from a pressure chamber to the liquid ejection head by opening first and second valve bodies and closing third and fourth valve bodies, a first circulation control for circulating the liquid through the liquid ejection head by closing the first and fourth valve bodies, opening the second and third valve bodies and operating the pump mechanism, and a second circulation control for circulating the liquid through the short-circuit pipe by closing the second valve body while opening the first, third and fourth valve bodies and operating the pump mechanism with an air vent mechanism released.
US11020979B2

One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a liquid discharge device that determines the amount of liquid stored in each of a first liquid chamber of cartridge and a second liquid chamber of the tank. Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a liquid discharge device that deactivates an alarm or enables previously disabled printing after the cartridge is replaced and then the liquid is reliably determined to have flown into the second liquid chamber of the tank.
US11020978B2

A printing-fluid cartridge is inserted into a printing-fluid consuming apparatus in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached thereto in a first posture. The printing-fluid cartridge includes a front surface, a rear surface, a storage chamber, a supply portion having a supply port, an upper surface, an electrical interface disposed at the upper surface, and a locking surface. The printing-fluid cartridge inserted in the printing-fluid consuming apparatus is pivotable between the first posture and a second posture. The electrical interface is positioned closer to the supply port than the locking surface is to the supply port in the insertion direction. The electrical interface is positioned rearward relative to the pivot center in the insertion direction. The locking surface is positioned upward relative to the storage chamber and closer to a rearmost point of the printing-fluid cartridge than to the electrical interface in the insertion direction.
US11020976B2

In an example implementation, a print supply cartridge comprises a microcontroller to receive a timing challenge and enable authentication of the cartridge by providing a challenge response. The challenge response is provided in a challenge response time that falls within an expected time window.
US11020975B2

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a transport unit that transports a medium along a transport path, a liquid ejecting head that performs recording on the transported medium by ejecting liquid from a nozzle formed at a nozzle surface, a mounting portion on which a liquid storage portion for storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head is mounted, and a first discharge port that delivers the medium on which the recording is performed toward a media processing apparatus that performs processing on the medium, in which the mounting portion is disposed at a position higher than the nozzle surface, and a first transport path which is a portion of the transport path from a position corresponding to the liquid ejecting head to the first discharge port passes above the mounting portion.
US11020964B2

A fluid ejection system includes a group of actuators and a controller. The controller can determine an operational mode of the fluid ejection system. Examples of operational modes include a service mode. In response to determining the fluid ejection system is in the service mode, the controller can modify a firing event sequence of each actuator in the group of actuators. The modification of the firing event sequence can be based in part on determining the fluid ejection system is operating in the service mode.
US11020958B2

A foil reel mounting device for supporting a reel of stamping foil in a supporting module. The device includes a support having a recess to receive an axle of the reel of stamping foil. A retaining element mounted on the support and arranged to move between a closed position, in which the retaining element retains the axle of the reel in the recess, and an open position, in which the retaining element releases the axle of the reel from the recess. The retaining element is biased towards the closed position. Also, a supporting module has at least one foil reel mounting device and a stamping machine includes a supporting module or at least one foil reel mounting device. A method for loading and unloading a reel of stamping foil with such at least one foil reel mounting device is also disclosed.
US11020957B2

A producing method of a base member provided with a printed layer, the method including: disposing a printing plate including a screen plate having an opening pattern and a frame body supporting the screen plate so that the printing plate is opposed to a printing target surface of the base member having at least one bent portion; disposing a squeegee so as to be opposed to a plate surface of the screen plate opposite to the base member; and forming the printed layer by extruding a printing material onto the printing target surface by the squeegee via the opening pattern of the screen plate in a state where the frame body is supported so as to be relatively movable with respect to the printing target surface in a normal direction of the printing target surface.
US11020946B2

A building board, particularly a gypsum board, can have a high fastener sealability if protected by the combination of thin layers of an extruded polymer film and a thermoplastic coating layer. The combination of extruded polymer film and thermoplastic coating layer is designed such that the gypsum board can also tolerate overdriven fasteners, thus exceeding the requirements of ASTM D1970-15.
US11020945B2

A multilayer structure is provided, which includes a layer containing a saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer, and a layer of a thermoplastic resin other than the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer provided on at least one side of the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer with the intervention of an adhesive resin layer. An interface layer having a thickness (X) of 50 to 400 nm is present in an interface between the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer and the adhesive resin layer. Alternatively, a viscosity increase rate in the interface between the saponified ethylene-vinyl ester copolymer-containing layer and the adhesive resin layer is 0.1% to 8%. Therefore, the multilayer structure has long-run durability, and is less liable to have poor appearance even if being produced by a multilayer coextrusion method.
US11020943B2

A kitchen wrap film comprising a barrier layer and an adhesive layer is disclosed where the thickness of the film is less than 25 microns.
US11020934B2

A sublimation transfer sheet assembly including a first layer and an dye or ink layer positioned on a first side of the first layer. The first layer and the dye or ink layer being positioned such that when the sublimation transfer sheet assembly is wrapped about an object with the dye or ink layer facing the object, a first edge portion of the sublimation transfer sheet assembly is overlapped by a second edge portion of the sublimation transfer sheet assembly, and the first edge portion is interposed between the second edge portion and the object.
US11020922B2

A method of manufacturing an article of footwear includes positioning an upper on a last that defines openings connected by one or more channels in the last, injecting a material through the one or more channels in the last, and forming a structure on the upper with the material.
US11020921B2

A connecting member and method of forming the connecting member in an air maintenance tire is provided. The method includes providing a tire having a sidewall formed with an annular groove. The groove receives an annular air tube having a first end with a first fitting and a second end with a second fitting. A recess is formed in the tire sidewall along the annular groove at a location where the first end of the annular air tube is adjacent the second end of the annular air tube. A mold formed with a cavity is provided and the fittings are removably secured in the cavity. The mold is positioned on a surface of the tire sidewall and an elastomer or a polymer is introduced into the mold cavity. The mold is heated to form the connecting member on the tire sidewall.
US11020920B2

Disclosed is a tire building system including a first drum, a second drum and first stations, a first support, a first carrier that carries the first drum with respect to the first support, a second support and a second carrier that carries the second drum with respect to the second support, wherein the first carrier is movable along the first support in a first positioning plane, wherein the second carrier is movable along the second support in the first positioning plane, wherein the first support is arranged for supporting the first carrier from below the first positioning plane and wherein the second support is arranged for suspending the second carrier from above the first positioning plane. The disclosure further relates to a method for positioning the first drum and the second drum with respect to the first stations with the use of the aforementioned system.
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